[Active Thread] The Hall of Harsh Reflections

[Silverstone]

Lola says “lets search those bodies and get out of here to regroup and bring that liar with us, but if it struggles against us leaving then just kill it for betraying us and and still leave to regroup.”

[JPetherick]

Worrel remains near the door as Lola speaks. He asks, over his shoulder, “"Do you want to go back through that flooded area? Or, do you mean finding another way out of this building?"”

[smeltdm]

“There’s a lot of doors in this place, one of them may lead to a way out, let’s check them out” Prost offers to lead the way.

[CGM3]

“False Face here claimed there was only one real door,” Cyrius remarks, “but I think we can take that with a measure of salt... and reasonable caution.”

[ElectroZman]

“Agreed, lets take a look at the other doors,” says Tex.

He'll help search the other room as needed.

[Silverstone]

Lola says “Lets start with the doors back in that hallway the liar said to skip, but remember the trap. Also that wounded spider thing went out that way, it may be trying to find allies to come back with and attack us, would rather face those head on vs them sneaking up from behind if we kept exploring forward!”

[JPetherick]

“"I can lead,"” states Worrel. “"I am better armored than any one else."”

Once his companions are ready, Worrel pauses. “"Here we go ..."”

OUT OF CHARACTER

Once his companions indicate that they are ready to proceed, Worrel opens the door.

 

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

I tried to move us forward to a reasonable decision point without giving too much away. Feel free to say your character would want to stop and do something before we got to where I put you on the map.

 

Having found nothing of value or any way forward in the octagonal spider lair, the party regroups in the odd-shaped room with the illusionary mirror. In that room, they find that the wardrobe (at 1816) is nearly bursting with clothing, some of it looks quite fancy and potentially valuable.

The party moves into the long hallway. Since Prost found a trap at the east end (1914-2014), they ignore the double doors at that end for the time being.

They move down the hallway to the west. Worrel tries to open every door he encounters on the way. The doors on the south wall (1415, 1115, and 0815) are all locked.

The door on the north wall (0813) opens into a lavatory, obviously well used but surprisingly clean.

The double doors at the west end (0614, 0615) open easily for Worrel. Two tables, each surrounded by plain wooden chairs, sit in the middle of this chamber. Unorganized heaps of maps, notes, and books cover each table. A large map of the City of Tula hangs on the opposite wall.

During this time, the tied-up doppelganger is completely silent and willing to be led around on his rope however the party chooses.

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Feather Token Whip: +10 BAB, 1d6+1 nonlethal, free grapple attack (with a +15 bonus on its combat maneuver checks) if it hits; 43.1 minutes remaining Ardrea - staff readied, fly 1 minute used Cyrius - holding a rope tied around doppelganger, uncharged mind blade rapier readied, 19 hp damage, 3 STR damage Worrel - 17 arrows left, 1 lay on hands left, wand of CLW 20 charges left Prost - masterwork short sword readied and loaded sling staff in offhand, 37 bullets left, 18 bullets +1 left, 6 hp damage Tex - longbow readied, 75 arrows left Fluffy Lola - loaded crossbow readied, 30 bolts left, 0 channel energy left Doppelganger formerly known as Fake Prost - 17 hp damage including 2 nonlethal, conscious, tied around the waist with ropes

[Silverstone]

As we walk back, Lola is watching the area/ceiling in case the spider comes back.
As we look into the wardrobe, Lola says “If someone can carry a little extra weight, maybe grab some of the better looking/expensive clothes? We could use a little spending coin, but also when out of this place we can ask around and maybe the more unique ones may help us understand who they have been impersonating in town..... ”. She looks and points out those she thinks look expensive and/or unique and/or with logos/insignia

[JPetherick]

Worrel leads the way down the corridor, trying each door as he passes. Before he tries the door at the western end of the corridor, he looks up at the doppelganger.

“"Does anyone else think that we should also gag this fellow?"”, he asks quietly. Presuming that his companions agree, the paladin reaches into his pouch in search of something that could be used to prevent the doppelganger from alerting his companions.

[ElectroZman]

Tex stays frosty.

