The man nods slowly, sagely. Not moving from his desk. Looking ever at his tome. Annoyance still lingering in his demeanor. As he does this, Lark can see that the walls of this bedchamber are covered with drapes of scarlet cloth. The furnishings include a small writing desk with matching chair, a comfortable-looking bed, and a wooden chest at the foot of the bed. I see.... And you chose to bother me with such trivial things as an argument over semantics? A slight potential one way or another? The answer is simple..... They are sorcerers. No such warlock has ever made a pact with a dragon! Pah!
As punishment for wasting my time yet again you and the other redbrand with you will deal with the boy we took from the farmer yourselves. He is to be sacrificed to our mutual benefactor at dawn. A bitter irony, as his father worships the morning lord. Here... Take this key, and this trinket, so the guards know I sent you personally. They will let you bring him here. While you are gone, I will prepare the rite, and the magic circle. The boy will be in the cells.
(Well, no point in rolling to insight any insight since that's a nat20)
Salazar, who had gone gone from starting to subtly motion for something to the others to having keep a striaght face as Lark made his pitch, kind of grimaces at the mention of the morning lord. And yet, he stepped up as if to receive the key and trinket. During the hand however he asks, "Uh. One other thing, sir. Topside there's been this knight looking cat asking around for an, uh... what's the name... an Iarno? Is this something we should be worried about?"He asked, genuinely curious and sounding innocent enough.
Insight: 18 (PI: 16). (To see if the name Iarno rang any bells with this guy.)
But as soon as he received an answer, be it a dismissal or something more, the Aasimar was ready to use that momentary distract to utter a word of power(Wis STV - DC 14) in celestial, demanding he grovel in that instance. If the spell should take hold, he pulls off his rope for the others and say, "Let us tie him up. Quick! Mouth too. Can't have yelling for help."
If Salazar's spell works, Lark will take the rope and immediately pass it to Alynoa. He smiles and shrugs, "Im not sure i can feel my fingers well enough to tie a decent knot." Lark will draw his dagger and cuts two strips of scarlet cloth and twist it several times. The first he shoves a handful into the man's mouth, then he wraps the second around the mouth of the man and secures it behind is head. "It truly is a lovely shade of red."
The faintest of eye-twitches effects the man (Deception to hide it: 8) and he does his best to maintain his composure, however, he had been caught too off guard, and Salazar could tell that the name meant something very close to, or important, pertaining to the mans person. Oh? Is that so? Well you can tell me more about it when you... Salazar speaks suddenly in celestial, a language this man doesn't know. The man looks at Salazar quizzically, as if confused at what he had just said.
Excuse me.. what was that you justsai...the man finally standing, to look at Salazar, shock spreading through the mans face, whether feigned or real, he reaches to the air, and suddenly, a staff appears in his hand.
However, instead of attacking outright, the man looks Salazar over. Who are you? And how did you find your way here? How did you get past my guards? Let us talk about this, like reasonable men. We wouldn't want any accidents now.. would we? So lets parlay.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(*sigh*... Gonna hang me on using flavor. Okay Cool. Did it to my self. How do you go about rolling initiative, because Salazar is just gonna blast him outright next.)
A change over takes Salazar, both subtle and not. Whereas the scholar had mentally cursed himself for having blurred the lines between divine commands and speech to heavily in his haste, the moment he locked eyes to eyes with the men, all other thought left him. The appearance of the staff doesn't even appear to register in his eyes. Nor did the appeals. His hand, which had been raised earlier to receive whatever trinkets the staff wielder had in mind, jerked at the word 'reasonable', and with eyes fully subsumed in a grey light, a similar orb of it appeared hovering in hand.
If that wasn't "warning" enough of intent, Salazar's answer in again the alien tongue followed by a streak of radiant energy striking at the man. Or if already within grasping distance, he just pokes him on the shoulder. And like the onset of some divine retribution through disease, a rot would spread on the skin level, robbing every inch of muscle and flesh any vitality.
