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Through Nyx's and Narciso's combined efforts, the remaining ratodiles collapse, their lifeless corpses twitching for moment before falling still. With the battle over, all you hear is the crackle of the fire and gentle trickle of the sewer channel.

Short rest...

Nyx

[SHOW]

Though still clearly injured from earlier, the woman seems no worse than before. She carries a look of relief as you approach her. "I-is it safe?" she whispers.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Nyx: Crits, kills R3, conjures, moves

Narciso: Hits R1 x2, bloodies, APs, hits x2, kills

Map

[SHOW]

Map Info

[SHOW]

Cistern: A large stone cistern holding fractured skulls and other bones. The cistern is impassable terrain in spaces where 50% or more of the square is taken up by the cistern.

Large Rubble Pile: Large rocks and bricks that have fallen from the ceiling or walls. These squares are difficult terrain.

Small Rubble Pile: Small rocks and pebbles that have fallen from the ceiling. These squares are normal terrain.

Puddle: A shallow puddle of unknown water. These squares are normal terrain.

Campfire: An ordinary campfire with a cookpot over it. These squares are difficult terrain and entering them will result in 5 fire damage each turn.

Cage: A large rusted metal cage. It can only be entered and exited via -B7 and -B9.

Bedroll: The hermit's bedroll, covered in dirt and various stains. These squares are normal terrain.

Skeletons: The last remains of unassuming victims of the hermit's crimes. These squares are normal terrain.

Sewer Channel: The shallow sewer channel flowing to the unknown. Entering these squares requires an Acrobatics roll to not lose your footing.

Enemy Info

[SHOW]

Blind Hermit: A strange old man dwelling in the sewers. He is highly protective of treasure he's found, despite being unable to see it himself. He possesses oddly powerful magics, but does not appear physically imposing with his frail body and tattered robe.

Ratodile: Your intuition was right. These are not wolves. Instead, they appear to be unholy hybrids of the common rat and the crocodile common in the shallows of the Forelle Sea. How it came to be, you're unsure. However, it must be put down.

Status

[SHOW]

Nyx is just as relieved as the woman is when she sees that she is still fine, and not plague by similar creatures. Spotting the last of the creatures fall with her fragment, she gives the woman a small smile and a nod. "Yes, it is. They won't harm us anymore," she says, motioning for the woman to follow as she heads back into the room.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Short Rest: regain encounter powers and power points

Combat Block

[SHOW]

Nyx

Female Tiefling Psion 3
Languages: Cru'unish, Brennissian, Okani
Age: 22
Height: 5' 4"
Weight: 120 lbs.

Speed: 6
Initiative: +5
Passive Perception: 17
Passive Insight: 12
Senses: Low-light Vision

AC: 15
Fort: 12
Reflex: 15
Will: 17
HP: 33/33
Bloodied: 16
Surge Value: 8
Surges left: 7/7
Action Points: 1

Power Points: 5/5

MBA (dagger): +4 vs AC, 1d4 damage (+1 damage against bloodied foes)
RBA (Mind Thrust): +6 vs Will, 1d10+5 psychic damage (+1 damage against bloodied foes)
RBA (dagger): +5 vs AC, 1d4+1 damage (+1 damage against bloodied foes)

Resistances:

• 7 Fire

Vulnerabilities: none

Saves: none

Active Effects:

• +1 damage against bloodied foes
• cannot grant CA until EONT when I attack with Holy Symbol
• targets I hit that have not yet acted in encounter take -4 to hit me until my EONT

Powers:

Dishearten
Mind Thrust
Unnerving Suggestion

---

Second Wind []
Adept's Insight []
Infernal Wrath []
Shaped Consciousness []
Minor Creation []
Intellect Fortress []
Walker of the Dark Path Damage [_]+

---

Shroud of Shadow []
Living Missile []

• see important feature below for details

Rituals:

Sending [_]*
Silence

• can use for free once per day

Consumables: none

Important Features:

[SHOW]

Class Features
Psion Augmentation: Lots of finnicky rules, see PHB3 for details.

