Jerick begins to check the rest of the four books and realises that they all have blank pages apart from the first book, Masque of the Worms. The Masque of the Worms contains a couple of pages that contain handwritten text.

Aranea begins searching the library for a clue or a door. Unfortunately, she doesn't find a door. Although, she does find a large portrait hanging on a wall. The portrait is that of a skeleton with empty, gaping eye sockets. As she moves around it seems that the skeleton is watching her with its empty eye sockets.

Glugrug begins to look around the room by using the enchanted polished piece of glass. However, there is too much magic in the library and it is difficult to ascertain where one magic spell beings and another ends.

Aranea approaches the portrait and frowns. It is decidedly creepy. No matter where she moves it seems to be watching her, which should be impossible seeing as it is a painting and also it has no eyes. She looks to see if there is any sort of nameplate or artist signature on the painting that could give more information about it. From behind her she can hear the sounds of the others exploring. The hobgoblin has finally awoken. She doesn't trust his kind, but she also doesn't believe hobgoblins are intelligent enough to trap a group of people in what is clearly an arcane library of some sort. So for the moment she dismisses Glugrug from her mind.

After inspecting the painting, she turns back to the gnome who has been investigating the books. "Did you find anything? I think the books must be part of a puzzle we are meant to solve."

"I'm glad neither of you are harmed" Kysken says to the gnome and elf-like woman.

"Glugrug, you say? I'm glad you're awake. I'm Kysken.

"What are you doing there with those tools?"

Kysken looks about the library for any clue as to the significance of the books' titles. 

Investigation: 16 (I don't know how to roll in this chat thread.) 

Jerick continues to look at the Masque of the Worms but calls out, "Here! There's text in this book." He uses mage hand to go back to the first page with text.

(Does he recognize the language? Can he read it? He speaks Common, Gnomish, and Undercommon.)

"Greetings, Kysken," Glugrug says simply in response. "I am crafting a lens that will detect magical signatures in the room..."

A few minutes later, he finds himself stating the obvious: "The entire place is filled with all sorts of magic, strong and weak and otherwise. No real way to gain any useful information from this..." He starts to tuck the tools and the lens away, but before he does, he goes over to the sand clock and tries to concentrate very carefully only on the timekeeping device, trying to determine more about its purpose and function. 

Arcana 18
Investigation 23

As he is investigating, he hears Jerick call out about text in the one book. He makes his way over to look at the book as the deep gnome uses his magic trick to turn the pages without touching them. He tries to see if he can make any sense of the text. (He understands Common, Goblin, and Sylvan.)

Aranea leaves the painting for the moment and approaches the books. She turns to the book that Jerick pointed out. It does indeed feature writing on the first page. Aranea leans in for a closer look to see if she can read the words...

(Aranea understands Common, Dwarvish, Elvish, and Gnomish)

Kysken looks around be sees no obvious clues to the books around the library.

At first, the writing in the book looks to be of a language that is unknown to Jerick. However, as he continues to look at the book, the words start to make sense to him and he is easily able to read the book.

Glugrug focuses on the sand clock and detects a black aura of necromancy emitting from it. Then he turns his attention to the book, and he experiences the same as Jerick. At first, the words are indecipherable but then they start to make sense.

Aranea also has the same experience as she studies the book.

"Without Elenore, I am a lion made a mouse," Baron Henrik Rennet says to himself as he stares at the mirror before him. He studies his face considering the state of the red beard that is now taking form on his strong jaw. He thinks back a couple of months prior, when he and his wife, Baroness Elenore Rennet, lost their dearly beloved daughter, Elisa. A pit of sadness and despair beings to grow in his stomach.

Elenore had been distraught, a mother without a child. And yet duty had required her presence at Moldavia Manor. The former count, Fortuno Moldavia, had passed away only a short time ago. The death was considered by many to be sudden and suspicious. Yet, it did nothing of preventing the manor from falling under the ownership of the newly ennobled Count Lebrim. Almost immediately, Lebrim had begun plans of a grand masquerade and requested the attendance of all the Baronnesses and Ladies. Elenore had put on a brave face and headed to the manor. But the masquerade was held two nights prior, and Elenore had not returned to the waiting arms of her husband.

The door behind opens and Henrik's attention is drawn away from his thoughts to that of his manservant.

"My Lord, the four adventurers that you have requested have arrived and are waiting in the main foyer."

"Very well," Baron Henrik responds. "Take me to them."

Suddenly, the walls of the library around you begin to dissolve and melt away. The sight of the table, the books, the sand clock and the fireplace disappear. Your heads begin to spin and you feel nausea.

Then it stops.

You now find yourselves in a different room. In front of you is a grand marble staircase leading up before splitting into two. At the top of the stairs, you can see three dark oak doors. One of which opens and two men walk through the door and down the stairs. The second man, you notice, had a red beard on a strong jaw.

Jerick's eyes dart around for an exit, not leaving the descending bearded man for too long. (Perception: 13 )

"What is the meaning of this?" Jerick demands. "You've not heard of invitation by letter?"

His physical demeanor betrays his fear, however, as he moves back a bit and to the side so Glugrug is between him and the two men.

As the world dissolves around her and changes shape, Aranea hisses and her hand grasps the hilt of her rapier, her body tensing, preparing for fight or flight once more. The words of the book still echo in her mind, and she can't help but notice that one of the men now approaching matches the description of the Baron in the book. What is going on here?

