Corum looks at the box with concern.
"Maybe we hire someone local to disarm it? Should be a competent locksmith in town."
"Something is blocking the opening of this sliding door.. like something is propped against it or something. And it's cold over here... and magical... maybe magical cold? Any ideas?"
Zed shakes his head "I know almost nothing of magic outside my own"
Coming back up from the tavern with a whiskey bottle in his hand and taking a few sips he looks around the room, "So comrades, what have you all found out about this room?" Noticing them looking at some cube, "You all need Ole Braxton to disarm or pick any locks for ya?"
Holfstedt looks up and then to Warden Horne "One of those you said you had deputized, Warden sir?" Warden Horne nods silently.
"I understand. I think situation goes beyond what we expect of our local law... "
Holfstedt pulls the chair from the desk and sits while Braxton is shown to the footlocker. "Let me divulge my involvement in this matter. I sent several groups out for what they could find regarding a cube which came into our possession. I got a letter by courier from one of the groups I sent... this was after having been 4 days late checking in. The letter stated Mayor Doyle could help but was unable to travel... and to come at once with the artifact. There was something odd about the letter... a more insistent tone than Mr. Balfonin's polite nature. So I met my contact here - without the cube, and he overtook me... He became the creature which held me captive. As far as the whereabouts of the artifact...I told no one where I hid it, but I can't for the life of me remember where that was..."
"I am fortunate enough to be a man of vast resources. In addition to whatever good feelings you might experience in helping foil a yet unknown nefarious plot, I am willing to reward you well for your efforts. If we do discover something worthwhile - interesting artifacts or whatnot, I only ask to see what you have found so that I may make an offer if it suits me. I would ask that you give me until tomorrow to share what else I know. I believe it can wait, and it will give us some time to develop some trust. Besides... I believe you have enough to deal with before nightfall."
He looks at the corpse which appears identical to him. "This man has a kerchief... I never carry one."
You do not detect any hidden ill intent from Holfstedt toward you, but you are starting to pick up signs that he is being deceitful about something. He has been pushing a little too hard on impressing you, and implying his credibility... without outright saying who he is.
You return to the bath and find Suny still in the tub looking at her pruney fingers. She submerges and then pops her head out. "You know this is how I was created..." She splashes at the water. "It takes two humans both must die from drowning. I like to think I was made from two people in love... "
After drying off, she joins you for a bite to eat. She looks over at the remaining men of the dining group... now three all hunched over the table completely absorbed in several books. "Mmm whoa... aren't those the books you had on the table here?" She points with one hand, and cups under her mouth with the other in case any of the food she is chewing happens to tumble free. "I don't think they asked... Should we go teach em some manners?"
"So I'm curious as to the creatures knowledge about you, it claimed many things. Could you tell us a little more about yourself?"
Enjoying her delayed bathing time, Sunny happily snuggles and swishes with Suny in the tub. Fully relaxing and indulging herself, her new friend and making sure that every part of both of them is squeaky clean.
Sunny also takes the time to allow the soothing warm/hot water to work away on her latest bruising from her ordeal with the resent roof.
At Suy's comment about her 'birth', Sunny is very snuggle-supportive of her friend's still new predicament and says/hugs/comforts her to show it.
Eventually, dressed in just a couple of the shirts each from the traveling chest that Sunny has, the pair of them skip down to the dining room their in partaking of the feast that should be awaiting the pair.
She glances at the group of men who've commandeered her other companions reading material. With an arm around Suny, Sunny does nod in agreement (And hoping that the 'shrooms' she's enjoying aren't going to grow to cold) standing up and stepping over to this other group and saying,
"Hey-YA there!"(^_^) in her usual bright manner, "I do believe t'is un-polite ta' borrow things, last a ways with out askin'." And she indicates the books.
"Sure that I am m'freinds won't mind with tha' sharin'." She adds."So....might I be askin' ye ta' return them things ta' where m'freinds did leave them? There's bein' some good folk." (^_^) She finishes, herself still pretty much wrapped around her own friend Suny.
"Oh.. It spoke to you... about me? Well... My name is Holfstedt Moranni - as you know, and I... " He tugs his tunic.. casually covering the compass he had thought to put on before coming up to the room. "I grew up in the market district of Magnimar... took some work in the docks. By chance, I was hired - out of a line-up of random laborers, to assist an eccentric reclusive wizard. My job was to procure rare ingredients for his work. After several years of service I became less and less comfortable with what was asked of me. After our arrangement soured, I joined those who moved against him and his growing number of sinister cohorts."
