Mal takes the iron bracelets, intending to get the symbols looked at later. After a moment's thought he takes the gold earing as well.
Slipping through the narrow crack between the iron doors Malcolm survey's the room. When his eyes fall upon the statue he murmurs "Sweet Desna..." louder he says "So that'd be Lamashtu then?"
"How does he know the bird is still ... A bird?...Ooookay. So, we're going to rescue a bird then … and, if we hadn't, he wouldn't even be able to go looking for this bird anyway." Judging by the look Vesh and Ehlissa give him, Zieke realizes he doesn't exactly have their sympathy. "Okay...fine...fine," he relents, "I'll help him save his magic bird and then he can buy me an ale…"
Vesh seems to ignore Zieke’s retort and only says, “That’s seven ales you owe him, now. I would stop while you’re behind. Slidell can only drink one at a sitting.”
"What's the best way down?" He asks Vesh.
Vesh, a little stunned by the darkness of the room before him says frowning, “That way.” He is pointing down the rubble pile. “Without falling,” he adds.
------------------------------
Salome listens to the bickering and follows the speakers like a spectator at a tennis match. "Oh, Zieke," she sighs under her breath, tired and exasperated where she might earlier have been impressed, "you'll fit right in."
Pleased that the group sustained far less damage after this battle, and seeing Zieke once again able to take care of himself, she declines to mention any need for healing at this time. Oddly serene, she quietly waits and observes while everyone else blows off steam. Slidell, she notices, is more tense and focused than his usual flighty, jovial self. She decides to watch him carefully as they proceed. Majji, with all their knowledge and intelligence, forget that they too can be ruled by emotions -- and are potentially more dangerous because of it, she reflects.
Beyond the doors, the rubble descends steeply into a room so palpably dark that even Salome's divine light seems diminished. The floor must be a good 6 to 8 feet below the floor of the room you are in, but at least it appears to be level. The walls and floor of this room are black. In its center stands a shadowy figure on a raised dias - an obsidian statue of a pregnant woman with a leering jackal's head wielding two curved blades. Her three eyes glow with a greenish light. The lantern light shimmers on the smooth surface of the statue and the dias. A collection of skulls and black stones lies haphazardly around the base of the statue. Descending the rubble pile appears treacherous at best.
Vesh seems to ignore Zieke’s retort and only says, “That’s seven ales you owe him, now. I would stop while you’re behind. Slidell can only drink one at a sitting.”
"You got a funny way of applying numbers," Zieke grunts, but grows silent until the party reaches the uneven, darkened slope into the next room.
"It knows we're here. By now it knows its pet guardbeast is dead. Stealth will avail us nothing now. It is most likely cornered, and running low on guards after all of the zombies, Wrathspawn and whatever that was we just went through. Which means it will be that much more dangerous. It captured Veran, which means it knows the importance of a familiar to it's master." He spares a withering glance for Zieke.
"What?" Zieke shrugs, holding his hands palms up, "Oh...like I knew?! I thought it was just a bird..." He glares at Vesh before he can tack on another ale.
"Just beware of traps and any other remaining guards. I'll get Veran."
"Guards, I can handle..." Zieke nods, "Traps, not as much...but I'll certainly point one out if I happen to suspect it."
He gestures at Slidell's rope. "I've done some climbing before, too," he offers, "If you guys can either tie this off or hold it while I descend, I'll check it out for safe passage and then guide you down." He peers into the darkness for a moment and then adds, "Plus, if there's anything waiting down there, I'm probably the best option we've got for holding it back until the rest of you can join me. Just don't leave me down there by myself for long..."
As they prepare the rope, Zieke hesitates for a moment as he stands next to the still-distraught wizard, and then concedes, "By the way, look...I'm...sorry about your bird. I didn't know it was that important...but, I'll definitely help you get it back. And it's your call on how we go about doing it. I'm not going to pretend to know anything about magic or the nature of what we're facing down here. I've got a good sword-arm, though. So direct me where I can put it to use and maybe we'll stand a better chance of succeeding..."
Sli's Knowledge:Planes roll: (1d20 8=27)
"What's the best way down?" He asks Vesh.
