Carl's Masquerade Plan

Coffee Shop Masquerade Notes

Carl documents a secret six-objective castle operation: survive, finish Tina's recital, kill Eva and Lucia, save the changelings, seize the castle, and eliminate every hunter.

Story so far

Using the coffee-shop author kit's hidden communication, Carl records every step for allies and future Cookbook authors. Survival is absolute priority. Secondary objectives rise from Tina's dance and Eva's death through changeling rescue, castle conquest and Imogen's death, Lucia Mar's elimination, and fulfillment of Carl's promise that no hunter leaves the floor alive.

Signet's separate elite climax threatens to drag Carl into a doomed early battle, so he must delay and repurpose it. The changelings can only receive Zerzura if gathered in the castle town, requiring Imogen's defeat and ownership transfer.

Katia, Imani, Donut, Elle, Florin, Louis, Firas, Li Na, Bautista, and Chris sign the first page. Several warn the plan will kill everyone; Florin reserves Lucia for himself; Louis and Firas note no one asked them whether they preferred descent.

Appearance

A hidden collaborative page of handwritten objectives and signatures invisible to ordinary surveillance.

Role

The document coordinates the coalition while preserving a detailed record if sponsor manipulation or the operation kills them.

Relationships

Carl — He authors and prioritizes the plan.

Queen Imogen — Her defeat is required to take the castle town.

The Changeling Hideout — Its population must enter the captured castle for Zerzura.

Lucia Mar — Her unpredictable danger makes her a designated target.

The Hunters — The final promise is total elimination.

Sources — 1 recorded facts, by chapter

Chapter 63

Carl documents a secret six-objective castle operation: survive, finish Tina's recital, kill Eva and Lucia, save the changelings, seize the castle, and eliminate every hunter.