*Chapter 1: Richemulot * Finished

[professorgear]

Coming into the mainhall Valrin wasn't surprised to see Murgstin, or Shael. It seems they are always paired up with him and Punka. After Murgstin was done talking he said Shes probably appalled by the stench, not the sight. Hahaha. Don't take it too hard. She hasn't said more than two words to me either. But I blame Punka.. his stench can get very musty.
Valrin starts climbing off Punka's huge shoulders into his backpack. With just his chest and above sticking out he says to Kwah-Yah. So I'm pretty much ready. Let me just go get more crackers from my room, Punka gets hungry. Should we meet at the top of the Pit?
Punka starts shaking excitedly, mumbling about crackers and cheese.

[linklord231]

((I'll do a Listen to see if I can hear whatever he was listening for, and, what the heck, might as well do a Sense Motive while I'm at it.  To see what made him suddenly change his mind about talking to us, or to see if he's genuinely that tired.))

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Rolled 1d20+9 : 3 + 9, total 12

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Rolled 1d20+0 : 8, total 8

[Scout89]

Once again, Riek nods and mentions to leave. But he doesn't wait much and leaves even if no one follows him. Lots of preparations to do, he thinks.

[phaedrusxy]

Listen

Rolled 1d20 : 20, total 20

Diplomacy

Rolled 1d20+15 : 7 + 15, total 22

Mercutio says in a somewhat servile and pleading voice "Master Snorri, begging your pardon, but please do go on. The anticipation of what you were about to say will no doubt keep me up all night." He continues in a whisper "Are you suspicious of Valrin or Punka? I'd like to know if I'm about to set off on a dangerous journey with characters of questionable loyalty..."

[brujon]

Kwah-Yah looks at Valrin, and changes his stance. Now that he's on Guard duty, he cannot afford to be bogged down by heavy clothing... In a sudden movement, he writhes himself out of the heavy robes, and reveals his true form. Now not walking hunched over anymore, he stands at his full 7ft, his eyes a deep red, bulging out of his scaly scarred slimy, muscular face. It's clear now that he has no bones - being instead supported by heavy, bulging muscles. His six tentacle arms hang from the side of his body, protected by his specially constructed sharkskin armor, which is a deep gray color, with hardened shark-scales from a Megalodon Shark, while his tentacle legs extend to the floor. He extends and retracts his tentacles, to relieve himself of the stress of having them retracted all this time below the heavy robes, and makes the spikes residing within his skin pop out. He carefully folds his robes and stuffs them into his backpack, and slings his heavy cloak on his shoulder - a deep black leathery cloak, made from the leather of a Dire Bat's wings, and weighted with several layers of padding. In his back, above his backpack, you see slung a heavy Harpoon with coral engravings, a big heavy crossbow with a Winch and some bolts, and at his sides a length of rope knotted as a Lasso and another weird looking winched crossbow. A belt crosses his chest like an X and there you can see a variety of flasks, as well as a weird sort of sling, with hints of gnome handicraft.  His throat bears two necklaces, one holding Azalin's Trinket, and the other, a weirdly shaped amulet that seems to shift itself ever so slightly out of position.

After this brief preparation, Kwah-Yah looks at Valrin and grins "Let's go. It might just be that i FINALLY get to stretch a bit." - And he lets out a spine chilling laugh that sounds like the gargling of drowning man.

[professorgear]

Valrin and Punka watch as Kwah-Yah starts becoming more comfortable. Punka recoils a bit at the sight of the monstrous body, where as his master seems to be very interested in the Anatomy.
Valrin says to Kwah-Yah. Hahaha, you definitely will be a hard one to hide in Barovia. he pats Punka on his back, and Punka begins walking down the closest tunnel off to the bedroom's area. I'm going to grab Punka's crackers and some drinks. Meet me at the top of the Pit Kwah-Yah. Would you like me to bring you down something as well? He says loudly as they begin walking over to his room.

