Bhaakon's Dragonlance IC

[Bhaakon]

It wasn't supposed to work out this way.

Guard the caravan to Port Balifor. That was the job. Get there safe, and Silas Gribb would pay you the remainder of a cool 100 steel. That much money for a simple bit of escort duty probably should have raised some flags, but the rule in Flotsam was half up front and no questions asked. Sell-swords with qualms tend to starve.

But now that idiot Gribb is tied to the back of his own wagon, marching along through the grasslands as the Sheriff of Brightfield and his best men give him an escort of their own down to Port Balifor, and you're not invited.

"We'd very much like you to stay in town until this is cleared up, as our guests, of course." Sheriff Benhovy had smiled nice enough when he said it, but the steel in his voice made it clear that it was no suggestion. As did the deputy who sat near the door of the common room. The boy couldn't have been more green--you wouldn't be surprised if the good sheriff had picked him out of a field and handed him a sword this morning. Certainly he was too young for the tankard of mead in his hand (his fourth, and hardly past noon).

So there sit Kragar and Beatrice, languishing in the dinning room of the Wise Piper, the only real inn in this two-horse town. It's not even been half a day, and they've already exhausted the cook's repertoire. At least the flow of peasant children coming in to ogle a minotaur for the first time has slowed to a trickle.

At another table sits a half elf and a hawk. He'd probably be subject of ogling himself, if it weren't for Kragar. The war mixed things up quite a bit, and the sight of a half-man wouldn't even draw a second glance in most towns, but the folk of Brightfield were lucky enough to remain a backwater throughout the conflict--having surrendered early and kept up with their crushing taxes.

The latest entrant would have been an even stranger sight than a minotaur before the war: a real life mystic of Mishakal. At least that's what the young woman's vestments promise. These days, though, temples of the true gods are popping up in thorps even smaller than this one.

The soused deputy favors the young mystic with a frank stare and gap-toothed grin, but before he can rattle off some shameless pick-up line, the middle-aged woman tending the bar intercedes. "What can I do for you, child?" She asks, ushering the young woman forward. "A room, a meal, a drink? I'm always happy to serve those who serve the Healing Hand."

[RevBlue]

Galendreous was sitting at his table, working his second glass of wine. This wasn't the quality he was used to from his castle home, but since being on the road he had worse, and it helped warm him a bit. He didn't have much to eat but some bread and soup, and Eolas was nibbling on a few morsles of meat the inn keeper was kind enough to provide.

At first when the minotaur and human entered, Eolas seemed to be on edge, Galenderous shared his feelings, even in these times after the war you don't see a lot of minotaurs travelling the land, let alone in the company of a human.
But they seemed like quiet folk and didn't cause any trouble, so Galendreous continued to ignore them, but then another unusual arrival, a clerical looking woman, something you wouldn't think to see in past years, and they've been growing more in numbers since the gods returned to Krynn, surly there are interesting times ahead.

Galendreous returned his attention to his meal...

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar sighs. Bored to the Abyss and back, with scarcely five people around, and being guarded by a greenhorn even younger than he is. And while minotaurs are trained long enough for 17 to be adulthood, humans are another story. The children had been pretty harmless. Farm kids will gawk at anyone with a sword, let alone one with a sword and hooves. He had been hoping he'd be able to get at least one of them talking and maybe give him some news, but alas, it was not to be.
Kragar digs into his bag and pulls out a large deck of cards. Well, it's a small deck for him, damned what the humans think.
"If you're here to eat time you're welcome to sit down, Sister." he calls in his most friendly manner to the woman entering. It was meant to sound friendly, at least. Even if humans misjudge every facial expression of his muzzle it doesn't mean they can't tell tone. Hopefully.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Beatrice sips at her tin mug of warm water and stretches, new leathers creaking pleasantly. The hulking minotaur sitting nearby - Kragar, he'd said on the journey here - huffed and adjusted his seating again. She sympathized; this is boring. But not so boring as half her experiences the past few years.

Yep. Boring and terrifying. She gave a mental shrug and brushed the conflicting emotion aside. She suspected he was either an impatient hothead like many of his kind or young and inexperienced. She was no war veteran herself, but had by necessity become accustomed to long periods of inactivity while in the company of others.

The strangely tall elf and his bird seemed intent on keeping only each others' company even when the woman walked in. She was young and dressed in flowing robes of light blue. A follower of the gods? Of the good gods? she corrected herself. She was both suspicious and intrigued. When Kragar invited the woman to sit and play cards Beatrice decided she’d had enough silence after all. She stood and stepped closer to them slowly, non-threateningly.

A lot could be taken from Beatrice's appearance. Average height, Caucasian, brown-haired and fit, she was obviously of some western commoner stock. But she wore a Khurish robe and jewelry, including a small hoop in her left nostril and several delicately engraved silver rings anchoring her long hair safely down her back. Her weapons – notably a long, curved dagger and a heavy falchion sword – also curved – are also of Khurish make. A Khurish conical helm with mail backing rests on the table. Under all that eastern fashion she’s in a fairly straightforward western-style leather armor, with brand new leather pants and boots. Her entire ensemble is in earth tones. Pale, ragged scratches mar her face near her right eye and cheek.

“Yes, welcome,” she says to the younger woman as she silently requests some cards from the minotaur. “Always room for the followers of the new gods, I’m seeing.

I’m Benyt.” Her voice is clear and loud and doesn’t indicate any sarcasm her words might suggest. Though obviously no stranger to violence, she remains polite and respectful.

[Vertharrad]

Having entered Lea looks around before taking notice of the woman at the bar. Shy-like she smiles.


"What can I do for you, child?" She asks, ushering the young woman forward. "A room, a meal, a drink? I'm always happy to serve those who serve the Healing Hand."

Seeming to ignore the gawking young man she starts walking up to the bar where she replies in a quiet voice so as to just involve the bartender A meal and a drink for now would be enough I have come in search of those that need my help.


"If you're here to eat time you're welcome to sit down, Sister."


“Yes, welcome,” she says to the younger woman as she silently requests some cards from the minotaur. “Always room for the followers of the new gods, I’m seeing.

I’m Benyt.”

Lea gestures in the direction of the offer from the minotaur and Benyt. She starts walking in toward the half-elf with the hawk. Upon approaching his table she speaks in a low friendly voice. Excuse me sir would you accompany me to the table over there to enjoy a card game? I don't mean to bother you, it's just that I have need to talk to all of you. If it doesn't interest you I understand.Before waiting for a reply she starts walking toward the table with the minotaur and Benyt.

Upon arriving at their table she pulls out a chair to sit. Why thank you for the offer. A game would be fine.

[Bhaakon]

"Of course, child." Says the innkeeper as she disappears into a back room. By the time Lea has taken a seat, she has returned bearing a flagon and a healthy serving of stew in a trencher.

"Just call me over if you need anything else." She says with a smile before retreating back to her station behind the bar.

Her arrival rouses a drunk who had been napping there. "Fill 'er up, Talia," the man slurs, banging his cup against the counter. "An' top 'er off with the Thorbardin Eagle this time, eh?" The infamous dwarven spirits were as powerful as they were pricey, but, counter to what one might expect from a man who spent all morning in an inebriated stupor, the indigo-dyed Kharolis wool doublet and butter-smooth Ergothian leather riding boots suggest that he can pay for it.

Rather than fulfill his request, Talia, the barkeep, relieves him of his cup and responds in a hushed whisper. "Drinking yourself to death isn't going to bring Bophre back, Isa. She's gone."

"SHUT YER LYING MOUTH." The drunk explodes. "'S'ONLY BEEN TWO...urp..THREE MONTHS! AIN'T BEEN NO BODY TO BURY." He hoists himself precariously onto wobbling legs and staggers for the door. "You'll shee. That reward will bring her back, and you'll shee."

[RevBlue]

As the woman turned and made her way to the other table, Galendreous and Eolas exchanged puzzled looks, as much as you could get a puzzled look from a hawk.

Well, I wouldn't have bet on something like this happening if you asked me this morning. The hawk said, and the half-elf nodded in agreement. Well we don't want to offend a servant of the gods, maybe they smite you if you refuse a drink with them? I'm still not sure how it works.

Eolas made his way to Galendreous' shoulder as the half-elf rose from his seat. He took his glass of wine and made his way to the table where the 3 strangers now sat, dealing cards.
He pose a striking figure as he advanced, towering two meters tall with light brown hair falling on his shoulders and bright green eyes. He was dressed with a simple looking red robe, the only noticeable thing about his garbs was a think, broad crimson sash with gold and silver designs across his midriff, with a handle of a dagger sprouting from the right side.
He pulled up a chair and sat beside the woman.

Greetings. My name is Galendreous Dithon. I must admit I only took your invitation out of curiosity. What would a servant of Mishakal want with me?

[Gorgon_Heap]

Beatrice's suspicions are redoubled as the young "holy woman" invites the elf to their game without offering her own name. Charlatan or not, she was going to lose some coins.

As the (half?)-elf introduces himself, she thinks, Galen-what? That's a mouthful.

She shows no indication of having heard the inebriate.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar lets the almost-elf and the holy sister talk to each other. He leans back to look at the pair by the bar.
"Has there been a disappearance in town?" he asks, hoping to get an answer from the one who isn't about to fall over from drink.

[Bhaakon]

"Aye," slurs the drunk, "and 200 shteel to the one what findsh my little Bophre."

He takes a deep breath, winding up for a long explanation, when he suddenly loses his footing and falls face-down on the floor. It's not just the drink, though, unless his breath is carrying enough liquor to make the entire tavern weak-kneed.

The building is actually shaking, accompanied by a thunderous rumble that carries on for about 10 heartbeats that feel like 10 minutes, with the rafters creaking ominously and windows cracking in their frames.

"What in the Abyss?" Shrieks Talia, as she fights a losing battle to keep the more expensive bottles in her stock safely on their high shelves. A dusty old decanter of Qualinesti brandy smashes on the bar, quickly followed by hand-carved granite flask of Hybardin's second finest (the best never makes it out of dwarven hands, of course).

The deputy bolts immediately, leaving the door wide open to admit the billowing cloud of dust charging down main street in the wake of whatever disaster has struck the town.

Then everything is deathly quiet, save for the sawmill snore of the drunkard sprawled out on the taproom floor.

[Vertharrad]

Greetings. My name is Galendreous Dithon. I must admit I only took your invitation out of curiosity. What would a servant of Mishakal want with me?

Giving Gelendreous a puzzled look Lea speaks in a voice low enough only you 3 hear My name is Lea. I received a vision to travel here and seek out you three travelers. I have no idea where these visions and instructions come from. Unlike the priests that I've heard about I have no formal training. Mishakal you say? That might be the kind womans voice I hear sometimes. That is all I can tell you.


"Has there been a disappearance in town?" he asks, hoping to get an answer from the one who isn't about to fall over from drink.


"Aye," slurs the drunk, "and 200 shteel to the one what findsh my little Bophre."

