The air was thick with tension as the party regrouped after their encounter with the Radenwights, noting the loss of their comrades and the escape of a thief with a stolen fish. They examined a Cocoon, revealing a pair of Gecko Gloves that Specter claimed, enhancing his grip and climbing abilities. With the remaining fish in hand, they approached Lavitz Onyxechest, who awaited them in lavish attire, adorned with jewels and gold. Spec informed Lavitz Onyxechest of the escaped Raidenwhite, Hamrat, and the death of the others, which prompted Lavitz Onyxechest’s dissatisfaction with the job. However, he offered to overlook the missing fish if they would join him for dinner that evening and entertain his son with tales of battle.
Lavitz Onyxechest insisted they clean up before dinner, promising sushi and tickets to Matthew Gondor’s next fight if all went well. Gorda, in his large cat form, was allowed to accompany them, with the understanding that any trouble would fall on Marin. Lavitz Onyxechest noted Matthew’s resemblance to the famed fighter and warned him to be cautious in town, emphasizing the importance of attending dinner. The party introduced themselves, with Marin adopting the alias Marin, while Spec, Lady Antkeep, and Matthew provided their names. They discussed hiding Matthew’s identity, but he rejected the idea of using a disguise. As they traversed the town, a group of women mistook Matthew for the arena champion, bombarding him with questions about his training and personal life. Seeking an escape, Lady opened a portal to a nearby alley, allowing Matthew to slip away. There, she handed him her mask to further obscure his identity. The group then decided to procure better attire for the evening’s dinner. Marin sought information on Lavitz Onyxechest from his criminal contacts, who described him as untrustworthy and harboring a deep-seated hatred for devils, tied to a family matter.
While exploring the town, Marin encountered someone who mentioned Gintaro, a beast tamer at Galdrell Coliseum, who had once been a rival of Matthew. At The Tailor’s, the staff advised them to dress simply for their audience with Lavitz Onyxechest, warning against outshining him due to his ego. They learned that Lavitz Onyxechest’s rise to power had come at the expense of the poor and that he was not a follower of any god. The Tailor also mentioned Lavitz Onyxechest’s son, Guilford, who had an interest in magic and had once aspired to be an elementalist. After acquiring new clothes, the party returned to Lavitz Onyxechest, who approved of their appearance but mocked Matthew’s attempts to downplay his identity. During dinner, Lavitz Onyxechest and his wife, Lady Rose, welcomed the party, with Guilford eagerly requesting battle stories. Lady shared tales of their recent fight with the Radenwights, captivating Guilford, who asked numerous questions about magic and tactics. Lavitz Onyxechest expressed a desire for Lady to serve him, suggesting that devils had their uses and offering to help her return to her realm if she proved useful.
As dinner progressed, Marin discreetly relayed his findings about Lavitz Onyxechest’s character to Lady, connecting them to the ratfolk attacks. The conversation shifted to Galdrell Coliseum, where Lavitz Onyxechest hinted at the possibility of the party fighting a thorn dragon and attempted to recruit Lady for his own purposes. The atmosphere grew tense as Marin pressed Lavitz Onyxechest for details on pest control, only to be cut off with a warning. The party discussed the implications of their dinner with Lavitz Onyxechest, speculating on his motivations and connections. After dinner, the group left, with Matthew expressing frustration over the evening’s events. As they walked, Marin and Lady debated Lavitz Onyxechest’s attitudes toward status and race, suggesting he might exaggerate his hatred of devils for political gain. Later that night, Marin and Lady ventured into lower-class areas to gather information about the Radenwights, learning that they had been seen less frequently and might be hiding in The Sewers. Despite Marin’s proposal to investigate, the group ultimately decided against a late-night expedition.
The following day, the party attended the Galdrell Coliseum, where they presented their tickets and were seated in the VIP box. They witnessed another Matthew in the arena, identical to their own Matthew, fighting alongside a team that included a Raidenwhite. The Matthew displayed impressive combat skills, raising questions about his connection to their Matthew. As the group processed the implications of this encounter, they began to speculate about Matthew’s origins, considering the possibility that he might be an artificial creation. Spec proposed a direct test to uncover the truth about Matthew’s blood, insisting on a one-on-one confrontation to reveal any hidden aspects of his identity.
Threads to Watch:
The escaped Raidenwhite, Hamrat, and its potential impact on the party.
Lavitz Onyxechest’s true motivations and his connection to the ratfolk attacks.
The identity of the Matthew Gondor and its implications for their own Matthew.