The sword gets excited as their lights dim.
--Shadows!
But again is left disappointed.
They'll be back. Don't worry.
Nikolay waits for those with better eyes to tell him it's safe to move forward. Once they do--even if they're lying--he'll proceed forward.
Briar activates his Hand of Glory (Daylight), flooding the area with magic light by which his elven sight can go far...very far.
"Elven eyes are the best, aren't they, Laor They can see so much...except when I'm looking at you, when you're all that I see," Briar gives Laori a lascivious wink.
There is some light, Rat. We got work to do. Let's go so I can get back to camp with the she-babe-elf.
Perception
*cough, gag*
If only his eyes let him see himself. Nay. Tis not for me to wish such pain upon my comrades true.
Barael moves into the room, and checks the door at G-07.
He looks down the long corridor, and fixates on the double doors that await the Harrowed.
"What evil lies in the hearts of man?"
Briar's light expands and fills the space before shrinking somewhat to a 50' globe (down from 60'). It's still enough to fill the halls you're in and dispel most of the shadows with the piercing light of day.
Laori leans in and punches Briar, hard, and then kisses the shocked-tears away with her tongue before retaking her position - ready to help the front line. She winks at Charlie and looks around for the wraith. The darkness and oppressive nature of the structure doesn't seem to bother her much.
"Single doors don't seem to reveal very much." Emboldened by the light produced by Briar, Barael indicates the end of the hall, and proceeds to bring his gloves to bear a fifth time.
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Barael moves down the hallway, his muscular tail oscillating along the floor to offset the footfalls. As he approaches the double doors, he instinctively starts to raise his gloved paws, readying them for their activity.
Passing the alcove on the left, Barael slows, his hands still extending forwards. He doesn't stop moving, he only turns left, towards the statue. And disappears into the alcove.
Fondo follows quickly after Barael. "Why is everyone so quiet all of a sudden... Oh, Brither Rose is in your heads again? Better you than... Brov, slow down!"
Briar sucks air after the unexpected gut punch. At least this time she didn't use the chain. Briar fails to really return any affections due to extreme pain.
While breathing deep, trying to contain his 'enthusiasm' for Loari, Briar keeps his lookout.
Perception
::waits::
After 30 seconds, if Barael hasn't said anything or responded, Briar will follow.
Dandi's thoughts drift back to Briar as she follows after those following after Barael.
Harrow re-roll
"Friends, he's disappeared. Invisible or just gone...? And this statue's strange. My vision did for an instant fade as I took it in. Jenko, can you sense him?"
Four narrow windows look out over the castle rooftops. The room’s only feature is a single shriveled dwarven corpse huddled at the base of the west wall, its bony arms locked firmly around its bent knees, its parchment-thin skin dried and cracked in places, revealing the bones beneath. A bushy, gray beard still covers much of its skull-like jaw line, though portions have fallen out into its lap. Next to it is a small coil of string and a pile of tiny bones with a few black feathers interspersed among them.
There is no safe place in the castle. Nope. No safe place at all. Except here. Yes, yes. This room is completely safe. In fact you're not going to leave it. Nope. No need. This is a place of safety. Nope. You're Never. Going. To. Leave.
Feel free to chat with the others through the mental link. However, you, under no circumstances, are leaving this room. Two, you are not going to tell the others where you are - that might break the safety. Other than that (I think), have fun.
The party closes in with Fondo, they too see the statue. Nikolay, please make a willpower roll along with Laori. Depending on his role and actions, we'll then trip to the rest...
Laori takes up a guard position near the statue, but doesn't appear to be acting at all strangely, nor does she disappear.
Briar rolls his eyes as Dandi's naivete comes through.
Clearly, she's misunderstanding. I shall explain.
Briar nods, having cleared up any issues, he's sure.
Perception
* * *
Will
Fondo begins poking around the statue. "Jenko, lend me your senses. Is Brov here, invisible?"
Briar advances with Majenko. (will save above)
Briar will examine the statue and Detect Magic.
Perception
Spellcraft (if magical item)
Charlie keeps up with the party, warily, verily.
As near as you can tell without moving him and destroying everything, nothing has survived the passage of time but a gold ring on his right hand. Tarnished and old, but clearly valuable - maybe even masterwork. It looks like a gold nugget, beaten into a ring, but left a little 'rough'. To get it, you'll have to destroy his entire right arm as it's party tucked under it.
You put the ring on, and it feels wonderful. So warm and peaceful. You don't know what else it does, but it feels very nice. Definitely magical.
Once he's done admiring the ring, Barael brings up his knees, and lets his arms clasp together, holding them firmly in place. He rocks slightly, closing his eyes for a brief moment I'll only rest my eyes for a spell, and the sleepy smile continues.
Nikolay walks up to the rest of the group without incident.
As the rest of the party closes in, everyone will need to make a save. Briar made his, so I just need Charlie and Dandilion next please.
Majenko continues to sit on Briar's shoulder and watches the proceedings. He lets the group know (telepathically) that Barael is not in the immediate area - at least as far as he can tell with his blindsense.
He does tell you though that there's a secret door behind the statue on the ceiling.
Briar learns that the statue is magical, and necromantic in nature.
Dandilion rounds the corner to join the rest and the statue seems to look at her a moment, but maybe it was just a trick of the light.
However, her eyes glaze over a little, and Dandilion walks behind the statue and begins to climb it - and quickly too - using handholds that you didn't see until she used them. She quietly slides open the secret panel and slips through, closing it behind her.
Leaning against one of those slits is Barael, and next to him a long dead dwarf. It's good that Barael is in this room. This safe room. Why, you're never leaving it. This very. safe. room.
However, now that another has joined you in your space, it is no longer ‘safe’ for you. It is just another room. You are free to stay or leave as is your will, but the room offers you no further protection. It’s magics have faded for you.
Very very quietly, she moves to the safest part of the room, "It's ok. We're safe now. We never have to leave ever again. Why didn't I think of this before?"
Soundlessly, she settles down next to Barrie, safe in the safest safety that ever saved someone.
Barael listens to Dandi, sees her settling in, and begins to stand up in the scales' attempt to balance the reality of the moment.
"More cloudiness here, more of Scarwall enforcing its will upon us. Come, let's rejoin with the others. I need to remember that our true safety rests between us all." Barael reaches out for Dandi, to guide her back to the secret panel, back down the statue.
"It's alright, Dandi. I understand what you're feeling. I understand, I do."
He understands her intent, and closes the distance, his arms wrapping around her, trying to reassure her and prevent her from further action.
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"It's alright, miss Dandi. I'm here. I'm not leaving here without you. I'm not leaving you, if you need to stay."
Barael's pupils dilate, as the need to restrain her wrestles with the sudden intimacy of holding her. So soft, so warm. So safe. Barael holds his breath, his disease-laced maw suddenly clamped shut as embarrassment joins the emotion parade. My form. She's got to be offended, put off, disgusted, nauseated. She's about to struggle. She's right to struggle, but not here. I'll let her go soon enough, but we can't stay here. Here lies death, slow, but sure. We'd starve. Waste away to nothing but parchment and bones.
Barael braces, ready to start the dragging back to the secret panel.
Briar airwalks up, trying to figure out the statue and what is up with Dandi/Barael.
When he reaches the trapdoor, he will open it.