The Dragon Hatchery

Clarice moves forward to keep watch while Riardin examines the stairs.

Yes. You are on the ledge, and the stairs go down. The key is a the top, near you. The locked gate is at the bottom of the stairs

Looks suspiciously at the key.

"I'm not used to the key being on my side of the lock... Everyone still want to go forward?"

"Think of it as a gift." Clarice quips.

"Or possibly a trap. Either way, we need to keep moving. Just be careful, maybe use something other than your hand to grab the key."

"Yea, I'm curious as to what is meant to be kept IN. Clarice, can't you some magic things to take the key?"

His reaching fingers pause at the word "trap"....

"...Magic sounds reasonable..."

"I can put the key to sleep or destroy it. Unfortunately I have no means to retrieve it."

With a small nod, Riardin knocks the key off the ring with the spearhead and (assuming nothing exciting happens) picks it up...

the key rattles as it's knocked off the peg, it falls to the ground gleaming in the dim light. On impact, it makes a clanging sound, then comes to a rest.

"Just a key then, by the looks of it." Clarice says with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Let's keep moving."

Walking down the stairs with the key, Riardin inspects the lock before inserting it...

Riardin gives the lock a good check for anything suspicious before inserting the key and opening it up (assuming nothing is found)...

Riardin moves to the bottom of the staircase cage/tunnel. He takes a long look around, but all seems still. The key slides easily into the lock and turns quietly, leaving the gate hanging slightly open.....

Riardin pushes the gate open further and steps through, taking a look around.

"I think we should lock the gate behind us, and hold onto the key. No cultist surprises from behind, or anything getting out from down here without us knowing about it...

"Let's just hope we aren't the ones that need to get out in a hurry." Ecleran remarks as he steps through the gate.