Noble Intentions

Log Info

• Title: Noble Intentions
• Emitter: Eztli
• Characters: Skielstregar, Ravenstongue, Telamon, Zyla, Paenitia, Shilde
• Place: Noble District
• Time: August 7th, 2022

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=    The Players    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Paenitia           3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    
    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.                      
Ravenstongue       5'0"     99 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    
    Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair.                       
Shilde             4'4"     160 Lb     Khazad-Aul        Female    
    Tall for a dwarf, long blonde hair in a thick braid, big blue eyes.        
Skielstregar       7'2"     330 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      
    A brilliantly silver scale with fangs and empty eyes.                      
Telamon            5'6"     140 Lb     Half-Elf          Male      
    A platinum-blond half-sil man with dancing dark eyes                       
Zyla               7'5"     310 Lb     Giantborn         Female    
    Massive woman in simple clothing and robes         
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Eztli              4'6"     140 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    
    A two-toned, short sith-makar.     
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

The adventurer's guild in Alexandria, where people turned for a particular need in jobs being done. Several months ago, the rogue wizard Anne had been the target of an investigation put together through the guild, but this time, she was the one making a request through them. The acanian woman was in one of the smaller gathering rooms in the building, dressed in robes, but without any markings of the arcanist's society upon them. She waited at the far end of the door for the group to arrive, pacing restlessly where she was.

"...It was really quite the display, Lana. You should've seen it." The cheerful, warm voice of Telamon Atlon drifts down the hall as he and his fiancee approach the meeting room. "The man was almost manic, insisting this would 'revolutionize potion-brewing and use'. He slapped that mask onto his face, and then fell over twitching. The last I saw two of the students were carrying him to the infirmary." His dark eyes are rueful. "Guess the world's not quite ready for inhaling potions as a mist yet." He leads Lana into the room, and regards the other wizard with a careful stare. "Good day to you, miss...?"

Skielstregar is there for this job. Him having experience with the undead. And crypts might have spirits. Which spirits tend to not have time left unliving around the silver-but-dead-touched makari.

He ambles up, halberd dripping ichor off his back. "Peace on your nessst," he rumbles to those present.

Clanking into the room is a knight of great presence and small stature. Clad entirely in red-hued full plate with a helm that sports a wide brim and a lurid mask for a visor, she is recognizeable as a halfling for the feltlocks that sneak out of the knee joints. And known as Sister Paenitia amongst the adventuring set.

"Hola!" Her happy, high pitched voice emanates from her solid helm, "You have the problems that need the little help? I am here!"

Zyla makes her way in. The massive giantborn is fancy robes that mark her as probably a monk. There is a symbol on the left breast of the robes marking her to belong to an order devoted to Kor. She slips in and glances around. She cracks her neck ad dips her head, "Hello." she says and then moves to the side to lean gently against a wall.

"Why in the world are some people allowed to practice alchemy?" Cor'lana asks as she walks with Telamon, shaking her head. The sorceress is dressed for adventure today, her arm linked around Telamon's in that ever-familiar manner. "Either way, I hope the only twitching we see today are our enemies on the ground--and nothing quite as disturbing as the totenmaskes." A shiver crawls down Cor'lana's spine at the mere mention of them.

And Pothy, too, is here, although he's not wearing an outfit of any sort--save for that of his beautiful cream-colored feathers. The leucistic raven is just cleaning his feathers as he sits atop Cor'lana's shoulder, although he brays out an "Hola!" to Paenitia in a perfect copy of her voice.

The woman, already more than a bit on edge for some reason or other, practically jumps on the spot when she sees the red knight and the large Makari enter.

"O-oh, peace on your nest, sith-makar, and, hola." She greets awkwardly. "I'm glad you're still willing to work with me, after what happened. And to all of the others, I am beyond thankful for your aid in this endeavor. But this is important, and, perhaps a way to atone somewhat for my actions."