Ritual Casting: gain ritual casting feat, ritual book, and one level 1 ritual for free. Also gain Sending ritual, and can use it for free once per day.

Racial Features
Bloodhunt: gain +1 racial bonus to damage against bloodied foes

Fire Resistance: have fire resistance equal to 5 + half my level

Theme Features
Level 1 Noble Adept Feature: gain 1 PP, can take powers that grant PP when taken in place of non-augmentable powers of the same level. Gain Adept's Insight

Feat(ures)
Ritual Casting: can master and perform rituals of my level or lower, see PHB for more details

Holy Symbol Expertise: when I attack an enemy using a holy symbol, all enemies become unable to gain CA against me until my SONT, unless I use another power or ability that specifically makes me grant CA

Walker of the Dark Path: gain a skill and access to holy symbols. Once per encounter, when I make a weapon attack with CA, target takes CHA mod extra damage from hit

Imperious Majesty: use CHA for Init. When I hit a target that has not yet acted in an encounter, it takes a CHA mod penalty to hit until my EONT

Narciso takes a few steps back from the rat monstrosity and collapses to his knees as he takes a deep breath. "That was a close one, eh?" He smiles at his teammates, hoping they might at least see him as useful now.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Spend a Surge to heal for 9.

"Not a scratch. Didn't even break a sweat," Ciraco says in reply to Narcisco as he wipes the blood from his blade on the hermit's rags before sheathing it. Well they at least seem slightly less incompetent than before, he thinks, looking at Narcisco and Nyx.

He then turns his attention to the area around the hermit, looking for the alleged treasure.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Regain Encounter Powers

Perception to find the treasure: 12(1d20) +12 = 24

Combat Block

[SHOW]

Ciraco Veturius

Male Elf Avenger 3
Languages: Common, Brennisian
Age: 27
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 175 lbs.

Speed: 7
Initiative: +5
Passive Perception: 22
Passive Insight: 15
Senses: Low-Light Vision

AC: 19+1
Fort: 13
Reflex: 16
Will: 16
HP: 36/36
Bloodied: 18
Surge Value: 9
Surges left: 7/7
Action Points: 1

MBA: 1d20+7 vs AC, 1d12+2 Damage
RBA: 1d20+6 vs AC, 1d4+5 Damage

Resistances: None

Vulnerabilities: None

Saves: None

Active Effects: +1 to AC from Igdrig's Healing Infusion: Resistive Formula

Powers:

Overwhelming Strike
Bond of Censure

---

Second Wind []
Oath of Enmity []
Raging Tempest []
Abjure Undead []*
Divine Guidance []*
Relentless Stride []
Skullduggery []
Elven Accuracy []
Holy Blessing [_]

---

Thunder and Echo [_]

*One per encounter

Consumables:

None

Important Features:

[SHOW]

Heavy Blade Expertise: Gain +2 to defenses against OAs when wielding a heavy blade.

Fey Origin: You have the fey origin.

Wild Step: Ignore difficult terrain when shifting.

Group Awareness: Allies within 5 squares gain +1 to perception.

"Told you it works," Idrig whispers to Ciraco, a smug grin creeping from under his bushy mustache. The dwarf removes the loaded bolt and holsters his crossbow on the strap around his shoulder, watching the other man pick through the room.

At Narciso's question, Idrig gives the human a once-over. "Those bites, how do they feel? I've tinctures that might help."

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Short rest to recover encounter powers. Spend a surge to regain Healing Infusion.

Combat Block

[SHOW]

Idrig Mal'talis

Male Genasi Artificer 3
Languages: Common, Dwarven
Age: 32
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 195 lbs.

