The party is fully rested, having slept a full eight hours each.
However, some of them are yet wounded, and as it is a new dawn they are able to receive healing from those skilled in the craft after waking.
Daniya herself had seen to you a short while ago and was eager for you to expand your search into the city itself to find Yetara. However, she has little more to say on the subject expect her eagerness for you to advance and take action.
She informs you that she herself is extremely weary and desires more sleep and returns to the chamber that Yetara had formally occupied and flings herself into the bed and begins to snore soundly.
The company, not wishing to disturb her, yet eager to discuss their plans – perhaps more so without witnesses – elects to retire downstairs and decide what to do, perhaps while they use what healing skills that they may possess on those still wounded…
"In that case, I have thoughts on matters discussed, and would share them."
You are not overly sure at the religious practices of the followers of the Red Sphinx; you have your own beast-headed gods of death and know that her soul will be judged if she succeeds in the trials of the afterlife. However, you also know that she is unique in that her sorcery was likely different than the practices of the beast-headed gods and you are not sure what would please her Shade most; merely the effort should, you hope, be enough.
As for the Hunch?
Something strikes you as curious regarding these men who came in the night.
By Daniya’s words they were upset with Yetara; this makes sense, for – according to her – he had captured her, a temple virgin, for his nefarious ends – yet she is that same temple virgin.
Now, it could be that the men were given specific instructions to punish Yetara no matter what and the rest of the house didn’t matter.
Yet what of that?
If Yetara was the target of punishment then surely the objective would be to either kill him outright or capture him. Yet carrying a body is not an easy or subtle task. If they succeeded in capturing him and spiriting him away then this would mean that it would be wisest for them to be as silent and stealthy as possible to leave none alive who may lead followers to his location.
However, the men you encountered seemed intent of remaining in the house and determined to create as much damage and bloodshed before being killed. Further, they took their attack into the very chamber that Daniya rested in; if they were there to rescue her, they chose strange methods. If they were there to punish Yetara by stealing his corpse or living body then they were the opposite of stealthy for they clearly removed him from the grounds and – theoretically – should have vanished into the night rather than lingered to fight to their deaths and possibly be captured for information.
If they wished Yetara dead outright then they might have simply left his corpse where he lay.
Something is strange about these proceedings; you have a hunch that there is more to this story than was let on, and you suspect that Daniya knows more than she shared. Yet keeping secrets is generally a tool for protection – she has no further need to protect Sefu, and seemingly no desire to protect Yetara. If she is protecting herself then who is she protecting herself from?
If it is you that she fears she is not fleeing or escaping using some further ruse; yet if she is, what is the point of such a trick?
Further, all of this seems rather extreme to merely hunt down a rogue priest who has done little more than take a temple virgin. They are either extremely dedicated to punishing rogue priests that they would spend so much wealth to track him over nations - or there is something else afoot.
You do not know specifically but feel if you remain with her that Daniya will bear watching…
As they consider options Talar offers his opinions on what might be considered “Next” for the party…
"She was definitely being taken to Susrah, either Yaatana or Ghazor most likely. They were mostly locals, nomads who are working with the city guard." He spits with a scowl. "The nomads have similar gear to my own, for they were my brothers and sister before their betrayal. They are lead by a woman named Shamira. The city guardsman was Farshin, a Jairanian mercenary. There's a good chance he is still in the city, but I expect Shamira and the rest of the nomads are on the move to avoid the heat as well as deliver my sister."
Samir shows a sudden interest in this conversation.
Paten interjects.
"First, rescue. As Samir points out, research and resources would aid us better in retrieving Talar's sister than a dash into the desert. We can gather allies, if only mutual enemies of Shamira, Farshin, and the rest of their treacherous ilk. And to be clear, I believe that Talar's kin should be found and freed."
”You are seeking someone, then? Ah; very good!” he says with a brisk professionalism which strikes you as a strange diversion from his usual manner of speech and attitude. Indeed, instead of his usual cocky, swaggering demeanor he pushes on with a precision of speech that strikes you as something he is very skilled in, but not a skill set he has utilized since meeting with you.
”If you do not mind; your sister? What is her age – her appearance; hair color, eye color, any distinguishing marks?”
Barely waiting for an answer, he proceeds.
”These next questions may seem somewhat awkward, but they will likely go to finding where she may be held…”
”Is she educated; does she know multiple languages, and if so, what would they be? With that in mind, what training does she have – by that I mean; was she one skilled in the duties of a house or more of the duties of the field?”