"Professor Adelbert, formerly of the society of progressive arcanists, has been missing for some time now. He has not been back, and I've been trying to discover where he ended up. It's only just recently I got a tip off from someone about some activity in Alexandria." The mage begins explaining as she settles down. "Someone has been exhuming graves, not in any of the cemetaries, but the private crypts held by some in the noble's district."

Telamon clearly isn't familiar with the woman, his eyes going to Skielstregar and Paenitia with curiosity. Casually, he runs a hand through his air. "There is something to be said for trying to make amends," he comments. His brow furrows at the mention of grave exhumations, and he scowls. "Damn it. Stiger mentioned a number of nobles had arranged for vacations -- they must not have secured their estates well enough to prevent pilferage." He heaves a sigh. "Well, hopefully they won't object if we lay Great Aunt Myrtle back to rest or whatnot."

Skielstregar tilts his head to the side. He taps his chin. "You... ssseeem familiar."

... ... ... click. "Oh! You were the necromancer with the barn!" he rumbles happily, glad that he remembered something! Which, then turns to a heavy scowl. "Perhapsss thisss will make amendsss, yesss."

"Ssso... what needss be doing?"

Zyla cocks her head to the side for a moment, as she just listens to the details. She is getting paid though so the exact details aren't that important. She smiles just a little.

"Hola!" Paenitia repeats back to Pothy, in a perfect copy of his voice seeing as it's hers. "I have the snacks for you. They are Ramirez', but he will be happy to share."

She laughs, producing a bag and pouring out some dried strawberries into her palm. As she leaves her hand extended, she nods to Skielstregar and focuses on Anne.

"Tarien say that we must be forgiving, as we make the many japes on others, so they are forgiving of us. As it is not you opening the graves, it seem a thing that should be look into."

Her head tilts, "Are they the favourable nobles or the unfavourable? Heroes of the past? The task is to seem the Professor Adelbert, or guard the cemetaries?"

Cor'lana looks like she has something to say until Skielstregar says 'necromancer with the barn'. Her violet eyes go wide and then whiplash to a narrowed, untrusting glare...

And then Pothy takes flight from Cor'lana's shoulder to Paenitia's outstretched hand. "Fresas!" he crows happily. He eats all but two, and takes the remaining two in his beak as he flies back to... Telamon?

Yes, he lands on Telamon's shoulder, and he drops the dried strawberry into Telamon's hand--if he's quick about holding it out--and then hops back onto Cor'lana's shoulder. She takes the remaining dried strawberry and eats it. This has a calming effect on her, it seems, as she visibly relaxes and nods. "Right," she says. "You'd be a fool if you came here to tell us about your digging up graves. Can you tell us any other pertinent details to the task?"

"I never had any intention of harming the dead, but... I take full fault for my actions and lack of foresight." The mage states, wringing one hand in the other. "Professor, no, Adelbert, they convinced me they had a way to turn the bodies of animals into humanoid workers, and I believed them, I wanted to believe him. It turns out, he simply masked the origins of the remains."

"That's my theory as to why he seems to be active again." She adds to Telamon, before turning to Paenitia. "Not disgraced nobles, but displaced. All of the areas have been those left by nobles either dead, or choosing not to be in Alexandria right now. There have been reports from groundskeepers when they went to check on the crypts, of tombs opened and left vacant. But only certain ones, the wives and young were left. I think they've been raising the bodies of fallen knights and the like. The vacancies have left this an open opportunity for them."

Anne stops, and rubs the bridge of her nose for a moment. "One of the estates has not been checked yet, but I heard a report of someone entering yesterday from one of the night watch. It's the manor of a Dran family, left vacant as the family returned to tend to matters back home. I'm sure you can imagine that it would fit the bill perfectly, and he may still be preparing for his rituals as we speak."

GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (14)+11: 25

Zyla cocks her head to the side as she listens and nods, as she just listens to what they are saying, keeping track of all the words but not really having anything to add.

Skiel rubs his neck. "Thisss one isssn't ssssure what all thisss meansss, but they are fine checking thisss abode if it isss to ensure there are no undead sssshenaniganssss."

