Sami's eyes go wide at news of tiny town. "No." she shakes her head, trying to mentally deny it. She shudders, looking down at her feet, "Lt Banmor is out in the plains somewhere between here and Gumlat. We have not heard from him in over a week."
"Dev is missing. We haven't seen him in a couple of days. Digger and Jake have most likely fled the city by now, but if not the inn keep at The Crow may know where to look for them."
Miss Cena departs with a tank you, looking at least partially relieved.
Roland offered a sympathetic smile to the irfrit woman as gravity of her situation, and quite possibly second thoughts about her former allies, took hold. He nodded, adding, this is exactly why I had hoped to speak with you before anyone else, Rocosmia. It is clear that Hezek and Banmor planned far more than an attack on the government. They were clearly ready to kill scores of innocents with utter disregard. My hope was that you were as reasonable as I had heard, truly committed to the welfare of this beleaguered city. It heartens me to see my suspicions proved correct.
Following this bit of encouragement, he pressed forward for more information but kept his sympathetic, encouraging tone. Regarding the questions I asked before, I will need more information to press the case for leniency. We know who your associates were, but require more detail about them. Tell me what you know of Digger, Dev and Jake, any detail could be important. We suspect that LT Banmor confided in one of them with his more nefarious plans, to control the rest. Do you know of any confidants or relationships they had in the city? Also, what do you know of the one called Vower? Regarding LT Banmor, why would he be in the plains between Gumlat and here, rather than in Gumlat itself? What do you know of his future plans? Finally, I'll need to hear you tell me your true name. A formality perhaps, but important to convey as part of my plea for leniency on your behalf.
"I am Rocosmia, as you seem to already know."
"Jake has a sister, Mary, or Maria, that came to study in the tower. He has not heard from her in several years, and like me he doesn't like what is being done to the poor in this city. He has a friend, Puck, who he sometimes calls from another realm, mostly to scout things out."
"Digger grew up on the streets here, but didn't like where that life was leading him, or the associations with it. Wanted to make something better for himself. He never spoke about his family, so I don't know if he has any left living."
"As for Dev, I don't know where he has gone to or why he left. But he seldom spoke. Spent a lot of time whittling away at wood, carving... strange figurines. Men, but twisted and deformed, or nightmarish looking creatures. These reflect himself and vower in many ways. What little he did share, he said he doesn't remember much, from more than a year ago. He is mishapen like the figurines he carves, and his eidolon, Vower, is horrifying to look upon. A black feathered beast with eyes and mouths and fingers and tentacles."
"Lt Banmor has been watching the supply wagons running between here and Gumlat. He has not shared what future plans he might have."
After a good nights rest the group heads to the library to investigate further. Cena shows the way to the basement and a long narrow room stacked with books and other oddities piled on boxes and narrow shelves lining the walls.
Several library guards fidget nervously, standing guard near a 3' wide hole in the floor, a large mound of dirt heaped up beside and farther back into the room. What can only be Kel, an elderly man laid out on the floor, looking peaceful save for the front left of his skull has been caved in. A large smear of blood is on the wall nearby, strands of Kel's hair stuck to the wall there.
"We had a priest cast gentle repose on poor Kel." Cena explains. "But other than laying out his body from where it was, we haven't touched anything."
"The guards also reported to me this morning that that were noises coming from the hole last night for a brief period of time. Someone or something shrieking."
Following the interrogation of Rocosmia, Roland made his way up to the main Tower halls and happily shared with anyone still awake the information the irfrit captive had provided. He also made a point to seek out Ukalo, Ah, there you are! Well, our little red canary bird in the dungeons is singing sweetly. You remember about our good friend LT Banmor? It seems he is watching supply wagons running from here to Gumlat. Might want to get someone on that, he adds, and provides Rocosmia's description of Banmor. Good night! Disguised as a merchant caravan guard from Isstus Hold, Roland then decided to celebrate the day's events with several drinks at the Iron Gullet before returning to the Tower (changing his guise to that of a guard en route half way, there and back) for a few hours of sleep.
The last to awaken in the morning, Roland had not caught word of the group's plan at the Temple of Abadar until morning. Still a bit groggy, he took the time to clean up and wash in an effort to revive himself for the day. Yes, yes, you go on, I'll be there before you know it, he told Leo as the group was heading to the Temple. For a moment he thought about the coincidence of his impersonation of an Abadarian inquisitor, with the group now heading to the Abadar Temple for some new concern, but let the notion pass. About 10 minutes after the rest of the party had left, Roland strolled out towards the Tower grounds, changing his disguise to that of a common tower guard before leaving. He then headed towards the Temple of Abadar, ducking into an abandoned alley to call forth his ancestor's spirit. As the silvery, 4-armed, armored form came into being he folded it into the guard disguise and travelled the rest of the way to the temple. There he joined the group, winking at Serelina, both in hopes of getting a reaction and letting her know that it was him.
Ian leans over the pit and grimaces. "The fun never stops workin' for the Tower... I'm sure it's all t+@% and sunshine down there," he grumbles and draws his sword, looking for a way to get down without landing on his ass.