Speed: 6
Initiative: +1
Passive Perception: 11
Passive Insight: 11
Senses: Normal Vision

AC: 18
Fort: 16
Reflex: 16
Will: 12
HP: 40/40
Bloodied: 20
Surge Value: 10
Surges left: 9/10
Action Points: 1
Arcane Empowerment

MBA: +1 vs AC, 1d4 damage
RBA: +6 vs AC, 1d10+1 damage

Resistances:
Resist 5 acid

Vulnerabilities:
None.

Saves:
None.

Active Effects:
None.

Powers:

Magic Weapon
Static Shock

---

Second Wind []
Acid Surge []

Healing Infusion: Curative Admixture
-OR-
Healing Infusion: Resistive Formula
[][]

Burning Weapons []
Shocking Feedback []

---

Icebound Sigil[]
Shadowy Figurine[]
Augment Energy[]
Impart Energy[]

Consumables:

None.

Important Features:

[SHOW]

Elemental Origins: Idrig is considered an elemental creature.

Causticsoul: Idrig can breathe underwater. (This is flavored as always having a personal water-breathing concoction.)

Arcane Rejuvenation: Any ally expending a magic item daily power gains 6 THP.

Crossbow Caster / Crossbow Expertise: Idrig may use crossbows as an implement and can ignore partial and superior cover with crossbow attacks.

Narciso shook his head. "I'll be fine. They hurt a little, but I can manage." He offers a smile to Idrig. "Thank you."

Idrig shrugs apathetically at the man's response, instead turning back to watch Ciraco.

"I suppose we should be more careful for the rest of our time down here. Who's to say what else is hiding?" Luca says, prodding at the creature's corpse with his boot. "How do you suppose these came to be?"

After a moment, Nyx and the injured woman return to the room. Though still visibly injured, she is able to stand by herself and maintain her composure.

Nyx

[SHOW]

"Gina was right about you," the woman says, managing to muster a full sentence without a wince of pain. "You have a heart of kindness. I am Alina, by the way." She smiles, slowly following Nyx back to the main chamber.

Ciraco

[SHOW]

As you look over the hermit's living area, you notice his bedroll appears to be rather lumpy. Pulling it open, you discover a small coinpurse and two gleaming pendants. Upon closer inspection, you discover the first of the pair contains a small timepiece within. The second is a silver and citrine necklace that bears the symbol of Democles.

Additionally, you find a small leather-bound journal. By the looks of the cover, it's well-used and quite old, though still in remarkably good shape.

"Mutations and generations of crossbreeding, most like." Idrig steps over to the strange rat-like creatures to take a closer look. "You've never seen this sort of thing in Brennis?"

As Nyx and the injured woman approach, the dwarf cocks an eye in their direction. "That blind fool. He was Cru'unish, no?"

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Nature check to see if there are any interesting biological features on the rat I can hack off to keep for alchemy experiments: 10(1d20) +8 = 18

Nyx blushes at the woman's words. "Uh, thanks," she stammers. "I'm Nyx," she continues, helping the woman back to the room where the others remain.

"Maybe," Nyx responds to Idrig, looking shocked as the dwarf accosts her with his suspicions. "The thought never really crossed my mind, but he certainly had the sort of magical knowledge that is common in my hometown. And the accent was definitely similar, now that I think about it."

At the suggestion she steps over to the man's corpse, grimacing at the grizzly sight. She looks him over, checking his clothes and facial features, to see if he seems like he might be Cru'unish

Ciraco leaves the others to their conversation as he pockets the necklaces and the coin purse. He then turns his attention to the journal, opening it and scanning the pages for anything interesting. What does a crazy old man who lives in the sewers have to write about? He wonders as he looks through the journal.

