Part 1: Welcome to Thyatis

[GreyWolfVT]

I don't think we are to openly indicate we know Belynor, Madrien, Zon and Goruk. We must casually make our way to meet them as if strangers perhaps. This way Helenites does not know we are employed by Maximitus. Unless I am wrong.

This is correct.

[Rukellian]

Rukiel catches on quickly to what Gildor is playing at and goes along with it. "Yes, a guide in a new city, a new residence would be most welcome. I have heard that many great warriors and powerful men are in attendance tonight. I hope to meet as such, so as to gain my place in the arena!"

[GreyWolfVT]

The Guard clarifies "To be clear the guide is for Villa Osteropolus and the party not for the city."

[Rukellian]

Rukiel the Fickle

"And to be clear, I am at the Villa Osteropolus now, so a guide for the villa is what I seek." Rukiel cannot help but give a half-smile that would naturally go with his smartass reply.

[Rex]

Hantae
"I think I will just wander about and enjoy the party on my own for a bit. See everyone later."

For Gildor

In Thieves Cant
"I think I will have a better chance of learning something on my own, good luck."

[GreyWolfVT]

The Guard smirks at Rukiel "Very well. Two so far of you wish for a guide two seek to wander aimlessly. Both are fine by me." the guard lets those who wish to wander around the mansion villa do so those wishing for a guide he summons one.

Lucio the guide greets the party he is a young slave boy, by the looks of him "Greetings I am Lucio I will be your guide for the Villa Osteropolus. If you will follow me I will start by showing you the vestibulum." the guard opens the door to the mansion (Area #1 on the Villa map) in the main entry the columns that line this hall are caryatids; that is, they are carved in the shapes of standing women. Mosaics on the walls and floor depict distinguished ancestors of the Osteropolus family. "This being the main entrance to the Villa, there are always at least two guards here. Late at night the great double doors are locked as well. Except on nights like tonight with all-night parties." Lucio informs the group as he leads them to the next room. As you move onward you see two guards inside the main hall, along with the one outside that is only 3 guards so far. Going through the next set of doors you enter the Feast Hall(Area #2 on the Villa map) "This is the feast hall this huge room is the focal point of such feasts as tonight's dinner party, you are all welcome to wander most anywhere else in the villa that you please. However if you wish me to I will continue on the tour of the Villa if you wish." Currently this hall is filled with tables, heaped with every type of food, common or exotic, to be found in the city. There are whole roast pigs, sides of beef, chickens and turkeys, numerous sauces, meat and fruit pastries, bread, exquisite cheeses, garlands of garnishes around each dish, plus additional trays of fruits and vegetables . . . . More exotic dishes include birds' tongues, caviar, and perhaps tender edible morsels from fantastic beasts. Gallons of drink are here as well: wines, cider, beer, distilled liquors, vegetable and fruit juices, milk of cows and goats, and even iced water. There are many servants in the room hustling around bringing other party guests drink and food or anything else not laid out on the many tables.

Actions?

[Dram]

Krakus heads for the food table. I missed lunch. I shall mingle with the guest near the dining area. I will ask about our host.

[Rex]

Hantae

Hantae will head into the villa, first towards the food where she will partake a small amount, mostly to seem sociable. Then she will work the crowd, trying to learn anything she can from both observation and conversation.

[Cwreando]

Gildor

Gidlor says, "Lucio I'd love a full tour of the place but since we might be on a time crunch perhaps you can do the basic full version so it's faster. I'd hate to miss any of our hosts announcements and such. IF that's ok with Rukiel and the others that want the tour?"

For Hantae - Before Hantae goes Gildor whispers

"I'm going to take the tour and winks at her."

Gildor adds, "Let me get some refreshment and food before we go Lucio." Gildor gets some wine and a small snack.

Gildor is in his fancy clothes, Cap and boots over his padded leather armor.

I guess our other stuff is in a room somewhere?

[PyroArrow]

Rician Lockwindberg - Paladin - Banded Mail AC 4 + Stone Warden Shield (+2): AC 2 - HP: 27 /27:

Rician says, "I'm fine with that, Gildor."

[Cwreando]

Gildor

Gildor nods at Rician, "Very good, I like this party already. We have a guide, food and refreshments. I hope we don't miss anything like the entertainment or our host while we take the tour."

[Rukellian]

Rukiel the Fickle

At first, he is rather perturbed by the idea of being told what to do, even if it did come in the form of a suggestion, but after a few moments of mental deliberation, Rukiel, too, agrees to this, giving a curt nod to the others. He somehow persuaded himself that he thought up of the idea first. "Wouldn't want to miss any major events, now would we?"

