On to Dima; with the knowledge that Calabra and his entourage are staying at the Lion and Boar, what would Dima like to do?
[q: based on what dima knows/has heard about calabra, does he have any sense of where in the city calabra is likely to have gone or sent his servants, or know of anyone in the city who would be familiar with calabra?
a: He has no sense of where calabra might have gone; because the man is from Mysos and Awich is just a waystation, there's really no telling where he's gone or what he's been doing. The only people who might have a clue are the employees of the Lion and Boar or Calabra's staff.]
Dima would have asked Faolan if Fae would be all right with Dima casting (or attempting to cast? if he knows whether it'd be effective) invisibility on wolf, since he doesn't want anyone marking Fae's wolf as sus.
<.>
Fae would consult with the wolf and decide it's all right to try.
<.>
Dima is in this case going to begin by attempting to cast invisibility on wolf, after explaining to the wolf why ofc.
[dm: The spell succeeds and the wolf is now (probably) following Dima while invisible.]
Next step: Dima is going to cast Disguise Self on himself. No change to his size or the shape of his clothing. The change is mostly in his face; eye and hair color changes, deffo nose shape change, and he'll appear as a human man in his early sixties. He'll change the appearance of his clothing's design, and alter the color to deep greens and gold.
[note: Dima likely can see Fae trying not to. Look at Older Man.]
Dima is. Going to mark *that* in his mind. And feel a certain something about it that he will not be focusing on just now because he has a task to accomplish but also that’s… maybe… nice?
<.>
This is very confusing for Fae because he finds Dima hot and Old hot and doesn't want to pursue anything with Dima and also doesn't want Dima to see him thirsting.
<.>
It is still a nice thing for Dima to notice. And maybe sometime he'll mention it. But Fae maybe he didn't notice at all!
(He noticed very much.) (Did not expect this. Does not dislike even a little.)
He will wish Faolan good luck and give Liviana a goodbye scratch— Which. Somehow turns to settling an hand on Faolan's arm and offering a smile and nod before Dima heads off to the Lion and Boar.
<.>
And as for the Lion and Boar: after the thieves are gone, the place is quiet and the staff who were drinking with Sen have moved their party to back rooms.
Dima, having entered, is going to seek out a staff member. Either one of Calabra's, or one of the Boar and Lion's. He'll start by looking at the main hall, then into the dining hall where Sen sang his famous Senly songs.
Dima is slightly wary of encountering the thieves, but as it's quiet, he suspects Sen and therefore both of them are gone.
[dm: There are a few diners in the dining hall, but no staff to be seen. However, as Dima returns to the entrance hall, he encounters a group of men coming down the stairs.]
Dima, standing with his hands folded behind his back, looking for all the world like he is waiting to be attended, is going to just have a listen to anything these men might be saying.
What do the men look like, and does he recognize any of them?
[PERC: 19
dm: He doesn't recognize any of them, but they're all wearing livery that he does recognize as denoting them servants of Calabra.
At the moment, they're idly chatting between themselves, on their way out.]
Dmitri is going to clear is throat and step toward them.
If he notes any designation of a senior staff member, he will address this man directly. Otherwise, he speaks to the group as a whole—
"You serve Lord Umbero Calabra, do you not?"
<.>
There is a man whose clothing is a little more elaborate than the others; he steps forward and gives a formal, if perfunct, bow and replies, "We do. How may I be of service?"
<.>
Dima offers the slightest, slightest nod of his head. "Is your master in?"
<.>
The servant turns his head ever so slightly, as though he had the briefest impulse to trade glances with the others. "Lord Calabra is not receiving visitors at this time, I'm afraid. Is there a message I might deliver on your behalf?"
<.>
Is he not.
There's a question in Dima's mind of whether the thieves are responsible for this non-reception. There's a question of what that little head turn suggests. (Something, something isn't quite right here.)
It isn't Dima's foremost concern, and he only nods at this information, unperturbed. "Not at present, no.
"Are you off on an errand for Lord Calabra?"
<.>
It seems like this has pricked something in the servant's Weird Shit O Meter. "I'm not at liberty to discuss Lord Calabra's affairs. By your leave, Sir-"
He takes a step towards the door.
<.>
"No." There's a suddenness of command in Dima's voice; the sound of a man not only accustomed to having his way, but knowing the aptness of his own authority.
He steps toward the servant, lightly, with precision, chin canted slightly upward.
"It is in everyone's interest that you speak precisely of your master's affairs: More aptly, of details regarding the alleged attempt of assassination on Lord Umbero Calabra."
Now Dima does offer a bow of his own; shallow, with a slight extension outward of one arm. "You are speaking with Sir Carlyle Donovan. I've been sent by the Alliance Council of Juridical Remediation, of the branch headquartered in Loch Bien, representing the Subcommittee of the Investigation of Perfidious Dispatch and Works of Despitous Intent.