He takes a deep breath, winding up for a long explanation, when he suddenly loses his footing and falls face-down on the floor. It's not just the drink, though, unless his breath is carrying enough liquor to make the entire tavern weak-kneed.

The building is actually shaking, accompanied by a thunderous rumble that carries on for about 10 heartbeats that feel like 10 minutes, with the rafters creaking ominously and windows cracking in their frames.

"What in the Abyss?" Shrieks Talia, as she fights a losing battle to keep the more expensive bottles in her stock safely on their high shelves. A dusty old decanter of Qualinesti brandy smashes on the bar, quickly followed by hand-carved granite flask of Hybardin's second finest (the best never makes it out of dwarven hands, of course).

The deputy bolts immediately, leaving the door wide open to admit the billowing cloud of dust charging down main street in the wake of whatever disaster has struck the town.

Then everything is deathly quite, save for the sawmill snore of the drunkard sprawled out on the taproom floor.

It would seem your question has been answered Gelendreous. Shall we go see what just happened?

[Deathkeeper]

"That's not good." rumbles Kragar simply as he gets up from his chair. He goes to the door, hooves tromping on the floorboards.

[Bhaakon]

Kragar squints against the dust and leans out to spot the source of the noise and fury. Te surrounding building seem intacts, apart from a few fallen roof tiles and shattered windows, and there's not screams, flames, or clash of weapons to suggest and attack.

A local might have noticed right away, but it takes the outsider a few sweeps to realize the problem isn't what he sees, but what he doesn't. The crooked old tower that once perched at the edge of town, the tallest structure in Brightfield and as far as can be seen in any direction, has vanished.

[Vertharrad]

Lea follows the minotaur to the door to see what all might have happened from the quake.

[RevBlue]

Galendreous rushes to the door with the others, upon seeing all the chaos and confusion outside, he turns to his familiar.
"Go, tel me what you see."

Eolas lets out a call, spreads his wings and soars from his master's shoulder, past the minotaur and humans at the door and into the sky. He surveys the commotion from the air.


[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Lea peers out to see the same scene as Kragar. After a moment, she, too, notices that the crumbling old edifice that previously dominated the town is missing.

They aren't the only ones to notice. A kender--not an uncommon sight in this part of the world--skips down the street in the direction of the collapsed tower, a purple and green polka-dot bandana tied around her face to hold the dust at bay.

As the jaunty half-pint disappears into the gloom, a pair human villagers stagger towards the inn. They stumble in and collapse into the nearest seat, hacking and coughing for more than a minute before Talia, busy mourning over her spilled merchandise, thinks to bring them a drink.

"Close that door before we're all choking, and tell me what you saw." She demands, finally regaining her composure.

============================================

Empathic link only allows for limited communication. Simple emotions and impressions, not complex ideas or images. It's fine if you want to RP your familiar's thoughts in a more developed way, as long as you don't seek out a mechanical advantage beyond the normal familiar rules.

Following his master's command, Eolas shoot up with a few powerful beats of his wings and soars above the dust cloud.

Galendreous can sense the bird's confusion, then curiosity, but not fear. Whatever the bird spots, there is no sense of immediate danger. After a few lazy circles Eolas dives down to the ground, only re-appear a moment later with something clinched in its talons.

He returns to the inn, swooping through the door to deposit his cargo at his master's feet: a bony little thumb, sheathed in dark green scales and tipped with a grubby claw.

DC 11 Knowledge (Local)
A single digit isn't much to go on, but the only scaly little creature with hands you can think of at the moment is a kobold.

[Gorgon_Heap]

With the thunderous clatter and dust storm, Beatrice leaps up off her rickety chair and grasps the dagger at her belt. She releases it a heartbeat later, feeling a bit silly.

She has no ready response to the strange disaster down the street, but when the elf's trained bird returns, she views the small, severed digit with concern. Her first thought, which causes her blood to chill, is that it belongs to a draconian.

"Rogue draconians? There were many from the dragonarmies who ran off into the wilds ..." She looked at the scaly little thing closely. "It ... no. It's so small. Draconians don't have children." Eyes narrowed in thoughtfulness, she turns toward the elf wizard. She's not terribly comfortable in his presence, but he's likely studied in all manner of strange subjects.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar does as instructed.
"Do your monuments often sink into the ground? Because your town seems to be short one tower." he says simply, not sure what else to say. As much as the tremor was, it didn't seem like the building fell. And now there's lizards involved?

[Bhaakon]

Talia looks at the minotaur askance, "You mean the witch tower? All the racket was that old deathtrap giving up the ghost?" She strides over to the door to take a look for herself.

"By the Kingpriest's carcass, you're right!" She exclaims. "The Baron used to say that that place was old when Huma was hunting white stags, but I guess nothing lasts forever."

[Vertharrad]

Then this isn't unexpected? Witches tower? Lea looks between the others and Talia. The young man went to investigate, should we just wait for him to return?

[RevBlue]

Galendreous looks at the scaly digit in his hand and ponders it's origin.

"Rogue draconians? There were many from the dragonarmies who ran off into the wilds ..." She looked at the scaly little thing closely. "It ... no. It's so small. Draconians don't have children."

"The only known local creature around these lands that this finger could belong to would be a kobold...But I guess Draconians aren't really native to any place, it could very well belong to one. But what would a draconian have to do here? And why bring down a tower?"

He turns to Talia. "What is the story with that Witch tower?"

[Bhaakon]

"It's all in the name, isn't it? The tower of some old witch. They say that she kidnapped children for her vile cook-pot and potions, until a great knight happened by and put and end to her. Threw her into her own roiling brew. You can still hear her screaming on stormy nights. At least some people claimed to."

One of the citizens who ran in off the street pipes in, his voice hoarse from the coughing. "Aw, come on Tal. That's just a kender tale to keep kids away from it, and you know it. Probably just the wind whistling through the holes in the walls. The place has been been falling down by inches since I was a babe."

Talia shrugs, indicating that she doesn't disagree. "All I know for sure is that it was dangerous, and not just because the cataclysm shook it half off its foundations. A few years back the poor old Baron decided it was his duty to explore the place and figure out what to do with it before some other fool did."

She pauses dramatically, now in full story-teling mode. "He never came back out, nor did the sell-swords who Baroness Origena hired to find him. She had the door locked and boarded up, and banned anyone from going in."

"Aye," Adds the hoarse local, "She wouldn't even let Hunclay pay for the eyesore to be knocked over."

[Gorgon_Heap]

Seeing as there was no danger - just an old, empty building fell down - Benyt loses interest in the tower and focuses on the kobold finger. "If this town is going to get sacked by some scaly army I don't want to be sitting here wasting time. Somebody get that sheriff. Maybe he'll let us have a look around. And maybe leave."

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar nods and starts to head to the door, taking a few steps outside and looking around for any people.

[Bhaakon]

The dust has begun to clear outside, at least enough that other people have emerged from their homes and businesses to see what's happened. Unfortunately, neither the sheriff nor his deputies are among the crowd.

Then you remember that the sheriff and half his men (the better trained half, judging by the callow youth left to watch over Kragar and Benyt) had left to escort a certain caravan driver and his stolen cargo to Port Balifor early that morning.

[Gorgon_Heap]

With that happy realization, Benyt says, "Hmm," and walks back into the room. She gently hefts the helm off the table and dons it as she rejoins the others at the door. "Well then, if there's a threat I'd rather go find it than wait for screams in the distance," she says adamantly.

With determination, she strides out into the street.

[Vertharrad]

Lea quietly collects her gear and proceeds to follows the minotaur and Benyt outside. I hope we don't find any trouble.

[Bhaakon]

Once outside, you join the milling crowd of townsfolk in their advance towards the remains of the witch tower. Rumors of a dragon attack or an army of kobolds run rife through the growing mob, but no one takes them seriously enough to turn around and flee. Most agree that this must have been the work of the local red robed wizard, Hunclay, who had been pestering the Baroness for months to have the tower torn down. Apparently it blocked his view.

What's found when you reach the ruin raises some doubts about that hypothesis. The kender earlier seen running towards the collapse is busy sifting through the rubble. She's already dragged one kobold corpse from the debris (minus a finger), and is now digging up a second. The two sheriff's deputies on site, the youth from the inn and a woman who is, perhaps, two years his senior, do their best to hold the crowd back.


"Stay back, stay back." The female deputy gives a raspy shout. "The rest may come down at any moment!"

She's not wrong. Fragments of the first and second story walls remain more or less standing, but lean out precariously. A few foolhardy folk try to sneak in for a closer look anyway, but the younger deputy beats them back with the butt of his spear.

[RevBlue]

Galendreous quickly follows the others out the tavern and to the crash site. He tried to review the crash site for any point of interest.

1d20+6

[RevBlue]

Galendreous continues scouting the area :smalltongue:

[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Galendreous works his way through the crowd, hoping for a better view. Eventually, he resorts he climbing atop of hay wagon to see over the throning townsfolk.

From his perch, the half elf gets a good look at the remains of the tower. The upper floors fell away from the main entrance, leaving the original door in place and free of rubble (along with its many padlocks, barricading timbers, and a sign reading "No Entry by Order of Baroness Origena"). From the look of things, it's possible that the ground floor remains intact.

The derbis forms a rough ramp leading up to the second floor, which is now open to the sky. A stone handrail on one of the two second story walls still standing implies the presence of a staircase leading down.

[RevBlue]

Spotting nothing worth of particular interest in the debris himself, Galendreous decides to try the next best thing. He approches the kender sifting through the rubble.

"Hello there friend." He says with a warm smile. "Any idea what exactly happened here? Found anything interesting?".

[Gorgon_Heap]

Watching the people and structure carefully, Benyt decided the immediate danger (beside the building's remains toppling) was from underground. But she saw the elf kneeling to speak with the kender and decided not to crowd the tiny woman and allow the wizard his own questions.

[Bhaakon]

Galendreous circles around to avoid the interposing deputies and approaches the kender from behind the rubble.

The kender's hair is cut short--unusual for race--but brightly dyed pink with a green mohawk. Despite the outrageous hairstyle, her face is a spiderweb of creases and wrinkles. It's difficult to put an age on kender, who live long and remain spry well into seniority, but you wouldn't be surprised if she'd seen more than a century. Unusually, she's not festooned with packs and luggage. Just a few pouches dangle around her waist.

She doesn't look up from picking through the rubble at Galendreous's greeting, but she does answer. "Aside from kobolds and bones and rock?" She hold up a arm, in her hand area trio of human-sized ribs and some other, smaller bones. "Nope. Nada. Not a thing. I'll give it another look, though. Maybe these are the Baron's bones, you think? I bet Origena would like them back. Kind of mixed in with the blocks, though. Found them all over the pile."

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar looks at the bodies with distaste. Kobolds are little better than goblins, but he really hopes these were just stragglers. A whole settlement would spell trouble he'd prefer to avoid.
He goes over to the guard.
Any idea if anything specific caused the collapse?

