In reply to Storyteller (msg # 955):

Dral gives a nod of thanks. To Mendara's ghost, he says: "What do we face, then? What was it that killed you and how do we use what we have demonstrated to avoid a similar fate.

"Lastly, is there anything that can be done to give your spirits their final rest?"

Roland nods solemnly at this. "Good questions!" he says.

The wizard nods at you.
"Fair question - the beast we faced was large - 20 feet long, fangs like swords, eyes like deep caverns, skin, hardened like granite and a temper and malice unlike the world has seen.
The sheer strength saw us falter, but more will come, and face it, and someday, accomplish what we couldn't.
You must have the four items of worth to gain entrance into the inner chambers."

She turned and nodded to the others.
With a concerning gaze she turned and eyed Roland firstly and then the others.
"Let me tell you what we know....
This place is the Proving Grounds, a testing place for worshipers of the demon lord Baphomet. You must find four items: a knife, a mask, a bell, and a book. You must place each of these items on one of four circles of runes found in this complex. The items must be placed on the runes at the exact same time.
Three of the items are held within chambers built to test Baphomet’s worshipers. You can find these chambers to the north, west, and south of where we now stand, through
these eastern double doors and then through another set of double doors that leads to the west.

The fourth item, the book, is on an altar in a small shrine to the east.
To the east of the Proving Grounds is the inner sanctum. Its door opens only when the proper ceremony is completed. The items used for the ceremony disappear if you try to remove them from the Well of Demons, and upon completion of the ceremony, they return to their former locations.
Completing this ceremony summons the terrible Guardian and activates several traps in the area. The Guardian is a green dragon imprisoned here. It can swoop past its prey and attack. It emerges from a great pit in the center of the complex.
Each of the chambers in this complex has a magical trap designed to harass intruders. The central corridor is the fastest way to move around, but it also has its own trap: a crushing sphere of magical force that rolls along its length."

Valgrog added with a sly taunting smile.
"There is a treasure hidden in the complex. It is hidden beneath the altar in the chamber south of here"

The priest looked up, suddenly.
"Something is not dead...something lives..nearby. A brave soul who should have been passed on, but cling to life. The soul, may be a worthy ally.."

OOC: Assume the skill challenge is over as I felt it dragging, and you would pass it at this rate. Let us rather proceed...

Grock crossed his arms and listened to the tales of this place. “Well let’s meet this stubborn spirit then. Sounds like somebody I’d want to have an ale with. Thank you for your time and information. Shall we get going?”

In reply to Grock (msg # 959):

"Yes, let us deal with this spirit first. The only thing we must decide how best to confront the riddles of this place."

Esperus approaches the ghostly priest. "Where exactly is this brave soul and potential ally?"

"Near the book, one of the four components you seek. Go north, then east, passing a room of men like dogs, and their breathren. Inside you will face adversity. The soul is just before you enter..."
She points you towards the room you were in beforehand, with the hyenas and gnolls, but suggests passing through it fully to the east...

"Thank you all for your guidance.   We will not disappoint you," he replied.  Zakuryu bowed deeply, one hand across his heart, and then returned his ceremonial robes to his pack and reclaimed  his blades from the floor before him.  Shouldering his gear and rising to his feet once more, the grizzled swordsman nodded to his companions and began heading back north, to the onyx hallway beyond the mentioned archers' chamber...

Grock nodded to the spirits in respect and followed the swordsman toward their next destination.

Roland bows deeply to the dead souls and then follows the others!

You walk back, as depicted by the ghostly wizard and find yourself near the carnage you left when you challenged the hyenas and their owners. Just passed the room, on the eastern side, a small hallway leads deeper in.
The corridor, hewn from black rock, connects three different areas. Ahead, the passage opens into a chamber, while along the eastern wall, closed doors can be seen. The doors are made of
black wood, and each has an iron knocker carved in the shape of a minotaur’s snarling face. One is a single door, while the other is a set of double doors.
The flagstones on the floor each have the symbol of a bull’s horned skull worked into them in blood red stone.

