Grixeor follows the group as the move to investigate, readying his shield and hand close to the pommel of his rapier as he too looks to see if he can identify the source of the noise (note: Perception roll above was 14).

OOC: Have sent a PM as well......and perhaps you could give us a little more detail of the surroundings, are we in a corridor, open space, a room etc, are we heading deeper into the vaults (it would be a good idea to do a quick sketch of the general layout to give us an idea of where we are and what options we have)?

OOC: Right, you guys are walking through the shelves in the Vaults. The whole building is generally one room, but it's a big building, probably like the size of most courthouses. It's also about three stories tall. The shelves reach all the way up to the ceiling, which is curved or rounded at the top. The shelves take up enough space in the Vaults to have them 10 across from wall to wall and still leave enough room for a Large creature to walk through. Where you guys were was a small clearing in the shelves, somewhere where people could gather in the building without having the shelves in the way, making for a convenient guard post. Where you are now is simply walking through the shelves.

As you continue though, you come across a large door (big enough to fit a Large creature through, I mean), with massive chains across it in an X shape, with a lock at the center holding them together. This room seems to be where the noises are coming from. You are all able to tell that the source of the noises seems to be animal now that you're this close.

Thorin listens intently at the door, trying to figure out what the animal is on the other side (Survival check? 22).

Thorin is able to identify that they come from some sort of nocturnal creature, most likely one that flies, as he can also hear what sound like wing beats. Among these noises is another noise: a voice. From what you can tell it says, "Shh, hush my darling. You'll get your chance to hunt, but not yet. It's not time. We haven't caught him yet, we don't know who he is. But when we do, he's all yours. Until then, please keep quiet. You'll wake everyone up and then I'll get yelled at again.

Thorin relays what he hears quietly to the others, away from the door so as to hopefully not alert the foe on the other side.

(DM question - Hallowgazer is not with us, is he? We don't have any keys, so this lock will not be undone simply?)

(No, Hallowgazer is not with you. After he escorted you all to you post, he left to where you do not know)

The door swings open suddenly (inside away from the chains), and out steps a man in a dark robe with a lantern. He looks old, as his stringy black hair clings to his sweaty, almost gaunt face. He looks around to see if anyone is nearby (Perception 16)

(Please roll Stealth)

Thorin's stealth check: 21

Grixeor's Stealth 10

Given that was with Disadvantage I will take that - not that it will be enough..... ;-)

OOC: And I trust that those chains hanging across the door will be an impediment to anything trying to come through......

OOC: How far are the rest of the group away from door?

Abzerilan Stealth: 4

Tikea's Stealth: 18

Trinity stealth. 11

Quote from MuggsHill >>

 

OOC: How far are the rest of the group away from door?

(You are all about 20 feet from the door, between two shelves.)

The man spots Trinity, Grixeor, and Abzerilan. "Oh no, did Ivy wake you up? Damn, now I'm gonna get yelled at again." He says.

"Actually, we were already awake." Abzerilan starts speaking to the man, being a little more relaxed but still on alert. "Also, we are volunteers scouted by Captain Hallowgazer to help watch over this portion of the building. We didn't know what to expect, especially when we heard noises from down the way."

"What is the story with this 'Ivy' anyway?" He asks genuinely curious.

Persuasion: 20

"Oh, right, if you're all newcomers here, you wouldn't know. Although, I'm not sure I'm allowed to share the secret."

Behind him in the room, you can see a large furry creature swoop down and land just in front of the door. It seems to be a large bat. It eyes you curiously, before it emits a screech similar to the ones you heard earlier.

"No, quiet Ivy. The door's open now. The sound will get out and everyone will hear you. Shh." The man says to the beast. "He then turns back to you all and say "I'm sorry, she's still a baby. She doesn't know better."

Thorin, from the shadows, tries to make out if the old man is truthfully part of the watch or is trying to lie (Insight check: 12). The guy just walked through a seemingly locked door, and is acting strange with his oversized bat (i.e. saying "the sound will get OUT and everyone will hear you")

Thorin is able to tell that he isn't lying, but he may not be telling the whole truth.

Thorin continues to watch from the shadows, having not been noticed, however ready to act should anything happen.

Given that it is obvious Grix was spotted, he steps a little closer with Abzerilan, if only to draw attention away from those that managed to succeed in remaining hidden.

"Well, I suppose since you've all seen her now, I can tell you." The man says, stroking his chin.

"My name is Gadren. I am the Keeper of the Eoguna. That's what Ivy is. I raise them here in the Vaults, as did my predecessor and his predecessor before him, leading back generations to the early years of the Legion and the Vaults. We raise them because they make loyal pets and mounts, if they are ever needed for that, and they hunt well. They may be needed soon, if we ever find out who's stealing the artifacts, so I've been preparing them. Unfortunately, that means they make more noise now. Anyways, that's the story about who I am and what they are. It's a good one, eh?"

"Very interesting, indeed," Abzerilan says, "Speaking of the thefts, I know that the Old Vault has been affected by them, but have you seen or heard anything strange around the Oddities?"