"It's just a lousy clairvoyance ball. And it's showing us what we already see. That was a waste of my time..." he shakes his head in derision.
"...unless, we need to alter something on our end. Hey Xallis, can you hit the lights in that room again?! The one with the fancy painting!"
In order to turn off the lights in area B4, Xallis has to hit the switch in area B3. However, that also turns off the power in area B2 and when that happens, the orb also ceases to function. Xallis then hits the switch in B1, turning back on the lights in B2 and also turning off the lights in B3. Finally, he hits the switch in B2 to turn on the lights in B3, leaving only the lights in B4 turned off.
When Tychus looks through the orb this time, he sees six sections of the fresco glowing with dim blue light. Anyone in B4 notices that they cannot see the glowing spots that Tychus sees. Thus in order to press the right spots on the fresco, someone looking into the orb will need to relay where to press.
Once told, Lir will offer herself up to press the buttons. She’s had experience with things like this before, no big deal.
”One of you call out the order and I’ll push the right ones in that order, easy. Hopefully this’ll get us out of here!”
Tychus calls out the order of the six buttons to press to Liraela who follows his instructions. Touching six correct areas in order causes the fresco to split open, revealing the hidden compartment beyond. A small bag lies inside the niche, holding 20 magically charged gold coins, each bearing the Voritas family crest.
Tychus and Xallis identify the coins as foci for a conjuration effect.
So I suppose that we slip a coin into the slot.
Icabhod places a Voritas coin in the slot. Doing so activates a phase door embedded in the floor which reveals a long set of stone stairs leading down into a dark tunnel below.
The set of stairs descends into a briefly lowered hall, before a second set of stairs rises to the north. The northern end of this hall ends with an elaborate brass lever.
A single hooded lantern rests on the ground here, flickering with a blue light.
Another message from Martella comes through. “Out of the senate building. Guiding a dozen or so of the servants to a safe haven...”
Now that the immediate issue is resolved, Tychus recalls that he is still holding a letter addressed to Kalbio. In light of recent events, it wouldn't hurt to read it if you were curious.
My boy,
Your mother and I are so damn proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished! Your apprenticeship was the greatest decision we ever made. Watching you grow into a fine man these last thirty years has been the greatest reward life could ever give me. I’m sorry to say that we’ve kept a secret from you, though. You always thought we’d tightened our belts to pay for your apprenticeship, and we did, but that was never quite enough. Eventually, we had to take out a mortgage on the farm, and the money you give us every time you sell a tapestry helps so much, but it’s never been enough to repay the debt. Now that you’re an important man, we’d hoped you could help us settle this mortgage and help us keep the farm, or at least find space in your new life for two doddering old farmers who love their son. I’m sorry we hid this from you for so long.
We love you,
Papa
Tychus reads the letter addressed to their unfortunate friend, and tries his best to remain unfazed. While he experiences a small pang of guilt, he ultimately didn't know the fellow much, and Tychus tries his best to push the thought of him and his family from his mind.
He hands the letter out to anyone who is interested in reading it.
As the group hits the end of the small hallway, Tychus tugs at several belts and straps, making sure his newfound armour was properly secured. He unstraps his crossbow and slams a freshly prepared casing into it. He pulls the crank and a bolt is loaded and ready to fire. Without looking, he thumbs the tops of the other magazines clipped to his waist.
"While Martella might be relaying us information, we really have no idea what lies beyond (or if we can trust her). We should make sure we are ready. My sense of justice urges me onwards, but I can't ignore the needs of the rest of the group. Should we stop to rest?"
Xallis ponders the letter, but grits his teeth and thinks better of it. Maybe later on, when he's had time to settle.
"Some of my spells are exhausted, but I still have my conjuration reserves. More than most neophytes of the art." He glances towards Navia, who rubs at a bruise on her chest leftover from the first scuffle of the evening.
The fistfight with that spoiled, overgrown brat feels like it was a lifetime ago.
"I'm certain House Livara can take care of itself, but I'd understand if you all want to rush out to get in touch with your families to fill them in and let them know you're still alive. But... out of curiosity, does anyone happen to know healing magic? I get the feeling we'll be needing it."
