Heavy is the Head - Campaign thread

Eliza is making direct eye contact with Saoirse, not wavering in her last protest, until Lam appears looming over her shoulder, nostrils flared, muscles rippling, hand on the weapon that just bisected the muscle of her little group. An involuntary little "Eep!" escapes her throat, and then "Ok, ok. Just let me go afterwards."

"So, my little ritual was just to figure out how the tower's door is locked. All I was able to figure out for sure is that it's an arcane lock. (She explains how that spell works, much as if she were just reading the rules aloud) There are some numbers written on the door, that I figure might be a hint to the unlock phrase, but they don't make any sense to me - I tried doing math with them and came up with bubkiss. No pattern I can see. So I was going to try to just overload the magic, but I wasn't having any success with that, at all. I don't have anything else physically that's specifically to help with this (she glances at Lam again).... except for a scroll of hold person, and my own personal spellbook. But I'll die before I give up my spellbook, and you wouldn't be able to read it, anyway! I've also got a personal letter, but I swear it's just personal, doesn't have anything to do with the tower. And... Clark managed to swipe a seal from one of the HMC wagons, in case we need to make it look like they've got orders to supply us with provisions. That's how we got food and stuff up here so far, and a bit of gold, but the damn locals don't seem to know what that's worth in trade, anyway. Just... don't cut me down too, ok? I've told you everything."

She hands you the spell scroll, and points to Clark when she mentions the seal, but holds her own spellbook close to her chest. She will not stop you if you try to loot the bodies of her fallen companions.

If you walk up to the artificer's tower, you will see a large metal door set into the stone, with numbers written on it, just as she said. An image approximating that is now in owlbear. https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/5nRs1L_uFdxM/HeavyistheHeadPBP#

Hemlock wanders up to the door to look at the numbers arrayed there and frowns.

"I am not much for numbers, and I guess being a wizard that is something Eliza excels at", he says to the others. "So we can rule out a maths solution".

"Perhaps it is as simple as saying the right numbers in sequence, but it is a pass word not a pass phrase from the spell was explained. Actually, you also said it is a pass phrase. Which is it?", he says suddenly turning to Eliza a little confused.

Eliza does not really want to be involved in this anymore, but talking about solving a puzzle is definitely preferable to dwelling on what just happened, or to being searched. She calms down a bit, and focuses on the puzzle that's been challenging her. "I've been working on the assumption that it's a series of numbers, said together. My experience with arcane locks is that they can be a single word, or a few words said together. There's no reason it couldn't be multiple numbers. That's the point of numbers, innit? That you can express big values using a limited size of words or symbols. Although... if there is a single word, that would be interesting? Perhaps the pattern always converges on a single solution... I'm not sure. Ive been stuck on this for hours."

Hemlock searches the numbers once more.

"Hold on, I think I spot something. It's the number of letters in the previous number", he says. "See, the number sixteen has seven letters, then seven has five letters and so on. That would make the bottom line 2, 3, 5, 4 and 4! So twenty-three thousand, five hundred and forty-four", he says triumphantly.

Saoire had noticed that her attempt to intimidate Eliza hadn't worked as she intended and was silently thankful for Lam's intervention. The bugbear had only needed to cross his arms to make the wizard spill out everything she new. She wondered if the woman had been completely true about everything she said, about that personal letter and all that, but once she started talking about the arcane lock she decided to stop confronting her and focusing on the numbers.

Unfortunately, that seemed to be out of her reach. She had tried adding the numbers, substracting them, finding any kind of pattern that could give the solution. But nothing seemed to work. And when Hemlock suggested that if this was related to numeric patterns Eliza would have already discovered it, the genasi began to wonder about how the numbers could be related to words. Perhaps the first letter of each number would give any clue...?

Hemlock's excited interjection interrupts her thoughts and the genasi smiles at him:

- That sounds right! Hemlock, you're a genius!

She then stares at the door, expecting it to make some kind of sound indicating that it has been unlocked. But quickly returns her gaze to Eliza. Will the human leave now of her own accord now that the tower she wanted to break in will probably be opened?

Lam has been staring at the numbers on the door trying to figure out the trick to them. He had just been spelling out the numbers in his head, and he was about to speak up to ask about it himself, when Hemlock calls out the solution. He takes a bit more time to spell out the numbers to himself to confirm he understands, then turns to Hemlock. “That is right. Hemlock is smart. Two three five four four.” He seems proud of himself for understanding what Hemlock meant about the letters in the numbers.

He intentionally takes a couple of steps away from Eliza to try to make it clear she is free to leave if she wants. He looks towards his friends, and towards the door to see if it reacts to anything they just did.

Sha-gravis is slack jawed with amazement at Hemlock's acumen in regards to such an oblique puzzle.  Not wanting to speak and clearly show his ignorance, he instead remains silent, waiting to hear their next coarse of action.  It seems as though the bodies will perhaps need to await proper internment.  Sha watches the nonverbal exchange between Lam and Eliza, still shocked by the power of his friend, first the bars of dwarven steel, now this- Wow.

