Istavan:[sblock]ooc: Istavan's Spot Check: 1d20+11; [13,11] = (24) Cleverly hidden corner alcoves to both the far left and far right of the domineering central statue look like they might contain stairways leading to lower levels of the temple.[/sblock]
The Matron cocked a dubious eyebrow at the gnome. "Are you quite sure? I can assure you, no one has been here today except -"
"That's quite alright, Matron," came a voice from behind the group. A dark-haired, richly-attired man strode forward from the temple's main entrance. The unfamiliar cut of his clothes were liberally decked with fur trimmings, marking him as a man of wealth, and Matron Maegara's defential bow suggested he possessed some clout, as well.
"After all," the newcomer continued, "They're only interested in the welfare of their friend, are they not?" He dipped in polite bow. "I am Diablolate Zael, humble attendant to the Dark Eight. To answer your impending question, yes, we did come across your friend...Hagen, is that correct? He was a bit out of sorts when we found him -- quite delirious, actually -- and we thought it best to take him into our care before he hurt himself.
"The worst of his fits seem to have passed, so if you like, we would be happy to return him to you." Zael smiled pleasantly, then seemed to remember something.
"Ah, there was something else. While in the depths of his delirium, your friend made constance references to a 'black mask' of some sort. I apologize for the odd question, but would you happen to know whether or not he kept something like that in his possession?"
