Trog's Tavern CLV

[bc56]

"Oh, I killed someone they had a contract out for, and they didn't like me intruding on their turf. I wouldn't normally have murdered someone in cold blood like that, but she really deserved it." Child abuse is one of several things Orathius doesn't stand for. "For the record, I didn't know they actually had a contract on her. I knew someone had tried to call them in, but they hadn't responded. But I was hardly going to pass on a chance to put an end to their schemes."

[Rebonack]

Oh.

Murdering people in cold blood.

That's certainly an activity.

Fenris hasn't ever... Not really.

That time with the nobles and their guard out in the wilderness, that didn't count. They attacked her while she was busy mauling some bandits. Her blood was hot and who in their right mind tries to knife a werewolf in the back?

The Thalmor at Northwatch definitely didn't count. They were torturing her brother to death. That counts as an attack on her clan, which may as well be an attack on her personally.

"I see. I can understand why I never encountered them, then. I try to avoid engaging in such activities."

Her thing is more magic and engineering.

Less murder.

[bc56]

"I don't normally either. But she was hurting children, to the point that they were trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood for help. I'm not proud of it, but I think it was justified." He's telling the truth; he does not like to kill in cold blood, hence why he destroyed the Dark Brotherhood cell when invited to join. Of course that might be enough of a clue to inform Fenris what incident he's referring to; the rumors about Aventus Aretino were pretty widespread for a while.

[Rebonack]

"Torturing children?" Fenris replies, her eyes widening with thinly veiled disgust. "That's horrific. I hadn't ever heard anything about that. Either it wasn't happening in my reflection or I simply wasn't talking with the right people."

It's the later, though Fenris doesn't know that. She isn't the sort to incessantly grill inn keepers for rumors and quests. Rarely are they aware of the sorts of curiosities that she's particularly interested in. Namely unique magical artifacts, unusual Dwemer engineering, and magical artifacts that are also Dwemer engineering.

Fenirs gives a snort and takes another pull from her tankard.

"Well, perhaps we ought to turn to more pleasant topics. My means of arriving here are still open, to my knowledge. A snow-elf way shrine three days journey east of this city. If my suspicions are correct it should resonate with whatever reflection of Nirn the user belongs to and return them to its sister shrine in the Whiterun plains. The shrine in question was inert when I initially found it, but after learning a bit of snow elf magic reactivating it was a simple enough task. However..."

Ah.

That might be an issue, yes?

"If you hadn't ever activated that shrine it may redirect to the chantry of Auri-El. Those shrines were on a closed network, however. I'm not one hundred percent certain that would work. The shrines operate on the principles of conjuration, however. I have some level of understanding in the craft, but I'm no specialist by any stretch of the imagination. A fresh set of eyes on the problem could likely resolve any snags."

[bc56]

"I never found any wayshrines outside the ones in that valley," Orathius confirms. "But I can take a look at it." His specialty is in summoned daedra, not in teleportation, but it can't hurt to look.

[Rebonack]

The techniques aren't wholly unrelated.

How else does one transport an atronach from Oblivion to Mundus?

It's all about bridging distances.

"Odd... There was a whole network of them spread across the former snow elf empire, once. They're mostly ruins now, but with a bit of work it's possible to get them in working order again," Fenris says, sounding puzzled. "I've learned from a few others that my reflection of Nirn appears to have been somewhat different in its contents. Aside, of course, from who the Last Dragonborn is and the choices they made. The lack of a wayshrine network is certainly strange. And there appears to be some spellwork that is otherwise unknown. Or maybe it was simply forgotten."

Several of the spells Fenris knows, for example, were known in former ages but the knowledge had been lost by her era.

Just...

Not in her echo of Nirn.

"Ah well, I suppose that's largely academic. The question that's work asking, then, is whether you intent to explore this odd land or seek to return home at the first opportunity? I must admit, I've found my time here enlightening thus far. These people have a few forms of technology that I suspect would even make the Dwemer envious."

[bc56]

"I haven't even seen this land yet, outside this... Very strange tavern. If we go look into that shrine, I can at least see a bit of what this place is like." Orathius stands up, fixes his mask on his face, and raises his hood. "What do you say, Miss Grey-Mane?"

[Ironsmith]

[Weird Bathroom]

You can't be too careful! Not everyone knows what a cartwheel is.

