Obviously this statue is Vardishal. But Yazi's keen eye notices Grooves in the floor at the statue's base indicate that it can be pivoted to the side.
Avenka goes to help Yazi, happy to be useful :
The statue slides aside reavealing steps leading to a crypt. At the bottom of the steps you find a chamber supported by gothic arches. It's eerie down here.
Khayal tends to the body of his fallen "brother".
Avenka makes a note to self : Ok, clear the floor before, Yazi said, I will try to remember that for future similar situations... No doubt she will say why sooner or later, though I don't know if I'll ask her if she stays quiet on the matter... Well, maybe I'll figure this out myself also, so tricky these people sometimes...
Avenka follows Yazi...
Bartan is startled by Yazi's sneakiness, and accidentally spins around, tripping over his own legs. He starts to fall over, grabs for Yazi's arm, and ends up pulling her down on top of him. AWKWARD!
He quickly gets up and helps Yazi up as well, trying not to act as embarrassed as he feels.
"I agree with mademoiselle Yazi," Bartan says, nodding. "We should finish this floor before continuing down those foreboding stairs."
"It's dangerous to go alone."
Hajar is ready to continue
Khayal cracks a small grin, if only for a second at the fall between Bartan and Yazi.
I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!
♫ Dun dunnnn da dadadada daaaa...da dadada daaaaa. dun dun duuuuuun.♫
Bartan decides to lead the way in exploring the rest of this floor, and goes through the other rooms, A14-18. He will again attempt to aid the Perception checks of those more Perceptive than himself in room A14.
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Following behind Bartan while contemplating another chance to spook him, especially if he's so grabby, Yazi instead finds herself drawn into the ruined library. A storage of knowledge that reminds her of her life living in the Deadshield Clanhold. "So many books. Gone. Such a waste." She'll morosely mumble to herself as she looks the books over.
Yazi finds one very well preserved book. This unusual book is called Courts of Stone and Flame, and is a treatise on genies of the elemental planes. When consulted before making a Knowledge check related to geniekind, the book grants a +4 bonus to the check. The nonmagical tome is worth 300 gp to a collector.
The book also contains a brief entry on Jhavhul, who is listed as a shamed member of the efreet nobility of the City of Brass, a famed location on the Plane of Fire. The entry suggests that he ventured to the Material Plane in search of an army and a legacy to raise his standing, during which time he and his armies warred against the Templars of the Five Winds, but that he was never seen in the City of Brass again.
Anjali lags behind the rest of the group, staying closest to Khayal as she slowly follows the others in their exploration, but still deep in contemplation after their hasty funeral for Bahram.
Most everyone that wanted to help was given a task, gathering anything that could be used as tinder, kindling, and fuel for his cremation. She carefully wrapped the scarf she found in Bahram's things around the angry wound in his neck and dotted his palms and the center of his forehead with scented oil. Her lips curve in a sad smile. "May you find that silken bed you longed for. Rest now."
Anjali walked past where Avenka stood silently, patting the other girl's shoulder. And to Dhavyn, who had the strongest affinity for fire magic, she said, "If you would not mind doing the honors..."
Khayal, has found a new found respect for Anjali, not only is she useful, but she is kind. Thank you, I know you did not know him for long, but I appreciate the funeral you gave him.
Shortly after Bahram's funeral is over a nauseating smell of burnt fur permeates the air as Dhavyn disposes body of the Gnoll and other dead carcasses in the room of the Gargoyle.
Having finished with the Gnoll and other remains (see spoiler), and watching that the fire does not spread to Garden, he throws a somewhat absent look towards Yazi when she hollers his "name". "What is it now?"
Hajar says to Anjali My thanks to you, most Kind and Generous Anjali.
Anjali hangs her head, self-consciously dismissing Khayal and Hajar's thanks with a wave of her hand. "Where I come from, if you travel the sands in a caravan, it makes people...one. It is no more or less than I would have done for any of you."
She swallows hard, past the lump in her throat. Despite how weariness and sadness weighs Anjali down, she raises her eyes to Hajar. "I know that mercy is part of who you are, Hajar nar Jundi. But know this, the next time there is a gnoll still standing at the end of a battle, I will kill it myself."