Vesh, a little stunned by the darkness of the room before him says frowning, “That way.” He is pointing down the rubble pile. “Without falling,” he adds.
Slidell stops what he is doing and looks at Vesh. He makes none of his usual comments. And if the darkness of the room before them is disconcerting, the way those same shadows seem to be attracted to Slidell, and form a deeper area of darkness beneath the brim of his hat is downright creepy.
He seems obsessively focused in a way you've never seen before. But if he notices Salome's intense observations, he gives no signs.
"By the way, look...I'm...sorry about your bird. I didn't know it was that important...but, I'll definitely help you get it back. And it's your call on how we go about doing it. I'm not going to pretend to know anything about magic or the nature of what we're facing down here. I've got a good sword-arm, though. So direct me where I can put it to use and maybe we'll stand a better chance of succeeding..."
Slidell turns his head to look at Zieke, tilting it slightly as if really looking at him for the first time. He nods, and wordlessly hands one end of the rope to Vesh, and the coil to Zieke.
Slidell stops what he is doing and looks at Vesh. He makes none of his usual comments. And if the darkness of the room before them is disconcerting, the way those same shadows seem to be attracted to Slidell, and form a deeper area of darkness beneath the brim of his hat is downright creepy.
Vesh's frown deepens. What foul cast is this? He thinks as he observes the shadows clinging to Slidell. A page has turned in this story for all of us...
Slidell turns his head to look at Zieke, tilting it slightly as if really looking at him for the first time. He nods, and wordlessly hands one end of the rope to Vesh, and the coil to Zieke.
Vesh snakes a length of the rope behind his back and hands some slack to Ehlissa so that she can help him support Zieke's weight. He looks at Zieke as he places his feet and prepares to lean against the rope, "Belay on ... Slidell, cover his decent."
Vesh snakes a length of the rope behind his back and hands some slack to Ehlissa so that she can help him support Zieke's weight. He looks at Zieke as he places his feet and prepares to lean against the rope, "Belay on ... Slidell, cover his decent."
While the others ready the rope, Zieke unstraps his shield and slings it on his back. He also motions to Slidell's lantern. "Keep that on me now," he directs the wizard, "No swinging it around to see anything else while I'm down there, or I won't be able to see. Send one of the other light bearers down after me and then we'll be fine."
With that, he wraps his end of the rope around his forearm, gripping it with the same hand so he can alternate slowing or speeding up his descent. In his other hand, he holds the ancient sword taken from the goblin...ready to use it on anything he meets at the bottom. He tests his footing as well as the anchoring pull of Ehlissa and Vesh, then says, "See you guys at the bottom..."
Slidell nods again at Vesh and Zieke's instructions. He pulls out his readied crossbow, and rests it on the arm holding the lantern. He watches as Zieke descends, holding the lantern as steady as possible.
The distinct lack of verbosity from Slidell is probably the scariest part for those who have known him a few days. While his obvious concern for Veran is palpable, and understandable, he usually has a steady and ready patter going. Which, even though not always followable, at least gave you an indication into what the flighty mage was thinking. This focused, brooding introspective silence is,... uncomfortable.
While the others ready the rope, Zieke unstraps his shield and slings it on his back. He also motions to Slidell's lantern. "Keep that on me now," he directs the wizard, "No swinging it around to see anything else while I'm down there, or I won't be able to see. Send one of the other light bearers down after me and then we'll be fine."
Salome slings her shield to her back. "I will go next," she says with unusual confidence for the task at hand. Climb check (1d20-5=14)
If I fall, she reasons to herself, Zieke can catch me. She shakes her head. Why do I trust him to catch me when no one else has? she wonders. Still, despite his brusque manner, she finds herself drawn, as to a kindred spirit or an old soul. Not to get to close, she reminds herself. [/i]It is not clear where his allegiance lies, nor whether he would willingly offer his assistance, where he not ordered to be here.[/i]
"BajAtru!" she whispers to herself before grabbing the rope and descending into the thick darkness of the black room.
Salome slings her shield to her back. "I will go next," she says with unusual confidence for the task at hand.
