As you reach the door you see that nothing has changed. The remains of the figure that stood in front of it are now a bit scattered from the vibrations and Daka reaching inside to retrieve the pendant. The priest signs you to stay back and takes out his holy symbol.
"I will try this time. I have a feeling Sarenrae will protect me from any ill effects." He glances towards Reyo and then reaches for the handle. Nothing visible happens as his fingers close around it and he pulls the portal open with a screeching of metal against stone.
A swoosh of air comes into the cavern from the opening, blowing away the acidic smell and bringing in a new one, reminiscent of decaying flesh.
Reyo's nose fills with the fetid smell of rotted flesh. Raising a hand to her nose, the only thought occupying her mind is how to stop the smell.
"It is certainly an unseely smell, but I have smelt worse." Daka's expression betrays a feeling of deep sadness. "Believe me."
With that he carefully steps forward, raising his arm with the glowing bracer, scimitar held at the ready. The light reveals a stone stair, climbing up into the dark. The walls of the stairwell are dirty and covered with patches of substance that seems to be the source of the smell.
Not at all. I will take the van.
Reyo pulls her rapier from its home, hanging her smothered torch at her side to avoid giving off excess light.
Using only the dim light given off by her compatriots, she will stay 10-15 feet ahead of the party, moving as quietly as possible.
You ascend into darkness in a line of one, since the stairwell soon becomes too narrow to climb side by side. The occasional scrap of slimy dirt on the steps makes your gait a bit uncertain. As time passes you have the feeling you have gone higher than the ceiling of the cavern, and still the stairs go on. Finally you reach a spot where the hewn stone turns into bricks. The smell is a bit lighter here, and another one, of low quality tobacco and alcohol, appears.
Daka furrows his brow "This is most unusual... but given the last two days, I don't see why that should surprise me. Can anyone else hear voices ahead?" he asks, voice low "Is it possible we have been under the Inn all this time?" He continues walking up the stairs quietly, as far behind from Reyoris as he dares to go, not really wishing to let her out of his sight Be careful Reyo.
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Torcet's ears twitch, "Why, indeed, the voices are becoming less faint as we approach our exit."The coincide is unnerving, the inn? Could it be? Then what of the coins? The spellbook?
Torcet tries to remain calm, and walks as casually as possible with his friends, but he draws his short sword, telling that he's nerves don't trust that it is all too safe ahead. He also waves his hand as he approaches up the stairs as to not be caught of guard.
Reyo is so focused on moving quietly, not only does she not hear the voices her compatriots hear, she barely is aware that they are speaking.
Wah - voices? Where? She says quietly, as their ascent into that tobacco and alcohol scented air continues.
The oblivious plantfolk noting the humanoids caution, attempts to follow suit.
The voices are now clearly heard, and the smell has fully changed to the one of a tavern's cellar.
Reyo stops her motion at the sight of a door. Turning, she heads back to the group quickly.
There's a wooden door ahead. How should we proceed?
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Considering Reyos information, Shirak asks in a whisper "Have we any idea what lies beyond it?"
I know it's selfish, but I would rather risk the new comers life than the others...She does seem skilled though. It would be a shame to lose anyone...
"Have you any way of determining what we should expect in there? Perhaps we could send my friend in to take a look? I suspect a small plant might be less likely to invoke a hostile response. Thoughts?" Finishing his statement, he looks over to Daka for advice.
Daka answers in a hushed voice "Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing what to expect. Perhaps if one of you has a mirror? We could slide it under the door to look for threats." Hr looks to the others hopefully "If not, maybe one of us could walk through the door claiming to be lost. If there are hostiles on the other side, the rest of us could sneak up on them while they are distracted. If there are friendlies or no one on the other side... well the rest of us could just walk in." He considers the options for a second before sheathing his sword and standing a little taller "I volunteer to enter first. I will not ask others to do what I am not willing to do myself"
At that moment a louder voice calls from behind the unseen door.
"Get another keg out, Jeg!"
A rumble is heard, reminding of a rolling barrel, and then another door opens and closes, the din of a larger group of people rising for a moment. Then all is quiet again (muffled voices notwithstanding).
"Hmm, maybe you're right... Well we have come this far, I say we just go for it. Whatever awaits us, at least we will be out of this awful darkness!" With that, Daka makes for the door.
The door opens into a square-ish storage room with earthen walls and floor. It is empty but for the stacking of barrels along the walls, the wooden sides marked with varying scratches and signs. A lone lantern is hanging on the wooden ceiling, passing the vibrations of walking feet to the wavering light in the room. Another door leads out preceded by a couple of steps up - looks like you're in a basement. The voices above can now be discerned as a mix of orders for ale, swearing, and telling high tales of fighting and dubious heroics.
"Hmm, sounds like a normal tavern to me." Daka looks back towards the others, a little relieved that nothing tried to attack him "What do you say guys? Should we just wander up there and claim to be lost if we raise any eyebrows? Perhaps then we can start quietly questioning the patrons about this place."
See what Shirak? Reyo says quietly, staring at the druid.
And Daka, depending on what Shirak is looking at over there, I think wandering up and feigning innocence is the best bet. Somehow. she says with a quirk of her lip.
"Ah, another clue! I wonder what it is this time." Says Torcet and scurries over to Shirak to examine the trapdoor. He then proceeds to feel around it for hidden things, even peeking behind the closest stack of barrels. His search does not turn up anything, just like Shirak's, and he stands up, dusting himself off. "Should we open it then?"
A creaking of the floorboards above tells you that someone is on their way to the door to your current refuge.
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Torcet stops in his tracks as his muscles tense in reaction to the noise. Trying to keep his voice as low as possible, he turns to the group. "Surely it would not look good if we got caught somewhere we ought not to be. I suggest hiding?" He suggest in a questionable tone, but nonetheless, he starts rustling about the barrels, in search for empty ones.
