Douglas moves to the side as Flint sits at the table revealing Oraq'yiz to Flint as the Imp sits with Food and drink.
"and this is Flint, Oraq'yiz, another companion on this job. Flint as I was telling Ula, this is Oraq'yiz, who I believe is an Imp and a devil as most humans term his race. Oraq'yiz was trapped in a book I had, I freed him. At some other time you will have to tell me who this Lady Irene the Cambion was, who this "We" was that returned her to hell, and if her leaving was mutual or by force. If by force by death or magic."
Douglas regards the letter and the doll. With a sigh he picks up the doll and tosses it into the fireplace. Using Control Flames to increase the temperature of the flames until it burns the doll, expending the normal fuel faster.
"I hate to be crass. We simply can not have that in the room any longer and have a decent conversation. As for the..., package, hiding it is not an option. At least one party interested has made it into the room and been told the best hiding spots, another interested party can somehow sense it. No subtlety is off the table. We should go with plain sight and prevent any from touching it, preferably in a cage bigger than five foot by five foot, with a door bigger than five foot by five foot and the holes smaller than the envelope will fit through.", Douglas will offer as the doll burns tossing in logs as needed.
"I do still feel in your debt" Oraq'yiz tells Douglas "If I might?" he offers, hand towards the envelope but stops a respectful distance "I might be able gleen some useful information for you"
"Thank you, Oraq'yiz. Unfortunately, it is not mine alone to give permission. Those of us who agreed to the job would all need to agree to allow you. Knowing more about it could place some or all of us under greater legal, ethical, or moral restraints than handing it over to its agreed receiver does."
Flint squints over at the imp with a start, then motions to the letter “Be my guest, take a look, but don’t open it. I could use all of the information I can get, but don’t want to lose our fee by damaging the contents.” He turns back to Douglas “I took a job on with the town guard a while back, investigating disappearances at Lady Irene’s boarding house, along with a few others. That's when I first met Sergeant Modesty. Turns out, Lady Irene wasn’t Lady Irene at all, but a Cambion named Akro”
He continues his story for Douglas “We sent Akro back by force, and it definitely was not mutual. They were eaten by a giant snake if I recall correctly. One of the blokes was a druid” he smiles at the memory. He shoots the imp another look “Do you know the name, imp? Know anyone that wants to take their place here?”
Oraq'yiz frowns "It's not a common name among Devils, but not unknown. I'm not familiar with anyone of note by that name" Oraq'yiz looks to Ula "If you have no objection as either I can see what I can find out about the contents without opening the letter"
Taking Ula's silence as aquesence Oraq'yiz takes the letter and immediatly drops it, reacting as if it caused him pain.
"Interesting" he says crouching down to get a closer look "What you appear to have here is a holy relic. I get an impression of Elysium, possibly Bitopia" he chants in a harsh, guttural language (Infernal if you know it), making a series of gestures "Quite powerful, if I'm not mistaken. Not something that would be of much use in combat, but if you're forging an empire, founding a cult or fomenting a revolution I get the impression it could be quite useful"
He stands up, looking at the envelope on the floor where he dropped it "My apologies, but I would prefer not touching it again. I know a few divivation spells as well as having some expertise in Arcana, Religion and History. I have sepnt more than a century assisting in research with various scholars, sages and wizards."
He looks up at Flint "There is a practice of sealing a treaty with the gifting of a powerful magic item. I don't know if that is what this is or not" he tells you
Quiggley listens but tries to recall if Imps mortally have the ability to discern information about magic or items.
Arcana 8
You don't remember anything about Imps having that ability, but you're not sure.
(Quiggley?)
(Sorry auto correct used another commonly used character name when I obviously miss spelled Douglas as it did mortally instead of normally. The problem of using the phone at work to post when your in a hurry)
Douglas picks the envelope up from the floor setting it back on the table where any present can access it.
"That explains a little. With what it is and what we know of who has come for it..., We seem to be caught between the ongoing war of several extra planar entities by way of their agents."
Ula abruptly shakes their head, recovering from their apparent startled stupor from seeing the imp. "Right, that's...fine. Oraq'yiz...holy relic...extraplanar war... That's all great."
