As the four head down, the stench of blood becomes obvious to all- the sharp metallic prick mixed with fear and strange chemicals, wafting up from the dim stairwell. Checking the doors, Moira finds no obvious traps- nor does Zaiya detect any additional auras. Opening the basement passageway however, reveals a different scene altogether;
...a second laboratory. One hidden under the tower, the thick stone and depth muffling any sounds that might escape. Here, the cobblestone floor is stained with the occasional splatter of long-dried blood. Dim, reddish light illuminates the room, casting heavy shadows and adding to the eeriness of the place.
To the south-west is an operation table, its raw stone surface scrubbled yet still discolored from the numerous "experiments" performed upon it. A smaller table to the side is lined with dozens of scapels, knives and other equipment that would not look out of place in a torturers dungeon. In between, a solid oak desk has been covered in papers, diagrams depicting the anatomy of various beasts, as well as a number of strange-colored tintcures and other vials (
Investigation check to search).
To the south-east, an enormous wooden table has been chained to the wall by heavy iron manacles. Strange symbols have been crudely etched all over its surface and frame (
Arcana + Religion check - you need both). As Moira peeks in, the table lunges at her, rattling the heavy chains. It strains and jumps and shakes, the motions eerily like that of a wild animal. Thankfully, its bindings hold storng.
Next to the table is a pile of debris- a mix of discarded vials, twisted cages, leather and what looks like the stone statue of some sort of beastial creature, shattered into multiple parts. More beastial limbs of stone appear to peek out from beneath the pile (
Perception/Investigation to search, but you'll be next to the angry table).
To the north-east end of the room is a heavy tarp that appears to cover the passageway to a backroom of some sort. Bloodstains on the floor show clear signs of something, or things being dragged back and forth. A shelf, partially stocked with various alchemical and magical reagents, has been shoved in the corner (
Investigation to search).
And lastly, to the north-west is a glowing spell-circle, its runes a shimmering blood-red (
Arcana check - hard). The broken, twisted body of a kobold has been chained to the floor inside the circle. Even from this distance, one can easily see that it is dead. Its limbs and neck are bent at odd angles, while its hands, tail and part of his skull appear to have been transmuted into glossy, smooth marble (
Medicine check at Advantage).
As the party takes in the horrific sight of the room, U'lin and Moira both hear the rattling of chains coming from the backroom to the north, along with the clang of something heavy slammed against steel.
Auras:
-The entire room has a lingering aura of necromancy
-The spell circle has a strong, volatile(?) aura of transmutation and necromancy
-The chained table has a strong aura of transmutation, abjuration and necromancy
-The pile of junk has faint aura of transmutation
-The table has a mix of weak auras, mostly transmutation, divination, abjuration and necromancy
You think there might be a theme here...
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:49, Fri 05 Mar 2021.
