As the gorgon, Risp, Landed atop Brynn, Uri did his best to try and throw her off balance with his sword, but to no avail. His efforts were rewarded only by a swift nip from one of the gorgon's long curly serpentine locks. The monstrous woman landed hard atop the fighter, daggers flashing as they stabbed at Brynn's ribs in rapid succession, searching for a way around her shield and through a gap in her armor. It was clear the time for negotiations had passed. "You destroy my greatest treasures, I destroy you!"

In Risp's distraction, Tobias managed to get a clean shot in at the gorgon. The moment his blade struck though, all of the gorgon's hair turned and lashed out at him in a chorus of angry hisses. And with the paladin averting his gaze, it was all too easy for them to sink their fangs in. Wherever a fang pierced Tobias's skin (and Uri's) the skin instantly got flaky and stone-like. He could feel his joints getting stiffer every moment that passed.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski swiftly traversed the room in relative safety, eyes averted from the battle taking place. When he reached the smaller door, he opened it to find a small room with assorted items inside. To the left, there were various articles of clothing hanging on a rod. There were also boxes on the floor below them and above them on a shelf. As well as a lounging chair in the back right corner. It was too dark to make out any significant details, but it appeared the room functioned as the gorgon's closet.

What do you do?

---

Uri and Tobias
You both got bit by the gorgon's hair. Please roll a Defy Danger to resist the poison's effects. (probably + Con, unless you have another idea) Or you could use an antitoxin if you have one.

Brynn
Take 1d8 damage from the gorgon's stab wounds. You are on the ground with the gogron on top of you. Only your weapons that have Close range will be effective until you can get out from under her.

Sierpinski
You have discovered the gorgon's closet. It's dark.

Tobias hissed in pain. The snakes' bite had gotten through his coat, which surprised Tobias. He was accustomed to a few rattlers hiding among the tall grass and leaves on his orchard. Those were kept at bay with a good sturdy pair of boots and keen ears. These were no rattlers though. He could already feel the poison working through him. He wretched his arm back, pulling away before any more venom could be injected. His grip was stiff, he could feel his fingers getting numb, as if they were turning to stone. He needed to take care of the poison pronto.

Even so, he hadn't brought any antitoxins with him and also they were in the midst of fighting. He needed to end this gorgon so they can take care of their injuries. Let his own adrenaline take care of the poison for the time being.

Deciding that using his sword would be too risky, the gorgon was literally atop of Brynn, Tobias stepped in to strike with his shield. His eyes were focused on Risp's legs, if he aimed high he could catch her in the spine. The wood shield was edged with metal, hopefully that made some sort of difference.

---

18:17, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Con).
  To resist the poison. Hopefully it's enough to keep the limb...

18:17, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Hack & Slash.

18:18, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 1 using 1d10.  Damage.
  Welp that's what I get for trying to use the shield as a weapon.

Sierpinski avoided turning around despite the sounds of the fight. Either his allies would succeed or they wouldn't. There wasn't much Sierpinski could do to change that right now.

He took out his dagger and, with a finger-snapping motion, twirled it once around his knuckles. When the handle was at rest in his grip again, [b]its blade was beginning to glow[/i] as if the steel were merely a glass vessel holding an incandescent fluid. In a moment, it was as bright as a torch, but with a steadier, whiter light. He moved it around, to at least get a view of this new chamber while he had the chance. There was even a possibility that the key to the other door could be found here.

---

Sierpinski is utilizing a light cantrip here.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:39, Fri 18 Jan 2019.

Sierpinski
Please give me a roll for your Cast a Spell move. (Even cantrips count as spells for this move.)

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 25):

22:40, Today: Sierpinski rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell. (light).

Brynn grit her teeth as gorgon attempted to savage her with a flurry of cuts. Fortunately, her armor managed to take the brunt of the assault, giving her a precious few moments to catch her breath. Stealing herself for the next volley of blows, she kept shield firmly between her and the oncoming storm. If the creature was foolish enough to continue to press its strikes against her, she could open it up to her companions' strikes, and if it was foolish enough to turn its back on her, she would make it bleed . . . or so she hoped. "Choke on it," Brynn spat, still averting her gaze.

