In moments, the crystal and body are gone. As both the evidence and culprit disappear, the butler is left gaping. ”That...That ruffian!” he gasps, touching at his mouth. ”Master de Lune! The crystal! They’re-!” He turns on the remaining two. ”You have to recover them! You must! He is clearly the killer!”

With that, he sinks to the floor, a hand over his mouth. He is utterly broken and will not be available for further questioning.

There are voices above and then the distinct crackle of a fire. There’s no doubt about it. Something on the upper balcony is burning. The door closes with a heavy slam. The arsonist has clearly left the flames to their own devices.

In the distance, you hear the dissonant smash of piano keys and a sharp, girlish yelp. Clearly, everything is going as planned.

The ballroom is at a central location to the entire manor. From here, anything is possible. The fire, the scream, the mysterious man, there’s no end to the trouble to chase. Then of course there’s the investigation. Somewhere in this manor’s halls lies a murderer, a mystery, and two missing people whose lives hang in the balance.

Adjacent Locations

The Parlor Room: You know that a team was already sent in this direction, and they might still be inside. Did the scream come from this direction? While you certainly could enter this room, there will be too much to take in at once. Talk to Fin.

Kitchen: The kitchen still smells of the ghost of a meal. Dirty plates pile in the sink. Used glasses show the residue of wine. The room is hot with the heat of the ovens. A door near the back leads to the pantry.

East and West Courtyards: The storm rages within these courtyards. It is a muddy mess heavy with rainwater. In the center of each, a fountain overflows with the swell. Atop the eastern fountain sits a stone dragon. Atop the western, there is a coiled serpent. In the back of the eastern courtyard, a hulking figure is barely visible.

Entrance Hall: This grand room is a marvel of marble floors and ornate greco-roman statues. Four chandeliers hang from the ceiling, flickering with their dim and insubstantial light. The room’s centerpiece is a massive statue of a griffon set atop a great stone pedestal. It faces the heavy oaken doors leading to the lawn. They are currently locked.

Second Floor Landing: You know that another team was already sent in this direction. You know only too well. While you can’t smell the flames from here, its acrid scent hasn’t left you from the first floor ballroom. The floors echo here, reaching up to a high ceiling lit by crystal chandeliers. An extra staircase leads to what you can presume to be the upper balcony of the ballroom. Wood splinters litter the floor around a door which was clearly destroyed and then set back into place. Three people are in this space including the man in red you saw descend on his single wing.

Map Position: Click Here

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