Entrance to the burning dungeon - RPLOG
Participants
Date
23/8/477
Log
The Mountains were as warm as they seemingly always were, various critters scittering around as night time begins to set upon the land and chills begin to take to the desert air as a thick mist begins to form around the surroundings. Near the rumored cave, is a group of three people... Two Graceful Clan Sparrows, and Kalt herself all leaning up against a wall while waiting. The Sparrows were clad in your most basic adventuring gear, boxes of torches and spools of ropes ready to aid those heading in. Kalt herself is clad in a light brown leather jacket, with gilded chain below it and bronze knee and shin guards upon her legs. Two short swords at her hips, and she appeared more than ready for anything about to happen! THough, judging from the lack of weapons on the sparrows... They were the 'brains' behind this operation.
Fenris arrives on the scene looking immaculately groomed and wearing his long coat. He took careful stock before he came today to make sure he looked just right, since he had not had a chance to approach Sally about fixing his blunder from the other day. Five fingers on each hand, slighter build, regular face patterns. It was rough to have to put on your real face as a disguise! Hopefully, his coat would disguise any small irregularities in his proportions.
The tiger gives a lazy salute as he joins the group. "What's the plan?" he asks with an easy smile.
Thelergramor makes his way to the mountains, approaches the group. Clad in his coat, no shirt under it nor any chainmail. Light on equipment, just his knife, pistol and spear. Plague mask, scarf and hat, a flask marked 'not water' in his hand, drinking what is likely alcohol. "Right. What's all this then?" Uninformed, for the most part.
Rainer finally comes running up, probably a good few minutes later and right around when they're starting to reason that no one else is likely coming, stumbling to a halt a few paces short of the group and doubling over, planting his hands on his knees to keep himself from toppling tuckus over teakettle. "Waaait! Wait... I'm... I'm here...! Don't start... I wanna... I wanna come too... Explorer... Extrordinaaaaiii-aaaaw what gives?" Suddenly and inexplicably he's reinvigorated, or just too outraged to remember he's exhausted, the wolf snaps upright and gestures with upturned palms at the predominantly militia group. "I thought this was a Freeswords job!"
Always one for exploring and seeing what was what, Lucasiel rattles onto the scene in all of her plated glory, axe propped on her shoulder. "Well, considering I'm here, it must be an open job." She glances amongst the others, adjusting her helm before nodding. "Good to be seeing you all."
With her cloak pulled close, and the crimson scarf covering all that doesn't get pulled into shadows by the hood of her cloak, Sara dutifully trudges up the mountain and stops behind the group that had already stopped infront of the cave. "Hmm.. is this the place?" she asks, her voice muffled behind the silken material of her scarf.
Kalt gives a slight wave to Fenris as he approaches, offering a slight shrug before motioning to the sparrows "I ain't knowin', these two are figurin' they're the brains behind it an' all so M'figurin' they'll tell us." One of the sparrows jumping up at that, before turning and bowing to the approaching group. "Goodness! Plenty of people now! Hello though! My name is Marcuss, and this is my brother Dave. We're 'expedition' funders, and planners and such I suppose you could say~" A low grunt from Dave signalling his own greeting before Marcuss continues, blinking at Rainer. "Hm? It is! I... Hope it is at the least? We put out the word to the Freeswords... But yes! The Plan..."
Marcuss motions the group into the cave as he begins to motion to a being sized hole in the wall with a grin. "This is the entrance to the cave from what we can tell, we've had one expedition go in and not come out so we're assuming it has at least -one- hostile inside of it. We're not foolish though, so we've got plenty of rope here now that you can tie around your waists, torches and a few lanterns, and plenty of medical supplies here for anyone who gets hurt." Dave finally deeming to speak as he stands and walks over to the group. "Now, I would give you the medical supplies... But this is all we have. I wont risk loosing it, and going home from this broke... So any injured that need immediate treatment should make their way back to the camp. That being said, payment for our group will be an even split amongst everyone present. Marcuss and myself will guard the entrance to keep others from coming behind you and sinking a dagger into your back to try and steal the treasure, and you guys kill whatever is inside, and return with the goods."
Fenris rolls his eyes and grins at the explanation. "Fine, Fine," he says, "I can deal with that." The tiger raises his arm and whistles and a bronze hawk, flashing in the last rays of daylight, alights on his wrist. He transfers the golem to his shoulder and turns back to the group. "Shall we?" he asks, then looks back to the brothers as he starts toward the entrance. "Anything we should be watching for?" he asks, taking up a torch, "Local legends or stories?"
"Kill whatever is inside?" A malicious smile crosses his face. "Sure. Long as it ain't children." He shrugs, drinks more of his alcohol. Whiskey, probably. "Keep your medicine, I won't need it." Thel drops his flask into a pocket on the interior of his coat. Leans against his spear and pulls his mask on. "Any traps? Or just living things?" Thel steps forward, in front of Fenris. "Let me go first." Not phrased as a question, though Fenris being a higher rank... Off duty anyway.
Rainer presses a hand to his face and drags it down slowly through the course of the briefing, but when it at last drops away to dangle at his side he's grinning quite confidently. "We'll do better than that!" He thrusts a hand towards the sky, curling his fingers to make a fist only once his arm is stretched to its limit. "We'll find that other team, too! Famous treasure hunters -and- heroes, this is gonna be -great-!" The mutt zips up to lean in between Theler and Fenris, smiling at each of them in turn, oh-so-sweetly. "Look I know we work together so this is going to be a bit awkward, but I'm a seasoned expert at this sort of thing, so if it's all the same I'll just do my own thing and you guys can try to keep up." Kalt gets a more sincere grin, "No offense." To Sara and Lucasiel, he snaps his fingers and gestures dismissively. "Ladies~ I look forward to seeing what you're capable of!"