Trevor opens his arms wide in disbelief. "Xallis. Really?"
The caydenite then looked pensive. "I worry if I go back to the Kastner Manor, I would bring the enemy to it's gates. I wish I knew ow they were. Uncle Rimilliard. ..Mother."
Liraela is quiet as she reads the letter from Kalbio’s parents, obviously experiencing pangs of hurt and anger from the contents. ”I will kill you for this, Stavian. You cannot be allowed to escape karma’s fate for you. “ she whispers.
Xallis’s words shake her from her oath-swearing, but also catch her in an over-emotional state.
”I don’t have a family to rush to. Or at least, the one I do have doesn’t want me.”
Ah, too much information, she thinks, trying to move quickly on to the next topic before anyone can focus on that particular statement for too long.
”I also don’t think we should take any time to rest. With active assassins and traitors in the senate above, who’s to say some didn’t make their way down here as well? Not to mention any loyal survivors that may still exist. I’m not sure if any other senators had active protections like the old paranoid one we benefitted from, but I’d bet they do.”
She picks her shiny new dagger up from the table before standing.
”I won’t abandon any more to this treachery, if I can do anything about it.”
I am unwounded and can continue. Icabhod seems tense and very short with his replies. His nerves are quite frayed.
You pull the brass lever. The stone wall in front of you grinds down into the floor, revealing a secret passage forward.
Chiseled stone statues of Taldan Phalanx soldiers stand atop plinths in the outer corners, visible from any point in this ominous hall. Sturdy wooden doors line the outer edge of the hall: two to the east, two to the south, two to the west, and a single larger door to the north.
At the edge of your light to the east, you spot a corpse sprawled across the floor of the hall.
Trevor kneels down before the dead man.
"He just died. Whoever killed him may be close", the cleric reports. "Lord Manshum, I believe."
The aasimar holds up the ring. "Does look like a signet ring to me."
Trevor opens his arms wide in disbelief. "Xallis. Really?"
Xallis rubs his temples with his thumb and index finger. "Yes, really. I'm sorry. Things have been going crazy lately and it's hard keeping track of... ugh."
The summoner makes a half dismissive, half shrugging gesture. "I cut my teeth with the Pathfinder Society. Over there, you'd usually handle healing with a shipping crate full of cure light wounds wands. Every other divine caster was a warpriest who believed that the best healing was preventative healing, and the best preventative healing was killing your enemies. In fact, out of all the clerics, the most enthusiastic one I ever met worshiped Lamashtu. Lamashtu! It's enough to..."
Navia shushes him with a gold-tipped finger over his lips. "Pupa, we've got work to do." Then, the eidolon turns towards the group. "Should we move as a group, or do you want me to scout ahead? If the worst happens, he can always bring me back."
Navia shushes him with a gold-tipped finger over his lips. "Pupa, we've got work to do." Then, the eidolon turns towards the group. "Should we move as a group, or do you want me to scout ahead? If the worst happens, he can always bring me back."
Trevor shifts uncomfortably. "I would rather we stick together. But I am aware I am not the most tactical of our coterie."
While Trevor is examining the corpse, the torso of a humanoid figure with jagged claws slowly extends outward from a wall, its features patterned with the stone texture of the wall around it. Only Icabhod notices the monster before it strikes. Thanks to the knowledge he learned about walcofindes in the archives during the gala, he recognizes what it is as it materializes. He shouts a warning to Trevor, averting a surprise attack.
Round 1
Initiative
22 - Henrika
21 - Walcofinde (Red)
20 - Xallis
20 - Navia
14 - Tychus
10 - Icabhod
08 - Liraela
03 - Trevor
Henrika goes first.
•Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
•Immunity to bleed, death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
•Not subject to nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune to damage to its physical ability scores (Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength), as well as to exhaustion and fatigue effects.
•Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless).
Walcofindes are pitiful undead creatures that manifest when a living being is sealed within a structure and perishes there. These unquiet dead often rise after having been intentionally walled into a structure. This process is what many have attributed its name to, with some treatises on undead referring to them as “wall-coffined.”
