Seeing Sylvarie struggle with something, Ludolf tries to determine if this is now some kind of trickery.
"What is in the pool, and how will it help us?" He asks in a friendly tone.

Insight: 17 + Guidance 4

"A gift for you and a last resort for me. I no longer need it if what you say is true." She says softly. She seems honest and you do not detect any malice in her voice.

"Well, I thank you then Sylvarie." Ludolfs says and approaches the pool, using his mind over matter to slowly bring up the metallic object from the bottom of it. "Please stay down here a while longer then, I will be glad to send someone down here with anything you desire." He adds, bowing to Sylvarie and Ilam, then turning his attention to the metallic object.

Reaching out with your mind you lift the object and source of light free from the filthy water. The object is just a few pounds and as the dirty water runs off it you see an exquisite, golden hand mirror. The mirror is beautifully crafted with intricate etchings coursing along the frame and handle. The dirt and grime falls off the mirror as if it is repelled by the beauty of the mirror. Clearly magical, the light permeates the darkness it will take a bit of time to attune and learn it's other properties.

"This seems a very precious gift Sylvarie, are you sure you are ready to part with this?" Ludolf says politely. "Just say what I can send down here and I will return to my companions now to lift this curse that you and others have been afflicted with." He adds, ready to head back to the tower.

Daventry ponders. "Sylvarie was only an elf before... and even then, if she's a medusa now, I don't think she's fey either. Pardot... wasn't there a lady in the lake you mentioned? If I remember my bedtime stories, while strange women who live in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a government, it is a good basis to find someone with fey powers..."

Quote from Viper15E >>

Daventry ponders. "Sylvarie was only an elf before... and even then, if she's a medusa now, I don't think she's fey either. Pardot... wasn't there a lady in the lake you mentioned? If I remember my bedtime stories, while strange women who live in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a government, it is a good basis to find someone with fey powers..."

 Pardot -- No need to roll intellect anymore ;)

“I had thought of that as well.” Pardot says. “And you are correct… one cannot expect to wield power just because some watery fey throws a sword at them, I can certainly ask at least if she knows anything of the paintings.” He then thinks for a moment adding, “I do hope Ludolf is alright. Is there anywhere else to check here? Or shall we go to check on him?”

Daventry shakes her head. "I'll want to come back when we are done, as I bet those hags have some hidden treasure somewhere. But not at the price of Ludolf. Let's go talk to the lake lady, and maybe ask for a bit of blood in exchange for later healing and salvation... And hope we aren't too late for those two."  

Triäsa nods to Daventry,  "Yes, let's go.  Should we bring the painting then?"  She picks up the one of Sylmarie to bring with them.

Sylvarie continues to sob but through her tears she replies to Ludolf, "It is... was... precious to me but you have more than earned it. So long as you can lift this curse from me then I shall have no need of it." Ilam place a soft on her shoulder but looks back at you, "Hurry my friend perhaps the others have found a way to end this misery. I will stay by her side."

Tower crew -- It is my understanding you are leaving the tower (are you taking the paintings and if yes all of them or just a few?)

Assuming you are leaving the tower -- You make your way quickly outside and back to the green space that separates the bath house, tower and shrine. You see a large group of patrons gathering around the bodies of Seth and the Servants. You would have to pass by them to get to the shrine or the bathhouse entrance.

Triäsa was only taking the portrait of Sylvarie, since that is the one they are one they are immediately concerned about. They can come back to the others.  She follows Daventry to the lake lady.

"You do that Ilam, I will not rest until we've found a way to lift this curse, I promise you that." Ludolf says in a sincere tone and returns up the stairs and out of the shrine. He immediately notices the large group of patrons gathering around the bodies of Seth and the servants. "Alright, Candlekeep Investigative Agency." He steps forward and says with a clear tone of authority. "These creatures were all servants of the evil hags that have run this place for a while, disguised as the three sisters. As there will be no services available right now I suggest you pack up and leave, but I'm confident this place will be happy to reimburse you or take you as guests again as soon as it reopens, which should be shortly. Thanks you ladies and gentlemen that is all." 