"News of your master's... trouble has reached our ear, and we fear this act of calumny may represent a larger threat. For the sake of our territories' peace and well-being, I suggest that you comply."
[DEC: 21]
<.>
The group seems collectively concerned. The servant who did the talking has forgotten all about leaving, apparently, and stares at Dima in bare shock.
"Sir - I meant no disrespect, I -" he stammers, then looks back at the others, who shake their heads, at a loss for how to handle this. "It's true that you can't speak with our master; he departed with his guard and valet early this morning and won't return until tomorrow. I - I - You must understand, we've not been given leave to speak with anyone about his affairs, even of such potential calamity -"
Another man steps forward, more assured in movement, and places a hand on the other's arm, then gently draws him aside. This new servant takes a steadying breath and replies, "How can we be of assistance? We wish only to protect Lord Calabra, even in his absence."
<.>
Dima permits his tone to relax, though he maintains his stillness of posture, and looks to each servant in turn with keen-querying eyes. Returning his focus to the new speaker, he returns, "Of course. Your caution is to be respected; the Council would be alarmed to find Lord Calabra's staff utterly loose-lipped— Though it would explain a thing or two." 'Sir Donovan' seems to fall into a thought for a moment, then clears his throat. "Should you offer your full cooperation in this investigation, I'm certain we can forgive a moment's disrespect."
He glances again over the servants. "We will require a room in which to speak. If one among you would be so kind as to fetch a member of the inn's staff, I should like to begin as swiftly as possible.
"Pelor knows what cost delays might wreck."
Dima's intention is to ask the staff member whether there is an empty suite - or, otherwise, any other empty room - that he might put to use for an hour. He intends to pay for the cost of a full night's stay, of course.
<.>
The servants rush to comply; one of the inn's staff ushers them all into one of the empty suites upstairs, assures them they won't be interrupted, and departs.
The servants - five men in total - can't seem to decide if they should sit or stand in the receiving room, or if they should line up as they do with Calabra. The second speaker, who identifies himself as Faza, is a half-elf with reddish-dark skin, dark hair, and light eyes. He could be in his mid-forties. The first speaker, unidentified as yet, is a human barely over the age of twenty.
The other three servants are a halfling and two humans, all of them clearly terrified.
<.>
Dima takes in these details briefly, committing each servants appearance into memory, then turns on his heel and moves to settle himself in a central chair.
After a moment, he gestures to the room before him, casting a half-glance toward the servants: "Sit. All of you. I seek honesty above ceremony."
That said, it is absolutely a command.
<.>
The servants all scramble to find somewhere to sit; one of the humans passes into the adjoining room and returns with a dining chair for himself. The halfling is left standing and appears to decide he's going to make it look like he chose to remain standing by clasping his hands behind his back.
<.>
Dima gives the halfling a long, long look before deciding - apparently - not to remark on the halfling's choice.
"As I said: I ask honesty from each of you. Speak what you know to the best of your abilities, in truth and in completion.
"What you say here will be known only to The Subcommittee of the Investigation of Perfidious Dispatch and Works of Despitous Intent; your words will go no further, and no names or identifies will be given, save that you are Lord Calabra's dedicated servants.
"Now.
"Whom among you was acquainted with Payl Gower? And what did you know of the man, while he lived."
[PERS: 9]
<.>
The servants exchange uncomfortable glances and one swallows hard before speaking up. "We all knew him, of course. But we didn't know him well. There are almost a hundred servants in regular employ and hundreds more that come and go. Gower kept himself to himself."
[PERC, d: 17]
As Dima listens and looks around at the group, he'll notice one of them - the other, unnamed human who has yet to speak - seems to have cringed a little and is looking particularly anxiety-riddled about all of this. He fidgets and then tries to stop himself from fidgeting. He meets Dima's eyes and looks down immediately, shoulders hunching defensively.
In short, the man seems terrified.
<.>
Eyes fixed on this servant, Dima speaks, voice traced with a chill, "That is not the full story, is it?"
Then, tone easing again, "These are difficult questions, with difficult answers; I do understand. I sympathize." He might not sound like he can quite sympathize - presumably, Sir Carlyle Donovan has heard a plentitude of wrenching stories - but it's probably clear that he's making the attempt.
"The more you tell me, the more ably the Council can safeguard your master's life, and your own." He clears his throat, taps one finger at his knee. "If what the Council has discovered holds true, Lord Calabra is not the only figure in harm's path. And we have heard... conflicting accounts of the man Payl Gower was.
