Levistus looks surprised at the sudden explosion and then double surprised that he is only mildly singed by the whole affair. Patting himself down to make sure nothing is still on fire, "What in the Hells do those things eat to make them do that?" He looks around the chamber and over Miregold carefully.
Itsgottabeodin:
Spoiler:
He looks over the contraption and Miregold for the locket. He's going to take a 20 for this one at least seeing as we're not in any immediate rush.
Beyond that he'll spend the rest of his time searching the lower rooms of the mansion: the lodge’s reliquary, the lab, and so on... he'll take 20's if he can (because he is not good at it and he knows it) but failing that...
oh, he mainly focuses on the reliquary and that body there.
Wow, too much going on for me, totally lost track of this. Sorry about that.
Happy to see the light flare into being, Levistus quickly takes in the situation, "Hmmmm, as I suspected. Another on of these people he spoke of in his notes." He begins to intone arcane words.
Levistus takes aim at the crystal housing he was staring at before everything went dark. Pulling the trigger he launches the arrow with his light spell directly into the housing, hoping for the best.
Levistus looks the contraption over and sees if it is possible to place a sunrod similarly to where it was on the previously encountered machine. Will the man get in the way?
Thankful the swarm dissipates, Levistus is sure he could not have stayed standing for long due to blood loss and is even more thankful for Thovar's blessing. "Let's get off these blasted death traps!" He looks expectantly at the others who were pulling us along, not lifting a finger himself.
Levistus grimaces and attempts to move out of the swarm to another gondola. He pulls out his alchemists fire as he does so hesitating to throw it as Olo gets out of the way.
"Truly impressive. Perhaps we can use the gondolas and pull ourselves across the lake using that rope." Levistus tests the gondola by carefully placing more and more of his weight on it until he is standing on the floating platform.
Nodding at Olomorn's words, "I, myself, have no sunrods. Looks like we should discover the way down to this excavation site in the very least."
I believe there are some doors on the far side of the room that we have not explored yet. Have Marianna check them out and then see what's on the other side.
Reading the letter, "Hmmm, interesting. According to this he's involved in many interesting ventures. That must be the prototype you just switched off Marianna. This little man must be one of these...dark folk and couldn't stand the light coming from it. Did you search him or this chamber Marianna? Your eyes are so much keener than mine. Be careful, seems they use all sorts of unsavory toxins."
Levistus will peruse the journals for mention of the Wiltshire family or locket. He'll pick up the light crossbow for now.
Pushing Thorvar from the back with one hand to indicate he should move forward to give Levistus space, the sorcerer attempts to touch the man with his still free hand.
Watching the man carefully, "Certainly, my good man. Tell us what you wish and we shall see if we can come to some equitable agreement. No need to yell, we are listening. Perhaps you could write it down if speech is proving too challenging."
Taking a moment to read the letter, "You are, of coarse, correct. I will make it a priority to console the lady in her grief as soon as we finish with this assignment."
Un-ruffling himself, Levistus manages a thin smile, "I doubt you could call what I would do with the organ....playing." He reaches over and hits one of the keys, "That's about the limit of my ability." Looking over at the pile of rags, "Perhaps they were once worn by someone who changed into a maniacal doll. Who was cursed by an evil organ to remain in that wooden form until it could convince some fool to come around and replace it by playing the organ in it's place." His sarcastic tone tells those he thinks himself witty and doesn't believe a word of it. Well, until he seems to reconsider at the end of his yarn and quickly pulls his hand from the key on the organ.
First of all, UN-HOLY CRAP! Inflict Serious wounds coulda killed me easily. Secondly, I think the spell should be doing more damage than that since it is +1 per caster level (so minimum of +5 I believe).
Glaring at the griffon, "Are you usually this rude when someone is about to play a masterpi...." Shaking his head he suddenly becomes aware of the incongruous nature of his actions and chuckles, "Seems that someone else is versed in the school of enchantment." The screech from the doll getting his attention as he struggles to free himself from the large avian Levistus takes a bead on it with his crossbow.
If he can take a shot than here is the roll: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Hmmmm....odd. Someone or something is using minor arcane tricks to create that scratching sound. Possibly as a distraction." He scans the opposite side of the room from the scratching carefully, looking for a threat.
I count 3. Tambric, Olo, and myself. Besides, my impression from the last one we did is that they are not very long. As long as Itsgottabeodin feels like DMPCing Marianna I think we'll be ok. My vote is to continue and solve this mystery.
I do have a question though. This Mercra Pathfinder guy. Did he look like he was wounded and fled to this room or was stuffed here by someone? Levistus will take a 20 searching for secret doors in that small room while the rest were searching the other storerooms and door for traps.
Hmmmm, one other thing, did anyone else notice that the blood was in small footprint sized blotches? I am assuming they are too small to have been Mercra's. Anyone good at tracking?
After searching the storeroom for secret entrances Levistus carefully examines the bloody footprints trying to determine where they go, "These most likely belong to our murderer. Very likely the same individual who pinned up that.....whatever that thing was."
He'll take a 20 on those too for a whopping 21 total.
