Legendary 038 - Tragedy at Sea!

Sunday, July 10, 1066 SE, continued

Mon had emerged from the secret dining room staircase, only to stumble upon Herald and his girlfriend Rouslana, whom he had once met wearing a disguise at the Coughing Raven. Questioned by Herald and by Rouslana, who learned Mon possesses a painting representing the power of the Raven Queen, Mon ends the discussion by turning himself invisible and quickly leaves the dining room, abandoning Branna and Marigold behind him, as they could not pass through while Mon stood in the secret doorway.

For Herald, more shocking than Mon’s disappearance is seeing both Marigold and Branna standing in a space that should not exist. He questions them about where the secret passageway goes. Rouslana seems very curious to hear their answer, and she pushes several times to find out, but Marigold and Branna manage to escape her questioning, and they leave the dining room before climbing the stairs to their room. 

Once there, they push their heavy dresser in front of the secret door in their room that they suspect leads to the same underground complex as the dining room door, hoping to prevent anyone from pushing it open.  They then try to catch some sleep following their eventful day.

Mon returns to his bedroom. He removes his painting from the wall and, concerned about Rouslana’s naked interest in it, hides it in his pillowcase. He thinks about the number of steps they took to descend to the underground complex, and recalls about 350. With that many steps, it would be nearly 300 feet down. Due to the magical nature of the secret door, it doesn’t mean the complex is nearby, however. But he did leave a spoon magically marked, which will allow him to attempt to locate objects in the morning.

He is interrupted by Herald and Rouslana entering the bedroom. Still invisible, Mon stealthily withdraws before the door closes. Now deprived of his own bed, he comes up with a new plan. He climbs the stairs up to Branna and Marigold’s room and, after ending his invisibility, knocks on their door. A grumpy Marigold cracks open the door and, seeing Mon, reluctantly welcomes him in. Marigold takes the painting and hides it in her suitcase’s secret compartment. Mon turns himself invisible again and returns to the dining room to sleep in one of the dining booths for four hours. 

At 6 in the morning, the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon begins to float through the building. Luba is the first one to enter the dining room, carrying a cup of coffee. Mon makes himself visible and joins her at her table after piling eggs and bacon on a plate. They talk about the new apartment being built in the Legendary. Mon mentions missing Pavel’s hearty greetings in the morning back on Katarina. They then discuss the play Mon is writing, and Luba reminds him she’s also writing a musical based on their harrowing sailing from Katarina to Konstantina, and she’s involved Iulia in writing some of the music for the songs she’s composing. She suggests Mon could also collaborate with Iulia. 

Marigold descends the stairs, grabs some breakfast, and heads to the Grand Royal Opera to test the bubble machine and ensure that it is in perfect working condition for her visit to the Royal Palace in the afternoon. Branna comes down soon after, and after breakfast, she too returns to the Grand Royal Opera to verify the costumes for tonight’s performance. Both of them spend the morning working in their respective departments.

After breakfast, Mon leaves the South Gate Hotel and heads to the grand fountain in the public garden located along Riverside Hill Road, featuring a carved stone statue of a woman holding a raven. He greets old man Mykola, who is wearing the same aged and shabby outfit, and who sits in the same spot, feeding the pigeons. Mon sits next to him, and they exchange pleasantries. Mykola shares that “every new key made in this city has a brother that opens a vault better left sealed.” He proceeds to tell Mon he senses evil stirring, that a tragedy is coming, and that it cannot be stopped. Mon uses a spell to clean up Mykola’s outfit and beard, and though appearing not to be surprised, Mykola tells the actor that the witchcraft that comes from birds is dangerous. 

During their conversation, Mykola also mentions two seemingly nonsensical sentences. He tells Mon that "I once saw a man sell his voice to a shadow—now he only speaks through the price of bread." Later, he adds that “a map's most valuable mark is not where the treasure lies, but where the path disappears."

Wishing the old man good day, Mon walks away. He picks up a twig and performs a sleigh of hand on the twig to locate objects. He pings for the spoon as he walks through the walled city, and eventually detects a faint whispers that increases as he stands in the middle of the old square, near the Grand Royal Opera. The spoon is located directly below him, somewhere between 350 and 400 feet, which puts it near being leveled with the Lavra river.

Mon returns to the Legendary, locates Branna in the costumes department, and shares the news with her. They then look for Marigold, and when they find her, also let her know of his discovery. Marigold wonders. Who owns the surrounding houses to the old square? Since the shop of Branna’s parents is not located too far, perhaps they know some of the owners. Conveniently (or not), Sir Sergeii’s townhouse is also located on the square. Since shops inside the walled city are closed on Sundays, Branna elects to visit her parents and Dhuka across the Lavra river in St. Gleb. Meanwhile, Mon and Marigold walk to the Royal Palace. The actor carries the bubble machine, while Marigold frets at every step he takes.

Arriving at the Palace’s front gate, they check in with the guard, who confirms they are on the list, and he allows them inside. They are led to the same room as yesterday, and Marigold is given a few minutes to set up her equipment. The Queen enters, followed by her attendents and with the wheelchair covered with a cloth, hiding the figure inside, who emits random childish noises. 

Marigold starts the bubble machine, and bubbles of all shapes emerge, rising towards the ceiling. The wheelchair shakes with pleasure as happy sounds spread through the room with the bubbles. The Queen appears delighted. Mon reflects on ways to either scent or color the bubbles in the future, enhancing the spectacle. On the same wavelength, Marigold pours a small vial of coloring in the bubble liquid, and bubbles of different colors begin to float out of the machine.

The person sitting in the wheelchair is obviously excited as the chair’s shaking increases, and suddenly the curtains part as a small girl, no taller than a four-year-old, falls out. Her skin appears shredded, almost like it was stitched on her frame. Her limbs are shrivelled, her short blond hair is sparse, and her mouth is grossly disfigured. But her eyes strike Marigold. She’s seen similar eyes. Dhuka’s eyes are eerily similar, and, to a lesser extent, so are Anya’s. The Queen and one attendant rush to the girl’s help, and quickly and carefully get her back in the wheelchair. She requests Mon and Marigold not mention what happened in the room today, to respect the girl’s privacy. She rewards Marigold with 25 gold crowns, along with a contract to build a bubble machine for the girl.

As they walk towards the Royal Palace’s door after the performance, Mon suggests Marigold could put scented oil to improve the product. Marigold agrees. He then notices Viktor, head of the King’s secret police, standing by the door, arms crossed, and staring hard as the actor and his friend walk by. He doesn’t say anything as they leave the Royal Palace.

Walking on the St. Gleb road to visit her parents, Branna encounters neighbors and they share news. Arriving home, Branna enters a scene of chaos. There is fabric everywhere, and Dhuka stands on a chair, spinning around while draped in blue velvet, and Branna’s mother holds pins and needles. Dhuka tells Branna that her mother wants to make her a dress, but she hasn’t found the right fabric yet. Branna and her mother talk in the kitchen, and Branna tells her Dhuka is probably stalling, as she doesn’t want to wear a dress. Branna suggests a compromise whereby Dhuka gets to pick the style of the dress and the fabric. Both Dhuka and Branna’s mother agree, and Dhuka finally settles on a rich red silk fabric for her new outfit.

