Dael will delay his action, and Bazo, provided the most doesn't attack, will charge with a bite (if it approaches he will instead full attack).
the bug is ripped to shreds, dying with a shriek. The dark room is now silent, torn apart by age. Several old torch sconces buckled to the walls alongside several beds and a large metal statue-esq thing.
Ciaran climbs down the rope, puts a torch into a sconce near the statue, and begins examining it.
Now that the threat is gone, Daelendross climbs down after Ciaran. He walks up to Bazogobergoban and pats his head. "Nice job, buddy."
Bazo shakes away from the petting. "Do not touch me! I am not some kind of pet. You will not be petting me. You will not be rubbing my belly. You will only scratch behind my ears when they itch! As they do now! SCRATCH MY EAR MORTAL! Dangit, I don't care which of you does it, I got some bug guts there, or something....damn lack of hands."
As the lit torch is put into the sconce you all clearly see the room is very large and opens up more to the south, with a large iron door on the back wall. the floor is littered with rat bones
@Ciaran
you notice rust colored blood stains and a couple latches on the statue. It looks as though it could be opened.
Aw... Azruk lets out his disappointment at losing the chance to get into the fight, but he helps the rest of the party down as they descend the ladder.
Picking up his torch he follows the party over to this metal statue. Now what bleeds like rust? His brow furrowing in thought, and his mouth forming a scowl with it.
"Rust monsters, maybe?"
Watch your mouth. I don't appreciate that kind of talk. Azruk slowly puts his greatsword back.
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Its been a long journey, and Azmaria could not wait to be free of the seemingly endless streams of carriages, river boats, ships, even a short ride on a stubborn mule when that gypsy wagon lost a wheel.
Finally arriving in the town of Belhaim, she could almost kiss the ground thankful she made it in one piece. But as the townsfolk watched, she decided it would not be the best of decisions.
Meandering her way through the town, it isn't long before she finds the local tavern, A town of this size would be near impossible to get lost in.
Entering the tavern, Azmaria takes a seat and quickly removes her shoes to rub her feet.
Azmaria, at first failed to notice the silver dragon person tending the bar. until he asks for her order.
without looking up, Azmaria orders a glass of milk but before she finishes she glance at the Kobold, what the? are you a dragon? I really thought you would be much bigger.
Figuring that an angel has pledged allegiance to this mini dragon, Azmaria feels that he can be trusted. after all Iomedae calls all sorts to fight his cause.
After a good meal and some nutritious milk, and some well rested feet. Azmaria checks the loadout in her pistol and checks her ammo pouches. grabbing her backpack, she heads out toward this fallen tower.
Upon arriving, she surveys the situation, (by asking the crowd that gathered there, which way the others went.
She makes her way up the ramp of debris, almost slipping once but she catches her footing.
climbing down to the next floor she listens for the others. it does not take long before she hears something from the floors below.
She quickly descends to the next floor (well somewhat quick, as she does need to take her time some do avoid an accidental fall)
she finally reaches the trap door above where the others are, she peers down into the room just after the last of the bugs were killed and everyone reached the bottom.
looking about with her Darkvision, she surveys the occupants. then yells down, Hello? are you alright down there?
Azruk leans back as he hears an unfamiliar voice call down, responding in a low rumble with Depends who you're asking. Re-drawing his blade but keeping it at his side.
looking for the one that answered, Well I guess I would be asking you. The little dragon back at the Inn sent me to find you. I am Sister Azmaria, Crusader of Iomedae. she calls back.
As she speaks Azmaria begins to climb down to where the others are.
Ciaran concentrates and tries to pierce the hidden veil separating the physical world from the world of essences with his mind, attempting to mentally reach beyond the statue's surface.
looking for the one that answered, Well I guess I would be asking you. The little dragon back at the Inn sent me to find you. I am Sister Azmaria, Crusader of Iomedae. she calls back.
