Matthias heads up, taking 10!
"Fascinating! I wonder if his obsession with birds pre-dated his obsession with killing, or if they were concurrent..." Matthias pulls a small notebook out and begins sketching the scene as accurately as possible.
Bel'Tanis you also search around the hut finding nothing of interest or dangers.
The hut itself is 15'x'15 and mostly burnt down, you you could enter the hut at any point along its walls.
Not seeing any sign of the predator that supplied the pile of bones below, Bel'Tanis approaches the hut from its western side, striding through the skeletal gap that was once, in years past, an exterior wall. "I wonder what happened here. Besides an obvious fire, of course." The aasimar leads his steps with his drawn scimitar, still uneasy and on edge from the earlier discovery of the bones.
Midori listens to Matthias' comment, thinks a bit, then says "From the story, as I heard it from Ameiko, the bird obsession came first. He seemed peaceful for years, until the slaughter began."
Khrondak finishes donning his armor and joins Bel'Tanis. "If the man was as twisted as the diviner says, the bones are probably from his victims. Other that that, there's not much to see here... unless this 'Chopper' built a hidden complex under the hut, or something of the sort. From what I have seen of Sandpoint, people here go to great lengths to carve subterranean safehouses." Khrondak then starts pushing the debris to clear the floor, looking for a trapdoor or similar passage.
Thaddeus makes the long climb to the top with the others, making sure to move slow and steady. Once there, he also sets about looking the place over for clues, both inside and out, primarily focusing on any obvious magical auras that may give away some before unseen clues.
"Yes. Perhaps...something he found down below, if such exists?"
She frowns, trying to remember.
She speaks slowly, pulling information from her past. "That was a very bad year, if I remember correctly. Ameiko had been staying with us after some sort of family fight when we got word of Aunt Atsuii's death. She went back for the funeral, and stayed. Then Tsuto showed up, claiming Uncle Lonjiku had murdered Aunt Atsuii. Mom and dad tossed him out, but Ameiko had told me about him. She felt bad about how her dad treated him. Then...we heard about these Chopper killings...then...the fire..."
She shakes her head. "None of it makes sense. It would be nice to think some outside agency caused it, but how? Or why?"
Bel' Tanis you looks through the rubble and locate an outline of a stone slab set in the floor. Quite possibly a trapdoor.
Khrondak you search reveals a set of artisan sculpting tools in a small leather sack. An amazing find considering the condition of the hut.
Thaddeus you detect no magic present in the area.
"You were right, Iron-forged, there's a floor hatch over here."
With as much caution as he can manage, Bel'Tanis proceeds to clear the area around the hidden door.
"I'll go first. In case there's something that might cause harm down there," Scoria volunteers, helping to clear away the rubble, before opening up the trap door. She slips inside, peering around the probably dark area.
Matthias lets out a contented sigh as the trapdoor is found. "Oh my. This may well be the details that I need to complete my portrait! Please, be careful not to disturb much. I would dearly love to sketch it in its pristine state!" Still drawing furiously, Matthias heads down with the others.
Midori, while you do not remember anything specific about anything below the hut. However you come to the startlingly revelation that the bones of the animals may have very well been eaten by the near mythical Sandpoint Devil. And if it was not the Sandpoint Devil it was another very large apex predator.
Bel'Tanis as you move to the slab the floor suddenly gives way.
Bel'Tanis you fall hard through the floor, landing in a small root cellar, five feet below the main floor..
"Nnnngh. I'm alright! I'm alright." Bel'Tanis calls out to those above as he shakes his head and pulls himself to his feet. "It's just some kind of cellar."
HP: 21/27
AC w/ shield: 18 (11 T / 17 FF)
Resistances: Acid (5), Cold (5), Electricity (5)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +5/+2/+3 (+1 vs fear)
(+2 vs evil descriptor)
daylight uses left: 1/1
Ongoing Effects
Midori suddenly blinks, and says "I think I know what made that bone pile! There's a creature reported to lurk along this coast, called the Sandpoint Devil. While there are far to many legends about it to sort out, there is evidence that some sort of large, flying apex predator hunts around here."