Having her sight restored, Serelina informs the group that she will be taking some time to recover and prepare before moving forward. She expresses confidence that the group can attend to a hole dug in a library without need of her magic.
The hole is narrow enough that one could climb down into it with hands and legs spread eagle, assuming the hard packed dirt doesn't give way and will support the weight.
Holding a light over the hole reveals the hole opens wider about 10' down, and another 15' below that a pile of loose dirt spreads out where it must have fallen in from the hole.
Looking around, the most sturdy thing to tie a rope to looks to be the door, threading the rope between hinge edge of the door and the door frame. The large metal hinges should easily support several hundred pounds of weight.
Preparing to search the hole, Roland threads a rope through the door hinge. After checking it for sturdiness, he lowers himself down through the hole, motioning the others to follow.
Ian rests a hand on the rope as Roland descends--just in case. Once Roland's down, he slings his greatsword and rappels down after him.
"Whatdya think this time, demons?"
Roland climbs down, followed right after by Ian, into the darkness.
They find themselves in a wide brick passage running east to west, arched support columns of fine workmanship every 30', though time has taken some toll on them. Dust crowds around the corners of the floor and walls, but the main thoroughfare has seen use and is free of dust, though an occasional crumbled brick where it has fallen out of a wall or ceiling breaks up the monotony.
Rather than having you sit out of the game for what could be several weeks or a month (or more), feel free to add 2 days worth of spells to your book, and join back up with the group in the library.
Roland stood in the dusty underground corridor with Ian as they wait for the others to climb down. The aasimar looked around with a frown, Odd, this seems to be some kind of catacombs. Did no one remember this was here? Seems like the kind of thing the City would know of. Not that I would want that job, but really someone should be on this, yes? Regardless of any answer, Roland responds with a shrug to Ian's question. All things are possible, I suppose. But what demon likes to dig? Seems as likely to me that some plot by Anthony and his people might be at work here. Could also be some connection to Ukalo's snake-arm woman, but what exactly... He let the question hang in the air.
After everyone is down, Roland took a few moment to cast a few spells on himself. Glancing down both ways the hallway goes, he looks to the others? West?
"Can't see much down here...Got a light?"
Ian unslings his sword and waits for the others.
"This ought to be fun." says Rilumin, looking down the gaping hole.
Leo will prepare and cast remove blindness on Serelina of course, being gracious and polite to her all the while. If possible, he'd show up at the library early to reassure Cena and take a sample of Kel's blood, which he will cast Blood Biography upon, and then save for later.
While Ian and Roland make their descent, Leo learns what he can from the dead man.
Who: Kel
What: Male, human, librarian
How: I heard music in the basement, upon investigating I found a man with a lyre, he grabbed me by the head and shoulders and thrust me violently against the wall.
When: Yesterday evening, around 7:00 PM.
Leo takes with him, The antiplague, the antitoxin, and the smelling salts from the group stash before heading out.
He disguises himself fairly close to his actual look, though omitting his gear and cloak. A young looking man with pale hair, pale skin, matching brown eyes and a smart vest and shirt like he would normally wear while not out fighting the city's chaos.
Showing up at the Library, he introduces himself to Cena as the one she had met the previous night. "Many of our team should be here shortly, but I'd like to talk and take a look around before we check the hole out." he begins.
Taking a vial out to collect Kel's blood, he asks to be left alone with the body for a moment. "Worry not, as one librarian to another I promise to treat him with respect. I know some may find necessary magics uncomfortable, and don't wish you any unease." but won't complain if she chooses to stay.
Upon having the vial filled with the man's blood, Leo casts his spell and thinks over the answers listed there. He rolls it up and puts it in a scroll case for now.
With that done, he'll leave the room and speak with Cena once more.
"Tell me, is there anyone around who enjoys playing a lyre?"
When the team shows, Leo approaches Ian and Rilumin while they wait for the frequently late Roland. "Are either of you at all trained in the examination of corpses? The mundane kinds that is. Tell me, what is the man's cause of death? We should do our best to come to our OWN conclusions as much as possible. Something here is a bit unusual" he grins.
Getting ready to descend into the hole, Leo releases his disguise (except for his eyes), and casts light on his shield. "of course." he says to the guardsmen. "Sight is the most basic of knowledge a servant of Nethys can bring. Just ask our absent wizard." he gives Ian a snarky wink, and follows into the tunnel.
On Ian's bet for what they'll find, Leo hmms. "Maybe... Maybe..." he says cryptically, uncertainly.
Ian shrugs and gestures at the bloody spot on the wall. "Bit of his hair stuck there, in the blood. He hit that hard enough to kill him. Far as who or what did it, I got no idea--but it takes a good hit to cave a man's head in like that."
"A lyre?" Cena seems confused by the question. "You could probably find a lyre player over on Garden Street, but... I don't understand what you need a musician for."
You don't find anything more about Kel than is already known.
With everyone descending to the passage below, and Leo providing a light source, the group starts moving west.
