[RPG] Sword and Sorcery Play-by-Post

[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, you climb the stairwell, your feet making uncomfortable clicks as your talons tap against the reinforced metal floor. At the SECOND level and THIRD level you find doors leading out of the brewery. There is also a VALVE HANDLE that appears to have fallen away from the stills. One of the birds turns away from its work and looks at you. It cringes, recoiling, and flies as far away as it can. The other birds similarly abandon their posts. What is it about you that fills them with such aversion? The little fire inside of you cries out, as if it wants to embrace them in its flames.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, as you enter the AVIARY you see SANCIREPH press a button at the base of the lizard statue. He slowly descends into the floor as if by lift, which closes behind him as he disappears. Panicked you tap the button a few times, but it seems to be frozen while the mechanism does its work. You hurry to the second floor to look for another way to control the device, but instead find a GRAPPLING HOOK left by the woman who attacked you earlier.
The other two statues have buttons of their own at the base. Alternatively, you could take the stairs down into the CELLAR to see if you can spot your companion as he descends.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, as you press the button at the base of the lizard a sense of rightness washes over you. Of course! The dragon's soul is flame, so it shapes everything around it. That statue was the one triggering the changes in the shadows of the other two. The floor beneath you begins to descend at a comfortable pace; you believe you've found a secret passage and your suspicions are soon confirmed.
You find yourself high above a SEA OF GOLD! This room is enormous, a great cube roughly fifty yards on each axis, filled halfway with wonderful piles of glittering gold. You are roughly ten yards above this sea, looking down at a full-sized WARSHIP sailing in circles on the riches. Wait, can ships sail on solid metal? Given the mansion wizard's taste for the extravagant, you feel there is some manner of magic at work here.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, Toma explains that Telivar had a personal clash with a dragon when it attacked the mansion a few weeks ago, and ever since he hasn't left the study, instead operating via proxy with the rats and the crows.
"He drove the beast off but was injured during the fight, so he couldn't kill it. He wouldn't even let me treat the wound. I'm worried, but he says I should focus on my studies. He says it's HIS job to be worried."
He places his hand ponderously upon his chin.
"He usually has adventurers working as contractors for him; collecting scrapings of magic artifacts. But given his recent state of mind, perhaps he does intend for you to fight the dragon."
You mention the scuffle in the pumpkin patch.
"Master Telivar only uses LYCAON magic on people he finds too troublesome to bargain with. If you're polite, you should be fine. You've already impressed him if he gave you an invitation to his study."
You ask how to reach the study.
"Well, the safe way is through the WINE CELLAR, but you won't be able to find the entrance without my help. Otherwise, there's the secret lift in the AVIARY, it leads right to his study."
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Reven, the rat palms his forehead with his paw a few times, shakes his head, and then begins speaking again. The slurs of alcohol are purged from his voice this time.
"True, I do facilitate the function of much of this mansion with various magical incantations and the brewery is among such manipulation. It is one of my key sources of revenue, outside selling my services to the odd bored noble. It is a spectacle if you care to observe such things; a perfect infusion of wizardry and science."
He shakes is head.
"In response to your other question, no, the woman is not familiar to me. Another poor soul plagued by greed, seeking her prize from my coffers. She will suffer the consequences as any other thief does; I have CURSED THE GOLD to punish those who take it unlawfully. I suspect this is why those other adventurers are here; I lost a sizable pile a few nights ago and this is likely the fallout of that curse. Rest assured, though, that though my mansion is a fortress to the malcontent it will welcome all who come with open arms. The adventure in which you are now ensnared is not here."
He takes a swig from the bottle on the counter.
"I had a brush with a dragon a few weeks ago. The thing has left me with more wounds than I care to admit. Worse, signs of its corruption have been burning their way into my magic. It has opened my eyes to a startling truth and I am terrified. If it is adventure you seek, then I would happily feed it down your blade to that wretched lizard's heart. But such matters are better discussed in person. My study can be found through the CELLAR; twist the spigot on the CASK that houses no wine and you will find the way forward."
What do you do?

I look out over this strange scene with suspicion, sensing that this may be some sort of illusion. The piles of riches hold no interest for me--if I am to become wealthy, it will be from my own work, not stealing it from another. The ship in particular has me baffled--how does it sail here underground with no wind? As the lift descends, I keep my senses attuned for any telltale signs that this might not be as it seems.

I give into the will of the fire and scorch several of the birds, before heading through the door on the second level. I am alarmed by the behavior of the birds, so I keep on alert for anything suspicious.

I pocket the grappling hook, thinking it could come in handy. I decide it best to leave the other statues alone and instead decide to descend into the cellar, all the time careful of any trouble I may find. At this time, my highest priority is my comrade's whereabouts and safety.

I thank Toma for his help and ask how to get through the wine cellar to the study. I'd like to find out the wizard's intentions as soon as possible, and let the others know what I learned. I also tell Toma that I look forward to reading his thesis when it is finished. I looked to be a very interesting theory.