"I became part of this group of collectors, scholars, and other folks who prevent certain powerful artifacts from ending up in the wrong hands. But.. we had our differences as well - stuffy lot, so I struck out on my own. I believe they still hold a grudge about how things ended between us..."
He makes a pensive expression as if trying to determine what would be relevent before bothering to state it. He shrugs, but still looks concerned. "Whatever the creature may have said about me.. well you certainly must understand that thing - as a shapeshifter, was a deceiver by nature."
Apart from some of his references to current standings with past relationships sounding like euphemisms, he seems to be on the level.
"You carry a book of the Cult of the Black Sun?! And these! Do you have any idea what these are worth?!" He points to the other two books with a silver sun on the bindings.
The eldest speaks up... first to his colleagues, "Return the books. Mr Moranni will be sure to make an offer." then to Sunny "I ask you - as a favor, that you not leave this village with those books until Mr Moranni has been informed of their existence." His tone is flat without any sign in his voice if there was a threat implied... however, his words are effective regarding the return of the books. The two younger men promptly do as they are told, and hand the books back to you.
Sunny looks at the gentleman speaking, though it's slightly obvious she has absolutely no idea about what he's talking about. When the titles and covers of the books are pointed out Sunny actually blushes and for a second hides her face in Suny's shoulder before re-gathering a small amount of composure.
"When I were learnin' ta' speak ta' peoples....I never learned ta' make sense of people's squiggles..." She admits, her face still coloured by her embarrassing admission. She uses the action of scooping the books from where these folk are reading them back to their proper place to semi cover for her emotional state.
She settles Suny in to tucking into their meal before finally skipping over and addressing the fellows finally.
"I be sure enough ta' tell them's I be travellin' with about yer comments an' I be sure ta' offer an..." She blinks, focusing on something,
"Int-er-duction!" She manages after a moment "About whut t'is ye said an' have found...an' such..." She quickly bows, simply flipping forwards at the waist and back up-right, before scampering back to her table and indulging herself with Suny and their meal.
"Now that's interesting, he claimed he was still part of such a group. Also he knew about Magnimar...perhaps they're just good at their research. Seems odd that he actually knew so much"
Bluff
Sense Motive
The younger men look like they are holding back a bit of frustration when you return to introduce yourself. The elder just nods.
After you return to your meal, you see them whisper heatedly amongst themselves for a moment before getting up and heading out the front door.
Holfstedt looks a little caught off-guard by this. "It claimed I still work for the Descendents of the Silver Sun? Hmm... what purpose would that deception serve. Not that I personally bear any ill will toward them... " He stops with a realization. Then asks, "Did it happen to mention anything... anything regarding the whereabouts of my cube?"
He appears to believe that you believe what you said. You sense that you are getting under his skin. He seems to be trying to play it cool, but is unnerved ... wondering what presumption you might be coming to regarding him. You do notice him trying to gauge your reaction to finally dropping a name.
Corum moves up to Hofstedt with a smile:
"Come, we are fellow scholars. You must travel with us and we will help you find your cube. Our interests are common and we must stick together in trying times such as these. Now let us get you to the common room in front of a fire with a stiff or hot beverage for you to sip. We must discuss travel plans."
Corum is weak, but uses his hands to get Hofstedt turned around to head out the door. At this moment with Hofstedt turned away, he manages to give Zed a pointed look and a wink.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Holfstedt is only slightly reluctant... He allows Corum to lead him to the door. "I suppose I am quite certain to collapse from exhaustion soon... I suppose it just has yet to hit me... I suppose..."
Once Corum and Holfstedt get to the door the hallway, three of Holstedt's companions are coming up the steps. The elder - a long-faced man with large drooping eyes and a greying "chin-strap" beard, motions for Holfstedt to approach. He speaks quietly in a grave whisper.
"They have three books... two of Silver Sun, and one, sir is a book of the Black Sun... a manual on the creation of Ugothols."
Holfstedt responds emphatically "What?! Where?"
"The two blond girls associated with this group... finishing their meal at the Belching Badger sir. I told them you would make an offer."
Holfstedt replies to the man whispering to him again... and again loud enough to be heard by those in and around the room. "Very good. Join me in the lounge downstairs old friends?... I have no desire to return to the Inn of my imprisonment" After patting the whispering elder colleague fraternally on the shoulder, Holfstedt turns back to your group... first to Corum "I thank you for the offer... I hope it would not be too rude of me to decline. My colleagues here are quite insistent on seeing to it themselves that I am back in good spirits." He nods with a weak smile.