Branna asks her mother about who lived around the old square. Her mother reveals what Branna feared. The Cardinal, before his exile, lived in the second townhouse from the old square. That must be where one of the entries to the underground facility is!

Returning to the South Gate Hotel, Branna hears a commotion coming from below the cliffs. She rushes towards the road descending the hill to St. Boris, and witnesses a full-blown riot occurring. The Royal Guard has been deployed to quell the rioters, and Branna sees in the distance two columns of soldiers marching towards Konstantina from the west and north. 

Branna runs back to the South Gate Hotel and informs the Legendary’s crew of the threat boiling in St. Boris. They hear marching outside, and, thinking it is the rioters, they rush to the windows. A column of soldiers is marching through the gate on its way to St. Boris. Noticing the military preparations at the gates and the deployment of soldiers on the fortified walls, Marigold suggests they head to the Grand Royal Opera now, instead of waiting. This turns out to be a good decision, for they are the last group to squeeze through before the gates to the walled city are closed. 

The play is lightly attended that evening, with only people living or caught behind the walls in the audience. Marigold asks security to monitor the entrances, in case the rioters break through the city’s walls. Mon, who had gone to the Grand Royal Opera earlier in the afternoon, was unaware of the rioting going on in the poorer sections of Konstantina. He performs a group inspiration, and the Legendary’s performance of Masha and the Bear ends up being one of the best ones of the week.

After the show, Marigold and Branna tell Mon what Branna discovered about the Cardinal’s house on the old square. Branna relates that due to his exile, his property was confiscated. They walk by the old square, and notice candle lights in the windows, indicating that the house is currently occupied. They return as rain begins to fall from the sky. Mon wonders if it could be magical, but his arcana skills determine that the rain is natural. They re-enter the Royal Grand Opera, where the rest of the crew has already prepared for a sleepover inside the theater. Marigold and Branna find comfortable places to sleep. 

Monday, July 11, 1066 SE

Mon sleeps for four hours, then wakes up in the middle of the night. He begins to search the Grand Royal Opera for signs of the cult of the Black Sun, but does not find any. Mon reflects that if Dhuka were here, she would find all of the secret nooks in no time.  

In the morning, the crew wakes up to find a chipper Sir Sergeii, who uncharacteristically is up early. He has brought breakfast from the Furry Rabbit for everyone. 

With nowhere to go, the crew begins preparing for this evening’s performance, but they are soon interrupted by church bells ringing all over the city. One of the page boys delivers fresh copies of the Konstantina Sun, revealing that yesterday afternoon, the King’s ship exploded in Katarina, and no survivors were found. 

Mon messages the King and the Crown Prince, but neither of them answer. Mon then messages Captain Popov, who tells him that the King’s yatch was vaporized, and two royal navy ships escorting the yatch were severely damaged. Popov also reports that no survivors were found. Mon also learns that the Archduke has declared martial law and has deployed the city guard throughout the city. Popov finally mentions that many of the Cardinal’s men were rounded up, but the Cardinal was nowhere to be found …

Legendary 037 - The Order of the Black Sun Returns

Sunday, July 10, 1066 SE

Following their late return from the Grand Royal Opera after another sold-out performance of Masha and the Bear, Mon, Marigold and Branna reunite in the South Gate Hotel's dining room early in the morning, and they discuss whether they should go through the secret doors they discovered yesterday. Marigold complains they should sleep first, but Mon points out that unlike her, both he and Branna only need to sleep a few hours a night, and now is as good an opportunity to explore what lies underneath the South Gate Hotel.

Instead, Mon proposes they split up in two groups. One person activates the stairs in Marigold and Branna's room and descends, while the other two do the same to the secret door in the dining room. Mon would hide a small object at the bottom of one set of stairs before climbing back up, and rejoining Marigold and Branna by the other staircase. He would then cast locate object, allowing him to determine how close each entrance is to each other. Marigold vehemently disagrees with this plan, and she settles the argument by warning Mon they either go down a staircase now, or she goes to bed. Mon agrees, and after another short conversation, they elect to go down the dining room staircase.

Branna casts light on a spoon, and she boldly enters the secret door before descending the stairs. Marigold goes second, followed by Mon. Descending what feels like several flights of stairs, they reach the bottom. There, they find a door to the left, while the passage continues to the left. Looking at their environment, they notice that the stone floor has been swept recently, and the absence of cobwebs suggest someone has been here recently. After a quick discussion on their next move, Marigold creeps to the door, and she checks for traps. Finding none, she uses her thief's tools to unlock the door, and she realizes that it ahs been oiled recently. As she cracks it open, she doesn't hear the hinges either, suggesting they too have been oiled. The room beyond is dark.

Taking a peek, she sees the room beyond is an armory, filled with weapons, armor, and other war equipment. They enter carefully and see that the large room also has a door to the north and another door to the west. That second door is barred with two metal rods on their side. Looking at one of the weapons, Mon notices that the steel used in these weapons and pieces of armor are made of Kat steel, the prized slightly bluish-tinted steel made in Katarina. He looks for a crest, a coat of arms, or any other mark that would indicate who owns these weapons, but does not find any. The equipment is not marked. Looking at the gear, Branna estimates there's enough equipment in the room to outfit roughly a hundred people, and the room is large enough that 12 to 15 people could don gear on at the same time.

Fairly certain no one will notice some of the weapons are missing, Marigold and Branna each take daggers, while Mon grabs a short sword. Marigold speculates these crates of weapons might have come from the dwarven forge Captain Lafoy's pirates were running on Katarina, as the crates and the weapons look eerily similar.

Deciding not to unbar the west door, Marigold checks the north door but finds no trap, and unlike the door to the east, this door is not locked. Marigold cracks the door open, and once again there is no sound coming from the hinges, indicating they too have been oiled. Light spills from the other side, along with the sounds of murmured discussions. Mon turns invisible, and misty steps through the crack, and finds himself in a dining room. There are enough tables and benches to accommodate 20 people, but the room only has a few occupants. Two figures dressed in black robes sit at the scarred wooden table closest to the door, quietly whispering to each other. Two other figures, also dressed in black robes, stand at another table, clearly engaged in some sort of chanting or incantation. Two heavily armored guards, also clocked in black and faces hidden behind their helmet, stand by double-doors to the north. Additionally, two zombies stand by the tables with trays of food, awaiting a command.

Mon eavesdrop on the two figures closest to him, their voices dropping to urgent, conspiratorial whispers: "Look at the hour," the first cultist mutters, his fingers nervously tracing the rim of an empty cup. "The time is finally at hand. I... I still can't quite believe it's actually happening after all these years of planning." The second cultist leans in closer across the table, eyes wide with manic fervor. "Believe it. Listen to the hum in the stone beneath our feet. It's started. It has begun."

Having heard enough, Mon returns and alerts his friends to his presence. Marigold suggests they pile boxes of weapons and armor against the door leading to the dining room, to prevent any of the cultists on the other side from following them. After some argumentation, they decide against that possibility. Mon suggests removing the bars to the west doorand seeing where it leads, as he suspects it enters the basement of a nearby business. Branna instead suggests going back into the hallway and seeing where it leads. 

