Erven’s face grows serious and he looks at “Daggy” as they have gotten used to calling him, saying “Do you have any idea who might have kidnapped them, or why?”  His hands tense up and squeeze.  He has a strange new scar at the base of his right forearm, his left hand goes to touch it as he speaks and his eyes remain trained on Lord Neverember.  

"The victims are a strange mix. Nothing seems to connect them." 'Daggy' replies, "There's Umberto Nolin, a gnomish historian. He's written multiple books on different deities. Then we have Eldon Keyward, a scholar of the Outer Planes. Then, Sarcelle Malinosh, she's a human planar traveler blessed with chaos magic. All of those seem somewhat related, as they all have to do with things outside of this realm, but the last one is the real puzzle: Indrina Lamsensettle, an actor who moves in the higher social circles of the city." As he speaks, he pushes four different profiles towards you, each including photos (Indrina's looks particularly glamorous), as well as other information such as connections, past, and other information pertinent to the case.

Once he finishes, he sits back at the chair. "Now, here's the thing: I had the mages at the house of knowledge use magic to track the victims, and the divinations all led to one place: a mausoleum in the Neverdeath Graveyard. I need you to investigate and bring them back. Here" he hands you a map of the city with directions from the Lord Protector's manor to the Neverdeath Graveryard, as well as the name of the mausoleum: the mausoleum of the Hallix Family. "I would appreciate if we could find trhe victims as fast as possible, so if you are ready now, you can go. Oh, and take these" he motions a servant forward, and the servant hands each of you a glass vial containing a bubbling blue liquid. "These are [Tooltip Not Found], when you drink it, your skills will be honed like a blade against a whetstone."

(I love drinking a good old tooltip not found) 

((May Kit attempt s history check to see what she might know about the Hallix family?))

The dark-haired young man shrugs. There was apparently no need to locate the prominent persons, just to free them, but them being kept at the graveyard boded ill. "If it is indeed this cult of Vecna being active again then maybe Lamsensettle would be one to hold secrets which if I recall correctly was of importance to this cult. Not that I would know anything about secrets being shared in the higher social circles." He says with an amused smile as he accepts the [Tooltip Not Found] safely tucking it away in his [Tooltip Not Found]. "Anyway, I'm sure these things will become more clear as we investigate this mausoleum and as there is no time like the present I suggest we go on our merry way there for some brave heroics."

(Intelligence to know anything about the Hallix mausoleum: 4 Another roll if advantage due to being a local: 7)

"Yes," Khessa agrees with Jack, taking a sip from the unusual drink "the secrets are probably the common thread. They all had secrets that Vecna ​​was interested in - although potentially not all in the same scope".

"And I agree with going right away" the blonde arcane warrior smiles. "But once we get close, we'll have to move with caution... I'm a little suspicious that a Dark Overlord interested in secrets would be so reckless as to easily let his own be discovered - such as where he keeps the people he's kidnapped. It could be a red herring that only leads to a trap".

The tall adventuress stands up (and instinctively moves to the front line): "Shall we go and find out?"

((Going to go ahead and make that History check for the Hallix's, 11. Would there be any chance that Kit, as a former noble turned street performer who now works as an investigator/spy for Lord Neverember know anything about Indrina Lamsensettle?))

"She's very pretty," Kit notes as she examines Indrina's picture. "And no doubt charming as well. The kind of person that people might say too much to on order to keep her attention. Jack, I'm sure you know what I mean. Are we quite certain that she's not a tool of the cult rather than their victim?"

"Well let's be off to this graveyard though it might be my fear talking but I hope the dead stay resting in peace." says Ketangu. He then walks out of the palace and to the graveyard 

A grim smile comes on Erven’s face at Ketangu’s words.  “If they aren’t resting, I’ll help them in that regard.  Right.  We better be off.”  He looks to Jack saying “Anything else?  Any other supplies we need, on the way?”

"Have everything I need right here my friend." The dark-haired young man says, patting the small shoulder bag at his side. "Don't know about the rest of you but I would presume you came prepared to fight sinister secret cults. If you are lacking gear in some regard just say so and we will of course equip you with the best Neverwinter has to offer." He continues to explain to the recently reconvened rovers, giving the Lord Pretender a courteous bow before following the tall blonde out the door.

Kit also offers a bow to Lord Neverember and then lengthens her strides to catch up the the others with an unhurried appearance.

"So, just like the good old days, eh? What's the plan?"

"If you refer to that one night in the local sewers, then let's at least hope it won't be quite as stinky as that. I suppose a mausoleum won't be much better in that regard though." The dark-haired young man answers highborn half-elf. "Regarding the plan I think it is to escort the promiment ones back to their safe and comfortable homes, and if we by any chance should run into any difficulties with that we will improvise, less dreary and much more entertaining than making tedious plans wouln't you say?"

