DM Brainiac's War for the Crown: Table 2 (COMPLETE!) (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

S#$!, she's a lich!

Katria's jaw drops. She wondered about the necklace, but still.

"We don't know if the executor is aware, but we should go in warily," she cautions her two companions. Let's do our usual prep and then head in?

Brainiac answered my question about the will on Discord.

"The burial is tomorrow, with the will reading immediately after. I would prefer to wait to see who gets the necklace and approaching the recipient quietly, whether it be Lady Martella, or Prince Carrius, or Ferna, or someone else. I also don't have the spells prepared to speak with Princess Eutropia's spirit today anyway.
If this executor is a person of honor, they will not let us take the necklace, nor even tell us to whom it is bequeathed - not before the will is read. The job of executor of an estate is a sacred trust.
If the executor is not a person of honor, and absconds with the necklace, I will cast Soulseeker again to track it down.
So I advise patience, but if you think we need to move fast, and have a good plan as to what we would say to this executor, I will support you."

Wait, there's a Discord?!

Amelia smirks, I knew it. Nothing gets past me it seems.

Her small victory is quickly stomped out by Liam and Katria's statements. "We should take some time to prepare and take stock of the situation. We have enough magical firepower and skill to change whatever happens at the reading."

She thoughtfully taps her chin, "If there's anything that needs to be said, I can figure it out while we're there. Let me get a feel for this executor before we decide."

Is the executor an official of Taldor? Will I get my Favoured Nation bonus against them?

"I guess if the necklace has remained there for this long, it likely won't go anywhere in the next day," Katria says.

Getting ready to head down to the new house to do some work today; I think we can probably fast-forward a day, but don't have time to check if there are any other leads we want to follow up with now. We could get a raise dead and speak with animals scroll in case we want to interview Taldogis. Or just tell him that he's a good boy. Oh, or we could investigate his body, just in case.

"Let's first ask Lady Martella what she knows of the legal advisor."
And I presume we can also do Knowledge (Nobility) checks.
Knowledge (Nobility) if applicable: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

"If the advisor has a shady reputation, then perhaps we need to move quickly - although I think the best guarantee of the necklace's safety is that nobody other than us knows what it contains. If the advisor has a reputation for integrity, I would not wish to make her compromise that reputation by breaching the will."

"But," he adds, "I do see one way she could legitimately grant us access to the necklace without violating her duty. If we say that items in the estate have relevance to the ongoing investigation - which is true - and Lady Martella endorses our request, we might be permitted to examine such items as evidence.
As I said, I have neither Speak with Dead nor Speak with Soul prepared, and so I would not be able to communicate with Princess Eutropia even in the presence of the necklace. I know Katria would be able to glean some information from it, so a visit may be useful."

Liam will be happy to prepare Raise Dead tomorrow for the dog, but Speak With Animals will need a scroll or else angelic summons.

Princess Eutropia's legal advisor and executor is a plump, elderly woman named Clovia. She is a dry but efficient woman with no scandals in her past and no illicit ties. The princess trusts her, as does Martella Lotheed.

The next day brings with it Eutropia's interment. As a result of the complicated political situation, there is no procession for the princess. No speeches are made. No black banners fly. You are invited to attend a ceremony at noon in the private courtyard of the Palace of Birdsong where the royal mausoleum stands. Eutropia’s ancestors lie in state there.

It’s a dark day, with heavy gray clouds overhead. A constant drizzle of rain falls like a shroud over the courtyard. Prince Carrius stands at the entrance to the mausoleum. Behind his slight form, the body of Eutropia lies on a slab.

The princess has been adorned in royal regalia. A golden silk gown enrobes her body, and an emerald-studded tiara lies on her cold brow. Carrius bows his head and speaks a brief eulogy, his voice weary with grief.

“I knew my sister for far too short a time,” Carrius says. “First, I was taken from her. Now, she has been taken from me. We should have been there to support each other as we grew up, worked together to lead our nation into security and prosperity. We live in a world too callous to allow a brother and sister the simple comfort of happiness in family. Now, all we survivors can do is mourn her, and carry on.”

