“The fact that he knows that we have a piece is very suspicious. Has he been following us?” Eris would question aloud, then shake her head. “Let’s meet him and get some answers.”

"That's why I'm suspicious too. No one but us should know that we have these things, which is why I'm suggesting that we should be on guard when we visit this Sir Ursus. Perhaps Hamdel is right and he's on the up-and-up, but from my experience, it pays to be vigilant."

Sir Ursas resides in a veritable stronghold located outside the city limits of Waterdeep. It's grounds are surrounded by a vast intricate hedge maze, and Sir Ursas is there waiting for you. Ursas is an imposing figure, a massive muscular warrior with one arm replaced with a grizzly bear's paw grafted at the elbow. Which arm you ask? Doesn't matter. He has dark hair with grey that's long and shaggy, his eyes are bloodshot and his complexion is consistently ruddy as if from some combination of exercise, exertion, or yelling.

"Fantastic, my friends!" he announces when you approach. "I am Sir Ursas. Perhaps you have heard of me? I am the paladin of legend who fought legions of devils in hell decades ago! Thank you for coming and considering my offer. Come! Let us talk. I will lead you all through my hedge maze."

("A Paladin In Hell" is a famous picture from the original Advanced Dungeons and Dragons first edition Players Handbook 1978. Sir Ursas is the paladin in this picture.)

He guides you all through the hedge maze and leads you all to an ornate gazebo in the courtyard with refreshments that servants have provided. There is plenty places to sit and have a comfortable discussion.

"Allow me to get right to the point of this meeting." Sir Ursas says. "I have a proposition for you all, but first, a little about my intentions. I have had the ruins of the clock tower under surveillance for many years, so when you all traveled to the High Forest and explored the ruins, my agent informed me. I apologize for the spying, but I assure you, it's for a very good reason. I have spent many years trying to find the remaining components of the Infernal Machine of Lum the Mad. I am hoping to find the rest of the components and rebuild the machine which would allow me to finish the military campaign I started long ago - to continue a war against the forces of Zariel on the first layer. I will pay you all five thousand gold for each gem you have acquired right now, and if you wish to make more money, I will hire you all and send you to two locations that I've discovered have additional components - and pay you well for those."

Holy ****, he might as well be a bear.

Insight:14

Regardless of whether Seldor is able to figure out if Sir Ursas' intentions are as noble as he says they are, he isn't quite ready to turn the machine over just yet and he has some more questions for Sir Ursas. "How would the machine help you continue the war? We've seen how it can travel through time, but can it travel throughout the planes as well?"

"It can." Ursas admits. "Localized time travel can be a huge benefit in any conflict. Redo mistakes. Formulate strategies. The list is endless. I just require the other pieces...and someone to get them."

He seems genuine.

Dalavash watches Sir Ursas intently.

Insight: 8

‘I’m sure you must understand our concerns about the horrors that could be unleashed if the time gems in particular were to fall into the wrong hands. Will you consent to questioning under the light of Lathander?’

"I am curious, if you had spies in the area and you need the components as much as you say you do, why not go to the clocktower yourself or have them enter it? Why wait for us?"

“My spies are nothing but servants. You, on the other hand, so far as we can see, have potential. That is why we are talking today. I need someone to do my dirty work for me, plain and simple, while I attend to other..less risky..matters. I can pay very well. I will not, however, allow magical scrutiny to judge my intentions. The offer has been stated and still stands. I wish to purchase the gems you have now for a hefty sum, and offer you employment which involves traveling to two locations as well should you wish it. What say you?”

Dalavash uses his telepathy to quickly ask each person’s thoughts, but his view is No. The risk of harm is too great to turn them over to someone he doesn’t trust.

I don't think that we should give it to him either, but I do think that we should try to at least see if we can't lead him on and trick him into giving us the locations of the other gems before we outright turn him down. Seldor replies telepathically

"Where would we be going to find these other components?" Alta asks bluntly. "I get if you don't want to tell us the exact locations, but I'd like to at least know the general area I'll be going to if we accept your offer. To make sure it's not somewhere I have an issue with. Like the Nine Hells or something like that." Her face and voice are open and devoid of any canniness.

"I would be happy to tell you the exact locations." Ursis says happily. "Research has led my search to two locations: the Tomb of Horrors, and the Temple of Moloch. However, while these two locations are very well known. It is not so much a matter of where..but when." he implies. "Should you accept employment, I would send you to these locations..in the past."

Alta just keeps her mouth from dropping open. "I'm sorry...what? Two of the most famous death traps in this world, and a few others?"

W"would be happy to assist you on this task, although we do not feel comfortable parting with the tablet until it is incomplete. We would be willing to accept your direction into the past and once the task is finished, we will give you the completed tablet with the gems."

Deception: 13

Hamdel quickly exits the zone of truth, recognizing the spell even as he casts it. "Now, now, that hardly seems polite. I for one am more than glad to pass on the heavy responsibility of such a device to one who clearly entertains a much higher pedigree as an adventurer. In fact, when the time comes, I would offer my humble services in case of need in repairing or operating the machine - I took no fewer than three semesters on the topics of various devices arcane during the course of my studies at Mogschwartz - oh, you've heard of it? Excellent."

Hamdel holds up his gem.

"May we see the rest of the device? Perhaps that might encourage the rest of my compatriots to be more amenable."

After thinking about it for a moment, he steps back into the zone. (18)

"I at least, am completely honest in my intentions."

To Alta he says, "Two of the most famous death traps during a time when they were both under construction, to be precise." 

(Waiting on the group to decide.)

Sir Ursas fails the Zone of Truth spell, willingly, or perhaps, not wanting to use Legendary Resistance, you're not sure. He calls out for someone. "Lucas!" he shouts, and a walking construct that looks humanoid comes lumbering out. "This is Lucas. I made him using technology from the Infernal Machine and some of the gems i've found. Should you chose to accept my offer, he will be your time travelling guide. The gems I wish to purchase from you will be placed into Lucas - with them, he will be able to safely teleport you to the Temple of Tomb safely and back." 

"Now. Any other spells, or questions, or concerns? Or do we have a deal? Four thousand gold for each gem, and you all agree to travel into the past to each location and retrieve the other components for me."

Dalavash raises a pointed eyebrow.

'You haven't answered my questions. Perhaps I should ask more general questions. Are you really Sir Ursas? Which god do you serve?'

(cue dramatic music, maybe?)

Alta Cha ST: 7

"I still don't trust you," Alta mutters, folding her arms.