They seem to be buying/believing the story.
"Thank you Sylvia. I'll take care of this relic as for you, we've got a secure vault it can be placed in." says Lyetia.
She then gives directions to where Keld's home is and bids you goodbye until tomorrow.
So after we have completed what we were asked here have you all tough about what you wanted to do?
A meeting with Keld is quickly arranged and soon you are sitting with an elderly man in the front room of his modest home. His wife, Dana, sits in to listen as well.
One wall of the home has a shelf containing a couple dozen books, many of them covered in aged leather.
Cindy accompanies Aerin, still using her mask to magically change her features just enough to hide her mixed heritage. On the way to to meeting she asks Aerin Are you planning to tell the good dwarf that we had to put down the guardian? I recommend we be honest with him and explain that even though we had no intend to rob the resting places we stumbled into the guardian while looking for more goblin kind and could not retreat from it. What do you think? We could even show him the gem…
earlier while heading toward the town house
We can't show the gems they are in the governor's vault, i don't intend at first to talk about the golem. What i am most likely going to tell him is about the sarcophagi, the dwarven runes, the names we found. Details that would help us ID the clan and get its history.
OK. Best if we are on the same page.
Thank you for receiving us on such a short notice. We are here because we would like to have your help in identifying some dwarven clan we came upon in our travel.
aerin will then proceed to give details about the sarcophagi, the dwarven runes, the names they found.
We give you these details for you to help us ID the clan and get its history.
The titles (of those books that have them) are largely in common, with a few in elvish and a two in dwarven. All look to be mundane, History of the Known World, Human Cultures of the West, Political Influence of Ondia and so forth.
Keld looks over the clan symbol for several moments, then reaches over to the book shelf to retrieve one of two books with dwarven lettering. "The names are typically dwarven, nothing especial about them. I don't recognize this clan symbol, but we may find it in here."
He thumbs through the book which contains images of clan crests along with text, presumably, describing details of the clan. "Most of these clans span the Chaggath Spine, but none were known to be this close to the empire. But given the treacherous nature of the terrain and abundance of ill tempered creatures the farther one goes into the spine, there aren't many who venture deep." At last he finds the page he is looking for with a shield and hammer emblem matching that provided by Aerin.
He frowns in concentration as he reads the dwarven script next to it. "The dwarven hold of Thonin Dale." he states after a moment. "Primarily known for their armor and weaponsmiths. A few such blades and armors crafted by them still exist with the clan emblem on them, but the whereabouts of the clan are unknown, believed to be lost." He scratches at his head, "One sec." He pulls another book from the shelf. An old book without a title, the pages yellowed. Flipping through it he opens to a page near the end and lays the book out for all to view.
On the open pages is a hand drawn map scrawled across both of them. A short paragraph in a very old dialect of common.
Gateways Thonin Dale opened but once every five years. I was privileged to accompany the warlord to a gateway to trade with the dwarves who had been the mountain behind their doors when they are opened for trade at the summer solstice.
The map itself shows a depiction of a pair of dwarves standing beside a gate into the face of a cliff, a wide trail leading down from it into a valley.
Keld continues, "The author of this writing is unknown, but his writing follows his travels back and forth across the continent, both from east to west seas and the northern tundras to the southern deserts. His travels never contained any rhyme or reason that I could decipher, though most of his travels were to the great capitals of the world many centuries ago. This Thonin Dale is more just a footnote in the rest of the work. The clan was likely just a small one, more like a village in human terms. Would that seem an accurate description of what you found?"
I think so. Cindy interjects. But we saw very little of the dwarves area. Most of the tunnels had been overrun by goblins. But we did some construction work that was beyond my understanding in engineering. She goes on to explain what she can remember of the engineering chamber.
While Cindy and Aerin are with Keld, Cormick will try to gather any addition information about the Governor's assistant, Lyetia.
He will also look for an appropritate gift for Lyetia to be presented at the party tomorrow.
"I fear my knowledge of engineering is rather limited." he talks more animatedly, "But I'll be sure to send someone who specializes in it with the exploration team." He pauses for a moment, then continues more talking to himself than anything, "Or perhaps I should accompany the team to see the place myself."
He catches himself, realizing what he is doing, "Oh sorry. This sort of thing probably won't be of much interest to many, but for these old bones it is quite a find. That is if it is clear of goblins now?"
Lyetia is well known around town. She can be stern with those who insist on interrupting the governor's work without, what she considers, sufficient cause. This has caused a few citizens to have some personal grievances and grudges with her.
She also has a romantic interest with the governor's chief guard. This was a minor scandal as the man's wife had passed away of undetermined causes only a few months prior to Lyetia moving to Akleta.
You are also able to find a suitable trinket for her, the shopkeeper also recommends something for the governor's wife.