[Bhaakon]

The kender stops and turns to Kragar, looking directly at him for the first time. She utters a single word in a deathly serious tone: "Gravity."

She manages to hold in her laughter for a full three seconds.

"I'm a baker, red robes, not a builder. I can tell you why a souffle fell, but not a tower." She pauses for moment. "Actually, I'm not sure why souffles fall. It's rather mysterious. I've heard that it's because of loud noises, but I tried blowing some bagpipes in the kitchen once and it came out fine. The sheriff took the bagpipes, but the souffle was as puffy as ever."

The deputy shrugs, "That's as good an answer as you're going to get. Now step back."

[Vertharrad]

Lea approaches the deputy then smiles innocently Seeing as how this structure must be cleared away anyways why not let us do it for you? What harm could that do? From the sounds of it not many would be motivated to touch the rubble much less clean it up. We'll do it for free. Motioning to the others.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar raises an eyebrow.
" 'We?' Who is 'we?' I'm a soldier, not a demolition team, least of all a free one."

[Gorgon_Heap]

Having been occupied listening to the kender, Benyt is as surprised by the girl's comment as Kragar. Her head snaps around, chainmaille and hair rings jingling. "Asif? Yeah, what's this? My only concern here is if we're in danger of attack. Kragar and I were paid to protect a merchant and have been relieved of that responsibility.

As far as I'm concerned our only responibility now is to ourselves."

[Bhaakon]

A commotion begins at the edge of the crowd and works its way towards the fallen tower.

"Out of the way, peasants. Clear out, I say. Make way for Lady Origena Devy, you louts, or I'll move you myself!" A few 'thwacks' of wood on flesh and pained cries prove that the speaker's threats weren't idle. By the time the little procession has made it your position, people are falling over themselves to get out of the way.

They're lead by a man of around 20 in mirror-polished plate too delicate and ornate to be of much practical use. There's a well-worn club in his hand, and his gold-chased scabbard bears a longsword every bit as foppish as his armor. Two other retainers in more practical chain mail suits bear halberds.

"That's enough, Arnholde. You've made your point," says a middle-aged woman in a dress that wouldn't be out of place at a Palanthian soiree. "Go see if any of them were hurt badly, and make sure they're feeling better," the lady quietly commands one of the halberd-bearers, handing the guard a heavy money pouch with a significant nod.

That business taken care of, Baroness Origena turns to survey the scene. She calls the female deputy over for a brief private discussion, but doesn't seem to like her answers. She turns to the crowd and, with a hint of frustration in her voice, addresses everyone assembled, "Did any of you witness the collapse? Do you have any information about what happened to the tower?"

[Vertharrad]

Seeing that the authorities are not happy with any help and the others are reluctant to investigate Lea turns to attend to any who were hurt in the unnecessary display of force.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt deflates with indecision, appearing as if she would both speak with this baroness and flee the town entirely. Unable to do so simultaneously, she looks up (up!) to Kragar, hoping he'll act.

[Deathkeeper]

"Didn't see it, but there does seem to be a sudden population of dead kobolds. And I don't remember them scurrying around before."
Speaks up Kragar, not really bothered by the baroness but rather irritated at her violent entrance.

[Bhaakon]

Lea makes her way to the edge of the gathering, where Arnholde plied his cudgel on those slow to get out of the way. She finds the Baroness's guard already there, distributing a few silver to each of the victims. Thankfully, none of them appear to suffer from anything worse than a bruise.

The Baroness looks at Kragar, rather skillfully hiding her surprise at finding a minotaur in her town. Arnholde's expression isn't so politic, but he keeps his mouth shut.

"No. Neither do I."

"You're one of those...fellows that Sheriff Benhovy wanted to question about that business with the stolen cargo, are you not? Today is your lucky day. It's painfully clear that I can't trust deputies Mulle and Hodd here without the Sheriff to hold their hands, but you look like a capable sort."

"I'd very much like to know why there are kobolds in my town, and I fear that the answers are in there," she waves at the stump of the tower left standing. "What do you say, my good...er...minotaur? Will 500 steel move you to search the remains of the witch tower for answers?"

Arnholde's face reddens as the Baroness goes on, and he nearly explodes at the offer, "But Mother, there's no reason why I couldn't lead the deputies into the tower myself. I've trained with..." his voice gives out under the withering gaze of Origena.

"As I was saying, 500 steel to split among anyone willing to chance the tower basements."

[RevBlue]

As Galendreous hears the Baroness' offer, he starts thinking of the lost treasures and items potentially left behind by a witch.
What do you say Eolas? I know we were on our way to Port Balifor, but this could be a chance to recover somthing really rare...
The half-elf senses his familiars uneasiness and hesitation.

Oh don't worry, after all, we'll have a minotaur with us, what could go wrong?

He immediatly joins the minotaur's side. "We'll be happy to accept your offer Madam Baroness. Don't worry, if there are secrets to be found we'll find them."

[Deathkeeper]

" 'Man' would have been just as suitable a term, Madam, but fear not, I'll take your offer along with any of my fellows also willing. We'll solve your mystery without having to endanger your guards' lives."

He opens an eye to the wizard.
"But next time don't answer for me, Galen."
Aw, he's already shortening names.

[Gorgon_Heap]

That kind of money ... I could survive for months, Benyt thinks. She studiously looks over the rest of the crowd, sees unarmed, riled, dusty commoners of every sort and decides its unlikely many will join in to reduce the take. "Yes, that sounds like a good deal, m'lady. Paid handsomely to chase off some dangerous rodents? I'll gladly lend my sword as well," she says with a strangely foreign and formal bow.

[Vertharrad]

"I'd very much like to know why there are kobolds in my town, and I fear that the answers are in there," she waves at the stump of the tower left standing. "What do you say, my good...er...minotaur? Will 500 steel move you to search the remains of the witch tower for answers?"

Arnholde's face reddens as the Baroness goes on, and he nearly explodes at the offer, "But Mother, there's no reason why I couldn't lead the deputies into the tower myself. I've trained with..." his voice gives out under the withering gaze of Origena.

"As I was saying, 500 steel to split among anyone willing to chance the tower basements."

Lea actually speaks up Madam I'll accept your offer.

[Bhaakon]

The Baroness waits a moment for more volunteers, but when none are forthcoming, she bids the four of you come closer for a more private discussion while Arnholde, the two bodyguards, and the deputies break up the crowd.

Once she's sure that no one is eavesdropping, she speaks.
"I don't know what rumors you have heard about the tower, but I can assure you that they're likely false. In truth, it was the bastion of the last family to hold title over this region, many centuries ago."

"The Canteclures were a cruel and rapacious lords. So much so that the Kingpriest himself--though he didn't use that blasphemous title at the time--sent one of my late husband's ancestors at the head of an army to remove them."

The kender, who nobody seems to notice wandering towards your gathering, interrupts. "That's not entirely true, 'Gena. The first Canteclures were dragon hunters from before the first dragonlances were given to Huma. They fought 'em with nothing but guts and guile.

They were once good lords, but sometimes the best oven burns turns out a burnt cookie--or so I've found. Or maybe it's my sandglass. I think it runs slower when I watch it, but I can't be sure since I only have the one."


"Yes, I'm sure Bassy. Very interesting. Says the Baroness as she shoos the kender away. "As I was saying... This was some centuries before the Cataclysm, and the tower has been left empty ever since."

She draws a calming breath for the next part, but holds her composure. "You've doubtless also heard that my husband lost his life in a foolish attempt to explore the tower. I would ask that you return his body, if you find it. You will know it by his signet ring. It is identical to this one." She holds out her left hand to show you the weighty slab of gold encasing her little finger. The seal is a stylized 'D' run through with a lance.

Then she draws a heavy bronze key from a chain around her neck. "This is will unlock the door, once you're prepared."

[Deathkeeper]

"I am prepared, as I always am. Thank you, Madam."
Says Kragar respectfully. He doesn't really know the proper way to address human nobles but there doesn't seem to be a problem yet.

[Vertharrad]

I am ready as well.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Eyes narrowing as she looks from one volunteer to the next, Benyt considers the group. Kragar's skill can easily be guessed, and the red robe will prove useful if he's as skilled as any black I've met. But the girl is so young and says she's no cleric, so what use will she be? She helped the injured here, so I hope she can least do that much for us if a wall falls on one of us.

Realizing she's the smallest of the group, and almost comically dwarfed by the elf and minotaur, she decides self-confidence will ensure respect. She walks to the baroness and takes the key, bowing awkwardly again, and heads to the broken structure's door.

[RevBlue]

Galendreous takes the minotaur's warning in stride. "No offense my friend, I simply didn't want to leave anything to chance. Glad to hear you agree."

With that the half-elf follows the woman towards the remains of the structure

[Vertharrad]

Lea follows Gelendreous heading toward the structures entrance.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar also heads to the door, although his height lets him quickly close the distance to the front of the group.
"Would you prefer I go first, Benyt?"
For a moment he almost called her Benny, but was afraid that slip might offend.

[Bhaakon]

The Baroness favors Benyt with the barest smile and a nod, more acknowledgement than necessary to her courteous (if awkward) bow given their relative difference in station. The warrior gets the feeling that the noble woman has become used to the lack of courtly manners out here in the country.

Either that, or she wants the help of the others badly enough to ignore their poor manners.

============================================

The door to the tower is a squat, iron-bound affair. Strong enough to hold against a hand-held ram, and low enough to force most humans to bow their head upon entry (thereby exposing their necks to defenders).

The Baroness's key makes short work of the locks on the door, and a few minutes of prying is enough to remove the barricades. The hard part is getting the door to open. It takes all of Kragar's strength to push the door in enough for the others to squeeze through.

They spots the trouble immediately: much of the first level has collapsed, and a small pile of jumbled ashlars have fallen against the door. After many more minutes of sweaty labor, the minotaur is able to enter (though he nearly has to double over to do).

As Galendreous saw from the outside, there's a narrow flight of stairs leading up to the second level, but it's clogged with fallen rafters. On the floor behind the stairs is a hinged iron plate with a large ring on one side, a trapdoor leading down.

[Deathkeeper]

"I think I might have to ask one of you to go open that one. I'm not sure I can get decent leverage squatting like this." says Kragar with visible discomfort.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt gets a sour look and nods. As I thought. "Yeah. Just keep an eye on those timbers so they don't fall on me. You can hand me a torch and follow me through once I have it open."

The smallest member of the group slides forward, shuffling under the lowest beams in a squat. Once at the trapdoor, she uses whatever means she needs to pull it open, including calling back for a rope to tie to the ring and drape over a beam for additional leverage.

STR check if needed?
[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Benyt sets herself and yanks open the trapdoor and yanks it open with surprising ease. Someone has recently chipped the incrustation of rust off the ancient hinges and coated them with grease. The light of the torch flickers down the revealed passage, illuminating a ladder of iron bars driven into stone walls.

