DM Voomer's Age of Ashes

Game Master Voomer

Catalina grins at the mention of her childhood friend Nketiah joining them beyond the Huntersgate, and wonders if her friend was warned about the idea beforehand.

"I would like to go with you through the gate," Catalina says to Yasami and Caiten. "Just to see what it's all like. And make sure Nketiah is settled in okay."

"Thank you, Elders. We appreciate your understanding and forgiveness, as Lisi said. The Thornscales will be safe through the gate and unable to be taken advantage of by great evils. As for things we need...other than what Lisi mentioned with the boggards, anything that can help us heal in the moment would be good. Potions, scrolls, whatever."

"I would like to go through the gate as well. To check on how the citadel is looking as well as checking on the apparition in the gate itself. Though I will be sure to prepare plenty of fire resistance for the trip to be safe."

Caiten thinks for a bit. "As for equipment, I find that I am more effective with magic than I am with weapons. Which is not obvious considering my ancestry and heritage. But it seems that we all become better at what we choose to do rather than what we are born with. So if you have any implements to assist with spellcasting, I would be interested in them."

Yasami's brow shifts in surprise when Nketiah mentions coming to Isger with them. Catalina's reassurance calms her down a bit, but only partially. Is there mistrust here?

"We merely need to resupply, check on the situation home, and leave our dead in the hands of someone who can prepare the body for a funeral."

As she says that, a chill comes down her spine when considering she will be visiting Morta again. And then she looks at Catalina and the chill is gone. Those two could find topics to discuss. Probably.

"If you are sending Nketiah, who seems to be one of the pillars of your community, just to make sure we are coming back... That is not necessary. I-" Yasami pauses. "-WE- will not be stopping her from coming with us. However..." she looks around the Breachill bunch as she says that to confirm. "I just want to make sure it's not a redundant move. Like I said - I plan on avenging our friends. We -WILL- be back, and the trips through the gate may be dangerous. A manifestation of a dragon head nearly turned us into roast on the way here. And we already have the kobolds to move with us."

The Twin Leopards exchange a few communicative glances and respond, taking turns almost so smoothly it is unnoticeable. "We will ask our herbalists and weavers of magic to gather as much of what you request as possible, for when you return. We will also provide whatever assistance we can provide with resistance to fire, should you again encounter the echo of Dahak in Huntergate. Our hope certainly is that Cevendyll's prayer to Yuelral has kept it away."

"Lisi, you are welcome to stay behind, of course. We ask to send Nketiah not to ensure your return -- we trust your intentions, have no right to demand more, and yet are grateful that you offer further help. We would like to send her because we are curious to know what lies in one sense so close to Akrivel. We suppose it is both a matter of curiosity and being responsible about the security of our lands."

To be clear, the suggestion is not for her to remain behind but just to accompany you.

Yasami, I rolled a sense motive check for you and you detect no deception. It seems like they are curious, and a little concerned -- not about you, but just about the unknown of Isger.

Catalina, I also rolled a sense motive for you when you glanced at Nektiah. Her face remains expressionless, but you know her well and can tell that she knew in advance of this idea to go through Huntergate -- although it's not clear whether she thought it would be now or later.

On that note!" Yasamina raises her index finger. "Regarding proximity of Akrivel to Isger. Once this business with Dahak is over, assuming... Are you open to leaving the gate as-is, or are we closing the thing up? If we are able to. What would be a preferred outcome for you? Having a quick connection to a far away land has pros and cons. What are your thoughts?"

While Nketiah translates, Yasami leans towards Lisi, whispering "You need anything sorted out back home? Messages, something brought back here from your place? Why are you staying, anyway?" the woman gives Lisi a curious glance.

The Twin Leopards do not need to confer to answer that question: "It is a good question you ask, and not one we can answer without having a better idea of what is on the other side, which is why we propose to send Nektiah with you. But we are not closed to any possibilities right now and look forward to having that conversation with you and hearing your ideas, once the Cinderclaws have been dealt with."

