Ep. 98 Puttin' on the Ritz

## Watch

Puttin' on the Ritz | Khyber Shards #98 | D&D 5e Actual Play

—Zola

The Stryke Force get fancy dresswear for the masquerade ball. They observe the guests, looking for their targets. Pog makes friends with someone at the buffet table, Shade is proud of her socializing skills, Esri finds Neya, and Ari uses his telepathy to keep everyone updated with all the new information they learn.

## Synopsis

In Trolanport, the Stryke Force visits Manifest Sewn for fancy party clothes to attend the masquerade ball with. A gnomish tailor named Zola Krankle greets them, and Ari tells him what they're looking for. Unfortunately, due to the rushed nature of their visit, they'll have to get something off the rack.

He waves his hand, and something moves across the floor. Something holds next to them with a cloth measuring tape and begins taking their measurments. The group chooses their masks, and then the tailor comes back in with a rack and a few different options for outfits.

### Ari

Ari's is full-faced, very angular, with harp features and almost a jester-like quality. It has dark tones, matching the Forgotten Prince's style; a smokey color all over with dark highlights. He gets something similar to a military jacket, with a jacket that buttons all the way down and sensible slacks. All in black, but with the smoky grey designs and filigree to match the Forgotten Prince.

### Pog

Pog gets one that's mostly full-faced, but with an exposed mouth. It has butterfly wings and brightly-colored plumage. He has a black jacket, and takes the sash he usually wears off his shoulder to wear it almost like a cumberbund. The jacket has a long tail and lapels, and the lining is royal purple.

*"If it's not creepy, it's gonna be gawdy."
—Colin*

### Shade

Shade initially picks up a tree mask, but she puts it back when she sees one with peacock feathers, and it very delighted that she gets to match Kael. She chooses a dress that's blue to match her peacock feathers; it's also the simplest dress she could find on the rack that covers her shoulders.

### Esri

Esri's is similar in style to a full-covering eye make-up, with a big streak across the eyes in a vibrant forest green. He gets a matching green duster.

The shopkeep gives them the total of 23 gold each for their outfits. As he takes their payment, he hands them a business card with his and the store's name on it.

Demise comes over the communicator asking for updates. She says she's acquired some resources, and will explain more when they meet up.

### The Party

They return to the party, and are asked to check their weapons. Ari is pleased that a locker is available for the armor he took off. Shade is insulted when one of the guards says Kael will have to wait outside. He reconsiders when Shade gives the argument that they're a matching set, and lets them in with a two gold bribe from Ari.

They're let into the party and enter a grand ballroom with a large dance floor. At one end, in the corner of the room, is a stage with a string quartet. All of them are elves with a mark of shadow. Many people in fancy outfits move across the dancefloor and around a table with food. There's an open bar, and everyone is splendidly masked.

Ari warns Esri off from casting Locate Creature, saying the gnomes might be angry. Esri instead looks for a feminine figure that has drawn an entourage. Pog looks around for who he thinks is a guard for an important person, and points them out to Ari.

He goes over to the buffet table, which is fine Aundarian cuisine, and spicy Zilargo dishes, which is a lot of fish. Pog dramatically likes it. Someone in a mask with the visage of a green dragon comes over to talk to him, and he takes note of a who that person's bodyguard seems to be.

Ari mingles, and picks up clues that Neya has actual dragonhawk feathers in her mask.

Shade is eavesdropping on conversations. Much of what she heard is gossip that she has no interest in. She does hear that the "man is the black mask has terribly cold hands." Someone approaches her and says they *love* Shade's cat, and wonders where she got him, and if Shade would be interested in breeding him. Shade is confused by these strange questions.

Ari uses his telepathy to keep everyone updated on what they learn. With that information, Pog scans the crowd and sees a tall woman in a glossy red mask with sprays of feathers coming off the sides, almost like a crested bird. She's moving quickly through the crowd, away from the dancefloor, directly towards a door.

Pog points her out to the dragon-masked guy, and learns that they have these types of parties about once a month for diplomats.

Ari waits for just the right song and then makes a scene on the dancefloor, perfectly weaving between partners and impressing all the right people. Several people tell him how great he did, and he excuses himself to talk to Pog.

Esri looks for an unauthorized exit, and sees Neya walking towards it. He talks to her telepathically, asking for an audience. She stiffens, and with her flustered state seems startled. She continues to the door.

Shade sees a tall man in dark blue cloth and a black mask who is clearly watching Neya—later revealed to be Lucan. He walks very gracefully through the dancers to Mina, who's in a feathered mask shaped like an owl. He leans over and they seem to be speaking to each other. Shade starts moving towards them.

Ari makes his way over to Pog and the dragon-mask man. Pog whispers to him about Neya near the door, and then continues partying with his new friend.

A guard has shifted to pay attention to Esri, who speaks to him in celestial and then primordial to see if he understands.

*"Sir, I begin to think you may have overindulged."
—Guard to Esri*

Bolstered by how good she's been doing socially at this event, Shade heads towards Lucan, the man in the black mask. Someone in a blue, military style coat has obviously been doing the same, and they veer when they sees Shade. Their mask is completely garish, with a sort of motley diamond-checker pattern in pink and blue up one half, and gold painted feather on the other side that have been enchanted to look like flames. The Dragonhawk, as they later learn this person is called, notices Shade and her panther, and stands a little straighter and gives a cordial half-nod. Shade tries conversation once again. Mina greets Kael by allowing a hand sniff. Kael reacts very warmly and allows a scritch under the jaw. Lucan says they better be moving on; Kael bristles when he steps closer to Shade.

Ari meets Esri near the door Neya exited. He tells the guard that he urgently needs to speak to Neya ir'Krell, who he knows went out this way. The guard tells him to make an appointment. Ari gives him the coded message to deliver.

Lucan and Mina towards the door, and the Dragonhawk follows. Shade intercepts and asks if they know those people. The Dragonhawk says they're in a hurry and pushes past. Shade follows. They catch up to Lucan and Mina, and grab Lucan to get his attention. He asks about the host. Esri sees a very presice gesture, and Shade recognizes in the voice an attempt to magically charm. Lucan jerks his arm away and asks what they're playing at. The Dragonhawk tells him to come quietly. Lucan reaches a hand out, and a long, wicked looking blade comes out—the Soul Blade.

## Locations

* Zilargo
	+ Manifest Sewn

## Spells

* **Dragonhawk**
	+ Charm Person on Lucan

## Quotes

"You'll need to check weapons."
"My weapons are fine; I checked them earlier, thank you."
*—Guard and Pog*

"I've never been to a mask and rage ball before."
*—Pog*