Feeling foolish at his outburst as he realizes the levity in their words Bahram pinches his nose and closes his eyes as he feels a headache coming on.
Waving his hand dismissively he mutters an apology "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just.." *sigh* "..It's just that I'm sure she tried to get me for herself back at the battlemarket."
Shrugging as he explains, "I just don't relish the thought of mating with a beast, let alone being 'owned' by one."
Rashid gives Juluce a thoughtful look.
"Well, from the sounds of things, it is probably in both our best interests to see that the remaining bugbear is eliminated. I dare say the pretext of needing his assistance to 'deal' with a prize that needs to be kept away from the prying eyes of the Gnolls would probably be a satisfactory one to get him to come down here.
What do the rest of you think?"
Listening to the discussion regarding Bahram's future tryst with the harpy, Rashid cannot help but smile.
"Bahram, I don't think any of us are actually suggesting that you *should* willingly become her play-thing. However, if she does find you attractive, we could certainly use that to our advantage in recruiting her as an ally..."
As everyone seems to disagree with him, Bahram deflates a little. Looking down he mutters a 'very well' then looks at Julus and adds, "You should probably go get the brother then, if you go now we should prepare our ambush. If you wish, you could come with us to the west wing first but it is probably better not to keep the brother waiting."
we could allso sneak out of town and than come back. i think we are out of healing and so far it seems we get hit pretty hard, than down we go. oh wish i could turn into a bird like that old man said i might be able to do someday. fly fly away. yes that would be nice. waves hands up and down some mimicking a bird, lost in thought.
"Uh, before we send out for these guys bro, we should check upstairs and clear out anything that might be up there so as we don't get hit from behind. All of us."
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"Uh, before we send out for these guys bro, we should check upstairs and clear out anything that might be up there so as we don't get hit from behind. All of us."
Juluce opens his mouth as if to speak, then closes it again, shrugs, and follows the rest of the group, commenting,
'We should have a few hours before "elder brother" gets worried... and I don't mind taking a share of whatever lost treasure we may find in this place!'
Heading up the stairs in the west wing, to the middle floor, the senses are assailed by the pungent odour of animal filth as the group emerge into another series of corridors and rooms bedecked with ornately patterned tiles... much of which seems to be smeared with faecal matter, the rotting remains of fruit, and other unsanitary things. The 'screaming and laughing' can be heard clearer now, echoing down the corridors, and it seems more animalistic than it perhaps first appeared...
At first glance most of the rooms on this level seem in an even poorer state than their counterparts in the east wing, but you do notice one solid-looking door of some variety of black wood heavily reinforced with bronze studding, about halfway down what appears to be the main corridor through the wing...
The animal noises seem to be coming from further down the corridor, not from the solid-looking door.
unskilled nature's perception
Yousef places his hands on his hips as he whistles. "Nice door. Usually something behind one of these is quite valuable. Let's see what's inside." Yousef checks the door for traps, while making sure he does not touch the monkey poop.
if there be wild animals in there, i may be able to calm them. my teacher explaned how it works and i practiced on rats and such. if not here and encounter animals try wild empathy if can
Knowledge(Nature)
Perception
Appraise
"Keldar, by the sound (and smell) of it, we have a gaggle of baboons up here. It might be best if we do not go looking for trouble... those things can have a nasty bite..."
Rashid's attention is drawn to the dark stain across the door...
"Hmmm... I wonder what that is... Yousef? do you have any idea?"
Regarding the door more closely, Rashid's eyes momentarily glint with avarice, but then he gives a frustrated sigh.
"Well, if only we had the time, that door would be worth a lot of money, or we could craft some exceptional shields from it..."
Rashid eyes Yousef's cursory search of the door with trepidation...
"Yousef, if you think that the door might be trapped, by all means, take your time..."
"Yousef, if you think that the door might be trapped, by all means, take your time..."
Yousef, who is about to pull the door open, gives it a better check for traps.
"That dark stain is poop. Don't touch it! Though Bahram, I do hear monkey poo is an aphrodisiac to harpies heh heh heh."
knowledge nature
perception
appraise
"Oh yes, quite expencive." says Bahram dreamily as he strokes the door imagening how much it was worth and wondering if they could get the thing off it's hinges.
