Heresy beneath Kaer Maga (Inactive)

Game Master Zesdead

"Ain't no way we are coming out until that thing be dead…"

"Yep, that's right…"

Listening to Kairen's words, the attitude of whoever is behind the wall is lightening somewhat…but they are still terrified of whatever is out there…

Great Diplomacy rolls…the individuals behind the door started off 'unfriendly' and you have moved them to 'indifferent'

"…Hey, Goblin Man, you take care huh…."

"…The thing what got Fisk…it's up that corridor with all the doors…"

"…with all the treasure…"

A quick and barely whispered voice replies to the other voice"…Sssh, no needs for them to be knowing thats…"

The first voice whimpers in reply "Sorry Skezz"

One of Balin's brows raise with the word treasure and the darkly clad priest offers a look over to Olwyn, making sure she was still there in all of her abject silence. Reaffirming that, he steps away from the door the hiding men are behind and shoots a look to Kairen. "We should find that chamber they had spoken of, and that creature. I have no desire to leave something slithering or scuttling about in the dark."

_______
Any chance we could get a sketch of where we've been? Even if it's just crude lines showing passageways? The layout of this place seems kind of complex and I'm having a hard time visualising it all.

I have been working on a map for the last couple of weeks as the Ossuary is quite a warren!!! I will have it posted in the next week or so (it would be sooner but following a house move, my Internet access is restricted to smartphone)

Just for clarity whilst you do not have a map, your options at this point are:

A) Continue to converse with whoever is behind the door / try and gain entry through that door.
B) Continue along the corridor towards the fresh air and then head either North or South.
C) Backtrack slightly up the corridor and take the northerly corridor (this is the corridor that whoever is in the room is referring to)
D) Backtrack completely into the Antechamber and se the Chime to open the Northern Door.

Let's go with C.

Clearing his throat, Balin gives a tap of his cane on the floor and motions to his protector to begin advancing back down the hall. "No sense in continuing negotiations with them," he concedes. "Let's go back to that corridor they're talking about and see if we can find the source of their misery."

"I agree. Whatever threat we know of now should be dealt with; less surprises later."

Kairen moves to catch up to the silent bodyguard, motioning for his undersized companions to follow along.

Backtracking along the corridor, maybe with imagination slightly piqued at the mention of treasure, the group find themselves back at the fork of the corridor heading North. The light from Olwyn's continued arcane illumination picks out the details of the corridor as you slowly make your way along it.

Some twenty feet along the corridor, you reach a set of opposing doors (one in the west wall and one in the east). Stopping at this point you can see that the corridor continues on into the gloom with a short set of stairs (dropping some ten feet in elevation) before reaching another set of opposing doors…the corridor continues beyond the second set of doors but, with the gloom and the stairs obscuring your view, it is impossible to see for how much further.

Zazou Perception Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Gazzer Perception Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Olwyn Perception Roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Olwyn's Familiar Perception Roll: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Kairen Perception Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Balin Perception Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

Stepping up behind Kairen, Balin lays a hand on the knight's armored shoulder. "Hold," he states, brandishing his cane in a warding gesture for those behind him. "Blood, at the bottom of the stairs."

Narrowing his eyes, Balin looks over to Zazou and Gazzer, "If you two would be so kind as to stealthily investigate, your keen eyes could be of great use." Turning his attention back to Kairen, Balin speaks softly. "Black feathers and blood, perhaps our monster?"

Kairen nods at Balin's suggestion, unsheathing his sword with as little noise as possible and matching the low whisper. "I certainly hope so."

While he waves Zazou and Gazzer to the front, he points to one, then points down the corridor. He then points to the other, and points to his ears and the door on the left. He then takes position just to the right of the door, in order to remain between his party and the stairs.

Gazzer nods and moves forward, his crossbow out and loaded.

DMPC for Zazou - who is on holidays through August

Zazou points to his large ears and whispers that he'll check at the door…Carefully the goblin and ratperson descend the stairs, weapons at the ready.

