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Craving and aversion, these drive a man's misery. Yet, which one is it? Did those who killed him crave the possessions of Archibald, or simply hate the man? Iridestine wonders out loud, trying not to have Agnes within earshot to spare her feelings.
If craving it is, the vault is likely the object of desire. Let's inspect there.
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Agnes took out her key ring:
- I haven't been there for long time, but I still have the first key, - she opened door, showing the staircase descending to underground floor. This bare corridor lead to the double doors of the vault. A hook for a hanging lantern was mounted on the western wall at the base of the stairs, and underneath it was a single chair.
Philthy detects for magic and looks around the vault - "I'm in no hurry"
Take 20, for a 22, or 24 if it involves stonework.
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- I'd like to, but Archivin was only one with a key.
Inspection through the steel gate performed by Pathfinders brought to their attention traces of someone, who was picking up loot contents in a hurry. Philthy detected some magic items here and there, standing on the shelves, as well he found that floor is not as solid as it may seem.
"The floor is false perhaps? Look for a trigger to open it" suggests the dwarf
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- Archi mentioned something about precautions, but I haven't payed much attention. He had key and always was dealing with vault personally. This key wasn't found on his body, so I don't know how we can get inside. Might be we can ask for Vea's help, but she is always busy in her smithy. I'd like the lock to be open, since customers will come sooner or later to pickup their stuff, and I need to be able to go there.
Careful investigation confirmed that there is an area under the floor, but it probably opened from elsewhere.
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- Keep calling me missis, I am used to that for more than twenty years. I think guards upstairs are ready to protect me if something happens and meanwhile I'll clean the mess in display room, so we could open faster.
Vea Semere appeared to be an owner of Semere Arms, owner of local weapon store. Being an expert weaponsmith, she could earn her place in local society despite being a half elf.
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"Good day," Ayla says when she sees the store's owner. "My name's Ayla. I reckon you've heard the sad news about Agnes's husband? My companions and I are investigating the murder of Archivin. We're looking for a locksmith to help us access the vault below the Locked Box. Agnes doesn't have the key, as it was missing from Archivin's body. I hope you're able and willing to help?"
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Semere Arms is nice smithy, packed with multiple examples of high quality weapon along the walls. Most of them, are decorated with gold plating or intricate thin metalwork.
As friends start to speak, half-elf laughs as response:
- Wow! Of course, I will help you, but don't expect others to be as forthcoming.
She packed some of her tools, closed her shop and moved forward, sharing a bit of town history along the way.
- Five years ago, I have had my share of bad attitude. This place is somewhat stuck back in history: people are leaving the old traditions, which mean that if you don't have weapon, you are not worthy speaking with. They order me to craft fancy new dagger, when a child is born; when they come of age - parents tend to spend several hundreds to order a mean-looking sword or nice and balanced rapier. Because of my skills, they are okey with half-blooded human living next to them.
As friends reached Locked Box, Vea met Agnes and they greet one each other without specific friendship or other feelings. Agnes mentioned that she would like Vea to investigate the lock inside vault and replace it with new one. They speak about price and have agreement at 100gp for the service package. After hands are shaken, they ready to proceed.
All the group, moved to the lower floor and occupied almost all of the coridor. Vea took a look at the lock and recognized this to be a hard work, but possible for her to complete. After two minutes, she finally was able to release the mechanism and let the door open.
- Mmm.. there is a spring, probably to keep the door opening slower. It requires some strength to be applied, but you can go inside now... I'll take the lock in my workshop to create a new key, but meanwhile it won't lock by itself, though it may close. I will be ready in couple hours...
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Ayla moved into room, opening the door, which moved quite hard. As she entered inside, her sister followed and than Keelee. Meanwhile, Philthy took some time to outline the floor anomaly, he discovered earlier.
The storage room had some traces of search: some stuff was laying on a floor, some was dropped on shelves. Small bag filled with different items was found behind one of the display boards. As Ayla and Layla moved closer to get a better look, on the other side of the room a strange figure appeared. Greysh-blue body was quickly changing its tone to match the look of stone wall around. Humanoid wearing simple cloth was running to the door as fast as he could.
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- Chief sent us to take the loot! He gave us a key to open doors, - guy actually seems lost.
After he understood, he is not in danger, he decided to speak openly.
- It was planned that storage will be empty, but there was a guard upstairs. Kymeth killed him so he couldn't raise the alarm. We went here to pack the stuff, because chief said we should return it to him and then he'll share from his stash. When we started packing, steel door locked itself again. Rogi opened it and went to check, but something happened and she dissapeared. Kymeth ran away and I couldn't make it in time before steel door locked again.
He was waving his hand, pointing the steel porticulus. As confirmation for his words, steel door tried to close several times, but for Keelee standing nearby was no problem catching and stopping it.