The Teleportation Circle spell was cast similarly to last time, although Vellynne didn't bother to descend to the Roots to access the circle they had used to get to the Host Tower. It wasn't necessary for the spell to function either. Mallory was invited into Vellynne's study, a neat and somewhat luxurious abode in muted colors, white furs, and a silent fireplace lit by a blue Continual Flame. On the walls hung the heraldry of her family, a shield engraved with the Harpell's ivy, and she kept a number of artifacts, both to display and for use. Bracers of Defense, wands and staffs of various kinds, and of course numerous tomes. Mercuri bowed courteously upon Mallory's entrance from where he was perched by the window, and showed Astre the same deference.

When Vellynne went to wave her hand across the portal's entrance as it manifested, it met with solid stone tiles as the wooden surface of the wardrobe was erased. Vellynne pushed and removed the tiles one by one to reveal the ceiling of a cold, dark crypt. Had it not been for the fact that her lantern shone perpetually, Mallory would in that moment have been offered a torch. "In the wall directly ahead you will find four sconces, the third from the left acts as a lever. This opens a tunnel which leads to a concealed hatch by the southeastern wall," she told Mallory, handing her an iron crowbar before inviting her to climb through. "Farewell. We shall meet again." More she wouldn't get from the stoic elderly woman.

---

The crypt was a modest construction containing only half a dozen coffins, all belonging to previous Speakers. The oldest plaque was dated '983 – 1120 DR'. Another belonged to 'Cassius', who served as Bryn Shander's Speaker in the mid 14th century. The back wall featured a relief of the Triad to reign over these bodies as their souls traveled to be judged by Kelemvor. A stone staircase in the opposite wall led up.

---

Edit: Removed the mention of Regis, as he was the Speaker of Lonelywood, not Bryn Shander. Those who have read the Legend of Drizzt may be familiar.

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:38, Tue 26 Mar.

When at last it was time to go, Mallory had made certain she'd said all her goodbyes as fondly as could be.  No parting words left unsaid, no library books left unchecked, no luggage left unpacked.  She stood quietly by as Vellynne prepared her exit route and demurely stepped through the offered portal, as prim and confident as she ever could be.

"I look forward to it, Madame Harpell.  Should I learn anything that may be of use to you in the meantime, I'll send word." Mallory gave a polite curtsy in parting and took the crowbar she was handed purely on reflex; she didn't even realize what she had been given until a moment later.  A look of passing confusion crossed her features as she looked between the tool in hand and back up to Vellynne through the shimmering outline of the portal between them.  "Wait, what is this supposed to--?"

That was all Mallory managed to get out before the spell-bound portal closed shut and cut her off mid-question.  In the quiet gloom of an old, dusty crypt, the young noble stood in wide-eyed silence as she looked around at the gathered coffins, back to the crowbar in hand, and to the blank wall where the magical gateway had once been.

"...oh my gods, she really just locked us in a sealed crypt." she huffed in a snippy tone.  She quickly tucked the crowbar into the hook on her satchel; if anyone saw her brandishing it about, they'd naturally assume she was some sort of grave robber looking to burgle the resting Speakers of whatever they'd been entombed with.  Gloved hands made quick work of gesturing in reverence to Kelemvor this way and that, sure to make a motion of peace and good omens to each coffin in turn.  As well as a bow of reverence to the relief of The Triad, just to be on the safe side.  "Don't mind us, your Speakerships; we mean no disrespect and will be out of your hair in just a moment.  Please, please, please don't be Undead... I really don't want to have to desecrate a tomb."

"Mrrrlp." Astre remarked from his spot draped about her shoulders like a living shawl, with a dry manner about his chirruping.

"That was an archeology project and you know it." Mallory deadpanned right back at her Tressym cohort.  All the same, she turned quickly about and made her way for the stairs to see what she could do about finding those sconces.  With luck she wouldn't need the crowbar to pry her way out of anywhere, though she also had a worry that she'd have to be particularly light-footed in making her way out of the temple as well.  Last she was in Bryn Shander, she'd heard news that the clergy had driven out the locals... it was all too likely visitors were not welcome, let alone those who spontaneously appeared in the depths of the property.  Best she try to get along unnoticed.

---

Stealth, as requested in the OOC
Mallory Bonheur rolled 8 using 1d20+2 ((6))
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Wed 27 Mar.

The stairs ended in an empty and confined cellar. The door at the top had been both unlocked and wide open, and going by the strong, frigid draught that was felt even down here it was likely every single door and window in the entire temple were in a similar state. In the wall ahead, Mallory was able to locate the third-from-the-left sconce she had been instructed to find.

