Act III - Upton-on-Sea: Oh We do like to be beside the sea-side
Scene I W'nsday 2nd Frost. Roof of the "Grande"
hotel, early morning.
Enter The Party and Zanni on wings, winds and
divers flying mechanisms.
Zanni, it appears, acting upon instructions from Dawn has rented the
entire top floor of the stone "Grande Hotel", some 12 large rooms, at
the sum of 1 guinea a night. Unaccustomed to such large sums
Amelia requires some reassurance. The floor has many windows and
balconies, and quite a number of staircases, both public and for
servants, leading to the roof and downstairs. The building is
solidly designed, though militarily indefensible. After checking
out the rooms Braegon sets watches and the party sleep until a late
breakfast. Braegon has a complicated watch schedule, but as certain
members of the party are engaged in other activities he and Roke assume
the guise of others, in order that the schedule not be altered. Braegon [to Roke]: "You be Dawn, and I'll be Pent".
[Exeunt]
Philosophical Interlude: Concerning Serendipity and the nature
of Spectres. It has not passed the party's notice that
Lady Godrock has a number of unusual attributes: she can float and pass
through walls, she is never seen in bright light, she practices magic
of the Dark branch of the Celestial college, touching her drains life,
and she can only be struck by magical weapons. These attributes
are not dissimilar to those possessed by certain members of the Greater
Undead, most particularly the Spectre. Lady Godrock does not however
appear
to be undead, the arts of the Healer appear effective upon her, and
those
wards and charms against the undead are not sovereign. In the
absence
of further evidence it does not seem possible to accurately categorize
Lady
Godrock, though a tentative hypothesis of "living Spectre" might be
made.
Scene II Thr'sday 3rd Frost. Top floor
of the "Grande" hotel, mid-morning.
Enter The Party.
The party enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast, and thereafter
examine Columbina's locket. After ascertaining that the outside
at least is not magical the locket is opened and inside is found a
miniature
of Columbina, and a small, dull mirror. Investigation proves that
the mirror shows one's hearts love, (or hate). Amelia sees
Arthur.
Mortimer sees Petal. Serendipity sees a familiar face.
The
nature of the magic appears illusory, but we surmise that the image may
be drawn from the viewer's mind. Other members of the party see
only
a mirror. The scribe is unsurprised that our fearless leader sees a
reflection.
[Enter Zanni]
We ask Zanni to look at the "picture" in the locket and confirm the
person's identity, but when he views the mirror the colour drains from
his face, he snaps the locket closed, and he refuses to discuss the
image that he has rather obviously seen, despite harsh questioning.
Zanni refuses to even confirm that the image he saw has no bearing on
our mission. Some members of the party begin to consider impolite
actions. Mortimer assures Zanni that he has a strong moral
objection to torture -- though this do not produce the relief expected.
Zanni agrees to meet with Il Capitano's southern contacts and
make enquiries regarding Brighella.
[Exit Zanni]
The party discuss theories as to whom Zanni saw, (Amelia's suggestion
that Zanni saw Pedrolino, and that he is that Mime Lords son seems
plausible). The Party, having learned that Brighella played an
unusual instrument -- a six-stringed lute -- consider ways to find him.
Seeking the name of the best maker of musical instruments hereabouts we
are directed by the Concierge of the Grande to a shop off the
marketplace and above a
silversmiths. The party prepare to go out and investigate.
Looking
out the windows at the wide promenade we observe the locals. They
are dressed in fine style, not unlike Destinians, but in solid, bright,
thought not usually primary colours. The gentlemen tend towards
doublets
and trews and some carry small-swords, or daggers. The ladies
wear
wide skirts that require considerable room and some carry parasols.
Some few of the ladies are dressed like the men and carry
weapons. Having selected clothes and accessories that will not
greatly dismay the locals we venture forth.
[Exeunt]
Scene III Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Promenade and
Market of Upton-on-Sea, early afternoon.
Enter The Party and many locals for colour.
The party promenades, space is offered us and in no particular haste we
head for the marketplace. The scene is not unlike home, though rather
cleaner and more prosperous than almost all parts of the Baronies, the
cries of the street hawkers are mellifluous, and the urchins rather
more rosy-cheeked and less smelly than the norm. Overall the
crowds appear nothing so much as stage extras enacting a market scene
in a play, but without any obvious choreography. There are some
several street performers; jugglers, tumblers and musicians, and we
head off down a side-street to the silversmith.
