Malak sighed at the sight of the boy...this will be cruel indeed... and studied his sigil.
Sotha sighed, a child? How crass. Better to make a pawn of him than a sacrifice.
Sotha had a decent feeling how the others would react to the presence of this figure, and so he moved first. Sotha calmly approached the boy and knelt in front of him, taking stock first before he spoke. The badge on the boy's coat looked like a coat of arms, he wondered if the boy was a noble. Sotha consulted his memory, to determine if his studies of history had taught him anything of the family this badge belonged to.
"What is your name, boy? How old are you? And how did you come to be here?" It was clear that the questions were intended to sound compassionate, but they came off more as commands than anything else. He put his hands on the boy's shoulders to help him to his feet.
As the boy spoke, the words inscribed on the door came rushing back 'reward those who serve thee well'. It was good that he was among this group, the hedonist would likely torture the boy for fun, and Tragen would likely kill him through the overflow of his wrath. Of the other three, only Malak would likely offer the same mercy as Sotha, though likely out of sloth rather than pragmatism.
He looked the boy in the eyes and told him matter of factly. "We have encountered no one else, it is likely that your master is dead. If you serve us well, not only will you leave here alive, you will be rewarded." The boy was likely full of foolish youthful virtue, but he likely wouldn't be much more difficult to break than a horse, especially in his current state.
Malak was a tad surprised that Sotha didnt strap the young boy right into the chair and had to reevaluate the elf... he's not as blood thirsty as he seems... but he was more surprised at the multitude of experiences the lad had had while down here.
Sotha speaks the truth young Timeon. You're knowledge of this place could very well point the way out for us all. But we need you to get a hold of yourself and act like the knight that you are training to be. Are you injured?
Shalastar's voice takes on an almost supernatural soothing quality.
"There really is nothing to fear with us. Well, mostly, anyway. Why don't you come out of there and we'll find a way to get back home?"
Thirst and hunger Malak knew well. The priest picked through his pack and retrieved a can with dwarven trail rations and a bottle of wine.
Please sate yourself on these Timeon and have no fears. Looks at these capable warriors. Nothing else down here will bother you.
Well of course we can young Timeon. Where was the last place you saw him?
Tragen watches the interplay silently, from the inexpert attempt to talk the boy down by Sotha, through the saving graces of both Shalastar and Malak. With the boy more at ease, and a course and agenda set, he leans forwards and speaks. "There have been certain... difficulties, we have surpassed in getting to this point. Tell me lad, do you know of other such pitfalls that we may meet on the way to save your master?"
"Giant metal snakes?" Sotha said, wondering if he had expended his best attack too soon. He quickly realized that was not the case, as he likely would have died without using it. He shrugged, "No matter, we have made it through worse already. It won't be armored reptiles that do us in."
As the others headed out, Sotha cast one last glance about the room. The clue above the door had suggested that mercy would be the better way to deal with this whelp, perhaps the way forward remained in this room, or on the boy.
"As we have yet to encounter metal snakes or drowned men, I am afraid that it is likely that you will see them should you accompany us," Tragen says, leaving the room south to the previous room and eastern door.
Malak rested a comforting hand on the lad's shoulder and shuffled him along behind the others.
Come now Timeon. We'll find your master and the way out of here in short order.
Sotha all but scoffed at the inscription. Up until now they had been disturbiingly straightforward, what would this room ask of them? That they pick up a large rock? Regardless, he suspected that the cleric would not appreciate whatever lay ahead, and so, if for no other reason, Sotha was looking forward to it. "We mustn't dally, let us see what this room has in store." He said, almost appearing mirthful.
Once he was through the door, he paused a moment to survey the room.
"These are the snakes, I suppose?" Sotha announced to the group behind him.
He approached the nearest snake, on guard against its attack, before striking at it with his scimitar.
Tragen uses the reach of his glaive to strike at one of the snakes.
As usual, the portly priest was bringing up the rear and slow to respond. The metal snakes' speed was alarming and Malak had no desire to get within their range of attack. He thought about channeling the might of Asmodeus but knew he couldnt protect the lad along with his comrades... not yet, he still might be of use... He spat a few quick words at the snake that struck at Sotha first.
Sotha recoiled at the snake's attack before realizing that the damage was minimal. He surged forward and struck at the snake a second time in response.
Cursing under his breath at his spell's ineffectiveness, Malak looked Shal's way. For what he had planned next he would need need the boy removed from the area.
Can you take the lad back down the hall a ways?
Tragen takes another swing at a snake, using his reach to keep his distance from it, but the swing, once again, goes wide.
Keeping his distance, Tragen swings his glaive once again.
Malak had been waiting for the typically impatient magus to strike before him but the elf's indecision... could cost us dearly.... So the priest stepped forward and attempted to touch the metal snake with an open hand... fool hardy as it is...
Sotha managed to break free of the paralysis that had suddenly infected him. Snarling at the snake, he swung his sword with all his might.
Malak withdrew his hand and let go of the breath he had been holding.
Indeed it is safe now son. I told you that we had two mighty warriors with us.
The priest peered around the chamber to see what the metal snakes had left.
Sotha scoffed, the boy was curious if he was safe? He hadn't been safe since he'd crossed their path, though perhaps that wasn't that wouldn't be prudent to admit just yet. He decided to try something a little different, the stick had almost resulted in the culling of one of their number, perhaps the carrot would inspire better results.
"Nay, priest, we have more than two. Though perhaps only two yet know their strength," He said, unable to resist the dig at Malak's previous reluctance to fight. Sotha looked around the room, wondering if there was to be any further hazards or puzzles to be found. "Was that it? A simple trial by combat? Prove yourself mighty by besting the snakes, or weak by being beaten?"
Tragen looks at the mithril snakes and guages the amount of light metal contained within them.
Malak nodded at Sotha's admission and bypassed the metal snakes that were under Tragen's perusal to look at the lantern. Using a tindertwig, the priest lit the lantern.
I imagine that it wont be the only trial by combat we have to face. So far we have faced four of our supposed trials and the boy did mention shriekers and dead men rising.
Moving about the room, Malak cast an orison before he searched for anything out of the ordinary.
With knowledge of a possible deception in mind, Malak did the unthinkable and led the way through the southern door.
Tragen looks down at the hunks of metal in his hands. This could be useful... he thinks, shoving them into his pack. An eyebrow raises as Malak steps into the next room and he follows, close on his heels.