"Anybody find direct evidence of wrongdoing?" Teniel asks the others, on the way back from the party. "I got a pretty suspicious response from mentioning "cursed dragon eggs," and I think Champawat found a big vault, but that's it. And we've got no magic to detect evil ogre guys."
Alree An replies, "I couldn't find anything terribly interesting. I was able to sneak around a bit, and turn invisible, but I didn't get into any secure areas, or hear any juicy tidbits of information."
"The hostess's daughter is quite promiscuous. While looking around, I witnessed her in rather outlandish behavior. Perhaps this information could be levied against her or traded to someone for access or information. I found a strong and reinforced door with an exceptional lock in a rather odd location. It's shear placement speaks to it's hidden nature. The lock was beyond my singular abilities, but perhaps with help, it could be opened. There is also the possibility of acquiring the key somehow. What about observing the manor until one of the more important servants was witnessed leaving and potentially replacing him or her with our own version?"
Tavros remains silent. He had nothing of particular to report. And to be honest, he was a little surprised his siblings were talking so freely of what they found in front of Lord Gonzago's servant person. He wasn't really sure why, but the man's master made him uncomfortable. And he had little doubt Lishon would report everything he heard back to him.
Day 23 - Late Night
The group is dropped off at the Inn where they originally met Lord Gongula without so much as a word from the lord himself. Lishon escorts the group a bit to the inn and sees them off and then nods. "Clearly, tonight's escapades should be kept under wraps. I hope you found what you sought. Farewell." The man curtly turns on his heel and walks back to the waiting coaches.
After another journey back to the temple, your group shuffles off to get some well earned sleep.
Day 24 - Morning
The next morning Alree An meets with you again. "Ok, what do we do now? What do we have? We have some doors and some information. I think the door is something we can act on immediately. If we prepare ourselves we can try to get in there. Are you able to recreate an illusion of the area by the door? It will help me when I teleport us there. I hope they do not have any warding in place. We may want some magic to fight traps or wards. Hmmm. I am not really a dungeon breaker type, any ideas?"
"It won't hold up under inspection," Teniel replies, "But I can create an illusion of a closed door, even if it does not turn us invisible."
"I meant those that encountered the doors." nodding at Makoto and Lucina, "So that I may have as accurate a picture of the area as possible to teleport us to. Although fooling any passersby with a closed door would also be useful."
After a much needed bath Lucina would make sure to go over the details of what she found as well and when Alree asked she'd do her best to describe her door.
"It was made out of some pretty thick wood and reinforced with huge metal bands and nails everywhere, there wasn't a lock and I didn't find any traps but that doesn't mean they aren't there."
Tavros sheds his fake guard's clothing, taking the time to munch on a few pieces of food he managed to sneak out with him.
The next day he meets with his family to discuss what's to be done. "I do not think I know any spells that would help with breaking in. The best I could do is grab some scrolls of spells to copy in to my spellbook that would make me less noticeable for the sneaking part, but those would only last around 4 minutes." "It's less elegant, but I could also pick up something that might help with breaking, but not much."
"Right then, how many days do you think we need to prepare or gather necessary materials or tools? The trial will come soon and we may be dragged into a legal mire of testimony. The faster we act against Lady Vinsing and determine if she indeed as the dragon turtle eggs, and what, if any, her involvement with Notorosake is, the better. If she and her Tiamat worshipping folk are in league those trying to bring about the Apocalypse, it means their efforts are much more well funded and organized then before."
"I can hopefully get us inside, to the door. Who can get us past the door? Hopefully quietly?"
"I will attempt to pray for protective and dispelling magics."
"Hmm." Teniel thinks. "We'll need invisibility, and plenty of it. Can you get us back out in a hurry? The eggs might be alarmed, and if not, walking through the whole house would be a challenge."
"We'll also need a scroll of Heroism—which I or Makoto can cast from—and a set of better thieves' tools for Champawat. These should only cost a few hundred gold, and we can find them in town in a day."
Lucina looked down at her sore hands. "Tavros might be able to but it was pretty sturdy."
"A vest of escape would be ideal. A scroll or two of silence, and maybe a few of knock as well. I will prepare an extract or two to help me look for hidden doors as well. Otherwise I am ready when everyone else is."
"I can handle the silence aspect."
"The vest would... take time." Teniel frowns. "If you can make do just with the tools and potions, we can be ready tomorrow."
"What do we need from town? I have only a few contacts here, some of those items will require specialists to create. Things like that don't sit on shop shelves. I can talk to Captain Miar who is more familiar with the area, or I can try to reach out to my contacts, but these things take some time."
"Better lock picks would be helpful and might be the easier to locate. With or without them, I am ready to try."
"And a potion or scroll of heroism. Easy things."
"Yeah, I don't think I can help much with the invisibility. Even if I had it in my spellbook, I would only have enough energy to cast it once a day. Perhaps some of you could at least pass as servants, which would reduce the need for it. I have at least been practicing my ability to hide, so I should be a bit less of a burden." And maybe there will be something heavy to lift, so I can be helpful.
