The two clerks offer no resistance to being restrained, clearly having no weapons or armor to defend themselves with. Athalis leafs through the secured documents as Borox dispenses healing and finds a number of bills of sale suggesting the traffic of Thassilonian relics. Some of the daily logs also refer to a separate vault in the house, although they do not reveal the location.
Borox finds that the keyring does have the key to the secret door in the battleground room. Within is a chamber dedicated to a finely carved pedestal, on which rests a glowing sphere. The sphere radiates magic as the party sweeps the room, which contains only another door to the east.
Wolfgang
Borox (Damage: 25)
Thokzazt
Athalis
Agraic
Metume (Damage: 7)
Metume finds the door to be locked as well. Borox checks the entire keyring, but finds none of them work.
Athalis and Borox find they cannot recognize the glowing sphere on the pedestal. Finding the next door locked, Thokzazt makes short work of it. The room beyond is clearly the second vault spoken of by the records, as ironbound chests are lined up against the northern wall while fine art covers all four walls. A cabinet stands to the south, filled with tomes marked by age. A flawless statue of an imposing woman stands in the corner with arms wide open. Two glass cases hold a finely crafted cloak on display, as well as another amulet stored below a full body portrait of a Taldan man. Both the cloak and amulet register as magical while the statue in the corner is clearly enchanted with a powerful aura. A note is affixed to the case with the pendant.
"B' Cay'en, th' fa'cy cl'th i' Thassiloni'n cut!" Agraic exclaims.
Wolfgang, being uninterested in magical matters, peers through the secret panel to see a plain meeting room occupied by a table and simple chairs.
Wolfgang
Borox (Damage: 25)
Thokzazt
Athalis
Agraic
Metume (Damage: 7)
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Welp, we'll be taking that cloak then, as well as that specifically marked item as well, she states matter-of-factly as she grabs them and tosses them to Thokzazt. Don't know what else might be of interest, but I saw a desk back there that caught my attention, she offers as explanation before heading out into the office and rummaging through the desk.
Thokzazt is able to identify the amulet as that of the 'godcaller', confirming the note with it to be accurate. The cloak and sphere elude him however.
and can breathe underwater indefinitely. She also gains a swim speed equal to her base land speed.
Metume peruses the desk to find it covered in maps. The only other thing she notices in the room are half-burnt papers filling the fireplace. They appear to be wine manifests for delivery.
Thokzazt checks over the maps, recognizing the work of Pathfinder cartographers, depicting the Grand Lodge in Absalom and the Inner Sea. Markings on the Inner Sea maps detail Pathfinder operations and sites. Checking the receipts, Sheila Heidmarch is instantly recognizable as one recipient, while the others are quickly identified as Pathfinder allies local to Magnimar.
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Unsure about the meeting room Wolfgang rejoins the others:"Seems like that panel allows to check on the room on the other side. I'm not sure why they put it there. An interrogation room, perhaps?"
Then Wolfgang considers the significance of the documents Thokzazt decrypted as he explains it:"Well... seems like someone put a target on our employer's head..."
Athalis realizes the statue is enchanted to provide a boon in exchange for a portion of the users vitality. Entering into an embrace with the figure activates the enchantment. Checking over the rest of the room, he finds the chests to be locked. The cabinet is open, filled with various books that appear to be valuable but benign.
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Athalis raises his eyebrows as he realizes the significance of the statue's magic. "Interesting! It appears that embracing this statue will grant a boon of some kind, though it will drain the vitality of whoever does so." Checking over the rest of the room, he calls out for Thokzazt. "There are some locked chests in here for you to smash! Do try to be careful though, there might be delicate artifacts inside them. Unless someone has a key to try?" The magus asks hopefully. He takes a few more minutes to look through the valuable books, against casting Detect Magic to find any other auras.
Athalis detects magic auras on the chests themselves, recognizing abjuration spells upon them. Borox attempts to open them with the key ring but finds none of the keys fit.
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"Bloody keys! Ye be needin' magical keys for these, lad. I dinnae think what's in them will be something we be a'needin' anyway. Remember, we be needin' to find evidence about these Snakes smuggling and not treasure to be a lootin'."
Borox hopes no one noticed him stuffing the tapestry into his pack earlier.
Athalis checks over the bookshelf while Thokzazt makes for the warehouse to check over the Aspis agent for keys. The gardens and yard are quiet, the fallen guards still motionless on the ground. A quick search turns up a ring of keys much like the one Borox has been carrying, as well as a book full of arcane formulas. Bringing the keys back to the hidden vault, Thokzazt begins testing the locks. Athalis completes a perusal of the tomes, finding ancient histories and rare copies of well known titles, but little of current interest. Thokzazt finds none of the keys seem to fit the locks on the chests.
