Toruun has no reason to believe that the Svifneblin Mage is hiding anything!

Corwyn:

Continuing to follow Toruun, Corwyn keeps his blade mostly sheathed, but out far enough that he can use it as a light source.  Not understanding Gnomish, he merely waits impassively and looks for signs of hostility from anyone in the vicinity.

Insight:  9

Torrun grumbles under his breath at the lack of help from the Gnome, "No matter what it does, we have it on goof information that it is in this area, if you are of no help, who will be?"

Despite having been quick on the draw but moments before, when pressed about the nature of the object, Lucas opened his mouth immediately to answer, only to close it without a word. Just brows knitting together as he looked askance as if genuinely only just considering the artifact's usefulness in the moment. "... He has the right of it." Lucas said, his focus shifting slowly back to the present moment. "It is not our place to concern ourselves overly much on its use, only to do as we have been bid."

“As I said I’ve not seen more heard of it!” the Svirfneblin Mage says “… but your welcome to ask the others, although if I’ve not seen or heard of it I do not think they will either. Now do you mind I’ve got work to do!” 

Paul looks down at Pasoveloce and says “well shortstuff are you going to follow the others or continue to lurk in the shadows?”

(Wrong forum)

Passoveloce stows his bow and quietly sheaths his arrows. He then looks up at Paul, controlling his reaction to being called shortstuff, and indicates to Paul that he should follow as well and strides out into the open following the others.

 He is wary and staying out of the pentagram, whilst splitting his attention between the demon and the dealings with the mage.

The demon responds to Passoveloce’s thoughts as follows “as I explained to your colleague of indeterminate shape, it does not work like that. I have information obviously of value to you. However, while you may have information or, knowledge, or can provide a service, of value to me I don’t know what it is as you’ve still not told me. Now as your Option B appears to not have worked, the question is what you are prepared to offer me for my knowledge?”

Passoveloce looks around the area in which the mage is located, carefully looking for anything that may be out of the ordinary. He says quietly to Toruun: "The item of interest is the first part of the rod, a large green Gem in a metal frame, perhaps we need to ask about that?"

 He continues to be wary of the demon and the mage.

Saluc just sighs, nods, and after giving the mage any customary parting phrase, patted Torrunn's on the pauldron and gesture with his head to continue on past the gnome. "Let's go. Seems we'll have to look elsewhere if we're to complete the Lady of Spiders wishes." He says aloud, then waved to get any stragglers attention and motioned for them to follow as well.

Corwyn:

Shrugging and following, Corwyn prepares to explore deeper into the complex.

Torunn grumbles in agreement but just before he turns away he takes a brief moment to memorise as much as possible from the gnomes desk and notes to file through and sort later.

OOC: Some kind of check DM?

He then turns and leads the way back to the door, when and if the group is ready, will release the arcane lock on the door.

OOC: I'm assuming that party is going back past the Demon towards the northern end of the complex where they saw 'a large table with three figures sitting at one end' (Post #107 refers).

1) Toruun takes a quick look at the Svirfneblin Mage's table but it is so cluttered with items such as several notebooks, candle stubs, a skull and a flagon of some liquid, that he is unable to garner any information.'

2) Passoveloce and Paul (plus a large blue ox) reach the others just as Lucas/Saluc says goodbye, or some such to, to Svifneblin Mage. 

3) In response to Passoveloce's thought that he might be of service to the Demon by retrieving something the Demon communicates "... now we are talking - well so to speak - if you're prepared to offer me your services then I am prepared to offer what I know about the object you're seeking!"

4) The party makes their way to the northern most chamber which is 50 feet east-west and 20 feet north-south. A 5 foot wide and 20 foot long table is in the centre of the room. Relief carvings of spiders and a series of paper maps cover the walls. Gathered around the paperwork covered table are several cloaked figures (an elf, two orcs, two grimlocks and a horned winged devil with a whip on her belt) in deep discussion about whatever it is that is on the table.

And now...

The Gnome mage is at the table south of the pentagram, the other figures are at the larger table to the north

Not realising there were more parts to the room, Torrun will lead the way to the other table not the door

Passoveloce continues to follow the others towards the other table.

 Passoveloce is wary as we approach the table and looks around the chamber carefully.

The Demon responds to Passoveloce “… so we are in agreement then. At some point in the future I will ask you to recover something. When you have recovered that thing and presented it to me, I will give you information on the thing that you seek!”

"I swear to Bob if those guys are summoning more demons or playing MTG I'm gonna-..." Lucas quietly trailed off from there grumbling half-jokingly grumbling to himself by the faint hint of mirth behind his voice. Yet for all of the complaining that hadn't stopped him from following along after Toruun. Before they get 'too' close, he quickly whispers to the artificer, "Let's see what we can see first 'fore introducing ourselves, savvy?"

An impossible request given the eclectic(?) nature of the party, plus the clatter of metal on metal with Torunn's armor. And yet, Lucas dared to hope! So, he got close to the figures, aiming to appear casual to bypass immediate notice so he could study what was on the table. But failing that Saluc is quick to cut off words of alarm with a formal bow and uttering, "May the Spider Queen smile upon your actions" In greeting. "And don't mind the rest. The magic used for an infiltration mission is taking its time fade away on them. But pretell, what's all this you lot have going on hither?"

(OOC: Not sure what would be appropriate roll for 'acting casual, so feel free to roll on my behalf DM)

(@Grant: Actually, before approaching the table, what kind of check would it be to identify winged devil at the table?)