Chapter 2: The First Seal

"Too many questions." Tilma says while still looking down, "I'm not the brightest So I'll leave the detailed thinking to you. In the meanwhile I think I'll go check below. Need to secure our target in case there's more cloaks there or any new cockatrices. If I see anything I can't handle I'll shout. Works for you? Hope so, cause I'm off!" and with those words she disappears through the trap door.

Tilma descends down ancient ladder that is built into the vertical shaft. She drops down into the cavernous chamber below, which is exactly how she left it about a week ago except for a few changes:

* The smell of rat and other carrion eaters is in the air. The cockatrice corpses in the corner is swarming with flies, and the beady eyes of rats reflect the violet and green light of the crystals by the Seal of Astaroth.
* You've taken the eggs and sold to the Pickler's Guild.
* There are now only 8 statues, which implies that two of them unpetrified. Some time and effort may spent to track them, but the trail might be old.

The seal, including the two crystals, are exactly as you left them.

Laurent makes a quick search of the office. Among the boring business minutiae and mundane miscellany, he finds some curious tidbits:

* A deed to the Harbourview Orphanage, next door. It is in the Bartoz family name.
* A glance through the ledgers show they are fairly well constructed but your trained eye sees inconsistencies, gaps that are not accounted for. Quite probably cooked books.
* The stove is stuffed full of a stack of broadsheets from yesterday. They are from the Iskandar Inquisitive, and the front-page story is an exposé on House Bartoz's role in a recent plague in the city.
* A locked drawer in the desk contains a silver mirror inscribed with the words "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.". It radiates magic, as per Laurent's detect magic ritual.You are fairly certain that two of the bodies belong to men who served Bartoz (those in the workman's clothes but thieves' boots); the third draped in the black cloak matches the attire of the men you met just moments ago. The dead black cloak's head is smashed in, and a nearby crowbar is the likely murder weapon. There are signs of struggle, and you feel confident he died in a quarrel with Bartoz's men as the black cloaks stormed the building.

Also, it is unclear if anyone lived here on a permanent basis. There is that spartan room of bunks on the top floor (across from the office), but it seemed more like a prison than a lived-in sleeping quarters. There is a good chance that the warehouse is staffed with shift workers, but who the bunks were meant for isn't obvious.

Tilma brings up her crossbow and shoots at a nearby rat. "Why not work a little while waiting for other? will have less work to do afterwards." she talks to herself.

Berry is eager to join Tilma down below but waits for Laurent to finish his investigation, acting as lookout in the meantime.

Laurent was glad he had taken the time to inspect the office. He considered taking the detached documents — deed and half burnt papers — but decided not to. He did take mental notes of the discrepancies in the books, and stored the information about the ownership of the orphanage, and the suspicions falling on the Bartoz family regarding the spreading of the plague in town. One couldn't trust broadsheets unquestioningly, but the article might be another thread on which to pull, when the time was appropriate. Laurent tried to identify the author of the article in the Inquisitive, for future reference. With Berry's light-fingered assistance, Laurent was uncovered the mirror radiating magic in the locked drawer. This was a further puzzle for another time. He was careful not to touch the item directly; he picked the unbloodied grey cloak and wrapped the mirror in it, both to store it safely, but also to avoid inadvertently activating the item's powers. Mirrors were renowned as scrying devices, the object of choice of Seers, evil witches, and spies. He would be careful not to operate it in circumstances that might lead to his identification. He tucked the bundle at the bottom of his backpack, and nodded to Berry: "Ready when you are, Timbers...". He somehow continued to emanate that odd mix of childish excitement and deep-seated dread at the prospect that his current actions might attract the attention, or the wrath, of powerful factions in Iskandar.

Laurent and Berry descend the ladder into the cavernous chamber below, tying a rope to ensure you can get back without difficulty.



You find TIlma bullseyeing rats with her trusty crossbow, and the scene is otherwise as described above. The cavern is dominated by the glowing violet and green crystal orbs which flank an ancient gateway, upon which the Seal of Astaroth is engraved. Violent arcs of magical energy spark from the damaged green crystal.

Laurent's magical detection senses very strong abjuration magic, to the point where it is downright oppressive. It is likely that not even scrying spells can penetrate this place. However, each time the damaged crystal sparks you feel the magic temporarily weaken.

Tilma recovers her bolts from the rat carcasses. "Took... You... Long... Enough..." she says a word between each bolt pulled out. She wipes them off against her pants and puts them back into the quiver. Making a mental note to properly clean them once she's got time. "So what do we do now? Go through that door? Or portal, or whatever it's called."

Laurent stood there, observing the extraordinary artifact of ages gone, for a long minute. He barely registered Tilma's words, much less her actions, his eyes focusing intently on the Seal, and the arching displays of arcane energy.

After this moment of awed silence, he closed his eyes briefly, softly massaging his forehead. "Looking at this is giving me a migraine... what a... what an astounding thing you've found!", he licked his lips, which seemed parched after the climb and the discovery of this cavern.

Finally reacting to Tilma's words, the scrawny scholar turned to her and recounted what they had found above. "We found a magic mirror, and some more evidence that this warehouse belongs to the Bartoz, and that they have their fingers into all sorts of nasty business... including, it would seem, a Plague?"

Do you think we can actually open it?, he stated, observing the physical properties of the gate. He once again began mumbling his odd, atonal hymn under his breath.

Laurent studies the gate. His suspicion is correct - there is no mechanism for opening the door part of the gateway. It is made of stone and flush with the gate's fame as if carved from the same rock.

The arcs of magical energy coming from the damaged crystal are random. The energy seems drawn to the powerful magic of the artifact. You doubt anything in this cave comes close to it in terms of power and therefore you would be safe to approach, but you can't be certain.

As mentioned earlier, the shrouding magic dimmed whenever the green crystal spasmed arcs of energy.

Tilma stands behind Laurent and Berry waiting for them to examine the gates and decide on their future actions. Although she has studied a bit of necromancy with her ex this is way above what she understands.

Laurent continued to consider the patterns in the arcane energy flowing from the colored crystals. He continued the droning intonation of the psalm-like recitation from before.

Berry stands at a safe distance as Laurent tried to make sense of the gate. He knew he'd brought the right man for the job. Looking around nervously, aware that stepping on Bartoz toes is not good for your health.

Tilma sees her friend nervous. She puts her hand on his shoulder and rests her crossbow on her own. "Don't worry Goodberry." she smiles as she calmly says. "We took care of the cockatrices. I'm sure that we can handle what ever is thrown at us. Though I admit that we must be careful." She is cautiously looking around with the corners of her eyes. Staying alert.

From the northwest passage, there comes a noise - a low, menacing growl punctuated with alien pops and clicks.

Tilma instantly reacts and points her crossbow in the direction of the noise. "Show yourself foul creature!"

Tilma's bold challenge echoes through the cavern. The strange noise stops immediately, and everything turns silent except for the occasional sound of the arcing green energy. Staring into the dimly lit toward the north passage, you see nothing.