Most adventurers stumble upon a walcofinde as it manifests from nearby walls, using its structural possession ability to move beyond its sealed chamber and unleash its rage against creatures traversing halls or caverns it possesses. In this manifested form, the walcofinde takes on the texture of the structure it possesses, appearing with the shape it had in life but made from stone, wood, or whatever substance makes up the wall from which it emerges.
•Although a walcofinde can manifest through nearby walls, its true body remains sealed away elsewhere. Damaging the manifestation will damage the walcofinde’s actual body, but if it is not completely destroyed, the walcofinde will gradually restore its health.
•Walcofindes speak Common.
As soon as the door opens to reveal the dead body Lir laughs, not really realizing how uncouth it is to laugh at such a time.
”See? Immediately proven right. I’m not sure what’s happening here, but time is of the essence.”
When the undead exits the wall, she is even more arrogant about her decision to push forward.
”Strike two, right again. Could you imagine what would’ve happened had we decided to sleep right on the other side of this wall? Would’ve been just like this poor fellow.”
"It's one of the Walcofinde I spoke of earlier", Trevor exclaimed. "It is undead intentionally buried within the walls. You can destroy the manifestations, but not the spirit; just quell it!"
The cleric holds his holy symbol at the ready.
Perhaps they also had a magical spell to whisk them away when there was danger Icabhod muses.
When the undead appears, Icabhod draws his blade.
Henrika does her best to keep watch while the others examine the body, but even she is surprised when Ichabod cries out. "Let us see how this antique blade fares against it," she mutters, drawing the weapon she found earlier as she moves to flank its position inside the wall.
The sight of that horiffic being bleeding out of the wall is enough to send a shiver down Xallis' spine. He channels the last of his spontaneous magical reserves into weaving an invisible, protective shell around Navia's body before taking a step back to relative safety.
"Why is a safe house haunted, that is the opposite of safe."
Navia leaps up, her talons scraping against the wall as they swing down towards the undead.
Round 1
Henrika thinks to quickly acts before the walcofinde can strike but is surprised when the creature throws an attack at her; its arm stretches much longer than a human's arm should. Henrika ducks the claw and she steps inside the undead's reach unharmed. She slashes the stoney appendage and cuts a long gash in the creature's "flesh". It recoils and releases an unearthly howl of pain.
The walcofinde angrily retaliates against Henrika. This time Henrika is unable to dodge and gets slashed with the walcofinde's razor-sharp nails. The walcofinde thrusts a second clawed arm straight forward at Trevor with explosive force but stops an inch from his face, claws in vain for a second, then retracts back to normal size.
Then a second walcofinde (blue) materializes out of the wall further behind the party to the west.
Xallis begins casting a spell and the walcofinde lashes out again with lighting speed. Xallis is raked by the claw but manages to maintain his concentration and get the spell off, protecting Navia in mage armor.
Navia leaps up and claws at the walcofinde. He first talon tears open the creature's chest which hangs open bloodlessly, more wall than flesh. The walcofinde, still alive, momentarily shifts its body back into the wall away from Navia's second talon which scraps against the solid stone before she lands back on the ground.
"You can destroy the manifestations, but not the spirit; just quell it!"
Perhaps they also had a magical spell to whisk them away when there was danger Icabhod muses.
In case it matters, the +4 AC bonus from the spell applies against incorporeal attacks.
Round 1
Initiative
22 - Henrika (-3 hp)
21 - Walcofinde (Red) (-16 hp)
21 - Walcofinde (Blue)
20 - Xallis (-5 hp)
20 - Navia (Mage Armor 2 hr.)
14 - Tychus
10 - Icabhod
08 - Liraela
03 - Trevor
Round 2
Initiative
22 - Henrika
Xallis posted a turn, so Tychus, Icabhod, Liraela, and Trevor are up in Round 1. And then back to Henrika in Round 2.
Henrika thinks to quickly act before the walcofinde can strike but is surprised when the creature throws an attack at her; its arm stretches much longer than a human's arm should. Henrika ducks the claw and she steps inside the undead's reach unharmed.
A mirror copy of Henrika appears in a flash of light as the creature lunges at her, which sways around her figure like a swinging prism.