After Carrius is done speaking, he walks around Eutropia’s slab, saying a last farewell to his sister. The others gathered pay their respects as well, then the priests of Abadar carry Eutropia to her stone coffin in the lower level of the mausoleum. Carrius invites Martella and you into the library for refreshments before the will is read.

Once you are in the library, the rainstorm intensifies. Rain beats on the library windows and the crackling fire in the hearth hardly seems to warm the room at all. Carrius waves away a servant and pours his own cup of tea, but lets it grow cold on the table next to him while he broods.

Martella sits beside you. "How fare your investigations? Are you any closer to understanding what befell the princess?" she inquires.

"We think we have some better idea of what may have happened," Katria says, "though it's too early to say for sure. We hope we will have a much better idea by the end of the day. But perhaps all is not lost yet."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 28 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 28 + 6 = 44 Trying to understand Martella and if she has any undertones to her question

Amelia weighs the situation and uses the moment of grief to buy some time. Her eyes dart around the room to survey the situation.

"It's hard to say." Knowing now that the Cult of Norgorber is involved, she keeps her words mostly to herself.

Waiting on the result of the SM check

Martella seems to be genuinely grieving the princess's death. Amelia does not detect any deception or hidden motives.

The dandy gives a glance toward Katria and nods, "Well, its as she said. There is a small inconvenience in our investigation, but nothing we can't overcome." She goes through her pouch and takes out a flask before downing some of it, maintaining appearances for anyone watching.

She hands it to Martella, "I worry this is more than a bog standard assassination, if such a thing exists."

Liam sips his tea.

"We have made great progress, Lady Martella. As with Amelia and Katria, I think we should not speak of the details at this time."

He glances at the corner of the room for phantom eyes.
I mean, I don't think there is another Hyakume, it's just that Liam is a bit paranoid, and unsure if Detect Scrying would catch absolutely everything that an enemy might do.
"We will continue our investigation and then track down those responsible."

Feeling the treachery in the air, Amelia stands up and gives a quick bow before walking the room.

Perception: 1d20 + 30 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 30 + 8 + 2 = 53 +6 if they're Taldan Nobility
I'm counting this as a +2 to my Favoured Terrain because it feels like a "Party or Courtly Function"... Even if its a Grim One.

Amelia doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary in the room. If there was something suspicious there, she is confident that she would have found it...

Martella nods. "We are grateful for anything you are able to learn."

As the conversation winds down, Carrius seems to rouse himself. He fixes you with his intense gaze and says, “A callous world didn’t take my sister away from me. People did. Do whatever it takes to find Eutropia’s killer. I beg you to stop them. Bring them to justice. Do this and you may have anything I now possess: my wealth, this palace, even the throne. Send my sister’s killers to answer before the same courts she now stands before!”

When Carrius is done with his speech he falls back in his seat, exhausted. A moment later a servant offers to help him upstairs, and Carrius agrees, but not before pushing a small lockbox across the table, adding, “I recovered these items from the Palace of Birdsong’s vault. I trust you can put them to good use.”

Carrius’s lockbox contains a +3 alchemical silver heavy mace, a pearly white spindle ioun stone, a ring of spell storing, a rod of cancellation carefully wrapped in sheepskin, three scrolls of mage’s magnificent mansion, and three scrolls of mass cure serious wounds.

***

After about an hour or so, Princess Eutropia’s legal advisor arrives and invites you all to sit. In a precise voice, the legal advisor reads out a seemingly endless number of dry legal paragraphs detailing all the assets under Eutropia’s control. Most goes to Carrius, with various bequests for Martella, Ferna, and other beloved servants and friends.

Finally, the legal advisor reads an addendum tacked on to the end of the will. “To those heroes who have recently entered my life, and done so much for the country I love, I can think of no suitable bequest. Their deeds go far beyond monetary compensation. I ask instead that they receive this silver chain—a gift from my mother that always helped me feel close to her. I beseech them to keep it always near, as a reminder of our bond of friendship and trust.”

The advisor retrieves a wooden box and opens it, revealing the necklace. Martella smiles at seeing the simple chain and its teardrop pendant. “She got that back in charm school. She used to wear it all the time.”