”Has her monthly cycles begun yet, and if so, is she yet a virgin?” he persists but holds up his hands.
”Your pardon – I only seek information to better aid in her recovery,” he adds with bow of his head.
"Second, security. We can not know for certain that these assassins will return - or that they will. We are best off to make a firm decision on whether to secure this manse, or leave. Samir's line of thinking is sensible, make it clear that the manse is secured without making it obviously a fortress of the fearful. That would draw other unwelcome attention. And Yeth and Farrokh are correct in wishing to search the remainder of the manse."
Farrokh strokes his beard thoughtfully.
”Begging your pardon, lord – but to search properly we must consider the woman in the chambers above. Surely she intends to forge paper to transfer supposed ownership of this estate to her own self. In which case she becomes the lady of these grounds and all that they hold. The wealth unguessed inside is not likely something she shall wish to sunder to us lightly,” he says with a reserved voice.
"Third, the fate of the bodies of Sefu, Red, and the slain assasins. Sefu was a worthy ally, and deserves respect in death. The Shoma following Jul-Juggah would be...unwise to emulate. However, the gods of Yaathra Yok or even Yadar would be acceptable to petition on his behalf. Red was sworn to the Red Sphinx, and I will have to think further on what her body's fate should be. As for the assassins, we could discreetly sell them to a temple or scholar for the furtherance of physician training and study, so long as we are careful not to raise too many questions."
Samir grunts at this but Farrokh gives him a scowl and glances at Paten.
”My lord; the bodies can be disposed of with some ease, for we yet have the cart that transshipped our wealth in the courtyard. It would be best to send out overtures during the day to find those willing to buy corpses and then – when sundown occurs – we may take the corpses in the wagon discretely, if you wish.”
"Fourth, Yetara may have sought the temple of the flame of of those we freed. They may feel gratitude towards him."
Samir glances at Paten.
”Perhaps; but his chambers were sacked, albeit modestly. If he left at the sign of trouble why, then, damage his room? If he was taken by those men who damaged the room in the attack then why no signs of blood? If he sensed danger and fled ere the enemies came then why not call to his trusty bodyguard for aid; or give him some advance notice to don his armor properly… he is gone and someone moved the furniture within as if searching for something, yet when assassins come with speed they do not typically have time for such searches until after their deed is done,” he muses aloud.
"Fifth, long-term opportunities in this city. Our best prospects may be through the merchant that myself and Tairin negotiated with. He clearly has resources and contacts, and a secured room which we could find useful."
Samir nods at this but Farrokh interjects by clearing his throat.
”Again, lord; what of the lady above? Before we take such actions we must devise a proper plan for her – if we leave her alive she may be ill-inclined if we take goods she desires for her own and seek to cause trouble with us with the local authorities. Yet to slay her outright? She may have disreputable ways, perhaps, but I do not feel wholly comfortable to slay a lady outright without direct cause,” he says with a frown as Samir rolls his eyes at such considerations.
She picked up Sabra away from the lifeless body of Red and took a breath before speaking, "Traipsing around the city searching for priests, temples and alike for funerary rites would draw undue attention. They will wonder who it is we wish to intern. We do not have the luxury of time on our side either. Once we have searched the manse and ensured its safety, we bury the bodies on this estate for its large enough that we can dig holes in the gardens and lay them to rest there. Words can be said over their graves and it is done. If we could, I'd say to burn the bodies, but we are too close to the city proper to start such fires for the smoke not to be noticed or smelt. If the dungeons are cleared of any threat, we could burn the bodies down there one at a time, yet it may destroy the house, if Daniya wishes to claim it. The manse does not require boarding up - a sturdy lock on the doors in will be enough for we do not mean to stay here overly long.”
Farrokh turns and bows to Tairin.
”Your pardon, lady – I know of some vendors within the walls of this city. It will not be overly difficult to find them, if they are approached discretely. Further, they offer good silver for the bodies of freshly dead…” he says the last bit somewhat awkwardly but says nothing more.
”As to Abu Khafi from the gaming house, I would not say he's a man to trust nor trifle with. I would not seek any aid from him as it will cost us dearly I am certain.
Farrokh nods at Tairin.
”Abu Khaif is no man to trifle with. But if you deal fairly with him, he deals fairly with you. His deals are somewhat ruthless, this is true; but once you come to an accord with him, he does not stray for them – that is how he maintains his power as a businessman,” he adds.
”If you are able to give him what he wants, he is happy to reward you; but you are wise, dealing with him can be challenging for he is a man that is not to trifle with and his contracts and terms are often layered with subtleties.”
