NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 677216" data-attributes="member: 143">Book VII, Part 45The dark hole in the cliff swallowed them up, and in just a few steps it was as if they had transitioned into another world, with only the insistent patter of the rain behind them as a reminder of the weather outside.  Even that sound was muted, as if the heavy stone surrounding them absorbed all noise, leaving only the quiet darkness. It was immediately clear that this place was not natural, the lines and angles too precise for a cavern, although everything had a kind of rough-hewn simplicity to it.  The tunnel ran straight ahead into the mountain, an even five paces across.   “Nice place,” Lariel commented dryly.  “Demon worshippers, right?”  He unlimbered his bow, and changed out his damp bowstring with an ease that belied frequent practice.  After a moment, Benzan imitated his action.  Meanwhile, Cal called upon a cantrip, casting a light spell that drove back the shadows.  “I should have remembered to ask Dana for her torch,” Benzan said.  “I forget sometimes that you guys can’t see in the dark.”“We’re not going to be here long,” Cal said.  “Just take a quick look around.”Benzan took the lead, scanning the walls and floor for any signs of traps, and they moved ahead.  The tunnel had led them barely fifty feet, just enough for the sound of the rain outside to fade away behind them, when it opened into a slightly wider area with a ceiling a good ten paces above them.  A heavy arch of solid stone slabs framed another tunnel that continued on ahead, but flanking that entry were a pair of constructs that gave them pause. They were statues, each easily ten feet high, carved from the heavy stone of the lintels themselves to face each other across the opening.  They were roughly man-shaped, although the details of their forms were indistinct even when the full light of Cal’s spell fell upon their features.  As they looked closer, they could see that it wasn’t that the statues were weathered by age, but rather than they seemed... unfinished, as if their creator had not been able to commit to a final vision for the details of their appearance.  They were clad in robes, or perhaps it could have armor; again it was impossible to be certain.  Their faces were vague as well, only the hint of features that could have been male, female, any of a dozen of Faerûn’s races or none of all.  For a few long moments the four scrutinized the statues.  Finally, Benzan shook his head.  “I don’t like this.  This place doesn’t feel right.”“I feel it as well,” Lariel said.  “It’s as if there’s something here, something undefined that I cannot quite see.  It’s like... like a tickle going down your back, when you think you see something move in the shadows of a sealed room.”“Lok?” Cal asked. “Strange,” the genasi rumbled.  “I do not recognize the stonework.  Clearly fashioned by intelligent hands, but by no craft that I have ever seen.”  Warily he moved closer toward the statues, but suddenly and abruptly stopped in mid-stride.  “What is it?” Cal asked, sensing that something was wrong. “I... I cannot move!” the genasi grunted, each word forced.  Benzan was already moving forward, despite Cal’s word of warning, but the tiefling only crossed to where Lok stood and dragged him awkwardly backward.  As they fell back the genasi regained control over his limbs, and the four retreated back to warily confront the dark tunnel and its silent guardians.  Cal cast another cantrip, scanning the portal.  “It is as I suspected,” he reported.  “There is a potent ward here, a magical shield that protects this place.  I cannot say exactly what it is, but I think we’ve gotten a good idea as to its effects.”“And we get past it how...?” Benzan asked.“I don’t know.  Perhaps with more study... and I should speak with Dana...”“Well then, perhaps we should call it a day then,” Lariel suggested.  “If there is anything in there, it no doubt knows we’re here, and it hasn’t chosen to act.  We’ll keep a tight watch tonight, and try again in the morning.”Cautiously the four companions retreated to the surface, and returned to the camp that was already just a vague shadow as the gray haze of twilight deepened into full night.</blockquote>

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