“I’ll drink to that” Gwendolyn says as she reaches for the bottle to pour herself another glass of wine.  “Mind see your letter again, Beck?” And if she gives it to her, Gwendolyn tries to see if there is something about it that isn’t obvious..

 investigation check:21

“Parker, is there anything you can add to the conversation?”

Parker shifted a bit at that. "Well, um...I think maybe it has to do with clear objects."

Todd looks around for transluecent objects eagerly, happily distracting his mind from the strange new reality he finds himself in. He picks up any shot or wine glasses nearby and looks through them. He looks for any windows and tries to peer out them to see what is on the other side. He will even look for mirrors or other reflective surfaces in the hopes of piecing this together. "I love riddles and games." He smiles broadly "Though I admit this is not much to go on." He pauses a bit and think back to the glasses he recently repaired. "Can I borrow your glasses?" If they are handed to him Todd will put them on and look around.

Investigation 13

Parker nods and hands the glasses to Todd.

Upon investigation Todd sees the light refracting off the glasses right to a lone bookshelf in the back of the bar.

"Whoa! Everyone check this out!" Todd walks over to the bookshelf and starts to look at the contents picking things up moving them around. Generally just poking at everything trying to decide what is going on with the light. All the while he is wearing the strangers glasses.

Stefan follows behind Todd “Not often you see a bookcase in a bar but I’m not sure how that helps?”

The bookshelf appears to be totally normal. 

"It just looks like a normal bookshelf to me," Jean walks over reaches between the books and knocks on the back to see if it sounds like there is an opening behind.

Todd squints through the borrowed glasses and mutters, "But I saw it... I know I did.... there was some sort of shimmer or change to the air. It was right here...." Confused for a second he start rummage around in his bag he pulls out a funny looking device that looks just like the PKE meter from Ghostbusters. He spends some time fiddling with the buttons, "I made this for a Ghostbusters' Cosplay a few years ago. It actually seemed to get some weird signals from time to time thought it was just some interference but maybe not...." He says this and ritually casts Detect Magic.

When the spell was cast, one book in particular, "The Wizard Of Oz" Glow brightly.

As Todd waves his PKE meter over the various contents on the shelf his machine begins to beep and alarm as hovers over the classic tale. "HA! Everyone I found something!" He gingerly picks the book from the shelf and starts flipping through the pages looking for any clue to what on Earth (?) is going on. "I never liked this movie very much the flying monkey things really freaked me out..."

The book seems normal but the back of the book seems to be fairly thick for a normal binding of a book. It also seems to be glowing more from the spell.

Gwendolyn sidles up next to Todd to get a better look “You don’t like the Wizard of Oz?  Try being a Gnome - I’ve been called a munchkin more than I’d ever like to admit” She takes a closer look at the book as he holds it, “what is the deal with the back of it? Seems to be glowing”

As the others look over the shelves and books Stefan scans the room to see if there are any who seem displeased with what they’re doing. 

Perception: 16

Todd flips the book over and tries to pry the back cover apart. If nothing comes open easily he will go to a nearby table and take a knife or fork or something and start cutting into the cover trying to see if there is something inside the cover or a secret compartment. As he is working he says,  "I love gnomes! I can't pull off gnome cosplay as well as you though. I am just to big. I always have to play a dragonborn or a goliath or something. Who helps with your customs? I bet I could make you something really cool I was going to go to DragonCon in Atlanta this year, my big breakout on the national stage! What kind of class do you like to play?" Todd asks sincerely.

Jean recalls the auction he left to come here. "Yeah, gnomes are tricky to pull off," he commiserates, gesturing to his attire. "I'm actually in costume for a gnome role now. I'm going to be honest, I don't think I nailed it" he shrugs.

Stefan can not really tell if anyone finds what they are doing suspicious.

(Todds gonna have to roll strength to see if he breaks the book open.)

Todd Smash! Strength check 6

The book breaks and a key falls out.

As Todd is bending and tearing at the book he looks over toward Jean, "Ah, don't sweat it I think you look great. I bet you would be a great gnome! I might suggest a pointy hat or maybe a long white beard next time though."

As book breaks and the key falls out Todd smiles a big toothy grin. "Well would you look at that!! Now I wonder what it opens?!" He picks up the key inspecting it carefully looking for any clues to what it might open. He will then head back over to the table and show it their hosts. "Any idea what this might be for?" He will let them look at it but he doesn't trust them enough to let them hold it.