Talar, we will aid you in your search for your sister. We have recently come from Susrah and it was not my wish to return to that nation so readily if we do not have to. Farrokh is familiar with this city and so he should know someone who is knowledgeable of the slavers who come and go from here. This informant should understand discretion and not tell anyone what we have asked of them.” ]
Talar looks genuinely shocked at how quickly others are coming around to the idea. He nods shakily. "Thank you..."
Meanwhile, Farrokh nods at Tairin.
”It shall be done, lady,” he says with certainty.
Talar nods, beginning to feel the sharp thread of life in his veins again. "Yes, slaver informants. Excellent start. I doubt they would take her all the way on their own when they could sell her off sooner."
”If you permit me, Abu Khafi is well versed in the slave trade. If he does not already have the lord’s sister,” he says with a nod to Talar ”it is likely he shall know of someone who does.”
Farrokh, the doors in the dining room have a very dangerous trap set in place. It is tricky and if we fail to disable it, we will lose our lives in the venture. I will not risk my life for what could lay behind those doors. I can take a second look at the trap, however I will not attempt it if I foresee it as a fool's errand."[/b]
Farrokh pulls at his beard thoughtfully as he listens.
"Yes...yes I agree. Any resources that could help us are welcome. Even before we decide to secure or abandon the manse, there must be worthwhile loot here." He decides.
Samir nods at Talar and glances to Tairin.
”Fair enough, sayida; yet remember the fine furniture above? There may be hidden cashes of coin that were missed in that room; Yetara himself had items of interest on his person at the dinner table yesterday. Yet where did he find these items if he did not buy them outright in the market? Yet if he did purchase them then surely he has coin to spare… I would at least seek his coin in the chambers above if we have yet time…” he suggests.
"I am uncertain if we should remain overly long in Zul-Bazzir. Not knowing if Yetara still lives and is free or has been taken does not bode well for anyone. So, we must search this manse to ensure he is still not within its walls. If we search the manse, then Farrokh could go into the city proper and discreetly search out a contact regarding the slavers. It will be a better use of time at present. If we determine we must go back to Susrah, to Yaatana and Ghazor, then Kharjah Pass may still prove to be dangerous - narrow passageway and the summits are particularly advantageous to archers as we readily know from recent experience."
Samir winces in memory of the attacks in the pass and the dangers of the desert while Farrokh absently rubs the scarred eye-socket where he had been grievously wounded by desert raiders in the wild, yet these concerns did not seem to phase Talar.
"This happened only a few nights ago, if we act quickly enough there should be a good chance we catch them long before they reach Susrah. As far opposing archers, I know the tricks and advantages of such combat well. I can point out hazards and help us to avoid them, if it comes to that. There are many strategies to cutting down rangers, especially if they're on foot and not able to keep distance with horseback." He says with a grimace, holding one of his many new wounds.
However, some of them are yet wounded, and as it is a new dawn they are able to receive healing from those skilled in the craft after waking.
”If you do not mind; your sister? What is her age – her appearance; hair color, eye color, any distinguishing marks?”
Talar arcs a brow at Paten's sudden shift of speech patterns. An old job perhaps? One he has not practiced in a while? He gives a humorless smile. I suppose it's good to have somebody experienced at least. "Aisha, she is nearly out of her teen years now. She is a full-blooded Khazistani like me, with long dark hair that gets more curly towards the ends. Dark green eyes, and-" He grits his teeth. "And likely still has a healing wound on the left side of her forehead. I imagine that kind of blow would leave a scar." He says with a bitter taste in his mouth. "She had some jewerly, but I imagine those were taken from her. A necklace with a green gemstone."
At Paten's more personal questions, Talar gives him a strong side eye. He is trying to help. "She speaks Khazistani, Yar-Ammonite, and Susrahnite for sure." He says after a moment. "I think she was doing studies in more...but I did not care for it and don't remember what else she learned. She knows more of housework than fieldwork. She has a keen mind, much sharper than mine. Better at talking to people to."
Talar gives a dark chuckle, remembering when Ghadir had caught Aisha with a young man in the house. "She is nineteen, and not innocent." He frowns, remembering some of the times she got into stealing. "Definitely not innocent. Can have light fingers sometimes." He remarks.
”Your pardon, lady – I know of some vendors within the walls of this city. It will not be overly difficult to find them, if they are approached discretely. Further, they offer good silver for the bodies of freshly dead…”
"Getting money from their corpses. No waste of resources, I heartily approve." Talar says with a half-amsued look.