He listens to Paenitia closely, since she seemed to be asking all the right questions.

Telamon nods, taking in the information from Anne. "Alright. So our best bet is to go there now, and try to catch him in the act." He looks to Skiel with a grin. "I'm sure there'll be -someone- intent on arguing with us, so you'll get your chance to vent some aggression on them." He arches a brow at Anne. "Where is this compound? We probably need to get moving."

Skiel murmurs, "... but thisss one doesssnt' like being aggressive...", poking the tips of his fingers together.

"A Dran family?" The little Red Knight asks, before she holds up a gauntlet, "I have heard of one of them."

She spreads both hands as she continues speaking, gesticulating wildly, "There is the clan, of great influence in Dran, that leave their luxury and comfort behind to settle in greater luxury in Alexandria. They the great talking point of nobles, such that the tales are heard, trickling down to the firesides of the common folk in the taverns."

"The conquests there, in Dran, draw them back. They send their sons to fight with the other tribes and families." Her voice lowers, "The boys, they come home in boxes. Six of their eight, all lie in the estate."

The Red Knight faces Anne with her ever-grinning mask, "This the family you speak of, or there another one? We will move, but it will be the hard fight if the six stand again."

Cor'lana looks curiously at Paenitia as she explains, and then she frowns. "Yeah, if they were warriors in life... Then we might have a hard fight ahead of us," she says. "Good thing we prepared, Tel."

Grumbling and muttering precedes Shilde's arrival, giving a few seconds of warning before she's standing outside the door, squinting at a piece of paper in her hands, then looking up at the number painted on the outer wall. "This better be th'one-" she starts, before being shouldered out of the way by the large dog whom she is seldom far from. Larger of body, arguably presence, though not likely of mind, Rocky doesn't quite bowl her over as he presents himself for the roll call, barking as he recognizes some of the others present. Dwarf curses ensue as he parks his bottom, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth.

"Those are the nobles I'm talking about, I'm afraid." Anne nods solemnly to the small Lucht. "They should be left to their rest, not returned for whatever whims Adelbert has in store."

The wizard Holds out a key taken from one of her pockets to the group, for whoever would take it. She stops to regard the dwarf and large dog, before she continues. "Oh! Hello, and thank you too for coming to help. The groundskeeper gave me his spare key for this job, he was too worried about recent break ins to investigate himself. With good reason, I heard they were all noteworthy warriors in their own rights. So, please, be careful, I don't know exactly what he has in store there, but I doubt it's anything good."

Skielstregar firms up his expression as Pae explains further the history of the family. He reaches over to take the key as he waves to Shilde and Rocky. The dog. Not River Stone. He's not here.

"The let usss put warriorsss to ressst," he rumbles sadly after hearing Pae's explanation.

"Okay." Paenitia addresses everyone. "In the investigate, we all have the eyes, but in the fighting, the Friend Dragon and I have the hardest shells. It work best if we are at the front."

"It my hope that there will be the space for Ramirez too, but if not I will be the small bulwark, and I will take the biggest one in the fight."

Skielstregar nods twice with a cold huff of air. "Hardessst of ssshellsss."

Telamon chuckles softly at Paenitia. "You and Skiel can draw straws for it. I'll be happy to sling spells from behind you." He stretches his arms out a bit, and looks to Cor'lana. "Off to the noble's district again. Maybe we can swing by Jovani's afterward, I hear he's working on a new line of heavy coats for the winter."

"You /would/ look fetching in one of those," Cor'lana says with a grin. "Granted, you also look good in anything, so that's not fair to say at all to the rest of us."

"Get a room," Pothy says in Cor'lana's voice.

Cor'lana just snickers. "I'll be doing the same as Telamon," she says, "a respectable distance away from the danger."

