Lilly forgoes all ceremonies (she was not good at it anyway) and pointed at the talking king with a finger. "He keeps saying "anything", not "anyone". As if his "shapechanger" can be a thing too." Then she turned back to the king and asked "Why do you keep that king gagged? And... glued?"

KD withdraws with wide eyes, stepping away from the king nomnomming in front of her. She fiddles with her earring, realizing the error she'd made trying to communicate with the bound king. As she does so, she sees Onu scanning the party members. She slaps her own forehead, eyes blinking rapidly, realizing her partner's intention immediately. She touches the copper wire in her earpiece and casts message again, targeting Onu. "Smart. We could also establish passwords to verify identity. To confirm identity, say 'manticore fritters.'"

Then she casts it again to each member of the party, one by one, saying "Hope not to need, but suggested password in case of mistaken shapeshifter identity: 'manticore fritters.'"

Once he caught a glimpse inside and saw the other king alive and (somewhat) well, Demetrios breathed a sigh of relief. That would have been bad... He allows anyone else who had questions speak up and try to get through to the manic king to get more information, though it clearly would not be easy.

"So this... shapeshifter can turn into anything?" Demetrios hmm's, cupping his chin in thought. Though, when he hears KD's voice in his mind he's taken aback briefly, before relaxing. 'Manticore Fritters', alright... He nods in agreement before turning to the munching king. "Sire, we can take care of this shapeshifter for you, we would just need a bit more information..." He trails off, uncertain if he could even help him in his state. "Erm... Let's start with... Where did you see this... creature? What was it shifted as...?"

Assuming he gets some sort of answers, Demetrios will try recalling whatever creatures he's read of before that matches the description's they've gathered thus far (I think this is a history roll but please correct me if I'm wrong!): 11

Between Onu's diligent scouting and perception up to and into the Kings' Bedroom (we won't talk about the back trail attempt), and the groups individual passive perception, investigation and insight, the whole group can tell the following:

1. The Kings' Bedroom contains all the trappings of a nicely appointed gnome bedroom. Everything is what it appears to be.
   
   • A four post bed
          - Onu would notice there could be a treasure chest hidden under the bed
   • Two night stands
   • Rugs
   • A large desk with chairs, one in which Gnerkli is bound too
   • A chest with personal items strewn about that may be related to the gag being used on Gnerkli
2. The true Kings' of Gnomengarde are here in this room with you. They are who they appear to be.
   
   • Korboz and Gnerkli are rock gnome recluses, each wearing a jagged metal crown and a patchwork cloak.
   • King Korboz has locked himself and his beloved King Gnerkli in their bedroom with genuine concern for their safety.
   • Korboz is the 'Mad King'.
          - He genuinely cares for Gnerkli's safety, so much so, his actions in his decent into madness prove his dedication to his king above his residents.
          - He is genuinely afraid of a monster in the tunnels and doesn’t want the monstrous shapechanger to devour them.
          - Lilly's able to confirm that her conclusion that the shapechanger can be a thing is on point, so much so, it sends the Mad King into frantic peering around at objects
          - Demetrios' observations bring him to the realization that Korboz was probably attacked and almost killed by the creature, with that event inspiring his madness.
          - KD notices upon their close interaction that Korboz carries a flask that smells of solvent that she'd deduce could possibly dissolve the glue on contact.
   • Gnerkli is glued to a chair and restrained.
          - He's physically unharmed and is just mentally spooked from an unknown assailant running about the caves.
          - Despite his 'predicament' Gnerkli wasn't as concerned about Korboz as he was about a group of strangers breaking into their room, possibly exposing them to the monster.
          - He relaxes, believing that you are all there to help considering your concern.
   • Korboz's panicked actions were to secure this area as a safe haven in hopes the creature will tire of eating gnomes and leave.
          - With Demetrios and Lilly's promises of help, he's been desperately trying to communicate with you on how to do so
          - There's a hint of remorse each time he's questions about restraining his beloved.
               - Perhaps it was a little overboard but it was the only sound way for his mad consciousness to protect them both.
               - The glue kept him still, and the gag kept him from biting in case he was the shapechanger
                     - If he was the imposter Korboz would not be able to bring himself to slay his beloved Gnerkli
3. Everything suggests and confirms that the monster you're looking for, is not in this room.

(small cross post, adding response)

Korboz' eyes would lock on Demetrios'. He'd walk up to the big man with wide eyes. "Rrrrrug om nom nom nom! Fit for a King! Nom nom nom nom nom!" The gnome stomps his foot, bringing attention to a bite mark around his ankles. Then he'd snap his attention towards a secret passage in this room and rushes off towards it as if reenacting his run away to bring Gnerkli into their room from the Throne Room beyond. "Gnome nom nom gone!  Nom nom nom nom Anywhere! Anything! Om nom nom nom nom nom nomnomnomnom...." And he runs around in circles repeating himself, descending further into panic the harder he's questioned.

Demetrios feels sympathetic towards the kings and their situation. It was clear to him that Korboz only had done what he had done for their safety and that his 'madness' was a result of an attack, having noted the bite mark on his ankle. "Worry not, sires, we will dispatch of this menace and return to you two once the deed has been done. We can promise that." He holds a closed palm to his chest and bows respectfully towards the kings.

