Serra considers addressing the chest, but decides it can wait. He nods and indicates that the strike team should move on.
Cole hesitates at the chest. "One moment Serra." he mutters as he approaches it looking first for traps.
If he detects a trap, he agrees with Sir Serra and they move on. If not, his curiosity gets the better of him. He breaks out his lock picks and goes to work on the lock, moving smoothly with the tumblers and tries to open it.
Cole does not detect a trap, but neither does he unlock the trunk. Taking a deep breath, Cole forces himself to slow down and try again. (DC40 to open the trunk)
Inside, there is: 633 cp, 1,427 sp, 5,786 gp, 376 pp, nine garnets worth 100 gp each, a set of stone-carved dwarven figurines worth 600 gp, an expensive pair of vases worth 250 gp each, a silver coffer worth 350 gp
Things that glow magical:
a pearl,
a rod
a scroll
an elixir,
a potion,
a wand ,
a dose of oil
and possibly, the most valuable object, Staunton's Journal
Jurin stares at his sword and shakes it."Hey, anybody in there? Hello? Heeeellloooo."
As the party moves into F21, the feeling of unease intensifies.
While someone else fiddlefaddles with the valuable and interesting journal, Serra sorts the magics for things of interest.
"This first room was the meeting hall. I gather that's what it was used for "back in the day" as well, though I wasn't here then. Staunton was though." Joran falls silent, thinking of his life, and that of his brother.
"This next room was Staunton's. You can tell because of how neat and tidy it was. He was a it of a freak that way."
a pearl=
a rod=rod of metal and mineral detection
a scroll=scroll of divination
an elixir=elixir of climbing
a potion=potion of neutralize poison
a wand=wand of nondetection (23 charges)
a dose of oil=
** spoiler omitted **
Cole scratches under his hat, trying to scratch an itch he can't reach. Something seems to be bothering him...
He leaves Serra to the task of investigating the items. He takes up the journal, but waits to open it. "Let's get this stuff out of here shall we? I want to read this as soon as possible. This may teach us much about what's happening here."
He's ready to move to the chambers surrounding the entrance.
Serra stuffs away the items that others do not claim and is ready to move on. He 'follows' in front of Cole to the front chambers.
The group turns their attention to F4 (have to go through F4 to get to F3)
F-4
This once-beautiful court now lies in disarray. The walls are decorated with murals of angels and templars engaged in all manner of foul acts with beasts and demons. Collapsed stone completely bars the way north, as only five decorative columns still support the thirty-foot ceiling overhead. Here, they fight and defeat a Vrock named Koneshka.
Getting to F3A, and it's companion chambers, F-3B and F-3C, the group makes quick work of some half orc guards, and neatly side step an poisoned spiked pit trap.
F-3
A portcullis of rune-carved iron bisects this entry hall. Arrow slits mark the passageway’s walls near the ceiling twenty feet above. A seven-foot-high section near the floor of the west wall has collapsed and fallen away, allowing access to another room beyond.
Coming from the other side, the army greets them with a fatigued hail. Much battered, and with lower numbers than before, they nonetheless stand ready to continue.
Eli waits patiently as Cole clears out Staunton's chest. When the journal is produced, Eli brightens for the find. He gladdens as Jurin dons the amulet as well.
When the group proceeds, Eli tries and fails to move quietly, over and over again. He gives up, and begins walking deliberately, trying to keep his distance from the others now that his armor bears injury-inflicting spikes.
As the group meets the army, Eli waits at the gate.
"I'm unclear. Are we handing over the journal? Or should we head to the basement, and secure the Sword?"
Cole considers the parties relative health, and the fact they have no healing wand.
"We rest and consult the journal. Then we descend and clear the rest of the nest. So, while we're still healthy, let us clear what remains of this level with the troops and station people to hold it and guard the stairwell. I myself will sleep in that chamber and I hope you'll join me."
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During the rest of the day, the group sweeps through the remaining rooms of this level of rooms. Built by dwarves, the place is impressively made, though the most recent previous inhabitants have left it a mess on their way out.
They run into several remaining cultists and demons, including a succubus with her 4 pet knights (saved two, killed two).(F-5)
Joran is able to point them to both the false vault and the secret vault where the Sword of Valor once hung when the forces of good called this place home. Two mimics were quickly dispatched, ending their charade as Sword and Valor and an altar. (F6-F7) For their trouble, they were also able to liberate 3 suits of masterwork full plate armor, as well as one that pings magically.