Turning from it with a sigh at Yousef's comments he smiles to him and replies "Well maybee you should grab some then. It certainly couldn't hurt your chances." raising his eyebrows with a 'hmmm' he adds "And besides. Rashid is asking about the dark stain drawn in a line accross the floor and up the walls." he says, pointing it out to Yousef.
"The baboons sound to be about half a dozen, I could be wrong though. Maybee we will have no need to disturb them. Let's take this one door at a time eh?"
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After examining the door more closely, Yousef suddenly turns a shade paler, making his skin look more ashy than brown. He swallows, then says to Bahram. "Uh...you guys. Just kidding about this being baboon crap. It's blood, and I know what caused it. Wish me luck, and...stand back. If this goes it could get messy."
Nature
Perception
Nature
Appraise
From a very generous distance, Lavender speaks through gritted teeth as she watches Yousef break into a cold sweat on the trapped door. Soo..Mr. Rashid and Mr. Keldar, how are we on healing potential..?
Appraise 1d20. Soo..Mr. Rashid and Mr. Keldar, how are we on healing potential..?
out
Bahram goes quiet at Yousef's sudden seriousness, swallowing he steps back to give him space to work. 'Yeah, good luck with that.'
Rashid places a steadying hand on Yousef's shoulder.
"Yousef, if you believe that there is some kind of trap on the door, then you should not take any risks. I think you would benefit from the divine Guidance of the Dawnflower."
Rashid places a steadying hand on Yousef's shoulder.
"Yousef, if you believe that there is some kind of trap on the door, then you should not take any risks. I think you would benefit from the divine Guidance of the Dawnflower."
Yousef feels the energy of this, Dawnflower? As he works at the trap, his pick slips just a little. The half-orc's adams apple bobs as he swallows big. That's it. I'm done for this time. Then the pick slips into just the right space. [i]Whew. Go Dawnflower![/b]
"Oh my gods. Dawnflower? Whatever you are, thanks a bunches. Rashid, kick ass!"
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Having what may well be the first real religious experience of his life Yousef's strangely guided fumble with his pick leads to both the door's lock opening with a satisfying 'click', and the feeling descending on the half-orc that he now owes his worthless rogue's skin to someone in a very high place...
With the door unlocked (and no new additions to the ominous stain...) it's easy enough (and Yousef judges, safe enough) to push open...
... The room inside apears to be an impressive office of some kind, maybe a full twenty foot square. Dominating the far side of the room is a solid-looking wooden desk. Behind the desk and against the walls to either side stand tall sets of shelves, stocked with rolls and rolls of scrolls, and the occassional heavy leather-bound book. The floor of the room is covered in finely woven rugs, and the walls behind the shelves sport the ornate tiles common to the rest of the level (although in contrast to the ape-poo covered ones outside the room, these appear to be nice and clean - as is the whole room). A single unholstered chair sits behind the desk, and on the desk itself is a selection of quill pens, ink bottles, a leather-bound book which is open about half way and appears (at a glance) to have writing down maybe a third of the left-hand page, and - strangely - three dates (the fruit that is) in a small silver dish, which seem to be perfectly fresh.
While an oil-lamp sits on the corner of the desk, it's unlit, and the only light entering the room is through the open door.
Yousef steps into the room, heading strait towards the oil lamp and gives it sniff, trying to determine if there is a burnt smell to it.
Bahram mutters a few words under his breath as he steps gingerly into the room. As he crosses the threshold his eyes glow a soft blue and he scans the room.
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From his examination of the lamp, and the thin layer of dust he now notices across much of the room, Yousef judges that it hasn't been occupied for years.
While mystically examining the room, Bahram also notices that, although not magical itself, the open book on the desk appears to be written in the complex and often baffling notations of magic-related text .
From his examination of the lamp, and the thin layer of dust he now notices across much of the room, Yousef judges that it hasn't been occupied for years.
"Weird. Lamp doesn't smell like its been used, but those dates are fresh. Bahram?"