Throughout it all, there isn't even a flicker of having registered Lark's request. Although granted, by the time it was spoken perhaps, the deed was already in motion.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
11 - Salazar - 6 "Man" 5
35
Salazars power is overwhelming, the man crumples to the ground, in a smoking, necrotic heap..... only managing to gurgle out a horrid noise, before dying entirely. Blood pouring out of the mans mouth from the horrible wounds that were magically inflicted on him. The staff falling to the ground in a wooden sounding clack. Alynoa startled from the scene. And luckily, the red fate of the crossbow wasn't needed.
"Astounding!" Lark comments after a few heart beats pass. "That is a terrifyingly neat trick. Is he safe to touch?"
Lark meanders over to the desk and will help anyone searching for anything pointing to a purpose or evil scheme. He will, however, take a few yards worth of the scarlet material, folds it and stuffs it into his bag. "It may be useful should we need a disguise. So Master Salazar if I may, tell me about this Morning Lord. The name seem to ruffle your feathers." Lark hisses a quiet chuckle to himself.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
Salazar again appears to not register any of his surroundings. He just studies his own hand. A faint grey aura continues to surround the gloved appendage for a time. As it fades, so too does the scholar's attention return to reality. Even then, he has to hold his head, and looks around appearing very much out still out of sorts. "Safe... to touch... yes. Such curses, while potent, have long diminished over the centuries. Theorized to be the influence of Mystra, in her bid to limit the devastation once often wrought by anyone with enough connection to the weave."He rambles, frowning, and then goes over to inspect the staff.
"Inquiry follow-up.... Morning Lord?"He finally looks to Lark, a look of blank confusion in his eyes. "Ruffle feathers? Implying... distaste. Not wholly... inaccurate. Followers are more judgmental than most, or... too bright of spirit. Hard to deal with. Deity also at least rumored to be catalyst in an eon ago catacylsm... But no. Not sufficient for--" Salazar eyes flicker to the corpse. "Such a visceral... reaction. This is... different. Unusual. Worthy of further study, but at a different juncture. For now, we search -- Oh, you've grabbed some things. Good thinking, Lark. We need to be thorough though. This one was their... leader? Possibility. Second command or specialist with privileges at the very least. One with extremely close ties to Iarno.... Will have to bring body back to surface, and spirit spoken with at the temple."
With that, Salazar quiets to focus on searching the clear former spellcaster's body. In particular, for keys or pocketed notes, but everything worth note is taken out. If he does find any keys, he will try them on the chest if it wasn't already unlocked. The staff, however, he passes to Alynoa to study or possibly make use of at her leisure.
(To DM: Did he also have in hand the trinket and key mentioned earlier, or was that on his desk? Also, if an investigation or perception roll is needed to search the body, feel free to roll for me. Assume he will pop guidance as well for an added d4 to the roll.)
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Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
"I agree that he was at least high in the ranks. He mentioned the redbrands coming to him with problems. Does that mean he isn't a redbrand? And maybe they are wrapped up in something more unsavory than larceny and corruption." He watches Salazar rifle through the mans pockets. "Did anyone catch a name. It would be tremendously useful."
Lark places his hands over his face and whispers, "Memory cascades, Vivid pictures slant; New versions emerge."
Distortions appear in front of him, like heat waves rising off the desert sand. When he drops his hands the man lying dead on the ground now stands before you as he was not 20 minutes ago. Lark's voice escapes from his throat as the man speaks. "Let's hope no one takes too close a look as we collect our prisoner."
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Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
As Lark and company investigate the remainder of the room, and the body of the man, many things are found.
The staff given to Alynoa seems to thrum softly with magic... there's something unique about it, though you can't quite tell what yet. However, the staff itself appears to be made of glass, but is as solid as the hardest wood you've ever felt. It fits snugly in Alynoa's hands.
On the mans body, a Potion of Invisibility, tucked safely in his inner pocket of his vibrantly red robes, now crimson for other reasons. A ring of keys found on the desk, likely the ones meant to be used for various, locked objects throughout the complex. A small, spider-shaped trinket was in the mans other pocket.
At the foot of Iarno’s bed is a sturdy, unlocked wooden chest holding the best pickings of the Redbrands’ loot over the last two months. It contains 180 sp, 130 gp, and a silk pouch containing five carnelians (10 gp each), two peridots (15 gp each), and one pearl (100 gp). It also contains two magic items that Iarno brought with him from Neverwinter: a scroll of charm person and a scrollof fireball.