Next Joran pointed them to the Armory(F-8), where they found many weapons and ammunition.
1 adamantine battleaxe, 50 +1 arrows, an arrow of human slaying, a +2 breastplate, a +1 keen longsword, a masterwork composite longbow (Str +2), a masterwork flail, a mithral heavy shield, and a suit of +2 elven chain.
On the way to the Western Garrison (F9) Joran warned them that it was the one time stomping ground of a rabid barbarian cultist. Sure enough, Jestak, a six foot tall human female of Kellid ancestry, greets them with a fury and despondency that seems sure to lead to her death. It is only through Mathilda's keen insight and diplomacy and Jurin's charismatic insanity, that the large woman is talked down and turned to the party's cause.
After they passed through the mess hall (F-10)The same cannot be said for the Eastern Garrison(F-11), for here they found, fought and destroyed, a Nabasu demon and his new freshly made dwarven Ghouls.
In what was once known as "The Defender's Chapel"(F-12), the group was attacked by three defiled dwarven statues. Now covered in demonic ruins, they were turned into Graven Guardians of Deskari. Once defeated, the group was able to salvage a +2 warhammer from the destruction and move on their way.
Aside from a pass through the food stores(F-13), where they found enough food to help keep the army upright for another few days, the group found nothing else to keep them clean out before turning over control of this level to the army. They camp near the stairs leading to the dungeon below, with a wary eye on Joran and Jestak.
Cole works hard to ensure the safety of the troops as they go room to room to room, clearing the evil from this place. Breathing heavily at the end of it, he surveys the pile of loot.
”Take what you will, and we should distribute the rest to the troops, starting with the officers - at least for the duration of this mission. There is much here that will help us in this fight.”
He takes the arrow of human slaying… carefully. He considers other things, but waits for the others to select what they might need.
Once the party et. al. are clear of the Army, Mathilda quietly speaks again, her voice ringing softly like a tiny silver bell.
"Pssst -- Cole -- did you guys find any ribbon among any of the loot?"
Eli approaches his companions, Father Marcus and Saul, after a long day's pursuits. "Not a word, Marcy." He looks down at himself, attired in the spiked full plate. "Just help me out of it." He hands his breastplate to Saul. "I might continue to wear this, if only for its protections. I wish it didn't look so ugly with spikes." Once it's removed, he dons his breastplate, out of habit.
He catches his friends up on the siege, and listens to their reports. He excuses himself to rejoin the others, hoping to interrogate the dwarf, Joran, for what lies ahead, and below, for their next part of the siege, and hopefully the finish of this expedition.
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Serra will try again to identify the pearl and oil, casting Identify.
Spellcraft - oil
Spellcraft - pearl
Serra will also identify any unknown items:
Spellcraft - Plate?
Spellcraft - ???
* * *
Serra lowers his battered and bruised body to the ground. The wands did heal, but the body does feel stress and wear over time.
"Cole, let us be done for the day. Let us rest. Tomorrow there will be more battles to fight, but today, today my back hurts. My knees hurt. That Vrock. That Vrock nearly ended me as well. Tough old bird. No wonder the demons hold this place with that thing around," Serra grouses while de-armoring for the night.
"Kastor, my armor, tend to it, lad. There's a good squire."
Serra rollygags his head to look at Jurin.
"Jurin, you okay? The mimics? The mimics reminded me of stew, now, why is that? Well, they died to your blade, they did. But still...I think of stew when I think of them."
Serra begins to nod off, barely unclad.
"Wake me for my turn at watch. I'll be ready..." Serra falls to sleep, his stout knightliness turt to pudding over the day's fights.
* * *
In the morning, Serra is feeling better. He spends time with his mother's flower book and seems of better energy than he did the night before.
"I am ready, Cole. I shall serve you well today."
Cole insists the party guard the stairwell. One at a time, each member is able to rotate back to camp to gather supplies, re-equip, and re-center. When they return, the next person goes and so on until we're ready. We then take our standard watch rotations 'camping rough' in that room.
- - -
Cole returns that night to his home away from home, tired, sore, and likely still showing signs of recent injury. He enters the large canvas tent, and moves through the meeting chamber to his bedchamber beyond. He hears some rustling in the outer room and returns to it, to find Laina preparing food.