'There is high magick on many items in here.' Bahram says entering the room fully and walking to the desk. There he mutters other arcane words and examins the book. 'I would like some time to examine the magicks on these many items.' he says absentmindedly as the leafs through the pages.
"Those dates are magical Yousef, please don't touch anything"
Rashid gives Yousef a broad grin.
"I am glad that the radiance of the Dawnflower was able to enlighten you!"
Rashid then moves into the room.
"I suggest that everyone move into the room before the baboons realise that we are here. I would prefer that they did not mess-up either the contents of this room, or us, for that matter..."
Once the last person is inside, he will close the door behind them, shutting us inside the room.
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
"Those dates are magical Yousef, please don't touch anything"
"Just like that date with Undrella is going to be magical? heh heh heh." Yousef clasps his hands behind his back, looks up at nothing on the ceiling, and whistles a poorly toned tune.
as a slave learned to get sleep when could, so goes into room choosing a nice corner with rugs and take a nap. first though collect some of that ink and a quill. plus paper for mapping.
Detect Magic
Lavender goes strait towards the glowing wall...
Hmm...Illusion perhaps?
Knowledge Aracana
Spellcraft
Without looking away from the wall...Mr. Yousef, would you please stop harpying on Mr. Bahram, and kindly bring your gnolledge of traps over here and help me check out this wall.
Additional Spellcrafts for the other objects as needed once Lavender realizes she has no idea what is going on with this wall...
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
Spellcraft
"Sure thing." Yousef heads over to Lavender and takes a look at the wall.
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Cast Read Magic and examine the writing, would like to take 20 on all those checks if the group will wait for Bahram to do so. Otherwise take 10 if it will suffice.
As Rashid closes the door behind the group a loud 'click' confirms it's again locked...
The amount of magic in the room is obviously overwhelming, as the mystics appear to fall short of being able to identify most of it. As Bahram examines the book left open on the desk, Rashid pulls down the book on the shelf to see what it contains, and Lavender opens the desk drawer:
Pulling down the book which seems to hide a magical aura (a slim leather-bound volume entitled 'A Chronology of the Camel') Rashid opens it to fine that it's a false book - the pages blank with their centres removed to make room for a small storage space. Inside the book he finds a well-crafted silver ring, engraved all round with a feather motiff...
Opening the desk drawer, Lavender finds nothing but a small marble of what appears to be carved sandstone...
While Bahram, Rashid, and Lavender seemingly (to those lacking such mystical gifts) spend a great deal of time staring intently at random objects and walls, Yousef tries the old fashioned method: he finds no evidence of traps on the wall with the magical aura, but after a minute's contemplation, simply sticks his hand through it - revealing it's illusiory nature!
Keldar (perhaps wisely) starts to snore quietly in the corner of the room (away from all the fuss)...
Holding up the tome Bahram explains "This is the journal of the former guild master. It is a methodical description of the path to become one of the Genie Binders. What have you found?"
As they discuss theire findings Bahram suggests they hold on to the dates, quill and the marble slab for further investigations.
"Well, there was nothing magical about this book, but it did contain a ring, which most certainly was."
Rashid holds aloft the ring.
"From what I can tell, this ring will allow anyone who wears it to fall any distance without harm, gliding to safety as if held aloft by wings."
Looking up from her perplexing marble...Hey! I thought it was an illusion! whats in there Yousef? I found a magic marble! I wonder what it does?
Lavender has a sparkle in her eye, unless this thing seems like a single use item, or someone stops her, Lavender is going to attempt to activate it blindly to help her determine what it does... However for this round Lavender is going to study it to at least determine what school it is from.
Sticking his head through the illusian, Yousef replies, "I don't know yet."
rolls over to see what others are doing. ah, still looking through boring books. shuts eyes again.
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Lavender has a sparkle in her eye, unless this thing seems like a single use item, or someone stops her, Lavender is going to attempt to activate it blindly to help her determine what it does... However for this round Lavender is going to study it to at least determine what school it is from.
Despite studying the small sandstone ball intently, Lavender gleans no further information on it...
Sticking his head through the illusion, Yousef encounters...