The walcofinde angrily retaliates against Henrika. This time Henrika is unable to dodge and gets slashed with the walcofinde's razor-sharp nails.
The magical image of Henrika does not distract the walcofinde's attack.
Round 1
Trevor advances to the possessed wall, holding his holy symbol before him.
"GO TO PHARASMA!!"
= 2
Round 1
Icabhod moves down and prepares to strike at the other creature when and if it moves up.
Lir will take a quick step towards the undead hanging out of the wall and attempt to stab it.
"Such ugly things, aren't they?"
Round 1
Icabhod moves and readies.
Liraela steps in and lunges at the undead. Her dagger plunges in to the hilt and the creature lets loose another howl.
Trevor advances to the possessed wall, holding his holy symbol before him.
"GO TO PHARASMA!!"
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 1 +1 for FCB = 2
The walcofinde shields itself from the wave of holy energy with its arms but its efforts are in vain. The positive energy destroys the creature and the manifestation is absorbed back into the wall as if it was never there.
Round 1
Initiative
22 - Henrika (-3 hp) (1 Mirror Image [2 min])
21 - Walcofinde (Blue)
20 - Xallis (-5 hp)
20 - Navia (Mage Armor [2 hr])
14 – Tychus
10 - Icabhod
08 - Liraela
03 - Trevor
Round 2
Initiative
22 – Henrika (-3 hp) (1 Mirror Image [2 min])
Tychus and Henrika are up.
Being caught slightly off-guard by the sudden manifestations, he nonetheless readies an attack at the first Walcofinde, but before he is able to get a clear shot off, it recedes back into the wall.
"Right, onto the next one..."
Tychus takes a quick step towards Icabhod in order to have a clearer shot.
He aims his crossbow, takes a deep breath and then squeezes the trigger.
Henrika moves swiftly through the jumble of combat, racing down the corridor to try and lure the creature away from the others. She dodges around her friends as she goes.
Round 1
Tychus fires a bolt at the emerging walcofinde and pierces straight through the monster’s body.
Round 2
The walcofinde's claw shoots out at Henrika as she moves past. It's hand bursts straight through one of the two Henrikas' chests. Her illusory body discorporates and fades to nothingness leaving the true Henrika unharmed.
The remaining walcofinde launches its claw and Icabhod. Its arm extends to cross the distance between the two of them and even though Icabhod was expecting an attack, the walcofinde bypasses his defenses and slashes a deep gash across his body. With its other hand, it rakes at Henrika. Before the attack hits, Henrika seemingly steps both left and right at the same time, splitting into two versions of herself. The walcofinde's claw hits the illusory double causing it to vanish as quickly as it appeared.
Round 2
Initiative
22 - Henrika (16/19 hp)
21 - Walcofinde (Blue) (-3 hp)
20 - Xallis (14/19 hp)
20 - Navia (Mage Armor [2 hr])
14 – Tychus
10 - Icabhod (11/19 hp)
08 - Liraela
03 - Trevor
Round 3
Initiative
22 – Henrika (16/19 hp)
"Stay dead, for Abadar's sake!"
Tychus swiftly reloads his crossbow with the whir of gears. He squints intently at the being, thinks he spots a weak area, and tries another shot.
Clutching his body near the wound, Xallis takes a cautious step back. He nod at Navia, who nods in return, before he gives her a magically-enhanced tap on the shoulder. And with bolstered confidance, Navia dashes towards the undead, sliding low on the floor before rising up with a wide swing of her talon!
Navia tumbles forward. The walcofinde turns in her direction but before it can make an attack, Navia thrusts a clawed foot in its face. Unfortunately Navia miscalculates and her kick doesn't quite reach.
While the walcofinde is focused on Navia's incoming claw, Tychus fires a bolt over her shoulder and lands another hit in the walcofinde's "face". Its scream echoes eerily in the cavernous hallway.
Round 2
Initiative
22 - Henrika (13/19 hp)
21 - Walcofinde (Blue) (7 damage)
20 - Xallis (14/19 hp)
20 - Navia (13/13 hp; 2 nonlethal) (Mage Armor [2 hr])
14 – Tychus
10 - Icabhod (11/19 hp)
08 - Liraela
03 - Trevor
Round 3
Initiative
22 – Henrika (13/19 hp)
Round 2
Trevor rushes down to the hall to address the other undead.
