Under New Management

"Under New Management" (2x10) is the tenth episode of the A Clockwork Brass campaign. The Unnamed Party joins Blausten von Clausewitz at his estate for dinner. This episode marks the end of the first arc of the campaign. It took place on Durchnasst 30th, 136 N.E.
== Synopsis ==
After taking a long rest the Unnamed Party plans their day around an eventual dinner with the First Baron of Brisbayern, Blausten von Clausewitz. Izolda, who has not slept in three days, is finally resting in the corner of the room. The party decides she has earned this day of sleep. Cypryjan, Brynn and Eislyn talk strategy before Anastazja comes into the house later than expected after her date with Riley of Fenwick. Axial informs the party that he will be leaving them to their own devices, deciding that this adventure they have embarked on is not one that he is particularly fond of. The party says their farewells to Axial and he leaves the building with his head held up high.
In order to prepare for such an encounter, the party decides to go on a series of shopping trips. The first major stop for the party is at Martha's Mysterium. Upon arriving there the party looks at several different items and knick-knacks. After a series of failed rolls, Anastazja discovers a strange looking silver spider figurine with amethyst eyes (five out of eight of them are missing). She shares this information with Brynn and they buy the trinket for a pound zoling, noting it has a faint arcane aura about it. They also spot an interesting book entitled: Hex Arcanum. They place the book on hold for them, and pay Martha for her trouble and delivering a letter to a handsome drow at the request of Izolda.
After leaving Martha's Mysterium, the party decides to go dress shopping so they can look their best for the First Baron. In doing so, they stumble into Madamme Garibaldi's Lingerie and Corsets. Anastazja pauses beforehand though to check out Fanlemmy's Femininery. Upon entering Madamme Garibaldi's they are attacked with dress designs and critiques to their outfits (particularly Brynn and Cypryjan).
After spending some time with Madamme Garibaldi, the party rolls to decide where they will eat and opt to enjoy a nice seafood meal at The Admirable Seafood and Grill. The party is then greeted by Larry, their waiter. After a failed Insight roll and an exchange of peculiar looks, Cypryjan decides to investigate Larry and see if he is some sort of eldritch creature. He journeys alone to the Aleworks and finds a different human bartender, whom he rants and raves about Larry and his seeming endless stream of jobs. Shortly there after, Cypryjan returns to the party at the Admirable. Several members of the wait staff at the Admirable sing a song about a famous pirate ship: The Bagshot and the party gets ready to go to the World Exposition's Fourth Day.
At the World Exposition the party is met with several works of Agriculture and Sustainability. They see a peculiar tree that seems to be just a giant mushroom. Several palm trees are also present there, and an automatic irrigation system steals the show.
After being at the World Exposition, the party goes towards the Ile-De-Hess to meet with the First Baron. They are stopped on the walkway in the darkness by a member of the Zvlaki Guard who does not believe their purpose to be genuine. After Cypryjan shows off his paperwork, the party is invited into the Ile-De-Hess. Once there they are greeted by the marvelous sight of the Great Clocktower. Cypryjan and Eislyn both look at the clock face (with Anastazja and Brynn opting not to) and they pass their Wisdom saving throws against it, much to the disdain of a particular individual who shall remain nameless.
They enter Blausten von Clausewitz's estate and are escorted by Gimmel to the dining hall where they are greeted by Abby, a bubbly firbolg who works for Baron Blausten. After the food is brought out and a series of brief encounters with the other party goers are had, the party hears the First Baron shouting at Gimmel, after the gnome had rushed up a set of stairs behind a door at the other end of the room. Just then the Baron enters the room, and all of the attendees stand at his presence. Once everyone is seated food is placed on the Baron's plate and he begins to dine wordlessly.
Silence befalls the room, and after attempting to speak with the Baron, a Dragonborn diplomat named Aanimar is excused by the Baron. The party is a little nervous to speak with him until he decides to pipe up. He speaks to each member of the party with coy, calculated remarks, some of which are sassy. He then asks Abby about the recent shipments and informs the group about the issues they have been having with the Free Wranglers messing with their supply chains.
