Desna's curse!
Gezzo turns around and leans against the door, running his hands through his hair in obvious frustration. Sighing heavily, he faces his companions.
There's got to be something in there...I feel it to my feet. But, unless one of you can pick this lock, we are going to have to pull Imowen out of the kitchen and get her down here.
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Celif sits next to Gezzo and nods in agreement while cleaning her glasses, I would prefer a full team, we don't know what could be in there. Constructs? More traps? Ghosts? or nothing... I would say I feel safe in the house of Septimus but... she looks to where the flames came from as usual, its people that cause the most dangers in life. That is why I prefer the papers and pens myself. Celif looks up toward Nastrod for his opinion, then remembers the door is locked. Just for asking sake would you happen to know how to open the door from the inside? she mentions looking slightly toward Gezzo's feet then him.
"Well, try the same thing you did to get in. Maybe it works both ways." Nästród guesses.
Aye, just put your right hand on the emblem and say Septimus is the Good Friend. It should open.
The Svarog stares at the floor. He speaks without lifting his head and simply waves his hand towards the front of the crypt. His tone undeniably conveys his feeling of total defeat.
Nästród puts his right hand on the emblem and says: "Septimus is the Good Friend."
Gezzo drags his feet, following the rest of the party out of the crypt without speaking a word and his head still hanging low. He goes to the kitchen and shoves some remaining scraps of dinner into his mouth. Finding a bed in an empty corner of the temple, he collapses with a loud sigh and tries to fall asleep.
Nästród goes to the altar, kneels down and whispers to himself: "Oh Septimus, the Good Friend. I assume it is you that has been sending me guidance and visions in your temple. Have I been doing so correctly? There is a strong pull to the catacombs which I feel is due to it being important to helping the people of this town. Since the catacombs have proven themselves dangerous, while I sleep, I would be grateful if you can send me dreams that will provide the insight needed to keep my friends safe. Thank you, Good Friend.
Nästród rises. He searches for an empty bed. When he finds one, he removes his armor and gear next to it before laying down to sleep.
Fener and Rudy find an empty room and settle in for the night.
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One by one you all eventually find a place and drift off to sleep. The night passes uneventfully, and dawn breaks in the usual fashion for the swamp - grey skies, and the presence of a moderate fog.
As you arise, you note that Sirena has gotten up and is ensuring the horses are fed and watered. She has left rations in the kitchen while she begins reloading the wagons with the provisions secured overnight in the temple.
Gezzo awakes out of a restless slumber. He immediately goes to Sirena, hops up on the wagon and leans in to talk to her in hushed tones. He looks around for anyone listening prior to speaking with the Ranger.
Sirena, we must explore the crypt extensively. There are locked doors, guarded with traps! That simply smells suspicious. Someone wants to keep something secret and in this village, secrets could be dangerous.
Argyros raises an eyebrow at Gezzo's words.
Locked doors with traps in the crypts? I would assume they are there to discourage tomb robbers and common thieves. Wealthier patrons are frequently buried with items of value to them in life.
Fortunately, none of us are common thieves, much less the sort that would desecrate a temple to the very god we profess to worship.
I find it curious though, how is it you are suddenly familiar with the crypts contents Gezzo?
Open your eyes, Argyros. This is no ordinary town. Buildings simply don't implode by themselves. You may have felt perfectly safe in the temple, but corruption can make its way into holiest of houses.
And that corruption can fester, right under your very nose! It must be routed and purged! No corner must go unsearched; even the final rests of the privileged.
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Celif exits her room in her familiar Scholar Robes, she seems to have a slightly different stance about her. With her hands on her hips she glares toward Argyros, and bellows because he was getting targeted by those traps! Leave Gezzo alone, he's been through enough... slightly sighing she drops her arms and attempts to find Imowen in one of the many rooms, knocking before passing them by. Miss Imowen, are you in there? she askes.
Flug is already in the kitchen, eating quietly and watching people pass him by to talk with an uninterested gaze. He mysteriously has tea even when Sirena hasn't prepared any.
I awaken early and ready myself for the day. Just as I am opening the door to head to the kitchen for breakfast I hear Celif calling my name. I go out into the hallway and see her coming my way. Here I am. I am going to the kitchen to eat breakfast. What do you want of me?
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Well last night during a journey to pay respects to the dead buried here we came across a door, and without warning a trap sprung from it. It nearly turned Gezzo and Nastrod to a cinder, she sounds slightly dramatic near the end. From the stories it sounds like you may have opened a lock or two, and I was warning if you could maybe inspect the door? Nastrod claims there to be importance, and at the time seemingly urgency behind the exploration.
"I am absolutely convinced of the urgency," Nästród says in a tone of voice filled with the gravest certainty, "I had a dream. . . perhaps from Septimus. . . that something in the crypt is crucial to our mission."
Nästród is finishing adjusting the straps to don his armor as he speaks.
"There is magic--dark, powerful magic--ahead of us seeking something long lost. Its master seeks vengeance for a past defeat. Exactly what, is not clear right now. What is clear is that we must seek answers down in that crypt."
I agree that It would be good to finish what we started. Let us explore the crypt before we get under way. It might be sometime before we return. Imowen, could you assist us in opening that door?
Aha!
Gezzo leaps up, pointing at Nastrod.
You see! You see? The gods confirm my dire suspicions! We must shine light into every shadow...starting with whats behind that door!