"I...ah..." Lisi begins to blush and falters.

"I was hoping to bring something back for Narine. I don't...ah, I wasn't expecting to see her again so soon," he half-explains.

He suddenly finds it very important to study his fingernails for any dirt beneath them and picks at any tiny spot.

"I see." Yasami pats Lisi on the shoulder. "A topic for after this reception, or...?"

"I just...I was hoping to come back as part of you know..." He gestures at the Heroes of Breachill. "We aren't even one-tenth of the way through whatever we have to do. We aren't triumphant. We aren't done. And to come back bearing the body of a companion is not...I don't know. I guess I was getting lost in a chapbook fantasy. It's not always about triumphant returns and happily ever after," Lisitsei concludes.

He looks up. "I would pledge my troth, you know? But not now. It's too uncertain now. I don't want her weeping for me unduly if I'm the next one to be brought back on a litter of flowers."

"More often than not, we have returned to civilization battered and defeated rather than triumphant. I sometimes wonder if there is actually much different between the two. Returning at all seems to be an accomplishment worthy of honor." Caiten thinks for a moment. "Could you really make a litter out of flowers? Maybe certain varieties that grow around here. I don't think I could do it out of daisies or some small fragile flower like that. At least, not without magic."

Lisi rubs his chin. "It was more of a prosaic phrase, but...yes, I think I could do it, if I put my mind to it. Druidry can occasionally ask this of the natural world, as long as we are not gaudy or cruel about it."

"Lisi...", Yasamina starts a sentence, then stops herself. She thinks for a second. "We'll talk with less of an audience around? You up for that?"

Lisi nods. "Yes, of course. I'm, ah, I'm venting. I'll be fine." He smiles.

"I don't mean to butt in," Catalina says uncertainly, placing a hand on Lisi's shoulder, "But you should grasp joy where you can, when you can." A mix of emotions flashes across her face briefly before it settles into a small, silvery smile.

"Do we plan to leave today, or...?"

"No point in delaying. The sooner we get to Isger and back, the sooner we can dispatch the totems and take care of Belmazog's fortress." Yasami expresses her stance on the situation, then turns to Nketiah "We need to go pick up the Thornscales, but they don't want to come here, to Akrivel. Can your people concoct something to help survive fire tunnel, and meet us at Huntergate?"

She pauses and looks at the rest of the party. "Unless someone else has any other business here?"

Then she looks at Nketiah again. "No need to translate what I am about to say." and turns to towards Lisi. "Catalina is right, and I can say this to you. Keeping love at arm's length so that neither of you gets hurt is foolish. It will leave you bitter, with a constant stream of "What ifs" in your head. I made that mistake. I gambled, and lost. If you really think this person is the one, don't be foolish like me. Speak your mind. If it's mutual, seal the deal." she pauses.

"I regret a lot of things I have done. But I hate myself for things that I could have done and didn't. You're not a coward or a fool. Don't act like you are."

Lisi gathers himself. "You're right. I'll take joy now over regret later."

When it becomes clear the group is engaged in some private discussions, the Leopards, Nketiah, and the other Ekujae speak quietly among themselves to give some privacy to your discussions.

In response to the query about meeting at Huntergate with any protection against fire they can provide, the Twin Leopards respond, "Of course, that's no problem. Then, you will leave in the morning then to gather the Thornscales?"

"As soon as possible as far as I am concerned. Perhaps even now. We can sleep in the camp with Thornscales. Some extra security in the jungle."

Yasami looks at the rest of the group for opinions.

"Agreed," Caiten says simply.

"Works for me," Catalina says, fidgeting endlessly with her Harrow deck.

"I'm good with that"

The Ekujae seem a bit surprised at the rapid turnaround, perhaps due to a cultural difference in perception of time. But the Twin Leopards issue some orders with short phrases and gestures, and in very little time the elves have put together five woven sacks with simple traveling supplies -- water in gourds with stoppers, fresh and dried fruit, nut pies, etc. They also give each of you beautiful woven water resistant bedrolls, much more comfortable and fresh and durable than the ones you've been using.