"We will, Prince Carrius. Thank you for these items; they may be of use."

Upon receiving the necklace, Liam does his best to hide any hint of relief.

She planned this.

He will take his leave of Prince Carrius and Lady Martella, going with the party to another part of the Palace.

Assuming Katria has Detect Scrying up (it lasts 24 hours, so probably should assume we cast it every day?) then Liam will hold the necklace and cast Speak With Soul. This is a bit better than Speak With Dead as it can be more like a conversation instead of just an interrogation (it isn't limited to a specific number of questions, just lasts for 18 minutes).

"Princess Eutropia; it is Liam. Did you know an assassination attempt was imminent? Did you formulate a plan to guard your soul?
We have found some evidence from the assassin, as well as their identity, and are certain that Panivar Lotheed's Immaculate Circle commissioned them.
I am sorry to say that Taldogis died trying to protect you, although his shedding the assassin's blood provided a vital clue. Shall I bring him back?"

Liam can hear Princess Eutropia's voice, though it comes in a ghostly whisper. "Liam... You found me... Yes. I had received a coded communication from one of my agents, indicating that the Brotherhood of Silence had been contracted to assassinate me. I knew it was risky, but I thought that this could be an opportunity to finally draw out the Immaculate Circle. I transferred my soul into this necklace before the assassin arrived. I trusted that you would be clever and resourceful enough to piece together the clues I left behind...

"Poor Taldogis... I had him locked in the kitchen that night so that he wouldn't get hurt. Yes, I would request you restore him to life, but please, do not make the same attempt on me! The Immaculate Circle would likely sense it. Find them, and ensure they are eradicated. Then, and only then, should you bring me back..."

Katria sighs in relief. Even this was part of the princess' plan. She wonders if they should let Carrius and Martella know -- to relieve their despair -- but decides caution is a better approach. Even if they can both be trusted, the more people know a secret, the less secret it becomes!

She turns to the others. "Then we need to find the circle. I think it's back to looking for clues in the assassination. If we can find the killer, that will lead us to the rest of our enemies."

"We have the killer's name, or at least their nom de guerre, and we know that they are a male Fetchling Shadowdancer. We also have some things that used to belong to them - a scrap of a scroll and a portion of their unholy symbol. I can use these to cast Discern Location.

In the meantime... let's bring back Taldogis."

Liam will approach Lady Martella.
"Taldogis fought with the assassin, and in doing so gave us a key break in the case. To both obtain further information and to reward such a loyal friend, I will seek to restore him to life. Can you tell me where he is buried?
I do have the coin to purchase the necessary diamonds."

I am offering because I would not wish to be cheap, but it does seem reasonable that there might be diamonds among Princess Eutropia's bequests that Lady Martella could donate to partially offset the cost. Just let me know how much to mark off my sheet.

Liam will cast Raise Dead on Taldogis.

Martella is willing to give Liam the diamonds needed to raise Taldogis. The dog's body was buried near the kennel--you are able to dig it back up without issue. The body has already begun to decompose, but examining it uncovers shreds of bloody cloth and flesh in Taldogis's mouth. A thorough autopsy also uncovers a hard object in the remains of the dog's stomach. Examining it reveals a small tarnished key. It is the size of an ordinary door key and made of silver. It is tied with an ornate bow that is decorated with Taldor's coat of arms.

Liam enacts his spell to raise the dead. The divine magic reverses the decomposition of Taldogis' body, and the mutt's chest begins to rise and fall as he opens his eyes. He groggily gets to his feet, then, tail wagging, he lets out a booming *WOOF* and puts his paws on the half-elf's shoulders, nearly bearing him to the ground as he licks his face in gratitude!

Liam will hug the dog and scratch his belly.

Then he will cast Miracle for Speak with Animals.

"Hey there. You good boy. Good boy. Do you want to see Martella? I bet she can give you a treat.
Can you tell me what happened?"

Taldogis woofs happily. "Yes! Good boy! I'm a good boy! Martella! Treats!"