((ooc: im going to go over to my room real fast and grab some food/drinks for the night. after that we will hurry back down to the pit area to join kwah-yah))

[zook1shoe]

Listed 1d20+11 : 10 + 11, total 21

Spot 1d20+11 : 6 + 11, total 17

Wahh... Flies back when startled by Kwah-Yah's change into a monster, he recovers quickly, and just circles near the ceiling. Casually looks around and listening for anything unusual.

[dna1]

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((OOC: dealing with rolls first.
Linklord- Listen:All you can hear is the faint breeze coursing through the halls. Sensemotive: Well he certainly does seem to be in a weakened state at the moment. Probably because of what ever he was doing in that circle earlier.

Phae- Listen: You heard it too. A faint scratching sound, and a heavy whoosh of air coming from the tunnel leading out. Something definitely was moving up there.

Zook- Flying up to the mainhall is pretty uneventful. The mist has started covering the floor with a tiny layer, and you can hear movements echoing up from the underground Library as you passed the pit. Which is not unusual, most likely just a rat scurrying about.
))

Mercutio, Alphonse, Riek

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Before Riek makes it all the way out of the room. From his bed, with his one good eye still closed Snorri starts to mumble something unintelligible into his blankets. After a moment he sighs and grabs the trinket Azalin has given everyone. He concetrates and all four of you hear his voice within your heads. Heh.. Mercutio you always do have a talent for picking up on the little things. You're right though. I have found Valrin and Punka's behavior rather suspicious lately. They have been Volunteering for guard duty every night this week. Which is unusual because getting Valrin to stay up for watch is like asking him to break his own leg. He has always been resistant to help with guard duty, claiming to need his rest for crafting or researching. I hadn't thought much of it until tonight, when he was inquiring as to who found the bag of gold. Even mentally you can hear him sigh, you all get little flashes of memorys as he recalls various meetings and talks with Valrin. I was going to ask you all to do something . If it's not too much trouble, I would like you to keep an eye on Valrin for me. I mentioned earlier I would be handling things my self. So if indeed he has been up to foul play, he shouldn't expect that his friends will be keeping tabs on him. As of now its just suspicions. Be wary, but don't act out of the norm. Valrin is exceptionally intelligent, come on too heavy and he will definitely know he is suspected. 

((ooc: he used some of the message charges in his trinket))

Valrin, Kwah-Yah, Zero

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Just as Zero silently flys into the hall, Valrin starts heading down the corridor to his personal room. Murgstin sits in the corner stuffing his face with old breads and cheese. He says to Kwah-Yah. You know, one day we will have to do some more sparring. Provided this time when I tap out you don't finish breaking my arms before releasing me. He finishes his sentence with a loud throaty laugh. Murgstin looks up to Zero flying over head and nods. He throws out a few crumbs onto the ground. Birdy hungry? Bwhahaaa He does that every time he gets the chance, and for some reason still finds it rather hilarious.

((ooc: since profgear ran to his room real quick, its just zero, kwah-yah, and the kargat npc still in the main hall))

[professorgear]

It only takes a minute and Valrin, still riding Punka comes strolling back into the MainHall. Valrin notices Zero flying around and nods hello to him. Punka smiles as he watches Zero fly around the room.
Alright we are ready. Shall we? Valrin says to Kwah-Yah as Punka starts walking over to the opening leading below to the Pit. He looks back to Zero and says in a friendly tone You coming along tonight as well Zero?

(( ooc both my characters are waiting at the exit of the mainhall for brujon and zook if he is coming along as well. ))

[brujon]

Kwah-Yah rushes ahead of Valrin, then resumes normal pace, and says "It's not prudent for you to take the lead, let me go ahead and be sure that nothing bad will take place. But i must ask of you first. I want to have a look at the library, care to accompany me? I may need your talents. Come along too, Zero.

Kwah-Yah carefully looks around the entrance to the pit, and the way leading into the library, trying to spot anything unusual.

OOC: I'm going to use Spot, Listen and Search, as well as make Survival checks with track, to determine how many were there when they came to deliver the bag of gold, how many came back, from which way, as well as try to determine other, more recent footprints, corresponding to the time period where the Gold bag was found.

