conversations: human
conversations:  The entrance to Infernum Carcerus had been found much more easily than one might have thought. Taelus left his home, mind firmly focused on his destination for all that he knew not precisely where it was- and there he saw it.
  
  The gate appeared to be no more than a fairy circle of flowers at a casual glance, but more serious inspection revealed a shimmer above the air in the middle of the circle. It called to him, telling him that he need do no more than step forward to be taken to where he needed.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus walks over within arm's reach of the circle and smiles, ever so slightly, at the thought coming back to him of the men who said it was impossible for him to get his family back. He whispers quietly to himself as he walks into the shimmer  "I'll be with you soon, Aleah, one way or another." 
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  Between one blink and the next, Taelus slips between worlds. There is an instant where he is nowhere at all, blackness his only companion, then there is solid ground beneath his feet and wind on his face.
  
  He stands upon a hill.
  
  It is an unremarkable hill, with short grass and mundane rocks scattered about. However, at the foot of the hill is a flat dirt clearing, and across that is a cave entrance.
  
  The entrance is rocky, dark, and almost assuredly dark, but something in him, something deep within where he carries the hope that he can bring back his wife and son, tells him that this is the place he seeks.
  
  Next to the cave entrance is a wooden booth. A man lounges behind it, one whose specific race is impossible to determine from this distance, save that he seems to have the typical humanoid number of arms, legs, and other body parts. His clothing shimmers in the faint light, the fabric colored a rich red that appears almost black. He sits poised behind the booth, his white teeth gleaming as he looks directly at Taelus.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus does a short jog down the hill, sliding some of the way and causing a little slide of pebbles and stones. He walks across the dirt field with a guarded stance, gripping his scythe firmly as he uses it as a walking stick. His mind wanders to the spells he has at his command, planning an escape if he needs one. He addresses the lone man from across the field with a simple  "Greetings." 
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The man's smile widens, and he lifts his chin at Taelus' approach. "Greetings, and good delving, friend. Am I correct in thinking you to be a Seeker?"
  
  The man does not stop smiling, showing off his many perfectly white, perfectly even, perfectly straight teeth. He folds his hands casually on the booth's small counter, his swarthy skin set off by the light-colored wood. Upon closer inspection, his clothing appears to be made of silk or something akin to it, with small black gems inlaid at the cuffs and collar. His ears each boast a long line of gold rings that start at the bottom and lead right up to the point of his ear then circle around the top. He wears no rings or other jewelry, merely his earrings and layered silks.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  "That would depend on what the word means to you. I seek something, but I have heard Seeker used to refer to men who sought a particular kind of something." 
  
  Taelus keeps his firm grip on the scythe as he advances to stand a mere five feet from the other man, making note of his rich earrings and cloth.   I would imagine the fantastic dungeon doesn't go unguarded; I will have to be cautious around this man and any others I might meet.  
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The man smiles just a touch wider. "To me, it can mean many things. Right now, friend, I mean to ask if you have come to the Devil's Prison in search of a thing nowhere else could grant you."
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Saying nowhere certainly would be impossible, but yes I have come searching for something that is not easily found where I come from." 
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Excellent." The man tilts his head, eyes closing for a brief moment of pleasure. "It is not often there are visitors that are not also Seekers, but when there are, it is pleasant for no one involved." He pauses, then shakes his head. "That, however, is that, and this is not that. I am the Merchant, and as such, I am more than happy to help you with your delving needs! For a price, of course."
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Ah. Now I understand why you're here. I can't think of anything I might need at the moment, however. Perhaps I'll visit again on my way out." 
  
  Taelus begins to walk towards the entrance, keeping an eye on the merchant as he passes.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  "If you need me while inside, you need only call my name," the man says, spreading his hands without removing them from the table. "I will appear."
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Certainly an interesting trick. I will likely have need of you in the future, so I wish you fortune in the future." 
  
  Taelus walks into the entrance at a fast walk and attempts to mentally prepare himself for what lies within.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Make sure you are alone and unafraid when you call!" The Merchant adds.
  
  The cave entrance is just as dark as it seemed from the top of the hill, with a definite smell of dankness. Now that he has come closer, Taelus can see rough-cut stairs hewn into the rock floor of the cave, leading downward into the darkness.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus steps down the stairs, trying to ascertain the safety of using his lamp.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  It becomes rapidly evident that if Taelus  doesn't  use his lamp, he won't be able to see a thing.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  The lack of light posing a problem makes his decision easier. He retrieves the lamp from his pack and lights it, allowing the light to crawl over the room.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The place in which he stands is nothing more and nothing less than a slight widening of a downward-sloping tunnel. The stairs extend downward out of sight.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus starts his way down the stairs, softly humming an old song from his village; specifically the low toned song about doing what is needed of you.
  
  He is especially careful to keep an eye out for damaged steps so as not to fall in.
   
   Spoiler 
   (1d20)[ 11 ]  Spot
   
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The stairs extend down farther than he would have thought; not quite so long that he worries for his supply of lamp oil, but more than long enough that he would have thought he should hit the bottom before he actually does.
  
  The rough-hewn stairs transition abruptly to chiseled stone that continues on level ground. Roughly ten feet from where the stairs end is a door frame with a few scraps of wood hanging from what appears to be hinges. Taelus can see the pieces of what was likely once a door on the floor of the room in front of him, scattered across the stone floor.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  He takes a moment to register the scene before murmuring to himself  "I've seen a door kicked off it's hinges, but  shattered ?" 
  
  He carefully steps through the door to try and see what may have happened here.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The room had, once in the presumably near past, had three doors: the one Taelus stood in, the one across from him, and the one to his left. However, it seems as though both the door for the frame he stood in, and the door to his left, are both broken off the hinges. The door across from him has scratches and scrapes across it.
  
  The room appears to be empty.
  
  Map:
   
   Spoiler 
   
  
  Please to be ignoring the room number; I am not good enough to edit it out without everything looking sloppy.
   
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus walks to the door opposite his own and tries to open it.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The door knob rattles, but does not turn under his hand. Locked.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus looks at the scratches curiously for a moment before walking to check the other door that had been opened forcefully.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The other door opens into a hallway that extends south farther than even Taelus' excellent eyes can see.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus decides to explore the hallway and begins his walk down the long path.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The path continues without incident. When the other end of the hallway comes into sight, Taelus can see that it ends in a westward turn.
  
  Map:
   
   Spoiler 
   
   
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Holding out his lantern, he turns the corner cautiously.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The corner ends twenty feet after the turn, with a door on the north side of the wall. Just in front of the wall is an opened pit trap. Taelus can smell blood.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus scowls as he dashes to the side of the pit to look inside for any living creatures.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  Inside the pit, down at the bottom where Taelus' eyes can just barely see, lies a man in a chain shirt. He is face-down and un-moving.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  Taelus sighs and looks around for a good tie-off for a rope.
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  The only possible tie-off he sees is the door handle.
conversations: nersxe:
conversations: human
conversations:  I wouldn't trust it if I had a choice...  
  
  Taelus calls down into the pit, his voice echoing slightly,  "If you are alive, please show me."  He scans the body, looking for any signs of life or movement.
  
   
   Spoiler 
   (1d20)[ 20 ]  Spot check
   
conversations: Batpope Scott:
conversations: human
conversations:  There is no audible response, nor does the body move in any way Taelus can see.
conversations: nersxe: