“They must really love you at the library eh?”

Gwendolyn looks at Todd, "A pointy hat and a long white beard? Is that what I need as well?  Wow, talk about stereotyping" She rolls her eyes at him.  Once he breaks open the book and produces the key, "Well at least you're good at something, is there any type of insignia on it?"

"Playing a role is all about stereotyping! Troupes exist for a reason my dear Gwendolyn. If you are going to successful in the world of Cosplay and theater then you need to lean into those!" He shrugs, "Besides it's not like gnomes are real!"

He takes a bit of breath before continuing on. "I am popular at the library how did you guess? I lead a few game nights at the one down the street from Mom's house. Nice place and they let us bring our own Doritos as long as we clean up." Oblivious to your sarcasm he continues, "You could join us next week I am going to run a one shot, some sort of Halloween theme game, maybe the Death House... haven't really decided... Speaking of Doritos anyone else hungry?"

Baffled, Jean chimes in "Sorry, just, sorry. Hold up a sec. He looks to Gwendolyn and then back to Todd. "Like, I know we have bigger fish to fry right now, but... What exactly do you mean when you say gnomes aren't real? I mean, you do know they exist, right? They're not like reindeer. I'm pretty sure Gwen here is a gnome herself." He looks back over to Gwen, "Not to assume or anything."

"Listen, I love fantasy, you can probably tell." As Todd waves his hands over his armor. "And I'll admit that I can't really explain alot of what's going on here but gnomes, dwarves, tieflings and dragons are just that, fantasy." Todd looks a little more sweaty and nervous than usual. "Glad we agree on reindeer though can you imagine the kindle of fresh hell we would living in with those things roaming the streets." 

He looks down toward Gwendolyn "I have a friend, Sarah, she swears she is a cat. Obviously she isn't but she if thats how she feels and it makes her happy that's great. She gets together with other people who think they are cats they do cat things and it's all good. So if you say your a gnome then as far as I am concerned you are gnome! And I'll be your big buddy and we will go on grand adventures!"  He kneels down and finishes in a whisper "Just let me know if you see any goblins, I hate those guys."

“I am curious Todd. How is it you think you fixed those glasses or found that key?”

"I am good with inventions and objects, I just fixed the glasses with my tools here." He pulls out his jewel makers kit and shows it to you. "As for why my little PKE meter actually worked that's one of the things I can't really explain... Like I said some of the things I create seem to work almost too well sometimes... but it's always been that way. When I was in first grade I made this crazy paper airplane very elaborate drew lights all over it decorated it with glitter, all sorts of stuff. The first time I threw it I swear to God the damn thing glowed, light just radiated from the drawing. Freaked everyone out but pretty cool, got an A in art that year and every year since." Todd pulls himself up very straight, obviously very proud of his accomplishments. 

(Todd's an artificer all of his "magic" comes from things he creates. He never really thinks much of it just that he is really good at creating things. When cast Mending earlier he just channels it through his tools, I probably didn't make that very clear in my post. Same thing with detect magic it was really just his device picking up the magic. It's also why carries around the ridiculous duffle bag full of his supplies and creations. Wait till he casts firebolt or Tasha's Caustic Brew for the first time...)

“I think it’s a bit more than that.” Stefan pats the larger man’s shoulder. “I think you will find you are even more talented than you think.”

Gwen stares at Todd with her mouth open. “I’m not sure how to take this Todd, but I assure you, I am a gnome, just as my parents are as well.  I’m about 3 feet tall, what do you think I am?”

 “But we have more important issues at hand, Todd can I see that key?” If he lends it to her, arcana check: 6

OOC: Not sure why it says that, I had to redo the roll as I forgot a space and said the roll was error.  So I deleted it and did it again.  There was no value the first time

Todd gives Gwen the key, pats her on the head and says, "I think you're amazing and special that's what I think you are." He smiles warmly and hands her the key. He then goes back to the table looking for some chips, his hunger stimulated by his earlier thoughts about Doritos. 

Gwendolyn sees that the key is not magical at all just a ordinary key. 

“Ok so there is nothing special about the key, Beck or Parker would you have any idea of what it unlocks? Where does our party go from here?  What do we need to protect the city from?  I feel grossly unprepared for what we have laid in front of us”

(Ooc so there is no marking or anything on the key that would signify what it is to? Just bringing it up as I think it was asked in character but I don’t recall seeing a response. )

Jean peers over Gwendolyn's shoulder to get a look at the key. "That could be to anything," he muses. He then glances around to see if there are any back doors to this place with a lock that could match the key.

16 

(My bad for missing that. Yes, not markings or anything to indicate its use.)

Beck shrugs to Gwendolyn. "I am not sure, I am as lost as you are on this part."

As Beck is speaking, Jeans notices the book shelf is a bit ajar.

"Wait, hold on a second," Jean says, cutting Beck off as he leans forward to look closer at the book shelf. "Sorry, that was rude of me, just..." Jean grabs edge of the book shelf and starts pushing it out of the way to see if there is something behind. 

Todd looks up from the pork rinds he happened across at the bar. "Hey Jean, what you find there a secret door?!" He shakes the crumbs from his gut and wanders over to take a look with his new found friends.

Seeing Todd attempting to rid himself of the crumbs. Stefan nonchalantly taps the head of his cane on Todd’s chest “Magicae artes” a brief shimmer sweeps across his gut and there is no trace of crumb or any other stain on the larger mans clothing. 

(casting Prestidigitation to clean ya up.)

Gwendolyn leaves the table to see what Jean has found.  Thinks to herself, this place gets crazier and crazier, but man, it's starting to draw me in.  

She looks around Jean to see behind the bookcase...