Goblin's ? most likely but there were a bunch of room we haven't explored, but i think that it is safe to say that the clan went extinc when they fough to the last dwarf against the goblins. Do you know where that clan got their mining ore for their works? Are there still dwarven hold active in the mountain range? she ask
"Oh, there are definitely still dwarven clans in the mountains, just none nearby. The closest is probably a week and a half travel from here. I'd venture they had a mine connected to their stronghold, or at most a half hour or less from their home. Given the text of our unknown author here though, their mine must have been part of the stronghold if they only opened their doors to the outside world once every five years." Keld drums his fingers on the table beside the open book.
"The goblins will need to be cleared. Without doing any more damage to the place and dwarven relics that may yet exist. I doubt the goblins left much though." he frowns. "Perhaps the governor can be persuaded to send in a team to clear the place. Or perhaps you could finish clearing it? I can't offer much more than a couple hundred gold to such an expedition, but if he provides additional funding it could be worth a few coin."
Well we thank you for all that information.
Cindy thanks the man as well.
After they depart she speculates to Aerin. I wonder if those engineering works were designed to open the doors to to the outside world?
i have no knowledge of engineering but i would suppose so she replied
Amon follows the others listening in on their conversation. I would definitely like to get some alchemical powders added to my arrows. It almost got bad with the stone creature in the caves. Where are we headed to after we finish getting equipted?
to a party tomorrow night and after that nothing has been decided yet, you might want to check with your employer as he might have some task for you she replied
The following evening Nasha again escorts the group to the governor's party. She wears a red silk dress, showing off her slim figure, along with a pearl necklace and matching pearl studded ring on one hand.
Each of you is also dressed in finery. A dozen guards stand at attention in finely pressed clothes and polished breastplates at the main gate. A pathway lined with blazing torches, giving both light and some heat against the chill air bends around the side of the mansion, where windows blaze with bright light from inside and already a crowd of people can be seen beyond.
Entering a through a large set of double doors leads into a spacious entrance hall where a servant offers each of you a pair of slippers free of dirt and grime from the outside, and places your current footwear in a small cubby on the wall behind him. He bows politely and gestures to the arched ballroom beyond.
Inside about three dozen richly dressed people sit at tables drinking from wine from wine glasses, or dancing to softly playing music. Two women and a man are situated near the west wall, each with a different musical instrument in hand.
Near the north wall you see the governor talking with another individual, his back is turned to you slightly. A third man stands a little behind the governor, his head constantly scanning the room. This other man immediately looks your direction, but gives no sign of recognition. His expression is blank, unlike that of the many guests laughing and smiling. A bodyguard for certain.
Along the north wall is a door which you guess leads into the hallway you were escorted down early yesterday, while along the east wall is a set of swinging doors from which waft the smells of delicious food.
In the northwest corner sits a woman in a chair richly dressed with a diamond necklace and matching diadem in her hair. Nasha nods her direction and whispers, "Governor Aldings wife." She nods to several other guests politely, though none in particular stand out. "Would you like me to introduce you to the various guests or would you like to mingle on your own?"
A staircase just to your left leads up to a small balcony level where half a dozen more guests stand peering over the railing at those below.
Lyetia is currently nowhere to be seen.
Cindy, her appearance altered ever so slightly to look fully human, says quietly I for one would appreciate the introductions with proper protocol based on station. I am sure I would make a mess of it alone. And do you know if Lyetia has arrived yet? I so enjoyed speaking with her yesterday.
Aering looking like herself is dress in a fine dress of pale blue and silver, it is composed of two pieces kept together by an adjusting belt. A plane scarf is wrapped around her shoulders as the dress is open on her back.
Why not i will follow you lead Nasha as she eyes the governor's wife looking to the injuries that forced her into retirement
The governor's wife is busy chatting with several women. From here you can see that she is missing one leg from the knee down, and the other foot looks misshapen.
Nasha begins taking you around the room to the different tables where individuals are seated, introducing you by the same names given to the governor the previous day, as associates of the merchant's guild.
She interrupts a small group sitting at the first table. "This is Kuris.", a man with several scars on his arms and face, and one of the few individuals with a weapon, a bastard sword. "He is the head of the guard here in Akleta. Also Verrak and Nili."
Kuris gives a curt nod and shakes each hand in turn. "Tis good to meet you. Lyetia briefed me on your encounter in the mountains. Glad to see someone with enough spine to take care of business in an efficient manner."
Moving on to the next table. "And this bright lady is Dyna. She inherited a vast fortune from her father who was one time an adventurer. She owns quite a few farms in this area." Dyna looks to be about 25, long black hair and a few freckles. "Also Trest, another land holder, and Craig. Craig is a money changer."
"Nasha, you didn't tell me you had a handsome guest coming with you.", she gives Cormick a wink. Trest, who is sitting very close to Dyna gives a scowl.
