Cryptic Gravity

Gravity will take advantage of the commotion to cast Reduce on herself to assume the stature of a halfling. She will stop wielding any weapons and put these shrunken items inside her backpack, and cover her armor with the woolen sweater. Rubbing the palms of her hands on her face, she tries to remove excess sweat or grease (Prestidigitation). During her quick transformation, she remains cautious about the possibility of being noticed by someone else.

Stealth (8, 21)(Rolled with advantage from Angus's distraction)

After that she will try to pass through the gate of the temple and attempt to search for someone who's wearing clothes that are available for priests only.

Investigation 26

She easily finds several priests.  None followed Angus.  They are returning to the business of taking bets and dealing payouts, setting right the overturned tsbkes and games of chance.  They all look quite overwhelmed by the double hit of a shirt term labor shortage with most or all of the Velvet Hand normally aiding matters now chasing Angus and the added urgency bordering on distress of the patrons in light of the commotion.

<Is Gravity trying the back room? Looking for something in particular?>

(She's trying to extract information about the history of Thayan Embassy)

Cryptic Gravity

"Honorable priests of Tymora, it's my great pleasure to meet you"- Gravity attempts to mimic the mannerism of a noble yet young scholar, holding a stack of parchments in one hand. "I'm trying to record the history of the locality, my special interest is in the history of Temple of Tymora. I hope that my research will draw more devoted souls here who'll be glad to donate resources. Now, I want to talk to someone who's most knowledgeable about the Temple and the adjacent historical places like the Thayan Embassy."

Deception 14

The busy priestess Gravity finds seems to light up at the prospect of an inquiring mind, but loses a bit of her eagerness when she hears its about the Ilmateri.  "Ahh. Certainly young lady.  I'll be with you in just a moment."

<assuming Gravity is willing to wait as rhe priestess deals with some of the commotion caused by Angus' brief presence, she returns to speak with Gravity.>

"So sorry for the delay. Now, where were we? Ah, yes! The Ilmateri Monastery.  As you no doubt know from your research, it's been nearly a century since the Thayans took the temple from the monks.  Their departure left a void in the city, certainly. Always regarded as a friendly presence and a boon to the city, they were sorely missed when the Thayans took their monastery for their embassy. It was once a ce ter of learning and of service. The embassy likely still holds the majority of thier vast collection of books, and they always helped the poorest Mulmen. Those that once went there for healing found no comfort, turning to the casters in desperation.  They are scarcely treated today, but st the time, asking an arcanist for aid of any sort was quite shocking.  Ever the martyrs, the monks roamed the city in their coarse-furred shirts.  

Now the legacy of the Ilmateri monks is best preserved in the local brewing tradition, which even today attracts a fair share of visitors to the city.  In harsh times they distributed watered down ale and crusts of bread.  The ale itself was a testament to their craft.  The mo KS were some of the most skilled brewers in Faerûn, and a large portion of thier subsistence was built on the revenue earned from the sale of this ale to local inns and taverns."

Cryptic Gravity

When the priestess leaves the immediate vicinity of disguised Gravity, she will move towards the double door situated at the back of the hall. She will push the door to take a quick look at the condition of the backroom, then immediately retreat to her previous position. She's just trying to act like a curious scholar interested in the overall structure of the temple.

Investigation 24

(Does the conversation take place within the timeframe of one minute? The spell effect doesn't last long.)

A minute is fine.

If Gravity was just looking into the back room, it's not like a secret area, it's just what Angus saw before, kind if a high-rollers floor.  Within it, Gravity could observe another door, almost hidden it bke ds so seemslessly with the decor, but not hidden as such, just not drawing attention.  If thsts the one she were to open, she'd find a flight if stairs descending beneath the temple. 

Cryptic Gravity

"Thanks for your contribution, honorable priestess of Tymora". Gravity pretends to express her gratitude as she starts to feel her skin getting oily as the effect of Prestidigitation is about to expire. "I'll make sure to include your name and the excellent quality of your knowledge in my papers. Till then, I must leave since I need to.. uh.. powder my nose." She will hastily yet gracefully run towards the exit before her body begins to plump up, closing the gate behind her so that the priestess doesn't notice the transformation.

Hah! A secret door at the back of the temple hall. I bet it's either a storage unit or a sanctuary for fanatic priests. But, I fear that it could be a good place to hide an extraordinary artifact. Does that mean there's an underground link between the temple and the former monastery?

(Is there any guard or street-vendor outside the temple?)

Investigation 20

The Velvet Hand function as the muscle one might heed in a pinch.  They all seem to have followed Angus, though.

The city is full of merchants.  There's bound to be one nearby the entrance to the Gate of Good Fortune.

Good Fortune street is probably the busiest place in the city, the Temple's gold-accwbted architecture and ornate angelic statues lending an air if sophistication to the place making visitors feel welcome and helping part them from their coins. 

If Angus is still being followed, he will attempt to slip into the safe house, if he can do so unobserved.