Lucasiel places her fist on her hip and grins at Rainer. "I look forward to seeing what you're made of, too, wolfman! Try not to trip on anything!" She gives a jolly laugh and gestures ahead with the pommel of her axe. "Yes, let us go!" She turns and decides to try to help take the lead, given her immense armour and shield.
"Mm.. sounds reasonable enough, always did enjoy an even split." Sara states, her voice however seeming indifferent to the reward at the end, simply trying to get away from the city. Either way, the lizard makes her way to the cache of equipment and while leaving the medicine, she does however take a bundle of rope which is slung over her shoulder, and a torch, both items stowed carefully underneath the safety of the cloak. "Hrm.. well, not sure what's in that cave, but I'm not going to be dying while in it. That's for damn sure.." With that out of the way, she makes her way to the mouth of the cave and looks to the gathered folks and gives each a brief nod.
Kalt rolls her eyes at Rainer, and joins sara in picking up some rope and a torch. "Don't you go worryin' miss. I ain't bout to let any folk go dyin' on us in here." The Vixen smiling and giving her a pat on the shoulder before joining the group at the entrance, carrying the rear.
Marcuss nods slightly to the group and chuckles, shaking his head gently. "I uh... Don't know. We didn't go inside, so there could be well... Anything in there. But -please- be safe! I'd rather not have a second party go missing, and if you do find the first that would be amazing!"
Without anything to stop the group, they'd find the entrance to be wide enough for one person to enter at a time... And even then, crouching would be a good idea so the taller folk do not smack their heads on a piece of a jagged rock! Not more than ten feet in, it'd go completely dark as well it seems...
Fenris laughs at Thelergramor. "Whatever you like, Smiley," he chuckles at Thelergramor's masked face before turning a genuine smile to Rainer, "I will do my best to keep up, Rainer." The tiger steps aside to let the others go first, ready to take up the rear. "I hardly need to be first," he says, waving a hand and watching seven little balls of light ignite one by one and circle his head in a wide halo. He relocates his feathered golem to his shoulder and waits his turn to enter.
Thelergramor holds his spear out in front of him, keeping it steady as he steps towards the opening. Glances over his shoulder at the others and at Fenris' light. At the rate he is moving, it wouldn't be hard for someone to pass him and go first. Just walking nonchalantly, aside from the spear, toward the entrance. No words from the wolf.
Rainer huffs a laugh with a look fired off at Lucasiel. "Well, no promises." Turning to the cave, he nods his silent appreciation to Fenris and follows Theler in, pausing just a moment at the mouth of the cave for a look back at the rest of the group and the outside world in general. "...y'know, you guys could have been digging out this opening a bit while you were standing around all day waiting for people to get here~" he grumbles with his voice raised to carry back outside as he presses inward and quickly finds his movement hindered by the cramped quarters.
It seems like Luca wouldn't be taking up the front! Well, that was alright with her. She'd still be standing when all was said and done, anyway, so she settles in line and starts to make her way through as her elemental serpent coalesces into existance behind her.
"I ain't useless either." Sara answers Kalt, "I'll do my best to keep everyone safe as well as I am able." the lizard-woman continues before looking to the low cave entrance and mumbling, "Well.. fortune favours the bold." before passing through the entrance. As she moves, her crimson gaze falls on the low hanging stalagtites and weaving out of the way as she passes by. "Mm.. would make the job a bit easier atleast." As the light begins to dim Sara begins rooting through her few possessions and pulls both the torch, and a tinderbox, and sets the torch aflame before holding it out and casting it's bright glow about the darkened cave.
As they push into the cave, the sounds of grumbling come from the sparrows behind them at Rainer's words. Fenris' light and Sara's lights illuminating the path for everyone as they move. The Cave itself rather cramped, and honestly smelling like something may have used it as a bathroom, but thankfully it only needs to be suffered for a few more feet before opening up into a large room of sorts! It's not man made, but plenty large enough to accomodate everyone inside of it, with a continuing path leading down a few more feet, before turning into what appears to be a dim light... It's hard to see from this spot though.
Kalt carrying up the rear behind Sara as she chuckles and shrugs. "Alrighty then, I'll still be goin' an' keepin' a watch. I ain't a fan of any folk dyin' in here an' such." The Vixen doing her best to just stay behind the group, better to follow them after all!
Fenris shoves his hands in his pockets and saunters after, now somewhere in the middle of the group. He looks around the big cave and waves a hand, sending three of his little lights soaring into the corners of the cave. "Natural, you think?" he asks with a little wrinkle of his nose, "Stinks like efreet in here."
Thelergramor adjusts his mask, pulls his scarf over the 'beak' of said mask. Couldn't smell anything aside from the herbs within his mask. "Efreet? What?" He glances around, looks toward the continuing path, again planning to lead when everyone is ready to proceed.