After easing herself down the 20' climb--careful to make sure that all of the rungs are secure--Benyt raises the torch to examine the first of the tower's underground chambers.

She finds that it hasn't survived the collapse above unscathed. The walls of the space have buckled precariously in several places, scattering dirt and shattered masonry across the floor.

The rotted-out frames of five simple beds lie scattered about the western and eastern ends of the room. A door on the south wall is the only exit aside from the ladder.

Benyt's breath catches for a moment as the torch light flickers off the sinister grin of a bloated iron statue leaning against the north wall. The woman is tall, nearly seven feet, and big enough around that not even Kragar could join his hands behind behind her. She stands in a ring of rust, though there are no other signs of water in the room.

Perception DC 10
There are strange tracks in the freshly spilled soil. Not from kobolds, or anything vaguely humanoid

Knowledge Nature or Survival DC 11
These are centipede tracks, but the creature that made them must be nearly the size of a grown human

Perception DC 14--use the same role
You're not entirely sure that the reddish-brown stain on the floor is rust, and a closer examination of the statue confirms your suspicion. The seam where the two halves of the iron maiden join is skillfully disguised in the fine detail of the device, and the left hand of the 'statue' forms a latch.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar peers around the space a bit nervously. He's not claustrophobic but he's not comfortable in a spot this precarious.
[roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Lea follows the rest into the building, stooping down to enter she takes a good look around. She takes note of the damage on the inside done by time and the recent events. After Benyt opens the trapdoor and climbs down Lea waits a few minutes before descending herself. She shudders momentarily at seeing the ominous statue.

[RevBlue]

Galendreous peers through the trap door into the basement bellow, with a thought, Eolas dives into the hole, the hawk is reluctant to go underground, and especially into an old ruined basement, but he heeds his master's order.

Slowly Galendreous climbs down after the others, while taking a mental note to the ease of which the door opened. When stepping foot on the ground below, Eolas joins him on his shoulder, and the half-elf begins scouring the statue and the red ring around it.

"Centepede...but...giant..." he whispers almost to himself, but still audible to others around him. He then kneels down and runs his finger across the apperant rust circle around the statue, only to have the red liquid run on his finger. It certainly has a faint smell of iron, but not exactly...." With realization comes urgency, Galendreous reaches for the latch of the Iron Maiden trying to pry it open.

"Someone help me open this up!"

[Deathkeeper]

"On it." says Kragar, moving to the wizard's aid. He can only hope this rate of smooth moving holds up, although the threat of a giant arthropod isn't exactly charming.

[Bhaakon]

Unlike the trapdoor above, no one has bothered to clean and oil the mechanism of the iron maiden. Fortunately the latch bears no lock, and while the rust and congealed blood have done a good job of cementing the thing shut, they ultimately yield to Kragar's muscle.

The door lurches open with a ear-piercing squeal of protest, very nearly dumping its contents on Galendreous. The skeleton of a man topples out, cloaked in leathery scraps of flesh and moldering clothing. His outfit might have been expensive when he was shut in the torture device, but age and scores of slashes where the wretch struggled against the spikes have turned it into little more than bloody rags.

A golden signet rings still clings to a dessicated finger, but it doesn't bear the seal of the Devry family. Instead it's a crowing rooster above crossed spears.

The only other items to survive intact are on the man's belt, which is still looped around his pelvis. A ring of keys is secured there with a leather thong, along with a matched pair of mithral daggers.

The blades' craftsmanship is impeccable, somehow maintaining perfect balance despite the odd, uneven notches carved into the flat of each blade.

Loot
1 signet ring (5 steel)
2x MW mithral daggers (502 steel each)
Ring of keys

While the iron maiden gives up its secrets, the shriek of its hinges rings through about the stone-lined chamber like a dinner bell for any nearby monsters feeling peckish. The group hardly has time to look over the bones before a pair of enormous centipedes comes chittering out between the shattered masonry of the east wall.

Map
Galen is up, full round actions.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Bhaakon/centipedes1.jpg

[RevBlue]

Noticing the two giant beasts emerging from the wall, Galendreous acts quickly, he moves a few quick steps forward and prepares to throw a punch seemingly into the air, but as he follows through on his movement, a giant spectral blue fist emerges from his arm and trails towards the closer of the two centipedes.

As that happens, Eolas launches from the half-elf's shoulder to attack the same creature from above, the hawk moves like a spear and onto the centipede's head.

I move 10 feet forward so i'm in 30 ft. range of the closer one, and attack with a telekinetic fist
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Talons: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[Bhaakon]

Galendreous's fist may have caught only air, but his punch strikes home in magical form across the room. The blow is glancing, but it's enough to stun the centipede as Eolas screams in to peck and buffet its sensitive eyes and antennae. Momentarily overwhelmed, the creature lashes out randomly and ineffectually.

The second arthropod is not distracted. It marches straight across the room on its numerous (but nowhere near 100) legs and rears up like snake to strike at the half elf. But Galen proves the quicker, and deftly sidesteps its grasping mandibles.

Map

Everyone is up
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Bhaakon/Centipedes2.jpg

-purple = Centipede/Eolas (as a tiny creature, Eolas has 0reach and must move inside an opponent's square to attack)

[Deathkeeper]

Well, that's a development. Nothing's ever simple, and Kragar really should have seen that coming. Ah, well. Time to do his job.
"Galen, on your left!" says Kragar as he draws his sword and takes a 5-foot step to M4 on the wizard's left side, pulling his blade from its sheathe and hopefully into the centipede's carapace.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Vertharrad]

Lea grips her spear reflexively when the centipedes appear, after watching the action unfold she moves from J-6 to M-6. Once there she stabs past Gelendreous with her spear angling around his side(reach 20ft).
attack[roll0] damage[roll1]

[Bhaakon]

Centipede N4 is dead

[Gorgon_Heap]

Hearing the chittering echo in the darkness, Benyt's skin crawls, but she raises her right hand up over her shoulder to grasp the hilt of her heavy sword ... only to realize the nasty little critters and far across the room and hidden in shadow. The others have come together to form a bulwark around the elf and what look like big bugs are little threat.

She turns around and sees a door to her right, and waits a moment for the others to slay the second centipede.

Yeah, seriously, nothing I can do as it will take me a round just to draw and get there. Obviously, you don't need my help with the physical part of killing this thing.

[RevBlue]

Eolas takes another sweep down at the centipede, while Galendreous throws another telekinetic fist at the beast, then retreats back to a safe distance together with Eolas to let the heftier members of the party finish him off.


Attack:1d20+2
Damage: [roll0]
Talons: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
And I move back with Eolas to J5

[RevBlue]

roll attack again since it seems not to have stuck for some reason....
Telekinetic Fist Attack: [roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Lea moves closer to the other centipede.
move action - move from M-6 to P-3.
standard action - move from P-3 to R-2

[Bhaakon]

Kragar whips out his clabbard and, with a single motion, bisects the rearing centipede. The front half fails to realize its fate, leaving a green-gray trail of ichor as it skitters in circles, Lea stills it completely by spearing its head.

Across the room, Eolas latches on to an antennae and flaps hard, ripping off the sensory organ with a sickly crunch. The centipede doesn't scream, but twists and contracts itself into a ball around its injured head. The compact ball proves a perfect target for Galen's disembodied fist, which grinds the over-sized bug into the stone floor.

XP
100 each

[RevBlue]

Galendreous breaths a sigh of relief. Then bends down and picks up the items that fell with the corpse out of the Iron Maiden.

"I was worried that whomever was trapped in this device was whoever recently went into this basement, but it seems like this poor man has been here for a while...."
He examines one of the daggers and shoves one into his sash next to his ordinary dagger, and leaves the second in his hand.
"Hope you don't mind I keep one of these, they seem very fine daggers and I'm in need of one, you're welcome to the second one if any of you want it."

He then turns the ring between his fingers and examines it. "Well this doesn't seem like the late Barron's. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with this insignia...."


On the ring: [roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Lea looks around and takes a few seconds to make sure they're not going to be attacked again. Then she takes a cleaning cloth from her pack and cleans her shortspear.


"I was worried that whomever was trapped in this device was whoever recently went into this basement, but it seems like this poor man has been here for a while...."
He examines one of the daggers and shoves one into his sash next to his ordinary dagger, and leaves the second in his hand.
"Hope you don't mind I keep one of these, they seem very fine daggers and I'm in need of one, you're welcome to the second one if any of you want it."

He then turns the ring between his fingers and examines it. "Well this doesn't seem like the late Barron's. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with this insignia...."

Once done with her weapon she examines the body and device. If you don't mind I'd like to have the other dagger, just incase I should lose my spear or be in a situation where it's not as useful.

[Bhaakon]

@Galen
You're unfamiliar the design, but the Baroness's history lesson and the Istarian "C" subtly woven into the rooster's feathers leads you to conclude that this is a Canteclure signet ring.

[Deathkeeper]

"I have no need for blades so small, go ahead. What's out next move?" asks Kragar, stress somewhat relieved from a nice bout if monster slaying.

[RevBlue]

"I have no need for blades so small, go ahead. What's out next move?" asks Kragar, stress somewhat relieved from a nice bout if monster slaying.

Galendreous pockets the keys and ring.

"Hm....well, what do you see around here?..."

1d20+6

[RevBlue]

Yet again....


edit2:
[roll]1d20+6

[RevBlue]

What am I doing wrong here?....
[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Aside from your first impressions of the room, there's not much more to find. Some rusted scraps around the rotting billets--barely identifiable as weapons and armor after centuries of neglect--and, of course, the door on the southern wall.

[RevBlue]

Galendreous turns to Kragar.
"Well this place looks pretty barren otherwise, nothing more to do but go on through that door. The honor's all yours big guy."

Galendreous gestures to the door with a smile.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar nods and tries the door.

((Rev, rolls don't work if edited or put in edits.))

[Bhaakon]

Kragar opens the door--which has recently been oiled like the trap door upstairs--and holds up the torch. It opens on a corridor stretch to the left and right, lined with cells. The all doors hang open, their prisoners long gone. Each is solid iron, with no adornment but a small hinged portal at eye-level and another at the floor to slide in food.

The left corridor ends abruptly in a wall of rubble. The cave-in is recent, and still quite unstable.

The right end of the corridor snakes around a few bends before terminating in another door, this one shut and barricaded with loose stones.

DC 10 Perception check
A curious semi-circular stone ridge runs along the ceiling of the right corridor for a few paces before disappearing into the wall at a bend.

DC 15 Perception (use the same roll)
Either age or the cave-in above has dislodged a pair of hidden doors--one near the end of each corridor. They now stand ever so slightly ajar, making them much easier to spot.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt stands aside and allows Kragar's bulk to pass, then draws the heavy sword from the scabbard across her back and follows him through, standing behind him to the side so she can see down the hall but still guard the other two.


