Part 3: Investigating the Moathouse Ruins

Turning to Torek (who is likely finishing donning his armor), and spits out a new challenge to his honor. "You, buffoon, it sounds like you could learn some grooming habits in this here room. But all insults aside, I hear something inside. It sounds like rats to me, but based on the great serpent we slew to save your pungent rear, it is likely to be a gargantuan variant of the species. It seems to be time for you to earn your keep"

Mal hears the wizard mention gargantuan rats and trots over to lend assistance.

"Loken and I are ready! I know I could stand to pound on something right now."

Mal looks up at the warrior and winks. She stands, weapon in hand, ready to breach the door...

With a scowl and a grumble, Loken replies, not quite under his breath, "Theres a rat I could happily pound on righ’ now" looking darkly at the back of the wizards head. More loudly, he calls to Eltrezar "Fear not wizard, I will save you from the bad smell of havin yer ‘ead up yer own arse, an’ I’ll keep yer safe from the mean thing that’s fearin’ yer so"

Eltrezar stands by the door for a few moments, awaiting any sort of action. It does not take long before he realizes neither warrior is opening the door. "Like hounds at the door..." he mutters as he then opens the passage.

"Allow me Sir, better to let the armor go first."

The dwarf stops Eltrezar just as he is about to turn the knob and steps forward in the line.

Mal waves Loken and Elmo forward and once the three are ready she kicks open the door.

Angel watches the interplay from the rear but nocks an arrow and draws back the string as soon as the dwarven woman hits the door.

The barbarian readies his two handed sword and prepares to enter

The wizard was no stranger to bats. After all, they are expected when one spends a life in dark, dank libraries and decrepit towers looking for lost knowledge. But this! Eck! Pbth! "What did you do?! Boccob's beard, Dwarf, have you no patience?" Eltrezar cries this out as he ducks down, hoping to avoid the main flight path of the swarm. He also combs frantically through his beard and then attempts to tuck it into his robes. Hat and cloak engulf the frail man.

Sorry about that... Mal says to Eltrezar as she brushes the guano from her armor. Seeing no more activity from the rafters, she cautiously enters the room and looks around for anything of value or importance. While the church's teachings discouraged Mal from the wonton accumulation and hoarding of wealth, the dwarf in her could scarcely resist the lure of gold, or better yet that of a mighty weapon of eldritch enchantment like the higher ranking members of the church liked to parade around.

With a great guffaw of belly deep laughter, Loken, tears almost streaming from his eyes, points at Eltrezar "You must be a mighty mage indeed old man, that winged rodent did verily empty its own bowls the moment it got tangled in your thorny visage"
When he eventually gathers himself from his mirth, he calmly tells the wizard "The dwarf did no wrong in my eyes, surprise is the best advantage when going into an unknown danger..." as he wanders into the chamber, his breath his taken "...Verily, the riches on display here are enough to make a poor barbarian a king!" he exclaims, eyes wide at the opulence before him - where the others see a decrepit room, Loken sees a palace

Mal rolls her eyes and uses all of her mountain fortitude to suppress the laughter welling up inside her belly. With a sideways look she chides her partner in captivity good naturedly, though she cannot keep the smile from her face entirely.

"Now Loken, leave the Wizard be. They have been through much today."

Assuming some one will turn over the now bat-less room, Gilly begins to get curious about the other rooms. It’s possible there’s more people to be found here, and more cold blooded creatures too...

Mal busies herself searching the bat room to keep from laughing at the feud between Loken and Eltrezar. She checks everything thoroughly before moving on to the next room.

With the bats mostly gone, the wizard assists the Dwarf with examining the room. He also collects some bat guano, knowing that it may come in use for some more powerful magicks. He also allows Mal to stand between himself and the barbarian.

Trying to make friends with her new alliance, Mal sparks up some chit chat with Eltrezar as they search.

"Soooooo... How long did you have to practice to become a wizard? Seems like an exciting life of secrets and discovery. Do you know any dwarf wizards?"

Seeing nothing to interest him in the bat room Angel steps back into the hall and sees Gilly at the next door. He will take a step toward her but remain silent.