The Sundered Way

[Rodgeir]

"Huh." He keeps feeding Gordon raisins and trying not to look dangerous.

[M0rtimer]

((Does that "That sounds acceptable" constitute a "I agree to your offer for information in return for our services", or..? ))

[spiderwrangler]

"For an account of the ruins you found previously, your sewer encounter with beings from another plane, and an opportunity to study a bit of this ancient magic of your cube, I will expunge your party's ban on our teleportation circle."

[M0rtimer]

Ulmwin gladly agrees to the terms, giving a smile as he begins.

"Very well. Let's start with the sewers first, so that's over with. The ancient technology we found there. A large platform, with advanced ancestor magic... Technology? On there. And close by, some tubes that seemed to once upon a time have contained people. Seemed like the technology was supposed to keep people alive in some kind of suspended state..? One of them actually worked, and we retrieved the person within from it. Sadly, it appears that whoever he was, he seems to have lost all memory. The machinery did speak with this voice, which I could understand at the time thanks to magic, warning it had been too long since the original activation for it to function." Ulmwin states, continuing, explaining all he remembers. He finishes eventually:

"Now, and these are not facts I'm afraid, just theorizing... I suspect that this aberration portal, and this ancestor technology, is somehow related..? Not that I think it might have been responsible, per say- But there did seem to be some kind of magical defense system as well. Perhaps the ancestors of old realized the place was weak to extra-dimensional influence, and put their machinery there to help close fix things should something like that were to happen?"

"Now, for the ruins. They were old gnomish ruins I believe, most of the halls too narrow for our bigger partners to comfortably maneuver. Sadly at the time of our entrance, the place was infested with blights, and I believe a lot of the history there was sadly destroyed. We did find a couple things of interest." he states, bringing up the holographic display they found as well, before finishing with the artifacts.

"Main thing of interest we found were these magical artifacts. They seem almost like solidified magic... Unstable, kept in individual safes, as whatever magic binds them seems to become unstable when too many come too close to each other. Two of them seems fine- We didn't risk more than that. This one itself is quite harmless, able to transport a small item you can see and close enough into your hand if broken while held. It is one use only, however, so I would appreciate it not being used." Ulmwin states, none the less putting the object on the table for the priest to inspect.

"I also have another one, which summons creatures from other planes- That one has a couple uses, but given that the creatures act on whatever they would naturally do, is likely best not demonstrated."

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

Randy smiles slightly at the tableau he sees in front of the Guild. He goes about casing the Guild building first, then quietly observes the situation before joining Dornikal and Gordon.

perception: 1D20+3 = [3]+3 = 6

He doesn't see anyone actively observing the pair, but he just assumes they're good enough that he doesn't see them. He shrugs and walks over to join them.
He unbuckles the short sword and tosses it to Dornikal. "Here. See if that isn't more to your liking than that spear was." He settles to the bench on the opposite side of Gordon. "Are you being watched?" he asks quietly.

[thinkslogically]

"He did not. Tea would be lovely, thank you."

She watches the wizard work.

[Rodgeir]

Dornikal accepts the new sword with a nod and slips it beside him on the bench. No looking around, returning to the feeding, he says casually,

"Aye. The city guard's got a few here watching us. Tess went in with Holger and the tree X minutes ago an a pair of fancier lads that likely weren't wizards but had a pass went in just before ye came. Raisin?"

He offers Randy a raisin.

[BadgeAddict]

Gordon looks at the raisin in the tall not gnomes hand. He senses hesitation by the human and makes great show off miming that the human should put it in his mouth and chew because it is quite tasty.

[Arch Lich Burns]

Zokk goes to where Tess went in and tries to listen on their conversation.
Per [1d20+3] = 19+3 = 22

[Lurks_In_Shadows]

Randy gives Gordon an amused look and accepts the raisin. Still continuing in a quiet voice, "Not surprised about the guards. Ran into Anders outside of town. He thinks the Mayor is either in on this or possibly even behind it. He went through a lot of effort to warn me on the QT, so he's expecting us to be under surveillance. Thinks the Commander is doing this against his better judgement, but he's still following orders from the Mayor. I'll see if I can get Tess's attention and alert her and Holger."
He takes his pack off and starts pretending to rummage around in it. While bent over, he takes the Horn of silent warning and gives a short, sharp, hard blow on it while concentrating on Tess.

