Bernath is a prosperous city, by Confederacy standards, and is the current holding of the enigmatic Domn Vargos. With its lands being both fertile and bereft of monstrous incursion his people have done well for themselves and helped the Domn to establish a strong mercantile and military presence. If not for rumors of his ties with the often expansionist Nezdohvan autocossacks and his own strangeness the city would be an ideal.

Lorenzo made his way from Mariangrad alongside a conveniently timed caravan headed to Gorok and then onward past Alexandria and towards Bernath by means of a serendipitous encounter with a merchant caravan. Forever the charming companion he made travel a pleasurable experience for all who journeyed with him and more importantly he arrived in the city of Bernath refreshed, relaxed, and with a few 'friends' to call upon; at least until they departed to Felek, their ultimate destination.

Late one night, 'Lorenzo Benes' got lost in the crowds of people that populated Mariangrad ... and wouldn't be seen again for quite some time.
However, 'Mico Darsh' the next morning was making his way alongside a conveniently timed caravan headed to Gorok and then onward past Alexandria and towards Bernath by means of a serendipitous encounter with a merchant caravan. Forever the charming companion he made travel a pleasurable experience for all who journeyed with him and more importantly he arrived in the city of Bernath refreshed, relaxed, and with a few 'friends' to call upon; at least until they departed to Felek, their ultimate destination.
Mico was a affable fellow, of course, and quite the salesman (read, con artist).
         Lorenzo will Commit 1 Effort for Shadowplay, to create an illusion-suit around himself ... and leave it committed

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Upon reaching Bernath, he will have become very good friends with Tarvak, the caravan master, and Joshin, the guard chief.  The three will often relax in the evenings playing cards (oft with one or more of the other wagonfolk).

In Bernath, Mica (who will not be progressing on to Felek with Tarvak and Joshin) will get rooms with that caravan ... until they leave.

As the next few days went on, Mica enjoyed simply relaxing a little, and getting a 'feel' for the city.  Getting to know its layout, its flavour and citizens, and how its mercantile and governance played out: generally learning whatever is known about the city by an ordinary occupant ... blending in perfectly with local inhabitants, even speaking their language.

As One of the Many (Spend 1 Effort for the day), Mico had an intuitive connection with the common citizenry of a city. The average citizens of the city would always provide such favours or assistance as do not significantly inconvenience them ... and none would never initiate violence unless vigorously provoked and will them.

Mico also could sense the major figures of the city, their location, and their general role: guildmasters of thieves, secret
kingmakers, mayors and known officials, and much-beloved pillars of the community.
Of course, he was particularly interested in Zoltan Benes and his lord, Domn Vargos.

... and of course, if Darick Hallsworth (Zoltan's right hand man during their trip to Mariangrad) was in Berneth, Lorenzo would be constantly spying on the man's conversations.  Especially any with Zoltan or Domn Vargos:  and any, in fact, that clued him in to what was going on in this city (current events, or the general status quo of its operations).


I'll let the GM give me a huge data dump now, before I go on, eh!

Under the guise of Mica, Lorenzo assimilated himself into the daily lives of Bernathians without anyone being the wiser. In fact his grasp on local custom and events made it hard for some people to believe he wasn't native born. Of course no one gave that much more thought than a passing curiosity, such was the nature of his gifts. In doing so he learned a great many things although they told a strange tale.

The first was that Bernath was a peaceful and prosperous place. Unlike in Ferracca there were no obvious signs of corruption from its ruling class, militia, or guard forces; an oddity to be sure in the Confederacy. People were decently happy with their lot in life outside of the usual gripes about the inevitable minor sufferings of flesh and mortality. The tax rate, while higher than it was in some of the neighboring lands, was reasonable in Lorenzo's estimation for the quality of life that they lead and the decently armed guards and militiamen that he saw doing rounds or training on the parade grounds.

What truly stood out tho was the lack of rumors and tales of serious incursions from monsters or the other rampant supernatural forces. Sure there were wives tales and drunken stories about this abomination or that pack of werewolves but they were old, easily by decades or more, and often third or fourth-hand accounts. Speaking to militiamen who had some veterancy they were always drilling but rarely saw any action. Even then it was often because of bandits and the occasional mad witchling.