A rolled up letter found on the table reads...
My spies in Neverwinter tell me that strangers are due to arrive in Phandalin. They could be working for the dwarves. Capture them if you can, kill them if you must, but don’t allow them to upset our plans. See that any dwarven maps in their possession are delivered to me with haste. I’m counting on you, Iarno. Don’t disappoint me.
Alynoa looks at the body of Iarno, then at the group Somehow.. I feel by killing this man, we lost access to a lot of valuable information...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After seeing the letter, Lark asks, "Well...so this is Iarno? I believe you are correct Lady Alynoa, we might have lost a valuable source of information, but as Master Salazar quoted, there are many among the acolytes that could contact his spirit in whatever realm he has traversed." Lark will take the spider trinket and ring of keys so as to accent his illusory disguise.
He will move to the door on the west(?) side of the room. He will listen intently to any noise that may be carrying through. 2. He returns to the body. "Should we hide him? We may not have much time."
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Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
With the exception of the Potion, which he tucked safely in his own inner pocket after cleaning off any added crimson, and the scrolls, which he passes on to Lark(Charm Person) and Alynoa(Fireball), the rest of Salazar's findings in the chest are put in a side pouch of the Cleric's backpack for potential redistribution to the people. When it came to the pearl however, he stops, eyes widening as a spark of magic zipped up his hand from contact with the pearl.
"Interesting. A lens of clarity. If only I had a feather." He says as he studied it offhandedly before pocketing it away elsewhere in his robes. At some point during the process he gets a far off look again. "....Probably meant the more immediate benefits of a map of this... base. Numbers. Location of Prisoners. So on. Useful information, but dangerous to try and acquire from a spellcaster. Even if bound."Salazar commented, having lost himself again for a moment or two.
Snapping his head up and over to Lark, Salazar goes on to say, "Hide? Him? Oh! Yes... yes, of course. No. We need to... first close this door."He hustles over to their entry door and closest it up. "And then.. Iarno. Given his attitude, it is unlikely he will be visited in the next few hours, but better safe than sorry." Salazar hustles over to whatever served as a bed, and checks first to see if there would even be room before offering to hold up the bed frame while the other two slid the body beneath. Seeing the possible trail of blood however, he just clicks his tongue, but wouldn't press on getting it cleaned up.
"Normally, I do not condone misinformation as dictated by the faith. But as things stand, we will have no choice. Let's see what's in the other room. And if its safe enough, Lark, see if you can lock both this room and the next, take a moment to warm ourselves up, and... and if Lady Alnoya here could perhaps do the disguise as Iarno? At least to get the size proportions roughly right. You or myself can still do the talking, and any redbrand we see, well... with the "boss" with us, we could use the excuse of needing directing to the prisoners. Or something like that?"
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Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Alynoa looked between the two, a bit surprised at the suggestion, but quickly nodding her head up and down, before casting her spell once more, as she had before. She too, took the form of Iarno, and with two Iarno's in the room, she would brighten up, saying Perhaps ... we can both be Iarno... And play it off as it's some magical experiment, or maybe its my midget twin brother or something like that? she said, almost bouncing. Her familiar bobbing much the same inside of it's cubby hole. Looking between the two again, wondering if they liked her suggestion. Lark can keep the trinkets and keys, and I'll keep the staff in hand..... These are thugs.. so I doubt they'll really think too hard about whether I have anything else! she says, tucking away the scroll that was given to her.. just in case it was needed later.
But, do we want to pretend that Salazar is a prisoner.. or do we wanna play it off like he's some esteemed guest or ally or ... well you get the idea, right? Then... maybe.. just maybe.... we can walk through here unhindered.... and do as we please... cause.. Like you both said, this guy .. if he isn't the boss.. is pretty high up.. and with the way he talks to them.. I doubt hes not in charge to some degree!