22:15, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 2 using 1d8.  Gorgon damage. Fortunately, my armor is enough to absorb that, so I don't actually take any damage.

22:38, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Defending (on myself). I'll spend my one hold to give +1 forward to someone attacking the gorgon if she attacks me.

Uri felt the fangs in his shoulder, and was glad it wasn't his face.  He wasn't so happy about the shoulder either though, one he felt the poison take hold and the muscles start getting stiff.  He backed away from the gorgon, unsure of what to do for the moment - he wasn't a complete stranger to the sword, but he certainly wasn't a fighter.

And then inspiration struck.  He spotted two statues close together and ran behind them.  He then put his sword between them so that he could tap both statues with the flat of his blade.  It wasn't as good as a drum, but it made enough of a ting that he could use it for some rhythm.  And he began singing:

I once found a girl, or should I say she once found me
She tried to kill me, to turn me to stone, but I wasn't alone...

As he continued singing, Tobias found himself feeling energized, pushing even harder than before to help his friends deal with their current foe.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger to resist poison.

Uri rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Bardic Song.
Tobias gets +1d4 forward to damage, and I get some kind of unwanted attention or magical side effects...

As the gorgon continued to try and strike Brynn, Tobias struck the monster with his shield square on the back. Risp yelped in pain, but seemed more annoyed than injured. However, Tobias's assault was still met with a vengeful sideways stab of a dagger into his leg. Leaving her first dagger in Tobias's leg, the gorgon then pivoted and launched her other dagger through the air at Uri. "I said to leave my masterpieces alone!" Apparently she didn't like him using her statues as instruments.

With blades no longer in her her hands, when Risp turned back to Brynn, she attempted to pull the woman's shield down and get the fighter to look her in the eye. As she did, some of her hair reared up and hissed at Tobias in warning, letting the paladin know she was still paying attention to him as well, albeit not as well as she was paying attention to Brynn.

While all this was happening, Uri and Tobias could feel the poison continue to flow through their veins, and the stony and flaky skin spread out from their bite marks as well. It was making it difficult to move with precision as their joints tightened up, but did not seem to be a lethal toxin. At least not from the size of dose they had received.

Across the room, Sierpinski's glowing dagger illuminated the dark closet of Risp the gorgon. Immediately the wizard could tell the gorgon had a taste for fashion. The clothes on the rack were of dozens of different styles designed for many different environments. Parkas, robes, ball gowns, and even a bikini. Almost all of them were made of high-quality fabrics and embellished with decorative trim.

Aside from that, most of the room was filled with various boxes and chests. The ones up top seemed to be mostly hat boxes, but a few on the floor appeared to be designed to hold weapons and other curiosities. One was even labeled "Cursed gauntlet." Along the wall opposite the clothing, hooks held a variety of boas, jewelry, pendants, and a mirror. It was not a full length mirror like the one out in the larger room though. The mirror with the moving figure in it. Among the jewelry, Sierpinski spotted a key on a string. The patterning on the key matched the decorative etchings Sierpinski noticed on the locked doors from earlier. That was probably no coincidence.

What do you do?

---

Brynn
The gorgon is trying hard to get you to look into her eyes. You will need to Defy Danger now, or be subjected to her gaze. Your Hold gives Tobias a +1 forward if he attacks the gorgon.

Uri
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky condition (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

Your music worked, but caused Risp to throw one of her daggers at you. You will need to Defy Danger or be struck by it. (1d8 damage)

Tobias
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky condition (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

The gorgon stabbed you in the leg for hitting her with your shield. The dagger is still lodged there. Take 1d8 damage. Don't apply your shield's armor since you were using it as a weapon at the time.

Also, you get +1 forward to an attack against the gorgon due to Brynn's defensive tactics, and +1d4 damage from Uri's magical performance.