"Rocky, git yer furry backside back out 'ere," Shilde growls, standing out of the way of the door. "This inn't even th'.." She trails off again, comparing the crumpled note with the number again. "Ah. Bugger. T'is." She gets her first look at the people inside, picking out Anne as the expedition sponsor.. then the others. "Skell. Elfs. Shorty." A pause as the dwarf gives Zyla a bit longer of a look. "Biggern," she then says. As Rocky pads back on out.. probably more to do with the fact that everyone is preparing to set out, and less to do with Shilde's request, she steps aside as well. "Figure ye kin' fill me in on th'way there, aye?" she asks of the group.

Zyla smiles, "I will be all over the place." she says and shakes her head a bit, "I move a bit faster than most realize." she chuckles some and then stretches a bit.

At odds with the summer heat, there was a biting chill to the air this night, after a heavy rain earlier soaked the ground earlier. Not many were wandering the streets, out of fear of the undead, or just to get out of the unexpected cold. The nobles were holed up in their homes as well, perhaps out of concerns of recent news.

The estate in question was one on the very outskirts of the district, surrounded by forests on all sides. Dran was not known for their hospitality, and the manor reflected that. Stone walls surrounded the large manor on all sides, lacking the intricate carvings and statuary common to the district. Entirely utilitarian in design, with a large wrought iron gate topped with large spikes to match. The inside showed no neglect, but there was a distinct lack of activity. the servant quarters were silent and unlit, and there was no sign of life in the curtained windows of the manor either. Out from the back peeks out a large, single story structure of whitewashed stone, likely the crypt in question.

Dressed in his workmanlike adventuring garb, a well-tailored tunic over breeches and boots, with his cloak and haversack, Telamon doesn't look quite like he fits into the district. Not that it stops him from walking along like he owns the place. As the party approaches the gate, he tilts his head, and then gestures for Skiel to advance with the key. "Well, the good news is that the place looks deserted. But I doubt they'd be playing their games out in the open."

GAME: Shilde casts Reduce Animal. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

Outside the Explorer's Guild, Ramirez is waiting for his little mistress. He is also, the cock of the walk and proudly strutting up and down the street as only a horse-sized peacock that is half horse can. He stands, imperious, as she approaches until she holds out some dried strawberries whereupon he relents, chews at the brim of her helm with his beak, and takes them. She mounts up and they head to the noble district. Paenitia pulls her feather cloak around to ward off the chill, while Ramirez fluffs up.

"Ah, the silent fortress, unexpressive and featureless, to hide all the secrets and emotions." The Dark Lucht says, her voice slipping into teasing tones, "I have not the imagination why someone would want to do that. The Draenei are the open, inviting people."

Skiel was full glad that the heat was gone, though the chill wasn't the comforting kind. After trekking all the way up there, he gives a light sigh. "Thisss one agreesss with Warrior Paenitia. Unexpressive. Featurelesss. Thiss one fearsss what lay inside."

He steps up to the gate, key in hand. "Well... , here'sss goesss nothing." He tries the gate, and unlocks it if need be.

"Well, the sooner we get going, the better," Cor'lana remarks. She murmurs an incantation under her breath and weaves a protective magic around herself. "Sure won't be looking at a house like this anytime soon. Depressing to look at, let alone live in... Who /designed/ this place?"

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17
GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 9 DC: 17

Zyla stays mostly quiet. She is watching all around them though, never know when something is going to jump out at you, especially on the way to a crypt.

GAME: Shilde casts Longstrider. Caster Level: 7 DC: 15

Shilde more or less follows along from behind. Between the one who has taken flight, the tall ones who might run right over her without noticing, and the two elves.. well, despite the magic she used to help keep pace, it just seems like the sensible place to be. Rocky, of course, ranges forward and back, sniffing alleys, chasing strays... both of which become scarce the closer they get to the estate. By the time they're there, the dog seems quite bored.

Shilde just nods her head to the others and their assesment of the grounds. "Aye. Better t'git done wi'it."

The key fits the lock perfectly, and with a quick twist, the wrought iron gate swings open with a low creak, allowing the group into the manor grounds.

As the gate opens, Paenitia upon Ramirez is ready to pass through. The little knight turns to face Zyla, her expression hidden by the grinning, masculine mask that is her visor. She sounds amused, "The portal, she is big enough for once. We can drive the whole carriage through."