Finally there was all that he learned about Zoltan Benes and Domn Vargos. Which admittedly wasn't much. The Domn and his retinue lived within his fortified manor house. Rumor had it that servant families lived within the manor compound which is why it was rare to see people entering or leaving the estate. When they did it was often to engage in diplomatic missions, such as the entourage which had recently left and returned from that strange township that sprang up to the northeast. Zoltan himself was initially a foreigner, coming from Felek some ten years prior and joining the retinue under mysterious circumstances. He had been a private man during that time but it was pieced together that he was likely some manner of mercenary commander before coming to Bernath.


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Pulling on powers once more Lorenzo listened in on the conversations of Darick Hallsworth. Those conversations were illuminating in many regards. Chiefly he learned that Hallsworth worked closely with Zoltan but Zoltan was the one who would meet directly with Domn Vargos. Still from relayed orders the lord's intent was fairly clear. They considered Mariangrad to be home to genuine divinities, Godbound, and as such would likely pose an immediate and serious threat to any powers who didn't fall in line or destroy them. If the Domn felt he could destroy them or not wasn't clear but missives were being sent to political allies about what they had learned and plans were being mustered. What those plans were they never discussed openly, seemingly cautious of the power of these divine beings.

Please:
Where are Zoltan Benes and his lord, Domn Vargos.  Lorenzo wishes, during this time, to track their movements.

During that time; any time he senses that they are together, he wishes to use Word on the Street to listen in on their conversations; as he has met Zoltan, and can focus on/through him at those times.

Attempting to extend Word on the Street to Zoltan himself fails.

Sorry, I had meant to confirm that Lorenzo could sense each of the men individually, enough to track their movements ... to know exactly where they were at the time of sensing.


Lorenzo was intrigued to discover that he couldn't tap into Zoltan's perceptions, as he could most others.
He could only assume that this man's mind was, in fact, too powerful.


Lorenzo determined next to learn more about Dom Vargos ... and those closest to him.
It would require a visit to the fortified manor house that the city ruler lived in.

That night, Committing Effort for the Day Lorenzo called upon the Word of Deception to give him a 'Veiled Step' ... and using all of his mundane skills with stealth, he tapped his affinity for Cities to 'move anywhere within a city, passing
through walls and other constructions as if they were nonexistent', he made his way up to, and into the Mansion Complex.


Veiled Step:
Commit Effort. Lesser foes have no chance to detect you so long as you stay out of their immediate presence and don’t draw attention. Worthy foes can try a Spirit save to resist when you are near.

Lorenzo moved under cover of night, pulling a veil of shadows and shades about himself as he moved through the walls of the city and any other obstruction barring his path. As he approached the fortified manor he gained a personal perspective on the location. The outer courtyard was protected by a stone wall roughly fifteen feet in height with egress and exit controlled by a single iron gate, currently manned by a pair of local guardsmen. The gate was closed this late at night but would have posed little issue to any determined thief.

Of course that was never it's intended purpose, a reality that was made clear by the exceptionally clear lines of sight the outer courtyard gave the patrolling and stationary guards of the inner courtyards walls. Unlike the local guards at the front gate these guards were better armed and armored, as if expecting to enter pitched battle at a moments notice. In their hands they carried lanterns that illuminated the manicured lawns and trimmed shrubbery well enough, that it while not bright, it would hard for any but the most skilled to evade notice. Lorenzo, however, was beyond skill so he casually strode across the yard and into the inner courtyard.

Here the manor house was finally visible, a squat two-story affair that had a U-shaped due to its left and right wings. Attack dogs, more akin to wolves in truth, roamed with their armed handlers. Unlike the men he'd passed earlier who were armed with more conventional armaments these guards carried rifles, a clear expense on behalf of the Domn. Regardless neither man nor beast could sense Lorenzo's presence and he passed by them with contemptuous ease and into the manor proper.

This, however, is where his power came up short. Unskilled as he was in matters of the arcane he wasn't sure what the strange glyphs that ran along the walls like filigree were meant to do but the appearance of a sudden dull red glow when he emerged in the hallway was a clear sign that something untoward had happened. No audible alarms had been raised but surely the glowing wasn't just for show.

How would you like to proceed?