After they leave the armory, Marigold relocks the door, then breaks the lock, ensuring someone will have to work hard to enter the armory from the hallway. They head down around the corner and walk several feet, before turning around another corner. They hear the sound sof a kitchen, and the smells of food cooking confirms it.

Mon, still invisible, enters the kitchen. The human chef is at least seven and a half feet tall, and he and his assistant are discussing preparing a feast as they labor over two large stone stoves. Two zombies are carelessly chopping vegetables on one of the counters. The chef complains about the zombies and their horrible methods. Mon mimicks the voice of the assistant, and asks the chef what they are celebrating. The chef replies that they are celebrating the return of the Black Sun, but that he now regrets taking on this assignment. 

Knowing that the complex is now occupied, Mon returns to find Marigold and Branna waiting for him by the privy. He tells them about what he saw in the kitchen, mentioning the zombies. Marigold freaks out. Mon had not told them about what he had seen in the dining room after he had misty stepped through it. Mon now reveals what he witnessed. After a brief discussion, they decide to return to the stairs and head back to the South Gate Hotel's dining room. Before they climb, Mon takes Branna's spoon, and leaves an arcane mark so he can cast locate object. He hides the spoon in an inconspicuous place where hopefully no one will find it.

Emerging through the secret door back in the dining room, Mon is surprised to find Herald and his lady friend, Rouslana, snuggling in the corner. Herald is surprised to see Mon emerge from the wall, but quickly recovers and he introduces Mon to Rouslana. Recognizing her from the time he saw her at the Coughing Raven tavern in St. Boris, Mon greets her. Casting zone of truth, Mon questions Rouslana about her relationship with Tarashenko, Cardinal Feodore's right-hand man. She tells him that Tarashenko told her he is friends with both Herald and Mon, and that the two of them are famous actors in Katarina, and he was hoping to surprise Mon while he was in Konstantina. He asked Rouslana to keep an eye for Mon, and leave him a message at the Coughing Raven if she had a chance to meet him.

Mon then asks Rouslana how she feels about Herald. Compelled to tell the truth, she reveals that Herald performs well in bed, and she finds him charming and attractive. She tells Mon she and Herald were heading back to Herald's bedroom, which he shares with Mon. Not really interested in the two of them using Herald's bed, Mon reminds Herald the raven painting is still in the room. Herald shudders, but Rouslana is suddenly very interested in the conversation. She asks Mon about the painting, and Mon obliges her by creating an illusion of the painting. Herald falls off the chair to the floor, but Rouslana leans forward, her eyes fixated on the illusion. She tells Mon she would love to come up to their bedroom and look at the painting. 

At the same time, Mon passes gas. Marigold and Branna, still standing in the secret passage behind him, are overwhelmed with the stench, and Branna is unable to suppress a small cough. Herald, who stood up again, looks at Mon and at the passage behind him, and asks Mon who is behind him. Mon turns himself invisible, leaving Herald and Rouslana with perplexed looks on their faces ... 

Legendary 036 - Investigating the South Gate Hotel

 Saturday, July 9, 1066 SE, continued

Returning to the South Gate Hotel after their visit to the Konstantina Palace, Branna, Marigold, and Mon discuss several topics. They determine that they should talk with Hennadii about the missing items, and Branna plans to give him a copy of the list she compiled. Mon suggests they should also ask him what he knows of the building’s history. They also want to meet with Mykola and talk to him as well.

Finding the hotel owner in the kitchen since the staff is still short-handed due to Mon’s not-so-subtle performance of what the cooks considered to be witchcraft, they deliver him the list of missing items. Hennadii is apologetic and immediately states that he will compensate the crew members who lost items. He also apologizes profusely for the lapse in security. Ever since one of his cooks left, he has had to perform kitchen duties and has neglected his duties of touring the hotel and ensuring that no unwanted guests are present. He will hire several security guards today to patrol the hotel and ensure his guests are safe and their possessions are secure.

Switching track, Mon asked Hennadii what he knows about the hotel’s history. Hennadii replies that he knows precious little. Mon informs him that a secret society most likely owned the building for some time. Hennadii becomes depressed to hear of another black mark against his hotel. Marigold suggests that perhaps he could use this information to attract a refined clientele who appreciates being able to come and go without being seen. He appreciates the thought, but she can tell from his face that these are the clients he does not want to attract. Curious as to whether there is, in fact, a secret passage, and considering that the Hotel is filled only with Legendary crew members, Hennadii hands Marigold a master key so she and her friends can quietly search the hotel for this secret door.

Mon and Marigold compile the list of rooms mentioned in the 1039 journal, and who is currently residing in each. Marigold will start with room 201, once Joseph leaves. Mon hands her one of his cufflinks, so she can become invisible. 

• Room 201: Currently occupied by Joseph, the accountant.
• Room 212: Currently occupied by Albina, Luba’s understudy, and Lilia, stage manager
• Room 301: Currently occupied by Solomiya, the conductor.
• Room 304: Currently occupied by Anya and Dhuka. 
• Room 308: Currently occupied by Mon and Herald, though he is currently not residing here.
• Room 404: Currently occupied by Ioulia

While Marigold and Mon search the hotel, Branna walks outside and skirts the building, looking for anything unusual that would suggest a secret passage. Not finding any, she returns inside. She explores the basement. The staircase is located in the kitchen. Downstairs, Branna finds storage, with furniture that has probably been piled there for decades. There is a cold room, where foodstuff and barrels of ale and other drinks are kept. There is a coal room, located across from the cold room and by the bulkhead. But she does not discover a secret passage.

Meanwhile, now that Joseph, the Legendary’s accountant, is gone, Marigold enters his room using the master key. His room is very clean and organized. She searches for secret entrances or compartments but finds none. Branna joins Marigold. They move on to the next room, where they discover a secret cubby, which is spring-loaded. It is empty, and has been for a long time. 

Entering Mon’s room, she spots the raven painting, and it freaks her out. She covers it with one of Herald’s bedsheet, planning to return. She goes to Anya’s room next. The sconce has a small space where a ring would fit as a key. Using the Black Sun ring, she unlocks a portal that reveals an extradimensional staircase. Anya starts packing and moves into Marigold and Branna’s room, Room 302, while the halfling and the elf move to her room.

Entering this magical staircase, they descend about six floors, before coming to a reception room. Five cloaks of a fine silk dyed a midnight black are hung on a rack mounted on the wall. There are two comfortable leather chairs, and several sconces similar to the hotel’s mounted on the walls.

Realizing this is more involved than they thought, they leave and return to the Royal Grand Opera for tonight’s performance, arriving just in time. The performance is sold out, and the buzz is that the parade’s performance increased interest. In a nod to their dress rehearsal catastrophe, returning patrons have started identifying the Easter Eggs that the crew has left in their performance to acknowledge the failed attack. The Royal Grand Opera bar now serves a drink called the Easter Egg, and those in the know take a sip every time an egg is revealed.