"The kid who was with me was worried there'd be psychic cockroaches around and that one had the misfortune of pretending to be someone who. . ." June pauses, and tries to find the words to describe how he made her feel. "Someone who really pissed me off." She waves her bloodstained shirt. "And is the reason why I need a new one of these. I worked really hard to afford it all, but some people just have no respect for what waitresses have to go through."

With that feeling off her chest, June breathes deeper.

Having given up on the trail of toiletpapercrumbs she was leaving behind, June takes a deep breath and continues onward. "Don't worry, we're definitely going to find a way out." Completely confident. Even if they don't, all they have to do is wait long enough for her 'sister' to be safe (and no longer drugged up and trapped in a magic circle or whatever), and then she'll find a way to come around to Trog's in disguise or something, and will inform Zee what's going on. June isn't really sure how Zee does it, but this definitely seems like something she could handle if she were asked.

So, she goes forward, down the hall. Sure, Pride does seem like a likely candidate because of how universal pride is, but Envy specifically would be a lot more poetic for her in particular.

[Weird Bathroom]

"I... guess that sort of makes sense." The chemist sighs and follows June, internally conceding that no, the concept did not make any sense at all, but then nothing around here did.

Fortunately, it looks like the hallway is indeed coming to an end. June can see the light at the far side of the tunnel from here.

Which is, rather suddenly, about ten feet away.

Then twelve feet.

Then two inches.

Then about half a mile.

And behind her, as she steps out onto a sunlit balcony, to the sound of trumpets heralding her arrival. The balcony itself is semicircular, with a set of stairs on either side, leading down into a circular, sand-covered space. To either side of her, there's a series of stone benches, which stretch around one side of the circle to the other, and are filled with a throng of... probably humans, but it's difficult to tell at this distance. They sound like they're barking at June, pumping their fists into the air.

On the other side of the balcony, there stands a man dressed in a leather tunic, with a scarlet cape flowing down his shoulders. He gives June a dignified little wave as she enters. "Welcome." He says genially, a small smile on his face. "Let me be the first to congratulate you on making it this far. This is the final trial; a one-on-one fight with our champion. You may arm yourself however you wish. Once the fight is over, the three of you will be allowed to leave. Have you any questions?"

[Rebonack]

Fenris glances over at the band that's currently playing, which consists wholly of sapient cephelopods of various kinds.

"I would say strange is an accurate enough descriptor. Originally I was planning on examining the 'dungeon' that is apparently housed below this very tavern. Dungeon in the sense of mysterious ruins rather than dungeon in the sense of a place to keep prisoners. An odd colloquialism, though an evocative one," Fenris replies. "However, I do suppose I could put that delve off for another few days. The country-side here is fascinating and a source of no small opportunity to explore."

And get ambushed by very strange things.

Just...

So many strange things doing the ambushing.

Fenris sets a few coins down on the table and rises to her feet, picking up her helmet and putting it on. Hoisting her pack and slinging it over her shoulders before synching the strap around her waste tight.

"Very well. After you. I can lead the way to the gate."

Won't this be an adventure?

Fenris can't imagine that it's any accident that she keeps running into these people.

[bc56]

"Ruins beneath the tavern, you say? If you'd rather look into those first, it's not like my wife is expecting me home in time for dinner," Orathius jokes. "I'm an old hand at plundering ruins. I'm sure we could make a tidy profit out of it."

[Rebonack]

"I was rather curious about them, I must admit," Fenries replies as she heads toward the cellar entrance at one corner of the tavern.

There's a little sign next to it which is (impossibly) written in perfectly legible Cyrodilic script.

The Dungeons of Doom!

Just head down into the wine cellar and go through the Doom Door. The Dungeons will arrange themselves suitably for your adventure. Please keep in mind that Trog's Tavern does not maintain the Dungeons of Doom and can not be held liable for any injury, loss of life, psychological scarring, or baleful polymorphing that might transpire therein. We didn't build the Dungeons, we just built a tavern on top of them. If you have an exciting adventure please feel free to leave a donation in the donation box when you're done!

-Trog's Tavern Management

There is, in fact, a little wooden donation box next to the entrance.

"It isn't a terrible business plan, I should say. Especially for a tavern that caters to adventuring types. Provide food, supplies, and lodging right at the entrance to a famous ruin? I'm somewhat surprised no enterprising merchants have done the same back home," Fenris admits.