Persuasion to make the guests disperse in a peaceful manner: 28 + Guidance: 4

You make your way toward the courtyard with a quickened step. The sky has taken on a ominous crimson color as the sun is getting low on the horizon. As the tower crew reaches the gathering crowd you all hear Ludolf address them from the other side. 

One of the female gnomes looks up at Ludolf with a bit of a confusion, "Candlekeep? That dusty old library out west? Not sure what good a bunch of librarians will do, there is a powerful wizard on the loose!" She points down at the carnage, "Someone turned Seth and those wonderful helpers into demons and then murdered them!" She exclaims.

At this point faux-Jarlaxe emerges from the crowd it appears he is about to say something a sneer crosses his face. Before he can say anything he is interrupted by an obese human who erupts from the pool area, "Someone is in trouble! Horrible screaming is coming from the guest rooms. The door is locked and I couldn't get in. It sounds like someone is in terrible terrible pain and distress! We need to find Seth or the sisters! Quickly!" He pants and catches his breath as he sees the bodies. All of the color drains from the fat man's face. He gasps and falls to the ground unconscious. 

You see the devious grin of Jarlaxle-not widen, "The guest rooms! My God that is where these Investigators are staying! I saw them chase Seth out here and now they are blaming this carnage on our beloved sisters! We can not let them get away with these atrocities, who knows what they did the ladies of our paradise!"

16

From somewhere in the crowd you hear an embolden voice call, "You won't get away! That's the infamous Jarlaxle Baenre. He'll stop you dead in your tracks!"

The crowd seems to weigh Ludolf's words carefully against those of Jarlaxle-not. They seem to be embolden by the legendary imposter favoring his telling of events.

"Well if this is the infamous Jarlaxle I'm sure he will have no trouble in taking a simple librarian into custody." Ludolf scoffs, looking at the faux-Jarlaxle with his piercing gray eyes, entering his weak mind with a clear message. "Take this last chance and leave while people still think you are Jarlaxle, or I will reveal the truth to them all by swiftly annihiliting you in front of them." Intimidation: 16 + Guidance: 2

Daventry quickly moves to help Ludolf, quickly telling Klin, "If that fat man's not full of shit, then Fistandia might be in trouble. Better make sure she's not bitten off her tongue in a spasm... hop to it!"

She approaches behind Ludolf, a physical presence behind his mentalist image. "Glad to see you aren't stone, Ludolf. We've a plan, once this crowd's gone."

Triäsa tries to see if there is a way to skirt the crowd while they are focused on Ludolf and Daventry.  She tries to make her way towards the direction the obese man had come from - towards the pool.   She signals Pardot to come with her. 

Klin nods quickly to Daventry and slinks away into the shadows in a stealthful attempt to get back to the Fistandia's room.

Stealth 27

Jarlaxle-not visibly winces as Ludolf's silent threaten rings in his head. He tries to regain his composure but his words come out cracked and weak, "No m-m-my friends we can't face a powerful coven of mages here. Rushing into such a threat on their own terms, with them united is a fool's task. We would die a horrid death like poor Seth." He takes a half step back stumbling a bit on a rock before usher the crowd back inside. They head toward the lounge. 

(One day Jarlaxle-not will get the best of Ludolf but it hasn't happened yet... I think he is 0-4)

Triäsa you could certainly get around the crowd to the pool. They are very distracted by Ludolf's confrontation.

Klin slips away without notice ahead of the crowd and back toward Fistandia's room.

Triäsa and Pardot are also successful in making it to the bath house unnoticed (no roll needed). Let's say you get there just as Ludolf is threatening Jarlaxle. The pool area is quiet, the air is filled with steam and the pleasant scent of incense hangs in the air. The water is lays calm and perfectly still, like a sheet of glass.