Rowaini Musketeers: One For All and All For One

[Fenris]

*Marie produces a key with which to lock the door on their way out. Tristan leads the group downstairs following Tommy, who checks on the symptoms of the drugged guests, then grabs a piece of bread and tries a few things with it, including dropping it in some wine, which causes a slight bubbling. He nods to himself.*

"This bread is laced with Gracchia Silvarna, or Heartmelt Root as it is often known. It's a drug that causes an altered state wherein the subject's blood pumps quickly and they feel lightheaded and increasingly amorous towards anyone pretty around them, whether or not they would ordinarily be attracted in their right senses. Other than that, it is harmless. Other than the possibility of some slight embarrassment, no one here is any danger," Tommy reassures everyone.

*Meanwhile, Richard and Gerald ascend from the wine-cellar.*

"I heard a commotion and--good heavens, how horrid! Is everyone all right?" Richard asks in dismay as he sees scene and all the collapsed or bloody people.

"I am glad to hear that. Thank you Tommy." says Tristan.

As Richard comes upon the scene, "Ah Richard, everyone is fine, merely the makings of a classic party. A little something extra in the bread is all. However, my comrades and I have something of grave importance to discuss with the Dulirand family. If you would please head up to Maries room I would appreciate it greatly. The situation downstairs can be explained by the situation upstairs." replies Tristan shoeing everyone back up the stairs.

"Tommy if we can spare you from down here I'd like to have you upstairs as well."

Spotting Gabriel coming with Belinda, Tristan greets he friend, "You always do sweep the ladies off their feet Gabriel." laughs Tristan trying to find some humour tonight.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Tommy has moved over to discuss something with the healer who is already down here, and he inspects a man who has collapsed face-down.*

"This man is dead," Tommy proclaims solemnly.

"Why, that's Meleagant Degorre. How did he die? He's bleeding badly."

"No, I don't think so. It's possible, but he seems to weathered the wounds alright. It's unclear exactly how he died. I'm not so great at forensics. I could tell the Heartmelt Root, but I doubt I could tell you for sure. There is the possibility that others here are in danger, then. But I'll head upstairs for now. Can you take care of it."

*The Healer nods stoically.*

*As the group heads up to Marie's room, they find that Tomas and Natalie Dulirand have arrived as well. Tomas is a greying man, perhaps in his late fifties with hair that was once brown like Tommy's, and Natalie is a beautiful woman, perhaps in her thirties, with Marie's striking blonde tresses.*

"Hey, what's going on here?" the Baron asks, turning to Tristan, "I would hope that this is pretty important. I came because I could not fathom that a Musketeer would dare call on the lord and host in such a manner unless the situation was dire. I hope to be proven correct shortly."

"Dear, calm down. I'm sure there's a good reason," Natalie lays a hand on her husband's arm in a soothing manner.

 

[Fenris]

Tristan bows formally to Tomas. "My deepest apologies my lord. I apologize for this breech of protocol, but as His Majesties Musketeer and and member of the Royal Knights I found it necessary to call you all together. You daughter is in great danger my lord. This evening I was sent upon an errand with Mademoiselle Belinda. In the course of the errand we surprised a prowler in Maries personal bedroom. This same man I believe is responsible for poisoning your guests tonight. I tried to stop him, but he escaped at the last moment" says Tristan as he takes the key from Marie and opens her door to show the large pools of blood, still crimson and wet upon the rugs.

"I apologize for staining your carpets with my blood sir, though I shed it in defense of your family. This lunatic called himself the Crimson Pumpernickle and used many sorts of baking terms during his visit. He was delusional, thinking himself in some old fairy tale with ogres" says Tristan shooting Belinda a quick smile. "He is also absolutely infatuated with Marie. He has stolen the Rose's Tear from you and demands Marie in exchange for it." says Tristan handing the note to Tomas. Tristan waits a moment for Tomas and Natalie to read the note.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Tomas looks incredulous, then he laughs.*

"You needn't worry then. That's a preposterous claim for him to make. The Rose's Tear is hidden and kept extremely safe. Still, I suppose it can't hurt for me to make sure I'm right. Wait here. I'll be back soon."

*The Baron heads off.*

*When he returns, his eyes are wide and haunted, as if he has seen a ghost, and his arm, still holding the note from the Crimson Pumpernickel, is shaking. He seems to be mouthing the same thing over and over:*

"Aelindriel have mercy...Aelindriel have mercy...Aelindriel have mercy..."

"Father, what's wrong?"

