"We'll know more about the shield in a few minutes," he responds.  Then looks at the others.  "While Polly is doing that, let's throughly toss the place.  But quietly for Polly's sake."

Investigation 16

Choir pats Reya gently on the head and goes to help search more thoroughly.  Not only looking for treasure, but anything that might be evidence or a useful clue. Investigation 3

(Bah, I get so many bad rolls. At last I got insight when we really needed it. :D )

There was nothing more to see, the room was indeed the vault - thick walls (probably not so much walls but cut out space in the stone), very thick door with quite complicated lock. It was a room to keep inside the treasure.

So no puzzle box was found?  What about searching Amrik, his mother and Thavius?

Amrik and Thalamra are well dressed, of course, and several rings can be taken from them. But no, there is no box in here, exactly as it was written in Thavius' notes. Thurstwell - the last Thalamra's son - obviously did not place it in the vault.

Still one more Vanthampur lurking here somewhere, mutters Ordrag. Not down here in the bilge with the other rats; must be upstairs.

"Then we are talking about the main house and possibly more guards and if I remember he liked using imps.  So if we go up and do this we need to be well prepared," he says to everyone.

Ooc: do we want to take a short rest?

OOC: Short rest has a vote from me

I'm fine with a short rest.

Ordrag will use Second Wind before the short rest for 7. Then Hit Dice: 10, 12

Choir will do two hit dice also:  9   3

short rest: hit die 1: 5, 2: 3

what did Polly find out from the shield? 

I'll start with 2 hit dice as well. 5, 3

And a 3rd 3

Brings me to 28, I suppose that is fine

Polly found out that the shield emanates strong magic, closely resembling Abjuration school, though not exactly. Magical properties, though, reads clear: +2 shield (total AL increases by 4 after attuning). The shield has 3 charges. Bearer can use an action to expend 1 charge to cast fireball or 2 charges to cast wall of fire from the shield (save DC 21 for each). The wall of fire spell lasts for 1 minute (no concentration required). The shield regains all expended charges daily at dawn.

"Satisfied?" The voice in Polly's head sounded curious. "You could simply asked what I can do and I would tell you." "You do not trust your senses I see... But what you hear is true. Probably if I talk to all of you..."

Polly sit silently for a while and take in all she has just learned. And the voice, how does it work? She try to reply to it inside of her head.

“You could have told me, but how could I trust you? For all I know you want to release hell on earth. But now I know for sure what you can do. So who are you? And how come your mind is inside of this shield?” 

“I think it would be better if you stick with just me for now. And maybe Choir, the kenku. I don’t know if the others will be comfortable with you invading their mind.” 

“You said you could help us bring back Elturel. How?” 

outloud she aske Choir to come over to her.  “Choir, there is a conscience inside of this shield. He calls himself ‘the huddle Lord’ and can communicate telepathically he say that he can help us bring back Elturel. It can buff a person significantly and also allow one to cast fire ball and wall of fire. However I don’t really trust it yet. Can you see if you get any reading on it?” She takes a pause for the bird to look at it. Then say

“I think maybe you or Ordrag should use this shield in battle if you think it is safe.” 

 Insight: 6

Arcana: 17

History: 23

Religion: 26

Choir comes over to the shield.  She taps on it a few times with a finger to hear the tone it makes.  "Huddle Lord?" she repeats with confusion. "Help us bring back Elturel?"

If the shield attempts to communicate with her, she will do her best to determine whether it is being honest or misleading them. Also, she tries to recall if she has ever heard of this clearly important magical item before.

Insight: 9

Religion: 13

Arcana: 5

Oh typo! Should be hidden* Lord xD

"Hidden Lord!!!" sudden deep, hollow whisper (sounded slightly offended) could make anyone less in his thoughts than Reya to jump up. It looked like the mouth of distorted face on the shield was slightly moving. "Let me introduce myself again, to all of you now." Even Thavius tried to move closer, forgetting about Brutus but was quickly returned to reality. "I am the Hidden Lord, placed by celestial powers in that very shield. My presence reinforces it's strength and guides the shield bearer. I heard your thoughts and your words. You are concerned about your city, that was indeed dragged to the Nine Hells. If you are brave enough to follow it and try to rescue Elturel - I would gladly accompany you there to protect and to guide during all the hardships you can encounter."

"I was kept hidden for many years by Knights of the Shield, and have to warn you, that it’s only a matter of time before its evil members find me again. Just like Vanthampurs, those "Knights" do not want the powers I posses to be used for good".

What shield says sounds very truthfully to Choir, but her knowledge (or the memory at the moment) is not deep enough to remember anything about the artifact.

(Sorry, did not check if you caught the tipo before posting :) )

Quote from gosset92 >>

 Insight: 10

Arcana: 15

History: 10

Religion: 26

 I also put in some checks after posting, if you allow them ♥️  

“So how are we supposed to get to the netherworlds to begin with?” Polly ask the shield, out loud this time. 

"Yes!" shouts Choir happily. "Rescue Elturel! Huddle Lord protect and guide!" She holds up the shield with joy. "Rescue Elturel!"