A Plan Comes Together

[[Roll: 13]]

After a bit more exploring, Runa found an area with a sign hanging from a rope. ‘The area ahead includes the Count’s office and private quarters. Please do not enter.’

Ignoring that, Runa made her way over the rope and continued. There was a door straight ahead and one to her right. There was light inside each room visible under the door crack, but Runa listened for a few moments and determined no one was in either room. And both were locked.

So, Runa decided to pull out her lock picks and enter the door to her right. Picking them was a simple matter, and she quietly crept inside and shut the door behind her.

The room was clearly Count Hines’ office. There was a desk and chair, several shelves with files and papers, an armchair in one corner, and a fireplace. There was a lot she could potentially investigate, but the first thing that caught her eye was a half-burned paper that had apparently fallen out of the fireplace.

Runa picked it up, and saw that the top half had burned away. But the bottom half was still legible. There were a few incomplete sentences about paperwork, as well as a full final paragraph. ‘On another note, I am curious about the petrification artifact you mentioned before. While curses and alchemy are distinct fields, I wish to experiment a bit to see if the method of petrification can be replicated with alchemy. You said that the curse would break along with the artifact, so take what time and preparations are necessary so that it reaches the Palace intact. However, Her Majesty expressed interest in this project, so I hope you make this a priority.

Signed,

Hal Jacobs, Royal Alchemist’

Runa stared at the paper for several long moments.

“A petrification artifact? And one that the Count has apparently used?” she whispered to herself. Then, she recalled the tour she’d received, and the lifelike statues Count Hines had supposedly carved himself. They were exclusively nude women, and among them were the Count’s older sister and several women who spurned his advances. “I’m going to be sick,” Runa muttered. He’d cursed those women and put them on display? Unforgivable.

“But this may prove opportune. Breaking the artifact would not only prevent future victims, it would free the current victims. And if I did so here and now, during the party, it would be impossible to cover this up. And it would stir enough chaos that I could sneak off with the Gavel.” Runa nodded to herself. This plan could work. But would she be able to find the artifact, or even any hints as to what and where it was?