"Who is listening?" Aurica whispers.
She approaches the iron door. "Perhaps an answer lies beyond here."
The iron door ahead of you seems bound in copper bands and you hear a low thrumming sound vibrating through it. It does not appear to be locked in any way and a simple latch keeps it closed.
Milah looks to the others, rapier still drawn. "Let's check, shall we?" With that, she opens the door, ready for...anything?
Aurica nods in agreement.
Zev frowns at the words, looking at Aurica, "Listening? What? "
He shrugs and follows to the iron door, stepping up close to Milah as she opens the door, his flail at the ready...
As you open the door with a slight metal scraping sound, you are greeted with an odd sight. The room itself seems to be a perfect sphere, with the floor curving to several feet below you and rising just as high. The walls are made of some kind of red metal and everywhere you look, black lightning plays along the walls in small arcs. What is more eerie is that in the center of the room several objects are suspended in midair, a book, a scroll, a forked iron wand, a large bottle of red liquid and what appears to be a dead black bird with several small white things floating around it. They all bob slightly up and down in the center of the room. The thrumming is much louder here.
Aurica is awed by what she sees. She slowly walks forward into the room to get a closer look at the floating objects.
As Aurica steps into the room, she suddenly feels herself being held up by an invisible force. As she walks, it suspends her over the floor towards the items floating in the middle. She is now floating among the items and can easily look at each of them. The scroll seems to have a spell written on it, that of burning hands. The black bird is exactly what it appears, a dead bird with maggots floating around and through it. The book is written in Abyssal, but the symbol of Lamashtu on the front tells you what it must be. The bottle of red liquid has a strong smell of alcohol coming from it, though much of it is already gone. The wand appears to be a simple rod of wrought iron, though Aurica is certain there must be more to it than that...
Milah gasps as Aurica is pulled into the room, but supposes that's better than being shocked by the lightning tracing a course along the walls. "So, perhaps you should get what you can and we can pull you back? Anyone have any rope?"
Aurica reaches for the iron rod and places her right hand upon it, wrapping her fingers around to grip it. With her left hand she lifts up the bottle of red alcohol and, having sniffed it at the rim, lifts it up to get a small taste.
The iron wand is cool to the touch, but as Aurica grips it, she feels a tiny electric tingle going through her hand. The red liquid tastes bitter, like wine left out for far too long. Aurica feels a little light headed, but is otherwise unaffected by it.
Confused, Aurica looks at the rod, the cup, the book, the scroll, the dead bird, and the lightning running along the walls again.
"Who is listening?" she calls out in a loud, clear voice. "Show yourself!"
In frustration, she tries to get SOMETHING to happen, and makes a forceful gesture with the rod in her hand.
Zev stands in the doorway of the round room, watching Aurica floats around, "Whoa...."
The wand becomes instantly surrounded in a nimbus of electrical arcs and though Aurica can feel the energy, they do not harm her. She gathers that they would certainly harm another who was touched by the wand as long as she held it. In response to her words, some of the lightning on the wall coalesces into shapes, strange at first, but then into runes that you've seen before and then finally into something you can understand. He is listening. Malfeshnikor hears you.
"Do you hear me, Malfeshnikor? Speak, then."
If she hears no response, then Aurica turns and leaves the room, seeing nothing else to be done here. She takes the book, the scroll, and the wand with her.
There is no response as Aurica leaves the room, gravity suddenly affecting her as she steps out of the doorway.
Milah looks to the others, "I think we've explored as much as we can down here; let's see if we can find anyone to take a look at our new gear, and see if that name means anything to anyone."
Aurica nods in agreement."We'll have a lot to tell Sheriff Hemlock about when he returns from Magnimar..."
The return to the surface of Sandpoint is relatively easy, moving past the bodies of the dead zombies and the ashes of the strange creatures Erylium seemed to have control over. When you return, leaving the quarantined Glassworks, you are met by some of the other deputies that Hemlock left in place. One steps forward. "Welcome back. I wish I could say I have good news, but I do not. Magnimar is sending some troops back to bolster our defenses, but your companions that brought that demon back have left town and the demon has escaped. We don't know where either went. So far there hasn't been any sign of the creature causing trouble, but a demon loose in Sandpoint is almost worse than a horde of goblins. Mayor Deverin will probably want to see you at some point after you've had time to.. uh.. recover from your exploration. " You notice one of the other deputies attempting to cover his nose.
