Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[sonofotho]

Heavy rain pelts down on you. The map that Xantius paid for seems to be accurate. Before you in the narrow, secluded valley stands that which you seek.

It must be the lost tower of Balaz-kai. The sorcerer of old who, rumor say, drew his power from demons and other creatures of darkness. Balaz-kai was feared far and wide for his dark magic and for the monstrosities he called forth from worlds beyond.

Until he was no more. Those same rumors say the sorcerer finally reached for power beyond his control, and was consumed… or worse.

The six of you, a motley band indeed, stand in the rain at the edge of the woods staring at the tower as rivulets of warm water run down you. The crumbling spire of dark stone looms ominously before you. The tower is not that high, perhaps reaching up sixty, seventy feet into the air and close to half as wide. There are no windows visible, but you do see a simple, wooden door.

A palpable sense of darkness, coldness… evil, surrounds the tower. Xantius reminds his companions once more of what he uncovered in his research into Balaz-kai. Rumors of fabulous treasure, ancient magic, and deadly things…

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius strokes his beard, deep in thought, staring hard at the tower. Eventually he holds out his hand and speaks in a low, quiet voice.

"Will one of you kindly lend me a knife for a moment?"

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

With a fluid movement, Jayamanka pulls her short blade from its sheath at her hip and steps forward, holding it out to the sorcerer through the rain. The air of foreboding that hangs over this place gives her pause but she will not show the others any weakness. Best just get on with it.

[badams30]

Jasper - Grizzled Rogue

Jasper shivers a bit, partly from the cold rain, and partly from staring at the creepy tower. He forces a smile and says as cheerfully as he can muster "It doesn't look like much, but hopefully it's dryer in there than out here. Shall we go?" He points his spear toward the door.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd the Pale

The northern man regarded the tower with a foul look and a hard grip on his hammer.

"We didn't trudge ourselves all this way to stare at the damned thing, let's got make some coin!."

He cleared his nose by pushing his thumb against his nostril and blowing out the other side, and waited for his companions to move on toward the tower.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Accepting the blade from Jayamanka, Xantius steps over to a large tree and proceeds to carve a complicated rune deep into the trunk. Finished, he hands the blade back to the hunter and turns to Jasper.

"Indeed, let us proceed, but cautiously. There may be traps hiding to catch the unwary. I believe it is time to earn your wage, friend."

OOC: The rune is for my portal spell, BTW.

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Haroun watched the others ready themselves for whatever lay ahead. His hair lay plastered across his scalp and a film of moisture shone on his tanned skin from the downpour that had soaked him and his new companions to the core. Despite that, he wore a broad grin on his face, as if the malicious aura of the structure was of no consequence.

'I'd wager', he said to no-one in particular, 'that the owner of that tower has a fine cellar of wine tucked away somewhere as well as all those jewels you promised us, sorcerer. I'm looking forward to quenching my thirst while I count my share!' .

While he waited for the signal to proceed, the swordsman busied himself gathering a handful of the roundest stones he could find before stuffing them into the pocket of his breeches.

[sonofotho]

Haroun

While he waited for the signal to proceed, the swordsman busied himself gathering a handful of the roundest stones he could find before stuffing them into the pocket of his breeches.

ooc: Haroun finds 4-5 round stones, ranging between marble and golf ball sizes.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper smiles at Xantius, and quickly pulls the hood of his robe a bit tighter around his head, and he deftly bounds off toward the tower, once he gets close, he'll begin checking for traps or anything amiss.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd the Pale

Skagvurd will follow behind the Rogue giving him a healthey distance to let the man do his work.

[Nitehood]

Fiddleback

OOC: Circles the entire tower and rejoins the group,

I see on the one door to get in... Seems un-natural to not have windows to let the fresh air of nature in or to hear the birds singing in the morning or to just casually look out over the valley.

Let's go in and get this over with so we can return to the splended outdoors...

[sonofotho]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper smiles at Xantius, and quickly pulls the hood of his robe a bit tighter around his head, and he deftly bounds off toward the tower, once he gets close, he'll begin checking for traps or anything amiss.

Jasper slows as he approaches the tower. At the base of the tower, the stone seems to be cut from some unknown stone, black and smooth. Higher up, cracks can be seen and the stone appears weatherworn. Besides the door, Jasper cannot find any other distinguishing features.

The door itself is made of solid-looking oak and covered in some form of lacquer. Four iron bands stretch across, reinforcing the wood.

Jasper spends another moment closely inspecting the door, as the rest of the party stand still in the steady rain.

I don't see any traps, but it is locked.

ooc: Actions?

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius strides up to Jasper's side, rain dripping from the cowl of his hood. He places a hand on Jasper's shoulder.

"Some traps may be harder to discern than others. Wait a moment before trying to pick the lock..."

His voice trails off as he begins muttering arcane things under his breath.

Sense Magic: [1d20] = 10 vs Intellect 13.

[sonofotho]

Xantius

Xantius strides up to Jasper's side, rain dripping from the cowl of his hood. He places a hand on Jasper's shoulder.

"Some traps may be harder to discern than others. Wait a moment before trying to pick the lock..."

His voice trails off as he begins muttering arcane things under his breath.

Sense Magic: [1d20] = 10 vs Intellect 13.

Xantius detects a magical aura emanating from the entire door.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

While Jasper and Xantius investigate the doorway and attempt to gain entry, Jayamanka crouches at the rear of the group and keeps watch out through the rain. The downpour makes it difficult to see but she remains vigilant and ready.

While she watches, she places her hand upon the muddy ground and digs slender fingers into the sodden earth. "Spirits watch over us, give us strength to overcome the evil in this place", she whispers under her breath.

Should the others gain entry, she is ready to follow them.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper nods at Xantius and stares in awe as he casts his spell. He slowly and quietly pulls out his picks and prepares to check the door for traps and pick a lock if it has one. (he'll wait for Xantius' approval to proceed before he does anything though.)

While he's waiting for the go-ahead, he turns toward the group and smiles, waving sheepishly at them like a dope.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

Skagvurd takes up a position next to Jayamaka keeping watch with her as the others attend to the door, he observes her with a raised brow.

"Hrmph...your gods must be very generous indeed! My people's gods offer no protections for just a few prayers, they only offer us beasts and monsters for us to battle so that we may gain the strength to protect ourselves."

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Never had much time for Gods myself , mused Haroun.I knew a man who robbed his share of temples and lived to a ripe old age, and a priest who spent his time tending to the sick who was murdered in his bed by thieves who went into the wrong house.

But, he added grinning, if slaying things is some sort of rite for your kind, Northman, you hereby have my permission to slaughter anything that looks at me funny as well. Well, except him, he continued in an exaggerated stage whisper while nodding at Jasper; he seems to look at *everyone* funny...

How's that door coming along, fellows?

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka looks at the big barbarian and shrugs. "We'll have to wait to see how generous," she replies wryly.

She considers for a moment while the flamboyant Haroun is talking and then continues speaking to Skagvurd, "So, with your Northman gods it's like survival of the fittest?" She squints up at him towering over her. "I guess that explains why you're so big."

[9littlebees]

Xantius

"Well, well. It appears this door has been enchanted. I think it best if everyone stands back a bit and readies their weapons... Just in case."

Taking several steps back himself, Xantius spreads his arms wide, then begins chanting in a low hum, hands gesticulating wild patterns in the air.