With Baldrago and Malder in tow, Tristan, Bael and Jerrigan return to Dromdal manor just as the sun is setting out over the sea, and the city lamplighters are doing their rounds.
On arrival at Dromdal Manor you find two coaches drawn up outside. One bears the coat of arms of the Jeggare family, moderately important in Korvosan import/export and notable for their ancestor Montlarion Jeggare who explored upriver (and for whom the Jeggare River is named). The other must be some minor family, losers from the Cousins War, since you don't recognise it. The drivers of the two coaches are leaning on the wall enjoying a pipe together. They give you a nod acknowledgement as you pass.
The aged halfling retainer Barnsworth admits you, with some incomprehensible mumbling. You notice he is currently wearing a gingham apron and an oven mitt.
In the main hall of Dromdal Manor you find Lady Dromdal sat in her wheelchair, fussing over her lapdog. Her large mastiff sits loyally at her side, exchanging glares with Maya, who is stood stiffly to one side of the room. If looks could kill, Jerrigan would drop dead as he enters. Lady Dromdal's daughter, Ceceli, looks as awkward as Maya, but whereas the Shoanti sorceress has an aloof and disdainful air, Ceceli hides, meek and fearful, near the elevator door.
The large table is set for dinner, and there are some other guests present, evidently from the carriages. A large, somewhat greasy man with a combover is talking loudly at Ceceli about his investment portfolio. A frail-looking elderly lady is talking excitedly to Lady Dromdal, her extravagent wig slightly askew. A well-dressed but slightly vacant young man, whom you hear her refer to as "my nephew Ned" several times, stands next to her with a vague smile on his face. He turns the smile on you and raises a glass in welcome when you enter.
"Hullo!" he says. "More guests. I must say, Auntie, these really are some exciting looking people. Look, one of them's a tiefling."
"Pfft," says Lady Dromdal, waving a bony hand and startling her lapdog. "They're just some people my idiot niece hired. Thinks we need looking after from that mad halfling they caught here last month. There, there, Sachi." This last directed at the lapdog in soothing tones. She looks up at you again. "Well, since you're here, you may as well join us for dinner, since Ned seems interested in you. I'll have Barnsworth lay some more places."
[SBLOCK=OOC]
Some Knowledge (nobility) and Knowledge (local) checks rolled for the above info. I tend to work such things into the narrative, but I didn't want you to feel you'd wasted skill points choosing them!
On re-reading that, it's not clear who Ned's aunt is. It's the other old lady, not Lady Dromdal.
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