"Always preferred a direct approach.."
Akari will accompany Gabriel to the door, sword in hand.
Lys thinks to herself "Direct is nice, but often gets you killed."
She follows after Akari as stated in her last post
Luckily nothing seems to come from your noisy approach towards the tower. You all are at the door now. That said none of you hear anything from inside either. The sun is setting fast as it's golden rays peer over the mountains and give an orange hue to the landscape.
The handles that adorn the oddly seemingly well kept door consist of a well polished metal of sorts. Gold in color it gives the lacquered maple door more depth via the contrast of the colors.
Lys is marveled that the heavily armored Gabriel avoided detection.
Lys then whispers "Quiet or loud entry?" as she says loud she motions to Elrosk and Rammy.
"Keep it quiet for now..." Avdol whispers to the others. Avdol stations himself behind Gabe.
Akari will attempt to discreetly test the door, checking if it was locked and if so try and get an idea of how sturdy it was.
[ooc]Ya'll are getting extremely lucky right now haha[/dice]
The door in unlocked, it is very sturdy.
Upon peering into the tower, your eyes trace everything carefully. Starting with the crimson carpet centered on the stone floors clear of any soils. The stone walls are adorned periodically with tapestries and torches which give little amounts of light. It's light shed flickers as do the flames casting odd shadows in strange patterns out across the wall. Twenty feet down the ahead there is a door to both sides of the hallway before it continues on into eventual darkness some feet farther. As it fades off into darkness it also open up into another, much larger, room. Judging by the area inside you can easily tell the inside is much larger than the outside. Among the darkness you make out more feint lights in the center of the dark room, and can barely make out a large spiral staircase in what you can guess is the center. A feint echoing of footsteps sound in the distance as it's noise carries an almost hollow tone bouncing off the walls.
"It's phenomenal,...", whispers Zul. "An extra dimensional space to this multitude" His whisper comes as to a shock as he made it just inside the door with Elrosk at his side.
Elrosk, having made eye contact with Lysanthir in that moment, covers his his mouth with both hands as if to disallow any sound from escaping. Occasionally he gave the 'shhhhh!!!' gist silently to Rammy, raising a finger over his lips to emphasis the seriousness of the situation. If awaiting a moment you see that a light is moving in an upward spiral following the stairs to an upper floor, carried by a cloaked, shadowy figure.
Both doors in the hallway up ahead are shut and of the same look and make as the front doors only as single doors.
Lys simply nods to Elrosk when her covers his mouth, and again when he makes shhh motions to Rammy. Well this explains the overall magical aura. This might be a but more dangerous than I originally thought.
Lys enters and looks around for anything that seems out of place or dangerous.
If nothing dangerous is detected she points to the door on the right and begins to slowly move in that direction.
Avdol follows Lys towards the door and try's to silently shut the one they entered. Keeping to the darker areas of the room as the group walks
As Gabriel opens the door, small flames ignite and come to life simultaneously about the room. It's lighting becomes well lit and you notice this room houses an assortment of ragged, time worn and partially moth eaten scrolls/parchment.
Lys follows gabriel in to the room. Once inside Lys scans the room looking for the least damaged scrolls, or anything unusual.
. If they are uninteresting, illegible for any reason Lys will quietly place them back down.
Inside the walls are lined with bookshelves and a destroyed assortment of charts. All of which are deem able beyond repair. What grabs your attention however is what leads you over to a desk in the corner. On it there are some bigger scrolls and parchment on one of them is a list of hastily scratched down herbs which is also extremely faded. The other is a rolled out chart delicate to the very touch to the extent of disintegration. Some of it had long since been torn or roughly handled causing large portion to be left already missing. At the header of the chart are characters of which no one is able to read, in fact it doesn't even appear to be a language to anyone's knowledge. Underneath however is written partially
~Gard f ~
Between rips and thouroughly destroyed sections by other means, you only make out select letters. Overall it appears to be a faded map of sorts, on it an unlabeled village is partially missing.
Avdol casts detect magic and scours the room.
Avdol quickly loses interest in the task at hand however and starts prodding a spider web... If he finds any magical writing however he will cast read magic and read it, explain it to the party and then continue his epic prodding!
Lys becomes very interested in the list of herbs. She tries to ponder if the combination means anything to her.
If she cannot determine what the herbs would be used for she keeps the note as a puzzle to solve later.
She notices Avdol acting strange"hopefully something in here didn't cause that", but does not ask he what he is doing because she doesn't want to make extra noise.
