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Hmm... Seems odd that the diagrams he is using would have been written by his mother. Seems more likely that he wrote the note. But then why would he sign the note as from his mother?
Anyone know if Black's mother used to work on golems here? We could ask Reemis if he knows anything about her. Maybe we should pay his mother a visit.
Shortly after you find the note and begin to examine Black's office, Reemis rushes in with 10 Golemworks guards, having heard the disturbance of the battle. Already feeling guilty about the botched job for the Heidmarchs, Reemis further apologizes over you being attacked by one of the Golemworks' own. Looking down at the puddle of slush, he informs you, "Ah. Yes, that's a simulacrum-a false copy made by some around here for desperate security measures." Reemis kicks aside some of the snow. "Hm."
He leans over and brushes some of the slush off of a bronze badge which you all recognize instantly as that of the Aspis Consortium. Reemis clucks his tongue. "It seems Black has fooled a lot of people. I promise to do a full investigation into Black's allegiances and wrongdoings. Perhaps you folks would be more suited to locate the real artificer and keep him from skipping town now that his cover is blown."
"Now, perhaps you didn't realize but Black is actually the owner of a second business, a toy shop called the Doll House located in Magnimar's Naos district. He sells. . .hauntingly lifelike porcelain dolls. They give me the willies, at least, but some people must like them. I believe he lives at the shop."
A wrought iron fence encloses a small yard, where a well-maintained path leads to a garishly bright building. The front facade is meticulously painted to resemble a child’s doll house. An exquisitely carved placard reads, “The Doll House,” with dolls smiling and cavorting all around the lettering. Three window displays exhibit festive scenes, in which dozens of dolls play leap-frog, hide-and-seek, and peek-a-boo.
Peering through the showcase windows, you spy a plump, elderly woman arranging the dolls. She looks up and smiles at you.
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Seelah will spit on the Aspis badge when it is revealed. Lets go check out this dollhouse, see if we can turn anything up
When getting closing to the dollhouse shop, but before being visible looking in the window, Seelah will cast Detect Evil and hold it. She will then look in the storefront window and see if anything pings a "evil". Should 'mom' be out of area effect, Seelah will hold the spell until she gets inside the store to include her in the effect, make sense?
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On the way to the shop, Lavode uses some minor magic to clean up the worst effects of the previous combats on everyone.
As they approach the shop, Lavode mutters to the others, I will distract her with nonsense while you investigate. Just jump in when you are ready for something more substantive.
Since there does not appear to be any imminent threat from the old woman, Lavode steps to the head of the group and gushes, Where is that fabulous Mr Black? He promised he would hold the gift for my niece.
He struts right up to the old woman (standing just a little too close for comfort to block her clear view of the others). Sounding for all the world like an empty headed aristo he continues the patter, She simply has to have it! I was astonished when I first laid eyes on it. I was completely dumbfounded by the pure exquisiteness of the treasure. Isn't it the most darling thing you have ever seen. Absolutely precious! As you know the family really only values the truly unique. But I always say to them unique and crass just won't do at all. Unique yes, but the quality must be there or just don't bother. They all just laugh and chuckle, but I stick with what I know.
Without even pausing to breathe or giving the woman a chance to get a word in, He hasn't sold it has he? I will be very cross if he has. The presentation will begin this very afternoon!
Well where is he madam? I haven't got all day and he told me to meet him right here. Well really, you simply must say something. You can't just ignore me when I traveled all this way to be here. I haven't heard you answer a single question. This is an emergency after all. I simply can't be having it turn into a disaster! I suppose I will have to see if there is someone else in the back that can help me.
He looks toward the door to the back rooms as if he is going to go back there searching immediately.
Kuduro makes for the door and steps inside. A nauseating riot of color splashes every surface of this room. The shelves are stocked with hundreds of porcelain dolls with looks of vapid joy upon their faces. While each doll differs in hair color, skin tone, and dress, there is something eerily similar about their enraptured faces, almost as if they all bore a family resemblance. A bronze plaque boasts that “All our dolls are made from Mwangi mahogany and Tian porcelain, and are clothed in Vudrani silk and lace.”
A bell above the door rings to announce your entrance into the shop and the old lady greets you with a warm smile.
Surprised by Lavode's forward nature, the old lady just replies. "Oh! Black? I bought the Doll House from him over a year ago. Just a moment." She shuffles over to a drawer and produces a few papers. "Yes, he moved out about a year ago and I took over."
"Oh, Black? I'm not sure where he lives now. He just sold this place to me. Said he wanted to get out the business."
