Café de Nuit

Norzak looks at Dorgio and Alain, then Cirdan. "Cirdan this ain' no job ta me. I does it cuz I likes it, nuthin' more. If twas a job, I'd be paid fer it. I ask fer no gold, bub. Now," he looks at Alain and Dorgio. "I like the plan. Less go scout the place. Cirdan ye gonna come scout it out, or wait here until ye gots ta leave?" Once he gets the half elf's answer, he continues "So why don' we go check it out. I kin mebbe disguise meself. Al, ye got disguisin' skills? Tagether we might be able to get a good disguise goin' on us all who's goin."

meanwhile, at the Chateau Delanuit....

Bennedict isn't waiting for very long before a servingman arrives to escort him further into the building. The black clad servant makes very little noise as he leads benn down the richly carpeted halls, and hardly speaks at all. After a little trip through the cavernous interior of the old house, Benn is shown into a salon.

The salon is cozy, just big enough for perhaps a dozen people to squeeze into in comfort. Right now, it's only half full. A little group of people stand about the room or sit on well upholstered furniture. Music tinkles in from someplace beyond a screen divider. The scene is lit by a hanging crystal chandelier.

In the center of the gathering Jacquleine Renier reclines on a fur draped couch. Benn recognizes her immediately, for she is hard to miss- a raven haired beauty with angular features and a slim, graceful body. The only signs of her true age [old enough to be Benn's mother] are the rather striking streaks of iron gray hair at her temples ,and the look in her dark eyes, utterly devoid of the innocence of youth.

La Grande Dame is not alone. A drab looking servant girl attends her mistress. Three handsome young gentlemen in fine apparel are seated on chairs near the couch, holding an animated conversation as Benn enters. They seem to be discussing an upcoming harvest event, of all things.


Madame Renier raises her hand in a languid motion and the servant girl moves quickly to fetch a seat for Benn.

''Please, do sit down. Have you come to discuss antiquities with me, Herrr Gehrman, or would you perhaps like another turn on the dance floor?''

Bennedict smiles, handing his hat to the servant as she passes. "Alas, as pleasurable as I would find either option, I am here under more mundane circumstances I'm afraid." He nods cordially to each of the gentlemen, more to acknowledge the presence of what are likely to be nobility (and potential clients) than any real interest. "As I may have mentioned before, I am currently in the employ of Herr Denys Sancerre, a man of many interests. You may have heard mention of the success my compatriots and I had in preventing the apprehension of his daughter by one of the detestable criminal elements polluting your fair city, and our removal of said undesirable." As he speaks, he steps towards one of the chairs in the salon, sitting down and resting his walking stick against the side.

"During the course of my investigations into the matter, as improbable as it sounds, Herr Sancerre discovered a number of objects which I believe pre-date the discovery of this city by its current occupants. These items were secreted within one of his properties, and were only uncovered during the course of salvaging some of the marble for new construction. If I may be so bold as to speculate, I believe these objects to be clues which may lead to a discovery of some significance relating to who created this city, and perhaps what may have become of them. However, I have been frustrated in my efforts to perform the due dilligence required to make certain my theories hold weight." He smiles apologetically. "I must confess, there is a stark lack of public record on the matter, and what information is known is guarded jealously, for reasons which are unclear to me. The Great Cathedral of Ezra, for instance, is reputed to possess a vast store of early records regarding the city. However, the short sighted Ezrans have barred my access to these records, not realizing the great service they would be doing to Pont-A-Museau by facillitating my efforts. And so, Madame Renier, I come to you to request your influence to grant me access. I feel the potential rewards to your fine city and its historical record would be, in a word, invaluable."

" No I'm not very good at disguising myself or others . I'm just B&E kind of guy at this point in my career. But perhaps if I'm the less subtle scouter of are group going ahead of you." Declaring his lack skill in this area. As he is going with Norzak to scout out the meeting place.

Adam wrote: And so, Madame Renier, I come to you to request your influence to grant me access. I feel the potential rewards to your fine city and its historical record would be, in a word, invaluable."

''Well now, this is something new. Gentlemen, if you please.''

All three of the young men vacate the room immediately, not even pausing to retrieve their coats. The servant girl retreats behind a screen.

''You intrigue me, Bennedict. I will help you in this matter, as I am able to do so. My price is that you must keep me fully informed as to your findings. I am happy enough to allow Monsieur Sancerre his glory, so long as I am a full, if silent, partner in this undertaking. I trust this arrangement is agreeable to you?''

The lady leans back on her couch and sips wine from an ivory cup as she waits for Benn to answer.

Lord Skybolt wrote:" No I'm not very good at disguising myself or others . I'm just B&E kind of guy at this point in my career. But perhaps if I'm the less subtle scouter of are group going ahead of you." Declaring his lack skill in this area. As he is going with Norzak to scout out the meeting place.

The walk to the Great Gallows takes about an hour, as it clear across town near the southern gate. The Gallows is just inside the city walls, and within a stone's throw of the river. It is mid afternoon when you arrive.

The Great Gallows certainly lives up to the name. It's a large construction of age-blackened wood, a dozen feet off the ground, and thirty feet square. Raised wooden beams run around it like a giant's handrail, with rows of nooses dangling down on every side. Most of these are empty, but a few are knotted about the necks of black-faced corpses twisting slowly in the wind. The underside of the platform is shrouded with deep shadows, but one can make out mechanical aparatus of some kind, probably trap door mechanisms or something of that nature. Two flights of rickety looking wooden steps descend from oppposite sides of the gallows.

