Session 123

General Summary

• The party are back in time once again, this time as some rich overprivileged hooligans trespassing around Dazki's family's estate.
• In this timeline, Pendel has somehow gotten Captain Redsky, a red dragonborn pirate, to angrily (and incompetently) try to blackmail Lord Sylroris.
• Though the Lord and Lady Sylroris were nonplussed by his threats and insults, they still felt it wise to stop all travel by sea until the situation was dealt with, and Dazki's and Siraye's upcoming trip to Exignis was no exception.
• The party discreetly followed Redsky to a covert location where he barked at an assassin named Blurdrake to take out Dazki and Siraye tonight, rather than adding them to a later "expedition", bringing up some sort of leverage that he had over the assassin.
• Marvin was just about to convince the guards at the Quinloths' estate to let them enter as servants, when an ill-timed message from Marshall jeopardized their cover.
• Marvin sweet-talked his way out of it, but he had some choice words for his father, and Marshall agreed to stay quiet and stop siphoning off all his luck for now.
• Marshall's message itself was important, though: he warned the party that this would need a more delicate touch than how they solve most of their problems.
• At the soirée proper, the party blended in, disguised as servants (though "Dazki", of course, caught on immediately that they weren't who they appeared to be).
• When Captain Redsky made an appearance, one guest started acting suspicious. Dazki pointed them out, and then he and Dwardazik cornered them.
• It was Blurdrake in disguise, who claimed (convincingly) that he was being extorted by Redsky and had to carry out this hit.
• Just before Dwardazik was about to ignore Marshall's warning and kill Blurdrake, Marvin altered Blurdrake's memory to think that the assassination has been called off, and then Kesmet dispelled his illusion, forcing him to run away.

Full Recap

Prologue

Dazki: Hey, Kesmet, do you have one of those mirrors handy, then?   Kesmet passes two of them around.

Dwardazik: You know, the one thing that's kind of odd about this whole "changing size" effect... when we were mice and I was walking around, I was short... it was fine, I'm used to that. But now, as an elf... am I tall, or am I not tall? It's like I'm both, at the same time... it's very distracting.   Dazki: You look like you're about average height for an elf.   Dwardazik: Yeah, but I'm used to looking at this eye level (He motions with his hand), but I'm looking at this level now (He motions with his hand again, higher). It's weird... I don't know how to explain it. This thing is fucked up... the more I think about it, the more confused I get.   Grogery: It'd like... do dwarven kids hang around each other a lot? They'd do activities together when they're young, and get used to looking people in the eyes, and then as they grow up and get taller, they're still used to looking their associates in the eyes, but now the kids are short.

Dwardazik: Dazki, this appears to be a foresty land. Judging by the fact that we're all elves, I kinda have a feeling that this is... —

Dazki's Timeline (Breaking and Entertaining)

Dwardazik: — ...that this is your shindig.   Dazki: Yeah. This is actually fairly shortly before I get on the boat. I think we're here sometime just a little while, as I'm gathering up papers and things like that. Identification, that kind of stuff.

Dwardazik: Are you familiar with this location? Us being here, would that be considered a threat?   Dazki: Not a threat, no. We'd probably get kicked out, but, y'know.   Dwardazik: The real question is, do we sneak around or walk around?   Marvin: We walk around like we own the place!   Dazki: Hm, the worst that'll happen is that they'll say, "hey get outta here, we're gonna talk to your parents", and then the parents would just say "don't do that again or we'll get angry".   Grogery: While silently whispering, "you got caught? next time, don't get caught".   Dazki: Basically, yeah.   Kesmet: Elf culture is so weird.   Dwardazik: This is the time! A dwarf is gonna walk into an elven mansion, and this is gonna be my place!   Dazki: We're probably gonna want to sneak in. We're not supposed to be here.   Dwardazik: Maybe you're not supposed to be here, but my dad says I can go anywhere I want.   Marvin: Sounds like someone's dad didn't spank them enough.   Dazki: Anyway, let's use that side door to sneak inside.   Dwardazik pulls out a cigarette and starts smoking it.   Grogery: Listen, Dwardazik — I know it's cool and all, but that stuff will actually mess you up.   Dwardazik: Yo, get off my back.

Dazki sneaks closer and listens in.

