Archie looks over "they're uhhh, friends? I guess? Think of them like you're skelleboys, I've no idea how long they'll stay or off they'll listen to me, but they seem to like these pipes" she raises the pan pipes that reed had discovered in the trapped chest, "anyway if that box thing ends up looking mechanical then I might be the best person to check it out, you keep me informed"
Reya's eyes open wide when she hears Thavius's name, but when she hears more on the context, she furrows her brows and shakes her head. "No no, that can't be right. He's the High Overseer of Elturel. How could he be mixed up with all this? Surely you must be mistaken."
Thurstwell looks from Corlith to Reya, then shrugs, "Believe what you want, girl. It's what is going on." Then back to Corlith, decidedly still not looking to Roo, though cringes when he hears him say 'He called me a chicken', "Yeah, well, Mommy is very ambitious. She wants to rule this city." He clumsily reaches into his robe and tosses a key in the center of the room. "Here's the key to that chest, the puzzle box is in there. And no, I told you, Thavius has the shield."
Roo struts past the key, nodding in acknowledgement to Reed.
"I'm not going to kill this cluck." Roo says as he approaches, the swirling shadow of the curved blade in his hand reaching greedy tendrils toward Thurstwell, just begging for violence. "I'm just going to hurt him real bad."
Roo reaches out with his sickle sword, threatening to grab Thurstwell with the razor sharp hook of the talon.
"This is it? This is all you know?" Roo mocks, getting uncomfortably close to Thurstwell. "This is all you're worth then? A mouthful of dribble and some blurted words? You don't know anything about the maze of your mother's basement? I find that hard to believe. You look like a basement dweller, buck. What sort of fiends does she have down there with her? What can she conjure up for us to fight? How dangerous are your mother and this Fattius Creep fellow? Are you not going to acknowledge my armor? I know the one who wore this armor was here. Tell me. My patience is quickly depleting. You're not giving me much incentive not to make you a banquet for the worms you pathetic cur."
Reed smiles at Thurstwell and picks up the key. He gives Roo a quick salute and then heads over to the chest, decides Thurstwell is probably too scared to be trying anything sneaky and opens the chest with the key.
Corlith takes a back seat for the moment, whilst the others take the lead with Thurstwell. His mind is processing the information that the High Overseer of Elturel was conspiring with devils and the Vanthampur's to take over Baldur's Gate.
He turns to Reya, "What exactly has happened to Elturel? Were you there when it fell? Could it really have been the High Overseer and their devil worshipping allies that caused whatever happened? Did you tell us exactly who you are?". The flood of questions erupts as they cross his mind, forming almost a second interrogation.
During his time of rest, Virro has been examining the spell book that Archie gave to him, oblivious to the world and goings on for a while as he poured through the pages, interested in the knowledge within. He rubs the back of his right hand, murmuring to himself in a low voice, “Another way, another path to secrets unlocked…”. He turns the pages back and forth, taking them in. The end of the book is a little too hard yet for him to understand, but he is fascinated. He goes into a trance for a period of time, clutching his hands to the center of his chest, for a moment taking a necklace hidden under his shirt out and clasping it in his hands, eyes glassy, he says wordless utterings that no one else can hear. After a few more hours pass by, he comes fully to, smiling down at the book in his hands, a look of triumph on his face. He grins a snaggle toothed grin, then stands.
He listens to the interrogation going on, observes what is happening. He leans in to come near Thurstwell, eyes frequently flitting to his fingers. He makes a few motions in the air, casting prestidigitation and a small dotted line like a tattoo appears at the base of Thurstwell’s right index finger. “Oooh, look, a guide for cutting.” He pulls out his dagger, leaning in close to the man. “How many are downstairs in the basement, would you estimate, eh? And anyone else that we should know about, besides your dear mother? Any of your crummy little imps, you little turd of a man, anything else we should know about? Tell me, because each finger I take is more of a reward for us, convince me not to take more.. Look, I have a new pouch specifically for cultist fingers!” He opens the first pouch to show him, fingers trying to spill out and he pokes them back in, then he opens the second pouch, “How empty!”, he makes a frowny face and waits for his reply, looking at the dotted line….
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Thurstwell averts his eyes as much as he can when Roo gets up in his face with his mysterious sickle sword. He starts mumbling when he is questioned, "No.. I haven't ever been... fiends, probably..." but when the rooster asks how dangerous his mother is, he finally turns towards the paladin, a little defiance left in his eyes, "Very." He sighs then, "Pathetic? Sure. But no, I've never seen your stupid armor."