"He has the Rose's Tear. Our family is doomed. Damn him! I don't want to give up my darling daughter, but it seems we have no choice but to hand over Marie and hope that he keeps his side of the bargain. We can't risk that he destroys the tear if we try to attack him instead," the Baron's words are spoken with great sorrow and resignation, as if he had been thinking them over his entire walk back but yet still dreaded having to say them.

 

[Fenris]

"My lord, what is the Rose's Tear? I take it this is more than a family heirloom." asks Tristan.

 

[Rystil Arden]

"My lord, what is the Rose's Tear? I take it this is more than a family heirloom." asks Tristan.

"It is an heirloom, but...I would prefer not to discuss the details. Why don't we just say that a prophecy states that our family will be destroyed, ravaged, and shattered if we do not have the Rose's Tear. The end result is the same. This is not common knowledge, though. I doubt this 'Pumpernickel' could have possibly known this. He probably just thought he was stealing a priceless family heirloom."

 

[unleashed]

Spotting Gabriel coming with Belinda, Tristan greets he friend, "You always do sweep the ladies off their feet Gabriel." laughs Tristan trying to find some humour tonight.

“Well, I do what I can, my friend,” Gabriel chuckles, “Though tonight is the first time I’ve had to rebuff a lady’s advances because of another’s actions ... hopefully she’ll thank me for my restraint later.”

 

[Fenris]

"It is an heirloom, but...I would prefer not to discuss the details. Why don't we just say that a prophecy states that our family will be destroyed, ravaged, and shattered if we do not have the Rose's Tear. The end result is the same. This is not common knowledge, though. I doubt this 'Pumpernickel' could have possibly known this. He probably just thought he was stealing a priceless family heirloom."

"I think he may know more than you think, if he was able to steal it away in exchange for another heirloom, Marie. Do not underestimate this man. As Belinda can attest to, he appears and even acts a fool, yet he has shown skill and cunning. Combinded with poison and treachery he has no honour is capable of doing anything in his belief that he is the hero of some old tale and can do no wrong. I understand your quandary, My Lord. I cannot speak for my companions, but I feel free enough in my duty to state that I shall assist your family in whatever way I can" says Tristan giving Jacen a hard look as if to say speak up now lad.

"Marie, could you search your room to see if anything was taken. And did you have any suitors, or more specifically any servant who seemed overly enamored with you. A baker's son or delivery boy. Tommy, this drug that was in the bread, how common is it?"

 

[Rystil Arden]

"I think he may know more than you think, if he was able to steal it away in exchange for another heirloom, Marie. Do not underestimate this man. As Belinda can attest to, he appears and even acts a fool, yet he has shown skill and cunning. Combinded with poison and treachery he has no honour is capable of doing anything in his belief that he is the hero of some old tale and can do no wrong. I understand your quandary, My Lord. I cannot speak for my companions, but I feel free enough in my duty to state that I shall assist your family in whatever way I can" says Tristan giving Jacen a hard look as if to say speak up now lad.

"Marie, could you search your room to see if anything was taken. And did you have any suitors, or more specifically any servant who seemed overly enamored with you. A baker's son or delivery boy. Tommy, this drug that was in the bread, how common is it?"

"I appreciate your offer, but we really have no choice in this matter. He will probably be hiding inside of the building watching, and if he sees that Marie isn't alone, he could just shatter the Tear long before you could find him, especially if he is as cunning as you say."

"The drug is neither particularly common nor particularly rare. Nonetheless, the amount that must have been used should have been rather expensive, though if he is a thief, that may just mean he stole it. Still, it didn't seem to serve any useful purpose. Why would he bother?"


*Marie starts looking to see if anything is missing, pondering before she goes:*

"No, I mean, there have been a lot of young men who danced with me and the like, but I can't think of any that showed me any abnormal interest. And I try to be kind with the staff, but I've never imagined looking at any of them in that way, no."

 

[Fenris]

"I appreciate your offer, but we really have no choice in this matter. He will probably be hiding inside of the building watching, and if he sees that Marie isn't alone, he could just shatter the Tear long before you could find him, especially if he is as cunning as you say."

"The drug is neither particularly common nor particularly rare. Nonetheless, the amount that must have been used should have been rather expensive, though if he is a thief, that may just mean he stole it. Still, it didn't seem to serve any useful purpose. Why would he bother?"

*Marie starts looking to see if anything is missing.*

"To get Marie to fall in love with him of course. He has to have access to the bread. Tomas, did you have any of the bread brought in tonight, or was it all baked here? As to my help, you have it, at the worst, get the Tear back and I will get Marie back."