As she speaks Azmaria begins to climb down to where the others are.
Dragon is a very strong... inaccurate word. Sure come on down. Just found a statue. Seems to be in our way. Azruk continues to speak with the newcomer. So what's your angle?
you detect no magic, with further inspection you all notice latches on one side of the statue and the smell of decay coming from inside it.
"Looks like this is a burial sarcophagus of some sort. I didn't know they were common around these parts. I suggest we open it - maybe we will find some clues as to the nature of these catacombs."
Ciaran tries to undo the latches and open the statue.
the latch easily come undone, the "statue" opens with a creak. out tumbles human remains, the inside filled with spikes. Not a statue but an iron maiden.
"Okay, not so much a burial as a torture device. Someone "creative" used to live here."
searching through the remains and cruel device you find an odd rusted iron key, and two silvery daggers with weird notches etched into the flat of the blade, they feel oddly lightly.
Azmaria reaches the floor. and straightens up her uniform. and making sure her habit is still on securely.
She makes her way toward the one that was speaking to her. Hi, Sister Azmaria, Crusader of Mendev.
She extends her hand in greeting.
Azmaria is a short girl standing only 5' 2" tall she has lovely Violet eyes and pure white hair. she is dressed in what appears to be a blue leather dress, with a belt about her waist with two pouches attached.
she has some odd weapon in a holster slung over a shoulder (basically a shoulder pistol holster with a double barreled pistol) she has a backpack and a large crusader cross necklace she appears to carry no other weapons
the high white collar of her uniform bears the symbol of Iomedae. and an emblem on her shoulder indicates she is a crusader.
She looks much like a gun wielding nun.
Azmaria is rather surprised that no others have even noticed her nor possibly have even heard her. the one examining the statue seems so engrossed in his work she could have walked up beside him and shot him twice before he realized he was in danger.
He reaches down and shakes Azmarias hand, very carefully, though still firmly. He again sheathes his sword, remembering the "R" word.
Azruk "lightly" taps a knuckle on Ciaran's back. Ey. It's rude to ignore people. Play with your food in a second.
Ciaran snaps out of his semi-trance, turning around absent-mindedly and nearly jumping at the sight of a big armed lizard next to him. A moment later he recollects where he is and who his companions are, and extends his still slightly shaking hand to the odd new girl.
"My apologies, I am Ciaran. Aspiring explorer and chronicler of human lands. We have just made a most curious discovery - apparently before these tunnels were infested by kobolds, they were used for torture and possibly even ritual sacrifice!"
He raises up the etched daggers enthusiastically.
"If you're a crusader, perhaps you could look around and see if you can find any symbols or paraphernalia of a demonic cult? I also wonder if that wizard who wanted to get rid of this tower knew about this place - maybe it was his goal to get here? Oh wait, did I mention that there was a tower here until this morning?"
Dael smiles pleasantly and moves to be next to greet the newcomer. "I am Daelendross. That is Bazo. Do not try to pet him. He is not friendly. He is not to bother the lady, ARE YOU BAZO?! Sorry. He needs some prompting sometimes." Dael gives a sheepish grin as Bazo starts eating the disgusting bugs he killed in an overtly messy way.
Azmaria gives a curtsy as the two introduce themselves. greetings. Yes I did know there was a tower here this morning. I was sent here to assist you guys. I actually had a vision from Iomedae to come to this town. I believe there is something important to learn here, and Iomedae has chosen me to root out the evil that may be lurking here.
She looks toward Bazo, as she was about to reach out, she gets the warning and quickly takes a step back. well now We will just have to see about that attitude of his, won't we.
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"Well then, we have a key and two strange daggers. We should be on the lookout for a lock matching this key. But it's the daggers that are really intriguing me. Let's see if they have a story to tell."
Ciaran palms the dagger's blade with both hands and slowly brings it to his forehead, while humming a strange mantra.
