IC - [D&D 5E] Candlekeep Mysteries

[Pyrophilios]

"We saw some of those books," Kynos replied to the kitchen staff. "From what you say we can assume, there are more of those? Seems like we have to look through all the rooms then if those are of importance.
Let's rest a moment here though, until I have that shield attuned."
"

[Archemist]

"A rest is a good idea, Sir Kynos," Patricia adds, slipping on the ring. She admires it glinting in the light. "I'll see if this ring sparks any ideas for what it does."

She pops one of the cucumber sandwiches in her mouth. "Thanks," she says to Cumin and Coriander, after swallowing. "They're good. So do you know what the letter books are for? We found one with an 'R' on it, but it was blank. Nothing crazy happened when we touched it, as far as I know. We'll keep an eye out for others, though.

"And seventy years is a long time to be gone, indeed. Did Lady Fistandia have other family?"

[munimortal]

Cumin seems to consider Patricia's question, "Family? I do not know. She has many friends and colleagues, and her fans must number in the thousands; but, I have never heard her reference any family." The little creature scurries over to its friend, and chitters in some language which sounds like high pitched rats fighting over food. When it returns, it continues the conversation, "Coriander also has not seen or heard of any family of Fistandia or Freyot. As for the books you inquire about, we were given very clear instructions not to touch or disturb them in any way. I am sure we have seen these books before, but our command is so complete that we ignore them to the point of forgetting them."

The conversation continues for the next hour as the party rests and relaxes in the kitchen, Coriander finishes the cake it was working on. It is a vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting with layers of strawberries and raspberries between the cake layers, and a blackberry puree on top. The two creatures, with or without your permission, having fed you, start polishing your shoes, mending small tears in your clothing, and attempting to wash any stains, or dirt they can find from your possessions or persons. The whole time they are happily supplying any information you desire of them.

During this time, several other cats come into the room. The fluffy black cat and the orange tabby do not allow them immediate access to the food. They seem to bully the other cats, which seems smaller in stature, often attacking from on high, or from behind. Eventually they bore of this game, and head off into the mansion.

Spoiler: Patricia

Show

As you rest, the ring reveals itself to be a Ring of Mind Shielding.

[Ramsus]

Lady Runa of House Ouss’viir Half-Orc Bard AC: 15 HP: 10/10 PP: 11 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: -- Concentration: -- Runa cuts herself a generous slice of cake and eats it while watching the cats continue to be very cat. She doesn't think much at all about the fact that she's being attended to, as she's quite used to her animal retainers doing much the same.

[Pyrophilios]

Kynos finished his sandwich, thanked the kitchen staff again and began meditating on the shield. Soon he felt the connection opening, allowing him to get impressions from the painted eye on the shield. It was a bit disorienting at first, but soon he appreciatet the clarity of view this brought him. "Truly a worthy addition to the Watcher's Hoard."

[Dimers]

As the time passes and his stomach asserts itself, Eleazar eventually relaxes into being pampered by the odd little creatures and does give up his full name and meager title (Junior Assistant Conservator). His possessions are well cared for, but a little mending or polish here and there is never a bad notion, especially after a few days on the road.

After a time, he asks his companions, "So. Where to go after that fine rest and repast?"

[Pyrophilios]

Kynos looked up: "I'd say we finish the ground floor first before we turn to the first floor. One room after the other."
He stretched and got up, his armor clinking and creaking. "Alright, I think I'm as rested as I can be for that."

[Ramsus]

Lady Runa of House Ouss’viir Half-Orc Bard AC: 15 HP: 10/10 PP: 11 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: -- Concentration: -- Runa nods and says, "Well then, lead the way Kynos." with a little smile. (Not that she hasn't been smiling basically this whole time.)

[munimortal]

As the party begins to gather their equipment, Cumin and Coriander's mood changes from manic happiness to resigned sadness. "If my Lords and Ladies require anything else, please do not hesitate to return. It was a great pleasure serving you, when you see Fistandia, please let her know we miss her and Master Freyot."

