"I'll stay here, just in case! Give a low whistle when you are coming out and I'll make sure the coast is clear." Vilus says to Joren whilst flicking the butterfly somewhat cruelly off of his own finger. As Joren disappears Vilus will make his way around to the front of the warehouse and inside, looking around to see if anyone is in there, if not he will keep watch on the office door from the outside making sure no one comes in unexpectedly.
Stealth (for hiding within the warehouse within earshot of the window and with sightline to the office door and the entrance). 8
Ashley checks the rug but sees no sign of it being moved recently, not of anything hidden underneath. Heading over to the dresser on the wall, she opens it to find naught but yellow vests, several pairs of work gloves and a hard hat. The office seems extraordinarily mundane to Ashley for someone suspected of being a cultist. Perhaps just all part of the deception?
Marion clambers up to assist up in the office, while Vilus keeps eyes on the warehouse. He can't make out any movement inside, the storage area, but through a small window in the office door he can see the halfling at the desk they had encountered earlier. The halfling rubs the back of his neck as Vilus watches, and then suddenly looks up, as if feeling eyes on him. But he does not spot Vilus. Instead he glances around once more and returns to his work, though seeming a little uncomfortable now.
Samir pauses, his eyes flicking between the suspicious books. Deciding, he quickly moves to grab each book, riffling through its pages hurriedly to try and get an idea of what might be inside, before sliding them into his satchel. "I think I've found something, but perhaps we should go elsewhere to examine these books. I fear lingering only increases our chances of being caught out."
“Before we go”Malachi points out the locked drawer to Samir, which reminds him of the locked drawer back in the cave below the inn “Do you think you can get this open for us? It appears Andra has his secrets after all.” Malachi moves back to give Samir room to work. He picks up the first piece of paper he finds on the desk with Andra’s signature and studies his handwriting before tossing it back on the desk.
As Samir flips through the first book, he notices a familiar styling of rune etched into the last page. The same thing on the second book. He stows both books, planning to study them later, though they appear be basic equipment operation guides.
When he gets to the second two books, however the runes are not inside their covers. The books appear completely mundane, and Samir realizes that the glow of the medallion does not respond to them. Looking closer at the empty spots where he had removed the last two books, he finds one rune in each spot, carefully scratched into the wood of the shelf, normally hidden by the books. Corresponding of course to the runes found in the first two books.
The books themselves may be a key to a secret hidden by the bookcase.
Discouraged by not finding anything, she sees Samir take things off the bookshelf, and she heads over to see if she can assist him in anyway. She sees the runes carved into the bookcase, "Do you know anything about this or be able to figure it out? Shall we get Vilus up here? What do you think?" And she will help in anyway she can.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Oh... ohhhhh..." Samir blinks, studying the runes on the shelf for a long moment. His eyes flicker to Malachi and Ashley in turn. Quickly, he slides the two books out of his bag and hands them to Ashley. "I think these might be a key of some kind, along with the runes carved onto the shelf. Be careful, but maybe we should investigate further after all." Having passed the books to his companion, he hurries over to the desk, crouching down to study the indicated drawer. "Ah, yes. Suppose it isn't unusual for such a person to keep a locked drawer. Were we not convinced that this Andra is an asset of the enemy, I would hesitate to break the law in this manner. But, needs must in this case, I think."He slips a set of small, delicate tools from his belt and after a moment of close examination, Samit sets to attempting to open the lock.
Ashley looks at the books that Samir hands her, then looks back to the bookshelf. As Samir heads over to the desk to assist Mal, she decides to try something out.
Taking a book in each hand, she places the two books that have runes inscribed in them on top of the runes that are carved in the bookcase, then steps back… just in case.
The lock is very well made. Not particularly complex, but rather precisely crafted, but Samir is able to slowly but surely lock each tumbler in place while Ashley puzzles over the bookcase.
With a final click, the lock disengages. Samir is about start pulling the drawer open, but something feels off. It felt like there was something behind the last tumbler, and Samir notices a small pinhole in the lock, just below the key hole. On a hunch, he steps to the side and motions for Malachi to do the same. He then pulls the drawer open, keeping his hand clear of the key hole.