After getting lots of pets and treats, Taldogis barks out his story: "Mom had been very upset! She got a piece of paper, and it made her sad! She found something in her drawer and then she made 'Ferner' lock me up! But I was worried about Mom so I escaped! Then a nice guard let me into the hall and into Mom's room. But there was a bad shadow man there, so I bit him! Then he stuck me with a sword, and then... And then I died, I guess? But now I am alive! Where is Mom? Is she okay? I miss her!"

"Mom is going to be okay. She was hurt. I know you will pick up her scent and if you follow it to where her body is you might think that she is dead. I can make her better again in a few days. Martella and Ferna can take care of you until then. They are very sad so you will have to be good to them."

After relaying any other questions from Amelia and Katria to Taldogis, Liam will cast Discern Location to find the Masked Marquis, using the fragment of the holy symbol.

Liam will tell this much to Lady Martella: "If it is at all possible to raise Princess Eutropia - which I believe it may be - then we must first deal with the assassins and with those who hired them so that they do not repeat the attempt."

A discern location spell is among the most powerful means of locating creatures or objects. Nothing short of a mind blank spell or the direct intervention of a deity keeps you from learning the exact location of a single individual or object. Discern location circumvents normal means of protection from scrying or location. The spell reveals the name of the creature or object’s location (place, name, business name, building name, or the like), community, county (or similar political division), country, continent, and the plane of existence where the target lies.

To find a creature with the spell, you must have seen the creature or have some item that once belonged to it. To find an object, you must have touched it at least once.

The scrolls of Magnificent Mansion will be helpful if dealing with the assassins and/or the Immaculate Circle ends up being a multi-day expedition.

The discern location informs Liam that the Masked Marquis is located in the former Imperial Archives building in the town of Hyden, an abandoned mining and farming community located in the foothills of the World’s Edge Mountains, in the Porthmos Prefecture.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25

"This key is about 200 years old," Katria tells the others as she studies it object reading, please.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 Do I know anything about Hyden?

I'm out for the evening but I'll catch up later tonight. Feel free to throw some dice if you need my expertise in Skills to move the story along

The town of Hyden was once a prosperous mining and farming community in the foothills of the World’s Edge Mountains, in the Porthmos Prefecture. The Lotheeds have ruled the Hyden Marches—the surrounding foothills and lakes—since the family earned their noble title for cunning and magical mastery during the Fifth Army of Exploration. Most assume that, like countless similar towns across Taldor, Hyden simply ran afoul of the nation’s dwindling fortunes, and its people moved on as the soil was depleted and the mines played out.

That last sentence doesn't sound at all ominous...

Katria looks around at the others. "I think we know where we should head next for our search. It's probably most efficient to buy a couple of scrolls to get us there and back more quickly."

I can pay for that unless Liam has a spellcasting solution of his own. Also, backing up, yes, I'll cast detect scrying daily. That seems like a smart precaution.

Liam can prep Wind Walk the next day, or Miracle for Greater Teleport. He'll also prepare Brightest Light as I said to help foil shadowdancer tricks.

How far is Hyden?

That Ring of Spell Storing that Carrius gave us is really good for getting Personal spells onto other people. Some good ones for Liam to store in the ring for Amelia might be Righteous Might, Cleanse, Shield or Divine Power. Alternatively, Amelia might store in the ring Echolocation, Mirror Image, or Bladed Dash for someone else to use. Any ideas what is best? I would lean towards Echolocation, as it counters a lot of things.

How long does Spell Storing last? I only have 2 slots for Echo but if its indefinite that could work.

Echolocation was really useful for a player in a campaign I GM'd. I think that makes the most sense.

The spell in a Ring of Spell Storing lasts until you use it, so it is a very good option for Amelia as it can effectively increase her spells per day. Liam will also cast his Shield spell for the current day into the Ring so Amelia can use it on herself when desired; the Ring holds 5 spell levels, so it has space to do that.

The day after the funeral, Liam will first pour a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds into his Sipping Jacket and use the SLA from Deific Obedience for Magic Vestment on his armor. Just doing the all-day buffs for now. Does Amelia need a Magic Vestment as well?

He will then cast Wind Walk to bring the party to Hyden.