[ravenn4544]

Brother Canis smiles eagerly at the spread of food provided. "Well played, Sir! I indeed would be happy to have a tour - of this fine food, if you take my meaning". He starts to pick at the ones that seem the tastiest to his liberal appetites.

[PyroArrow]

Rician Lockwindberg - Paladin - Banded Mail AC 4 + Stone Warden Shield (+2): AC 2 - HP: 27 /27:

Rician also begins picking at the fine food here and there and scanning the crowd for any signs of evil using his detect evil ability as he munches on the food slowly.

[Nuke66]

Keathan too wanders over to the buffet table and loads a plate. Small portions of a large variety of the offerings. "Yeah, this is about all the tour I need." He moves to a wall, keeping his back against it as he eats.

[GreyWolfVT]

Feast Hall @ Villa Osteropolis

Lucio waits patiently and allows for everyone to dine and drink. "If you'd like to continue the tour of the villa we can. Otherwise I will see if i am needed elsewhere. Please continue to eat and drink anything and as much as you wish. I"ll wait right here for now sirs and madam." the slave boy stands nearby waiting patiently for the party to either dismiss him or ask to continue the tour.

Meanwhile you see all sorts of other folks here Belynor, Zon, Goruk, Madrien dressed much differently than the last time you saw them. Other than the four you already know you see all sorts of other folks gathered around eating, drinking and chatting. You see a man in his late forties, with graying black hair and a clean-shaven face talking with Belynor briefly hearing parts of the conversation you think you heard the name Maximitus mentioned at one point. Another person you have seen in the feast hall is a woman that looks to be about 50 years old, though it hardly shows. Her skin seems much younger and smoother than one would expect at her age. Her bright, piercing green eyes leave an impression on all who meet her, you think you heard someone call her Phaedra Daphnorakenzes from the looks of her you think she may possibly be a cleric of sorts.

Other people you notice is a younger woman with red-blonde hair, pale skin, roughly around 28 years old by the looks of her. From the way she acts you think she might be a mage or sorceress the name Elemaledai you think was what someone referred to her by. Still scanning the crowd you see a younger man with short brown hair, brown eyes, tall and well-built, roughly 22 years old. He has the looks more of a fighter, someone else was talking about the man and called him Galatio. None of the names other than Maximitus so far has struck you with an name of recognition. As you move about and mingle a little more you see a man defined, facially and bodily, with straight lines. His short hair is black, with peppery gray starting to appear around the sideburns, and his age is roughly 39, if you were to guess by looks. You think you overheard his name being Friedrich but again it means nothing to you thus far.

As the group continues to look around a man named Marcus the Beastmaster or so you heard from others talking around you. You overheard Galatio and whomever he is talking to whisper about Marcus "I heard he prays his beloved animals will defeat their human opponents." to which the other just nods as if agreeing with the statement adding only "I never liked the beastmaster anyways, that just gives further reason to." from what little your overheard it sounds like Marcus is not well liked by some of the gladiators and is the one in charge of training the beasts some gladiators fight in the arena. By the looks of the beastmaster he has well toned muscles looks fairly young maybe around 30 years of age.

You notice a young man sort of lingering off in the background others point and talk about him in whispers calling him Mustafa the rat. The man has a hooked nose, beady black eyes, black hair and a sparse beard that never seems to grow longer, yet never has been seen clean-shaven. He is about 25 years old you guess. Nobody appears to be talking good about the man as if he is just an ordinary citizen and doesn't belong at the dinner party. There is a woman that is giving a nasty almost death stare to another woman the one giving the look of death is 5'6", with graying brown hair, hazel eyes; olive skin; wears expensive clothes of the latest fashion,
but is generally unkempt and negligent; roughly around age 45. The woman she is giving the death stare to is younger looking about the same height as the other woman staring at her she hasn't spoken to anyone is walking as if to avoid talking to anyone as she makes her way off to another room in the villa.

Finally you see the man that you presume is the host of the party a man about 5'8", gray thinning hair and gray eyes; olive skin. He wears a senatorial toga, that appears to be about age 53. Surely this must be Helenites he has other folks talking to him and he appears to be headed off to a garden outside. You notice there is an Orc in the room though nobody appears to be trying to attack him he has the look of a gladiator and you figure this must be why though he appears to have a surprisingly flamboyant
personality, an almost roguish charm for his race as he talks to others at the party and they smile and laugh as he talks. You hear him call himself Yalag. You overhear him talking about how he won his freedom from the arena and he still is a gladiator today.

Actions?