Nästród nods. "Indeed, Gezzo. I foresee you finding something down there worthy of your wrath."
I look at each of them in turn. Very interesting. Let's go next door to the kitchen and we can discuss this while I eat my breakfast. Have you all eaten yet?"
With that I turn and enter the kitchen and gather my food and drink for breakfast, and take a seat at a table and begin eating.
How long will this take? Does Sirena know about this? And the others? Are they agreeable with your going back down into the crypt and thus delaying our departure?
Flug nods to Imowen when she enters, handing her a cup of tea. "G-good morning."
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Sirena has overheard some of the conversation while traversing the temple hallway to start loading the wagons. We are not on any sort of fixed schedule, so you need to decide what we will do next. I am going to keep loading the wagons, but if you desire to continue examining the temple before we leave there will be no effect on our journey as far as I am concerned.
"I am of si-similar mind," Flug adds.
"Our destiny can wait until after breakfast." Nästród concedes. He follows Imowen to the kitchen.
Gezzo walks into the kitchen and shoves some morsels into his mouth. He looks around the room and scowls in disapproval.
I truly hope this evil does not strike once again while we take our leisure. He speaks with a full mouth and under his breath.
I will be in the office, when you finish your meal, looking for anything to give us more insight to what we might find in the crypts.
He departs the kitchen and goes to the office. He looks over the books in the library and any various documents for anything that might pertain to the crypts, their contents or the town. If something catches his eye, he pauses and examines it thoroughly.
Since you are so adamant about checking these crypts, I suppose joining you will be best, if not just to keep you from becoming bacon
I will eat a quick breakfast and join the group in the crypt when the others are ready.
I will join you in the crypts, but searching for corruption does not include looting everything of value. Valuables left in the care of Septimus should remain in his care
I intend to help this village and restore trade, I will not defile this temple or stoop to common thievery
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The cabinet contains mundane office materials: a writing quill with a brass nib, a bottle of ink, 5 pieces of parchment, 2 candles, a metal seal with the emblem of Septimus, and a stick of sealing wax.
The desk is empty.
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Celif looks away and around for a moment processing Argyros's comment, she looks over to Gezzo before following Imowen into the kitchen to eat. I hope we aren't traveling with a companion that would do something like that. she begins to ponder her realization, she isn't used to working with people and didn't consider motives in the slight. Can I have some coffee sir? she askes looking toward Flug while taking a seat near him.
Gezzo tries to correlate the records with anything on the books to try to make a connection. If he can't find anything, he heads to the crypt door and looks around while waiting for the rest of the party.
Fener says: We are all men and women of honor here. Exploring the crypt will be for the reason of saving this village and aiding us in our mission. No one is a common thief here. We will not take anything that isn't relevant to our mission. Calif as the head priest here at this temple , would not let us defile the crypt and I am sure would insist on us not taking anything that was not of need in preserving the balance and doing justice in the world.
Imowen, may I request your assistance in opening that door? You seem to have the necessary skills
"On-only have tea," Flug says mildly before pouring Celif a cup. "Hope that's alright."
Could I also have a cup of tea Flug?
Flug nods then pours another cup for Argyros before pushing it to him. He then drains his own cup and spends some time with his head bowed, looking at the dregs.
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Sirena enters the kitchen, sees Cayden eating breakfast, and says, Cayden, if you help me finish loading the wagons, I will show you how to use a sling to hit something far away. Cayden's eyes widen, and he shouts, Goodie!
Flug has already finished breakfast and tea, merely watching the others before abruptly standing up. "I'll go a-ahead and keep Gezzo company."
Gezzo sits on a crate, thumbing through the small book. He tries to identify the symbols, but scratches his head in frustration. He waves his hand over the book to try to divine the meaning behind the script.
Eh? Can you read this writing?
I found this book tucked away in your office library. It seems to be out of place, can you make sense of it?
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The Book: The book Gezzo found is very thin, very old, and some of the pages have become unbound and are loose. The book covers are plain wood, with no markings or writing. The pages are written in a flowing hand, but the words are in an ancient tongue that is not immediately recognizable.
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Celif hears Gezzo and abandons the kitchen silently, the sound of clanking metal being her last traces. Walking down the halls with her hands out brushing against the walls occasionally, she approaches Gezzo seeing the book he holds, her eyes slightly widden and then shrink. find something.... her words calm but cleanly leaving her lips. She adjusts her glasses sliding them back up her nose.
Nästród checks his gear and sharpens his ax with a whetstone.
Flug shakes his head. "I-I'm afraid not."
Nästród goes to altar, kneels, and whispers to himself: "Septimus, thank you for the dream. It is much appreciated. We will descend back into the catacombs soon. I beseech you, please look over my friends and keep them safe."
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Sirena and Cayden go out to the supply wagon. After digging around in a box, she finds a sling. Cayden, look around and find us some nice round rocks. She goes back into the temple and shouts down the hallway: Cayden and I will be out where I pastured the horses, practicing with a sling. Let me know when you are ready to continue our journey.
Gezzo hops down from the crate and looks around the room. He hands the book to Celif. Looking at the group gathering around the crypt, he smiles pleasantly.
So, are we all here and ready to find whats hiding this crypt?
We might as well get this over with. The sooner you get your chance to investigate the crypt, the sooner we can start investigating the problems in the swamp.
I'm Ready
Fener walks off towards the crypt door again.
When he reaches the door he says the password and walks in