Sierpinski
You spotted what is most likely the key you were looking for, among other curiosities.

Sierpinski's contorted his empty hand into a summoning sign and rotated it though a precise angle. He hung the dagger in midair, in the grip of a servitor spirit. He moved into the room and plucked up the key, placing it near the dagger. Then he gave a quick look at the weapons and curiosities. Quick because his situation felt like it could change at any moment.

---

14:23, Today: Sierpinski rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell. (unseen servant).
Draw unwelcome attention or put himself in a spot.

Tobias cried out in pain as the dagger bit into his leg. He almost dropped his sword then and there, other men would have. He grit his teeth and bore the pain. Looking down he could see the dagger there in his thigh. Since he was no medic, he had no idea if pulling it out or leaving it in would be the better option.

"Leave it for latter" he decided.

The improvised song rang through Tobias' ears. The sound of it energized him, Uri's magic at work. Hardening his resolve Tobias attacked again. "Enough! I would have preferred a negotiable end, but you leave us no choice, Ms. Risp." This time not with his shield. Half-handing the blade, Tobias rammed the sword downward looking to pierce through straight through her.

---

18:45, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 3 using 1d8.  Taking Damage.
 With my armor (minus the shield) Tobias takes 1 damage

18:47, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Hack & Slash

18:49, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 15 using 1d10+1d4+1.  Damage.
 AW YEAH! High Roller over here!

Pinned to the ground by the gorgon's weight, Brynn struggled to evade her snapping vipers and her baleful gaze . . . especially without the use of her own. As the venomous woman fought to lock eyes with her, Brynn reached up and over her own shield, her mailed hand grabbing a fistful of the creature's wriggling hair and, with a sharp tug, bringing her face smashing against her raised shield. "Choke on it, witch," she spat, before releasing slightly only to tug even harder a second time.

Defying danger by attempting to redirect the gorgon's gaze by snatching a handful of her hair to control her own gaze. Including a potential hack and slash roll as well, in case you want/need to incorporate some damage for the reverse shield bash.

17:13, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger (gorgon gaze) +STR.
That could have gone better . . .

17:14, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 4 using 2d6+2.  Hack and slash (Shield bash).
Man, I'm in the club twice! At least I'll get some xp, right . . .

Playing the taverns had given Uri more than enough practice at dodging projectiles in the middle of a performance.  He ducked as the dagger came by, pausing his tapping just long enough to make it sound like he was dropping the beat for effect and then resuming again.  He continued his song, this time focusing the magical energy on Brynn instead of Tobias.

She said she would kill us this instant and started to laugh
But we worked together and overcame all of her traps...

Uri rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Defy Danger (dodge the dagger).
EDIT: I forgot to factor in the Dex penalty for Shaky, so that's actually a 9.  Maybe my beat's getting less steady and that's why the song failed?

Uri rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  Bardic Song
Well that was going to give Brynn an extra bonus the next time someone tries to aid her, but apparently the dice gods really don't want to see that happen
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Tue 22 Jan 2019.

The battle reached its climax as Brynn, struggled with the gorgon on the floor, Tobias stood overhead and prepared to strike, and Uri offered his magical arts from the sidelines. The fighter wrestled with the gorgon's head, trying to avert Risp's gaze. Her serpentine hair bit the warrior in several dozen places along her arm, but Brynn did manage to get the gorgon to look away... and directly at Lydia. Brynn had to watch as the woman she had been hired to guard turned to stone before her very eyes.

A split second later, Tobias's blade bit into the gorgon's torso from above and Risp let out a shrill shriek as the blade went clean through, clinking against Brynn's shield. "WWWrrraaaAAAAAhhh!" The monstrous woman spasamed a few times, but then went limp. Her blackish-red blood quickly began tainting the nearby pool as it drained from her body.

Uri, for his part, managed to dodge the dagger thrown at him, but the pause disrupted the magic of his performance. Well, that and the sound of Lydia's off-balance petrified form toppling over and splashing noisily in the pool as it broke into hundreds of pieces.

