Stone steadies himself against the wall.
”Jori, a word if you would so indulge me.”
He pauses while he gets himself in order.
”It's almost overwhelming . . . the magics that exist in this house. I specifically detect 3 more auras of abjuration magic. But there's a stronger aura of conjuration magic. All the aura's are above us in this house, perhaps on the next floor up? The conjuration aura is somewhere in the western part of the manor, though again, above us somewhere.”
”We would do well to remember this bird holding some sort of key. He may be rather holding something or someone in place.”
Joriannika came over, concern on her face at Stone's discomfort. "Wow, sensin' magic's more dangerous than I thought! Are you okay?"
She considered his words carefully. "What do you mean by holding something in place? You mean like a... a little jailor? Like, for a demon maybe?" She looked around, a bit more nervous at that idea. "I was going to say we should take the bird with us, if it's a key, but if you think it's keeping the plug in something we don't want to let loose... maybe we should just have a quick look upstairs, see what's what. It may tell us more."
"And you should take the lead, now that Guru's left, Hanzo," she added with a grin at the rogue. "We're not in the dark, so you can scout ahead just fine."
Hanzo sighed dramatically, but made an affirmative grunt and shook his arms, loosening up his shoulders. "All right, but if a demon bites my head off, I'm definitely haunting all of you," he grumbled.
"Maybe he has a summoned minion. It is not uncommon for wizards to conjure all sorts of beings from the outer planes. We can leave the rug over the birds for the moment, it should calm the birds, but let's not forget about the key."
The inquisitor returns to the middle of the room waiting with his arms crossed to see which door the rogue will choose.
Hanzo takes to the eastern door, which has no lock on it, nor any traps. Entering, you find yourself in what appears to be a large kitchen. One that is well stocked with all the accouterments needed to prepare gourmet meals. A quick pan of the room reveals some sort of cubby or alcove in the northeast section of the room, concealed by a sliding curtain. A quick search leads to you finding that the large cabinet along the southeastern wall contains Hunclay's silverware and expensive dinnerware.
"Kitchen," Hanzo reported back, before checking the door to the south, and the room beyond. He positively itched to pick up some of the silverware, but with his luck, Sheaorlis or Joriannika would report him for it.
Though the door to the south isn't locked and doesn't appear to be rigged, it doesn't budge. Hanzo is "perceptive enough" to know it's probably a large, heavy object blocking the door; or several objects.
Hey Thomas, we need some brawn over here, Hanzo called back. "Door's blocked by something heavy. Maybe one of you other guys wants to try it?" Whoever arrived, he intended to help open the door.
”If you need strength then the Son of Huuth is your man.”
”Go with Guidance my friends!”
Thomas comes over, still somewhat lost in his own thoughts, and rams the door, Hanzo assisting him.
It takes several runs, but Thomas and Hanzo eventually get the door open enough that all can enter, dislodging the large armoire that blocked it. You find yourself in a combination bedroom and linen closet.
A servant's quarters.
Upon entering the room, you hear muffled whimpering and see a figure cowering beneath the simple bed.
At the sight, Joriannika pushed past everyone to crouch by the figure, concern on her face. "By Shelyn! How long have you been in here? Are you all right? Who are you? Why did you block the door?" With an effort, she contained the rest of her questions to wait for an answer.
Hanzo, who had been wondering in Stone could really talk directly to his god, was surprised as Jori pushed by, without so much as considering the possibility of a trap. With a sigh, he joined her, but was ready to let his daggers fall into his hands at the first sign of trouble.
Jori's usual urgent caring tone does the opposite of calming the situation. The man whimpers and cowers more uncontrollably as he pushes himself as far away as possible, against the wall, curled up and hiding his face.
Seeing that the Jori's calming tone had no effect on the man, Sheaorlis approaches him with the hand on the axe to be drawn quickly if needed. "You're impeding an official investigation of the manor. Answer the woman's questions or by the gods I'll..."
—“Offer you some food and a drink of water. You must be famished. Please, we are not here to harm you.”
Stone casts Light to chase the shadows from the room and so that they could get a better look at the figure.