”If you permit me, Abu Khafi is well versed in the slave trade. If he does not already have the lord’s sister,” he says with a nod to Talar ”it is likely he shall know of someone who does.”
Talar gives a deep nod. "It seems like Abu Khafi is a good man to visit than, for multiple reasons."
Then you’ll have the chance to discuss how you’d like to search the estates…
Bjoern listens to the words of the others and nods.
"Well in that case let us not waste time and search and get what we can!"
Bjoern listens to the words of the others and nods.
"Well in that case let us not waste time and search and get what we can!"
Quietly, to her remaining companions inside the manse, Tairin responded, "I would start with the trapped double doors inside the dining room. There was a deadly magical trap last time I checked and I know where it is. I will try to disarm it. Paten, I may need your help, if it becomes too complicated."
"Once we are done with the hidden room, then let us go upstairs and search out the rooms - thoroughly lest Yetara left something important behind or has left some clue as to his whereabouts. Daniya sleeps in Yetara's room, so I agree she must be discreetly supervised. Anyone up for the task of watching over our little temple virgin? Once we are done with Yetara's room, let us search Daniya's room next. They attacked there last night, so they must have wanted something from inside - whether Daniya or something she has. I believe the girl knows more than she has told us. I spied something last night - it appeared that Daniya and Sefu were more than simple guard and ward. They looked like lovers. I wonder if she is yet a virgin."
Tairin gestured for those coming into the dining room to follow quietly and keep an open eye for danger.
Tairin looked about the space as she moved quietly, hoping to spot any sign of trouble (perhaps any remaining assassins, Yetara or some fell creature...).
When she approached the locked double doors, she removed the masterwork thieves tools from her belt pouch and set to the task of disabling the trap she had discovered earlier. Sabra remained in the shawl pouch wound around Tairin's body.
"Traipsing around the city searching for priests, temples and alike for funerary rites would draw undue attention. They will wonder who it is we wish to intern."...
”My lord; the bodies can be disposed of with some ease, for we yet have the cart that transshipped our wealth in the courtyard. It would be best to send out overtures during the day to find those willing to buy corpses and then – when sundown occurs – we may take the corpses in the wagon discretely, if you wish.”
"That is a point worth considering, Tairin. The most appropriate rites, alas, do not seem to be the most practical. Burial in these gardens is not the worst fate. But as my manservant points out, discretion is far from impossible. I would see these assassins serve our cause by their deaths."
”Perhaps; but his chambers were sacked, albeit modestly. If he left at the sign of trouble why, then, damage his room? If he was taken by those men who damaged the room in the attack then why no signs of blood? If he sensed danger and fled ere the enemies came then why not call to his trusty bodyguard for aid; or give him some advance notice to don his armor properly… he is gone and someone moved the furniture within as if searching for something, yet when assassins come with speed they do not typically have time for such searches until after their deed is done,” he muses aloud."
"I have had further thoughts on that very matter. By Daniya's words, their fury was aimed at Yetara for his 'theft' of Daniya. But they made no effort to seize her away, and seemed more intent on causing damage. If they wished Yetara dead, why not simply kill him and exit immediately with Daniya in hand? We did not react so quickly that they could not have accomplished this - if that were their true goal. Frankly, such an expenditure of gold and trained killers seems extravagant for hunting down one rogue priest and a temple virgin across nations. Daniya has concealed at least some truth from us, to protect someone most likely. Sefu is dead. Yetara is missing. So whom then, does her silence protect?"
He leaves the question hanging in the air.
Patenemheb adds his skills to Tairin's efforts.
"Once we are done with the hidden room, then let us go upstairs and search out the rooms - thoroughly lest Yetara left something important behind or has left some clue as to his whereabouts. Daniya sleeps in Yetara's room, so I agree she must be discreetly supervised. Anyone up for the task of watching over our little temple virgin?"
"I can keep an eye on her." Talar offers. "Weren't we considering adding her as an ally though?" He asks.
"I agree with Patenemheb, I think we should make efforts to find her an ally. But spying on an ally can't really hurt them." He says with a slight grin.
Yeth focuses his thoughts and tries to (poorly) discern the unseen forces working on the door.
Bjoern shrugs and starts"Shall we start with the easy rooms. This time with more... force!"
As debate continues, Patenemheb treats wounds while he can. After this day, natural healing - or sorcery - will be all.
[ooc]14hp in 10 minutes[/dice]
The party does what it can to heal each other and then they begin by studying the locked door adjacent to the dining room.
With Samir and Farrokh now healed they both leave the company to head on their respective tasks in the city to attempt to discover clues for the party while the party searches the house itself.
