(Persuasion: 14, rolled in log)

(Vanizi Persuasion: 26)

The two of you are able to assure Kycera of your heroic purpose! She pulls you closer, and in a low voice, reveals the following...

The Lambent Zenith carried an extremely rare and powerful magic artifact - she believes it is the rod piece you are looking for. As a former pirate, Kycera helped Captain Inda design the security system to protect the artifact. The artifact was stored in a safe room in the prow (at the front of the ship). During the Lambent Zenith’s crash, arcane wards should have sealed the safe room’s doors. The safe room is inaccessible while the wards are active. There are two runes hidden on the ship that power the wards. Kycera knows one rune was placed in the ship’s stateroom (Z8), but she doesn’t remember the second rune’s location. She believes that magic or a pass phrase can deactivate the runes. She doesn’t know the pass phrase, but Captain Inda would know.

Vanizi gives Kycera a somber nod. "We thank you for your assistance. Do you suppose the Captain will be as willing to help if we explain our purpose? I have doubts as to how well we might guess such pass phrases." 

"Aye, the Cap'n is a good and reasonable man. As for the pass phrases, maybe the first mate, Figaro, would have more information. Maybe you can get that moody boy to come out of his cabin." DC12 Insight:

(Vanizi Insight: 21) 

"Alright. The Captain is off in the prow part of the ship? And where would we find Figaro?" Vanizi asks. 

Davis will take her hand, if she allows, "Kycera, you have done an outstanding job watching out for and protecting the crew, in an awful situation. I am truly impressed. I will pray to Lady Luck to keep an eye on you all. Thank you for your help."

The charming halfling will smile and bow. "Let's go talk to the captain" he says to his friends, "Lets go save the crew of The Lambent Zenith on our way to saving the universe!"

[he says this casually, and means it, but hopes to persuade all who hears him to aid them in their heroic mission!]

Persuasion: 21

Performance: 23 

Figaro is in the main stateroom - Z8 - which is one deck down from your current position. Here's the entire map in case you haven't been to Maps site:)

Vanizi notes to Davis, "We should go see the Captain. But let's chat with Figaro first."  She is ready to head downstairs to find him. 

The party heads down another level. The forward end of this hallway is buried in the semi-rock flesh of the dead god. The stern end holds two doors and the stairways leading up, and another door on the port side bears a gilded plaque that reads “Stateroom.” It's quiet down here...

Vesta thanks Kycera for the information and then follows her companions down another level. She sees the plaque for the stateroom. All is very quiet, and she wonders what this first mate, Figaro, is up to, if he's even here.

The sorceress approaches the door to the stateroom and knocks politely.

Zyl is still following along behind the others, munching on more brownie.

Vesta approaches the door to the stateroom and knocks politely. In response, you hear someone inside scream, "No no no no no Go AWAY!!"

Vanizi approaches the door to speak. "Figaro. Kycera sent us to just check on your real quick. And she said perhaps you could help us a bit. It will only take a moment."  (Persuasion: 20)

"Kycera sent you? Well, I suppose I can trust her - and you don't sound too scary. Just a minute..." 

A moment later, a shimmering dissipates around the door, and a purple-skinned, male tiefling opens it. The 15' x 20' stateroom is simple but elegant. The warm light of the wall sconces bathes the mahogany bookshelves and crimson bedsheets.  His eyes are blood-shot and glassy, and his posture is as tense as a wound spring. "He quickly glances out into the passageway, then hurries you into the stateroom. Once you are all inside, he sits on the edge of the bed and asks what you are doing there...

"Hello, I'm Vanizi," the half-orc says. "You seem to have really protected your room well. Nicely done. You are doing alright in here? Kycera did seem a bit concerned."  She pauses just a moment before continuing with the answer to his question. "We are all here looking for a particular artifact. We think it's likely in the prow of the ship. And no, we aren't asking you to come with us!  But perhaps you know the passwords for the arcane wards?  It would really help us out." 

Having gained Figaro’s trust, he answers your questions about the Lambent Zenith and the rod piece. 

Experiments with the Rod. The Lambent Zenith harnessed the conjuration magic within a piece of the Rod of Seven Parts to create portals that allow the ship to quickly traverse the multiverse. The rod piece was stored below the bridge on the ship’s prow.

Emergency Security Protocol. Knowing that the rod piece shouldn’t fall into the wrong hands, the Lambent Zenith’s captain installed a security protocol that sealed the rod piece’s location in the event of an emergency—such as a crash. As far as Figaro knows, the rod remains in the safe room (area Z19), though that area is inaccessible due to the activated safety protocol.

Ward Runes. The security protocol is fueled by two runes in different locations aboard the ship. Both runes must be dispelled to access the room that holds the rod piece. Figaro knows the runes are invisible. He also knows one rune is located in this stateroom, on the bed’s headboard, while the other is in the ship’s study (area Z13) on the wall above the desk. He suspects casting Dispel Magic on a rune would deactivate it, but the caster needs to see the rune. He also suspects the captain knew another way to deactivate it. If she survived on another segment, the characters could try to reach her to ask; if not, it might be recorded it in her notes.

DC20 Arcana: 

Arcana - 12 :/

"Thank you for all the information," Vesta says. "You've been very helpful, Figaro. Now let's see if we can find the rune in here."

The sorceress examines the headboard of the bed, looking for any hint of magic. It takes her about ten minutes, but she is able to cast the spell Detect Magic to see if that helps in locating the rune. 

Arcana: 8

Lyrena remains silent, turning over Figaro's words in her head. She considers what he said and how he said it, searching for any trace of deceit or omission.

Insight: 26

(Vanizi Arcana: 1)

As Vesta is preparing Detect Magic, Vanizi says, "Oh, allow me."  She instantly casts the spell. (Eldritch Sight - may cast Detect Magic at will) She too will attempt to see if this will reveal where the rune is located.