The Castle - B1

Gregory hangs back while the others rush to take both seat and cup. Something itches at the back of his mind.

Wordlessly, he casts a spell. Hoping to avoid the suspicion of the guards, he turns away slightly as he makes the gestures also!

Clarence blinks as the light of the candle seems to……expand? Strange shadows flickered at the corners of his eyes. The celebrating guards went in and out of focus. Were those crows feet at the corners of there eyes? Liver spots? Something was awry. He had thought they were young journeymen, but then they seemed like grizzled veterans. And the candle. Clarence felt for the two candles in his pouch. Candles aren't so bright in general, are they? Warily, he stepped closer to the edge of the table, feeling rather disconcerted as to what was real and if anyone—or anything—was playing tricks with his mind. Clarence grounded himself by flexing his mighty biceps. These are most definitely real, Clarence thought gratefully.

Anton touched his own face awkwardly, and then looked at his companions: were they too starting to age preternaturally, or was the strange process only touching these soldiers, he wondered.

Varos will whisper to Clarence. "Maybe we should just take the candelabra. They are older and unarmed."

Tibor stands and raises his cup. "Cheers to you, lads! A drink!" Then he looks at the cup of the guard next to him and says, "Oh my friend, it looks like your cup is nearly empty! Let me help you with that." He takes the other man's cup and begins pouring his own brandy into it.

"Your master has been so generous to us already. I insist that you have the first drink. Bottoms up!" He offers the man's now overflowing cup back to him.

Just as he suspected! There was powerful magic at work in this room! The others were right to try and pilfer the magic light, as it was emanating powerful, powerful magic!

Still, there was more to be seen here, and the guards were busy with the others.

"Excellent idea!" Anton exclaimed at the suggestion that those not seated go check on the food.

He turned and walked toward the kitchen bringing his light rod with him. He intended to reach the entrance to the new area and give a good look inside before stepping inside.

Frac forces a wide, toothy grin, careful to keep his sharp goblin eyes gleaming with interest but not too much hunger.

He leans in conspiratorially, waving a hand as if brushing off the joke about prisoners.

"Ah, no chains on us, that's for sure!" he says with a chuckle, his voice raspy but friendly. "But you must hear all sorts of tales guarding a place like this, huh? We've heard rumors, y’know, whispers in the wind... about strange things going on. Curses, they say. Hauntings. The Count and his... well, let’s just say unusual tastes." He arches a brow, glancing between them, looking for any flicker of discomfort or recognition. "We’re just guests, of course, but the castle’s got its fair share of shadows, eh? Anything we should keep an eye out for? Wouldn’t want to stumble into something we shouldn’t while exploring."

As he speaks, he avoids the food, casually pushing a piece of bread to the side, his hands never straying toward the drink. Instead, he keeps his gaze sharp, attentive, hoping one of the guards lets something useful slip between their drunken boasts.

Anton and his source of light disappear into the nearby corridor.

Varos will go with Anton. Don't want leave anyone on their own. "Anton, I will come with."

Dex check

Anton was somewhere out of sight.

Gregory sits at the table, waiting for the trickle of magical information. He was unraveling the properties of the strange candle even now, and needed a moment’s quiet. Sitting would at least stop the guards from badgering him to join in!