[smeltdm]

“Gag him!” Prost agrees, but seeing the heaps of maps, notes, and books cover each table and the large map of the City of Tula hangs on the opposite wall, “Ahh, wait, just my cup of tea...hold everyone, not all may be as it seems. ” Prost will move into the room slowly checking, first for traps, then hidden drawers, or keys around the tables, and the large map.

[Silverstone]

Lola says “Maybe before we leave each room, can someone with Detect magic just take a quick scan, to make sure we didnt miss anything? Maybe starting with the spider room, wardrobe room, then the (new) room and ongoing? ”

[ElectroZman]

Tex will assist with studying some of the Maps.

[Jinxs-3d]

Ardrea will use 'Detect Magic' as suggested at the various items.

[JPetherick]

Worrel tears a strip of fabric from the doppelganer's shirt to form an improvised gag. One advantage of wearing gauntlets is that he can simply shove the cloth into the prisoner's mouth without worrying about being bitten.

[patransom]

Worrel gags the doppelganger, who does nothing to resist.

Among the clothing in the wardrobe, Lola notices two outfits that, although they don't have any specific insignia, appear to be of particularly high quality. There are a number of other outfits, but these two are the most valuable.

OUT OF CHARACTER

The two outfits count as a noble's outfit (75 gp, 10 lbs) and a royal outfit (200 gp, 15 lbs). Let me know if someone wants to haul them.

 

Ardrea does not detect magic in any of the rooms, except for the illusionary mirror.

Prost does not find any traps or other secrets in the room with the tables and map. At a quick glance, the piles of paper appear to discuss various noble families and institutions in the city, but it would take quite a bit of time to fully understand them.

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Feather Token Whip: +10 BAB, 1d6+1 nonlethal, free grapple attack (with a +15 bonus on its combat maneuver checks) if it hits; 42.1 minutes remaining Ardrea - staff readied, fly 1 minute used Cyrius - holding a rope tied around doppelganger, uncharged mind blade rapier readied, 19 hp damage, 3 STR damage Worrel - 17 arrows left, 1 lay on hands left, wand of CLW 20 charges left Prost - masterwork short sword readied and loaded sling staff in offhand, 37 bullets left, 18 bullets +1 left, 6 hp damage Tex - longbow readied, 75 arrows left Fluffy Lola - loaded crossbow readied, 30 bolts left, 0 channel energy left Doppelganger formerly known as Fake Prost - 17 hp damage including 2 nonlethal, conscious, tied around the waist with ropes

[Silverstone]

“Team, Any of you stronger people able to carry these 2 outfits? If our tavern keeper doesnt recognize them, they are worth some real gold.... Can someone grab the various papers in that room and we can dig into those later <unless light enough for Lola to carry>.. Also do we want to leave or have Prost check the other doors in this corridor for traps?”

Since Lola has nothing real to do at the moment she will watch out for the invisible spider, including ceiling and since looking around will also keep her eyes open for any secret doors.

OUT OF CHARACTER

If papers and map on that table are light enough Lola to carry WITHOUT encumbering her, she would grab them instead of asking others. Also did we already did check those corridor doors for traps a while back?

 

[ElectroZman]

Tex will try to collect as many of the maps as possible in a few minutes. If there are papers that seem to go with them, he'll collect those too.

He looks at the Doppleganger, “Seems your group had a lot going on here. Care to make it easier on yourself and tell us more?”

[JPetherick]

“"I don't suppose that anyone recognizes this clothing?,"” asks Worrel. “"Are there any family or house crests? I have some room in my pack, so let's take them along."”

Worrel folds the clothing carefully before placing it in his pack.

[smeltdm]

“I might recognize it, let me have a look...” ...Prost offers to examine the clothing. “Also I have room in my backpack, since we used the hemp rope, I had been carrying around. ”

OUT OF CHARACTER

I had five fifty-foot rolls of hemp rope, ... so I have room in handy haversack, or anything else you think is worth carrying out

 

\

[smeltdm]

While examining the clothing, Prost suggests everyone should come in the conference room, look at papers, maps, etc., and see what might look important enough to take. Then I will start checking the other doors down the hall on the right and left side of the hallway, towards the pit. I'm assuming the doors are not trapped, or I may off fail the trap sense, if they are locked, I will attempt to unlock.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Pat I'm guessing examining the clothing may take several minutes, and everyone else could organize what looks important...intelligence checks what to take?? or another knowledge local check, and I see four doors, do you me to roll four disable device checks?