Liam is planning to do a bit more direct spellcasting and less melee this time; he will normally have only the Standard of Conquest in hand.

Liam's magic transforms you into wind, and you swiftly fly through the air, racing over Taldor as you head towards Hyden. Soon enough, you reach the abandoned town, changing back into flesh and blood as you touch down amid the empty streets. The buildings all around are vacant and crumbling, but signs of passage—from carriages and horses, primarily—are abundant even to the untrained eye. In the distance, the World's Edge Mountains loom on the horizon.

The tracks lead to a large two-story stone building near the old court and the crumbling Lotheed castle. This is the former archives building. Four crumbling stone columns flank the bricked-over front doors of this building. The face of a snarling lion is carved into the stone lintel above the doors. A cupola roof shows obvious scratches and gouges where the former gilding was scraped away by looters.

The windows that once ringed the upper level, as well as the front door, have been sealed with brick and mortar, and then plastered over from within. Only one side door on the first floor remains usable. This door is locked.

"It looks like this is where we'll need to start," Katria says, excited about checking into former archives -- maybe there will still be some historical records in there! -- despite knowing the urgency of their current mission.

"I can get the door," she says, pulling out a rarely used set of lockpicks.

Perception (+resonant power, Liam's aid): 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 19 checking for traps first
Disable Device: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (18) + 24 = 42

Not finding any traps, Katria easily is able to pick the lcock on the door. As she finishes, though, the air beside you suddenly ripples as a horrible monster appears out of thin air! Terrible jaws ringed with clawed arms open atop this towering mass of flesh. A probing tongue flops from another orifice.

The tongue lashes out at Zileska, battering her and wrapping around her to snare the priestess! A screeching telepathic voice sounds in your minds. "Tremble, mortals! You face Chadirrex Who Frays the Edges, and I will take from you all you hold dear!"

Amelia: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Katria: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Liam: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Enemy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Amelia and Liam may act! The creature is 15 feet away.

The creature has a gaze attack. Anybody meeting its gaze is panicked for 1d6 rounds and shaken for 1 minute thereafter, or shaken for 1 minute on a successful DC 28 Will save. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

Liam feels terribly sorry for this Zileska priestess, whoever she may be.
Copy and paste from the other War for the Crown game?

Not sure what he is dealing with, he will take a step back (to 20' distance) and cast Prismatic Sphere around the party. This is a 10' radius.

The DC for each layer is 27 (due to Spell Focus Abjuration) and the SR check is +19 (due to Ioun Stone and Varisian Tattoo), checked for each layer if the creature attempts to break through.

He will also begin Inspire Courage +4 as a swift action.

Liam is immune to fear effects, so doesn't have to worry about the gaze. And if he goes before Amelia, then I think the blue layer of the Prismatic Sphere should prevent her from needing to save ("stops divination and mental attacks"). If she does need to save, she gets a +4 morale bonus from Inspire Courage.

Ack! Yes, sorry, ignore that line about Zileska. Didn’t proofread closely enough when I copied the text over.

Oops!

Aura Save?: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 3 + 4 = 22

Taking out her bow and staying within the sphere, Amelia fires off a single shot to test for weakness.

+3 Bow, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 4 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 20 + 4 = 32

Amelia's arrow comes up short, then Liam conjures a prismatic sphere around the party. Compelled by the magic that conjured it, the sahkil plunges forward through the prismatic sphere!

SR 27: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 241d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 251d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 381d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 341d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 221d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 271d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
Reflex vs Yellow: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Will vs Indigo, Mind Blank: 1d20 + 17 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 8 = 33
Will vs Violet: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

The creature is electrocuted by the yellow layer of the sphere, but either resists or is immune to most of the other effects. However, when it gets to the violet layer, it disappears, banished to another plane.

Katria knows the creature is capable of shifting back to this plane, however. You've bought some time at least...

"It could come back!" she warns.

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40

Anything else I know about it? Special attacks? Resistances? Special weaknesses?

Amelia draws her blade and stows her bow.

"Anything to signal its approach?"