[Enter Pedro]
The smith is easy enough to find, and Roke, Dawn and Pent engage him in
conversation. He refers them to his brother Paulo, who makes
fine musical instruments in a workshop above the smithy.
[Exeunt]
Scene IV Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The workshop of
Paulo, early afternoon.
Enter Roke, Dawn, Pent and Paulo.
Roke discusses musical instruments, and specifically six-stringed lutes
with Paulo, who expresses that such an instrument is "unusual", since
it is not possible to play six strings without six fingers. Paulo
does however confirm that Brighella did posses such a lute, made by
Paulo (before it was realized that he was a Mime Lord), and that
Brighella had six fingers. Obviously something that slipped both
Zanni's and
Il Capitano's minds to mention. Roke commissions a "replacement"
lute of the same dimensions as before, for 20 guineas, and Paulo
becomes rather pale and sweaty.
[Exit All except Paulo]
[Offstage Back on the street] Roke explains what has happened
to the rest of the party and uses his "Wizard's face" to spy upon
proceedings in the house. Within there is turmoil. Paulo is
panicking, and discussing options for fleeing with his wife. It
appears that he has mistaken Roke and companions for the minions of the
Mime Lord Brighella and is considering whether he should flee
immediately. Quickly the
party contrives a recovery.
[Enter Serendipity and Mortimer, posing as police
agents ]
Eschewing the theatrical convention of good cop / bad cop for the more
avant-garde archetypes of extremely frightening cop and sinister cop,
Serendipity and Mortimer gather up Paulo, Pedro and their wives and
explain how matters stand. Serendipity tells how she knows that
Paulo has just been contacted by several disreputable types, minions of
Brighella, how they are under surveillance by the proper authorities
and
how it would go well for Paulo if he recounted all that had happened.
Apparently satisfied with Paulo's rendition of the facts, she
then instructs him
not to begin work on the lute, and to stall the miscreants should they
return. Having thus unburdened the instrument maker we leave.
[Exit Serendipity and Mortimer]
Scene V Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The
Market and Promenade of Upton-on-Sea, early afternoon.
Enter The Party and many locals for colour.
On the way back to the Grande, the party discusses the nature of
Proscenia. Braegon ventures that the mimes may perhaps be a form
of scapegoat, made illegal and hated to give the people a common enemy.
Roke's spell of Location on Zanni suddenly fails and a new spell
fails to locate him. We return to the hotel.
[Exeunt]
Scene VI Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel,
early afternoon.
Enter The Party, Concierge and liveried
staff.
Zanni proves not to be in our rooms. Dawn desires to fly and,
since it is not felt safe for a single party member to go alone,
Serendipity accompanies her.
[Exit Dawn and Serendipity]
Pent is given a sealed scroll by the Concierge. The scroll has no
magic upon it but when Mortimer breaks the seal it begins to burn. The
message reads: "I await my carpet delivery". The use of a
divinatory device reveals an image of a barrow of apples in the
marketplace, suggesting a disguised mime was nearby.
[Enter Zanni]
Zanni arrives back and tells the party members present that
Il Capitano's contacts will be arriving at the hotel mid-evening, and
will blend into our soiree!
[Exeunt]
[Offstage, an Aerial interlude]
Dawn and Serendipity fly out of town and during their flight observe
some shadow-winged arrivals at one of the secret landing fields.
They steal close and observe what appears to be police officers
of some sort relaxing in an arrival area disguised as a barn.
Apparently unobserved by the police, Dawn and Serendipity sneak
away and depart.
Scene VII Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel,
late afternoon.
Enter The Party and Zanni.
Zanni, with help from the staff of the Grande has organized in short
order an intimate soiree for several hundred of our closest total
strangers, demonstrating that he does indeed have some useful skills.
Zanni also explains Roke's previous loss of locate on him by
informing us that he had portalled back to Proscenia city to keep Il
Capitano up to date on our activities. He also informs us that he
believes that he will be recalled soon as Il Capitano thinks us a
disharmonious group -- Zanni having somehow garnered the impression
that we had threatened him.
Your scribe once again tries to assure Zanni that he has a most
strong
moral objection to torture and once more Zanni appears little relieved.
Before
departing to finish soiree preparations Zanni tells us that Il
Capitano's
contacts will speak to us at the gathering and that we should tell them
that "we're not from around here".
