"Madame? Are you alright?" Cybele asks, her voice reluctant and unsure. She continues across the room as she waits for the ghost to reply. The sight of the maps distracts her. She wonders if the contents could maybe help them. She goes to the maps to mirror the ghost and look through the maps. 

Investigation: 8

The ghost seems to be unaware of your presence. Examining the maps closely will reveal one that depicts a constellation called the Great Snake. This is the map sought by Zala Morphus. 

Cybele grabs the map and holds it up into the air like a prized fish. "This is it! We've found it! We just need to bring this back to Zala and she can help us be on our way!" Cybele said excitedly. Quite proud of herself for finding the map. 

When Cybele grabs the starchart, the ghost suddenly turns and says in a stern, librarian voice, "Put that down!"

Cybele's eyebrow furrows and throws a very confused, but defensive, look at the ghost. She clutches the map protectively to her chest, turning it slightly away from the ghost. "Sorry madame. Can't do that I'm afraid. We really need this map, not to mention we almost died to get it! No chance, sorry," she informed the ghost in a very matter-of-fact manner. 

The ghost hovers in the space in front of the door to prevent you from leaving. "I am in charge here - you may not take anything away!" (Make your case and roll either Persuasion or Intimidation =)

Seraphina watches as the situation escalates and stands by Cybele, waiting to see what she is going to say next.  She was usually so sweet, this confrontation should be interesting.

(You have several possibilities. You can try to sweet talk your way out (persuasion). You can try to sneak it out (sleight-of-hand). You can try to dispel or destroy the ghost (attack it). Or maybe something else!)

(Sorry for infrequent posts, I am moving very soon :) ) 

"Listen, I don't mean to be insensitive, but you are kinda looking a little....dead. I don't think you'll be able to do much with this," Cybele nods to the map in her arms. "And you've obviously been here a while. It probably be best if someone else took over for a while, yes? A good nap would probably do you some good anyway, why don't you rest a while?" 

Perception: 23 

"A good researcher never quits..." the elf replies. You perceive that he is, in fact, a ghost.

(Lmaoo, idk why I did perception instead of persuasion. Literally wrote out the word and didnt realize. Lovely hahaah. I'll post in just a bit)

"Since you are very clearly, obviously a ghost, without a shadow of a doubt, I'd say you've really very much earned a rest. You can't work yourself to the bone if you don't have any!" 

Persuasion: 8

(Hahaha!! Unfortunately, you actually rolled perception in the game log, so I have to let it stand =( 

"We don't want any troubles. I'll just put that back..." Meiki takes the star chart and pretends to return it to where Cybele found it, but tries to tuck it behind his leather armor while his back is turned! (Sleight of hand: 19 in game log vs ghost researcher Perception: 13)

The ghost actually returns to its searching and lets you all leave, convinced that the druid replaced the chart.

Unfortunately - the spell keeping the butler busy has expired, and now the hook horror is back in the center of the room and angry! (Initiative: Esquire(2) :: Cybele(16) :: Seraphina(14) :: Meiki(10)) 

Esquire clicks and says, "You trick Esquire. Make Master angry at him...but no Master! You must suffer too!" the creature rushes towards you and attacks 2 (1,4=Cybele; 2,5=Seraphina; 3,6=Meiki) with its hooked arm. Attack: 24 Damage: 10

(Did you take 9 hit point from Seraphina?)

Round 1: Esquire(-0) :: Cybele(-5) :: Serpahina(-16) :: Meiki(-10)

Quote from kqstark >>

(Did you take 9 hit point from Seraphina?)

 Yes - Sera is down 16 HP. Party is up!

"Uh oh! I guess I really didn't think that through!" 

Cybele looks like she starts mouthing words and humming to herself, but no one around her can hear any sounds come out. She even starts to sway side to side a little as if dancing to an imaginary beat. 

Dissonant Whispers: 9 

• Esquire attacks Seraphina with its hooked arm.
• Cybele sends dissonant whispers into Esquire's mind (DC13 Wis save: 16)
• Seraphina...
• Meiki utters a command word and frost forms on Esquire. (DC14 Con save: 7 or take 5 frost damage and have disadv on next attack):

Round 1: Esquire(-0) :: Cybele(-5) :: Serpahina(-16) :: Meiki(-10)

Cybele draws out her bow and decides to give it another go. Hopefully it'll go better than it did with the centipede! 

Hit: 7 : Damage: 6 :)