<span style="font-weight: bold"> Teran...</span><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">The issue has already been addressed, but this is in case this comes up in the future. In order to re-lock a lock, I will allow you to use the exact same roll, UNLESS YOU ARE UNDER DURESS. So, if you're not trying to get it done quickly, or having your attention distracted....can relock any lock rather simply. If you are trying to do something in a hurry (Like a minute or less), or have combat going on around you...you will have to reroll, and beat the DC of the lock a 2nd time.</div></div></div><br/><br/>Laebras shivers slightly as Sunete's tongue courses over her cheek - a tongue that no more than ten minutes ago had been...exploring other, much more intimate areas of her body. The little promising whisper leaves a grin on her face - a night of fun, and judging by the looks of the chest...actually getting her pay? Perhaps switching sides was not such a bad idea after all. Not that she really had much choice in the matter - it was either that, or join Gallen and Ventressa. Gazing idly at the cowgirl's shapely backside as she makes her way over to Asulf, the tiefling can't help but grin inwardly - maybe joining those two wouldn't have been such a bad thing after all. Not if she had THAT rump to look forwards to. With a little chuckle, Laebras refits her chestpiece, gazing over at Sunete as she begins to tease the poor wolf "You know, I-"<br/><br/>*Lud-dub....!*<br/><br/>A sudden deep double-thud, similar to a heartbeat, interrupts Laebras mid-sentence. Blinking in surprise, the Tiefling gets a rather confused look on her face “…Anyone else hear th-“<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">*THWOOOOOM!*</span><br/><br/>Again, Laebras’ words are cut short, this time as a massive ‘pulse’ of magical energy rips through the room like a tidal wave. An electric shock washes over the party as the raw, uncontained magical energy rushes through with a surprising amount of force, upending ancient weapon and armor racks and sending long-rusted weapons flying, along with a generous amount of mostly-rotted wood-shards. The force is strong enough to rattle the very stone foundations, and as that tidal wave of energy washes over the party, it threatens to knock everyone off of their feet.<br/><br/>Just as quickly as it arrives, the tidal wave of magical energy rushes through the room and vanishes. Steadying herself against the worked stone wall, Laebras takes a few seconds to gather her bearings, her voice full of a mixture of surprise and anxiety “Well…um….THAT has never happened before. I think they’re getting close to-“<br/><br/>*Lud-Dub…..!*<br/><br/>“Oh crap. Not again. What in the hell are they doing down there?! Brace yourselves!”<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">*THWOOOOOOM!*</span><br/><br/>A second tidal wave, this one even slightly more powerful than the first, rushes through the hallways from further on ahead, and again floods the room with a shockwave of raw, powerful energy. This time, the rush hits hard enough to momentarily steal breath away, and once it passes, it leaves a sort of numb feeling in it’s wake. The feeling quickly vanishes, but one could only imagine how bad it would be if those pulses continued to grow stronger and stronger….<br/><br/>Taking a few deep, shuddering breaths, Laebras shakes her head to clear her dulled senses “Um…okay. Wow. THAT….is new. Maybe….this entire job was a bad idea. “ Putting a hand against her temples, Laebras begins to lightly massage, working out the dull, throbbing headache that had started to develop from the second pulse of magical energy “Ow. I don’t know about you all, but I don’t want to wait and see if those…pulses continue. Or worst, get stronger. I don’t know exactly where the chamber they’re doing this ritual at is, but…we should likely find it. Quick.” Drawing her greatsword in one hand, Laebras peeks back out the doorway, looking up and down the hall….and then steps out.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Since it seemed as though everyone was ready to move on, lets get this rolling again!</div></div></div><br/><br/>With Laebras in the lead, the party traverses a relatively straightforward hallway, albeit one with a gentle downwards slope every ten or so feet. Each ‘level’ contains a door on either side, most of which are either hanging off their hinges, or – given their age and the two massive waves of energy that just washed through the hallways – in splinters. Even the thick layer of dust that covers the ground has been disturbed, throwing up an oppressive cloud that makes breathing difficult, and makes eyes water. Thankfully, as the party moves forward, the dust slowly begins to settle. The various passed rooms only get a single glance by Laebras, who – seeing no succubus – passes them by without a second thought.<br/><br/>Finally, after another two minutes of steady downwards movement, passing a dozen or more pairs of doors, the party reaches what could only be their destination – a large pair of superbly crafted stone doors, etched with the markings of the gods of old. Dracen, Gwynn, Mylaera, Mystical, Vomek, Telter, Shralk, Moradin, and Kylixx – all of which have been ‘marked through’ with a single line of seemingly quite fresh blood. More ‘fouling up of the place’. Whatever sort of ritual this succubus was attempting, it seemed as though as much of that positive energy as possible had to be fouled…<br/><br/>Laebras reaches out to grab the enormous marble ring that would open the door, only to pause mid-pull….there were voices on the other side of the door? As the party listens, faint chants can be heard beyond along with a muffled voice speaking – and by the sounds of it, he seemed quite angry about something. Unfortunately, the thick stone doors make the words inaudible – but the tone is unmistakable “Oh…jeez, we’re here.” Laebras whispers under her breath – she’d never been this far down before, and the thought of crashing the party of the two mercs and the succubus…well, it was not the most enticing thought. Still, she was in this for the long-haul now….heck, she’d seen this group pretty much mow over her previous partners. Maybe this would be no different?