"I would reckon that, no offence meant Sir, he should a be a sacrifice. Surely, the Morning Lord would rather someone with his unique nature be given up instead of some nobody farm boy whose father actually worships the Morning Lord." He peers at Alynoa's version of Iarno. "Astounding. Still should we take the risk of having two? They risk 'twice the punishment for my ire.'" Lark delivers the last bit trying to approximate Iarno's voice. 12
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Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
Salazar stared in confusion at Lark for the first line, but soon pushes it from mind with a shake of the head. "I would prefer not overestimate them with two Iarno play." Salazar gives the two a pained smile. "And rather than prisoner, let's say... guest up for recruitment, in the event word has already been passed down for my capture instead." He listens closely as Lark tries to play up Iarno's voice, and manages an okay job to his ears at least. "Hm... That experiment idea does have some merit, come to think of it.; especially if some goblin-nese is allowed to show."
With that said, he looks to the door, and gives the two a motion to go ahead and check out the immediate next area.
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Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Lark manages to get it within a reasonable guess. With a little muttering and angry scowls.. he might be able to pull it off. Seeing Lark do this... Alynoa herself tries 11 getting much closer than the bard had. You dare seek to call that my voice? I should have you flogged and imprisoned... were you not .. me. For a brief moment, breaking character to clap excitedly at how well she had done! Before clearing her throat, and saying However... my angellic friend... I think with two of me... we can work you out into a fine recruit. And yes, your sundry suggestion to explore the room yonder is a wise one. Let us make way with haste, lest my projects get pushed farther behind due to your incompetence.. Always bothering me... at the worst times. But this time.. It can't be helped....
Iarno's body had been hidden well enough, though Alynoa made sure to drag the blanket far enough down that even an accidental cursory glance wouldn't catch a hem or a robe, or a toe.
Heading into the next room, both Iarno's and the "New Recruit" .. This room appears to be a wizard’s workshop. A rat scurries across the floor and takes refuge under a large worktable set up with alembics, retorts, distillation coils, and other alchemical devices, all of it stewing and bubbling away. Bookshelves are crowded with sheaves of parchment and strange-looking tomes. As you all wander around, you notice many many books .. nearly all of them are alchemical texts. It would appear Iarno was trying to master the art of Alchemy.
One book, seems to be written in Dwarvish.
There appears to be more within the room. Though most of it is worthless to the layman, some rarer ingredients appear to be scattered about - A vial of Mercury, A Jar of Dragon's Bile, and some Powdered Nightshade sit in a protected glass shelf, though the shelf itself is not locked.
((I can, at this point, see no reason to hide the map from you.. so how I will deal with it now, is you tell me where you're going, what you're doing, and I'll adjudicate from there))
Lark claps excitedly after Alynoa's mimicry. "We will make a bard of you yet, Lady"
Lark's eye is immediately drawn to the books. Dwarvish being one of the languages he is fluent in he reads the title quietly aloud and stuffs it into his bag.
(OOC: It looks like the cells are in the NE corner of the map. We should move there via fastest path, although it is likely the most dangerous. Rai: How much time left on the numb status?)
Lark recognizes the text on the title of the book, reading;
The Forge of Spells
By Urmon
Somehow, Lark can tell this book is very important.
Perhaps I shall consider being a spoony bard! she says, hoping you realize she's maintaining character, as opposed to insulting you. Looking around the room, she feels, and states that she thinks that there is nothing else to be gained from this room.
I have a feelign Bacon won't be coming back, for one reason or another, so Either I can look for someone to take over her character, or replace her 'after' the hideout is done. I don't like controlling a player character too much for too long as.. i know everything in the CP so that creates issues that i'm still too new of a DM to think of how to do without either playign a silent character or giving too much info by accident, or otherwise just making them useless by intentionally 'not finding anything' etc.
Which would you prefer?
Also just try to remember your characters dont know the layout i just didn't see a reason to hide the map anymore. so still try to play it out as if you don't know your way around. so move perhaps a room at a time so i can see if 'random encounters happen' etc
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Occassional Dungeon Master.
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21
The man nods slowly, sagely. Not moving from his desk. Looking ever at his tome. Annoyance still lingering in his demeanor. As he does this, Lark can see that the walls of this bedchamber are covered with drapes of scarlet cloth. The furnishings include a small writing desk with matching chair, a comfortable-looking bed, and a wooden chest at the foot of the bed. I see.... And you chose to bother me with such trivial things as an argument over semantics? A slight potential one way or another? The answer is simple..... They are sorcerers. No such warlock has ever made a pact with a dragon! Pah!