Once Zieke reaches the bottom (), he pauses only to reacquire his shield for defensive purposes in case something lurks in the dark. Then, he turns back to the rope, raising his shield to shade his eyes against the glare of Slidell's lantern.
"Okay, send the priestess down..." he urges.
"BajAtru!" she whispers to herself before grabbing the rope and descending into the thick darkness of the black room.
"That's it!" Zieke coaches, "Yeah...you're okay there. That's solid footing. Watch it to your right now...it's a little loose in there. Ease up on the rope a bit. You're doing fine..."
"Welcome to the party, ma'am..." the big warrior says, taking the rope from her and helping her down to the floor, "Let me see if I can guide the others while you stand guard."
Once the last person reaches the base of the rubble, Zieke recoils the rope and hands it back to Slidell. With the light provided by Ehlissa's sword, Salome's spell, and Slidell's lantern, he takes in the rest of the chamber alongside the others.
The Lamashtu shrine in its center is the dominating feature and you can't get over the sensation of being watched by the demoness.
"Can't say I like the look of that," Zieke offers aloud, "Looks like an altar. Are those sacrificial remains? Looks like rats or...birds...um...mostly..." His voice trails off as he realizes maybe the little devil took Slidell's bird so it could sacrifice it to Lamashtu, but he holds back from saying as much.
Shallow alcoves shielded by tattered curtains are visible at the sides of the room. An open portal opposite the iron doors leads out of the room and into a dark man-sized passageway.
"Do we press on then?" Zieke asks, indicating the doors, "Or should we search this place?" He looks mostly to Slidell for guidance. After all, if there really is some kind of magical connection between him and Veran, perhaps the wizard can sense the bird's location.
"Do we press on then?" Zieke asks, indicating the doors, "Or should we search this place?" He looks mostly to Slidell for guidance. After all, if there really is some kind of magical connection between him and Veran, perhaps the wizard can sense the bird's location.
"I'd rather get out of here and move sooner rather than later. This place is starting to give me the creeps."
Ehlissa looks grim, and says softly, "One can... feel... the wrongness in such a place. May your goddess and mine guide us through this." she adds to Salome.
"I'd rather get out of here and move sooner rather than later. This place is starting to give me the creeps."
"Agreed." Vesh pulls his bow and arrow, grits his teeth, and says a silent prayer to Desna, May the Lady of the Spheres be with us in all her beauty and wonder. Grant us good fortune, I pray.
Ehlissa looks grim, and says softly, "One can... feel... the wrongness in such a place. May your goddess and mine guide us through this." she adds to Salome.
Salome nods, but also keeps her amber eyes open for anything that may be out of place. Perception check (1d20+5=20) Pointing to the black liquid flowing from the basin, she cautions, "I am guessing that is the Milk of Lamashtu. Do not touch it."
"Hmmmm yes. Wasn't planning too."
Ehlissa looks grim, and says softly, "One can... feel... the wrongness in such a place. May your goddess and mine guide us through this." she adds to Salome.
Salome nods, but also keeps her amber eyes open for anything that may be out of place....Pointing to the black liquid flowing from the basin, she cautions, "I am guessing that is the Milk of Lamashtu. Do not touch it."
"I don't think any of us are that thirsty yet," Zieke raises an eyebrow at the thought of drinking from such a bowl, "But maybe that's how that goblin freak came to be living here..."
"Alright...well..." he looks around, "Now that we've all said our prayers and kissed our holy symbols for luck and protection, let's see how much the gods favor us." The big warrior leads the way past the Lamashtu shrine and heads for the open passageway. As he moves, he keeps an eye out for any traps or potential ambushes.
Perception check... (1d20+5=8)
Slidell makes it down the rope with a surprising amount of dexterity. Perhaps there is a good side to his singular focus after all. He is stuffing the rope back into his pack and looking around the room himself. His gaze and lantern beam come to rest on the statue once more.
"Can't say I like the look of that," Zieke offers aloud, "Looks like an altar. Are those sacrificial remains? Looks like rats or...birds...um...mostly..."