"You do not have to go home, but you cannot stay here!"
= 9
Icabhod curses in pain as he is slashed. This is far more than any fisticuffs with drunk nobles! He can't seem to find anyway past the ones attacking the creature and instead holds his blade to defend himself.
Seeing the cluster of people next to the undead, Lir will move to the corner of the hallway to the north, and see if there’s anyone (or anything) coming that way.
Henrika swings her longsword at the creature in the wall, making a sharp gutteral sound as she chops.
Round 2
After suffering a grievous wound, Icabhod holds his weapon in front of him in defense.
Liraela peeks around the corner to the east. The hallway is completely empty and quiet. The only threat she sees is the one walcofinde that the party is already engaged with.
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6 + 3 for FCB = 9
Trevor powerfully presents his holy symbol and the wave of energy sears the undead’s flesh. Patches of stone flake off the creature’s body, leaving black charred skin in its place.
Round 3
Henrika swings her sword. Despite her proximity, her aim is completely off.
With the last of its remaining energy, the wounded walcofinde lashes out at Trevor in retaliation with both of its claws. One claw scratches Trevor’s armor but fails to wound; the other claw gets through drawing a line of blood.
Round 3
Initiative
22 - Henrika (13/19 hp)
21 - Walcofinde (Blue) (16 damage)
20 – Xallis (14/19 hp)
20 – Navia (13/13 hp; 2 nonlethal) (Mage Armor [2 hr])
14 – Tychus
10 – Icabhod (11/19 hp)
08 – Liraela
03 – Trevor (12/16 hp)
Round 4
Initiative
22 – Henrika (13/19 hp)
Navia stands on one foot, taking a fighter's stance as she kicks at the wall-bound undead, rapidly swapping the positions of her feet to kick again.
Meanwhile, Xallis draws his crossbow and loads a bolt.
Round 3
Navia claws the creature again. This time, her talon splits the undead down the middle. It lets out a final haunting howl and the remains of its body melts back into the wall.
Moments after the walcofinde is destroyed, a frightened noble peeks his head out of one of the adjoining rooms to determine what’s happened. ”H-h-hello…? Are the monsters dead?” Once he sees you and is sure the danger has passed, he exits the northwestern room and calls out to others inside. ”It’s okay. You can come out now. We’ve been saved.”
He rushes up to Henrika, who is closest, grabs her hand and bows profusely. ”Thank the gods for you. I thought we were all going to die down here. My name is Lord Wilfen Botoles” He then gestures to two more skittish nobles carefully exiting the room. ” And this is Sir Gryphus Plastion and Lady Gael Urbaen. We were teleported down here by our senate aide badges after we were attacked by the Grand Prince’s assassins along with Lord Develin Manshum. Before we could get our bearings, undead horrors tore poor Lord Manshum apart in front of us. We fled into an adjoining room, and thank Abadar, the monsters didn’t follow. But we dared not leave until it was safe.”
While you are talking, two additional newcomers come out of a room to the southeast: A Sargavan man clearly wearing the vestments of a priest of Abadar, and a woman you recognize, Dame Malphene Trant. ”Thank Abadar, indeed.” says the cleric. ”We share a similar story. I’m called Jowuan Zubari and I was a guest of Senator Trant. As such, Malphene and I but were transported to the same room. It is most unfortunate, but Senator Trant did not survive. He was slain right before Malphene and my eyes just before the senator aide badges activated.” Jowuan looks each of you over. ”I can see that the monsters have wounded you. I’d be willing to offer my spellcasting to heal you. At market rates, of course. The god of merchants demands compensation for all services provided.”
It is clear that Malphene is not pleased to see you, but she has been cowed by the violence she witnessed above—including the death of her father. She looks at the ground and shuffles her feet uncomfortably without saying a word.
A final newcomer creeps out of the northeastern room. He appears to be a confused halfling dressed as serving staff. ”P-p-please. I’m so scared. Take me with you. My name is Imistos Gulbend. I’m just a humble servant. I don’t know how I got here or where here even is. But if there are monsters, they’ll kill me if you leave me alone.”