<br/><br/>Taking a deep breath, Laebras slowly – ever so slowly – pulls on the door-ring, creeping it open just a crack - enough to peek inside….<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Anyone who wishes to can pretty easily peek through the little hole in the door, no check required for move silently or spot.</div></div></div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> Beyond the door… </span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Peering through the little crack in the door, it’s immediately apparent that the room beyond is enormous – easily two hundred feet wide, and at least that in length, if not more. Enormous, four-feet-thick pillars ring the room, supporting a domed ceiling twenty to thirty feet high, each support ringed with everburning torches that clearly illuminate the entire room. Along the walls, statues of the ancient gods stare unblinking towards the center of the room…where the ritual is seemingly taking place.<br/><br/>About a hundred and ten feet in stands a small pedestal, about four feet tall and two wide, with a small glowing sphere upon it. Ringing it stands eight individuals, all declothed, and of varying sizes and shapes – half male, half female. It was difficult to see their races from such a distance, but their sizes range from hardly four feet tall, to over ten for the largest. They all stand unmoving, staring blankly at the glowing orb, thin tendrils of grayish light flowing from their bodies into the small ,glowing ball of light.<br/><br/>What is not difficult to see, however, is the Succubus as she moves amongst them, trailed by a half-dozen smaller demons – Imps, by the look of it “Perfect…not much longer now. Klein? Do be a dear – fetch my knife and that tiny pouch of supplies, would you?”<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/succubusceremony_zpsfc313dbc.png.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/succubusceremony_zpsfc313dbc.png"/></a> Tilisian – Artist unknown<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/wolfwarrior_zps5662ffc5.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/wolfwarrior_zps5662ffc5.jpg"/></a> Klein – Artist unknown<br/><br/>It was not the Succubus that really drew attention however – it was the enormous fox that she spoke to. He wore very little in the way of armor, but looked incredibly fit. The way he moved, even while walking, looked so calculated, so precise….he seemed confident in every single step. There was just something about him, even at this distance…that just screamed ‘dangerous’.<br/><br/>“Uhhh, yeah, sure. Oy, y’know, I REALLY don’t like this whole…ritual thing. This wasn’t part of the deal…at least, not  *THIS*. I really-“ Tilisian lifted a hand, halting the fox mid-sentence “You’re getting paid for this, sweetie…you don’t want to end up like the snake girl, right? You saw what happened when she didn’t follow orders…”<br/><br/>Seemingly perturbed even further, the fox nonetheless shrugs and shoulders and heads off to the side behind a pillar, likely looking for whatever equipment the succubus had requested.<br/><br/>Apparently, SOMETHING had happened to the snake-girl that Gallen had mentioned….but what?<br/><br/>Standing just behind the ring of seemingly dazed sacrifices, a strange-looking feline girl can be seen. It’s difficult to make out any details about her, beyond the creamy coloration of her fur. She seemed to wear no real armor, and had no visible weapons….but, every few seconds she does take a quick glance towards the door, as if even cracking it drew her attention. However, she never raises the alarm – it’s hard to tell if she actually saw the door opening a crack, or if her nerves are simply growing more and more tense as the ritual progresses.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/recruit4.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/recruit4.jpg"/></a> Atoli – Art by Jesonite<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/1363980812866_zps6b6b81c0.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/1363980812866_zps6b6b81c0.jpg"/></a> Imp 1<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/1230100090464_zps94254d7d.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/1230100090464_zps94254d7d.jpg"/></a>  Imp 2<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/1365956532171_zps2fe08f94.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/1365956532171_zps2fe08f94.jpg"/></a> Imp 3<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/1367364738572_zps25786cbc.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/1367364738572_zps25786cbc.jpg"/></a> Imp 4<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/impgal_zpseb5c42f5.jpg.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/impgal_zpseb5c42f5.jpg"/></a> Imp 5<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://s117.photobucket.com/user/Kitsunea/media/ScaliegirlforKristen_zps1ff096ed.png.html"><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/ScaliegirlforKristen_zps1ff096ed.png"/></a> Imp 6<br/><br/>Turning back to the group, Laebras whispers under her breath “Well, they…don’t expect us yet. What’s the game plan? Are we just going to rush in there and smash heads, or…does anyone else have a better idea…? I dunno if we can all sneak in without alerting…well, all of them…”</div></div></div>