Also initially confused over Lucetta's actions, Iacobus stifles a laugh over the juxtaposition of the slack faced slave standing in the oil with an open flame, oblivious to the dangers arround him.
"Yes, a little more distance would be nice."
Torch in hand the slave walks into the oil soaked room. As before, the viscous mist seeps out from the holes on the floor and envelopes the hapless slave. it shies away from the open flame, but in the end it does not matter, as the slave shrieks in agony before falling dead. As planned, the torch rolls from the lifeless fingers of the corpse and after a few tense moments, its flickering flames ignite the oil. Flames flicker to life and begin to dance along the oil. Soon the heat backing off of the room is intense and in the low key inferno, the creature writhes and crisps and ultimately perishes.
Once the flames dies down, you enter the room, the smell of charred flesh filling your nostrils. Doors lead to the north and to the east. With no indication as to which way to head, you head north and open the elaborately barred door. Beyond, at the end of a short passage is another wooden door. Unsurprisingly the door is inscribed with yet another platitude: “Cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy but reward those who serve thee well.”
There is only one thing in this room – a torturer’s rack. This cruel implement is functional and ready for use but currently empty. The chamber is lit by an oil lantern that hangs from the centre of the room. There is nothing else obvious here.
Shaken by the violent death of the slave Arthur reminds himself Better them than me, and moves on still carrying the torch as a weapon. "What do you think this means? Another riddle, a clue or just some writing," he asks before opening the door and taking in the room. He walks in, circles the rack looking for any thing of interest and finds nothing. "Is this just to remind us to be faithfull?" he wonders out aloud. Looking to the others he asks: "Would one of you take the torch so I can draw my blade again, I think it is of more use."
Ember gives an approving look to Lucetta, and follows the big one into the room. Not a pastime, but a tool. How often we forget about it… she muses as she walks over the torture hack and touches it tenderly ”I don’t think this should be used on any of us. There is no point in that. Maybe from your point of view, I may have some secret knowledge about this place, which I assure you I do not.” she look around and says ”So, why this is here?”
"Good I am not fond of these kind of reminders, he remarks grimly. "Do you think it is for any prisoners, we could capture later on, when we are done here?" he asks.
Lucetta claps her hands in joy that the plan worked, and gleefully bounces down the corridor eager to take on the next challenge.
She frowns however as she surveys the torture device, less about the nature of the thing and more about the lack of hints on how to proceed.
Perhaps, as in other chambers, there are hidden doors here. I have little skill with detecting such things would you all kindly take a wall and check it out?
Going to one of the walls Arthur quickly glances it over. Perhaps he is to hasty as he finds nothing. "I think this is just a regular stone wall," he says.
"You could be right." says Ember, as she starts to search the place.
Ember finds a small hidden door on one wall. After Iacobus takes a minute to check for traps, you carefully open it.
Beyond it, you find small cubby. Inside cowers a young man in a bright tabard display the symbol of Mitra.
When you open the door, he cries out. "Oh sweet Mitra. Don't hurt me!"
"Oh my, my. What do we have here?" she smiles pleasantly at him and continues ”It’s alright now. You are safe, no one will hurt you.” she says extending her hand, to help him out of his hiding place.
"What are you doing here? And how you ended up hiding there?" she asks, a mask of concern in her face.
Iacobus gives the man a once over and then takes on an expression of relief. "Oh, good someone else. We have been trapped down here for days. The way back is too dangerous. You wouldn't know any other way out of here?"
"What have you found?" Arthur inquires, his hand rests on the hilt of his sword ready to draw.
Quickly glancing over the young man's attire and picking up what her companions have started, Lucetta adds
Mitra be praised, we have found another survivor! Lucetta bows her head gracefully and mutters something under her breath
Surely it is divine providence that has reunited us! Now, my sister and brother have it right, we need to get out of here, do you know your way around these catacombs?
Arthur realises what the others are trying to accomplished and tries to help. Alas the words "Don't worry we won't harm you," has less of an effect when one's hand rest comfortably on the hilt of a sword.
The fellow crawls out cautiously and stands before you. He looks to be a lad of about 15 and is dressed in a squire's attire. His scabbard is empty and his chainmail is torn. His tunic is stained with blood.