Perception [roll0]

"Watch out. There are doors hidden at the ends of the halls," she says, pointing out the slightly disjointed old panels.

[Vertharrad]

Lea quickly pockets the dagger before following the others through the door. She gets ready for any trouble after Benyt's warning.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar looks between the two doors.
"So, which way for now?"

[RevBlue]

Galen squints in the darkness.
"I guess one's as good as the other....Again, the honor's all yours big guy"

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar sighs and picks the right door. "Just watch my back, will ya?"
He looks while he goes if there's any traps
[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Not spotting any traps with his cursory examination, Ragar shoulders the door open. It's not easy--whatever hidden mechanisms once operate the hidden openning have long since seized--but at leastis appears that the builder were confident enough in the door's camouflage not to bother with any traps.

Inside is another hall of cells, this one curving around in a U-shape to (you assume) meet with the other hidden passage. Unlike the cells behind you, though, all of these thick iron doors are closed and locked.

You slide open the viewing hole of the first cell to reveal a pile of bones in one corner, the remains of the poor soul who died of thirst here after whoever liberated this prison those many centuries ago missed the hidden doors.

Before you can make a thorough search of the place, a pitiful mewling echos down the corridor, accompanied by the plaintive scrabble of nails on iron. "Hu...hullo?"

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar turns in the direction of the voice.
(for the record I don't know if anyone has used a torch or cast Light. Kragar likely would have used one of his if no one else has and it's that dark)
"Who's there?"

[Bhaakon]

I thought someone lit a torch upstairs and handed it down to Benyt

"Oh Gods, a voice! Blessing of Paladine upon ye, noble sir. I have nary seen a gaoler in ages. I feared lest we were forgotten! We have not had vittels for days, and the water's nearly spent. My kin are sick, good sir, please have pity upon us.

On Gilean's book, I swear that we'd give back the boar if we had not ate it, sir! We didn't ken that it was the Lord's land, sir. We knew not that we were poaching.

Please, have pity upon us, noble sir! I beg you, we're dying in here! Please, have pity, noble soul! We have suffered something awful, sir. Good Baron Sarvo wills it!"

The pleading comes from a cell door ahead, just around the bend.

Linguistics or Knowledge (history) DC 10
The man speaks in a stilted version of the common tongue often parodied in Istarian period dramas, or read in very, very old books.

[RevBlue]

I thought someone lit a torch upstairs and handed it down to Benyt
Yep, totally did that :P.
Also, low-light vision :)


Galendrous approaches the door where the voice is coming from, puzzled about the dialect, he tries the door (if thats closed he tries the window portal).

"Who are you? What are you doing here still?"

If the door is closed, Galen tries the key ring from the corpse to open the door

[Bhaakon]

The door rattles as Galen tries it--locked. He slides open the viewing port to reveal a gaunt, deathly pale face. The starving man's flesh has wasted to the point that his countenance is little more than skin and skull, and he hasn't seen daylight in months (or years).

"Food...Water...Good Baron Sarvo wills it!" he hisses through the exposed grate, ignoring Galen's questions.

The half elf flips through the keys on the heavy ring, trying each in turn. Finally he finds one that turns in the lock, which is, miraculously, still functional.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar puts a hand on Galen's shoulder.
"This tower has been locked up for months and in disuse for longer. No one alive should still be here."
He'd be more sure if he could figure out why the man was talking funny.

[Vertharrad]

Galendreous I agree with the big guy here, no person has been here in years. And if they have...they would've died from lack of food or water. This might be a spirit.

[Bhaakon]

"We're starving, sirs. Please! Food!" The man begins battering the door, becoming more and more agitated as you stand around talking.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Eyes wide, Benyt eases away from the door. "A ... how does a spirit beat on a door?" She looks around, identifying the fastest route away from here. "If this poor soul has become some undead abomination, we can destroy it, right? But a spirit...?"

[Vertharrad]

Lea looks like shes thinking for a minute, I haven't heard of a spirit that could affect the real world.

[Bhaakon]

The prisoner's frustration grows the longer you stand outside his cell, the cries and pounding becomes louder and more frantic, working up to a crescendo...then they stop.

A second of silence, then two, then an insubstantial hand gropes out through the closed door, followed by a head and torso.

"So hungry..." the haunt gasps, the desperation in its voice replaced by abject sorrow. "Just wanted a bite to eat."

The ghostly figure melts into a billowing mist, spreading out to fill the corridor before you can escape. When the eerily glowing fog touches you, you feel your consciousness fading, falling back...

Darkness unending. Hours, days, weeks, months, years? Impossible to say, with no sun to track. The only indication of the passage of time is the gnawing hunger that grows in your gut, like a great maggot slowly consuming you form the inside. The only relief is the slight trickle of filthy water seeping under the door, but it's no reprieve. All it does is keep you alive to prolong your suffering. Decades, centuries, millennia...

You awake from the vision with a start, realizing that the eternity of suffering didn't even last long enough for you to lose your footing and fall. But it all felt so real...

@Everyone
DC 13 Will save or 11 nonlethal damage

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt gasps ...

Oh, boy, Will saves! just what low-level Fighters are good at! :smallsmile:

Will [roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Lea's tense look gets worse.
[roll0]

Being right gives me no comfort. You can barely here this part as she braces herself.

If I can get an action off before initiative I channel energy into healing my party(ghost excluded), if not I wait my turn.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar gasps and has to put his hand to the wall to steady himself, his strength failing (and 2 NLD away from passing out).

[RevBlue]

Galendreous wakes from the haze and rubs his eyes, as if to clear the vision from them.

"Ugh...should have known something was strange when that spirit started talking as if from Istar itself....Is everyone alright?"

[Vertharrad]

Groaning herself back to awareness Lea moves slowly showing the effects from the spirit.


"Ugh...should have known something was strange when that spirit started talking as if from Istar itself....Is everyone alright?"

Yes...I think. I didn't know what to expect, but I don't think that was it. Is the spirit still here? She starts looking around to spot where it has gone.
perception [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Lea looks around, even opening the cell door, but the only thing she finds there is a thick layer of dust and a pile of bones huddled against the opposite wall.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar shakes his head.
We don't have time to stand around. Although if you've got anything for fatigue, it'd be nice.

[Vertharrad]

Looking at Kragar she nods Of course, I was just making sure that no more surprises jump out at us. She walks to approximately the middle of the group and starts lowly chanting, as she does this the mark on her cheek starts glowing and a bright light bursts out to cover the party.
Channel Energy 1 use - [roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Concentrating and chanting yet again Lea lets loose another burst of light.
Channel Energy 1 use - [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

As the light fades, Galendreous's eyes flutter open. It feels like there's a clan of overweight hill dwarves line-dancing in his skull, but at least he's conscious.

[Vertharrad]

Lea checks the rest of the room then turns to the rest of the party. Making sure her gear is ready. So are we going to sit around or are we going to keep going? Whatever it was seems to have departed. We might want to keep on alert for surprises like that in case it happens again.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt looks pained and annoyed. "I'm sorry if I've lost my motivation, but that was awful. Any idea just what in the Abyss it was?" She peers up and down the hall, suspiciously eyeing each door.

[Deathkeeper]

"Not quite a ghost. Some kind of vestige. We should keep goin." Krayger says, walking unsteadily towards the not-so-secret door.

[Bhaakon]

Kragar approaches the only obvious exit, the closed and barricaded door at the right terminus of the hall of open cells. Someone has stacked a few dozen stones up against it, enough to keep it from opening from the other side, but easily pushed aside on this one.

[Deathkeeper]

Krayger will do his best to clear the door's blockage.
(Str check or easy?)

[Bhaakon]

easy

Kragar quickly tosses aside the stones blocking the door. There are enough of them stacked up to hold the portal shut, but none of them are even big enough for the minotaur to need to use both hands to lift.

[Deathkeeper]

Perception check time?
[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

There's nothing much to see, really. A few fresh scratches on the door handle suggest that the door has been opened recently, but no one has cleaned and oiled the hinges like you've found on some of the previous doors.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt, sword in her right hand torch in her left, keeps the flame aloft to Kragar can see his work clearly and the others can make out his progress. She'll give random stones a shove with her boot if they fall in the way, but otherwise it seems the minotaur hardly needs any help.

[Deathkeeper]

(Whoops, thought opening the door was implied. I'll do that now.)

[Bhaakon]

Kragar pulls hard, opening the door with a rusty whine from its ancient hinges. The guttering light from your torch filters into the room to fall on a collection of tools that might be impressive if not for their perverse purpose.

A sturdy rack, still rigged for use. A fancifully wrought brazen bull, with an ample supply of centuries-old firewood still stacked beside it. A half dozen iron chairs arranged in a half-circle, decked out with spikes, blades, and painful ridges, as well as leather straps and clamps to hold down prisoners. At the center of the chairs is a table loaded down with tools, from simple knives and picks to more specialized implements of torture. All that's missing is an iron maiden, but you know where that can be found.

A bronze plaque hangs on the wall opposite the door. It proudly displays the Canteclure family crest, in a much more ornate version than found on the signet ring, and a simple motto: Confession Cleanses the Soul--Pain Clarifies the Mind.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Looking in the torture chamber, Benyt grits her teeth and seems to shrink into herself. "Umn. Ok, so the Canteclures were sick ... wait. Were these stones piled to prevent somebody from getting out of that room?"

She seems equally incredulous and creeped out.

[Vertharrad]

Lea peeks into the room, after a minute of looking she shudders and backs up. I don't feel right going in that room. People were hurt in there. She goes to a point where she can watch the door but not be able to see in and stands guard while the rest of the group does whatever they're going to do.

[Bhaakon]

@Lea
As Lea backs away, a shrill voice drills into her skull. Somehow she knows that she's the only one who can hear it. It's not all that bad. This is a room where the truth is revealed, where people find their true selves. It's a most...freeing experience. Take a seat and find out for yourself.

She feels a strange compulsion to follow the command.

DC 15 Will save or walk over and sit in one of the chairs, taking [roll0] damage from the spikes and blades.

[Vertharrad]

Damn spectral voices!!! Will [roll0]

Loud enough for the others to hear I think we have a problem, something else is here. It tried to entice me to sit in one of those things. The last part rings with such disdain you'd think she was talking about a monster or a gross bug. I suggest we quickly figure out this mystery of the kobolds and then leave this place.

[Bhaakon]

As Lea speaks, a raven flutters up from behind the brazen bull and circles the torture chamber before alighting on the edge of the table.

"I can help you with that." Squawks the raven. "All the secrets of this place are known to me, the treasure, the traps, the guardians, even the kobold interlopers you seem so keen on investigating. All I need is some payment."

"You see, I'm rather proud of job my here, and I quite enjoy it, but I feat that my skills are slipping from lack of practice. It has been lamentably difficult to find subjects since my master passed on."

"So let us make a deal, shall we? I'll answer all your questions, if you let me ply my trade. I'll talk for as long as you can endure my hospitality. Just take a seat--there are chairs for each of you--and ask away."

