Start Time: Evening on 27th of Ummindur 1353. Probably around 3.00AM.
Change to 28th. Festival is on 29th, 30th, and Single-day month of the Autumn Harvest. Starts evening 29th.
Moretti will want to trigger her plan during the opening ceremony on the 29th. Needs party to be in position to do their part by then.
De våkner litt etter mid-day. Blir ikke forstyrret.
Vei ned underground: Under statuen i indoor garden.
Snakker med Moretti briefly, får bare quest info igjen. They ask for something to prove to the duchess that they are with Moretti. She gives them a pin,
Moretti gir partyet en liten silver pin med en mynt fasong på “just tell the duchess it's from the person who gives her the hardest time nowadays”.
Merchant: Icaro - person som ga de maskene fra Conciri.
En av apprenticene til Rahier de Maromme.
Party discusses figuring out who made masks at Conciri
Prater med guards:
Name: Galdin
“Unless you've got an invitation from the duchess herself, you cannot enter here."
Happenings During Evening
Narth and Thiala
Thiala
Thiala's personality:
Very hands-on supportive and overprotective.
Kind and loving, but very emotional.
Overprotective and somewhat overbearing.
Gets very worried and very quickly sad if there's even a hint of Narth potentially disliking her or being angry at her.
To the point where she's done things in the past that would probably backfire if Narth found out about it. Has a habit of doing something worse in order to cover up something that she things Narth will dislike about her or her actions, and then try to cover up the “worse” action.
She'll often panic and lie to try to wriggle out of a confrontation.
Has a constant dilemma of tying Narth down to keep him around her, and letting him more loose so that he doesn't get mad at her.
Very aware of who Grandmother Mary is. Is not willing to speak to Narth about it. She's deathly afraid that if Narth figures out all the details around how they found him, he'll end up hating her.
Conversation:
Context: It's Thiala's turn to teach Narth - though she panicked and thought he died when they went into Moretti's tower, as she could no longer sense him through the staff.
Thiala is good at teaching
Narth: “wakes up” inside the dreamscape. You heara Thiala humming for a brief moment, before she sits down right next to you. She smiles, though the smile looks just a tiny bit forced. She hands you some nuts and berries, before she starts hand-feeding you with one hand, while occasionally doting with your hand with the other hand. You get the feeling she just wants to dote on you for the entire night.
If Narth Asks about training: Thiala: Can't we just enjoy a quiet evening. Like when you were little?
Thiala: (But I dont want to.) You disappeared - so I cried - then you appeared again - so I cried again - and I didn't want you to see so I let the others go first - but now it's my turn - and I just wanted to spend some time with you - like we did before - and feed you and play with you and dote on you - like when you were little. Please? Can't the others teach you tomorrow night?
If he tries to respond, she'll quickly put a berry in his mouth before he gets to say anything, and say “Please?” again, while looking at him with big doe eyes.
if he rolled high enough on persuasion, and doesn't give in here, she'll teach him.
Thiala: “Fine.” The surrounding dreamscape changes, to a windier and more open part of the forest. “Now try”.
Thiala's explanation: Oh, but you're just so cute. Flying is like… swimming - but in the air. Right? So let the wind feel like the current does when you're a fish. Dont think. Just… spread your wings and imagine yourself floating upwards.
he rolled 20 and 15 before. If he rolls 15 or above, i.e. reaching 50 in total, he'll know how to turn into birds etc.
If he fails: It's OK, you're still my favorite little Lyth. Just… think less and feel more. You'll figure it out soon."
If he doesn't roll high enough
Thiala: “But I just wanted to spend some time with you”. You can see a small drop of sap, before she just disappears from the dream.
Thiala's turn to teach Narth. Thiala is quite good at teaching, though is not always keen on teaching him. So he has advantage on the Wisdom check, but needs to persuade Thiala in order to be allowed to make it.
he rolled 20 and 15 before. If he rolls 15 or above, i.e. reaching 50 in total, he'll know how to turn into birds etc.
Narth “wakes up” inside the dreamscape. You can hear Thiala humming for a moment, before sitting down right beside you and starting to feed you a mix of nuts and berries.
