In reply to Vesryn (msg # 31):

Immediately as the lock clicks open, the drawer itself shoots outward and a small creature launches out from within; heeding the two of you for a split second with beady eyes seething with an almost palpable hatred. Its body is only about two feet in length, from the tip of its horns to the end of the large scorpion-like stinger on its segmented tail. It has the slender, thin-muscled body of a sprinter and its face is practically chiseled to be a physical manifestation of mistrust. It appears bipedal, leaping out of the drawer on two legs and landing crouched upon the edge of the drawer as it stares you down. Its hands and feet end in sharpened claws which it flexes nervously at you both as it plots its next move. Seemingly deciding two full-sized humanoids are more than it wants to deal with, it lounges for the space between you both, aiming to dart out the door before either of you can stop it.

"I can use your help here, Bartimaeus."
He then quickly blocks the way of the creature with his hands outstretched to be as non threatening as possible. "Don't be afraid, we  will not hurt you. Just stay awhile  with us, if you want to still leave I won't stop or hurt you. Right now you are safe with us, there is no need to fear anything."

15:01, Today: Secret Roll: Vesryn rolled 25 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 20,18.  persuasion with advantage if assisted.

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 33):

The creature tries its best to get passed, but between the two of you it proves to be an impossible task. Desperate, it tries going over you both, leaping up and spreading its leathery, bat-like wings... only to find that they are unable to support it. You suspect it has been trapped within the drawer for quite some time and has moved very little in the interim.

“   ‘Stay?’ You say?  ‘Stay a while?’ I’ve stayed! Stayed too long! I leave! I leave now! ”

It glares up at you both from the floor, claws and stinger poised to strike at a moment’s notice. Yet it seems wholly aware that it is outmatched here and really has no option but to hold its ground and wait to react.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 19:20, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

Vesryn slowly unblocks the doorway as he continues to talk to the creature. "As I said I won't stop you from leaving if that is what you desire. If you decide to stay with me I will protect you as I can and you can always leave whenever you like. I am sorry you were locked up for so long no creature should be treated like that. My name is Vesryn, I will be your friend if you will let me and give me the chance."

Bartimaeus looked at the creature for a moment, then took a quick breath in when his memory jogged and he whispered, "...homunculus..."

His eyes glared straight at the creature.

OOC:
15:41, Today: Bartimaeus rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  Know Arcana.

Sorry, Vesryn, but the telepathy is silent!

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 36):

It continues to look around for a clear way out, it’s eyes darting back and forth between you both. However, between the two of your attempts, despite the door being open before it, it doesn’t seem to be making a move to escape just yet.

“ You... not her servants? Not here to... to retrieve me? Then... then you are thieves? Yes? Taking things and poking in places not your own?”

It chuckles quietly to itself a moment.

“Best watch you don’t lose some fingers”

It still looks at you both mistrustfully, but it isn’t trying to escape anymore, at the very least.

"As I  said, my name is Vesryn. Yes sometimes i steal  when needed, i always watch out for my fingers. If you  would like to stay with me we can work together, i will protect you and you can assist me as you can and like. You will be free to leave anytime you like. "

he will make his way to the chair and sit down or the bed whichever is closer. making sure the creature has room to leave and isn't threatened by his actions.

Once seated,"You are a smart and  brave one, I do believe we could be such friends you and I what do  you think?"

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 38):

He nods a bit and speaks more to himself than to either of you.

“Just a mistake? Just here by accident?”

He chuckles again. A bit louder now.

“Friends? Yes. Friends we can be! Yes, yes, yes. This will do!”

Without warning he leaps at Vesryn, claws out. But rather than attacking, it simply clings to your clothing and climbers up and around in a spiral about your entire body, coming to rest on your left shoulder. He leans over to also be able to see Bartimaeus as well.
“We speak more, yes. You are not with her, but you entered anyway? So you are clever. Or lucky. Both are good! You are an... uh... unknown element? Unanticipated? Yes, yes. That!”