"What?! How did Erylium escape? We had her tightly bound," Aurica says in disbelief.
"Well...I obviously need a bath. We should visit Mayor Deverin soon, though."
"We don't know. We took her in, kept her bound and left her in a cell. We have no other way of holding a demon in Sandpoint. We left someone to watch her and now both are gone., he says shaking his head, as if in apology.
Edit: Fireday, 4 Lamashan, 4707, 18:27pm. 51 degrees, light wind.
Milah sighs, 'Well, we can only hope that the demon has fled for other lands and that, if our companions do not return, they have fled for better as well." She looks at the expressions of disgust, then at her matted fur and nods her agreement at Aurica. "I could certainly be cleaner, as well..."
"You're saying one of the town guard is missing, as well? This can't be good. Have you spoken to his family to see if they know his whereabouts?"
Hallis looks at Aurica and nods his head. "We did go check with his family. Thing is, he was new in town, so didn't really have any to ask. We did find out he had some drinking buddies at the Hagfish though."
Milah cocks her head at the mention of the Hagfish. "Aurica? Fancy another round there?"
"Yeah, let's head over there once we've washed up a bit."
Fireday, 4 Lamashan, 4707, 21:19pm. 49 degrees, no wind.
After spending at least an hour in the hot bath at the Rusty Dragon, made ready for you by Ameiko's helpful halfling innkeeper, you then spend some time drying by the hearthfire, eating a hearty meal of roast venison and steamed potatoes. Later, with your bellies full and your bodies clean, you enter the Hagfish, which while full, is certainly anything but clean. The throng of patrons seem to be listening to an older man tell a story...
"...bigger than any horse I've ever seen, and it had wings. Dark, black, evil things. And its eyes glowed red with a deadly light. Those who looked directly on it would die in an instant... "
Milah eases her way into the throng, listening intently to the man's story. She looks around at those nearby as well, to get a feel for how the story is being received. So, is he telling a tall tale to get some free drinks, or did he really witness...whatever it is he's talking about?
Milah asks around about the guard that had gone missing, Markus Decater. Talking to some of his sometime drinking companions tells you the following:
"Markus? Yeah, 'e came 'ere from up the coast aways, somewhere past Magnimar 'e says. 'E'd come around, drink and laugh the night away, almost every night I think. Then this morning, a couple of your friends brought that creature from down below. 'E was given scrip to watch over it. A couple hours later, 'e was gone an' so was the demon. 'E never said much about such things, but every once in a while, when the goblins came up in conversation, 'e'd get real quiet like, you know? Like something spooked 'im good. Crazy thing is, no one saw 'em leave. Next guard to take over came in and then sounded the alarm when 'e saw them gone. That was earlier this morning. They're probably long gone by now. Can't say I know why 'e'd hang out with no demon though. Must've put a spell on 'im or somethin'."
We never should have left that demon alive, Aurica thinks to herself. What havoc will she cause now?
Moving over to Milah after listening to the old man's tale for a short while, Aurica says, "It seems like Erylium and this guard have disappeared without a trace. They could be anywhere. Unless we can find a way to track their movement starting from the jail, I don't know how we'll ever find them. We could go back down into the catacombs, of course--she might have wanted to return to her own lair."
Sunday, 6 Lamashan 4707, 8:53pm. 41 degrees, light breeze, Rusty Dragon Inn.
Ameiko Kaijitsu, owner of the Rusty Dragon and now noble scion hasn't been seen much in her own Inn for a few days since learning of her father's death. Tonight is no exception. Earlier today, Sheriff Hemlock returned from Magnimar with a contingent of soldiers to help bolster Sandpoint's defenses should the goblins decide to mount another attack. Mayor Deverin did send a messenger that she wanted to see you, but that the meeting would have to wait until Moonday, as other pressing matters have her busy this weekend. The town pulse is worried that some of the Heroes of Sandpoint have abandoned the town and some folks are in fear that even with Magnimarian troops, they wouldn't be able to repel another attack. This much is evident just by listening to some of the patrons as you sit down to your late dinner. You notice a few new folks this evening, a yellow scaled kobold that no one seems to be upset about being seen in civilized lands, a Shoanti man that appears to be taking in every detail and analyzing it and finally, a rather arrogant looking man that seems more interested in the gauntlet he wears than the food in front of him. They seem to recognize you as Heroes of Sandpoint, but you do not recognize them. Then again, you are still learning of all the 2000 plus people that make up the town of Sandpoint.