This impressive monument to civic justice stands in the center of a great cobbled plaza- the Court of Crows. Sure enough, several of the epynomous brirds have alighted on the upper framework of the gallows, or hop about the square. Some peck at the hanged men.

The houses and shops around the square are mostly in poor repair, old and decrepit. The local shops are to be mostly the lowest sort of wine sellers, pawnshops, and the like. There is a barber sugeron in the area, judging from the saw and knife emblem painted on one of the signs. There's also what looks to be a public house, a low stone building with a sign depicting a hanged man, predictably enough. Noise of singing and laughing can be heard from within this building.

Cirdan will smile, and bow before Diorgio and the dwarf.

"Count on me on whatever, my friends."

Before leaving, Cirdan will look for some kind of monk garment - a long robe, to hide his armor and sword. Putting on a false beard, he giggles to Norzak and Diorgio.

"His holiness, Jamethon Moorkroft, humble servant of Ezra, at your service."

Benn tries to supress the urge to jump in the air and click he heels, instead merely smiling broadly. "I would not think to do otherwise, Madame."

Adam wrote:Benn tries to supress the urge to jump in the air and click he heels, instead merely smiling broadly. "I would not think to do otherwise, Madame."

''Good, then we have an understanding.
It may take a few days, perhaps, to fully convince the priests of the necessity of allowing you unfettered access to the archives. I am certain that my influence will be sufficient to persuade them to be helpful to us, so you needn't worry about that.''

Jacqueline rises from the couch and walks across the room, seating herself very near Bennedict. She's nearly as close as the night they danced together.
She smells faintly of persimmons.

''Will you be staying a while? I will be taking a light meal soon. You are welcome to join me, if you'd like. ''

in the Court of Crows....


A man has appeared from around the back side of the gallows. He is approaching the three of you [Norzak, Alain, and Sir Cirdan] on foot, pushing a wheelbarrow with a wooden cover on top of it. As he draws near, you all are able to get a better look at him. He's a wiry fellow of middling height, with a bald pate and a square cut beard. His clothing is unremarkable- just the common sort of tunic and breeches worn in the territory of Richemulot by most folks.

Benn smiles nervously, drumming his fingers on the upholstery. "It would, of course, be my honor Madame Renier. I have an engagement at twelve o'clock I must be present for, but I am more or less free until then."

He smiles again, trying to put thoughts of Charlotte out of his mind, for the time being at least.

Dorgio passes by the bodies hanging from the scaffolds, and makes a half-circle motion with his hand in front of them, a sign of the rising sun of the Morninglord. He then looks around, peering at the windows of the shops and homes.

"It might be hard to find a derelict building here, at such a hub," he tells Norzak. "But if we can find an abandoned building, we could have a good vantage point over the square and good cover in case something goes wrong."

When the man passes near, Dorgio looks at the wheelbarrow, trying to see if anything is visible beneath the cover.

Adam wrote:Benn smiles nervously, drumming his fingers on the upholstery. "It would, of course, be my honor Madame Renier. I have an engagement at twelve o'clock I must be present for, but I am more or less free until then."

He smiles again, trying to put thoughts of Charlotte out of his mind, for the time being at least.

Madame Renier claps her hands to summon her maid from behind the screen.

''Bring my meal here. Monsieur Gehrman will be our guest for a little while- bring him whatever he likes form the kitchens. ''

''Yes, Madam, as Madam pleases.''

The maid turns to Benn. She's just a mousy little girl, hardly a day over sixteen, if looks are to be believed. Her eyes don't meet Benn's gaze, but stay lowered as she speaks. There's a little quaver in her voice, suggestive of fear or nervousness, perhaps.

''What will m'sieur be taking today? ''

Brock Marsh Runoff wrote:Dorgio passes by the bodies hanging from the scaffolds, and makes a half-circle motion with his hand in front of them, a sign of the rising sun of the Morninglord. He then looks around, peering at the windows of the shops and homes.

"It might be hard to find a derelict building here, at such a hub," he tells Norzak. "But if we can find an abandoned building, we could have a good vantage point over the square and good cover in case something goes wrong."

When the man passes near, Dorgio looks at the wheelbarrow, trying to see if anything is visible beneath the cover.

He not only passes near, but actually stops right in front of Dorgio. A little water can be seen dripping from around the edge of the cover. He lifts the wooden cover. Within the wheelbarrow are a dozen frogs in wicker cages. There are also several green glass jars of water with crayfish swimming in them. The wheelbarrow has a couple of pints of water in the bottom, keeping everything moist. Green mats of watercress and lily pads are arranged around the sides.

The square bearded fellow launches into his sales pitch with admirable gusto.

''Interested in buying some crayfish or some nice, fat frogs, m'sieurs? Oh yes, buy the whole lot if you please. Your wives or lackeys can cook for you all a fine dinner with such as these. Why, you'll be dining just like the River King himself!''

Cirdan will eye the frogs with a certain, unhealthy interest, then buy three of them.

As he notices Diorgio's and Norzak's disgusted looks, he only grunts:

"YeaH, yeah, I know: 'How can he do that?!' - Well, friends, MY FATHER might be rich, but I am definitely not."

He sigs and hangs his head. "I am saving all my money for a new armor for the wedding day..."