At the desk across the room sits the drow woman. Open before her is the case of sending stones. She holds one of the stones in her left hand, and jots down notes with her right. She doesn't seem to have noticed that Zenithral is awake.
Demiplane
At the desk across the room sits the drow woman. Open before her is the case of sending stones. She holds one of the stones in her left hand, and jots down notes with her right. She doesn't seem to have noticed that Zenithral is awake.
The drow sets down her stone and finishes her notes, then files it tidily into a drawer of the desk. She turns to look over at Zenithral and catches his eye. She blinks and looks away, but not before Zenithral notices the bruises nearly hidden by her midnight skin.
Rolls
Perception (Notice all the things!) - (1d20+3)
(4) + 3 = 7
Investigation (Identify and remember all the things!) - (1d20+7)
(7) + 7 = 14
Persuasion (Let's chat, shall we?) - (1d20+7)
(15) + 7 = 22
Preemptive Insight on her next words - (1d20+8)
(17) + 8 = 25
She finally answers with a simple statement: "I know who you are." Her eyes trace the bookshelves and floor, but watches Zenithral warily out of the corner of her eye (and the archer notices that the shelves are full of books and scrolls, with subjects ranging from history to arcane lore). She seems to find something encouraging in his posture and words, however, and so continues. "My name is Ginafae Despana. I am sister to Malavon Despana, who created this place."
She winces, and turns away again.
Rolls
Persuasion (Cursed tongue of mine...) - (1d20+7)
(15) + 7 = 22
She puts a hand gingerly to her face. "Of what fiends did you speak, just now? My brother is a good man, but I fear that his current employer is driving him to evil deeds, for all that he dresses like a goodly priest."
She blinks, then lowers her head, white hair falling over her eyes. "But it is not my place to criticize, nor to second-guess."
Zenithral nods. "I know of this 'priest'. He calls himself the Revered Brother Poquelin, a supposed servant of Ilmater, but he is nothing but a Pretender." Zenithral's eyes glow a fierce, radiant white when he says this. ""I do not wish to divulge everything I know, but know your brother's employer is a devious devil in disguise. He confounds, misleads, and manipulates everyone he makes contact with, such as that Pomab fool...and myself..." Zenithral scowls and stands, turning towards one of the shelves.
"You're not wrong to question your brother. No one is ever wrong to have questions," he says eventually. "Your brother may be good, but his actions might have terrible consequences. If he's as powerful as this," Zenithral says, gesturing around to the demiplane, "then it may prove difficult to convince or coerce him otherwise..."
An ebony hand goes to her lips at the revelation of Poquelin's true identity. "I did not know.... and Malavon, he may not know either! I am sure he would be a better man if not for this job." Her lip curls just slightly in disgust at Pomab's name. "Pomab, on the other hand... I could not believe him to be a good man in any sense of the word."
Ginafae's eyes flick to the walls and she shakes her head in apprehension. "But my brother will not be happy to find you here. He knows of you and your companions, at least from what the reports have said." Her gaze goes to the desk and the sending stones. "If he finds you here in his study, he may kill you - or worse. He hates surface elves as much as the next drow, and is one of the most gifted spellcasters among our people. He even rivaled Gromph Baenre of Menzoberranzan for the position of archwizard of the city."
She grips her own arms as she begins to tremble. "I am sorry! I should not have pulled you into the room as the door was closing, but I did not wish to see you killed!"
Zenithral glances around the room and taps his feet. "Are you a spellcaster? If so, you may be able to help me escape. Or perhaps there are some spellbooks or spell scrolls in here we could make use of...If we can come up with such a plan, I could tell you more about this devil to help you and your brother."
Rolls
Persuasion - (1d20+7)
(6) + 7 = 13
She motions to the bookshelves. "Please, have a look."
He tries to summon Fluphy and begins scouring the bookshelves for anything that might help him escape the demiplane, specifically to help him avoid detection and death when the door opens. Invisibility? Teleportation? Zenithral regrets not spending more time dabbling in the arcane arts.
Rolls
Arcana - (1d20+7)
(10) + 7 = 17
Armed with the password, Zenithral searches and finds several spell scrolls. An ornate case - likely worth several hundred gold pieces on its own - holds a magnificent dagger with a crimson blade and gold hilt, as well as one very complicated-looking spell. It looks to be a powerful magic created by Malavon himself.
Scroll of Banishment
Scroll of Fire Shield
(Within the ornate case)
Magic dagger
Scroll of Malavon's Rage
"Faern golhyrr," Zenithral repeats. He looks at Ginafae for confirmation as he tentatively touches a scroll and braces for petrification. After finding himself still conscious and made of flesh, he gets to work.
When you hit with an attack using this weapon, you can immediately use your bonus action to cast Immolation on the creature that you hit. The DC for the spell is 15.
"Flames wreathe one creature you can see within range. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On a failed save, the target also burns for the spell’s duration (concentration, up to 1 minute). The burning target sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. At the end of each of its turns, the target repeats the saving throw. It takes 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, and the spell ends on a successful one. These magical flames can’t be extinguished by nonmagical means.
If damage from this spell kills a target, the target is turned to ash."
Once used, this ability cannot be used again until dawn the next day.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self (15-foot radius)
Components: V, S, M (a drop of your own blood)
Duration: Instantaneous
This spell was created by the dark elf Malavon. It causes powerful beams of pure magical energy to surge outward from your body in all directions. Each creature within range (15 feet) must make a Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 20d4 force damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
She leans over with interest to look at the dagger, then pulls back. "That was purchased recently from the houseless rogue you mentioned earlier. Nym said he stole it from a dragon's hoard himself." She scoffs. "He nearly charged my brother a dragon's hoard for it."
He leaves the two items in the case, then lifts two of the scrolls he found earlier. "This scroll can potentially send me back to the Material plane," he says holding the scroll of banishment. He lifts the scroll of invisibility "And this one could help me stay hidden when your brother returns. I might be able to get past and out the door if I'm lucky...though I'm not fond of those traps..."
The case of sending stones catches Zenithral's eye. "Now wait just a moment...do you know who each of those contacts? Are they labeled?" His eyes dart around searching for one that matches the one the party had.
Rolls
Investigation - (1d20+7)
(1) + 7 = 8
Just then, a door appears in the wall.
Ginafae's eyes widen in panic. "My brother comes! Quickly, pick one of those spells, and I will help you!"
Bear in mind that Banishment will take a DC 14 intelligence check to successfully cast and then Zenithral would have to fail a Charisma save against the spell for it to actually work on him (DC 15). Also, he would have no control over where he ended up.
On the other hand, does he want to risk Malavon discovering him?
Hmm...
Zenithral rushes next to the doorway, opens the scroll of invisibility, and attempts to cast it.
(Zenithral tries to cast Invisibility and tries to Hide with Action Surge)
Fluphy floats around trying to feign cheerfulness.
Zenithral ties to stand motionless next to the door and prays he's not noticed. He faces the wall to keep his face hidden if Malavon dispells his invisibility.
Rolls
Intelligence (Cast the spell perhaps?) Adv, Guidance - (1d20+2, 1d20+2, 1d4)
1d20+2 : (18) + 2 = 20
1d20+2 : (7) + 2 = 9
1d4 : (1) = 1
Stealth (You can't hear me! Maybe...) - (1d20+3)
(7) + 3 = 10