Nyx

[SHOW]

It's different to tell the man's ethnicity at first, as his face is gaunt and wrinkled after likely many years spent dwelling in the Teiros sewers. Upon a closer look, however, you feel fairly confident the man is in fact Cru'unish. Additionally, you can't shake the feeling that you recognize his face from somewhere.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Roll history to see if you remember the face

Ciraco

[SHOW]

As you skim through the journal, you instantly notice the stark contrast between the first entry and the most recent entry. The earlier entries contain extraordinarily neat handwriting, although you're unable to read the contents. The language appears to have had Brennisian influences, but is still distinct enough to prevent you from reading it. Though the words are unknown, you do notice the date written in the top left: 5E Y540.

As you progress, the writing gets messier, hastier, and more convoluted. Crude drawings take up some pages, though their rough shape leaves you unaware of what the drawings are. After a point, the writing is replaced with jagged scribbles and the drawings become more cryptic.

The journal's last page is the most out of the ordinary. It features a well-defined sketch of a shadowy figure, two horns upon its head, and three blood-red eyes.

"I have no idea what language this is written in," Ciraco announces, seeing he is unable to read the journal. "You two must know some other languages right?" He says turning to Igdrig and Nyx, holding out the journal for them.

"Well he is definitely Cru'unish as Idrig said, so the journal may be in my native language," Nyx says to Ciraco, reaching for the journal. But why does he seem familiar? Have I seen this man before?

Mechanics

[SHOW]

History: 24

Luca shakes his head at Idrig's question. "Can't say I have. You've seen this before?"

Idrig

[SHOW]

The scales on the ratlike creature stand out to you. They're hard and rigid, but seem to secrete a viscous liquid under certain stimuli. Additionally, the eyes seem unusual for a rat, its lenses likely adapted for underwater travel. It appears to have a powerful jaw and strong teeth suitable for clamping upon prey, though you are unsure if its teeth may be of use for alchemical purposes.

Nyx

[SHOW]

Though the years have taken a heavy toll upon the man, you feel as long you recall seeing the man's portrait somewhere within the Academy. Most of the faculty avoided any topics surrounding him, though you seem to recall him being a brilliant professor who was expelled for unorthodox experimentation long before your time.

Looking over the journal, you instantly recognize the writing as Cru'unish. Immediately you notice the stark contrast between the first entry and the latest. As you progress, the writing grows more illegible and more confusing. Crude drawings take up some pages, though their rough shape leaves you unaware of what the drawings are. After a point, the writing is replaced with jagged scribbles and the drawings become more cryptic.

The journal's last page is the most out of the ordinary. It features a well-defined sketch of a shadowy figure, two horns upon its head, and three blood-red eyes.

Journal Entries

[SHOW]

5E Y540, 14th of Maleίo

[SHOW]

That a body of the brightest minds in the world could be so blind to the truth. The world as we know it is in grave danger, but all they care about is how I've broken protocol. The ends justify the means! I only mean to protect our people, and this is how they treat me.

They mean to try me for my crimes against nature, as they've called this. I wish them luck. I'm halfway to Tulrisse by now. Cru'un may be full of stubborn old fools, but I've heard Menora is full of wild and new ideas. I am certain they will be more receptive of me and my research.

5E Y540, 23rd of Maleίo

[SHOW]

Blasted monsoon season took us off-course. We were traveling in circles for who knows how long before we docked in Teiros. Of all the places to end up, it's in this cesspool of debauchery and filth. The sooner we can leave, the better. The ship underwent some damage and needs time for repairs before we might embark again. I might as well make the most of my time here, however. When in Brennis, as they say.

5E Y540, 27th of Maleίo

[SHOW]

Robbed! I've been robbed! Some hooligans in clown masks stole what little coin I had. I was forced to vacate my inn room after I told them I couldn't pay. As luck would have it though, they left their cellar door ajar and I snuck in unnoticed. I discovered a tunnel within, which I intend to investigate.

5E Y540, 28th of Maleίo

[SHOW]

Tunnels and sewers galore! Why, it's an explorer's dream! However, I have gotten horribly lost in my excitement. I grow more hungry as I walk. I have noticed the sewer rats nibbling at a variety of fungi. Perhaps it is safe to eat? I shall find out.

