Broderts' shoulders slump a bit but then he nods "Very well, a bargain then. You clean up the place and take me to it once it is safe, and I shall impart what knowledge I have to you now. It is a deal yes?" He sets his walking stick down and finds a comfortable seat while he waits for an answer.
Thorfinn nods once. "That sounds good to me."
Gabriel nods in agreement as well.
Brodert shutters a bit at Chim's second thumbs up and then shakes it off before continuing "So as I'm sure you all already know, this region used to be the seat of an extremely powerful ancient empire; Thassilon. While knowledge is scant many of us have researched this great society. From our understanding, do to infighting the empire tore itself apart and there was some great catastrophe which is the reason why information is so limited. Mostly what is left now are the occasional ruin, some artifacts and the occasional text."
He reaches down and pets his cat a moment then continues "The statue, this is one of the Runelords; Alaznist. The empire in the times before it's fall was rulled by seven Runelords, each associated with a different school of magic. The seven pointed star, is a symbol of these schools of magic and their interconnectedness. Wherever you see this symbol there is some relation to the ancient Thassilonian empire." He tilts his head a bit, looking up at the ceiling and then scratches his head. "I think that answers all your questions."
Thorfinn scratches his beard idly. "Don't know much about magic, or surface history 'fore the Quest for Sky. I do know there's worse than goblins down there." He describes the sinspawn. "They have aught to do with this Alaznist?"
He nods to the dwarfs inquiry "These creatures, sinspawn. I have not seen one myself but I have seen reference to them. Basically creatures manifested of sin. You see the Runelords, they practiced sin magic. I don't really know the specifics but essentially each of the seven schools of magic corresponded to one of seven sins and each Runelord was a master of one of these schools. Of course, Thassilon didn't start out this way. There was an emperor that pre-dated the Runelords and he had originally focused on the seven vitures though, as with most things, these beliefs eventually became corrupted and lead to the Runelords."
Gabriel nods at the answers.
"So each of these Runelords had a sin? Which one was hers?"
He sighs "Alas, that is where my knowledge ends. I couldn't really say for sure. There is a lot of wild speculation around the Runelords and not a lot of definitive evidence." He smiles "Though who knows what new trasures of information we might find at this location you speak of."
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So it is a queen, or as good as, and a student of magic, Ioxeia muses. And her people were divided by specialization in the various schools, how fascinating! I wonder if there's any lore that's survived down there that I could send back to my people. Then again, if they think of the schools in terms of "sin," these runelords sound like a piece of work.
He looks at them as they stand there "Well now it's your turn to hold up your end of the deal." He waves his hands toward the door "Go ensure this place is safe so I can come to examine it."
Gabriel will thank the man for his help.
Thorfinn nods once, grunts a farewell, and leaves.
Heading back down into the tunnels you easily find your way back to the main room with the statue of Runelord Alaznist. You're not sure if something has changed with the statue or if it is just because of the recent knowledge you have gained but it looks even more imposing than it did before.
"East's as good a way as any."
Gabriel nods at Thorfinn's suggestion.
You start to head up the stairs, and you eventually see a door at the end of the passage way.
Thorfinn looks back over his shoulder, making sure everyone is ready, then opens the door.
Gabriel double checks his crossbow, nods and follows Thorfinn.
Opening the door you find a circular room. Water ripples quietly in a circular stone pool in the center of the room, the rim of which is lined with skulls. Across the room is another closed door.
Just after you open the door some creature flies down to attack. It is a blackened, bat-winged fiend's head. Tentacles dangle from chin and scalp, and its fanged mouth hangs agape.
It misses Thorfinn with its fangs.
If possible, Thorfinn will try to slide along the wall, getting to the south of the flying head before swinging at it. His blow fails to come close to it, though.
Gabriel will begin to inspire courage! [ooc]+1 on atk/damage + saves vs fear[/cc]
and then move back to give his allies more room to maneuver.
The creature lets out a horrific screech.
Vargouilles attack by swooping in on their opponents, shrieking them into paralysis, and then biting them with rows of razor-sharp teeth. When multiple vargouilles take up a common cause and fight as allies, they overwhelm their victim with bites and shrieks, tearing it to shreds.
A vargouille's low power and hideous method of reproduction make for a dangerous combination. Vargouilles are relatively easy to summon to the Material Plane, and once here, they can swiftly reproduce, creating more and more of their hideous kind from those who fall victim to their kiss. Vargouilles created on the Material Plane in this manner are still extraplanar creatures, and as such can be banished with the right magic.
The dwarf is unmoved by the screech, but it still interferes with his timing as he misses again.
Gabriel makes his fort save, continues inspire courage and fires his crossbow through cover at the beastie.
Gabriels crossbow bolt flies and sticks the creature right between the eyes, causing it to drop to the floor lifeless.
Gabriel shouts "I got one!"
Thorfinn claps the aasimar on the shoulder. "Fine shooting, lad! Now, Ioxeia--sounded as though you know something of these creatures. What more can it do besides scream and bite?"
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“They’re scavengers from the more wicked corners of the outer planes, with a sadistic bent, as if they weren’t unpleasant enough to begin with. Their bite isn’t that dangerous, but their screams can paralyze if one’s nerves aren’t ready, so they’re more dangerous in numbers. The worst thing, though, is how they … reproduce,” Ioxeia says, her nose wrinkling in disgust beneath her mask. “If they get someone at their mercy, they … I suppose you could call it some sort of kiss. At any rate, unless one’s able to resist, over time it transforms a person into one of them.”
The dwarf starts out chuckling at Chimaeryus' jest, then stops as the impact of Ioxeia's words comes home to him. "That's truly disgusting, lass. Well for me that I wear real armor, then."
If there's nothing of interest in the room, Thorfinn will move on to the doorway opposite and open it when everyone is ready.
"Would one of you see if there's magic in the water before I open the door?"
Gabriel will reload his crossbow and detect magic.