(She's smiling, but it's a bit forced)
She got scared that something had happened to him when they couldn't sense him a few nights ago, so she feels he owes using the night just to relax and keep her company in return for worrying her so much.
“You scared me when you disappeared like that. I didn't like it. You're not allowed to do that again!”
if asked what she means:
“You disappeared for a while. I couldn't feel you anymore. I thought you were gone.” (you see small drops of sap form under her eyes, moving down and hardening on her cheeks).
if he tries asking about Grandmother, then she'll try to brush it off and deflect.
“I - I'm sure there are many grandmothers…”
(if he insists) “I-I found this large cluster of blackberries today, don't you want some more?”
(and if he continues to insist) “a-and these nuts. you always liked these nuts, right?”
if really pressured to say why she doesn't want to talk about grandmother:
“Please don't” (Why?) Because I don't want you to hate me.
“because I don't want you to know!”, her expression will then immediately change to a worried “oh no” expression, looking briefly onto narthael as all her leaves fall limp and the radiant greens turn to a a more half-wilted brown, before she runs into the nearest tree and disappears.
Happenings in town next day
Party wont wake up until mid-day, since its almost 4AM and they've not gone to sleep yet.
Final preparations for festival. Stands, stages, etc for the festival itself are ready.
A few merchants selling festival masks there - including the white porcelain mask with a black spot that has a purple brim.
if asked where they got them from: Someone dropped by and said they wanted to help with the festivities, and gave the masks to them for free. The person was already wearing one of the masks, and it looked good, so they figured why not.
“A gift from the Meranzeum. They always supply us with some goods before a festival."
There's quite a bit more people outside the Wayfarer Union's office than normal. They're gossiping.
“Did you hear? The coinflipper has been embezzling the Union's funds.”
“Did you hear how much coin went missing from their ledgers?”
“I hear Peluzzi himself has come to try getting to the bottom of this.”
Inside there's full chaos with people gathering and looking through ledgers, seemingly calculating the numbers in them before handing them on to the next person who seems to be checking the same ledger again.
There isn't really anyone serving as a receptionist right now it seems. Functionally the Union is basically closed.
If the party starts asking: “Sorry, Peluzzi wants us to be done by these by the evening. Come back tomorrow please.”
Guards will advice the party to stick to the eastern half of the city when they try to cross the bridge.
“Citizens. if you do not have important business, I recommend you stay home today.”
“Rebels started ambushing guards this morning. The city has decided enough is enough - the Marcenguard has been called in force to quell them. The western part of the city is not safe for travel at the moment.”
“Rebels have been hiding among the wretches in the street. Until we've processed each and every one of them, there's still a danger of being jumped. I advice staying away for now."
Infiltrating the estate
The districts where nobles congregate are not normally so closed off. One can normally enter them rather normally, instead being stopped by guards if trying to enter the estate grounds themselves.
The fact that nobles have opted to close their district off means they view the current situation as unstable.
People can currently pass into the noble's district if they are one of the nobles. Head servants at their estates will also inform the guards of who is allowed to pass, this being in regards to work at the estates and mansions. For those who have worked there fore a while, the guards will recognize them, and thus let them pass. For new people, either the guards will have been informed of who they are beforehand, the person is given a written letter, signed by the head servant or a noble, allowing them access, or a servant known to be working at an estate/mansion is waiting for them to pick them.
The same process goes for being allowed to enter the estate/mansion grounds, as guards will also be stationed here to do the same checks.
Noble Estate Staff:
House Steward / Estate Manager - top position among staff. Oversees the entirety of the operations, including staff management. Responsible for hiring.
Head Butler: Responsible for day-to-day runnings of the household. Might handle the hiring of indoor staff, like footmen, maids, and junior butlers.
Housekeeper: Typically responsible for the female staff in the household, a housekeeper might handle hiring maids, laundry staff, and other female servants.
Groundskeeper: For outdoor staff, such as gardeners or stable hands, the head gardener or groundskeeper might be responsible for hiring.
