[ CLOSED ] WAR TABLE: INVESTIGATE COMTESSE DE VELONEY

[comtessedevelony]

WHO: Herian, Anders, Issana, Velanna, Pam, Malcolm
WHAT: A series of disappearances in the Orlesian countryside has culminated in the vanishment of some of the Inquisition's own scouts. A team has been sent to investigate the estate of one Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney.
WHEN: Over the span of 4 days in the 2nd week of Harvestmere.
WHERE: Estate of Comtesse Eléonore Vaillant de Veloney
NOTES: Trauma, gore, dark themes, homicide, pretentious wine usage, other things not labeled as to avoid spoilers.

Welcome to the Estate

It is a terrible misfortune, all these disappearances- but with a civil war on and all this strange Venatori and Red Templar activity- with the rifts in the countryside? People simply not appearing where they ought is a sad reality. Nothing to be done for it. That such an esteemed noblewoman has found herself unjustly accused simply due to her wealth and prosperity? Cannot stand. Comtesse de Veloney invited the Inquisition herself to investigate her manor and put the matter to rest- they are to be afforded all the cooperation and respect imaginable.

Even the mages. Even the elves.

They are met at the gate by a veritable delegation of footmen led by the Gardener and Tanner to see them inside and out of the stormy, dreary weather. Packs are secreted off to rooms (a lovely set of suites in the east wing if the Steward does say so herself), baths drawn (The Comtesse insists, it's been just dreadful and they've come all this way), and a lavish banquet prepared.

Comments

[tactical_alert]

Malcolm has this to add:

1. Agreed with Inessa that the Comtesse can be intimated to be from the Imperium, though he hasn't any proof of it--he plans on speaking to the Valet in the morrow
2. The Steward was given twelve keys for rooms around the estate by the Comte, but with the Comtesse a 13th has been found, to which door it goes to she doesn't know. (Key: wrought iron, seems old, very unlike the other keys.) Every month on the new moon, someone sneaks into her room to remove the key, and after a day, it is returned. He plans on staking out her room come the third night when the new moon comes.
3. The Steward is also very concerned for her Scullery Maid sister Amelie and is convinced the Cook is a hedgewitch. Likely dubious fearmongering, but her concern for her sister is real enough.
4. Some of the Refugees that have arrived to work here have gone 'sooner than expected' with no notice. Some of the working girls that have left have not been made contact with since their leaving. There is a Chevalier's horse in the stable with no Chevalier, uncertain if the horse was left as payment or if the Chevalier is also missing.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa will volunteer to join the stakeout, if it's thought that more are needed.

[tactical_alert]

He won't turn down an extra set of eyes if she wants to stay up quietly through the night to catch or follow the suspect.