Lord Sylroris: I'm afraid your reputation does not precede you this far inland, Captain. Not only do I find your terms insultingly half-baked, but your efforts to intimidate us equally show how unprepared you are for this audience. If you would like time to reconsider your use of language, or properly plan a method of strong-arming this family in an attempt to secure... ...what was it again?   Lady Sylroris, barely turning her attention away: Sounded like he wanted blackmail materials.   Redsky, fuming with anger: That's... — I didn't say anything of the sort!!!   Lord Sylroris, putting up one finger: We all know what you meant. It's probably best that you leave of your own volition. Wouldn't want too many people to know of your failure to commit crimes here.   Redsky, shaking and roaring in frustration, pushes over a hibiscus bush in a nice ornate pot. Dirt scatters onto the conservatory floor.   Dazki, to himself: Mom's going to be angry about that one...   Redsky: You'll pay for your puffed-up arrogance, leaf-licker! It's Red Skies for you! My fury is inevitable!!!   Lord Sylroris, standing up and giving a slight but polite bow: Good day, Captain.

Lord Sylroris: Send word to the Quinloths to add Dazki Sylroris to the guest list for tonight. I will inform him personally, later this afternoon.

Dazki returns back to the rest of the party.

Dazki: Ahh, crap. All right, I was not supposed to go to that party.   Grogery: What happened?   Dazki: Just supposed to play a prank on Siraye. She doesn't know I'm back yet. Now, she is at the party, but I managed to avoid having to go.   Kesmet: Did you get an invitation? Did you not? What's supposed to happen?   Dazki: What happened was that I was planning on surprising her after the party, just to sneak out and have some actual fun. That was the intent — of course, she knew that I was already there, and she was using me as an excuse to sneak out afterwards.   Grogery: Was this the start of a budding friendship sort of thing, and if this doesn't go off, then you won't end up on the path that you need for you both to leave?   Dazki: Oh, no, we've been friends for decades at this point.   Grogery: Still trying to figure out what the importance is of this particular situation.   Dazki: It's pretty close to when I was actually getting on the boat. So I think if things don't go well, I might be forbidden from leaving, or I'm forced to miss the boat, or something like that.   Kesmet: So you're saying that the messenger that your dad sent to give you an invitation or whatever, we should track him down and kill him?   Grogery: We do not need to go nearly that far.   Dwardazik: We just need to make sure your paperwork's sorted out and you can get on the boat, aye?   Dazki: I don't know what's going to go wrong.   Grogery: What was the whole ordeal with the captain wanting blackmail material? Was that something you were supposed to be involved in?   Dazki: I have no clue about that. We should definitely follow him, though. This is something that I was entirely uninvolved in. Which is weird, because usually I am involved in the blackmail in this house, or so I thought...   Marvin: How old were you at this point?   Dazki: A year younger than I am right now.   Marvin: Oh! So this is recent.   Dazki: Yeah. This is very recent. A year, maybe a year and a half ago.   Grogery: Maybe if you show up at that party, the captain will do something to hurt you...   Dazki: I don't know, but we definitely need to tail him. Let's scoot around towards the front entrance, that's probably what he's going to use to leave.   Dwardazik: Out through that side entrance we used to come in, right?   Dazki: Yep. No one pays any attention to the servants' entrance.   Kesmet: What do you think these guys, whose bodies we're inhabiting, were doing here? They were trespassing for somethin'... (Editor's note: I've updated the TL;DR on the guide in response to this question).   Dazki: They were probably just hanging out, smoking, just doing whatever.   Kesmet: On your family's estate?   Dazki: On whatever estate was closest to where they were at the time.

They try to sneak out, but they do get spotted by one of the servants, dressed in fine attire (silver and cyan). The servant shoos them away, and they snap back (verbally) but leave without causing a ruckus.

Red Sky at Morning

Dwardazik: I don't think I've heard that one, Dazki, and I've been around a whole lot of insults. What was that, "leaf-licker"?   Marvin: Yeah, I caught that too. That sounds really derogatory.   Dwardazik: What's up with that?   Kesmet: I think it means "vegetarian".   Grogery: Sounds like a slur against wood elves.   Dazki: It is. Wood elves tend to be perceived as more in tune with nature and stuff like that, so things like "leaf-licker", "tree-hugger", or something like that.   Kesmet: It's alliterative, unlike "tree-hugger".   Dwardazik: Well, you can say just about anything angrily enough and it'll be an insult, I'm just trying to figure out where that one comes from. Maybe it's best not to know.   Dazki: I don't know the origin, but it's definitely a slur against wood elves.