Hiring Process:
Recruitment: Candidates might be sourced through recommendations, local advertisements, or employment agencies specializing in domestic staff.
Interviews and Vetting: Senior household staff would interview candidates, possibly with input or final approval from the noble family, especially for positions closely interacting with them.
Training and Integration: New hires would typically undergo a period of training and adjustment, overseen by the senior staff to ensure they understand their duties and the estate's protocols.
Other important people:
Griffon keeper: Probably cabalist.
Steward of Ravanelli's Etate: Berengar Lori. Man in his late 60s. Cabalist?
Have him be Cabalist and have head Butler be promoted to steward if they all survive?
.
Party can try to convince their way in, saying they are new hirings. They'd have to avoid Scillante though, as he'd recognize them.
Cairne and Valiant are also at risk of standing out too much.
What the staff is hiring people for at the moment:
Probably hiring a few to help with harvesting grapes, berries, and fruit - primarily young kids who want a bit of money though.
Getting Information from people who work there
Not all who work at the estate live there. Can do a Charisma check to look for people who work there in the city.
What they can possibly get out of them:
Only the Duchess is at the estate at the moment. The rest of the family, i.e. the grandchildren, are in Vessina, trying to gather support for Mariana Ravanelli's (the duchess' eldest grandchild) claim to the throne.
They haven't seen her in months - saying she's ill. Most are forbidden to enter both the top floor and the basement area.
Lord Emmerin di Scillante spends much time at the estate, doing the day-to-day duties normally done by the duchess (i.e. he basically acts as regent).
There have been a lot of new faces over the past months. They haven't been too friendly, though they usually are allowed on the top floor or basement, though not all of them of course.
There have been times over the last few months where all the servants have been ordered to return to their quarters, and stay there for a while
Ravanelli Estate
House Ravanelli and their Griffons
Each member of house Ravanelli is gifted a Griffon egg by the Conciri Meranzeum, as a sign of their partnership. The griffon is bonded to that one member of the family, even willing to fight to the death to protect them. The griffon is set free should it still be alive by the time its bonded member of house ravanelli dies.
Estate Grounds
Estate is positioned roughly in the middle on the north-south axis, and roughly ⅓rd the way east on the west-to-east axis (meaning area behind the estate is roughly twice as deep).
On the front is a grand dual staircase leading up to the main floor (2nd floor). There's a large fountain placed between the two staircases.
(W) Tiled stone roads goas in a U-turn in front of the estate. Inside the “U” are a series of flowerbeds, trimmed hedges, alongside small stone pathways and a few benches to sit and relax.
(NW) North of the “U” road, thus out from the north-west corner of the Estate, is a large hedge maze, made out of rose-bushes. There are several small alcoves within this maze to allow for private romantic meetings. These include a bench, a small table, and sometimes a small fountain. Servants will often leave small baskets in these alcoves filled with fruit and confetti when there are formal events at the estate.
(N) There's a small stone pathway between the estate and the hedge maze that allows one to get to its north side without having to go through the maze itself. This leads to the courtyard on the estate's northern side, outside the Ballroom. Along the northern wall of the estate is a large balcony, connected directly to the ballroom, with outdoor seating areas on it. A large dual staircase goes down from here to the main courtyard on the northern side, with slated stones, seating areas, and numerous flower beds. Several stepping-stone pathways go from the courtyard and further out on the northern side, creating a formal garden with a network of paths between artificial lakes and ponds, filled with colorful fish. Several pavilions are placed along these pathways, as are numerous flowerbeds and trimmed hedges. Berry bushes and fruit trees are also planted strategically along the paths, intended to allow guests to pick and eat fruits and berries as they peruse the area. There are further paths leading eastwards and south-east to allow access to both behind the estate and the areas further back on the estate grounds.
(NE) On the north-east backside of the estate is a decently sized vineyard, complete with a small vineyard, complete with a small vine-pressing house where the vine-grapes can be processed. There are a few paths here, going back to the north-side of the estate, down to the estate's backside, and also a path going further east behind the estate.
