pneumatik's WotBS 1 - The Scouring of Gate Pass

[pneumatik]

"I'm not sure," says Shealis. "Wizards tend to keep a low profile in Gate Pass, and that includes elves. Some of them came here to get away from the pervasive magic of most elven communities. I can't think of any spellcasters in the ghetto besides myself."

"*cough* *cough* Don't be alarmed," A voice says from a corner of the room, "but I can help. Don't worry, just because I'm invisible doesn't mean I'm out to get you. I can open the case."

"Yes, yes, please." Torrent says. "How can you help?" Shealis and Larion glare at her. "What?" she says. "I'm already working with people who tried to kill me. I'll listen to whatever's talking over there."

"I'm here on a mission," the voice says. "I need to come back with the scroll case. My boss didn't specify if it had to be full or not. I'll get you a scroll with a spell to open the case if you let me keep it."

[Rhun]

"Just to clarify," says Hollister, addressing the empty air. "You'll give us a spell to open the case, we keep the contents, and you take the case itself back to your boss?"

[pneumatik]

"Yes, that's right," the voice says. "I don't care about what's inside the case so you're welcome to it."

[Arkhandus]

"...Then get the scroll for us. We only care about the contents," Liiros says. He's wary of the invisible speaker, but really wants to get this over with and get out of Gate Pass while he still can. Corellon didn't lead him her just to squander His gifts or die for a cowardly human council who just ignored what their citizens would suffer when the Scourge was allowed in freely.

[Thanee]

Lytha has to restrain herself to not start laughing out loud, as the voice starts talking about the case. After a short period of shock and surprise, of course.

Now, that's a coincidence...

[Theroc]

"This seems a little convenient..." Rae replied, his voice somewhat suspicious after a few moments of getting over the shock. He wasn't used to magic overmuch, particularly when people are invisible.

[renau1g]

Korrin will look around cautiously, the seeing Hollister and Liiros' seeming acceptance will remove his hands from the blade and nod his acceptance. It seemed expensive for such a minor task, but there wasn't much other options right now.

[Rhun]

Hollister nods in agreement with Liiros' words. "And know this," he adds, addressing the invisible speaker, "You shall burn by my hand if you attempt any treachery."

[pneumatik]

"Right, fire," says the voice. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Those few minutes drag on. The two elven guards are clearly used to passing time. They chat in elvish while keeping an eye or two on the room. Torrent's face lights up a little when they start chatting and then falls when she realizes they're speaking elvish. Shealis broods, her thoughts hidden. In contrast, Larion's emotions - boredom, frustration, impatience - are clear on his face.

At least the room is warmer than outside.

"I'm back," the voice says after forever. "Here." A scroll appears out of the air and falls to the floor. "That should do it."

[Theroc]

Rae listens intently to the conversation, in case the guard's happen to say something useful to him in any future endeavor. After all, a thief was a thief, whether on a strange new task or not. While he didn't plan to rob the scary fire guy... that didn't mean he couldn't pick out new marks while working with him. After all, once the job was done, how would he make a living once more?

The boy looked around, curious as to why the being was invisible. "Hey, why are you invisible anyway? I mean, we already know you're here, what's the point?"

OOC

Pneumatik, do you need a listen check for Rae's listening on the guards conversation? He speaks common, orc and elven, so I figure he'd be able to understand the words. Just checking.

[Rhun]

Hollister scoops up the scroll and begins to study it.

[pneumatik]

Rae hears the guards talk about friends, girls, and where to go out. You get the impression that leaving the ghetto is uncommon.

When he looks at the scroll Hollister sees that it's a knock spell.

[Thanee]

“The point of being invisible, if that isn't obvious enough, is, that he cannot be seen,” Lytha states plainly.

“The fact, that he is here, is quite convenient, yet irritating. But I guess we won't be asking question, as it seems rather clear, that they won't be answered, anyways.”

[Theroc]

“The point of being invisible, if that isn't obvious enough, is, that he cannot be seen,”

Rae frowned. That much was obvious.

"I know being invisible makes you impossible to see, but I meant, the point is to conceal one's presence. Once the person drew attention to themselves, why remain invisible? It seems unnecessary... that's all."

[Thanee]

“Well, not being seen conceals more than just the presence.”

[Rhun]

Hollister takes the scroll, and then moves to carry the case into a corner of the room, where he can ensure that the invisible man would have to push past him to get to it. "Korrin, attend please?"

The wizard waits a moment for the warrior to move into a guard position, and then he intones the words of the Knock spell, channeling the power to override the arcane lock on the case. Then, he again tries to open the case.

OOC: Hollister's plan is to make it as difficult as possible for the invisible man to get to any of the case's contents, just in case he plans to double cross us.

[renau1g]

Korrin walks next to Hollister, drawing his new falchion and standing guard stoically as the wizard opens the case, not bothering to see if the spell is a success.

[pneumatik]

When Korrin draws his new falchion he feels a warm breeze. It's especially pleasant with the cold windy weather outside. When he warily eyes the rest of the room the grip feels a little warm.

Hollister casts knock from the scroll without difficulty. On completion the cover of one end of the case pivots open. Inside he can see that the overlarge scrollcase is filled with a scroll. A moment of examination shows that it's actually many pieces all rolled up together. They slide out easily when he tilts the case slightly.

It's difficult to unroll the scrolls because different sheets of paper keep sliding out. However it's clear from what Hollister can look at that it appears to contain architectural and engineering drawings as well as something written in some language he doesn't immediately recognize.

[Rhun]

The wizard nods, the sheafs of paper gripped firmly in one hand. He double checks the case to ensure it really is empty, and then slides it toward the last position of the invisible man. "A deal is a deal," he says.

He stands and looks at his companions. "Unfortunately for us, I cannot read what is written here...though I am only fluent in seven languages. Perhaps one of you understands one that I do not?"


Can Hollister figure out what the drawings are of? He has Knowledge: Architecture +4

[renau1g]

"Unless it is the language of the elves, I am out of luck, and I'm sure you already speak that" Korrin comments