[Gorgon_Heap]

Pained fear in her eyes, Benyt backs up several steps. "No, I won't," she says in a harsh hiss.

[Deathkeeper]

"No one employs a bird as an inquisitor, mage or not. I haven't speck of a reason to trust you, and even less to think that's a fair trade."
Kragar moves back a step to the side, and considers just shutting the door on this thing.

[Bhaakon]

"Not a bird, no, but I find this form less...threatening. You can ask to see my true face once you accept, of course. And don't think you have any real choice in the matter, unless you wish to leave the tower in shame and failure."

"The kobolds may have thought that they trapped me here, but they were fools. I know the secrets of this place, and I know that their tunnel into the cell blocks has collapsed. Now the only way forward is through this room, and the only way through this room is to accept my offer." The bird explains calmly.

"No need to rush your inevitable decision, though. I've gotten rather good at waiting."

[Vertharrad]

I'm not sitting in those things until you explain why we should believe you. Everything so far that has spoken to us has deceived us. She stares at the bird for a moment. Was it you that tried to get me to sit in one of these torment devices? And what are you really?

[Bhaakon]

The raven shrugs, which has a rather disturbing effect since birds don't typically posses shoulders capable of shrugging.

"So what if it was me? You're the one barging into my home, it was only natural to offer you a seat." It cackles with laughter. "You shouldn't believe me. You have no reason to trust me, really. You don't know me, or who I am, or even my name."

"But I don't have to prove myself to you, because I hold all the cards. There's only one way forward, and that is my way. All I have to do is wait until you figure it out. Even creatures of your meager mental resources can only run into dead ends for so long."

[Deathkeeper]

"And what is to stop us from simply walking through this room?" rumbles Kragar, liking this situation less and less.

[Bhaakon]

"Try." The bird squawks.

[Vertharrad]

How about this instead? You let us by to investigate the incident with the kobolds and we could find away to make sure it doesn't happen again? You don't get bothered by anyone "barging" into your domain and your domain doesn't cause problems for the citizens of this fair town. Sound like a fair trade? Everyone should be happy and content then. Lea puts on a innocent smile to show she's sincere.

diplomacy [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

"That's not a very fun suggestion." The bird fumes, hopping from leg to leg in show of frustration as he considers the offer.

"I quite wish more people would barge in. I go decades at a time between guests, you know. But after what the kobolds have done to the place, it would be best if they were dealt with."

"Very well then. You may pass if you want to drive away those vandals, but no more. I'll not speak of secrets or treasures or keys unless you agree to my previous offer."

The bird flits over to a section of wall to the right of the door and pecks repeatedly it a block of masonry near the ground. Another secret portal grinds open under the power of its counter-weights, revealing a snaking passage carved roughly into the bedrock.

The bird uses the distraction of the opening door to activate some kind of magic and disappear once more.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt's eyes are alight with anger, fear and mistrust, but she relaxes as Lea convinces the magical creature to cease its threats.

Taking a deep breath, she squeezes past the minotaur and strides through the room, not being overly curious about the surrounding devices.

[Vertharrad]

Lea walks up to Kragar and gently puts her hand on his arm Save your strength, I'm sure we'll need it later. Let's get going and figure out this kobold mystery.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar sighs.
"Thanks, I suppose. Let's go."

[Bhaakon]

You crowd into the passage and shuffle through as it winds about. It's a challenge to keep your bearings in the meandering tunnel, you you think it's looped wets, then south, and now east again in the space of a hundred paces or so.

As you round the latest corner, you're confronted by a pool of murky liquid that fills most of the corridor. Only a slim ledge slaps the liquid, hugging the right wall for about 20 feet before it (and the trough of goop) round a bend and disappear from view.

Perception DC 15
The guttering torch lght reflects off a metallic glint at the bottom of the pool, within arm reach of the near edge.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Perception
[roll0]


Scoff! Yeah, I want to be the first to reach into the murky water. Not! Is there a point where common sense, curiosity, story necessity and metagaming collide?

[Vertharrad]

perception [roll0]

[Deathkeeper]

Check time (again)!
[roll0]

[Vertharrad]

Lea looks at the other 2 and then at the ledge. Well let's go. Theres no time better than the present. She gets up on the ledge and starts edging forward carefully.

[Deathkeeper]

"Hang on a moment."

Krayger pulls out one of his javelins and dips it into the water, trying to drag the metal object to the surface.

[Bhaakon]

It takes a few tries to hook the object and pull it up. Eventually, though, he manages to catch the thing on one of his javelin's barbs and bring it to the surface from its resting place in the thick layer of muck lining the bottom of the pool.

It turns out to be golden signet ring, identical to the one the baroness showed you on the surface.

Additionally, a closer look at Ragar's weapon shows that the previously polished steel is pitted and tarnished. The javelin isn't ruined, but it's obvious that the liquid was eating at it.

@Lea
Roll an acrobatics check

[Vertharrad]

acrobatics [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Lea work her way a few steps along the ledge before the treacherous footing proves too much. Unable to find a handhold on the slick wall, she falls backwards into sludge.

At first the fetid liquid just causes just an uncomfortable tingling where it touches her, but by the time she's trudged out of the pool all the skin exposed to the substance is already turning an angry red.

@Lea
1 damage

[Vertharrad]

After getting out of the pool of (acid?) Lea starts chanting, her hand and arm motions drawing in and focusing the divine energy.
create water above her
2 gallons of water splashes over her to wash off any of the lingering substance.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt watches the girl heal herself with an air of patient detachment, but eyes the acidic water cautiously.

How wide is the room and how wide is the ledge around the water? I'm trying to visualize it so maybe we can work out a safer way to walk the path. What's the cieling like? Are there wall sconces for torches? I'm thinking about handholds ar anything we can loop a rope around.

[Bhaakon]

The corridor is about 10' wide, and runs for 20 feet before a right turn blocks your view. The width of the ledge varies. In most areas it's about a foot wide, but in some spots it's less than half that. The wall above the ledge has been carved smooth. There are no sconces or obvious handholds.

[Deathkeeper]

Anyone have any ideas? It's going to be tough going fitting me on that tiny ledge. asks Kragar.

[Vertharrad]

I have a possible solution...if your willing to wait for a couple of hours. I could purify the liquid to the point of being water. But it'll take repeated castings of magic for this volume of liquid. If any of you have a better idea I'm all ears.

[Deathkeeper]

At that rate it would be easier for me to just wade through it and be healed of the damage afterwards. says the Minotaur simply.

[Gorgon_Heap]

"Hmm. That may work for you, but the rest of us lack such a thick hide," Benyt says. To Lea, she asks, "You got a, uh, closer look at the water. How shallow is it? Any of those rocks down the hall big enough for us to drop in and walk on?"

[Bhaakon]

The sludge is a little over two feet deep, just above knee-height for non-Kragars. You might stack up the loose rocks from the door blockade to make an island, but it's not going to be enough material to reach the bend (and you still don't know what lies around the corner).

[Deathkeeper]

"If one of you can make it along the edge and see how far it goes around the bend I might be able to carry the other. It'd be unpleasant, but it beats both of us burning."

[Vertharrad]

I have no problem with you carrying me. Are sure it wouldn't inconvenience you? Lea makes sure her pack and gear is secure, strapping her shield to the back of her pack in the process.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Biting the tip of her tongue in thought, Benyt squints at her companions and then down the passageway. "Whoever gets down there first may have to react quickly. You'll be clumsy that way, so I'll lead." She slides her very heavy sword onto her back to help her rearward balance and, holding the torch aloft, slides out along the wall one foot at a time.


Taking 10 on Acrobatics if available. If not, I'll roll in OOC.

Acrobatics 15

[Vertharrad]

I'm ready whenever you are big guy. She presents herself for Kragar to pick up and start, helping it to be more comfortable any way she can.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar holds up a hand.
"Just a moment. Benyt! What do you see?"

[Bhaakon]

Moving slowly and with extreme care, Benyt manages to slip along the ledge to reach the corner. She peeks around the bend to find that the pool of acidic sludge extends for another 20 feet.

Unfortunately, the ledge does not. It ends about 10 feet short of safety.

[Gorgon_Heap]

The golden glow from the torch does little to warm the pit in her stomach. Frowning and muttering curses in Kuhr, Benyt relays her find to those following her. She slides around the corner and down the hall as far as she can and then awaits Kragar and Lea.

[Deathkeeper]

Assuming everything's good, Kragar will take his temporary passenger and charge through the much, sloshing through the liquid as quickly as possible. He does have to hand his sword to her, though. Hate for that to get acid-burned.

[Bhaakon]

Kragar charges through the acidic sludge, kicking up a rooster-tail of much that Benyt manages to avoid without losing her footing. He plows through the mess so quickly that the caustic liquid barely has time to singe his fur before he's deposited Lea on the other bank.

@Kragar
1 damage

[Vertharrad]

Lea holds Kragar's sword as he sweeps through the acidic sludge. She gets the feel of being on her feet before replying. I thank you big guy. Do you need your sword back?

[Deathkeeper]

Lea holds Kragar's sword as he sweeps through the acidic sludge. She gets the feel of being on her feet before replying. I thank you big guy. Do you need your sword back?

Krayger nods and takes the sword as they reach the end of the pool. He's rather good at hiding how much his ankles and hooves sting from the acid burns.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt attempts to shield herself from the splashes as Kragar and his passenger dash by, but quickly realizes the futility of it and follows suit, leaping as she can and then breaking for the end of the acidic water herself.

[Bhaakon]

Unable to square herself or find decent footing, Benyt has no hope of clearing the gap, but at least she spends less time in the acidic muck.

@Benyt
1 damage

Galendreous doesn't seem quite so keen on crossing, instead volunteering to, as he put it, "Report our progress and attempt to acquire more information." At least that's what he shouts from the far side of the caustic pond.

Now that you've cleared the pool, you find yourself in a small landing in front of an unlocked door. A bench sits against one wall, and next to it are three pairs of thick leather waders coated in a tar-like substance. They're cracked with age, but still--amazingly--intact. Beyond the small chamber, the tunnel continues.

XP
200 each, for bypassing the trap and negotiating your way past the raven

[Vertharrad]

So shall we continue? Lea checks the door for any surprises before putting her ear to the door to listen for any clue as to whats on the other side.
perception (search) [roll0] (listen) [roll1]

[Gorgon_Heap]

The northerner strains to not roll her eyes. "I didn't just run through burning water to stop here." She waits as Lea listens at the door, quietly trying to shake droplets of stinging liquid from her clothes. "Anything?"

[Bhaakon]

Putting an ear to the door avails Lea only silence and a dusty ear. There's nothing to be heard on the other side, and door doesn't look like it's been touched in decades, if not centuries. It isn't even locked. The only thing the door seems useful for is impeding the fumes from whatever is unfortunate enough to fall in in the acid pool and be dissolved.

