In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 6):

Locked.

Locked.


Locked.



Locked.




All damnably locked by some manner of mechanism or spellcraft! Some had a definite arcane aspect to them; with a fleeting rune or two briefly glowing upon the doorknob or empty nameplate nailed to the door. The two doors which had been left wide open proved to be little more than entrances to empty chambers; tiny square rooms no bigger than broom closets.... in fact, upon further inspection of them left little doubt in the mind that that is exactly what at least one of them had been. The other was perhaps a pantry before it had been left to the dust and darkness.  Room after room from there proved to be locked and barred to any entry.

All but one. After almost 45 minutes of trying door after door, one finally seemed to heed the call of a speaker for the Lord of Knowledge. OrR perhaps for the Void that Calls? It was unclear. What was clear as day, however, was that the door was locked one moment, then with a sudden CLICK sprang ajar after hearing the words spoken.

Through the crack in doorway, all that could be seen was a room not much bigger than the little pantry. This one, however, still held some of its furnishings. A writing desk with a few drawers rests against one wall. A single chair sits before it, leaning heavily to one side on three legs, while its fourth lays askew on the floor beside it, broken at the head. A large map is fused to one wall, displaying the entire region wherein Tideswallow lies. Map

The rest of the room seems mostly empty. A few stray scraps of paper lie about here and there, but are blank. A book rests upon the top of the desk, but its pages are all torn out. Only the leather-bound cover remains.

"Your servant offers his thanks. May his hands be ever guided by thine."

Bartimaeus entered the small room touching nothing but with his eyes. He examineed the map on the wall, the craftsmanship of the chair and secretary, and the thickness of the torn pages on the floor. ~~ What was it caused this chair to break? ~~ he asked himself looking at the broken leg. ~~ Violence? Haste? Decrepitude? ~~ Satisfying himself in what is merely to be seen, he pulled out his small penknife and delicately poked and prodded, taking care not to pierce anything, but testing to see what would open and what would not.

The expaginated leather binding received the first tactile investigation, turning it back and forth looking for title, author, or any information of that sort. He picked up one of the ripped sheets to see if the fiber lattice matched that of what remained glued to the inside of the book.

Again satisfied, he folded his penknife and replaced it within his pouch, and ran delicate fingers around the two focuses of attention in the room: the strangely fused map and the desk. He had a pet theory that wall hangings had been invented to conceal cavities placed in walls, and certainly secretaries were common homes to false bottoms and hidden compartments. Little wonder if he might find something of interest...

---

OOC:
Cast Guidance
16:05, Today: Bartimaeus rolled 26 using 1d20+1d4+5.  Investigation, map room.

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 8):

The chair leg proves to be exactly as it seems, though it does strike you as odd that the chair itself has not tumbled over in all the time its been left to sit here. Judging by the arcane nature of the door, it wouldn’t be entirely beyond reason to think that some simple enchantment could be keeping the chair standing on its own. Either way, it is of little consequence to your search as it stands.

The pieces of parchment seem to be torn from a book, but upon comparing them to the remnants within the leather binding, none seem to match. The leather cover contains the final fragments of lined vellum, while the parchment on the floor is simple paper. The cover itself appears to have no discernible markings of any kind that you can make out. Outside. Inside. On the spine. Nothing...

Turning your attention to the map, however, finally bears fruit. Drawing closer you can now see that it is far less of a “wall hanging” so much as part of the wall that has been entirely replaced by heavy canvas map. It fits so perfectly to the wall itself it is as though it has been fused directly to it. There is no way to lift it or peel it off, but as you prod at it a bit you can definitely an indent behind the upper right portion of it. The rest is covering nothing but stone. But the portion directly under Tideswallow and the harbor conceal some manner of hollow behind them. Whoever put it here likely thought themselves supremely clever hiding it in such a way... the poor fool.

The scraps of paper were gathered and placed within the binding; he'd remove them later and place them on the long tables in the entry hall for more examination later. Perhaps the old trick of lemon-ink was popular among a clown here at the College, and what seemed blank would bear fruit.