Gazzer Stealth Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Zazou Stealth Check: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Silence reigns for a short while as the pair softly make their way to the bottom of the steps until…Gazzer slips on a second puddle of wet blood and, in regaining his footing, kicks a small stone down the steps….the noise of the stone bouncing down the steps, which in normal circumstances would be imperceptible, seems to crash and echo around the corridor…everyone holds their breath and stands motionless yet poised…until silence once more reigns.

Breathing once again, the pair reach the bottom of the steps (whilst the rest of the party stand guard at the top of the stairs) and pause to examine the pool of blood…It is at this point that time seems to stand still…the western door some ten feet ahead of the pair crashes open and out steps something vile…at first glance, it could be mistaken for human but what approaches from the gloom is definitely NOT human...it is a hairless humanoid with a perfectly formed female body in grotesque counterpoint to it's hideous face and claws. Dripping from its face and claws....fresh blood.

Initiative for Party and Enemy
Zazou Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Gazzer Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Olwyn Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Kairen Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Balin Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Balin's Companion Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Sinspawn Initiative Roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Initiative Order
Zazou
then the Sinspawn
then Kairen, Olwyn, Gazzer, Balin's Companion, Balin

As per the fight with the Darkmantle (and all fights on from here), don't worry about posting in exact initiative order…those characters with a higher initiative than the Sinspawn can post now, then I'll post for the Sinspawn, then those with a lower initative may post.

As I am still posting via Smartphone, we will have to handwave positioning rather than use a map.
The Sinspawn is ten feet away from Gazzer and Zazou who are at the foot of the stairs.
Kairen and Balin's Companion are twenty five feet away from the Sinspawn at the top of the stairs.
Balin and Olwyn are directly behind Kairen and Balin's Companion.

Gazzer lets out a squeak as the thing is spotted. He snap-shots his crossbow at it, not bothering to aim! Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 for 1d6 ⇒ 2 damage!

Woo! Sinspawn! :D

Standing fast at the foot of the stairs, Zazou readies his scimitar in anticipation of the Creature's attack.

Readied Action - Zazou will attack the Sinspawn when it is within reach: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Hitting for Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

With the Ratperson apparently alarmed and frozen in place by the sudden explosion of violence, the creatures' jaws open wide in anticipation of sustenance and it lollops in a grotesque imitation of walking towards Gazzer (who manages to get a crossbow bolt off before the creature is upon him). Zazou bravely attempts to defend the Ratperson but cannot prevent the assault on his friend.

Sinspawn Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Hitting for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Sinspawn Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Hitting for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Sinspawn Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Missing

As the creatures' jaws clamp around Gazzers' shoulders, he feel an overwhelming and totally unnatural lust break his concentration.

DC14 Will Save to negate the 'Sinful Bite'…otherwise Gazzer is sickened for 1d6 ⇒ 2 minutes. Feel free to have fun with the RP of the effects if you like.

Everyone else can take their turn now (Gazzer, you took your action out of initiative but that's fine...you can still take a move action this round) - the Sinspawn is now adjacent to Gazzer and Zazou at the foot of the stairs (the corridor is only ten foot wide so it may be difficult for Kairen or Balin's companion to get a melee attack in unless Gazzer or Zazou withdraw up the stairs and they take their place).

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Resisting the urge to hump the thing's leg furiously is difficult, but Gazzer manages!

HP 2/11

From up on the stairs, Balin surveys the ferocity with which the creature attacks. Adjusting his spectacles, he offers a quick glance at the beast and surmises it must be some form of Aberration or perhaps humanoid, given his unfamiliarity with its anatomy and morphology. Brandishing his cane ahead, Balin directs his companion to move from the top of the stairs down to assist the smaller warriors in their altercation.

Without a word, Balin's masked guardian begins descending the stairs, night black shield raised and sword drawn, its dark robe flowing down the steps as it moves with a haunting fluidity. The masked guardian draws out the sinspawn's attacks, shield raised, as it moves to settle into a flanking position with the creature. Balin, patiently, waits with a scrutinizing stare to see how well it performs.

___
Balin directs his companion into position as noted. The companion takes two move actions to get into place. Balin takes no actions himself, this round.

Getting the feeling a charge isn't possible right now.