Khessa smiles at Jack and Kit's brief talk of the 'plan' and admits: "It's hard to make very detailed plans knowing so little... I personally have no way of investigating further from here. But when we get closer to the mausoleum, I could send a scout to reconnoiter. Besides, as a scout, you would be hard-pressed to find one more competent than our Erven anyway. So, at the moment, I can't think of anything better than a reconnaissance by our scouts once we're there".

"After that..." the blonde arcane warrior shrugs "I suppose we'll have to act on the outcome".

Kit tries not to let the awkwardness and isolation get to her. The fact of the matter is she feels like a fish out of water. Khessa, Erven, and Tabby having bonded over their joint adventures, Ketangu had clearly come into his own, and Jack...even together in Neverwinter their lives had followed very different paths. The number of daring and unsolved thefts that she imagined could be attributed to him...

And what was she? An "errand girl." Jack's words, not hers, but highly accurate. Lord Neverember's minion tagging along to keep an eye on the real adventurers...

"Right. Well you all obviously know what you're doing. Just let me know how I can help."

 The group leaves the house, stepping out onto the street. You begin to walk towards the graveyard, some of you engaged in conversation, others in thought.

As you walk, you hear a voice calling to you "Wait!" says a feminine voice, and you turn and find Kevori hustling towards you, her shiny armor glinting in the afternoon sun. "You left in such a hurry, I didn't get to mention I'd be accompanying you" she says, looking around at the people who helped her avenge her brother.

As her eyes pass over the assembled, her brown cheeks warm ever so slightly, the company of friends giving a new vibrant life to her demeanor that wasn't present when she was standing ever so stiffly by Lord Neverember's side.

Kit recedes into her thoughts, and remembers that the Hallix family were once prominent nobles who disappeared from the city after being rumored to be involved in a massive conspiracy many years ago. Despite their tarnished reputation, the masoleum of the family still stands, as the prospect of dishonoring the dead frightened all.

The item was a Potion of Heroism, to be clear.

Jack turns and welcomes Kevori to join them with a bright smile. "Keeping an eye on us for your master?" He asks with a good-natured but slightly teasing tone, then turning to continue. "About sending in a scout I think I might have that covered. Say hello to my accomplice...ehm associate." The dark-haired young man continues after a moment and you see a tiny figure appearing in the air by his shoulder, giving you all a bright smile and a small wave of her tiny hand. "This is Ariel, she will fly ahead and scout out the graveyard for us making sure there are no sinister cultists waiting for us there." He says and the small faery disappears again.

(Invisible Ariel Stealth: 13 and Perception: 12)

"No, not even Lord Neverember's representative then. Just someone who was in the right place at the wrong time all of those months ago," Kit thinks to herself sadly.

The appearance of Ariel does manage to brighten her mood, somewhat. "Hello there, Little One," she greets her in Sylvan.

"I see you're still full of surprises," she comments softly to Jack as his diminutive helper disappears.

"The Hallifax family disappeared years ago," Kit tells the others, "after rumors got out that they were involved in some kind of conspiracy. Given what we've been told it's quite possible they were involved with the Cults of Vecna. We could very well be running into them again, and on unfriendly ground. I would recommend we take any and all precautions against undead that we're capable of."

"Hi Kit." The little faery answers in sylvan with a small cute giggle before disappearing.

"I see being in service of the Lord Pretender has gained you some quite useful knowledge. Not that I'm one to take much precaution, but I'm all for avoiding unwelcome surprises." The dark-haired young man says with an appreciative smile. 

"Pleased to meet you, Ariel!" Khessa greets the little creature with a smile and raises her open hand, the same way she had greeted the ghostly Chanell she was not able to physically touch (she does not try an handshake, because the difference in their proportions makes her fear that it is an impractical approach and that she might even inadvertently hurt the other) "I look forward to introducing you to Anator! But first things first... I will be more relieved now, knowing that you are watching our steps".

"Thanks for the information, Kit!" the blonde arcane warrior pats the other on the shoulder "As for precautions, if Ariel can actually warn us before we encounter them, the undead shouldn't have much of a chance... I know of some spell that should protect me from their powers - and if I just can cast them before going into battle..." the two-handed greatsword blazes for a moment with a bright flame "...I have the means that should convince them to rest in peace".

"Ah, yes. Well if rumors about noble families appeal to you, I'll have to tell you about the Merryweather heist. It seems some reckless and daring soul made off with an impressive collection of priceless books."

She raises a questioning eyebrow in Jack's direction.