[Cwreando]

Gildor

Gildor says, "Uh, I think we'll skip the tour thanks." Gildor will casually follow Helenites ease dropping along the way but not following too close and altering his path to be random in his enjoyment of the garden area.

DM only

Gildor will use his Detect noise to enhance his ease dropping in the garden. I'm attempting to be close enough to hear casual conversation fairly easy but would need a bit of help trying to hear hushed talking without being obvious and not looking like I'm trying to hide or stalk them if that makes sense. Maybe a bonus to my DN possibly?

[Dram]

Krakus approaches Mustafa. Hello sir, I am Krakus. This my first time to one these dinner parties is there ever any excitement?

[Rukellian]

Rukiel the Fickle

"You do well to show us to the food, very good. This is all, off to your duties Lucio." Rukiel makes a sweeping gesture with his arm and points his hand away like a noble would if making a grand declaration. He is among the nobility, of this his eyes and ears are certain, he must make a good impression, he thinks to himself. Rukiel samples a few pieces of choice fruit, smooths out his white toga, while readjusting its fold, and makes his way straight to one of the lovely ladies of the room.

Priorities and all that.

Rukiel approaches Elemaledai once he feels an opportunity to introduce himself has arrived. Rukiel has been observing how people greet each other in this establishment and will mimic said greeting, performing any bows that are necessary. "I do say! It is quite the crime to have not been introduced to such a fair looking lady such as yourself. May I have the pleasure of hearing your name? I am Rukiel. I am a great warrior of a faraway land, and I have come here to make my name known in the Grand Arena of Thyatis!" Rukiel does the customary bow, if there is one, and smiles a roguish smile, all the while holding a respectfully firm, and what he can only hope to be a mutually intimate, gaze with Elemaledai.

[GreyWolfVT]

Krakus approaches Mustafa. Hello sir, I am Krakus. This my first time to one these dinner parties is there ever any excitement?

Mustafa acts a little jump at the barbarian's approach then replies as if uncomfortable with the encounter "Ah hi Krakus. Yes there is excitement I suppose if you like politicians and gossip. Food and drink aplenty to be had. Gossip flows freely from some. But I have other things to attend to if you will excuse me." and the rat looking man slips off and leaves the feast hall. From the encounter Krakus gets the sense the man doesn't entirely belong in the setting and that he just might live up to his nickname of the rat not merely by appearances.

Rukiel the Fickle

"You do well to show us to the food, very good. This is all, off to your duties Lucio." Rukiel makes a sweeping gesture with his arm and points his hand away like a noble would if making a grand declaration. He is among the nobility, of this his eyes and ears are certain, he must make a good impression, he thinks to himself. Rukiel samples a few pieces of choice fruit, smooths out his white toga, while readjusting its fold, and makes his way straight to one of the lovely ladies of the room.

Priorities and all that.

Rukiel approaches Elemaledai once he feels an opportunity to introduce himself has arrived. Rukiel has been observing how people greet each other in this establishment and will mimic said greeting, performing any bows that are necessary. "I do say! It is quite the crime to have not been introduced to such a fair looking lady such as yourself. May I have the pleasure of hearing your name? I am Rukiel. I am a great warrior of a faraway land, and I have come here to make my name known in the Grand Arena of Thyatis!" Rukiel does the customary bow, if there is one, and smiles a roguish smile, all the while holding a respectfully firm, and what he can only hope to be a mutually intimate, gaze with Elemaledai.

Elemaledai flaunts her looks as Rukiel attempts to flatter her. "Such flattery, I don't suppose you need any sorcery services. My but you have a way with words good sir. I am Elemaledai a sorceress for hire. I too come from a different land, I moved to Thyatis not so long ago myself." she says with almost a yawn at the end. Though something about the young beauty feels a bit off to Rukiel he just can't place it. She appears very pleasant and happy, but utterly and completely unambitious.

Gildor

Gildor says, "Uh, I think we'll skip the tour thanks." Gildor will casually follow Helenites ease dropping along the way but not following too close and altering his path to be random in his enjoyment of the garden area.

DM only

Gildor will use his Detect noise to enhance his ease dropping in the garden. I'm attempting to be close enough to hear casual conversation fairly easy but would need a bit of help trying to hear hushed talking without being obvious and not looking like I'm trying to hide or stalk them if that makes sense. Maybe a bonus to my DN possibly?

Lucio bows and takes his leave going back up front to see if his services are needed elsewhere. "Enjoy the party sirs and lady."

Cwreando Only:

You can make the roll for Detect Noise and Move Silently add a 5% bonus to them. We can go from there.