The sudden burst of violence from down the stairs spurs Kairen to action. Pulling his sword from his back, he bounds down the steps as quick as balance will allow, doing his best to avoid the pools of blood on the way down. In the gloom, the details are difficult to make out, but from the chomping wound the beast has inflicted on Gazzer, the situation is fairly clear.

"Looks like we've found our beast."

With the Ratperson's blood still dripping from it's claws, the creature lunges at Balin's seemingly oblivious guardian as it lumbers past.

Sinspawn Bite Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Instinctively, the black clad guardian raises his shield and deflects the attack.

DMPC for Olwyn

Standing calmly at the top of the stairs, Olwyn utters several arcane phrases and attempts to bestow misfortune upon Gazzer's attacker.

Misfortune Hex on Sinspawn: all rolls must be taken twice and the lower result is used. Will Save DC15 negates

Sinspawn Will Save against Misfortune Hex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 - successfully saves

DMPC for Zazou

Moving around the creature to allow his companions more space to attack within the confines of the corridor, Zazou once more fiercely slashes at the beast with his scimitar.

Zazou takes a five foot step to C7

Zazou attack on Sinspawn: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8, missing

With the scent of blood driving it wild, the creature's savage attack against the ratperson continues:

Sinspawn Bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Hitting for Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sinspawn Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Hitting for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sinspawn Claw: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Hitting for Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Although the creature fails to bite Gazzer, both of its' claws rend heinous wounds across the Ratperson's chest...and he falls to the floor unconscious. The creatures' eyes roll back in their sockets and it lets out a vile wail of ecstasy.

Gazzer - After that vicious attack, you are at -7HP; this means you are unconcious and dying. You can take no actions; please make a DC17 Constitution Check to see if you stabilise (DC10 with a -7 penalty for being at -7HP)

Success will result in you stabilising (but remaining unconcious) / Failure will result in a loss of 1HP and you will still be dying

Please see below for Encounter Map - noting that Zazou has moved to C7.

Encounter Map

Everyone may take their actions now...normal rules re: posting out of sequence, etc

Balin remains back on the stairs, unwilling to wade into a dangerous melee and likewise unwilling to expend his precious magical resources on a single opponent. Raising one gloved hand, however, he directs his guardian to strike down at the creature, utilizing Gazzer's position to divide the sinspawn's attention.

Shield raised, Balin's silent companion winds back with his scimitar and then swiftly draws the blade down the sinspawn's back, splitting its rubbery flesh open and leaving an oozing trail of its viscous blood pulsing down its back. The masked warrior steps back after the hit, lifting its shield once more and flanking now with Zazou.

____

(Companion) Standard Action: Attack Sinspawn (flanking)
Attack; Scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 = 23 (threat)
>> Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5 (no crit)
>> Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Free Action: 5' step over to A6

Stabilization Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Gazzer bleeds! Not dead until -14 thank the dice gods!

HP: -8/11

5-ft step to B-8 to cover Gazzer, draw blades, full attack
attack, longsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
attack, short sword: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Wow. just wow. you have got to be s#!++!ng me.

Kairen swoops in to stand over the ratling and slice the fiend to ribbons, but stepping over Gazzer proves to be a mistake as the creature's inhuman evasion throws his balance completely off.

Bah. So disgusted I can't even flavor text this properly right now.

With Gazzer's blood pooling at the foot of the stairs, the creature becomes distracted and, kneeling to feed, lowers it's defenses at a critical time. Whilst Kairen misjudges his footing and swings wildly with his weapons, Balin's dark companion finds the target with its blade...and, as the warrior steps back, the abomination slumps forward to lie lifelessly across it's prospective feast.

Knowledge: Dungeoneering DC12 to identify the creature - only Gazzer (if / when he returns to conciousness) will be able to perform this check

"Good work," Balin's voice echoes in the dark as the creature's body slumps over. Soon, the darkly dressed priest's form comes into view down the stairs, and he motions with two fingers through the air, directing his companion to a grim task. The head of the sinspawn is jerked back by a grip at its jaw and the edge of the scimitar slashes its throat to ensure its death.

