Once in the cellar, Corvus will point out the ritual marks on the floor. As he does so he explains what he and Drezmir had gleaned from it. "Celestial, Infernal, and elvish all mixed together. It's quite odd. If this is not enough evidence for you, I don't know what is."

Drezmir, realizing that this must be difficult for Gwen, hesitantly reaches over to put a hand on her shoulder...his isn't sure if its the right thing to do, but he hopes he can offer some comfort. Looking to where Jess is binding Simon, he says to Gwen, "If it brings you any solace, the only words that seemed to give him pause were those that involved you. I don't think he is proud of what he's done, he's just gotten himself in so deep that he desperately wants to believe it was the right thing to do."

After he says this, he removes his hand from her shoulder and turns to the Commander, "I see, well I'm glad that our efforts have not been in vain. I'll keep an eye out for this fairy, though like the rest of my comrades I've about used up all my tricks...at least the one's that would be useful in this situation..." He trails off as if something just occurred to him, but he doesn't bring it up. Instead he looks to the guards who are ready to leave in search of the thief. He wants to help them, but he isn't sure if staying in a large group would be very useful. He also remembers that Gwen wanted to tell him something...though he isn't sure it's the proper time to bring that back up. So, he says, "Would it be beneficial if we spread out to cover more of the manor? Perhaps we could split into two groups, two of us with two of you so that you can guide us through the building? It might be easier to weed this thief out that way." 

The party had now split off, Jess and Gilded were headed to the treasury (Room 12.) https://i.imgur.com/dV7AZ8X.jpeg

Walking on in the guards see the chest for the town's supplies was open! Upon counting the coins it was missing around 500 gold pieces! Standing up the guards look around but it isn't too long before the guards here at the left of the treasury. "Hey you stop right there!"

"Wait.. A few of the guards must have avoided the castle assault after all! But why?!"

Upon opening the door on the left side of the treasury (Room S top left) They see a hallway with open windows and two guards pointing spears at a fairy! The fairy as tiny as he was, was literally jingling with gold as he flown. Now there was six guards in total along with Gilded and Jess though they looked incredibly banged up.

"Hey you.. Halt!"

Meanwhile Corvus had led the guards to the cellar explaining what he could.

"Well.. I can't say I understand these languages, and it'd be easy to argue it could be any research except.. The paper you've shown me already lets me know the truth of the matter. So than.. Shall we get to destroying this area?"

The captain had pulled out his longsword ready to smash every book and vial he could.

Back at Simon's quarters Drezmir had placed a hand upon Gwen and words of comfort. She looked up at him and offered a meek smile.

"Thank you Drezmir, you've.. Been a good friend to me truly."

Gwen looks to Drezmir as he talks of spreading out and covering more ground.

"I'll go with you, perhaps you and me can check the back exit of the manor. If he hasn't left yet we can keep a lookout for him while the others chase him down."

Drez gives a wry smile, chuckling a little, "I try my best."

He is a little disappointed that none of the guards listened to his idea of splitting up, but he supposes they are just tired and used to working as a unit. At least Gwen listened, "Alright, I'll let you lead the way. This place is like a maze."

He looks to Kocino (assuming he hasn't gone with Jess and Gilded, or Corvus), "Hey, do you want to come too? I know we're all a bit beat up so it would be best if there were more then two of us searching this direction. Or if you'd rather help them secure Simon, that's fine. I'm sure the two of us can handle a simple thief. Right Gwen?"  

(OOC: Is the Commander still here with Simon? Or have they already taken him away?)

OOC
Commander has taken Simon with him to the cellar with Corvus. Keeping his larger force to keep an eye on Simon while the four guards head to the treasury.

"Yes, destroy it. Do not leave any of it undisturbed lest someone finds remnants of it." Corvus replies, "I would even go as far as burning those books and vials, as well as scorching the floor." He straitens and says, "Now, if I am no longer needed, I will go find my companions. I can't help much with this as I am right now."

OOC: Okay, I must have missed that. It won't really change what Drezmir said though. He'll still see where Kocino wants to go so that he isn't left behind. 

Jess also calls out, “Please, stop, the town needs that money!”

She marvels at what a busy place the manor is today. But then reflects, all this commotion would be the perfect opportunity for someone to take advantage and try to steal something. Perhaps they had been casing the joint for some time? And a disturbing thought: did they have intel on the group’s intentions to act today? Or was it all a coincidence…

Kocino cracks his neck. “I suppose I’m not totally out of gas yet. Let’s go find a thief.”

The commander gestures his guards to take Simon away to a cell.

"Keep a close eye on Simon, I want no breaking out attempts. I'll meet you at dungeon once I'm done destroying this. Thank you sir, for helping us find this."

With those calm orders the commander begins to viciously slash and tear at the vials and books around. Displaying some impressive brute force, he nods to Corvus when the mention of books is brought up. He shall have to return with matches. Gwen see's the commander take the bulk of his forces despite Drezmir's claim however.. It's probably to keep a close eye on Simon as he is very dangerous. Gwen looks at Drezmir and Kocino and nods as she beguns to head to the first floor with them.