Meanwhile, Sierpinski could quickly tell that the gorgon liked to collect knives, daggers, and other such blades. Most of the boxes sitting on the floor contained a blade of some sort, although it was difficult to tell at a glance which ones were high quality, magical, and/or valuable. The same went for the other items in the room. Some of her jewelry items were beautiful, but fake, and others were made of real gems and precious metals. Probably the same for her clothing items.

What do you do?

---

Everyone
Nice work! You have defeated the gorgon. Unfortunately Lydia did not survive the confrontation.

Tobias
Great rolls!

Brynn
You managed to turn the gorgon to face Lydia rather than yourself. You received a lot of snake bites in the process though. Take 1d8 damage and give me a Defy Danger (or other appropriate move) for the poison.

Uri
Your music was momentarily disrupted by the dagger, and never got back on track as Lydia shattered into the pool.

Sierpinski
Risp has quite a large collection of various knives, daggers, and other such blades. Some of them may even be magical, but it is difficult to tell without spending more time studying them. Maybe some of her jewelry and articles of clothing as well. Roll me a Discern realities if you want to learn anything specific about her stuff in general in a short time span. (Like which things are valuable, or which things are magical, etc.) If you take about half an hour to look through her things, I can just tell you what you want to know instead.

Sounds of his allies' success reached his ears and Sierpinski turned away from the closet. As he walked toward the site of the battle, his dagger and the key floated behind him.

"Well done, but alas for Lydia. I'm sorry I wasn't in a position to do more.

"I have located what I think is the key to the door, and a stash of other items. If you're willing to wait here I can examine them more thoroughly. If we're in a hurry, I can attempt to determine simply what is magical."

Tobias twisted the blade to make sure the woman was indeed dead. With magic anything was possible and he wasn't about to take chances. He jerked the blade out and in the process moved the corpse off of his comrade. After wiping his sword clean with his pant leg, he sheathed it in a smooth motion. Glad that handling the sword was drilled into him the first week of training at the garrison, he'd look foolish otherwise. He offered his hand to help Brynn back to her own feet.

He caught sight of Lydia soon after. His breath caught and he forced himself to look away, not wishing to see the moment she shattered.

"A-allow me to help Sierpinski." Anything to get his mind off their loss. Tobias took a step and the jolt of pain shot up his leg

He had forgot there was a knife still sticking in his leg. "On second thought... I'll need a moment... to deal with this."

He knelt carefully so he may examine the wound.

---

Would I need to roll anything to remove the dagger from my leg?

Brynn felt the spray of hot blood as Tobias's sword plunged through the gorgon's chest. Between her shield and armored gauntlet, she'd managed to avoid suffering more than a few scratches and small punctures from the multitudes of tiny fangs looking to sink themselves deep into her flesh. Even the little bit of poison that had gotten into her bloodstream didn't seem to be slowing the hardened fighter down too much.

As she took Tobias's hand and stood, she turned to see Lydia's stony visage, frozen in shock and horror. The creature's gaze had caught the poor girl totally unaware. Another job up in flames before it had even begun. Brynn watched as the petrified woman toppled into the pool, breaking to pieces that slowly sunk to the bottom of the perfumed waters now fouled by monstrous blood. The warrior's face was so cold and unmoving, one might have thought she was the one who'd caught the gorgon's eye.

Turning to Sierpinski, axe still gripped tight in her hand, she said, "get to work . . . we can't leave here empty handed." With that, she knelt beside the creature's corpse and began rifling through its robes. "Tobias, Uri, we need to see about securing the door and maybe even scouting whatever's beyond. When the mage is done, I want to be ready to move."

20:03, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 1 using 1d8-3.  Gorgon Damage.
20:02, Today: Brynn Rhunsdottir rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((4,3)).

I'm seriously considering chopping off the gorgon's head to hang from my belt. Yes, I've played God of War, and I can't help it.

