Chapter 13 - Azurpenia's Prison

[tkrexx]

GGLAOURCCCHHHH!! Comes the belching sound more from the bowels than the mouth of Hyde. IIIIII'm gonna be SIIIIICK! Gimme something to hold onto, hah? Lemme hold that rope!

[AleBelly]

DM rolls dice

Galan pulls a grappling hook from his pack and helps Angus affix it to his rope. They attack the hook to the firm metal railing, wrapt the rope once around and drop the coil down. It follows the same path as Arnulf's coins, plopping about 10' away from the bodies. Angus can see the coil in the faint light below, and sees that it will extend to the bodies.

As the others keep watch over the three closed doors, Angus slides down the rope. The lantern light is not very bright, but he does see blood stains smearing down along the wall, ending where the bodies lie. The tracker wishes for better light, and for a moment he thinks he has new mental powers, for the room is filled with a pale white light! The others in the party, whoever, attribute it to the figures that have just entered from the door connected to the "upside-down" stairs. Unexplored by anyone in the party yet.

In the doorway, they see a man, clad in chain mail. His head resembles that of a crescent moon, and at least one in the party will realize that the shape of the moon is very close to the shape of last night's moon. Light emanates from the head, filling the room. From Chet's earlier description, they realize this is Torgos Zooth. He is accompanied by an plate-armored stoat the size of a large dog and a monstrosity - a snake with a closed hand where its head would normally be. They seem to be completely under his control.

He looks around the room, seeing the party scattered about. A raised eyebrow in his crescent-shaped head indicates that he recognizes Chet, even from far away.

The light allows Angus to see a machete and a blade, S-shaped, hanging from the lizard-creature's belt. Aside from this belt, it is a nude lizard-woman with greenish skin. The other is a pale man clothed in fine attire.

Actions?

Date: 16 Culling, Year 42
Time: 18:00
Conditions: 54F, calm, room echoes loudly
Known Spells in Effect: None
Light bearers: Series of lamps along stairs, pale light from Torgos' head
Intended Direction of Travel:
Injury Status: None

[Zhym]

If the moon-man does not attack, Angus takes a look at both bodies before proceeding further. Do each body's wounds look like they might have been made with the other's weapon?

Then he conducts a more thorough search of each of the bodies, looking for anything interesting either might have.

[enn.in.me]

is lying required?

[AleBelly]

Yenny doesn't feel compelled to lie.

[enn.in.me]

"Greetings. I believe you are Torgos Booth; our friend has mentioned you. This is quite the extraordinary place, no? Did you find those you were looking for? Oh, of course--my name is Yenny". Yenny looks a little bewildered as she contemplates the stairs and wonders if this is a hand-shaking sort of meeting.

[Nuke66]

Galan, thankful his burden is lessened, is happy to stay in the shadows as this dialog takes place.

[tkrexx]

AAA! Hyde points again, this time at Moon-Head, and his pair of companions. That ain't right, no, ain't right at all! His sword is drawn, and he feels as tho he will need to kill something in the minutes to come.

[Zorroroaster]

"What the fu..." Arnulf's voice trails off as that place in his brain that connects what he sees with what he understands shuts down temporarily. He stands there, uncomprehending. His hand floats towards his face of it's own volition and his thumb plugs itself into his mouth.

[CAI4]

Chet elbows Hyde gently. "Keep quiet, man!" he whispers through clenched teeth.

"Excuse my friends" calls the monk across the large room. "They've never seen anything like this place before."

To his party members he says "You can put your weapons away, guys, this guy wouldn't hurt a fly."

He points to the bodies and addresses Torgos "You might want to check this out. Are these your kids?"

[AleBelly]

"Greetings. I believe you are Torgos Booth; our friend has mentioned you. This is quite the extraordinary place, no? Did you find those you were looking for? Oh, of course--my name is Yenny". Yenny looks a little bewildered as she contemplates the stairs and wonders if this is a hand-shaking sort of meeting.

Torgos give Yenny a very slight nod "Zooth. Torgos Zooth" he replies courteously but firmly.

He smiles at Chet's comment about not hurting a fly, then replies to the party. "I do not recognize any of you, save this robed man of objectionable appearance. That makes you either guests or intruders. For we have both here. However, I am Azurpenia's majordomo, and I am always aware of guests. Which narrows things down a bit, doesn't it?" He aims this question at Chet.

[CAI4]

"Yes, we are definitely guests!" replies Chet.

[AleBelly]

"As I thought" replies Torgos. "I am to report intruders directly to Azurpenia, for most are here to assassinate her. Of course, none have been successful."

He looks down at the bodies with scorn. "Those are not my offspring. One is human, the other a Saurid. These Saurids are saying nasty things about you, Blue Robe. Is it true that you killed Gibba, Azurpenia's son?" he again asks the monk.

[CAI4]

"No. And I completely knew that was Azurpenia's son. We are here to assassinate her" says the monk boldly.

[AleBelly]

"So the Saurids tell the truth. I should report you, especially since you have not helped with my sons. But since you are not here to harm her..."

he thinks for a moment.

"If you all promise to help find Anolis and Anole, I will allow you to carry on. And provide some little information. Do you agree to such terms?"

He looks directly at Yenny.

and now Yenny is compelled to lie, though others may answer.

During this discourse, Angus has the opportunity to examine the bodies. He finds only weapons on the lizard woman, who Torgos has referred to as a Saurid. On the pale human, a knapsack full of rotten food. Bloody shreds of flesh are visible in the human's teeth. Both have coin purses that are empty, suggesting they have been robbed.

The mortal wounds are indeed in the back, likely inflicted by a dagger or short sword.

[enn.in.me]

"You seem like rather a useless sort--a majordomo with no power. And of course I knew your name was Zooth. No need to correct me like that. The intruder-guest thing is of course simple. I am neither.". Yenny smiles. "I don't think I enjoy being forced to lie."

[tkrexx]

Hyde gulps and tries to hide his uneasiness. These, um... These are good guys, hah? I don't have to kill 'em? He whispers.

[AleBelly]

"You seem like rather a useless sort--a majordomo with no power. And of course I knew your name was Zooth. No need to correct me like that. The intruder-guest thing is of course simple. I am neither.". Yenny smiles. "I don't think I enjoy being forced to lie."

"You enjoy falsehoods, yes?" Torgos smiles. "As for my power, I suggest you do not tempt it. Now, I have pressing matters. I enlist you to find my sons, snatched from me by one of the bastards dwelling within. In turn, I keep your presence a secret from Azurpenia. Agreed?"

[onlyme]

Dandelion stands there, dumbfounded. She thinks through her attack sequence if need be.

[Nuke66]

Galan stands quietly as well, this conversation has him confused,