The low, constant thrum of the party continued. Musicians changed song and the tables of food and drink replenished just as fast as it diminished. The staff of Iverstead estate moved quickly and with purpose. They hardly muttered a word to their guests aside from a "thank you" or "pardon me". The other lords of the area kept distance from one another except for two, Lord Rorick and Lord Peterberg. During the speech, they kept to the back of the gathered crowd, and bent each other's ears under the weight of Iverstead's announcement. Lady Farthingdale paid much attention to Tobias Stalt and the hunters which kept him company. Lord Quartermire and his circle of esteemed hugged close to the refreshments where he partook as much food as one would expect for his portly stature. Lady Synta and her current suitor for the night danced beautifully amidst the crowd, handing off to other male dancers in spurts to bat her lashes and feel their touch. All the while Lady Vermillion stared daggers at Lady Synta for her behavior with nobles and commoners alike.
In the midst of the festivities, the sound of a plate shattering on the hardwood gave slight pause. Attentions gathered to the disturbance to see a rather intoxicated commoner lose grip of his plate. In the fraction of a second of silence, one of the massive windows suddenly burst open. An unnatural gust of wind swept inward, extinguishing the candles atop one of the crystal chandeliers. Then, another window, and another. One by one, they burst open with gusts of wind which blew out candles, caught fabric of billowing dresses, tussled pristine hairstyles, and whipped masks from the faces of some of the staff. Screams belted out in the chaos, the music halted, one fiddler knocked from the stage to the floor below with a thud of skull against wood. The glow of light above became a wash of darkness.
In the gale, a chandelier loosened from its bolts in the beams above. It groaned a warning to those below before its fasteners failed under the sheer weight of metal and crystal.
CRASH!
Glass skittered across the ballroom floor. High pitched skrieks of terror rang out with the name of some poor soul crushed beneath. Then, as sudden as it came, the wind slammed through toward the courtyard and silence fell over the shaken crowd.
Voices slowly ebbed through the wake of chaos and bewilderment. Was everyone okay? Do you need help up?
"LORD IVERSTEAD!" screamed a small woman in the attire of the help. Attentions pulled toward the sight of the Lord face down against the hardwood. A pool of thick ichor stemmed from his body and threatened the feet of nearby onlookers.
From outside, guards rushed inward from the commotion. Seeing the Lord of the manor, they charged forward and peeled the weeping woman from his body. A guard knelt down, held a hand to Iverstead's mouth. He paused, then laid a hand upon his neck. He turned a somber look to the head of the guard.
"Captain..." the words alluded to the next. "He's dead."
A grimace formed on the captain's face. He knelt beside his subordinate to examine the body. "Three, four, five..." he muttered.
"Seven times. He's been stabbed seven times." The other guards became rigid.
"Alright!" the guard captain roared. "I want all exits secured! No one leaves this place! There is a murderer here, and I'll be damned if they escape!"
Guards scattered. Doors filled with the frames of men in full armor. Once open windows were swiftly shut and the dark, cold, damp ballroom became a crime scene of the estate.
Looking out over the faces of disheveled and confused guests, it became quickly evident that the other Lords and Ladies were no where to be seen. Foul air hung in the growing thrum of rumor and speculation.
Someone here killed Lord Iverstead and perhaps his body would not be the last.
The event has begun. No players may leave the thread and those late to arrive must account for their whereabouts prior to the lockdown. Until the killer or killers are found, no one is to leave. Guards and hunters will be suspicious of those present. Players are able to move about the manor and the courtyard, but cannot leave the estate. Use the current information in the Iverstead posts to help investigate or avoid certain situations. Leave active investigations open ended to allow for Iverstead posts to fill in clues.
Happy hunting~