He sighs. Better do this now.
"Laina, there's something you need to see, uh, hear. Laina, my bow has been, well, possessed of a higher power to aid me in our fight. It's your great, great aunt, Mathilda Lundquist."
He holds up his bow, "Mathilda, this is Laina Esheram, my niece and my blood. We do not keep secrets from family - you may tell her anything and speak in front of her at any time."
He sets the mighty weapon on a nearby table, and proceeds to take of his armor so as to clean the worst of the blood and gore before putting it back on. He listens to the ladies conversation only dimly. His mind is on the day ahead, and what lies beneath the earth...
Serra still can't identify the oil, though the Pearl is a Pearl of Power 2nd level spells.
The plate armor nearly blinds him as he studies it, glowing with the light of a bright forge. It is armor of the pious.
"Everything reminds you of stew Serra. Everything."
Jurin nods at the pile of treasures, hard won.
"I like that new girl, Jestak. Lots of Js around here. Feels like home."
He fingers the elven mail, remembering the suit his uncle wore.
"Laina, there's something you need to see, uh, hear. Laina, my bow has been, well, possessed of a higher power to aid me in our fight. It's your great, great aunt, Mathilda Lundquist."
He holds up his bow, "Mathilda, this is Laina Esheram, my niece and my blood. We do not keep secrets from family - you may tell her anything and speak in front of her at any time."
Laina startles little, having lived through so much already. She does startle, her eyes narrowing as she takes in the bow, and Cole's bold claim.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ma'am." Laina sketches a barely remembered curtsey, an old fashioned curtesy that she'd been taught once.
she looks to the food she is preparing, and her brow furrows... Does he want me to set a place for her as well? What do "possessed" bows eat, anyway? If it's possessed, should we be dealing with it? A myriad of emotions flow across her face before she settles on, "Can I get you anything?"
Jurin nods at the pile of treasures, hard won.
"I like that new girl, Jestak. Lots of Js around here. Feels like home."
He fingers the elven mail, remembering the suit his uncle wore.
Jestak grins, reaching for the sword hilt that normally stands at her back. "Ya! J's are good. Strong! Like Jestak. You are like little j, Jurin. small, but sneaky strong. I like you too, little man!" Realizing it's not there, she laughs and slaps her thigh, apparently happy to have thrown in with the good guys for now.
"Mathilda, this is Laina Esheram, my niece and my blood."
Mathilda sizes up Laina.
Laina sketches a barely remembered curtsey, an old fashioned curtesy that she'd been taught once.
Her voice is crystal clear.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my Dear. Oh! Nice curtsy! No one ever does that anymore, do they? Is your uncle always like this? He seems very preoccupied. What's this you are doing? Do you also take up the bow? Being the decendent of a Lundquist you know, you can do anything you desire. We're especially good at the bow, though.""Can I get you anything?"
There is a brief pause before the voice returns, barely above a whisper and dripping with hopeful curiosity.
"Do you have any ribbons?"
Jurin chuckles at Jestak.
"Say, how do get your beard so silky smooth? Every time I try to grow one I just end up with bread."
Laina gapes for a moment, then nods slowly. "Y-yes, I have ribbons. They are my mothers, but she won't mind you wearing them." especially if we don't tell her. She gathers the ribbons of red, yellow, and green, and offers them to Mathilda.
Meanwhile...
"What this?" She strokes her chin thoughtfully. "I've never thought about it. Must just be lucky, I guess. Don't worry, when you grow up, you may be able to grow one too."
Serra listens to the gabbing, but has nothing to add on his own. He just prepares for the battles below. He does not expect it to be pretty or go well, but he knows it must be done.
Eli pursues someone within the army for another wand of healing.
...
Once the wheels begin to turn once more, and plans are set in motion to head into the depths of the citadel, Eli is ready. He once again wears the spiked full plate, and taps his hammer on the ground, waiting for the others to begin the descent.
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Staunton Vhane joined the Mendevian crusade as a young dwarf of 36, excited to fight against the Worldwound. While part of his eagerness was spurred by the idea of battling demons, young Staunton also had another, more personal reason: he’d heard rumors that the lost Sky Citadel of Jormurdun was located somewhere behind enemy lines. Blinded by dreams of fame and power for finding the lost city, Staunton hoped for a swift end to the demonic threat so he could explore Sarkoris in relative safety.