Within you hear faint speaking.
The tongue is gibberish to you all, but is heavily gutteral and deep. Two lighter versions are heard in one end, while the other is vastly deeper, tone wise.
They are not arguing as such, rather the tone suggests either a disagreement or misalignment on something..

In reply to Storyteller (msg # 966):

Just in case those on the other side are not happy to see the group, Dral opens the door with the others to the side or behind him.

As Dral first peeks in, he sees...well no one.
The corridor is brightly lit, from what appear to be everburning torches.
At the very end you see two figures move about, light on their feet and with a curious elven mimic and stature, yet their skin has a reddish hue to it.
They sit down at a table, discussing calmly in a curious language neither of you gather.
The table is some distance away, 65-70 feet away or so.
The room just opposite with the single door, is where you hear a faint growling voice.
So far no one has noticed you appearing, as the two at the far end are engulfed in talking.

In reply to Storyteller (msg # 968):

Dral relays what he sees. "I do not understand this. Let us try speaking to the ones at the end of the hall." Dral will lead the way, unless there's another suggestion.

Grock shrugged. “Besides that one brave soul the spirits talked about, do you really think anything that worships a demon lord is going to not want to kill us?”

In reply to Grock (msg # 970):

"It might want to, but if it is intelligent it will weigh the choice carefully. Our presence here indicates that we are not to be trifled with.

"But we can rush them, perhaps gain surprise." Dral grips his staff and makes sure everyone is ready to join the run down the hall.

Roland frowns. "I'm all for talking first, really. That's my vote."

In reply to Roland Esperus (msg # 972):

"Very well," Dral enters the room and walks toward the figures. He holds his staff as if merely using it the way a traveler would.

Roland follows, no weapons in his hands...

Grock hangs back at the entrance of the room leaning up against a wall  and waves.

Sword sheathed but eyes sharp, Zakuryu mirrors Grock and positions himself on the other wall, giving a wide berth for Dral and Roland to try a more diplomatic approach...

In a sudden movement one of them rises, hand in blade, not in anger but simply due to being startled and surprised by your presence, and numbers.
Turning he pushes the shoulder of his comrade who turns in a similar way and faces you.
"You...are you...here to kill us? Aligned with the Demons? We seek merely fortune and prowess within...as yourself perhaps?.."
He appears cautious and discerning, while his comrade, whom could be aligned to him by appearance alone, is stoic and calm, merely eyeing you.
Their blades are sheathed again.

In reply to Storyteller (msg # 977):

"We are capable killers, but only when necessary. Remain peaceable and so will we.

"We are taking steps to rid Thunderspire of evil influences. That has led us here. We believe solving the riddle of this place is necessary. If you can help us, please do, otherwise do not interfere."

Roland steps to the fore. "Dral speaks true. State your names and how you came to be here."

Crushed insight check to gauge their response.
22:32, Today: Roland Esperus rolled 32 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 20.  Insight.

The outspoken of the two spoke up.
Both tieflings, one light skinned, the silent one, more dark in hue.
"We are brothers. I am Azkelak and this is Katal. We are but simple adventures as we said, seeking treasure and fame, and was threatened by this place itself to rise up and gain glory. Right now we are in the midst of discussing with the fella up north, a particular ugly Gnoll, but he isn't seeing our view on things. Barely made it out alive. Smacked the door in his face  and ran. Sorry to say, but perhaps you might have more luck...if you are willing we would join aside you to conquer the room? We seek to stay alive and get out in one piece and have to admit we may not be up to the meddle."

Insight check:
It is obvious that the two of them are speaking some truth, but only partly. Or at least their view of thing is truthful to them, but may be discerned differently.
They obviously do not want to die, and want to deal with the room..but if they can be trusted beyond that is hard to say - his words are picked with great care and with intent to parlay the two in a position where they are not attacked nor have to fight for their lives.

This message was last edited by the GM at 09:27, Tue 05 Jan 2021.