... what appears to be an extension of the office, or rather, the 'rest' of the room, roughly the same size again. This area appears to be laid out like some sort of magical workshop: there's a large space in the centre of the floor where the rugs have been pulled aside and a circle of mystical-looking symbols, about three feet across, inscribed in some sort of glittering powder; in the centre of this circle is a small wooden table, on which stands an ornate brass bottle. In front of the circle is a wooden lectern, on which rests a scroll of parchement, covered once more in mystical sigils, and a quill pen with a small bottle of ink. Around the three walls of the room (that is to say, not the wall Yousef's head is sticking through) are wooden tables covered in alchemical gear, a large carved-wooden wardrobe, and a large bronze-bound wooden chest (with a large keyhole in the front).
As noone seems to mind Bahram shrugs and takes the quill and the three dates of the desk for future study.
Growing apprehensive when Yousef sticks his head into the illusionary wall he reaches out a hand as if to stop him but stops himself before he says anything. Instead he turns to the books in the office and scans the titles.
"Bahram, I have no objection to you holding-on to the dates and quill until we can work out what exactly they are."
Rashid shakes his head at Yousef's impulsiveness.
I hope that does not get him killed one of these days...
Once he ascertains that Yousef's headless corpse does not hit the ground in front of the wall, and therefore that there is probably not a decapitation trap on the wall, Rashid closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and steps through the wall.
Once on the other side, he quickly takes in the rooms lay-out.
"Yousef, please do not step inside the circle. Why don't you search the wardrobe and chest for traps, and then open them?"
Rashid then casts Detect Magic, and begins to systematically scan the room.
"Uh, yeah. Ok." Yousef shrugs his shoulders and steps all the way through the illusion and walks over to the items Rashid has indicated.
Lavender holds up the marble and wills it to do something...anything!
ALAKAZAAM!
Use Magic Device
Assuming nothing teribble happens once she tries this for good or for worse she makes her way into the next room and joins in with the fun with Detect Magic.
Laughing at Lavanders antics with the marble Bahram looks curiously at her asking, "You hold no fear of the arcane? My uncle would say respect but he was a terribly slow and maticulus man."
If he finds nothing interresting i the book titles he will follow through the wall, holding his breath as he steps through, and join in the detect magic party.
arcana
spellcraft
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Like most books, the ones in the office turn out to be hand written and bound, without titles anywhere on their exteriors. However, browsing through some of the various books and scrolls, Bahram comes to the conclusion that there seems to be (without taking a full inventory) two types of written work here: various mundane business records to do with the operations of the guild, and the guildmaster's collection of works to do with genie binding and related issues.
ALAKAZAAM!
Despite Lavender's invoking of great words of power, she fails to get the marble to do anything... at least, as far as she can tell. On the bright side, it doesn't blow up, so there's that to be thankful for...
Yousef, meanwhile, finds no traps on either the wardrobe or the chest. The wardrobe isn't even locked, and contains a selection of finely tailored robes of expensive silks, all with the guild emblem (formed of the Kelish letters for 'K', 'T', and 'A' intertwined into a golden circle) embroidered on them, as well as matching turbans and hats. Most impressive, however, is a weighty-looking chain of office with a large medallion etched with both the guild emblem and a stylised representation of the town of Kelmarane. The large chest is, unsurprisingly, well and truly locked.
The magically-sensitive trio focus their efforts on the newly discovered room...
Yousef wraps one of the expensive robes around himself before squatting down by the chest with his lockpicks as he attempts to open the lock.
He then places the gold emblem around his neck and turns around, saying "Yeah-Yah!" as he makes the [i]sign of the horns[/b].
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Despite looking spiffing in his new togs, Yousef's best efforts fall short of tricking open the superior quality lock on the chest. He recalls a story where Lucky Farouq was said to have managed to open an 'un-pickable' lock with nothing more than a swift kick and a prayer to Sivanah... but seriously doubts that such a tactic would work here...
Eyes glowing blue Bahram examines the circle and scroll. When he reads over the scroll he mutters arcane words and studies it again.
"I can't believe it!" Bahram mutters under his breath as he realizes what the circle and scroll do. Visions of his uncles summonings roll through his head as a feeling of great elation fills him.