Rainer screws up his face, aiming the resultant Funny Look at Fenris. "I wouldn't attribute that smell to feet, unless you're saying one of us tracked it in, in which case... wasn't me!" He's already worming his way between people, making his way towards the bend in the tunnel, because when you've seen one cave, you probably presume to have seen them all. Pausing next to Theler he sniffs twice, looks around, and makes a few quick, accusatory pointing gestures at the older wolf.
Lucasiel remains fairly quiet, as she often does while out in the field. The narrow passage makes her uncomfortable. She might be well protected, but as she was, she had no room to operate, and it was a rather claustrophobic experience.
With the scarf wrapped around her, the smell of dulled considerably and leaves Sara quite oblivious to the 'droppings'. Instead the lizard simply disregards the mention on efreets with a faint, "Oh?" and continues on and makes her way through the few remaining feet of the cramped tunnel before breathing a heavy sigh of relief once she's out. As soon as she's able, Sara sets the torch aside momentarily and stretches, getting rid of the stiffness that low cave had brought. "Well.. glad to be rid of that. Now.. where do we go from here?"
"I ain't carrin who, or what went an' made that stink. It ain't the worst out there, an' it'll be least worryin' thing M'figurin. Ain't knowin' what an Efeeter is either, but can't be somethin' we ain't able to beat." The Vixen more than confident in everyone's ability as she looks around. "Should probably keep goin' an' such I figure."Near the bend, a slow pitter patter can be heard if one listens for long enough, before a single lizard pads around the corner. Maybe two
"I ain't carrin who, or what went an' made that stink. It ain't the worst out there, an' it'll be least worryin' thing M'figurin. Ain't knowin' what an Efeeter is either, but can't be somethin' we ain't able to beat." The Vixen more than confident in everyone's ability as she looks around. "Should probably keep goin' an' such I figure."
Near the bend, a slow pitter patter can be heard if one listens for long enough, before a single lizard pads around the corner. Maybe two feet long in it's length, and not much larger, it's only distinguishing feature was the two horns curving from the back of it's head. It lets out a dry sounding croak then as it begins to walk forward near Thel and Rainer, investigating the two it seems.
"Watch yourselves!" Fenris says, "These are volcanic efreets. They are fire breathers!" He saunters forward with that easy smile on. "Best to be ready for them," he says as he prepares to repel some fire if the things get angry.
Thelergramor glares at the lizard, now knowing it breathes fire, he casts a shaded hex on himself. Trying to look scary by wreathing himself in shadow. Draws his pistol and levels it at the lizard while taking a step back. "...Kill it?"
Rainer stops in his tracks and goes wide-eyed in amazement at the sight of the beastie. "Wooooaaah...!" said in hushed tones, cautious not to startle the thing even before Fenris has had the chance to utter his warning. "Geeze, Thel." He's firing a disapproving look at the elder wolf seconds later, "You ever met someone whose throat you didn't immediately think about slitting? ...sorry, that's harsh... but c'mon."
Lucasiel keeps her shield at the ready, peering down at the little lizard. "No need to attack it yet. It's just curious. But we are larger and in numbers. It will -probably- not mess with us alone. But stay on guard."
"They've yet to cause any harm, and honestly.. I'm not looking forward to seeing how many more are simply waiting in the shadows to defend those just trying to look at the new arrivals." Sara responds as she makes her way closer to the two efreets and kneels close to one, her crimson gaze looking over the other lizard. "Frankly, I've yet to see a non-hostile one before.. well.. these. Always seemed to enjoy ambushing me in all of my attempts to climb the mountain."
Kalt shrugs gently as she walks around the group, hands on her hips as she sighs and rubs her head. "Aw... I ain't figurin' it's hurtin' nuttin. Probably best to just go walkin' round it if'n it ain't payin' us no mind." The Vixen's tail swishing as she looks to the bend in the path ahead. "Keep goin?"
The little lizard doesn't seem intimidated by Thel's shadows, instead more interested in his gun! The little guy peeking in closely, before he pulls his head back and lets out a loud and triumphant little call like he found a pot of gold, before shooting a small jet of flame up the barrel to ignite the powder charge... Incidentally, causing his own death from Thel's gun. These poor lizards just want to watch the world burn after all, and flammable material is their most -favorite- things!
Fenris shakes his head at the poor little reptile. "That ought to call others," he says, "We had better get moving." The tiger saunters after Kalt and sending a pair of lights zipping ahead. "There will be more, I am sure," he says.
Thelergramor blinks several times at this development. Brushes some lingering flame from his glove. "Probably, Fenris." Thel sets about beginning the lengthy process of reloading his wheel lock pistol. Rotates the dog to the safe position, pushing open the priming pan. Loads the powder charge and ball through down the barrel, takes his spanner and places it on the square part of the wheel shaft, turning it until the click is heard. Withdraws his spanner. Primes the pan with powder, shuts the cover, and pulls the dog back to the firing position.
Rainer cringes away from the gunshot, belatedly clapping his hands over his ears. When the moment has passed and the lizard lays in a lifeless heap on the cave floor he takes a moment to shake his head with a glance spared to Theler that seems to silently ask the question 'are you happy now?' He falls into step behind Kalt and Fenris without a word.
Lucasiel frowns a little behind her helmet. Poor little thing, but it did sort of cause it, itself. She heaves a gentle sigh and scurries after the front, slipping her battle axe onto her back to free up her hand for the sword at her side. It'd be far more useful in a cave like this. If she needed it.