As punishment for wasting my time yet again you and the other redbrand with you will deal with the boy we took from the farmer yourselves. He is to be sacrificed to our mutual benefactor at dawn. A bitter irony, as his father worships the morning lord. Here... Take this key, and this trinket, so the guards know I sent you personally. They will let you bring him here. While you are gone, I will prepare the rite, and the magic circle. The boy will be in the cells.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
(Well, no point in rolling to insight any insight since that's a nat20)
Salazar, who had gone gone from starting to subtly motion for something to the others to having keep a striaght face as Lark made his pitch, kind of grimaces at the mention of the morning lord. And yet, he stepped up as if to receive the key and trinket. During the hand however he asks, "Uh. One other thing, sir. Topside there's been this knight looking cat asking around for an, uh... what's the name... an Iarno? Is this something we should be worried about?" He asked, genuinely curious and sounding innocent enough.
Insight: 18 (PI: 16).
(To see if the name Iarno rang any bells with this guy.)
But as soon as he received an answer, be it a dismissal or something more, the Aasimar was ready to use that momentary distract to utter a word of power(Wis STV - DC 14) in celestial, demanding he grovel in that instance. If the spell should take hold, he pulls off his rope for the others and say, "Let us tie him up. Quick! Mouth too. Can't have yelling for help."
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
If Salazar's spell works, Lark will take the rope and immediately pass it to Alynoa. He smiles and shrugs, "Im not sure i can feel my fingers well enough to tie a decent knot." Lark will draw his dagger and cuts two strips of scarlet cloth and twist it several times. The first he shoves a handful into the man's mouth, then he wraps the second around the mouth of the man and secures it behind is head. "It truly is a lovely shade of red."
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
The faintest of eye-twitches effects the man (Deception to hide it: 8) and he does his best to maintain his composure, however, he had been caught too off guard, and Salazar could tell that the name meant something very close to, or important, pertaining to the mans person. Oh? Is that so? Well you can tell me more about it when you... Salazar speaks suddenly in celestial, a language this man doesn't know. The man looks at Salazar quizzically, as if confused at what he had just said.
Excuse me.. what was that you just sai... the man finally standing, to look at Salazar, shock spreading through the mans face, whether feigned or real, he reaches to the air, and suddenly, a staff appears in his hand.
However, instead of attacking outright, the man looks Salazar over. Who are you? And how did you find your way here? How did you get past my guards? Let us talk about this, like reasonable men. We wouldn't want any accidents now.. would we? So lets parlay.
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Lark raises his crossbow as soon as the staff appears in the man's hand. "Just give the word, Master Salazar."
Lark will be ready to fire his crossbow at the man should he make any hostile actions.
If things go south, Attack: 5 Damage: 4
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
(*sigh*... Gonna hang me on using flavor. Okay Cool. Did it to my self. How do you go about rolling initiative, because Salazar is just gonna blast him outright next.)
A change over takes Salazar, both subtle and not. Whereas the scholar had mentally cursed himself for having blurred the lines between divine commands and speech to heavily in his haste, the moment he locked eyes to eyes with the men, all other thought left him. The appearance of the staff doesn't even appear to register in his eyes. Nor did the appeals. His hand, which had been raised earlier to receive whatever trinkets the staff wielder had in mind, jerked at the word 'reasonable', and with eyes fully subsumed in a grey light, a similar orb of it appeared hovering in hand.
If that wasn't "warning" enough of intent, Salazar's answer in again the alien tongue followed by a streak of radiant energy striking at the man. Or if already within grasping distance, he just pokes him on the shoulder. And like the onset of some divine retribution through disease, a rot would spread on the skin level, robbing every inch of muscle and flesh any vitality.
Throughout it all, there isn't even a flicker of having registered Lark's request. Although granted, by the time it was spoken perhaps, the deed was already in motion.
If more than 5ft:
Guiding Bolt Attack: 10 Damage: 14.
If already within 5ft(touching distance) of the man:
Inflict Wounds Attack: 10 Damage: 14.
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
(OOC: Well, okay then.)