"Easy he says....like I'm going to buy turnips.." Alree An mutters to herself in a huff at Teniel's suggestion. "Well, anyone want to come along? I will stop at a few temples first, that might be the best bet, at least we may make some contacts with some of the priest if possible. They may be aware of higher level practitioners or those who are capable of creating magic. I have spoken to the elder brothers here and they have given me one contact, though from my understanding the man may be retired from the crafting scene."
Alree An gets herself ready "So who is with me? Disguises? We are going rapid travel style."
"I could look in town for tools, if my disguise is easier for that—otherwise, sure."
"I'm in. I could use a chance to stretch my legs."
"I'm more than happy to go along with you. Seeing the present state of temples to gods other than Irori seems like an interesting notion, as well." Maks says, shifting forms a few times, before deciding to stick with the form initially shared by their watery friend. When it came to describing the room, Maks opted to instead paint them a picture, which would hopefully work just as well.
"It might be easier for all of you if I stayed here. Although if you think I could be of help, I can go along."
"Scrolls of things spells that work on doors? I know there was a spell that let people control wood which could help us out a lot but then again that was a long time ago..." If Tavros does decide to stay Lucina would keep him company.
"Right then, well Makoto, Teniel and Champawat get your disguises on and get a sack of gold.."
After a bit of getting ready to go in search of supplies, the group gathers, and Alree An teleports them into a part of town that she is familiar with.
"This is the temple of Abadar. It is my hope that we can discuss business matters here with one of the head priests who may have contacts, to allow us to hunt down the tools we need for the mission."
The group strides into the temple which is a large ornate affair, and within a short while Alree An has has spoken to a mid level priest inquiring who might be a good resource to contact about scribing magical scrolls.
The temple interior is fascinating and many mercantile types have come to offer to the gods for financial blessings or for legal advice as well.
Priests move about in efficient business like fashion.
Teniel keeps quiet, at least at first, though he makes an attempt to observe what languages the priests are speaking and get some idea if any strange ones are related to languages he knows (or ancient languages).
Teniel you lurk around and try to eavesdrop but most of the priests are speaking in the local language, and there are few conversations taking place in anything abnormal.
Alree An leaves you to your own devices as she tries to discern who may help your group. Eventually after what seems like quite a while she returns. "I have the name of a local group who may be able to provide us with the tools you need, as well as the ability to create a quick scroll of heroism. Come, heroes, lets get our scroll and lock picks."
You follow her out the temple as she winds her way through the streets following some instructions scrawled on a small papyrus scrap.
Eventually down a short alley to a green rounded door. The door is flanked on one side by a lit lantern, peculiar given the time of day, until you realize it is magically illuminated, and gives off no heat whatsoever.
Alree An knocks boldly on the door. "'Oo izeet?"
She replies, "Good friends, in need of special services. The 'owl' sent us." she turns and shrugs to you all smiling.
"Ahhhh okeee, come aaan een."
The door opens and a small gnomish fellow on mechanical stilts strides to the door to greet you. If he didn't open the door, you wonder who did, but even minor cantrips can do such things.
"Aaahm Tantii Maklopi" he offers a small browned weathered gnarled hand. Alree An takes it and curtsies politely and waves her hand in your direction. "These are my friends and associates in a very dangerous endeavor."
She pauses while you step up to introduce yourselves. You catch a glimpse into the room behind the man. Through a small foyer, you see a large open room piled with books, gadgets, scrolls, things in bottles, and an entire table full of alchemical equipment. Several candles burn despite magical globes of light illuminating the room from on high. The place has a strange odor from all the chemicals cooking away and from the must and odor of old books and scrolls.
The gnome wears sturdy woolen breeches and a shirt. Peculiar for the tropical environment. He has some goggles propped on his head, and the mechanical stilt legs clamped to his hips and waist. He walked somewhat proficiently in them, although the scene is rather comical.
Champawat looked around the foyer with awe. Her mouth hung open as her attention slowly went from item to item. Noticing the gnome again, she briefly shook her head to refocus and bowed. "Uh, my name is Champawat, and you have a magnificent workshop here. I am truly impressed." She was unsure if the gnome understood what she was saying, but she meant every word. She liked to dabble with chemicals and experiment, but she had never seen such a collection before. Master had quite a laboratory, but it was probably gone for good. Oh the things she could make with a little time here.
"OOouuuaaaaagh, Ahh plezzure to meet you Champaawaaat." He seems to look at you strangely, inspecting you, even lowering his goggles over his eyes briefly. "Ehh."
The group is led into the strange gnomes workshop, into a small area. Most of the furniture seems human sized, and perhaps explains why he walks about on stilts to reach various cupboards and high shelves. Even the workbenches and tables are not sized appropriately.
While you wait, Alree An and the gnome chit chat. She explains what she needs but not exactly why. After some talk the gnome agrees to scribe a scroll of heroism, and will also be able to provide some masterwork tools.
