Trust Issues

## **Synopsis:**

In Chapter 7: Trust Issues, the soiree at the Mollefaire estate began in earnest following Cressamir's introductory speech.  In the kitchens, activity ramped up and Graven made use of his strength changing out cauldrons while maintaining his mostly-mute persona.

Beezaura traveled among the guests before engaging in a conversation with Iris Isaiah, who tested Beezaura's amiability toward her stated interests before agreeing to a private meeting – where it seemed she might be willing to negotiate for some under-the-table services.

Elsewhere on the estate floor, Orba and Safira kept up their ruse as members of the staff.  Orba overheard some information about the conflict up north while Safira bumped into Raymond Massif and his husband, who had accepted their invitation so that they could drum up interest among the wealthy attendees for an ambitious communications project that could benefit the common people of Anti-Suyu.

Erland found a moment to engage the prickly author Samuel Preekis, who was not afraid to express his opinions regarding the party's high society sycophants.  He also dropped a clue that was of particular interest to Erland – the potential whereabouts of Master Grahmari, though Samuel cautioned any reliance on this information since it had been some time since Grahmari was actually seen.

Needing some help in the basement to bring up additional barrels of wine, one of the kitchen hands recruited the help of Orba and Graven – who were led to an isolated storage cellar for what seemed like a routine task until Graven spotted the withered visage of Winston Muldoon, the suspicious merchant from the Festival of Oomaso days prior.  Before anyone could react, a dispelled illusion revealed several of the kitchen staff to be vicious Gnolls in disguise – and Graven and Orba were thrust into combat.

Back up in the drawing room, Erland was intercepted by an elegant Tiefling who revealed himself to be Armand Valliard, but his unwillingness to discuss any sensitive topics under the watchful eyes of Mr. Mollefaire's guards led him to suggest a private meeting in a downstairs lounge that was only accessible with a secret code word.  Armand also pressed Erland to bring along any associates he might have, hinting towards a certain half-elf and a certain halfling that he did not recognize from tastings years prior.

Erland agreed, and after rounding up Safira and Beezaura – the three of them bypassed Armand's planted sentry and waited for the Tiefling to turn up.  While conversing about what to tell (or not tell) Armand upon his arrival, a nearby suit of armor was magically animated and proceeded to attack our unarmed companions.

Battles commenced on both sides of the estate – Orba and Graven using spells to repel the advancing gnolls while the others struggled to make a dent in the enchanted plate mail.  Magic proved to be enough to fell the beasts in the wine cellar, though Winston escaped using a potion of diminution to slip through a sturdy iron grate – and quite a mess was left in the surrounding area.  And just as it seemed that Erland, Safira and Beezaura had found the key to defeating their foe, it fell limp to the floor with a clattering noise.  In the quiet aftermath, Safira heard footsteps coming from the stairwell, and Beezaura flung the door open to reveal Armand standing there in wait.

## Trivia

* Natural one count: five natural ones were rolled in this Chapter. 1 each by Leah, Matt, and Riley, and 2 by John.