There is the tiniest *twang* and something whistles by. Samir and Malachi look a moment later and see a barely perceptible silver needle now sticking out of the stone wall just under the window, glistening with what is most likely a potent toxin.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the two look inside the drawer to find… nothing. It’s empty. But this time Samir is quick to spot the false bottom. He lifts it up and underneath funds two hollows carved out of the wood below. Two hollows that are the perfect size and shape to house one of the cultist’s daggers and a medallion like the one held by Samir. However both spots currently sit empty, very possibly meaning that Andra is likely armed, and carrying a device that is capable of detecting the adventurers from a distance.
It is at that moment that Marion says, “Umm, that’s new.” Ashley, following her gut, has just finished slotting the first book into place, and looks to see Marion pointing beside the bookshelf. A section of brickwork has faded away, revealing it to be an nothing more than an illusion to cover doorway. In place of the brick is now a shimmering wall of force. Ashley slots the second book into place, and the magical wall fades as well. Darkness lies beyond the newly revealed doorway
"Whoa! It worked! Hey look over here guys, want to go check it out?" Ashley does a quick little dance of excitement, then looks over to Samir and Malachi, and then over to Joren. "Should we see if Vilus is around? I don't want to head down this path without him."
Joren nods, tapping the hilt of his greatsword for luck at this new development.
He whistles low for Vilus as had been requested. If that fails, he will echo-swap down to ground level outside to find the goliath and come back with him.
Vilus stands up from his crouched corner and leaves the warehouse with purpose, never second guessing his movements, walking with such undeniable confidence that no one could question why he was particularly anywhere.
As he reaches the window he looks around checking his surroundings then looks up to see what's happening. Once the coast is clear and his assistance requested he will, with the help of joren's echo, clamber up and through the window.
"Well, I'm not sure what Mal found over at the desk, but look at this!" Ashley exclaims excitedly. Then realizing Vilus was whispering and she probably should be too, she attempts, miserably, to lower her voice as well.
"I put two books that had one of those cultists symbols inscribed in it on top of the same symbols engraved in the bookcase, and that portion of the wall disappeared!" She smiles at him brightly, her face all lit up. "Right Joren? You saw it, didn't you? I know Marion did!" She looks over to the two at the desk, "When those two are done doing whatever it is they are doing, let's go investigate."
Samir will quietly close the drawer and relock it, albeit without the needle trap. That accomplished, he will return to Ashley, wiping his hands on the front of his jacket as if to clean them of something. "The drawer was empty, however, there were clear indentations in a false compartment that resembled both this medallion and one of those daggers the cultists carry. I think it safe to say that this Andra fellow is not only in league with the cultists but is also armed and capable of potentially detecting those of us to whom the medallion reacts."
Joren returns grinning at Ashley. "Oh! I did see it, Ashley but I had thought you had done it with your magic. My mistake! Good thinking with the books."
As Samir describes evidence of cultist regalia for Andra, Joren's face grows grim and he touches the hilt of his greatsword again. "Into the darkness then? We may miss Marshal Lanya and Miter, but then we may catch Andra by surprise. Or does one of us stay behind?"
Following Ashley's outburst, there is a moment of quiet as everyone waits to see if the halfling downstairs heard. All that follows is the sound of a muted yawn from the office down the stairs. Safe for now.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Malachi takes another look at the needle sticking from the wall and nods at Samir “Good catch, that could have been nasty” He looks over at the others and echoes Samir’s findings “Yes, if there was any doubt he was with the cultists before, there can be none now.”
He looks up at the opening Ashley discovered “Yes, well done, Ashley”He looks over at Joren “I think we all go, there is safety in numbers. Let’s go see where this leads, but be careful. If Andra’s men can’t find him, it is probably because he is hiding down here.” Malachi steps over to the opening and looks inside, trying to see where it leads. Perception: 8.
Vilus looks over what the group show him with an impressed look on his face, notably he's not surprised and once the group start investigating the opening, Vilus makes sure he is near the front, "we all go" he whispers in response to joren, with a nod.