They agree on the fee and chit chat a bit more, and then everyone seems to stand around awkwardly.
"Weeeeel, come back later i weel have ze scroll done, and ze 'tools'. You can pay me den."
The group leaves the gnome to his lab, and wanders the town for a few hours, the time it takes for him to write the scroll and masterwork transform the tools.
Teniel is happy to pay for the goods, accustomed as he is with actually buying things from the locals.
The group returns after several hours, and the gnome again answers the door and invites you into his realm of barely controlled chaos. He passes you a small parcel with the scroll in a tube, and a small bag with shiny new masterwork tools for all sorts of small device work. "Doze arr for de feexing of clocks." he winks. "Ok go be heroes.."
You depart from the man's workshop and having purchased a few other mundane items (Champawat's list) you return to the temple to make your next plans.
"Ok, lets break this down step by step. What are we doing? I need to beseech the gods in the morning for this to be a success. I will have to be particular about my spells."
Champawat extends her arm and makes an effort to shake the gnome's hand. "Truly sir, it has been an honor to meet you. I hope to see you again sometime. Maybe we could discuss experiments or collaborate on a project."
Champawat walked with a little more bounce in her step. The possibility of working with someone with a shared interest was invigorating.
Once back at the temple, they started to plan their mission. "Depending on how close you can get us, I should be able to navigate back to the door. Regardless, I'll try to open it quickly and quietly, but if you can block the sound, that would go a long way to maintaining our stealth, especially if I am unable to bypass the locking mechanism. If that is the case, a knock spell may work. Otherwise, we'll have to break the door down. Hmm, a make whole spell may be helpful in covering our tracks if that occurs. Once beyond the door, we really don't know what to expect. Does anyone have access to clairvoyance? Anyways, once through the door, we'll have to search for the eggs and be ready for potential resistance, traps, and alarms. I think we should be prepared for the worst."
"I cannot make silence. I can, however, create an illusion of a door."
"I can handle magical silence, and getting us in and out."
"I could either transform into the Butler, or you could, Teniel. You're... more capable as an impostor than I, I'm certain." Maks adds to the list of things they could do to make things run more smoothly. "Alternately, we could see about getting a uniform like the guards wore."
"I... haven't mastered specific disguises as well as you have, Makoto. I'm still working on it, but maybe you should take that one. I could be a lookout, perhaps, with my stealth and knowledge of the language? And Lucina could assist with the locks, and Tavros with carrying eggs."
"Maks makes a good point. I can use the hat to resemble a common servant. Alree An, can you disguise yourself somehow? Otherwise I am ready when you are."
Tavros continues to chill back at the monastery. He enjoys sparring with some of the monks. It was kind of like being back home with Father and sparring with his siblings. Except, well, the monks all looked kind of weird. He would never say so to their face of course, he knew enough to know that that would be rude. But still, their styles were quite different from what he had been taught, and it was an interesting challenge to try to adjust to them.
"I would suggest spells that focus on getting us in and out quickly, as well as protecting from a variety of troubles. Protection from evil, from elements - the Oni chose to utilize a potent cold spell when last we fought. Silence, Waterbreathing - on the off chance it's necessary, we won't regret it - Finally, conjuration magics to summon creatures, such as a hound Archon, can work double-duty... and cover many of the things we aren't prepared for." Maks responds to Alree, after a moment of pondering what she expected to run into.
As promised Lucina keeps Tarvos company, while she wasn't much of a sparring partner due to their size difference she was more than happy to sit on the side lines of him and the monks while waiting for the return of the others.
"I am ready, I have prepared my spells and I have studied, Makoto's painting to the best of my ability. I can teleport us there, and hope that there are no wards in place preventing such magic from working. Prepare your final requirements. Also, I can only bring three people per teleport, and Tavros, you count as two... Because of this, I have had to scribe extra scrolls to account for this. I have six scrolls, one to take the first of us, another to get me back, and a third to take the second group. A set of three more will duplicate the efforts. If we have to leave in a hurry, there will be some delays.."
After the group gets their final spells selected, Alree An teleports you to the location painted.
- success
- success
- success
Having successfully arrived, the group stands outside the door. Some have taken precautions to disguise themselves, but Tavros really doesn't have a method to obscure his bulk and distinct appearance. You hope no one comes way down here.
Initially the group doesn't move and whispers quietly to determine their next action for getting through the door.
Champawat quickly pulls out her shiny new tools and begins to go to work on the lock.
When the others arrive Lucina, seeming to have lost track of time, quickly scrambles to throw together a disguise and while she doesn't have much luck manages to get something at least acceptable for the trip.
When they arrive at the door Lucina steps back as Champawat begins to work on the lock, she looks it over with detect magic just in case something has changed before moving to help her sibling.
Tavros shifts uncomfortably as his sisters deal with the lock, attempting rather poorly to make himself seem as small as possible.