"Grisly affairs, that," Balin cooley notes before taking a knee beside Gazzer. Reaching into the collar of his buttoned coat, Balin moves to withdraw his holy symbol. View of the event is shrouded as his guardian comes in to stand over him, obfuscating his actions.

A moment later, Balin utters an incantation in eldritch chant, "موت کا راز، اس مخلوق پر زندگی کے اپنی سانس کو ظاہر." Around his clenched hand, a pale glow spreads out from between his fingers. Balin squints as the light blossoms and sinks into Gazzer's rent flesh, knitting flesh shut and sucking blood back inside of his body.

As Balin finishes his chant, Gazzer lets out a reflexive, wet cough and rolls onto his side, unconscious still but not dead. Dutifully tucking his holy symbol back into his jacket, Balin stands up straight and brushes off the grime on his knee that touched the floor.

Finally, the pale, bald man offers a raised brow to Kairen. "He is still incapacitated. What now?"

____________
Cast cure light wounds on Gazzer Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Gazzer lets out a sigh in his unconscious state.

Kairen replaces his blades, his face a mixture of relief and disgust. A clean blade in the face of unholy terrors felt like a failure on his part, to say nothing of the unconscious comrade on the floor. "Sadly, I never developed an aptitude for the practice of healing. I hope to not exhaust your resources too quickly, Balin, for we have a large complex yet to explore."

Kneeling down to the ratling's prone form, he lifts Gazzer over his shoulders and holds onto him by the hands, shifting his weight to balance him more evenly. "For now, let's go and let...what were their names? Skezz and...Izzy? Let's let them know their terrifying beast has been put down. They may be of use, and perhaps we can allow our little scout some time to regain his strength."

"Fair enough," Balin agrees, motioning to Gazzer's small, prone form. As he does, Balin's silent companion stows his shield on his back and takes a knee. In a single, fluid motion the shrouded companion lifts up Gazzer's unconscious form and carries him over one shoulder.

"Let's return to our erstwhile chickens and see what they think of this revelation." Offering a look down to Zazou, Balin manages a faint smile before turning back to the stairs and Olwyn. "Indispensible aid as always, my dear."

DMPC for Olwyn: Bristling at Balin’s thinly veiled rebuke, Olwyn steps forward and places a hand on the limp Ratperson. With her other hand casually stroking the fox lying around her neck, she mutters a brief incantation and, with both hands slightly glowing, delivers further healing to Gazzer.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 additional HP for Gazzer (returning him to 5 HP and conciousness)

With a glare towards Balin, she then falls in line at the rear of the group.

Leaving the creature in a pool of viscous blood at the foot of the stairs, the party retrace their steps towards the locked door. With the unconscious Gazzer being carried whilst the various healers within the group quietly remonstrate with each other it takes a few short minutes to return to the door.

Approaching the door, you can hear that the occupants are quite panicked.

"…Did you hear that Skezz?"

"…Of course I head that…that thing has got them…I told you it would…a Goblin is no match for such a beast…"

"…but what are we going to do now?"

"…I don’t know Izzy….I think we might need to run for it…"

"…but that thing is dreadful fast!!!"

"…I know…but we don’t have to run far…"

Gazzer stirs and opens his eyes. "Well, yes yes! I am not liking these creatures in this place, yes yes."

Balin's shrouded companion gently sets Gazzer down on the ground at Balin's direction once the ratperson awakens. Hearing the voices of the creatures, Balin offers a look to Kairen to lead the way diplomatically.

Kairen smirks in response to the unspoken urging, and raps on the door once again.

"Skezz? Izzy? Are you still in there? I believe we've killed your beast. Female body, ugly face, claws and fangs? It's a headless corpse now; I'm fairly certain it's safe to come out."

There is a brief pause in the chatter behind the door and then...

"Is that you Goblin Man?"

"We thought you be dead for sure....yes for sure"

"You're not a ghost are you...there does be ghosts down here"

"...yeah, how do we know you're not a ghost?"

"...Skezz? ...Skezz?"

"WHAT?"

"I'm dreadful scared...what if that is a ghost? ...or a horrid trick?

