2: The Citadel

The upper court of the temple has been completely cleared of debris. Six pillars support the ten-foot-high ceiling, and the northern half of the enclosed area is bathed in bright light, making it easy for you to see the horrific scene playing out in the far end of the room.

Lashed to a makeshift altar are 2 yuan-ti sporting gold and red colors. Those of the scale mother, the "good" yuan-ti. One is a pureblood, while the other is a MalisonThey are being ritually tortured by a full serpent yuan-ti abomination. An enormous sarcophagus rests behind them, its exterior carved with serpents. Two yuan-ti malisons are positioned on either side of it.Both are evil. One carries a lantern that is the source of the illumination, and the other one is holding up a chime and preparing to strike itAs you part the curtain, the abomination is studying the script on the sarcophagus intently, engrossed in what it sees. At a gesture from the abomination, the chime is struck. As it rings out, the seam around the lid of the sarcophagus glows brightly for an instant. Then the sarcophagus comes open partway, and the bound prisoners howl in agony.

Oh wow. Oh dear. Vanessa wasn't mentally prepared for whatever is going on. Should she attack? Wait for a command? She decides to ask Takeshi, whispering rapidly. "Isthishostility?" Her hand is slooooowly reaching for her weapons.

"This is abominable. Halt at once!" The elf commanded as he prepared to unleash arcane fury upon the vile yuan-ti.

This looks like a fairly normal ritual to Khezzik, so he's a bit surprised at the strength of Takeshi's reaction. But then he remembers back to times when groups of heavily-armed humanoids would come rushing into Morgalitrax's lair to interrupt some of his sacrifice rituals - they often yelled similar things before they attacked and the kobolds swarmed and killed them.

How exciting! Now Khezzik is one of those who bursts in and shouts. He draws his dagger and hand crossbow, and prepares to fight.

Nirion tenses and thinks through the spells he could use here...

Although the physical grey wispy tendrils had dispersed long back at the bay, Turner had felt the fog had lingered in her understanding. Despite the party's cautiousness, detection had been made but without triggering a hostile response but the treatment of the natives was noted. And then the fog, once again, hiding the meaning of these incongruit responses by the yuan-ti. Pressing forward toward the temple for answers, Turner felt the burning light of truth dissolve the fog as the curtain was drawn back allowing her to easily view her next course of action. No longer was anything hidden!

Vanessa begins to size each yuan-ti up.

Tonic stretches his neck, knowing things were about to get rough...

As the evil yuan-ti notice you, they scramble to complete the ritual. The chime is struck and the sarcophagus starts to crack open.

The ray of frost hits the yuan-ti abomination. It points its ritual dagger towards you and orders the malisons to join the fight. The one with the chime, draws a longbow, while the one with the lanterns charges forwards with a longsword in one hand while holding the lantern in the other.
The abomination itself slithers around the altar and casts a fear spell
The malisons with the bow shoots at Nirion as he is the attacker

The chimes, the sarcophagus that seemed to want to burst forth some entity and the groans of pain from their own people seemed more than enough stimulus to cause the most stalwart among them to pause. However, the evil mage slithering around had chose not to leave the clouding of the party's minds to primal fear but to deliver it magically. Turner saw the familiar weave twist to form a nightmare for each of them but before the magic could be delivered the dark images encountered a quick burst of air essentially blowing out the magic like a candle. No! Not today! Your reign of fear has come to an end.

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Turner countered the fear spell, much to the abominations annoyance. He hisses with much malice.