[Exit Zanni]
Party discusses soiree, mimes, winged police, Il Capitano's cunning
plan and Zanni's usefulness. Roke and Pent decide that with an
hour or so to go it is time to engage the services of a tailor.
Fortunately the Concierge manages to find each of them suitable,
though somewhat
worn outfits. Braegon, being under an illusion is unable to change his
clothes, although that appears a fairly normal state of affairs. Dawn
appears in a crimson confection, Serendipity dresses in stunning style,
Amelia is clad in fey finery, and your scribe is attired in an
unspeakable
ensemble.
[Exeunt]
Scene VIII Thr'sday 3rd Frost. The Grande Hotel,
dusk.
Enter The Party attired for a soiree, Zanni,
Concierge and liveried staff]
Mortimer asks Zanni, as a trainee Binder, if he could fix the
braid on Roke's jacket, which he does, though the appearance of the
magic is a little unusual and fails to completely dismiss suspicions
that he is actually a mummer.
[Enter Aristocrats, unfashionably early]
Our guests begin to arrive, announced at the door by the Concierge, and
duly DAed by Serendipity and Roke, our Celestial checking for
"strongest magical ability" and our Enchanter -- who knew they could
DA? -- for "degree of ability in mummery". Many of the arriving
guests do indeed have magical abilities -- far more than at a similar
gathering on Alusia --
though many are of the cantrip or quasi-magical variety (healing and
bardic
voice among them). Prestidigitation features. Some have fuzzy
auras
similar to Columbina. One interesting demi-mondaine,
accompanying
a much older gentleman, possesses the Mind College and is master level
in one of the less socially acceptable arts, as well as having moderate
skill in mummery. A middle aged man of the De Vespa family also
possesses moderate mummery, as does one of the five members of the
Artistic Enforcement squad who arrive and begin pooping the party.
Overall a third of
our guests possess some skill in mummery; included in this are three of
the five guards, who also between them as their most powerful magic
possess: Flying, Fireball, Hypnosis, Mind Cloak and Hellfire.
The soiree is by now in full swing. Dawn holds court on a balcony,
brought canapés and a few too many drinks by eager young
gentlemen, Pent lurks nearby. Amelia and Mortimer mingle with the
guests, looking, at least in part, for any with six fingers, and take
the opportunity to speak with the Enforcers. It appears that we
are from a "permitted plane". Braegon turns our designated room
of retreat into the smoking den for aged and crusty gents, and Roke and
Serendipity dance -- somewhat less expertly than the locals -- Roke
suffers with an appearance of pleasure. Taking a break from
enjoying Serendipity's company, Roke dances with a matron (with only
slight mummery skills) who complains that standards have slipped since
her day, and that several of the young ladies are in danger of
acquiring a chill. She also tells how the Enforcers turn up at
most major events though they are never invited.
[Exit some Elderly Guests, Enter some Younger Guests]
The Enforcers wall-flower in the ballroom. Dawn chats with her
coterie of young men who tell how the Enforcers are the "fashion
police", attending parties and reprimanding those whose aesthetics are
too avant-garde. They enforce the standard and styles of society.
One tells an amusing anecdote of having to return a hat that was
too large by an inch.
Zanni tells Braegon that one of Il Capitano's contacts has arrived.
Braegon attempts to clear the elderly gentlemen from the smoking
room by opening windows and bringing in musicians and manages instead
to make it the "party room". Dawn leads the enthusiastic party goers up
to the roof and the remaining members of the Party manage a few minutes
with the contact, Lord Bartello. Once the password has been given
he tells how readings of the runes have been unsuccessful in locating
"the
fiddler", Brighella, and confirms that only two persons are believed to
have left Dom Daniel. Somewhat as an aside he mentions critics,
who
are licensed and audited by Artistic Enforcement. A council (of
critics?)
sets the standards and advises Enforcement. Trends are apparently
acceptable,
except where they go against accepted standards; making a statement is
dangerous.
The Party disperse and smoking is resumed in the room just as
the Enforcers arrive to investigate. Braegon and Mortimer smoke, Lord
Bartello snores. The Enforcers stare at us. Mortimer
returns
the stare through a magical monocle that is examined and returned. The
Enforcers go up to the roof and instruct the musicians to play
something
more acceptable.
Pent discusses body guarding with some of the aristocrat's bodyguards.