Stealth 11

If he cannot lose the tail he will lead them on a merry chase to the market district, hoping they tire and abandon the pursuit.

I'd like to give the party a set if sending stones, mostly for pbp.  Seems like if we could pass info to the rest of the party from someone exploring in their own.  Like this scene right now.  So, since the players all know at this point some things about the Ilmateri monks, the rest of the party could also and thereby act on thst information, or go investigate the subtle door with Gravity if they want.  I'd give the stones to Gravity and leave one eith anyone at the safehouse.  This doesn't tell Tetrevess, unfortunately, but he might have learned this in her own if he wants to do something at any point.

So, everyone just assume Gravity told you what she learned and now you know it.

Honestly, Ussa at the safehouse could have told you much the same information, but maybe not about the library.

I'm just going to ask to nudge things along.

Is anyone planning on finding an Ilmateri monk?  Thinking of meeting with Morwena by way of the tailor?

Otherwise, is there any benefit to waiting until the night the object departs, or you just want to go in tonight or during the day?

I'd like answers to these by today, if possible.

(Angus' original plan in going to the temple of Tymora, and then to the Black Altar was to ask about monks.  He just got a little sidetracked.  But if he escapes the pursuit, then yes, he is once again searching for monks, perhaps asking at local taverns or breweries.   If unsuccessful, and no one else meets with Morwena, he will attempt to stop by there as well.)

Cryptic Gravity

Gravity will attempt to extract information about the secret door at the back room of the Temple of Tymora from a local merchant, preferably someone who regularly sells items near the Gate of Good Fortune. "Hello Mister, do you have a set of makeup kit that I can afford at a reasonable price? And..." She leans forward and whispers something to the vendor, "I saw a secret door inside the temple. It piqued my interest but I don't want to look like a nosy tourist. You tell me, what's that place?"

Persuasion 3

(Sending stones can only send one-way message, so Gravity will convey a short message to Angus including the texts 'Ilmateri monks' legacy', 'local brewing tradition', 'search for skilled brewers'. @DM, how much daytime do we have? Gravity is planning to retrieve the stormheart from the Windsnug Hearth before participating in the heist.)

(@DM, please add 3 to the rolled amount, Gravity will use 'Flash of Genius' feature as a reaction and offer 5 goldpieces to the merchant.)

Questioning a vendor selling small pastries from a cart outside the Gate of Good Fortune, advertised as made fresh daily at the bakery just around the corner, Gravity receives a smile but no direct eye contact as the merchant finds something to busy herself and rearranges the small confections. "Worst kept secret in Mulmaster, thst is.  Theyrssa's residence is under the Gate, love.  Reckon she likely seldom uses that door, but no doubt that's what you saw." Looking up from the tray she holds something out to Gravity, smiling at her, warmly: "Cupcake?"

Samogri, after trying to see anything new from the ground at every possible angle concludes he's seen all he can.  'Unless...' he thinks to himelf, noting the high Tower of Blades beside the embassy, 'I had a higher vantage point'.

Angus checks out the Winsnug Hearth at the far edge of town.  Not looking particularly vulnerable, he enters the inn unmolested.  Noting the broken window being repaired by a team comprised of a carpenter and a gaffer.  The bartender, noticing Angus' curiosity nods his head toward the window.  "Some drunk tumbled in through it and scampered off."  He then proceeds to give a fairly accurate description of Gravity.  "You haven't seen anyone like that about, have ye?  No?  I wouldn't imagine as such.  You know we don't have much trouble around here.  But something like thst.  Folk see it, traveler's mostly, not these tourists from across the sea, simple people looking to sell some goods in the city.  That's our clientele.  They're already half-terrified of coming into town.  We're often the first establishment they find coming through the mountain pass.  You can see our sign from the trail before you even hit the city wall.  Don't need a broken window makin' 'em think they'd be better off looking elsewhere for a bed." The bartender stares off into the distance for a moment, then snaps out of it. Regainin his composure, he retur s his attenrion to Angus, "Sorry, friend, I know I'm supposed to be the ear you lot sob to over your ale, not the other way 'round." He concludes, tossing a rag over his shoulder and laying both hands on the bar, leaning over it eagerly, "Set you up, then?  We've the finest brew in town.  Made right here, in house.  We're very proud of it. Finest in Mulmaster, our brewery is nearly a century old."  He just wants to know Angus can pay for the drink or a mug would already be in the Knight's hand. He's clearly very proud of the libation.

... the brewery is the basement.  The monastery wad sacked somewhere around 100 years ago.

It's around 4pm.  Tomorrow is the last day the items are in the city.

Sam would go back to the party and look to see if they got anything useful 

 Angus will accept a mug of the brew from the host, and pay for it.  "A century old, you say?  You know, I'm quite fascinated by the history of brewing and vintnery.  I have heard that there was an order of monks in Mulmaster back then that were renowned for their libations.  You wouldn't happen to know what became of them?  If only some of them were still around, the stories they could tell..."