Many Ekujae gather to see the party off, and Nketiah agrees to meet you at ancient temple of Ketyphys (where Huntergate is) in three days (it takes 1.5 days to return to the Thornscales, and then one day to travel from the Thornscales camp to Huntergate). Your return trip to the Thornscales camp is uneventful, and the kobolds are surprised and pleased to see you return so soon. Renali, Hezle, and the other Thornscales are hugely relieved to hear of the amnesty provided by the Ekujae, agree to the terms, and thank you profusely.

The kobolds busy themselves picking up the camp, and are careful to leave the site in good condition, following Renali's advice and under Kakena's watchful eye. After a happy and hopeful night around the campfire, feasting on the excess supplies not to be taken on the trip, the group makes the journey to the temple of Ketyphys.

The trip to the temple takes a full day, and you arrive as the sun is starting to set. As you approach, you hear an unseen Ekujae guard in the trees signal your approach, and Nketiah and several other Ekujae stand waiting to greet you as the temple grounds come into view. As you recall, it is an open-air temple with a ring of stone arches. It appears the Ekujae have tried to repair the damage done by the Cinderclaws to the ancient site, but the arches remain stained with soot. The Ekujae have cleared away the charred branches and foliage that you saw when you first arrived, but the new plantings are just starting to take hold. The wooden pillar the Cinderclaws were trying to put up is nowhere to be seen. Among the arches, as expected, only one section is solid—a section of wall that bears an exact duplicate of Huntergate as it appears in Alseta's Ring in Citadel Altaerein.

Nketiah greets the group, as do the other Ekujae. It appears that some accompanied her, and some are warriors now permanently stationed to guard the temple and Huntergate. Except for Nketiah, the Ekujae eye the kobolds with suspicion and Renali with curiosity, but they remain silent. You notice some of them quietly confer with Kakena, and they relax afterwards -- apparently Kakena offered some reassurances, after all the time she spent with the kobolds and Renali.

Nketiah signals to another warrior who hands each of you a vial made of bark. She says, "Our herbalist, Saevel (essentially a nature alchemist), quickly made up these tonics for you which will offer some protection from fire. (They are lesser potions of fire resistance, 5 points protection for one hour.) She is working to figure out how to make a more powerful tonic, but this is all she was able to provide quickly. Hopefully it will be enough."

As the group settles and prepares for the next journey, Nketiah approaches Lisi privately, "I don't mean to pry, but I could not help but hear you expressing some concern at how you would be received in Isger by a special friend. (Lisi is not surprised that Nketiah apparently has VERY good hearing.) I don't know who she is but I gathered from what I heard that she works in the woods, and I thought she might appreciate this gift, as a sign of the esteem in which the Ekujae hold her beloved." Nketiah presents to Lisi a fine all-purpose knife (+1 potency) in a carved bark sheath.

Next steps? I wanted to move us along a bit, because I felt we had covered the important points with the different players, but feel free to fill in any actions or interactions or whatever anywhere along the way.

Caiten goes to bed, relieved to be done with the social activity.

The next morning as they prepare to set out for the gate, he makes sure to prepare some fire resistance magic. He gets his gear in order and meets up with the others. "I am ready to depart."

----------

At Huntergate, Caiten spends a few minutes with Sulee transforming her into a tattoo on his back.

He accepts one of the vials from the warrior respectfully. "This will certainly be of benefit. Thank you."

At the end of the meeting, Yasami gives a courtesy to the Ekujae. "Thank you. We will be back in a matter of a few days."

Once the actual meeting is over, and the party walks to pick up their belongings, she seems content. "Well, that went pretty well. And we got these bedrolls to boot. Can't wait to try them out, but an actual bed would be preferable."