Facing forward, she clucks and Ramirez prances onto the grounds, with the Red Knight describing what everyone sees. "The manor is to the front, the servant quarters they are there, close adjace the gate. That, over to the right, around behind the house, the crypt lie there."

"Friend Dragon, Friendly Giant, we make the V form and advance, the others behind us yes?"

Skielstregar grunts after shoving the gate, him looking up (rather, forward) to Paenitia. "Yesss, we can do that. Thiss one will be at your sssside, Warrior Paenitia," he rumbles, facing the crypt and taking a half step that way. "Let usss check the firssst place of worry."

Zyla nods and smiles just a bit. She moves to her spot in the suggested formation and stretches. She cracks her knuckles a little, "Shall we?" she asks as she steps towards the crypt. She is looking forward, or at least hoping for a good fight.

Cor'lana keeps close to Telamon, wrapping her arm around his. "Let's go," she says. "Telamon and I will provide plenty of magical support."

Pothy is just hanging out. He is not bothered by much of anything at this current state in time.

Telamon folds his arm around Lana's, his free hand open and ready. "Indeed." He casts a quick glance to the evening sky, and grins. "No worries. With any luck, we'll have them stomped and back in their caskets fast enough that we can visit the pancake shop afterwards."

The crypt perhaps, is the most ornate area you've seen so far. The whitewashed stone is well maintained, covered in various carvings. Of Dran armies and tribes clashing with all manner of foes, of the rugged but beautiful landscapes of their home, and other similar adornments. The outside is bordered with flowering shrubbery, and a pair of torches stand unlit at the entrance to the double wide stone doors, big enough even to give the brave ramirez room to maneuver, but perhaps not strut their tail feathers too much. It seems as if no expense was spared in the construction.

"Aye. Well. Let's just 'ope they ain't like th'last ones," Shilde grumbles, a somewhat sour response to some of the others as she takes her place in the back, following the others in. As has become his habit, Rocky noses his way to join the front line, sniffing about.

Despite herself, even Shilde has to let out a quiet whistle at the stonework.

Telamon just kind of eyeballs the imposing edifice. "Reminds me of Veyshanti funerary arrangements. Lots of over-elaborate tombs. Looks like they're following the same pattern." He flexes his fingers again, glancing at Lana. "Yeah, I think you had the right idea. This place looks entirely unpleasant to live in."

GAME: Shilde rolls survival+2: (16)+16+2: 34

"The family are proud of their history. They spare no expense, saying that you should be proud too." The little knight laughs, "we should feel the large honour for being here, we among the great people, their carvings say so."

"The door, she is closed, the crypt look undisturbed. I take the little look around. If there no sign of the breaking in, we should make an ambush?"

Her suggestion given, Paenitia guides Ramirez around as they look for anomalies. Well, her hippogryph might be looking for bugs or snakes, but the dark lucht is definitely seeking intruders.

GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (20)+8: 28
GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception+2: (9)+4+2: 15

"I'll happily take being buried at Grandfather's house by your side, I think," Cor'lana replies to Telamon. "None of /this/."

Pothy just maintains his vigil on Cor'lana's shoulder, keeping a watchful eye on what's happening since Telamon and Cor'lana seem thoroughly distracted by their plans for the (hopefully far) future.

Skielstregar's scaled brows raise at the crypt. A side glance to Shilde. "Lassst one?" he inquires, removing his creepy, ichor stained halberd off its frog and tests the weight in this hand.

A note to the little lucht. "Make an ambusssh inssside the crypt. Perhapsss should sweep the inssside just in case if nothing out here isss out here."

His gaze drifts to the half-elven duo. "Ahem. Ssshamans," he clears his throat. A light glare.

"Wait!" Paenitia says suddenly, after leaning in her saddle to more closely examine the door. "Someone has be through here, not the long time ago. See, the dust is disturbed, on the handle and on the floor. They may still be inside."