Lark initiative: 5
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
11 - Salazar - 6 "Man" 5
35
Salazars power is overwhelming, the man crumples to the ground, in a smoking, necrotic heap..... only managing to gurgle out a horrid noise, before dying entirely. Blood pouring out of the mans mouth from the horrible wounds that were magically inflicted on him. The staff falling to the ground in a wooden sounding clack. Alynoa startled from the scene. And luckily, the red fate of the crossbow wasn't needed.
Man, Salazar, Lark, AlynoaOccassional Dungeon Master.
(OOC: Yesss! stupid cold!)
"Astounding!" Lark comments after a few heart beats pass. "That is a terrifyingly neat trick. Is he safe to touch?"
Lark meanders over to the desk and will help anyone searching for anything pointing to a purpose or evil scheme. He will, however, take a few yards worth of the scarlet material, folds it and stuffs it into his bag. "It may be useful should we need a disguise. So Master Salazar if I may, tell me about this Morning Lord. The name seem to ruffle your feathers." Lark hisses a quiet chuckle to himself.
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
Salazar again appears to not register any of his surroundings. He just studies his own hand. A faint grey aura continues to surround the gloved appendage for a time. As it fades, so too does the scholar's attention return to reality. Even then, he has to hold his head, and looks around appearing very much out still out of sorts. "Safe... to touch... yes. Such curses, while potent, have long diminished over the centuries. Theorized to be the influence of Mystra, in her bid to limit the devastation once often wrought by anyone with enough connection to the weave." He rambles, frowning, and then goes over to inspect the staff.
"Inquiry follow-up.... Morning Lord?" He finally looks to Lark, a look of blank confusion in his eyes. "Ruffle feathers? Implying... distaste. Not wholly... inaccurate. Followers are more judgmental than most, or... too bright of spirit. Hard to deal with. Deity also at least rumored to be catalyst in an eon ago catacylsm... But no. Not sufficient for--" Salazar eyes flicker to the corpse. "Such a visceral... reaction. This is... different. Unusual. Worthy of further study, but at a different juncture. For now, we search -- Oh, you've grabbed some things. Good thinking, Lark. We need to be thorough though. This one was their... leader? Possibility. Second command or specialist with privileges at the very least. One with extremely close ties to Iarno.... Will have to bring body back to surface, and spirit spoken with at the temple."
With that, Salazar quiets to focus on searching the clear former spellcaster's body. In particular, for keys or pocketed notes, but everything worth note is taken out. If he does find any keys, he will try them on the chest if it wasn't already unlocked. The staff, however, he passes to Alynoa to study or possibly make use of at her leisure.
(To DM: Did he also have in hand the trinket and key mentioned earlier, or was that on his desk? Also, if an investigation or perception roll is needed to search the body, feel free to roll for me. Assume he will pop guidance as well for an added d4 to the roll.)
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
"I agree that he was at least high in the ranks. He mentioned the redbrands coming to him with problems. Does that mean he isn't a redbrand? And maybe they are wrapped up in something more unsavory than larceny and corruption." He watches Salazar rifle through the mans pockets. "Did anyone catch a name. It would be tremendously useful."
Lark places his hands over his face and whispers, "Memory cascades, Vivid pictures slant; New versions emerge."
Distortions appear in front of him, like heat waves rising off the desert sand. When he drops his hands the man lying dead on the ground now stands before you as he was not 20 minutes ago. Lark's voice escapes from his throat as the man speaks. "Let's hope no one takes too close a look as we collect our prisoner."
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
As Lark and company investigate the remainder of the room, and the body of the man, many things are found.
The staff given to Alynoa seems to thrum softly with magic... there's something unique about it, though you can't quite tell what yet. However, the staff itself appears to be made of glass, but is as solid as the hardest wood you've ever felt. It fits snugly in Alynoa's hands.
On the mans body, a Potion of Invisibility, tucked safely in his inner pocket of his vibrantly red robes, now crimson for other reasons. A ring of keys found on the desk, likely the ones meant to be used for various, locked objects throughout the complex. A small, spider-shaped trinket was in the mans other pocket.
At the foot of Iarno’s bed is a sturdy, unlocked wooden chest holding the best pickings of the Redbrands’ loot over the last two months. It contains 180 sp, 130 gp, and a silk pouch containing five carnelians (10 gp each), two peridots (15 gp each), and one pearl (100 gp). It also contains two magic items that Iarno brought with him from Neverwinter: a scroll of charm person and a scroll of fireball.
