Aravashnial and Sosiel both report that they do not prepare mending daily. If you like they can prepare it tomorrow.
After a hour you feel refreshed and ready to go back into the citadel.
"Let us continue. Back into the dungeons with their Abyssal whispering."
Leothar does not cast any spells at this time.
”Let’s get this done.”
Leohar leads the way back into the dungeons and back to the intersection that leads to the torture area.
”We should return to the vampire’s lair to see if they had any items we can use. And to put that poor soul to his proper rest. But time is of the essence, it will have to wait, I think.”
"Once we bring the army in here, we will have many more to help go through the books. Scholars among the group."
"Let's continue cleaning out the demons while the planetar guards the banner."
Enos finds no traps on the door and it isn't locked. Opening it reveals a more intimate setting for torture. There is only a single table to strap victims down too and clean neatly arranged implements around the room.
After checking the other two doors and rooms they are the same as that room.
"Of course. It's why I'm here. Keep an eye out for restless dead, if you don't mind."
As Enos went to check the barred doors at the end of the hallway, Ardriel cast a spell to protect his mind from evil influences.
Enos finds no traps on the gate and it is unlocked. He sees no one beyond the bars
With Ian's blade sheathed, Dadna took position to cover him while he worked to open the gate. "We are nearing our goal." She said, filled with her usual optimism. "By nightfall this fortress will be fully in the hands of the crusade once more."
Ian moves to the first cell and the gate moves when he places his hand on it. There is nothing in any of the cells.
”We double back. I think there is one door we haven’t opened yet.” Dadna offered.
"Sounds good. Let's go. The vampire's spawn may still be around; I don't know what they would have done upon his destruction."
The group goes back down the hallway a little and finds the gate to the north locked. Enos finds no traps and takes his time and opens the gate. The doors are locked as well and he opens them.
Two large prison cells flank this large interrogation chamber. The entryway to each cell is lined with multiple layers of arcane sigils scribed into the floor, lintels, and even the barred door. While the symbols around the western cell door glow with red light, those to the east do not and its prison door hangs open.
"Let me study those glyphs. Don't know if they are some sort of trap, but it sure feels like it must be. Or maybe someone with better arcane skill can study it? Cousin Ardriel?"
"Wasn't there some succubus heretic or something like that that escaped and had Staunton worried? Maybe she was held here?"
Ardriel activates his detect magic ability and begins scanning the runes, while also attempting to understand them.
As Ardriel activates his detect magic and examines the working sigils on the western chamber his spell stops at the door. As he looks at the symbols he sees that there is a permanent anti magic field in the western cell. The eastern one has failed.
"Aye. Would this magic field hold such a fiend, then? Maybe one of you silver-tongued folk should try visiting with whoever's within. I won't unlock anything until we think we know who's within."
If the runes don't appear to be a threat, he will study the door for traps and locks.
”At least the anti-magic will play to our strengths.” She said. ”Nay any annoying magic to confound or confuse. If I could I’d drag the area around with us.”
Ian approaches the bars to the west and doesn't see anyone in the cell. His call out gets no reply.
Enos looks over the cell to the west and finds not traps but does find the door locked.
”Shall I open it?”
He looks at the rest of the party for confirmation before potentially releasing a demon - if their sources were telling the truth.
”Aye. We’ve a job to go and we can’t secure the keep until it is done.” She replied, her weapon at the ready.
Enos studies the lock and prepares to pick the lock.
Enos opens the door on the western cell. While Ian's light doesn't go into the cell there are patches of pulsating, luminescent red lichen on the ceiling for light but just like when standing outside there is nothing inside.
Enos looks confused, shrugs, and addresses the empty room, ”Ah, hello? We’ve come to evict the laggards that have been living here without a lease. I’m afraid you are going to have to leave.”
He stands outside the runes, just in case.
There is no response from the empty room.
Leothar follows Ian around the rooms.
"Once we have finished the dungeon, we can clear out the remaining rooms of the citadel above."
As soon as Ian enters the eastern cell that incessant demonic whisper ceases for him and any who follow him. The walls of this cell have been decorated with hundreds upon hundreds of butterfly images, scratched into the wall. On the northern wall a short pray has been scratched:
HEAR MY PRAYER, LADY LUCK. FOR IT IS LUCK I NEED IN ESCAPING THIS CELL. NOT JUST THE LIFE BEHIND THESE BARS, BUT AN ETERNITY SPENT SHACKLED TO THE ABYSS ITSELF. IF YOU TRULY ARE THE TENDER OF DREAMS, THEN TENDER UNTO ME A NEW EXISTENCE. LET ME SING THE SONG OF THE SPHERES, SEE THE STARS WITH NEW EYES, AND ESCAPE THE PIT INTO WHICH MY SOUL WAS CAST. BRING ME GOOD FORTUNE, MY LADY. BRING ME A NEW SPIRIT MADE CLEAN. AND I WILL FOREVER BE YOURS, IN LIFE, AND IN FAITH. I AM READY. FINALLY READY.
"I'd wager these cells were used for holding incredibly powerful, high value prisoners. That abyssal heretic must have been imprisoned here."
The elf looks at the butterflies and words on the walls. "How long was this heretic held prisoner, I wonder? It takes time to scratch messages and words into rock."
”It always seemed to me that Desnans were one step from madness. It looks like whomever was in here was pushed over the edge.” Dadna said, sadly. ”Does this clear the keep? It would do well to get our army in here and to properly fortify this place.”
Enos pulls the western door shut and relocks it before following the others.
As he enters, he freezes in surprise.
”The prisoner… I feel her. I feel like I knew her. A long time ago…”
He pauses, "Perhaps I can repay a very, very old debt."
He starts searching for any sign of how she escaped, assuming she's actually not present. Was it a failure of the magic or did something else allow her escape and that happened later?
Enos searches the room for the reasons for the escape but can't find any.