Balthasar asked Aaqastal about the Castle Amber Miniature and how Rufus is connected to it or the castle.
Aaqastal explained that the figurine was a conduit to a demi-plane where Sertieren's mansion resided. To activate it you need to recite a ritualistic passage in his ancestor's language, the folk of Xir-that-was. Aaqastal said, “The manor is something of a gamble. There are many treasures within, but the mansion has taken much from those that would risk its chambers.” He cautioned that they would need the figurine to return. He taught them the passage; explaining that the first half activated it if you were without the demi-plane spiriting you there, and the second half activated it if you were within, bringing you back. He said that Rufus came out of the mansion. After reciting the requisite passage, they were enshrouded in a silvery mist before reappearing in a long hallway lined with mirrors. After evading the glass warriors that emerged from the broken mirrors, the Daring Friends found themselves in a fancy dining hall. Ghostly diners soon entered, ignoring the guests, and took seats around the table. They acknowledged Camwise once he took a seat at the table. Ghostly servants entered and began serving food and drink, which Camwise consumed, resulting in various, mostly positive, transformations. Camwise learned from the guests that the Castle belonged to Master Henri, who was most recently seen in the garden and the library. After the meal, the diners rose and walked through the door. The Daring friends left through the servant’s door where they found a dozen ghostly hobgoblin servants. Camwise, still inebriated from the dinner wine, began chopping an onion. His tears fell on the knife, enchanting it. Returning to the dining hall, they exited through the double doors into a parlor. Ghostly residents sat around the parlor and one, a woman, called to them from a card table. Dameron sat across from her. She introduced herself as Mere Camille D’Amberville, explaining that she was visiting her cousin Sertieren. Dameron selected a card, revealing an elderly bearded man on a thrown. The card transformed into a Rod of Rulership. He traded places with Camwise who drew a card, revealing a blindfolded woman spinning a large wheel while a man fell into a chasm. He traded places with Balthasar who drew a card, revealing a young man dressed as a page holding a large coin, and all the coins he had been carrying disappeared. Gruffudd selected a caped man holding a sword high while riding a horse and his shield flashed and two veiled women’s faces appeared upon it, one smiling and the other angry. Camille took her cards and departed. The Daring Friends also departed, passing through a large entrance hall and entering the library. Sitting in a leather chair was a man with the body of a human with the head of a dog. He introduced himself as Claude D’Amberville, surreptitiously showing interest in a portrait of Jean-Luc D’Amberville, who Claude described as a pirate. As Dameron approached the portrait, it began to come to life. Meanwhile, Camwise inspected a portrait of an enchanting woman, Guillemette the Enchanted. Sensing there might be something behind the portrait, Dameron enlisted Balthasar’s assistance in removing it from the wall. As Balthasar spotted a safe behind it, Jean-Luc and Monsieur Beaky emerged from the portrait and attacked. Meanwhile, Camwise entered Guillemette’s portrait and began to converse with her, pouring tea and adding a dose of Truth Serum into her cup. He traded a Vial of Beauty for a pillow bearing a symbol of The Tower. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar disarmed and slashed into the pirate. Pecked by Beaky, Dameron hit Jean-Luc with a Crushing Haymaker. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar slashed into Jean-Luc and caught him with his Gaze of Conviction. Dameron hit Beaky with his Spiritual Weapon. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar slashed into Jean-Luc while Dameron smashed the pirate and hit Beaky with his Spiritual Weapon. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar slashed into Jean-Luc while Dameron hit Beaky with his Spiritual Weapon. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar slashed into Jean-Luc. Beaky swiped Dameron’s holy symbol and dropped it behind the portrait. Striking Jean-Luc with his Spiritual Weapon, Dameron missed the Beaky with a Guiding Bolt. Camwise emerged from the portrait carrying the pillow. Avoiding Jean-Luc’s saber, Balthasar slashed into Jean-Luc. Beaky grabbed the pillow from Camwise but was hit by Dameron’s Spiritual Weapon and disappeared into the portrait, leaving the pillow behind. Dameron struck Jean-Luc who also disappeared into the portrait. Dameron retrieved his holy symbol from the safe along with the rest of Jean-Luc’s booty.
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