Dazki: Also, you guys, it's probably a good thing Barry isn't here at the moment.   Grogery: Yep...   Marvin: I thought the same thing.   Dazki: They might not be pirates, but they're definitely up to no good.   Dwardazik: You think so? This character doesn't ring any bells from your past?   Dazki: I don't remember him off-hand, but... ... ...he was trying to blackmail my parents — so, clearly, he's not on the up-and-up.   Kesmet: Awfully suspicious. Let's look at 'em with a mirror.   Reflection isn't any different.   Dwardazik: Why would dragonborn even be in the elven forest? How common is that?   Dazki: It's not too unusual. There's trade, and it's not like we prevent other races from being in our cities.   Dwardazik: Hmm. Just wondering if he seemed like... wait a minute, dragonborn and Barry... you brought up a really good point! How close is the nearest dock? Maybe these dragonborn prevent Dazki from — maybe they're going to capture Dazki and use him as blackmail!   Kesmet: Wait... what?   Grogery: That seems more like extortion than blackmail.   Dwardazik: Err, as a hostage. That's what I meant.   Kesmet: Yeah, that sounds more plausible.   Dwardazik: Maybe they are the "pirates"! Maybe Barry was onto something! I mean, not actually onto something, but, in this hypothetical... pirate...

Dazki heads towards the door. It's not locked, but they are on the other side of the door, and it's a small room, so he listens in from the other side.

Redsky: There is no need for your ridiculous disguises here, Blurdrake. All I want from you now is your word that you will "deal" with the both of them.   The sound of a scroll dramatically unfurling, as if somebody is preparing to take notes upon a list.   Blurdrake: I would be thrilled to add either of them onto my ongoing "expedition"! There is still plenty of room on the boat.   Redsky: NO! I have no time to waste on any of your side ventures. They will surely wriggle out of my claws by then. (He slams hard on some sort of barrel or table.) You will do it tonight, or I can no longer guarantee your precious treasure's safety. Do we have an understanding?!   The third party, "Blurdrake", sighs heavily in resignation, allowing it to sit in the cold air.   Blurdrake: You've got it, Boss.   The tavern door on the other side of the room creaks open, then closes behind him.   Blue Dragonborn: You're playing with fire, captain. If he ever finds out, your demise won't be swift.   Redsky: He won't have the chance to.

Dazki returns to the party.

Dazki: Well, shit. We have to stop that guy. Sounds like there may be an assassination attempt on someone. No one dies tonight, as far as I know.   Kesmet: We need to find out what that guy looks like.   Dwardazik, muttering under his breath: That no-good... water-loving... dragonborn... pirate-scum... we all know they're evil.   Dazki, muttering back: "Smoke-sucker" is the slur you should use for a red dragonborn.   Dwardazik: That's a pretty nice insult, where'd you come up with that one?   Dazki: Elven nobles are assholes. I didn't come up with it myself, but... elven nobles are assholes.

They get around to the other side of the tavern and look around for anyone who might be an assassin, but nobody stands out.

Dazki: Well, shit, since we can't figure out who the person is, I guess we've got to sneak into a party. You're probably going to want to put a shirt on.   Dwardazik: I don't think I've got any... (he shrugs).   Dazki: All right, fine.   Dwardazik: Maybe I can be the entertainment? What do elven ladies think about muscular elven men? Eh? (He flexes.)   Dazki: You'd certainly be eye candy to some.   Dwardazik: (He flexes.) So, what you're saying is, I'm the perfect distraction?   Dazki: No, what I'm saying is we should sneak in and maybe get some servants' clothes, or just try to get in and not get caught. I think servants' clothes would be a better choice.   Dwardazik, cycling through different poses: You really think I can just put on servants' clothes and hide all of this?   Kesmet: What if we just try ol' reliable invisibility?   Dwardazik: Eh, if we go to a party, then we actually have to mingle, so all right, Dazki's got a point.   Dazki: We've got to make sure that this assassin — whoever he may be — is unsuccessful.   Dwardazik: All right, let's go buy me a shirt...   Dazki: How are we going to put a shirt over your illusion? Let's just get back to the manor and sneak in. Maybe if we find some servants' clothes, we can see if that'll work, but we don't have time for a shopping trip.