But over the next 2 years, the fighting quickly wore on Staunton. With each report of another lost battle or influx of a seemingly endless number of demons, his hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict and the opportunity to find Jormurdun faded, and when the marilith Aponavicius laid siege to the city of Drezen early in 4638 ar, the dwarf knew these fears had become fact. The presence of the Sword of Valor kept the bulk of the demonic armies from harming Drezen, but the city would soon be broken by the smaller groups of skirmishers that continually harried its walls.
Then one day while on a patrol beyond the walls, the crusading company to which Staunton belonged was ambushed by demons, and all but Staunton were slain before the demons suddenly fled, howling in fear as a beautiful elven soldier leading a troop of powerful-looking archers arrived on the scene. The elf pulled Staunton from the grime and introduced herself as Jerribeth, and what she said next resonated with Staunton to the core: “Drezen is protected enough, but the city’s rulers are too cowardly to defeat the demons. While they know they could break the host if they rode out to meet the enemy with the Sword of Valor carried proudly at the vanguard, they fear taking risks. Drezen is strong; it doesn’t need a magic banner to stand fast. But if you bring this banner to me, I will use its power to lead my army against the demons and save us all!”
Staunton already harbored similar beliefs in his soul, and immediately vowed to bring the elven general the Sword of Valor, knowing that by the time anyone noticed it was missing, the demons would have been driven driven back to the Abyss. Unfortunately, in Staunton’s eagerness to believe, he fell right into the “elf’s” trap—Jerribeth was in fact a glabrezu, and when Staunton delivered the Sword of Valor, she revealed her true nature and made him watch as the demons invaded Drezen. As he watched, something woke within Staunton’s heart. He realized he was glad to see the cowards go, and in awe of the power of the demonic host. His fall from grace was completed when he was brought by Jerribeth into the captured city and pledged his loyalty to the conquering marilith Aponavicius.
And so for the next 75 years, Staunton Vhane served the Worldwound. At first, he played the role of advisor for the marilith, informing her about crusader tactics and advising her on the best ways to battle paladins. In time, he was recruited by the Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth and trained to be a double agent. With their aid, he forged himself a powerful weapon, Soulshear, to aid his quest, and in 4658 he returned to Mendev and joined the crusade again as a captain of an all-dwarven mercenary company called the Hammers of Heaven. But this time, Staunton and his mercenaries were in fact hidden disciples of Baphomet.
Over the following decades, Staunton and the Hammers of Heaven served both sides of the war. He lured his cousin Thurl to Mendev, and used his connections to the Pathfinder Society to fund his own expeditions deep into the Worldwound to seek Jormurdun when he could, but most of his time was spent fighting in small skirmishes against demons whose defeat wouldn’t matter to the Worldwound while simultaneously sabotaging countless war efforts all along the border. His last act of treachery was to compromise many of the defenses of the Kite in Kenabres, an act that ultimately allowed the Storm King to attack the city once again, but it was in this final act that he was ultimately discovered by the paladin Irabeth. In the ensuing fight, Staunton was defeated, and fled north to Drezen on his fiendish giant wasp mount Vrexed. Since his return to Drezen, he’s burned for a chance to face Irabeth, or any paladin.
Other information found in the journal:
• A list of dozens of sacred and holy weapons and armor
he and his brother have successfully tainted through the use of the corruption forge in area G7
• A description of the Sword of Valor, including Staunton’s frustration over Aponavicius’s desire to keep it as a mere trophy and not to attempt the banner’s corruption.
• Several detailed pages of how he hopes to someday torture Irabeth for “nearly ruining everything” when she confronted him almost a year ago in Kenabres.
• Notes on the shadow demon Eustoyriax, an unusually powerful shadow demon who came to Drezen a few weeks after Staunton fled here from Kenabres. The shadow demon arrived in the possessed body of a crusader named Maranse (a man the diary records as now being long dead.
Cole spends his watch reading the journal and in the morning, he would speak with the dwarf before they descend.
"This corruption forge. Can it's effects be reversed? Can you restore the goodness and light of these objects back to their former glory?"
The plate armor nearly blinds him as he studies it, glowing with the light of a bright forge. It is armor of the pious.