Bartimaeus smiled to himself as his fingers discover the secret concealed by the map. ~~ And Brother Harrult thought my little anthropological hypothesis was in jest! Perhaps the desk will be as fruitful... ~~ Taking the penknife back out from his belt he carefully cut into the canvas around the image of Tideswallow to reveal what waited behind.

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 10):

Removing a portion of the map, you uncover a small recess carved into the stone wall of the chamber. It only goes back about a foot, but it is more than big enough to hide a bit of intrigue. Specifically, a stick, a copper orb that fits in the palm of your hand, a single page of parchment which matches up with the torn portions from the leather cover, and a tiny pouch of coins.

The coin pouch contains 10 bronze coins and 4 gold coins stamped with insignias from a land you are unfamiliar with. The face on one side is depicted head on; displaying a woman with wild hair and long viper fangs jutting from her grinning face. On the reverse side of each is a single rune; a cross-crossing helix on the bronze pieces and a an X embedded in an eye on the gold. You’ve never encountered bronze coins before, but you’re confident the gold ones at least could be worth something.

The page of parchment hold a strange arcane formula upon it which doesn’t immediately make sense to you as you try to work it out. On the reverse side of the expensive velum sheet, you find a crude drawing. A stick figure humanoid, crouched within the confines of a half-circle. What you assume to be rain or projectiles are bouncing off the outside of it, while the figure’s own arrows are being shot through it from the inside at the unseen attackers beyond. It’s... not of any particular quality, but there does still seem to be enough of a narrative to be able to follow.

The copper ball is strange, but seems unimpressive upon closer inspection. One hemisphere is smooth and flawless, while the other half is carved with a flanged pattern, almost appearing to be an aperture of some manner. Yet no matter what you do, it remains still and refuses to open.

The stick is a stick. About a foot long and devoid of bark thanks to a skilled hand and a whittling knife. You suspect this was originally intended to be a wand, but the crafter never finished it. It is unclear exactly what its purpose was, but you’re confident it is not completed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:30, Mon 21 Sept 2020.

Bartimaeus looked back at the leather cover. "This was your spellbook. Destroyed. But why, I wonder. Why would you preserve these particular formulae? And you a wizard within a College of Bards. These coins of your country of origin, perhaps? What is she: a medusa? a Yuanti? ... a vampire? And this..." he weighed the orb in his palm, "this curiosity. Hiding something further within, maybe." Tucking the items in deep pockets he pulled out a candle and melted the tip, letting the drip fall on the stone at the bottom edge of the cavity. He took the canvas flap and pressed it into the wax, if not completely concealing the nook, at least making it less visible to curious eyes.

"A wizard within the College. This place had pretenses as a tourist attraction, did it not? There will be an up-jumped salesman who fancies himself an historian; he'll be of little use, but records he might have, and in those records may be your name. We shall see in due time. First things first..." he finished and turned his attention to the writing desk.

Having recently returned to this city after an absence of eleven years, Vesryn had set himself up in the long abandoned Bard Meeting Hall. To his surprise and amazement, his old room was as he had left it and still keyed to him. Quickly making himself at home once again in this room and city of his birth.

The last several weeks had been spent getting familiar with the city once again, much had changed in the last eleven years location wise and businesses yet the dynamics of the city was much the same.

Leaving his room as quietly as possible, to keep it's location a secret for as long as possible.
08:26, Today: Vesryn rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Stealth.

Once out in the hallway, he makes his way to where the tenured bards had once resided.
"Let's see if we can get lucky, having one of those bigger rooms would be perfect." Making his way there alert for anything of danger or interest.

08:31, Today: Vesryn rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  perception.

The writing desk stood before him, but Bartimaeus froze upon hearing the creak of a door and the click of a lock. [Passive Perception 12] Not that those were strange sounds in a hallway of doors such as this but the College had been to this point silent as the grave.