Groaning softly, Balin rests his palm against his head and wrenches his eyes shut. Breathing in slowly and calmly, the darkly-dressed priest tries to center himself instead of saying with is directly on his mind. Stepping forward to come beside Kairen, he addresses the creatures on the other side of the door for the first time.

"Look," the strain in Balin's voice is nigh palpable, "We were sent down here by the clergy of Pharasma to resolve the issues present. If you want to starve to death in that dark room, or perhaps try to eat oen another before you starve to death that is your perrogative."

Breathing in deeply, Balin brushes his fingers against his brow, then straightens his spectacles. "Alternatively, you could come out here. Not die, and perhaps..." he searches for some proverbial carrot to put before the horse, "get a cut of the treasure we find."

Idiots!

____
Diplomacy Check: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Oh God. Ahahaha. Cha 11 dhampir rolls a 20 on his Diplomacy check.

Nothin' like a magic word to perk up greedy ears, eh?

There is a flurry of muttering, remonstration and pleas to not open the door but finally....

"It's for the best Izzy, you'll see..."

The noise of something heavy being moved away from the door and then, tentatively, the door opens and a beady looking eye peers out at you...

"Hey....you isn't no goblins?!?! But s'pose you don't be no ghosts neither."

The door opens further and you are confronted with two Tengu, one of whom is cowering behind the other. The braver of the two continues, "So you kills that thing then?" and then, with a tinge of hope, "You didn't be seeing our brother there did you?"

Kairen is taken aback by the unexpected beaks and feathers behind the door, glancing quizzically at his comrades for a moment before answering with an almost blank stare.

"Ah, well...I think we saw some feathers around the area, but I don't recall seeing a body, besides the fiend we killed...err, I'm sorry to be a bit tactless, but..." He moves an index finger back and forth between the two of them indicatively, "You're not at all what I pictured. What are you two?"

Ain't no metagaming here, son. We do it LIVE!

Seeing bird men emerge from the doorway, Balin raises one brow and lets his head cant slightly to the side. "Well, that's--," he clicks his tongue agains tthe roof of his mouth. "I expected kobolds." Looking askance to Kairen, Balin takes a step back and away from the door.

"Well Skezz, Izzy," Balin rests a hand on his chest and bows slightly at the waist, "I am Balin Katona," he motions to Kairen, "This is the honorable Kairen Valos," then in a flick of his wrist he motions to Gazzer and Zazou, "Our erstwhile defenders Gazzer and Zazou," and then with a gesture of his cane over his shoulder, "the talkative Olwyn" and finally to the hooded and masked figure looming beside Balin, "and my protector."

Tapping his cane on the floor, Balin looks between Skezz and Izzy. "Now, most importantly," he narrows his eyes and pushes his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "How in the Unnamed Pages did you get in here?"

Through the scared snuffles from the smaller of the two Tengu, you establish that he is ever so slightly insulted about being mistaken for a Kobold.

The larger, and braver, Tengu seeks to reassure his companion, "Is okay Izzy, we thought they was goblins after all!"

Mustering some courage, the Tengu that you assume must be Skezz, introduces himself, "I be being Skezza and this be being my brother Izzik...and we isn't be being kobolds!!! We be Tengu....maybe you be seeing us and my family topside, yes? Lots of my brothers and sisters be there....".

At the word Brothers, Izzik starts to cry...not for the first time, "Oh Skezz, what will we be telling mother? ...about Fisk? ....he is deaded isn't he?"

"I think so Izzy...maybe it's time to go home?"

"but Skezz? What about the treasures?

The diminutive birdfolk devolve into a muttered argument for a few moments until Skezza brings the discussion to a halt....turning to you, "We would like to repay you for rescuing us...there are some treasures in this room and we be knowing a few more secrets about this tomb....but first, we would like to be seeing Fisk....would you be showing us?"

Making a noise in the back of his throat Balin offers a brief look to Kairen, then back to the tengu. "We're not entirely sure if he's dead or not, or at least-- I'm not. Perhaps Kairen saw something different." Tucking his cane under one arm, Balin steps past the tengu into the room beyond, looking for the treasures they spoke of. His silent protector stands motionlessly out in the hall.