Sierpinski nodded. "I will attempt to Probe for magical effects. Though I should warn you: when magical energy is released, it has a way of rippling outward. It can have unforseen effects."

Caveat delivered, he returns to the closet and extends his senses along angles impossible to point along, sniffing for magical effects.

---

18:50, Today: Sierpinski rolled 6 using 2d6+2.  Cast a Spell (detect magic).
Mark experience.

As Tobias contemplated the best way to remove the dagger from his leg, Brynn checked the gorgon's pockets for anything noteworthy. There wasn't much on her, but Risp did have an item or two in her possession. In one pocket there was a small vial of yellow water with herbs floating in it that Brynn recognized as a fairly cheap and bitter variety of antitoxin. In another pocket was a small book. It was of the informational sort. At her belt, the gorgon had a small pouch containing 12 gold coins and a small bundle of dried meats and some gorgonzola cheese. Just enough for a single meal.

Meanwhile, over in Risp's closet, Sierpinski began his search through her things. He cast a spell upon himself to make his senses sensitive to magic, but he could tell immediately that something had gone awry. The smell of magic filled his nostrils with an overpowering perfume. It rung in his ears like a gong and burned his eyes like he was staring into the sun. He could even taste the flavor of his own spell and feel it vibrating throughout his body! The intensity was overwhelming and the wizard had to rush to dial it back before he caused himself permanent damage to his senses.

By the time he did, however, he could tell the aftereffects would linger. His eyes didn't want to focus as well as they should, and there was a slight ringing in his ears. Nothing he couldn't work with, but it was certainly distracting. Still, he could sense the magics in the room now in a way that would not pose any more danger to his health.

And there were several items of note in the room. Aside from his unseen servant and glowing dagger, Sierpinski could sense no less than five other magical auras in the room. One was from the gauntlet that was labeled as cursed, which wasn't surprising. Another emanated from an elegant ball gown hanging from the rack. One of the auras was from a throwing dagger etched with runes of translocation, and another was on a machete laying in a velvet case. The blade itself seemed to be made of the same velvet it lay atop, and there was a button on its hilt. Lastly, there was a small box tucked away in a corner labeled "Splatter Dyes" that also had a magical aura about it. Inside were 12 globules, each in a different color. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, grey, white, and transparent.

There were no other magical auras within the room. All of the jewelry and hats seemed to be of the mundane variety. The clothes as well, save for the ball gown. Although there were two sets of leather armor hanging among the other outfits, each in a vastly different style from the other.

What do you do?

---

Brynn
The poison is making your muscles more difficult to control with precision. You gain the Shaky debility (-1 to Dex rolls). This condition will last until you make camp, or cure it with a healing potion or antitoxin.

Also, you are more than welcome to collect the gorgon's head. It won't be able to petrify anyone with a glance anymore, but there may still be some venom remaining in the snake hair. Plus, it makes a cool trophy.
Gorgon head; (weight 1)

Among the gorgon's pockets you found 1 antitoxin, a coin pouch containing 12 coins, 1 bundle of rations, and a small informational book. What is the subject of the book?

Tobias
You can easily pull out the dagger in your leg, albeit painfully. The wound could certainly use some tending to, but it doesn't seem to be life-threatening.

Sierpinski
Your Detect Magic spell worked, but it worked a little too well. All of your senses were momentarily overloaded until you could reign back the power of the spell. Due to the havoc it reeked on your physical senses, you gain the Confused debility (-1 to Wis rolls). This condition will last until you manage to sleep it off.

The magical items you discovered in the closet include:
Throwing dagger with translocation runes etched into it; (thrown, near, 0 weight)
Velvet Machete with button on handle; (close, 1 weight) Edit: removed inaccurate price
Ball gown with minor magics; (2 weight)
Splatter Dye set; (0 weight)
Gauntlet labeled as cursed; (1 weight)

There are also plenty of other daggers and knives of the mundane variety. And women's clothing, hats, and jewelry. Even a couple styles of leather armor. Anyone can feel free to grab any of these, in a style you wish.
Dagger, Shiv, Knife; (hand, 1 weight)
Clothes (1 weight)
Leather Armor x2; (1 armor, worn, 1 weight)
Hat (0 weight)
Assorted Jewelry (0 weight) (handful = 1 weight)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Sucking in a breath to brace himself, Tobias pulled the dagger out as quickly as he could. He seethed as pain jolted up his leg. At least it was out now. He inspected the dagger quickly, it was still a fine blade and so it was useful. He tucked it into his belt as he stood back up. His free hand held the wound on his leg, putting pressure on it to slow the bleeding.