"Oh look everyone! Shiny armor! Rusty could update his wardrobe! Isn't that a grand idea?! And Jurin would look smashing in that Elven Mail!"
She gathers the ribbons of red, yellow, and green, and offers them to Mathilda.
While Laina is gathering the ribbons, Mathilda carries on, her voice sparkling like a gently flowing brook.
"Oh, did he say "possessed"? I don't know that I would quite describe it that way. It's not possession, it's more of a --"
She abruptly stops when presented with the ribbons, chortling with joy.
"Oohh! Oh -- are you sure Klarah won't mind? Oh they're gorgeous. What do you think? The red one? That'll make me look like I really mean business... but -- red. It might be too distracting for Cole..."
"Ooh Ooh! The yellow! Such a bright and cheery color! OH. I wouldn't want to clash with Rusty though, especially if he updates his wardrobe..."
"That leaves the green! 'Leaves' ha ha!" Mathilda's softly rustling laughter fills the room. "Get it? Perfectly appropriate for a Darkwood Bow. Yes please? If you're sure Klarah won't mind, can you please bowtie the green ribbon on me?"
She's not expecting to be able to manage that, but thinks it might be fun to try.
~~~~~
Mathilda, now freshly festooned with a beautiful green ribbon, reads Staunton's Journal over Cole's shoulder.
"Oh, dear... How terrible! Maybe those shiny armors are no good after all?"
"This corruption forge. Can it's effects be reversed? Can you restore the goodness and light of these objects back to their former glory?"
"Oh, that would be lovely wouldn't it?! The warhammer, the mail and plate armors and everything -- can you do it Joran?" she asks sweetly.
"This corruption forge. Can it's effects be reversed? Can you restore the goodness and light of these objects back to their former glory?"
"Oh, dear... How terrible! Maybe those shiny armors are no good after all?"
"Oh I think I could reverse them in time. If I saw them again. But it takes time, corrupting things.. I suspect it would take take to undo as well. But I can tell you which stuff I've done and what I haven't. That shiny armor, for instance, that's no work of mine! It's as good as it looks I suspect, because staunton had no hand for the forge."
The plate armor nearly blinds him as he studies it, glowing with the light of a bright forge. It is armor of the pious.
Serra takes the Pearl and plate, taking them for later (unless someone else wants).
"I'd wear this, Kastor, but need a bit more training. This here armor, sanctified by the gods, is heavy and strong. I'll get there, but even knights need to train. Mark my words, Kastor. I'll get there."
Weapon Equipped = Composite (+2) Long Bow, darkwood, +1, adaptive, legendary
Cold Iron Arrows = 50/50
Silver Blunt Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Adamantine Blanch Arrows = 20/20
Cold Iron, Ghost Salt Arrows = 10/10
+1, Magical Beast Bane Arrows = 19/19
+1, Arrow of Human Slaying = 1/1 (DC 20 Fort or +50hp damage)
Javelin of Lighting (5d6 DC 14) 2/2
Conditions = Bolstered (1/20m)
Mythic Power = 5/5 (immed., d6)(swift, extra standard, decisive strike)
Legendary Power (4/4) (immed., legendary surge (d6))
Ranger Focus = 2/2 (swift, +4 attack/damage)
Child of the Crusade = 1/1 (free, reroll failed save to be demonically possessed or incapacitated)
Silver Dragon Scale = 2/3 (stand., bolstering)
Bow Attack Mods: BAB +7, Dex +5, Bow +1, Weapon Focus +1, Rapid Shot -0, Deadly Aim -2
Bow Damage Mods: Composite Bow +3, Bow +1, Deadly Aim +4
Spells (caster level 4, concentration +6)
Level 0 (DC 12) Create Water (1/1)
Level 1 (DC 13) Aspect of the Falcon, Keep Watch
Level 2 (DC 14) Cure Light Wounds
"Oh I think I could reverse them in time. If I saw them again. But it takes time, corrupting things.. I suspect it would take take to undo as well. But I can tell you which stuff I've done and what I haven't. That shiny armor, for instance, that's no work of mine! It's as good as it looks I suspect, because staunton had no hand for the forge."
"Perhaps that penance shall save your life then."
- - -
Cole takes the remaining weaponry and armor and distributes it among the officer corps. He makes it clear the items are a loan, that they may better survive what still likes before us. He is careful to whom he distributes items - trying to reward this who deserve it, but also trying to make sure that those who need it also get it. In the end, it's likely somewhat random...
