Belcher raises his nose to the air then shakes his head negative.
The closest thing Artemus can guess is that if the succubus did not turn invisible, then she must have teleported as many of the higher ranking demons are capable of doing.
Now able to get a better search, Nilfyr finds inside the dark muck-filled tub is a magical aura inside, but the caustic fluid inside blocks him from identifying what lies inside.
Nilfyr finds a small stauette of a bronze griffin.
Also, , the slain succubus has a ring that is enchanted.
This is a ring of the ram! 21 charges remain.
At this, and waiting another minute to see if anything else approach them, the party picks up to head to back caves of this floor.
This small cavern is a museum of sorts. Five stone pedestals present various strange artifacts and curiosities. Among the displays are an ordinary black cat sleeping on a velvet cushion, a serrated tooth made from a pale green crystal-metal, a large brain about two feet across, an empty pedestal, and an odd leather helm with a big, round eye in the forehead. The eye in the helm blinks and follows the movements of anyone who ventures nearby.
A large stone door stands at the eastern end of the chamber.
Art tells that the cat is covered in an illusion with some necromancy, the brain is laden with transmutation, and the leather helm bears divination. Nilfyr confirms that the cat is enchanted with a glamer to make it look alive, but after focusing his eyes, he sees that the cat is taxidermied and is otherwise well preserved
Artemus identifies the helm as a cyclops helm, a useful, if not grotesque item crafted from the shrunken head of a cyclops. The brain, meanwhile, seems to be wrapped in time magic of some sort.
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Nilfyr looks to the others and, assuming nobody else claims it, grabs the cyclops helm off of its stand. "No sense letting this go to waste..." He proceeds to place it on his head, trying not to think too hard about what exactly it is.
He proceeds, then, to lead the way to the door at the end of the hallway. After listening at it for a short while - and confirming that his companions are ready - he opens it.
As the party walks by the other stands...
That shark's tooth is actually made of noqual, a rare starmetal that incredibly magic resistant, more so than cold iron.
Faeros, wanting a bit more safety, removes himself from visibility. Nilfyr then opens the door.
The stark and barren cave features a 20-foot-wide shaft with a levitating stone platform floating in the middle. Facing the pit is a stone seat big enough for an ogre, but instead sits a large skeletal frame with a glowing, semi-facial orb in the chest that stands as the door opens. Burning red for eyes, it rumbles,
"You are fools to venture here, mortals! My master bids me to guard this way, and guard it I shall. You have found nothing but death."
Smaller skeletons around the throne then begin to stir as well!
Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (invisible)
Artemus
Nilfyr
Skelly black
Large undead
Skelly red
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Skelly blue
Skelly white
You hear in your head the same, deep booming voice. You only risk your soul coming so close to me; enjoy the repercussions of your poor decision.
Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (invisible)
Artemus
Nilfyr
Skelly black
Large undead
Skelly red
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Skelly blue
Skelly white
Faeros studies the large undead and unleashes a barrage of arrows before it has a chance to do anything.
A pair of arrows pierce the undead monstrosity, but it still stands steadfast in its desire to destroy the party.
Artemus has heard of these things; called devourers, they can steal the souls of mortal victims with a single touch and use the souls to fuel their magical powers.
To aid in the party's swift victory, he enhances their speed.
A skeleton approaches Nilfyr, but a flourishing of his weapon fells and destroys the enemy.
You hear the booming voice call to you inside your head. Let's see how your soul tastes!
Nilfyr feels his life force sucked out and feels weakened, although adrenaline keeps him in a fighting mindset.
Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros (invisible)
Artemus
Nilfyr (59 damage)
Skelly red
Large undead
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Skelly blue
Skelly white
Thunderstealer's tail crack shatters some of the devourer's bones, but it stands unrelenting against the party.
The other remaining skeletons move towards Thunderstealer, but a reactionary strike clobbers one.
The other one swipes at the dinosaurian, but cannot rend through his tough hide.