Kuduro reaches for her holy symbol but before she can do anything the back door bursts open! One of them opens the door and steps through, swinging his greataxe at Seelah. The second one moves past and further into the room, swinging at Lavode.
The old woman then stands up straighter and pulls two kukri from behind her back, digging one in to Lavode.
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Seelah sneers at the Aspis thug that attacked her and dealt a decent blow. She stays standing, glaring at the foe in front of her. She draws her longsword, readies her shield for any retaliation and takes a mighty swing at the one in front of her.
She swings in vain and misses high. She calls upon aid from Iomedae to heal her wounds
Kuduro casts a spell at the leader but it does not have any effect. Lavode tries to cast a spell but is distracted. Alan expertly tumbles past one of the thugs but is unable to hit him. Seelah likewise misses.
Brachus produces a burst of sound which knocks the wits temporarily out of the thugs mind. The others retaliate though.
Jaelle stabs at Alan:
Thug 1 stands shaking his head to clear the noise. Thug 2 goes after Alan as well:
Lavode breaks a few baubles that roll off on to the floor but the disguised agent is unfazed. Seelah steps up behind the second thug and downs him with one mighty swing.
Kuduro makes the leader rethink her life decisions and she starts to punch herself in the face house-elf style. Alan kicks her in the chest.
Brachus picks up the man's greataxe and a dark spot appears on the man's trousers.
Jaelle continues to sob while beating herself in the face. The first thug, without a weapon and in need of new pants, puts his hands above his head. The second thug lies unconscious on the ground.
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Seelah, seeing that Jaelle is battling with herself, quite literally, simply bends to pick up the weapon she dropped. She turns to the other quivering guard and smiles that he has chosen to not die today. She leans over to check the vitals of the unconscious thug, and breathes a sigh of relief feeling a pulse. Just because she fights, doesn't mean she enjoys killing. Let the Society punish the Aspis, only when Iomedae's judgement has not been given.
Once all the weapons are gathered, Seelah will pat down each enemy, and tie them up; starting with thug who gave up, the unconscious one, and finally the leader Jaelle.
Look, you have been spared...for now. Just because you are Aspis, doesn't mean there may be a sliver of hope you redeem your pathetic lives to become a better person. Either way, we will ask you question and you will tell the truth. Iomedae doe not take kindly to liars. Your fate is in your hands, don't take it for granted. she looks to her companions for any other added words, then continues,
First and foremost, where is Mr. Black, assuming that is his real name? Was it him who constructed the golems? How many of you Aspis agents are left in this building and/or aiding Mr. Black in this endeavor? What other surprises may be in store for us in our search for him? Are there any other golems, ambushes, traps that we need to know about? Why is he targeting the Society, is there a specific motive or just general hatred?, not thinking of any other questions off the top of her head, she stares at each conscious enemy, staring into their very soul when they answer. She picks up on any clues or mannerisms which might hint at their lies or half-truths. All the while instilling fear into them in hopes to ensure the truth is given.
Jaelle speaks up and admits, "Yes, Black is his name. Chrysalis Black. He's got a laboratory below this building. There's a secret switch leading down to the basement in the storeroom. The Aspis pays Black a generous salary and in return he gives them secrets from the Golemworks and allows the Consortium to use the Doll House as a front for smuggling relics out of Magnimar. I stay as far away from him as possible though. His mother stays down in the rooms on the left; don't see her much."
She seems to be telling as much as she knows.
In his search of the main floor, Lavode finds that the back room contains two crates full of cotton batting sitting near the table and a large locker of empty dolls resting against the western wall. Thick drapes cover the windows.
On the table are 10 strange relics that stand out for their oddness . These objects are 1 miniature pewter whip and quill, 6 gilded wings, 1 seven pointed star encircled within a marble ring, and 1 silverscaled snake torso.
Storeroom: Two
chests and a stack of three crates fill this room. Sewing supplies and doll parts fill the chests, but the crates are hollow fakes.
Kitchen: The kitchen is impeccably clean.
Pantry: Flanks of meat, kegs of wine, and other perishables fill
this cold pantry.
[spoiler=DC 15 Heal check if Perception is made]The body parts are surgically prepared and preserved so as not to decompose as quickly or obviously as otherwise.
Living Quarters: These twin rooms are modestly furnished and provide a comfortable respite from the rest of the building. The west room is stocked with clothing befitting an elderly woman, while the east room contains the fine clothing of a well-groomed male merchant.
[spoiler=DC 12 Linguistics if both Perceptions are made]The journals are written in the same hand. The writing is identical to the script in both the notes and the "to do list". Both journals report mundance goings on around the Doll House, often referring to the same events from different perspectives.