You get visions about a man, he appears to be in charge. People locked in cells. The man sticks the daggers in a large metal door, it opens.
"Mendev, huh? Yeah, I've heard about that place back home. Fighting a losing battle, sister. The abyss is limitless."
Bazo snickers to himself and rolls his eyes. "Hurry up and find a way further down, mortals. I'm bored, and these snacks were barely appetizing."
Daelendross shakes his head and facepalms.
"Bothering includes calling her homeland's demise inevitable, Bazo. Go...I don't know...mutilate the kobold corpses or something horrible but not related to us, will you? So, folks, what should we do now?"
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"They're up the ladder, genius. My ears remain unscratched! I go nowhere until this problem is unsolved!"
Daelendross sighs, walks over, and scratches the demon behind the ear, who kicks his leg and then stares up at him with embarrassment. "IT IS A REACTION, DO NOT JUDGE ME!!!"
You all do in fact notice the big iron door on the back wall
Ciaran looks for a steady surface as his head is still dizzy after experiencing the vision.
"These belonged to a man... who was keeping others imprisoned here. But these daggers are not weapons... These etchings are in fact also keys of sorts! Keys to a large, metal door..."
Ciaran inhales and slowly sets himself straight, looking at the big iron door at the back wall.
"Anyone wants to check if that one's locked?"
Oh how cute, the doggie talks, shame he isn't that bright. Azmaria retorts to Bazo, sensing a challenge of dominance.
She tries to be calm, as she can somewhat sense the demon presence in Bazo, but he is kept under control for now.
Azmaria stands beside Ciaran, probably is, considering you have the keys or at least what you say are the keys. You did say those were the keys, right?
"Yes, so we have one key that looks like a key, and two keys that look like daggers. I wasn't able to concentrate enough to say with certainty what door did they go into."
Seeing as how the group looks lost, Azmaria goes to the metal door.
alright, I'll go see.
she tries to find a way to open it and check to see if it is locked.
the door easily swings open revealing the next room
Numerous jail cells line these long-abandoned corridors.
Each of their solid iron doors hangs ajar, and includes both a
peephole at eye level, covered with a piece of sliding metal,
and a smaller slot for food and water at floor level.
"You b****es are taking too long."
Once the door slides open, Bazo arrogantly strides down the hallway with the confidence that only the inability to die can bring, eagerly looking for something to kill or eat.
"Well, look on the bright side. If something is in there, we'll know soon, no?" Daelendross offers a shy smile in trying to excuse his eidolon's behavior.
Heh. Azruk chuckles at the haugtiness. He decides to follow the eidolon, with the caution of someone who can die.
When he "dies", does he still bleed out and things like that? Sister, you should stay near the back. If that's what I think it is over your shoulder, they work best with some space between you and the other guy, right?
Bazo striding in noticing nothing but the stench of decay. {Also does he have scent? }
Walking in Azruk notices a suspicious looking ridge on the ceiling, following it to a suspicious looking section of wall.
Wait, hold up. Anyone see that? He states pointing to the ridge, his clawed finger tracing the line to the wall.
If I were a betting reptile, I'd say this wall is important. Azruk stops, backs about ten feet away from the section of wall in question, and throws a javelin at it to see if its trapped.
The javelin smacks the wall, making a clang sound like hitting iron instead of stone. You can easily figure out that the wall was once disguised as part of the wall, but hasn't been cared for in a long time.
You hear something calling for help on the other side.
Sure, I can let you out. What's in it for me?
You notice the voice sounds really weird and the door is in fact locked still.
Ciaran glances at Azruk: "Clear conscience would be a start... But if that's not enough, it could be a witness of the events that caused the tower's destruction! We shouldn't miss a chance to learn more about this place."
Ciaran sets to work, knocking and pushing on the stones to see if there is a hidden lock somewhere.
you find upon touch the door is cold like metal and their is a key hole
Naturally, Ciaran tries to fit the odd rusted iron key into the key hole.