After the words

[Iron Dragoon]

"And this was under Zone of Truth?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Jarem agrees, "I had someone else probe his thoughts and it lines up. If he's lying, he's an extremely good liar."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... Did anyone check him for spells and inspect the symbol? With the way she works, he could be under a subtle compulsion from the symbol."

[Anastasia]

"Yes and yes, it's not magical and he's clean," Jarem says, "We put him in a magic circle against evil, just in case."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Bastian, anything you want to add or testing to subject him to?"

[Anastasia]

"No, just give me a chance, but it sounds like you know what's going on," he says, "He sounds like a greedy fool."

[Iron Dragoon]

"A chance for what?"

[Anastasia]

"A chance to see him," Bastian says. "Let me see if he speaks the truth."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods and lets him past.

[Anastasia]

Bastian goes in and...

> roll 1d20+44
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=4]

Bastian emerges about 5 minutes later. He's scowling in utter contempt, "You have a fool in that room, one I'm surprised still breathes. You don't have a Sharran."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Get him an escort so he can finish his business, then let's get him out of here. Let's melt down the symbol for what we can use from it and be done with this debacle."

[Anastasia]

"I'll see to it," Jarem says, "Fools will fool."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, let's just be happy it wasn't a serious incident. Though it does present a hole in our security. Items like that can be enchanted for purpose and Shar's power flows through them. If we go after them too hard, however, a black market for them will invariably grow. Hmm... What do you think of a sort of bounty system? I don't want encourage items being made to generate income, but if we can convince people to turn such things in, it would be best."

[Anastasia]

"It could work," Bastian says, "With enough money."

[Iron Dragoon]

"That's the problem... We need to get income from trade and soon. Let's shelve the idea for now. Once our income stabilizes, we'll revisit it. For now, let's get this guy on his way."