~~ I am a scholar and an antiquarian, and I have plainly announced my presence here, ~~ he thought. ~~ Best to carry on being plain. ~~

Leaving the desk for a moment Bartimaeus put his head into the hallway, looking this way and that, seeing nothing.

"It is upon the warrant of the Lord of Knowledge and the invitation of the College itself that I am present. Make yourself plain, assist me in my task if you credit the College's reputation, or leave me to my work!" he announced to the dark corridor. After a moment's silence he returned to his search of the writing desk.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Sat 12 Sept 2020.

As Vesryn begins making his way toward the larger rooms and their sure-to-be-locked doors, the call of an unfamiliar voice echoes down the hallway. From exactly which room, it is impossible to tell due to the darkness. It would seem the old enchantments that had kept the interior lit with a constant glow of pale blue fire from every tile of the floor had long since burned out. Either way, you get a fairly good idea of where the voice originated from and could likely find its source easily enough if you cared to. Elsewise the larger rooms awaited in the opposite direction the words had come from.

The voice is unfamiliar to you.

Meanwhile, in the small room he’d been working from, Bartimaeus returns his attention to the desk. There are three drawers upon it, two of which are locked tight. The top one, however, slides open without issue. Inside rests a stack of cheap, untouched parchment, a writing quill, and 5 jars of black ink and one small vial of violet ink. A strange shade to be writing down anything of import with, but fitting enough for an eccentric, you suppose. Excellent for creating flourishes and embellishments.

No sign of a key for the other drawers.

Bartimaeus flipped through the parchment then placed it within the leather bindings along with the quill. The vials of ink he wrapped individually in sheets of paper to prevent their breakage and placed those in pocket as well.

Without a key, the penknife comes out again and he attempted to wedge the blade where he presumed the locking bar would be, but unfortunately the table was too well-made for such simple artifice, and there appeared no means to leverage his strength, such as it was, to force the drawers open.

~~ This room was opened by not my will, but by another's. Is it arrogance to presume access to all within? ~~ he thought, and folding the penknife returned it to its pocket. ~~ A moment's meditation perhaps will guide me. ~~

Seating himself on the floor, he snuffed the torch and plunged the room into darkness; a mote of flame gleamed as another pellet of incense was lit within the censer dangling from the crosier and Bartimaeus closed his eyes in silent thought, his mind lifted outward as sweet odors filled the small room.

---

OOC:
14:17, Today: Bartimaeus rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Dexterity - Open lock Drawer 1.
14:17, Today: Bartimaeus rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Dexterity - Open lock Drawer 2.
Woof. Well. Sure would hate for a roguish dex-based character to show up just about now. Lol.

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 16):

(OOC: Well that was supremely unfortunate... but the desk isn’t going anywhere so feel free to have another shot at it a bit later. I won’t be able to respond for a bit here, unfortunately, but that just about covers what this room has to offer for the time being. I’ll edit this post into something more useful as soon as i get back in tonight.)

The desk remains firmly shut, its contents still a mystery; though your prodding does reveal a bit of movement from within as several objects are jostled around. A few quick clinks of glass, a soft thud that may have been a book hitting the wood, and in an ironic twist, what sounded for all the world like a set of keys jingling.

Then a new set of noises catches your attention... footfalls. Someone walking closer and closer outside the room. You suspect it is whoever was moving about in the room down the hall.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:25, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

In reply to GM (msg # 17):

[OOC:
Yeah, no worries. Could be Vesryn and I have some conversation ahead of us before a second attempt. And then there’s always Guidance! (Not that 1d4 would have helped much!)]

Seeing the man before him carefully wrap up some stuff before storing it away upon his person."For half of the ink you just stored away, I could try to open the rest of the desk for you for equal shares of what we find. I also know of several better places to try here if you will assist me. I believe we could do very well here today, might even surprise you what we find."

The Half elf, is not using any light source to navigate his way around.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

Bartimaeus froze in his collection of the inks and looked at the elfish presence in the doorway. ~~ A mercenary. They possess some virtue, ~~ he thought. Keeping his eyes on the newcomer he placed three of the black inks on the table.

