Heroica RPG - Quest #72: A Party

[JimBee]

"I thought you said 7:55, U'Or? Not forgetting the timeline now are we? Heheh..."

[Zepher]

"Ah, yes, sorry. We were to be here at 7:55 is when we were supposed to be here. Outside the wall, that is. All the guests must already be inside by now. No late admissions allowed."

The clock somewhere in the house begins to chime, and the sounds peel out. U'Or bustles towards the gate leading into the Manor. He stands at attention as the bell rings eight times, and as the eighth bell rings, he flings the doors open ceremoniously.

The heroes see five figures, one of which quickly disappears into the house, leaving the beautifully graveled courtyard behind. The heroes glance around at the remaining four figures.

"...and of course, thank Mercutio the marriage was called off. A mere folly, I assure you!"

"No trouble, Gerald. It will of course be the normal deal, and I'll be staying for the party. A Selkreeth never refuses good drinks."

"Of course, you'll stay, Zora. I'll just make sure that U'Or keeps an eye on you."

"Won't both his eyes be glued to the Ladybug?"

What would the heroes like to do?

Edited June 12, 2013 by Zepher

[Brickdoctor]

I wait politely for Guffington to finish speaking to the Selkreeth.

[Pandora]

Nyx can only assume the man referred to as "Gerald" is indeed the Great Guffington. She looks around the courtyard, taking in the opulence and looking for anything that might seem out of place, but she remains quiet and composed, waiting to be approached by their host and employer. While she looks and waits, she smoothes down her robes and shakes her hair, fixing her appearance.

[Scubacarrot]

The raider looks at the familiar courtyard, then leans against one of the trees, and proceeds to fumble with the straps on his armour and coat.

[JimBee]

Hybros looked around the courtyard, taking note of the surroundings and anything suspicious as he waited with the party.

[Zepher]

Guffington glances over at the heroes, smiles and turns back to 'Zora'.

"I'd like you to meet my friends."

The man with the mustache and white hair also seems to finish up his conversation. He steps away from the other man and walks through the big doors. The man turns to look at the heroes, and he and Nyx make contact briefly as she glances around looking for danger. A tingle goes down her spine, and then he too steps inside.

"Hello there Guts, Docken, Hybros, and Nyx!" Guffington bows to the final name, and shakes her hand exuberantly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, finally. I saw you at the Founder's Day Ball. Quite an evening." Guffinton turns to all the others. "How have you been? I'm very happy you were able to make my party. I'm afraid that most of these people don't see many rough and tumble adventurers, should do their blood some good. This here is Zora Felix, an old friend of mine."

"A pleasure, heroes."

[Brickdoctor]

"Good to see you again, Lord Guffington."

I turn to the Selkreeth as Gerald introduces her.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Felix."

[Scubacarrot]

Guts taps his forehead for a manner of greeting and unties one of the two bottles of Charissian Red he brought from the hall from his belt, and hands it to Guffington. As he looks away, he mumbles that it is customary to bring a gift to a host of a party. He then turns his head to the Selkreeth, and bows his head slightly.

"A pleasure indeed, I am Captain Holla."

Selkreeth. Naturally dangerous because of their fangs and toxic skin, as well as tentacles that could break human bones with ease. You wouldn´t expect it, but these squid-like creatures were vicious killers.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[Zepher]

"Ah, some Charissian Wine. That is potent stuff, Gerald. Be careful with it."

"You needn't tell me. I've been to Charis once or twice, though perhaps you've gone more recently."

"That I have. Most recent trip, I stopped there. The Croise signed some document or other. Much less mayhem now." Lady Felix locks eyes with Guts. "That's an expensive drink for a hero to favor. Perhaps you come from wealth?"

[Pandora]

Nyx grins widely as Guffington shakes her hand.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you sir" she turns to the Selkreeth and curtseys deeply, still smiling "Lady Felix, it is an honour to meet you."

She straightens again, and turns to Guffington.

"If you don't mind me asking sir, but who was the gentleman with the white hair and glasses to whom you were talking as we arrived?"

[Scubacarrot]

The raider smirked, then smiled sadly, and answered: "I am not. I was born in the rubble between salt and sand. A Strivvian street rat. It's hard to explain why I like this wine, but it's not as filthy as the beer that is brewed from water of Eubric's canals, and not as strong so that it does not quench the thirst. Charissian Red is simply the best quality wine around."