5E Y540, 31st of Maleίo

[SHOW]

I do not know what those mushrooms are, but I have never felt so alive! So inspired! I could stay awake for days with all of the ideas I have! Perhaps I can start anew here, experiment a bit, and then we will all be saved. I'll save us all from our doom!!! But first, DINNERTIME!

5E Y??? (Second to last entry)

[SHOW]

HE'S HERE

"No," Idrig says, kneeling above one of the vermin and pulling out a hammer and a small steel spike. Using gloved hands, he pops free a handful of the scales and teeth and places them in a small gathering pouch at his waist. This should be enough. Once we're back to the manor I can run some tests.

Standing up, he peers over to Nyx, still reading the journal. "Anything moderately interesting, or the ramblings of an old fool?"

Narciso, who doesn't really put much interest into reading, turns to the others. "Anyone find any treasure?" He asks.

Nyx frowns as she realizes who the man is, and her frown only shows more concern as she reads through the contents of the journal. She reads it in its totality before glancing back up at the others. As Idrig speaks to her, she says, "no, the opposite. I know this man, I thought I recognized him before and now I am sure of it."

She closes the book and tucks it under her should before continuing. "He was one of the most respected scholars at the Aetherial Academy at one point, but he was shunned for the nature of the work he was doing. Based on the journal it seems he ended up here only be chance, and then lost his belongings to some thugs. It looks like he decided to continue his experiments in this place, those creatures probably of his own creation."

She pauses for a moment before adding, "though towards the end he did seem to lose his wits. There are mushrooms mentioned that seem like they could be the source. If we come across those, we should probably avoid them."

"A shame," Idrig admits. "One's adamant quest for scientific discovery should never be met with disdain or dismissal."

I will not end up the same as this one. He was too weak to achieve true progress, the dwarf reminds himself. His mushrooms, however, might be something I could use.

"Yes, I think I found it," Ciraco replies to Narcisco. Reaching his hand into his pocket he pulls out the two necklaces and holds them aloft hanging from his fist by the string. "Nothing worth of a royal treasury or a casino vault unfortunately."

"Well that's good to know. I'd rather not spend the rest of my days creating weird rat monsters in a sewer,"" he says in response to Nyx's summary of the journal.

Luca frowns as he listens to Nyx's tale. "A tragic story. Such a brilliant mind turning into this." He shakes his head before turning towards Ciraco's discovered treasure.

"Maybe not, but I'm sure they'd sell well enough."

Treasure

[SHOW]

The first of the pendants appears to be an ordinary necklace of gold. However, at a closer glance, you discover a latch and hinge. Opening it reveals a small, intricate timepiece. It is mechanical, but only possesses an hour hand. The clockface possesses intricate detail carved into the gold, including a laurel wreath and what appear to be waves.

The second of the necklaces is crafted of silver with citrine embedded within. It appears to bear the symbol of Democles, the Brennisian God of the Unusual and Miscreant. Most notably, he is associated with luck and crime and he is the Patron God of Teiros, or so your brochures told soon after you arrived.

Nyx & Idrig

[SHOW]

With your knowledge of the arcane and alchemical respectively, you cannot help but feel there's a certain power emanating from the second of the necklaces. Putting the necklace under scrutiny may reveal its secret, however.

"That was the intention," Ciraco says rolling his eyes at Luca. "There's not much use for a time piece in my line of work. People trying to kill you or your client don't tend to make an appointment first," he adds with a smirk.

"The other necklace," Idrig says, motioning to Ciraco. "That's no ordinary metalwork." He sniffs the air, making out certain etches of a magical taint to it. "We should get it appraised. And not by one of those scam-worthy fences who want to melt down jewelry and resell it on the open market. A real appraiser."

He smiles. Could be closer to paying off my debts and on my way again with that.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Arcana check to appraise magic item: 6(1d20) +11 = 17

"It might be enchanted," Nyx responds, adding to Idrig's suspicions. "It certainly seems enchanted. Pass it here, I may be able to tell what the enchantment is. I had to study them at the Academy."

