EVENT #17: EPULUM - COORDINATION POST

[abraxasmods]

Event #17 - Coordination

OOC Plotting Post ⦁ IC Event Log ⦁ Nocwich

This post is for coordination while the event is ongoing, to prevent the IC Event Log from being overrun by OOC mod and player communications. The comments section will contain applicable comments and forms for you to reply to as needed.

Use this post to:

◎ Contact the mods
◎ Submit your suspected culprit
◎ Investigate the crime or track ongoing investigations
◎ Submit noticeable actions
◎ Write rapid IC exchanges

Available Forms

For details on each form, see the sections below.
Be sure to reply under the applicable category as required.

Mod Communications

If you have any questions about the limits or scope of what you can do before you formalize it in an investigation, you can go over the details with us here. You can also submit the suspect to Celeste under the appropriate heading. Submitting the name of the suspect is not required to complete the mystery, but doing so may contribute to whether the suspect is caught or escapes.

If you have questions about non-investigative aspects of the event, see the Questions thread on the OOC Plotting Post.

Contact Us

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Submission:</b> (Describe your question OR write the name of the Witness your character will accuse as the suspect)

Investigations

To leave opportunities for others, please limit the scope of your actions per submission. For example, if you'd like to test a key, you must specify a narrow set of locks in a particular section. Additionally, while there are no strict limits on how many investigations you can be involved in, we do ask that you try to stagger them a little to help us keep pace.

You can investigate something multiple times as long as it makes sense for your character to try again. This includes following up with witnesses if characters learn new information. To investigate, fill out the form, then comment under the item you're investigating.

Investigate a witness, scene, or evidence

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>Other characters involved:</b> <b>Witness/Scene/Evidence:</b> (What is the witness, scene, or evidence your character is exploring?) <b>Action:</b> (Describe what your character is attempting to do and how. If multiple characters are taking action, include their actions.) <b>Thread:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (If applicable. Linking a thread is NOT required, but can help us tailor our responses) <b>Notes:</b> (Anything else)

IC Exchanges

Use this option if you have an interaction you'd like to play out, but setting up a standard IC thread would be impracticable. For example, if your character wants to speak to several people about a piece of evidence, you might want to do an IC exchange. IC exchanges can take place in the real world or the Horizon.

Treat this like an informal IC network thread done in person, where character reactions, snippets of dialogue, and other details can be quickly played out and concluded in-game without committing to a full log thread. Exchanges are game canon, and can count towards Activity Check under the category of a Network thread.

Start an IC exchange

Using the provided form is optional. Begin a thread freeform if you prefer.

<b>Where & when:</b> (Where and when is this exchange taking place?) <b>Purpose:</b> (What's the reason for this exchange?) <b>THREAD START</b> (Write the scenario, your character's actions, and any dialogue as usual)

Notable Actions

Submit any notable actions that are likely to gain attention from other players such as fights or disturbances.

Submit a notable action

<b>Player Name:</b> <b>Character Name:</b> <b>When:</b> (Approximately when is this incident taking place?) <b>Where:</b> (Where is this incident taking place?) <b>What:</b> (Describe the incident) <b>Link:</b> <a href="urlhere">Thread</a> (If applicable. Actions can be submitted without a thread if they're minor.)

Comments

[vixening]

Player Name: dai
Character Name: yennefer
Other characters involved: nadine cross

Witness/Scene/Evidence: marcellus ver
Action: yennefer and nadine are going to go ahead and try and chat up marcellus for a variety of reasons! they're

yennefer is going to go the route of flattery where his business and wine-making skills are concerned. she's heard rumors about his wine and as she has partaken in a bit of blood wine tasting herself and has found she also enjoys it, so of course she wanted to see about tasting some of his secret wine that he reserves only for the most important (she's got a hunch that there's a chance the secret ingredient is connected to the blood signature and she wants to look into it).

yennefer will lean on her previous interactions with ikorr (her meeting with celeste) as well as her and nadine's influence (both at level 6) to see if there's any charming of their own that can be done to get into his good graces. yennefer's well versed in leaning into men's egos to try and get information without raising any red flags (thanks aretuza). nadine is also going to be there to add in/back up any flattery and mild flirting.

if/when marcellus seems to be willing to talk, yennefer will very casually bring up the rumors going around about soraya spending a Lot Of Overtime down in the vaults, as well as his relationship with soraya being one that even they know about, to try and read his reaction. but she won't force the conversation if it's not going in that direction!
Thread: Thread (nadine and yennefer are going to make their way through the merchant stalls to find marcellus)
Notes: none atm!

[abraxasmods]

While Marcellus is quite open to flattery, he will politely balk at any flirting, declaring that "his heart has been claimed by another." He will flatter both women in return and tell Yennefer that he has heard much of her through Celeste, and that he's aware Nadine played a role in the Nether, which he finds very noble indeed as the dragons are so important to the Draconae.

Unfortunately, Marcellus interacts with a wide variety of flatterers and influential people, so it will not be enough to convince him to give up his wine. It's not about their importance, you understand. It must also be the right occasion.

He is, however, more than happy to speak of it and of his other businesses...as well as his paramour, Soraya. Due to his position, his love life takes some spotlight so he's not surprised they've heard about it.

He tells them Soraya is very dedicated to her work, so naturally she'd be working overtime during such an important event! Actually he's encouraged her to spend as much time as she needs at work to make sure everything is in order, and not to worry about him. He's extremely admiring of her work ethic.