[Zepher]

OoC: Guffington was talking to Felix. I'll assume, though, that you mean the only man with white hair and glasses.

"That was Henry Hinckwell. He's the younger brother of Henreich. He too is a traveller of the world, managing in person most of the affairs that reach past Eubric and Uland. I believe he has just returned from visiting the Lower Kingdoms. Apparently something went awry there recently for the Hinckwell family."

"A street rat. Then we are the same. Poor people with rich tastes have no choice but to become rich themselves."

"Mis Felix, like myself, acquired her wealth."

"That's a wonderful way to put it. I think Mr. Guts and I will become good friends."

"If you wouldn't mind escorting the heroes to the dining hall, I believe they have a great many faces to meet and greet. I personally must check on something at the gatehouse. I'll be with you shortly." Guffington gives Lady Felix a kiss on the cheek and walks past the heroes.

The heroes follow Lady Felix through the huge doors and enter a long hallway with a massive ceiling, and doors running on either wall. Lady Felix leads them down the hallway.

[Scubacarrot]

The raider mumbled something along the lines of: "It's captain Guts." And then followed the woman, they hadn't been in this part of the manor, as far as Guts remembered. His memories from then were pretty foggy. The machine they used to travel inside Guffy's mind had caused that, the raider thought. While walking, Guts asked:

"How did you meet Guffington, if I may ask?"

[Zepher]

"In all honesty, it's a little bit embarrassing. I was making a bit of a shady business deal in the Low Kingdoms. Guffington's people were also involved. Let's just say that I'm lucky that Guffington has a kind heart and that I've improved in my trade since then. Now when I engaged in shady business, I'm never caught." The Lady winks at Guts.

The heroes pass through another huge set of doors and arrive in a huge dining room. Light floods in from the room. The heroes glance up to see a totally glass ceiling, catching, refracting and amplifying the final rays of the sun for that day.

"Beautiful, isn't it? It's Daneeka's design. Enjoy it while you can, the sun sets at 8:30 today."

Who would the party like to talk to?

Edited June 13, 2013 by Zepher

[Brickdoctor]

"A glass ceiling of Doctor Daneeka's design, you say? Indeed, it is quite lovely."

I check the ceiling for enemies or traps.

[Zepher]

Docken glances up at the glass, but on inspection from down here, he can see nothing wrong with it. A bug seems to land on it, and is zapped instantly. Docken wonders if perhaps the glass is infused with some defense that would make breaking through it nearly deadly.

[Brickdoctor]

I look to see if there's any food being served while I take note of the appearance of the faces of each of the other guests.

[Zepher]

Docken glances over, and notices that some of the guests have drinks, though there doesn't appear to be any food yet. He is able to see the faces that he can see from the corner of the room that the heroes stand in, but no more, as some faces are engaged in conversation. Perhaps if the heroes went and engaged the party goers, they may be able to get a read on some of them.

[Scubacarrot]

Guts attempts to determine where the drinks are served from.

[Zepher]

Guts notices a door to the left that probably leads to the kitchen. As he watches, a server wanders out with another drink.

"Who would like the next drink?" the server buzzes in a nasally voice.

[Scubacarrot]

The raider raises an eyebrow, that was on odd way of serving drinks. Nevertheless, he nodded at the server, he could figure out later if he'd drink... whatever it was.

[Zepher]

The waiter moves towards Guts and passes him the drink. It appears to be a wine. It smells strong.

"Remember, we have been ordered to keep the wine flowing. If you'd like a drink, just say."

"I'll take another drink as well." Lady Felix leans in and whispers in Guts' ear. "Guffington is known for letting the rivers flow at his party. I hope you can hold your liquor."

[Scubacarrot]

The raider let out a small grin: "That sounded like a challenge, my lady." The raider downs the drink at once. "If I did not know any better, that is."

[Zepher]

"Keep count. See how many you can stomach, and see if you can do even better next time. If you'll excuse me, there is someone else I'd like to talk to. Perhaps you should do the same?" Lady Felix squeezes Guts' arm in parting and goes to talk to the hooded man.

The door opens behind the heroes and Guffington steps into the room. "Everything is set at the door, heroes. Is this your first time? Hopefully. You don't seem to know anyone yet. Go socialize! I invited you to meet my friends, not stand in a scared clump in the corner. Isn't life for the living, Guts?"