Reed heads over to the chest with the key and it opens easily. Right on top is a cube-shaped container 5 to 6 inches on each side, looks like it is made of bone. Below the puzzle box, the chest also contains a jumble of wrinkled garments, red wax candles, quills, blank sheets of parchment, and jars of ink. It also holds an unlocked wooden coffer containing 73 gp, 120 sp, and a potion of healing, as well as a black-covered tome titled Apocalypto — a poetic prophecy by an unknown author envisioning the end of the multiverse (worth 50 gp).
Reya is still staring at Roo'Stor, unsure how to take the little aarokocra after what happened. That darkness was well.. something. When Corlith addresses her she is a bit startled. "Elturel? It is gone in every sense of the word. My home, my family... it has been lowered into Avernus. There is a crater now where the city once was. Was I there? No. I should have been, maybe could have made a difference? Or at the very least help Elturel now that it is in Avernus... I was a few miles North a bit training, I'm an Elturel Hellrider. Been training since I was 12." She pauses a bit, Corlith can see that talking about her home is a bit emotional for the young woman. "I watched as the Companion's light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon. I...I can't get the image out of my mind." She puts her hand up to her eyes, takes a few breaths, lowers it then continues, "When I returned with my friends, I found a few fearful refugees and I led them West to Baldur's Gate looking for help." Her countenance changes now, more anger then anything, "Before the Flaming Fists closed the city gates we managed to sneak inside, but we didn't get far before a group of Flaming Fist soldiers confronted us. My refugees scattered and I found myself cornered by a Flaming Fist thug." She shudders a bit, "I wounded the solder and fled down an alley, stole a cloak to conceal my armor and weapons... then ran into you guys, as a fugitive." she hangs her head at this.
As Virro starts in and the tattoo appears on Thurstwell's hand, the man's hair starts standing on end, he is at the end of his rope. "In the basement?" his voice is shaking now, unable to control it, "I don't know!! Yes, I'm sure there are followers of my mother, and probably some devils as she loves to consort with them. And yes, probably some of my imps..."He closes his eyes at this and very much cowers at this admission. He doesn't open his eyes again, just sits there and quivers.
Corlith listens to Reya's tale, somewhat shocked at her description of Elturel's fate. He had heard the rumours of course, but never from someone who claimed to be a first hand witness. Of her fugitive status, he still does not care.
"Well then, it seems you have more reason than most to find out the truth about this High Overseer of yours, and make him pay for what he has done. If it is true he is trying to release a powerful devil from this shield, we need to make sure he doesn't succeed".
He looks around at the others, "Are we done here?".
Reya looks up and shakes her head, "Oh no, I don't believe this man one bit. Thavius would never. He would never do anything to hurt Elturel, he's the High Overseer!" She returns Reeds smile, gets up and with one last glance towards Thurstwell, she follows Reed down to the kitchen.
Thurstwell continues to keep his eyes closed and convulsively shivers.
“Fine. That’s it. I’ve had enough. Screw it, I’m taking a thumb. Pouchy is hungry.” Virro slices at Thursty’s right thumb, ignoring his dotted line from before, slicing off his thumb and picking it up, putting it in his pouch. “Are you gonna tell us now? Ahhhh shit.” He watches the pale look on his face and knows the likely result of his excision.
Dagger : 21 to hit (with adv), for 5 points of damage.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith looks closely at Thurstwell, trying to determine if there is any deceit mixed in with his fear, thinking especially about what he said of the High Overseer of Elturel.
When he is done, he will wave give Roo a dismissive wave to indicate he is done with Thurstwell too.
"Breakfast sounds good", he says and leaves before Virro starts on his finger buffet.
Reed makes his way back to the kitchen, keeping an eye out for trouble as he does. Once he gets there he gives Slobberchops some breakfast and then sets about finding eggs and sausages and whatever else the pantry has to offer and starts on making breakfast, sure the others will be a long soon.
"Sunny side up?" he asks Reya.
Before she can answer something in the corner of the room catches his eye.
"Ah. Told you I'd see you again soon. No, I'm not listening to that. Go talk to your brother for awhile," Reed says to the air.
He looks back over at Reya.
"They should be along soon now. Looks like Thurstwell's dead now too."