"I am afraid you will render me the greater share of what is found, for I understand the value of knowledge and the poverty of wealth, and I presume the latter is what you desire." Standing back to allow the man room, he began to pray aloud.

    Blessed be Thy Name, All-seeing, All-knowing;
    Blessed be Thy Hand, succor of the ignorant;
    Guide the mind and hands of this man towards success
    that we may offer praise in the knowledge gained
    and better understand Your Mysteries.

When the newcomer entered the room, Bartimaeus slowly lifted his empty hand and placed his palm on his shoulder. "Rejoice, and embrace enlightenment."

---

OOC:
Cast Guidance: enjoy +1d4 on your rolls, Vesryn!

The half elf enters the room and gathers up the ink that was offered, "Vesryn, is the name. " looks to the desk. "The second drawer is the mail system, might be something in it though. Give me a few and will see what I can do about those locks."

He proceeds to take out a lockpick from his pouch. First he works on the first drawer before looking at the mailbox drawer.

01:38, Today: Vesryn rolled 14,4 using 1d20+4,1d4.  To open the desk drawers 1.

01:39, Today: Vesryn rolled 18,4 using 1d20+4,1d4.  To open the desk drawers 2.

"How did you get into this room, they are usually locked and secured. If you take the time and get lucky, you might get it attuned to you so you can use it."

"Brother Bartimaeus, Vesryn. As for how I entered the room, it was the same way I entered the Hall: I asked."

The smile didn't touch his eyes.

"I asked, and the College answered."

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 21):

Despite his best efforts, the second drawer remained locked. The third however, suddenly clicked open after only the slightest twist of the lock pick.

A distinct scent of ozone wafted out of the drawer as it opened. Inside lies exactly what you had heard upon jostling the desk. A pair of books. Two glass bottles each containing a single dose of some crystal clear syrupy liquid. And finally a small ring of keys, too small to fit the desk’s lock. They look to be more in line with the simple locks you have occasionally seen on certain tomes, diaries, and spellbooks in the past.

The two books appear to be perfectly mundane in nature. One is a history book detailing the Tenebrian Empire’s origins, the other what appears to be short novel entitled Darker Than Night by Alestor Verse (depending on how zealous of a reader your character is, this name may be a familiar to you or completely meaningless).
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:18, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

Vesryn, feeling quite pleased with himself with the unlocking of one of the drawers and it's revealing contents.

The first things that he inspects are the books, covers, then opens them to read a bit.

While he is dealing with the books, "Bartimaeus, what do you think of the liquids. ? "

Bartimaeus pulls the cork out of a vial, sniffs it, then daubs a bit on his finger. After checking the viscosity between thumb and forefinger he tastes it.

The history book is written in a form of elvish you recognize as being used mainly by drow. Specifically, Tenebrian drow from the capital of the Empire. With a bit of skimming, it’s not hard to see that this isn’t exactly a proper recounting of events so much as it is a propaganda piece. Tenebria in its early days was certainly the victim and underdog; existing under the control of other major nations as a slave state. However, after a long and bloody revolution, they transitioned into being the one subjugating others; conquering whole regions of the continent through show of force and cunning statecraft.... This book leaves out those finer details and basically just paints Tenebria as a nation that went from nothing to greatness with minimal bloodshed; And which then formed a peaceful coexistence with its many new holdings as a benevolent seat of centralized power.

The second book is written in common and is heavily worn and tattered. Its likely seen a lot of reading and has been passed between many hands. It is a novelized recounting of a group’s journey into the Underdark, with the party of naive adventurers slowly falling to madness as they rest in the safety of a protective spell. One by one, the flee from the defensive barrier, confident that their comrades mean to betray them; only to then vanish into the darkness beyond. There's no proper villain to the story. No  monsters. No combat or bloodshed of any kind. Just a group of people who weren’t prepared for the mental stresses of the darker places of the world, slowly letting their own imaginations undo them.  The author’s name is familiar to any who have an interest in fiction. Alestor Verse is a fairly well-known writer of adventure tales and, more recently, smutty love novels that see he tries to work adventure and action scenes into. This appears to be one of his earlier works.