The party returns to the hallway, only two doors remain down this path. The closer door closed, and the farther, at the end of the hall, cracked open, revealing the purple light which spills into the hallway. Taking the next door on his left, Sir Kynos enters into a room with large windows forming the entirety of one wall, looking out on three planted beds filled with vegetation. Within this room, a crystal chandelier hangs above a table made of dark wood. Seven matching wooded chairs with scarlet cushions surround the table. The table is is set for a nice, but not ostentatious meal, with white china and finely crafted silverware, and two silver candelabras sits in the middle with new green wax candles waiting to be ignited.

Spoiler: map

Show

[Pyrophilios]

Kynos carefully surveyed the room for any dangers - moving furniture or cutlery ranked high on his mind - before entering the dining hall.
"Nice display. But no books in here. I wonder what would happen if we ignited the candles... but maybe one of you mages could scan for magic first."

[Dimers]

Eleazar nods. "If you don't mind taking the time. Saving spell energy could be important." He hangs his mace on his belt and begins the long ritual of magic detection, once again idly wondering to himself why Grand Wizard Patricia is so stingy with her spells that she's willing to wait through the rigamarole. Maybe it's her way of encouraging us young folk to practice, he thinks. Wait, young folk? She's hardly ancient herself ... I'm beginning to wonder about her.

[munimortal]

Sir Kynos gives the room a once over, while Eleazar begins to cast his ritual. During the ten minute casting time Patricia cautiously enters the room and observes the garden through the large glass plane. The room is an arboretum with open arched walls. Flowering shrubs and small trees grow between paved paths that meet in a semicircular patio. There is no sun, but two glowing globes hang above the plants, bathing them in light. Colorful blossoms fall from the trees.

As she watches the blossoms fall, Patricia feels something rub up against her leg, then engulf it. As she looks down she sees the closest chair's leg has morphed and stretched unnaturally, wrapping itself around her leg. And it begins to hurt... a lot. Patricia falls to the floor in a matter of moments. The chair stretches and morphs itself as it approaches Eleazar with its legs whipping out at him, but being deflected by Eleazar's superior armor.

[Dimers]

"What the-- KYNOS! RUNA!" Eleazar shouts, the ritual immediately forgotten. He immediately casts the strongest magic available to his young, barely-trained mind, a curative that should get Patricia back on her feet, as he maneuvers to put his shield between the wizard and the offensive furniture.

Spoiler: mechanics

Show

Cure wounds on Patricia for (d8+2)[9] hp. I'll move my 'token' northeast to stand between her and BG.

Do I know anything about this critter? I'm guessing Arcana would be the most likely roll: (d20+5)[19]

[munimortal]

Spoiler: Attack of Opportunity

Show

Attack: (1d20+5)[9] damage: (1d8+3)[8]

Eleazar slips nimbly past the flailing grotesquely morphed chair legs and delivers a healing spell to Patricia who awakens immediately.

Spoiler: Eleazar

Show

You know immediately what this creature is, a Mimic, but it seems sluggish from the stories you learned in training. Perhaps it is old, or damaged in some way.

Sir Kyos is next.

[Pyrophilios]

"Damn it, the shape shifter!"
Kynos stormed forward, brandishing his sword ready to slash the grasping limbs.

Spoiler

Show

Attack (1d20+5)[13], damage: (1d8)[6]+3, if crit (1d8)[8]

[munimortal]

Sir Kynos' blade slashes through the back of the chair leaving a deep gash. Lady Runa is next to act.

[Ramsus]

Lady Runa of House Ouss’viir Half-Orc Bard AC: 15 HP: 10/10 PP: 11 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: -- Concentration: -- "Is this the 'doppleganger'?" Runa asks a bit confused, sending a bit of her magic its way to hinder it. Spoiler Show Vicious Mockery by way of misidentification. DC 14 wis save or (1d4)[1] psychic damage and disadvantage on next attack.

[munimortal]

The disfigured chair turns its attention to Eleazar and sends out a chair leg to attack him. Before the attack lands, you see a shudder go through the creature as its attack goes wild.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Saving Throw against vicious mockery: (1d20+1)[2]
Attack vs Eleazar (1d20+5)[18]/(1d20+5)[10] (if disadvantage)
Damage (1d8+3)[4]

Patricia is next to act.

