[center][hr][url=https://dicecloud.com/character/Djqq8uCfXzGvyJpXz][b][color=7FFF00]Kethan the Librarian[/color][/b][/url][hr][/center]

[color=7FFF00]"Arcane Locks can be suppressed by knowing the bypass words. But save your charms Ms. Imlotel. I fear the Mayor may need the touch of a beautiful lady, should he fail to listen to the reason of Gilean."[/color] So they were using names now? Too little too late, she had already named him before the crowd. But fortunately he was no one of great fame, only a temple librarian, one of many humble titles. A bookkeeper, a custodian of leather tomes, someone to mend and keep them in good order. Some librarian preferred to use the mystic arts to restore torn pages and shabby spines, but Kethan took each task with a personal touch. The text masterfully handwritten with his steady hand, matched to the same typeface used to demonstrate his training in calligraphy. One of the few who still worked with leaves of gold to gild the illuminated manuscripts, and prepare vellum to be inked. Indeed he was old, and perhaps being a bit of a relic to these younger folk who were more dexterous and stronger than he was, and probably more good looking without the touch of time across their brows and eyes. Tessa was far more brilliant too, a keener mind and memory. Yet he was wiser than all of them, advising his companion to charm the Mayor instead into release his captives, rather than expend such an enchantment spell on a mere manor hand to glean possible entrance to the manor. Of course as he suggested, Kethan too had ways to attempt to do the same. The Power of Gilean compels you.[color=7FFF00]"Worry not about your skill child, come, please do not make an old man chase after you."[/color] Dispelling concerns as his old head gave a nod of a job well done to the unnamed spellsword. His hand  reaching out towards Ada to gently tap her forehead and transfer some knowledge to guide her hand

A peal of thunder.
Was it thunder in the rain?
No, just sound and fury.

And What was there to say? Kethan just shook his head with the Barbarian's crude methodology. This goliath will get them all killed. But with the arcane lock dissolved, it was much easier to bypass the doorway with brute strength, smashing down the portalway atop two unfortunate guards in a raging fury. Those poor souls ill-prepared as Kethan to deal with a mad dog, barking mad into an otherwise empty room. Did he expect a hoard of enemies waiting for him? Some grand battle inside a manor? This was no battlefield, but a domus, a place for civilized people to plot against one another with fake smiles and hidden agendas. With a sigh, Kethan retracted his offered digits, turning to see the damage done, the doors fell down with a crash, revealing the interior of the manor. Not the most elegant solution, and surely if there were any guards, they would come rushing for to defend the manor from intruders. Assuming they are being paid well enough to do so, given the state of things, maybe they were barely being paid to keep all by the Mayor in a deficit leading to servitude.[color=7FFF00]"Subtly is not that one's strength..."[/color] 

[color=7FFF00]"What are you doing?!"[/color] A hastily snapped exclamation, at the unnamed one amongst them and Tessa as they assault the unfortunate guards. guards floored by the door collapsing, as they had rushed to investigate their unexpected and uninvited guests. [color=7FFF00]"These men could very well be coerced into service. And an unwilling servant is our best ally in finding this man's daughter. Why did you both assault them so quickly? They may be victims of the Mayor just as well."[/color] Chastised by an old man, truly getting cranky at the folly of fools. Always thinking quickly, but not deeply. The world needed more deep thinkers, or perhaps not, for they were a dangerous lot as not all thought benevolently. But the immediate possible threat was over, and it seemed no more guards marched themselves in to investigate, it was after all quite the downpour, and it was not uncommon for a storm to brew. What the heavens curse you with, the divines also bless you with.

A practiced hand checked the carotids, a finger checked for breath. They were still alive, though unconscious and sandwiched between the ground and the portcullis. In such a state it would be easy to finish them with, but it was a dishonorable act, and Kethan hoped to use the good nature of their warriors to stay death's hand from taking perhaps two innocent lives. [color=7FFF00]"They will live, I suggest we refrain from alerting everyone of our arrival."[/color] Rising with his staff, supporting his weight as his knees visibly shook beneath the robe. How he made it this far on his knees was almost as impressive as breaking down a door. [color=7FFF00]"We should split up and look for clues. We must find evidence of the Mayor's practices, as well as where your Daughter is."[/color] Walking over to the warlock and Ada, Kethan naturally divided six into two groups of three, with that rogue somewhere in the manor surely to be encountered later. Assuming he didn't loot the place dry. [color=7FFF00]"I will accompany the elvens upstairs towards the Mayor's study, a man can be judged by his collection of books... And where on those shelves the grey dust settles thick."[/color]

[color=7FFF00]"Ms. Imlotel, you know where I will be, a message should suffice if we are needed. And you will have the company of two strong men if needed. Do try to keep the Goliath from destroying a loadbearing wall as we shall be on the upper floors."[/color] A nod to Tessa as Kethan's suggested a plan to cover more ground in less time. After all time was indeed a factor here, splitting the group seemed to suffice given the skill the hexblade had with his weapon to act as a guard for the archer and Kethan. Plus the folks who cared to investigate the Mayor and test their wits may find searching the man's study to be more fruitful than investigating the light peeking through the bottom of the door in the far hallway. Should anything happen, Tessa could contact Kethan with a message. [color=7FFF00]"Come, I will need your blade, and your lockpicks."[/color] Starting up the stairway to walk towards the Mayor's study, as the aging librarian requested Ada and Arius to accompany him according to his plans.
 
[hider=Mechanics] 
Medicine check to gauge unconscious guards: [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/3404]20[/url].
Also passive perception 23 to search the Mayor's study if/when they arrive there.
[/hider]