During intermission, Mon sends Pavel a message about the tools he found for the carpenter. Following the performance, Marigold fills Mon in on the afternoon’s happenings. 

Returning to the hotel, they notice that true to his word, Hennadii has hired two security guards, who are retired Royal guards. Searching the common rooms, Mon sees that the sconce in the back corner of the dining room has the same symbol as the sconce on the 3rd floor. They wonder whether it goes to the same place or leads to a different staircase. Mon tests the door and discovers that the passageway leads to another place. 

Marigold and Branna finish moving into Room 304. At the next opportunity, they plan to return to the other rooms and check the sconces. Marigold will also make a brooch out of garnets that will closely resemble the symbol of the Black Sun and use it as a display piece to trigger agents of the Black Sun.

Legendary 035 - Performing at the Konstantina Palace

 Saturday, July 9, 1066 SE

The Legendary crew wakes up in a buoyant mood, following their incredible opening performance last night. They assemble in the dining room of the South Gate Hotel and animatedly critique their production of Masha and the Bear, noting areas of improvement for tonight's showing. Marigold sits with her friends Branna and Mon, and they wonder whether they should go pick up Dhuka to bring her back to the Hotel, or if they should leave her with Branna's parents for a few days. It's harder for her to get herself in trouble in the small sleeping town of St. Gleb on the south side of the Lavra River from Konstantina, but she may be a burden to her parents. Branna sends a message to her parents, and they will come for a late lunch to pick up Dhuka.

Anya joins them for breakfast, a rare occurrence. She usually eats alone in her room, but it seems that her role in helping their opening night go off without a hitch has improved her spirits.

Mon follows up on a conversation with Hennadii about the rooms that were once occupied by long-term residents during his first years of ownership. He looks at his records and confirms that there were two residents on the first floor, in rooms currently occupied by Vadim and Luba; one on the third floor, where Mon is currently staying; and one on the fourth floor, in a room currently occupied by Ioulia. Armed with this information, Mon returns to his room and painstakingly searches it, looking for any hidden compartments or loose boards that could easily be removed. Unfortunately, his efforts are not rewarded.

Marigold picks up copies of the local newspapers. The Konstantina Sun has a good review, praising the play for its moralistic bent and deeming it appropriate for parents and their children. The Shredded Truth pans the play as a glitzy event catering to the rich, and recommends it only if you want to see the nobility in its natural habitat of decadence. 

Branna and Marigold are still in the dining room when a pageboy from the Konstantina Palace delivers an invitation, requesting their presence to perform the title song of Masha and the Bear at 2 in the afternoon. Marigold wishes Sir Sergeii were here to receive this invitation. With him not here, it's up to them to organize this activity. Marigold wonders if part of the Legendary's second crew could travel to St. Boris and perform mini scenes of Masha and the Bear for folks who cannot afford to attend. And some wealthier folks might find the performance intriguing enough to purchase tickets. Branna was thinking along similar lines. Mon, who rejoined them a few minutes ago, mentions they should secure permission from the city authorities to perform in public. Branna suggests they could raise ticket prices slightly and donate the additional proceeds to the St. Boris food pantry.

They decide the conversation cannot continue without Sir Sergeii. Branna sends a page boy to his townhouse, a four-story structure located near the park inside the Old City, to notify him of the Palace’s invitation and their questions. A reply soon arrives, letting them know he will meet them at the South Gate Hotel at 10:30 to discuss logistics and elaborate on the plan. 

Sir Sergeii finally arrives, blowing in like a happy storm. He’s thrilled that the Palace has invited them to come and perform. He tells them this is a great sign, that the nobility will soon hear they were there, and their reluctance to check out the play will suddenly vanish.

Mon suggests organizing a parade from the Saint Myroslav Gate to the Palace. It would be quite the event. Sir Sergeii enthusiastically agrees and will obtain the necessary permits from the city. Armed with the draft of a plan, Branna and Marigold travel to the Grand Royal Opera to get the costumes they will need for the Palace Performance. Since both Luba and Vadim perform, they will need to get Masha’s outfit and the Bear. They will also need to dress up part of the chorus. The two of them fill two trunks and escort them back to the South Gate Hotel. 

Mon hires a pageboy to deliver a message to Yevgen at the Luthier’s Harp , reminding him of their discussion about the Jenken’s Ensemble, and that Mon is still looking for a few more to complete the set. He then visits Ioulia’s room and helps her sort sheets of scores that have been thrown around when her room was pillaged. Searching her room, he discovers, behind a baseboard, a small purse. He uses a sleight of hand to pocket the purse without Ioulia noticing. She complains that her scores are all over the place, and now she can’t find the score she was working on. It will take her hours to put everything back in its proper order!

As he’s helping her, Mon suddenly recalls something. He remembers a lullaby his mother used to sing when he was a little child. He sings it to her. Ioulia correctly identifies the lullaby as the Sailor’s Complaint, a song popular long ago in the Sezja Delta. His vision is clear enough that he can recognize the clothes folks wore at the time. And he recalls that Mikolai also wears clothes from that era.

Leaving Ioulia be, Mon returns to his room and examines the purse he found. Inside the black velvet container, he discovers a pure silver signet ring with a Black Sun symbol on it. He also finds a tiny, leather-bound book containing a list of names and room numbers from 1039 SE. Several names are crossed out in red ink. With his hafling friend back at the South Gate Hotel, Mon borrows Marigold’s magnifying glasses and decodes the entries. 

201    Viktor Zhiva~~Transferred to Cathedral Scriptorium~~

205    Elena Mykolenko~~Contract Terminated. Do not readmit.~~

212    Father Kostiantyn~~Special Dispensation: Midnight Entry Only~~

301    No Name Listed~~REJECTED. Blood purity insufficient.~~

304    The GuestVessel for the descent. Keep sedated. 02/05 arrival.

308    Captain Tarashenko, assigned to 304 Guard Detail.

310    Olena Kravchenko~~Relocated to St. Boris. Monitoring required.~~

404    Logbook Missing~~Evidence Purged.~~ Voice harvested. Process complete.~~

Mon examines the records to see if he recognizes the handwriting. He does not, but he is able to rule out that it is neither the Cardinal’s nor Dr. Sadistik’s handwriting. He asks Marigold and Branna to look at the handwriting and memorize it, in case they run across it elsewhere. He then hands Marigold both the ring and the tiny leather-bound ledger and returns her magnifying glass.

As the troop prepares for its parade, Mon casts Motivational Speech on Luba, Vadim, and three others to help them perform better. Sir Sergeii returns before noon with the necessary permits to perform outdoors and to parade down the Grand Avenue to the Palace. When everyone is dressed, they assemble by the Saint Myroslav Gate. A crowd soon assembles as the crew warms up. Mon plays the pan flute, elevating the performance and supporting the singers without obscuring them. They rehearse and then parade to the palace, attracting more than a thousand people along the way. Windows of the upper floors of buildings along the Grand Avenue are open, and people are watching them go by. 