He returns to the group, "Let us prepare for the stairs and descend." He considers casting spells, but decides in the end to merely tap the incredible power of the scale*.
"I'm ready." he looks to the others and then to his bow. "Ready Mathilda?"
"I'm always ready, Cole. Let's go!"
The stairs descend about 40 feet before opening into the first room of the dungeon. It is an additional 20 feet to the ground floor with demonic carvings and twisting runes decorating the walls. A pulsating red luminsecence dimly lights the space as an ugly scarlet lichen glows upon the walls.
The walls of this chamber hold numerous dark, narrow prison cells. Around the main entrance stands an iron cage, with a cell door blocking entrance into the main vault.
Joran points out the two rooms on either side, "The guards were usually in here, when he had them, but usually the cells were enough."
Serra mentally prepares for this assault better than he had the previous one...where it seemed like he lay in a pool of his own blood for far too long.
He does again cast Magic Circle Protection from evil on himself, knowing that as a brave knight he would be close to the front.
"Kastor, lad, nothing we've done will be as bad as what we're about to see. I want you to stay back, but not too far back, and keep clear of danger. Don't get yourself flanked, we'll be hard pressed to live the day even without having to save you."
When they reach the doors, Serra takes out his scale and uses it to become the lithe and beautiful Aasimarra, arms of sculpted marble, graceful, with glittering skin and feathered hair.
Aasimarra surveys the doors for magic and traps.
Perception (and Detect Magic)
If Serra gives him the nod, Cole quietly strides to the next doors to open them. He's quick with his lock picks if they do not open easily.
(+1 if disarming a trap that Serra saw)
He eyes the lock for traps, just in case.
Cole carefully eyes the first door into the prison. Though Joran assures him that it is "usually" not trapped, he is still cautious as he disables the lock and opens the way into the G1 area.
Inside the cells, lay several corpses.
A soft sussurrus whistles just at the threshold of hearing, nearly but not quite forming words.
Jurin keeps careful watch, unconcerned with the dead.
Aasimarra follows Cole in and casts Detect Magic as he looks around.
Perception
Once through the door, Cole checks each cell carefully, just in case anyone might yet live...
"They left these people to starve to death in their cells." he spits and continues his search.
Joran has the good grace to look uncomfortable at Cole's words. He hems and haws before changing the subject.
" Down through a secret door in the southern room is the corruption forge. I s'pect it'll still be there waiting for us when we're done with the rest."
Joran has the good grace to look uncomfortable at Cole's words. He hems and haws before changing the subject.
" Down through a secret door in the southern room is the corruption forge. I s'pect it'll still be there waiting for us when we're done with the rest."
"Where did you say that secret door was, Joran?" Serra asks, meandering south. "Come point it out if you can."
Serra looks back to see if Cole, Ely, & Jurin follow before hunting for the door to the Forge.
Perception - find door/check for traps
"Maybe this way then."
"I agree, secrets first." Cole readies his bow and tries to open the secret door.
Once the door is open, he steps back to allow those with tougher armors in first.
As needed...
(+1 for traps)
(+1 for traps)
Joran has the good grace to look uncomfortable at Cole's words. He hems and haws before changing the subject." Down through a secret door in the southern room is the corruption forge. I s'pect it'll still be there waiting for us when we're done with the rest."
Eli renews Terendelev's Blessing on Cole's Bow Mathilda, Jurin's Weapon, and his own Hammer.
He brings a bit of the strength to bolster him, before heading downstairs.
...
Eli patiently follows, waiting for Cole to open the door, and reveal what lies beyond. When Cole steps aside, he looks towards Joran, expecting the one familiar with the basement's layout to move forward. If the dwarf hesitates, Eli takes it as a warning.
"Thanks Eli." Cole says.
If he hears anything beyond the door, he starts casting...
Joran is halfway towards the hallway to the east before he realizes the others aren't following, "What? You wanna go to the Forge first? Well, ok, but it's hot in there. Really hot, even for me without some sort of magical help. If they're still in there, the salamanders are pretty hot too, so we best be ready."
Cole looks very angrily at Joran. "You could not have told us last night that it would be overly warm - so warm we would need protection? Your usefulness seems to be decreasing not increasing..."