The already terrified man starts sobbing so violently, his body looks spastic. At first, there isn't much evidence he even heard the words from Sheaorlis or Stone, until he finally manages to blurt out words between the heaving breaths.
"Pl..pl..ease...do..n't...kill..ill..me..eee!...I...iiii...kno...know...Hun ...clay.....ssss....ent...you...here....tto...ooo...to...." and the heavy sobs continue.
”Peace Friend. We were sent here by Her Ladyship the Baroness. Hunclay is dead. We have no association with the Wizard.”
The cleric says calmly.
”You must have been here for days. Can we offer you food or water?”
”You are safe now, but you must tell us what has been going on here. Why would Hunclay seek to see you dead?”
”Peace Friend. We were sent here by Her Ladyship the Baroness. Hunclay is dead. We have no association with the Wizard.”
The cleric says calmly.
”You must have been here for days. Can we offer you food or water?”
”You are safe now, but you must tell us what has been going on here. Why would Hunclay seek to see you dead?”
The man calms a bit when he hears that Hunclay is dead. His muscles relax and it appears like he might scoot out from underneath the bed, but he hesitates.
"What did that terrible old wizard do to you?" Jori wondered out loud, gently helping the stranger to stand. "Like Stone said, we can help you - don't mind Sheaorlis, he just thought you might be dangerous. I'm Joriannika. What's your name?" she asked.
"I'm Hanzo. C'mon, talk to us. What have you got to lose? Maybe we'll get you some justice for whatever the wizard did to you," Hanzo offered.
The cleric places Guidance on himself.
”You are under our wings, let not your heart be troubled.”
[b]”There you go. It will feel good to get out from under there and stretch out.”[/d]
The cleric places Guidance on himself.
”You are under our wings, let not your heart be troubled.”
”There you go. It will feel good to get out from under there and stretch out.”
The man's breathing gradually slows, his hands, still shaking, appear from beneath the bed as he pulls and slides himself out. He sits himself upright, back against the south wall, eyes closed.
"He's r-r-really dead?"
Stone gives a gentle single-word response.
The stranger's eyes open, and he looks at each of you, although he doesn't look at Sheaorlis in the eyes, as he's probably still terrified of his threat.
"What is it you want to know?"
Sheorlis remained unphased by the emotions showed by the man and noticing that he's becoming a little more cooperative he starts throwing questions:
"You can start with your name, your relation to the owner of the household. And then we can get to the more interesting ones as: Why are you trespassing on this property, why have you hidden from servants of the law and how come you haven't heard about Hunclay's demise?"
Joriannika gave Sheaorlis a pained look and a shushing motion, aware that both probably would be ignored.
"Please. We aren't here to harm you. Would you like some water?" she asked, offering the frightened man her waterskin.
He hesitates for only a moment before reaching out and taking the offered waterskin. He takes two or three large gulps, before wiping his mouth off with his sleeve and then handing back the container, looking slightly embarrassed. When he speaks, it sounds much better, and only then do you realize how dry his voice had sounded before.
"Thank you. My name is Mathezic. I am - was - master Hunclay's servant. These are my quarters. I barricaded myself in here when the kobolds came and asked Hunclay to join them beneath the tower. The Witch Tower. When it collapsed, and he still hadn't returned, I crawled under the bed. My master hired the kobolds to undermine the foundations of the Tower, when he couldn't get it removed through legal means. I didn't know if he was dead or not, but I know I'm what they call a 'loose end,' so I stayed here, terrified."
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Joriannika exclaimed, rummaging in her pack for an apple to give him as well. "You must be famished! Don't you worry, we've sent the kobold tribe away. No one will hurt you."
"We're here to assess what's left of the place for the Baroness," Hanzo told him. "It would sure be a help to us if you'd be willing to come with us, tell us what to avoid."
”You are safe now. Please tell us what you know of the dangers of this place.”