After moving just a short distance, a pair of opposing doors on the north and south walls can be seen, while the wide passage continues further into the darkness.
About the same time the lead person reaches the doors, the floor of the passage to the west can be seen to drop away into a hole, only a narrow ledge along the north wall remaining of the original floor.
Roland glanced around the gloomy catacombs as the group advanced down the corridor. Well, this place is certainly joyous. Really ought to plan my next big party here...if I planned, that is. The group stopped at the doors and Roland frowned as the floor in front dropped away. Ah yes, traps. They seem to favor such things in crypts. An accompanying eye-roll and heavy sigh made it very clear how the aasimar felt about such places. He then took a moment to check both doors for traps. Roland then nodded toward the north door and said, this one first? and, upon hearing no objections, opens it.
"When do you find time to have parties with this gig?" Leo asks in slight indignation and disbelief, commenting on their usual work hours.
He points his shield this way and that, casting light as they go.
Looking into the dark, Leo offers a suggestion. "We'll be without our own light for a second, but I can drop an arrow to see how deep it is" he glances to Rilumin.
Roland examines both doors, finding a trap on each, a scythe set to extend from a hidden panel in the nearby archway to cut downward on a hand pushing on the door handle.
Ignoring the doors for just a moment he moves closer to the hole in the floor. It is a 20' drop into some kind of natural cavern. Loose bricks, crumbling mortar and earth and stone forming a pile where the cavern roof collapsed.
The floor in the center of the passageway is sagging, and likely would not bear much weight. While near the walls the floor is, at least to appearances, as flat as the original passage, likely on account of better support beneath. The gap to the other side is 15', or 25' if one wanted to jump it and be sure to avoid any portion of the sagging floor.
Looking from a safe distance, the cavern can be seen extending to the south.
"Well then, I see I wasn't missed too much." The wizardess strides into the area catching up. "It seems there is a bit more to this than a hole in a library. Did we investigate to see if anything was removed from the Library, some ancient arcane tome or some such? Seems a lot of trouble to go through otherwise."
Roland laughed as Leo asked where he found the time for parties. Less sleep my good man! The wee hours always hold the most mischief as well,... he said, with more than a little twinkle in his eye. Hearing the wizardess climb down to join the group, the aasimar's eyes narrowed and he asked the others, did anyone just feel a cold draft? Brrrr... He then turned around and in a cheerful tone added, Bellafini! So nice of you to join us. I trust you slept well?
Afterward, Roland frowned taking in the doors. Well, if anyone feels like they have an appendage they don't really want anymore, opening either of these doors should remedy the problem. Anyone care to disarm this?
Serelina says, "Back away from the doors." She then directs an unseen force to open the doors one at a time.
Ian watches the exchange, then nods as Serelina takes care of it and opens the doors for them. "I appreciate you, Ms. Bellafini," he offers reassuringly.
"Oh, Wizard Bellafini! I didn't think you'd be joining us." Leo says, respectfully.
He watches with interest as Serelina explores a magical solution to the problem they face. One advantage the criminals in the city have over the city watch.
Starting with the northern door, the unseen servant pushes it inwards slightly, there is a slight click and a scythe blade drops downward from a crevice that opens in the archway. It stops just shy of striking the floor, then slowly begins retracting back the way it came.
From the corner of your eye, you catch the movement of something in the pit to the west.
"It looks like the trap will reset. Ian, do you think you could catch and break it so it cannot return?"
Roland smiles as Serelina requests Ian's aid, yes, please do try to catch the sharp blade! Just as he said it in his normal irreverent tone, a slight flicker in the aasimar's eyes and a hint of a frown came over his face before he began casting a spell. Leo and Serelina easily identify it as Message. In a hushed whisper, starting with Serelina, then moving to Leo, Rilumin and Ian in order he said: Saw some movement down in the pit to the west, be on your guard
Ian responds immediately to Serelina, narrowly catching the back of the scythe with his gauntlets and bending it aside.
"Hells that was close," he chuckles, adrenaline in his gravelly voice.
With the trap permanently disabled, Ian pushes the door open the rest of the way, revealing a square room with six ornate sarcophagi. Thick cobwebs hang from the ceiling and walls and a thick layer of dust covers the floor. Before he can look further though, 8 shadowy figures rise out of the pit to the west. The light of Leo's shield does not seem to penetrate a cloying darkness that covers their bodies.
These are shadows. Known to drain a foes strength with their touch.
Coughing and covering his mouth from the dust and cobweb, Ian squints--"F$!~--over there!"
"Oh! Shadows! Careful, they'll drain your strength." Leo says with a surprised scholar's interest.
"Leo, positive energy is our best weapon... Armor means nothing to them, back off Ian."
Ian follow's Serelina's command, backing off, but still keeps himself between her and the Shadows.
"I need a sword that can hit darkness--this is f#++ing ridiculous," he says tensely under his breath, readying an attack for anything that tries to reach him or Serelina.
Rilumin shoots some arrows, hoping to do something, any sort of damage to these foul spectres.
Shot 1 (two arrows)
Shot 2
Shot 3
1d20+4