"Aye," Shilde responds to Skielstregar. Then she gestures at Telamon and Ravenstongue. "Ther elfs 'ken tell't better. Nasty business." Then she looks over at a quick bark from Rocky; when she stomps over to investigate, she kneels, thick fingers touching hte ground lightly. A moment later she nods her support of Paenitia's warning. "Aye. Boots. Lookin' like just a single pair.. but.." Her eyes go up to the door. "Aye. This door's been opened."

Telamon curses ever so softly at Paenitia and Shilde's words. "Damn. Well... maybe he's still here playing. Be a shame if someone interrupted him." He nods to Skiel, letting the dirty look roll off him. "Like Shilde says. Some nasty things, 'totenmaskes'. Face-stealing undead. Very disturbing stuff."

Cor'lana blinks just a couple of times as Skielstregar calls her and Telamon out for not paying full attention. "Sorry, it's how I deal with my nerves," she says quietly. A very convenient and likely excuse.

She nods to the subject of totenmaskes. "We need to be careful. I... genuinely hope it's not totenmaskes," she says, "but we'll see, I suppose."

Skielstregar pauses as he's told to wait. But the information rendered makes him huff out a gout of cold air. A hand curls into a fist, ichor drops from it and wafts away before it hits the ground. "... gird thisss one..." he growls before flicking the ink off his hand. The miasma redirects and smacks against his back, growing tenfold before it wraps around him the shape of bony wings before going >pop< like a bubble.

He rolls his shoulders, bobs on his taloned feet, and grips his polearm after giving a nod to Telamon and Cor'lana in welcome acknowledgement. "Then more defilement isss ongoing. We presss. Make the face ssstealersss not sssteal face."

GAME: Skielstregar casts Shield. Caster Level: 8 DC: 13

Zyla nods her head, "Well if still here then that means there is a good chance to smash things." she says and smiles as she speaks softly. She nods her head, ready to move as she hears the words from the others.

Seeing that all are in agreement, Skiel steps up to the large doors, nods to everyone, grips a handle, and opens it. Half tense and expecting to get stabbed/blasted/incinerated/frozen/face stolen/eaten/poked.

The moment Skielstregar opens the door and takes a step forward into the crypt, a loud ringing fills all of your ears.

Or wait, no, that's just a ringing in the air, like that of a small bell, that vanishes in a matter of moments.

Looking into the stairs that lead down into the crypt, vision is blocked suddenly, as a dense fog fills the air.

GAME: Skielstregar rolls spellcraft: (7)+6: 13
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (14)+12: 26
GAME: Telamon rolls spellcraft: (3)+13: 16
GAME: Shilde rolls spellcraft: (15)+12: 27

"Alarm spell," Cor'lana identifies after a few seconds of interpreting the spell in stunned silence, her free hand clenching a little. "Whoever cast that knows that we're here now--and wanted us to be able to hear it. I'm not sure what the source of the fog is, but it's only going to block our vision--it shouldn't harm us otherwise."

She sighs. "Proceed with caution... As much as we can muster."

Telamon furrows his brow. "Despite what the copper dreadfuls might say, you don't normally find fog inside a crupt. It's probably conjured up as well." He raises a hand, before looking to the others. "I could take a shot at dispelling it first, see if I can get rid of it..."

Shilde grunts an acknowledgement, her hand having gone to Rocky's shoulder to prevent him from surging forth. "Save's us th'trouble of announcin' ourselves," the dwarf woman comments. "An'... well. Either wanted us t'hear it... or wanted somethin' else t'hear it. Or.. might be old magic, aye?"

"I can help, love," Cor'lana offers as well. There are at least two capable of dispelling magic.

Zyla nods, "Well they know we are here, so lets get to it, before they find some other way out." she shakes her head a bit. She looks at the fog and then to those talking about it and gestures. She would probably be fine, but not everyone is like her.

"If you can clear the fog, that the great help. I am working on the solution for see in the dark, but it does not include the seeing in the fog. Heh heh." Paenitia laughs, petting the neck of Ramirez, after which she draws her lance and sets her large shield.

