Lysander nods to Daubeny and the rest.
Whenever our preparations and recoveries are complete, I suggest we venture through one of these. I have no preference as to the precise one of choice as none of my reconnoitering has yielded any tangible evidence for a preference.
He nods for Daubeny to take the lead if he so wishes.
A smile breaks out beneath Daubeny's engraved helm at Amelia's comment. It is reassuring at least one other of this merry band has a warriors heart.
"No, thank you for your concern. I could go on about why, but it won't do any good, will it?
This is the first task. The first of four. They'll probably get dirtier, and worse smelling, and darker, and wetter, so there's no point in complaining about how dark and wet and dirty this place is, nor how God awful it smells.
As for which door, please go through the one that smells the least. My senses need a break from the constant bombardment of the feral odors of these vermin.
What maniac builds a tower with no windows? Honestly. It's ice and snow in the North and we at least have vents!"
Alexandra sways a little as she walks further into the room. You can see something snap a little as het eyes flare up.
"Actually, no. I'm going to complain. This is ridiculous! My feet hurt, I smell , I've been attacked by giant spiders and horrible hairy primitive things that make me want to throw up. I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, my clothes are wet and muddy, my shoes are ruined!
I have no idea where I am, nor what I'm looking for, and I just want a nice warm anything ! A room that doesn't reak! Or a fire place! Or a G%* d+%n window!
You may say that I'm acting like a spoilt princess, but guess what?! I am a princess!
This is all rubbish and I want to go back to my nice warm luxurious room break everything in it, have a good cry, and go to bed. And when I wake up, everything would be clean and replaced. Like how it should be. Like how it's meant to be."
She was trying not to breathe to hard, not wanting to enhale more stench than she needed. Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a vial of perfume, and sprays a small amount on the handkerchief she has been covering her nose and mouth with. It smells of rose, frangipani and subtle undertones of incense and spice.
Alexandra calms herself for a few moments before looking back at the others.
"Would anyone else like to vent? Clear the air? All terms that are actually amusing given the circumstances."
With that she lets out a decent laugh. She was a survivor, but one of the courts, of espionage and backstabbing and of words and rumors.
This? This world she'd only heard of in novels. This was more down to earth than she had ever been and she loathed it with a passion.
Iraonar walks into the room"I don't suppose it would do any good to complain that you didn't just knock these poor fellows out would it?"Irionar replies with resignation and hope warring in every word.
As he speaks he walks up to princess Alexandra pouring the contents of an unlabeled bottle with a fairy skull and cross wands on it into two crystal shot glasses.
"Drink this It will help you relax."He says passing her a Glass and shooting the other.
He then continues,"Firstly, I can save the shoes and the dress with my magic, but I must channel the spirit of a man named bill Labyrinth and rant about oxygen or some such. Its a really weird spell but it will get the job done. Secondly, I completely agree about the windows and with the roof as it is they missed out on a great skylight opportunity. Thirdly, please don't judge all Troglodytes based on these overly aggressive individuals. Some of the ministers in my fathers court are troglodytes and they are quite civil."
Iraonar then turns to Daubeny and asks,"You think you can take on something that could make all these guys stink it up buy the way? These guys looked kind of tough so I worry what might be in the next room."
"Lady Volkonskaya, you shame your ancestors by assuming that everything should be handed to you. You say that when you break things and then sleep, they appear good as new. That isn't done via magic; it's done by skilled people working very hard so that you can continue to behave like a spoiled child. I tire of your behavior; it's time for you to grow up."
With that, Amelia slams open whichever door smells worse.
At the two's more delicate member's of the party's words, Daubeny prepares to speak before Amelia interrupts his chance. Holding his bardiche at the ready, the knight's voice booms out, as hardy as his armor. "Doesn't matter what I think, I made an oath, and I intend to fulfill that oath. " Quickly, his body is interposed between the door and his allies.I fight so other do not need to, yet I still have my prejudices against my fellows for not being like I. I cannot call myself a knight and let such dishonerable thoughts linger!
As he turns to face the newly opened door, the militant royal adds, "We're sorting this out soon." His tone brokers little wiggle room, promising a very uncomfortable chat in the near future. Grimly, he chuckles quietly to himself. This dragon sure caught himself the mess of royals. A pacifist, a princess, an intellectual, a worn out warrior, and naive do gooder. I just hope some shard of who we are survives this.
"Those people are paid. I don't see the issue. What I did just see was a girl scold me for being immature and then spitefully choosing the opposite of what I requested. Not even because I'm being 'spoilt' but because I'm feeling physically sick, in case you hadn't noticed.
Hypocrisy looks good on you. Do keep it up. Compassion is so over-rated for a royal."
She gives a sinister smile, not that you could tell with the handkerchief covering half her face. She had always found a strange, twisted satisfaction in seeing those who claimed to be good do something cruel or wrong. It was amazing what people would do to those who challenged their beliefs.