As you study the door you observe that the door likely has been tampered with.
The dust and grit around the edges of the door has been brushed somewhat. You believe someone has opened the door prior to you, and recently. However, as you peer at the door itself you can tell that the lock has not been tampered with – at least; not the magical trap that is bound to it.
You suspect, then, that somehow the door was opened – likely with a key – and that it was shut again and the trap itself not tampered with.
Someone has come in with a key, then…
After careful study you realize that the DC to this spell is extremely high – nearly impossible to crack.
Nearly, that is…
Your combined total just manages to beat the DC; but only just barely – you succeed with a DC of 32.
All you need to is open the lock itself (another Disable Device; only this time against the lock itself, only a DC of 25 – failure just means the lock is broken and you can – theoretically – just break down the door. It’s a good lock, but no longer trapped…)
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Standing beside her, the scholar aided Tairin in her endeavour to pick the lock by providing wise counsel on the best angle to insert the tools into the mechanism.
---
Crouching by the lock, Tairin inserted the M/W Thieves' Tools and listened to Paten's counsel as she worked the lock to open it.
She quietly uttered to her nearby companions, "The trap's been disarmed. Now, if this works, the lock will open and we will not have to break down this door. Give me a moment."
.
Bjoern nods to Tairin and prepares to rush in and defend her!
"You made it?"
Quietly, she added, "No rushing. See the dirt and dust around the door has been brushed away a little, it means someone opened the door before us, bypassing both magical trap and lock. Be ready with your weapons."
Could Yetara have done this? Is this where he found the tome he was reading at dinner? Or, the assassins managed to somehow get inside this entrapped and locked room...
She whispered to Paten beside her, "Listen and look. Let us not be caught off guard."
Tairin opened the door carefully and as quietly as possible and peered inside from the doorway; Paten dong the same to aid her.
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The room is indeed dark, but the door opens easily once the lock was formally picked.
You believe that the lock was conjoined with the trap itself. In other words, if someone had a key to the lock they could open the door normally, as any other lock might be opened, but the key would negate the trap. Thus, the trap would not go off if a person had the key. Since the trap was still set and the door now unlocked you would venture a guess that whoever entered the room was able to negate the trap going off by using a key.
As you peer into the darkened room you notice that Sabra’s Perception seems somewhat agitated.
The kitten seems far less interested in the recesses of the darkened doorway then peering to the south of the room where the stairs lead.
However, as Sabra is in Tairin’s gear the kitten does not do much more than give a hard and somewhat suspicious stare to the opening to the stairs at the end of the dining hall.
As the spell for Dancing Lights is cast the shimmering orbs enter the room and you see that it is a modest library of sorts.
A comfortable chair before a large desk is present in the light of the orbs and the walls are lined with various tomes and ledgers; others have delicately rolled scrolls. The walls are solid and well-built stone and do not allow any light to enter. The room smells a bit musty; like walls of paper and ink collecting some dust, but there is a lingering smell of incense in the air that likely has penetrated the fabric of the chair and the extremely rich rug on the floor beneath your feet.
There is a strange lantern hanging from the ceiling; strange that, when light enters it, it seems that the insides of the lantern are mirrored to refract that light and illuminate the room with great ease.
Those versed in the arcane arts; as well as those intrigued by lore itself – and even those who are interested in naught but wealth – recognize that there is a veritable treasure trove of value before you.
Books are rare commodities; and to sell even a bound – albeit blank – ledger, could fetch a good amount of coin from most temples or places of learning.
Who knows what mysteries are before you in this library until you have a better chance to study them fully? However, the room itself is barely twenty feet square; there is not much room to hide a body; though there may be many a secret nook or crevice to hide rare or secret letters or coin. Indeed, the desk itself has many drawers on it, but each has small locks which appear not to have been tampered with.
Quietly, she advised the others, "Tomes, ledgers and scrolls. We shall take what we can after we have searched the manse. Inside them may be valuable knowledge. The drawers of the desk are all locked. I will have to pick each lock soon and see what is inside them."
Petting Sabra through the shawl pouch so the kitten understood she was not ignoring her agitation, Tairin pointed to the opening of the stairs at the end of the dining hall. Again in lowered/discreet voice she advised, "There's something there or down below that is distressing Sabra. Let us carefully and quietly investigate there first and then we can return to take what we can from this library and break into the locked drawers."