This appears to have become popular recently following a trend
set by King Antelone. Also appears rather low risk by Alusian
standards. Roke chats with one Fredericco, a hafling who arrived
disguised as a
human, who has apparently retired to a life of leisure after the
difficult
profession of having no job. Dawn discusses soirees and discovers
that perhaps two a week is the norm with the rest of the time filled
with
various noble pursuits. She is also told that there are enough
Enforcers
to guard the palace, perhaps 50 to 100. The party winds down,
guests
depart and Serendipity and Mortimer dance the last waltz, eye to eye,
and
both floating off the floor.
[Exit Aristocratic Guests]
As the musicians pack up Serendipity discusses Alusian music with them
and then sings Brighella's astrology reading. The musicians
become furtive, claiming not to know it, and when pressed claim not
to want to know it, and that it is dangerously out of fashion. They are
however happy to learn an elven folk tune. Dawn annoys them with
questions. Zanni tips them extra as they depart.
[Exit Musicians, Concierge, liveried staff and Zanni]
Party discuss happenings. Dawn, somewhat the worse for drink says
of the musicians: "Hypocrites! ...they're the ones that don't eat
horses". Serendipity determines to do another star reading, this
time simply on "Who has left Dom Daniel" and receives an abbreviated
form of the earlier "I remember sky" verses.
[Exeunt the Party to sleep]
Scene IX Freyasday 4th Frost. The top floor of
the Grande Hotel, mid-morning.
Enter The Party and Zanni.
The Party are none the worse for wear after their revels of last night,
save Serendipity who cloaks herself in clouds of darkness. The
Party question Zanni about his knowledge of last night's guests.
He knows many by reputation at least, and appears nervous once
again as
though he finds being questioned by the group stressful. Oddly, several
large rugs -- previously on the floors in rooms are missing. There is
speculation
that they are either being cleaned or have been taken by mimes.
Zanni
is despatched to investigate.
[Exit Zanni]
There is general discussion on Proscenia, mimes, Il Capitano's
motives, and Patch; our captive mime. We decide to release the
mime and see if he will offer any useful information. Pent
removes
the hibernation spell.
[Enter Patch, transformed into a snake]
We foolishly attempt to use various "speak to animals" type abilities,
forgetting that he is still essentially himself, simply cursed into the
form of a snake. Communication goes badly and even after we begin
using common we get little information. Mortimer removes the curse.
Patch offers to communicate via charades, but after the Party's
initial dismal attempts settles for a combination of writing and some
gestures. He claims to have travelled to Alusia "to get to the
other side", and that Il Capitano did not see him. He cannot or
will not communicate certain things as they are "in breech of employer
confidentiality". Patch appears unsure whether he is psychopathic
or evil, but claims not to want to overthrow society, though he is none
too keen on the current King. He doesn't want "to be our enemy...
or not to be". He knows Zanni and (some gesture which your scribe
believes may mean that he knew him when he was younger / growing up).
He knows that Zanni's parents are gone, and appears saddened.
He also agrees that Pedrolino is gone, and
puts vertical lines between these suggesting that they are not the same
person. Overall he is not terribly helpful. We ask him to
take a message to his companions and he agrees. We write that we
would like to seek common ground and look for mutual benefit.
When we ask him how we might contact him he detaches an ear --
complete with earring -- and leave it with us. We release him.
[Exit Patch]
Roke uses locate to track Patch and then loses the location some time
later and across town. We discuss returning to Proscenia city and
thence exploring Calenture. This turns into a general discussion
of astrology readings, mummery and Patch. Dawn desires to speak
to the winds on the hotel roof, and in keeping with our policy of
no-one being left alone, Roke accompanies her.
[Exit Dawn and Roke]
General discussion continues.
[Exeunt]
Scene X Freyasday 4th Frost. The Roof and Top
Floor of the Grande Hotel, around noon.
[This scene requires an upper and lower stage. The upper
represents the Roof of the hotel, the lower, the party's room on the
top floor. It will be necessary to have mechanisms for opening a
hole between the stages, and also to have actors fly on and off the top
stage and also fall through it].
(upper stage)
[Upper stage only is lit] Enter Dawn and Roke.
Dawn proceeds to begin ritual. Roke guards. Roke spots
something in the distance. It resolves into six figures, dressed
in black,
out over the sea and riding the winds towards the rooftop. Roke
moves
to the roof edge to cry down to the party's balcony and sees black
carriages parked in front of the hotel, with dark garbed figures
mustering. Roke calls party to arms, Dawn interrupts her ritual.