Perception: 1d20 + 30 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 30 + 8 = 40

Liam will draw out the second set of expensive components that he acquired for this powerful spell, and then cast Invoke Diety.

He will select the Protection Domain for now, gaining the following benefits: Shield, Shield of Faith, and Resist Energy (Acid). This is at CL 18 and will last 180 minutes.

If time permits after that, he will cast Freedom of Movement on Amelia (also 180 minutes).

Katria takes the time to give a quick rundown of the creature, warning them what won't work -- cold, electricity, and sonic, especially -- and that it's look can cause fear. The she concentrates and imbues Dignity's Barb with incredibly power against the fiend using 1 point of Mental Focus for Legacy Weapon, giving it holy and sahkil bane.

I want this thing to come back now!

About thirty seconds pass as you wait warily inside the prismatic sphere. Then, the sahkil reappears, bounding forward from around a building! It crashes into the prismatic wall again.

Saves vs Yellow, Indigo, Violet: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 211d20 + 17 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 8 = 331d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

As before, it is badly electrocuted and banished to another plane of existence! Since it is only able to plane shift once per day, you will be safe from further attacks. At least, for the next 24 hours!

Damn it; that wasted my mental focus!

Katria tuts in irritation and again imbues her weapon with power.

Also, looks like I never set my critical roll for the day, so: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Change of action due to the Discord conversation and edited post.

With the creature gone now, Katria looks around the room.

Liam casts Barkskin on himself (180 minutes).
AC is +10 armor, +5 natural, +4 Dex, +4 Shield, +5 Deflection = 38

He then casts Extended Good Hope on the party (36 minutes) as well as Life Bubble (CL 19 because Abjuration, so that is 38 hours... 12 hours for everyone).

"Shall we proceed? Katria, do you think your Mind Eye can help us?"

"Yes, I'm sure it can," she says, and sends it forth to scout out the area.

Amelia takes a quick walk around the room, making sure nothing is nearby while Katria channels her eye outward.

Perception: 1d20 + 30 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 30 + 8 + 2 = 49

The mind's eye slips under the door and into the archive building. This large room holds a half-dozen crumbling wooden desks. The desks still bear remnants of heavy ornamentation with carved spiral legs and designs of maps and explorers on their fronts. Now they are covered in dust, and their tops sag sadly. Empty shelves that once housed books and vellum line the walls, but are now home to nothing more than spiders and their webs.

A door leads into a central hall with many doors. Katria sends the sensor clockwise through them to examine the other rooms. Chips of marble on the ground suggest the first room was once tiled in variegated marble. The tiles have been pried up and taken, leaving the rubble-strewn masonry subfloor exposed. Wooden railings, with a few chips of gold paint still clinging to them, mark the boundaries of a queue. A long stone counter stands against one wall, and the sagging remains of cushioned chairs lie broken in a corner. The ceiling here goes up to the second level, and countless empty shelves line the walls above. Metal tracks run from floor to ceiling between the shelves, made of metal plates, gears, and springs, with arms jabbing at the shelves as if replacing invisible books.

The next room is enormous, housing a dozen empty, glass-fronted bookcases, each one bearing a metal identification plate on its side. Much of the glass has been smashed, leaving the floor littered with glittering shards.

The final room on this level features scarred and battered workbenches lining its walls. Smashed panes of glass have been swept into a corner alongside the warped remains of parchment-stretching frames. Five bedrolls are arranged on the floor around a low table set with plates and cutlery. Sets of dice and cards, discarded clothes, cheaply printed books, and other such items are scattered among the bedrolls. A pair of tough-looking men rest here.

Stairs in the hall lead up to the second floor, which appears empty and abandoned. The stairs down to the basement have been collapsed and are filled with rubble and plaster after 10 feet.

No creatures are visible?

"I don't think it's abandoned," says Liam. "I expect there may be surprises in there. Let's be on our guard."
He casts Extended Find Traps (36 minutes).

Since we know there is a shadowdancer around, Liam will cast Brightest Light on the Standard of Conquest.

He moves into the first room with the desks.
Liam will get automatic Perception checks for any traps without needing to slow down and take a move action, and those checks will be at +40.