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Gabriel gestures the rest to stop and whispers "I heard a sound coming from the other door... movement I think. We shouldn't advance without being sure we won't get flanked." and heads to the other door, sword in hand but waits for the rest to come before quickly opening the door trying to surprise whoever is inside. "Be prepared for anything."
Lys begins to move through the items in her Alchemy kit. She stops and suddenly as she realizes bombs would probably alert the whole tower to their presence. She looks briefly depressed and draws her bow,, knocks an arrow, and nods to Gabriel.
Elrosk's Head turns towards the noise as his eyes gleam with a silent excitement. He does not take any action that would cause extra noise though he and Zul begin walking towards the door across the hall silently.
As Gabriel opens the door with the same sudden movement all who could see more of the details of the room, (low light and dark vision). Due to a candle you make out a large soft looking and mostly intact chair occupied by a man who appears to have been falling asleep. On a table single candle burns slowly at the wic as it's wax slowly oozes down. Unlike the last room this one doesn't animate itself to a more well-lit manner when you enter.
You notice he jumps in his seat as you catch him off guard. He is unable to speak as he is a mixture of in shock and confusion.
Initiatives and perceptions
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Gabriel sees part of a startled head and seizes the opportunity: he dashes to the other side of the chair in the blink of an eye and...
... he slashes with his sword as his feets come to a stop striking true and soundly before adopting a defensive stance, his shield fast before him.
... he points his sword at the figure's neck, saying in a menacing voice "Don't move, ruffian! Explain yourself before I lay justice upon you! Who are you?"
Remembering the promise to avoid killing these men Lys will begrudgingly cotinue to hold her action until she knows if the man in the chair is aggressive. Once he either draws a weapon or acts aggressively she will loose her arrow
post aggression:
Turn order Initiatives
Avdol-27
Lysanthir-23
Gaberiel-17
Zul-15
Mystery Man-6
Elrosk-4
Akari-?
Avdol will head to the side without the candle. Standing 10ft from the man, he will ready an action to throw a flask of lamp oil at the man should he become hostile. "If you don't want to ... I suggest you speak only when spoken too."
Avdol will head to the side without the candle. Standing 10ft from the man, he will ready an action to throw a flask of lamp oil at the man should he become hostile. "If you don't want to ... I suggest you speak only when spoken too."
[dice=Readied Flask of Lamp Oil]1d20+4
[dice=Damage]1d6
Damn, I keep messing up and post as my main alias for some reason...
Never having been one to enjoy stumbling about in the dark, Akari jests.. "Any way either of you magic types can give me some Light?"
Akari follows Gabriel closely as they make their way, growing rather bored with it all until they come upon the man in the chair.
He will watch carefully and wait for any ques from the others, or for any hostile movements to attack.
Lys hands Akari a torch and whispers "Best I got."
The man sneers as he realizes his position. His gruff face is home to a maniacal smile that seems to find your threat hilarious. "Dothus Mhk hesh vian dróth"
He shifts slightly getting comfortable all the while with a cocky look in his eyes. He lifts a hand flipping it instantaneously causing a card to appear out of thin air. "You see?..." revealing the card as the ace of clubs, "you may think you have one thing... when you actually have..." his hands move with speed as he flicks his wrist again and revealing the card as a joker now. "but you failed to notice what has already been placed in motion" Flicking his wrist once more the card disappears and he resigns from his 'magic trick'Laughing to himself now his eyes meet with Avdol's, halting his laughter and attempting to spit in his face then attempting to move.
As soon as the first card would appear in the man's hand Avdol's flask would crash into the man's face as the sudden movement of the man's hand would seem hostile. He bursts into bluefish red flames. "Cocky men as easily as any other!"
Lys takes the smile, spit, and demeanor as the man as aggressive and will loose the arrow above.
"As we can see we don't hang idle threats." She giggles slightly. "NOW, that was a neat little trick. But i think I've seen some of what's in motion. Drop what you are hiding in BOTH of you hands now. Six versus one this won't end well for you. Give up! And tell us about the orb.
Akari will hold his strike, as there would be no turning back from that. Even though, the man was already burning, had an arrow or two in him and was speaking in tongues.
We should just cut him and move on, there are other fish to fry.
"Tell me when to cut him, Lys. I really, really want to cut him."
Though he honestly is only holding until the guy himself makes any hostile moves.
Just give me an excuse, creep.
