The chaos and confusion from Mordant seemed a fair distance away from the cluttered and haphazard yet quiet Warrens.  Lillin ventured into the room alongside Andrei, happy to see that their joint operation was successful.<br/><br/>Without asking Andrei took the folder out of Kleris' hands and opened it.  "Ah, a<em>Sepia Snake Sigil,</em>" he said with a smile, "a common means of protecting sensitive documents.  It's fortunate that it doesn't work against undead like myself."  Crumpling up and burning the trapped parchment, he handed the documents folder back to Kleris.<br/><br/>"I got a report from Arturon through a series of<em>message</em>spells," Lillin said.  "They know for a fact now that someone stole something from Karnakia's office, but not what or who.  All the more reason to research these documents now while we have it in our hands."<br/><br/>The folder contained a record of personages and dates about Redhurst's many visitors, going back as far as fifty years.  The name Breyten Merchiot jumped out immediately to the three.<br/><br/><em>Breyten Merchiot, 1365 DR Toril Planar Time.  Paid for access to the Restricted Archives of the Redhurst Library of the Arcane.  Subjects included information about the Whispering Way sect of the Material Plane world of Golarion.  Also inquired into the names of other mages who had a vested interest/experience with necromancers across the planes.  Was pointed to Bemmea of Allain, Midgard and Eltabber of Faerûn, Toril, after research was complete.<br/><br/><strong>Notes:</strong> Breyten had numerous anti-divination spells active upon his person for the duration of his stay at Redhurst.  Definitely performing work which needed to be secret.  Either a practitioner of forbidden magic or being scried upon by said sect.  Regardless, security has been heightened at Redhurst in case anyone dangerous tracks his last whereabouts to here.</em><br/><br/>Andrei and Lillin were silent as Kleris absorbed the information.  Far from a definitive answer, it left only more questions than answers.<br/><br/>The vampire put a reassuring hand on Kleris' shoulder.  "Kleris...I know this is quite a bit to take in."  He then looked to Lillin.  "What does this mean?"<br/><br/>"I don't know.  Either Mr. Merchiot is on the run from someone, or..." she dared not say the last thing on her thought, not in front of Kleris.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Knowledge Planes DC 16</div><div class="spoiler_body">Golarion and Toril are alternate Material Plane worlds.  Golarion is a planet which was hit by a meteor thousands of years ago, sending its civilization into a dark age before slowly recovering.  Toril is a planet notable for a rich tapestry of magic known as the Weave overlaying it, administered by the Goddess of Magic.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Knowledge Religion DC 16</div><div class="spoiler_body">The Whispering Way is a philosophy on Golarion dedicated to the promotion of undeath.  It teaches that the shedding of mortality removes the weaknesses and suffering of life.  Thus, the ideal state of the world is one where all life is wiped out or turned into undead.  The Whispering Way is never written down, instead orally passed from one person to another; within its teaching lie the secrets to undeath.<br/><br/>If Andrei is asked whether he knows anything on the philosophy, he shakes his head.  "Sorry, not all vampires and necromancers are clued in to each other's traditions.  This applies doubly so in regards to transplanar travel."</div></div><br/>"Wait, the report mentioned Bemmea," Lillin said.  "If I remember, Arisad remarked upon your ring.  Kleris, he might know something!"<br/><br/>Andreis copied down the relevant parts of the report onto a piece of parchment and gave it to Kleris.  "Now we can't just show back up in Mordant with folder in hand, or Dean Karnakia's going to know something's up.  Kleris, did you manage to make contact with any teacher or prefect who might be able to get it back anonymously?"<br/><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 40, Hentru's Resort</span></div><br/>It was 2 days before the big duel, and Rensha was drilling Kleris through the proper spell use in combat.  Her stance seemed off and just a little too late, quite unusual for the otherwise experience magus.<br/><br/>"Kleris, I've been meaning to ask you something," she said in the middle of the casting of a<em>shield</em>spell.  "You went out on a date with that centaur.  Heard it from Zull."  She dodged out of the way of one of Kleris' spells.<br/><br/>"It's just a first date, you know?  Nothing official and all."<br/><br/>Rensha zoomed right up to Kleris to deliver a touch spell of a nonlethal<em>Shocking Grasp</em>.  21 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=62868)<br/><br/>"Did I throw you off?  Sorry.  Anyway, it's my fault for not taking the initiative.  Kleris, if you're still open, I want to go on a date with you!"<br/><br/>Twisting his arm behind his back and pinning him to the ground, Rensha had Kleris in a locked hold. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=62869)<br/><br/>"So, are you free or not?"<br/><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Society of the Scarlet Serpent Meeting</span></div><br/>While eating out at lunch, Andrei sent a<em>Message</em>spell to Kleris over from another table.<em>Next meeting's tonight.  You, me, Utari, and Rensha.  Got something special in mind.</em><br/><br/>Converging back in the catacombs, Utari was going over a map of Redhurst grounds proper, with an equally large map of the many underground passageways beneath the Academy.  "Five days from now<em>(Day 45)</em>some students from Bemmea are planning on coming to Redhurst for a day.  The day after that we'll have the opportunity to visit the Academic Arcane at Bemmea.  A cultural exchange of sorts."<br/><br/>Andrei smiled fiendishly.  "So the Redhurst faculty is preparing all sorts of things to make them feel welcome, but there are some traditions they do not know about.  Some of the upperclassmen and women got their hands on a scroll of<em>Mage's Magnificent Mansion.