They let out a shaky breath and take a step or two back, away from the envelope. "Except, I really don't think we're getting paid enough to deal with this. I'm not sure what *would* be enough, but this ain't it."
Looking back and forth between Douglas and Flint (and Oraq'yiz, I suppose), they slowly say "But just ditching the envelope and getting out of here is...bad. Right? And not just because we can't actually get very far, here in Haven. I'm not a big fan of moral obligations, but..." They turn and fully face the imp. "You said revolutions and empires, right? That seems like sort of a big deal."
Douglas waves a calming hand gesture up and down to Ula.
"It is alright. Everything is just like it was half of an hour ago. You are simply now aware of beneficial and malign agents of Terrible and unimaginable power. They have been there your whole existence. You are just now more aware of their existence and how close of a threat they are. Many things happen in such a big multi-dimensional multiverse which could easily move us away from their sphere of influence, and probably has millions of times in your life you were not even aware of. See how lucky you are!" , Douglas will slowly and calmly explain. In fact he seems strangely excited by these thoughts
Ula abruptly shakes their head, recovering from their apparent startled stupor from seeing the imp. "Right, that's...fine. Oraq'yiz...holy relic...extraplanar war... That's all great."
They let out a shaky breath and take a step or two back, away from the envelope. "Except, I really don't think we're getting paid enough to deal with this. I'm not sure what *would* be enough, but this ain't it."
Looking back and forth between Douglas and Flint (and Oraq'yiz, I suppose), they slowly say "But just ditching the envelope and getting out of here is...bad. Right? And not just because we can't actually get very far, here in Haven. I'm not a big fan of moral obligations, but..." They turn and fully face the imp. "You said revolutions and empires, right? That seems like sort of a big deal."
Oraq'yiz answers Ula "More of a big deal than you realize. This artifact, as powerful as it is, is merely being used to seal a treaty or accord of some kind. There is probably a lot more at stake. If you don't mind me asking, how much are they paying you?"
Douglas picks the envelope up from the floor setting it back on the table where any present can access it.
"That explains a little. With what it is and what we know of who has come for it..., We seem to be caught between the ongoing war of several extra planar entities by way of their agents."
Insight 13
As best you can tell, Oraq'yiz seems to be sincere and what he's telling you makes sense.
Ula stares blankly at Douglas for a moment, trying (and failing) to understand his excitement. "That's not actually better. Knowing that horrible, large, incomprehensible things have been happening the whole time without my knowledge doesn't actually feel any better." They take a few more deep breaths. "I'm glad you're feeling lucky, though."
When Oraq'yiz speaks up again, Ula responds quickly, "We were given a bag of 500 gold to split between....Well, between more people than are here now. In fact..." Ula gestures to any remaining gold pieces scattered around after the chaos earlier. "Some of it was never claimed." They pause suddenly, considering. "And I think we were supposed to get more when the job was done...but I don't actually remember if an amount was set. Or if we even know who is supposed to get the letter and pay us at the end of this."
Their panic quickly returns as they remember how little they were actually told about the job.
Smiling at Ula Quiggley apologizes,"I am sorry, Ula. I forget not everyone is as excited about the secrets of the multiverse as I am, and that not everyone wants to see those things mortals were not meant to see. We have made it through the first attempt, which was ... Excessive., maybe even a second if the two attempts were not together. That is why I said you should feel more assured. You have been tested and you have succeeded."
Quiggley will wait for the others to chime in before commenting about the money.
As the Town Bell chimes 10, Danica knocks "Guest services" she calls out and enters with the carpenters in tow. There is a Gnome in charge of three apprentices, one Gnome and two Human. Danica begins straightening and dusting
"Pardon the intrusion. I'll be out of your way quickly. If there is anything I can bring you from downstairs, just let me know"
Danica seems to spend a lot of time dusting and straightening in the corner where you found the doll
Ula
It strikes you as a little strange that Danica isn't dusting with a rag, but with a cloth sack
Danica heads downstairs to put in Douglas's order (and anyone else who wants to put in an order). The carpenters begin working, starting with demolishing parts of the wall and floor. One of the Human apprentices begins sawing. It's loud enough to interfere with conversation.
Douglas moves to the side as Flint sits at the table revealing Oraq'yiz to Flint as the Imp sits with Food and drink.
