Kel carefully cleans Radiance and moves to check the barriers and whatever lay past them.
While checking out the barricade you find nothing of interest. Just past the barricade is a single wooden door that's been heavily reinforced with strips of rusted iron, though it appears that the door's lock has rusted away long ago.
Figuring that if the lock had rusted away that any traps would likewise be in disrepair, Kel pushed the door open.
The door swings open slowly, with the loud squeal of rusted hinges filling the cavern. Beyond it lies a room that's elegant compared to what you've seen up until now. Walls of uniform stone blocks rise for about twice a man's height before forming into beautiful stone archways. However, near the center of the room it is marred by a more recent, and much cruder, construction. Brick walls have been erected from floor to ceiling, preventing you from seeing deeper in.
Kel moves in cautiously, shield up. "This looks promising…"
Tina grips her club and prepares to follow.
"What do you suppose they are trying to keep out with this brick wall?" Max examines the wall for any weakness or instability. He will report any findings to the group. .
Max and Kel - As you move into the room, you notice that the wall isn't sealed off. It has an opening that leads to the other side, or at least to a corridor that leads further inward.
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Deia nods to Lann, "Yes, it does appear that the cultists were guarding both ends of their hideout. Either there are other underground communities close or we are getting closer to the surface, I think."
After that, she moves into the room and marvels at the various types of construction. "Very interesting," she thinks aloud.
Seeing the high ceilings, she pushes Astra into the air, "Stretch your wings, now that you have room," she says.
While they are inspecting the area, Deia thinks about any history relevant to underground construction.
"Be wary. If this is the exit, it seems like a place where one might lay traps." Max keeps an eye out for them.
He cautiously approaches the apparent alcove toward the northeast to investigate.
[Tina will follow along with Max, checking things out as well.
"The lock was rusted clear away. Why would they maintain traps here, but not the lock?" Kel said moving to the opening and looking through.
Rex surveys the room, "I wonder if this is indeed another way out."
The newer brick walls are done with far less care in their construction. While they've been built sturdily, there's too much wasted mortar on the bricks. The brickwork has been done in a Flemish bond to provide for self-supporting strength, but because of the apparent haste that went into its construction the wall probably won't last for more than a few decades without needing repair.
Northeast path is a dead end
These idiots built a tiny maze, and you idiots are in it.
How true...idiot. ;)
Kel blinked, sighed and shook his head. Right. Maze. Wonderful. If anything else is in here with us, they know we're coming. No reason to play it quiet.
he could see that there was nothing int he right passage so he stepped forward and looked around the corner and further down the hall in front of him.
Another step, another glance around the corners...
Max falls in behind Lann, keeping apace as the party moves. "This is a most peculiar maze. Why would anyone build this?"
"Interesting a mix of construction techniques, wait were did everybody go."
Rex hurries down the hall to catch up, he gets behind Kel with morningstar in hand to cover him.
"My guess? It's a delaying tactic. There's probably some sort of ward at the other end to alert them of intruders. By the time they get through they're likely to run into the entire group waiting for them."
Kel, as you peer around the next set of corners you first look north and see that that path curves to the east. However, as you glance down the southern path you spot a demon! The short, fat creature looks to be of the same type as one of the ones on the plaza yesterday, and it snarls loudly as it advances towards you!
On hearing the snarl, Anevia nocks an arrow and draws her bow while making an addendum to her earlier statement.
"Or, it's where they keep their pet monster. That didn't sound good at all..."
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Deia moves forward into the walled area, keeping with the group. Once she sees the Dretch, she says, "This is not exactly what I would have expected. They seem to be guarding against the demon as much as they were against other groups."
Once she sees the demon, she tries to use her magic on it, "Stars of the sky, cast doubt into the mind of the demon"
RD 1
Tina stays where she is.
Demon, yikes, I hope Chief Sull's morningstar can hurt this thing.
Rex tightens his grip on the morningstar and yells over to Kel,
"I'll move around to the north and see if I can flank."
Rex then moves down the corridor to the north to set up a flank.
Rex moves to the north.
Tina stays put.
Lann takes up Rex's old position.
The demon moves closer to Kel and savagely attacks! But it fails to penetrate Kel's armor!
Horgus stays put.
"Did someone say that was a demon? That can't be good at all. Especially not after our last run-in with them turned out the way it did..."
Max takes his first step into the maze, and passes his turn.
Yes, a demon.
Dretch.
"Dretch!" Kel yells as the demon attacks.
Max steps into the maze.
Aravashnial stays put.
Kel swings at the demon, but fails to harm it.
Deia prepares to hex the demon if it ever comes into view.
Anevia repositions herself, but keeps her bow drawn taught.
"Try and see if you can draw it out. Let more of us help you with it."
RD 2
Tina stays where she is.
Rex looks down the hall at the demon, "It is not moving, Anevia, but we will try to get him closer."
Rex then moves down the hallway to see if he can move behind demon.
Rex moves further into the complex and finds a nasty surprise.
Tina stays put.
Lann moves up to engage the demon. The demon swings a clawed hand at him as he moves, but fails to connect. Lann returns the favor with an ineffective swing of his club.
The demon up front begins casting a spell. Kel and Lann swing at it as it lowers its defenses. Kel's strike draws blood, but the demon shrugs off Lann's attack as it belches forth a thick, noxious cloud that fills the maze and makes it almost impossible to see.
The second demon charges down the hallway at Rex, but only bites at the clouded air as he arrives.
Horgus sees the cloud billowing out and catches a slight whiff of the stench, causing him to retreat to the door.
Lann gags and coughs as the demon belches its foul cloud right into his face.
"*hurk* Perhaps we should *urk* listen to the woman and *ugh* retreat into open territory."
*Cough* It is like the magic spell Stinking Cloud! Lann and Anevia are right! Get back to the larger room!
Kel swings Radiance again, holding his ground and holding his breath. "Get clear!"
Max stumbles out of the maze, trying to find some fresh air. He will move by Horgus.
Max retreats out of the maze in a sickly stumble, trying to keep his stomach in check.
Aravashnial stays where he is.
Kel sounds the retreat while trying to hold the demon back with expertly placed strikes.
Deia reaches out to Tina and offers her a blessing as she retreats, calling for the others to exit the maze.
Anevia backs further away from the cloud, keeping her bow drawn and ready.
RD 3
Tina double moves out of the maze