[Archemist]

Patricia is next to act.

Patricia opens her eyes, her life having just flashed before them. Wordlessly, and angrily, she raises her arm and then brings it down in a slashing motion towards the mimic-thing. One of the china dishes on the table hurls itself at the mimic as if on its own.

Spoiler

Show

It should make a Dex save DC13 vs a Catapult spell or take (3d8)[16] bludgeoning damage.

[munimortal]

With its focus entirely on Eleazar, the chair does not notice the large china plate coming its way. The play strikes it with a terrible crash, shattering and sending shards into its non solid body. The chair, or whatever the creature is, begins to change colors, revealing a dark green/grey mottled texture. While still moving, that attack seems to have done much damage to it, and it seems to be having difficulty maintaining its chair like visage.

Spoiler: Rolls

Show

Saving Throw(1d20+1)[9]

Eleazar is next to act.

[Dimers]

Heartened by how quickly the tide is turning against this monstrosity, Eleazar steps forward to try smashing it with his mace, his face set in a hard-concentrating grimace.

Spoiler: mechanics

Show

(d20+4)[14] to hit for (d6+2)[6] damage. Nothing else going on this round.

[Pyrophilios]

Pressing the advantage, Kynos stepped forward and slashed at the exposed leg of the creature.

Spoiler

Show

(1d20+5)[10], damage (1d8)[6]+3, if crit (1d8)[2]

[munimortal]

Eleazar's mace does beats the creature to within an inch of its life, as the chair image almost completely disappears. In its place is a gelatenous grey green blob which seems to be struggling to maintain itself. Without a moments hesitation, the Sir Kynos delivers the killing blow, and the creature becomes a pool of thick fluid which spreads across the dining room floor.

[Dimers]

Fearing this to be another devious attack, Eleazar quickly reaches down to offer Patricia a hand up. "Are you alright?"

[Archemist]

Fearing this to be another devious attack, Eleazar quickly reaches down to offer Patricia a hand up. "Are you alright?"

"Why thank you, yes, I think I may be. That was some timely mending magic. Darn thing near took my leg off." Patricia gets up and brushes herself off, checking her leg for lingering marks. The scales look a bit silver in color, unlike her usual blue, and she quickly smooths her skirt back down. "Show's over, folks," she says with some embarrassment.

Then she examines the puddle and pokes it with her staff. "I wonder if this was the thing the cat was talking about." Patricia gives the nearest other chair a whack with the staff for good measure, as if daring it to also change shape. "Fistandia sure kept many dangerous pets, and I include the cats in that assessment."

[Ramsus]

Lady Runa of House Ouss’viir Half-Orc Bard AC: 15 HP: 10/10 PP: 11 PIv: 10 PIs: 13 Conditions: -- Concentration: -- Runa chuckles at Patricia's quip about the cats. And doesn't audibly or mentally disagree.

[Pyrophilios]

Kynos poked the strange creature a bit to make sure it was truly dead. Then he cleaned his blade at a piece of table cloth, leaving an ugly stain.
"This place truly needs a cleansing hand. Hopefully this was a solitary specimen and not a breeder."
He turned around and nodded towards Eleazar: "Let's be thorough and resume the ritual. And until then, please nobody touch anything around here."

[Dimers]

Eleazar slowly nods and goes back to the corner of the table where he'd started working. He hesitates, looking aimlessly troubled, then shrugs. "Sense of foreboding. Nothing I can do about that except forge on ahead." He resumes the interrupted ritual process.

[munimortal]

No new threats present themselves in the ten minutes it takes to finish the ritual. At the end of the casting, Eleazar only detects two magical items in the vicinity. The two glowing globes in the arboretum register as strongly magical, giving off evocation magic.

Spoiler: activities

Show

If you did anything for those ten minutes let me know.

[Archemist]

No new threats present themselves in the ten minutes it takes to finish the ritual. At the end of the casting, Eleazar only detects two magical items in the vicinity. The two glowing globes in the arboretum register as strongly magical, giving off evocation magic.

Patricia remarks to the others, "Magical lights? Odd, I would've thought this whole place was magic."