A whisper was carried on the chill winds. ~Quiet you are, but I know you are here, child of warmth,~ she heard. It was a melodic, motherly voice. ~You need not fear. Approach me and you shall be enlightened.~

---

Priestess of Auril Perception
DM Bears rolled 13 using 1d20+6

This is a Message spell, so Mallory will be able to respond should she wish to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:14, Thu 28 Mar.

Well, that's not the least bit ominous, Mallory inwardly sighed as a magical whisper in her ear sent a chill up her spine for more than one reason.  Even as she closed her dark-ringed eyes in momentary annoyance, her analytical mind was already at work in the background.  She knew that spell quite well; limited range, easily blocked by barriers, subject familiarity was necessary for longer reach... she may have tripped a magical Alarm when she arrived in the crypt, had one been placed prior.  Regardless, the caster was undoubtedly very near.  Mallory had been caught so there was no point in playing coy by not responding.

~Oh!  Oh, thank goodness, there's someone else here.  Yes, hello, good morning~!  I'm afraid I've gotten rather lost at the moment; this is quite embarrassing.  Hopefully I'll just show myself out.  Terribly sorry if I'm interrupting your daily constitutional, but I would be very much obli--~ the unseen priestess' ear would be promptly filled with blithe, chirpy nattering that cut off abruptly as the innate duration of the spell ran out in a matter of seconds.

Playing coy was of no use.  Playing dumb, however, was always a solid choice when caught somewhere one wasn't really supposed to be.

With a quick draw of her breath to prepare herself, Mallory looked to Astre, shared a quick nod, and pulled on the proper sconce to get them out of that frigid crypt... and hopefully not into an even more frigid welcome beyond.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Thu 28 Mar.

Mallory had a choice. The cellar had stairs that led up, presumably into the chapel, but she had opted for the hidden entrance. Whomever had voiced the Message did not show themselves for the duration of Mallory's stay, so she was free to take her time. And time she needed, for the sconce she pulled provided resistance, and it wasn't before she leveraged her weight that it gave and the wall beside it rumbled open the slightest of inches. It was here the crowbar came into play, for if she wanted to budge the door without it she must've summoned strength in her fingers to rival an Orc's. It slid into a hollow section, allowing just enough of an opening for an adult Human to slip through. On the other end, handles were carved in the stone, meant to grant her give to move it back into place with the same effort she had to employ to get it open.

It had been dark in the crypt, but here in this narrow tunnel it was pitch black. The walls were smooth and the passage rectangular, appearing more like the rest of the chapel than one dug after-the-fact. Mallory could follow it for a few minutes until she reached the end, the trapdoor overhead greeting her with a rope. Once she'd climbed up and opened it, the thick snow making this, too, heavy, it took her to the howling winds outside. As Vellynne had specified, she emerged near the wall surrounding Bryn Shander, on the corner of a small house. It was away from prying eyes, the guards included, although she saw one patrolling in the distance on the battlement ahead. They hadn't noticed her.

---

We can go ahead and transition to the other thread.

Traversing the depths of that dark tunnel was not the first time Mallory had felt gratefulness for the helpful, magical Lantern Rod she carried at hand.  Its gentle glow spared her from unsteady steps though, even as she went, she closed her eyes entirely as her senses shifted slightly off-center from her own view into Astre's.  With his perch atop her shoulders she was able to navigate easily enough - a long-practiced habit - thanks to his innate Darkvision pairing well with the dim glow of the lantern light.  Her worries that the unknown caster would've been waiting right around a given corner proved unfounded though.  Which honestly left her feeling a mite silly that she'd replied at all and truly given away her presence entirely, but it was far from something worth fretting over now.  She could only imagine the vague confusion she'd left that unfamiliar woman with for the rest of her day...

Topside, the dense layer of snow that covered the trap door shifted seemingly of its own volition as Mallory's magics eased a layer to one side.  Astre poked up through the gap first to have a quick look around and, once the coast seemed clear, Mallory too followed up in suit.  Another wave of her hand moved the snow back in place to rebury the trap door and hide its existence once more, as if the powder had never been disturbed in the first place.  All's well, it seemed.  The young noble shuffled to gather her hood and scarf more closely about herself, then took a slightly circuitous route away from the house that would bring her to the main gate from a different, less-suspicious angle of approach.

"I wonder if Miss Signy is still about...?" she murmured as she went.

---

To the Northlook