"and this is Flint, Oraq'yiz, another companion on this job. Flint as I was telling Ula, this is Oraq'yiz, who I believe is an Imp and a devil as most humans term his race. Oraq'yiz was trapped in a book I had, I freed him. At some other time you will have to tell me who this Lady Irene the Cambion was, who this "We" was that returned her to hell, and if her leaving was mutual or by force. If by force by death or magic."
Douglas regards the letter and the doll. With a sigh he picks up the doll and tosses it into the fireplace. Using Control Flames to increase the temperature of the flames until it burns the doll, expending the normal fuel faster.
"I hate to be crass. We simply can not have that in the room any longer and have a decent conversation. As for the..., package, hiding it is not an option. At least one party interested has made it into the room and been told the best hiding spots, another interested party can somehow sense it. No subtlety is off the table. We should go with plain sight and prevent any from touching it, preferably in a cage bigger than five foot by five foot, with a door bigger than five foot by five foot and the holes smaller than the envelope will fit through.", Douglas will offer as the doll burns tossing in logs as needed.
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
"I do still feel in your debt" Oraq'yiz tells Douglas "If I might?" he offers, hand towards the envelope but stops a respectful distance "I might be able gleen some useful information for you"
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
"Thank you, Oraq'yiz. Unfortunately, it is not mine alone to give permission. Those of us who agreed to the job would all need to agree to allow you. Knowing more about it could place some or all of us under greater legal, ethical, or moral restraints than handing it over to its agreed receiver does."
Douglas looks to Ula and Flint.
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
Flint squints over at the imp with a start, then motions to the letter “Be my guest, take a look, but don’t open it. I could use all of the information I can get, but don’t want to lose our fee by damaging the contents.” He turns back to Douglas “I took a job on with the town guard a while back, investigating disappearances at Lady Irene’s boarding house, along with a few others. That's when I first met Sergeant Modesty. Turns out, Lady Irene wasn’t Lady Irene at all, but a Cambion named Akro”
He continues his story for Douglas “We sent Akro back by force, and it definitely was not mutual. They were eaten by a giant snake if I recall correctly. One of the blokes was a druid” he smiles at the memory. He shoots the imp another look “Do you know the name, imp? Know anyone that wants to take their place here?”
Oraq'yiz frowns "It's not a common name among Devils, but not unknown. I'm not familiar with anyone of note by that name" Oraq'yiz looks to Ula "If you have no objection as either I can see what I can find out about the contents without opening the letter"
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
Douglas listens but tries to recall if Imps normally have the ability to discern information about magic or items.
Arcana 11
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
You don't remember anything about Imps having that ability, but you're not sure.
(Quiggley?)
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
Taking Ula's silence as aquesence Oraq'yiz takes the letter and immediatly drops it, reacting as if it caused him pain.
"Interesting" he says crouching down to get a closer look "What you appear to have here is a holy relic. I get an impression of Elysium, possibly Bitopia" he chants in a harsh, guttural language (Infernal if you know it), making a series of gestures "Quite powerful, if I'm not mistaken. Not something that would be of much use in combat, but if you're forging an empire, founding a cult or fomenting a revolution I get the impression it could be quite useful"
He stands up, looking at the envelope on the floor where he dropped it "My apologies, but I would prefer not touching it again. I know a few divivation spells as well as having some expertise in Arcana, Religion and History. I have sepnt more than a century assisting in research with various scholars, sages and wizards."
He looks up at Flint "There is a practice of sealing a treaty with the gifting of a powerful magic item. I don't know if that is what this is or not" he tells you
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
(Sorry auto correct used another commonly used character name when I obviously miss spelled Douglas as it did mortally instead of normally. The problem of using the phone at work to post when your in a hurry)
Douglas picks the envelope up from the floor setting it back on the table where any present can access it.
"That explains a little. With what it is and what we know of who has come for it..., We seem to be caught between the ongoing war of several extra planar entities by way of their agents."
Insight 21
.
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
Ula abruptly shakes their head, recovering from their apparent startled stupor from seeing the imp. "Right, that's...fine. Oraq'yiz...holy relic...extraplanar war... That's all great."