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Arcana: wutdis?: 18

Nyx & Idrig

[SHOW]

You're unable to determine the exact nature of the enchantment, however it does not appear to be extremely strong.

Between the symbol of Democles and a strange sensation you feel when holding the necklace, you get the feeling it has the power to impact one's luck and fortunes.

Idrig shrugs, looking over the item beside Nyx. "Seems lucky, whatever it is."

Ugh, I should have studied more, Nyx thinks to herself as she realizes she cannot tell more about the item than what Idrig said. "Yeah, seems so. I wish I could tell more about it. Perhaps we can find an appraiser somewhere who will tell us more."

"Yeah," Idrig agrees. He motions toward the tunnel they came from. "Let's get moving. We've got to get her back to the estate and back in time for nightfall."

Not having anything to add, Narciso sheathes his weapon and follows the others.

"An appraiser shouldn't be too hard to find, but that's a worry for another time," Luca says with a nod, trailing behind the others as they begin to move.

The tunnels are quiet as you continue along, the steady stream and your echoing footsteps the only sounds you hear. After awhile, the sewer channel veers northward, but the tunnel continues on west. Eventually, you come across a small alcove containing a ladder. You can just barely make out VS etched into the stone walls. Above the ladder is what appears to be a trapdoor.

The tunnel continue past for a short ways before collapsing. Amongst the rubble, you catch sight of bulbous pink and yellow mushrooms which appear to glow in the dim light.

"Those must be the mushrooms mentioned in this journal," Nyx responds, spotting the fungi ahead. "We should steer clear," she continues, eyeing the ladder with great interest. One of the others can go first.

"Another time," Ciraco agrees with a smirk, pocketing the timepiece. "You can never have enough luck though," he adds, slipping the second amulet over his head and around his neck, tucking it into his shirt.

"Probably for the best," he says in reply to Nyx as he eyes the mushrooms. "What do you suppose VS stands for?" He says, running a finger over the etching on the wall.

"Go on ahead, then. I think I might have a use for these..." Idrig steps over to the mushrooms, donning a pair of thick gloves before kneeling down and attempting to forage for some fully grown stalks.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Dungeoneering to be Idrig: 1(1d20) +1 = 2 lame as fuck

"It could be any number of things," Luca says with a shrug, glancing at the faded etchings. "But it seems like the only way out, unless we want to backtrack."

Idrig

[SHOW]

As you kneel down to harvest the mushrooms, you underestimate how fragile the fungi are. They break and shrivel at your touch, leading you to believe they require a delicate touch to be properly harvested.

"Damnit," Idrig grumbles to himself as he botches his attempt at harvesting the fragile mushrooms. I'll have to come back to this later. He stands back up, joining the group once more.

"Vile sewers," the dwarf remarks, uninterested at the etchings. "Let's keep moving. We need to get our associate back to the manor."

"Who wants to go first?" Nyx asks, not wanting to volunteer herself for the task. One of the men can do that, I'll stay back here until we know it's safe.

"I guess I'll go first then," Ciraco says with a slight roll of his eyes. He starts climbing up the ladder and cautiously tries to open the trapdoor at the top.

Narciso nods and climbs up behind Ciraco, giving him enough space to move if he suddenly needs to climb back down. He readies himself to head through the trap door after Ciraco if he goes up.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Just in case, adding a stealth roll to be quiet: 7(1d20) +9 = 16

Though the ladder's rungs have cleared felt the passage of time, the ladder manages to support your weight with a meager creak under the pressure. Once up top, Ciraco finds the trapdoor firmly stuck. After a strong shove, however, a cloud of dust and dirt swirls and the door flies open.