"Who are you people? How in Mitra's name did you end up down here too?"
The sight of the non-threatning teenager eases Arthur up a bit, his hand slides away from the weapon although he keeps his distance. "Well it is a long story..." he begins pausing for the others to take over the conversation.
A stpry we can talk about later, now listen, we need to know anything you can tell us about this place, how did you come to be hidden here? Is there another way in?
"We don't know if we are being followed, so we might want to hurry. Stories, as my friend here stated, can wait..."
The lad settles a bit. He doesn't appear completely won over, but his immediate terror has subsided.
"I don't know how I end up in this dungeon of horrors. The last thing I recall is settling in for the night in Sir Balin's camp. When I woke up I was down here and that horrible thing was chasing me. It looks like a man, but it isn't. It's a devil. it chased me though horrible room after horrible room. If I hadn't found that hidey hole, it would have had me for sure."
Fear fills his eyes and he looks at you questioningly. "Did you see it? Did you kill it?"
Ember, for the most part stayed in silence. She could move without being seen, she could kill using her hands, she was more than apt at using a bow, she could drag the boy off the hole, set him up in the torture table and learn all of his secrets, she always knew when someone was lying to her, not a move one would do she missed, but talking sweetly is not her best trait. It amazed her how she was able to do it before. Lucky is a fickle mistress, it’s dumb to trust her.
Uncertain how to proceed Arthur awaits the initiative of his companions.
Iacobus' eyes widen slightly at the explanation. "You too? We've been having to hide from that thing for a while now. That's why we can't go back. We... used to have a few more people, but... With this his eyes start to moisten and his throat sounds like it has started to close up. Iacobus quickly turns away and starts shuddering.
Oh bother, I was sure we'd found another way out here
she wells up slightly, but quickly wipes her tears away
Still, we have another survivor and that's something to give thanks for she smiles
Right, there's nothing for it, we'll have to keep looking. Come my friends, let us steel ourselves, summon our faith and work together to vanquish this place!
Lucetta leads the way back to the previous room and gestures to the East door.
We have yet to explore this way, gird yourselves and let us see what awaits
The lad hesitantly follows you out.
Past the eastern door is a short corridor that leads to another of the now familiar doors. Above this one is engraved “The chosen are revealed by their might. The weak deserve no sympathy.”
Opening the door, you see another room lighted by a hanging lantern a door to the south is barred by a heavy wooden crossbeam. Writhing beneath the lantern is a pair of shiny metal serpents.
They are mithral cobras
nit +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0 DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 18 (+4 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size) hp 15 (1d10+10)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0
DR 5/—; Immune construct traits; SR 13
OFFENSE
Speed 70 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d6+1 plus poison)
Finally, something I can recognize, though after that wizard's house I didn't expect to see these again... Iacobus thinks as he shouts, "Careful, these snakes have poison and are pretty resistant to damage. Spells may or may not work."
After this he pulls Lucetta aside, and, with a glance, tries to tell the other two to keep the lad busy. "I think they might let us pass if we gave them our 'friend' over there, but he might prove even more useful later. Ideas?"
Hmm, thus far each room has been self-contained, I believe the boy may hold information yet crucial to us in escaping down here, this may well simply be a test of might, though I find myself ill-prepared as my arcane magics are ill-suited to such direct confrontation.
Lucetta studies the metal snakes, deep in thought about the best way to tackle them.
Any uncertainty Arthur had when they encountered the boy vanished as he focus shifts once the snakes slithers into life. His mind is drawn towards a single yet simple goal surviving and besting the enemy. Two quick steps places him just in front of Iacobus and Lucetta alowing the two to speak. "What should I do?" he asks.
"Okay, good points. Well let's get this over with then." Iacobus responds to Lucetta before raising his voice. "Arthur, you're our front line, but be careful and wait for the go. I'll try to help as much as possible. Ember, ranged support, please and if you have any good spells for Arthur here... Lucetta, whatever you can. And you, wait we never got your name did we? Nevermind. If you think you can help feel free but otherwise stay back, we aren't losing anyone else to this cursed place." While directing everyone, Iacobus pulls out a small vial wrapped in cloth to help prevent it clinking and breaking. Finished with his speech he pulls out the stopper with his teeth and downs the contents. A moment or two later his arms start to strech to unnatural lengths.