They take a longer route back to the estate, through the slums, to avoid being noticed. Dazki also stops to listen in on the chatter from the servants.

Dazki: OK, so the goal of the night is to find "me" and Siraye, and make sure nothing happens to "us".   Dwardazik: To imagine, you're running your own defense! Ain't that weird?

They prepare for the soirée and discuss various strategies and alternatives. Dazki gives the others a quick primer on how to behave like servants so that they can blend in, and then they travel to the Quinloths' estate, where the soirée will be taking place.

Estate Your Business

Dazki, whispering: Psst... hey, Marvin, I think you might be up here. We're additional servants from the Sylroris estate. We might not be on the list due to recent developments, but we're here for extra servants and extra eyes. Think you can use that to get us past the front gate?   Marvin: Abso-fuckin'-lutely!   Dazki: You got this, man.

Marshall: I think we should abort this mission! There are way too many variables!   Guard: ...who's there? What are you up to?!   Dazki: What are you talking about, "who's there"?   Marvin: Yeah, we're —   Marshall: There's an unforeseen circumstance complicating things. The Damsel is adamant that you are poorly suited to keeping secrets and causing minimum collateral damage!   Guard: What do you mean, "collateral damage"? What are you up to?!   Marvin: There was concern about your current staff, and how they're going to be causing collateral damage, so we've been hired on to help with the party. Were you not told about this by Master Sylroris?   Marshall: I mean, I can see that your friends are either too aggressive or not quick-witted enough to do this — and under no circumstances would I consider you to be "delicate" —   Guard: What do you mean "delicate"? Are you callin' me dumb?   Marvin: Who said something about "delicate"? I just said that Master Sylroris hired us, and we'd like to please go in and do the job we've been paid for. Or would you like to tell Master Sylroris that you turned away the help that he's already paid for?   Dwardazik: Dude, are we doin' this gig? 'cause I'm fine with just takin' the money. (He shrugs.)   Marvin: It would be really unorthodox.   Guard: Why do you sound so weird? And why are you so confident?   Marvin: Because I'm good at my job, and I pick my staff appropriately. People who are also good at their jobs. The master only pays for the best.   Marshall: The way I see it, as long as you can do these four things, —   Marvin: OK, seriously, who the hell keeps saying that?! Sir, Mr. Guard, are you hearing this? Who's saying this?!   Grogery: Is it coming through the vents? (You guys have vents, right?)   Marvin: It's none of you guys, where the hell does that voice keep coming from? Is this something that happens regularly?   The guards look at one another.   Guard: You're not making those noises?   Marvin: You see our mouths moving? It's not us. I'm just as confused as you are.   Dwardazik: Dude, no one talk.   They all shut up, except for...:   Marshall:

1. The location has to stay relatively intact, (Marvin: See? There it was!)
2. You can't give anybody information about things that they wouldn't know — which, obviously, you're terrible at, but I'm rooting for you! —, (Marvin: What the hell?!)
3. Oh! And, nobody is supposed to die here, at all. Not just the assassin, nobody! (Guard: What do you mean, "the assassin"?! Dude, go get the captain.)

Marvin: Can we go in? I mean, now I'm kinda nervous that —   Guard: Obviously, you can go in.   Marshal: And don't forget — and this is going to be the hardest one! — the assassin still has to be an assassin after this. We can't just, like, wipe his mind of junk.

They proceed into the conservatory proper.

Grogery: So OK, we need this assassin to still remain an assassin... they can't do a poor job. Maybe we just need to have "you" and your friend not show up? Then nothing changes.   Dwardazik: Or, ... — never mind.   Dazki: You know, I've forgotten how beautiful this ballroom is. The druids they know do a great job.   Marvin: Yeah, this is really fancy.   Grogery: See, now, why couldn't my family have done something like this? Doesn't have to be cold to be classy. Ballrooms can be warm.   Marvin: I dunno, Grogery, your family seemed well-off and all, but Dazki's is a whole other fuckin' level.   Dazki: Actually, it's the other way around.   Marvin: Seriously?!   Grogery: You were in the servants' quarters and the austere idols and altars and stuff like that. We didn't even go to the front room.   Marvin: Oh.   Grogery: Or their ballroom, or their sleeping quarters.   Dazki: This ballroom is small compared to what his family's ballroom would be.   Marvin: Well, shit. On that note, I think we need to act the part of the staff.