As the lizard she had been watching kills itself with Thelergramor's weapon Sara steps away from the other efreet, gathers up her torch, and goes running off after Fenris, taking his warning to heart. As she moves, Sara pulls her own pistol from the belt it had been resting in and keeps it readied should the shot of Thelergramor's pistol bring more creatures.
As the group begins to move faster now, those who lingered their gaze on the lizzard would get to watch it's body begin to immolate from within, until it turned completely to ash. The path ahead of them unobscured, and as they turned the corner, they came face to face with what must have had killed the first group... An egg chamber. Dozens, upon dozens of small eggs line floor along small cracks radiating heat into the air. Thankfully, the thought of them all jumping out and killing the group was silly. What was less silly however, was the dozen full grown efreet's like the one before, just watching them. The charred skeleton of what had to have been a bird being before them, egg clutched in his grasp as it seems he tried to run off with one, given the academy's high price to be paid for the rareties.
"Well," Fenris says quietly, "That is exciting." His little smile does not falter, but he starts to carefully rehearse a bit of air magic to push the heat away from the group. "Move quickly and smoothly," he says, "Leave the eggs alone. If they attack we will worry then, but for now, just scuttle through like the little lizards we are. Don't be THAT poor soul." The tiger continues his easy saunter through the cavern, hoping that the lizards will see that he is both confident and not threatening. That is totally going to work. For sure.
Thelergramor is singularly unimpressed by the combustion. "Damn. Was hoping they're edible... And, Rainer, not my fault that happened..." Follows along with the group.
Still wreathed in shadow, the wolf chuckles as he catches sight of the dozen or so efreeti before him. No motion from Thel as he prepares some more dark magic. Specifically, he's going to try to rack their fragile little minds with Midnight Terrors if they show any indication of attacking. "Fenris, your plan is shit. Sorry." Follows along behind Fenris.
"What's exciting? I wanna see what's exciting! Gaaah, this is why adventuring is supposed to be the loneliest vocation!" Rainer struggles to contort himself to see over or around Fenris, until the vixen and tiger finally advance enough to allow him into the egg room. "...Oh... wow." Only a nudge from behind gets him moving again, and even then he takes his sweet time, not for concern of stepping somewhere he shouldn't and agroing the swarm, just... taking in the sight. Theler even only gets a distracted "uh huh, right" that sounds like he didn't really hear anything except his name, and then the young canid steps out of the way and bends over, getting a close look at what's left of the avian. "...dang, so much for being a hero, I guess."
Noticing the bird corpse atop the efreeti nest Sara nods to herself, "Right.. no touching the eggs then. Wonder what could've brought that bird to touch it anyways.." obviously oblivious to the price of efreeti eggs. "Guess he was hungry or something.." she mumbles to herself before shrugging and continuing on, following close to Fenris, mumbling "I guess we know what attacked the earlier group." as she moves away from the nest.
Lucasiel glances over the egg room, letting out a thoughtful hum before her eyes settle on the skeleton. "What a shame. Hmm. Yes, no touching the eggs." She turns her eyes back ahead, furrowing her brow at Thel as she continues on. She'd rather avoid a fight with them altogether, honestly.
Noticing the bird corpse atop the efreeti nest Sara nods to herself, "Right.. no touching the eggs then. Wonder what could've brought that bird to touch it anyways.." obviously oblivious to the price of efreeti eggs. "Guess he was hungry or something.." she mumbles to herself before shrugging and continuing on, following close to Fenris, mumbling "I guess we know what attacked the earlier group." as she moves away from the nest. As the light breeze hits her Sara pulls off her cloak and silken scarf and swishes her tail slowly, obviously pleased with the sudden cool air in the naturally volcanic area. "Whoever summoned that. Thanks!"
Kalt doesn't say much as they enter the room, grimmacing as she shakes her head and idles along behind the group, carefully watching her footing. "Dunno, figure different folks want different things... Might've been an' egg collecter. An' Thelergramor, I'll be takin' that plan over fightin' -every- single one of the fellas that laid all these eggs thank you."
The groups progress is unhindered by the 'guards' who mainly hiss and look at them cautiosly, ready to pounce and incenerate any who'd harm their eggs. If they continue on without damaging, or touching the eggs, they'd reach the end of the corridor, where they'd find the charred remains of what had to have been a Canine Being, clutching a copper key in his hands. Strangely though, he looked to be running -back- the way they had came... Beyond his remains though, is a largly unpopulate stone bridge over a deep cavern, leading to a pitch dark room. Shallow beams of moonlight illuminating their path they'd need to take over the bridge.
Fenris walks calmly and confidently across the cavern, his little lights and cooling breeze keeping him company. "They're really not so bad," he says quietly, "If you can manage to give them their space. I worry more about the weird obsidian idols that float around here. Or the gem mantises." He does not mention the high price of Efreet eggs at the academy. Best not to tempt anyone. Funny how there were so many hostile creatures running wild on Firmament.
As the tiger leads the way, he stops to kneel on one knee by the fallen canine, examining the remains carefully before plucking up the little key. "These friendly little things didn't burn our canine friend," he says, "There is something big out there." The tiger pockets the key and proceeds with all due caution, a glimmer of lightning dancing across his fingertips.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Fenris. But, I'll take your word for it." Thelergramor follows close behind Fenris, carefully making his way out. Had he known the value of them eggs, that group of efreeti would be dead now. Probably.