Arriving at the Palace, they are greeted by royal guards. The crew from the Legendary bows, and the crowd applauds warmly. Fifteen members of the Legendary are allowed into the Palace. They are led to the 3rd floor boudoir in the Palace’s East Wing. It is a 2-floor space, with coral walls, a white ceiling, and silver accents. The attendant tells them the guests will be here in about 15 minutes. He requests no sudden movement and asks that they not sing too loudly. One of the guests is sick and cannot tolerate loud noises. Armed with this information, the leads and the choir practice one more time.

A small crowd of nobles sits in chairs laid out for them, as a few courtesans stand on the second floor. A wheelchair draped in black is brought in, and Mon, Branna, and Marigold can tell that someone is sitting on the other side of the fabric, watching them. As they play, Mon recognizes one of the attending nobles as the Queen herself. She is wearing clothes similar to the others’, no doubt out of a desire to remain anonymous. The singing is magnificent, and the audience claps politely but enthusiastically. The wheelchair shakes, and the Queen requests they sing the piece again, and the actors and choir of the Legendary obliges. The Queen greets them personally afterward, thanking them for an amazing performance. Her attendant distributes purses to the Legendary’s artisans containing 15 gold pieces each. 

The crew begins packing their things while another artist is brought in. The musician introduces himself as Yaroslav, and he sits by the piano. He begins playing his new composition. Mon, Branna, Marigold, and the other theater artisans instantly recognize the piece that Ioulia has diligently been working on at the South Gate Hotel. Her missing score is in this man’s possession! Mon thinks about casting some spell to reveal the man’s villainy, but thinks better of it after Marigold, who spots him starting to move his hands, steps on his feet. There must be magical defenses in this room, or, at the very least, other spellcasters to prevent trouble against the Queen. Mon bids his time. On their way out, Mon sends the musician a message: We know you stole the score!

As they reach the Palace’s door, the attendant asks Marigold to stay behind. She is invited to return to the Palace tomorrow at 2 pm and to bring her bubble machine. The Queen would like to commission one for the Palace. Marigold agrees to bring the backup she made for Masha and the Bear and will gladly sell it.

Returning to the South Gate Hotel, Branna finds a message from her parents. They report that Dhuka is slaying the dragon with local children, and they will keep her here in St. Gleb until Wednesday. 

With the score now “found,” Branna decides to make a list of things that went missing. She gathers the crew and compiles the following information:

• Ioulia’s brooch, which she inherited from her mother, and the score she was working on. 
• Herald’s collection of love letters is a significant stash of correspondence from various women, ranging from high-society figures like Lady Astral to waterfront workers. 
• Dhuka’s pink unicorn stuffed animal, which Mon got for her in Katarina. 
• A bottle of Chateau Durso Sunset Vintage, an expensive wine that Vadim had “borrowed" from the Legendary abandoned wine cellar.
• A set of sketchbooks and pencils, used by one of the Legendary’s artists to document her observations of the theater and its residents. 
• A silver bracelet, a unique piece featuring comedy and tragedy masks that Luba had purchased at Gemstone Harbor. 
• Lilia’s stage management logs. As the stage manager for the Second Crew, she maintained the official records and schedules for the Konstantina performances. Someone’s Disheveled Traveling Gear: The belongings of Mon’s former understudy, who had recently returned from a harrowing stay in the Cathedral jail. 
• Solomiya’s conductor batons, the tools of the orchestra's conductor, who is part of the troop residing at the hotel. 
• The troop's accounting ledger.
• The delivery manifest for all of the costumes, props, and other items used by the Legendary’s crew for their performance of Masha and the Bear.
• Albina’s annotated script. As Luba’s understudy, she would possess her own copy of the play's script for her role in the chorus.
• Vadim's personal grooming kit.

If the items turn up somewhere, Branna requests that she be informed so she can take them off the list. With things now written down, the crew shifts to preparing for this evening’s performance.

Meanwhile, in Katarina, Archduke Maksimillian III welcomes King Stanislas II back to the Katarina Palace for the last ball of the King’s stay.

Legendary 034 - It’s Opening Night!

Friday, July 8, 1066 SE

With the dress rehearsal now behind them, the crew of the Legendary had returned to the South Gate, finding that some rooms had been burglarized. Hennadii apologizes profusely for the evident lack of security at the hotel, and he tells the actor he’s never had such an incident. He promises to hire additional security to ensure his residents are safe.

Mon, Marigold, and Branna return to their rooms and search for anything missing. They discover nothing of theirs has been taken. After a few hours of rest, Mon, who does not need sleep, gets up and explores the third floor of the South Gate Hotel, looking for secret spaces linked to the cult of the Black Sun. His exhaustive search yields no results. Early in the morning, he connects with Hennadii in his kitchen because he is short-staffed after a cook left following Mon’s appearance to perform sorcery. They discuss Hennadii’s ownership of the South Gate Hotel. Hennadii reports he has owned the building for about seven years. At the time he purchased the building, three or four of the rooms were permanently occupied by individuals for extended stays, including one who had resided in the Hotel for more than 12 years. At the same time, Mon helps Hennadii prepare breakfast for the crew.

Branna wakes up, gets ready for the day, then descends the stairs and sends a message from the hotel reception to her parents in St. Gleb asking if they would mind keeping Dhuka with them until tomorrow morning. She eventually received a response that they would be delighted to, and Dhuka is working hard, learning about the family business. 

Entering the dining room, Branna notices that Luba has recovered from the shock of yesterday’s performance and seems ready to return to the stage tonight. While Ioulia plays music, working on her score, Marigold joins her friend and Mon for breakfast. 

Sir Sergeii rushes in again, a large grin on his face. Known for enjoying sleeping in, this is the second day in a row that the King’s cousin is here, and the Legendary’s crew is surprised. He tells them he brings several copies of the Konstantina Sun, which contains Lady Voloshyna's review. The newspaper praises Luba and the crew of the Legendary for their performance in the face of formidable odds and disruptions. Sir Sergeii wonders if some of the disruptions could be incorporated into the actual play, as a wink to what happened yesterday. Marigold suggests they move a tree for every performance.

The conversation returns to the burglaries that took place last night. Now that time has passed, people have had the opportunity to take inventory of their possessions. Among the things missing are Anya’s arcane study notes and Branna’s master annotated script for Masha and the Bear. 

Anya’s arcane study notes contain mnemonic sketches she used to help her master the rudiments of magic so she could communicate. For its part, the annotated script contained all the adjustments Branna, Marigold, and Mon had made, replacing independentist themes with religious iconography and pious labor to ensure the play was not perceived as a threat to the crown. In the wrong hands, this hand-marked, unique copy could be a potentially incriminating document for the troupe to lose.

After breakfast, Marigold and Branna head back to the Royal Grand Opera to examine their props and costumes and make sure there are no other surprises. Mon wanders to the Luthier’s Harp in the walled city to discuss the Jenken Ensemble with Yevgen, the store owner. He tells Yevgen he might have a lead or two on some of the statues, and he wonders if Yevgen would be willing to trade when he acquires them. Yevgen tells them he would. Satisfied, Mon joins his colleagues at the Royal Grand Opera.