(E) Located at the backside of the estate is a decently sized bathhouse, with both a section for the noble family and for their guests (allowing private bathing for them as well), as well as a portion for the staff to use (though these are more communal in how they're set up). Surrounding the bathhouse, and covering the estate's backside, is a beautiful garden filled with herbal and medicinal plants. Numerous pathways of slated-stone pierce through these gardens, leading both north, east, and south. Attached to the sides of the bathhouse are also storage rooms where outdoor furniture is kept while not in use.
(E - far) Behind the herb garden is an open grass field, behind which is a small artificial forest complete with a small pond and a small get-away house for the noble family to relax at if they want some privacy.
(SE) on the southern back-side of the estate are the stables, where the ducal family keep their horses, and where guests leave their horses and carriages. Fruit trees surround the stables, with several fruit trees also being within horses' fenced off enclosure. Quite a bit further east, behind the open grass area and on the border with the artificial forest, is an octagonal “stable” building with a cone roof, and where the uppermost floor has open walls. House Ravanelli keep their Griffons here. Currently, only duchess Fioretta Ravanelli's griffon is here, having been locked up by the cabal to keep it away. The grandchildren's' griffons are with the grandchildren in Vessina.
(S) The estate's southern side also includes a large balcony, connected to the Great Hall, with dual staircases going down to ground level. The path leading from the front of the estate back to the stables cut through here rather close to the estate, beyond which is a huge almost perfectly flat open grass field. This area is kept open in order to allow for as many types of events as possible.
(SW) Sculpture garden with open-air gallery of sculptures. Sculptures are set among flowerbeds, hedges, small fountains, and trees, to create a blend between art and nature. Several benches and small open areas are included here.
ROOM DESCRIPTIONS
Main Floor
Foyer
Entering the estate, visitors are greeted by the grandeur of the Foyer, spanning two stories in height and anchored by an impressive dual staircase opposite the entrance, leading up to the 4th floor. This central space is elegantly framed by an arcade running running above its western half, housing an elevated seating area above the entrance-side cloakrooms. Access to this raised platform is facilitated by staircases situated at both the north and south ends of the Foyer, with additional stairs behind them descending to the lower level.
The floor boasts exquisite marble craftsmanship, each tile intricately engraved. The walls are adorned with panels of finely carved Rosenwood up to waist height. A thick, ornately carved Rosenwood rail caps the panels, supporting the transition to the soft cream colored plastered walls above, whom are accented with gold, and whose covered in a vast variety of paintings. These artworks range from vibrant festival scenes to moments from renowned Marcandrian plays, alongside a series of ancestral portraits flanking each side of the dual staircase.
Completing the Foyer's opulent design is the ceiling mural, an expansive depiction of Alatri from above. The mural is bordered by three female figures, their arms outstretched in a welcoming embrace over the city. A huge chandelier of pure gold hangs from the ceiling, holding numerous Concalian crystals encased in glass, giving off a warm light.
Cloakrooms
Flanking both sides of the Foyer's entrances are three cloakrooms, each set against the outer wall. Inside, cabinets equipped with hooks provide ample space for hanging cloaks, capes, and other outerwear, while built-in shoe racks below cater to footwear storage. Positioned in front of full-length mirrors that stretch from knee height to a foot above the average height, stools offer a spot for adjustments. Adjacent to each mirror, a well-appointed desk hosts an array of brushes and tools for last-minute grooming of attire and hair.
The cloakrooms feature Rosenwood plank flooring, darkened to offer a striking contrast against the waist-high Rosenwood panels and railings that adorn the walls, culminating in soft cream-colored plaster accented with gold extending to the ceiling. The ceiling itself continues the same soft cream-colored plaster design.
Ballroom
Floor Plan and Descriptions
1st floor
Servants and guards sleeping and living areas
also areas for servants of guests to stay.
Also kitchens
Also armory and training area for guards, and others who want to learn how to fight.
4th floor
Sleeping quarters for noble family. Including master bedroom, and antechamber and dressing room for each bedroom.
Living rooms etc for noble family. Private study, library, music room, open room where they can train dancing, fencing, etc in private.