He walked over to Brynn, "If you please Ms. Brynn. See if you can cut some strips of cloth off Ms. Risp's robe while you're at that. We can use some makeshift bandages." He gestured to the wound on his leg for emphasis, "I'll go listen at the door like you said, our commotion could have riled up others we don't know about."

As he walked around the pool he paused at the spot Lydia had stood. Even if the water was intermixed with the gorgon's blood, he could see the chunks of stone that was once his comrade. Tobias closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I am sorry, Lydia. We were asked to watch over you and we failed. When I return to home, I'll visit your family as soon as I can, give them my condolences and my apology... Ajanna, please take care of her if she comes to your home. Save her a seat at your table, and a spot next to your hearth. Give her love until her family arrives..."

His short prayer done, Tobias walked over to the door. He knew it would be locked until Sierpinski retrieved the key, and he wasn't going to try his hand at picking the lock. Instead he crouched low to press his ear against the door.

---

I'll take the dagger with me and add it to my gear list.

17:54, Today: Tobias Hiller rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Discern Realities.
  I'll spend my 1 hold on,
  - What should I be on the lookout for?

Squinting past his discomfort, Sierpinski carefully lifted each item detected as magical, swapping with his servitor spell, until it was holding the gown, the dagger with the runes, the dye set, and the box with the gauntlet, and he was holding the strange machete, with the key to the double doors in his pocket (or handed to whomever might request it from him) and his own dagger resheathed (with the light spell remaining on it).

Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, he stepped to the side and made to test the unusual weapon. "Stand back," he said, before extending it before him and depressing the button.

Sschhllckk

The gorgon's neck made a sickening sound as Skal'Drag rent flesh and shattered bone on its way to severing the beast's head from its body. A moment later and Brynn had tied it handily to her belt by the snakes of its own ghastly hair. After fetching a new dagger from the creature's surplus stock, the fighter pocketed the items she found on the body, shredding its cloak to make some extra bandages, until she came to the strange book. The strange tome was an (apparently self-written) account of dark dwelling creatures and the strange powers they wielded. After thumbing through it for only a moment, she knew it was better off in Sierpinski's hands than hers.

Brynn made to give the volume over to him, stopping when she saw him make ready to test his strange discovery. With no other recourse to aid him, she stood by, careful to avoid any unfortunate feedback.

I'm taking everything off Risp as well as a new dagger and a handful of jewelry. Hopefully it'll sell for something. A cool trophy is more than enough to get from the head, but maybe our wizard will be able to do something with it later.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:45, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Uri looked through the various garments that Sierpinski brought out from the closet.  He was already tempted to take one of the suits of leather armor for himself, but his mind was quickly made up when he saw the sigils burned into the chest of one of them.  He recognized it right away from the legends of the dashing rogue Peverel Parveau, whose tattoos were said to hold magical tools that could help him past any lock or trap.  This was definitely the armor for him to claim.

GM, what do the legends tell me about how Peverel met his end?

As Sierpinski stood at the ready and pressed the button on his new magical machete, the velvet on the blade shredded into a million pieces and dispersed in a fine mist, leaving Sierpinski holding nothing but a handle. No, wait, there was still a blade there. It was just nearly invisible. It wavered in the air almost like a mirage. Upon closer examination, Sierpinski could tell that it glowed extremely faintly with the same emerald light from the braziers above, and had the same smell of flower petals from the nearby pool. It was light as air now as well. as far as he could tell, pressing the button caused it to take on the properties of the air it was touching.