As much as he wanted to question a bit further, the paladin gets the idea that the more they inquire, the more frantic the man gets. "We should start where the incident happened, then go from there. Perhaps the shapeshifter left some sort of a trail we can follow." Cognac hues gaze over the secret passage way the king had ran to previously in reference to his words.

Both King's would visibly relax from the Paladin's promise and Korboz would pause his pacing for a moment. "C-close d-doors behind-d you! Nom nomnomnomnom..." The King's eyes still darted from the pair of doors, but he'd allow you to take the secret passage without any qualms.

(I welcome any additional RP with the Kings' and the observations provided prior to moving on if you'd like :) Otherwise...)

When the group was ready to continue through the secret corridor, it revealed to be much like the other hallways through the cave. This one did however have a small bloodtrail from the Kings' retreat.

Map Update

Throne Room

It was a short trip through to the Throne Room(G14) and you'd emerge from behind a stone dais. Situated on top are two squat thrones made of scrap metal, sized for gnomes. Armed with knowledge from the Kings' accounts of the events that transpired, it was easy to see evidence of a struggle. It also felt as though something was missing... a grand carpet fit for Kings'. The question remained, were they still looking for a carpet?

Further inspections would lead you to the smallest of breadcrumbs. There were the tiniest pieces of shredded fabric that blended impeccably well with the cave floor. Could Onu have missed a trail? Impossible! He was incredibly thorough on his scouts ahead.

Now familiar with the fabric tint, Onu could spot a lone thread snagged on the one throne door that was slightly ajar. It looks like it continues down the hall...

Turning back to the party, Onu would hold the single thread up between his fingers and gesture to the empty spot on the floor 'Alright then, it seems we're searching for a shapeshifter that took the form of a rug and attacked the King.  It's likely also responsible for the disappearance of at least two other gnomes.'  Looking each of the party members in the eye he continues very deliberately 'We need to proceed with caution and assume anyone - or anything - is our potential adversary.  From this moment on we trust nothing.'  A quick twist and the blade comes out of his walking stick.  'Are we ready?'

KD helps Koboz lock the door she picked, and also, as they leave, secure the other door. She teaches him a little knocking pattern to let him know if it's really them returning next time. (If you're thinking it's "shave and a haircut, two bits" you're right!)

As she enters the throne room, looks around, and listens to Onu, she takes out a dagger and pokes first one throne, then another, then any other piece of decoration or furnishing. She looks up, and if there's a chandelier or hanging, she'll throw the dagger at it, away from anyone, then retrieve it. She listens for an "ouch" and looks for a wince.

She also looks back at the hallway they passed to get into the throne room -- any carpets or wall hangings there? Anything to the blood trail beyond what would be expected from the story of the king being attacked and then retreating to the bedroom?

"Anything..." That sounded scary, but a bit childish, like the stories that kids tell trying to frighten each other, you know, about "black carpet!" or "red curtains!" - this kind of thing. She had to admit, though, in these rooms, these tunnels it felt too real. Lilly checked her backpack and produced a dagger and a ladle, compared both as a "prob rod", and chose the ladle. Now, properly armed, she was ready to move forward. 

Demetrios looked around the throne room carefully, making sure nothing had gone unseen. Surely the shapeshifter had moved on elsewhere in the caves as it was unwise to strike at the same place twice. When Onu brings the thread to their attention, the paladin gives it a quick look over, then brings his attention to the throne room door. With everyone getting out their weapons, he would do the same. 

"Let's catch ourselves a shapeshifter."

KD's thorough review of the walls and ceiling also confirm that there's nothing malicious awaiting you over the throne today.

With everyone prepared with their poker of choice, Onu could follow the string out the Throne room, around the immediate corner and down the hall to the east before taking a turn south and under the door towards the south.

Map Update

KD had missed there was an actual thread... she follows it. Checks the door to see if it's locked, quietly.

The door is locked.

KD again tries to pick the lock, taking out the simple tool set attached to be gauntlet and inserting it in the keyhole.

Sleight of hand: 14

KD quickly learned that this was no ordinary door. This was a vault. No matter, she quickly was able to make a few adjustment to her tool set and change her approach. After a little finesse there was one click. Two, click. Three, click. Then rapid clicking picking up pace as it'd gain momentum. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click... A tumbler would rotate inside the door and the sound of a mechanism engaging inside moves. There's a quiet grinding slide and a thunk just before one final click. The door hinges would creek as it'd slowly pull away from the wall about an inch, allowing one to open it further for entry.

(Does anything happen to the thread we've been following once the door opens? And what is the lighting of the hallway, and also in the door crack?)

The lighting is the same throughout the whole cave structure, strung lanterns. No change.

If someone checked the crack beneath the door the same light would peek from it, and now also emanates from the opening.

And well, as for the thread, what do you do with it? Just follow it? Tug it? Flick it? Lick it? If left as is, it hasn't done any tricks or changed in any way. It would have been noticed.

Lilly listened to all the clicks first a bit suspiciously (she have never seen money safes before) then with growing curiosity. Once the door opened by a crack she waited for the full two very impatient moments and, unable to contain excitement any longer, pushed the door with her mighty weapon. (In case the door opens outwards, the structure of a ladle allows to pull things just as easily!).

(KD was mainly looking at the thread to see if, once the heavy door opened, it went slack, or moved, or went more taut, or something. She’s thinking the carpet thread might be related to the shapeshifter the kings are scared of.)

KD whispers “everyone get ready, in case there’s  something nefarious or harmful in there.”