When Hemlock speaks the number, a shimmer becomes visible in front of the door, and then fades slowly downwards. Eliza puts her palm.to her face and grumbles. "Count the letters for spelling the numbers. Bull... simple... can't belive I didn't think of.." 

When the last of the shimmer fades away, the door swings inwards on invisible, soundless hinges, opening to a large round room. At the far end of the room, a spiral staircase continues along the wall. There are bits of crumbled decorative pillars or statues, but the walls are in very good condition, with a metallic patch over a couple small sections of the stone. Part of the spiral staircase is repaired with metal rather than stone as well, a patchwork effect that manages to look continuous, but is clearly more focused on function than form. There is a bench along the wall all the way around the room, suggesting that this was once a waiting area of some kind. In the center of the room, the transparent image of an older, kind-but-wise looking woman in wizard's robes stands. She speaks a calm, clear message, as she appears to face your direction, interrupted by a number in a different, slightly monotonous tone, making no note of your having entered through a locked door.

"Welcome to the Silver Stream Outpost of the Arcane Research, Thought, and Services guild. At ARTS, we expand the frontiers of magic, and offer services to local hosts, for a price. I'm afraid none of our wizards are available at the moment. THIS OUTPOST HAS BEEN UNSTAFFED FOR 101.62 YEARS. You are welcome to wait until one of our wizards becomes available."

The image bows gracefully, and then disappears. Eliza stares in open astonishment, and then looks back and forth between the party members trying to choose her words carefully. Finally, she swallows and says "OK, so you guys said you're here to accomplish a mission, and didn't know about the bounty, right? So... can I come along, collect the gnome and his research, and take the bounty for myself? I'll share! Plus... I want to see what this tower has to offer."

"Hm, I wonder if the locking mechanism was created by these wizards then, not the artificer who now occupies the tower", Hemlock says after listening to the message. He then turns back to Eliza as she makes her request.

"You have changed your tune, a moment ago all you wanted from us was your life", he says skeptically. "It seems your inquisitiveness outweighs your desire for self preservation. Or is it more like greed I wonder", he says taking a good look at her.

"Our purpose here and your bounty are at odds for certain, meaning we cannot allow you to collect. But having someone knowledgable in the arcane arts might prove useful. So which is it, inquisitiveness or greed that makes you wish to continue with us?", continuing to watch her closely, trying to figure her out.

Insight: 19+6=25

"It's... both, obviously. I've got something to settle with the HMC, and that would be a lot easier if I had something to trade - this bounty seemed like a perfect opportunity. But, a thieves' guild kid doesn't get to know anything about magic, or a spellbook, unless she grabs every opportunity to learn something new about the Arcane arts. Every spell in this boom is one I earned, or a secret I found, nobody stopped to teach me. And now... in one of the ARTS' towers... I thought they were a myth. It definitely seems like the sort of place where I can learn something new. So yeah, curiousity might kill this cat one day, and that (she points at Lam's axe) might be what she uses to do it, but I want to learn what I can. Hell, from what the major image lady said, the gnome is probably long dead if he's here. Look at all the dust on the ground. Maybe i can find some evidence of his death, and collect the bounty without running against your goals? Then Gordon and (her throat catches before she get out the next name) Clark won't have died for nuthin'."

 Eliza raises her hands in a gesture of surrender, but she also cranes her neck to look more at what she can see inside. Hemlock can tell that she is telling the truth in most everything she says - clearly she had some sort of teacher at some point, although it's blatantly true that she hasn't had formal training - but she certainly is still here to serve herself. Whatever her business with the HMC is, it's personal, and she feels verybstrongly about it. If opportunity arose for her to get rid of all of you and accomplish her goals, there's little doubt that she would betray you. At least, the way she feels about you right now, anyway.

Saoirse also looks with curiosity once the door opens and the message appears, but she's too troubled by Eliza's present to say anything on the recorded message. This woman is not about to leave, is she? That question is quickly answered when the wizard asks not only to come along, but to take hold of the gnome's research and the gnome himself. 

- You have to be kidding me - she interjects. But her eyebrows shoot in even deeper surprise when Hemlock somewhat leaves an open door for that to happen instead of answering with an outright negative. The firbolg isn't wrong in that her arcane knowledge might be useful, but how the hell are they going to investigate about the Crown - or ask this Fitzwhistle Cobblepot, provided he's still alive, about it - having Eliza around? And what will she do if she learns about such a powerful artifact? Won't she try to do anything in her power to get her hands on it? - This is a bad idea. We are supposed to carry on with our investigation privately. I don't think we should proceed with her around - the genasi looks at Eliza as she says this, not hiding her distrust in the very least.