Tairin, stowed her tools inside the pouch around her hips, and, taking hold of her weapons once more, then moved toward the opening of the stairs, her keen gaze searching the area as she walked so she wouldn't be surprised by any hidden/lurking threat. She directed her dancing light orbs to follow/ move before her, in case they were needed again.
As Tairin drew closer to the opening to the staircase, she cast Detect Magic in its general direction.
Talar gives a look of surprise at the breadth of books and knowledge gathered in the room. It means very little to him personally, but he knows it has great value to others. "Behind a locked door with a magical trap. I suspect more than lore in this room."
At Tairin's word he nods, crouching and taking out his bow. He follows Tairin after the cat, stepping softly and keeping his eyes sharp.
Yeth Kolsot is drawn to the books. He plans to follow them downstairs but cannot resist a quick looks at the library.
Difficult to gauge quickly; but you can at least that the spines of the books are writ with many different languages.
Some of the writing looks like Taikang style, though those are extremely rare - their texts typically being writ on scrolls; others have the Susrah, Khitai and Jairan alphabet on them.
Some, however, draw your attention as they look extremely old; relics from an ancient time when the scrawl on the spines look unusually well-preserved, though the covering itself seems to be ready to crumble at the first sign of disturbance.
The party descends the stairs cautiously.
It is, as you recall, the stairs to some sort of prison below the surface of the house.
Difficult to get a good read on things; that spell is limited in its use, but you sense the presence of arcane power radiating from various places; including the library which you have left.
Even so, there seems to be undisclosed tremors of arcane energy beneath your feet in the dining room as you move to the stairs, but the location is hard to discern and you suspect you will find more when you descend the stairs to the chamber below...
Obviously you all are compelled to consider the same thoughts you had when you entered this place before; specifically - how did such a large creature as that monstrous spider arrive in these chambers, and how did it survive; and why would it linger to guard only a single prisoner...
Naturally you proceed cautiously until you arrive at the foot of the stairs and spread out into the hallway that is flanked by various cells.
You see no sign of the monstrous spider, or its corpse, and suspect that it simply dissolved into whatever hell it came from, yet even so - the cat seems somewhat disquieted by the entire room.
Squirming from Tairin's sling it leaps to the ground and trots to the far end of the tunnel and stares at the wall with a intent gaze, as if trying to bore through the wall itself.
However, other than Sabra's strange reaction you do not currently perceive anything of note in the tunnel and adjoining cells.
It seems the tunnel merely dead-ends at the rear wall...
Tairin moved quietly and carefully down the hallway, toward Sabra and the wall the kitten was staring upon.
Then she began to discreetly cast a spell; her voice low, almost whisper, face turned away from her companions. Tairin softly uttered //"Shael."//
You study the wall and can tell that there is a faint difference in the stonework - as a person skilled with stonework in general, you're easily able to spot this as a hidden door, made to look like the brick wall itself.
Your search also reveals that there is a small brick that looks more like metal carved or cut to look like stone. You suspect that this brick is a disguised lever to unlock the door itself.
You do not notice nor detect any traps on the door, but you suspect that there may be no need for traps on it if a monstrous spider was its guard - which seems likely as there is no reason a monstrous spider need be in such a location.
That said; do you press the lever to open the hidden door, or do you have an alternative plan?
Yeth-Kolsot stands and stares at the many tomes. It is only in the silence of his allies absence that spurs him to follow them.
Patenhemeb studies the wall a little more closely.
Gesturing her companions to draw a little nearer, Tairin pointed to the part of the wall before her, and quietly explained,
"The stonework here is different. There is a hidden door. This small brick is a disguised lever to unlock the door. I cannot see any traps or locks. I will carefully press the lever. Be on the ready when the door is opened lest something monstrous awaits on the other side."
Tairin drew in a soft breath and then reached out and pressed the lever before taking a step back in case of danger and waited to see what was beyond the hidden doorway. The small dancing light orbs were before her, lighting the darkness.
Talar nods to Tairin, raising his bow in anticipation.
The door hidden door swings slowly open and out of the darkness slides a strange smell of mingled must and stale incense and the stench of death.
The company can see that there is a wide staircase that leads further down into shadows.
Peering down the stairs the company observes that the staircase ends and a hallway begins at the bottom, the hallway leading out of their sight, yet a dull, red glow glistens with a sickly, lusting light which informs those who look that there is something besides their party that waits below the surface...
Bjoern looks down the staircase and raises an eyebrow.
"Strange! Let´s go down?"
Patenemheb keeps his staff in hand, and his eyes open, as he prepares to descend in order.
With grim enthusiasm the party descends the stairs and finds a tunnel of short length which leads them to a wide, mysterious room.