"My friends, looking around at all of you, I see you are as weary as I feel. Why don't we rest for the night. We should not leave the princess's farglass unguarded, so we can post watch in the tower and make use of it to warn us of any approaching danger. The garden could make for a comfortable place to sleep, no?"
A mix of curiosity and caution plays on Dhavyn's face as Yazi mentions the book. He runs hand through his hair while trying to figure how to buy enough time to set his thoughts straight.
"Oh... umm... mind showing me the book?" he gives Yazi a bit sheepish look. Not used to trying to be friendly with her.
He hears Bartan's words and calls out "Yes. Rest sounds like a good idea" before returning his attention back to Yazi.
Avenka goes to Anjali when she seems a bit more disposed.
"Anjali, I respect your inner strength and wisdom. We are very different you and I, but I just want to say that I would be honored to follow your steps if you became the leader of the group. We are all tired, but one day, I'd like to tell you about my tribe if you want."
Then, she says to Bartan :
"Bartan, good idea. I can take a good chunk of time doing guard in the tower while the others rest."
Then to everybody :"Just tell me who I must wake up and I'll let you all sleep for at least 4 or 5 hours"
"I know that mercy is part of who you are, Hajar nar Jundi. But know this, the next time there is a gnoll still standing at the end of a battle, I will kill it myself."
You will do what you must, I will do what I must. Hajar says flatly.
The sun sinks and dissappears behind the pale mountains all round as you settle in for the night. From the top of them minaret the stars appear, so bright the the edge of Golarion's spiral galaxy slices through the dome. A soft wind carries lonely desert animal calls across the dunes and scrub brush. Ominous fires burn down in Kelmarane and Gnolls call to eachother.
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"May~be..." she'll reply with a cattish grin and letting a few moments pass before taking the book out from behind her back and handing it Dhavyn.
Although wanting to use the telescope to view more of Kelmerane and the stars of the sky the blood loss she suffered from the Stirges and Gargoyles causes Yazi to fall asleep very easily with Doc down in the garden.
Dhavyn grabs the book eagerly and hesitates for a moment before saying "Um.... thank you". He watches Yazi leave, the cattish grin still on her face, leaving him to wonder what it all was about.
Dhavyn returns briefly to the room where they slew the gargoyle. The smoke had cleared leaving naught but cooling ashes and pieces of darkened bone behind.
He goes around the room scattering the ashes so there's no change for embers to reignite and spread into the garden. While he does that he picks anything valuable that survived the fire.
He finally returns back to others, crawls inside the bedroll, and pulls out the book Yazi gave to him. With a quiet incantation he enchants his necklace with light and flips through the pages until sleep finally overcomes his weary body.
The next morning, after preparing his spells, Bartan rouses any late sleepers. "Now, let's finish our mission by clearing out whatever might be in the basement, no?"
I am ready Khayal says sternly. He seems to be devoid of any emotion this morning, more so than usual. He unsheathes his kukris and heads for the entrance to the basement.
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Hajar nods at Yazi A what problem? Yazi, you are undecipherable
Anjali stifles a yawn as she rolls up her bedding and repacks her gear. After last night's events, she keeps her loaded crossbow out, ready for whatever surprises the old monastery might hold. Joining the others, she says, "Khayal, wait! We have not seen all the rooms there is to see up here. It would be safer as Yazi suggested to make sure we have not missed anything before continuing down lower."
"Just one more minute, auntie Marglotta" Dhavyn groans as Bartan shakes him. As Bartan pokes him again he suddenly bolts upright exclaiming "I'm up. I'm up!"
He gives Bartan a groggy look and yawns. "Oh it's just you...". He yawns again and mumbles something about Kahve while others make the plans.
Bartan takes a moment to look into the telescope, curious what the gnolls on the hill are up to today.
It may be wise as you say to clear this level first. I will cede to your wisdom. Khayal, holds Anjali in great respect after yesterdays events.
Dhavyn spends his time poring over the secrets of the Courts of Stone and Flame, hardly listening as the others plot their next action. He carefully sets away the book and digs into a few dried fruits given to them by Almah - No Kahve unfortunately. A light meal but better than nothing.
Once done he calls forth a brief invocation to wipe out the dirt and ash from his clothes and person. Refreshed he walks to Bartan and lays hand on his shoulder, giving it a slight nudge.
"See anything interesting?"
Avenka goes to check in the telescope herself :