A rolled up letter found on the table reads...
Alynoa looks at the body of Iarno, then at the group Somehow.. I feel by killing this man, we lost access to a lot of valuable information...
Occassional Dungeon Master.
After seeing the letter, Lark asks, "Well...so this is Iarno? I believe you are correct Lady Alynoa, we might have lost a valuable source of information, but as Master Salazar quoted, there are many among the acolytes that could contact his spirit in whatever realm he has traversed." Lark will take the spider trinket and ring of keys so as to accent his illusory disguise.
He will move to the door on the west(?) side of the room. He will listen intently to any noise that may be carrying through. 2. He returns to the body. "Should we hide him? We may not have much time."
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
With the exception of the Potion, which he tucked safely in his own inner pocket after cleaning off any added crimson, and the scrolls, which he passes on to Lark(Charm Person) and Alynoa(Fireball), the rest of Salazar's findings in the chest are put in a side pouch of the Cleric's backpack for potential redistribution to the people. When it came to the pearl however, he stops, eyes widening as a spark of magic zipped up his hand from contact with the pearl.
"Interesting. A lens of clarity. If only I had a feather." He says as he studied it offhandedly before pocketing it away elsewhere in his robes. At some point during the process he gets a far off look again. "....Probably meant the more immediate benefits of a map of this... base. Numbers. Location of Prisoners. So on. Useful information, but dangerous to try and acquire from a spellcaster. Even if bound." Salazar commented, having lost himself again for a moment
or two.
Snapping his head up and over to Lark, Salazar goes on to say, "Hide? Him? Oh! Yes... yes, of course. No. We need to... first close this door." He hustles over to their entry door and closest it up. "And then.. Iarno. Given his attitude, it is unlikely he will be visited in the next few hours, but better safe than sorry." Salazar hustles over to whatever served as a bed, and checks first to see if there would even be room before offering to hold up the bed frame while the other two slid the body beneath. Seeing the possible trail of blood however, he just clicks his tongue, but wouldn't press on getting it cleaned up.
"Normally, I do not condone misinformation as dictated by the faith. But as things stand, we will have no choice. Let's see what's in the other room. And if its safe enough, Lark, see if you can lock both this room and the next, take a moment to warm ourselves up, and... and if Lady Alnoya here could perhaps do the disguise as Iarno? At least to get the size proportions roughly right. You or myself can still do the talking, and any redbrand we see, well... with the "boss" with us, we could use the excuse of needing directing to the prisoners. Or something like that?"
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
Alynoa looked between the two, a bit surprised at the suggestion, but quickly nodding her head up and down, before casting her spell once more, as she had before. She too, took the form of Iarno, and with two Iarno's in the room, she would brighten up, saying Perhaps ... we can both be Iarno... And play it off as it's some magical experiment, or maybe its my midget twin brother or something like that? she said, almost bouncing. Her familiar bobbing much the same inside of it's cubby hole. Looking between the two again, wondering if they liked her suggestion. Lark can keep the trinkets and keys, and I'll keep the staff in hand..... These are thugs.. so I doubt they'll really think too hard about whether I have anything else! she says, tucking away the scroll that was given to her.. just in case it was needed later.
But, do we want to pretend that Salazar is a prisoner.. or do we wanna play it off like he's some esteemed guest or ally or ... well you get the idea, right? Then... maybe.. just maybe.... we can walk through here unhindered.... and do as we please... cause.. Like you both said, this guy .. if he isn't the boss.. is pretty high up.. and with the way he talks to them.. I doubt hes not in charge to some degree!
Occassional Dungeon Master.
"I would reckon that, no offence meant Sir, he should a be a sacrifice. Surely, the Morning Lord would rather someone with his unique nature be given up instead of some nobody farm boy whose father actually worships the Morning Lord." He peers at Alynoa's version of Iarno. "Astounding. Still should we take the risk of having two? They risk 'twice the punishment for my ire.'" Lark delivers the last bit trying to approximate Iarno's voice. 12
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
Salazar stared in confusion at Lark for the first line, but soon pushes it from mind with a shake of the head. "I would prefer not overestimate them with two Iarno play." Salazar gives the two a pained smile. "And rather than prisoner, let's say... guest up for recruitment, in the event word has already been passed down for my capture instead." He listens closely as Lark tries to play up Iarno's voice, and manages an okay job to his ears at least. "Hm... That experiment idea does have some merit, come to think of it.; especially if some goblin-nese is allowed to show."