 

[patransom]

Pat I'm guessing examining the clothing may take several minutes, and everyone else could organize what looks important...intelligence checks what to take?? or another knowledge local check, and I see four doors, do you me to roll four disable device checks?

OUT OF CHARACTER

Yes, four disable device checks would be needed to open the locked doors. Examining the clothing won't take much time, but reviewing the papers, which are very disorganized, will take about 2 hours. If you want to spend that time, everyone can make their choice of Knowledge: Local or Knowledge: Nobility (or a straight up INT check if they don't have either of those)

 

[smeltdm]

OUT OF CHARACTER

I so wish this was a real tabletop...would go a lot faster. Just to speed things up...I'm going to roll Prost, knowledge local for examining the papers, and for disabled device checks 1-4, 1 being the first door to the left and in order down the hallway on the right

 

After examining papers and loading up what we are going to take, then hopefully moving down hall with Prost leading...

[ElectroZman]

Tex will take a minute to roll up any maps or items on top of the pile and put them in his backpack. Other than that he says, “We can come back later, I hope.”

[JPetherick]

Worrel tries to recognize whether the trim and emblems on the outfits have any meaning.

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Sorry for the delay...

 

The party doesn't seem interested in a detailed study of the papers right now. Instead, Lola and Tex collect them for later review.

While gathering the documents, Tex asks the doppelganger, “Seems your group had a lot going on here. Care to make it easier on yourself and tell us more?” The creature, who's now gagged, doesn't even try to answer. It just looks sullen.

Worrel and Prost both take a close look at the expensive outfits. There are no special crests or emblems on them. Prost realizes this is not unusual in Tula, though. There aren't really nobles here, since the wizards' council runs the city. There are many wealthy merchant families, but they don't use heraldry.

Prost proceeds to pick the locks of the three doors in the hallway. The middle one takes two tries, but he ultimately gets them all open. Each of the rooms is practically identical. Each contains two comfortable beds, a washbasin, two full-length mirrors, and a large wardrobe packed with different styles of clothing.

A search of these rooms turns up a few more very expensive looking outfits, as well as various bits of jewelry (brooches, amulets, and rings) scattered throughout the wardrobes.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Appraise checks would be appropriate to figure out what looks valuable. I'll assume you collect whatever seems worth something and isn't nailed down... I don't think the loot is enough to encumber you as a group, given that Prost has decided to abandon all that rope.

 

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Feather Token Whip: +10 BAB, 1d6+1 nonlethal, free grapple attack (with a +15 bonus on its combat maneuver checks) if it hits; 37.1 minutes remaining Ardrea - staff readied, fly 1 minute used Cyrius - holding a rope tied around doppelganger, uncharged mind blade rapier readied, 19 hp damage, 3 STR damage Worrel - 17 arrows left, 1 lay on hands left, wand of CLW 20 charges left Prost - masterwork short sword readied and loaded sling staff in offhand, 37 bullets left, 18 bullets +1 left, 6 hp damage Tex - longbow readied, 75 arrows left Fluffy Lola - loaded crossbow readied, 30 bolts left, 0 channel energy left Doppelganger formerly known as Fake Prost - 17 hp damage including 2 nonlethal, conscious, gagged, tied around the waist with ropes

[smeltdm]

“Well, the only door that we havent checked is on the other side of that pit” Prost comments as he points down the hallway. “Could be hiding something there” THINKING: otherwise what a waste of a trap. Prost strolls over and starts to examine the pit for a way across.

[ElectroZman]

“Lets not forget about that last spider...”, says Tex as they move towards the pit.

[Silverstone]

Lola continues to be alert for spiders and since looking at walls/ceilings is also looking for secret doors, while Prost does his thing.
Lola whispers to the group Tex is right Prost, if that trap was a pit trap, hugging the trap's wall would be easy for a spider