Darius Orion's page

Thanks Khel!

Darius observes in silence as Conundrum handles the public speaking portion of the debriefing. It's only once he's done that the young tiefling speaks up with a correction.

"There's also the matter of one of the library's keepers - an intelligent magical item powerful enough to impart its essence onto other items. We brought it back with us. He could be an additional source of valuable information."

10774-13 | Dark Archive

Sleight of Hand: 10 + 16 = 26

Unfortunately no. I brought it up in the gameday thread and Jesse said he'd be sending something out but I never saw an email.

I think we should be going. We finished what we came for and more.

We're running out of time! We've got lots of clues, use 'em.

Even though he's in awe of the hidden trove of lore, Darius forces himself to buckle down and search.

History - Bibliographic References: 1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 5 = 34
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Perform: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Zirt should use the magical assistance reroll clue.

After putting down an especially riveting tome on the history of Taldan shoe fashion, Darius nods slowly.

"That makes sense. Well done. Let's give it a try."

Darius continues to sort through the text at a dizzying pace.

History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Can we use Hidden Gem now?

History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Int: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Darius works with his own type of enthusiasm which is almost indiscernible from all of his other expressions.

Yup.

I suggested that in my last post.

Darius joins Zirt in searching the hidden archive. Boots pops up from under his master's hood. He waves at Zirt and then joins in the studying.

"Do you think it's some kind of puzzle?" Darius asks after glancing at the statues briefly.

History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Perform: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

We'll use the card catalog clue afterward!

Is there more searching to be done here?

Sure! I'll use it on the first one.

While his companions busy themselves with levers, Darius diligently studies!

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Darius ponders the plaque's meaning while looking around.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

At the mention of the administrator's office, Darius remains silent but nods in Zirt's direction.

To the eastern hallway!

Darius doesn't hesitate to leave the cleaning responsibilities to others and Boots quickly scurries up the mage's leg into his usual perch.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

"Yes", Darius mutters while sifting through the charred pages. "We weren't doing anything. They just attacked us."

Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

Next thing you know he's going to start claiming he was entertaining guests for the past five days. Like that would ever happen.

Did Zirt not cover it?

Darius is visibly distraught at being complicit in the destruction of so many books.

Boots on the other hand is a furry whirlwind of activity, rapidly darting between worrying over Darius's remaining injuries, ferociously tearing at the 'slain' books, and embracing Zirt in appreciation for her part in saving his master's life.

Slackhel says it wouldn't make a difference.

Darius raises his hand and fires off yet another blast of flames taking care to not burn his companions.

Fire!: 5d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 4, 1) = 12

Trying to conserve spells a bit. Hoping others can finish it off.

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Darius feels himself grow weak and cold under the weight of his cuts but Zirt's timely healing keeps him conscious. With renewed vigor he raises his pale hands and fires another fiery blast.

Concentration: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Boosted Burning Hands: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 4, 2) = 11

2/6 reservoir

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Darius screams in pain and fear as the objects of his affection take flight and begin cutting him to ribbons.

In a blind panic he raises his hands and fires off a jet of flame.

Concentration: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Boosted Burning Hands: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 4, 2) = 12

Is this some kind of swarm? Do I need a save for distraction?

Boot waves his paws in excitement but Darius frowns.

"I don't know. These sorts of things are often dangerous. Step back and I'll try to figure it out."

Take 10 on Disable Device to try to get it open.

After furrowing his brow and trying again Darius shakes his head.

"There's no magic here."

Hearing Zirt's awe, Darius speaks a word of power and scans the bookcase.

Detecting magics.

Darius shuffles anxiously under the blind woman's scrutiny.

"We're here to learn of course", he explains. "History's very important to us."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Sense Motive seems like it might help.

Boots and I will try to not steal anything in the meantime.

I poked Zirt but she's slacking.

"Yes, start on the right and start quickly. Our time is dwindling."

Okay Zert!

Darius seems a bit troubled by the prospect of Boots in a cage and the raccoon is doubly upset.

"So you think he's kept here against his will. If we sneak his magical essence out won't he be missed? We were told to take nothing after all."

"Really? I gotta imagine there's a lot out there that even you don't about, do they all scare you?"

"Yes."

Darius squirms a bit awkwardly under the gnome’s embrace but it wasn’t an unpleasant experience. Boots pops out to join in.

”I just worry, if he’s so wise and helpful why would they keep him in a library locked away from the world?”

Despite the lion-statue’s offer of aid, Darius is still plenty intimidated. He follows along while noticeably hiding behind the brave little gnome.

”I have no idea what he is. That frightens me.”

Darius considers remaining silent but appeasing their new feline companions seemed to be in the party's best interest.

"There's going to be a new Sapphire Sage!" he says a bit overly loudly. "At least I think that's the plan."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"It talks!"

Arcana: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Perhaps oblivious of the question, Darius studies the creature? with renewed interest.

Darius spins to study the statue but takes a step back cautiously when he sees it's in the form of a fearsome lion.

"Animated object perhaps? Probably not a golem. Golems are usually humanoid-shaped."

He sweeps the room for magic auras while Boots emerges again to massage Darius's temples with his tiny paws.

Detect magics.

So we're 20 minutes in (plus minor travel time) out of 120 minutes.

Quickly copying the important information onto the paper they'd brought with them, Darius stacks the sheets up and nods. Using scrivener's chant.

"That's a good start. Should we try another room?"

Can we search a room more than once? What was our time limit?

He tries. He doesn't have a hedgepeeg's keen mind for reading.

Like a kid in a candy story, Darius immediately goes to work. He sorts through the literature with casual grace, seeking out books that focus on more classical eras of Taldor's long history.

Boots helps!

History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Boots's History: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"I don't know. I didn't really think about it. When I performed the ritual to create him I just needed a friend."

The raccoon hugs his master's face a bit awkwardly and then shuffles back under his robes.

Right!

Darius flinches and takes a step back defensively.

"You can't pet him! He's my arcane familiar - imbued with a fragment of my spirit and bonded to my thoughts. Touching him would be... deeply personal."

I assume the detect magic didn't pick anything up.

Darius nods a bit more nervously and the masked face of Boots pops out of his master's hood to mimic him.

"Innovation, respect, knowledge, courage, integrity, honor, excellence, and glory. Let's keep those virtues in mind."

After reading the inscription Darius can't help but agree with Conundrum's deduction.

"Hidden, yes, but how?"

He sweeps the area for magical auras.

Detect magic.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Boots's Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Darius slips a card underneath an especially large, musty, and otherwise boring tome before joining his companions.

"I can only imagine the kind of literature we'll find inside!" the tiefling chirps happily.