First compile all facts that we have and suspicions to be confirmed, if I go on a wild goose chase to find out info that we already know it is a waste of time for all of us... First who are these cultists so I know what to look for and second what are the facts known that pertain to them...
Two ways of getting intel here, first would be to ask around the cogs and that area... The second would be to impersonate someone close to the Cultists immediate superior or the superior himself and gain access to that person's papers. My knowledge of that cult is limited, however the fact of the matter is they are a Karn cult, and Karn's keep paperwork on everything... It is almost an obsession of their's I swear, but it is useful in our case.
"So, I believe that we had decided earlier to stake out the location of the crypt to see if we could see the cultists leaving with the Astrolabe, correct? Shall we continue with that course of action then?" Danir was beginning to feel like keeping this group on topic was like teaching proper etiquette to Halfling barbarians- amusing but mostly just futile...
"Indeed, let us go."
I will go pursue leads in the cogs and the like... Meet me in an hour or two at the entrance to the cogs...
gather information
Xov follows Danir and the others back to search for cultists.
Ebran follows, ready for a stakeout.
Danir searches the area around the crypt entrance where the astrolabe had been kept, for signs of it having been moved
Othan stays with the others.
"Hmm, so the skidmarks stop, so it was picked up i guess? Did we have any leads on where it was supposed to be going? We need to hurry"
"Well, if it was teleported, we don't have any chance at all..."
"Just because it gets somewhere fast... or instantly... doesn't mean it will remain in constant motion. We will be able to catch it somewhere. We just need a lead. When you were gathering information earlier, did you all get any leads where it might go besides here?"
"Let's think for a moment- if the item was heavy enough to leave skid marks up to this point, there are several options: Teleportation- seems unlikely as it is costly to perform on something that heavy and would have drawn attention. A cart or other vehicle to haul the item. A creature large enough to move the item, also likely to be noticed.
Let us find out if any of these things was seen by any of the locals since we left the crypt and at least try to narrow down what method of movement we are following. Sound good?"
This is the Blood we are talking about, the options are far more myriad then your currently thinking... Anyone ever read or heard about the Karnathi Bone Riders?
"We've little time to talk at length on the matter. Leads, have you any real leads?"
Nothing here, the Blood is secretive and well trained in these arts... If this were Karnath itself I suspect they would be easy to track down, here however so far from there home territory they are naturally more cautious...
Othan will assist Ebran in his search.
"Hah! tracks. Headed east. I can't really follow tracks that long, but can keep an eye out for them along the way. I figure they're headed to the rail station."
"Let's go then!"
"Let us catch up with them then and end this, although collateral damage should be avoided once we reach them..."
"I will try to avoid unnecessary deaths."
"I probably shouldn't be the one asking questions, but people around here probably saw the cart arrive."
"Perhaps Xov and I should go into the shop and speak with the owner while the rest of you find out what you can about the cart and if the astrolabe is still in it?"
"Sounds like a plan..."
Ebran scans the streets for witnesses.
Perception
Absylon will scan for anyone and anything that could hamper the plans of the group...
It seems the shop is guarded, I reckon them to be street thugs or perhaps Blood supporters perhaps both...
"What's the plan? I can create a fog cloud if we are rolling this away"
I suggest using both the smoke cloud and Othan, he can play the role of marauding thug pretty well... While they are busy dealing with Othan the Fog breathing shifter we will search the cart...
"I can open the lock, I am an artificer after-all"
Getting as close as he can without drawing suspicion from the guards, Danir attempts to determine whether there is some sort of chest or lockbox in the vehicle and also if there are any apparent mystical defenses/traps on it.
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You do see an ossuary. It looks big enough for the astrolabe. The stone cover looks like it can be moved with some effort, but for all intents and purposes, it's sealed and made to look like an ossuary. Whatever is in there, they want people to believe it's a collection of dead bones.
As for using detect psionics, the men guarding the doors show up like christmas trees. The Astrolabe is magic based (being an eldritch machine of course).
He prepared to cast ghost sound.
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Forgot about the locks and traps.
There are two traps, of course. You can't tell which one is except by their mechanisms. One is a trap when you open the ossuary, it releases something. There's also a spring trap in the vehicle.
So two spring traps, you're not sure what they release. As for locks, no locks on the ossuary. The lid is heavy enough to deter most folks.