[Name Redacted] (Inactive)

Game Master Shadowtail24

Gray took in all the information with a stoic expression, merely nodding if the Leroung noble's eyes linger on him for long. Jumping the Thrune noblewoman as she was about seemed a fool's task, according to the information, so an infiltration effort would be the way to go. The young man merely smirked as the halfling mentioned it all in a matter-of-fact way, as though they were going to get some fish from the market. This one must double as the Leroung sales pitchman.

The inquisitor smiled thinly as Drem suggested which guard to bribe. Maybe they could work it out that way. Or maybe the guard would disappear. Either way, the young man hoped the nobleman's information was up to date.

As Dice spoke of the Founding Contracts, Gray's brow arched high. That was very delicate information about all the houses that Drem was offering. The halfling must really have wanted Alana dead to impart such valuable knowledge to them. Possessing the contracts was half the battle, but Gray worked to remember how to destroy them, as well, just in case.

As Drem spoke of the animagi, the inquisitor seemed almost bored, his knowledge of the arcane only passing. He knew of their importance in this whole scheme, surely, but he didn't have the foundation to even begin to understand about the complicated things. He'd trust that those more learned would understand and then interpret to him later.

You give us the locations of two contracts, one possible general area, and tell us that you aren't sure about the rest? You know that Leroung has an Animagi, but not how to defeat it?

Ziera takes a moment, trying to resist the urge to strangle the man herself.

And no wonder you haven't been able to get anyone to participate in your overly ideal assassination plot.

So, there is some awesome but very limited information here, and what it tells us is basically that we aren't ready to do any of this. The spells required to destroy the contracts are WELL above our level. This guy doesn't know where the majority of the contracts are... only why they are, and how to destroy them, which we are currently incapable of.

To help with the convo in the discussion thread. Dice can clarify the below.

-Contracts can be moved. Scrying them is possible but also unlikely, as the magic of the contract interferes quite a bit.

”If the contracts can be moved, we can worry about destroying them after the fact. Something tells me that if we manage to snag Thrune’s, we could find a Sarini willing to help us destroy it.”

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Know Planes: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

If that’s not enough to know anything, Edmund could always use the library. One this good should grant a hefty bonus.

Gray listened to them all, the same look upon his face through the entire discussion. The contracts, animagi, assassination attempt, the inquisitor absorbed it all, nodding along at Ziera's and Edmund's words thoughtfully. All good information, though incomplete. Then again, there rarely were times when all the information was known. Being a good infiltration agent filled in the gaps.

As the discussion progressed, Gray turned to the others. "So shall we proceed with the attempt, then? If anything, the enemy will be surprised by it, so our mystery party that is searching for us likely won't be there. No matter what we do, it will require careful planning, so we might as well get started."

Certainly. Let us proceed.

To Dice:
I assume that you will attempt to gather more information about this subject and that, should we survive, you will keep us informed. I hope I am not mistaken in that assumption.

She speaks politely and calmly, but the threat is clear in her words. As far as she is concerned, this price is more than worth his long-term continued attention to their need, and she will accept nothing less.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Ziera, can you clarify the subject? Alana or Contracts?

She's talking about the contracts and the animagi.

Dice shrugs in response to Ziera. “It’s what i would be doing anyway. I’m just not going down with you if you fail. I’ll advise, but i will not be a part of it. If i get caught, you don’t work with me. And if you get caught, i don’t work with you. That’s how it worked with the last guy and that’s how it will work for you. ”

”Last guy?”

"Somehow that doesn't inject a good amount of confidence." murmurs Antonio.

Dice nods, then cocks his head for a secon. He stands and heads to the opening, looking out for a second. He answers distractedly. “A tiefling has been, well had been, asking me about contracts for a while. He was just executed though. Honorable man at least, he didn’t sell me out. At least i don’t think he did. ”

He turns back. “Someone’s coming, hang on.” He disappears for a minute and then comes back. “I need to start my shift soon, so we need to wrap this up.” His focus returns to you, his eyes shifting between Ziera and Vince. “So, are we doing this deal?”

”He didn’t, except to us.”

Yes, we're doing the deal. Where is the Leroung contract?

Vince nods. “Aye, we’re in. Even if we have to kill all of Thrune on the way to Alana. ” He smiles, and then twists his neck to the side with a crack.