Zarque gleefully accepts her food from the halfling innkeep and with the relaxed tone of familiarity, speaks to the innkeep "I hear you had much... excitement, while I was gone. Had I known, I'd have come back sooner. I figure Ameiko took part in the battle, though I haven't seen her today. She's doing okay I hope?" Obviously fishing for news.
Not that Zarque knew Ameiko personally or anything, but she did frequent this tavern on her trips to the market and thus had actually dealt with Ameiko on a few occasions without getting her head chopped off, which was always a good sign in Zarque's opinion.
Bethana, the elder halfling woman, only smiles her best half-smile. "She is a tough girl, mind. She can handle herself pretty well, but I think this whole thing has her dreaming of home, if you know what I mean. I try to keep her head on straight and I'm hoping that young man Zev that has been helping her out can give her some sort of comfort in these hard times for her. I'd say go up and visit her at the manor, but the last couple days she has been rather busy with cleaning up her father's affairs."
Zarque took a sip of her drink as Bethana talked, listening intently, "I imagine cleaning up affairs means she doesn't need interruptions. Nobody trusted me to handle anything of Trazza's when she disappeared, but I saw enough to know 'affairs' are unpleasantly complicated and troublesome."
Zarque handed over plenty of coin for the meal, with her thanks, and dug into the food with relish.
Milah smiles to the townsfolk as she wanders the streets, putting her best face on her own disappointment. I was starting to really feel a connection to the others, and yet they leave. I suppose the knowledge of imminent attack could have had something to do with it; some were bound to leave for safer streets.
She hears murmurs of conversation as she chooses a table near the door. I suppose I should be seen training the soldiers tomorrow; a well-trained militia should inspire a bit more confidence...
Moa'Taar watched the Kobold talk to Bethana for a moment, something akin to mirth on his face, while he took in the room. Having gotten his bearings, he approached the two Catfolk at their table and said "Excuse me for being forward, but are you members of the group people are calling the Heroes of Sandpoint? IF so, might I have a moment of your time?"
Like all Shoanti, he was tall, but unlike most of his people he was rail thin. He kept his hair close-cropped and his clothing was funtional but well-maintained.
Other than his sheer size, the thing that stood out the most about him was the rather pronounced limp that he walked with. That he moved as well as he did showed that it was an old injury, but he had apparently learned to deal with it.
To the tall Shoanti man, Aurica replies, "Yes, in fact--although it certainly isn't a name we chose for ourselves. Please, sit with us," she finishes with a smile.
Milah smiles at the Shoanti newcomer, though not without some apprehension. "I do hope you're not looking for us to fund your next business venture or the like. Just because others call us heroes does not mean that we have more money than we can think to spend..."
Having been just about to start discussing her findings with Milah, Aurica pauses until the tall man finishes introducing himself and makes his purpose known.
"My name is Aurica Movici, and this is Milah Ashkenazi."
Zarque watches everyone in the room, but pays particular attention to these "heroes" she has heard about, and though she is not obviously gawking at them, anyone paying attention might notice as Zarque gives the catgirls an appraising look.
Moa'Taar gives Milah his best Cop interacting with taxpayers look then says "No ma'am, nothing like that. I have been asked by the town council to assist you in your endeavors as a representative of the town of Sandpoint. my name Is Moa'Taar, and I am an investigator with the watch."
Moa'Taar will take a seat.
"Ah," says Milah, nodding as she requests her dinner from the halfling woman. "In that case, we're glad for the help. Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share about our current situation?"
"I would be more than happy to share my thoughts, should you but inform me as to what the current situation is."
As he talks, he pulls out a small book and begins to take notes.