Spot

Rolled 1d20+6 : 9 + 6, total 15

Listen

Rolled 1d20+6 : 11 + 6, total 17

Search

Rolled 1d20+7 : 8 + 7, total 15

Survival

Rolled 1d20+9 : 13 + 9, total 22

[professorgear]

Valrin chuckles as Kwah-Yah rushes past him. I wouldn't have it any other way my friend, by all means take the lead. And I was thinking about checking out the Library as well so that's perfect.
As we get down to the top of the pit, Punka carefully approaches the side. Straying away from the dreaded staircases that lead down. Valrin looks down the pit and says Well I'm not fond of taking the stairs down. It messes with me, usually stringing me along for a good 20mins. I think I'll just float down rather than rely on the stairs tonight. He looks over to Kwah-Yah directly. After you of course.. He grins.

[phaedrusxy]

Mercutio, listening mentally to Snorri, also messages his companions (via the Message function of his trinket) "Did any of you hear that? Someone or something was just up there at the opening... Let's go check it out."

He then replies (using Snorri's Message?) to Snorri "Of course, Master Snorri. We'll keep an eye on Valrin and his odd friend." and flies directly up towards the exit of the cavern as fast as he can manage, to try and catch whomever it was sneaking around out there before they can get entirely away.

As he flies, he replaces the flute he was carrying into his rucksack and pulls the odd rapier at his side, while his other hand strokes the horn hanging from a thong around his neck and one shoulder. The horn is fairly large, and so has no doubt caught the attention of the others. It appears to be the horn of some kind of beast, perhaps a dragon even, and is carved with images of a dragon breathing fire upon a group of stylized buildings.

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move action replace flute
move + free action to fly up and pull his weapon
touching the horn is just for thematic effect, since he won't blow it unless he's about to get into combat

He's not good at spotting things, but is a pretty good liar. So once he's outside the entrance he says in a voice loud enough for anyone nearby to hear "I see you there. Come out now, or I'll burn you where you stand."

Bluff

Rolled 1d20+13 : 17 + 13, total 30

Intimidate

Rolled 1d20+15 : 18 + 15, total 33

[brujon]

EDIT: On the last post, consider me taking 20 on the Survival:Track check, as well as the Search check, because i'm going to be having more than a cursory look around. Spot & Listen checks i can't really take 20 and i'd feel like cheating if i said i want to take 10 after the rolls are below 10 ;P.

Kwah-Yah looks towards Valrin and grins  "I don't mind a little magic, always helpful, but try to save some of your juice for any trouble we might run into. Also, while we are alone, i've been meaning to ask you, what did you find on that odd book i pointed you to? You really seemed to space out, thought i was going to have to hit you to snap you out." Kwah-Yah pauses for a moment, before saying "I don't know what you did back there in the Library, but maybe you could do it again? The aura thing? I can sense anything moving out to a good distance, and i can Track as well as the next man, but magic is out of my area of expertise. I smell something fishy about this whole bag o'gold deal.

[linklord231]

Alphonse takes off down the hallway after Mercutio.  Once he's caught up, he says in a low voice Do you suspect it was Valrin listening in on our conversation that made Snorri clam up?  If so, is it wise to tip our hand that we heard him right away?  Perhaps we should go about our evening routine as if we suspect nothing, and wait for further evidence before acting rashly.  As he says this, Alphonse eyes his friend's exquisite horn. 

[dna1]

Mercutio, Alphonse, Riek

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(ooc: if you want a full description of the room, revisit the post where snorri was in the circle.)

Mercutio shoots up the stairway tunnel leading back up to the strange room where Snorri was in the Circle. As you enter the room you see a layer of thick Mist lining the floor that wasn't here earlier. You notice two things that stand out as unusual. The small wide door has been left open just a crack. Also some of the candles by the pillars in the back right side of the room have gone out. Resulting in that specific area being near total darkness. As you finish shouting you get the eerie feeling of being watched. The mist on the ground swirls oddly, and the candles seem to dim. You stand there in awkward silence, expecting something to burst out of the shadows at you. Suddenly from behind you can hear Alphonse running up the stairwell. After a moment he catches up to you.