Slidell gives the large warrior another another scathing glance. But goes back to studying the statue without comment. He can be heard muttering softly, probably reciting the things that catch his attention as he usually seems to do. You can almost make out what sounds like,
"Thank you,... Captain Obvious,..." Which Malcolm and Vesh might take as a good sign, considering his behavior.Salome nods, but also keeps her amber eyes open for anything that may be out of place....Pointing to the black liquid flowing from the basin, she cautions, "I am guessing that is the Milk of Lamashtu. Do not touch it."
"I don't think any of us are that thirsty yet," Zieke raises an eyebrow at the thought of drinking from such a bowl, "But maybe that's how that goblin freak came to be living here..."
Slidell turns his head slowly back to Zieke. It is almost impossible to make out his features from the shadows that seem to cling under his brim, but you think you see him lift an eyebrow.
"Very possible." He says after another moment, sounding reflective. "It is actually probable. From what I have read about similar elixirs, they are supposed to have highly mutanagenic properties." He takes a couple of deep sniffs. "And it certainly smells foul enough to be a Polyjuice Potion." He adds. "Of course that could just be the remains,..." He mutters."Do we press on then?" Zieke asks, indicating the doors, "Or should we search this place?"
"Veran,... isn't here." Slidell says softly after a moment of concentrating. "He's in another room, bigger. Of course when your a foot tall, everything looks big,..." He gestures across the room. "We keep going."
He starts to join the others in crossing the room, but stops cold after about two steps.
"Of course." He says, his voice echoing oddly in the chamber. "Quasit."
He looks at the others. "The creature was a Quasit. I'm sure of it. Well.... reasonably sure. They are among the lowest of demons and often serve powerful evil mortals. I have even heard that some of the high magi in Cheliax use Quasits as familiars. I can't imagine why, though that would explain a few things. They are not good for much in a stand-up fight, but they can turn invisible and assume the form of small animals, so they are very hard to pin down. Also, like all demons, they are vulnerable only to weapons forged of cold iron or imbued with divine power."
"So, now you know what to hit it with. And that's the hard part, because when I say 'can turn invisible', of course I mean 'can turn invisible at will. So if you see it, hit it, because in a few seconds you won't. What we need is some way to catch it or limit it's movement. I don't have a spell for such an effect, but perhaps a net,... or if you can get a grip on it, we could end this pretty quick." He shrugs.
"Quasit." He looks at the others. "The creature was a Quasit. I'm sure of it. Well...reasonably sure. They are among the lowest of demons and often serve powerful evil mortals. I have even heard that some of the high magi in Cheliax use Quasits as familiars. I can't imagine why, though that would explain a few things. They are not good for much in a stand-up fight, but they can turn invisible and assume the form of small animals, so they are very hard to pin down. Also, like all demons, they are vulnerable only to weapons forged of cold iron or imbued with divine power."
Zieke examines the longsword taken from the mutant goblin, "Will this suffice, perhaps? I can't tell if it's made from cold iron...or if it's got any divine power to it. But it seems exceptionally well-made."
"So, now you know what to hit it with. And that's the hard part, because when I say 'can turn invisible', of course I mean 'can turn invisible at will. So if you see it, hit it, because in a few seconds you won't. What we need is some way to catch it or limit it's movement. I don't have a spell for such an effect, but perhaps a net,... or if you can get a grip on it, we could end this pretty quick." He shrugs.
"Hmmm..." Zieke ponders, "If I can get close to it, I might be able to pin it. Maybe we could use your rope? Anyone any good with a lasso? Vesh or Malcolm could snag it with the rope and haul it down so I can wrestle it into submission. From there, maybe one of you can work some magic to tame it?"
He starts to join the others in crossing the room, but stops cold after about two steps.
"Of course." He says, his voice echoing oddly in the chamber. "Quasit."
"Bless you."
He looks at the others. "The creature was a Quasit. I'm sure of it. Well.... reasonably sure. They are among the lowest of demons and often serve powerful evil mortals. I have even heard that some of the high magi in Cheliax use Quasits as familiars. I can't imagine why, though that would explain a few things. They are not good for much in a stand-up fight, but they can turn invisible and assume the form of small animals, so they are very hard to pin down. Also, like all demons, they are vulnerable only to weapons forged of cold iron or imbued with divine power."
