When the question is asked how he got here he points to the western door "There is a sinkhole through there. It leads deep into the earth, to the Darklands, my home. I found it and followed it here. I have found some good supplies in this desk so I returned today to see if there was anything else. Lucky to run into potential customers instead."
The thought of facing the 'armies of rats' mentioned by someone else in the group earlier is enough encouragement for Valeria: she does not hesitate to ask Sveng if the kobold has some achemist's fire!
When the mention of wanting alchemical items is brought up the kobold rubs his hands together greedily and pulls some more items out of his pack to lay out for you to examine. This includes 2 potions of cure light wounds , 3 potions of jump , 3 potions of keen senses, 6 flasks of acid, 3 flasks of alchemist’s fire , 3 antiplague, 2 tanglefoot bags, and 2 thunderstones. He notes "This is my personal stock, but I can always make more so if we can come to a deal and you ever need more let me know, I would be happy to return and trade with you again!"
I believe we are in a position of strong negotiating power here. The only thing keeping us from just killing him and taking all his potions and money is our moral character. Most others coming into this place would not grant him the same courtesy. He should give us some standard prices.
"I am willing to purchase the AntiPlague potions from you but only at fair prices."
"Tell you what, Master Mimips: we'll take EVERYTHING here, in exchange of THIS!"
Valeria reluctantly pulls out the Silver Raven Figurine of Wondrous Power.
"It is worth a LOT, and more importantly, if we find the exit to this thing, this can send messages to the surface world to any of us here. This way you can remain hidden down here in the shadows and have us supply you with the infinite wonders that exist on the surface world. You would become the sole supplier to your folks down below, and benefit from our collective surface contacts. Some of us are from rich noble families, and some of us know rich merchants, ladies, barons and earls... what say you? do we have a deal, and do you wish to become business partner with us?"
"As you can see, not only is the figure incredibly valuable, but on top of that it's enchanted."
Sydney, who speaks draconic watches the conversation unfold.
When Valeria offers to trade the silver raven, he chokes back a stutter. An interesting item I was hoping to examine further, but for the group, I suppose this is a better plan.
So he stands back and observes.
Mimips looks the figurine over as he considers the offer then comes back with a counter offer of the cloak, bracers, potion of remove disease, 1 potion of cure light wounds and all his alchemical items for the silver raven statue. Also, with the promise of you making future purchases from him once he resupplies and you find more above-ground items for him.
"Seems fair. What say you friends?"
"I don't care to see you part with the Raven, Valeria. It has more than just gp value to you. I personally feel you can make a better deal, but if you are satisfied, then I support you."
Sydney nods his agreement. "It seems a bargain has been struck."
Hmm. Perhaps one to keep an eye on for mutual benefit. "A sound bargain, I look forward to when our paths cross again."
Shrugging, Hargus says, "Sure. Works for me."
The kobold sets aside the items you bargained for so that whoever wants them can take them. It includes the cloak of resistance +1, bracers or armor +1, potion of remove disease, potion of cure light wounds, 6 flasks of acid, 3 flasks of alchemist’s fire , 3 antiplague, 2 tanglefoot bags, and 2 thunderstones.
He happily takes the silver raven statue and sets it on the counter next to him. Then says "Mimips appreciates your trade. When I have more supplies I will try and let you know."
Unless there is anything else he starts packing up the other supplies you weren't interested in and then fiddles with the statue trying to figure it out.
Looking pleased with the transaction, Sveng inclines his head to Mimips. "Indeed, a lucrative trade for us both. We hope we meet again. I will try to learn your tongue by that time."
Piri tucks the alchemical potions into his bandolier.
Parting ways with the kobold, Piri goes to the check the door to the northeast.
Not finding anything concerning he let's Hazel lead the way. A leering statue stands atop a plinth in the northwestern corner of this L-shaped hallway. The statue holds a scepter, which it points toward a door to the east. The south end of the hall is a heap of collapsed dirt and wood.
As you look down the hallway you hear Martella's voice in your heads once again. “Not all military are with Stavian. Assassins seem to be a collection of foreign agents. City guard is in chaos. Lion Blades and Eutropia’s allies fighting back in the senate.”
Sveng responds to Martella. "Securing an exit, should be out soon. Still unsure of geographical location. Have other senatorial aids with us, including Lady Trant.
"We should make sure the other doors are clear before verifying this is the way out. If there's anything else behind us, we don't want it falling on the other nobles."
Backtracking you find your way back to the long east-to-west hallway and head in the only other direction you haven't taken. Similar to the other side of the hall, it eventually turns south and ends in a door.
Piri checks the door before giving the all clear and Hazel swings it open. Thick wooden bookshelves jut out from the eastern and western walls. Bundles of paper, scroll tubes, and thick tomes cram these shelves nearly to bursting. Layers of dust coat some areas of the chamber, but others remain suspiciously clean. Books and papers crowd one of the worktables in the corners, smeared with ink. Two other doors exit to the south.