Daka nods agreement and quickly surveys the room. He seems torn between the trapdoor and the door through which they entered "You may be able to hide in here, see what's happening but..." he gestures the bright blue Tabard, indicating his commitment to Sarenrae, and the shiny scale armour underneath "I tend to stick out. Whatever you decide. Goodluck!" he whispers quickly, placing a hand on Torcet's shoulder. He then hurries out of the room back to the darkness of the stairs, extinguishing the light from his bracer and drawing his sword as he goes.
I'll do my best to observe. Reyo whispers softly as she quickly hunts for a nice shadowy place to hide and observe from.
Shirak looks around and weighs his options. "I think I will follow your lead this time, Daka. Better to not be in the room at all." He then motions to his plant companion and they retreat back to the stairs. As he starts to close the door to the stairway, Shirak glances curiously at Torcet, waiting to see what the detective will do.
Shirak closes the door fully, nodding at the detective. Several moments later the other door of the room opens with a creak.
A short, stooping figure clad in a dirty apron enters the room, and heads to the end of the room where Torcet is hiding. As he gets near enough the man promptly notices Torcets bag, sticking out from behind the stack.
"'ay, another one of you smart ones decided to get a free drink?" He shouts, picking on Torcets clothes and dragging him out. "Get out, or I'll go get my cudgel, and gods help me, I'll teach you a lesson!" He proceeds to push and kick Torcet towards the door as much as his weak physique allows him.
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From his hiding place, Shirak continues to listen. Seems whomever was found isn't in immediate danger. Perhaps it's nothing to be concerned of yet. considers the Undine. Believe I'll wait here a moment. See how this plays.
Looking over to his hidden companion, Shirak says nothing. Listening intently, he watches for Daka's response.
Daka shares concerned look with Shirak, his muscles tensed on hearing the ruckus Keep cool Daka... Bursting out may put them in more danger! Being accused of stealing ale isn't the worst thing that has happened over the past few days.
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Torcet plays weak and moves with the pushes and kicks, but also flashes his sword making sure the man is aware he is arm. He does not retaliate as he does not want trouble.Let's see if my quick wit can get me out of this.
"Hold my good sir, as you can see I've taken nothing, In my stupidness I ended up in the wrong room and hid cause I thought if caught I would be punished! I shall go now, don't want any trouble see?"
And Torcet slowly backs towards what he presumes to be the door to this cellar.
Reyo watches Torcet be lead toward the door. I should intervene, do something to help him! She thinks to herself when she hears the human launch into a kindly tale about taking a wrong turn and ending up in the wrong room. Keeping her mouth shut, and her position intact, she waits out to see the barman's reaction.
The man glances at Torcet's sword while continuing to push him.
"Ye, I can see you are in the wrong place. Next time you should take the stairs up, not down. There's nothing interesting here, 'cept all the ale and brandy. Unless you were looking for those." The man's expression passes from angry to suspicious, to sly. "See, if you have some real gold, and not those coppers the drunks above are spilling on the floor, I can give you a real drink. What'ya say?" He stops pushing and siddles up to Torcet, his bad breath suddenly assaulting the detective.
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Torcet holds his breath almost passing out to the rebuking smell! "Well, that must be some drink if it cost a gold piece!" states in shock, thinking through carefully what he should say next. "Surely, you can show me what this place has to offer." He suggestively says as he walks up the stairs, sheathes his sword, and opens the door at the end of the walkway.
Daka raises an eyebrow as he hides behind the door, wondering if perhaps he should have stayed in the room It's been so long since I last had a decent drink!
"Oh, but it's down here!" The crooked figure's voice is now dripping with sweetness, as much as that is possible with the show of rotten teeth in its grin.
"Here, here..." The man continues, motioning for Torcet to follow him and moving towards the other door, where Daka and Shirak are hiding!
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"Ah but of course."Torcet follows but walks slowly behind the man.
This man must mean ill will, what is his motives? His intentions? Better think fast.
As he walks, he turns his head towards Reyo, and makes a funny face, as if signalling he is about to do something. As soon as they reach near to the trapdoor, but prior to reaching for the handle, Torcet grabs the man from behind shouting. "Now! Everyone!"
Retro moves quickly from her hiding place, rapier sailing free of its confines. Placing the tip under the man's throat she holds a finger to her lips.
If you want draw breath another minute, make no noise, fiend. I've seen the horrors contained below and you would abandon a patron there on the promise of a drink? I should skewer you now! She says, voice seething as she presses the sharp tip of the rapier up slightly into the soft tissue of his neck.
Caught completely off guard, and obviously unable to overcome the shock of the rapier pressed against his throat, the man just gurgles something in response. His face shows terror, and he starts patting his clothes. In a moment his fingers get out a coin purse and he offers it to Reyo with a heavily shaking hand, making it jingle a bit. His eyes are about to pop out of his face, signalling that maybe Torcet's unprofessional hold is constricting his breathing too much.
Reyo slowly relieves the pressure on his throat from her blade as she nods slightly to Torcet.
Wise choice barman. Drop the purse, we'll take a look at that in a minute. Had some bad luck with coins of late. Now, let's have some calm answers. First, what do you know about the tunnels beyond the door you were taking the lad there to? Trust this when you answer, I've spent more than a century perfecting skills of observation of interrogations. I'm very good at spotting liars.
Daka bursts out the door when cued. Seeing that Torcet and Reyo already have things in hand, he casually moves behind Reyo and crosses his arms, scimitar still in hand. Standing silently behind his comrade, Daka fixes the grappled man with a piercing gaze, making sure to show off his dense musculature and protruding canines.