The crew checks everything to ensure the space is secure. Anya stands on the catwalk with a few of the laborers. She notices there is a trap door in the ceiling that could be used by a skinny person to enter the space from the crawl space in the roof. Marigold jury-rigs a contraption that rings a bell if someone tries to open that trap door.

As the time for the performance nears, the Royal Grand Opera slowly fills with the people of  Konstantina. Nobles in their private boxes watch as the city’s working class, wearing their finery, occupy the cheaper seats. Sir Sergeii comes backstage, advising them that the house is sold out for the weekend. Konstantina Sun's review has boosted sales, with people interested in catching the play that has generated so much ink.

Sir Sergeii stands in front of the house, welcoming them to an amazing performance of the Legendary’s famous crew, a play that sold out its entire run in Katarina. He tells them they will be entertained and educated, and that their faith will be challenged, then strengthened. The curtain finally rises, and Luba steps on the stage and begins singing. 

Marigold and Branna watch from the wings, keep track of the trees and of anything else that could be enchanted. When Vadim, dressed as a bear, joins Luba, the performance enters its zenith. The acting and singing raise the level of the performance. By the time the intermission comes, no attempts have been made against the performance. Reports from the attendees mingling in the lobby are overwhelmingly positive.

The remaining performance resumes after the intermission and concludes with a rousing number. The crowd applauds and delivers a standing ovation before slowly streaming out of the theater. Backstage, Lady Voloshyna praises their performance. However, she is joined by Levko, a reporter for the Shredded Truth. He introduces himself, then starts questioning Mon, Marigold, and Branna.

His first question is aimed at Mon. "Is this play a veiled recruitment tool for political subversion? Given that the original script had a documented 'independentist bent,' how can the citizens of Konstantina trust that your last-minute additions of religious iconography are anything more than a cynical mask for Katarinan revolutionary propaganda? Mon replies that Masha and the Bear is meant to be unifying, revealing that the play’s central theme is the renewal of faith and the triumph of pious endurance over adversity. Essentially, he tells Levko that the play functions as a cultural olive branch, using the universal language of faith and traditional storytelling to reassure the mainland of Katarina's place within a united Sezja.

He directs his second question to Marigold: "Why are foreign ‘stars' being allowed to steal the livelihoods of local artisans? At a time when homegrown artists are being driven to the brink of ruin, why has your troupe brought everything—costumes, sets, and props—rather than supporting the local laborers who are now forced to work around your presence?” Branna joins the conversation. She tells Levko that she is a proud resident of Konstantina, that her family has lived here for generations, and that many of the crew are also from mainland Sezja. No one has lost their job because of the Legendary’s visit to the capital. 

Levko changes track and asks Branna to explain the cursed and chaotic nature of yesterday's dress rehearsal. With reports of a lead actor passing out in his dressing room, an animated bear suit assaulting the lead actress, and the stage plunging into darkness, why should the public pay for a production that appears to be dangerously unprofessional or even sabotaged by its own incompetence? Branna replies that the sabotage attempts did not stop the Legendary from delivering an amazing performance to the people of Konstantina.

Levko returns to Mon for his fourth question. Is the Legendary Theater merely a puppet of elite cronyism? He asks Mon to confirm or deny the circulating rumors that Sir Sergeii has secretly acquired an ownership stake in the Legendary, and is he using his social weight to force this "glitzy" and "extravagant" production on a conservative public that values tradition over foreign vanity? Mon answers, telling Levko that he does not know the troop's finances and that he should instead question Sir Sergeii directly.

Finally, Levko asks Branna to justify the play's decadence while the people of St. Boris starve. While local firebrands correctly argue that the working class needs food and tax relief rather than entertainment, can she defend the "unearned arrogance" of a troupe that demands special treatment while our merchants are crippled by the new excise tax? Branna replies that the Legendary spends a lot of money in the Konstantina economy, purchasing food, lodging, and services. They did not cause the excise tax, nor do they influence tax policies. Branna sympathizes with the residents of St. Boris and hopes that the play will provide them with at least a valuable lesson in faith. 

The reporters depart, and the Legendary’s crew is left alone to complete the performance’s reset for tomorrow’s show.

Legendary 033 - Empty Suits and Hidden Truths: Chaos at the Grand Royal Opera

Thursday, July 7, 1066 SE, continued

Tonight’s penultimate dress rehearsal is about to start. The crew has assembled, the props have been checked and rechecked for any flaws or sabotage and have been found intact, and the costumes are all ready to go. 

As the Grand Royal Opera fills up with dignitaries and invitees of Sir Sergeii, everyone backstage feels the tension. The future of Masha and the Bear in Konstantina may be short-lived and a financial flop if they can’t pull off an amazing performance in front of influencers and the Konstantina Sun’s art and theater critic, Lady Voloshyna. Taking a look at the audience, Branna spots Sir Sergeii sitting with Lady Voloshyna about a third of the way up the main seating area. More than a hundred other people are present as well. She recognizes several workers of the Grand Royal Opera, along with Ivan the teamster and his wife.

Branna and Marigold are backstage, ready to fix costumes or props as needed. Mon is part of the chorus. Using his magical abilities, he casts several spells to enhance the performance and its visual effect. Everyone else is ready. 

The curtain rises with Masha, played by the actress Luba, in a forest with her friends collecting mushrooms. During the excursion, she becomes separated from her group. But before the story gets to the part where Masha is ambushed by a Bear, played by the actor Vadim, the bear steps out of the wings and enters the stage. Vadim must be drunk, because the bear staggers on stage and hits several of the prop trees, throwing them to the ground and damaging them. Confused, Luba continues to perform but adapts her movements based on the bear’s early entrance.

Seeing the chaos, Marigold turns herself invisible and starts fixing props, hoping to put them back up so that the damage done by the clumsy bear is quickly repaired. Branna examines the bear costume, wondering if someone is in the suit. The way it is shaped, she figures someone must be in there, but the way the fabric pools at the bottom indicates it is likely someone shorter than Vadim. 

Realizing the danger of a rampaging bear, Mon turns himself invisible and steps behind the bear. He unzips the suit, but he turns visible. The bear ignores Mon, and he grabs Luba by the throat and strangles her. Mon casts disguise on himself, and he creates the illusion of a second bear resembling Vadim's costume. He then tackles the bear, releasing the pressure on Luba, who coughs as air returns to her lungs. 

The crowd in the audience first thought this was part of the play, but this is clearly something else. As Mon struggles with the bear suit, he sends a message to Sir Sergeii to advise him that the play has been sabotaged. He then uses prestidigitation to completely unzip the bear suit, revealing to the audience that it is empty.

Marigold abandons the props and rushes to Luba's help, casting cure light wounds to help the actress regain her composure. Branna rushes backstage to Vadim's dressing room, wondering what happened to the actor. Questioning the crew, she learns that he was last seen before the beginning of the play as he was heading to his dressing room. She runs down the steps and enters his dressing room, and he is sprawled on the couch, passed out but with a smile on his face. He seems to be having a great dream. She finds Lilia, the Legendary's second crew stage manager, and she tells her to keep an eye on Vadim while she investigates the incident.