She looked suspiciously at the shot glass, not being able to tell what it was just by looking at it. However, seeing Iraonar down his, she saw no harm in trying to relax. Accepting the shot glass, she quickly uncovers her face, downs the contents, and covers her face again.
"Also, not to challenge your statement Prince Iraonar, but I highly doubt your court has actual Troglodytes, the smell alone would be unbearable. If what you say is true, however, perhaps you and I should take the alternative route and enable a more diplomatic approach to be made. If you are willing to bet our lives that these creatures can be reasoned with, then lead on.
Though if this treasure is as valuable as our Draconic friend seems to think, then they aren't going to be friendly for very long. Either way, I'm not going through that door." she says, motioning to the freshly slammed door.
Regardless, as soon as my armor wears off, I'm going outside. An hour in a place like this can't have good health ramifications, and I'm not wasting all of my best perfume with no one to appreciate it.
Lysander cocks his head quizzically at his arguing companions, unsure why they are debating such matters in such a disorganized and incoherent fashion.
Egad! How is one intended to analyze the validity of propositions if they are tossed around unsupported and on varying topics? Pacifism is debated simultaneously with personal hygiene!
Lysander throws his hands up in frustrated confusion, unable to apply logic to the current conversation. But he snaps to attention ready to deal with a new threat when Amelia opens the door. He moves into position behind and to the right of Daubeny to have a clear shot at anything inside.
Refilling the shot glass in his hand Iraonar walks over to Lysander
"In using only your mind and not your mind in conjunction with your heart this conversation will be completely beyond you.",he says putting his right arm around his colleagues shoulder as if they where close friends.
Iraonar then begins to instruct Lysander in a calm soothing voice." hear feel and much "
In the course of this conversation the glass full with a clear green liquid is passed into Lysanders hand.
Lysander smiles slightly and quizzically at his companion's friendly manner. His eyes light up when he sees the green liquid and he begins smelling and testing it with various items in his alchemy kit, though keeping an eye toward Amelia who is opening the door.
What is the exact chemical composition of this solution and what physiological effects does it effect?
"This perticular bottle of the green fairy was made by an actual green fairy. So I have no idea its exact composition. But it will relax your muscles and breaks down the walls between your mind and heart. This will make you much more able to understand the more empathic communication we your comrades employ.",Iraonar explains.
Lysander considers the vial carefully, holding it up to Alexandra's dancing lights. He ponders it for a moment before pronouncing
Should I imbibe this at present I will be unable to conduct tests when properly equipped in order to determine its exact chemical nature. My thanks for this aliquot of a most unique sample!
Lysander carefully pours the glass of liquid through a funnel and into one of his vials, which he stoppers carefully before tucking it into a loop on his bandolier.
A brazier of glowing coals sits in the center of this room, its acrid smoke mixing with the ever-present troglodyte stench. A few knives, pokers, and other metal implements lie atop a rusty iron box nearby.
Clenching his poleaxe tighter, Daubeny growls out, "A torture room"
Walking to the other door, the knight opens it with an angry slam. "Come, break your blades upon my back, so you will know hopeless before I gut you."
Daubeny charges over to the door and much to his embarrassment finds that it is locked and bounces off of it.
Lysander examines the room for anything of interest or value
but he's much too distracted by Daubeny's outcry to pay much attention to his surroundings. Seeing Daubeny's frustration, Lysander pulls out several tools of the locksmith's trade.
Please allow me to determine whether or not I may be of some assistance. My studies of mechanical theory and dilettante tinkerings may prove useful.
Pulling back, Daubeny dips his head. "My thanks. I apologize, I have a ...strong distake for torture."
As Daubeny and Lysander begin dealing with the door on the other side, Amelia moves into the torture room and begins destroying it, her goal to make it so no one can use it as a torture chamber again.
As Lysander gets to work on the lock, Amelia attacks the brazier and the iron chest. She scatters the implements atop the chest around the room. She mutters about justice as she stamps her foot on the objects.
With an audible click the door is now unlocked.
"My thanks." Grabbing the door handle, Daubeny opens the door, his armored frame radiating cold dispassion.
On the floor in the corner is a bound and gagged human.
Iraonar walks over to the iron box an tries to open it.
"Wow, even these brutes should have known how valuable a box made of iron is. How could they just let it rust like this!"
Lysander moves to the bound and gagged human and looks swiftly around the room for any more signs of trouble.
Assuming he sees none, he begins swiftly untying the bound human.
His feet are bound but manacles restrain his hands behind his back.
"Slow down their, Lysander. We should ask him a few questions before we simply free him. He might be bound for a reason."
Alexandra almost croons her words, finally seeing a situation she was familiar with; human interaction.
She squats down next to Lysander, trying not to touch the ground.