The man sits there watching as the flask of lamp oil flies in his direction but it passes right infront of his face, hitting the floor with a shatter to the front left side of the man. The man's smile widens, his attention turning back in turn, to each of you. "You missed..." his subtle laughter is clearly both to egg you on. (Avdol)
"If I am to die, it will not be by your hand alone coward!" His voice is oddly calm whilst stating this directed at Avdol. He lets out a sinister laughter and with a flick of his wrist he pulls out his dagger attempting to stand as well as take a stab at one of you. In the same moment he is attempting the act, he yells "INTRU----"... His movement followed by the intimidation of Lysanthir, Gabriel's and Akari's attacks go off.
Gabriel swings his sword lashing the man's throat from speaking further, but fear that the man's short lived scream was heard courses through your mind. Akari's blood lust and eagerness claim it's first human life outright with this sword. It's keen edge easily slices through the man letting out a small controlled spray of his own plasma. After these attacks the man goes completely limp. His sadistic and retched smile held true through death, but his eyes showed shock. His corpse sit there still in the same chair he had been dozing off in only moments before. Now a lump of flesh and blood you are left with only gurgling sounds from tendons and silence... momentarily his chest lurches forward for a split second as some unknown matter filters out like that of directed steam being pulled. It flows a short distance going from transparent to completely invisible. Should anyone look you notice Zul has disappeared in the past few seconds without a trace. Elrosk stands there a moment looking both directions confused but then begins walking down the hallway sniffing the air. The sound of rock scraping rock sounds from further away into the unexplored depths of the tower.
Avdol will move to the man and loot his body. Smirking to himself Avdol leans close to the now limp body and whispers... "Funny thing about cowards... they tend to live longer... Your still gonna by the way..." Ignoring everything that is transpiring around him, Avdol drags the corpse to the puddle of lamp oil and sets it ablaze. Avdol's eyes seem to burn with intensity far beyond that of the fire as the corpses flesh begins to sear. "You may think you have one thing... when you actually... are dead and ." Avdol says in a sarcastically cocky tone, mimicking the man.
You find a average dagger still clutched in his hand, a satchel hidden under his robes, leather armor he had been dawning with a now decent cut into it from Akari's sword. In it you also note a few peices of rolled up parchment, (all of which are blank). In his pouch are 3g, 7s and 4c and a flask of clear liquid. He wears a spring loaded wrist sheath on one arm with another average dagger loaded in it already
The fire quickly catches but begins to spread over his body as well. In a mere few seconds the smell of burning flesh fills the room along with smoke. Smoke quickly billows from the body in a matter of seconds, (a few turns). His robes burning first revealing his leather underneath.
After cutting the guy, Akari will not linger in the room with fire and stink. He'll move back out and listen for the guys' friends he was sure heard and possibly are hearing everything that's going on.
"We need to move, now. Avdol you're twisted, man. Leave your boyfriend to rot, we have other problems."
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Gabe is a bit shocked at what they have done... spilling blood this way isn't easy "Lord give me strength..." so distracted he is that he can only frowns at Avdol's pyromaniac act, unable to react faster "Avdol! That's unnecessary, they are people... we shouldn't indulge in such cruel acts of despoiling. And it's dangerous to boot, we are inside a building and you could get us all ablaze! Put it out, fast! " he says as he tries to extinguish the fire using his cloak.
After his first kill and firefight act, Gabe removes his helmet to clean the sweat and gives a quick look all over the place to try and see if there's anything of use or another entrance to the room. "This sick stench will attract everybody in this godforsaken tower, we need to move. Now."
Lys as Avdol? loots the body Lys sees the flask of clear liquid and says " Avdol toss that flask and satchel over here." She then spends a round studying the liquid in the flask. And then the satchel.
After Avdol lights the body and gabriel makes his dissent clear, "Avdol that is a touch over the top" Lys isnt so much bother by the cruelty, but finds it illogical and therefore is conflicted by the act."Gabriel is right. This will attract the other people in the tower. It's probably too late though, when we open the door the scent will spread through at least this level, bringing people to the scent of burning. We're in for a fight. Which begs the question Elrosk where is Zul?
Avdol will bring the satchel and flask to Lys. Avdol glares at Akari after the comment. Turning to Gabe, he clears his throat, "It's a stone tower that exudes a magic aura, if it catches fire, the wizard was an idiot. Him yelling would have already alerted any others as the door was open. The only thing the smell will do if anything will tell them wear the body is as Lys stated. I'm keeping with Elrosk, follow if you wish... I don't take kindly to disrespect, no matter the situation. No Gabe, it's a funeral pyre... albeit quick and no wood..."