Seeing two bear suits fighting each other, Luba is confused. Marigold tells her Mon is in the second suit. With her friend under attack, Luba starts swinging at the first bear, using her walking stick. Branna sees the bears fighting on stage, but as she looks on, she is pushed by an animated tree, but manages not to stumble. Through the chaos on the scene, Mon sends a message to Marigold and asks her if she can dispel magic. Mon suspects someone backstage animated the bear suit and the tree, since the bear started backstage. Marigold replies she does not know that spell.

With chaos erupting on the scene, Branna tells the city guard hired by Sir Sergeii the play has been sabotaged, and the culprit might still be in the theater. The guard instructs other guards to start searching the facility. Marigold asks Lilia to pull the curtain closed, so they can reset the play. Mon casts hellish rebuke on the bear, destroying the costume and neutralizing the threat.

With the curtain closed, Marigold, Branna, Mon and Luba meet with Lilia. Marigold suggests they pick it up with Masha being in the lair. Marigold sends a props person to retrieve Sir Sergeii and bring him backstage. Sir Sergeii investigates the origin of the attack. Marigold then proceeds to mend some of the damage caused by the bear. Mon, as understudy for Vadim, heads back to stage in his bear illusion.

The crowd mutters its displeasure, but the play resumes with Masha in the bear's cave. Anya, who is backstage helping the stage manager, sends a hurried message to Mon, informing him she saw a cloaked figure up the catwalk. Mon redirects the message to Marigold, who turns towards the catwalk. Suddenly, the orchestra sounds dissonant, before they stop playing, and the theater's lights go dark. Screams of panic from the audience spread as the confusion infects those watching Masha and the Bear. Branna struggles to relight the Grand Royal Opera’s magical lights. She casts dancing lights, then light on the ceiling’s chandeliers, returning illumination to the audience and on the stage.

Luba, the second actress, was already bitter because she was left off the promotional posters for the performance of Masha and the Bear in Konstantina. Witnessing the chaos and the victim of an assault, Luba refuses to go on with the performance, claiming the production is "cursed" and that her "star is fading”. Albina, Luba’s understudy and currently a member of the chorus, is sent to get ready.

Mon steps in front of Luba and holds the actress close to him. He gives her a motivational speech, tying her personal acting legacy to the honor of the Legendary. She can rise above the hardship, he tells her, and demonstrate to those who are trying to undermine her acting that she will not be cowed. Luba wipes her tears, and, looking in Mon's eyes, tells the actor she will deliver the performance of her life.

Marigold dispatches a guard to the catwalk, but he returns, reporting that no one is there anymore. 

With the show and the audience in an uproar, Sir Sergeii takes the stage, and politely informs the audience that the performance was sabotaged, but that the artisans of the Legendary wish to reboot the performance and start from the beginning. The murmurs in the crowd seem disinclined to agree, until Lady Voloshyna stands and agree, stating she wishes to see the whole performance. The rest of the crowd reluctantly agrees, indicating the relative social weight Lady Voloshyna possesses in Konstantina.

There are no further disturbances. The show is a success, the crowd politely applauds, but it ends an hour and ten minutes later than it should have. Mon considers charming Lady Voloshyna, but then decides not to. Branna speaks with Lady Voloshyna as the art critic heads towards the exit. Lady Voloshyna gives Branna a generally positive review, but tells her to watch for her critique in tomorrow’s newspaper.

 With the play now completed, Sir Sergeii wonders whether they should attend the benefit gala hosted by House Volkov. Since all of Konstantina’s elites are expected to attend, Sir Sergeii thought this would be a ripe opportunity to further promote Masha and the Bear, but now it feels forced. He polls the crew, and after some discussion, they agree that some representatives should go, at least the actors and a few others.

As the actors prepare to depart for House Volkov’s estate, the Wolf Landing, Marigold examines Vadim and realizes he was bespelled. She discovers that Vadim sports a kissing mark on his neck. She suspects that is how the magical sleep was delivered. Branna helps her move the actor to his couch and covers him with a blanket.

Mon and Luba go to the gala, along with Sir Sergeii, Solomiya, the conductor of the orchestra, Lilia the stage manager, and a few others. Marigold and the prop crew will work through the night to fix all broken props, while Branna and her costumiers spend the night building another bear costume. 

Friday, July 8, 1066 SE, continued

Sir Sergeii’s carriage takes them to House Volkov’s estate, the Wolf Landing, which is so named because the family is pretty rigid and "unmoving,” and claims to control the political flow of the area. House Volkov wants everyone to know exactly whose territory they're stepping into when they enter the Wolf Landing.

Duke Volkov personally welcomes Mon and Luba to his estate and thanks them ahead of time for performing a wonderful song. Circulating throughout the room, Sir Sergeii introduces Mon to Ambassador Volodymyr, the Natavian representative to Sezja, before showing the Legendary’s crew to other notables. As Mon discusses Masha and the Bear, he also overhears conversations about a "ghost" that stalks the palace halls, and subtle jokes about an "unseen princess.”

Mon and Luba perform the keystone duet of Masha and the Bear, to the rapturous applause of the rich crowd. Luba is thrilled with her performance, and several nobles fawn over her, asking her questions. Ambassador Volodymyr intercepts Mon, and initiates a conversation about the power of art and music, noting that Natavia has nothing of the caliber of the Grand Royal Opera, and, by the sound of it, the Legendary is even above that threshold.

As Mon and Ambassador Volodymyr discuss the arts, they are rudely interrupted by a short, bald noble. He harangues the Ambassador: "How fitting that the Natavian delegation finds such kinship with the Legendary troupe, Volodymyr. Both spend their lives in borrowed finery, reciting lines written by their betters, and pretending a stage-set is a kingdom. Tell me, when the curtain falls on your King’s health, what role have you rehearsed for the silence that follows?”

After the bald man and his cronies leave laughing, Ambassador Volodymyr identifies him to Mon as Sir Danylo Zhiva, of House Zhiva. Sir Zhiva has been harassing the Ambassador for the last month. The Ambassador is perplexed as to his hostility. Sir Zhiva returns later in the night and threatens the Ambassador: "You bask in the glow of a dying hearth, Ambassador. But even now, the shadows grow long. There are stars—black and cold—that do not care for your 'arts' or your 'refinement.' When the Black Sun rises, I wonder... will the art you profer to like, and their pretty singers, be able to drown out the sound of a kingdom being purged of its... excesses?”

Mon tells the Ambassador about the Black Sun project and the cult behind it. They may be ready to co-op or overthrow the King. The Cardinal may be behind this. The Ambassador reports that Sir Zhiva is a loyal supporter of the Cardinal. 

Sir Zhiva returns one more time. Clearly intoxicated, but now accompanied by five other individuals, he belches out a series of insults: "You speak of 'unseen princesses' as if they were fairy tales, Volodymyr. Perhaps in Natavia, you are used to chasing ghosts. But here in Konstantina, we prefer our royalty to have... substance. It is a pity your influence is as invisible as the specters you supposedly champion. One might mistake your presence here for an empty chair at a banquet."

Ambassador Volodymyr expresses concerns that once Sir Zhiva leaves, his life is in danger. Mon and the Ambassador make an appointment to meet during lunchtime on Saturday at the embassy. 