Sunny sighs, though she makes the noise sound more like the appreciation for the meal than anything else.
And does indeed shovel more mouthfuls of the delicious delicacy, though her eyes are partly upon the other party as they discuss something amongst themselves before heading out the door.
Sunny scoots around besides Suny. "Here. Them fellers seem ta' be too interested in our mate's things." She whispers,
"I need ye ta' do some things. First, I want ye ta' enjoy the meal, hey?" She says with a bright and slightly envious smile,
"Then, when tha' friends get back mention every thing about them fellers whut just left an' their interest in'a books." Sunny quickly scarfs another mouthful of shrooms from the meal, wolfing it down before finishing,
"Then tell tha' fellers I've gone ta' keep an eye on them ones leavin'." So saying, she waits long enough for this new group to pass out through the front door (And past any windows looking into the dinning area) before she herself slips off her chair, gives Suny a fierce hug, and moves away to follow them.
(The stairs up are directly opposite the front door. The overheard conversation sounds like it is at the top of the steps.)
You think you hear whispering, then you hear Holstedt's voice again "Very good. Join me in the lounge downstairs old friends?... I have no desire to return to the Inn of my imprisonment"
Then a moment later.. more quietly "I thank you for the offer... I hope it would not be too rude of me to decline. My colleagues here are quite insistent on seeing to it themselves that I am back in good spirits"
You then you hear the creak of someone taking a step down the stairs.
Sunny does her best to hide (Like under the stairs?)
Not knowing what went on, and seeing the new men as potential threats, Corum acts quickly.
"I know these men are colleagues of yours, Hofstedt, but after recent events we must make sure of your safety."
Corum approaches the elder with the beard. "We are quite concerned about matters here and the safety of your friend. Before we involve the zealous dwarven inquisitor down the road, I think we should put our heads together to try and ensure his safety. I do not want to tie down the already busy local constabulary."
Corum looks to see if that statement upsets them in any way.
Perception
Zed acts true to his knowledge about the group "He didn't say the name of the group" he shakes his head "Nor of a cube" When he notices Corum questioning the colleagues he looks at them threateningly "You know these face stealers are everywhere, Corum is right"
Holfstedt does a slow weary nod of acknowledgement of Zed's elaboration.
The elder watches Corum speak, and blinks slowly then turns his eyes to Holfstedt. Holfstedt looks pensive for a moment, nods again when Zed concurs with Corum's caution, then takes a deep breath. "What do you suggest we do then? I'll speak plainly... It has come to my attention that you may have more involvement in this situation than I was led to believe. The books... If the Descendents of the Silver Sun were to find out you have them, then you will be as much of a target of theirs as I am. Though I am curious how they came into your possession, I am willing myself to keep an open mind and bite my tongue. I understand in this situation, one is prone to be rather skeptical of anyone. I also know caution is not an accusation.. on your part, ours, or anyone elses... but we cannot shackle ourselves with suspicion. So. What do you suggest?"
There is a little storage area under the stairs with stacked spindly chairs stacked upon each other. From there you would be completely concealed from any normal room-to-room movement... unless someone needs an extra chair. You hear the discussion above you.
"These books...what are their importance?"
Holfstedt steps away from his little group, and explains, "They are manuals and other writings of the combined knowledge of ancient masters of this world and beyond... The Silver Sun worked to benefit man's advancement in arcane knowledge... their main focus was surviving the apocalypse foretold by these intellectually superior otherworlders known as Eoxians. Whereas the Black Sun was a sect devoted to appeasing the otherworlders..."
"The desires of the Eoxians were dark - the appeasements were ghastly... the magnitude of arcane power unfathomable, and corruption among the Black Sun spread like rot on bread. The two groups - Silver and Black, went against each other... I do not know how the Eoxians were involved in this conflict, though one would assume they sided with the Black Sun. The Descendents have existed for centuries keeping this knowledge and these artifacts under lock and key. They formed shortly after the Cult of the Black Sun emerged from obscurity... with the first discovery of ancient artifacts. In light of recent events and information, it is my belief that under this entire area lies the underground ruins of the Silver Sun."
"The cube is a library within a well-guarded demiplane which contains these books. It was in my possession. Both the Cult of the Black Sun, and the Descendents would very much like to have it... and I fear it has already fallen into someone's hands. The fact that these books are here... means that the cube has been opened, and its defenses have been breached."
Zed listens quietly Well, this got serious quicky "How do you think these copies are involved? As part of the Black Sun?"
