Rod takes out his dusty tome and starts skimming it, finding nothing about this family. Information about this village is absent either, it looks like it has never been registered in maps or history manuscripts. Reshi, meanwhile, moves to the door in front of him and knocks on it, not receiving an answer he opens it.
It's almost breathtaking. In the gloom beyond the foyer, the main hall glitters. Its wood-paneled walls are ornately carved with idyllic scenes of frolicking nymphs and satyrs. At one end of the hall, a sweeping red marble staircase climbs to unknown heights; at the other is a black marble fireplace, cold and unlit. Mounted above the mantelshelf is a longsword, a windmill cameo worked into its hilt.
As you enter the hall music floats down the stairs—a harpsichord. It's all right. It starts and stops. Sections are oft repeated, this time with gusto. Whomever is playing the instrument clearly is a novice.
While this happens Simon is busy inspecting the paintings. They are old, but well drawn and still in good shape. He sees various faces staring at him and, at times, it almost looks like they're following the elf with their eyes. But other than that there's nothing out of the ordinary.
Checking the children for insight you have the impression that they're telling the truth, but that they probably have never seen the monster by themselves.
"We are not alone." Simon whispers. " The children said their parents were in the basement, so whatever is playing that harpsichord with so novice a touch is unknown to them. I suggest we split up into groups of two and try to flank it. "
Simon summons a Mage Hand and follows it as it leads the way to the source of the noise.
"I do not like the idea of splitting up. There is something clearly wrong here, so the best thing to do is to stick together. Now, the parents are most likely to know something about the monster and the threat posed by it, so I suggest we try to locate them. Together".
“I am with Simon on this. I would like to investigate the sound coming from upstairs first. There is a boy left alone on the third floor and I would not want to leave him to whatever is up there.”Reshi says with determination and follows Simon. “However, while sneaking is an option I would prefer if we stay together. Rod? Garren? What do you say?”
If they all agree, Reshi would like to sneak from here on out.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rod
Rod raises the index, pointing upwards the harpsichord music and googling his eyes, his tone lowering in almost a whisper "Hey....hey did you hear that? Did you? I mean...yeah you should right? Seriously....did you hear that also?Amaaaaazing" Rod nods after getting that someone other than him is sensing the music "Right...good..this is good..so...uh uh...yesss...yesss creeping and together....I can do that...we can do that....can we do that? Yessss....yesss I can......ssssneaking...." Lowering to the ground and hissing like a snake, Rod follows Reshi onto the stairs ((Stealth check: 16))
In a not exactly stealthy fashion the whole group start ascending the stairs. A cold draft sweeps down the marble staircase as it delivers you to a darkened hall. Above the mantelpiece hangs another portrait of the Durst family: Rose and Thorn smile down on you. Their mother, her face darkened with a hint of scorn, cradles a swaddled baby. Two mahogany doors are intricately carved with dancing youths. Suits of armor flank these doors, clutching spears, their gazes empty beneath wolf-shaped visors. A third, thin door stands to the right of the stairs, which continue climbing upward.
As you reach the second floor, the harpsichord, that was playing until now, abruptly stops making the whole house fall silent.
Reshi first goes to one of the suits of armor and inspects it. He raises the visor and knocks on it a bit, but nothing happens. They're normal suits. Then he goes to the middle of the room and goes silent for a bit trying to grasp some noise in this hushed house, but he hears nothing. Garret in the meantime looks at the painting. You see that it's fairly well done and must've been really expensive at the time of making, but now it's old and color falls at the touch.
“Whatever this was though, we don’t want it stalking us now that it knows we are here.” Reshi makes his way to one of the doors and opens it, trying not to stand too close as he does.
“Whatever this was though, we don’t want it stalking us now that it knows we are here.” Reshi makes his way to one of the doors and opens it, trying not to stand too close as he does.
"Proceed with caution." Simon advises. " I have been in many places similar to this one, and they generally do not have a happy ending. "
As he speaks he examines the paintings closely. 23
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
Checking the children for insight you have the impression that they're telling the truth, but that they probably have never seen the monster by themselves.
"We are not alone." Simon whispers. " The children said their parents were in the basement, so whatever is playing that harpsichord with so novice a touch is unknown to them. I suggest we split up into groups of two and try to flank it. "
Simon summons a Mage Hand and follows it as it leads the way to the source of the noise.
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
Garren whispers back:
"I do not like the idea of splitting up. There is something clearly wrong here, so the best thing to do is to stick together. Now, the parents are most likely to know something about the monster and the threat posed by it, so I suggest we try to locate them. Together".
Simon taps his foot impatiently.
"Our advantage lies in strategy and surprise. There is nothing to be gained by fearing."
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
“I am with Simon on this. I would like to investigate the sound coming from upstairs first. There is a boy left alone on the third floor and I would not want to leave him to whatever is up there.” Reshi says with determination and follows Simon. “However, while sneaking is an option I would prefer if we stay together. Rod? Garren? What do you say?”
If they all agree, Reshi would like to sneak from here on out.
Stealth: 23
Simon sighs deeply and turns back to his mage hand.
Stealth: 7
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
Rod
Rod raises the index, pointing upwards the harpsichord music and googling his eyes, his tone lowering in almost a whisper "Hey....hey did you hear that? Did you? I mean...yeah you should right? Seriously....did you hear that also? Amaaaaazing" Rod nods after getting that someone other than him is sensing the music "Right...good..this is good..so...uh uh...yesss...yesss creeping and together....I can do that...we can do that....can we do that? Yessss....yesss I can......ssssneaking...." Lowering to the ground and hissing like a snake, Rod follows Reshi onto the stairs ((Stealth check: 16))
Garren is not even remotely a stealthy person, but he does not wish to go against the group, so he tries to follow them as silently as he can:
Stealth: 11
Reshi inspects the closest suit of armour, then stand still and silent for a moment to listen for whatever was playing the music.
Perception: 13 or Investigation: 11
Garren instead chooses to focus on the picture, attempting to find anything useful from it.
Perception: 14
Investigation: 17
Simon stares long and hard at the painting before turning back to the group.
"So much for surprise. Do we continue to the basement or search for this harpsichord player?"
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
“I would still like to find the child first.” Reshi says in reply to Simon
"Ah, of course." Says Simon regretfully. " The child. "
Flayr Flameseeker | Genasi/Fire | Wizard/School of Evocation | Level 2 | Custom Campaign: Cold Cash
“Whatever this was though, we don’t want it stalking us now that it knows we are here.” Reshi makes his way to one of the doors and opens it, trying not to stand too close as he does.
Which one of the doors?
(Let’s go with the one on top of the picture, between the suits of armour)
Garren, despite first wanting to find the parents to learn what's going on, chimes in:
"Whatever was playing music, is clearly stalking us now, so we need to take care ofit first. Stick together and be on the lookout".
Perception: 20