Slowly, very slowly, borne out of habit, Grim and Hildy Gloom poked their heads around the corner of the now-destroyed safe room. A moment later they were joined by the shaft of their broom Beelzebub.
"Is it over? Hildy asked, squinting into the ruined room. There were still several of the gargoyle things about, but nobody seemed to be fighting.
"I think so, Hildy."
"Good!" She said, shoving Grim's head out of the way. "Then start looking for whatever caused that massive enchantment!"
Occult Check: What caused that massive enchantment?
DC 80
5+20=25
Critical Failure!
Grim gasped. "Hildy, look!"
Grim pointed towards the crater, where the mysterious figure known as Lord Feldrake had taken off their hood to reveal… a teenage girl!
"How could a mere child have the incredible magical prowess we saw outside!?" Grim asked. "Was it a trick?"
"No, my dearingest darling. Don't you see? It must be the power of that staff she wields. I can sense its aura from here."
"Seems rather smug." Grim noted.
"Oh, don't talk to me about smug." began the Crystal Ball of Leno. "Why, my father-in-law-"
"Be quiet." Hildy interrupted. "That must be the source of that incredible spell! The girl must have ensorceled the entire building to force the gargoyles to stand down!"
"I can hardly imagine the power that must be held in such an artifact!" Grim declared.
"Hmmm." Hildy pondered. "Grimmy-wimmy, I think the first inklings of a plan are starting to percolate through my mind."
"Oh, it's been months since that happened!" Grim declared. "What is it?"
"What if…" Hildy suggested slowly, "we were to acquire this Staff of Lord Feldrake to increase our own magical power?"
"Do you think she'd give it to us?"
"...Oh Grimmy sweetums. I meant more... acquiring without permission."
"Oh, stealing!" He said, bopping one fist into his other hand. "We know how to do that!"
"Indeed we do Grimmy. Perhaps we could use some sort of automatic golem, or illusory disguises! Or, I don't know, some other third thing."
Beelzebub the Broom looked on disapprovingly.
"...Are you sure it's a good idea though?" Grim asked hesitantly.
"Oh Grimmy, just think of what we could do!" Hildy declared with increasing fervor. "If we could present the Boss with an artifact of such power, we would surely grow in his estimation immensely, as befitting of the wielders of such an item. Why, Xanatos might even give us one of his states to run."
"I do like Vermont…" Grim considered. "Oh but Hildy-wildy, we already have two sentient magical items to be getting on with. Do we really need another one?"
"We have to catch them all, Grimmy!"
…
Hildy coughed.
"I'm sorry, I… I don't know what came over me."
"No no, it's all right." Grim replied. "You've won me over. We'll steal that intelligent magical item from that teenager and her group of close friends via a convoluted scheme, then use it for our vague plan of riches and rewards from our respected criminal boss."
"Hey now." the Orb of Leno said, turning to Beelzebub. "You ever get the feeling you're missing a reference?"
The broom shrugged.
"Well. No stopping it now. Better prepare for trouble."
---
Janna has gained a nemesis!