"Regardless," Balin continues as he looks around the room, "you're welcome to accompany us. We have a task to perform here for the church, but it does not preclude treasure-hunting, so to speak." Or grave-robbing, depending on who you're asking. Apparently Balin is a bit more of an armchair cleric of Pharasma than first appearances let on. It's the secrets they know of that he's truly after.

They must know of a back way in...

Gazzer perks up at the discussion of treasures and rubs his forepaws together hungrily. The dead have no need of things, after all...

"Well, I can't say we saw a corpse down there, only a few feathers and some blood. If this...Fisk is alive, he's almost certainly wounded; given the ferocity of the fiend we slew, either outcome is as likely. I suppose we would be remiss in our duties if we didn't at least confirm his fate. Sticking together would be safer for us all in any event, so I suggest we find Fisk."

In the room behind the excitable Tengu, there is a reasonably sized pile of coins (several hundred golden looking discs at a first glance). It looks like there has been an attempt to count the money as there are several organised stacks of coins.

"Take us to Fisk, yes? and we can be sharing the treasures, yes?", Skezza asks.

Walking out into the corridor, the Tengu politely acknowledge each of their new 'travelling partners' until they 'meet' Balin's protector. Stopping in his tracks, Izzik becomes agitated and starts chittering loudly at his brother. The two brothers appear to argue about something for a while until the younger brother bows his head in deference to Skezza and is quiet.

The older of the brothers turns to Kairen, "We go now, yes?"

Silently, Balin's guardian stares at the tengu. The old, hand-carved wooden mask of an elderly man is an unflinching countenance that the bird-men are greeted with. The narrow eye-slits of the mask show little behind them, and with a fluidic grace the figure steps aside to allow the tengu past.

Balin comes up behind them and clears his throat softly. "Yes, let's... go to where we last saw a sign of Skezz. I think that's our best option at this point."

*juggles chainsaws*

Apologies for lack of posts, was deep on house move and also watching to see if anyone was going to add to Balin's post...back online now....

Before returning to the scene of Fisk's likely demise, you can take a few moments to examine the contents of the room in which the Tengu had barricaded themselves in. In addition to the previously seen piles of gold coins, there are several jewel encrusted candelabras, goblets and assorted finery...in fact, upon a second look, the room is garishly adorned with golden artefacts...a veritable fortune. That is, until you pick up any of the items and discover that the reassuring weight of gold isn't present; the room is full of fakes, elaborate well crafted fakes for sure, but not the fortune that the Tengu had clearly been seeking.

Gathering yourselves, you return to the scene of your fight with the monstrosity, where Gazzer almost perished; upon sighting the corpse, the Tengu become exceptionally agitated and flock behind Kairen (they still seem to be averse towards Balin and his companion). Whatever the creature that ambushed you was, it remains dead...lying in a pool of thickening blood (a more detailed look reveals that it is wearing lavish jewellery which, if anyone is brave enough, can be safely removed from the corpse; it is approximately 400GP worth of gold and jewels). Keeping a person between themselves and the corpse at all times, the Tengu peer into the room from which the creature had appeared...and let out a cry of anguish.

"Oh Fisk....Oh Mother....what have we done? What will we say?"

Just beyond the threshold of the door lie the, partially consumed, remains of a third Tengu.

The room itself is decorated with shockingly graphic depictions of orgies, involving all manner of creatures and beings. Lying in state, across the far wall of the room, are five humanoid skeletons...the bodies themselves appear human yet, the skulls are those of some monstrous creature. The only other features in the room are a number of cabinets alongside the biers upon which the skeletons rest.

There don't appear to be any other doors from this room.

Kairen's eyebrows shoot upwards as his face distorts into a derisive and disgusted scrunch.

"WELL," he exclaims, "I think that answers quite a few questions, unsettlingly enough, replacing them with plenty more...can't say I figured such a fiend for a...graphic artist..."

He then moves to examine the cabinets, waving away the party as he moves to one side, sword at the ready, preparing to open each in turn.