"Little demons? There was this old guy I shipped out with once; mad as hatter but he could spin a good yarn. He told us about something like that once, except he called it an imp."
"So, now you know what to hit it with. And that's the hard part, because when I say 'can turn invisible', of course I mean 'can turn invisible at will. So if you see it, hit it, because in a few seconds you won't. What we need is some way to catch it or limit it's movement. I don't have a spell for such an effect, but perhaps a net,... or if you can get a grip on it, we could end this pretty quick." He shrugs.
"So my weapons won't be much good against it then? This gets better and better."
"Hmmm..." Zieke ponders, "If I can get close to it, I might be able to pin it. Maybe we could use your rope? Anyone any good with a lasso? Vesh or Malcolm could snag it with the rope and haul it down so I can wrestle it into submission. From there, maybe one of you can work some magic to tame it?"
"I'm handy with a rope. Lassoing something not so much but we could probably work something out. On the taming it front, I think a good old-fashioned club might do some good." grinning he adds "Don't worry, we'll beat the Hell out of it!"
"This should take the air out of its sails," Ehlissa says as she performs an experimental slash with her sword.
"I'm handy with a rope. Lassoing something not so much but we could probably work something out. On the taming it front, I think a good old-fashioned club might do some good." grinning he adds...
"You got that right," Zieke grins, starting to take a liking to the quiet man's philosophy.
"This should take the air out of its sails," Ehlissa says as she performs an experimental slash with her sword.
"Divine weapon of Iomedae?" Zieke assumes.
The passageway leads on for a few dozen paces before you come to a pair of alcoves - one to either side. In each is a statue of Alzanist. the one to your left holds an open book and stands pefectly straight, glaring across the passage. The other wields a black-tipped spear with a cresant-shaped cross piece cut to resemble twin arcs of flame. A skull - a real one, very well preserved - is impaled on the tip of the spear. The statue has been disturbed and leans back and to the side towards the far corner of the alcove. Both statues are made of a silver colored metal that gleams in the light.
"Well now. That's a bit of craftsmanship for as old as it looks," Zieke muses, "Are these things real?" He examines the book in the glaring woman's hand as well as the black-tipped spear. "Who is this lady? Some kind of servant of Lamashtu?"
Lastly, Zieke checks the alcove with the disturbed statue to see if he can understand why it shifted...the vagaries of time or purposefully moved to hide or reveal something behind the alcove?
Beyond the statues, there is an open doorway to the left and the passage turns to the right at a 90-degree angle.
Once he's finished examining and searching the alcoves, Zieke points to the far room with his sword. "Shall we try there then?"
Slidell nods at Malcolm.
"They are also referred to as 'Imps'. I do have a scroll to enchant a weapon for a brief time."He says, patting his pockets. "It won't overcome the creatures natural resistance to damage, but it will still give you a better chance to hit it and do damage to it. I can cast it on your sword Malcolm, or Vesh's bow. Or if you wish, you can borrow this." He adds as he pulls a Cold Iron Dagger from its sheath.
"I plan on using something else." He says ominously.
"Who is this lady? Some kind of servant of Lamashtu?"
"Alzanist. Runelord of Wrath. Same as on the entrance portal." Slidell answers curtly. He pans the lantern beam around the area, examining the statues in the hallway. He strides slowly but purposefully towards the one with the book. The shadows seem to swirl around him like a second cloak. He stops in front of the statue and looks up at the figure, the stiffness in his movements revealing his tension. After what seems like a short eternity, you hear him snarl,...
"Alright B!^@$, give me back my familiar, or I'll show you some REAL wrath!"
After another glance at the statue, he follows it's eyes, across the hallway, to where it is looking at the other, toppling statue. "What do we have here?" He mutters, walking across the hall.
"...Or if you wish, you can borrow this." He adds as he pulls a Cold Iron Dagger from its sheath.
"As long as you won't be needing it..." Mal says, taking the dagger and giving it a few experimental swings "Thanks, you'll get it back as soon as we kill the little bugger in there."