They approach an armored security guard who directs them to the middle of the chamber where there are stations of food and drink, each watched over by its own armored guard. And on their way up, Marvin has Dwardazik block him so that he can stick his head in the Bag of Holding and yell into it:

Marvin: Dad, shut the fuck up. You know everyone else around us can hear you, right? Shut the fuck up! We can unpackage this whole relationship at a later date, but right now, you need to shut the fuck up!   Marshall: I'm just —   Marvin: Tut-tut-tut-tut-tut! You're gonna blow our cover!   Marshall, stammering: The Damsel is... and I tried to tell her that, like, you're fairly capable as long as I'm not siphoning off all your luck, so I'm gonna stay quiet for now.   Marvin, taking his head out of the bag: ... ... ... OH BOY.   Grogery: Do you need a Calm Emotions spell? I can still do that.   Marvin: Keep one in the chamber, how about that.   Dazki: OK, the plan should be to stay near Siraye, make sure she doesn't partake in any food or drink — because things could be poisoned, that's a particularly good way of assassination —, keep an eye out for "Dazki", and listen in to the crowds.

Dwardazik locates Siraye and stays near her with the intention of detecting any invisible enemies sneaking up on her.

Grogery: Dazki, is there a reason we can't just tell her that someone's after her?   Dazki: No, but I have no idea... she probably wouldn't believe it coming from a random servant she does not recognize.   Grogery: Would she believe a note written in Dazki's handwriting? Then again, I did try to contact Theran with Sending, and it worked a little weird — like, I don't think he really got the message, though I was a mouse at the time... I guess we could always look at it in the mirror and see if it still looks like your handwriting.   Dazki: We can try that. That's a really good idea, actually.

Dazki makes a quick note to confirm that the handwriting looks like his handwriting in the mirror (it does), and then he writes the "real" note and delivers it to her with a glass of wine.

Might be a problem. Stick near servants and guards you know. Duck out somewhere safe as early as possible. Dazki

Dazki takes his leave and starts observing the rest of the party guests to see if anyone seems like they might be planning something nefarious. Dazki discreetly informs the rest of the party members about this person.

Redsky: Whoa! This is some party we've got goin' on here, boys! And all for little ol' me?   Dazki, approaching with a tray of drinks: Sir, while I do believe that this party was not in your honor (or at least I have not been informed of such), please, allow me to offer you a drink!   Redsky happily accepts a drink and "will also be slightly misogynistic against a lady elf".

While he is distracted, Dazki pickpockets the captain and takes all his money. Dwardazik follows Siraye, never letting her get too far away from him. After noticing "Dazki" enter, he offers "Dazki" a glass of wine. Dwardazik follows, assertively but respectfully staying within the appropriate distance to be able to detect any hidden enemies near Siraye. Dwardazik inserts himself in between "Dazki" + Siraye and the bush, and then after a brief hesitation, he jumps into the bush and finds himself face-to-face with the orange-haired lady. In a "decidedly not-girl voice", she speaks to him:

Blurdrake: What are you doing here? This is my mark! Get out of the way!   Dwardazik: How much are you getting paid?   Blurdrake: More than you can afford, boss.   Dwardazik: Are you sure about that? I just so happen to be getting paid by someone very powerful.   Blurdrake: I'm going to count to four —   Dwardazik: And I'm going to count to five. (He holds out 5 platinum pieces.)   Blurdrake moves to stab Dwardazik in the throat.

Kesmet, seeing that there's some commotion in the bush, manages to convince "Dazki" and Siraye to get out of there. They head towards the exit, but they get caught up in a conversation with a particularly chatty individual.

Combat(ish) Summary

• Blurdrake started by stabbing Dwardazik in the throat.
• Dazki entered the bush as well and threatened Blurdrake that the area was under "Miss Gold"'s protection, and that she would run him and "that smoke-sucker" out of town if he didn't leave, to no avail.
• Dwardazik just punched Blurdrake. A lot.
• Kesmet joined in to look at Blurdrake through the mirror. He checked out, but Kesmet used a Dispel Magic anyway, which dispelled the illusion and revealed his true form as a shady-looking slender male elf. He has a soul patch, his long hair carefully tied up in a ponytail out of the way. Wears rogue gear.