"Remember: Nothing that you say will be heard beyond the Subcommittee. Nothing will be traced to any one of you.
no subject
[q: based on what dima knows/has heard about calabra, does he have any sense of where in the city calabra is likely to have gone or sent his servants, or know of anyone in the city who would be familiar with calabra?
a: He has no sense of where calabra might have gone; because the man is from Mysos and Awich is just a waystation, there's really no telling where he's gone or what he's been doing. The only people who might have a clue are the employees of the Lion and Boar or Calabra's staff.]
Dima would have asked Faolan if Fae would be all right with Dima casting (or attempting to cast? if he knows whether it'd be effective) invisibility on wolf, since he doesn't want anyone marking Fae's wolf as sus.
<.>
Fae would consult with the wolf and decide it's all right to try.
<.>
Dima is in this case going to begin by attempting to cast invisibility on wolf, after explaining to the wolf why ofc.
[dm: The spell succeeds and the wolf is now (probably) following Dima while invisible.]
Next step: Dima is going to cast Disguise Self on himself. No change to his size or the shape of his clothing. The change is mostly in his face; eye and hair color changes, deffo nose shape change, and he'll appear as a human man in his early sixties. He'll change the appearance of his clothing's design, and alter the color to deep greens and gold.
[note: Dima likely can see Fae trying not to. Look at Older Man.]
Dima is. Going to mark *that* in his mind. And feel a certain something about it that he will not be focusing on just now because he has a task to accomplish but also that’s… maybe… nice?
<.>
This is very confusing for Fae because he finds Dima hot and Old hot and doesn't want to pursue anything with Dima and also doesn't want Dima to see him thirsting.
<.>
It is still a nice thing for Dima to notice. And maybe sometime he'll mention it. But Fae maybe he didn't notice at all!
(He noticed very much.) (Did not expect this. Does not dislike even a little.)
He will wish Faolan good luck and give Liviana a goodbye scratch— Which. Somehow turns to settling an hand on Faolan's arm and offering a smile and nod before Dima heads off to the Lion and Boar.
<.>
And as for the Lion and Boar: after the thieves are gone, the place is quiet and the staff who were drinking with Sen have moved their party to back rooms.
[note: Remember, Dima doesn't know Calabra isn't there.]
<.>
Dima, having entered, is going to seek out a staff member. Either one of Calabra's, or one of the Boar and Lion's. He'll start by looking at the main hall, then into the dining hall where Sen sang his famous Senly songs.
Dima is slightly wary of encountering the thieves, but as it's quiet, he suspects Sen and therefore both of them are gone.
[dm: There are a few diners in the dining hall, but no staff to be seen. However, as Dima returns to the entrance hall, he encounters a group of men coming down the stairs.]
Dima, standing with his hands folded behind his back, looking for all the world like he is waiting to be attended, is going to just have a listen to anything these men might be saying.
What do the men look like, and does he recognize any of them?
[PERC: 19
dm: He doesn't recognize any of them, but they're all wearing livery that he does recognize as denoting them servants of Calabra.
At the moment, they're idly chatting between themselves, on their way out.]
Dmitri is going to clear is throat and step toward them.
If he notes any designation of a senior staff member, he will address this man directly. Otherwise, he speaks to the group as a whole—
"You serve Lord Umbero Calabra, do you not?"
<.>
There is a man whose clothing is a little more elaborate than the others; he steps forward and gives a formal, if perfunct, bow and replies, "We do. How may I be of service?"
<.>
Dima offers the slightest, slightest nod of his head. "Is your master in?"
<.>
The servant turns his head ever so slightly, as though he had the briefest impulse to trade glances with the others. "Lord Calabra is not receiving visitors at this time, I'm afraid. Is there a message I might deliver on your behalf?"
<.>
Is he not.
There's a question in Dima's mind of whether the thieves are responsible for this non-reception. There's a question of what that little head turn suggests. (Something, something isn't quite right here.)
It isn't Dima's foremost concern, and he only nods at this information, unperturbed. "Not at present, no.
"Are you off on an errand for Lord Calabra?"
<.>
It seems like this has pricked something in the servant's Weird Shit O Meter. "I'm not at liberty to discuss Lord Calabra's affairs. By your leave, Sir-"
He takes a step towards the door.
<.>
"No." There's a suddenness of command in Dima's voice; the sound of a man not only accustomed to having his way, but knowing the aptness of his own authority.
He steps toward the servant, lightly, with precision, chin canted slightly upward.
"It is in everyone's interest that you speak precisely of your master's affairs: More aptly, of details regarding the alleged attempt of assassination on Lord Umbero Calabra."
Now Dima does offer a bow of his own; shallow, with a slight extension outward of one arm. "You are speaking with Sir Carlyle Donovan. I've been sent by the Alliance Council of Juridical Remediation, of the branch headquartered in Loch Bien, representing the Subcommittee of the Investigation of Perfidious Dispatch and Works of Despitous Intent.