EDIT: of course, just had the thought that maybe they ARE his footprints after stepping in that trap. Guess I'll wait to find out :)
In an dismissive whisper, "Of coarse we should slay it. It's obviously being used as some sort of alarm for whoever put it there. Someone whom we probably don't want to know that we are approaching." Seeing that Shalla and some of the others seem reluctant, "Oh, fine. I'll deal with it. After I daze it, run up there and stuff it in a bag or something. Just make sure you keep it quiet."
Shocked at the sudden and deadly looking trap Levistus freezes for a moment and looks at the stairs he is standing on worriedly. GLancing ahead at the floor where the spikes just came from and asking apparently everyone equally, "Hmmmm, are you certain it won't go off again?"
Levistus' illuminates the area with a nonchalant wave of his hand. The light emanates from his now un-slung crossbow.
Itsgottabeodin:
Spoiler:
Just to be clear, Levistus was making sure that the "thugs" were searched thoroughly before we released them. Well, if we released them, not sure exactly where they went.
"Not a bad idea my friend. However, these blood-stains leading up to this secret door indicate that our answer may lie in there. Either we have a survivor that can answer some of our more pressing concerns or possibly a body that may be able to do the same. Now, if someone would be so kind as to open the secret door we can continue our exploration." He looks expectantly at the dwarves.
Itsgottabeodin:
Spoiler:
Levistus is trying to stay aware of the passage of time in order to predict his spell wearing off. At the 45 minute mark he will send his "lackey" out of the house to be on his way.
For sake of expediency I'll just say what Levistus does in each area.
Kitchen: glance in water barrels in case anyone decided to "stash" anything else in them. Seems popular place.
Kitchen Store Room: see what the deal is with those blood-stains leading up to the northern wall. Search shelf and then search wall for secret door (take 20 since no rush).
Conference room: Ummmm, nothing.
Bedrooms: Glance around in case one of the deceased occupied it and left some personal belongings.
Storage: Examine the loot.
"Excellent, I appreciate the help. Just make sure your hands stay in your own pockets while we are here." He gives him a friendly but knowing look. Looking to the rest of the group, "Have you had any luck with those bodies?"
"Thank you for being so forthcoming. We'll meet for that drink later. What establishment, of the somewhat more classy variety, do you suggest? If you don't mind hanging around for just a bit longer while we finish our examination of this place, I would appreciate it. Just in case I have another question or two." He raises a questioning eyebrow as if to say "you don't mind, do you?".
Giving the man a thin smile, "Of course, drinks sound perfect. Let's go someplace a bit more upscale than your usual haunts, shall we? Name the place. Now of course you can go but please make sure you have told me everything that you know about this place and anything else you or the others may have taken or hidden." Glancing over his shoulder at Marianna he raises his voice so she can hear, "Would you be so kind as to make sure none of them have been reluctant to hand over their ill gained goods?"
He ducks his head "Yessir. Uhhh... I don't remember which one."
Levistus pins him in place with his piercing stare, "...but it was one of these poor souls, was it not? Or did you find it someplace else? Perhaps we should speak more privately." Making an arcane gesture Levistus casts a spell. Levistus then take him to the side, out of earshot of the other two and repeats his questions.
Giving Olo a very calculating look, "We may want to have someone with a bit lighter touch than our resident hatchet-man here take a look." Glancing back at the thugs, "Now, this was an excellent start to saving your necks but please explain to me how exactly you came to be here and what exactly you found originally. Spare no details. Oh, and I believe you'll want to hand over those wayfinders and anything else you pilfered." As to you, he looks at a particular thug and holds out his hand, "I'll take that ring now. Explain to me exactly where you discovered it and whether you found anything else with it."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22Whoo! Made a social skill check! Something is freezing over as we speak.
Looking at the man Levistus' eyes narrow, "Did I mention that I practice the arcane arts? I would suggest you let the man continue...and tell us what you know willingly....before I am forced to rip it from your unwilling minds and leave you even more senseless than you have already proven to be. The choice, of course, is yours...."
Standing and placing a hand on one of the men's shoulders, "Could you show me the way to the latrine?"
Itsgottabeodin:
Spoiler:
Keeping his voice low as the conversation around the table masks what he says he leans close to the man with the ring, "So how is Wiltshire these days?" He watches the mans reaction closely.
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Sense motive on Venture-Captain and guards to determine whether they are indeed concerned about our intrusion or are hiding something and perhaps worried about discovery.1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
After the Venture-Captain turns his back Levistus gives a meaningful look to Marianna and then tilts his head to indicate she should take a closer interest in the two moving to the East, "Ah yes, of course Venture-Captain. Think nothing of it, we were but concerned for your well being and are pleased to see that everything is, indeed, well. Everything is well, isn't it? Or is there a reason that the lodge is currently closed? Perhaps we can be of assistance." Levistus' disarming off-handed demeanor and silken tone attempting to put the Venture-Captain at ease.
Diplomacy or bluff (whichever you deem more appropriate): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11Heh, my lack of diplomacy streak continues.
