When it becomes your turn, the man taking names directs you to one of the four tables currently being used by the interviewers a comfortable chair set across from the dark-robed man.  When you approach the table you can feel your skin tightening as if you were passing through an infinitely thin barrier, the sounds and going on's of the rather busy ground floor fading away to that of the murmurs of people three rooms away with closed doors between here and there.

"This is Acolyte Lucius, he has been hired for the day to cast Zone of Truth upon each table.  The first criteria for being considered for what is going to be a very lucrative venture is the acceptance of such magics.  Failure to acquiesce will result in the summary end of this negotiation.  Do you accept the spell?" The man asks.

In reply to Dolor et Gloria (msg # 1):
"Yes, I accept," she replies as she takes a seat in the offered chair.

The man watches as the zone of truth expands to encompass the two of them before giving a curt nod.  "Very good.  The first question I would ask of you is thus" the man says as he looks at a thick piece of card stock.  "You are on an expedition funded by our mutual benefactor.  While on your watch making a patrol of the perimeter of the encampment within the ruins you have traveled to you come upon a cache of gold and magic items.  If you were to help yourself to the sudden largess neither your party members nor our benefactor would know that there is treasure and magic to which they are owed a share.  What would you do?"  He asks simply.

In reply to Dolor et Gloria (msg # 3):

"I would mark the find and continue my patrol, informing the party later.  Depending on the makeup of the party, I may inform them immediately.  While I am capable of detecting magical traps or illusions, I am not versed in mundane traps.  It would be dangerous to assume that such treasures are not protected in some way.  Also, I would be bound by contract.  I would not break a contract, as it would dishonor my ancestors."
Tilting her head in thought, she quickly adds: "Besides, since you are using Zone of Truth for this interview, its safe to reason that Zone of Truth would be used upon the return of an expedition."

"Not always.  It costs gold to have a priest cast the spells.  Today is a special occasion as we weed out those that would not be a proper fit with our benefactor's goals. The man explains as he pulls out a quill to mark a note on his card about her answer.

When he finishes making his note he pulls an illuminated piece of vellum out and passes it across the table "You happen upon the vault door to an abandoned Dwarven temple to Abadar.  The metal of the locking mechanisms have long since rusted and fused together making the only way to get into the treasure room being to destroy the door.   Upon the destruction of the door, you find that in addition to several thousand gold pieces in deposited treasure a Fruminious Bandersnatch has burrowed its way into the vault from behind and taken up residence in the cozy room.  What do you do?  The man asks giving the woman time to read up about the Bandersnatch and its abilities as reported by The Pathfinder Society.

_{The Bandersnatch!
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/besti...ndersnatch-frumious/}

In reply to Dolor et Gloria (msg # 5):

Taking the vellum, she reads the report.  "Troublesome," she murmurs.  "Running would only be an option if you could lure it into a more advantageous area.  You have already made it angry by destroying the door. If you are in a group at the door, you could bottle up and wear the creature down with reach and ranged attacks.  Blinding the creature may be the only way to prevent it's gaze from doing the party any harm from that aspect.  Personally, I would run and hope that it would not pursue.  Otherwise, all I could do would be to provide healing at my current abilities... and that would only delay the inevitable."

In reply to Lachesis (msg # 6):

Handing back the vellum, she adds; "If escape is successful, then I'd report the situation to our benefactor for appropriate measures to be taken."

(sorry, things have been, hectic)

The examiner nods as he writes notes for the answer given.   "Now, as you may have been informed, our mutual benefactor has come into some information, information that can lead to lost magics, knowledge, and treasures that have not seen the light of day since the golden age of the old Empire.  If you are chosen discretion will not only be advised but will need to be enforced.  Can you be trusted to keep the source of your wealth and your actions close to the chest until given permission to advertise your exploits?

In reply to Dolor et Gloria (msg # 8):

"Of course.  Too much attention can be just as problematic as searching for what is lost."

The examiner nods as he writes his final note down.  "Thank you very much for your time, enjoy the rest of your day and the hospitality of The Crown. A determination will be made later today and you will be informed of your success of failure." He says in a clear yet polite dismissal.
This message was last updated by the GM at 20:04, Tue 14 Dec 2021.

In reply to Dolor et Gloria (msg # 10):

Standing up, she bows and returns to her table.