Kelkzar studies the room for movement or sound aside from the whistling and then suggests following Allustan's tracks.
His tracks lead to the door to the south where it appears he went through at some point. (They are closed now)
"I don't see any sign of trouble in the room although it certainly looks like someplace designed for it. Looks like Allustan has passed through that door to the south."
Before Kelkzar enters the room, Quintus extends a hand in benediction over his head.
"Careful..."
I don't like it...
This intersection is lit by six flickering orange and yellow lanterns that float around a central statue of grey stone. The statue shows an androgynous Wind Duke wearing robes that seem to be stirred by a breeze. The figure may be a symbol of justice or war, for it holds a glittering sword outstretched in one hand and carries a balance in the other.The statue is eight feet tall and stands on a four-foot-tall pedestal.
From best that you can tell from the door, Allustan's tracks head south down the hallway then he turn to the west at the statue.
"I wonder how Allustan got past the belkers? Were they even there when he came through the portal?"
The statue does not glow magical, but the levitating lanterns around the statue are magical, you guess they have continual flame on them as well as a spell the have them levitate on their own.
"I'd wondered if they were summoned after he passed through. But if so, I do not know what has become of the summoner." If Rauno does not detect magic from the statue, Kelkzar will try to ascertain from a distance if it is a regular statue, construct or trap, then advance to have a closer look.
It does not detect as magical and you do not detect a physical trap. When up close you see the sword it is carrying is separate from the statue and is a mithril greatsword.
Amazing! Such fantastic locations remain unknown for so long... What will it be for us!? muses Trevor as he shadows his mentor.
"I think we should leave it alone for now and continue following Allustan's path." Assuming agreement, Kelkzar continues on around the corner to look for traps at the next door.
Quintus nods and follows.
Kelkzar then Trevor start to pass through the hallway, arriving at the door to the west. Opening it up, reveals a large room.
This two-tiered hall shines with purple light from four large chandeliers. A large black sphere hangs between them. The chandeliers seem to be sculpted with small humanoid figures in silvery metal. A second-floor gallery with arches and spiral striped pillars runs the length of the hallway to a second set of large double doors. The black tile floor absorbs the light from the chandeliers, and even sound in this chamber seems muted and dull.
The chandeliers light up as the door opens
"This is not a defensible location, unfortunately. Where did Allistan go from here?"
Trevor shivers at the sight, remaining silent for now, his fingers gripping his fauchard hard, knuckles white with tension.
Kelkzar growls, "Finally! A subject on which I know more than Rauno!" He grins, "The black sphere is actually the personal symbol of an ancient elemental lord. Bwimb, a great and cruel general of the para-elemental plane of ooze who allied against the Wind Dukes in the War of Chaos. So there you have it. Now, as for Allustan..."
"Bwimb? Seriously? You're not making that up?"
She adopts a lower pitch to her voice. "Fear me, the Great Lord Bwimb!! What were his followers called--his bwim-ions?"
Kelkzar grins again, "Actually, I think they were the Bwimboans. Am I really known for my sense of humor?" After observing Allustan's path he adds, "Looks like Allustan went to those doors to the south. I'm starting to wonder about this path though. Keep following or shall we break it off and take our own approach?"
"Better than Bwimboes."
"My thought exactly!" says Trevor, then he turns to Rowena by accident, then blushes violently!
Tryin to change the subject, he stares at the dark ball: "Why is this room next to the other then? Makes little sense..."
Rowena stares puzzled at yet another of Trevor's inexplicable blushes, but then clues in to what he was thinking that time, and an angry furrow appears across her brow, her eyes glinting dangerously.
"Little sense..." continues Trevor, feeling Rowena's eyes drilling in the back of his skull.
Kelkzar nods, "Sounds like we all think we should keep following the trail a little longer, but continue to be cautious." Kelkzar follows Allustan's trail. He checks the steps and the doors for traps, triggers and locks.
Opening the door to the south after confirming it is untrapped reveals a passageway sloping down. It starts to the south of the door and soon turns to the east, continuing the descent. Allustan's tracks head down the slope.
"Wasn't expecting that. Do we keep following Allustan or make sure nothing up here follows us?"
"Another good reason to remain up here for the moment. I agree. I'd suggest we try the doors to the west if everyone else is in agreement with that course of action."
Quintus nods. "It'd be good to find a place to rest, too."
-Posted with Wayfinder
You close the southern doors and move over to the ones to the west. Kelkzar checks them out and they do not open. You confirm they are false doors.
"Well, that makes for one fewer area to explore. I guess they wanted this to look impressive. I'm going to check to the north next." Kelkzar moves to the northern doors and gives them a good look.
You move around to outside to the door to the north. This is indeed a real door and after finding it safe you open the door.
This small but well-appointed room has a delicately arched ceiling. The walls are painted with garden scenes featuring two Wind Duke lovers, and the center of the room contains a large urn with a dark red glaze and gold decorations. Six small boxes, each carved of some black substance bound with corroded metal, line the back wall. Chairs sit in each corner.
"Is there a way for us to secure the place? Make it harder to get ambushed? Anyhow, this place looks deserted. Perhaps we should rest when we find Allustan?" offers Trevor, uncertain.
You pile into the room and close the door, feeling like this will be as safe of a room as possible that you have found so far. You have time so you carefully study the vase and the 6 chests. Kilthan and Rauno does find a magical trap on the vase, but the chest are all untrapped, although locked.
So nothing bothers you in the night. I assume you are going to avoid the vase and its trap, but do you want to do anything with the six locked chests?
Rowena keeps an eye out as someone deals with opening the chests.