Malcolm eyes the statues, trying to figure out what they're made of and what they'd be worth.
"Well, sort of." Ehlissa says to Zieke, "It was dedicated in a ceremony with Vesh, Father Zantus and myself to the goddesses of good. And it's cold iron." she adds with a smile.
As Slidell and Zieke examine the toppled statue, Vesh moves up behind them.
"Here," says Vesh, elbowing in between Slidell and Zieke. "Let me have a look. Could be booby-trapped ".
Slidell examines the toppled statue with the others. When Vesh elbows his way in to check for traps, he goes back to the statue with the book. After another moment, he puts down the lantern, digs through his pockets until he comes up with a piece of parchment and a charcoal stick, and climbs up onto the statue.
"Can't tell what this is. Captured my attention." Is his response to any who ask him what he is doing
Placing the page on top of the stone book, he does a rubbing of the symbol on the statue. He then climbs down, puts the stick in his pocket, and examines his work.
After a moment, he turns the page right side up. :)
In the dark passageway, Salome follows silently, continuing her meditative walk, trying to make sense of the images of the goddess and the runelord, and the strange overlapping of the two. "Whose space is this, really?" she wonders.
Slidell nods at Malcolm.
"They are also referred to as 'Imps'. I do have a scroll to enchant a weapon for a brief time."He says, patting his pockets. "It won't overcome the creatures natural resistance to damage..."I plan on using something else." He says ominously.
Overhearing the discussion of how to capture and defeat an imp, Salome considers offering to bless a weapon against the evil outsider and...
""Alright...give me back my familiar, or I'll show you some REAL wrath!"
...narrows her eyes, and sets her jaw tight.
Having noticed Slidell's more-erratic-than-usual behavior, and the way sarcasm has replaced his normally self-effacing sense of humor, she quietly approaches him as he completes his rubbing.
"Majji--" she begins.
"Can't tell what this is. Captured my attention."
Placing the page on top of the stone book, he does a rubbing of the symbol on the statue. He then climbs down, puts the stick in his pocket, and examines his work.
"Su-li-," she whispers more forcefully, "you act as one who has bitten by a wrathspawn. Are you well?" she asks, giving him a once-over look for any signs of injury or impairment. She looks at him severely, her eyes glowing dangerously in her silver light, but her voice calm as a summer's day. "You have five people trying to help you find and rescue your companion. I am sure you do not want to lose the companions you have. We need your assistance, not your anger."
Not awaiting a reply, she follows Zieke down the passageway to the next room.
The statue does appear to have been deliberately disturbed. You see chisel marks around its base where someone broke it free from the surrounding stone. It does not appear to conceal anything, though. More likely, someone was trying to remove it. While poking about, Vesh discovers that the weapon held by the statue is loose and can possibly be removed.
Mostly oblivious to Slidell's interest in the statue with the book as well as Salome's exchange with the wizard, Zieke assists Vesh as much as he can in examining the statue. The weapon catches the warrior's attention more than the possible value of Alzanist's figure, however. He reaches out a hand when he sees Vesh discover the weapon is loose within her grip.
"Hunh...will you look at that," Zieke says, tugging the spear free. He examines the black tip and then shows it to Vesh, "Cold iron, maybe? Or something else? Might be useful against this...quasit devil, demon, or whatever."
Sli's SPellcraft check: (1d20 9=22)
Looking at his charcoal rubbing, Slidell starts slightly. For a moment the shadows clinging to him lift, and you can see his eyes, widened in surprise. "Well now, THIS might come in handy,..."
"Su-li-," she whispers more forcefully, "you act as one who has bitten by a wrathspawn. Are you well?" she asks, giving him a once-over look for any signs of injury or impairment. She looks at him severely, her eyes glowing dangerously in her silver light, but her voice calm as a summer's day. "You have five people trying to help you find and rescue your companion. I am sure you do not want to lose the companions you have. We need your assistance, not your anger."
Not awaiting a reply, she follows Zieke down the passageway to the next room.