"News of your master's... trouble has reached our ear, and we fear this act of calumny may represent a larger threat. For the sake of our territories' peace and well-being, I suggest that you comply."
[DEC: 21]
<.>
The group seems collectively concerned. The servant who did the talking has forgotten all about leaving, apparently, and stares at Dima in bare shock.
"Sir - I meant no disrespect, I -" he stammers, then looks back at the others, who shake their heads, at a loss for how to handle this. "It's true that you can't speak with our master; he departed with his guard and valet early this morning and won't return until tomorrow. I - I - You must understand, we've not been given leave to speak with anyone about his affairs, even of such potential calamity -"
Another man steps forward, more assured in movement, and places a hand on the other's arm, then gently draws him aside. This new servant takes a steadying breath and replies, "How can we be of assistance? We wish only to protect Lord Calabra, even in his absence."
<.>
Dima permits his tone to relax, though he maintains his stillness of posture, and looks to each servant in turn with keen-querying eyes. Returning his focus to the new speaker, he returns, "Of course. Your caution is to be respected; the Council would be alarmed to find Lord Calabra's staff utterly loose-lipped— Though it would explain a thing or two." 'Sir Donovan' seems to fall into a thought for a moment, then clears his throat. "Should you offer your full cooperation in this investigation, I'm certain we can forgive a moment's disrespect."
He glances again over the servants. "We will require a room in which to speak. If one among you would be so kind as to fetch a member of the inn's staff, I should like to begin as swiftly as possible.
"Pelor knows what cost delays might wreck."
Dima's intention is to ask the staff member whether there is an empty suite - or, otherwise, any other empty room - that he might put to use for an hour. He intends to pay for the cost of a full night's stay, of course.
<.>
The servants rush to comply; one of the inn's staff ushers them all into one of the empty suites upstairs, assures them they won't be interrupted, and departs.
The servants - five men in total - can't seem to decide if they should sit or stand in the receiving room, or if they should line up as they do with Calabra. The second speaker, who identifies himself as Faza, is a half-elf with reddish-dark skin, dark hair, and light eyes. He could be in his mid-forties. The first speaker, unidentified as yet, is a human barely over the age of twenty.
The other three servants are a halfling and two humans, all of them clearly terrified.
<.>
Dima takes in these details briefly, committing each servants appearance into memory, then turns on his heel and moves to settle himself in a central chair.
After a moment, he gestures to the room before him, casting a half-glance toward the servants: "Sit. All of you. I seek honesty above ceremony."
That said, it is absolutely a command.
<.>
The servants all scramble to find somewhere to sit; one of the humans passes into the adjoining room and returns with a dining chair for himself. The halfling is left standing and appears to decide he's going to make it look like he chose to remain standing by clasping his hands behind his back.
<.>
Dima gives the halfling a long, long look before deciding - apparently - not to remark on the halfling's choice.
"As I said: I ask honesty from each of you. Speak what you know to the best of your abilities, in truth and in completion.
"What you say here will be known only to The Subcommittee of the Investigation of Perfidious Dispatch and Works of Despitous Intent; your words will go no further, and no names or identifies will be given, save that you are Lord Calabra's dedicated servants.
"Now.
"Whom among you was acquainted with Payl Gower? And what did you know of the man, while he lived."
[PERS: 9]
<.>
The servants exchange uncomfortable glances and one swallows hard before speaking up. "We all knew him, of course. But we didn't know him well. There are almost a hundred servants in regular employ and hundreds more that come and go. Gower kept himself to himself."
[PERC, d: 17]
As Dima listens and looks around at the group, he'll notice one of them - the other, unnamed human who has yet to speak - seems to have cringed a little and is looking particularly anxiety-riddled about all of this. He fidgets and then tries to stop himself from fidgeting. He meets Dima's eyes and looks down immediately, shoulders hunching defensively.
In short, the man seems terrified.
<.>
Eyes fixed on this servant, Dima speaks, voice traced with a chill, "That is not the full story, is it?"
Then, tone easing again, "These are difficult questions, with difficult answers; I do understand. I sympathize." He might not sound like he can quite sympathize - presumably, Sir Carlyle Donovan has heard a plentitude of wrenching stories - but it's probably clear that he's making the attempt.
"The more you tell me, the more ably the Council can safeguard your master's life, and your own." He clears his throat, taps one finger at his knee. "If what the Council has discovered holds true, Lord Calabra is not the only figure in harm's path. And we have heard... conflicting accounts of the man Payl Gower was.
"Remember: Nothing that you say will be heard beyond the Subcommittee. Nothing will be traced to any one of you.
"I only need to know the truth."
<.>