Brom pulls on the door, his muscles tightening to the breaking point before the portal finally gives way with a mighty screech. Dust flows from inside the portal as the party peeks inside. The interior room is roughly 30' x 30' and is fairly nondescript. A thick layer of dust covers the floor and several urns in the corners of the room while an old carpet is centered on the floor. To the north a break in the wall opens into another room, where an ancient table can be seen.
There appears to be no sign of life stirring from within.
Den, at the base of the stairway to the west watches as the door comes open. Perplexed he asks I wonder what had Acio all worked up.
Brom is right at the half orcs shoulder when he enters, Krasa readied as Dendarial reminds them of Acio's earlier unease. "It is being very dark" he remarks idly.
Will, we need a light. Can you conjure one up or should I be lighting a torch?
Brom grins happily at the Bards words, "Zhis is very good." he states, gazing at his shining weapon.
In answer to Dendarial's question, Will chants a few arcane words and reaches forward to touch Krasa, causing it to shine like a beacon in the darkness. He then illuminates a few fletching on some of Dendarial's arrows, and his own holy symbol. "Now they shall know Krasa comes."
Hadin follows Brom and Karse, and open his eyes wide, trying to see what hides in the darkness... until some light shine from Krasa, by the virtue of Will's little miracle
Thank you.. it's way better that way.
Says the young man, smiling at Will
As Karse makes his way inside the building and towards the break in the wall to the north he realizes that it opens into another room, roughly 15 feet by 20 feet in size. In the center of the room is an old table, covered with a thick layer of dust. Upon the table are serving plates and place settings, covered with a foul substance that can only be the remains of an uneaten meal. Oozing piles of black and green cover the plates, and the air is foul with the smell of rot and decay. Along the eastern wall is another opening leading further into the tower.
Hadin looks around him, trying to discern first if the old tower seems solid enough, then if anything evil comes in their way (by the pricking of his thumbs maybe?^^)
Brom sticks close to Karses side, his mighty hammer raised high to illuminate as much as possible. The muscles in his arms twist and stand out as he effortlessly holds the heavy weapon aloft. His nose and mouth twist against the putrid smells in the air, but he clenches his teeth against it. He speaks quietly, "Zhe dwellers appear to be very gone." he comments to the group, but he relaxes not a whit as they press deeper into the tower.
Let's just prepare to their hasty return...I don't like this, even if I cannot say why.
Hadin assures his grisp on his weapon
They must have gone a long time ago... Do you see any recent traces of passage, Dendarial? Your eyes are way keener than mine, even if the light is helpful.
The owl gives a nervous hoot, suggesting that at lead he things the threat here remains.
The ranger scans the floor for any signs of recent passage.
As far as Dendarial can tell there has been no movement in the tower for at least a few years, if not more. Apart from the movement of the party the tower is completely silent.
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Dendarial quiets his animal friend and moves forward. Acip is usually very calm. You can count on some danger awaiting. Let us keep up our guard.
Brom pushes forward into the next room, "Let us be pressing ahead Karse, zhe smell is very not velcome to Krasa." and moves ahead himself, keeping the shining earthbreaker aloft.
Sir Karse walks into the room, moving to the next doorway. The swirl of dust wafts through the air as he passes and he is forced to bat away more than one errant cobweb from his path as he moves.
As he nears the opening in the eastern wall he is greeted by what appears to have been a bedchamber at some point. Along the east wall lies a mouldering four poster bed covered in cobwebs and a thick layer of dust and filth. Along the southern wall are a pair of dressers to the western portion of the room, while along the southeast wall is a tall wooden armoire. Nothing appears to have been disturbed in this room in years.
In the center of the bed is a deep brown stain, and a mass of what appears to have once been a body. Years of decay and rot have dessicated the corpse into a husk.
Brom quietly moves into the room, passing the paladin as he takes in the scene. He notices as he stares into the room that the temperature has dropped considerably.
Brom, though not cold yet, still shivers slightly as the temperature drops. He looks back to Karse, "Is it being colder for you as vell Karse?" he asks curiously, his hand tightening on his weapon. He steps closer to the body to look it over.
Hadin follows his friends, not wanting Brom and Karse to take all the risks by themselves.
Wonder how long this tower has been abandoned... But is it truly abandonned?
Den moves up, his bow ready. No, not natural at all. A haunt perhaps?
Dendarial and Hadin move further in to the tower as Karse and Brom scan the room for any signs of danger or recent occupants.
All is very quiet. The temperature continues to fall as well, everyone's breath beginning to become visible as they exhale.
Cold, cold, what can cause cold?
Shaking himself briskly, like an irritated bear, Brom strides forward angrily to the next doorway. His skin is starting to form goosebumps, whether from cold or rising alarm it is hard to say. "Let us move." he says after finding no obvious information about the body, the air around his mouth turning white with expelled breath.
Can i take a closer look to whatever remains are in the bed? I know how to tend to wounds, maybe- if the corpse isn't too old- i can get some information about the cause of its death? What do you think?
The young man nods, and walks carefuly to the bed, making sure he doesn't come in contact with the stained sheet.
Erastil, please guide me on the way of truth...
Heal check to try to detect the cause of death
The barbarian watches Hadin look the body over with apparent expertise, his breath puffing out rhythmically, "Vell, vhat is zhere to be seen good Hadin?" he asks curiously.
No. No fire. Dendarial says, still thinking about brown mold.
Hadin moves to the bed and looks over the remains. Due to the age of the corpse it is difficult to say exactly what caused the death, but there are no signs of any weapon wounds or punctures that are evident. The hands of the corpse are near the upper part of the torso rather than at the sides of the body where you would generally expect to see them if the pose was staged.
Brom and Karse move up to the open doorway to the south, which opens up to reveal an ancient study. Bookshelves line the walls and numerous vases and urns are lined up along the southern wall. To the east stands a writing desk and chair, its contents covered with webs and dust. Ahead, the room leads to a circular staircase of stone.
As the group continues to investigate, the sound of a scream can be heard somewhere above, followed by the thumping of feet against wood and stone. A brief moment later another scream of pain can be heard, louder this time, and then all goes silent once more.
Brom freezes at the sound of a scream, his whole body listening. He looks at the others and then starts running up the stairs to find the source of the cries. The light from his weapon bounces crazily as his body moves with speed.
Its likely a ploy to get us to rush forward. Den warns, but he moves to keep up with the group.
Rising his head from the dead body on the bed, Hadin hears the shriek, and see Brom storming out of the room, carrying the "enlightened" Krasa with him.
Suddenly in the dark, he tries to follow, banging his knee against a bedpost in the way
Hey, wait a minute!Some of us need light, you know!