[ 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

[comtessedevelony]

A nod, another roll of her wrist. A rattling of bone that she shakes out onto the small table in the center of their circle. She peers down, murmuring words under her breath.

Reading.

"You're being deceived by someone with power- a terrible lie. Something that'll make you ill when you find the truth." She points to the way the bones have fallen, scattered and twisted about.

[circleprodigy]

She can only imagine what her Circle mentors would say if they caught her observing all this; most likely, that it just old wives' nonsense, or that if they were apostates, that they were not to be trusted. But Inessa come to speak and to listen, and this is part of that.

The news provokes a grim expression as she looks over the layout of the bones. "Whatever the truth is, no matter how ugly, I would still rather know of it. Is there more?"

[comtessedevelony]

One long, slim finger taps the number of bones with their runes flipped right side up. "Thirteen. It's important. There's something underfoot. The rest is..."

She waves a hand, vaguely. "Nonsense about temptation- you are a mage and don't need to hear it."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods solemnly; lectures about temptation aren't anything new to a Circle mage, or a mage in general. "True tests never end, I am aware. Thirteen? I admit, I'm unaware of its significance at the moment." It can't hurt to keep her eyes open to possibilities, though.

[comtessedevelony]

"It will come to you in due time, the bones say. More than that? I cannot tell. I am no seer, Warden, I only read the bones." And sometimes the bones lie. But this time? it seems to tell them true. "You'll find what you are looking for, I am sure."

[circleprodigy]

"Thank you for the insight, both from the bones and otherwise. I suppose I should get back to Garahel before he wastes away. He'll be most grateful for the midnight snack." Smiling, Inessa gets to her feet again, ready to take the rest upstairs.

[comtessedevelony]

"And we are glad to serve, Warden. Rest well." Ignatia lifts the bottle in her hand as a toast before taking a deep swig. "May you have no dreams at all."