</em>Such a fortunate occurrence doesn't happen often, but when it does it's Redhurst tradition to take full advantage of the anonymity and party to excess!"<br/><br/>"And Utari's okay with it?" Rensha asked, perplexed.<br/><br/>"There's not much one can do to prevent teenagers from having fun," Utari said.  "A few of the prefects are in on this, figuring that as long as things stay safe and consensual then it's a good way for people to blow off steam."<br/><br/>"And have you seen how uptight those Bemmean colleges are?" Andrei said.  "Gods know they're in desperate need of stress relief!"<br/><br/>"So, Kleris," Rensha asked.  "You in?  We need all the help we can get, and knowledge of the party needs to be kept hush-hush and passed to the right people so that everything goes smoothly."<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Party Preparations:</span></strong></div><br/>There are several ways that Kleris can help prepare for the secret party.  Each check can be made only once per day.  On Day 41 Kleris can devote additional time to making sure things are right, doing up to 2 additional activities or re-rolling for the same failed activity.<br/><br/><strong>Decorations:</strong>Roll a proper skill check (Spellcraft if employing spells).  The higher the check, the fancier the aesthetics of the mansion look.  A high result (20 or better) puts people in good spirits, offering a +2 morale bonus on all actions for the duration of the party.<br/><br/><strong>Enchant it before you tap it:</strong>In addition to relationship issues, sex has many other risks.  Unplanned pregnancies and STDs are some of the most common results of hot teen sex.  Kleris is tasked with securing access enough<em>Block the Seed</em>spells.  It's a 1st-level spell (in BoEF) which causes sperm to fade out of existence once it passes through the vagina.  He can either cast it on partygoers, organize a study circle to copy it into as many spellbooks as possible, create potions and scrolls to hand out to people, or any combination.<br/><br/><strong>Invitation Only:</strong>Kleris can invite some of his friends who he believe will be a good fit for the party.<br/><br/><strong>Look Out, it's Dean Khûdzak!</strong>Somebody's got to make sure that the mansion entrance remains out of view.  Kleris can help the Society of the Scarlet Serpent find a pathway remote enough to be out of normal patrols, but not so remote that venturing there's a chore for partygoers.  Roll a DC 20 Knowledge (Dungeoneering) check to find that perfect spot!<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 40</span></div><br/>Today like every week before (and sometimes when they were feeling extra-frisky), Lillin offered to help Kleris "relieve" himself with the help of her body.<br/><br/>"Mmm, you're tastier than usual today," she says after kissing him.<br/><br/><em>If asked about "protection" (whether for the party or for other reasons), Lillin will mention that she has a spell to take care of birth control: Block the Seed.  She can teach it to Kleris.</em><br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 41, Morning</span></div><br/><strong>Helping Hand:</strong>Clean out the stables, assist the cooks in the cafeteria, help manage the school store, or a similar activity.  This can be a comfortable way to earn some money.  Roll a Profession check.  The result is the amount of gold pieces earned for helping out; alternatively you can triple the value if you choose to accept it in the form of material components and other school supplies.<br/><br/><strong>Party Preparations:</strong>In addition to the automatic 1 action a day, Kleris can spend one of his 2 weekend actions to re-roll a failed roll or do an additional preparation.<br/><br/><strong>Relationship:</strong>Hang out with a friend, be they a student or teacher.  You might be able to further a Relationship Level with them by helping them out with some task.<br/><br/><strong>Relax:</strong>Catch up on sleep, tour the campus, enjoy life.  Your mind is at ease, stress gone.  The next roll that you make, you can re-roll and take the better result.<br/><br/><strong>Study:</strong>By sequestering yourself in the Redhurst Library of the Arcane, you can opt to learn a 0 or 1st level Wizard spell you do not know.  Alternatively you can pick Study twice and learn a 2nd level spell.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Day 42, the Day of the Duel</span></div><br/>This day seemed particularly long, as Kleris and every member of the Dueling Club had the subject on their lips and minds.  Carson passed Kleris at lunch.  "Are you ready to lose today?" he taunted.<br/><br/>"You got it, Kleris," Rensha said in their<em>Change Starts Within</em>class.  "Just remember your training, and you've got this!"<br/><br/>Carson and Kleris faced each other in the middle of the arena.  Utari stood between them, wand in hand.<br/><br/>"This is a<strong>Restricted Duel,</strong>" she said.  "Both participants must rely entirely upon their own prepared spells, and no external items or magic items.  Neither participant is allowed to employ physical blows, disarms, trips, or other maneuvers unless a spell specifically calls for such a maneuver.  The first opponent to run out of spells, or is unable to continue the duel, loses."<br/><br/>Pointing her wand upwards, she releases the<em>light</em>spell into the air.  Carson's eyes remain upon Kleris the entire time, his hands twitching in preparation for the casting of the spell.<br/><br/>The<em>light</em>reached the lantern, and they were off.<br/><br/>Carson gets a 5 initiative. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=62872)<br/><br/><em>If Carson goes first.</em><br/><br/>Carson puts his hands together and a burst of water rushes out.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spellcraft DC 11</div><div class="spoiler_body">A Hydraulic Push spell!</div></div><br/>Carson gets a 17 on the Combat Maneuver roll against Kleris' 13 CMD.  He's pushed back 5 feet. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=62873)