There the company can see coal burning slowly in a large brazier which illuminates the room with a flickering light, casting long shadows onto the walls. The marble floor is inscribed with arcane symbols and what some might assume to be summoning circles. To the north is a clean marble slab, 5 feet tall.
To the east is a raised platform, 10 feet tall, with stairs leading up from the lower floor and towards a recess in the eastern wall.
Peering about you notice in the far side of the room is a strange bevy of chests or cages, each roughly one-by-one foot square; but you can make out little more than these details until you advance further into the chamber...
Talar scowls at all the arcane symbols and other magic paraphernalia in the room. "Damned magic..." He mutters, hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "Further in I suppose?" He says, none too enthused.
The marble floor is inscribed with arcane symbols and what some might assume to be summoning circles. To the north is a clean marble slab, 5 feet tall.
Tairin carefully moved about the floor; not wanting to step on any of the arcane symbols. Directing the four dancing light orbs around her, to provide more light with which to see, she stopped and studied the symbols in turn and the marble slab.
She cast Detect Magic also, to determine what kind of auras (if any) were present on the floor with the symbols/runes.
Peering about you notice in the far side of the room is a strange bevy of chests or cages, each roughly one-by-one foot square; but you can make out little more than these details until you advance further into the chamber.
Once done with the arcane symbols, Tairin will then direct the four dancing orbs toward the cages and move carefully and quietly toward the various chest and cages to take a closer look (she'll stop around 10 ft from them to examine them and checks for threat/s before proceeding any closer).
Perhaps half a minute after the party enters the room, Yeth-Kolsot wanders in. He notices that Tairin is looking at a summoning circle and offers some advice as his blind eyes take in the room around him.
Looking at the wodden boxes Bjoern carefully raises his shield into guard.
"What do you think is inside? More monsters?"
Tairin carefully moved about the floor; not wanting to step on any of the arcane symbols. Directing the four dancing light orbs around her, to provide more light with which to see, she stopped and studied the symbols in turn and the marble slab.
You believe it is an altar used for sacrificing creatures upon.
The carvings on the side clearly indicate that it is meant for the god Yot-Kammoth.
The Arcane Symbols are archaic and strange and they area aligned to rituals regarding summoning as well as a recurring pattern indicating life/creation/birth - the exact nature is impossible to tell, but another recurring motif is the concept of what looks like a map of the ancient world covered in what appears to be a net, as if to suggest that certain kingdoms may be covered in a net?
You do not know the true meaning of the symbols, but taken individually they do not seem completely unwholesome, rather, they seem disturbing when merged together in the recurring patterns.
Once done with the arcane symbols, Tairin will then direct the four dancing orbs toward the cages and move carefully and quietly toward the various chest and cages to take a closer look (she'll stop around 10 ft from them to examine them and checks for threat/s before proceeding any closer).
The cages seem largely empty; though you can see sacks of grain and the scent of animal dung near to them.
Looking at the wodden boxes Bjoern carefully raises his shield into guard.
"What do you think is inside? More monsters?"
Inside the cages you see half-starved doves, the corpses of three small dogs, clearly dead of starvation, and two half-starved goats.
The doves and goats seem to have been able to survive by tearing at the sacks and seeking for grain to sustain themselves, though they have only barely survived as the grain was not easy for them to reach...
Despite the animal's weakened condition they seem to be in an almost feral state, as if they are afraid of you or enraged by your presence.
However, the bolts on the cages prevent them from doing you any harm as they are trapped and cannot escape, though they do bleat and flutter angrily if you draw close to them.
Tairin, you believe there is a magical aura radiating from behind the heavy bronze doors in the alcove at the top the stairs at the far side of the room.
Unless Sabra is securely held Sabra will try to chase your Dancing Lights around because kitties like moving, shiny things.
Sabra has informed me that Sabra will allow you to snuggle against her in your shawl if you have snacks, though...
Gathering her thoughts and having listened to some of Yeth's theories and suggestions regarding the arcane symbols, Tairin turned to her companions and quietly advised,
"The symbols here are unusual and archaic. They are indeed used for summoning purposes, yet their recurring patterns seem to convey life/creation/birth. There is this other reoccurring motif and it looks like a map of the ancient world and that certain kingdoms within this world are covered by a net. The meaning is not altogether clear, however the images on their own are not entirely unwholesome. Yet, when merged together in such patterns, they seem disturbing. I cannot say anymore on them. Just be wary where you step."