Init Order (bold = up)
Faeros
Artemus
Nilfyr (59 damage)
Skelly red
Devourer (84 damage)
Thunderstealer/Belcher
Skelly white
While Nilfyr's first swing hits, it spins the devourer in the air until it hangs, just over the ground.
Foolish elf-blood. You shall pay for your folly.
Empowered by Artemus' magic and seeing the need to quickly fell the undead, he swings repeatedly, the second swing again striking the undead, but the last one falling short.
Faeros then finishes of the devourer and the remaining skeletons easily fall prey to tail and blade.
Surveying the rest of the area, the party finds a rusted longsword. However, Artemus confirms that it is magical and a bit of work removes the rust and reveals the blade for what it truly is. .
The other magical item Artemus discovers is the stone slab floating over the pit. After some analysis, he surmises that it is a magical elevator that descends down and some choice words in Azlanti allows him to control the elevator. Boarding the elevator, the party descends down...
The party works their way down the shaft for what feels like an hour, slowly going down and down, only magical light providing any illumination down the shaft.
The elevator disk comes to rest at the bottom of the shaft after an incredibly long descent. Here, wide stairs descend to a broad foyer. Two huge stone double doors loom at the far end of the room—an ancient inscription is chiseled into them. Arches to the east and west reveal side halls flanking the one leading to the doors. A red light flickers in the darkness beyond the western arch.
The message reads, "Beyond lies the doom of Nhur Athemon. Disturb not his evil works. Muse not on his forbidden secrets. Turn away and let the great pretender fade from the record of history." This repeats over and over again.
The party cautiously steps up, peering into the other two corridors. To the north, a corpse of a human woman in mustard-colored robes lies near the statue at that end. A large statue of an ancient Azlanti warrior, hands out as if casting a spell. Her left hand is held palm out, revealing an empty, star-shaped depression.
Near the statue is a corpse of a woman in mustard-colored robes.
This woman matches the description of the wizard Tiawask, a member of the Goldenfire Order. Her and another Order member, Jharun, were sent on an expedition inside the Spire, but haven't been heard from since their departure. You found Jharun at the Clockwork Maze , who told you about Tiawask.
To the south, the short hall ends with a carving of an armored Azlanti woman. Her left hand holds a thin, curved longsword aloft. Her right hand has a star-shaped depression at the center of the open palm. A star-shaped crystal embedded in the depression emits erratic flickers of brilliant red light.
The figure is that of a Knight of the Ioun Star. They were trusted soldiers associated with the Azlanti emperor.
Skins are barkened, heroes are -ismed, and the freedom bound continue to enjoy it!
Faeros tries to open the door, but it doesn't budge.
As Thunderstealer points out the body, Nilfyr inspects it. It is of a young-ish human woman, perhaps late twenties. Near her body is a star-shaped stone of red crystal, and there are no discernible markings on her that would suggest a cause of death.
You presume that the woman has been dead for about a day.
A quick observations leads Nilfyr to believe the body itself isn't trapped nor undead, and he surveys the rest of her gear for clues. Aside from the nearby star-shaped stone and worn robe, she also has an amulet in the shape of a clam shell, a pair of deep blue vials, a dagger, and a small sack of coins.
Nilfyr identifies the potions as potions of cure moderate wounds. The other two items are unknown, but contain abjuration (amulet) and transmutation (dagger) magic.
Artemus recalls hearing of a woman matching this description...
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Art Translates the Azlanti tongue. Anyone heard of Nhur Athemon? Sounds like they put him down here to make sure no one ever did. A shame we must disturb him, but we must.
Why this is the wizard Tiawask, a member of the Goldenfire Order. Her and another Order member, Jharun, were sent on an expedition inside the Spire, but haven't been heard from since their departure. Except we found Jharun at the Clockwork Maze. He told us about Tiawask. Perhaps she can be raised. We should bring her out with us when we leave. And the statue there represents a Knight of the Ioun Star. They were trusted soldiers associated with the Azlanti emperor. Art casts Detect Magic and studies the star-shaped stone of red crystal stone for a moment noting This likely fits into the hand of that statue.