Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

Yoë opens the door to an unoccupied room.  Tabletops and cabinets line the sides of this long narrow room.  The tables seem to have various plants, some fresh, some dried, some ground to powders, all in different containers.  Numerous vials fill the cabinets, some empty, some full.  Another stone table at the far end of the room contains what appear to be Herbalist supplies (to those who would know) as well as some other tools and apparatus. 

"Well, looks like she's still been at work here recently. But no sign of anybody here at the moment," Yoë comments. She takes a few paces around, allowing everyone to come into the space.  

"Just what are all of these?" Mecena asks, turning to look at Yoë.  She is staring at a number of small vials containing a particularly dark green fluid. "Oh, well, I can only speculate. It's whatever Lady Leilatha has been asking for undoubtedly."  She pauses a moment, "Had been asking for I guess."  The elf does not seem to like the answer. "Well? Speculate!"  The satyr, looking a little intimidated, replies, "Poisions of some sort probably."

Elyria seems emotionally distraught fo a moment, thinking about Rahkeshi making poisons for the hag, but she had no choice of course. She tries to casually move closer to Yoë while seemingly studying the room. "Any idea where she would have escaped if she though the fortress was under attack?" She whispers quickly to the satyr if she thinks she can do it unnoticed at some point.

"Well, I don't know,"  Yoë says. "Maybe her room. Or the garden more likely. But that's where we saw that big dead thing."

She stops when she thinks perhaps she might be caught at her whispering.  With another opportunity she adds, "Her room's the one that other elf was trying to get into." 

Elyria nods and tries to leave the room as casually as possible, looking to see if the servants of Lady Sylmare is still trying to get into Rakeshi's room.

Elyria steps just out of the room, looking back over towards where Yoë indicated Rahkeshi's room was located.  The woman with the rapier is still there by the door.  

(Kind of waiting to see if Aurelius or Flynt was going to do anything before moving on too far.)  

Aurelius will pick up a vial, uncork it, smell the contents.  Assuming he has no idea what it is, he will carefully re-seal it and add it to his pack.  Unless Yoë indicates to him that he should not do any of this.  He will then quickly search the room for any clues as to where Rahkeshi might have gone.

Investigation 21

(lol)

As Flynt follows along in silence he takes in all the evidence about him. He tries to discern things like how long ago were the battles, which side seemed more desperate. Did it seem if the defenders were ready or surprised? Really anything about the fighting that may validate the Eladrin intentions and if they are truly not aware of their Lady's true nature.

"Say there friends, how was it you knew to attack at this time? Sure you are looking for the betrayer but that's not what brought you here. Did something happen to alert you to a change in the status quo?" He asks.

Insight: 22

"We have not heard of anyone called 'The Betrayer'. We are looking for the half-orc, Lady Leilatha's poisoner.  The evidence of her practice is all around here." Mecena replies to Flynt, motioning about the room.  She doesn't immediately note Elyria heading back out to the hallway. "Our attack was as ordered by Lady Sylmare.  We are but the scouts though."  You sense there is something more to it but she does not say.  

These Eladrin do seem to be honestly searching for someone or something.  You have seen signs of conflict here and there with casualties from both sides.  The fighting likely happened today.  These Eladrin do not show a lot of signs of having been in heavy battle - no injuries, no signs of blood.  it's hard to guess how well the fight has gone as you have only seen light casualties for either side. 

Aurelius successfully pockets the vial of material. Yoë does not seem to notice as she follows Elyria out.  You do not recognize it immediately. (For reference though, this is Topor (Ingested) - just to keep track of it.)  Nothing here seems to indicate where Rahkeshi might have gone.  You do not see any written items and get little more information other than that she is not here.  

Given the brief chance as Mecena talks with Flynt, Yoë whispers to Elyria, "There is another door to Rahkeshi's room to the south." 

Elyria nods discreetly to Yoë and tries to casually sneak off to the south to find that other door to Rahkeshi's room.
Stealth: 18

Aurelius reminds Flynt, "Non, non, the Betrayer is the Oni who is masquerading as Lady Sylmare's advisor."  Turning to Mecena, "I'm sure you've heard the stories about him."

"Ah... that's right. From Sylmare to Leilatha, With so many villainous types about, I'm beginning to have trouble keeping them all straight. Thank you for the correction." Says Flynt acknowledging his mistake. "But it still makes me curious at the timing and target of the attack."

Trying to distract Mecena, Aurelius remarks, "Have you ever fought an Oni, Mecena?  They are dangerous foes, able to disguise themselves as all sorts of creatures, able to turn invisible, even able to fly!  Best have your wits about you if you ever come across one."

Mecena says, "I do indeed know of Lady Sylmare's trusted advisor. He is a master of magic and of many disguises. It seems perhaps he somehow has you fooled dear sir."  She then shakes her head, "And no, I have not fought an Oni. I have never run across one here in these lands."  She then looks over at Flynt, "I am not sure why you are so curious about the timing. Lady Sylmare sent word and we moved in to complete our mission.  I suppose the only oddity is that you have snuck in here just now as well." 

Your impression is that what she says is mostly true. But there is something odd about it that you can't quite put your finger on.

The conversation does keep Macene occupied and Elyria and Yoë continue south through the door, unnoticed as far as they can tell. 

Yoë leads Elyria through the door and over to another. "This goes into Rahkeshi's room as well," Yoë whispers to Elyria.  The satyr tries the door and it is locked. "Umm... I have a key here somewhere..." she quickly goes through a pouch, produces a key, and unlocks the door. 

Elyria nods a bit impatiently, her chest almost bursting with emotion now as she stands by Rahkeshi's door, waiting for Yoë to unlock it. As the door opens the young elf steps inside, not even thinking of any dangers with doing that, just wanting to reach Rahkeshi now.

The room is sparsely furnished.   A small bed, small wardrobe, and a chest of drawers. There is a single, small, rectangular table against one wall with a plain wooden chair which seems to serve as a desk.  There are a number of books stacked on the desk.  

Elyria's attention however is immediately drawn to the wall, where a tattered, green-colored poncho, trimmed with fur is hung. Unmistakably the garment Rahkeshi always wore.  

There is also a piece of parchment laid out on the table. 

Elyria almost starts to cry as Rahkeshi is not to be found, quickly stepping inside the small room to take the piece of parchment, hoping it will give her a clue to where she is. While looking at it she grabs Rahkeshi's poncho, holding it to her chest, hoping she will sense the half-orcs scent on it.

"Stop!" Yoë yells. "Wait! We have to look at that first!" But you have already touched it at that point.  (Make a CON Save DC 13) 

A voice behind the north door yells through it. "Hey! I hear you! Open up that door!" It is a female voice.  There is a rough pounding on the door now.  

Ignore:

Flynt and Aurelius both hear Yoë's yells, though they cannot make out what she's saying.  Mecena also hears the sound. "What is happening?" Even as she is heading for the doorway, you can hear the Eladrin outside of Rahkeshi's room yelling at someone inside.  

Elyria CON save: 4