"What is your name and how did you find yourself in such a precarious situation? Sorry to keep you tired up, but we must all show caution here, very few things are friendly here that we've met so far. "
"Creature like this often don't let logic rule themselves." Pausing as he stares at the captured man, Daubeny adds, "Let me know if you need a strong hand to wrench it open."
Taking a moment to lean against the grime covered wall, the knight lets Alexandra do what she did best. She's not more than a few paces off from Ademar. Both are not meant for the rigors of the common life, and possess tongues far more dangerous than my axe head. Chuckling darkly at the thought of the two working together, the large warrior begins to read his war book to settle his fury and anger at the torture room.
Listening to the suddenly confident princess, Lysander takes a step back. To the man on the ground, he explains
My apologies, good sir, but in manners of human social interaction my colleagues are much more well-versed than myself so I must defer to their judgment. I hope to be able to free you from these restraints post haste.
Amelia rejoins the others, having dealt with the Heinous torture chamber. "What did you guys find?" she asks before seeing the bound man.
Iraonar walks over to the group, wiping the rust off the box with magic.
The man tries to sit up a little taller as he addresses the lady.
"My name is Balenar Forsend. I live in the nearby city you can see to the west. We were sent here by my lord to investigate rumors that this tower was finally open. We camped outside the when we arrived and during the night we were set upon by troglodytes and I was captured. I don't know what happened to my companions."
Lysander listens carefully, trying to determine the truth of the man's words. For once, he falls silent, allowing his more socially equipped comrades handle the situation.
Alexandra stands a little taller, basking in the small but appreciated effort the man makes to look proper while addressing her.
"We have also been sent here, though the name of your city would give us a better grasp of where.
I see no harm in freeing him."
She steps back to let Lysander continue to unbind him.
"We've been dispatching the troglodytes as we made our way through. Can you telling us about the tower? You can never have too much information."
"Their leader is a nasty piece of work. Spell of some kind with a pet crocodile. What seems to be his second in command is a big brute that is a sadist. He seems to want to torture and sacrifice me to their god but they were waiting for something. In the meantime he just passed the time by beating me."
"At this point I just want to get my stuff and get out back home."
Amelia will channel energy to heal the group's wounds, as well as the wounds of Balenar.
"Do you know where your stuff is?"Iraonar asks with concern, "If not you may wish to stay with us. We don't know if there are more troglodytes out there. Without a weapon it might be dangerous."
Pulling himself off the back wall, Daubeny walks forward. "Looks like this won't be a stroll though the squires after all." Glancing about, the knight adds, "This would be a poor defensive location. Not much for cover, and defenders have no real benefit."
Pausing, he looks over his charges, his flock to defend. "I don't suppose anyone has a plan to deal with my rancid counterpart and his lizard taming boos?"
"The only thing I could do would be to trick them into believing that I was sent by their God to guide them to something greater. That's assuming that they worship Nethys, and that I know whatever language they speak. I could use Message to tell them I'm coming, so long as they don't see me, to make it more dramatic.
I am very convincing when I want to be, but it wouldn't hurt to have options. I can stun, blind or knock out weak things too.
Beyond that, I'm afraid it will be up to all of you."
Lysander looks up, his face a mixture of curiosity at the talk of defensive tactics and sheepishness.
I would be able to deploy an explosive fragmentary device that would damage our enemies and render the area around them unfit for movement. The effect would be equivalent to that of caltrops combined with one of my standard improvised alchemical explosives. Unfortunately, I have one fewer remaining after my failed attempt to deploy one in our previous hostile encounter.
While talking, the young alchemist moves over to free Balenar, setting to work on his manacles.
Rubbing the engraving of his helmet, Daubeny nods. "That is useful ineed, but we need to ensure the best usage of it." Kneeling down to meet Balenar at eye level. "Do you know anything of their movements, where they frequent?"
Pulling his helm off, the warrior royal's face is stern, and grim. "From one knight to another, help me slay these beasts. We may even manage to locate your comrades."
"I'm like 95% sure they're up this rather linear tower."Iraonar whispers to Daubeny without managing to get much quieter then usual.
He then looks at Balenar and says "You can borrow my rapier. And I'll heal any wounds these lizards dish out. I'm rather good at that. It will be way safer to help us then heading out alone to get ambushed by any hunting parties that where out and about when we entered this place."
"I agree with Prince Iraonar. At the very least you should wait here until we return, not wander off on your own."
Failing to unlock the manacles the first time, Lysander peers closely at their inner workings and tries again.
Balenar looks at Iraonar and says, "I think they put my gear into an old rusty iron box. Like the one you have only rustier.
He then turns to the rest of you, "I think it may be better if I stay with you. They brought me here unconsious so these are the only two rooms that I know of."
"What are we missing?" asks Amelia as she looks around.