"Haha it's not so bad to get around here.. Well.. Maybe a little. Hmm? Sure it's just one thief right? Though I'm not too proud to admit that we all look exhausted."

The guards beside Jess draw their weapons ready to corner this thief. As Jess tells the thief that the town needs this money.

"Careful! He's already escaped earlier today! He's a crafty bugger!"

(OOC: Drez was only asking for the 4 guards who were going to go search for the thief to split up, not the ones who were going to help with Simon. His thought was that they could split the party into two groups: 2guards with 2of our group members. So two groups of 4 (since Corvus went elsewhere). Its fine though. Just wanted to clarify.)

"Well, if the guards have given him any trouble...I think they said he was wounded right? We should be able to handle it. Three to one is still an advantage even if we are a bit under the weather." Drez talks as he and Kocino follow Gwen to the first floor. "Maybe this place isn't as much as a maze as I thought, but it's still the biggest building I've ever been in." 

Gwen looked over to Drezmir as they began to descend into the second floor, as they did so Gwen had looked into the museum hall. There was many glass encased artifacts but the one that stood out? Was a golden sword wrapped in a glass casing.

"So.. You guys didn't need the Dawnblade in the end huh? Actually it doesn't appear anything is really missing... Even Simon's personal funds on his desk were still there when I came in. I was sure some things would be missing since the talk of "looting" had come up before. At least the weapons to defeat Simon but.. You guys really did it without taking those. That being said.. I will work out with the commander to get you guys a proper reward. It's least we can do for you.. Ya know?"

OOC
Oh that makes sense! Maybe he coulda use some persuasion only cause the two members heading out with them were very wounded.

Kocino looks at the cases. “It’s a beautiful blade. If nothing got taken, what is the thief doing here?”

Drezmir gives a small laugh, "Honestly, I think everyone was to busy fighting to worry about looting. The only time we really stopped to think was right before going in to meet Simon."

He pauses, all this talk of rewards...he didn't do it for the money. Still, he knew the rest of his comrades would greatly appreciate some coin for their troubles. Especially Vex, he deserves some compensation after his near death experience. Jess too for that matter. He could tell it was difficult for her to let Simon get away with his life, but he was grateful for it. "I'm sure my comrades would appreciate that." 

He nods at Kocino's inquiry, "Yes...if not the Dawnblade...why did the thief risk breaking into here of all places? Unless he's just a thrill seeker."

(OOC: Its all good, they were kinda walking away already anyways. Plus, Drez just assumed that they probably still don't fully trust them, which is understandable.)

With a little bit of alarm the tiny fairy runs across the hallway and jumps out the window without a moment's hesitation. His green, insectile wings immediately open and he is soon aloft, fleeing the premises. The wind whips through his coppery hair as he hits the ground running, He bolts straight out to the back exit of the manor, whistling to the others hiding around the corner and motioning for them to join him while running as far and as fast as he can.

(What should I roll for this?)

Corvus bows to the commander then makes his way back up to where he last saw the others. On his way, he keeps an eye out for any suspicious people or interesting objects, specifically a chest that the key might go to.

Perception: 17

Gilded takes off as soon as he sees the fairy, he tries to grapple with it before it can jump out the window.

Initiative: 20

Athletics: 19

Gwen had looked back to Kocino as they now began to descend to the first floor. The first floor.. And the second even for that matter looked like a battleground. Dead guards, and some of Robin's men laid dead as well. Though on the first floor Gwen's knights (Those remaining) had many of the guard tied up. An attempt was made to spare as many as they could but there was still plenty of death.

"Well.. Kocino even if the artifacts are safe the treasury could be in trouble. I'm sure that's why they went to go check the treasury."

Gwen looks to Drezmir before offering a small chuckle, though seeing the corpses around? That chuckle was indeed a bit meek.


"Oh? I see, were you all getting along I hope?"

She said as an attempt to avoid the heavy tone around her. She knew she couldn't ignore these deaths.. Not forever but at least a moments reprieve would be nice. As Corvus head's back (if heading the same way back.) He doesn't see anything new heading back. Back in Simon's room his allies are gone but, there still left the bag of gold that Robin had collected on Simon's desk. 

OOC
So roll against Gilded's initiative if you beat it you can head out first. (Dashing to the window)
But if you lose the Initiative you have to make a grapple check. Either Athletics or more likely acrobatics to avoid his grapple. Otherwise he'll successfully Grapple him. 

(ooc: Gotcha. Thanks!)

Initiative: 12

(In case it doesn't work) Acrobatics: 20

(ooc: Yikes...)

Oh shit. The fairy falls with a heavy thud as a weight comes crashing on top of his right before he can reach the window. Gold coins come flying out of his pockets. He barely has time to shout or grunt in protest before he is rendered completely immobile for the time being. "Let go!" He yells, trying unsuccessfully to wriggle free from his assailant's grasp.