Immersive Ink

You retrace your steps . The same man is on guard. "You again?" he says

"We've taken care of Fred & Bob for you, so we'll collect our reward now." Maloof says.

OOC: Are their bodies still around?

They must have been dragged off by scavengers

"Any proof?"

Wiglaff pulls out the wand of cold. He doesn't point it at the Research Collective wizard, but holds it up so that it can be seen, and so that he can point it at the wizard quickly if the guy makes any funny moves.

"They tried to use this on us! We took it and we took their lives! We left their bodies for the scavengers."

"Ahh, very good." As if by magic their leader appears again, with four bulging pouches.

"We are as good as your word" he says. "Here is the 2000 gold we promised"

He puts them at your feet

Maloof nods, and hauls one of the pouches up on his tiny shoulders.

"Happy to be of service!"

Wiglaff directs his hirelings to pick up the remaining pouches.

"We'll be back in touch if we need to trade magic! Good luck in your endeavours."

To the party, after we've left the mages and closed the door: "Let's head back and try the double-doors in the aquarium, shall we?"

"Well done!" Aldbane says. "I agree, let's head to the aquarium room."

Very well played! Franklin agrees; onward through the aquarium room.