Lam stares at the recorded message, which implies that nobody is here- or at least, that no wizards are here. He thought the artificer was obviously still alive, but maybe he isn’t? Or maybe he is the only one left in this place? Either way, Lam has no idea how to do this investigation, so he is glad his friends are here.

Regarding the human who still has not left them, Lam is of two minds. He still feels bad about how the battle went and thinks it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Eliza could find evidence of the artificer’s death to collect the bounty without also finding secret information to deliver directly to the Strixwells. On the other hand… he doesn’t see how that would happen. He looks to his friends, not wanting to make the decision for them, but he does take out his Greataxe and begin to hold it again as a low, wary growl escapes him.

Eliza seems to think that this is more likely to go her way if she let's you discuss than if she keeps pushing to join you. She stays silent, and attempts to seem demure.

Sha-gravis asks Eliza to help him if it's okay with the rest of the party he would like to prep the dead and burn them.  It may take a few minutes, provided the door in and out is accessible.  It should give everyone a chance to discuss Eliza in private.  If the conditions are met, Sha and Eliza will head out take any valuables off the bodies lay them out in a safe location then after a brief prayer, Sha will use sacred flame until they are consumed.

Hemlock looks around at the faces of his companions, nodding as his eyes meet Saoirse's.

"I am sure the door can be opened again, and if not some of us can remain inside to be sure", he says to Sha.

Turning back to Eliza, "I think dealing with your friends would be the best course of action, before you leave. It is true that our purpose is of a sensitive nature, and despite believing your curiosity drives you, I have no doubt you will betray us if the opportunity arises. We will have enough uncertainty to deal with inside, without having to watch our backs. Of course now you know what is here, and how to access it, you can simply return in a few days".

Eliza nods, with a slight frown. She is not hiding her disappointment as she follows Sha to dealing with the bodies. She walks as widely away from Clark's body on her way to Gordon's, not looking in Clark's direction on the way. Gordon's chailmail is warped by being heated, and cut in half just below the ribs, ruined. But his corpse has a longsword in fine condition, and a few javelins. There is a small purse of coins (3 gold, 5  silver), and around his neck is a woven pendant, showing seven silver stars around a pair of eyes. "Yeah, Selŭne, like i said. Say some nice words about sending him to her eternal light or whatever. Hey, if you guys are all goody-goody, you won't take his money, right?" Eliza looks at Sha, and reaches out, palm up. She os still pointedly not looking towards Clark.

Inside the tower, there is no change for a while, and the door hangs easily open. The staircase looks accessible, and there's not much else to note in the open room, after the holographic  image ceased. Eliza and Sha are out of earshot, and you can discuss without them hearing unless you shout.

The fire genasi exhales, relaxing now that the matter with Eliza seems solved.

- I'm sorry. I understand that counting on her arcane knowledge would have surely come in handy, but I just didn't want us to start asking about the Crown and such with her around - she says, and then looks around - Well, Eliza mentioned the gnome could be dead, but Cylence did say that the people from Village tree used to trade food and other stuff with him. He didn't say when was the last time that happened, but I took it as if it was recently. And someone must have fixed those, right? - she says, pointing to the stairs - I hope he's alive, and in a talkative mood... - she frowns a little when she says that, indicating that this is the part that worries her the most. Saoirse imagined the Artificer as someone not very willing to share any knowledge after spending so much time apparently on his own. And because something that Tux Strixwell wrote in his Journal of Secrets: "The artificer's pitiful condition... I can think of only one thing which could have done this to him."

- Anyway, we should be careful. Apart from the arcane lock, there could be other means of security. 

Unless either Hemlock or Saoirse tries to get Lam to come inside, he aims to stay near the entrance of the tower and watch Sha and Eliza from a distance. He listens for loud noises of any kind coming from Hemlock and Saoirse’s direction, but he watches what Sha and Eliza do.

“Yes I will take his money.  It furthers the will of the Goddess.  Your companion knew half the truth but soon he will know the whole.”  Once everything is accounted for sacred flame consumes them.  Sha notices Lam at the entryway and gives a nod in his direction.

"Gnomes in my experience are very long lived, I would be surprised if the amount of time that has passed will matter that much, but that just accounts for aging. I need to read that journal more thoroughly, it does sound like this artificer is in a bad way. Does it suggest an allegiance with the Strixwells, or was he a captive?", Hemlock replies to Saoirse. Whilst the others are busy, he waits in the doorway and takes out his Self-Filling Herb pouch, opening it and allowing the sunlight to bath the herbs inside. He smiles as he sees that they have almost completely regrown, and are pretty much ready for harvesting again.

As he sits, he starts to feel the pains of the combat. Clark had not held back, the arrow wound and stab from the sword were proof of that.

"Perhaps I could rest a little while whilst Sha and Eliza sort those bodies?", he suggests in earshot of Saoirse and Lam.