"Let's try going down," Arturon added. "So we at least know what we're up for the next time we delve."<br/><br/>"Indeed!" Edgar squawked. "I'll fly a safe distance above while you descend."<br/><br/>"How brave of you," Carson responded.<br/><br/>"Hey, he just wants to fly back for help just in case!" Lillin said as she flicked Carson's head. "Who's a good raven? Yes you are!"<br/><br/>Nobody else in the team gave any counter-argument to Kleris' decision to push onwards. With a squeaking halt the elevator sprung to life, moving slowly in janky bursts at first but gradually coming to a consistent speed.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Basement Level 2</span></span><br/><br/>(https://i.imgur.com/5SgNfAO.jpg)</div><br/>Scene Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHVdMQqzgwM)<br/><br/>It took around a minute for the elevator to descend, and along the way the dark foundations of stone took on luminescent hues as more and more crystals dotted the walls. When it came to rest, the student delvers came face to face with a large cavern. A giant crystalline pillar lined with chains shone dimly in the center, with smoke rising up around it. Some of these smoke shapes briefly took on humanoid forms before fading into the ether.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Detect Magic</div><div class="spoiler_body">The pillar radiates strong auras of abjuration and evocation. No hint of necromancy or conjuration, so souls and summoning are likely not involved.</div></div><br/>"What is that?" Zull asked in the lowest whisper she could muster.<br/><br/>"Even if it's not a trap it could be dangerous," Carson said. "Lillin, use an unseen servant and rope to measure the pillar's surroundings in a 120 foot radius. Any spell longer-range than that can reach the ends of the cavern, so distance won't be a factor if we do end up triggering something."<br/><br/>Instead of arguing for once, the tiefling fed a spool of rope with knots tied in 10 foot intervals into the air, being pulled across the distance like a tiny bridge. All the while the pillar still glowed, the pseudo-spirits still forming and unforming oblivious to the groups' presence. A tunnel opening on the eastern side of the cavern, from which more crystalline light shone, was the only obvious exit.<br/><br/>"We should perform more tests on this pillar before going further," Rensha said. "But that may drain our spells and cost time."<br/><br/>"I have an idea!" Andrei piped up. "Why don't we visit the cave from time to time in small groups, preparing new spells to try out every day and compile our findings? That way we can find out more about this crystal while not having to worry about running out of supplies."<br/><br/>"That's a good idea," Arturon answered. "We don't want to go on in and have something happen."<br/><br/><em>Depending on Kleris' actions I have not made a map for this level just yet. I presume that the group will stop now, but if you wish to continue delving we can segue it off into a split-post.</em>