Sir Gryphus chimes in. ”Yes! Take us with you! I can pay you. I have gold.”
Lady Gael Urbaen speaks up. ”I have gold too! I’ll give you 300 gold if you can get me out of here alive.”
Lord Wilfen Botoles says. ”We can all pay. 300 gold pieces from each of us.” He counts the number of survivors. ”That would be 1,800 gold for all six of us.”
Imistos grows very sullen and falls to his knees. ”I… I don’t have 300 gold.” He pats his pockets. ”All I can offer is my favorite silk hankie. It might be worth 5 gold at the market. Please just don’t leave me alone. …But I’d understand if you do. I’m not like these nobles. My life is worth less. I can only rely on your charity.”
.
Henrika sketches a small bow to the assembled newcomers. "How do you do," she says, introducing everyone in the group. "Come with us and we will see you safely through these horrors," she suggests.
"Ah, Dame Trant. Fate, it seems, has decreed that we should meet again. Please accept my condolences on the death of your father. How awful to see him cut down right before you! Whatever our differences in politics, he was a man of substance and great influence in Taldor, and I am sorry to hear of his passing." She considers what she knows of the Trant family and specifically of things that Senator Trant might have achieved renown for doing.
Malphene Trant breaks down in tears at your words. The violence has changed her from the tough bully she was before. Malphene merely offers a nod in thanks.
Tychus silently reloads a few bolts into his crossbow casing while the initial nobles make their introductions. He remains near the back of the group until the cleric of Abadar makes his approach with Malphene. He finds an open spot near the center of the gaggle and gives the man a respectful nod.
”I can see that the monsters have wounded you. I’d be willing to offer my spellcasting to heal you. At market rates, of course. The god of merchants demands compensation for all services provided.”
"I'd expect nothing less."
Following Henrika's kind words towards Dame Trant, Tychus looks at her with sullen eyes, not about to say anything, but finally blurting out his apologies.
"Condolences, Miss Trant. Your father deserved better."
It looks as if he had more to say, but the words seem to have escaped him.
Imistos grows very sullen and falls to his knees. ”I… I don’t have 300 gold.” He pats his pockets. ”All I can offer is my favorite silk hankie. It might be worth 5 gold at the market. Please just don’t leave me alone. …But I’d understand if you do. I’m not like these nobles. My life is worth less. I can only rely on your charity.”
"While Abadar advocates for due payment for services rendered, it's also important to consider available means. Someone of higher stature should be expected to offer more than those of lower class. We will accept your hankie."
While you are talking, two additional newcomers come out of a room to the southeast: A Sargavan man clearly wearing the vestments of a priest of Abadar, and a woman you recognize, Dame Malphene Trant. ”Thank Abadar, indeed.” says the cleric. ”We share a similar story. I’m called Jowuan Zubari and I was a guest of Senator Trant. As such, Malphene and I but were transported to the same room. It is most unfortunate, but Senator Trant did not survive. He was slain right before Malphene and my eyes just before the senator aide badges activated.” Jowuan looks each of you over. ”I can see that the monsters have wounded you. I’d be willing to offer my spellcasting to heal you. At market rates, of course. The god of merchants demands compensation for all services provided.”
Trevor coughed loudly. "All I'm saying is that I didn't see any lawful energy channels flash by", the caydenite remarked as he flipped his holy symbol so all could see a little better. "Speaking of.."
Trevor lets loose three channel energy in a row, coating the defenders and survivors with positive energy.The caydenite cleric then walked over to Dame Trant, and bowed deeply.
"Dame Trant. You have our sincerest condolences. It is sad reconpense, but I believe your father was trying to save you in his final moments. Pharasma-willing, you shall see your father again someday."
"If you stay with us, my coterie shall do all we can to guide you to what measures for 'safety' in this time."
"Condolences, Miss Trant. Your father deserved better."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20."
"Dame Trant. You have our sincerest condolences. It is sad reconpense, but I believe your father was trying to save you in his final moments. Pharasma-willing, you shall see your father again someday."