Soon afterwards, as they weave through the jungle to reunite with the Thornscales, she seems deep in thought, just trudging along. When they finally arrive, she immediately goes to Hezle to give her the good news. "Has Kakena been treating you well here? All good? We negotiated your passage. You can come with us. Word of warning, however. The last time we used the portal to Isger, it felt like being in a fiery oven. If you can conjure something to help your clan with that, I suggest you do so by the time we get there. Just a heads up."

Arriving at the temple, Yasami thanks for the tonic, and puts it under her belt. "I assume you brought the key as well." she inquires with Nketiah, and looks at the gateway.

She takes a few cautious steps forward. "Everyone ready? Caiten, prepared to calm down the guardian, if necessary?"

"I am more prepared to protect a few of us from fire if necessary. I am not as devout as Cevendyll and I do not know any dispelling magic." Caiten frowns a bit. "Which may be something I remedy soon. But for now, if the apparition has returned, I would recommend we pass by quickly again."

"No, no. I meant our guardian. I fully expect the tunnel attempting to turn us into steak again. I meant the golem guarding our side."

"Oh. Yes, I expect that the Door Warden is still guarding its doorway. As long as the Thornscales do not approach too closely without us present, the construct should pose no danger."

"Mhm." Yasami nods, defering to Caiten's knowledge on the matter. She turns to Catalina, Nketiah, and Hezle. "You heard the man. On the other side, stay close to us. Otherwise we will have a nasty cleanup situation on our hands." she mixes a joke into the warning to not crush the mood.

"Right." she looks at the portal again. "Ready when you are. I'll go last, just in case."

She re-checks her straps and tightens the grip on the tonic she had received.

Sorry for the wait! Work has been nuts but the thing that makes it nuts just finished last hour, so I'm a little more focused.

Catalina grins nervously at Yasami's quip, fiddling with the rings on her fingers briefly before taking a deep breath and holding onto the tonic as the others have. "Of all the places I've travelled, I don't think I've gone anywhere near Isger..."

Hearing about the 'construct' on the other side, she glances around quizzically, even alarmed. "A golem? Should I, ah, stay back with the Thornscales, too? And Nketiah?"

"Yes, all of you. Just stick close to someone of us on the other side." Yasami pauses. "Just in case."

She takes a scarf and wraps it around her hair, then pulls out her waterskin and empties the contents over her head to make sure her clothes are all damp. "Did I mention the fire in the tunnel?"

"Did I mention the fire in the tunnel?"

"If you haven't, I'm certain that I have." Caiten checks that everyone is ready and stands in front of the portal. "If someone would open this, I would appreciate it. Two days should be sufficient for our business in Isger, yes?"

Hezle listens carefully to Yasami's warning about fire in the tunnel, and she projects confidence -- "We're dragons -- we can handle a little fire!" -- but Yasami can tell she's a little nervous. Once at Huntergate, the Thornscales imitate Yasami, wrapping their faces and dousing themselves in water. They position themselves in the very back of the line, apparently hoping they'll get some cover.

Jahsi is there at Huntergate as well -- he apparently has taken it as his mission to guard it more fiercely. He returns the hunter's arrowhead to the group, explaining "Although this was crafted by the Ekujae of ancient times, it rightfully belongs to the owner of Alseta's Ring, and you have earned our trust."

Once goodbyes have been said and the group has prepared and assembled, the Hunter's Arrowhead is touched to Huntergate. As before, the mists of the magical portal fade, revealing a twenty-foot-wide passageway stretching off to the distance. The walls of the tunnel seem to be made of hardened lava, long ago scorched and melted. Tiny cracks and fissures line the walls, within which an orange glow flickers, giving the tunnel a soft, fiery illumination. A faint glow that you know to be the exit beckons about a hundred feet ahead. The air is almost uncomfortably warm and smells of smoke.