Still wary but relaxing her fighter's stance a bit, she turns to the others and whispers, "Somehow I believe we have been thrust into the story from the book. How or why I do not know, but it may be best to go along with it for now."

Intelligence - 20

Glugrug half wishes he was still deploying the magic detecting glass, as he's sure it would've done something spectacular like exploding amidst this powerful display of magic. He's not sure how the trick is being done, but clearly major illusion magic is at play here. 

He notes the deep gnome moving behind him and takes a bit of pride in that. At least someone thinks he's a fierce fighter or defender. With his scale mail, shield, and multiple weapons, he does look every bit the feared soldier of a hobgoblin legion, even if that's not exactly the truth. 

He nods at the dark-haired woman's words. "Or the words of the book were written to give us just such an impression," he says. "Either way, strong magic is at work here."

He then looks up at the two men who have appeared. "What is all this about then? Who dares summon Glugrug Forge in such a manner?"

Jerick finds large double doors just behind you all, which seems to be the main entrance.

The man with the red beard tilts his head, "A letter? I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the customs of gnomes. I thought an invitation by entourage would have sufficed. Next time I will make sure that I send a letter."

Aranea looks around confirming that what you read in the book seems to be match up with what you are experiencing now.

For a moment both men look a bit taken back by Glugrug's words.

"Do you not realise that you are talking to a baron?"

"Please Thurmond, these are my guests," the man with the red beard smiles but the smile does not quite reach his eyes. His eyes portray signs of weariness and sadness. "You see it is my wife, Elenore. She went to a masquerade just two nights ago, and hasn't returned. I'm concerned for her safety.

I need people, people such as yourselves, people who are far more capable than I, to go investigate Moldavia Manor. The manor used to belong to Fortuno Moldavia, before his sudden and mysterious death. My suspicions tell me that his death may have been a result of plans of the new owner, Count Lebrim.

In return I can offer you a knighthood, or perhaps you would prefer one hundred gold pieces each? What do you say?"

Jerick replies, "Yes, yes. We read your little book."

He thinks, This is all magic and illusion. Likely illusory gold at the end, too. He slowly backs towards the doors. "Next time you want help from some capable heroes like us, send a courier with some expensive bakery."

He sprints to the doors to open them and flee.

"Book?" The man says, "What book?"

Jerick makes it to the doors and pulls them open. The doors swing open and at first it is too dark to see much outside. In the moonlight, it is just about possible to make out the path leading away, as well as the near by grass and trees.

Then something orange is spotted at the bottom of the hill, in the darkness. As Jerick watches, it seems to get bigger and bigger.

Jerick stops short of exiting the doors as his eyes adjust and he sees the orange thing. He squints to make out what is coming, how far away it is, and at what speed it approaches.

(He has superior dark vision, to 120ft) Perception 13

It doesn't take long before it becomes more apparent to Jerick that the orange is not getting bigger but getting closer. It is moving at a fast speed through the air. Heading straight towards the mansion. As it draws closer, Jerick sees that the orange is fire.

Jerick closes the door and turns quickly, a large smile on his face. "Um, were you expecting a fifth guest? A large fireball perhaps?"

Fear washes over his face as he dashes away from the door and behind Glugrug.

Baron Henrik raises an eyebrow at Jerick, "A fireball? What on earth are you on about?"

Baron Henrik storms past you all and opens the double doors again. He stands there for a few moment searching around.

"There is nothing out there."

At that moment, you hear the chilling cry of an demoniac animal. And then, above Baron Henrik's head, a midnight black horse bursts in through the doors. The horse has a mane and a tail of fire, and its eyes and mouth glows from the fires within. On its back is an equally frightening sight. A headless man sits upon the horse's back dressed in hunter's clothes and wielding a battle axe.

However, Baron Henrik's attention is still turned outside searching the grounds. Thurmond joins Henrik by his side and he too searches the grounds.

"You see, Thurmond, there's nothing out there."

"Yes, my lord. There is nothing out there."

"Certainly that flaming horse and rider are more than nothing!" Kysken shouts.

"Good huntsman, pray, calm your steed. Tell us what your business is in this fine manor." Kysken attempts to calm the horse with her bearing and tone of voice.

Animal Handling: 4 + 5 = 9 

A scowl on his face, Glugrug listens to the two men's replies to the various questions and (quite legitimate, in his opinion) concerns expressed. He manages not to snap back at the one called Thurmond, who seems not to realize that the baron is not the only one of noble blood in the room. He does nothing other than snort quietly. 

As the offer becomes clearer, he nods, rubbing his chin with one hand. Knighthood might allow him a modicum of his former prestige, but a hundred gold would be very handy in the short run, as his coin is almost entirely gone. The investigation sounds like it might be an interesting diversion...

But then things quickly get confusing, with Jerick trying to leave and the sudden appearance of the headless man and the fiery steed. Glugrug stares at the rider and horse, trying to learn more of its nature. Arcana 7

"And what is all this then?" he snarls.

The horse ignores Kysken's attempt at calming it down.

Glugrug attempts to recall any information he might have about headless horsemen and their steeds but remembers nothing.

The horseman, however, does not speak, he just simply points a gloved finger at the two men standing at the door.

"What are you talking about? What huntsman? What steed?" Baron Henrik asks demandingly. "Have you gone mad?"