Chapter 1: Beneath the Streets

Norran was quite disappointed when the conversation piece sausage was snatched away by Tilma and fed to the fledgling cockatrices.

That was good sausage. That was almost a good pickup line.

Too bad it wasn't good enough, loser hahaha.

Ignoring the ghost, the Barbarian now looked as the chicks approached. And they are not of the kind he was used to seeing approach him. Cute as they are now, it could be quite problematic if one of them turned one of their body parts or equipment to lawn decorations.

You aren't serious about taking one as a pet are you? whenever there's a young one, a big angry mama is always around the corner. It might be a bit safer if we leave the kids at home. Besides, aren't we gonna do something about these hardcore men and women?, Norran asked Tilma while gesturing towards the inert statues.

Coward...If I have my way I'll crush these little abominations under my heel to lure the mother here to a glorious fight to the death!

You can talk...you're a ghost...like, I don't think you can get stoned by a stoner...and I won't gonna be fighting one just because you say so...I'm sober now Jondalar.

*sigh* One can dream...

BERRY AND JASERA

---

Berry recalls the name from his studies, but only in passing. Astaroth was the false name of an Elven archmagi who lived thousands of years ago. He was an important figure in the first Fiend War, when the walls of Iskandar were assailed by the armies of the Nine Hells for the first but not the last time. There were some spells with his name in it, like Astaroth's Arcane Armour.

TILMA (AND NORRAN?)

---

Jasera seems very much uncertain; if the lack of a response weren't clear enough, the blank expression she's wearing would be. "Nobility and history are not my strong suit, I'm afraid- I do not recognize the name. You?" she throws the query back at him.

He seemed to have twitched at the reading of the name as if it struck a chord, so she suspected there might have been a connection.

Berry relays what he recalls before adding his own thoughts, "Question is, is this holding something in or out? And it appears to be damaged which is very worrying either way."

The ranger seems to be in agreement but doesn't appear particularly enthusiastic. "I suddenly wish this was just one big rat..." she trails off, knowing her simple wish will never be granted, "Well, it isn't and we need to do something about it. Whether it's keeping something in or keeping something out, we don't know and we won't figure it out standing here. We need to go deeper and find out more. Something's going on here that I suspect, if we don't do something about it now, is only going to get worse. I've a feeling this emptiness is going to spread. The cockatrice can't be solely responsible for what's happening here- there's more" she declared urgently. Her fist tightens into a small ball as she ponders the next step

"Let's make notes about the symbols and markings we've found here, then press on into one of the tunnels. We're going to need the help of someone skilled in this script, or in the name of Astaroth. Odds are that whoever knows about him, would know what he was mixed in with and what this might all be about".

"I'm fluent in the script. That's all it says. there are spells named after Astaroth so this ward doesn't have to have bene placed by him necessarily. Let's explore further, but what of the others?"

The ranger contemplates the inquiry. They may not be the quietest, but they are part of the team and [apparently] reliable. It was the right thing to do. "You're as loud as a mouse's breath. Skulk back and update them, then return. We want them near enough to provide aid if things turn sour- but not so close as to cause enough of a racket as to force that sourness sooner than it needs to be" she clarifies.

"I'll hold the line here".

Berry slinks back to the others to check all is well.

...And aren't we supposed to catch a rat or something and not you know, get new pets?

Norran was still complaining about Tilma's sudden interest in the fledgling cockatrices. This wasn't part of the job description and the eerie way the gate with the strange runes glowed just get him feeling on edge. The statues they passed by almost had a disapproving look to them like seeing a bunch of people stumble around in this cavern with a troop of stone-turning creatures following them.

Besides, that was the last bit of food you gave them, I don't know what will happen if these critters realize the feeding program is over. I'm already a 'hard' man. I don't relish getting turned to stone-hard if you know what I mean!

Joking tone aside, Norran continued to look around at his surroundings more keeping watch of any danger that might be lurking around the corner with all the ruckus the chicks were doing (including Tilma who's doing an approximation of some bird call) something or someone should have heard them by now. The mama stoner is still not accounted for.

Tell me if you're going to pee in your pants Norran. I want to get away from that pathetic display.

Shut up Jon...

While Tilma tries to lure the fledglings, they continue to get louder and louder until one of the lets out an ear-piercing shriek that echoes through the caverns. In a heartbeat, the mother cockatrice charges out from the southwestern, screeching madly and eyes wild with murder.

IN PROGRESS... DONE

"Damnit, I knew this would happen." Berry brings his crossbow to bare, watching to see if Jasera runs or stays put.

Hoping to delay the creature's advance until the others are ready, Jasera readies her bow and nocks an arrow, moving over to an area between one of the statues and a pillar (O-9) which provides cover while still allowing her plenty of mobility. Counting on the mother exhibiting a form of blind rage, the ranger will ready her action (does such a rule still exist?) to see if the mama-trice stomps by her towards the others or stops to search/sniff out the woodland girl.

If it charges by, she will fire at it from behind right as it passes. If it stops to sniff her out, the ranger will instead play a game of peek-a-boo, darting out from behind one side of the pillar then the other, keeping her distracted and diverted.

Berry moves his 25' to get out of the corridor and into the chamber.He readies his crossbow, if Jasera fires, he will fire too.