TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THREE
(I/C)
“Before we go through that door,” Brendon suggested,” let me reset the trap to the platform. If anything comes up the stairs let’s take a chunk out of them.” He pulled the iron bar back down, clacking the lever in place and activating the trap below. He then grabbed the closest stool and shut the door. “Kovid, give me a hand will ya?”
“Will do.” The dwarf picked up the other stool as well as the iron brazier, the two of them stacking everything on top of one another and leaning it against the door. “That should work,” he said dusting off his hands. “I say we push on. Are the scouts, scouting ahead? I will watch our backs for now.”
Brendon shrugged, “Sure. Why don’t you guys hang out in here and let Wyn and I scout ahead. At the moment this is the safest room to hold.”
Abraxas nodded. “Señor Koop-ed,” he pointed at the dwarf, “perhaps you should wait in the corner so you can have eyes on both doors?”
Drawing a dart, Lannis looked troubled. "I'm not in love with splitting up right now, but find it hard to argue. We should have some kind of signal if you get in trouble, try caw-ing like a crow, and please don't go too far."
Taking out his shield, Wyn was shaking his head slowly. “If dis was earlier in de day, I’d agree wit ye, du Lac, but Wyn not be at his best right now. Dat trog took a bite outta me, my offensive spells be down to nil, en I cen still taste de bile of nausea creepin up me throat.” He dry swallowed and grimaced doing it. Waving the entire party closer he continued, “Also, I have a hunch dat we may need ta save de extra torches en oil where we cen.”
“What do you suggest, mis amigo?” Abraxas asked.
“Let us all go, scoutin formation still, but I be keepin my shield out... dat be ok with de rest of ye?”
There were nods and assents all around, Lyra bringing her Lolthian Flail about answered. “Works for me. But for Aine’s sake, let’s be safe and smart. We absolutely have no idea what’s ahead. There CAN’T be any more friendly monsters left.”
Taking Kovid’s lantern, Wyn held it up and motioned to the Fighter. “Monsieur Salazar, cen you please open de door, um, how do you say... por favor, m amigo?”
“De nada, Senor Wombat.” The group all gathered, weapons up as Abraxas gripped the handle, turned it, and pulled the door towards him slowly.
And rainbow tinged sunlight, muted and dim, but very much outdoor light, flowed into the room. The party all gave a satisfied “Ahhh” on seeing it but then looked through the opening with furrowed brows. The passage turned to the east from here after a half dozen paces, and there were no other doors or openings seen.
“I tought dat de map from de gargoyle said we were gonna go west and den to de Throne room?”
“Why is the passage turning east?” Brendon asked, stepping past and looking to the corner where the light was coming from. “Oh…wow!”
“What?” Lannis asked.
“Stairs.”
“Fucking hell. Down again?”
“No. Up!”
The group came to look, seeing a set of stairs going up, and up, and up. 40’ in height, worn stone steps, going higher and higher to some chamber above where rainbow tinged sunlight in all its glory was spilling down the long hall and steps to the group here.
“Dwarf,” Lannis scowled, “I thought you said we were on the second floor?”
“I never said that,” he took out his map and laid it out. “See? Elevation speaking, all those steps we travelled up only brought us back to the main floor level.”
“Ugh, your map must be broken.”
“The map is fine, Big Brain,” Kovid growled. “It’s very simple. Up ten, down ten – you’re on the same level. That applies here as well.” He pointed east. “THOSE steps will take us to the second floor.” He looked up. “And then some.”
Lyra was tapping her chin. “I thought Moira said something about spiral steps going up?”
“Those don’t look like a spiral to me,” the wizard pointed to the stairs, eying Kovid and blinking rapidly. “Do they look like that to you?”
“No, obviously.” He folded up his map. “I didn’t build this damn place, why are you taking it out on me?”
“Because you seem to act like you know it all. You and that damn amateur hour map you’ve been crayon drawing since we got here.”
“I’ve been updating the map at each location we go to, Big Brain,” Kovid stood right in the Magic User’s chest, looking up at him, his helm rocking back. “Without it, we’d have to rely on your shitty memory and guesswork.”
“Whatever,” he replied flippantly. “Someone has to take you down a peg, you hack.” He turned away, taking his hat off and dusting his legs with it. “I’ve bit my tongue for far too long.”
Lyra stepped right in front of Kovid as the dwarf made to march towards Lannis, shaking her head and smiling. “Ignore him. It’s past his nap time and I’m sure he hasn’t had a chance to undo the straps holding his gut down so he tum tum is all bothered.”
“Your feed bag must have slipped, Cleric.”
“Whatever, Lannis,” she replied, “When we go to sleep, I’ll make your milk is warmed up and you have a set of feetie pajamas to sleep in.”
Brendon clapped his hands once. “Enough.” He pointed up the stairs. “Let’s go see what we need to see, and by Poseidon, I’d be happy to look at some sun as well. Shall we?” Noise people. And Lannis.”
Drawing up in marching order, the group followed Brendon as he led the group east, checking for traps along the way (<Find Traps, Red 05) tapping on the steps and keeping a weather eye out for loose stones or trip wires. They went higher and higher, the light growing stronger until after 40’ of climbing, arrived at the top of the steps which led right to a watch room.
The majority of the chamber was dominated by a set of spiral stairs over 7’ wide that went up to the ceiling above where they could faintly see some other room up there. The walls along the east and north were open, entirely made of clear glass, offering a panoramic view of the Ispan’s Castle grounds, the city of Acreage, and the Dawnlands beyond. The vista was breathtaking.
This high up the sunlight was coming through the majority of the Rainbow Ward and that accounted for the prismatic spray of colors that filled the chamber as well as the stairs we had climbed.
The only other thing of interest the group saw from their vantage point at the top of the stairs was the stone statue of an elven priest clad in the raiments of Theystra, holding his holy symbol out as if he was casting something, a look of terror on his petrified face.
“So…” Wyn whispered. “Do we go in?”
Time now is Day 6, 2:43 PM
(OOC)
The last room classified as the first floor. Congrats guys. You have not entered the chamber, at the top of the stairs looking around. What’s the plan?
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