"Okay! Into the breach! I will bring them the Big Hola!"

And with that said, the little knight clucks again and heads into the fog.

GAME: Telamon casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+9: (3)+10: 13
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26

Skiel didn't know what that sound was, but enough fighting and camping (and of course, the others informing him) gets a worry set in his gut. "... bellsss are meant for warningsss and shop doorsss. If you can get rid of the fog, do ssso, but we mussst be ssswift before our prey girdsss," he rumbles, half feeling like Rocky (the dog) and wanting to barrel forth.

And the knight surges forth. He rubs his face. A huff. And he runs after her to maintain formation.

GAME: Skielstregar rolls reflex: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Skielstregar rolls reflex: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (16)+7: 23

Cor'lana focuses. Telamon is by her side. They know each other's heartbeats, the pattern of each other's breath, how the other casts magic. And their magic is stronger for it. The fog is unwound with their efforts, and Cor'lana seems quietly relieved as their efforts work.

So of -course- when the fog rolls away, there's a mass of sticky webbing left behind. "Oh, bother," Telamon says in an annoyed tone. "Skiel, can you pull free or do you need us to try and break you loose?" The magic is fizzing in him now, roused, and eager to be used, spent, launched. He glances at Lana, grinning ruefully. "I think that dispel was mostly you, I had trouble getting my fingers on it -- so to speak."

Paenitia and Ramirez surge forward, the little halfing knight upon the great hippogryph. They vanish into the fog, feathery steed and armoured rider somehow eluding the many strands of sticky web that were concealed.

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12

Skiel barely makes it three strides in before he's caught fast, wobbling back and forth on a few stick tendrils of web. He blinks dumbly. An eye twitches as he's halfway supine in the air.

His shoulders tense as the tip of his tail flicks. Not unlike that of an annoyed cat. Ichor starts to leak out between his scales. Deep, cold breaths. "... thisss one can get out," he says calmly.

...

"... but feel free to remove it with magicsss before thiss one loosesss their MARBLES!" he says not calmly.

GAME: Telamon casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d20+10: (12)+10: 22

"Wait..." But no. Shilde isn't the quickest reacting person.. whatever experience she may have navigating the fog in a natural setting, she's too slow to offer the advice as the group's front liners sally forth into the mist. Then the mist parts thanks to the elven duo's combined magics... and she's treated to the sight of Skeilstregar stuck fast to lines and lines of silken webbing. "Ah." Well, at least she kept her dog from getting caught in that. Then her eyes squint, looking for Paenitia. "Anyone see Shorty?"

Telamon can feel the rhythm now. His heartbeat, synchronizing with Lana's, and the weave of magic around them. The web is familiar -- not perfectly, but he's seen this. His hands move in time with hers, casting in unison. There's the scent of lavender and a flicker of starlight here in the crypt, and a shimmer washes outward from the couple. It strikes the webs, and they wither, fading and evaporating like hoarfrost under bright sunlight. "Don't do that, Skiel," he says cheerfully. "I didn't bring any spare marbles for you to hang onto."

"You carried us that time, darling," Cor'lana informs Telamon with a grin. She takes the opportunity to lift herself up on her tip-toes and kisses him on the cheek, looking just as satisfied that Telamon got it that time around as she would have been if she'd succeeded--his victories are hers.

The massive makari pitifully flops face first into the ground with a metallic clang once he's been freed from his stringy prison. "... thank you." Tail flick-flick. "Warrior Paenitia gracefully went forward, unimpeded. Sssomehow."

He looks to his hips. "... thisss one should eat lesss." Head shake as he gets to his feet. "We go, now."

As Paenitia dives deeper into the crypt, she comes across a pair of knight statues on either side of the staircase. One turns it's visored head to the small knight, and there's a flicker of light behind the helm's eye slits.

"Oh dear, you really are stupid or stubborn if you're continuing onward after so many gracious warnings." A rather stuck up sounding man's voice rings out from the stone helmet. "Go back now please, unless you would like to suffer a horrible, bloody death."