[vixening]

At any balking at flirting will have both Nadine and Yennefer shifting tactics. They can respect a man who is obsessed with his lady. c: Yennefer will of course be very pleased to hear he's heard a lot about her from Celeste and that she'd been meaning to see Celeste while they were here, but with all that's been going on, it's understandable that she'd be busy.

She'll nod and agree that she understands re: his special wine, but if he is interested in anything particular - either from Thorne (alchemic or herb related, as those are focuses of Yennefer's studies) or the Cities (ingredients and such, from Nadine) that the two of them could do - she would absolutely be willing to talk about a trade. ;) Just as far as creating the right occasion is concerned (yes she would definitely wink)

The fact he's willing to talk about his love life more openly, Yennefer will absolutely turn to that topic of conversation. She'd seem especially concerned and ask if he's heard about the crime that's taken place, and how they're all very concerned about the artifact and having it returned. They hope that Soraya is doing alright with it all.

[abraxasmods]

Marcellus tells her that if another ball is held at the Nightbloom, she may be in for a treat. If she spoke to Celeste, she must've enjoyed the elegant display there during Nocwich's opening, though he is sorry to hear about the troubles afterwards. He explains that this is why Ikorr has closed its doors for so long. He's glad that the Pact has finally agreed to reach out to the Summoned again.

He admits to having heard about the crime through Soraya, but he doesn't know anything that's classified while the investigation is ongoing. He's concerned about the stressful situation since Soraya hasn't been Deupty very long, but he's quite confident she'll solve the mystery. He asks them if Soraya sent them to speak to him. He's happy to help if they have any questions.

[vixening]

She’ll definitely explain that she did attend the last ball at the Nightbloom and was obviously impressed by the incredible display. She would be honored to attend again, and not just at the possibility of a treat. :)

Yennefer will also tense at the mention of the troubles, saying she’s intimately familiar with what happened, after all. She’s also disappointed that it caused such a delay- she’s been so interested and focused on keeping their friendship with Ikorr. But in the end she’s just glad for the chance of this event.

She’ll quickly let him know they weren’t sent by anyone - they’re here for their own curiosity. Yen and Nadine of course also hope the crime can be wrapped up quickly! And want to help any way they can. Since they haven't made it down there yet - she wonders if he’s been down to the vaults before? Or if he have any idea how someone could even do that? She knows Ikorr’s and the Pact’s magical capabilities are impressive…

[abraxasmods]

Marcellus assures her that her friendship with Ikorr is not dependent on the months or years passing. Vampires live quite awhile so the passage of time is different for them.

He laughs and says that of course he's been down there, he has a private vault with them. He admits it's worrying him that the Vaults have been broken into. What she's heard is true, Ikorr's magical capabilities are impressive. The amount of power this would take is concerning, and although he admits it's a selfish concern he's worried about his own things, too. If the Latchkeys could be stolen, how safe is everyone else's belongings?

[vixening]

Yennefer will smile and say that she understands that well herself. Mages like herself live a bit longer than humans, though not nearly as long as vampires.

And she will agree with him completely - she was going to ask if he's worried about his belongings now that the Latchkey has gone missing. It's a valid concern to be worried about his items, especially with it now getting out that the vaults could be broken into. Has he thought about going down to check on his own vault?

[abraxasmods]

He has and would've if he could, but unfortunately the Vault Guardians and the Sentinels have barred anyone from entering, including loyal customers.

This has put a damper on his plans. He has something in there he meant to give to someone important at the end of the night, at his private after party.

[vixening]

Yennefer and Nadine will offer to go down and check the vaults for him - they're letting Summoned inside to investigate the crime scene to see how we can help, and both Yennefer and Nadine know of others who have been allowed down to check for themselves.

If he is comfortable with it, they would be happy to go down and get that important item for him and bring it back. But of course, only if he's willing.

Also, Nadine is going to offer him some calming tonics - since he's mentioned worrying about the stress this will cause.

[abraxasmods]

Marcellus is tempted by the offer, however he ultimately turns it down, explaining that he'd hate to get Soraya in trouble or make the wrong kind of news for himself by breaking the rules. He thanks them for their kind offer, and lets it slip that "the proposal" can wait one more night.

He will turn down the tonic, too. Marcellus confesses he's been called out for his refusal to partake in substances since such things are popular in Ikorr, but he prefers to keep his mind sharp.

He adds that he needs to return to the party soon, but if they want his help for anything else they can let him know.

[vixening]

After he turns down both the offer and the tonic, Yennefer will give him a small smile when she says she completely understands and that the two of them don't want to take up any more of his time. They know he's a busy man.

Nadine is going to try and step forward to shake his hand, but as she does so she will end up tripping forward and spilling both her fancy tower chalice that she was given and herself directly onto Marcellus - and there may or may not be a little more heft to it than necessary.

Yennefer reacts understandably, reaching forward to try and help steady Nadine. She'll also look to Marcellus and offer to help him clean up (with her magic). She is either going to help him clean up using her prestidigitation ability and sneak a strand of hair that way, or she will try and sneakily grab a strand of his hair somewhere in the chaos of Nadine's drunken moment.

[abraxasmods]

Marcellus will be startled but gracious about the accident.

They successfully grab a strand of his hair, but if Yennefer or Nadine are observant, they will notice that all of his hair shifts a little with the force when it's pulled and that Marcellus quickly rearranges his "hair" into position. He happens to be wearing a wig of very high quality, made from real hair.

While not uncommon at the party, Marcellus's wig is a natural color unlike the brighter costume wigs popular at Epulum. They can consult other Witnesses who know him to ask why he might've chosen to wear a wig tonight or they may consider this suspicious by itself.

If they miss this detail, they may submit his hair for testing here.