Smiling in satisfaction as her previous swing landed solidly, she shifts her position to bring her full strength again on the snake. "Let's end this!"
With Beatrix's strike, the final cobra is sent to whatever after-life such creations go. Or no where as the faith may be. An examination of their corpses reveals them to be well and dead, though it's possible the mithril in their bodies may yet have value...
A search of the room reveals one additional secret to our villains. Upon the northern wall a small alcove reveals itself, inside of which is a small trove of goodness, magical and alchemical in nature. The door to the south does not appear to have any traps placed upon it.
- One quiver of 20 arrows (5 MW Cold Iron, 5 MW Silver, 4 Adamantine, 6 Magical)
- One Bolt case of 20 Bolts (5 MW Cold Iron, 5 MW Silver, 4 Adamantine, 6 Magical)
- 10 Potions (5 different types)
- 2 oils
- A Magical Cloak
- 2 Tanglefoot Bags
- 2 Alchemist's Fire
- 3 Flasks of Acid
Perception
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Bostarg
Morthos
Tatya
"These arrows carry an arcane shock, like lightning," Tatya observes, pointing out the third pair, "and these bolts burn with flame when they strike," she indicates the first pair.
Turning her attention to the vials, she goes on, "These are curative in nature, these restore health and ability lost to poison or to the touch of the undead, these will turn their drinker into a giant, these create arcane armor, these will make a person invisible briefly, and these last, when applied to a weapon, will make it more potent."
"This cloak," she continues, fingering the fine garment, "strengthens a person's resistances to poison and disease and to spells of all kinds, and quickens his reactions to danger."
"I wouldn't mind either the cloak or the oil. I'm...not sure how I feel about being a giant though. Anyways, while I certainly know how to use a bow, I prefer my sword, so if someone wants the arrows they're welcome to them."
Tatya glances up at the stronger, more powerfully built woman, and her lips quirk upward at the corners. "Yes, I can imagine you not wanting to be larger," she murmurs. She distributes the vials willingly but hesitates over the potions of mage armor. "This magic is wasted on those already wearing armor."
"Well done. I knew we were far too formidable for such creatures. Now, they appear to be made of a fine metal-like substance. I am curious if we can make something more useful out of them." He wonders aloud as the others search the place. "I will return here to collect them once we are done with this little exercise."
Morthos looks upon the findings of the others. "Well it looks as if we've managed upon a bit of treasure. Good. Separate what you will and let us continue." He says as he heads toward the southern door and opens it as soon as the others are ready to continue.
Heading toward's the south you come upon a room which contain's a podium upon which sits a silver pendant with sapphire colored eyes. A stairway to the east leads up. An inscription is set upon the doorway.
“Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith’s cardinal sin.”
After reading the inscription, "I would guess going east is not the "smartest" route." Turning and eyeing the pendant, "And it seems far too easy to just reach and take the pendant. Obviously there is more to it. But what?" He asks as he rubs his chin.
An examination of the pedastel reveals nothing unusual about it, but the there is a noticeable concern with the pendant itself. While the eyes appear to be made of sapphire, they are in fact, simply colored glass.
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Bostarg
Morthos
Tatya
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Bostarg
Morthos
Tatya
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Bostarg
Morthos
Tatya
"Well done. Then let us make our way back towards the entrance and see what lies in wait for us behind the other doors we have yet to open."
Opening the door to the north of the room of former darkness, reveals the expected doorway with an inscription upon it.
“Cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy but reward those who serve thee well.”
Beyond this portal you find a chamber, the dominant feature of which is a well-used and fully functional rack, the torture device obviously well maintained despite this use. At present it serves to hold no victims in it's painful embrace.
Alazandaru
Beatrix
Bostarg
Morthos
Tatya
Morthos turns toward the faint sound and moves over to investigate. "It appears there is a secret entrance here." He touches the wall and looks around for a way to open it.
The doorway easily opens to reaveal a young man, dressed in chain and wearing a tabard indicating his rank as that of a squire. The young man is obviously afraid, cowardly rolled up in the corner, a rock in his hands held up more as a shield than a weapon. "D-d-don't c-come any c-closer!"
"Hm," Tatya murmurs. "And I suppose he can tell us something about where the real pendant is ... if properly persuaded." Her eyes dart to the readied rack.
"Well, to your feet, boy. Who are you?"
"Yes. Who are you and why are you here?"
I know who he is. He is the squire of the son of my mentor Sir Balin. His father is Sir Eldon. He might know something of the other room. More than likely though, he knows something of Sir Balin and his movements. Timeon- there is no need to bring the rack into this, unless you force our hand. Barter for your life and purchase your freedom with information.
The squire takes a closer look at Alazandaru, a hopeful look appearing in his eyes. "Alazandaru! It's me, Timeon! I can't believe a familiar face. I had heard you were...." Just as quickly a shocked look appears, registering not only his words, but the meaning behind his appearance.
"I-I-I, w-what do you w-want? I w-won't help Asmodeans! Iomedae will s-save me!" He curls up in a ball tighter and tries crawling further in the wall, the rock in his hands falling to the ground as he does so.
"What? Personally, you mean?" Tatya asks with a laugh, looking over her shoulder at the doorway as if looking for the deity herself walking through.
