He turns to the other "heroes." I think we should take him back to town first, so that he can't cause any shenanigans. Then, we can come back and make this place safe to be the Brumblebrashers home once again. Agreed?
"I think it might be better to perhaps take him to Warbal's camp and secure him there, it's closer. Once we've cleared out these cultists then we can take him back to the Council," Talina suggested.
Craft Alchemy on the vials?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Cicero will whisper out "Éilíonn súile gnóthacha do rúin" casting detect magic angling it at the loot to see if he gets any pings
With a brief incantation, Cicero can discern that there are indeed unknown magic signatures nearby, but neither numbers nor sources are known.
Futin shrugs. These are magical. He sets them down as if that statement released him from responsibility to pursue it.
”Oh, let me take a look.”Cicero will say and then attempt to identify them I also then will tune out the potions from my detect magic and look again.
”Oh, let me take a look.”Cicero will say and then attempt to identify them I also then will tune out the potions from my detect magic and look again.
At this time, Cicero can't quite figure out what these vials are for, either.
Knowing of the magical substance, he is still detecting something magical nearby.
As the two look at the vials trying to determine their secrets, Talina absent-mindedly fiddled with the steel pendant about her neck. Her thoughts drifted to Bastion. Please be alright my love.
"I'm not quite sure what they are either, there's also another source of magic around here somewhere, assumedly on one of these items. though possibly elsewhere. I think for the moment its best to just carry on." Cicero will say to the group before turning to Helba and saying "When everyone else is ready if you wouldn't mind taking us to that passage that would be grand." then much quieter in goblin he murmurs "I hope you don't mind me conversing in common for the benefits of some of my friends."
Coming out of her slight trance, "Let's take this arsonist to Warbel's camp. I'm sure we can secure him there and come back for the Cultists." Moving over to the halfling, she got him to his feet.
Futin nods quickly, then gets out of the way of the intimidating Talina. He follows behind the pair, dutifully checking for magical emanations as he goes.
Villar nodded and said, "I agree, let's get him out of here and secured before we go for his allies." With that Villar began leading the way back to the exit so they could take their captive and secure him. His only concern was the fact that the halfling might get away regardless of how secured he was.
The heroes decide to take their prisoner to Warbal’s camp for the time being, followed by Helba, where the surprised ambassador is elated to see her cousin again. Warbal agrees to hold the halfling there, but is uncomfortable with having to watch the volatile Calmont for an extended period of time. Instead, she sends some instructions with a pair of Bumblebrashers to head back to Breachill and to bring some of the town guard back to escort Calmont, so that he can be brought before the council for sentencing.
”The council will want to hear your own account of the situation, I’m sure,” she advises, ”but I suppose that they would understand if you are extending your mission to further help my people.”
Futin gives Calmont a lingering glare, as if to tell him he'd better behave, then turns to Helba. Helba, would you mind showing us the secret entrance to the vaults, so that we can get started? The sooner we get it cleared out, the sooner your people can return to a safe, secure place.
"I do worry some that if they hear combat those left here on the ground floor may come down to enforce the basement, but I'll leave it up to your judgment" Cicero will say to Futin as they make their way back toward the castle.
Villar considered all that was said carefully and noted Futin's recklessness and Cicero's caution. He weighed the two ideas and finally said, "I think that we should deal with those on the first and upper floors before we go below. Having enemies behind us that could cut off our means of retreat is a bad idea." He looked to Futin and raised one gloved finger as he said, "Vill's Rule Number one, always secure your escape route first."
Futin's ears perked, and he smiled wide. Rules for hero-ing...yes! I love it! He snaps off a quick salute and takes his place near the back of the group, eager to move on. Escape route, first...got it. I'm ready when you are!
Getting a length of rope from Warbel, Talina made sure the halfling's legs were tied up and secure. "I have to agree with Villar on this one. Let's make sure the upper levels are clear."
With a majority vote, and making sure that the halfling was ready for pickup, the heroes make there way back into the keep. Helba promised them, ”Whenever you’re ready to go into the Vaults, let me know and I’ll show you the way!”
Futin takes a glance around. Talina, Villar...do you want me to look at those wounds? I know...I'm not great at it yet, but could at least give it a look.
Villar considered Futin's offer and whether he should accept. He was slightly wounded, not severely and he figured he would be fine, and knew he should take the time to deal with it now since there may not be time later. Sighing Villar said, "Vill's Rule Number two number two always heal and rest when you can."" He looked around a bit and said, "We need someplace out of the light though, and preferably private, to do this." Vill looked around briefly and then lead Futin over to where several bushes would obstruct the others view of them and a nearby tree would block out the sun providing a fairly dim spot.
