Strange Fortune

[jm_jazzman]

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Sorry for the delay everyone, here we go.

The mouse does not seem the least bit concerned as Jacinth handles it. Inside the backpack is a piece of paper folded several times over into a small square, with a strange rune stamped upon the exposed paper's face.

[Shakedown]

Although the rune is unfamiliar, Jacinth examines it closely, hoping for a spark of recognition.

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local knowledge (1d20+2)[18], and use magic device (1d20+4)[23]. Since I doubt that'll do anything,

Jacinth then unfolds the paper and examines the rest of it.

[jm_jazzman]

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Bardic Knowledge is probably the appropriate skill to use here. I'll let your roll count for that.

Jacinth's spark of recognition comes! This is the symbol of the Grand Librarian of Tasperia. It is said in stories that The Great Library of Tasperia holds a complete collection of all the recorded knowledge in world, and that wizards and other students of magic travel there from all over to study the secrets held in the archives there.

Unfolding the paper, Jacinth finds herself staring at this note:

[Shakedown]

"OH WHAT THE ****" Jacinth shouts, holding the mouse and the note away from her. "Hey, Valette! I'm gonna need your help! I think I just got a magic disease from the magic university, and since you're all about the magic I think it would be best if you dealt with this!" She brings the mouse and the note to Valette's cell, calling "Tell me quickly if you need the mouse because if not I'm stepping on the little bastard!" before quietly reading the the note to Valette.

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why james why, I already peed on my shirt, isn't that enough scatological misfortune for one character

[Aeti]

"Crush away," says Valette uncaringly of the cute little backpacked mouse. "The note is from Professor Fann, you say? But this seal is the personal seal of Rabid Bugbear B-" she stops and looks embarassed. "I mean.. That was a mnemonic the students used to remember.. um. So our headmaster had a really long and silly name. Anyway! I think it's pretty unlikely Prof Fann would be hexing random people in dungeons.. It might be an illusion so that only the right person can read it?"

Despite her logic, she carefully doesn't take the note. "Can you hold it up so I can read it, please?"

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Backstory stuff posted in OOC in a min or so, probably a good idea you guys know I'm not just making this all up :)

[jm_jazzman]

The note appears the same to Valette as it does to Jacinth.

[lando_zeus]

Thårin continues his escape attempt, grunting the whole time.

[Aeti]

Valette takes the note from Jacinth uncertainly. "I don't have any spells or equipment to test the note to see if its genuinely cursed, anyone have suggestions?"

[jm_jazzman]

Suddenly, the mouse seems agitated, and begins to squirm for release from Jacinth's hand.

After much sweating and grunting, Thårin finally manages to Shanghai Noon his way out of his cell.

[Aeti]

"If you're going to kill it, kill it already, before it gets away," says Valette distractedly while she inspects the letter.

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Please don't kill the mouse! It's got a message for meeee

[jm_jazzman]

The note remains unchanged in Valette's hands, the Grand Librarian's mark constantly attracting her gaze.

[Shakedown]

"Oh no, I'm not letting this little ****er go until we find out whether I have an ass disease or not. Here, it's from your university, you have it." Jacinth thrusts the mouse at Valette.

[Aeti]

Valette pokes the symbol with her finger.

[DrunkyTheClown]

Whiskey's eyes widen as he stares at Jacinth at the mention of the magic disease and immediately begins frantically snorting and sputtering, pawing at his snout and wandering to the edge of the room near Valette's cell, looking rather distressed, and eyeing the mouse and note nervously.

[lando_zeus]

"BY THE GREATSWORD OF KORD, FINALLY! I'll free the rest of you lot in a moment."

Thårin goes up to the door and presses his ear against it, seeing if he can hear anything on the other side.

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Listen - (1d20)[5]

[Aeti]

"It's just vermin, if you don't have the stomach to kill it then give it here." Valette takes the mouse from Jacinth.

[jm_jazzman]

Thårin hears nothing on the other side of the door.

Nothing happens when Valette pokes the Grand Librarian's symbol.

The mouse squeaks and struggles some more.

[lando_zeus]

...................

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Retrying Listen..... - (1d20)[9]

[lando_zeus]

Thårin attempts to open the door silently.

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Dex check for silence? (1d20+2)[12]

[Shakedown]

"Wait, it's my ass disease, if anyone's gonna crush the mouse it'll be me. I just want you to look at it. Maybe it's little backpack is magical. I don't know. Just take a look, please?"

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(1d20+6)[17] for diplomacy

[Aeti]

Valette takes her hands from the mouses neck and nods. "We can always break his neck in a few minutes."

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k, the first natural 20 of the game is edited away, thank goodness you posted Jacinth! I think James and I were going to let the mouse escape in a grapple, and I don't think we were expecting a 20!

---

* post roll count doesn't match database

[Shakedown]

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oops, (1d20+6)[25]

[jm_jazzman]

Thårin still hears nothing.

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Er... not really sure any skill can make the door move especially silently other than just doing it really slowly. No roll for this. If it's a squeaky door, it's probably gonna squeak regardless. Still want to go ahead?

[lando_zeus]

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Yeah I'm going to try open the door, as quietly as possible

[Aeti]

Valette attempts a number of tests with the letter and the mouse.

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In order, stop if anything works!

• Put the mouse on the letter.
• Say clearly "I, Valette, a student of Tasperia, have received this letter."
• Put both the letter and the mouse back on the ground (being careful not to let the mouse scurry away)
• Fold the letter up and replace it in the mouse's backpack
• Swear loudly
• say clearly "Roondar Boddynock Bagockle Zim Hallinmally Bardnab Turen-Nackle Nardbig, do you have anything you want known to I, Valette of Wettonbend, Wizardess of Tasperia, first grade, majoring in Necomancy?"
  

[DrunkyTheClown]

Whiskey approaches the bars of Valette's cell to try and inspect the note, and with a displeased whine looks between Valette and Jacinth.

[Aeti]

"Well. If we're trapped in here, we can always eat the dog if we get hungry."

[jm_jazzman]

Thårin slowly pulls the heavy door open. It is unlocked, and not exceptionally noisy.

On the other side of the doorway is a small room with a barrel, a pile of rags, and a rough wooden box with a lid. On the opposite end of the room, a staircase leads up.

An image of a skull with crossed swords beneath it has been crudely painted on one of the walls.



The mouse continues to trying to wiggle its way free from Valette's hands, but does not bite or scratch at her. Nothing new happens with the note as a result of her tests.

[Aeti]

Her mouth twisted in irritation, Valette continues her tests.

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• "Sorry, grand librarian Roondar Boddynock Bagockle Zim Hallinmally Bardnab Turen-Nackle Nardbig ..."

• "..Roony?"

• She tries her sentences again in Draconic, Infernal and Gnomish.

• "'Don't let you mind believe your eyes, and never let your eyes believe your mind'?" she quotes irritably. "But how does that help?"

• "You're not acting very mouselike, are you? Fine." She sets the mouse down and watches what it does.

[DrunkyTheClown]

Whiskey perks up and finally acknowledges Valette, then in a strangely reactionary manner, bares his teeth and snarls at her.