At the third table sits a lone elf smiling widely and sipping from a wine glass. A rapier hangs from his side. He watches the musicians and doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact that he sits alone. Nasha pauses, then introduces herself, "I'm sorry. I don't believe we've met before. I am Nasha, and I look after the merchant's affairs here in Akleta."
The elven man grins as he stands up and gives a low bow, "Logan Drais. I'm just here to enjoy the wine and food - to the consternation of the good Governor Alding." he flashes his teeth in another smile. [b]"And your other friends here?" he looks over the rest of you.
Dressed in the striking finery befitting a son of a merchant house, Cormick greets each of introduced guests. With additional flourish, Cormick makes a sweeping bow and gives Dyna a kiss on the hand.
"Mistress Dyna, the reports in Coran of your beauty, do not do justice when one views the vision first hand. Cormick Egerton of the Coran Egerton Merchant House, at your bidding. Mayhap we find a moment to get acquainted with one another." Cormick says with a smile.
...
"Greeting Sir Drais. Cormick Egerton at your service. So what brings you to town? A fellow merchant by chance?"
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Ongoing Effects: Honeyed Tongue, 60 min;
As everyone starts to enjoy the party aerin will nod to cindy and head out to the ladies room accompanied by cormik
Whispering to all three I am going to head on cormick can you cast a message spell so that we can communicate in case i need cindy to dispel magical protection and a heroism on myself if something comes up
Cindy has to remind Aerin quietly that she does not know the spell Dispel Magic. We witches, like wizards learn spells and scribe them in the appropriate receptacle. Mine does not include Dispel Magic. She has memorized 2 invisibility spells for this occasion.
Cormick will cast a Message spell on the group.
Followed by Herosim on Aerin.
---------------------------------
Ongoing Effects: Honeyed Tongue, 60 min; Message (Party), 160 ft, 60 min;
make me invisible then if you please she whisper via the message spell
This will last 6 minutes. Cindy whispers as she completes the spell. She will then quickly cast Guidance on Aerin, giving her +1 to her next attack, skill check or save, if it happens within the next minute.
is there is an alarm that is sounded and security going to the office i will need you to give me detailed info from your side and is there is any guard left at the door and i will possibly need a distraction to get out.
A distraction will not be a problem. Cindy says with a somewhat wicked smile.
Trest's scowl deepens are Cormick's response and Dyna blushes deeply. "You and I will have to sit down for a chat later." she states.
Dyna's response is a practiced and calculated one, intended to irritate her companion.
Logan answers Cormick's questions cheerfully, "Today I am merely an errand boy" he laughs. "But not in behalf of the merchant's. Rather as a favor for an old friend of mine who sometimes forgets how to treat a friend with dignity."
Nasha continues to introduce others guests, taking a circular route around the room.
Mrs Alding greets you with a smile, "In a little bit you will have to tell us of your excursion among the goblins." Her face shows a look of wistfulness and longing for adventure that she can no longer participate in.
Lyetia enters the room during the introductions and gives a nod to the party then goes to mingle with the other guests.
.........
Setting into motion the plans to break into the safe a washroom is pointed out as being in the northest corner of the home. The washroom smells of freshness, certainly magic at work to keep it both clean and free of the smell of sewage.
A single guard sits in a chair in the hall blocking access to the rest of the house and presumably the stairs to the second floor.
. Then figure out what she wants to do to open the one door beyond.[/ooc]
Amon follows Cormick around looking much like a bodyguard. He chuckles a bit as Dyna seemingly attempts to make her companion jealous. He watches for trouble.
Nothing on the inside presents an obvious route. Any number of windows on the outside, if you can get them open, would allow you access to probably any room in the building.
Slipping outside Aerin, still invisible, spider climbs up to the window of the governor's formal office. The latch on the windows proves trickier than expected and it takes her almost 2 minutes to get the window open.
Once inside, by the dim light of the moon, her elven eyes can make out a richly furnished office. A painting on one wall, a small sculpture in one corner on a stand. A large oak desk sitting perpendicular to the window.
A door on the south wall likely leads to a hallway while a door behind the desk leads elsewhere.
On the desk is a small stack of papers neatly arranged. An ink quill and feathered pen, and a ornamental glass figurine such as those as might be found in the merchant Jumai's shop. The desk contains four locked drawers, Aerin's target contained in one of them.
Cindy makes her way back to the party to cover for Aerin if she is missed but is ready to move quickly to assist if needed.
While Aerin is about her work a primly dressed man of perhaps twenty, a single dagger strapped at his hip, leans over to Cormick and whispers something to him.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from Miss Nasha."
Scanning the desk you find two aura's emanating from one of the drawers.
Both are faint, one is of transmutation while the other is of the universal school of magic.