“The College deigned me worthy to enter; I only requested entry. Vesryn here came along after the door was open.”

Bartimaeus leaned against the desk. “But you fear your mistress. Why? What I know of your kind you’d know if your mistress were nearby. Was she not your creator? And who is this mistress of yours? Her name. Her race. Her magical discipline.

“Lastly: by what name shall we call you?”

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 40):

The little creature cackles to himself at your words.

"Creator? No no no no. She simply summoned me to this realm. And then bound me here with word and contract. A good deal, yes. No qualms. Until she started digging for knowledge. She had a goal in mind and would let me go until it was complete. When I refused to introduce her to someone who might help, she locked me away in the drawer... That was... I know not how long ago. How much time has slipped. Desk was sealed. Enchanted, so I could shift away... But you are not her. So to you, I am Milthrix. To you, I am friend."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:43, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

"Milthrix. Hmmm." Bartimaeus looked Vesryn briefly in the eye, and gave a quick nod to indicate that yes, he was inside his mind.


"I am satisfied at what I have gleaned here, though I would enjoy some time to review these findings. Vesryn, would you accompany me to the front hall where we may chat in greater comfort?"

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 42):

The imp peers over at Bartimaeus from his perch on Vesryn’s shoulder; a spark of curiosity now clearly visible in his beady little eyes.

“You! You spoke in my mind, though we’ve never met! You must be clever one! Looking at you, you are curious; yes, very, yes. You are seeking knowledge too, maybe? Seeking like her? But no, not like her! You surely have restraint where she had none. Know your limits. Won’t make stupid mistakes or seek ruinous powers. Surely a bright, clever one like you would know better! Maybe I can help? We can make contract and I can help you find answers! Safer answers. Ones worth knowing. Yes.”

Realizing he’s neglected his current ride, he turns his attention back to Vesryn a for a moment.

“Or maybe you? You offered, yes? Wanted to be kind? She was never kind. I would like kind. Maybe you make contract and I help you do.... whatever it is you are doing?” Looking you over, he now seems to be second-guessing himself as he realizes he has no idea who you are or what you do.

"I would be willing to see and make a contract with you, together we could do great things. If we do make a contract you will be treated fair. As to what I do, this place was once my home many years ago, more information you will only get after we have a contract."

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 44):

Milthrix nods enthusiastically.

“Ah, yes. Yes. And yes again. A music lover? So was she. But you are not simply playing at it. Also know what you are doing. What powers you tamper with. That is good. Much better. We can have a contract, in that case! You will accept, yes? I work for little. No souls. Only secrets. You pay with truths I do not yet know. Then I help you uncover more. And I take my share. It is a good deal, yes?”

"I can agree, you help me in my life and journey through it. In return I treat you fairly and share my knowledge with you.

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 46):

Milthirx grins, hops off your shoulder and onto the edge of the desk, straightens up, and holds out a tiny clawed hand toward you.
“This is contract enough! You shake, yes? We have deal?”

"We have a deal." Vesryn takes the Imp's clawed hand and shakes it.

In reply to Vesryn (msg # 48):

You feel a mild twinge of pain as his claws dig into your palm, drawing some blood. There is the briefest flash of crimson fire between your hands. Then it’s gone.

The deal is struck.

The contract sealed.

You now have a potentially useful “familiar” to call upon... you don’t know how loyal or helpful he’ll be, but as long as you treat him well and keep your end of the bargain, he’ll probably keep his. Worst come to worst, you’ve never known imps to be particularly dangerous combatants on their own. You could probably take him if you had to...

Bartimaeus' shoulders sagged a bit and the tiredness in his face returned. ~~ He asked an imp to help him through life. How long, I wonder, before the imp decides he's contractually obligated to help him find the end of his life? Hmmmm. Well, not being bound to him perhaps a question or two of mine can find an answer. ~~

He tidied up the paper into the leather binding, "Milthrix, do you know what happened to this book?" and tucked it under his arm. Bartimaeus took up his crosier and walked into the hallway, re-checking the doorframe for identification, and then started walking down the hallway towards the entry hall.