"I'll stay here, just in case! Give a low whistle when you are coming out and I'll make sure the coast is clear." Vilus says to Joren whilst flicking the butterfly somewhat cruelly off of his own finger. As Joren disappears Vilus will make his way around to the front of the warehouse and inside, looking around to see if anyone is in there, if not he will keep watch on the office door from the outside making sure no one comes in unexpectedly.
Stealth (for hiding within the warehouse within earshot of the window and with sightline to the office door and the entrance). 8
Ashley checks the rug but sees no sign of it being moved recently, not of anything hidden underneath. Heading over to the dresser on the wall, she opens it to find naught but yellow vests, several pairs of work gloves and a hard hat. The office seems extraordinarily mundane to Ashley for someone suspected of being a cultist. Perhaps just all part of the deception?
Marion clambers up to assist up in the office, while Vilus keeps eyes on the warehouse. He can't make out any movement inside, the storage area, but through a small window in the office door he can see the halfling at the desk they had encountered earlier. The halfling rubs the back of his neck as Vilus watches, and then suddenly looks up, as if feeling eyes on him. But he does not spot Vilus. Instead he glances around once more and returns to his work, though seeming a little uncomfortable now.
Samir pauses, his eyes flicking between the suspicious books. Deciding, he quickly moves to grab each book, riffling through its pages hurriedly to try and get an idea of what might be inside, before sliding them into his satchel. "I think I've found something, but perhaps we should go elsewhere to examine these books. I fear lingering only increases our chances of being caught out."
“Before we go” Malachi points out the locked drawer to Samir, which reminds him of the locked drawer back in the cave below the inn “Do you think you can get this open for us? It appears Andra has his secrets after all.” Malachi moves back to give Samir room to work. He picks up the first piece of paper he finds on the desk with Andra’s signature and studies his handwriting before tossing it back on the desk.
As Samir flips through the first book, he notices a familiar styling of rune etched into the last page. The same thing on the second book. He stows both books, planning to study them later, though they appear be basic equipment operation guides.
When he gets to the second two books, however the runes are not inside their covers. The books appear completely mundane, and Samir realizes that the glow of the medallion does not respond to them. Looking closer at the empty spots where he had removed the last two books, he finds one rune in each spot, carefully scratched into the wood of the shelf, normally hidden by the books. Corresponding of course to the runes found in the first two books.
The books themselves may be a key to a secret hidden by the bookcase.
Discouraged by not finding anything, she sees Samir take things off the bookshelf, and she heads over to see if she can assist him in anyway. She sees the runes carved into the bookcase, "Do you know anything about this or be able to figure it out? Shall we get Vilus up here? What do you think?" And she will help in anyway she can.
"Oh... ohhhhh..." Samir blinks, studying the runes on the shelf for a long moment. His eyes flicker to Malachi and Ashley in turn. Quickly, he slides the two books out of his bag and hands them to Ashley. "I think these might be a key of some kind, along with the runes carved onto the shelf. Be careful, but maybe we should investigate further after all." Having passed the books to his companion, he hurries over to the desk, crouching down to study the indicated drawer. "Ah, yes. Suppose it isn't unusual for such a person to keep a locked drawer. Were we not convinced that this Andra is an asset of the enemy, I would hesitate to break the law in this manner. But, needs must in this case, I think." He slips a set of small, delicate tools from his belt and after a moment of close examination, Samit sets to attempting to open the lock.
22 Investigation
19 Thieve's Tools
Ashley looks at the books that Samir hands her, then looks back to the bookshelf. As Samir heads over to the desk to assist Mal, she decides to try something out.
Taking a book in each hand, she places the two books that have runes inscribed in them on top of the runes that are carved in the bookcase, then steps back… just in case.
The lock is very well made. Not particularly complex, but rather precisely crafted, but Samir is able to slowly but surely lock each tumbler in place while Ashley puzzles over the bookcase.
With a final click, the lock disengages. Samir is about start pulling the drawer open, but something feels off. It felt like there was something behind the last tumbler, and Samir notices a small pinhole in the lock, just below the key hole. On a hunch, he steps to the side and motions for Malachi to do the same. He then pulls the drawer open, keeping his hand clear of the key hole.
