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It takes Jinx about four minutes, but finally, the damn box clicks and it opens up... to a bevy of books. Inside are six books, each filled with arcane writing. The first book contains every wizardly cantrip, while the next five tomes each scale in more powerful spells
The combined value of each book filled as it is with spells, is nearly 20,000 gold crowns!
In the book with 3rd level spells, there is writing for secret page, but in the margins are several words that are crossed out (Eox, Aucturn, Carcosa) and one word that isn't (Dominion).
There are a total of 25 1st level spells, 22 2nd level spells, 16 other 3rd level spells, 13 4th level spells, and 10 other 5th level spells. One of the 3rd level spells is listed in the spoiler above. The special 5th level spell is a brand new unique spell... that you cannot use. But if you succeed in a DC 20 Spellcraft, I can give you the details on the spell.
Otherwise, I'm relaxing the restriction that your spells must only come from other familiars or scrolls, so if you want to add new level 1-5 spells to your spellbook, you can let me know which spells you are interested in, but the spell must be in both the sorceror/wizard spell list and the witch spell list.
Nori coos as she peers inside the box, ignoring the fuming kitten. Her eyes grow excited at the tomes. She twists a piece of her hair around a finger and a shadow crawls from under. The onyx shape materializes into a tiny scorpion that chitters as it craws down her arm. She extends her reach out to the box, "Jade, my love...explore these texts for me...tell me if you learn anything interesting."
Nori turns to the others, "At just a glance, these tomes will bring your weight...well twice your weight in gold, Jinx."
Nori peers up the ladder at the trapdoor. It seemed to her that if someone wanted to store away unused treasures, that's where they would be. She begins to scale the ladder and examines the door a little closure.
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Within this glass-domed chamber is an enormous telescope that sits upon a platform over a veritable sea of metal gears. An angled metal chair sits below the device, within reach of a cluster of pedals and levers that enable its occupant to perform adjustments to the telescope's orientation. Tables covered in books and charts occupy the southeast corner. The view of the surrounding skies afforded by the glass dome is
breathtaking in its expanse.
While Nori doesn't notice anything unusual, Wakiyan thinks he hears something strange in the corner.
Nori springs across the room, drawing her blade in the process. She takes a swing at the strange creature.
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Nori cuts the strange winged creature!
It floats 5 feet higher and hovers over Wakiyan and proceeds to assault him!
The horns distract Wakiyan, but it seems to be a feint that allows it to bite the undine in the neck! Despite the violent attack, Wakiyan then falls asleep!
Init order (bold = up!)
Wakiyan (11 damage, asleep)
Jinx
Nori
Horned thing (18 damage, 10' in the air)
Darb
Nori decides that the creatures insufferable fluttering about is becoming a nuisance. She attempt a called shot to its wing.
Darb walks over to the annoying beast, and attempts to end its life.
And if acrobatics is needed to move into flank,
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The little flying thing nonverbally scoffs at Darb's pitiful attack, but then turns to the next one who hurt it: Jinx!
Much like for Wakiyan, the horns distract the catwoman enough that it bites Jinx; a numbing sensation causes her to fall asleep on the floor!
Init order (bold = up!)
Wakiyan (11 damage, asleep)
Jinx (7 damage, asleep)
Nori
Horned thing (18 damage, 10' in the air)
Darb
Nori springs forward, diving under the creature to flank it.
Her blade sweeps up in its confusion, aiming again for its wing.
Darb tries to stab more accurately this time.
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And a myseterious Hyanda appears, stabbing the creature painfully! It falls apart, oozing out strange fluids until it melts on the floor.
That was a homunculous. Given the crazed way it attacked, it was probably Hunclay's and its master's death drove the thing crazy.
Wakiyan wakes up a minute later, while it takes 3 more minutes for Jinx to become roused from her catnap.
The star charts, a platinum astrolabe, six astronomical tomes from Taldan of old, and a pair handheld telescopes in the room are quite valuable. Altogether, the lot is worth around 5,000 gold pieces.
Nori holds her blade at the ready, staring at the stranger who has just popped into existence before their eyes. She glances at Jinx who begins to roam the room.
Nori calls up her arcane sight, her eyes fading to a dark violet as she peers into the ether and examines the wand's magical aura.
Immediately, the nature is revealed to her. Lightning courses through the core of the wand, diminished but no less potent. She grasps it and grins a bit wickedly, "Something I could use. Be glad the creature didn't."
She peers around the room, "Lets get to cataloging shall we?"
Nori reaches over suddenly and grasps Wakiyan's shoulder. He feels a sharp pinch as if stabbed by a needle. A moment later, he feels a burning creeping across his body as a black substance courses through his veins. The pain passes quickly and he finds some of his wounds healed.
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Taking what notes they can, the party grabs the wand and descends back down to the basement...
Which seems to be a storage cellar. Dozens of stacked crates and chests line the room and the two adjacent chambers. A single wooden door provides the only visible exit.
Looking through the various crates, you find that only mundane household goods are kept here. Nothing to report, unless you feel hungry for some canned mackerel.