Dice frowns at Edmund’s comment but perks up at Ziera and Vince’s confirmation. Dice looks around out the entrance to the alcove again. He steps back inside and beckons everyone to a table at the back. He motions everyone to push it aside. He then steps between two of the sconces and pulls out a piece of paper. “It opens here. You need a combination of Celestial, Infernal, Terran, Dwarven, Ignan, Draconic, Elven, Dwarven, Gnome, Halfling, Goblin, Sylvan, Giant, Kobold, and, of course, common. Those shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but the Druidic should be. I can teach that phrase to you, though, i think. Druidic is complicated. ”

He carefully utters a long phrase, and a portal door opens in front of him. He pulls out a medallion. “Then you need to use this to get through. But i need this back when you’re done. I’ll repeat that, i really need this back when you’re done. ”

He steps back, handing the medallion to Ziera. The portal door closes as he steps away from it. “I don’t know what’s down there; i never have had the courage to check the area. ”

He then takes several minutes to teach you the words you don’t know.

I will need INT checks from everyone to learn the phrases in the languages you don’t know. I believe Druidic, Kobold, Sylvan, Giant, and Goblin are the ones you don’t know

Edmund knows Goblin, Giant, and Sulvan, and isn’t Kobold just Draconic?

Int check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Yeah, the Kobold race just gets Draconic as a language.

Int check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Int: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Gray arched a brow at the overly complicated set of utterings needed to open the way to the Leroung contract, but said nothing of it. Surely he would put all kinds of wards and defenses around something like that. Honestly, he'd probably put it in a non-descript box and bury it in the garden, but that was him.

The inquisitor's eyes shifted to Ziera, and a calculating smile appeared on his face. He looked pleased with himself, but still kept quiet, obviously not wanting to clue the elven woman or any of the others onto his train of thought.

Yeah, not sure what i was thinking with Kobold. So it looks like just the Druidic is needed to be learned.

Vince Int: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Int check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

What's the DC? Was at least Antonio able to learn it?

Ziera saw Gray glance at her in that cold way of his. I'm losing him again. I keep feeling like there is a real person underneath there, but I can never seem to tap into it for long. ... Of course, we just agreed to murder someone. How could I hope to touch the humanity in him when I am losing my own?

Ziera looks lost for a moment, but then her face returns to normal.

She says to Dice Yeah, I figured. You know there is an Animagi there, but you have no idea how to face it. I guess we'll find out.

She asks everyone Portal first? I know we need to plan, but should we make sure all of this is even possible? She moves closer to the portal like she is drawn to it.

Gray nodded in agreement with the elven woman, his smile remaining in place as he could see the gears in her head turning. Always thinking, that one, not a negative trait at all. The simple farmboy he had been would be overwhelmed and intimidated. What he had become...he didn't know what he could feel. Pain ruled him.

The inquisitor made ready to proceed down the rabbit hole once everyone was ready, certain they were about to encounter some strange things.

DC is 25. I will give Antonio the check and the others successful aids (Ziera, Gray and Vince), resulting in a 26.

Dice looks relieved as Antonio, with some coaching, manages to correctly pronounce the Druidic phrase. Between the group, you successfully test revealingthe portal with the entire phrase.

Dice listens to Ziera’s comment but does not respond. “Well, you are set here. I need to work now, good luck to you. I look forward to our next meeting. ” His tone seems only slightly sarcastic. He slips out of the alcove and down the aisles.

Im waiting on you guys to act.

Ziera proceeds through the portal.

Edmund follows her in.

Once the medallion is put in the portal the magic force field clears and you are free to enter. Steps lead down into what appears to be an underground passage. The walls are smooth stone though, not rough cave. At the bottom of the steps is a bracket holding several torches. The portal remains open for a few moments after everyone has entered and then closes. The light from the library disappeares with it, leaving you in the dark.

Vince and Payk follow. Payk seems amazed at the portal; Vince seems unimpressed.

Vince draws kukri as he walks down the stairs, his stance already falling into his natural fighting form.

Payk quickly grabs a torch and lights it with flint from his pack.

Edmund casts dancing lights to send four magical torches floating ahead of them.

Ziera's halo lights up as soon as she hits darkness, and everyone instantly knows that she is an Aasimar, not an elf.

Assuming that Antonio and Gray also made it through the portal if they are coming, and it didn't close with people left behind, right?

Yes, everyone is in

Payk marvels at the halo. "ooooooooh"

As Antonio enters, he notes the feel of the place. "Hm. A bit dark, but I suppose they don't expect many people to come through here."

He notes his belongings, making sure they're all still there since walking through the portal. As he spots his mask, he turns to the group.

"I don't suppose I could stay behind you all? I don't know much of combat, but you still need me to open the portal."

