The Necromancer's Legacy - part 56

Back in Usdar, Charon and Thriatos hears a rumor that the nobles of Leupthia is gathering for a meeting and so they decide to invite themselves. Together with Horacio they alsy decide a trustworthy spy might be helpful and, since they really don't trust people, they start searching the Abyss for one. A demon at least is perfectly honest about being dishonest.

As delegates from around the province start to arrive Charon and Thriatos intend to make a grand entrance. They are however stopped by a palace guard at the very stairs leading into the building and while they manage to talk their way through the guards inform them they will be closely watched. The guards take them to the ongoing meeting where Charon can finally conclude that lord Jorian - currently speaking to the Leupthian nobles - is the same man with whom he settled his gambling debt some time ago. Jorian is quite surprised to see Charon arrive but manage to hide it quite well with only a slight stutter in his speach.

As the meeting continues Horacio has received a letter from consul Quadrata herself. Apparently she sees it fit to reemploy him - although given her words it would appear he was never dismissed in the first place. This can however wait, as his research into the demonic arts have finally given result. He has found a succubus and decides to get to action. Summoning the demon it appears quite willing to perform the service in return for training in illusion magic. Horacio agrees and offer some clothes, money and instructions before he lets the succubus out into the city.

At the palace the delegates are enjoying a grand banquet and Charon and Thriatos split up to try to mingle with the other guests. Charon has some success in learning about the different sides of the debate while Thriatos get stuck with grandmaster Marcia who questions him about his presence and seems quite annoyed at finding the two in the palace. As the dinner finishes and the meeting resumes they both find themselves closely watched by both guards, servants and Marcia. While they stay and listed for the rest of the meeting this prevents them from doing any successful inquiries.

Back at the wizard house Horacio has successfully reacquainted himself with some of his old friends and gained some useful contacts. As his two colleagues return they share the news of the day and start to make new plans for how to proceed. A messenger then arrives with a letter for Charon. Apparently its an invitation by no other than lord Jorian to an estate outside the city on the following day. As Charon and Jorians history is not well known by Thriatos and Horacio he explains that he once had a gambling debt to the crime syndicate Zamatspire - a syndicate he knows to be controlled by no other than consul Savvas - and that Jorian is working for them. With this new information they decide to accept the invitation and also start to prepare themselves to deal with poisons and outright attacks.

Renting as grand a coach as can be found in Usdar they head out. While many of the nobles attending the earlier meeting are also on the road heading home their luxurous entourage attract many gazes.

Arriving several hours later they are shown to a dinner table. They are introduced to their host lord Caesar along with his guests lord Jorian and Carius and served food. Thriatos first action is to secretly try to detect any poison present using his magic skills, but finding none they hesitantly start eating. A few drinks (thoroughly checked) later the mood is quite pleasant. Eventually the drinks run out and while a servant is sent to fetch some more he doesn't return. Lord Jorian offers to check up on him and leaves...