Alphonse runs into the room to see Mercutio standing motionless, intently staring at the otherside of the room. After you finish speaking you suddenly become aware that you're being watched. A sense of dread washes over you.

Riek then finishes climbing the stairs and enters into the room shortly after Alphonse.

The feeling in the air subtly changes in the room. The hair on your necks begin to raise, you all feel an ominous presence. The feeling is so strong its like the room has been stained. None of you have felt anything like this before in the haunt. Not even in the Library.

((scout you mentioned you were going to leave but waited to see if anyone else did as well. so then snorri talked to the three of you, and phae then link posted. so I am assuming you just followed behind Alphonse. 

you guys can give me some rolls if you want. feel free to talk it out, or a single action if you're doing something combat wise.))

Kwah-Yah

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you're checks don't reveal anything out of the ordinary. there has definitely been lots of movement down at the bottom of the pit, but thats normal. whenever members of the kargat aren't present in the under-area, RL reclaims it.
You can hear rats and movement down there. The tracks look like a swarm recently passed by

[phaedrusxy]

Mercutio says "I warned you!" and waves a hand as globes of light erupt in the area of darkness.

(OOC: He's really just casting Dancing Lights to light up the darkened area, but trying to fool anyone lacking spellcraft into thinking he's Fireballing it or something. He'll spread the lights out to lighten up the entire area.)

[linklord231]

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Arcana:

Rolled 1d20+2 : 8 + 2, total 10

Nature:

Rolled 1d20+12 : 14 + 12, total 26

The Planes:

Rolled 1d20+2 : 13 + 2, total 15

I don't expect the Nature one to tell me anything other than "it's not natural", but it's worth a shot 

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move: Draw Greatsword
free: Draw fancy Shuriken
non-action: 5' step, placing myself between the darkness and Mercutio (assuming there's at least enough space to do that, without actually stepping into the darkness)

Who goes there?  Identify yourself!

[zook1shoe]

Dives down to snatch a few seeds from Valrin's hand, as he does, he easily snatches the trinket from his neck without notice. with a little chirping giggle, he drops the trinket back down in his hand.
hah... You should keep better care of your items!

circling up the stairs, Zero wizzes past flying up the stairs, passing Alphonse quickly.

saying to him umm... Scuse me.
then quietly to Kwah-Yah what do you see?

Sleight of Hand 1d10+15 : 3 + 15, total 18

Spot 1d20+11 : 5 + 11, total 16

Listen 1d20+11 : 9 + 11, total 20

Survival 1d20+12 : 19 + 12, total 31

[professorgear]

At the mention of the book Valrins expression turns from friendly and smiling to very serious. He looks around quickly like expects something to jump out at him. Remind me to talk to you later about that... He whispers to you. Then pats Punka gently and says Alright.. well luckily one casting of the featherfall spell is good enough for all of us.

Valrin concentrates for a moment, he whispers a few syllables quickly. Then suddenly a dark blue glow washes over everyone present, it quickly fades away though leaving everyone looking normal.

Well then, that should cover it. I'll go a head and let you jump down first though just in case... Is that alright? I would toss down a torch but I'm guessing you would prefer to land in the darkness? He looks down the pit. Looks pretty clear at the moment.

[dna1]

Mercutio, Alphonse, Riek

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You ready yourselves for combat. Mercutio lets loose some magic into the corner, as that area begins to be filled with light you can see the mists on the ground acting strangely, like somethings disturbed them. They appear to be drifting and moving ever so slowly to the left side of the room, where Snorri's circle was. The small tendrils of mist on the ground swoop towards the closest pillar, from there they appear normal.
(( spot/listen rolls please. also feel free to make small actions, if it gets to the point of combat i will post up a new thread for it.
alphonse - nature roll:  it definitely looks like something just walked through that patch of mist. ))

Valin, Kwah-Yah, Zero

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Zero joins you, as you hear him whisper " what do you see ". His tiny sparrow form is hard to see as usual.

((rolls
zero- you dont see anything down there at the bottom that's unusual. but you hear the sounds of scurrying feet. and can see many signs of recent visitation