A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[steveflam]

Before going to the library, Khalfani observes that the chest, radiates a very powerful magic. You also begin searching the libraries, which line every wall, even the one with the door you came in through.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani relates the information about the chest to the others.

"Yes, Robert, if you could please take a look at that chest, I would be grateful," says the gnome. "It may well be locked or even secured with a trap, considering the strength of the magic that seems to be inside it."

[steveflam]

Khalfani can not what type of magical aura is eminating from the chest, unfortunately. Robert inspects the chest carefully and is successful in opening without setting off any traps or surprises. Inside is a pile of clothing and what seems to be a crown made of branches and twigs.

The rest of you search high and low, but only find books on the languages of these lands. Valanth happens to be passing by an empty section and spies the shape of a door in the panel! Nothing emanates magic and it looks like it would be pretty easy to open with no surprises.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth passes by the secet door at first, but then starts rapping on the wall with her cane, gradually working her way back, until... "This sounds hollow," she announces, indicating the secret door. "There might be a secret panel of some sort." She steps well back to let the others take a crack at the door.

(OOC: Bluff check to disguise how Valanth actually discovers the door: 22.)

[Ail]

Robert gives a go at checking the secret door for traps.

OOC:
Search check 1d20+2, testing the online dice:
[dice]0[/dice]
Edit: it got me a 3. But I don't know if it ever considered the +2 part, as the text it automatically writes doesn't seem to support it.

[VAN]

Adam looks at the crown.

"I bet this is what emanates magical aura. Khalfani can you keep it for now and we will examine it closely back at the inn."

When Valanth discovers the secret door Adam says:

"Way to go Valanth. We are in a powerful wizard's house it's most likely the secret door to be trapped. Can you open it from distance?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"I cannot," Valanth replies curtly. "Unless you wish for me to blast it apart. I have expended that incantation already."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Hmmm. Perhaps something used in a druidic ceremony, perhaps?" Khalfani muses as he stares at the crown of branches and twigs. As the conversation turns toward opening the secret panel, he says, "As there is, unfortunately, no resident left to return here, delicacy is not a priority. I suggest we smash it open with a long object and brute force."

He accepts the crown and moves to put it in his robes... and gets very quiet.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Gnome?" Valanth says, turning to Khalfani when he suddenly ceases his chatter. "Khalfani?" Valanth looks at the Sorcerer more closely, utilizing the power of her magical sight.

(OOC: Detect Magic should still be up. What does she see about Khalfani?)

[steveflam]

He is stunned. The crown is still in his hand and thus Valanth must make a saving throw as well, having looked at it with her magical sight.

[VAN]

Adam hadn't noticed that was something wrong with Khalfani till Valanth calls him and the gnome didn't reply.

"Get back everyone and don't look at the crown."

Adam tries to find a blanket to cover the crown without looking directly at it.

[Ail]

Whatever happened to Khalfani, it went completely unnoticed by Robert, until Adam questioned him.


"Hey? What happened to Khalfani? Valanth? Adam? What is that crown?!"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth utters a short grunt - and stands as if frozen.

(OOC: Concentration check to speak - 20.)

[Ail]

"Oh damn, this is not good."


Robert takes his cape or shirt off, goes around Khalfani so as to see him from the back and throws the clothes over his head, hoping to cover the crown without looking at it.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth starts to mutter, her voice very quiet: "Wretched... thing... stunned me... Don't... look with ma... gical... sight... Trap item..."