The group enters carefully, with potions of fire resistance in hand. In front are the four party members who came from Isger (the wargs alongside Lisi), then Catalina, and Nketiah, and then the kobolds nervously behind (without potions in hand). As the group proceeds forward ... nothing happens. Apparently Cev's prayers to Yuelral were still effective at keeping at bay the vision of Dahak you encountered before.

It is an unpleasant but brief march through the warm and blasted tunnel and soon the group finds itself again in the lower levels of Citadel Altaerein, in the chamber of Alseta's Ring. It appears as you left it: a large circular chamber, the walls and domed ceiling of which are elegantly carved in spiraling designs. In the center of the room stand six statues of elven deities (Alseta, Yuelral, Findeladlara, Ketephys, Calistria, and Desna), all facing outward and arrayed around a dry fountain. The statues face six stone archways built into the wall. Each of these archways bears a different type of decor, but with the exception of the northeastern archway across from Huntergate (which is partially collapsed and opens into a ruined chamber beyond), each archway leads nowhere—they are filled with plain, featureless walls of polished stone.

There is also a set of double doors in the room that you know house a vault behind them. As you enter the chamber fully, one of the doors reveals itself to be a massive tower shield belonging to a metallic golem that steps toward you -- the Doorwarden. Caiten holds up Alak's ring bearing Alseta's symbol and the golem stops in its tracks.

The golem speaks in elven, in a deep, surprisingly non-mechanical voice. "Greetings, Maralictor Stagram."

By the way, you all know that you can get the Doorwarden to stand down by any display of Alseta's religious symbol -- it does not have to be a Hellknight ring. Did Alak give the group the ring permanently or just on loan? I could not find it in the gameplay.

Also, it seems from the gameplay thread that Alak and Warbal are in charge of the Citadel and the repairs, but I could not find details of the repairs or other plans for the Citadel. Anything info to share? Did you have the stairway down to Alseta's Ring repaired as a top priority?

Caiten declines the apparent ritual of dousing ones self with water. He instead trusts in his magical abilities as he walks through the portal - ready at a moment's notice to shuffle time around to suit his preferences.

He relaxes as the group reaches the opposite end of the portal without incident.

"Greetings, Maralictor Stagram."

:Still calling me by that name, I see.:

"Greetings Warden," Caiten replies. "If there is nothing urgent, I will postpone even the summary account at the moment. I will be back for a full account later. We have guests to attend to." Caiten stands between the Doorwarden and the group of Kobolds as the group is herded up the stairs.

Before entering the portal, Yasamina looks at Jahsi. "See you in a few days." and waves at the surrounding Ekujae. When she emerges from the portal on the other side she has her blade drawn, ready to defend from the golem. Seeing that Caiten has things under control, she sheathes the sword.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Isger." she cracks a smile at Catalina, Nketiah, Hezle and the rest of the kobolds.

"Follow me." she looks at the stairs to the upper floors and briskly walks up to check on the status of the citadel.

As she is nearing the top of the stairs, she shouts "Where's our welcoming party? We have visitors."

At that moment, it dawns on her. Dario, and potentially Cevendyll, will never see this place again. Her shoulders go a little slumpier, but she attempts to remain presentable for their guests.

After the nervous passage through the lava tube like passage on the other side of Huntergate, Nketiah and the kobolds look around Alseta's Ring in wonder. They startle when the Doorwarden emerges but calm as Caiten takes control. The group can tell the kobolds are a bit intimidated by the surroundings, but Renali appears to quietly re-assure them. She seems to have taken a protective role during the time they spent together in the jungle. Nketiah is clearly very moved, and almost overwhelmed, to be in the presence of such an ancient elven masterpiece.

The area of the Ring looks undisturbed, and it looks like the a good job was done with the repair of the stairs. Yasami leads the group up the stairs and finds a closed and locked door at the top. The door requires a key to unlock in both directions.

Caiten follows the group up the stairs. Seeing the door is locked, he comments, "It is unfortunate that Joran is not with us currently."