When Mon returns to the South Gate Hotel, he finds the building in a frenzy. There have been a series of burglaries, and rooms have been broken into ...

Legendary 032 - The Cardinal’s Fraud

Thursday, July 7, 1066 SE

Today is the day of the dress rehearsal. Sir Sergeii joins the Second Crew for breakfast, an unusual occurrence. He informs them that the entire crew has been invited to a benefit gala hosted by House Volkov tonight, following the dress rehearsal. All of Konstantina’s elites are expected to attend, and Sir Sergeii believes this is a ripe opportunity to further promote Masha and the Bear. House Volkov is an ancient and rich family, whose most prominent historical member was Grand Duke Andriy Volkov. He served as the Regent of Sezja in 989 SE after overthrowing Queen Lyuba, a period remembered for military stability and the cautious rebuilding of the realm following foreign conflicts.

Absorbing the news, Mon questions if the crew will be expected to perform in costumes at the gala. Sir Sergeii replies that costumes should be kept under wraps until tomorrow’s opening-night performance. Instead, he suggests that the actors who perform a song or two wear conservative outfits that do not display wealth but rather the severity of their craft. Mon then suggests they contact Branna’s parents, who own a tailor shop, and request new clothes, at least for the performers. According to Mon, this would be a good advertisement for her parents, and would clothe the most important people. A message requesting outfits for 12 people, along with measurements, is sent via the South Gate Hotel’s pageboy. 

Mon thinks about the King’s upcoming return to Konstantina and wonders how his trip will be seen in light of the Legendary’s crew taking over the Grand Royal Opera and the frictions with local artisans and workers, along with the newspaper reports of "stealing livelihoods" and acting with unearned arrogance.

Branna steals Herald’s copy of the most recent edition of the Shredded Truth, and peruses the news. There are multiple reports of additional military deployments around town, on both sides of the Lavra River. Speculation is rife that these border troops have been brought to Konstantina to crack down on the nascent protests in St. Boris, but so far, no proof has been presented, and troops have remained in their temporary camps. Branna then ponders what events might have triggered the protests in St. Boris. Hennadii, who overhears the conversation, explains that the radicalization of the people in the St. Boris neighborhood is primarily driven by economic hardship, a perceived betrayal by the government, and the influence of a charismatic firebrand preacher at the St. Boris Basilica.

According to Hennadii, the key factors contributing to this situation include a new excise tax, the military buildup, which is perceived as being against the people, and Father Kostiantyn’s call for direct action. The most significant source of anger is a new excise tax that is reportedly "crippling local merchants" and "starving the poor". The working-class congregation, which includes dockworkers and small business owners, feels directly targeted by these financial burdens.

The preacher at the St. Boris Basilica, Father Kostiantyn, acts as a primary catalyst for radicalization. He delivers populist, "firebrand" sermons that serve as a "dramatic confrontation with the city's corrupt powers." He openly rails against the "decadence and indifference" of the Royal court and the wealthy elite. The energy within St. Boris has become highly charged, with the preacher encouraging political resistance and a "devastating boycott" against the city. Observers have noted that the atmosphere during these gatherings feels like the "beginning of a riot," as the community is galvanized to oppose the government.

There is also a widespread feeling among traditionalists and disenfranchised veterans that they have been betrayed by the current established order. This resentment is exacerbated by an "increased military presence" in Konstantina, which many perceive as a sign of looming conflict.

Finally, the St. Boris Basilica itself serves as the physical and ideological center of this movement, its imposing and dark Gothic structure providing a "rallying point" for those who feel marginalized by the crown’s policies.

Looking at a map, Branna and Marigold sketch possible scenarios as to what conspiracy is occurring. The potential for mischief is high, and the city is a powder keg. St. Boris is close enough to the Grand Royal Opera that a riot or a protest could reach them rather quickly, before the guard has a chance to intervene. Branna mentions to Sir Sergeii her concerns about the people in St. Boris and the members of the resident crew who most likely live there. Marigold is brought into the conversation to provide her input. Hearing their concerns, Sir Sergeii agrees to ask his contacts to assemble a small security force to monitor the production, and he will also speak with the city guard to see if a detail is available to protect the building.

Meanwhile, Mon considers a plan to embed Herald in a production at the Dirty Duchess, a small theater in St. Boris, which would mean the cad would be left behind when the Legendary crew returns to Katarina.

Having pondered his options, Mon puts his project aside, and he heads to the Royal Archives. He is greeted by a different archivist, who invites him in Katiana’s office. He hands over a document about the Cardinal’s exile, but the archivist makes a big show of looking for the remaining paperwork. The office is soon joined by two city guards, who are here to escort Mon to the Palace. The actor follows the guards to the Palace and is taken into the basement, where he meets Viktor, head of the King’s secret police. Viktor quickly gets to the point. Mon’s investigations are to stop immediately. Consequences for violating this directive would be … drastic. Mon agrees to end his investigation.

Returning to the South Gate Hotel, Mon reports his encounter to Branna and Marigold. Hennadii notifies Mon he received a fat envelope. Opening the envelope, Mon realizes that Katiana had sent him copies of the documents he requested before she was arrested. The edict against the Cardinal shows that he has been stripped of his office and should no longer hold power or conduct his campaign of moral terror against Katarina. They speculate. Did the Cardinal arrive on Katarina before or after his exile was pronounced? To seek answers, Mon will commune with the Raven Queen and see if he can identify what the Cardinal might have been doing to undermine her authority.

Mon turns the documents over to Marigold. She considers building a small wooden box to safely hide them, and she draws a design.

Mon sends a message to Katiana, thanking her for the documents and inviting her to the premiere tomorrow. She replies that she is in a jail cell in the Palace and will not be able to attend the premiere tomorrow because of her current imprisonment for violating state secrets. Mon sends a message to Pavel asking him to check Katarina’s records to see the exact date of the Cardinal’s arrival on the island, and he also lets him know they found a few antique saws for him. Pavel agrees to look into it, and he thanks the actor for the saws.

Meanwhile, Branna receives a message from her father that he has enough outfits for the performers, but they will require small alterations. Dhuka comes bouncing downstairs, proclaiming to be bored. Branna decides to head to St. Gleb with the child after lunch to help with the alterations to the clothes.

Once across the Lavra River, the two of them have lunch at the Singing Frog Inn. Dhuka buys a strawberry tart. She then spends the afternoon working with Branna and her father. When it comes time to head back across the river, Dhuka asks if she can stay with Branna’s parents. They agree, and Dhuka spends the night in St. Gleb. 

Herald is on time for once.

Back at the Grand Royal Opera, there are lots of people in attendance for the dress rehearsal. Even Herald is on time for once. Mon uses unfailing barding inspiration on the leads, so they do not fail their performance when they start the show. Sir Sergeii advises Branna, Marigold, and Mon that he has secured a four-person security detail, along with ten city guards up front. He also confirmed with the Captain of the Guard that the guards will staff the Upper City gates. If a large party comes from St. Boris to disturb the dress rehearsal or tomorrow’s opening night performance, the gates will be closed.

The dress rehearsal is about to start ...