[right][h3][b][i][color=B100de]Master Plum[/color][/i][/b][/h3][color=B100de]≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎[/color]
[color=B100de][i][b]Location: [/b][/i][/color]Shadowell Manor: Grand Vestibule (F4)  
[color=B100de][i][b]Skills:[/b][/i][/color] N/A
[color=B100de][i][b]Hit Points:[/b][/i][/color]  6
[color=B100de]≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎≎[/color][/right]

[i]
But look at this lovely house, 
Standing within its own forest, 
Filled for the most part with rich conspiring folk who live a little above the law. 
Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, 
year in, year out, in such a place, and none the wiser.
[/i]

It's a trap. The lord of the manor revealed that indeed it was all a ruse. But more so, openly declared that they were not invited. No, but in fact part of a greater plot. One which perturbed him enough to play along, one that made a man of his power and influence tremble perhaps at the possibilities. Oh yes, there was a dark innocence about it, wasn't there? If they were to trust a man who had not yet pulled the trigger and send the hounds to maim, then there was a possibility that his curiosity fueled his hospitality. The doors were opened only to be sealed shut, and now it was only a matter of time before he expected a caged bird to sing.

Curses, to think that he had not seen it coming, he had expected a dangerous game, but this was far more than just a game wasn't it? Or was it? Could they truly trust the Lord of the manor to tell them everything that piqued his interest? Maybe it was just another dinner game the wealthy play? But alas, if to be trusted, he did reveal that none of them were invited, nay all present here were not invited by Him. Yes, this was all turning out to be a game of trust, a mental exercise, a game of shadows. The stakes were high, and yet one was dead, and another fled, thus if they would stay, they must play. Thus we have little choice in the matter but to obey. Any halfwit ought to see that, yet what if they conspired, the game's afoot indeed. Shall humble pawn take king?

[color=b100de]
"Of course m'lord by your grace, 
Consider us all advised and warned,
And may we help find in this place,
Our odd lily amongst the thorns..."
[/color]

Ardad Lili, that is a name he knew all too well. Peppered in to the rhyme perhaps, the veiled reference to the persona behind his invitation. Would it strike a chord in anyone else's subconscious? Would the lure work as charmingly as the false invitations? Perhaps they were not as stranger of strangers to each other, all strung by this gilded lili's string.