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
"The draugr probably would chase them off. Or some guy pretending to be a ghost," Orathius remarks. He wonders if Fenris looked into the haunting in the catacombs under Ivarstead as well. "If you don't mind, I would like to take point." He unslings his bow from his back and strings it in a single smooth motion, unclasping his quiver to reveal a large number of ebony-tipped arrows at the ready. His footfalls are notably completely silent; he practically moves like a ghost.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

"Ugh... that idiot with the phantasmal potion, don't remind me. I doubt Shroud Hearth Barrow would provide a sufficient attraction. It simply isn't large enough. A single adventurer could clear it out without too much trouble," Fenris recalls.

Clearly she's recalling this from personal experience.

Fenris, by contrast, is not nearly silent. She's wearing dwarven armor and the bits are all clanking against each other. That is not, however, a huge problem. A quick casting of Muffle and suddenly her footsteps are quiet as a mouse. Not silent but that spell definitely helps.

"I don't typically rely much on stealth," she admits. "I'm something of a Nord traditionalist in that respect."

But that doesn't mean she's just ignored illusion magic.

She might not be a specialist the way she is with restoration and alteration, but she is at the very least competent.

Fenris unslings the Dwemer disc from her back, holding the weapon like a shield in her left hand while the soothing glow of Grand Healing ignites between the fingers of her right. They're going to be in close quarters and she isn't sure what kind of foes they'll be up against, so she's going to start on the defensive and adapt to the situation as it unfolds.

So!

Finding the Doom Door isn't too difficult. It's an iron monstrosity that looks quite intimidating. And upon opening it-!

Our heroes will find a short, broad hallway ending in four more doors.

One looks to be made of solid gold (or maybe wood with gold overlay?) and inlaid with turquoise. It depicts stylized, angular reptilian figures. And skulls. A whole mountain of skulls. Human ones, mostly.

The second is a rickety old wooden door that looks like it wouldn't be out of place on the inside of a ship. Nailed to the door is the ol' Jolly Roger, a leering skull and crossbones on a black field.

The third is a rusted, run down set of hospital double doors. One of the windows is broken and several dried, bloody hand-prints adorn it.

The fourth looks like it was once a rather fancy wood paneled door, though now it's faded and cracked with age. And splattered with old alchemical reagents.

Fenris frowns at the doors. "I... believe we're being offered motifs to choose from."

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
"Open, honorable combat will get you killed the moment an archer enters the fray. Most of what I fought didn't fight fair." Not that he can't be brutal and up front and personal. He has a suit of heavy armor stowed away just in case (although he's still sneaky even wearing that). "I don't like the look of the golden door. It's definitely a trap. I think this one." He crouches his way to the alchemical door and tries the handle.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

"That depends largely on the field of battle in question. And the quality of the archer, I suppose. I've encountered more than my fair share and I yet still breath," Fenris points out.

Granted, she's a bit more resilient that folk typically are.

That, and she wields some pretty robust defensive magic.

"I don't believe the door is a trap. More likely it's-"

Then the alchemy splashed door gets opened up.

On the other side? A laboratory, for lack of a better word.

A long, narrow room lined with shelves, tables, books, glassware, reagents, and all manner of alchemical wonders. Large tubes full of bubbling, glowing fluids abound. To the west the room meanders slightly, ending in a large wardrobe that's presently closed and flanked by a coat rack with a fancy looking cloak hanging from it. The east wall ends just beyond the stairway leading into the dungeon, featuring a massive oak bookshelf heavy with tomes, scrolls, and a leering gold-plated skull with rubies for eyes.

Obvious curiosities include:

The afore mentioned skull.
The collection of scrolls and tomes sharing shelf space with the skull.
A vat full of glowing lime-colored goop with an open journal sitting in front of it, its pages stained with green droplets.
The locked wardrobe which no doubt contains cool things.
That cloak that may or may not be magical.
A table loaded down with some sort of elaborate glassware apparatus that's busy doing... something.
Several jars full of amber colored fluid, each of which containing a deformed rat.
A slightly raised wooden platform for holding boots. It currently houses three pairs of fine black boots.
A locked display cabinet set up near one of the tables, the glass mirrored such that it's difficult to see what's inside.

While Orathius gets his loot on Fenris turns back toward the cellar, her hands lightning up with a green glow, and casts a rather potent alteration. A four foot tall spire of stone rises from the floor, topped with a twisting green glyph. Once that's done she'll join the burglar.