How am I supposed to keep a face for the boy? she thinks when she hears the Iacobus instructions. Well, he may have something planned. she thinks as she grabs her holy symbol changing a small prayer ”Mighty Father, give thy blessings to thine faithful son.” she finishes as she touches Arthur, making him the one to receive the dark father blessings.
Combat Rd 1
16 Ember
14 Iacobus
12 Snakes
7 Lucetta
6 Arthur
Iacobus draws his loaded crossbow and fires at the snakes.
He grimgrimacs as his attack goes wide, after a second to calm his emotions, he settles in to wait for Arthur to get closer.
After using her blessings, Ember pick up her bow and shoot at the enemy.
Iacobus' shot goes wide. Ember's arrow flies true, but clangs harmlessly off of the creatures metal sides.
The Snakes hiss menacingly, but remain where they are.
Unsure what to do Arthur asks: "Should I attack or just stay here and guard you?" when the arrows almost harmlessly bounced of the snakes.
"See if you can get around the snakes, we might be able to hurt them but it's going to take some time. Lucetta, Ember some covering fire would be appreciated."
With this Iacobus starts to move around the edges of the room, dropping his crossbow and drawing his rapier. Preparing to aid Arthur if the snakes attempt to attack him.
Lucetta nods at Iacobus, levelling her hand and casting a tiny orb of acidic energy towards the snakes.
Following the advice although a bit sceptic Arthur edges into the room keeping his guard up and facing towards the snakes. He tries to make his way around them.
Ember fiers once more, but this does not seem right to her
"There's no other way?" she asks
Arrows and spells fly harmlessly around the snakes. As Arthur enters the room, they move to attack.
Fortunately for the big man, they fail to sink their teeth into him.
nit +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0 DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 18 (+4 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size) hp 15 (1d10+10)
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0
DR 5/—; Immune construct traits; SR 13
OFFENSE
Speed 70 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d6+1 plus poison)
Keeping his wits Arthur takes half a step back. "Daemon spawn," he curses before swinging his sword. The downward slash is still way above the snakes and even though the bash with his shield is closer it still misses.
Iacobus once again tries to insert his rapier into the combat, this time to throw the snakes off guard.
Lucetta tries to distract the snakes with her acid orbs.
Embar fires on the snake that the gentlemen are harassing.
Her arrow flies true, grooving one of the snakes.
With a little aided distraction from Iacobus, Arthur is able to evade the snakes' attacks.
nit +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +0 DEFENSE
AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 18 (+4 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
hp 15/15, 14/15
Fort +0, Ref +4, Will +0
DR 5/—; Immune construct traits; SR 13
OFFENSE
Speed 70 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d6+1 plus poison)
Hard pressed by the ferocious attack of the artificial snakes Arthur sends a forced smile to Iacobus as the man's intervention saved him from the fangs. He swings his sword once again and alas even though he focused on this attack alone it passed several inches above the heads of the snakes. "Mitra's burned out sun," he curses.
Realising her simple spell might actually provide some assistance to the party here due to the snakes reliance on their metallic nature for defence, Lucetta carefully aims another orb at the writhing opponents harassing Arthur.
Unfortunately the small globule goes wide, hitting the wall and hissing as it dissipates against the cold stone.
Pleased he was finally able to accomplish something aith these snakes, Iacobus tries to smile back at Arthur but only makes a sly smirk. Realizing he failed to.send the right message, Iacobus instead focuses back on the snakes and reaches out with his elongated arms, again trying to distract the snakes from hitting Arthur.
"We may need to think of another way of doing this..."
There must be a better way of dealing with this! Ember thinks as she struggle with the snakes. I refuse to tell daddy some stupid snakes prevented me from obeying him!
Using the same hatred and fear for not being able to overcome such ridiculous challenge, fire starts to burn around her, mostly concentrated at her hand, to a point it shoots off in a scorching bolt of divine fire, targeting the already injured snake.