Avdol will move briskly in the direction Elrosk went hoping to catch up in a few moments, casting detect magic and viewing the other items he obtained.
Akari raises a brow at Avdol's glare but doesn't concern himself overmuch with it, then turns to Lys with a smirk and points after the big oaf.
"Where's Elrosk?" He'll ask, very obviously with light-hearted sarcasm and begins to follow him with sword drawn. As he does, he is sure to keep a watch out for any other of the men that were said to be here.
"True they usually are together." replies Lys.
Lys also beings to follow after a quick search of the satchel, she puts the flask in her pouch. Assuming that a large fight is about to occur the others can see Lys put her bow on her back and walk with her hand in her alchemy pouch, keeping an eye out for attackers.
As each of you make your way out into the hallway, you notice Elrosk is nowhere in sight. The halls remain quiet and as eerily dark as before.
As noted from the previous day, everything begins shaking violently for a few moments. Tremmors are enough to cause books and other random oddities from their respective shelves. After the shaking subsides you each continue moving, if you haven't already, in or down the hallway. Making your way deeper into the unknown tower, each of you feel as if you're being watched and are unsure of whom, what or where it was directed from. Another 20 feet down the hallway opposite the entrance there is an ornate archway marking the entrance into the dark room ahead. As you reach this distance those of you with dark vision notice first that the room both opens up greatly, and slowly descends down wide marble steps. Upon first step into this room each of you simultaneously are greeted mentally by a voice...
You do not know for certain what herbs went into making this concoction. Though it is quite possible that it has something to do with the herbs found in the mysterious forest.
"Welcome unfathomable guests... " The voices both firm and deep in tone. Nothing else is said nor will it reply should you say anything.
As you continue making your way down the wide marble steps the light level in the room begins to increase slowly. Floating candles appear of darkness as they self-ignite, riding on saucers magically. The stench of the singed buddy back in the room is still strong and you can assume that the other persons in the tower can smell it as well. As to why he begins to increase in the room you're able to make it more distinguishable landmarks. As such there are four main pillars, each of which are easily 15 feet diameter. The center of the room there is another pill are much bigger than the others easily by double. Spiraling around it is an ascending staircase. In each of the four separate pillars you notice there is half of the sphere indented with a two inch gold clasp ring encircling it. On the clasp there are runes of which you are unfamiliar of. The red carpet that lead from the front door continues leading down the center most portion of the stairs and around the entire center flooring surrounding the main support pillar then leading up the spiral staircase.hung on the walls or large or ornate tapestries huge size portraits of older gentleman and women. Tables with random oddities are placed symmetrically along the outside walls. These wide marble steps go down approximately 10 steps worth symmetrically around the entire room and only the four pillars change the pattern.
Lysanthir notices a hooded man attempting to sneak from the top the stairs drawing his bow as if he was going to attack once he had a clear shot. Realizing you spotted him he curses under his breath and retreats.
To make your way up the stairs would take a few rounds worth of movement for the slow ascension arround the pillar up to the next floor.
After figuring out the potion and while walking to the current room Lys thinks to herself. What an odd concoction. If it requires the blue rose we saw, maybe it is tied to Pelor. HA! Gabriel would love that. When we get out of here maybe I'll suggest imbibing it. Or drug him it would be one hell of a prank, no no too far, I think only goblins would find that funny."
In response to the welcoming Lys jumps in surprise.What the hell is this place!" she then takes in the whole room and jumps again exclaiming "There was a man above us about to shoot a bow. He ran when I saw him." Despite knowing the extent of magic in the world and being slightly magical herself(not a spellcaster, but able to infuse magical essence into her extracts) this place has thoroughly spooked Lys. Not to mention two of her companions have just vanished without a trace.
Lys will cover the staircase as instructed . Since the top of the stairs is high up she will draw her now and knock an arrow.
Avdol will cast detect magic and wait till he can sense each auras presence. If the runes appear magical he will cast read magic to try and discern their nature if any.
"Unfortunatly I didn't see the figure, but there's not much I can do from this far away anyway." Avdol will say in a low tone.
The oddities range from magnetic hovering creations, to multi faceted pendulum experiments. Beakers and recently broken alchemy mock setups lay waste on the surround floor of the tables.
The man does not show up again, and you are certain he most likely alerted the others to your whereabouts. It is also possible that they may be preparing an ambush for you upstairs.
Lys continues to cover the stairs. "Anything interesting over there? They definitely know we are here now. We should probably suspect heavy resistance above. "