Mystery of Saromen Fro

As Damanandros delves deeper into his understanding of the tower and the enigmatic gem, an insatiable curiosity takes hold of him. The allure of its mystery grows stronger with each passing moment. However, as the urgency of the situation with his companions becomes apparent, he feels a sense of responsibility pulling him in their direction.

Making his way toward the base of the ladder, he calls out to Baudecca, his voice laced with concern. "Be cautious! Opening the door holds great danger. Others have succumbed to its power, and you could suffer the same fate."

Placing a hand on Zenophon's shoulder, he speaks with a urgent tone. "I can sense the immense power emanating from within. It surpasses anything I have ever witnessed. Choose your path wisely, my friend."

After the ecstasy of the pleasure, both given and received, Syrena closes her eyes briefly to indulge in the comfort.

She awakens with a start, realizing that she may have dosed off longer than she had intended.

Aduorix is sitting on the floor near the foot of the bed, staring at the glowing Dial. The adept young woman is like a spry fey of the old tales, mesmerizing in her beauty and in her enigma. She is wearing only her undergarments, thin silk shorts and shirt - barefooted with her knees pulled up near her chin, an ease with her limber flexibility.

Syrena rises from the bed and dresses back into her field-wear. She gathers and checks her equipment.

The dial catches her attention again, and she studies its detail - the intricacy of the workmanship, the masterful hands and gears, the unfathomable brilliance of the central gem.

The Heart of the Earth. Could it be true?

A device of legend and fable, but in every story about it, promises that it was still yearning to be found again - at the right time.

Whoever captured it would be granted the secrets of the forests, the mountains, the rivers, even time itself. Secret pathways, hidden lands, mystical means of travel. All would be revealed, it was said, to the claimant who won the Earth's Heart for the Coming Age.

Syrena thought little of it at first, but now she cannot resist letting her imagination run free. What would be done with such an artifact, if it be true?

Who would be the rightful claimant, worthy of - or at least lucky enough to win - such an eternal boon?

Xenophon and Damanadros brace for effects after Baudecca ascends into the upper chamber.

They hear her calls, "Aduorix. Aduorix! Wake up. Are you well?"

Now there are sounds of her stepping. Thumps and bumps.

"Syrena, snap out of it!", she says, with a sharp biting tone.

Baudecca comes back to the the ceiling opening.

Xenophon puts one foot up on the ladder to reach, and takes the small woman in his arm. She is dressed only in under garments. Her skin is red and she is covered in perspiration. The heat is overwhelming on the third floor chamber - Xenophon feels the wave of it when he comes close to the ceiling port.

Carefully he moves Aduorix to one of the bunk beds on the second floor, and then turns to see what might be next with Baudecca and Syrena.

Now Baudecca is shouting at her.

Syrena wonders how she got into the room so quickly.

Syrena is getting her wits about her, gradually coming to her senses there in the second floor chamber.

She feels as if she is waking after a deep sleep, though she remembers the moments immediately before - vividly.

The group checks Aduorix again. She is breathing and has a pulse in her veins, but she still does not respond.

The mood changes from excitement back to concern.

Gennadius and Mennic help Baudecca move Aduorix over to the outdoor kitchen table for treatment.

Gundus and Galopan stand by deciding priorities and trying to understand the sudden cascade of events in the tower, not all of which were clear from their vantage point on the ground outside.

Xenophon, Damanandros, and a recovering Syrena stand in the second floor chamber of the tower - 5 bags full of silver eagles at their feet, thousands and thousands of coins.

And the looming magic above them, in the higher chamber overhead - the green glow casting through the broken ceiling port door at the top of the ladder.

Required Action, All PCs: Describe action, character thoughts and intent.
What happens next?!

Damanandros hears Gennadius talking in the background, but now that he is close to the artifact the patterns are becoming clearer and clearer.

At first Damanandros sees the green glow, but then he sees that the spectrum of the light can shift. Damanandros can change what he perceives.

There is illusion in the chamber above, as well as mental and sensory disruption for those untrained. But Damanandros knows this symbology from his years of study, preparation, and practice. As an arcanist mage he might not be able to glean all of the magic's mystery in full, but he is in no danger from it.

Already he knows he stands to gain, and quickly. His own spellcasting can be restored by this generator - whatever it is. Beyond that, perhaps the technology would yield some of its secrets, purpose, and origin.

If this is what he wishes, he knows he must ascend the ladder, encounter the device, and make the most of this fleeting moment.

Somehow Damanandros knows that an opportunity awaits, though not for long. A door is there - to be opened or closed? He cannot yet tell.