He takes the apple but still is still visibly shaking - the room is not cold. It's a bit stifling, actually, probably due to the lack of air circulation. It's obvious he was already scared, and that the inquisitor has terrified him. "Safe..." he spits the word and gives a weak, single, depressed chuckle. After a few bites of apple, Mathezic says
"We were forbidden to enter many places in the manor. Hunclay had contact with many...unsavory parties for his, well, he always called it research. I was never allowed in a room long enough to know any specifics, but I'm pretty it had something to do with the stars...No, I surely won't guide you...but I'll tell you what I know, sure. That should more than compensate you for the cost of an apple and some water. Well, as I've said, this is my room, that there's the kitchen, and this room next to mine is just the larder. The large room where I assume you came from is the Grand Hall, and Hunclay always activated a pit trap with his magic whenever he left the house, but I suspect you're already aware of that. There's a door that leads to the western side of the house. From that hallway you'll find the Parlor to your right and the Dining Room to your left. Far as I know, there's no traps. Just expensive furniture and large paintings. Let's see, the spiral staircase leads up and down. Downstairs is just our storage cellar, and there's a few storage closets. The cellar is just crates of mundane household items and supplies. Above the Grand Hall is the Library. He kept his rare and unique tomes in the iron bookcase. His bedroom is on the west side. No one was ever allowed in there without him present, though I don't know why. There's a ladder that leads up, and another door on the eastern side of the library, but I don't know where they lead..may I go!?"
Mathezic's description of the manor becomes increasingly rushed and panicky, as if he just wants to get the info out of his mouth as quickly as possible and leave.
"Strange that you know the contents of the crates in the cellar but have no clue as to what is behind a mundane door connected to one of the most important rooms of wizard's house. There's still the matter of what's on the third floor."
Sheorlis tried to picture a plan of the mansion in his mind from the details that he got from Mathezic and from the view he had of the estate from the outside, taking some notes on a piece of parchment.
"Not a lot of information on the other hidden defenses. What do you think?" he asks Hanzo who seemed less inclined to create a comfortable atmosphere for the servant.
"I think our new friend here might remember more if he were to come with us," Hanzo said with a toothy grin at Mathezic, ignoring Joriannika's aghast look. "Isn't that right, friend? You of all people should know how Hunclay used to think."
After Jori elbowed him, he sighed and relented a little. "At the very least, you can draw us a map and mark the dangerous spots on it. But that IS the least. What you should do is come with us. After all, you don't want to walk into town alone, a known associate of that traitorous wizard. What you want is people with you who can vouch for you, and tell folks you weren't a part of his plan to attack the town with kobolds. And we'll be happy to do that... once you've helped us out, here."
Nice! Anyone want to do an Aid Another to push it over 25? *g*
"I'm a servant here. Maintaining and retrieving supplies is part of the job description. I don't exactly know what it is you're looking for! Balthus Hunclay was a very secretive man. The other room on the second floor is his study. We, or I was never allowed in there. I've never seen what's on the other side of that door. In his bedchamber is a bed, a side table, a large bear rug. I don't know of any traps he may have set. Again, he was very strict that no one should ever enter the room without him. The third "floor" is his observatory. He wasn't able to use it much because of the Witch Tower. It's gone now, but so is he. As far as traps... there's a lock on one of the storage closets that'll scream at you, but that's all I know. There may be more, but, as I said, Hunclay was very secretive. We simply did as we were told."
He agrees to draw you a map, but refuses to guide you through. With Hunclay dead, he says he is going to go back home to his hometown of Faldamont.
Hanzo, he tells you that he knows the people of this town very well. Since it was he who always went into town to buy supplies, and answered the door whenever deliveries came. He has no fear of them, only of all of you.
Sheaorlis, he seems be sincere. Frightened, but sincere.
Sheaorlis takes the map and compares it to his sketches before showing it to the others. He did not seem quite satisfied by the man's explanations but didn't insist on making him a guide. "Let us resume our search room by room. We can split out to cover more ground but I would suggest regrouping before we head in any of these places. There's no telling what dangers may lurk there." The inquisitor draws circles over the observatory, study and basement.
"Makes sense," Hanzo agreed, releasing Mathezic from his beaming grin. Still, he did have more questions. "How did the Witch Tower stop your master from using his observatory? Even if it was in the way in one direction, surely he could use it in others? And who is "we?" Are there more servants here, maybe hiding like you?"
"oh, Balthus Hunclay wasn't the kind of man to settle or compromise. He spent decades studying, not just the stars, but the spaces inbetween. I think I once heard him call it the, um, Dark Tapestry...? He often railed about the baroness not allowing him to purchase it so he could demolish it. Apparently, when he bought this land, he clear cut every single tree on the property. That tower was the only impediment to his stargazing."