Looking at the corpse, still next to the tiger: "Heh. Big, probably dangerous." can't be seen but, he is smiling. "Maybe we'll get to kill it." He shrugs, takes the lead towards the bridge. "Don't fall. And catch me with your magic, if I do. And, any idea why this bridge is here?"
"Summoned what?" Rainer wonders as he straightens back up and falls in with the group's advance again, barely getting more than a few paces before he bristles and shivers, clapping his hands to the opposing arms. "Hh-hh-hn-nnh, where's that draft coming from?" The corpse of the canid gets barely a glance from him... apparently he's seen one being's corpse today and, much like caves, now figures he's seen them all. "Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and say those guys didn't make it." the pup remarks of the bridge, already fishing into the coin pouch at his hip, showing teeth with a toothy grin. "Shall we find out just how much we don't want to slip up here?" A single crown, held alof, twirled between his fingers and, with a flick of the wrist, released!
Lucasiel glances over the edge of the bridge, giving a little grunt. "Yes. I certainly don't want to fall off of that. Think it's sturdy enough? I'd hate for it to suddenly break on us as we tried to cross." She makes sure all of her weaponry is secured and won't fall off of her before she starts to continue on, keeping her shield at the ready, just in case.
Noticing Fenris already tending to the bones of the fallen canid Sara passes by Fenris and makes her way to the bridge. Noticing the black abyss underneath Sara kneels by the edge and holds the torch over it before letting the light source go, watching it descend into the darkness to see just how far it goes. As she watches the torch Sara asks, "Any idea what might have attacked that one? Didn't touch the eggs as far as I know, so that rules out the efreets.. don't think idols would really mess with a corpse. Mantis maybe?"
The coin Rainer tosses merely falls into the dark abyss, no sound coming from it as it passes far beyond the line of site. Sara's torch merely drops down, illuminating the crevice's walls for a little bit, before passing beyond sight. Once more conveying that this is the -last- place you'd want to fall off.
Kalt merely shrugs as she looks at the body before passing up onto the bridge with the group. "M'figurin' they ain't livin' too. As for what went an' killed him? Maybe another nest or somethin' beyond here? Could be anythin' really. Best to be readyin' for a fight though..." The Vixen continuing to move with the group across the bridge.
IT doesn't take long to cross the bridge, leaving them at the entrance to the next segment of their journey... And strangely enough, the walls have been chisseled by hand, and the room beyond made into a -actual- room it appears. Seems the rumors of someone storing treasure here had to be true! Though, given the dark nature of the room, it's impossible to make out any real details at first. When light is finally ushered into the room, they're treated to a room paved with Obsidian, a medium sized hole in the center that traveled down for quite a bit, with a simple stone covering over it. The hole made visible, as when the light shines into the room, the covering begins to pull back, revealing the molten contents of the hole, quite a bit of magma indeed.
Various runes, and mathmagical equations line the floor and support pillars of the room, seeming to serve a variety of tasks though to the trained eyes, whatever those tasks -are- is difficult to dicepher... The real treasure though, is right across from them. A single bronze chest atop a podium, with a small mountain of gold coins, high quality weapons, and various other valuables below it. -This- had to be the treasure from before... And judging by the lock on the chest, they already had the key.
Fenris snorts at Thelergramor's bravado, but follows along, giving himself plenty of room on either side of the bridge. The height didn't really bother him, but no sense in taking unnecessary risks. "Mantises don't usually blow fire, Sara," he says, "And this thing was probably bigger than any mantis I'VE seen. I'm not sure what else might be down here, though." Even with all his travel and experience, the tiger was often frustrated by how little he, or anyone for that matter, knew about the world of Promise.
Fenris looks in awe at the math all over the obsidian room. "It makes me think of the Kitsune temple up in the mountains," he says, looking over the complex math, "I wonder what it is all for?" He eyes the molten lava bubbling from the hole in the stone with a frown, and fingers the key in his pocket. "I think that whatever finished off our friend came from in there," he says, unsure that he is ready to try opening that chest yet. First, he takes some time to study the room's math, hoping to glean it's purpose as either a trap or a safeguard.
Thelergramor coughs a few times, still using his spear as a walking stick. Less than concerned by what he believes to be traps. "...Runes, equations. Yep. Probably traps. Fenris, I'll open the chest. Just, one moment." Thel walks to the hole in the middle of the room, looks down. Keeps his back to the others for modesty. Leans his spear to his shoulder, holsters his pistol. Proceeds to whip it out and urinate into the magma; his righteous stream of justice evaporating on contact with the liquid hot magma.
"Ha ha! It's a -race-!" Rainer declares when Sara also releases her torch. "C'moooon coin!" Shaking fists at the pit and watching intently, his enthusiasm remains strong until well after the torchlight has faded from view. Confusion gradually overtaking his expression, he tilts his head towards the chasm, then he cups a hand to his ear, then he gets down on his belly so he can lean over the edge of the bridge, turned on his side with his ear turned towards the pit. "...Uh... well." Up to hand and knees he looks to the group, seeming at a loss for direction, only to find that they've all moved on, and the light guiding his way mostly gone with them. "Ack, hey, wait up!" So he dashes across the bridge and comes skidding into the room in time to see Theler standing away from the rest, with... a lot of steam billowing around his midsection. "...what's he doing?"
Lucasiel tilts her head, peering at the chest before shooting a disapproving glance to Thel. How charming. She gives another grunt and leans forward on her shield, gesturing to the box. "Which one of you picked up the key? I didn't see." She reaches up with her free hand to adjust her helmet for a moment, before turning her eyes to the room itself.
