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A brazier of glowing coals sits in the center of this room, its acrid smoke mixing with the ever-present troglodyte stench. A few knives, pokers, and other metal implements lie atop a rusty iron box nearby. As you enter, a larger troglodyte turns away from the iron bax to face you. With a wicked grin, he hoists up his javalen and prepares to attack.
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Arthrax lets out a battle cry upon seeing the larger version of the disgusting creatures they had just vanquished. He can't push past his companion Darcy and get to the creature, so he shuffles into the room, stopping next to the brazier with his axe at the ready, waiting for the creature to close so he can sweep across with a vicious blow.
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- Move Action: Misforstått enters the room and steps to the side.
- Standard Action: Draw an acid flask.
- Free Action: "They're just so dashing and brave!" the alchemist thinks to himself as he pantomimes Darcy's longsword motions with the flask in his hand. Dow does he do that? Is he triple jointed?!? I must ask him if I can examine his arm after we're done here...
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Darcy's attack strikes true, skewering the troglodyte through the heart and killing it instantly.
As you wipe the blood from your weapons, you hear a dull pounding sound coming from the door on the other side of the room, quickly followed by a muffled voice yelling in common "Hello, is anyone out there? Please help me!"
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Arthrax opens the door to find a small room void of any furnishings, save a pile of straw in the corner. Inside, a male human recoils from the light that suddenly pours in from the other room. He's quite dirty and somewhat emaciated, but otherwise appears to be in ok physical condition. As his eyes adjust, he looks up at you and says "Not troglodytes? Oh, thank the Gods! Please, you must help me. I'm a member of the Pathfinder Society that was taken captive by these foul creatures some time ago. They've kept me locked in this room for God's-know how long."
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Assuming that the human captive declines Misforstått's request, he will put away his acid flask and search the area for keys and other items of interest:
"Really, there's no need to be concerned about my request. It's a simple procedure to remove the vocal chords and put them back them after inspection. I've done it three times so far!"
The alchemist cringes a bit, feeling the others give him odd looks. "OK. OK. I had to do it twice on that one subject because I put the pieces in backwards. But, really, he came out fine. That squeaking wheeze only lasted a few hours, and there were clerics of Pharasma nearby."
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The man does indeed decline with some confusion. Looking around, Misforstatt finds a set of keys on the dead troglodyte and a rusty iron chest in the corner. Inside you find a suit of masterwork studded leather armor, a masterwork buckler, a masterwork rapier, a shortbow with 15 arrows, a scroll of cure moderate wounds, a scroll of invisibility, a wayfinder, and a climber’s kit. As you're pulling the items out of the chest, you hear the man say "That's it! That's my gear right there!"
After releasing the man He quickly dons his armor and equipment as he says "Thank you, friends. Thank you so much for saving my life. Ah, but where are my manners? I never introduced myself, did I? My name is Balenar Forsend. Now, if I might ask, what's brought you to this accursed place? Are you here on Society business?"
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"We are, indeed," Sarephta says with a sidelong look at Misforstatt.
"It was in the name of science. To advance medical research!" Sensing the disapproval of his allies, tears start to well up in the tiefling's eyes. "Is that not why we're here?" He pleads passionately. "Our exploration and reporting advances the state of knowledge for us all!"
Unlocking the bound Pathfinder's shackles, the alchemist continues, "Surely, you must sympathize. After all, the Decemvirate only has our best interests at heart! Right? Right? Guys?"
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"Good man, Pathfinder! I am Misbegotten Misforstått. These are my friends: Gallant Sir Bellringer, Gracious Lady Nigh, Dashing Sir Aranzour, Wise Lady Corolingian, and her companion, Singlemided Groot!" He tries that bow again. No matter how many times Darcy corrects him, the tiefling simply cannot get it right. Once again, he unintentionally moons the party.
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Arthrax looks at the alchemist with alarm, preparing to interject himself before the 'examination' begins. When the man instead releases the captive, he sighs with relief. He nods to the man as he starts to reoutfit himself, saying, "Arthrax. We'd be glad to have your company."
His face is deadpan as he sees the full moon, pausing a moment before heading to the door that leads 'up'.
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The four wings of the tower are completely open on this level, forming one great, cross-shaped chamber with arched ceilings. The decayed remnants of a carpet run from the doorways at the end of each wing, meeting in the center, where a spiral staircase drops out of sight below. A large, throne-like chair stands in the middle of the eastern wing next to a big chest. Behind the chair stands a troglodyte garbed in a headdress and and other tribal equipment as an albino alligator lays at it's feet. As you enter, he turns from the window he was looking out to glare hatefully at you . He then screams something at the alligator and they both rush forward.
As combat begins, Balenar begins to sing a song of truimph and victory .