They let out a shaky breath and take a step or two back, away from the envelope. "Except, I really don't think we're getting paid enough to deal with this. I'm not sure what *would* be enough, but this ain't it."
Looking back and forth between Douglas and Flint (and Oraq'yiz, I suppose), they slowly say "But just ditching the envelope and getting out of here is...bad. Right? And not just because we can't actually get very far, here in Haven. I'm not a big fan of moral obligations, but..." They turn and fully face the imp. "You said revolutions and empires, right? That seems like sort of a big deal."
Douglas waves a calming hand gesture up and down to Ula.
"It is alright. Everything is just like it was half of an hour ago. You are simply now aware of beneficial and malign agents of Terrible and unimaginable power. They have been there your whole existence. You are just now more aware of their existence and how close of a threat they are. Many things happen in such a big multi-dimensional multiverse which could easily move us away from their sphere of influence, and probably has millions of times in your life you were not even aware of. See how lucky you are!" , Douglas will slowly and calmly explain. In fact he seems strangely excited by these thoughts
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
Oraq'yiz answers Ula "More of a big deal than you realize. This artifact, as powerful as it is, is merely being used to seal a treaty or accord of some kind. There is probably a lot more at stake. If you don't mind me asking, how much are they paying you?"
As best you can tell, Oraq'yiz seems to be sincere and what he's telling you makes sense.
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
Ula stares blankly at Douglas for a moment, trying (and failing) to understand his excitement. "That's not actually better. Knowing that horrible, large, incomprehensible things have been happening the whole time without my knowledge doesn't actually feel any better." They take a few more deep breaths. "I'm glad you're feeling lucky, though."
When Oraq'yiz speaks up again, Ula responds quickly, "We were given a bag of 500 gold to split between....Well, between more people than are here now. In fact..." Ula gestures to any remaining gold pieces scattered around after the chaos earlier. "Some of it was never claimed." They pause suddenly, considering. "And I think we were supposed to get more when the job was done...but I don't actually remember if an amount was set. Or if we even know who is supposed to get the letter and pay us at the end of this."
Their panic quickly returns as they remember how little they were actually told about the job.
Smiling at Ula Quiggley apologizes,"I am sorry, Ula. I forget not everyone is as excited about the secrets of the multiverse as I am, and that not everyone wants to see those things mortals were not meant to see. We have made it through the first attempt, which was ... Excessive., maybe even a second if the two attempts were not together. That is why I said you should feel more assured. You have been tested and you have succeeded."
Quiggley will wait for the others to chime in before commenting about the money.
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
Anyone want to add more or ask any questions? Otherwise let's pick up late morning?
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
(I'm good with moving forward. I don't have anything for Douglas to do to help move the scene other than reactions and small talk.)
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
As the Town Bell chimes 10, Danica knocks "Guest services" she calls out and enters with the carpenters in tow. There is a Gnome in charge of three apprentices, one Gnome and two Human. Danica begins straightening and dusting
"Pardon the intrusion. I'll be out of your way quickly. If there is anything I can bring you from downstairs, just let me know"
Danica seems to spend a lot of time dusting and straightening in the corner where you found the doll
Ula
It strikes you as a little strange that Danica isn't dusting with a rag, but with a cloth sack
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
Douglas will guard the letter at the table while the others clean and fix.
"Yes. Some breakfast would be nice, so would some tea. Eggs, meat, bread?", Douglas will reply and ask Danica.
Perception 6
.
Katerielle in Lost mine of Phandelver.
Bhelmek Thuldren in The dark tower of Cabilar.
Iam Unsure in Tower of Heaven.
"Yes, of course. I'll get that right up to you" she says
Douglas
Danica looks shaken and upset
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature
Danica heads downstairs to put in Douglas's order (and anyone else who wants to put in an order). The carpenters begin working, starting with demolishing parts of the wall and floor. One of the Human apprentices begins sawing. It's loud enough to interfere with conversation.
What is everyone doing?
The Worlds of Pphost a community of DMs and Players making PbP better
Malichi, Tiefling Rogue - Worlds of Pphost- The Amazing Teleportation Machine
DM Worlds of Pphost - Haven 'A Few Days at a Tavern'
Extended Signature