Wolfgang
Borox (Damage: 25)
Thokzazt
Athalis
Agraic
Metume (Damage: 7)
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Athalis turns away from the books, and speaks to the others. "I believe we have enough incriminating evidence, though perhaps we should take these chests as well since we cannot verify their contents. This hidden vault was referenced in the records those agents attempted to burn, and they likely contain precious artifacts. We could load them, and the prisoners, on the wagon. Our time is nearly done here and it is likely Sloan will be arriving soon - as well as the city guard."
The magus points out the evidence they've collected thus far, to his knowledge anyway.
~ We have the coins with residual illusion magic that matches the glamer that covered the dig site, proving it was illegally smuggled into Bronze House from the ruins.
~ A magical amulet crafted with sharp barbs and a certificate of authenticity.
~ A kidnapping victim, Jardan Viskeni who has ties to Lady Heidmarch - he claims that a man who looked like him was involved and it would seem that the doppleganger was present at the meeting.
~ A notebook with a list that includes Heidmarch manor, records of bribes to city guards and other locations are all addresses of Pathfinder allies and associate businesses in Magnimar.
~ Two clerks that tried to burn incriminating documents taken prisoner. The papers we rescued from the fire include a number of bills of sale suggesting the traffic of Thassilonian relics. Reference as well to a vault that contained several ironbound chests and numerous pieces of fine art, including a flawless statue of an imposing woman with arms wide open, a finely crafted cloak as well as another amulet with a certificate.
~ Maps detailing Pathfinder operations and excavation sites. Wine delivery receipts including Sheila Heidmarch as one recipient, while others are identified as Pathfinder allies local to Magnimar.
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Provided the chests are not bolted to the floor, Agraic is willing to grab one of them and help move it. The statue? Not so much.
"T' quo' m' bu'y 'quarius... Time to geeteeffoh!' Agraic notes, agreeing with Athalis' assessment and hoping that there's enough info for what the Society and the other folks need.
He'll also off-handedly point out pissed-off passed out half-elf woman might be important to bring along as well...
The chests are heavy, but teamwork allows them to be lifted off of the vault floor and maneuvered through the door. Exiting the inner study with a quick shove of the long darkwood table to make room allows the Pathfinders to carry their burden into the open night air. Plenty of room remains in the wagon to stack the chests on, but the loading has barely begun when a voice rings out in the yard. "What in the Nine Hells is this?"
A gaunt, fashionably dressed Taldan quivers with outrage as he approaches. His clothes are in disarray, but he moves with surety. The two followers accompanying him half draw their weapons but a gesture from the man stops them. “How dare you hooligans trespass here? Are you fools or simply new to Magnimar? I assure you, you’ll be coming to know the Hells quite well. Explain yourselves before I see your families arrested as conspirators in this vandalism and thievery as well.”
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" 'owdy! 'f y' a part' t' th' workin's 'ere, the' we'll nee' y' t' come wi' us quie'l'y f'r ques'in'in in regar's all kin's 'f Mag'mar law. Are y' a par' t' thi'?" the Caydenite inquires with a bit of an unseen quirk behind his rusty nasty armor faceplate. "Sugges' y' ste' awa' an' le' thin's set'l 'emsel' ou'. STRONGLY."
"Are you nothing but ignorant dullards? Speak proper Taldan, you fool! I am Maiveer Sloan, director of Bronze House, and you are in a great deal of trouble for your illicit activities this night."
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"Alright. Since you asked kindly enough we'll lay it out to you straight. We're here to test the security -- you failed.. Where's the antidote you're going to hold over the Pathfinder and associate heads to force concessions out of them? You DID think of that contingency, right? What kind of ignorant dullard just shoves poison out there as a one-off and not as leverage?"
Agraic peers at Sloan intently, waiting for a response and squinting a bit.
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Taken aback by Agraic's sudden fluent use of Taldane, Metumé takes a moment to compose herself before jumping in on the ruse. We found plenty of evidence and know exactly where you're targeting, best to give up the jig now, Sloan. And maybe we'll see if we can put in a good word with the Council of Ushers regarding your other illicit activities if you cooperate.