Sveng looks over the room in his usual fashion, scanning for magic and paying particular attention to the areas without dust.
Piri scans the room, paying careful attention to details. Looking for the familiar circles."This has the feel of the library for whomever was drawing those circles"
As Sveng scans the room he doesn't detect any magic. Giving everything a quick look from the door it appears that a good majority of the books and papers are moldering and look like have been chewed on by rodents. The only place this is not the case is the southwest table that looks as though it has been used sometime recently.
Sveng does notice at a quick glance that on one of the bookshelves there is a scroll case still in tact.
"That table looks like it's been used recently, and there is a scroll case on the bookshelf." Sveng goes to the table, letting Sydney handle what was likely magical in nature.
Looking over the various books and papers on the table you see most are on mathematics and geometry.
"More nonsensical drawings... lovely. Hmmm but what have we here... an autobiography of Eros Glendower. Based on the prologue, he appears to have been a romantic, middling nobleman, and wizard who lived centuries ago and became obsessed with immortality..."
Hargus can't make sense of the nonsensical drawings, but tries to think if he's ever heard of Eros Glendower.
"Do you think these circles and whatnot could have been his work?"
Hazel has never had the patience for numbers, and so leaves the mathematical notes to the rest of the party. She focuses on patrolling the library, checking behind all the shelves and tables.
"Do you think these circles and whatnot could have been his work?"
"I hope not... since this autobiography was written centuries ago... and right now I don't very much care for meeting any being who can live that long..."
After Hazel completes her circuit of the library, she crosses her arms and stands stiffly next to Malphene. The tiefling is beginning to develop a grudging respect for the woman through fighting beside her in these abandoned halls, and feels compelled to check in on her like she would have done in her service years with a new recruit.
"How are ya holding up?" she asks bluntly.
Hazel looks around the library but doesn't find any threats, when she stands next to Malphene and asks how she is holding up the woman shrugs "We're alive, so that is a plus. I'll be happy to get out of this bizarre place though!"
As the rest of you look around Sydney goes to examine the intact scroll case. He opens the case, then suddenly one of the innocuous-looking scrolls abruptly rises in the air, unraveling as it flies. It flits about with serpentine grace, baring its razor-sharp edges.
Piri unleashes an arrow at the offending scroll while announcing,"It's a guardian scroll. It will cut you with it's edges and attempt to latch onto your face to smother you, be alert. Vulnerable to fire!"
"It's just a flying piece of paper." Hargus moves next to Sydney and brings up his falcata to slash the Guardian Scroll.
Valeria moves next to Eregos and tries to hit the paper creature with their newly acquired alchemist's fire.
for fire dmg.
Hazel grabs the punching dagger from her belt and slips it between her fingers before lashing out at the creature, figuring it'll give her a better chance to pin it down.
Piri shots the thing but even though the arrow hits it doesn't seem to do any damage. Hargus slices into it as well but only barely makes a little cut. The alchemist fire on the scroll seems to be much more effective as it scorches it pretty well. Hazel moves up, attempting to use her punch dagger on the thing but it flits out of the way of the attack as she misses. Sydney steps back to get away from the thing and let someone else more inclined to hit it move into his place.
The scroll turns its attention to Valeria after being hit by the fire. Still burning it lashes out at her.
The thing flies into her face cutting her pretty deep and latches onto her face making it impossible for her to breath, speak or see.
Seeing the effectiveness of the alchemists fire, Sveng takes out his own and throws it at the creature!
Upon being on the receiving end of Sveng's alchemist's fire, Valeria starts screaming in pain- or ties to! her muffled shrieks of horror muffled by the suffocating scroll, she stops, drops and rolls to put out her hair and clothes that are now on fire!
Piri quickly goes through his options and with his knowledge of the guardian scroll, he decides there must be some sort of damage resistance to piercing. I have no other means of attack readily handy and I cannot assist in healing poor Valeria. Perhaps if I can land a more solid arrow I can at least damage it.
Piri notches another and sends it on its way.
Hazel lunges forward and tries to rip the scroll off of Valeria's face!
Sveng tosses another Alchemist fire at the scroll, but with it attached to Valeria's face it washes over both of them.
Trant stands back not sure what to do, seeing how attacking the scroll would also injure Valeria. Hazel tries to grab a hold of the thing so she can then try to pull it off of Valeria but she can't get a grip on it. However, when she attempts to grab a hold it lashes out with one edge and attempts to cut Hazel.
Piri takes a shot at the thing but with everyone there he misses, luckily for Valeria. Valeria drops to the group trying to put out the flames now on her and the scroll, but is unsuccessful.