As you finish your ascent, you find yourself on the surface once more, inside a storage shed. The air smells musty and cobwebs fill the corners. The trapdoor is housed between a pair of shelves littered with assorted tools and furniture. As you step into the aisle, you notice a neatly-kept workstation to your right, with a distillation kit and assorted reagents: Idrig's workstation. Peering through the dusty windows, you make out the unmistakable shape of your base of operations. "I suppose that would explain the VS then. Villa Salucci."

Finding the door, you step outside into the fresh air once more. The sun is low, beginning its daily descent towards the sea, and the warm air tickles your skin. The grounds appear quiet, although you notice the gardener, Fioralba, tending to her flowers. She raises an eyebrow as she notices you, akin to a mother expecting her children to explain themselves.

"I'm surprised we didn't think of that," Ciraco says as they find themselves in the Villa's grounds. "Very convenient though. At some point we should investigate the other tunnels we didn't take. They could give us a good way to move around the tunnel without being noticed," he suggests as he steps out into the garden, giving Fioralba a friendly wave in reply to her scowl.

"Let's go find Gina, I guess," the sellsword says before setting off towards the Villa.

"Hm." Idrig shrugs. "I still think the VS qualifies to be Vile Sewers." Stepping over to his workstation, he jots down a quick note to remind himself of the mushrooms downstairs. "This was a convenient entry, as you said. We'll have to do more sewer spelunking as time permits."

Nyx follows after the others once it seems safe, making sure Alina gets safely up the ladder first. She is shocked to see that they are in a shed and not a street, but glad to be out of the sewers. She nods to Ciraco at his suggestion, before turning to Alina. "Is there an infirmary or something we should take you to? Or do you want to come see Gina with us?"

Narciso stretches out and steps out of the shed, giving the gardner a polite bow before following Ciraco up to the house. "I'm not sure how much going into the sewers is something I want to do again, but... it wouldn't be a bad idea to have it mapped out, I agree."

"My bedroom should suffice," Alina manages, the long journey appearing to have taken a toll on her. She nearly loses her footing, but Luca holds her steady.

"I'll get her there. You can go on ahead. Gina's probably in the parlor again or something." With Alina against his shoulder, the pair soon disappear into the lower floors of the house.

You trail behind, ascending the stairs towards the villa's main floor. You hear the sweet sounds of piano music echoing through the halls, a joyous melody turning more tempestuous as it progresses. You soon find the source of the music within the library, directly opposite the parlor. Seated at its helm is Gina, seemingly lost in the music.

After a moment, the piece is finished and she takes a deep breath before noticing your presence. "You are back. Have you prepared for tonight?"

Idrig waits impatiently as the woman keeps them from their task with her piano music. "No," he replies flatly. "But we've found our ally. She's safe in her room now, though injured."

"There's a bit more to it than just no," Ciraco says looking to Idrig and then back to Gina. "We found a good vantage point as well as access to the sewers which could give us a way in, " he elaborates.

Narciso gave a small stretch. "I think we've got this just fine."

Nyx sighs as the others focus more on the mission than their injured comrade. "Alina had been captured by clowns," she continues. "But they didn't seem like the Buffones. I've never seen anything as dark and eerie as the place they had her kept when I was at the The Carnevale," she continues. "It might be a splinter group within the Clowns, or perhaps an unrelated group trying to frame them." Or, even worse, the Clowns have become much scarier.

Gina watches each of you speak, her eyes momentarily relieved before appearing concerned again. She hmms quickly before standing from the instrument. "It is good that Alina is safe then," she says, breathing deeply as if a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. "Though what you say of the Clowns is of great concern. Tell me, what exactly did you see?" she asks, looking towards Nyx in particular.

Looking towards the others, she adds, "Ah, you mentioned the sewers, yes? We may have an old map somewhere in here, if you care to look."

"I'll start looking for that map," Ciraco says, not having much to add on the subject of the Clowns. He starts searching for the map of the sewers while listening in the on conversation.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Perception?: 15(1d20) +12 = 27