Mathezic speaks and at least leads you out into the main hall.
"There were three of us, servants here in the manor. Linus and Saba came banging on my door, hollering for me. When I didn't answer, they soon gave up, and the house was quiet. If you haven't found them, they may well have gone back to their families. I don't know."
With one last look at Sheaorlis, he nervously says, "Well, good luck to you all...bye!!" and he bolts towards and out the front door.
Sheorlis looks at the man leaving until he could no longer see the servant. He then continues the arduous process of inspecting the rooms from the first floor going through them one by one counterclockwise.
"Let us not waste any more time we got a very big mansion to inventorize."
”I suppose I should have asked about the little notes tied to the birds feet. Oh well. I hope he finds his way back to family and loved ones.”
"He, he didn't even take his things..." Thomas looks around and points at some rugged clothes and an old book. "Well, it's probably of not much worth. Didn't pay too well, the old man, I guess..."
As you all were leaving the kitchen, Hanzo noticed two chests in the northeast corner, hidden behind a simple cloth partition, with mundane locks on them. He easily picks them but finds nothing of value. Each chest seems to have belonged to another servant, perhaps the two Mathezic mentioned. Only a few belongings remain in either chest; an extra set of servant's garments, a few odds and ends.
Sheaorlis ventures down the hallway and checks the door to his right, which is unlocked. You find an richly decorated sitting room. In the northeast corner of this parlor is a huge globe of Golarion cradled in a polished mahogany stand. Sextants, astrolabes, and paintings of unearthly landscapes are hung on the walls. Finding nothing else of interest to your quest, you leave and check the room across the hall, Hunclay's dining room. This room's long oak table is surrounded by ornately carved oak chairs. On each wall hangs a large, framed painting of a desert landscape.
You have gone through and inspected each room on the first floor. The contents of these rooms have been noted in a small notebook which one of you holds (probably Joriannika). Do you all venture down to the cellars or up to the second floor? Does anyone try to get the silver charm off the bird's leg?
Joriannika scribbled notes as they went, letting those with a more experienced eye for appraising judge the value of what they found, and laughing a little at Hanzo's pained expression at not being able to take anything.
She smiled, pointing her charcoal stick at the stairs. "I wouldn't mind checking upstairs, but I'm not dead-set on it."
"Makes no difference to me, since there's nothing to gain either way," Hanzo grumped. He eyed the little caged bird. Would anyone miss a tiny silver charm?
”I still think we should leave the charm in place until we have a reason to remove it. I don’t want to release something or activate something without knowing what it is.”
”I would prefer to check below us before venturing up, but should we be tied on a vote I shall defer to the wishes of the good lady.”
Stone says in a formal and chivalrous tone.
"The basement usually is more boring. Let's go there fist."
Sheorlis nodded approvingly at Stone and looked satisfied by the decision of leaving the key in place and not touching the valuables.
"Out of all the areas in a house I find the basement being the most used place at hiding unwanted assets. It's dark, doesn't have a predetermined space and few would go in the dampness to search for something there. As to what 'unwanted assets' the wizard might have, we could only guess..."
The party ventures down the spiral staircase, each step announcing your arrival as the wood creaks and groans beneath your feet. You eventually reach the hard, cold, stone floor. Fortunately, Hunclay could afford to keep his cellar lit. You find yourselves in three inter-connected rooms, cluttered with dozens of stacked crates and chests. After prying open a few, it seems they contain only mundane household items. Perhaps spare linens or simple common clothes; cleaning supplies and replacement fixtures; nothing of particular value is kept here. There's an opening that lets into a long hallway, bending west at both corners.
"As I said. All boring stuff down here..." Thomas says bored, while the group advances through the opening.
"I agree. Let's be careful moving on, though." Hanzo went ahead and checked for traps in the hallway, heading for the south bend.
LOL. The RNG hates Hanzo.
"Don't get too far ahead!" Joriannika called, checking for traps as well.
"We should be searching for those storage closets... If Hunclay set up a trap then there should be something valuable in them"