Rhianni is the last to enter, she waits by the door as everyone goes in. She picks up some of the coins, just in case she needs them to get out.
The next room is nondescript except for the three sets of doors.
Can we get a picture? If not, we'll try the one furthest to our left.
Markum Perception
Vuvo Perception Scent, aid another
This barren room contains an upraised dais on which sits a marble throne. To either side stand statues of a main clutching a book and glaive. A ghostly figure seems to be seated on the throne, the same man who appears in the statues. He seems to be addressing an audience as he moves his hands about, fingers decorated with hooked rings, but the words issuing from his phantom mouth are difficult to make out and in a strange language.
Praxim's bow immediately snaps up to aim at the apparition, though he scans the phantom with detect evil first.
Praxim lowers his bow slowly, a puzzled look on his face. "Hold, everyone. I don't think that's a ghost, at least, not a mean one if it is."
Markum and Vuvo immediately take a combat ready stance.
"You'll pardon us if we aren't comforted by such eloquent words."
Rhianni stands at the back, searching the room for magical emanations, she stares hard at the apparition.
The ghost ignores your threat of combat.
Rhianni, seemingly transfixed by the apparition, continues to stare at it.
OK, this seems a bit difficult for her...damn wizard schools...
After staring at the thing for sometime, Rhianni comes out of what looks like a trance. She shakes her head disappointingly. "That thing is magical, but its too complex for me to understand. It must be the work of a powerful caster to do that, such that I can't understand it's construction at all." she says trying to mask her lack of understanding by increasing the complexity of the object she sees.
Quinion watches the figure on the throne, trying to get a feel or the measure of the man he once was.
...but the stange language defeats him.
The phantom continues his lecture unabated by your actions.
Praxim whirls around, arrow to bowstring in an instant, aimed at the woman who just appeared behind them.
Rhianni knowing that the magic is so strong hangs back, not wanting to go further. "We are entering where there is magic way beyond my hope to wield, let us return when we have the means to understand." she pleads.
"Little we can do with it in any case. I'm inclined to leave it alone since it doesn't seem hostile. Shall we continue south?"
There's two more sets of doors. Where to now?
Next closest set of doors.
Markum Perception
Vuvo Perception Scent, aid another
Reluctantly Rhianni follows the rest of the guys. She seems nervous and on edge, with so much high magic being used by whatever or whoever constructed this place.
This room contains three low tables, their tops covered with a strange and chilling selection of tools, saws, long bladed knives, and objects whose purpose is not readily apparent. A strange collection of bones lies near the southern table - too many to be one skeleton, but too few to be two.
Quinion carefully examines the tools, attempting to determine when they were last used.
Rhianni stays by the door, watching her friends activity. She nervously fiddles with her skirt as she waits.
Praxim uses detect evil on the room in general, and specifically the pile of bones, before allowing anybody in the room. He then stays out and guards with Rhianni.
One of the objects on the tables doesn't look like a typical tool...it's a gold and silver seven-pointed star, a little smaller than your hand, one surface studded with blades and nodules, and the other side featuring a thin curved handle.
"It's safe. Enough."
After a few moments hesitation, Rhianni follows Praxim into the room. She joins Quinion as he looks through the tools, with a lack of real interest she asks, "Found anything interesting? All boys toys?" She scans the bench for anything magical, to pass the time.
Markum and Vuvo wait patiently while the others search.
Quinion shows everyone an item, inquiring what it could be used for. It's a gold and silver seven-pointed star, the size of a small hand, one surface studded with blades and nodules, and the other side featuring a thin curved handle.
Identify item.
Spellcraft
"It's magic though I have no idea what it does."
There is a discreet cough behind the adventuring group, and a voice from beside the door (its source staying out of sight) says: "I could have a look, if you like? Don't start shooting or blasting, please... You do remember me, yes? We were in the glassworks together...? I must say, you've left an impressive trail of carnage for me to follow. I was a bit disappointed that you didn't come looking for me."
Quinion start, then as the words and tone sink in, he turns slowly to face the newcomer, waiting for the others to respond.
Okay, now Praxim whirls around with his bow and arrow ready.
"You're the one that left. But if you have the heart, and stomach, for carnage I'd welcome you back."
"Left?" Lym says, as she slowly comes into view, hands raised and face veiled as before. "I overslept, and suddenly you were all gone. By the by, that phantom in the other room has something interesting to say, if you've a mind to hear it."
Rhianni seeing the other elven woman looks on rather stunned at her arrival and the reaction of the druid and the paladin. "Who's this? the cards didn't indicate this!" Her voice wavers not knowing if this is a friend or foe, she stays her reaction and watches as the woman takes the strange weapon.
"Well, if it comes to that, I cannot recall having had the pleasure of your acquaintance, either, miss," Lym says, nodding to Rhianni. "Can I lower my hands now?"
Praxim lowers his bow, once it's clear the danger is passed. He does scan her with detect evil however...not that he expects to find anything.
If there's nothing significant in this room, we go to the next one.
"Might I have a look at yonder trinket?" Lym asks, pointing at the strange object.
"Well Lady, what do we call you? Those who wonder why you might be here at all? And what can you tell us of the phantom in the other room? Can we trust her Markum?" Rhianni grows more confident regarding the tall veiled woman.
"She's decent enough in a fight, but kind of prone to 'oversleeping' when things get too rough." Markum chuckles at his joke.
"Name's Lym," Lym replies to Rhianni. She shoots Markum a dirty look, but does not respond to his witticism. "Lym Blackhand.
That phantom seems to be a message to someone, probably whoever used to serve its original. From its words, I'd say the original was in conflict with someone named Alaznist. He was boasting her wrath wouldn't hurt him, but... Look around you."
Lym shrugs. "As for why I'm here... Well. I started investigating the Goblin invasion alongside Markum here, and I hate to leave such things unfinished. Especially with all of the dire clues we found in that dead half-elf's writings."
She stretches out her hand, "And mine is Rhianni Verdani, medium, interpreter of dreams and reader of fortunes. Friend to Ameiko whose fate lines and mine have intertwined and led my path here with these fine gentlemen. As you are vouched for and welcomed by Markum, then I too extend the same courtesies." She watches for any reaction, before commenting, "Hmm, Alaznist, let me think....."