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"Hold up a sec. Kylee, what if we try lighting the torch in the fire they already got going here - is that what you mean?
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant!" says Kylee enthusiastically.
"Might be if we do that and put it back in the sconce here, we see something different on this wall, ya know?"
"I think it's worth a try." agrees the cleric.
"Better if Paë checks it fer traps first, but I can take a look."
Barkot sees no traps on the torch.
"Looks OK to me. Let's see what happens."
Barkot plucks the torch from the sconce and - assuming nothing awful happens as he proceeds - sticks the end of it into the gray flame in the fire pit, then places it back in the sconce on the gray patch of wall.
The torch accepts the flame and begins burning.
When placed in the sconce, the western wall pivots open, revealing a descending stairwell.
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"Who can say? But this place feels like the lair of a cult, with Sorshen as its cult leader. Perhaps the more highly initiated were given access to this secret area."
"Or it may just lead to a burial vault. As someone who fancied herself a God-Queen she would certainly be willing to go to great lengths to accommodate and hide her eternal sleep."
"So we are presented to with two paths. Shall we investigate this hidden stairway, or the hallway of doors?
Barkot nods in agreement. "Yeah, the secret stairs get my vote, too. If somebody's hiding out here, it's probably down there, and I don't want 'em coming up behind us. And you gotta think the next Dingus is gonna be hidden away somewhere secret, so going down a secret staircase is probably the right way to go."
A long stairway of polished stone steps descends nearly forty feet before ending at a ten-foot-square landing with no apparent way onward.
The wall opposite the final step depicts a lascivious painting of Sorshen, arms outstretched as if to welcome one into an embrace, lips twisted in a faintly cruel smile. A phrase in a foreign tongue is inscribed in gold across the top of the mural.
Deric nods to the cleric in agreement.
Not knowing the definition of narcissism but disliking it all the same, Deric responds "I am apprehensive as to what we will encounter in this place. So far, it has not been pleasant. At least we have a demon slayer amongst us."
Barkot pulls out his journal to make a quick sketch of the mural, shaking his head as he draws. "You ain't kidding, Kylee. It says, 'Prostrate thyself and demonstrate proper devotion, my sweet slave, if you wish to enter my domain.' What a stuck-up..." He stops drawing and looks up from his paper. "Hey, Paëral, whaddaya see if you get down real low, like you're crawling on the floor?"
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"Is that what the inscription says? Interesting. It looks like this is indeed the way to a secret area for the properly initiated within the cult. If we say the password or do the right thing, we'll be allowed to enter 'her domain'."
"'Demonstrating proper devotion' to a Runelord of Lust? Probably involves kissing something." theorizes the cleric.
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"Hey, Paëral, whaddaya see if you get down real low, like you're crawling on the floor?"
As Paëral reads the inscription, he nods at Barkot's words. "Aye, that's likely the key...I guess I'm the best guinea pig..."
"'Demonstrating proper devotion' to a Runelord of Lust? Probably involves kissing something." theorizes the cleric.
The rogue tries to puzzle it out as he nods once again upon hearing Kylee. "Aye, Kylee, you are likely right...and since the mural seems to be the most worn nearest Sorshen's feet, perhaps that is what must be kissed...at least that's better than having to kiss Deric..."
He'll check for any traps around that area...
If he finds nothing hinky, he'll kneel warily, prostrating himself before Sorshen...but before kissing her feet, he looks back at his friends. "Remember the last time I tried something around near a a thing that looked like Sorshen...be prepared in case I wig out again..."
He then turns his head and places his lips on Sorshen's feet for a quick kiss...
Paeral disappears.
Seeing Paeral vanish, Deric quickly joins suit and kisses Sorshen's feet.
As Squint crawls forward, Barkot casts magic circle against evil on Kylee.
"You better go first. We can't all be over there if you get stuck here because the Runelady decides she's done teleporting folks for the day."
Once Squint and Kylee have blipped out, Barkot crawls forward and kisses the foot of the image of the Runelord of Lust.
Here goes nuttin.
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Kylee stares uncomfortably and even a bit sourly at the mural of the Runelord of Lust as she hesitates about carrying out the ritual. When Barkot speaks to her, she nods a little but doesn't move right away. Her face tightens and puckers, as sometimes happens before one accepts an expected pain. She clutches her holy symbol.
"Goddess, forgive me this wicked blasphemy. I must do it to protect my companions and put an end to the wickedness residing in this place. You are the Truth and the Light."
Then she steps forward, lowers herself and quickly kisses the feet of the mural.
One by one, the rest of the party kisses Sorshen's feet and disappears. Each one appears on their belly next to Paeral on a stone platform.
This stone platform overlooks an enormous watery cavern, whose walls are covered by phosphorescent lichen that provides modest, yet eerie illumination. Three rowboats are tied to stone posts on the dock’s northwestern side, while a carving of a leering demon extending a hand in greeting decorates the stone wall just to the north of the platform. A word has been carved into the stone wall just below the demonic carving.
A waterfall crashes from high above into the lake just to the east, making it hard for the party to hear each other. Looking across the lake, the party can make out another platform on the other side. The lake itself continues on to the west.
Deric stands and then inspects the boats to see if they have oars or paddles. He also inspects them for seaworthiness.
They have oars and appear sturdy.
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Kylee steps to the water's edge and looks around.
"Is this the same lake as before?" she wonders aloud, though she is probably not heard by anyone more than a couple feet away. After surveying the area, she taps her lips with a finger. "Hmm... no, it's a different lake. No island with a big glass sculpture. And I don't see a beach on the far side of the lake."
She does a quick orison to create water, just to make sure the goddess hasn't turned Her back on her for her blasphemy.
She points back to the word inscribed under the demon carving. "Barkot, can you read that word?" she says, shouting a little over the din of the waterfall.
"So we found the exit?"
Barkot looks around and peers up towards the top of the waterfall. "So whaddaya think, guys? Is this the bottom of the waterfall we saw from the other boats?"
Deric walks around in a circle observing the water. He is looking for currents and how strong they are. He then focuses his attention on the far shore to his southwest.
Other than the eddies created by the falling water, the lake appears fairly peaceful. There should be no issue for anyone to navigate these rowboats.
The stone platform across the lake is unremarkable. Especially at this distance.
Barkot raises an eyebrow at the rogue. "Pilots, huh? I like that. Sounds much better'n 'One of you guys row, and I'll watch.' You ain't wrong, though. Deric and me are obvious pilots then, and with six of us that means we need one more."
He looks to Squint and Ulyi. "I don't suppose..."
"Agreed, Demonslayer." Deric boards the craft, steadies her, and mans the oar.