What’s this..?

17  21

Not that it matters, with these rolls, but it would be an additional +2 if it was supposed to be Arcana for me.

Quendar turns and looks over at Morgana, his teeth clenching at her tone, but then relaxing as she continues.

"Silent exploration of the rooms behind that door presumes any dangers that may lie within are lessor in nature than those you suppose await us upstairs," Quendar says. "While an animated corpse may not be much of a conversationalist, dispatching one or possibly several may be a noisy endeavor."

He pauses for a moment and then turns his gaze towards Grace.

"Your second plan has a great deal of merit, but first, I too would like to hear our dear guide's answer to your question."

"Yes, of course," Grace nods speaking in a lowered tone. "I...I kept it with me," she begins again nervously looking at the group. "I didn't trust I wouldn't end up face down in a ditch after giving it to you," she adds handing over another map looking from Quendar to Morgana but holding it out to whoever takes it. "As I said before there are guards, usually two on rounds in the house and four on the grounds outside," Grace adds. "But once we're in the parlor and gallery I need to get home," she explains still anxious.

OOC: Parlor/gallery is the party's entry point from the basement. ALL areas labeled are what Grace is aware of BUT there could be hidden areas etc... a maid would not be aware of in the house. These are just the areas she's aware of ok? I will add more detail room by room. It's WAY too much to add on the map right now ok? Hope it's helpful!

Quendar reaches out and takes the map from Grace, nodding his thanks.

"Have you been inside the safe?" he asks Grace while his mind imagines untold riches.

While waiting for an answer from Grace he looks back over at Morgana.

"Are you going to check on what's behind that door?" Quendar asks. "I'm sure whatever is back there will be quite interesting, but if this emerald is as valuable as you suggest to whatever magic may be going on here, would it be left unguarded down here? In retrospect, even bothering to stop and search this laboratory and library was likely something we should have known would be a waste of time."

He then holds out his arm, and says "Bartram, come here. Quietly. Your services are needed."

Out of what appears to be nothing, a large crow appears in the air and settles down on Quendar's arm, almost on his shoulder. It opens it's beak to squawk but pauses and closes it, cocking his head to the side and looking around at everyone.

Vivi folds her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. “Gods Morgy, this is like the Laughing Cow all over again! I told you the stalls are more immersive, but no, you had to have us in the box, far away from all the action with our little binoculars. Trust me everyone, arguing with Morgana is a fools errand, I’ve tried many a time.” She gestures toward the door, “Very well then, let’s go in there. Just remember, we can’t take anything other than the Emerald, now matter how shiny or dangerous it looks.” She looks at Morgana, widening her eyes knowingly.

OOC: I was waiting on the results from that Arcana check to finalize my comments regarding the basement door.

Morgana scoffs at Viv. "Come now, the wine up in the boxes was much better quality than down in the stalls. Besides, I've relented! You all win... for now. There's something off about that trap and I wanted another opinion from our resident tome-wielders." Her eyes flash with excitement. "But if that gem isn't upstairs, you know that I know that we all know that we'll be right back at this door!"

"we will do a quick recon upstairs and if we find nothing after giving it a once over we come back here and deal with this door.... I wouldn't honestly be surprised if it was down here...." Anthix looks from the steps towards the door chuckling slightly "I mean... If you want to keep somthing quite safe, stick it where no one would dare enter... Correct?" he looks towards the group and grins slightly. 

With the crow, Bartram on his shoulder, Quendar descends the stairs and approaches the door Morgana is standing at.

He examines the markings that have been put on it, looking to decipher what sort of trap may have been cast.

Arcana Check: 17   

"If we don't find it upstairs, we will likely be severely pressed for time," Quendar says. "At least if we finish dealing with the lock and trap now, we have the option of a quick investigation later."

After finishing with the door, he turns back to Grace.

"My dear, Ms Copperpot," Quendar begins, "would you be comfortable giving Bartram here a ride on your shoulder, at least briefly, while you enter the parlor and the main hall? We would be able to find out if there are guards about without risking detection."

Quendar can see it's another [spell[alarm[/spell]. 

"Yes," Grace agrees. "It's dark up there," she then says. The lower floor does have light but there isn't much," she adds.

OOC: Everyone give me a perception check, please!

OOC: I realize now my post about Astrid's departure didn't post... Ugh.