"Hrm.." Sara begins to mumble as she watches the torch descend until finally dropping into shadow. "Well.. suffice to say, that's not a hole I want to drop into.." As her question is left unanswered as to the depth of the pit, Sara rises to her feet and makes her way over the bridge and into the chiselled room which leads the lizard woman to rub her palm against the smooth surface. "You think someone actually lived here?" she asks to noone in particular. Before making her way further, continuing past Thelergramor as he does his 'business'. A bit more of walking leads her to come face to face with the treasure trove and her eyes soon go wide. While a part of her mind screams at her to continue on, wisdom seems to win out in the end and she asks herself, "Why would someone leave this treasure open and unguarded.." before reaching into her coin purse and throwing a crown in front of her, watching to see if it'd trip any sort of trap.
Kalt sighs and covers her face with her hand as Thel begins to relieve himself into the lava. "Y'know, Fenris just said whatever killed them fellas CAME FROM THERE... An' now you're pissin' right in it. Honestly, it's like you're wantin' it to come out an' kill ya." The Vixen grumbling with annoyance as she unsheaths her short swords and walks along the side of the room while looking around. "Sure is fancy though."
Closer inspection of the room shows that the inscriptions from the math lead -everywhere-, even into other sections! Perhaps secret entrances or rooms? It's hard to tell without knowing how to open them, and whomever had made this room was ahead of their time, and possibly one of the more greatest minds to be on this continent!
Sara's coin flick ellicits nothing aside from the sound of the coin bouncing on obsidian tiles, and from that simple check it seems safe, though her question is still rather valid... Why just leave the treasure out like that?
Fenris frowns at Thelergramor, then goes back to studying the runes. The wolf was doubtless capable of handling his own ignoble demise. "I have the key," he says, walking over to the magma pit. "I suggest you take a step back, Thelergramor," the tiger says as he cautiously steps on a red tile. "Watch your step all," he says, "Some of these tiles effect things in the room." He nods at a blue tile. "That one, for example," he says, "Will open the doors in the ceiling over our heads, And I can't guarantee that the contents will make us happy." The tiger carefully makes his way across the room toward the bronze chest, watching the math along the tiles by his feet. He pulls the little bronze key from his pocket. "Ready to see what happens?" he asks with an impish grin.
Thelergramor finishes up his urination, looking over his shoulder at Kalt. "Heh. I'd like to see it try." He turns back to the magma, pulls up his pants. "Right, go for it, Fenris." Stepping back, the wolf checks his equipment over. Applying venom to his spear, the wolf pulls his pistol back into his left hand with spear in his right. He glances at the others, looks over the room.
Rainer finds himself forced to watch his step. "What? How'd you figure that out?" He aims a particularly surly frown at that lone blue tile, eyes narrowing. ".../Math/." In a flash he's over at the wall, fingers tracing the runes, though held back just far enough as to avoid actually touching them, just in case. "It would have to be math." Mumbling indecipherably to himself in an irritated tone, he follows the symbols, working along the wall, until he comes to one of those points where there's an odd intersection, and there he begins to poke and prod, feel and nudge, with his back by and large to the group. This would be that "him doing his own thing" he mentioned earlier.
Lucasiel reaches back and draws her battle axe again to keep it at the ready with her shield. Says something about a woman willing to use something that size while still keeping her shield! "I am ready." She looks over after Rainer for a moment, ears perked under her helmet. "Let's see what this room's got!"
Not trusting her footing, and her knowledge on the math enscribed tiles, Sara remains close behind Fenris, her feet stepping only where he had stepped soon before. "Got it, red is good, blue bad.." she repeats. As she moves, Sara grips the dragon-headed pistol warilly. Should anything dare to attack, she'd be ready for it. "Hrm.. wonder if there's a way to deactivate these.." she muses as she moves. Eventually Sara reaches the other side, drops to a single knee, and waits for Fenris to open the chest, "I'm ready."
Fenris gives a grin to the room at large, snags a spear fromt he pile of treasure and puts the little key in the lock, turning it with a click.
Kalt falls back with Lucasiel, not wanting to be right in the epicenter of whatever was about to happen, the Vixen's tail swaying slowly as she looks around through the group. "Figure we got pillars to hide behind if'n it gets too dicy." Her swords at the ready as she gives a nod to Fenris for him to proceed.
That click is all it takes it seems, the chest still locked shut, though the pit of magma lets out a single bubble almost anti-climatic really, like a very bad joke. Of course, that changes then, as a large hand mixed with flames and magma itself reaches out from the pit, as a twelve foot tall elemental pulls it's way free. Thankfully slow enough for those close to the pit to run away, this rogue elemental appears like a bastardized mix between a deer and a spider, with six limbs total that served as either feet or arms depending on it's mood, a head with twelve gem like eyes of fire, and a back coating of cooled magma serving as shielding to attacks from behind!
THe Behemouth of an elemental takes up almost the entirety of the center of the room, a low racking moan of superheated air escaping it's mouth as it takes stock of it's opponents before reaching a limb into the magma to pull out halbard of pure flames, constructed by this wild elemental itself!
Fenris gapes at the magma elemental. It was beautiful! Well, it was terrifying, but it was an incredible feat of mathemagic. Whoever had made this room had been a true genius! The tiger springs into action, sending a cascade of freezing air at the creature, hoping to slow it down and let the others get in their best shots. He considers the blue tile near the thing's feet and hopes that that will not be another problem.