As the ground drops under Bel'Tanis, she calls out in surprise "Bel'Tanis! Are you all right?" then relaxes somewhat as she hears him call up to the group.
Thaddeus looks at Midori with a raised eyebrow, as if questioning her, "The Sandpoint Devil? From what I have heard that is just a local story to spook kids into not wandering off. You do not actually think it is real, do you?" As Bel'Tanis falls Thaddeus is worried and prepares to move toward the hole, until the man calls out. Instead he draws his blade and casts light on it to help see down into the darkness below.
Thaddeus below the trapdoor is a long winding staircase that leads into a worked stone chamber some thirty feet below. It appears to be unoccupied.
Khrondak leans over and, placing his hands around his mouth, shouts "Well done finding the secret passage, Bel'Tanis! We will be with you shortly." He then draws the earth breaker and speaks to Thaddeus. "Legends have a habit of bearing some truth, Thaddeus. Let us not dismiss Midori's words; if such a beast lurks here, we will take care of it". The Shoanti walks down the stairs to reach Bel'Tanis.
A steep and winding staircase leads down into a
dark antechamber, with walls of hewn stone decorated
haphazardly in primitive paintings of vicious birds. Two
stone doors, each bearing a strange symbol that resembles a
seven-pointed star, stand closed on the eastern and western
walls. The room is dominated by a looming, man-shaped
wooden statue, with legs and talons of a giant eagle, two sets of eagle wings, a twisted, gem-studded avian head, and a
snake in place of genitals.
Matthias begins furiously sketching the room beneath the stairs, then cautiously joins the others down there, before casting detect magic and sweeping the room!
Scoria's careful to keep ahead of the group in exploration to ensure its safety for the rest. When they reach the chamber with the doors and the statue, she finds herself looking at the star patterns curiously. She's seen the seven pointed stars before - certain of it. The key to the vault she carries with her is of a similar shape.
Midori blinks at the statue, shakes her head at it's...design, then turns to look at the rest of the chamber.
She looks at the symbol on the door, then blanches and backs to the stairwell, shaking.
"no..."
It's a whisper, barely audible.
Thaddeus looks the room over, using the light on his blade to try and illuminate everything within. Seeing the statue, his curiosity is piqued, trying to remember if he has heard or seen anything like it before. Nothing immediately comes to mind. "The statue is a rather unique piece. I wonder if it represents anything in particular?" Looking at what caused such a reaction from Midori, he comments "It seems that is the same symbol from that door out in Thistletop."
Khrondak is just stepping down the stairs when Midori bumps into him, stepping away from the symbol. He holds her arms and stops her from backing off any further. His touch is warm and invigorating, meant to help the girl overcome her fear. "What is it, Midori? What do you see that we do not?"
Midori swallows and calms, closing her eyes and taking a deep, relaxing breath. "That symbol. I'm not sure why I didn't connect it in Thistletop. Maybe because of this place's associations...and I didn't get a chance to see the mark. Mom wouldn't let me see his body... According to the guards, my father -and the other victims- were marked with a symbol resembling a seven pointed star."
As the others tromp their way down the stairs, Bel'Tanis looks around the root cellar for a moment before glancing back up at the hole 10 feet above his head. "Uhhh.... guys? Guys? I could use a hand getting back out of this cellar!"
Khrondak hears Bel'Tanis' cries for help. "I thought the room he fell into was connected to this one, but it looks like Bel'Tanis is trapped in that hole. I will get him out while you open these," he says pointing to the two stone doors. Khrondak goes back to the upper level of the ruined hut and extends his hand down the root cellar, offering it to Bel'Tanis.
Both Thaddeus and Khrondak study the statue, you are certain it represents a powerful type of demon, perhaps a demon lord, but which you are uncertain.
The Star does indeed match the star in the Thistletop.
Thaddeus
Bel'Tanis
Khrondak
Matthias
Midori
Scoria
As you look about the chamber you hear what sounds like sobbing and laughter. However it is very soft and you are not able to pinpoint the noise. Perhaps it is the wind.