Diplomacy (Charming, aid): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Malphene finally looks up and speaks. ”Thank you. I’ll help protect the survivors too. I’m probably the only one among them that knows how to fight. I lost my longsword in the senate though…”
"All I'm saying is that I didn't see any lawful energy channels flash by"
Jowuan responds. ”We arrived separately. My priority at the time was to keep Dame Trant safe and I would say I have done so admirably. Not a single undead breached the Trant’s safe quarers.”
"While Abadar advocates for due payment for services rendered, it's also important to consider available means. Someone of higher stature should be expected to offer more than those of lower class. We will accept your hankie."
”You are a true saint, my good sir. I am forever in your debt. While it is true that I lack combat experience, despite this costume piece for my uniform.” he gestures to the rapier at his hip. ”I will gladly aid you in any way that I can. If you need your shoes shined or a lamp carried, I’m your halfling.” says Imistos.
Trevor lets loose three channel energy in a row, coating the defenders and survivors with positive energy.
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Channel Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 6
After speaking with the six survivors, you take a few minutes to search the rooms around the circular hallway. The survivors all huddle together and follow closely behind you. They are unwilling to let you out of their sight (unless you instruct them to).
All six of the small outer rooms are very similar. They contain nothing more than a few dusty chairs and sometimes a table. These rooms seem to be designed for nobles to wait out danger. They are bare bones compared to the elaborate setup of Senator Voritas’ safe quarters where the six of you first arrived.
The central room is a common room. A long table, its surface covered in green felt, stands in the center of this rectangular chamber. Silver trays dot the table’s surface, each hosting a set of crystal glassware and a tall decanter of wine.
The fine crystal glassware and silver dining sets are in good condition, though the wine has long since soured. A document box on the table includes six magic scrolls.
You notice several overlapping circles drawn on the floor under the table with chalk, though the symbols have no magical function or symbolism.
The complete set weighs about 5 pounds and has a value of 700 gp
Three of the scrolls are scrolls of cure light wounds. The rest you’ll have to try again later.
Back out in the hallway, in the center of the northern hall, there is a “secret” door, although it is clearly visible from this side. The door is locked with an old, rusted lock. It looks like the ornate gold key you found in Senator Voritas’ bedroom would fit into this lock. This door looks like the only way forward.
Henrika wordlessly unstraps her extra longsword and hands it to Malphene with a polite nod.
She points out the overlapping circles drawn under the table with chalk. "Though I cannot imagine what sort of arcane magicks they were used to harness," she admits.
When everyone is ready, Henrika produces the key and uses it to unlock the "secret" door. Before proceeding through it, she implants her Mesmeric Mirror trick in her conscious mind once again.
A final newcomer creeps out of the northeastern room. He appears to be a confused halfling dressed as serving staff. ”P-p-please. I’m so scared. Take me with you. My name is Imistos Gulbend. I’m just a humble servant. I don’t know how I got here or where here even is. But if there are monsters, they’ll kill me if you leave me alone.”
Lir peers at the halfling suspiciously, knowing how the street urchins she used to run with would pull this same act.
"Well, the rest of us were thrown down here because we had a senator aide badge each. Do you happen to have one?" she tilts her head to the side before continuing. "I can't imagine a 'humble servant' would be given one, so did you acquire one through less than honorable means?"
If so, Lir thinks, I might have some respect for the poor little guy.
The fine crystal glassware and silver dining sets are in good condition, though the wine has long since soured. The complete set weighs about 5 pounds and has a value of 700 gp
"We should absolutely not be leaving these behind. A gift, from our old senator friend." she says, obviously seeing nothing wrong with plundering any and all abandoned vaults on the way out of this 'safe' haven.
Icabhod silently looks on as the group chats with the new comers. He never was one for ide talk unless he needed to and was quite relieved when the healing magic washed over him.
I am afraid that I have no knowledge of arcane matters so the scrolls are a mystery to me. As for the dining set, we shouldn't weigh ourselves down with plunder since we still need to find a way out of here.
"Maybe you shouldn't, but I won't be too upset by having it. It's been too long since I've had a proper glassware set." Lir says coyly, smiling as she looks over the pieces.
A frown crosses her face soon enough, however.
"Although, perhaps they can wait until I've found a way to protect them in transit."