Morthos looks curiously at the rogue. "Alazandaru? You know this pathetic fool?" Not really concerned with the answer, he turns his attention back to the peasant, sheathes his sword and moves right up next to him. "Now listen closely, you stuttering idiot, I do not think it is difficult to follow what Alazandaru has asked. You WILL give us the information we seek in exchange for your life and your freedom. I think he has made that easily understandable. And know that your pathetic god will do nothing for you in case you excel in being a far greater fool than I give you credit for."
"I-I-I, the r-rack..." Timeon's eyes go wide with fear at the though. "I-Iomedae, she w-wouldn't abandon m-me, n-no, I-I-I...." He suddenly begins to cry in the corner. "W-what d-do you w-want to k-k-know?"
Tatya glances at the others and shrugs slightly. What do they want to know? "Do you know anything about a pendant of silver and sapphire?" she asks the cowering man.
Morthos rolls his eyes at the pathetic man. "Yes... the pendant. That and why are you here? You are obviously too pathetic to be of any significance. What is your purpose here? And speak of this, Sir Balin, that Alazandaru has mentioned. Is he to be a thorn in our side?"
"A p-pendant? It s-sounds like my m-master's. I-it's silver and s-sapphire. B-but I don't know w-where he is. We were c-capture, S-Sir Eldon and I on o-our way to Branderscar. H-he wanted to l-look u-upon the t-traitor's face b-before he was s-sent to die. We were t-to meet Sir Balin t-there." He looks fearfully at Alazandaru as he speaks.
"A-after I awoke, I was chased by a m-man throwing hellfire and s-some woman. I overheard t-them speaking, t-talking about this p-place. There's a r-room with metal snakes in it. And b-beyond that stairs leading out, though the hellfire man s-said there's a s-secret d-door on the o-other side of it. T-then there's a r-room with some kind of l-light fearing f-fungus in it, and a room w-where the dead walk b-beyond t-that."
Morthos raises an eyebrow to the information. Patting the man on the cheek a bit harshly, "Well done, fool. You may yet live. Alazandaru made you an offer that, for your sake, hopefully will suffice. Once he decides whether or not it does, you shall be dealt with accordingly." Morthos steps away from the man and turns his attention to the others. "Once we've dealt with him, shall we check the stairs once again? Of course, this room where the dead walk does sound intriguing."
Very well then... You have done well thus far Timeon. Tell me what you know of Sir Balin's plans- then fetch the pendant from the pedestal in yonder room. Do not attempt to flee up the stairs- I can promise you it won't end well for you.
Suffer not the fool indeed... Alazandaru muttered after Timeon left the room. He is young, malleable and already training in arms and armour. Perhaps you would like a squire Morthos? Beatrix?
"I-I know nothing of any plans, only t-that w-we were to m-meet him. S-Sir Eldon didn't share anything else." Timeon then slowly moves around and heads out of the room to retrieve the pendant.
As the gnome materializes from the shadows, Timeon first gives a small start, but continues on with small but hurried steps. As the gnome makes conversation, Timeon seems to relax for a moment, perhaps just the non-threatening words, perhaps coming from someone who looks unlike a threat, but it lasts for only a moment before the fear returns to his eyes.
Arriving at the room with the pendant, Timeon gives a hard look at the stairs from the corner of his eyes, looking like he may decided to bolt anyway. His gaze turns to the gnome, almost looking expectantly. 'D-Do you think it's t-trapped?"
"A secret door in the room with the stairs?" Tatya asks those remaining after Timeon and Bostarg have left. "Do you think he refers to the room with the false pendant, or the room by which we entered, where we found the secret doors? The snakes we have met, and a fungus, and the mist that feared light, but walking dead we have not yet encountered."
"G-go? B-back to Balentyne o-of course. N-not sure where we're at though, don't know how far it is. T-though to go back with Sir Eldon or Sir Balin...." The young boy softens again for a moment, only to tense back, his mind wandering to why he would not have either of the knights. "D-do I really n-need to be the one to g-get it?"
Suffer not the fool indeed... Alazandaru muttered after Timeon left the room. He is young, malleable and already training in arms and armour. Perhaps you would like a squire Morthos? Beatrix?
Morthos raises an eyebrow, "Comedy, Alazandaru?" He deadpans. "He is a stuttering fool. He's more likely to fall on the end of his blade than to be struck down properly. Nevertheless, it is a tempting thought. He may prove useful until he does manage to run himself through." He acknowledges. "Perhaps."
"A secret door in the room with the stairs?" Tatya asks those remaining after Timeon and Bostarg have left. "Do you think he refers to the room with the false pendant, or the room by which we entered, where we found the secret doors? The snakes we have met, and a fungus, and the mist that feared light, but walking dead we have not yet encountered."
"The room with the pendant, most assuredly."
Timeon pales at Bostarg's words buy says nothing. He takes a cautious step forward, seeming to consider his options,then suddenly darts out in a dash towards the pendant. Moving with surprising speed he reaches the pedestal and snatches the pendant, quickly turning with a practiced stride rushing back to the doorway to collapse by the entrance, clutching his prize to his chest. He breathes heavily as he falls to his knees by the doorway, more from fear than exertion it would seem.
He turns to you as he stands, a defiant look in his eyes. "I don't believe you." he mutters in a quiet voice standing tall as he moves to head back to the others, pendant in hand. But Bostarg sees through the facade, the sweat forming on his forehead, the way he clenches his hands, the hollow look in his eyes. Fear and desparation controls his actions, not resolve.