Relic pauses a moment to study the image of the dwarf... the Warforged may well be from the same time period as the little man...

History: 17

"Most intriguing indeed," the robot says. "I completely agree that it would be a good idea for us to hold onto the book... but it probably isn't necessary to read it at this exact moment if doing so will use up your stores of magical power, considering how many other problems may be down here that could use your attention..."

“There seems to be a lot more going on here than simple abductions of townsfolk,” Gaius adds.  “I am a bit uneasy about the rats and your thought they are under control by someone or something else.”

Gaius will collect the books to bring them with us.  He looks at the painting to see if it can easily be made portable.

[[sorry for the delay]]

While Relic doesn't recognize the specific dwarf in the painting, he does recognize the symbols accompanying the dwarf as belonging to the Goldsmith clan. By his knowledge the Goldsmith clan, while not in the area yet during Relic's time, did have plans on establishing villages and towns within the hills a few days away from where Hampstead is located. He recalls their villages tended to have an entrance near the surface along with some space there for simple dealings and then go deeper in elevation for the bulk of the town. \

Quote from NaruTika61265 >>

Gaius will collect the books to bring them with us.  He looks at the painting to see if it can easily be made portable.

 [[sorry, missed this part]]

The painting is roughly 2ft x 2ft. A bit cumbersome for hauling, but doable. 

(Assuming that Relic shares this - )

Raker says “Perhaps that is more to the heart of the matter, after we finish exploring here, we may need to seek the Goldsmith clan and perhaps this relic is being used, that is how they are accomplishing this.  Whoever “they” is.  Where now?”

“Well put, Raker,” Gaius nods.  “Perhaps we continue while we have strength.  We can fall back to the town if need be.  I am concerned we have not yet found the woman we seek.”

Looking out to the strange pit, “Let’s pick a hall and continue.  How about to the right?” (( Left on the map ))

(( Gaius moves the Light Stone to illuminate that passage. ))

Gaius moves to the entry point of the hallway and advances the Light Stone ahead of him to show the way.

Relic remains in thought for a few moments, before sharing what he remembers.

"I think the dwarf in the painting may have been a member of the Goldsmith clan, who were planning to establish some towns within the surrounding mountains," he says. "The Goldsmith clans often had entrances near the surface... I suspect we may be in the space where they would have conducted negotiations and similar business dealings, and if we continue to explore we may find a way deeper into the town itself. But I have never heard of dwarves engaging in kidnappings like Hampstead is experiencing... which makes me wonder if perhaps they were overrun by invaders some time ago."

To the left passage is another opening similar to the first. Again there's a sloping pit in the middle with the dim glow from the walls around. Immediately visible upon entry is a hoop on one of the walls with a rough ball on the ground. In the pit seems to be an open set of empty drawers like cabinet of sorts. And on another wall in the room is a dartboard with some darts.

If the giant rat is no longer in the hall, Gaius moves for a clear view of this room.  He looks about for any other clues about what the room is used for.  Are there tracks in the dirt?  Other items lying about?

Investigation = 5

Raker follows along, peering ahead into this new room.  When he sees the ball and the hoop, he walks forward and picks up the ball, lifting it over his head, and throws it through the hoop to see if anything happens.  “What is this…”

Dexterity check : 11

The rat scampers off as Gaius approaches, allowing entry into the room. With a 5 for investigation, Gaius isn't able to find much but the room strikes him as somewhat mixed use with perhaps recreational purposes amongst its uses.

The ball bounces against the rim of the hoop but makes it through from Raker's toss. As best as he can tell there's no additional effects from the toss.

Gaius wonders at Raker’s antics.  Perhaps it is some ritual of his bird-people? 

Gaius moves towards the exiting hall with the Light Stone.  He examines the dart board closely as well.

Investigation = 11

Investigating the dartboard shows that it seems to be well-used over a period of time. It's scuffed and pocked with marks from darts. There's also signs of wear on tear on the darts and a little bit of rust beginning to form, though still suitable for casual dart games.

To the South the dim light of the walls seems to unveil another opening and a round table is visible.

Gaius moves to look down the hall with the Light Stone out in front.  If the giant rat leaves, he moves down the hall.

Moving down the hall, Gaius comes upon a large chamber. In the chamber there's another pit like the other rooms, larger and with deeper inclines*. More giant rants walk around. Hovering over the deepest part of the pit is a creature with a large eyeball and 4 eyestalks protruding from its head. It faces the sorcerer. "Has the mistress sent you?" it asks. There's resignation in the sound of its voice. "Is she so envious she cannot bear even my dominion over the rats?"

*yellow lines are a 10ft descent and DC 7 Athletics to climb 5ft.
*the z= I have on some of the tokens is an indicator for where they are on the z-axis. ground-level (ignore that you're already underground) is z=0, floating 5 ft up is z=5, being 5ft down (for example in a pit) is z= -5, etc.

Gaius looks to the creature speaking to him, “Well, she is a bit concerned that you are being distracted from your purpose here.”  He looks about nonchalantly to examine the table before him and anything on it.  If something is there, he picks it up to look at it boredly.  “Why don’t you repeat your purpose so I can relay to her you have not become distracted?”

Persuasion = 24

On the table is an assortment of simple bowls available for picking up as he speaks.

"Distracted from my purpose?" the being replies with a gruff voice that mixes anger and a hint of annoyed bemusement, "Of course she would put it that way. It's how she lured away my kin." The rats seem to look at the floating eye creature attentively as it speaks. It closes its central eye for a moment, as if in shame, before continuing on. "As for repetition my purpose, I do not understand her need to gloat. She has already found what Tholbruk Goldsmith could not." The creature appears ready to continue conversing. 

Raker moves forward and looks at the bowls on the table, listening to the conversation.  He mimics a woman’s voice, echoing what the stalk eyed creature said, prompting it to hopefully speak further.  “The famed Tholbruk Goldsmith….” he says dramatically, looking at the creature and waiting.