Slidell continues to stare at the page without seeing it as Salome walks away. "You don't understand." He says quietly to no one in particular. "It helps me to focus. Focus. Veran." His hands start to crumple the edge of the parchment. He very deliberately and carefully rolls it up and tucks it into an inside pocket.
"Coming V." He says, striding down the passage between the statues without a second look. He heads for the doorway.
Vesh whispers, "Should Malcolm or I scout the door?" Before the others reach it.
Slidell Stops on his way to the doorway, and gives a small mocking half bow for Vesh to precede him. It's not as large or grandiose a gesture you have come to expect from the mage, but it might be considered an improvement.
Slidell steps into the doorway of the room, nose wrinkling in distaste. He glances around with the others, taking in the probable use of the narrow room. He still doesn't seem to feel the need to elaborate on it as is his usual wont. He glares silently back at the tiny red eyes reflected in the light of his lantern.
Curiosity overwhelms him, and he takes a step into the room to investigate further. He steps in something that squishes unpleasantly under his boot, and the look on his face tells you that he has reconsidered.
Stepping back to the doorway, he pulls out a tiny container. He takes a small bit of paste from it and rubs it onto his eyelids. Replacing the container he murmurs "Paeraes Tandros."
When Slidell opens his eyes, they glow slightly with a blue light. He slowly looks across the room.
Mal looks into the room and is about to suggest moving on when he spots the pair of boots. He tromps through the detrius towards them and, after a moment's examination, says "Hey, these boots belonged to a member of the Korvosan Navy, and probably to someone of moderately high rank. See that little seal imprinted above the heel? I recognize it. I wonder how he got all the way down here? It's awfully far from home. They've been here for a while too, by the looks of them."
Now curious he carefully pokes at the pile of junk with the boots.
Zieke:
The passageway continues away from the door (i.e., to your right when facing away from the Lamashtu shrine) for a short distance before branching off in a T intersection.
"Some things are left better undisturbed," Zieke calls from the hall. He has moved with obvious stealth past the smelly room and towards the T-intersection, "There's no telling where that thing went...or what it may be preparing to defend itself. We shouldn't tarry too long here."
"Zieke..." Ehlissa says uneasily, "There's something here. Something evil, watching us. Be careful."
"Mal," Says Vesh, moving up behind him, "be careful with that. It's a heartstone--Varisian. It offers the wearer protection, but not without a price."
"Mal," Says Vesh, moving up behind him, "be careful with that. It's a heartstone--Varisian. It offers the wearer protection, but not without a price."
"A heartstone eh? It does feel like it's beating with my heart. Strange." he says, gently nudging the stone with his toe "What exactly does it do?" he asks.
"Anyway, there are enough clothes and shoes here for about 10 people, all sailors by my guess. I think they've been here for a while, maybe they were the ones turned into the walking dead we fought? Another mystery to add to the list."
"Zieke..." Ehlissa says uneasily, "There's something here. Something evil, watching us. Be careful."
"You think?" Zieke quips. Although the comment is made in a half-joking manner, it's clear he takes her warning seriously enough and he's just trying to stave off the stress of their situation with a sense of friendly camraderie. He fully believes if a paladin of Iomedae ascertains danger, there's certainly going to be danger just around the corner.
Zieke turns back and rejoins her, his newly-acquired blade reflecting the light from her own. "There's another chamber up ahead," he tells her, "Could be where our quarry fled." He passes her on his way back to the stench-filled room that's captured everyone's attention. "Let's get the others together and keep moving..."
Salome declines to enter the filthy, stench-filled chamber, but observes her companions from the door. She holds her breath as Malcolm examines the abandoned footwear, whether from the stink, a sense of dread at his morbid discovery, or the realization that much of it caked in blood, is unclear.
"Anyway, there are enough clothes and shoes here for about 10 people, all sailors by my guess. I think they've been here for a while, maybe they were the ones turned into the walking dead we fought? Another mystery to add to the list."
"Why would anyone choose such a fate?" she asks no one in particular.
Her disgust is replaced with a momentary sense of relief when Zieke suggests they move on.
Vesh says, "It's not dangerous to touch, and quite valuable." He turns and follows Zieke.