Gray drew out his wickedly spiked chain soon after they entered the portal, seemingly unimpressed with the magic workings of the door to this hidden area. Hopefully they could retrieve the contract without much of a fuss, but he wasn't willing to bet on it.

As Ziera's halo emitted its holy light in the gloom, the young man's eyes widened slightly. An angelkin, here in the heart of Cheliax? No wonder she seemed to go to pains to look like an elf instead. His opinion didn't change of her, though...she seemed fairly honorable and had dealt with their enemies in as nice a manner as could be expected.

Gray's eyes shifted to Antonio as he made his remark, the inquisitor smirking at the comment but making no retort. At the wizard's question, Gray just shrugged and turned back toward the way they were going, his answer clear enough. One more step towards regaining his memories and figuring out who he had become.

No problem Antonio, but of course please help if possible. None of us know what we will be facing exactly. You look tougher than Edmund. Maybe you can take the rear and make sure no one hits him from behind?

Proposed marching order: Payk first (stealth ahead and scout?), then Vince, Gray, Ziera, Edmund, Antonio. When there is room for two abreast then the same, just in pairs: P/V, G/Z, E/A ... Work for everyone?

Works for me.

Payk, are you good at stealth and scouting ahead?

Payk nods, and looks around. He finds a sconce on the wal and hangs up the torch. He pulls out a bow and arrow and preps to fire. Then he scampers off ahead of the light. He’s back in minutes. “There’s a door ahead, I did not open it. ”

The corridor continues for a few hundred feet and then hits 2 flights of stairs. The stairs double the path back underneath the original corridor. After what you are pretty sure is the same distance of the upper corridor, you hit a door.

Payk and Vince burst through the door as it opens.

Light floods in from the door, as torches illuminate a vast room. You step out onto a platform, ten feet by ten feet, with railings to the left and right. 7 other identical platforms with 7 other identical doors ring the circular room, but it is the central platform that draws the eye. A piller extending down into darkness holds a wooden bridge. The bridge currently connects your platform to a door directly opposite you.

Edited the 2nd paragraph to account for Ziera’s spell opening the door. Also, there are no other living beings noticeable in the room.

Ziera thanks Payk. Ziera keeps her bow out, walks forward with the rest of the group, and when she gets in range (35 feet away) of the door, she casts Open.

Wrote that after the Payk post only, but probably works here too. Might as well start somewhere.

”While not typically a gambling man, I would be quite willing to bet any large sum of money that that bridge can be rotated somehow to connect different sets of doors. Any takers?”

You're probably right. Do you see a mechanism for doing so? If we find out some way of knowing where we actually need to go, it could come in handy.

”It’s a shame none of us thought to press Mr. Drem for a map,” Edmund says.

I think that he said he had never been down here. ... I guess that doesn't mean he doesn't have a map, but if he did I am guessing he would have given it to us. If we don't make it out, his precious assassination doesn't happen. Me, I think he doesn't have one. The guy is book smart, not street smart at all. He thinks if he gives us a few tidbits that that's all it takes. Unfortunately, dead wrong of course.

I just saw that my open was applied to earlier instead of now, sorry.

Zadira casts open on the door across the bridge from them.

How long is the bridge?

The circular room is 40 feet in diameter. so you could get to the end of your current platform and be 30 feet away. You open the far side door, and it opens willingly. There is only darkness behind the threshold.

Edmund sends the dancing lights through the far door and as far as they go (range 150 feet).

The lights illuminate a wall on the left of the door, but visilbility to the right is blocked by the door itself. The room beyond does seem to extend 40 - 50 back.

The light also does not seem to attract anything, as you do not see movement.

What do you guys think... take the door, or cast Open on the rest of these doors and see what else there is?

Gray pondered Ziera's question for a moment, then said, "Open the other doors. If there is anything in there that is hostile, we might be able to see it, and they will hopefully be as powerless to reach us as we are to reach them at the moment. We can perhaps then plan how to proceed." The inquisitor shrugged, not really having thought much about a labyrinthine maze before. Best to proceed with the more cautious strategy.

A quick note I didn't call out in the description:

With a 40-foot diameter, and 8, 10-foot wide platforms, the gap between platforms is only 5 feet.

Ziera starts casting Open on all the doors, starting with the one to their immediate left, and of course skipping the one directly across from them that they are connected to by the bridge, since that one is already open.

She waits between one door and the next to see if anything can be seen, or if anything jumps out. If not, she continues. If so, she stops so they can deal with it.