Finally you work up the nerve to open it, revealing yet more tunnel.

[Vertharrad]

Lea dusts off her ear as she waits for Benyt or the big guy to enter.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar takes the lead going into the tunnel, of course. He knows his place as meat-shield.
"Feel free to take those boots. We might find more of that stuff, even if they won't fit my hooves."

[Bhaakon]

The tunnel snakes along for about another fifty paces, heading first south then east. The floor is thick with dust, and shows no sign of recent passage. Not even rats or other vermin have left tracks here.

The passage ends in an iron door, its chunky lock fitted with a hole for two large keys. There's a barred opening in the door at eye level, allowing you to see into a small room, about 10' by 10', with another iron door on the other side.

[Deathkeeper]

"Unless you folks found some keys when I wasn't looking it looks like I'll have to bash this lock off." says Kragar with a sigh.

[Vertharrad]

Lea walks up and using the keys taken from the iron maiden she starts testing them till she finds the one that unlocks the door. She smiles as she turns the key and unlocks the door. Then she steps back to let Kragar go through first.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt rearms herself and nods Lea toward the door, indicating she will come up last, protecting the young woman between warriors.

[Vertharrad]

Lea nods assent and takes her shield to hand again, her spear in the other hand. She goes through through the door after Kragar.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar enters first, as suggested.

[Bhaakon]

As Kragar's hoof lands inside the small chamber, a commanding voice booms out from a mouth that appears on the stone ceiling above.

"Close the door and speak the pass phrase to proceed." It orders, in an accent similar to the ghostly prisoner's archaic pronunciation.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Jumping and emitting an undignified squeak of surprise, Benyt freezes for a moment, trying to remember what they'd already leaned.

After several long moments she recalls what the others had been discussing and, after biting her tongue for a second in consternation, recites loudly, "Confession Cleanses the Soul--Pain Clarifies the Mind."

[Bhaakon]

Are you all in the room? Remember that the voice instructed you to close the door.

[Gorgon_Heap]

I won't argue if anybody disagrees, but I did say Benyt would be last in line, so res ipsa loquitor.

[Bhaakon]

Well, I'll just assume you all piled in there, since you got the answer right

Confident that you know the answer, the three of you squeeze into the tight space and shut the door behind you. As Benyt speaks the phrase, the room fills with the whining whir of rusty, un-oiled clockwork. The lock on the door behind is thrown with a solid "thunk", and, after much grinding of gears, the door before you swing halfway open before jamming.

Behind the door is a sizable chamber which stands empty save for two features. First, a bulky iron lever sticking out of the wall near the door. The other, a toothy bronze key the size of a battle axe, floating at shoulder-height in the center of the room.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Seeing what's through the door, Benyt opens her mouth to make a comment, then snaps it shut and shakes her head in bafflement.

[Deathkeeper]

"Do you...think I should pick it up?" asks Kragar.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Looking uncomfortable and suspicious, Benyt responds, "Well, I suspect we may need it later, but it's hard to trust strange, ancient magic in a hall of torturers. What of the lever? Do you make anything of it?"

[Vertharrad]

Lea jumps at the voice coming from thin air. She enters the room behind Kragar. Before she can even form a thought after being frightened by an unknown challenger Benyt speaks. Lea jumps again at the noise of rusty gears. Seeing into the room she sees the lever and key. Maybe we need to work the lever before getting the key. As she speaks Lea approaches the lever and door, than takes a moment to check both for surprises(traps).
Perception [roll0]
in case you want 2 rolls Perception [roll1]

[Bhaakon]

After a cursory inspection, Lea is confident that neither the lever nor the key is trapped.

[Deathkeeper]

Unless someone stops him, Kragar will go over to touch the odd key.

[Bhaakon]

Kragar reches out and pokes the key. It swats back and forth for a moment before the force holding it the air stabilizes it again.

[Vertharrad]

Lea goes and moves the lever in any direction it'll go.

[Deathkeeper]

Nothing having happened, Kragar will also try to take the key.

[Bhaakon]

Lea tests the lever, finding that it moves freely in both directions. As she pushes it up, the floor of the smale antechamber between the lock doors drops away to reveal a 20' pit with an indeterminate depth of scummy water collected at the bottom. She jerks the lever back to the center position, causing the trap to snap shut again. One more pull down on the lever and the iron bound door closes, but a section of wall on the opposite side of the room swings wide, revealing another hall carved into the rock.

Kragar is reaching for the key as the new passage opens, but his grasp falls short as the hovering hunk of bronze begins drifting towards the newly revealed passage. It's not move quickly enough to escape the minotaur, however. He can try to grab it again, or simply follow.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar will try to grab at the giant key before it can advance much farther.

[Gorgon_Heap]

"Wait! Maybe it'll lead us somewhere," Benyt suggests.

[Vertharrad]

Let's follow it then, shall we? Lea sets the lever in the current position and starts walking toward the open section of the wall.

[Bhaakon]

The objections freeze Kragar, at least long enough to see where the floating key is headed. You follow it into the new corridor and around a bend, at which point its destination becomes obvious.

The narrow passage is blocked by a sort of mechanical construct. Its body is a tangle of gears and spiral springs loosely caged in bronze plates. Three legs and four arms reach out at odd angles to lock into the walls, floor, and ceiling of the passageway, forming something like a clockwork portcullis. The key is floating straight for a matching hole in the machine-thing's chest. You still have time to stop it, if you wish.

[Vertharrad]

Walking into the hallway Lea sees the key heading for the construct. Not knowing what would be the best option she decides to wait and watch thinking maybe the key will unlock the portcullis like obstruction. She makes sure to walk in far enough for the others to proceed in as well taking a place out of the way in the hallway.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar doesn't see any way to get past this thing and it's the only way forward, so he lets the key fly, although he keeps his hand on his sword.

[Bhaakon]

Left unmolested, the key floats directly into the hole on the constructs chest and beings spinning. And spinning. And spinning. The huge spiral spring in its chest slowly tights as the key goes through a score or more revolutions, raining dust and flakes of oxidation raining to the floor of the hall.

Finally, whatever magical force is holding powering the key finishes it work. It withdraws back to the large room, bearing the key back to hover in the middle of the chamber.

As the key withdraws, the construct shudders to life. Long-still gears set to spinning, shrieking angily for a few moments before the thing's self-lubricating systems can pump out fresh grease. Its seven limbs unlimber, releasing their hold on the walls, but remain out wide enough to block the passage. They twist and bend subtly, working out a few centuries worth of kinks.

Something in the thing's 'head'--little more than a box atop the labyrinthine clockwork of its torso--gets to whirring. Strange hissing and popping leak out the bank of parallel slats carved in the head-box, accompanied by a wavering voice. "Present the crest to proceed."

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt gapes in astonishment, making a sort of "yew" sound. She looks completely lost in the weirdness of the construct's revivification.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar mutters, "here goes nothing" and holds up the first ring they found- not the one in the pit, but the other one which they identified as bearing the crest of this house.

[Vertharrad]

Lea says only loud enough for them to hear. I was hoping you guys remembered about that ring. Good timing big guy.

[Bhaakon]

Kragar holds the ring up before an array of lenses protruding from the thing's chest, very much hoping that they function as the construct's eye. The strange machine rattles and creak for a moment as the lenses spin and shift to bring the ring into focus.

Then stillness, punctuating by odd clicking and whirring from deep inside the construct's chest.

After a few ominous movements, the soft hiss and pop once more seeps from the creature's speaking slats, followed by a singles word: "Proceed."

With surprising speed, the arms and legs of the construct contract and fold in upon themselves. In the blink of an eye, it's compacted itself into a cube the size of a traveling chest, leaving ample space for you to continue forward.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Sighing as any imagined danger has passed, Benyt nods to Kragar and quickly steps around the device and onward.

[Vertharrad]

Walking a pace or two behind Benyt she feels exhilarated. Until now her life was normal, boring. Even if dangerous or upsetting, everything has been somewhat exciting. Her curiosity has been piqued.

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar will either take the front or the rear guard, depending on what the others seem to want. Either way, they'll be advancing.

[Bhaakon]

It's not much of a walk to the next room. You round another bend and you're faced with an iron door, but this one is easily unlocked with another key from the ring, and no traps, magical voices, or clever constructs are there to challenge you. You push it open to find yet another chamber, one decidedly lacking in floating keys, pools of acid, or tools of torture. Instead, you've found what must be the Canteclure treasury.

Seven iron-bound chests rest against the southern wall of the chamber, secure behind a barricade of thick iron bars that stretch floor to ceiling. There's no lock, or even a door. Just three walls of iron bars. The cage is flanked by a pair of grotesque statues, bronzes of two men--perhaps noted enemies of the old Canteclures--twisted in torment. Each grasps vainly at an open stab wounds in his gut.

The stone wall in the northwest corner of the room has collapse, revealing rough-hewn tunnel that quickly snakes into darkness. The passage is only about shoulder-high to a human. A tight squeeze for you, but plenty comfortable for a kobold.

DC 12 Perception
There are kobold-sized tracks in the loose dirt around the collapsed wall, but that's not all. There are human-sized tracks as well, and drips of a foul-smelling black ichor are splattered about. It seems that the kobolds fought something here.

[Deathkeeper]

"This one doesn't look fun at all. Think the statues do anything?"

The hole is probably only chest-high to the tall minotaur. He'll likely have to crawl.

[Vertharrad]

A horrified look is on Leas face when she sees the statues and acknowkedges the pain a wound like that would cause. Then she jumps slightly and starts walking toward one of the statues taking out the mithral dagger and checking to see if the blade would fit in the gut wound(not by putting it in, but by comparing the item to the opening). I think I know how to open this. But do we want to do that? Our purpose is to find out what happened and plug up the kobolds tunnel when were done.

[Bhaakon]

As Lea suspects, the mithral daggers match the stab wounds in the statues perfectly.

[Deathkeeper]

Everything here might help, Lea. We shouldn't leave any stone unturned unless it's a clear danger. responds Kragar.

[Vertharrad]

Then let's do this. Put the other mithral dagger in that statue over there while I put this one in here. Place the blade in the gut wound. She times it so that both daggers are put into the statues at the same time(twisting if need be).

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar nods and does as instructed.

[Bhaakon]

The daggers slide most of the way in easily, require a bit of force to stab in the last few inches as their carved slots engage the mechanisms within each of the statues.

Forcing them home produces an audible 'click,' followed by clanking and whirring that builds to an ungodly racket as the mechanics of the device are put through their paces for the first time in centuries. Finally the iron bars begin to disappear into the floor, shrieking their protest with every inch. .

But before you can get to the chests, another problem presents itself. The noise has drawn the attention of something from the low tunnel in the northeast corner. The cacophony covers the approach of a creature that was once a man, and no one notices it until it has emerged fully into the room.

Fortunately for Kragar, the clatter of the man-thing's claws on the stone floor are enough of a warning, allowing the minotaur to fend off the monster's slavering tongue and filthy maw with straight arm to the forehead.