Astrid having been somewhat quiet and contemplative takes down another book. The spine is rough and the tome large. Opening it up the party sees a blinding flash of light and the book falls to the floor with a thud Astrid seemingly vanished!

Perception 20

As the book clatters to the floor, Vivi’s head snaps around to where Astrid once was. She glances back over at Morgana, her eyebrows raised “What was that you were saying about getting picked off one by one?”

As Grace prepares to leave, Vivi bows to her and Bartram, “Break a leg you two. We’ll be up shortly.” She then carefully edges over to the book Astryd was reading, nudging it closed with her foot before putting it back on the shelf. “Well.... there’s something to be said for losing yourself in a good book.”

Perception: 5

Anthix catchs the blinding flash suddenly from the corner of his vision turning too see Astrid suddenly gone and the book hitting the floor "well.... He did say not to take anything aside from the emerald.... I think I might also see why now, everyone please be careful with what you do and touch..." he gives a slight chuckle and smile but looks back where the book fell, a small look of worry passing over his face before looking up.

Quendar looks over at the flash and the disappearance of Astrid, only raising one eyebrow, before turning back to Grace.

"Based on your map, I should be able to use Bartram to see what you see until you get up the stairs to the next floor, assuming that's your destination," Quendar says. "When you leave the parlor, if it does not raise suspicion, close the door that leads to the hallway. That way we can come up into the parlor and I can maintain my connection with Bartram."

He looks over at the others.

"While linked, I will not be able to see with my own eyes and will need assistance," Quendar continues.

He raises a hand and touches Bartram.

"If we're ready, I will turn him invisible, as Morgana suggested."

Viv and Anthix notices a faint green energy glowing from the book now on the shelf. They then hear the footsteps pass over head upstairs in the gallery above them.

"I....I....." Grace looks shocked as Astrid disappears! The cool reaction of the party seems to startle her more. "My...my mistress would most likely display the emerald in the gallery amongst her other curiosities and treasures," Grace interjects after staring at the place where Astrid stood then back at Quendar.

Morgana looks shocked as Astrid disappears. "Did... Did she do that? Or was that a trick of Virago?"

Putting her tools back into her satchel, she looks at Quendar. "Right. If it's an alarm spell and we don't intend to go in just yet, best play is to let it be. I know that lock make, and am confident I can get through it if we are in a rush, at which point the alarm won't matter. Let's get Bertram up there and get magical eyes on that gem."

Quendar reaches out with one hand and touches Bartram's beak gently, while at the same time his thumb of his other hand rubs his signet ring and he quietly whispers "Anweledigrwydd."

Casts Invisibility on Bartram the crow.

The crow disappears.

Quendar moves his arm closer to Grace.

"He won't hurt you. Just let him rest on your shoulder and you won't even notice he's there," Quendar says as he guides Bartram onto Grace's shoulder.

Quendar then goes to the top of the stairs and rests a hand on the door.

"Move normally and head where you normally would. If there's no one around we will follow behind." Quendar says then looks at the others. "Are you ready?"

He snuffs out the Dancing Lights once Grace is ready to move through the door.

Grace nods slightly flinching when the bird rests on her shoulder. It seems odd to have it there but not see it. Grace moves up the stairs and pauses by the door ahead. She then pauses and turns back to the party.

"I know it's locked," Grace says sheepishly. "It's not enchanted I think but I know it's locked," she adds shaking her head. "Can someone...," she trails off gesturing at the door.

"oh forgive me my dear, I can handle that" Anthix smiles and heads over pulling out my tools as I start working on the lock to open up the door for her. "just please be careful once you're up there sweety" Anthix gives her a small wink and flashes a smile at her. 

Theives tools: 20 

Anthix easily unlocks the common lock and the door opens. Grace pauses on the stairs and listens then moves ahead into the darkness. Climbing the steps tentatively Grace reaches the landing and disappears from sight into the gallery above into the dimly lit room full of the Virago's wonders.

Quendar roll perception check, please.

Quendar lets his mind connect with Bartram, seeing and hearing through the crow's senses. Bartram turns his invisible head from side to side, looking for signs of anyone else in the gallery.

Perception: 8  

Bartram is having a hard time focusing on the room around him. There are far too many shiny objects pulling his attention. Grace pauses waiting for the party to join her upstairs.

OOC: I need stealth checks, please.