Three lies are counted by the Baron, and after the third lie is heard he drops his fork and knife on the table and presents his knowledge to the party, laying many cards out on the table. He accuses the party of working with The Furia and breaking Jeanne-Lucia and Parsmen Glemkil out of the Der Rex Bastion. The party dismisses these allegations and then von Clausewitz displays all of his evidence. After laying all of the party's crimes at their feet, he declares that they work for him now and present them with two tasks.
After the charges are levied, the party exits the estate, with Abby in tow, and return to their apartment. There they discuss all that has transpired, and Anastazja deduces that they are not being watched. The party shares their disdain of Abby for being a potential plant by von Clausewitz, and decides to not speak on the issue further until Izolda is awake to hear it.
=== Tasks Levied ===
* Man a dummy zeppelin and use it as bait to find the Free Wrangler hideout near the city by getting captured and eliminate the threat.
** Alternatively, the party can get a Free Wrangler to give up the location and the Baron will send his soldiers to deal with it.
* Assassinate Parsmen Glemkil who is hiding in Wrowagn.
* Wait for further instructions after both tasks are completed.
== Featured Characters ==
=== The Unnamed Party ===
* Anastazja
* Axial
* Brynn
* Cypryjan
* Eislyn
=== Absent ===
* Izolda
=== New ===
* Abby
* Aanimar
* Madamme Garibaldi
* Unnamed half-elf
* Unnamed half-orc
* Unnamed human bartender
=== Returning ===
* Gimmel
* Larry
* Martha
=== Mentioned ===
* Emmerich
* Jeanne-Lucia
* Parsmen Glemkil
* Riley of Fenwick
=== Quotations ===
The following quotations are not in any particular order.
* Abby to the Unnamed Party: "Who? Blausten? Oh! He's a sweetheart, you got nothin' to be scared of!"
* Blausten von Clausewitz to Cypryjan: "If you are going to lie to me, I ask that you do it better."
** Blausten von Clausewitz: "Your invention... I hear it is incredible." Cypryjan: "[It is only] a prototype [but] to hear that from you is... why it is very gratifying!" Blausten von Clausewitz: "I said I heard." Cypryjan: "Witty..."
** Cypryjan: "You would levy such a charge against us?" Blausten von Clausewitz: "A charge? How about several. Two accounts of murder, grand larceny of government property, terrorism, high treason, working with a terrorist organization, and one more... ah yes, conspiracy to assassinate a government official."
* Blausten von Clausewitz to Eislyn: "Stop pretending."
** "You're a long way from home."
* Blausten von Clausewitz to Anastazja: "You. You are not some underling. Stop pretending to be one."
** Blausten von Clausewitz: "Zaszka... interesting. I feel like I heard something about Zaszka recently." Anastazja: "You don't say?"
* Blausten von Clausewitz to Brynn: "You, you are genuine. But you house yourself around liars and murderers."
** Blausten von Clausewitz: "You look uncomfortable." Brynn: "I admit... this is not my usual haunt." Blausten von Clausewitz: "I am not comfortable either." Brynn: "That... actually makes me feel quite better!"
* Blausten von Clausewitz to the Unnamed Party: "Am I absolutely clear? Do we have an agreement? No need to answer, we do. You work for me now."
** Blausten von Clausewitz: "What sort of group are you?" Abby: "Well, I—" Blausten von Clausewitz: "Not. You. Abby."
** "Your first mistake was leaving those guards alive to identify you. A drow, a half elf, a woman with colorful hair, a lavender skinned woman, a half dragon and a very tall man disguised as a guard."
** "I could care less that Jeanne-Lucia is out of the Bastion. But I care that one of them has escaped. Can you guess who?"
*** "After that job you will find Doctor Parsmen Glemkil and you will assassinate him. Then I will decide what to do with you next."
** "I need you stronger. Better."
* Cypryjan to Unnamed human bartender: "Larry."
Category:Episodes