Thelergramor cackles maniacally. "That's more like it..." Thel aims his pistol for one of the leg joints, wanting to weaken it instead of going for a headshot. Thel pulls the trigger, then holsters his pistol. "The ceiling trap, maybe drop stones on the bastard?"
Rainer continues to fondle the wall, oblivious, the whole time the elemental is forming. He does notice, however, that it's suddenly gotten awfully quiet, in terms of banter from the rest of the team, so he ventures a friendly "How's it goin' back there?" and, in the process tosses enough of a look over his shoulder to catch enough sight of the emerging behemoth to prompt a double-take. "Oh." Spun around, the younger wolf draws his swords... and that's all he does, because even he isn't stupid enough to charge headfirst at a monster like that. "Ha ha, you -wish- people would design their traps to be that convenient."
Lucasiel lets out a challenging roar as the large creature showed itself. "Now THAT is the challenge I crave!" She brings her axe forward and slams it into the ground, focusing her attention inward as she starts to condense ice magic around the blades of her axe, coating them in frost.
As soon as the molten hand claws its way out of the molten pool Sara aligns the dragon-headed pistol to the creature and pulls the trigger, the white muzzle flash projects an asp venom filled shot towards the magma gigas! With the pistol expended, Sara sets it aside and pulls the musket from her shoulder, and like before, aligns the shot and fires once more. With both weapons spent Sara picks the discarded pistol up and makes her way to the nearest pillar and hides behind it.
Kalt doesn't wait long as the creature begins to claw it's way out, the Vixen running to try and get behind a pillar as she grits her teeth and holds her sword tightly. "A fuckin' Elemental?! REALLY?!" Obviously more than annoyed at the direction this had taken, given the fact a elemental like that was -HARD- to hit up close and not get cooked in her opinion!
Thelergramor's shot seem to just pass through the targeted knee, causing the flame and magma to jerk back for a moment before reforming. Sara's own shots follow suit, the first passing through almost harmlessly, while the second strikes close to it's chest and causes it to stumble before growling lowly at her. More cooled magma begining to try and cover it's chest defensivly as it takes a moment to focus, being slowed by Fenris' math! Finally though, it lashes out, it's first strike a sweeping back hand at Kalt that is narrowly avoided by the vixen as she ducks underneath it, before it sweeps another arm and smacks into her, sending her tumbling across the floor and into the wall, some of her fur singed. It's third attack though, seems focused on Thelergramor, perhaps angered at him pissing in it's magma, it reaches out to snatch the wolf in it's hand, burning him for a moment before throwing him to the ground!
This was trouble! Fenris's eyes dart around the room, looking for an answer. Treasure rooms were rarely deathtraps for EVERYONE, there had to be something to help in here. The tiger raises his hands and summons up a rumbling cloud of thunder and lightning, hoping to deal some damage to the thing while he tries to think!
Thelergramor roars. A blood boiling sound of rage. The heat and fire makes no difference to Thel, despite burning through his coat and singing some of his fur. The soreness in his recovering rib is exascerbated and ignored. Picking himself up off the ground, the wolf pulls his arms from the sleeves then throws the now on fire coat away from himself. His hat follows suit as he picks up his dropped spear and charges the elemental. All thought of self preservation lost in his fury. "FUCKER!" Thelergramor thrusts his spear toward the elementals chest.
Rainer grinds his teeth, barely able to restrain himself from running in to try and help Thelergramor as the other wolf writhes in the elemental's grip. If it hadn't let him go soon as it did, though... "Theler, get clear!" He makes his charge, angled forward with swords out at his side and, when he's nearly underneath the behemoth, leaps, winding up and swinging out with his left blade, twisting in the motion to follow immediately up with a slash from the right, his target the gems serving as the creature's eyes.
Once her axe is properly frosted over to combat the fire elemental, Lucasiel charges in and whirls around, using the momentum of the heavy weapon to try to bite into the side of the elemental. Sure, it was hot, but she was confident in the ability of her fancy magic armour to keep the flames at bay.
Once out of the creatures reach, Sara slips down to one knee and begins reloading her weapons, stopping briefly to reach around the corner of the pillar to fire her old service pistol at the elemental. With all her weapons spent Sara begins to arduously reload, cursing all the while about the length of time it all takes.
Kalt coughs as she picks herself up, the Vixen shaking off the shock of the tumble before charging at the back of the Elemental, swords sweeping for it's back most limbs... Which end up serving no real purpose, such as before, only causing the flames and magma to shift slightly for a moment before returning to normal.
The Elemental lets out a howl of steam as Rainer and Lucasiel attack it, losing a four of it's eyes to Rainer's attack, causing it to lash out blindly at the wolf, missing him. Lucasiel's attack find a study target in it's self made armor, piercing through and drawing out another howl as it moves to breath a cone of fire onto her... Her shield managing to absorb most of the blow, along with her armor, but she's got some scorched fur to say the least! Thelergramor's attack bounces harmlessly off it's chest, though it does draw it's ire it appears, as it raises that flame Halbard high and to the side, before sweeping it down at him. Smashing into his side, and sending him into the wall like he was an insect.
The Elemental itself appears rather shakey at this point, the strain of repairing the wounds to it's chest wearing on it it seems!