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
Orathius immediately takes a look at the display case. "Why would someone make a display case you can't see into?" He pulls out a lockpick and begins working on the lock. He's pretty good at it (it falls under the list of "skills he doesn't want to advertise his mastery of").

[5a Violista]

[Weird Bathroom]

June isn't sure which part of that didn't make sense. Or rather, she wouldn't be sure which part didn't make sense if the chemist actually mentioned that it didn't make sense.

Well, okay, the distance to the end doesn't really make sense.
She looks around. Noticing all the people, she takes a step back. Not really feeling interested in getting a headache from sensory overload at the moment, especially after the long hallway of being (nearly) alone, so she didn't have the chance to get used to all the everything that comes with multiple people being there.

"Um. Hi," she tells the cape-man.
She considers what he says. "The three of us?" she asks. June figures the three of them probably refers to her, the invisible(?) lady, and the vampire kid, but she's not sure where the kid is or if he's managed to find a way out already, and is still not entirely convinced that the chemist is anything more than a ghost that nobody else can see...wouldn't be the first (or even second) time June's accidentally treated a ghost like a living person. "Where's the other one?" Hopefully the cape-man's answer will be able to tell her something about one of these things.

Oh, wait, she also has other questions.
So far, this situation is eerily similar to that foxmask cult. "Also, the champion wouldn't happen to be wearing a mask, would she? I forgot to bring my maid outfit so I'm not sure how much of a fight this will be."

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

Fenris heads straight for the books, nerd that she is.

"It's possible it isn't actually a display case," she says, running a finger along the spines of the tomes and stopping at one regarding alchemical additives for strengthening steel. Given her interest in metallurgy that's right up her alley. "Some alchemical reagents are sensitive to light."

Sure enough, inside the case are a fair number of dark brown, nearly opaque brown bottles. Each is marked with an elaborate alchemical symbol. The symbols aren't comprehensible at all; likely a custom notation used by whoever runs this lab to prevent other alchemists from being able to follow his work. That's a common practice, honestly.

If our heroes can find a notebook they MIGHT be able to figure out what's in those bottles. But without a key they're just unknown chemicals.

And unknown chemicals can be pretty hazardous.

Oh.

Hmm...

There's something else in there. Hidden behind some of the bottles is a small rough red gemstone of some kind.

[Ironsmith]

[Weird Bathroom]

June isn't sure which part of that didn't make sense. Or rather, she wouldn't be sure which part didn't make sense if the chemist actually mentioned that it didn't make sense.

Well, okay, the distance to the end doesn't really make sense.
She looks around. Noticing all the people, she takes a step back. Not really feeling interested in getting a headache from sensory overload at the moment, especially after the long hallway of being (nearly) alone, so she didn't have the chance to get used to all the everything that comes with multiple people being there.

"Um. Hi," she tells the cape-man.
She considers what he says. "The three of us?" she asks. June figures the three of them probably refers to her, the invisible(?) lady, and the vampire kid, but she's not sure where the kid is or if he's managed to find a way out already, and is still not entirely convinced that the chemist is anything more than a ghost that nobody else can see...wouldn't be the first (or even second) time June's accidentally treated a ghost like a living person. "Where's the other one?" Hopefully the cape-man's answer will be able to tell her something about one of these things.

Oh, wait, she also has other questions.
So far, this situation is eerily similar to that foxmask cult. "Also, the champion wouldn't happen to be wearing a mask, would she? I forgot to bring my maid outfit so I'm not sure how much of a fight this will be."

[Weird Bathroom]

"The 'other one', the boy, already came through. He lost. He's recovering in our infirmary." The man replies genially. "And as for masks... not as such, no." He gestures out into the arena, where a gate on the far end has opened, admitting a giant (of sorts) covered in stone plating. The creature is maybe seven feet tall, all of its features obscured under the granite slabs that make up its armor. There's a huge shield chained to its left arm, a boulder cut into a flat shape, with its edges chiseled away. In its right hand, the creature holds a long pole with a massive steel ring on the top; the outer edges of the ring have been sharpened, forming a continuous blade.

"Again, you may arm yourself however you see fit." The man gestures next to June, toward a wardrobe that was definitely there a moment ago. It swings open on cue, displaying a maid outfit... likely not the exact same one June was referring to, but having most of the same properties.