There is the tiniest *twang* and something whistles by. Samir and Malachi look a moment later and see a barely perceptible silver needle now sticking out of the stone wall just under the window, glistening with what is most likely a potent toxin.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the two look inside the drawer to find… nothing. It’s empty. But this time Samir is quick to spot the false bottom. He lifts it up and underneath funds two hollows carved out of the wood below. Two hollows that are the perfect size and shape to house one of the cultist’s daggers and a medallion like the one held by Samir. However both spots currently sit empty, very possibly meaning that Andra is likely armed, and carrying a device that is capable of detecting the adventurers from a distance.
It is at that moment that Marion says, “Umm, that’s new.” Ashley, following her gut, has just finished slotting the first book into place, and looks to see Marion pointing beside the bookshelf. A section of brickwork has faded away, revealing it to be an nothing more than an illusion to cover doorway. In place of the brick is now a shimmering wall of force. Ashley slots the second book into place, and the magical wall fades as well. Darkness lies beyond the newly revealed doorway
"Whoa! It worked! Hey look over here guys, want to go check it out?" Ashley does a quick little dance of excitement, then looks over to Samir and Malachi, and then over to Joren. "Should we see if Vilus is around? I don't want to head down this path without him."
Joren nods, tapping the hilt of his greatsword for luck at this new development.
He whistles low for Vilus as had been requested. If that fails, he will echo-swap down to ground level outside to find the goliath and come back with him.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Vilus hears the signal whistle, still with no unusual movement from within the warehouse.
Vilus stands up from his crouched corner and leaves the warehouse with purpose, never second guessing his movements, walking with such undeniable confidence that no one could question why he was particularly anywhere.
As he reaches the window he looks around checking his surroundings then looks up to see what's happening. Once the coast is clear and his assistance requested he will, with the help of joren's echo, clamber up and through the window.
"What did you find?" He whispers
"Well, I'm not sure what Mal found over at the desk, but look at this!" Ashley exclaims excitedly. Then realizing Vilus was whispering and she probably should be too, she attempts, miserably, to lower her voice as well.
"I put two books that had one of those cultists symbols inscribed in it on top of the same symbols engraved in the bookcase, and that portion of the wall disappeared!" She smiles at him brightly, her face all lit up. "Right Joren? You saw it, didn't you? I know Marion did!" She looks over to the two at the desk, "When those two are done doing whatever it is they are doing, let's go investigate."
Samir will quietly close the drawer and relock it, albeit without the needle trap. That accomplished, he will return to Ashley, wiping his hands on the front of his jacket as if to clean them of something. "The drawer was empty, however, there were clear indentations in a false compartment that resembled both this medallion and one of those daggers the cultists carry. I think it safe to say that this Andra fellow is not only in league with the cultists but is also armed and capable of potentially detecting those of us to whom the medallion reacts."
Joren returns grinning at Ashley. "Oh! I did see it, Ashley but I had thought you had done it with your magic. My mistake! Good thinking with the books."
As Samir describes evidence of cultist regalia for Andra, Joren's face grows grim and he touches the hilt of his greatsword again. "Into the darkness then? We may miss Marshal Lanya and Miter, but then we may catch Andra by surprise. Or does one of us stay behind?"
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Following Ashley's outburst, there is a moment of quiet as everyone waits to see if the halfling downstairs heard. All that follows is the sound of a muted yawn from the office down the stairs. Safe for now.
Malachi takes another look at the needle sticking from the wall and nods at Samir “Good catch, that could have been nasty” He looks over at the others and echoes Samir’s findings “Yes, if there was any doubt he was with the cultists before, there can be none now.”
He looks up at the opening Ashley discovered “Yes, well done, Ashley” He looks over at Joren “I think we all go, there is safety in numbers. Let’s go see where this leads, but be careful. If Andra’s men can’t find him, it is probably because he is hiding down here.” Malachi steps over to the opening and looks inside, trying to see where it leads. Perception: 8.
.
Vilus looks over what the group show him with an impressed look on his face, notably he's not surprised and once the group start investigating the opening, Vilus makes sure he is near the front, "we all go" he whispers in response to joren, with a nod.
Ashley grins and heads into the opening with the rest, more towards the middle to the back.
Perception 22