Pointing to the marble slab and looking at the dead or starved creatures inside the cages, she added, "It is an altar, dedicated to Yoth-Kammoth. Creatures are sacrificed upon it in the god's name."
And then directing the attention of her companions to the alcove atop the stairs on the far side of the chamber, Tairin continued, "I have discerned a magical aura radiating from beyond the heavy bronze doors, up there. Shall we proceed cautiously up the stairs? Are you all ready?"
Tairin carefully moved to the stairs leading up to the alcove. Climbing, she came to stop before the heavy bronze doors and examined them for signs of any magical trap (or mundane one). Sabra lifted her head from the pouch and examined the bronze door then sniffed the air before her.
Talar doesn't pretend to understand Tairin's insights into the magic around them, but he hears enough to know he needs to be cautious about where he is stepping. He takes extra care to step exactly where the others have, or when he goes to a new area inspects the ground before setting his weight down.
"Yoth." Talar says with a scowl. It seems the worshippers of many gods are plaguing them.
Talar nods to Tairin's suggestion to head upstairs. Right now he's nothing more than a confused observer, here mostly for security, so he follows her lead with his bow at the ready.
"A net or a web? This bodes ill." Yeth-Kolsot hates the spider god and his followers.
Patenemheb carefully moves around the symbols, taking in their shape and design.
Looking at the slab in disgust.
"I will break that slab! This is evil!"
Turning to Bjoern, Tairin advised quietly but firmly, "No, not now, Bear. We do not want to give away our presence, so we must move and act as discreetly as possible. After this is all done, you may try to break the marble slab. However, the marble is not the evil perpetrator; it's just a surface. We have to locate and stop the priest undertaking the act."
Looking back at the bronze doors, she gestured for Bjoern to heed her/them, "There is greater need for you up here and not at the slab, Bear. Be ready as the others are."
The party ascends to the stairs to the alcove that the bronze doors are nestled in. They are writ with many strange symbols and characters, made harder to decipher as they are interwoven with the strange writings of Taikang.
However, after careful study it is discovered that - though the doors are heavy - they have no trap nor lock on them.
Apparently the one who crafted these doors likely assumed that none who had reached this far in his private chambers would be someone he should fear.
In any case, the doors are opened and discover a dark chamber filled with multiple strange and unusual smells.
The chamber is roughly twenty feet in width (the door being in the center of the wall) and seems to extend back roughly fifty feet, though it is hard to be sure at the exact length as the light does not extend that far without further examination.
To the left there are a series of vials, jars, and other strange substances. To the right there are small, long tables and shelves that seem to be used for work of some sort.
Further, multiple glass beakers and ceramic mixing bowls and pestles can be seen on the table in the dim light as well as multiple oil lamps that are currently unlit.
There is more to the back of the room, you think, but you must advance inside before you can discover more....
Patenemheb raises a slender finger to his mouth for quiet, just before he begins to advance.
Directing her dancing light orbs to provide greater light, she stared at the symbols on the large bronze doors, attempting to make out their meaning even if she does not speak the Eastern tongue of the script amid the symbols.
Then moving inside and to the left, she attempted to determine what the substances could be inside the jars and vials.
Once done there, Tairin continued on to inspect the working area to the right.
Talar continues to stalk along as the quiet bodyguard, following Tairin, almost like a skinnier and shorter Bjoern.
The company enters the chamber.
You can hear little but the crack and hiss of the fires in the room you exited, coupled with the sounds of angered or frightened bleating/chirping from the caged animals.
However, you can see on the floor what looks like a wide smear of blood leading to the back of the room behind some stacked chests.
As the Dancing Lights enter the room you can make out the shape of something behind the chests
More can be discovered if you investigate the body.
Strange - the door itself, on closer study, has similar runes that you saw on the library upstairs. What is perplexing is that you believe that there may have at one point been a magical trap here; it did not go off, instead, you suspect it was Disarmed...
Someone was able to disarm the trap, then, and open the doors. While the trap is no longer present, the runes that had once gave birth to its power are - but they are currently harmless.
To your right is what appears to be an Alchemist Lab. To the right are the raw supplies and materials to create your own alchemical creations; it is indeed well-stocked.
As for the chests, you can see there are locks on them, and something is yet still obscured behind them.
Patenemhen nods to himself.
A bounty of resources. Ones I aim to utilise.
He continues to slowly advance, even more warily with the presence of blood.
Keeping his shield up and sword pointing ahead over it Bjoern slowly, cautiously advances. The chests could hold treasure or traps, but he is more concerned what is lurking behind of them.
"Make the light there!"