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
"Yep. Some unknown potions and... Looks like a garnet." Orathius picks up the gemstone and leaves the bottles behind. Next up, the pedestal with the journal on it, next to the cauldron. What does it say? A journal is fairly worthless though, so unless it turns out to have valuable information or puzzle clues in it, Orathius won't take it.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

Garnets come in quite a few colors, actually. Not just red. Magenta, orange, olive, lime, and green.

But those are things for rock nerds to know.

Fenris is just busy reading about metallurgy.

Holding the stone, it almost feels like it's subtly vibrating in Orathius' hand. Weird.

"You said earlier that you ended up being the Harbinger of the Companions. What happened to the old man?" Fenris asks, something having just occurred to her. "I had joined their number mostly to try to assure my father that I had some interest in traditional Nord values. They weren't exactly fond of my magic but my skill with a shield is unmatched. Kodlak was fine as of my departure, to my knowledge."

Journal!

It's full of mathematical formulas and that strange alchemical notation. And odd geometric designs. Some of those drawings may in fact be puzzle clues. Just not clues to a puzzle that's sitting nearby. This chamber isn't enormous, little more than a hallway arms' spread in width and thirty five feet long. It feels fairly claustrophobic. Should Orathius move toward the large bookcase on the eastern wall he'll be able to feel a slight breeze coming from under the shelf.

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
"I helped him with a sensitive matter, but Jorrvaskr was attacked and he was killed before we finished. I met him again in Sovngarde later," Orathius explains. "Hold up. This bookcase." He crouches down. "Laas yah nir." He whispers, giving him sight of any living thing nearby, even through walls. That way he can be sure there aren't ambushers behind the shelf. Then he begins pulling books off in hopes he can find the one which is a secret lever.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

"I do recall him pining for the fellowship of Sovngarde," Fenris recalls, closing her book. "I suppose such thoughts are to be expected from one so close to their last winter. That's an impossible hope, though. Hircine stakes his claim on all werewolf souls."

Her expression turns steely.

"I don't doubt he'll have more of a fight than he reckons for when he seeks mine."

The book is stowed in her pack as she watches the thief begin testing out books.

"What simpletons would be fool enough to attack Jorrvaskr?" she asks, taken aback. Between the city guard and the Companions themselves that seems suicidal. Maybe those vampires? They kept attacking cities in small numbers in spite of the fact that such an assault would invariably lead to their demise.

There are many living things, as it turns out.

All those deformed creatures in the bottles?

Alive.

Similar forms can be sensed in other larger containers beyond the false wall.

No books activate it, though.

But once the gold plated skull with the jewel eyes is reached he'll find that it's attached to the shelf rather than a simple book-end.

[bc56]

Dungeon of Doom
It's a good thing Orathius' face is covered, then Fenris can't see his expression. She knows the big secret though, so it's okay. "One guess, and anything that's not 'the Silver Hand' doesn't count. But, to answer your first question, that was the point of the project I was doing with him. Our condition, it turns out, is curable." He lets that bombshell sink in while he grabs the skull. "This is a terrible way to hide a secret door. Any thief would immediately grab that thing and reveal it." Presumably he has to do something specific to it, not just try to pull it off the shelf, but fiddling with it for a few seconds should get most options out of the way.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

Fenris has known the secret of the Circle for some time.

She could smell them.

Really, if a random guard can pick up on the scent of a werewolf without knowing the source how much more so a fellow werewolf?

Then Fenris has a series of revelations to contemplate.

First?

The dubious 'blessing' of beast blood can be revoked. She knew that already, though. Provided one was willing to be snacked upon by a vampire lord. Which Fenris was absolutely opposed to. Hircine might be tolerable in her opinion, but Moleg Baal was evil on a scale that's difficult to fully grasp.

"I imagine you must be referring to a means other than pure-blood vampirism," she replies skeptically. But, really, it isn't a subject that is particularly meaningful to her. She has a means to keep her voluntary transformations in check and her unique access to sun magic while a beast is still a mystery she has yet to solve. And really, given that she has had beastblood since she was a young child it's so ingrained in her that she really isn't sure what she would be without it. "The Silver Hand attacked, then. I can't imagine what would have driven them to take such a risky venture. I know they aren't exactly fond of Hircine's hounds but typically they stick to the wilderness and their own holdings. The only reason I can imagine they might strike out in such a suicidal fashion is if they thought their very survival was at... risk."

Oh.