The helmet grinds back into place looking across the staircase, and falls silent.

The Red Knight sits up in her saddle, inhaling deeply and preparing to respond when the light fades from the statue's visor. She reamins silent. Her expression is hidden, as always, behind the stylized grin, her actual feelings inscruitable.

With cheerful tones, Paenitia calls behind her, "the insufferable voice leaves the warning of death but does not remain to cause it. Unless this the family protection of their own, there likely the further dishonourable traps or statues that will come to life."

"I need the one with the mage's eye to take the close gander."

Ramirez jolts his head up, looking around.

"Haha!" Paenitia pats his neck again, "There is not the challenger yet. The words I choose, they are not the best. Be patient."

Zyla is mostly quiet and keeping her eyes open and watching around them. She is a little concerned with what seemed like a trap and doesn't want them to be ambushed again.

Cor'lana draws closer to inspect things, Telamon following close behind. "We can take a look at it," she offers to Paenitia.

GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (12)+12: 24
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+13: (7)+13: 20

Skiel plods along with talons going >shhnick-shhnick-shhnick< across the ground, jogging to the front of the group with his weapon in hand. He wasn't there for the statues talking, but he's look at himself in the reflection of his halberd momentarily before the call for a mage goes out. The man didn't consider himself a mage. But he keeps an eye out for one since they've done nothing but run into magics. "Thisss one will sstay sharp for sssuch things," he rumbles to the Paladina.

"Guards and wards," Cor'lana announces after she consults with Telamon. "It can put a few different spell effects on an area--what exactly, we're not sure of. But it's a fairly powerful spell--it's a bit beyond either Tel and I at the moment. I'd... proceed with caution. I could try and dispel it, but I'm not sure if it'd work."

Cor'lana frowns and focuses. "Might as well and try," she says.

GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 9 DC: 19
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28

"That sound like the spell someone put up if they plan to stay in the place for the long term." Paenitia observes. "If they can cast that spell, the earth shaping is also open to them. There may be the connection to the sewers or the crypts in other noble estates."

Cor'lana remains steadfast. Her spellwork unwinds the spell that is identified rather confidently, like a seam ripper tearing through two pieces of fabric joined together at just the right angle--and when she opens her violet eyes again, she nods, smiling a little in the happy effort of successful magic. "There's still magic afoot, but I think we'll have an easier time of it, at least," she says.

Shilde finally releases Rocky, leaving his advancement to his own judgement again as he pads forward to keep pace with the large makari. Having seen the kind of welcome the crypt has for unwelcome visitors now, Shilde is in no hurry to be the one tripping the alarms herself, so she follows behind. "S'pose it was fair 'nuff of 'em t'warn us. Anything else that comes, s'on our heads."

"Good work Ssshaman. And, yesss Sssshilde," Skielstregar shifts a bit uneasily on his feet, looking to Paenitia. "... thisss one hopesss sssuch magicsss are ssspent before we classsh. Though, you raissse a good point. They may be trying to field an army under the-"

The words he says catch up to him. He scowls before gripping his holy symbol. "... Dragonfather, illuminate our conquest," he rumbles in a quick prayer. <Draconic>

His halberd ceases its constant drip.

Once everyone has caught up, the little knight gestures with her lance, "Ok! Onward."

She starts forward between the statues, intending to continue down.

GAME: Skielstregar rolls will: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Paenitia rolls will+1: (19)+6+1: 26
GAME: Zyla rolls will: (18)+7: 25
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Will: (17)+10: 27

Down and down the group goes, into the warded crypt of the noble family. There's a moment where a strange, errant thought passes through everyone's mind in turn. They had passed through multiple warnings, and it would be a good idea to turn back, wouldn't it?

A thought easily pushed aside by the veteran adventurers. Though when they reach the bottom of the crypt, they're met with, nothing?

The stairs end in a landing with wall torches on either side of them, but a stone wall is all that meets them.

-To be continued...-