[Dim lights]
(lower stage) [Raise lights on The Party less Dawn and Roke]
Roke's call alerts the party who begin to prepare. There is a
brief discussion with Braegon and Amelia as to whether we intend to
resist arrest. They counsel a soft resistance. Braegon: "Don't
kill them until they attack us".
Party withdraws to corner room, and prepares.
[Exit Pent to roof. Dim lights]
(upper stage)
[Raise lights on Dawn and Roke]
Roke prepares weapons.
[Enter Six Artistic Enforcers, flying]
Roke engages the newly arrived guards in conversation. They instruct
him to "cease and desist", and tell him that if he doesn't come quietly
he will be "resisting arrest". Roke drops his sword so that it
dangles
by its lanyard, and quickens himself and Dawn. He asks the guards in
whose
name they are making this arrest, but they do not reply.
[Dim lights]
(lower stage)
[Raise lights on Braegon, Serendipity, Amelia and Mortimer]
The members of the party still on the top floor continue to prepare.
Amelia grabs packs. Mortimer blocks off access to the room with a
wall of thorns and Braegon makes a goodly hole in the roof.
[Use mechanism to open a tunnel between the lower and upper stages,
and raise lights on upper stage]
(upper stage)
[Already present Dawn, Roke and Artistic Enforcers]
Surprised perhaps by the appearance of the tunnel, one of the Artistic
Enforcers impales Roke's leg with a spear.
[Enter Pent, running with javelin]
Pent retaliates by stabbing a guard.
(lower stage) [Already present Braegon, Serendipity, Amelia and Mortimer]
Amelia throws packs onto roof, attempting to kill Pent with one of the
heavier ones. Mortimer flies Amelia and other packs through the
tunnel to the roof. Braegon flies himself, and Serendipity takes
to the
skies on wings, enshrouded in clouds of darkness.
[Exit Amelia, Mortimer and Braegon to upper stage,
exit Serendipity into the flies. Dim lights on lower stage]
(upper stage)
[Already present The Party and Artistic Enforcers, less
Serendipity]
A general melee ensues. Roke and Pent fight with two Enforcers.
The others, who are mages, hang back and cast. Amelia prepares
weapons, Mortimer flies to far left of roof to get behind Enforcer
mages. Dawn becomes caught in Hands of Earth. The party is still unsure
as to the level of resistance to be offered and take their cue from the
actions of the Enforcers. The Enforcer mages use Lightning Bolt
and Hellfire on the party. Taking their cue from the "subdual"
magics of the Enforcers the party responds
in kind. Mortimer casts Hellfire back.
[Enter and exit Serendipity flying]
Serendipity makes a strafing pass on wings and hits several with a
Blackfire. After careful consultation with our military leader,
Braegon tunnels the roof again, dropping the two "warrior" Enforcers
down several stories, and Roke, now unengaged, uses an item to cast
Necrosis on the remainder.
[Exit Two Enforcers through the stage, Three Enforcers
crumple to the floor]
The remaining Enforcer, who had cast the Lightning Bolt, attempts to
run for the edge of the building and as he dives off Mortimer curses
him.
[Exit Last Enforcer, blinded]
The party takes rapid stock of their situation. Braegon breaks
Dawn out of her Hand of Earth. Mortimer checks on the fallen Enforcers.
Unfortunately our vigourous soft resistance and use of similar subduing
magics appears to have been too much for one of the Enforcers who
expires
despite your scribe's best efforts. The party grab scattered
equipment,
and leave on wings, winds, flying armour and a magic carpet. We
take
with us the only loot of the mission so far, an Enforcer's spear still
stuck
through Roke's leg.
[Exeunt]
Scene XI Freyasday 4th Frost. Open countryside
some 15 miles from Upton-on-Sea, an hour after noon. Enter The Party on wings, winds and divers flying
mechanisms.
The party land in hills a distance from Upton-on-Sea and stop for very
late "elevenses"; Tea and Trollskins. We engage in a discussion as to
who set the guards on us, imbibe many restoratives, cast various
magics --including, cunningly, Walking Unseen as this will render us
visible
to each at close range, but should render us invisible to distant
observers. We depart back towards Proscenia city and our employer.
[Exeunt Omnes]