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 50):

The imp looks at the cover carefully, for a minute or two before understanding suddenly seems to dawn on him.
“Her journal. Probably didn’t want others finding it. Put it together out of pages she would steal from others in the college mostly. And pages she wrote about her findings. Many secrets. Likely didn’t want others seeing them so hid them away or brought them with her to her ruin. Used to be lots of spells she couldn’t use or ones she thought might be useful one day but weren’t at the time. Cover couldn’t leave the college though. Disappeared if it leaves these halls for some reason. Then reappeared back  on the bookshelves outside this room. Strange bit of enchantment, but strong.”

Bartimaeus looked at the binding. "Curious. And Milthrix ... you still haven't stated her name." He let that statement hang in the air a moment before turning down the hall to the entry. ~~ I suppose I shall have to look through the shelves again for references to the Underdark. ~~

"Come, Ailuros." From out of the shadows of the corridor a Black/White/Orange tricolor cat pads silently after Bartimaeus.

He stopped suddenly. "Vesryn, I assumed the stacks in the entry hall represented the College library. Was I correct, or is there a library contained somewhere along this corridor?"

---

OOC:
Vesryn, unless THINGS HAPPEN I'm ready to get into 8-12 hours of study and research into the stuff we found. I'd be happy to be present while you question Milthrix to offer a bon mot (or not). I know you want to move on to one of the corner offices... would you be willing to wait to do that after a fast-forward?

DM, here's the things I'd like to do for the next [span of time], completing them in the order they're listed.

• Go back through the library looking for Underdark references, or material covering the same topics as those we found.
• Look for tracts on coinage (to help identify brass/gold coins)
• Cast Identify on
         Vellum page found concealed behind map (also Comprehend Languages on this)
         Copper Orb which seems like it should open
         Vial of violet ink
• Hold scraps of paper over open candle flame to check for disappearing ink.
• Do the same for 10 randomly selected sheets of paper found in desk.
• Ask Vesryn for a quill's dip of one of his potions; write on a sheet to see what happens. Can't see writing? Or can see through sheet to other side?

The following can happen while I am taking a Long Rest.

• Look through Mistress' copies of history and fiction books for marginalia.
• If coinage book is found, scan through for references.
• Read the History
• Read the Fiction
• Flip through the dozen or so books I'd already taken out to begin with.

"Yes,the books in the entry hall is the public library. There is also another one that was more restricted in who could access it. It is right by the rooms that I want to check out, I can take you if you can assist at the door."

Telepathy: Milthrix, shall we go and show him the way. Before exploring and getting to know one another better."

Want to try the room of my Mentor a Whisper Bard, quite the collector of secrets.

With that, the two of you make your way down to the far end of the hallway fulled with doors. A few larger ones come into view at the end of it, decorated with far more elaborate filigree and embellishments than the typical resident doorways were. One Vesryn immediately recognizes as the one he’s looking for. A simple enchantment rests upon it, as well as a complex lock. To enter, both would need to be opened.

The enchantment you know to be undone with a simple phrase often shared between yourself and your mentor. The lock, however, Is far less of a straight path. Picking or breaking of some manner will be necessary.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:29, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Bartimaeus’ eyes flash at the possibility of restricted stacks. “I would be happy to assist at your mentor’s door.”

---

OOC:
Ok, DM: guess I’ll delay that list of stuff to do for a little while longer!

Haha, oh no! :-D

Sorry to have you write that only to say, “do it later!”

Vesryn, mind giving over one of those vials (eventually)? In exchange for an item to be named later?

(DM NOTE: No worries, it’s all saved. Just going to post it again when you get to that point is all.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:30, Tue 15 Sept 2020.