Perception DC 12
The creature's shredded clothing is spotted with more of that rancid blood you saw around the tunnel, and there a handful of wounds on its legs and abdomen.

Knowledge: Religion DC 11
It's a ghoul, a particularly dangerous type of undead that can paralyze with a touch and pass its foul condition to anyone it wounds.

Map
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Bhaakon/ghoulbattle1.jpg

[Vertharrad]

Lea moves to G-4(move action) and casts bless (http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/spells/bless.html#_bless)(standard action) channeling the divine energy through the mark on her cheek while making intricate hand and arm patterns, while chanting. Be careful, it's a ghoul!

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar takes a wide step back from the creature so he might safely draw his sword, a dour look on his bovine features. These are the sort of things that simply need to be killed. He holds the blade out in front of him, ready to parry blows.
Five foot step down one square
Draw Weapon (move)
Full Defense (standard)

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt's mind was wandering as she merely waited for some mysterious result of the others stabbing statues, but that quickly changed. Kragar suddenly arms himself against some creature appears from the side and she hefts her own blade, dropping the torch and dashing to the minotaur's aid.

Lea says something as she breezes past - gool? Sounds familiar, but she'd have to worry about the details later. She races through the dimness and slides to a stop on the damp floor just as the monster comes into view. Kragar is on the opposite side of the thing, set to defend himself, and Benyt stretches her arms out in a long overhead arc into the thing's withered body.

Did we get initiative in any way? A free action to call out to Kragar to set up a Flank would have been cool. Just step to B7 rather than C7. If it's not too late, I'd like to do that. Y'all really posted a lot last night.

Move to D4

Attack [roll0]
Crit check [roll1]
Damage [roll2]

[Bhaakon]

The ghoul is concentrates so completely on tearing a chunk of flesh out of Kragar that it's completely oblivious to Beatrice charging in behind it. Such creatures aren't know for their soundness of mind, but after centuries stuck in this room, constantly starving but never able to die, this particular ghoul is especially deranged.

Such singular focus makes it an easy target. Benyt's falchion streaks down and the ghoul falls. Just like that, the fight is over.

XP
400 each (a combination of defeating the injured ghoul and unlocking the treasury)

[Deathkeeper]

Kragar lowers his blade, looking blankly at the corpse.
"Well, that was simple. Uh, search time?"
he means the chests of course. He really doesn't want to search that thing's ruined pockets.

[Vertharrad]

Lea goes to the ghoul and says a prayer/blessing(not the spells) over the corpse hoping that the soul was in a better place. Then she nods acknowledgment to Kragars words and heads to the chests to help search.

[Bhaakon]

Once more, the key ring proves valuable, as a single complex key unlocks each of the chests in turn. Inside you find piles upon piles of copper and silver coins, mixed in are a few score of gold pieces, and the very occasional disc of platinum.

This stash might have been the entire Barony's taxation back in the days of the Kingpriest, when such decorative metals were highly prized. These days, though, gold and silver are much deflated, and copper hardly worth carrying out. In all, you suspect it might be worth 840 steel.

Fortunately, gems have held their value well. You find a small clutch of cut stones, worth an additional 800 steel.

Loot
840 steel
pouch of gems (800 stl)

[Deathkeeper]

"We can leave the copper; if the folks in town want to melt it down for something they can fetch it themselves."
Says Kragar.

[Vertharrad]

Lea shrugs noncommittally. I''ve never been one for monetary concerns much. I'll abide by whatever you two decide. I'll help carry whatever is needed to be carried.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Ambivalent toward leaving all those coins despite their relatively low value, Benyt decides to estimate just how much they'll be leaving behind and how much all that copper will weigh.

"Not to sound greedy, but give me a few minutes here. We just got out of a devastating war and every little bit might help." Help who exactly, she doesn't say.

[Vertharrad]

Is it okay for me to help you? Lea puts aside her spear and shield in anticipation of making the treasure counting take less time.

[Bhaakon]

Counting the small mountain of copper coins in its entirety would take some time--likely hours. Lucky for you, the chests are uniform in size, and there appears to be about the same number of coins in each. Ten minutes of counting an a few reasonable extrapolations lead you to estimate that there are around 12,000 copper coins.

Of course, the problem now is that metal prices in the game are based off coin valuations. 50 coins to the pound, 1 lb of copper is worth 5 sp, 5 sp = 50 cp (and that's without adjusting to Dragonlance currency, so sp = gp). Oh, bother.

All right. It's 120 stl pieces in copper weight, but you'll have to sell it for scrap to get you money, and merchants buy goods at 1/2 price. So 60 stl.

[Gorgon_Heap]

After a few minutes of counting with Lea, Benyt sees the climbing tally of copper pieces over the more worthwhile coins and, with an annoyed sigh, agrees with Kragar about leaving them behind.

[Vertharrad]

Seeing Benyt stop Lea does as well. Are we done? How much of this are we going to carry out of here? Did you get a appreciable estimate of the goods?

[Deathkeeper]

"Everything but the copper is worth a fair amount. I can carry most of it out if you'd like. We know the kobolds dug tunnels, which almost certainly caused the collapse, and we have the ring which acts as the remains we were meant to find. In theory we've succeeded at our goals, so do we really need to chase those lizards down the tunnels?"

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt ponders Kragar's words a moment, absentmindedly drumming her fingers on her leg. "True, strictly speaking we've done what we said we would. But if the kobolds decide to come back up in a few days and dig their way into some cellars, word might spread that we were incompetent or, worse, conspirators.

"If you don't mind waiting a bit longer, I'd like to take a look for myself and see if they're nearby or if there's a good way to seal their tunnels off a little more permanently."

[Vertharrad]

We could use the construct to block the tunnel once were done with it? Maybe?

[Deathkeeper]

"I don't suppose we can just go down the tunnel and explain to the kobolds nicely that there's only more ghouls and traps if they dig any more?" says Kragar with a grin.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Returning Kragar's grin, the woman says, "I'd be happy to, but there may be a language barrier. Let me scout this out while you two get the construct in position. Whether I walk back or run, you can activate it once I'm out. We take the key with us and figure out who it'll be safe with.

"I'd say we should just melt it, but if some canny wizard or some such gets the thing working again - and its dangerous - the town will need a way to turn it off."

Unless there's more discussion, Benyt turns toward the next tunnel.

[Vertharrad]

Lea nods acceptance of what Benyt said then goes to help Kragar carry in the construct. Lea grins back at Kragar. Do you really think they'll listen big guy? Putting the construct in the way is a precaution should someone find this tunnel, they'll be blocked on this side.

[Bhaakon]

Benyt heads into the tunnel, walking hunched over to avoid barking her head against the low ceiling. About 20 feet in the passage begins to fill with debris. Either the collapse of the tower triggered a small cave-in, or the kobolds themselves collapsed the tunnel after stumbling upon the ghoul.

But the ghoul, tireless and eternally famished, has been busy with some excavation of its own. It's dug out a narrow passage through the blockage, just large enough for a human to crawl through (though kragar might have to snake through on his belly).

Benyt holds the torch up to examine the tight passage more closely. It only continues another five feet or so before breaking into a natural-looking cavern. Another pile of rubble lies against the left-hand side of the next chamber. Benyt spots a scrap of bright crimson cloth sticking out between the fallen stones.

Meanshile, Kragar lugs the clockwork construct into the treasury.

[Deathkeeper]

(I hadn't intended him to do that but sure.)
"What do you see?" he calls.

[Gorgon_Heap]

The echo is loud and Benyt cringes. "A cavern and a scrap of cloth. It's a tight fit and I don't know if it's worth the effort for all of us. Looks like the kobolds blocked the way themselves.

"I'll be down in a minute." She carefully shuffles down the tunnel and examines the cloth, but is only really interested in any clues (riches) attached, and is ready to return unless she sees something interesting (expensive).


I'll be honest: I thought this would wrap up by my simply knocking down some joists or something and we could return topside. I suppose if something actually jumps out and kills me while I'm down here alone I'll pay for my impatience.

[Vertharrad]

Lea sits cross legged and meditates calmly while waiting for word of whats down the tunnel. She doesn't like being idle while others are working. She centers herself for the trials ahead.

[Bhaakon]

Bryn crawls through the tight passage for a better look. As she nears the next chamber, she comes to realize the scrap of red cloth is actually a sleeve sticking out out from under the rubble, a very human arm still inside. Unlike the ghoul from the treasury, this one looks fresh.

She's concentrating so completely on the buried body that she's almost caught flat-footed when the trap goes off. Her arm snags a half-buried trip wire, release a pair of broken stalagmites to swing down on rope from the ceiling. She slides back as quickly as she can, just barely avoiding the deadly pendulums.

[Gorgon_Heap]

The woman lets out a whoop followed by a blistering string of epithets in Khur, which fortunately nobody else can understand.

Regaining her wind, she says, "Ah, just a little trap. I'm all right. Found a body here, a fresh one. Lea, you want me to pull this back with me or would you rather look'im over here? Or should I just leave it?"

[Vertharrad]

Lea opens her eyes and replies. Try to carry it out, if you cant call back and I'll come take a look. Is it kobold or another creature?

[Gorgon_Heap]

"Right now it's just a body under some rocks. Give me a minute." She digs it out as best she can and observes if it can be moved.

[Bhaakon]

Benyt spends a few moments shifting the rubble about, doing he best to expose the body. Fortunately it's loose, and the body is near the surface. In short order she uncovered a human male, around fifty years old, dressed in a finely embroidered crimson robe.

On closer inspection, his lower limbs are mangled and his chest caved in under the weight of falling stone. It appears that someone has cut off one of the finger of the preciously exposed hand. The only items of note on him are a small book bound in burgundy leather, and a ring with two keys.

[Deathkeeper]

"How's it look?" calls Kragar.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Benyt places the belongings atop the body's chest and carefully pulls it back to where the others can observe it.

[Deathkeeper]

"Looks like a noble, but judging from this place plenty of those died here. Check the book, maybe it'll tell us if this is our missing Count." says Kragar.

[Gorgon_Heap]

OOC
I should have stated I assist the others in searching the body and examining the text. Also examine the finger wound - was it cut cleanly, ripped, bitten off? Kragar is the only one with a Perception bonus, so if it'll help I can do an aid another action. The keys - keys aren't really complicated things in fantasy, but do these appear to be of a specific variety?

I'd also like to consider the danger or likelihood of additional things coming up from below into the town, and get an idea of the structural issues in the cavern. Is this all part of the same structure? Was it all excavated at the same time? Does it look like the kobolds' hole can easily be collapsed without further danger?

Aid another [roll0]
Kno: Dungeoneering and Engineering Take 10 possible? DC 11. I probably don't know enough, but I don't think we have the time to take 20. Unless we do. :smallwink:

Anything I learn I will explain to the others and say I'd like to plug the hole if it's feasible.

How's our light doing?