The Lightning Fenris summoned aided greatly in damaging the Elemental it appeared, strikes of it's bolts ripping through the protective covering on it's back, and causing it to howl in what sounded like pain.
Fenris bites his lip as he looks over the runes. It seems that he is as safe here as anyone can be. He gives a quick glance at several tiles that seem to be meant to disarm the traps and hastily stomps on one that seems to bear a symbol representing fiery embers, followed by one marked with smoke and a last marked with unburned coal. Flame backward. Hopefully it helps. In the meantime, the tiger strives to cool the magma elemental and make it vulnerable to the others' attacks, drawing the heat out of the monster and back into the pit it rose from.
Thelergramor is thrown by the elementals halberd, slamming against the wall. The wolf again releases a sound of more rage than pain. Pain there, too, of course. Fortunately, the swing hit the side with the unharmed ribs, burning heavily, singing his fur. Though, he struck the wall on his recovering injuries, dislocating his shoulder in the process. Thel stands again, and then throws his spear in a javelin-esque fashion at the elemental, pulling his knife into his still useful hand. "KILL THIS MOTHERFUCKER!" He stands, left arm hanging limply while he hopes the elemental survives long enough to vent his remaining rage on it.
Rainer ducks and weaves around the behemoth's retaliation like he knew where the attacks were going to be coming before they were thrown at him, it's almost uncanny. "Just stay back!" he barks back at the older mutt, "Kalt! Someone! Keep him back!" He, however, hardly moves out of arm's length of the massive magically-spawned monstrosity, striking back with his blades whenever an opening presents himself. The heat doesn't seem to be bothering him. He also doesn't seem to be aware that his pants are literally on fire, at this point.
Lucasiel snarls a little and brings her axe whirling back around for another strike, this time aiming for the elemental's neck as she brings the blade down in a wide diagonal arc. The flames she could live with. She loved big challenges, and she wanted to see this one brought down as many others before it.
With her latest shot doing no noticable damage Sara curses to herself, though soon dispells it from her mind and pulls a ramrod to tamp down the last pistol. With her weapons finally reloaded Sara emerges from her hiding spot and pulls her two pistols, "Just die already!" shouts at the giant gigas before taking careful aim and firing again.
Kalt nods to Rainer, and rushes over to grab Thel by the neck before tackling him to the ground! Oh yes it'd hurt, but it'd keep him from doing anything stupid, and well... The Vixen doesn't have less subtle wayys right now.
With that final combined effort, the Elemental lets out an enraged cry, before the inscriptions around the hole light up, and the Elemental is rather forcibly dragged back down into the magma, as the stone covering slips over it... Leaving the wounded group with their spoils. Seems Fenris got the combination right!
Lucasiel lets out a hearty cheer as the thing is defeated. She gives her axe a semi-twirl to get it into position before slinging it over her back and stepping forward to see what kinds of spoils could be claimed. Seems she would be walking out with a second axe, tonight!
Fenris gives a satisfied nod as the cover slides over the magma pit. He would certainly need to come back down here for a bit of study! "Everyone alright?" he calls out, "Sorry that took me so long, well done everyone!" The tiger looks over the spear he pulled from the treasure heap and smiles. "Not too shabby!" he says running a hand over the blade, "Now we just have to take it all out quickly and quietly." The tiger roots around a bit for one or two nice pieces, he hardly needs a full share for himself, then goes to help carry Thelergramor out with a sigh. "Too bad they haven't come up with common sense drills," he mutters.
Thelergramor is taken to the ground by Kalt, as he watches the elementals defeat with a smile. There is not enough pain from his impact to be felt over his shoulder. Looking up at Kalt who seems to have fallen atop him: "Is this really a good time? Not to mention: What would Angus think, hmm?" Thel chuckles behind his mask. "...My arm hurts. Maybe, you can get off me now?" Once able to move, Thel shoves his arm back in with a pained grunt. Finds a bow among the treasure. Keeps it.
Rainer. Just. Keeps. Stabbing at it. Until the thing has finally melted away completely and been sealed up again. Shoulders slumping he lets out a relieved breath, gives his dual blades and twirl and tucks them into their scabbards. "That wasn't so bad." Sizzlecrackle. "What's...? AH! OH JEEZ!" A few frantic moments of flailing and he succeeds in smothering his pantsfire, though one leg had more or less completely burned away from the knee down. "...aw man, unbelieveable... how did that even...?!"
As soon as the giant magma elemental is pulled back into the depths Sara throws her hands up in the air and unleashes a loud cheer. "Hah! That'll teach you to mess with us!" she shouts at the now closed pit before turning her attention to the now unguarded treasure trove. With everyone else claiming a weapon, Sara makes her way to the trove and pulls out an odd sword from within. "Hmm.. nice.." she mentions as she pulls it from its sheath momentarily to look it over. "Never seen a blade like it.." she continues before sliding out, and taking a few practice swipes into the thin air. Deeming it to be good enough the lizard makes her way up to Thelergramor and like Fenris before her, assists in supporting the injured wolf.
Kalt pulls herself up and off of Thelergramor, helping to bring the wolf to his feet before she cocks her left hand back, and punches him full force with the metal prosthetic into the face before growling lowly at him. "That... Is for fuckin' tellin' me to reproduce with Angus." A swift kick to his shins, or if he had fallen, while he was down, and then the Vixen turns to help with moving the treasure.
It wouldn't take the group long, and once everything is all loaded up and shares split, they are off and onto their seperate ways.