With that said, he looks to the door, and gives the two a motion to go ahead and check out the immediate next area.
Yog - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Stars/Celestial (Libretalia)
Nobody - [Feral-Tiefling]Wizard/Sorcerer - War/Draconic (HoTDQ)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Dreams/Archfey
-
Hiatus:
Xanrazan - [Earth Genasi]Bard - College of Swords(Shadowthorn's Princess of the Apocalypse)
Lark manages to get it within a reasonable guess. With a little muttering and angry scowls.. he might be able to pull it off. Seeing Lark do this... Alynoa herself tries 11 getting much closer than the bard had. You dare seek to call that my voice? I should have you flogged and imprisoned... were you not .. me. For a brief moment, breaking character to clap excitedly at how well she had done! Before clearing her throat, and saying However... my angellic friend... I think with two of me... we can work you out into a fine recruit. And yes, your sundry suggestion to explore the room yonder is a wise one. Let us make way with haste, lest my projects get pushed farther behind due to your incompetence.. Always bothering me... at the worst times. But this time.. It can't be helped....
Iarno's body had been hidden well enough, though Alynoa made sure to drag the blanket far enough down that even an accidental cursory glance wouldn't catch a hem or a robe, or a toe.
Heading into the next room, both Iarno's and the "New Recruit" .. This room appears to be a wizard’s workshop. A rat scurries across the floor and takes refuge under a large worktable set up with alembics, retorts, distillation coils, and other alchemical devices, all of it stewing and bubbling away. Bookshelves are crowded with sheaves of parchment and strange-looking tomes. As you all wander around, you notice many many books .. nearly all of them are alchemical texts. It would appear Iarno was trying to master the art of Alchemy.
One book, seems to be written in Dwarvish.
There appears to be more within the room. Though most of it is worthless to the layman, some rarer ingredients appear to be scattered about - A vial of Mercury, A Jar of Dragon's Bile, and some Powdered Nightshade sit in a protected glass shelf, though the shelf itself is not locked.
((I can, at this point, see no reason to hide the map from you.. so how I will deal with it now, is you tell me where you're going, what you're doing, and I'll adjudicate from there))
Occassional Dungeon Master.
Lark claps excitedly after Alynoa's mimicry. "We will make a bard of you yet, Lady"
Lark's eye is immediately drawn to the books. Dwarvish being one of the languages he is fluent in he reads the title quietly aloud and stuffs it into his bag.
(OOC: It looks like the cells are in the NE corner of the map. We should move there via fastest path, although it is likely the most dangerous. Rai: How much time left on the numb status?)
Lark- Goblin Bard 2- Lost Mines Gr-A/ AC 13 HP 15, passive perception 11
DM- Sunless Citadel PbP// Waterdeep Dragon Heist (IRL F2F)// Adventurers League (F2F LGS)
Lark recognizes the text on the title of the book, reading;
The Forge of Spells
By Urmon
Somehow, Lark can tell this book is very important.
Perhaps I shall consider being a spoony bard! she says, hoping you realize she's maintaining character, as opposed to insulting you. Looking around the room, she feels, and states that she thinks that there is nothing else to be gained from this room.
I have a feelign Bacon won't be coming back, for one reason or another, so Either I can look for someone to take over her character, or replace her 'after' the hideout is done. I don't like controlling a player character too much for too long as.. i know everything in the CP so that creates issues that i'm still too new of a DM to think of how to do without either playign a silent character or giving too much info by accident, or otherwise just making them useless by intentionally 'not finding anything' etc.
Which would you prefer?
Also just try to remember your characters dont know the layout i just didn't see a reason to hide the map anymore. so still try to play it out as if you don't know your way around. so move perhaps a room at a time so i can see if 'random encounters happen' etc
Occassional Dungeon Master.