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Elena will move to the south with Zylencia now that Wymarc has given the all clear and it's her turn again to look over the southeastern door of A7. She hopes there's a route to the other side of the pool room. She has her sword out... they had explored the majority of the complex and she assumes it won't be long before they might find more bugs or even cultist by the desecration of the other statues and shrines.
Imagery of skulls, dwarves in burial shrouds, and young dwarves praying adorn this long hall. Heraldic charts from several dwarven clans cover the southern wall. The skeleton of a large, serpentine creature is coiled on a stone pedestal in the eastern alcove.
The skeletal remains of a humanoid in what looks like it was once Minkaian armor rests against the wall to the southeast.
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Kenji looks at the remains of the Minkaian armor.
He goes down to his knees and prays for a moment.
”They fought for good. They died for that. We have to honor that!!“ he says in contemplation.
Piotr the Beast quickly follows suit and kneels on one knee. He bows his head in respect at the sight of the skeletal remains in exotic armor.
"So they did, my brother. So they did. Duty and Honor."He growls quietly.
He pops an eye open and glances at the large skeletal serpent, then stands with polearm gripped tight, ready for any trouble.
The statue glares back at Piotr menacingly...
...
...
...
...and does nothing else. The room seems quiet.
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Elena tenses in worry for a second seeing Kenji walk into the room without checking. She sighs in relief as the statue does nothing. Her attention moves to the skeleton in armor.
"You don't think... is this the warrior from the story? I thought she would be in a tomb?"
Elena will take her time looking for any sign that would confirm its identity while trying not to disturb the body.
There is nothing magical in this room.
What remains of the armor looks like what was in the image in the Tome of Righteous Repose, but Elena notices that the skeleton's proportions are completely wrong for an elf.
The skeleton is very dead and very not undead. It looks like the armor is ill-fitting, which makes you believe it stole it from someone else before getting killed. Tt has decomposed enough that you can't tell much else, and if it had anything useful, it has long since been looted.
You can certainly take the remains of the armor. They will not have any practical use (or affect your Chronicle), but the Society will likely be interested.
A statue of a dwarven man strangling a snake stands in the northwest part of this irregularly shaped room.
There are muffled voices coming from the hallway to the east. If you want to know what they are talking about, you need to either make a Stealth check to get closer without being noticed or Perception to try to make out the words from here.
Kenji is paying too much attention to the statue, but Piotr can tell that there are 5-10 voices, and they seem to be talking about something dangerous they expect to find ahead.
Wymarc sees a chamber showing evidence of several triggered and disabled
traps. A heavy steel door seals a passageway to the south. A gnome in robes is examining the door. Four other gnomes, as well as two dwarves, are talking about what might b found beyond it - perhaps some kind of undead guardian, or maybe a demon or devil. They do not react to Wymarc's approach.
This chamber shows evidence of several triggered and disabled traps. A heavy steel door seals a passageway to the south.
The gnome near the door, startled, looks up and answers. "I'm Norwhip, and these are my colleagues. We came upon this key and information that it would open a door at this location. Seemed like an easy job, but after seeing that door, we're afraid to look at what is inside. If you're willing to handle it for us, we'll give you three-quarters of any treasure you find inside.". He holds up a key.
You can now see the door, covered in chains that glisten with magical runes. The chains are sealed with a padlock that seems to match his key.
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Elena considers their options and looks back at the group in case they have any suggestions.
If there are no other ideas she calls out to the gnome.
"Listen... we are here on a mission for the Pathfinder Society. What we find in there could be of historical significance and we might not be able 'split it'. Would you be willing to part with the key? How much would you want for it?"
"Like I said, a fourth share of the treasure inside. If it's not coins or something easily split, we'll happily go back to town with you to get it appraised and then one of us can pay the other based on the value."
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Piotr the beast straightens his clergy tunic, then struts down the hall and into the room. He puffs out his chest, giving him an imposing air of authority. He gently, but brusquely, moves Kenji aside as he steps in front.
"No. They are not good negotiating partners."
Piotr growls as he glares at the gnome.
"I am Baron Piotr Lupescu, Lord of Taldor."
He smirks and awkwardly gives a courteous bow, unused to the customs of royalty.
He then straightens himself and looks down at the gnome.
"As my warrior lady-friend here said, we are on an important mission. We will take care of whatever is in that room, as well as the treasure inside. That treasure belongs in a museum --not for sale on the Osirian black market."
There's an awkward moment of silence. Cave crickets chirp in the distance.
Not only is Piotr unaccustomed to ating as a noble, but he misreads whether even trying would be worthwhile here.
The gnome looks up at Wymarc's statement. "What you do with your share is your business, but it's our key and we deserve a cut for making this 'important mission' easier for you."
You should accept their offer.
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Elena raises her hand to keep Kenji from getting close to them.
"Kenji, my friend. They want us to do all the work and likely get all the treasure and leave, and that's the best case scenario," she turns to the gnome again.
"So... how is it going to be? Buying the key still stands. We'll give you some money for it and you can walk away richer than you were when you entered this room. Come on... Let's avoid a confrontation here."
Norwhip ponders for a moment. "You Pathfinders and your mission - sounds like there's something really valuable behind there. If you don't like the original deal, how about, say... 15,000 gold pieces? The Society should be good for that, if they really want what's behind the door all to themselves."
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Piotr forces his way past purply guy.
"Go stand over there."
He commands as he points to the other side of the chamber.
"We'll get this door open. Don't try anything foolish."
He growls.
Piotr winks back at Elena to let her know he understands. He keeps an eye on the other team of adventurers as he stands with his back to Wymarc while the infiltrator works on picking the lock.
Norwhip's crew steps back, sneering at Wymarc as he tries to bypass their perfectly reasonable offer.
Anything hinkie that may have happened here has resulted in whatever scorch marks and rubble are lying around the room. However, this is the most complex lock that Wymarc has ever seen. The tumblers try to reset themselves, the picks keep slipping off of extra-greasy springs, and it seems like at least one pin is actually a mimic. Despite all that, he is completely dialed in, and he knows exactly what he needs to do and how to do it. The problem is that it requires more hands than he has. He might be able to complete the task if a couple people were able to help him...
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Piotr sighs in disappointment after Wymarc realizes the lock is too difficult. He offers some words of encouragement to the infiltrator.
"You did your best, Wymarc. 'Practice makes perfect' they say. Pretty soon you'll be opening up the treasure vaults of deities."
He says with a wink.
He steps away from the door and gestures towards it with a wave of his arm as he looks at the other team of adventurers.
"Okay, then. Have it your way. We'll stand on the other side of the room while you open the door with that key you've got."
Norwhip grins crookedly as the Pathfinders concede. "You got it. I open it, you charge in and deal with what's inside, and we share the rewards?"
Norwhip unlocks and opens the door and steps aside so you can enter. Nothing jumps out at you right away, but there is a loud growling coming from inside.