"This circle and scroll are a complete binding spell. Everything is at the ready, the creature is bound and the bargain struck." he explains.
Grabbing the quill he brandishes it and states; "Stand clear! I will attempt to finish the casting!"
With that Bahram writes his name at the bottom of the scroll!!!
Caster level check
Yousef grabs the chest and shakes it. "You sonovab%!#$ OPEN!!" Then he remembers the bugbear club that Keldar grabbed. He rushes out of the room through the illusion, grabs the club and runs back towards the chest with a scream. Open damnit!!" Then he raises up the club and brings it down on the chest.
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Whilst Bahram demonstrates that the pen is, indeed, mightier than the sword, Yousef applies the oldest of workmen's adages as he gives the locked chest 'a little tap'... just to loosen it...
... The spiked club smashes down upon the poor, unprotected, wooden chest, breaking off splinters (from both chest and club) and sending one heck of a vibration down Yousef's arms as the chest proves to be of pretty solid construction...
"Stand clear! I will attempt to finish the casting!"
Despite his concerns only moments previous about the recklessness of both Yousef and Lavender, Bahram completes the spell knowing that the bargain has been struck... but not bothing to check what exactly that bargain was...
Lavender and Rashid, both still concentrating on their detection spells...
Even to those lacking mystical senses it's hard to miss that Bahram's triggered something as the circle of silvery dust flares for a moment with arcane fire, then is gone...
For a long moment nothing more seems to happen...
Then, a sound not unlike a yawn seems to escape the ornate brass bottle on the wooden table in the centre of the room...
Finally a wisp of green smoke-like vapour issues forth from the neck of the bottle, coalescing into the figure of a female genie! A female genie barely a foot tall...
The mini-genie appears to be an attractive female from the waist up, with pale green skin and pointed elfin ears. Her hair is a darker green and trails down her back until it mingles with the wisp of green mist which she has in place of legs. A veil of gossamer blue silk covers the lower half of the genie's face, a tiny bejewelled blue vest and ornate golden bracers her only other adornments. She stretches, yawns again, then bows to Bahram,
'Finally, Master,' she chids in a high-pitched voice, 'you said you "just needed to go and see what all the noise was about" - and that was twenty-five years ago!' as she quotes, the genie's voice becomes that of a powerful-sounding man with a Katapeshi accent... presumably that of the person she's mimicing... her 'Master'...
Still bowed, she opens one eye - an eye full of elemental light - and glances at Bahram... then opens the other eye, and stops bowing. Hands on her hips she pouts as she declares,
'Who are you? You're not my Master, he...' she trails off, as if suddenly realising something, then quickly holds up her hands, as if in apology, '... No, you must be my Master,' she announces, 'or I'll never fulfil this stupid contract! You've...' she looks thoughtful, then snaps her fingers, '... ah yes!' she flies over to Bahram, looping round his head, then staring into his eyes, 'Of course - it's obvious you've been wishcrafted Master - I can see it now. Forgive my not recognising you when I first awoke - you look years younger and...' she giggles, '... kind of less experienced...'
Swooping through the air to once more hover in front of Bahram the genie bows once more and formally announces,
'I am your humble slave, Zaina, Master - your wish, as they say, is my command!'
Yousef curses as his arms tingle before taking another swing at the chest. CRASH!
.... a tiny bejewelled blue vest and ornate golden bracers her only other adornments. She stretches, yawns again, then bows...
Yousef looks up from the chest he is 'opening' to stare at the genie.
...then opens the other eye, and stops bowing.
Then looks back at the chest and makes another swing. SMASH!
Swooping through the air to once more hover in front of Bahram the genie bows once more...
...and once more, Yousef has stopped swinging at the chest to stare at the genie.
'Oh my..' is what escapes Bahram's lips as he is momentarily stunned by the results. Raking his brain he tries to summon up everyrhing he knows about genies and genie craft.
know arcana
know plains
spellcraft
Nodding his head "Yes Zaina, I am your master. I have sigend the contract and therefore sealed the bargain." he says matter of-factly. "Wait one moment please. he says, holding up a finger.
Turning back to the contract he casts read magic again and reads it thoroughly.