Drawing rooms for noble family
Portion has equivalent for guests.
2nd/3rd Floor
Cloakrooms
There are 3 Cloakrooms at the front-section of the Foyer.
Each is 1 story tall, with small windows near the ceiling.
Each have cabinets with coat-racks along the longer wall, with a few shelf lines below where guests can leave hats and other forms of clothing.
A shoe rack is also included separately.
A couple of stools for the guests to sit down at when changing is also included, alongside a few mirrors to guests to check their appearance, as well as making the rooms look larger and more luxurious.
The walls are plastered and painted in beautiful patterns.
Foyer
Immediately upon entering on the 2nd floor, you enter a huge Foyer.
The Foyer is 2 floors tall, though with an Arcade on the half closest to the outer wall. There are stairs going on top of this arcade, creating an elevated walkway and seating area here. There's also some seating area near the center below the elevated arcade. The arcade goes above the cloakrooms, and use them as support instead of relying on pillars.
Below the two stairs going up to the Arcade are also stairs going down to the floor below - servants use these.
A massive dual staircase can also be seen on the wall bordering the Audience hall, going up to the 4th floor. A massive golden chandelier also hangs in the middle of the room, in front of the dual staircase, with Concalian Crystals encased in glass/crystal.
The floor is made out of marble, with fine details engraved in the stone. Panels of Rosenwood cover the walls up to about waist height, intricately carved to create details both in details and depth. The upper brim has a thick brim of Rosenwood, also intricately carved.
(the seating area above the arcade also has these rosenwood panels and rail)
Rosenwood is a type of wood where the wood itself is a deep mahagony-like red. It is very expensive, and comes exclusively from the Rosenwood further south in Rosella - it is actually what the region is named after.
Above the Rosenwood rail, the walls are plastered and painted red a soft cream color, with gold accents in simple patterns.
The walls are packed with paintings.
On the walls behind and at the sides of the large dual staircases are long rows of portraits of similar looking people (Ducal family many generations back). Central of these images at the moment is a very old lady (the current duchess - Fioretta Ravanelli).
Other paintings include paintings of festivals, balls, romantic scenes, scenes from famous Marcandrian plays.
There's a painting of Callera dancing at a festival. A painting of Fiori blowing seeds out of her hand that turns into a flower field. A painting of Meranzi looking out over a vast and busy harbor.
There are multiple pictures of people - that look like those on the portraits - on locations around the estate.
The entire roof of the Foyer is one massive mural - a painting of Alatri seen from above, with three female figures at the edges.
Gallery Hallways
Walls and floor are the same style as the Foyer - light marble floor. Walls up to around waist height are Rosenwood panels, intricately carved and detailed, with a thick rail at the top. soft cream colored plastered walls with gold accents in simple patterns.
The thick Rosenwood rail has at several point “handles" on the backside, which work to open the doors to the Servant Corridors that connect to it. These allow the doors to be discreet - and while the edges around the part of the wall that makes out the door is visible, it does not stick out.
The walls are also filled with paintings, as well as pedestals with fine art-pieces (pottery, artifacts, sculptures, etc).
These are also 2 floors tall. On the side going towards the front of the building are 3 small rooms, which are only 1 floor tall, with stairs going up to a 2nd floor above them. These rooms above have small balconies that protrude back into the Gallery Hallways - that side thus have 3 doors on the ground floor, with a small balcony above each of these doors.
Items on pedestals:
Statue of Callera made out of pure gold
“Feather of Celestial origin”
Feather from a Planetar's (angel) Wing - held up inside a glass dome.
Fey Relic
“Diagram of an unknown type 2 Concalian Golem”
Diagram showing the different parts of a Concalian Golem and how they are to be put together. Quite faded, so a lot of details, including the model name, is not visible.
Valiant: Investigation Check. On Success: The golem in this diagram seems to operate differently from how you do. You have a core that itself seems to produce power to you. This model seems to have a large chamber in its stomach and chest region meant for - something - with the core placed above it in the chest regions seemingly being designed to draw power from it.