Sulee sighs. "Or instead of bashing the door down, you could just try knocking politely and see if anyone answers."

"Well..." Yasami taps her fingers against the door repeatedly before looking back to the newcomers. "I must admit the anticlimactic nature of this predicament. But there's no need for cannibalism just yet. Give it a moment."

She knocks on the door in a few series of heavy thuds, and puts down her backpack. She reaches inside, and pulls out the bag of holding.

"You guys... Seriously, who has it? Don't tell me we're stuck in a room with Mister Hold-the-door-in-your-face over there."

She reaches into the bag of holding while thinking about a key, to pull out a key with a label on it. She reads the label, and lifts an eyebrow

"Uh... Oren's lingerie locker?" she asks surprised, and adds "Number THREE?!" in a slightly higher tone.

Spurred on by thoughts of a giant, firebreathing dragon stuck in this in-between area, Catalina hurries along the path, hardly paying attention to her surroundings. It reminds her too much of her Harrow readings.

On the other side, Catalina breathes deep, trying to take in as much of the new environment as she is able to muster. A new place...new possibilities...Despite the lingering anxiety over Dahak's prison and her own worries about this entire mission, she feels some amount of elation: a new place to explore, new folklore to discover...maybe not just yet, not with their work in the jungle still on the horizon...but soon. Soon enough.

Something to look forward to.

Catalina skirts around the golem, following along with the others as Caiten and Yasami discuss the dilemma of the locked door. Catalina glances at Oren, who she had fallen into step beside, and studies his face to try to get a read on the stoic, silent man. Perhaps being back on home turf would entice the barbarian to engage with them? "Glad to be back?" She asks Oren, just before Yasami's loud, teasing comment pierces the air. "Missing your lingerie?"

Oren was just about to relax as he crossed over into the safety of the citadel, a place where not too long ago it seemed like he might never see again. But then he heard Yasami say something about a lingerie locker for him and Catalina joins in too.

"What?! He says in response to the both of them. "I do not have a lingerie locker! How many sets of underwear do you think I have?"

"Hey, I don't judge. These eyes have seen things...", Yasami widens her eyes to make a mad expression as she looks at Oren and points to her face with one hand. She smiles as she does.In the meantime, her other hand is in the bag of holding, shuffling through. "I know you're there, you little punk. Show yourself!" she mutters to herself before continuing the discussion.

"Frankly, Oren, you don't strike me as the type that needs changing often. But looks can be decieving. Besides, if you like it, you like it..." she jests.

Suddenly, Yasami's expression changes to a curious one. She pulls her hand out of the bag, holding a key with a skull on the bow. "I think this is it." she announces as she faces the door again. She slides the key in the lock, and taps the skull a few times. "How does this work? Do I ask it to help or what?“

She goes for it anyway, messing with the tumblers for a brief moment.

Trying to us the Skeleton key and Knock to open the lock. And I might as well keep it. It was Dario's before this.

Open a lock with Knock: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 4 = 23

Yasami pounds on the heavy door a few times, but hears no response. She also listens at the door and hears nothing on the other side. Reflecting on the layout, she recalls that this door must open onto the long hallway in the vaults. There are occupants in the rooms down there, but they probably would not hear her unless they were passing in the hall or on the stairs up to the courtyard (which Yasami assumes must be excavated as well).

As Yasami activates the skeleton key and tries to fit it in the lock, she can feel it vibrating and twisting in subtle ways, supplementing Yasami's own lockpicking skills. But this must be a decent lock, because she does not make progress towards opening it. She knows a more complex lock will take some time to open (multiple consecutive successes) but she also can feel the key continue to vibrate in her hands, eager to succeed at the task (knock lasts a minute, so Yasami can try again).

Oren makes a semi-relieved, semi-amused expression in response to Yasami. "I brought enough sets of clothing for me to not be wearing the same thing every day, but nothing crazy."