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Removing his helmet, Thokzazt's skin looks to be gray and muted, Teeth and Gums exposed behind withered lips. "I am very familiar with Hell, and I assure you, this is all to the Letter of the Law." Shifting the weight of Sloan's 'Subordinate' on his shoulder, he glares back at Sloan with inky black eyes. "I assume that you recognize a servant of Asmodeus when you see one, and would do well to cooperate with our continued investigation. We have seen so very many infractions on Magnimar Law already, and will NOT abide any more of this foolishness."
Thokzazt's menacing reveal causes the two men behind Sloan to pale, one taking a half step back. Glancing at the scuff of the boot behind him, the Aspis leader sneers. "Steel your guts, men. This Hellknight is clearly outside of his limited jurisdiction. Anything they steal from the premises and any harm they bring to our personnel will be repaid dearly in court." He slides his gaze from Thokzazt to Metume, the curl of his lip deepening. "Evidence gained through vigilantism would be rendered quit inadmissible, my dear. Do brush up on the due process of the law."
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"But what of Evidence gathered through Legitimate Practices? As Authorized by the Council of Ushers? Giving us authority and I quote to seize goods unlawfully acquired, to search any place of residence or business suspected of harboring such goods, and to detain any persons found to be engaged in such unlawful practices as the Possession or Looting of such goods in reference to the Thassilonian Artifacts found in this establishment. You did just mention that you are the Director, and thus it would be necessary to be aware of the actions done on your behalf." Glancing quickly to Agraic, he nods "If you would be so kind as to manacle this Director I'm sure the Council of Ushers would love to hear your side of this ridiculousness."
The two escorts step forward to interpose themselves between the party and Sloan. "You throw weighty words, spawn, but they are only wind without backing. There is no authority here save my own. You will only prolong your sentence attempting to enact such a farce."
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Maybe he'd stop his bluster if you showed him the writ, my good knight, Metumé suggests with an exasperated sigh, let him know he's no longer in the good graces of the city and stop with the unenforceable threats. As it is... she adds rummaging through the cart before pulling out the cloak as well the coins from the dig site and displaying them for Sloan to see from a safe distance, we have plenty of evidence showing your illegal sale of goods from Thassilonian historical sites for our purposes.
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"Ye be talkin' oot of yer mind, boyo if ye be thinking to threaten a Dwarf with yer talk o' devils and the like. Now if ye be a'wantin' to test yer authority, close yer hole and reach fer a weapon so I can take it away from ye and shove it up yer arse. Yer nothing but a bloody thief."
Borox pushes a chest further onto the wagon and then reaches over to pick up another one to load onto it.
"Now draw steel or get yer arse outta our way. If ye be in a hurry to get to yer Hells I can speed yer way."
Borox will attempt to aid Thokzazt's intimidate roll.
Sloan's sneer turns slightly sour as Metume produces the contraband found in the building, but he composes himself as he looks to Borox and Thokzazt. "Bah! As if I would lower myself to your base level and engage in crass bloodthirst. Produce your flimsy scroll if you think it will save you a year of imprisonment."
Producing a single monocular, Sloan briefly scans the writ, pausing longest at the bottom to inspect the signature. "Hrm, so you are the rats Melnat spoke of overrunning the..." He catches himself, stuffing the lense back into his pocket. “So the Council sends you to steal from me? No, you vermin have become too bold.” He dismisses the writ with a wave of his hand. “You think your flimsy piece of paper will hold up in the courts? I shall see you there on the morrow and we will see who has the upper hand.”
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"What's the matter, Sloan? Running a bit scared now, ain't ya? Yer already backin' down from your first threats because the writ is legal and proper. I notice ya ain't drawn steel yet either. Yer a crook and a liar."
Borox tells the others to keep loading the wagon.
"This here yellow belly ain't gonna stop us because he cannae do so. He's bluffing and now he's cornered. Let's get this evidence to the rulers. The sooner we do, the sooner Sloan here dances a jig in the air with a rope fer support. Less'n he runs away like Brave Sir Robin!"
Borox laughs at Sloan. "Didja bring yer coconuts for yer getaway, Sloan? I bet yer masters in Hell might be a wantin' to speak with ye about yer failures. I heard they don't take too kindly to their minions failin' them."
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"It's also pretty ballsy -- almost Caydenite speaking as one -- to wear the stuff your people acquired from an ancient digsite openly, expecting the local authorities to NOT realize what you're wearing. Now I'm not a magistrate, nor am I an Usher, but I'm pretty sure that your superiors probably aren't too keen on your parading your incompetence around like that... are they?" Agraic opines, after taking a few moments to consider Sloan's garb.