The darkness rose up into a pair of black horns that stood almost straight up nearly six inches above his head revealing the face that had been concealed within. He looked like an elf, pointed ears, same sharp and lean facial structure, but the horns proved otherwise. He also wore a contraption on his head with lenses which he left in place for now. His skin was extremely pale and grayish. He took off his cloak and a pair of folded wings that were as insubstantial looking as his horns unfolded and he said, "I can take this off," he gestured at the contraption on his head and then the rest of his gear, "as needed."
Still feeling sore from the yesterday Talina agreed. After a few minutes, the soreness went away.
"Thank you Futin."
He realizes he's going on, and waves a hand. Sorry...just curious...I don't mean to praddle on. Let's have a look... He does indeed, try and help, but can't seem to get over Villar's different physiology.
When Futin's hand touched his horns it felt much like touching semi-solid smoke. His hand didn't go through it exactly but it did make it "dissipate" a bit before reforming. He didn't seem take offense at the questions and said, "I'm sure you know what I am, I'm a tiefling, a demonic one at that. Parents were both elves as far as I know, Mom was anyway, she said my spawn donor was too."
With the topic dropped Villar let it go, he was sure it would come up again soon enough anyway, so he let Futin do his work. When it was finished Villar rose and folded the wings down the put his cloak back on. He pulled the hood up again and when he did it "smooshed" the shadowy horns and filled with shadows once again. He moved a bit and then said, "Thanks Futin." With that he headed back out of the concealed space and to where the others waited.
When he returned Villar was moving easier than before and said, "Alright, I'm ready when you are."
Futin sighs, and puts his kit away, apparently not very happy with his success. He nods, and returns with Villar. Ready here!
"I suppose we know the courtyard is clear and it seems like its one big enclosure so should we just continue along that way making our way around?" Cicero offers as they re-enter the castle
Futin dutifully waits for Villar, Talina, and Cicero to tell him where to go. While he's anxious to get back in and find out what this place has waiting for them, he's definitely buying into the fact that these others know far more than he about such matters. As he waits, he hops lightly from foot to foot in anticipation.
Readjusting her shield on her arm, Talina looked at the way they didn't go previously. Tapping Villar on the shoulder she nodded her head that direction, drew her blade and stepped that way a few paces to all the investigator to take the lead.
Villar considered their options and remembered the gated area. He looked in that direction and said, "we've got these doors here to" he pointed at the ones in the hallway where they were at, "And I recall a gated area on the other side of the courtyard we should check out."
Villar approached the door that Futin was standing next to and began to examine it closely. he wanted to make sure he wasn't going to overlook anything as he examined for traps and to see if it was locked or not.
Making their way back into the citadel, the heroes decide to go through the other doorway, spreading out their search of the place.
Villar takes the lead and searches the door at the other end of the hall. So far, the place doesn't share any more surprises with the group, as the tielfling finds any traps or locks to bar their way.
The doorway, predictably, leads to another of the tower around the courtyard. This one contains two other doors: one leading south, and one leading west.
Futin seems a bit unsure. Not much action this way...this right? I just don't want to leave Warbal's mission for too long...with her counting on us and all.
He follows along anyway, his sickle out and ready as he constantly pings for local magical auras.
Moving to the south door, Villar diligently checks it, but comes up clean.
Opening the door reveals a a curving hallway which opens up into a dingy room, littered with toppled bunk beds and broken furniture. Doors to small but more private bedchambers hang open along the western and southern walls. In the room's center, bed frames are stacked upon each other to form a sort of fort, with filthy and ripped bedding draped over the top to form it's ceiling and walls.
Talina moved forward, her shield ready to defend against any sort of unseen threats.
Futin dutifully follows, staying behind Talina this time. He eyes the improvised fort and wants nothing more than to move towards it and see if there's anyone inside. But...he waits for the more experiences members of the group to move ahead.
Villar entered the room cautiously and looked around. It seemed like someone built a small fort inside of the room of what looked like bedchambers. He considered and wondered if maybe this was a room where young goblins stayed and played. it would explain the fort and why they hadn't seen too many goblins yet beyond those they had rescued.
Vill decided someone should go in and investigate and said softly to the others "stay here, I have a hunch, don't attack anything unless I seem to be in serious danger." With that Villar slipped inside and looked towards the fort as he said, "Hello the fort! We’ve come to parlay.”
Cicero seeing no immediate threat will follow along with the rest of his companions keeping as far to the edge as possible.
As the team cautiously makes their way into the room, Villar calls out to anyone in the area. No answer is received, and little is heard other than the sound of their own breathing, but he does detect some movement from behind the cloth walls of the 'fort'.