"Iron-Forged! Thanks for the help, friend." Bel'Tanis backs up a few feet before trotting forward and leaping up to grasp Khrondak's outstretched hand.
Bel'Tanis grabs the lip of the hole with his free hand and pulls himself up out of the cellar.
Dusting himself off, the aasimar flashes a bright smile to the shoanti beside him. "Boy am I glad you've got long arms!"
Matthias stops and listens to the giggling sound. "Is anyone else hearing that odd sobbing and laughter?"
"Yes." Scoria comments, walking up to the eastern door and trying to open it up, just enough that she can peek in and see what's on the other side.
"But where is it coming from?"
"um, why, yes."
Midori pulls herself together and starts looking around.
"Perhaps it's coming from behind one of these doors?"
"Wait! That trapdoor was well-hidden. And people avoid this place like it's cursed. I don't know how many stories you've read, but laughter in an empty room is seldom a good thing. We should be ready before we open any doors." Matthias casts mage armor on himself.
Thaddeus looks around in concern as he too hears the sounds, "Mayhaps they are two different noises that feel as one due to this chamber. Possibly each originating from its own door. Shall we have a look?"
Bel'Tanis comes down the stairs with Khrondak, a smile on his face as the two exchange quiet words, but the banter is cut off and Bel'Tanis' words hang in the air when the statue comes into view. His face twists in disgust, "Ugh. What in the name of all that is good is that wretched thing?" As he turns to the others and sees Mathais casting a spell, he quickly readies his shield and snaps his scimitar from its sheath. "Trouble? What's wrong?"
The soft sobbing and laughter continue as you search around the chamber. The only thing of value is the demon statue's onyx eyes. It may be possible to pry them out and loot them.
Otherwise the only thing of interest is the north door and the south door.
Scoria you open the door to revel a winding stone stair, that goes deeper into the earth.
Bel'Tanis eyes the door incredulously once Scoria opens it fully, "More stairs? Are there hidden stairs leading into secret basements in every building in this town? And how many basements does one building even need?"
"Perhaps the early founders of Sandpoint were a subterranean people?" Matthias tries to make a joke, but it seems to fall flat amidst the gruesome discoveries.
"This does seem to be similar in construction to the tunnels under the Glassworks. I wonder if they connect?"
"...I will lead the way. Stay back while I check ahead." The monk tells the others, slipping down the winding steps, being cautious of any traps or creatures lurking in the depths.
Scoria you move down the winding stairs, the air is cool and very still. The sounds of the laughter and sobbing fade, now there is just silence.
Suddenly...At the edge of the shadows you see a man wearing a hooded
cloak of feathers, mumbling and knocking his head against
the blood-smeared wall. He turns to you, showing hollow,
bloody eye sockets, blood dripping from his mouth. He
pulls a small knife out from under his bird feather cloak and charges!
The man lunges for you but as he is a about to strike he dispersal into the cold dark air.
You notice on the stair where the man appeared lies a rusted knife, with a seven pointed star crudely carved into the hilt.
The stonemason puts up her arms in a guard, before the man vanishes into thin air. Some kind of a haunt, perhaps? She glances down at the rusted dagger, pondering if it was safe enough to touch. She opted against it - who knew what fell magic might be in it?
"Beware - I believe this place is haunted. There's an odd knife here - would ask someone to divine it for magic before picking it up," She calls back to the others, before proceeding further down.
Once Scoria calls up, Thaddeus assumes that she is no longer scouting and he can enter without ruining her hiding place. He descends the stairs, his blade held aloft for light, and once below he does as she suggests in searching it for magic auras. "I can look for auras that are magical in nature, but if it is attached to a darkness I will not be able to tell."
Khrondak says a prayer and follows Thaddeus down the stairs.
The Shoanti crouches in the middle of the run and picks up a wooden carving with the symbol of Gorum—quite an unexpected holy symbol for a follower of the Lord in Iron. After a few words, the wooden symbol starts glowing like a torch, bathing the room with its light. Khrondak scans the floor around him looking for signs of recent activity.
Matthias gasps and heads downstairs, pausing over the knife and examining it carefully.