Blurdrake: Guys, I'm willing to negotiate.   Dazki: All right, why are you doing this? Sounded like there's something more behind it than just you getting paid.   Blurdrake: That damn lizard, all right? He's got more on me than you guys and your stupid fists ever will.   Dazki: Where does he have it? Does he carry it with him, or —   Blurdrake, visibly irritated by the question: I. DON'T. KNOW. If I KNEW, then we wouldn't have this problem.   Dazki: Got it. Well, you just let your marks go away, and we will take care of whatever the smoke-sucker has on you.   Blurdrake: Oh, boss — you don't even know. I'm not leaving her life in the hands of you.   Dwardazik: If we find that blackmail, we'll just offload it right outside the door, or someplace at a drop point for you?   Blurdrake: You don't understand.   Dwardazik: No. I don't understand. But what I do understand is that I basically have two choices — or, realistically, you have two choices. Either I pummel you into the fucking bush, or you get the fuck out of here with some kind of leverage again. You really only have those two.   Blurdrake: If I were free to do as I chose, you would be dead already.   Dwardazik: That's what you think...   Blurdrake: I'm sick of this game, though, and I would like you to leave the bush and let me deal with (hopefully) my final two marks.   Dwardazik: (Punch.)   Blurdrake: Another meathead. Great. Just like the dragonborns. You sure you ain't a filthy pirate?   Dazki: Look, you know who's in charge of this city, right?   Blurdrake: I don't know anything about this city.   Dazki: Ah. Got it. That makes sense, then — you didn't know who "Miss Gold" actually was. Not trying to bribe you. There's actually a person with that name here.   Blurdrake: What a dumb name.   Dazki: You know what, I don't pick human names.   Blurdrake: Well, how about we make a deal?   Dazki: And what would that be?   Dwardazik: Better be a good deal.   Blurdrake: You two seem relatively capable for obviously-not-servant folks. What do you want?   Dazki: We need your two marks to not be your two marks.   Dwardazik: And we need you to fuck off. So what do you need, in order for you to fuck off? Tell us.   Blurdrake: HEY, hey. We're all equal members in this criminal underworld, OK?   Dwardazik: I'm tellin' ya, what do you need, to fuck off? Are you getting blackmailed? Are you in some kind of an affair? Are you getting paid money? What do you need? You sleeping with the princess?   Blurdrake, with a heavy sigh: Jubil Silvertongue. That's what I need.   Dwardazik: Is that a name?   Blurdrake: I want my treasure. Jubil Silvertongue. And for every second you sit here and talk to me, that obnoxious lizard threatens to keep her from me.   Dazki: Got it.   Dwardazik: So we've got a hostage situation?   Blurdrake: We have a hostage situation. And, frankly, those two pieces of meat and money over there are worth it to keep her safe.   Dazki: I believe you, but do you really think this is going to be the last one?   Blurdrake: I don't have a choice, man. So, why do you care about these two vague nobles?   Dazki: You wouldn't believe me if I told you.   Blurdrake: Try me. I can be quite... gullible.   Dazki: Sure! Why not. We're from the future.   Dwardazik: Uh... Dazki...   Blurdrake: ...and?   Dazki: And something that happens with the two of them is relevant to keeping it on course.   Blurdrake: And this is my problem because...?   Dazki: The Serpent War will restart.   Dwardazik: Dude!   Blurdrake: I'm not much of a history guy either. You're gonna have to spell it out.   Dwardazik: Dude, you usually yell at me for this kind of stuff, man! What are you talkin' about, dude?!   Dazki: The giant snake on The Wall™ will be resurrected and kill everyone.   Blurdrake: All the way over there?!   Dazki: Like I said, you wouldn't believe me.   Blurdrake: I've heard crazier.   Dazki: Yeah, I doubt it.   Dwardazik tries to put his hands over Blurdrake's ears, but it's not fully acknowledged by the DM one way or the other how successful he is.   Dwardazik: Dude! Aren't we supposed to not be saying this?!   Blurdrake: Well, secrets are only important if I think he's telling the truth.   (Insight 30) He partially believes you — which, first of all, is incredibly insane — and second of all, his mannerisms seem familiar.   Dazki, with a heavy sigh of disappointment: For God's sake, man, you're an idiot. There's a mountain of gold waiting for us if these two live. Seriously?! And you think you're going to be able to deal with the dragonborn, when you can't even see through THAT stupid lie?!   Blurdrake: What do you mean?   Dazki: He's gonna keep manipulating you and blackmailing you if you can't tell truth from fiction. So give us some time, we'll make our money, and your captive will be safe, all right?   Blurdrake: You can't — ... NO. You just told me not to be gullible, and then you told me a lie. I think I'm just going to keep stabbing your man in the throat until you leave. Does that sound good, big boy?   Dazki: Nope. Come on. Let's go. It's just money. (He leaves the bush.)   Blurdrake: So what is it, meat-hunk? You want to be the boss, or do you want to be a puddle of blood?   Dwardazik: You're making a huge mistake. But, you know what? The funny part is, we are from the future — and you've already lost. (He leaves the bush too.)