As Virro cuts off the eldest brother's thumb, blood drains... and drains and finishes the man off.
The smell of breakfast makes it's way upstairs to the rest of you still up in Thurstwell's bedroom. Filing out and rejoining Reed, Reya and Corlith in the kitchen, you all sit down to some breakfast. Reya is kind of quiet as she thinks about her story and what Thurstwell said about Thavius.
Once breakfast is finished, Reya stands up and asks, "Well, shall we head downstairs and finish this?"
Reed puts his plate to the edge of the table to let Slobberchops clean it off if they want to. Then he heads over to the room that has the stairs leading down.
"Well that was a good start," Reed says, then looks over at Virro. "Did you take a finger or thumb? He didn't stop complaining the whole time I was making breakfast."
Reed then goes to the top of the stairwell.
"I can go see if there's anything waiting at the bottom of the stairs," Reed suggests.
He starts down the stairs, trying to be halfling quiet.
During the rest Archie glows blue as the IronMaiden keeps watch, unmoving in their vigil. Come morning Archie is back, stretching and getting ready for the day, she recasts her infusions, swapping out the vents that assist her movement and magically thickening her armour increasing its defensive capabilities, she takes an odd gander at the homunculus servant too, before putting the dancing mechanism back in her pack.
Joining those in the kitchen Archie asks to look over the puzzle box, and off allowed she pulls out some tinkerers tools and tests it's mechanical and magical properties.
Archie looks over "they're uhhh, friends? I guess? Think of them like you're skelleboys, I've no idea how long they'll stay or off they'll listen to me, but they seem to like these pipes" she raises the pan pipes that reed had discovered in the trapped chest, "anyway if that box thing ends up looking mechanical then I might be the best person to check it out, you keep me informed"
Reya's eyes open wide when she hears Thavius's name, but when she hears more on the context, she furrows her brows and shakes her head. "No no, that can't be right. He's the High Overseer of Elturel. How could he be mixed up with all this? Surely you must be mistaken."
Thurstwell looks from Corlith to Reya, then shrugs, "Believe what you want, girl. It's what is going on." Then back to Corlith, decidedly still not looking to Roo, though cringes when he hears him say 'He called me a chicken', "Yeah, well, Mommy is very ambitious. She wants to rule this city." He clumsily reaches into his robe and tosses a key in the center of the room. "Here's the key to that chest, the puzzle box is in there. And no, I told you, Thavius has the shield."
Roo struts past the key, nodding in acknowledgement to Reed.
"I'm not going to kill this cluck." Roo says as he approaches, the swirling shadow of the curved blade in his hand reaching greedy tendrils toward Thurstwell, just begging for violence. "I'm just going to hurt him real bad."
Roo reaches out with his sickle sword, threatening to grab Thurstwell with the razor sharp hook of the talon.
"This is it? This is all you know?" Roo mocks, getting uncomfortably close to Thurstwell. "This is all you're worth then? A mouthful of dribble and some blurted words? You don't know anything about the maze of your mother's basement? I find that hard to believe. You look like a basement dweller, buck. What sort of fiends does she have down there with her? What can she conjure up for us to fight? How dangerous are your mother and this Fattius Creep fellow? Are you not going to acknowledge my armor? I know the one who wore this armor was here. Tell me. My patience is quickly depleting. You're not giving me much incentive not to make you a banquet for the worms you pathetic cur."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Reed smiles at Thurstwell and picks up the key. He gives Roo a quick salute and then heads over to the chest, decides Thurstwell is probably too scared to be trying anything sneaky and opens the chest with the key.
Corlith takes a back seat for the moment, whilst the others take the lead with Thurstwell. His mind is processing the information that the High Overseer of Elturel was conspiring with devils and the Vanthampur's to take over Baldur's Gate.
He turns to Reya, "What exactly has happened to Elturel? Were you there when it fell? Could it really have been the High Overseer and their devil worshipping allies that caused whatever happened? Did you tell us exactly who you are?". The flood of questions erupts as they cross his mind, forming almost a second interrogation.
