Characters Present: Yukihyo, Tal Hil, Tilij
After defeating the Krasis at the Simic Growth Chamber and subduing the Vedalken scientist responsible for splicing Krenko into some horrible semi-aquatic reptilian monster, the party returns to report to Advisor Swansong.
While turning over the Vedalken scientist in a sack, the party discovers some shredded scraps of paper in one of the scientist’s pockets. A quick Mend spell from Yukhio and the paper is restored to the party invitation that the scientist had clearly attempted to destroy while the party was busy fighting Krenksis. The invitation is for a ball being held by Countess Tizain and is addressed to “Lord and Lady Blackmeadow (plus one).” The message “present for entry” is prominently displayed across the top of the invitation. Advisor Swansong is very interested in this invitation.
Advisor Swansong tells the party that he believes that the fact that this Vedalken scientist was working on what appears to be secret experiments involving Krenko strongly suggests that his concerns about a shadowy group interfering with Guild politics are likely valid. It seems clear that Nassius Ven and this scientist are in league with each other and if they are working together, whom else is involved? Swansong pays the party 50g each for their part in recapturing Krenko, and proposes hiring on the team again to infiltrate and investigate this party that the scientist seemed to be worried about having interlopers discover.
Upon accepting the new assignment, the team sets out to do some reconnaissance on Countess Tizain’s home. Tal Hil is able to acquire copies of the building’s blueprints and the team learns that Countess Tizain’s home is a palace done up in standard Orzhov gothic style. It has three floors above ground and two basements. The team sets out to observe the home for a day to get the lay of the land and gather intel to help them plan their infiltration.
A day’s worth of stakeout at Countess Tizain’s residence reveals a lot of activity. There is a constant stream of workers setting up for the big event. There are massive amounts of food and beverage deliveries, furniture in the house is being rearranged, various contractors and temporary hires mill about all over the grounds fixing things up and getting the place in tip-top shape for the upcoming visitors. There is an extra whirlpool of activity focused around one of the home’s large ball rooms. The ball room is large enough to comfortably host hundreds of guests. There is a raised platform on the far end of the room with one long table set upon it and several very throne-like chairs along its far side. Below the raised platform are rows of long tables setup almost like pews in a church, running parallel to the edge of the platform and the long table above. Workers are busy setting up large flags from the walls at the head of each table, each flag bearing a different symbol – many of which are easily recognizable to the residents of Ravnica, but some are not.
While some of the party is surveilling Countess Tizain’s palace, Vesfaah reaches out to his Rakdos contacts to find out about the entertainment scheduled for the Countess’ party. Sure enough, the guild has accepted multiple contracts to fill the ball room with various forms of entertainment – from bands, to performing troops, to full-cast theatrical retellings of important historical Orzhov events. Vesfaah is even able to get any number of party members hired on as performers, if any are interested in pursuing this potential line of infiltration.
To be continued as our adventurers plan their foray into Countess Tizain’s vampire masquerade…
| CHARACTER | LOOT GAINED | LOOT LOST |
|---|---|---|
| Yukihyo | None | None |
| Tal Hil | None | None |
| Tilij | None | None |
| Everyone | 50g each, Party Invitation, Party Entertainment Gig Work | None |
Ryan Steiner 