Lost Lab of Kwalish

Etrigan/Barbatos scans the room trying to discern if there could be any of the gems hidden in there. "I don´t expect a gem to be in a place like this but you never know with the bateezu worshipers." He messages to the others. Perception with help from Grygaxx: 26

(OOC: I suppose the gems we are looking for is radiating magic? Huarache should know I think. I guess we keep going then until we hear from Sam again.)

<They're always being used to power mechano-magical equipment, if memory serves.  They're not subtle.>

(There's nothing else to see that wasn't described, but I can go ahead and describe the next room as they are kind of a pair)

 A number of large, sturdy cages house one pair each of black bears, brown bears, and polar bears. In addition, shelves and cupboards throughout the room hold dried fish, dried berries, and grubs as food for the bears, along with tools and supplies.

"We should consider releasing these animals if we need a distraction later. Too early now though I think." Etrigan/Barbatos messages to the others and continues southwards in the corridor walking with the same confident swagger Barbatos did when they first met him.

(OOC getting on a plane, will be a bit slow posting over next few days)

Barbatos and Co. stride past the animals I to a massive L-shaped laboratory space is filled with creatures strapped down to tables or chained to the floor, all attended to by lizardfolk workers. More silver wires connect the tables to a complex control panel standing between them.

"Look around folks, they could have some mechano-magical experimentation equipment in here." Etrigan/Barbatos messages the others.
Etrigan/Barbatos scans the room for any mechano-magical equipment particularly the complex control panel. Perception with help from Grygaxx:24
It may be part of the Barbatos performance, but the others notices utter callousness from Etrigan/Barbatos regarding the creatures that are seemingly experimented upon.
Unless he finds some mechano-magical equipment he will proceed, unless stopped, to the southeastern door and enter the next room. 

(OOC: What kind of creatures are there? How many gems are we missing according to Huarache?)

Without “blowing his cover”, Barril will look around as well.

Perception: 19

<There's no way the characters would know, exactly.  But I can tell you that this temple has 7.  You have recovered 2: a hazy yellow and a speckled gold.  You've also recovered the eyes of Moloch, not part of the machine, but certainly a key item.>

<The room is far less.interesting since removing the eye gems released the Locathah you met earlier, who would have been strapped to the tables tethered to the Lizardfolk renders still here, being the subject of an experiment performed by the shaman, presumably under the guidance of Thesellar and by his design.>

The control panel is covered with dials, switches, and buttons—including a cloudy orange button recognizable as one of the missing components of the Infernal Machine. On a table in the room is a rack with two vials plainly labeled 'thessaltoxin'.

Ordinary animals of any sort are chained up.. an aardvark, a badger, a camel, a dwarf mongoose, and a fox.

Etrigan/Barbatos tries to determine if the control panel would shut down if the cloudy orange button was to be removed.

(OOC: How many Lizardfolk are there here? Do they react to Barbatos presence in any way?)

I think the machine stopped when the eyes were removed from the statue, but it's still in standby mode.  

Four lizardfolk shamans work here as lab managers, overseeing two lizardfolk renders

They leave Barbatos alone.  He looks like he hasn't had his coffee yet this morning and they've learned to avoid his ire.

Etrigan/Barbatos turns to the lizardfolk shamans addressing them in draconic. "We´ve had some problem with the machinery. I am collecting the buttons so that this can be investigated, you can continue with your tasks." He says and takes the cloudy orange button.
Performance to act like Barbatos:17 Deception/Intimidation if needed:18
Unless stopped he then proceeds to the southeastern door and enters the next room.
(Use lucky feat to reroll Performance:17)

"Barbatos" easily grabs the cloudy orange button unopposed and Saunders through the door to the adjoining room.

Amazing instruments of complex design fill this laboratory, all seemingly engaged in active experimentation. Facing the doorway is a wooden desk, its legs resembling four small dryads whose outstretched hands are clasped together to support a desktop littered with thick tomes, alchemical vessels, and a complex control panel.

An ancient male human sits behind the desk, with a homunculus perched on his shoulder.

Turning to see who's entered, Thesselar asks, "What news do you bring? Have you found the theives?" The homunculus then pulls the alchemist’s face into an expression of wry contempt

"So this is Thessalar" Etrigan thinks as he sees the old man.
"Not all of them, not yet." Etrigan/Barbatos says intentionally short, realizing Thessalar would be in a better position than most to surmise he wasn´t talking to the real Barbatos. 
"Be ready to take him out." Etrigan/Barbatos messages the others while studying the old man for weaknesses and scanning the room for more buttons.
Perception with help from Grygaxx:24 Insight with help from Grygaxx to determine if Thessalar is on to them:21

(OOC: Do I need another performance roll? Etrigan wants to end Thessalar but he could be talked out of it if anyone would see the use in keeping him alive. Opinions?) 

No additional check.   As far as you can tell, he's convinced he's talking to Barbatos. 

Scanning the room, Etrigan sees:

A colony of ants is constructing an elaborate city system in a huge glass tank—complete with an ant lion larva to which tiny insect victims are being sacrificed.

Orreries displaying unknown planets and various models of the planes.

Etrigan's efforts to find weakness in the old wizard reveals instead quite rhe opposite (Thesellar is an 18th level spellcaster).  He also remembers that the wizard has created several death-defying creatures.

"Say, what are you doing with that gem?" He enquires.

"We need to get the eyes of Moloch back Thessalar. Great Moloch demands it. I will need the use of the gems to lure the last thieves into a trap in order to get the eyes of Moloch back. You know you can trust me with finding them and you want them all caught right? Have I ever failed you Thessalar?" Etrigan/Barbatos says confidently to the old man.

(OOC: Ok, scratch the end Thessalar plan then I guess. Suggestions anyone?)

<ooc: can he see the 'prisoner'?  If yes, he'll ask "what have you learned form the one you caught? You searched him, yes? What did he have on him?"  If no, I guess ignore that and wait as Thesselar's face is held (literally) in place, for several tense moments, before relaxing as the homunculus releases his grip on the wizard's skin. "Yes.  Quite.  Be off then, and ha e that hoind of yours sniff out the squirming scou dress that stole the eyes, or you'll be fishing out replacements yourself.">

(OOC sorry traveling hard to post.  Will catch up in a few hours!) 

Tetrevess telepathically tells Etrigan he is doing a good job and that he feels we can’t take this wizard , even by surprise.    He agrees with the plan.   Outwardly, he grunts and looks stupid, while scanning the room for interesting magical items..

"Thank you master Thessalar. Could you remind me where I can find the other gems and I will disturb you no more in your important work. I want to capture the last thieves as soon as possible. Moloch is not known for his patience. I will see to it that Moloch will be able to mete out proper judgement once the thieves have been sacrificed to him." Etrigan/Barbatos says as he is about to leave the chamber.

(OOC: If Etrigan had the chance to message the others not to enter this particular room as he opened the door and saw Thessalar that would make sense I think. I´ll go with that unless you say else :-)

<It's fine, Thesellar doesn't see them.>

"Go see if one of the shamans have moved them.  Can't you see I'm busy?!" Thesselar replies sharply, dismissing Etrigan with a stern wave of his hand.