During his time of rest, Virro has been examining the spell book that Archie gave to him, oblivious to the world and goings on for a while as he poured through the pages, interested in the knowledge within. He rubs the back of his right hand, murmuring to himself in a low voice, “Another way, another path to secrets unlocked…”. He turns the pages back and forth, taking them in. The end of the book is a little too hard yet for him to understand, but he is fascinated. He goes into a trance for a period of time, clutching his hands to the center of his chest, for a moment taking a necklace hidden under his shirt out and clasping it in his hands, eyes glassy, he says wordless utterings that no one else can hear. After a few more hours pass by, he comes fully to, smiling down at the book in his hands, a look of triumph on his face. He grins a snaggle toothed grin, then stands.
He listens to the interrogation going on, observes what is happening. He leans in to come near Thurstwell, eyes frequently flitting to his fingers. He makes a few motions in the air, casting prestidigitation and a small dotted line like a tattoo appears at the base of Thurstwell’s right index finger. “Oooh, look, a guide for cutting.” He pulls out his dagger, leaning in close to the man. “How many are downstairs in the basement, would you estimate, eh? And anyone else that we should know about, besides your dear mother? Any of your crummy little imps, you little turd of a man, anything else we should know about? Tell me, because each finger I take is more of a reward for us, convince me not to take more.. Look, I have a new pouch specifically for cultist fingers!” He opens the first pouch to show him, fingers trying to spill out and he pokes them back in, then he opens the second pouch, “How empty!”, he makes a frowny face and waits for his reply, looking at the dotted line….
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Thurstwell averts his eyes as much as he can when Roo gets up in his face with his mysterious sickle sword. He starts mumbling when he is questioned, "No.. I haven't ever been... fiends, probably..." but when the rooster asks how dangerous his mother is, he finally turns towards the paladin, a little defiance left in his eyes, "Very." He sighs then, "Pathetic? Sure. But no, I've never seen your stupid armor."
Reed heads over to the chest with the key and it opens easily. Right on top is a cube-shaped container 5 to 6 inches on each side, looks like it is made of bone. Below the puzzle box, the chest also contains a jumble of wrinkled garments, red wax candles, quills, blank sheets of parchment, and jars of ink. It also holds an unlocked wooden coffer containing 73 gp, 120 sp, and a potion of healing, as well as a black-covered tome titled Apocalypto — a poetic prophecy by an unknown author envisioning the end of the multiverse (worth 50 gp).
Reya is still staring at Roo'Stor, unsure how to take the little aarokocra after what happened. That darkness was well.. something. When Corlith addresses her she is a bit startled. "Elturel? It is gone in every sense of the word. My home, my family... it has been lowered into Avernus. There is a crater now where the city once was. Was I there? No. I should have been, maybe could have made a difference? Or at the very least help Elturel now that it is in Avernus... I was a few miles North a bit training, I'm an Elturel Hellrider. Been training since I was 12." She pauses a bit, Corlith can see that talking about her home is a bit emotional for the young woman. "I watched as the Companion's light went out, turning black as the city appeared to crumble and sink below the horizon. I...I can't get the image out of my mind." She puts her hand up to her eyes, takes a few breaths, lowers it then continues, "When I returned with my friends, I found a few fearful refugees and I led them West to Baldur's Gate looking for help." Her countenance changes now, more anger then anything, "Before the Flaming Fists closed the city gates we managed to sneak inside, but we didn't get far before a group of Flaming Fist soldiers confronted us. My refugees scattered and I found myself cornered by a Flaming Fist thug." She shudders a bit, "I wounded the solder and fled down an alley, stole a cloak to conceal my armor and weapons... then ran into you guys, as a fugitive." she hangs her head at this.
As Virro starts in and the tattoo appears on Thurstwell's hand, the man's hair starts standing on end, he is at the end of his rope. "In the basement?" his voice is shaking now, unable to control it, "I don't know!! Yes, I'm sure there are followers of my mother, and probably some devils as she loves to consort with them. And yes, probably some of my imps..." He closes his eyes at this and very much cowers at this admission. He doesn't open his eyes again, just sits there and quivers.
Corlith listens to Reya's tale, somewhat shocked at her description of Elturel's fate. He had heard the rumours of course, but never from someone who claimed to be a first hand witness. Of her fugitive status, he still does not care.
"Well then, it seems you have more reason than most to find out the truth about this High Overseer of yours, and make him pay for what he has done. If it is true he is trying to release a powerful devil from this shield, we need to make sure he doesn't succeed".
He looks around at the others, "Are we done here?".
Reed cleans out the chest, tossing the puzzle box up in the air a few times.
When he catches the end of Reya’s story he smiles.