The ink, as you taste it, strangely tastes of nothing at all. It is as if you are touching your tongue to particularly thick air. It isn’t until you look down at your finger that you realize its effect. The tip of your finger which had made contact with the liquid has vanished. You can still feel it there, but any part of it that the liquid got onto is completely and perfectly invisible. It is a bit unsettling at first, but once you understand it was merely invisibility and not a corrosive agent disintegrating the flesh, it becomes far easier to look at without feeling uncomfortable with.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:19, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

“Ah. Potions of Invisibility.” he said flatly. He offered them both to Vesryn. “Am I mistaken about what you believe is valuable?”

He turned his attention to the books. “We have a wizard preparing for an expedition to the Underside, yes. History to know what tales the dark elves tell themselves, and this novel. Hmmm. I confess to not knowing elvish history as well as I might, and this account will offer interesting lies to compare to the lies I’ve already read. But this? Popular fiction?” Bartimaeus flipped through the pages looking for marginalia and dog-eared pages, ending by placing the book spine down on the desk and allowing the book to fall open to that page it had been most accustomed to opening upon. As he scanned the text of that page he muttered, “What truth did you think these pages held?” He pulled out the vellum page recovered from the wall cavity and looked again at the drawing on the reverse. “Were you heading into the dark as you drew this? If so, why did you leave it here? Unless you departed prematurely. Or unwillingly...?”

Bartimaeus looked up and cleared his throat. “Ah, my apologies, Vesryn. You are still here. Of course you are, silly me. Tell me: if the College attunes itself to its residents, are you aware of a roster upon which we might find our absent wizard’s name?”

---

OOC:
You get the potions, I the books and keys?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Sun 13 Sept 2020.

"I have interest in knowledge like you as well, but in this instance if you like I will take the potions. Given time to search and study I am sure that I can gather some information on the occupant of this room. He then gathers the ink vials and two potions and walks to the door but before leaving it he puts them in a small box on a ledge,_{"Room 113"} as he turns back to Bartimaeus the items that were in the box have suddenly disappeared.

"When we are finished here, I know where several of the larger residence rooms are at which I would like to try. If we can get lucky the opportunities that await us could be huge."

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 28):

Reflecting on your knowledge of the strange demiplane magic the College’s creators favored utilizing, you’re confident any attempt to refit an existing room to a new occupant would be impossible with the level of magic you are currently capable of wielding... but you would also know that this is, first and foremost, a BARD college. Strength of magic is nice for wizards and the like who favor prim and proper order dictating their means of learning. For the bards here, however, it was all about figuring out how to cut corners and get the most out of the simplest solutions. You are confident that, were you able to gain access to the higher-ups chambers, you would be able to find something that could make the process possible... assuming it hasn’t been stolen already or taken with the masters when they left the college to rot.

Bartimaeus walked over to the box and peered in. "Curious mechanism. This will be an inter-office parcel delivery system, will it? No doubt limited in what it can safely convey. Nevertheless, possibilities suggest themselves...

"Yes, Vesryn, I think we shall do well here, though I do not seek to permanently ensconce myself; I am a visitor here at the pleasure of the College ... or whatever master it serves. It would not do to overstay." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, muttering an incantation on the exhale. "Shall we pay attention to the remaining compartment?"

---

OOC:
I'll cast Guidance, and will use my actions to aid you. That'll give you advantage on your next open lock check, and then add d4 to that.

Vesryn  once again tries the lock on  the final drawer with the assistance form his companion.

Once again his skill with tyhe lock pick is evident as it is done with some skill and obvious experience.

14:24, Today: Vesryn rolled 1 using 1d4.  guidance.

14:23, Today: Vesryn rolled 19 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only.  Open locks with assist.

So total roll with guidance was a 20.