Dark Rumblings

[Ebiris]

"I think it's already gone, though they were quite invested in making fake copies. That's two already," Alicia says, looking around for anything hidden.

[20:40] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73 perception
[20:40] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+73 perception --> [ 1d20=2 ]{75}

[Anastasia]

There is a small switch on the back of the pillar.

There is a secret door on the far wall as well.

"Refresh me on what Mystra told you of it," Latha asks in the meantime.

[Ebiris]

"It's the spellbook of Saint Bevor, empowered by his sacrifice and stained with his very blood," Alicia recites for Latha. "It can aid any who wish to blend magic and martial prowess together."

Curious as to what the switch will do, she flips it!

[Anastasia]

"I meant of why the daemons took it," Latha says, "Beyond simply being malicious."

The button is pressed. A compartment in the pillar clicks open.

[Ebiris]

That's not what she asked at all!

"That's a question for the daemons and not for Mystra, surely?" she asks, opening the compartment. "As it happens we did ask our prisoner as well. It's loss would weaken us, and they planned to give it to another."

[Anastasia]

Inside is another ancient tome, sitting there and ready to be taken.

[Ebiris]

Does it appear to be the genuine article?

[17:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+31 CL if relevant
[17:12] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+31 CL if relevant --> [ 1d20=6 ]{37}
[17:12] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+46 spellcraft
[17:12] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+46 spellcraft --> [ 1d20=18 ]{64}

Also will use some sort of alter reality variant to examine the blood on the cover (if present) and determine if it's genuine human blood.

[Anastasia]

It is another fake, albeit different from the previous fakes. Slightly different magic, different size, different design.

It is real human blood on the cover.

[Ebiris]

Do any of the fakes actually do anything beyond read as magical books??

"Three fakes," she tosses it to the floor. "They certainly went all out in mocking these up."

[Anastasia]

Nothing magical beyond that, though they might have text within of note. You'd have to read.

"This suggests they knew this was a losing venture," Latha frowns, "Or the Allema was a madman or paranoid, that cannot be ruled out from a yugoloth."

[Ebiris]

"They had to expect reprisals, but I'd hoped we were swift enough to get here before they had time to pass the tome onto their intended recipient. We still might be, but it's possible it's already gone and these were left to delay us further by thinking we'd succeeded," Alicia says, going to open the secret door next.

[Anastasia]

"It's not like a yugoloth to play a doomed hand. Did Shar force him or did he survive somehow?" Latha questions as you open the door. It leads to a stairway going down, weaving deeper into the cursed stone. Torches light the walls, the air smoky.

[Ebiris]

"He did try and fob us off with the fake earlier, he probably thought that would be enough to send us away," Alicia points out, descending down the stairs.

[Anastasia]

"....you may be right and I've listened to Antenora too long," Latha concedes, giving Marie a look at that.

Perception.

[Ebiris]

Marie is on the prime!

[18:03] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+73 perception
[18:03] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+73 perception --> [ 1d20=8 ]{81}