"Oh. Skjor died, didn't he? Slain by the Skinner at Gallows Rock. Aela would have been near blind with rage; out for the blood of the Silver Hand," Fenris reasons, putting the pieces together. "Skjor had been dead for two minutes, perhaps, when Aela and I found him. As a Master Restorationist that is not beyond my ability to mend. I was able to pull him back from the brink, though it was a close thing. We annihilated the Silver Hand at Gallows Rock but that was the extent of our conflict with them. There have been occasional ambushes in the wilderness, but nothing more."

Then?

Skull time.

Pushing on the jeweled eyes makes a small clicking sound-

-followed by the hiss of gas leaking into the room.

A horrible, causing scent that burns the eyes and lungs fills the room.

Fenris coughs a few times before raising one hand above her head and clenching her fingers, ribbons of golden light dancing around both herself and Orathius. Thankfully the healing magic is pushing away the worst of the toxic gas, but the fumes are growing steadily worse.

It would appear as though the obvious secret door controls was actually a trap.

[bc56]

Dungeon of Doom
"He did. Aela and I waged a bit of a two person crusade against them for a while. Mostly I just wanted her to not get herself killed at first." Instead of commenting on the trap, Orathius takes a deep breath. "Lok vah koor!" The Clear Skies shout is supposed to be used for fog and storms. Hopefully it works against poison gas as well.

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

At the Shout the whole room rumbles, the poison smog getting blasted away as something within the walls cracks.

Two things have been accomplished.

First?

The poison gas isn't seeping into the room any longer.

Second?

Anything else nearby probably knows that they're here now.

Unless Orathius is invested enough in Illusion that he knows how to turn any Shout into a whisper.

"Well, that's one immediate problem resolved," she observes. "But the passage is still blocked."

That probably doesn't mean a great deal. If finding the release for the wall continues to be an issue the solution of violence is always an option.

[bc56]

Dungeon of Doom
Despite being sneaky,. Orathius never mastered illusion. It's more trouble than it's worth.
"Now that everything knows we're here, we might as well take the noisy way through." He conjures a ghostly axe in his hands. "Unless you have a better suggestion?"

[Rebonack]

[Dungeons of Doom]

That's a shame. Illusion spells are nasty things.

"I suspect it will make little difference at this point. But please, allow me. I have a tool well suited for removing obstructions," Fenris says as she unstraps her right gauntlet and removes a different Dwemer gauntlet from her pack. It's a heavy, elaborate thing with a shimmering aetherium jewel set into the back of the palm. Once the gauntlet is snug, she draws a weapon.

A one handed Dwemer war hammer.

The air around artifacts feels pregnant with power, like they could be used to sunder the heart of a god.

Fenris doesn't need to sunder the heart of a god, though.

She just needs to remove a door.

Hauling back, Fenris smacks the book shelf and boy howdy does it ever get removed.

Splinters of wood, stone, and metal are blasted into the next room, disintegrating if flashes of aetherial light.

The lab beyond is a smallish, square room maybe fifteen feet across. On the south wall there's a sliding door, closed at the moment. There had been tapestries in here at some point, but they've been defaced with graffiti written in the goblin tongue. More of those strange fluid filled tubes abound, over half of them holding misshapen monstrosities. Points of interest include-

A tube with what looks like a cross between a bear and a man, without fur and grossly misshapen.
A broken tube, jagged glass sticking above the bronze base. It's badly corroded and the floor around it is sticky and discolored.
A tube containing a hyena-man that appears to be conscious. It watches the heroes with malevolent, beady eyes.
A tube filled with rotted remains. The lights in this tube appear to have gone out.
A tube filled with strange electric blue crystals that constantly shift between solid and liquid, crawling about the interior of the tube like a living thing.
A large desk covered in tools and notes, no doubt regarding the tubes.
A wooden chest under the desk, locked for the time being.

Fenris begins putting her hammer away once the door is gone. She doesn't particularly like using this thing as a weapon if she can avoid it. She honestly isn't that skilled with such things. Sure, the hammer more than makes up for her ineptitude with raw power, but that isn't the sort of power she wants to use poorly.

[bc56]

Dungeons of Doom
"Impressive. Where did you get the Aetherium to craft all that? I only found enough to make the one shield." Orathius walks up to the chest and crouches down to begin picking it. "You're the alteration specialist here, can you figure out what was going on here?" Alternately, it doesn't seem like either of them know enough alchemy if it turns out that's what's going on.