Dazki fills the less bushy party members in on the situation.

Grogery: How is this going to interact with Marshall's "rule 4"? "The assassin still has to be an assassin"?   Dazki: ...UGH...   Grogery: Maybe the assassin will keep assassinating even after the leverage is taken away?   Dazki: I've got a feeling that this person is being blackmailed for skills that they already possessed.   Grogery: Fair. Either way, I've been trying to keep an eye on "Dazki", but I can't tell, and I can't heal him because of time travel stuff.   Dazki: Yeah. All right.   Grogery: You guys were noble enough to know that "hey, poison is a thing that happens, have antidotes around", right?   Dazki: Yeah. Maybe not as many as your family, but yes.   Grogery: You would at least have the sense to have some on-hand whenever you go off-site, yes?   Dazki: Yeah. So, I guess, we still need to keep an eye on the "lovebirds" and then figure out what to do about Mr. Dragonborn over there.

Blurdrake attacks Dazki (not "Dazki" this time, but our time-traveler) with a poisonous dart. Dazki returns a rude gesture to the bush that he came from.   Grogery tries something: he brings over some flutes of elven champagne towards "Dazki" and Siraye, "accidentally" tripping and spilling it on their conversation partner who has them practically locked down.

Polite Patron: Whoa, hey! Oh, you gotta be careful there.   Grogery: Oh jeez, sir, I am so sorry, sir. Gravest apologies.   Polite Patron, turning to Dazki and Siraye: Hey, this reminds me of that one time up north, you remember? OH, right, you weren't there! Let me tell you all about it!   Dazki: Please, milord, come with us, we want to get that out of your clothes before it stains. I'm sorry, you have to —   Polite Patron: Oh, it's, it's no big deal. These are my backup clothes, anyways — you want to hear what happened to my primary clothing? Oh my gosh, I was going to wear this most amazing cloak, and...   Grogery: Sir, if you stand around covered like that... I'm in so much trouble... I'm so sorry.

Blurdrake: Oh, I wouldn't worry about those servants at all. I think you look more rugged this way, even! You know what, I think you're going to start a new trend, even!

Dazki grabs a tray of drinks and forces his way through the crowd to stand right next to Blurdrake and offer "her" a drink and generally make everyone around feel as uncomfortable as possible, and then Marvin fires off a clutch Modify Memory spell.   Marvin "clarifies" to Blurdrake that it wasn't Dazki who jumped into the bush along with Dwardazik, but it was actually Captain Redsky, the red dragonborn. He was panicked, and he tried to explain to Blurdrake that there was a mistake — Lord Sylroris found out about the plan, and Redsky is going to really be in deep shit if the assassination goes through. "Call it off, go home, but you're still on my leash."   Dwardazik charges in. Kesmet dispels Blurdrake again, causing him to drop the illusion — this time, with him completely out in the open. Dazki drops his tray in surprise, and a lot of other partygoers are minorly surprised as well — using illusion to improve your appearance for a social event isn't that uncommon, but a male elf disguising himself as an old human lady is a bit much.

Dazki, putting an arm on Blurdrake's shoulder: This is the part where you run.