Concalian General's Breastplate and Helm - with Will of Concalia Mantle draped over the chestpiece
Will of Concalia Mantle is a magic item.
“Concalian Gutenberg Bible” - Verba Imperium - “words of the empire”
Victoriae Aeternae Imperius/ Imperium Victoriae Perpetuae - “Empire of everlasting victory”
Recollection from the Concalian Empire of their greatest victories through the ages.
Scribbles on the last few pages:
Something something divine judgement for the empire's sins. The heavens have come to bring the empire to justice for its sin against the heavens, and their deities' servants.
Ancient Magical Tome - Sealed shut.
Unassigned:
1-12 are more mystical and romantic. Fey-themed, etc
One from Grandmother Mary?
13-24 are more historic, militaristic, scientific, etc.
Basically: 1-12 are feel. 13-24 are knowledge/history.
Concalian Crystal to Lightsource Prototype
9-12 are Concalian Artifacts
3, 6 are Fey relics.
Angel artifact. (feather)
Probably a shadowfell themed item somewhere - probably locked behind something in case it's dangerous
Probably a few items from elsewhere in the world - exotic items from nations far away.
A few random magical items from lands far away? Like eversmoking bottle?
Drawing Rooms etc
Private Dining Hall
Drawing Room
Scriptorium
A quiet, inspiring space for guests who wish to write, featuring writing desks, inkstands, quills, and parchment.
Rosenwood panels and rail, with soft cream colored walls. There's a large scribe's table at the center, with two smaller writing desks towards the balcony. A small seating area is placed facing the large window on the front side. One wall is covered in bookshelves, only having a gap to allow entrance from the servant corridor. The wall on the opposite side has a cabinet with writing tools in it.
Framed on the walls are several old poems.
???
Drawing Room
???
Drawing Room
???
Music Room
???
Private Dining Hall
Drawing Room
Ballroom
The floor here is treated Rosenwood planks. The walls also have panels (up to waist height with railing) are both rosenwood - with the floor being treated to have the color be distinct from the lower walls. The engraved railing has a few “handles” on the backside, which allows one to open semi-hidden doors to the servant corridor.
The walls, above the rosenwood panels and railing, are a light peach, with a few thin lines of gold to add details. Several large painings hangs along the wall, depicting revelry, dance, and romantic moments.
The entire ceiling is one giant mural, depicting a vast masquerade filled with dance, song, and music. Fiery strands can be seen weaving between the people depicted in the picture - looking like strands of hair made out of the most beautiful fire (i.e. Callera's fiery hair). A few large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, holding orange carved crystals that give off a warm light.
An arcade goes along the outer wall, with seating areas on top, and a few stairs to allow movement up and down. Seating areas can be seen along each short side, leaving a large open dance-area in the middle with a centrally located stage with a grand piano and space for musicians.
General notes:
Walls: Wainscoting and plastered, with painted patterns or entire paintings on the wall.
Wainscoting: wooden panels or planks on the lower portion of the walls. Tends to be a lot of details in them. Thick railing at about waist height, intricately carved and made of luxurious wood
Wainscoting Depth and Dynamics: The depth created by the panels, along with the dynamics of their design (carvings, moldings, and the overall texture), adds richness and a tactile quality to the room's decor. This method was often used historically to add visual interest and protect walls from wear and damage.
Engraved Brim: A thick, engraved brim or molding that caps the wainscoting not only enhances the room's visual appeal but also acts as a practical ledge or transition. In your case, integrating handles for hidden doors within this brim is a sophisticated touch that marries the aesthetic with the secretive nature of servant access points.
Seamless Doors: The idea of making the doors to servant corridors almost seamless with the walls contributes to a clean, uninterrupted look, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the space while providing necessary functionality. This would have been particularly valued in a grand estate where the seamless integration of service access is essential to the overall elegance.
Paintings:
Carnival and festivals
Landfall
Deities doing something they're about
Callera dancing in a ball.
Fiori blowing a bunch of seeds out of her hand, that turns into a beautiful field
Meranzi looking onto a busy harbor from an elevated position.
Painting of Alatri seen from an elevated position.