As the wizard did this, Tobias listened carefully at the door for any signs of movement outside. There was none. In fact, it was almost eerily quiet out there. But due to his intense concentration on the sounds around him, Tobias did notice one sound that seemed out of place. It was the quiet, nearly imperceptible sound of someone sobbing. It took the paladin a while to pinpoint where it was coming from, but he eventually came to the conclusion that it was coming from the full-length mirror they had first spotted the gorgon standing in front of. It seemed their group was not quite alone just yet.

Meanwhile, Uri marveled at his fortuitous find. There was no doubt that this was indeed Peverel's armor. The style, the sigils, and even the patched up gash where he was said to have been stabbed by a rabid ogre and lived to tell the tale. Yes, this was definitely the armor of the legendary rogue. Which begged the question, why did this gorgon have it. He was not slain by a gorgon, but by some other dark-dwelling creature when he tried to infiltrate the marbled keep and recover the Artifact of the Eldritch Muses.

What do you do?

---

Sierpinski
The machete seems to take on the properties of the air around it when you push the button. It currently has zero weight due to its new air-like quality.

Brynn
The book was 0 weight. One of the entries in it deals with the creature Uri decides upon.

Tobias
What should I be on the lookout for?
Strangely enough you don't hear anything outside the door, but you do hear some soft sobbing coming from the mirror across the room. You wouldn't have even noticed it if you hadn't been listening so intently.

Uri
He is said to have died while trying to infiltrate the lair of some dark-dwelling creature. What was this creature. What is the Artifact of the Eldritch Muses said to be?

The sobbing made Tobias pause. He disliked hearing anyone in distress. Still he had to think of his friends first. He rather have them keep to their own doings while he took care of whoever was sobbing inside the mirror. "Careful ya'll, we ain't alone in here." Tobias waved a hand for everyone to stay away from the mirror. He could see them rooting around inside Risps' personal belonging. He didn't know how he felt about looting the place, as killing the host seemed a lot steeper crime when compared to stealing. He'd keep his own moral shortcomings to himself for the time being.

He walked carefully to the mirror, trying to peer inside it from where he stood. He didn't know what kind of magic lay within the mirror but he knew to be cautious. The jewel inlaid mirror was of fine craftsmanship, the detail was immaculate. Vines and flowers flowed and wrapped the length of it's height. The jewels were at the center of each flower, accenting them. Tobias himself was only offhandedly familiar with wood working, only fixing up his home's furniture and whittling small animals in his spare time, and was quite impressed by it all. He cleared his throat a bit once he was within speaking distance of the mirror. "Um, excuse me?" He remembered he had seen someone, possibly a young girl, when they first entered the tapestry. He hesitated to knock. Is that considered rude? Was this person's confinement equivalent to a pet fish's bowl, and tapping it would resound with uncomfortable loudness?

Tobias decided not to chance it, just in case. He looked back at the headless corpse lying only a few feet away. He decided to stand in the way, so to obscure the body from the mirror's line of sight. And for his own protection he kept his shield in front of him. Once again he cleared his throat to gain the occupant's attention, "Excuse me. My name is Tobias Hiller, I am... I am sorry we are meeting in such uncomfortable circumstances. Know that I would have preferred to never have harmed Ms. Risp. Would you please come out so we may converse civilly?"

Uri was overcome with excitement at his find (okay, technically it was Sierpinski's find, but Uri was the one who recognized it).  He started chattering to his companions about Peverel's deeds, equally encouraged whether they had heard of him before or not.  He focused on the final tale, how Peverel had snuck into the Keep of the Eldritch Muses to steal the Quill of All Words, which could write any truth even if the writer did not know it, and was also said to be able to create new truths if the writer knew how to use it.  The story ended when the great rogue was overtaken by a group of shadow eaters, magical creatures which hid in darkness and could attack a living being's essence without touching their body.

And then at last he noticed what Tobias was doing, and he stopped talking so he could see what would happen.