Quote from sccourge >>

...on top of the corpses stands two figures wielding bloody maces, the blood slowly dropping from both weapons.

(( @DM: Are they wearing house livery? Are there any other living combatants  -- especially wearing house livery? ))

Lore sends Kess forward a little way, invisible and stealthily to take in the scene.

Piers suggests "I could summon a fog that will obscure their vision.They will know someone is here but they won't be able to find us..Or I could summon vines to trap them but would lead to a confrontation eventually.Oh I almost forgot ..I can distract them by making them believe there is  a small animal ..like an illusion but is more of creating a sound"

Cat corrects herself "I meant assassins." 

Cat says to Piers plan formulating in her head "Fog cloud would be good, as long as you don't get this room. Drux you and I need to stick and fight together considering our training."

She signs in thieves cant "My fellow rogue"    

"But first, maybe we should see if we can get to that door north of here or just lure them here. Does that sound good?"

(Just remember fog cloud trumps all vision except blindsight.)

Drux signs back, “Absolutely, let’s stick together.” He then moves his hands to his handaxes.

"If we lure them here I can  make a trap.It works only for one but then again it's better to fight one tha two at the same time. IF you agree tell me when to start"

As the plot thickens, Cat shakes her head, draws her rapier then hands Drux a dagger "You may want to use this along with the axe if you want to get your sneak attack in. But when they get close use your breathweapon, Stand over there" She points to the other side of the door.

As she continues to whisper "Fog cloud will do, Piers. Those people are dying! We don't have time for more than one spell. When I say 'now' cast it, please."

(Snare casting time takes, 1min. Fog cloud and entangle one action and are concentration spells)

If the group agrees Cat cracks the door watches as she shouts with a sob.. "Call the city watch! Someone Killed my father!"

Then says "Now" To Piers if the Assassins get close enough (ten feet.) 

ooc: If they come thru the other door use thunder-wave piers 

Fog cloud is a 40ft wide circle (20ft radius) and seeps around corners gaps exedra you probably could get almost the whole building. 

Cat does not notice anything about them, except from their strange clothes tipically worn by assassins, that they are guarding the corritor and will probably attack on sight.

( no, the two thugs aren't wearing livery. and about the living combatants. . .you cannot see the other ones, for now, only the thugs are visible, as the fight is upstairs.)

kess nods, quickly turning invisible and rushing towards the north door, knocking on it three times. 

the guards looks towards the door, confused, as one walks towards it to check, cat opens the door screaming. the two thugs look at her, emotionless. they quickly walk towards you- not with the intention to help, but obviously the intention to kill. luckly, as they get close, piers extends his hand with a black smoke appearing trough the palm of his hand, quickly covering the thugs. you can hear their protests of confusion, as they attack the darkness of the smoke in vain. (as long as you don't get near the two thugs, combat can be avoided. however if you wish to attack, roll initiative)

Drux takes the dagger confused, thinking to himself, the handaxe is the better choice. “Ok…” and he goes to get into the position she pointed out by the door. He will follow her lead as to whether or not they will attack or sneak by.

Cat shakes her head whispering "I saw a door north of here, at the corner. Lets head that way back thru the kitchen. We may need your fog-spell again Piers"

"As you wish my lady " says Piers with courtesy and bows smiling. He is ready to cast the spell once is being needed "We need to avoid conflict if its possible .Its in our best interest to find our guy and get him out of here..Before those assasins  take care of him!"

you manage to pass trough the two thugs that where confused, attacking the darkness in search for the group "where are them! whe're not supposed to let anyone pass!" he says annoyed, as you pass trough the stairs and enter the door in the corner, managing to close it without getting the thugs's attention. you find yourselves in some kind of library, filled with books.

A very large and impressive fireplace dominates the north wall of this wood-paneled library. As you would expect from a family with this level of wealth, the tall bookshelves are packed with tomes. Sliding wooden ladders mounted on rails allow for easy access to higher shelves.

In one corner stands an iron lectern with a closed, locked, leather-bound tome resting on it.

Two padded chairs face a large fireplace. One has a wolf skin draped over it.

Piers dislike the sight of a animal's skin being used for decorating a furniture rather than use it for an actual need like a cloak. "we must be in a library..look all of those books.." he points at the tome "What is that?"

”I believe, they call that a book Piers. But I could be wrong.” Drux takes a look around to see if any of the titles stand out to him while the book worms do their thing. 

Perception 12 

ooc: I was referring to going back thru the kitchen to the north door then to the northeast door with the dead guards and two thugs, to avoid the assassins.

IC:

Cats chest heaves with a sigh, taking in the smell of books. She says quietly and insistently. "As much as I want to go thru here with a fine tooth comb, we don't have time guys."   She peaks out the door looking up the stairs. perception 10.

Piers chuckling moves towards that lectern as he is curious about the tome" I know its a book drux but I meant what kind of a tome is it?"

Trying to make a point he says "If you want to know someone ,check  what he reads,what kind of paintings like ,or music etc"

the books have great variations of colors, sizes and genders, and they are well kept. They include historical texts, play scripts, novels, and poetry collections.

the tome is well furnished with gold addorns, fine leather, and the lock appears to be made of silver. it looks pretty important.

while looking around, drux sees a small, unsigned Letter on the armrest on one of the chairs. here's what it's written inside:
"Vecna Values the continuous support your house served throughout this year. the teleport points are doing nicely, and thanks to that, we've managed to obtain precious results with our research. Despite a few inconveniences, we managed to Polish the required ritual to recreate the Unholy hand of our lord. Now, the Key to mold the Eye rests on the Stone. The Gnome posesses it. Use the necklace that has been provided to you- you will know what to do. I shall personally visit once you have the item in your possession." 

looking out, the thugs are still trying to hit the group, believing they are inside the fog. looks like intelligence is not the strong asset of the two . . .

unfortunately cat cannot see much that is happening on the stairs. she can, however, hear the battle sounds and a few shadows moving from the upper level

"I sure would like to know, what's going on up there." Cat states whispering to the group.

(books have genders?)🤣

( i meant as literary genders, like fantasy, sci-fi, yk? english is not my main language sry XD

“They have teleport points,” Drux says holding out the letter. Drux will take a look in the desk drawers before moving on.

Investigation 13