Though, since it seems that all is under-control, Sunny might sneak back to her shrooms and friend.
"That would be my assumption." Holfstedt looks over at Braxton taking a bit of time with the trapped footlocker. "Uh... would that not be easier if you were to put the bottle down?"
He continues... "As part of my willingness to keep an open mind regarding you, I had hoped you came across the Black Sun book recently fighting against... some evildoers?... Having no knowledge of their contents would certainly contribute to that assumption." Though speaking to your group, his words seem to be meant for his men, as well... to calm the younger two broadcasting skeptical vibes.
Above the baseboard under the stairs, there is a slat in the paneling with a break in the corner along the grain. As a result, there is a hole a little larger than a mouse hole. You see a little wooden object inside. Peering closer you see it is a wood-carved little horse... a child's toy. You now see just past it, the folded edge of a piece of paper.
Sense Motive
Braxton snips the tripwire, and pops the lock on the footlocker. Inside there is...
a spring-loaded wrist sheath
two short wands
two sets of manacles and gags
a rolled-up pocketed cloth containing...
six dark pitted metal knives, and a nice set of thieves tools.
Sunny reaches carefully into the space and removes the toy first and then the note. Using the faint light coming in through the hole She tries to read the message contained within its folds.
The note looks like it was ripped from a journal. It reads...
"My name is Thulfi Horth, and I am twelve. I came here with my dad... he said go play but their son is creepy! I hid and listened. Father told his friends he was leaving me and my brother here!! He said someone would come and make us forget who we are!! Help me! I am hiding here. If you help me, you can have my horse, Oakee.
PS Father is angry because my brother fought with him, and he knew we found the Sleeping Ferry. My brother said he is a bad man and would tell me why later but what if father makes him forget that too?!
Sleeping Ferry is real!! We woke up on the other side of the river!!"
Lyrralt has been standing in the background calmly but steps up at this time.
"How long have you known about the activity of these Ugothols and whatever else may be aligned with them?"
Holfstedt's eyes scan quickly over the contents of the footlocker as they are examined.
He responds to Lyrralt "I know now the wizard I worked for as a young man was part of the Black Sun Cult. It was when I discovered he was drowning innocents... attempting a ritual he did not fully understand that I left him. I was told by the Descendents of the Silver Sun that he had been trying to create these things... these ugothols." he points to the splatter of ugothol remains on the floor... "My capture here was my first face-to-face encounter... that I know of. I did not realize the manual on their creation was... in circulation..."
Suny's Will Save:
Yes...Sunny is making an rather loud exclamation at her surprise AND her realization!
"Pickle me Grandmother!"
Varian tries to force the closet door open, despite the cold emanating from it.
Corum congratulates Braxton: "Well done. Let me see what we got here."
The elf casts and concentrates on the loot.
"Indeed, that success deserves a drink." With that the brutish alchemist take another tug of his bottle of whiskey. "So we get anything good there elf?"
+1 longsword (the black blade)... there is also a lingering power similar to that of an arcane bonded item.
(6) +1 cold iron daggers
wand 1 (unidentified)
wand of sleep CL3 18 charges
The "Moranni Group" turns, and the elder peers over the bannister when they hear Sunny's exclamation of surprise.
"Everything alright down there?" The elder continues moving his head around... suggesting he does not see who spoke.
The sliding door resists Varian's first attempts to force it open. The first time it just barely budges. With the second attempt he is able to wedge his fingers in once it moves the inch.
Ciorum smiles,
"We have six cold iron daggers and a longsword minimally enchanted. We also have a wand of sleep excellent for someone who can manipulate magic devices or can use minor magic. I can use it, but the magic is such that I would rarely use it. The last wand is magical--I would like to hold on to it until I discover its properties."
Corum takes the unknown wand and gestures to the pile. "Please, take what you can use gentlemen and ladies. I may take a dagger if one is left, but I disdain the use of weapons. If no one can effectively use the wand of sleep, I will probably take it."
He looks at Lyrralt:
"I think this wand of sleep may be perfect for you."
"I wouldn't mind the longsword as a backup weapon, but I will not take it if someone else needs it more... "
"Can someone help me force this door open... there is something magical, and cold, beyond the door, but it's stuck."
Zed takes a dagger, then eyes the longsword "I'll take it if nobody else wants it, it looks well made, but I prefer my morningstar"
"Thank you, Corum. This could come in handy. Do you by any chance know how many charges are left on it?"
"Eighteen is my accurate estimate. The spell was powered at higher level than that required to cast it, so that should make the slumber imposed last longer."