[spiderwrangler]

((Zokk has no idea where Tess is, and would be asked to return to the waiting room by anyone he encounters.))

---

► Show Spoiler

Zottle makes tea, and places a cup in front of you, remarking on the weather and such, which leads into a tangent about the climate of the region. Eventually he looks up, and smiles. "Ah, our other guests have arrived."

The door opens, and Wizard Jones ushers in a pair of men, the first moving with a lethal grace that is reminiscent of Randerwaith, his attention moving about the room as he assesses possible threats. On his heels... is Pembleton.

"Please, have a seat, would you care for tea?", Zottle asks.

"I would not.", Pembleton replies, scowling at you as he sits.

"Are you sure? It's quite nice."

"I said I'm fine."

"Very well then. Miss, do you know who this is that I've asked to join us?"

((Randy has not yet joined those outside.))

[Arch Lich Burns]

”Doooo I haaaaveee toooo? I doooo noooot liiikeeee Jooooneeees.”

[thinkslogically]

"Can't say I've had the pleasure of meeting either of them. I believe I was also promised confidentiality from the Guild."

Nem raises an eyebrow at Zottle.

"Why are they here?"

[spiderwrangler]

"Well, I'm sorry you don't like me, I suppose I treated you more as an object at first, I'm sorry. Are you sure you wouldn't like to come work for me? I can pay you in... dirt or whatever."

---

Tess

► Show Spoiler

"Ah, yes... well, a prior client had claim on my discretion, I apologize for the necessary subterfuge. Mister Pembleton here represents the Lord Mayor, and the item you brought me was recently stolen from his possession."

[thinkslogically]

"Was it really?"

Nem turns to look at Pembleton with interest.

"Well I'm afraid to say that whoever you purchased it from has traded you stolen goods. This item belongs to my employer."

She touches the ghost dancer's necklace as she watches for a reaction from Pembleton or the associate.

Insight: 1D20+2 = [4]+2 = 6

Insight: 1D20+2 = [14]+2 = 16

[spiderwrangler]

"I assure you it was acquired legitimately, before it was stolen from me.", Pembleton says coolly.

His 'goon' glances in his direction, before turning his eyes back to you... a bit shifty.

[Theis2]

Holger will glance in the direction that Jones went to get a look at who is let in if possible

[thinkslogically]

"My employer would strongly disagree. So. What do you propose we do now?"

Nem sits down in a vacant chair and relaxes into it, keeping eye contact with Pembleton.

[BadgeAddict]

Gordon... His appetite sated quite abundantly by the nice person sitting beside him starts to feel a burst of energy brought in by food.

Within the silence, his mind races as he delves back down into the black hole that he thinks should contain memories.. Traces of who he might be.

He starts to think about what kind of persons carry lances and he looks about the town for inspiration.

[Arch Lich Burns]

”I doooo noooot seeee whyyyy. I caaaan geeet whaaat I neeeed aaaawaaaay frooom yooouu.”

[spiderwrangler]

The door was closed as Jones leads the arrivals further into the building.

Zokk is escorted back to the waiting room where Jones inquires whether Holger's message is ready.

---

((Gordon can give me a Perception or Insight check.))

---

"And just WHO is this employer of yours?", he asks, leaning forward.

Zottle gives a bit of a shrug that seems to indicate that he didn't share that information with Pembleton.

[Theis2]

Holger would be curious and suspicious enough to open it slightly and look as he counts words in his head.
He scribbles most of it down but waits for the last bit till Jones gets back.

"The guild was contracted to take a look at what was left behind from the monsters in the caves right? Give Grand Conjurer Therkal directions to the location."

"Found something related to your research in caves near [city]. Similar Gerhad excursion more extreme. Guild have location - Holger Starwind

[BadgeAddict]

Insight.
2d20 = [10, 8] = 18
Total: 10

[spiderwrangler]

((Total is 6.))

Gordon looks around in confusion.

[thinkslogically]

Nem sidesteps the question, instead leaning a little closer, as she casts Minor Illusion onto her outstretched palm in the shape of the scarred eye and mouth symbols they found on the cultists all those weeks ago back in Circle Vale.

"All in due course. This mean anything to you?" She asks, continuing to watch them carefully for a reaction.