”I think if we have a nice breakfast down in the kitchen you’ll feel better. Eating always makes me feel better.”
Reed waves a dismissive hand in the air at something only he sees.
“We very much can eat your family’s food. How are you going to stop us?
He calls to Slobberchops to come get some breakfast.
He waves good by to Thurstwell.
”I think I’ll be seeing you soon.”
He then heads downstairs, quietly (Stealth 14+9=23) examining the puzzle box for a way inside (Investigation 9+2=11).
"One last thing. Tell me about Odious." Roo says to Thurstwell.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Reya looks up and shakes her head, "Oh no, I don't believe this man one bit. Thavius would never. He would never do anything to hurt Elturel, he's the High Overseer!" She returns Reeds smile, gets up and with one last glance towards Thurstwell, she follows Reed down to the kitchen.
Thurstwell continues to keep his eyes closed and convulsively shivers.
Roo reaches out and hooks the bill of his curved sword into the crotch of Thurstwell's pants.
"I'll try this one last time." Roo says coldly. "Tell me about Odious."
The Gallus then looks around, specifically to Corlith.
"This one is losing his usefulness. I'm done, I believe. Do you want him back?"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
A wet spot grows from the crotch of Thurstwell's pants. He doesn't move or open his eyes, but emits a small whimper.
“Fine. That’s it. I’ve had enough. Screw it, I’m taking a thumb. Pouchy is hungry.” Virro slices at Thursty’s right thumb, ignoring his dotted line from before, slicing off his thumb and picking it up, putting it in his pouch. “Are you gonna tell us now? Ahhhh shit.” He watches the pale look on his face and knows the likely result of his excision.
Dagger : 21 to hit (with adv), for 5 points of damage.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith looks closely at Thurstwell, trying to determine if there is any deceit mixed in with his fear, thinking especially about what he said of the High Overseer of Elturel.
When he is done, he will wave give Roo a dismissive wave to indicate he is done with Thurstwell too.
"Breakfast sounds good", he says and leaves before Virro starts on his finger buffet.
Insight: 9+5=14 (Passive: 15)
Reed makes his way back to the kitchen, keeping an eye out for trouble as he does. Once he gets there he gives Slobberchops some breakfast and then sets about finding eggs and sausages and whatever else the pantry has to offer and starts on making breakfast, sure the others will be a long soon.
"Sunny side up?" he asks Reya.
Before she can answer something in the corner of the room catches his eye.
"Ah. Told you I'd see you again soon. No, I'm not listening to that. Go talk to your brother for awhile," Reed says to the air.
He looks back over at Reya.
"They should be along soon now. Looks like Thurstwell's dead now too."
As Virro cuts off the eldest brother's thumb, blood drains... and drains and finishes the man off.
The smell of breakfast makes it's way upstairs to the rest of you still up in Thurstwell's bedroom. Filing out and rejoining Reed, Reya and Corlith in the kitchen, you all sit down to some breakfast. Reya is kind of quiet as she thinks about her story and what Thurstwell said about Thavius.
Once breakfast is finished, Reya stands up and asks, "Well, shall we head downstairs and finish this?"
Reed puts his plate to the edge of the table to let Slobberchops clean it off if they want to. Then he heads over to the room that has the stairs leading down.
"Well that was a good start," Reed says, then looks over at Virro. "Did you take a finger or thumb? He didn't stop complaining the whole time I was making breakfast."
Reed then goes to the top of the stairwell.
"I can go see if there's anything waiting at the bottom of the stairs," Reed suggests.
He starts down the stairs, trying to be halfling quiet.
Stealth: (3+9) = 12
During the rest Archie glows blue as the IronMaiden keeps watch, unmoving in their vigil. Come morning Archie is back, stretching and getting ready for the day, she recasts her infusions, swapping out the vents that assist her movement and magically thickening her armour increasing its defensive capabilities, she takes an odd gander at the homunculus servant too, before putting the dancing mechanism back in her pack.
Joining those in the kitchen Archie asks to look over the puzzle box, and off allowed she pulls out some tinkerers tools and tests it's mechanical and magical properties.
Reed would have flipped the puzzle box over to Archie during breakfast.
-------------------------------------------------------------
After having popped down the stairwell, Reed appears back upstairs after a few seconds.
"Sounds quiet down there," Reed says. "At least the first room looks like it's a storage area."