Crimson Sands of Time

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 14

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 5

(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..."

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

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, that 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?"

Gravity stares at the colorful piece of cupcake and thinks about her strict diet. When her stomach starts to make rumbling noise she recalls that she had skipped the breakfast as well as the lunch, and unintentional fasting can make her exhausted. Thus, she grabs the cupcake and unwraps part of the delicious treat before starting to nibble like a glutton.

"Chomp..mp... tell me more about this 'Theyrssa' or 'Theryssa' woman. Is she somehow connected to the temple?"

The bartender snakes at Angus, "Aye, and some still do.  Our brew meister was such a monk once.  Folk take a shine to the beer, sometimes want to see how it's made.  You can take the stairs over there and head down.  I wouldnt wait too long. It's getting on in hours and Sorren won't be down there all night.  He locks up when he's not about his business. He's sharp as ever, elces you know, they dont fall.apart quite as quick as the rest of us."

The vendor refuses to answer the question, instead inquiring as to Gravity's opinion if the baked good she's eating. "Wonderful texture isn't it, dear?  It's sweet, but not too sweet.  Anyone csn make sweet.  Ojr master baker's recipes strive for subtle layers of nuanced flavors.  They don't just hit you over the head shouting their names.  They were crafted with a ruined Palette in mind.  A delicate morsel for a discerning tongue."

Hoping she gets the hint that it's best not to speak so boldly of the Lady of Crime right in front of her door, of all places.  Not that any place in Mulmaster would truly be safe for such an exchange

Angus thanks the man, and heads down the stairs to seek Sorren, former Ilmateri monk.