(Technically, ixi, you need to cast Guidance BEFORE doing the skill check. It helps to specifically mention that in your explanation of actions. I'll let you have it this time to move the story along, but please cast the spell before you roll the die next time =)

Celeste fiddles around with the lock and actually manages to get it open with only a little fumbling about! The door opens to reveal a 10'x15' room, with water leaking down the walls and pools on the floor near a rusty drain. A dejected gnome sits on a sodden mattress in one corner.

He looks at you warily, then says, "So, did you finally bring me anything actually worth eating, instead of the swill you normally leave? Even just a plump sausage on a potato roll, with maybe a little bit of stone-ground mustard and perhaps even a healthy helping of soured cabbage?"

"I've got rations, but that's it," Vanizi says. "But who are you?" 

"I am Umberto Noblin, historian extraordinaire, you cretins. Do you not know who you kidnap and hold prisoner?!!" the little gnome says, exasperated. 

DC12 Insight:

Hearing the other door open and a voice, Davis will leave the cogs and pipes for now and go investigate.

It is clear to the halfling the gnome is scared. [Insight 20]

Davis will approach the gnome slowly, letting the divine magical aura of courage that emanates from the holy halfling wash over him.

"Being that you have written books on various deities, you should appreciate that Lady Luck has smiled upon you today" he says, showing his Holy Symbol. "We are not your captors, but your rescuers. We were hired to find you. What can you tell us of those who took you, as you're not the only one who has gone missing."

(Insight: 21)

"Yea, sorry, we're not your captors," Vanizi says after Davis had indicated they might rescue him. "Would you know where your captors might be? We're kind of looking for them. And a few others who were kidnapped too. Umm... their names were..."  Try as she might, the half-orc can't quite remember the names right now.  "Anyway, did you see any other victims down here?" 

"Rescue?!" Umberto exclaims, hope beginning to show on the poor gnome's face. "Oh, rescue would be delightful. Do you have any food to share? I especially love magically-enhanced items...even a goodberry would taste like the most succulent dish right now! As to my captors, they are cultists of the lich-god, Vecna. I happen to be Neverwinter’s preeminent experts on Vecna’s history!"

Umberto turns to Vanizi to answer her question. "I am not aware of any other kidnap victims...I've been secluded here in this damp room the entire time."

Katarina sighs.

"If Umberto would like, Katarina has some rations, but she is sorry to say that they are only common food for travel," she tells the halfling with an apologetic smile. "Perhaps that would be able to tide Umberto over until escape has been made?"

"Do you know why you were kidnapped? Did they ask you anything or mention anything they maybe up to" Davis will ask.

Zyl floats with her fluttering wings in behind the others. "Finally someone I see eye to eye with! But uh, no, I don't have anything but rations." She paces about a little waiting to help the prisoner or..hit something.

"Ah well - 'tis a shame. Let us leave this damp place!" Umberto walks out of the cell and looks at you expectantly. "Lead the way and I shall tell you a little bit about my research as a reward! Consider this an early access to my next book based on my latest clandestine research project: the ancient rivalry between Vecna and his treacherous lieutenant, the vampire Kas." 

As you walk him out of the graveyard, he chatters on, clearly excited about his research! "Now, you musn't tell anybody this, yet. I have kept this research to myself so other scholars don’t beat me to publication...I know I'm a slow writer!"

Umberto's discussion about his research:

Once out of the graveyard, Umberto wishes you well and heads off to his own home. You are free to return to any room you've already visited and continue your explorations - there are still 2 kidnap victims to be found! 

Quote from Rhanloi >>

Once out of the graveyard, Umberto wishes you well and heads off to his own home. You are free to return to any room you've already visited and continue your explorations - there are still 2 kidnap victims to be found! 

[Aren't there three? Eldon, Indrina, and Sarcelle?]

Shall we head back to C3 and check the doors? Does that work for the group?

(Fine with Zyl!)

(Oops - Shasher is correct - you have three more victims to find!)

Vanizi listens attentively as Umberto talks about his research. "What a fascinating story! I think your new book could be very popular."  She bids him a hearty farewell when he heads off and she then turns back to the rest of the group. "Back to our search for the others?"  

(OOC - Agree with going to C3. Don't think we've specifically looked in there yet.) 

You send Umberto off, then return to the underground burial chambers. You relight or refresh your light sources and go to the other large chamber (C3). Roots protrude through cracks in the ceiling here. A stone stairway in the southeast corner has collapsed, and the nearby walls have crumbled. Three doors in the north wall are shut, and the middle door bears a new padlock. To the west, stairs lead to a small balcony that overlooks the room from five feet above, with just enough room for a door painted with an eye. In the southern wall is a narrow tunnel that leads back to the pool room (C7).

Unlocking the padlock is a DC18 sleight of hand check with thieves' tools. Both of the other two doors are closed, but neither is locked.

OK, lets open the first unlocked door, the one furthest to the right.

"You got it!" Zyl rushes over and tries to open the door on the right. "Someone's gonna have to work on this other lock though! Or..uh...I guess we could try smashing it..hang on!"

When Katarina hears the words 'we could try smashing it,' she can't help but grin.

"Katarina would be more than happy to volunteer her services in door-smashing if that is what her friends decide must be done..." the feline says, her tail flicking back and forth excitedly.

"Let's try one door at a time," Vanizi suggests. "We'll surely get to door-smashing soon," she adds with a laugh.  She keeps a bit behind Zyl as she opens the door on the right as Davis suggested.