He looks at Yasami going through it with the lock. "Are you sure that you don't need me to bust down the door?"

Back in Akrivel

As the group settles and prepares for the next journey, Nketiah approaches Lisi privately, "I don't mean to pry, but I could not help but hear you expressing some concern at how you would be received in Isger by a special friend. (Lisi is not surprised that Nketiah apparently has VERY good hearing.) I don't know who she is but I gathered from what I heard that she works in the woods, and I thought she might appreciate this gift, as a sign of the esteem in which the Ekujae hold her beloved." Nketiah presents to Lisi a fine all-purpose knife (+1 potency) in a carved bark sheath.

Lisi takes the knife gratefully. "You honor her and me with this gift. I will tell her the stories of what we've done here, and about the Ekujae."

He ponders the knife. "This is one way that we may use our dreams and wishes and shape them. May we be able to do more of this in the future."

In Citadel Altaerein

Lisi frowns at the golem. "I had almost forgotten about that thing," he says quietly to the wargs. "Remember what I've said--even if we don't like it, we don't mark it. We go outside."

He peers at the door. "I mean, I could shape the wood. But that would ruin this excellent crafts-man--er, crafts-goblin? crafts-sentient-being-ship. Who built the door, anyhow?"

"Just give me a sec..." Yasami responds, her voice focused and calm as ever. "I can't believe we don't have an actual key for this. I mean we HAVE to, right?"

She doesn't turn around as she speaks, her eyes focused on her fingers and the door. Her brow is slightly furrowed and, like a child, she seems just barely to be licking the inside of her lip.

Alright, then I will do 10 more and hope none of them actually breaks the lock throughout the process.

1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 4 = 19
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 4 = 33
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 4 = 36
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 4 = 26
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 4 = 35
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 4 = 32
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 4 = 31
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 4 = 33
1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 4 = 25

Hit enter too early. Adding more to this post.

Catalina chuckles softly, glad that the barbarian was speaking up again. "I wear essentially the same thing every day...but after some time in the jungle, I had been feeling a little...crusty." She shivers, touching her clean, soft clothes lightly with gratitude. "Could you imagine wearing nice lingere in the jungle? No wonder you keep it all here, Oren!"

While they fiddle with the lock, Catalina glances at the golem, keeping her distance from it despite her desire to study it more closely. "Would the Golem know how to open it?"

Yasami's initial try gave her some sense of the lock she was dealing with, and within 30 seconds she's able to open the lock, gradually easing the mechanism open step by step (it appears to be an "average" lock that required 4 successes to open).

Yasami eases the door open and it opens into a stairwell, with stairs heading up to her left. Further to the left she sees the expected wide hallway. Both the stairwell area and the hallway, and indeed the stairs down to Alseta's Ring, are lit by lamps in sconces. The lamps have shutters and they do not seem to generate heat -- clearly they are lit by continual flame spells. You know that the hallway beyond has numerous doors and passages (see this map, which approximates the appearance, although you may choose to arrange the space differently).

The group does not immediately hear any sounds from the hallway area but sounds of activity can be heard up the stairs to the left, presumably coming from the courtyard.

"Oren, how much clothing did you pack for Mwangi? I have like..." she pinches her skirt with two fingers "this and my ceremonial uniform. And that's it. Why do you think I was washing the stuff five times?"

The lock pops open, and Yasamina stands up with satisfied smirk adorning her face.

"Well, on one hand, we're not dying of starvation here. On the other, our security is atrocious. We did not fight the golem yet, but I bet it can only take so much."

"Right. Let's see who's home. Follow me, please. If you find dolls with red gems embedded in their foreheads..." she shudders "just steer clear of them." She puts the key into one of her multiple pockets, and starts walking towards the upper floors, screaming "ALAK!"

Oren shrugs in response to Yasami and Catalina. "When I first came here for the Call, I brought enough clothes for three or four days, so it was easy to pack it all up and take it to the Mwangi Expanse."