(With my main computer out of order at the moment and with other things conflicting with the schedule, I had to postpone Tuesday's update to today. I am also going to refrain from giving SUCCESSOR's update until he has had a chance to respond, as he's had a rough week and I do not want to put any more on his plate).
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[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, you hear a GREAT EXPLOSION from somewhere above you. In fact, the shockwave of the blast disturbs your center of balance and you fall, landing on your back on the deck of the ship. It certainly looks real enough from this vantage.
Looking over the side, you see that the ship is moving not by the force of wind, but rather by a current in the gold. Perhaps the gold itself is an illusion, or it has been subjected to some manner of magic to make it FLOW LIKE WATER. This seems likely as the gold in the tavern was also enchanted and no doubt came from here. Still, you do not feel the aggression that plagued that wealth; either this is a different stash or there is some trigger that makes the gold 'attack'.
There's a door to the CAPTAIN'S CABIN as well as two leading down into the depths of the ship.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, you surrender to the WILL OF THE FLAME and spew an inferno upon the fowl workforce. They scatter, their feathers scattering as they are swallowed by the fury of combustion. These flutter gently onto the machinery of the brewery, burning through essential components and then, finally, upon contact with the brew, exploding like rockets and tearing the room to pieces. You survive the blast by taking shelter beyond the door in a HALL OF MIRRORS. When you look again, the brewery is nothing more than a smoking crater leading down into the caves below. Is this what the fire wanted? You hear a voice in the back of your head:
"Yes, yes, drive the spike of fire into the heart of the fortress and tear forth the sweet nectar of gold contained within."
What is this VOICE? It seems familiar but at the same time foreign, as if it is an alien entity forcing its way into your mind.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, as you descend into the cellar the ground shakes as a GREAT EXPLOSION sets the building quaking. Several stones fall from the ceiling but you are able to avoid them. The lady burglar from before, however, was not. You find her unconscious in front of a great CASK OF WINE; it appear during the aftershock a stone came loose and struck her on the head.
There are an incredible number of wine casks here, and the one she's collapsed in front would appear to be nothing special save the fact that she was investigating it before she was knocked out cold. You can see ahead of you a series of JAIL CELLS, abandoned and in terrible disrepair, with one even missing its door. There is a hall of them stretching in either direction.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, Toma tells you there is a WINE CASK that isn't a cask at all. It's along the SOUTH WALL and if you try to tap it you will find that it is empty. Instead, turn the spigot like a handle and the front of the cask will open, revealing a STAIRWELL leading down to the Master's Study. There is one more hazard, however: The Master's gold is enchanted with TOON magic; it flows like water and nobody but a CRAZY DUCK could possibly swim across it (everyone else sinks). He tells you to be sure to use one of the SHORE BOATS that should be docked at the gold's edge and NOT TO LEAVE THE BOAT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Toma thanks you for your interest and modestly states that he'll need more evidence before he can defend it to the panel.
As you step back into the lobby, you hear a TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION from the door on your RIGHT. The entire mansion shakes, and you are forced to dive to safety when one of the chandeliers falls from the ceiling. Toma bursts out of the library, panicked, and then departs through the door on the right, looking for the source of the blast.
What do you do?

I turn away from the destruction that I have just wrought. As I gaze upon my many reflections, memories of a deep torment flood my mind. This moment fills my being with rage. I have become what I once sought to defeat. Out of no desire for strategy, merely out of disgust, I begin smashing the mirrors with my lance, intent on removing myself from my vision. When there is no mirror left, I close my eyes and reflect upon the voice. Though I feel it is the source of my fury, it gives me direction. I continue onward in search of an exit, lighting the way with a small flame if needed. I take heed of the egg which I seek to protect. Its safety shall always come first.

Taking a closer look at the sea of gold, I decide it would be unwise to abandon ship. There might be clues or answers to the many questions in my head in the captain's cabin, so that will be my first destination. I keep my senses alert as I head in that direction, one of my blades in hand as I try the handle of the door.

In an ironic twist of fate, I use the lady burglar's own grappling hook (which I acquired earlier) to bind her and prevent her from getting into more trouble. Once I'm done with that, I plan to put her into one of the abandoned cells that has the closest to a functioning lock. I then search the casket of wine for anything of significance, even the tiniest detail.

WTF? I swear to god I posted just before the fire. Grrr... Or I typed it all up on my phone and forgot to push submit. (Wouldn't be the first time.) Let me reacquaint myself with whats going on.

Picking myself up off the floor of the lobby, I realize that I have no idea where the wine cellar is or how to get to it. I hadn't asked about that part. I'd prefer to go straight to the wizard at this point, but with no clear direction of where to go, I decide to follow Toma into the room where the blast came from. I may be able to assist with whatever crisis has occurred. From a hidden pocket of my cloak, I pull out some paper pieces that have been folded into star shapes and marked with runes of sharpness, making them deadly when spinning.

I explain to the rat I have little interest in adventure. There is little he could offer me to warrant slaying a dragon and I have no interest or means of carrying piles of gold. If I were to go to his study it would be for the company and conversation. Not many chances to engage a scientific mind in the life of a wanderer.

(sorry if i miss anymore there is a lot to do yet)

[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, you smash every mirror that you can find. Suddenly, you notice a RAT is watching you with great intent. When you lock eyes with him, he roars.
"YOU MONSTER!" the little thing shouts as he takes a bipedal pose and begins to gesture with his front paws. A magical symbol etches itself in the air in front of this little vermin, and from it spews forth a deluge of river water, jetting straight for you.
The egg on your back twitches slightly.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, you open the door to the captain's cabin. Inside, you find a desk, a stack of papers, and a husky man in a recliner, facing away from you. He's looking into some kind of ellipsoid CRYSTAL BALL. From your vantage you can see a picture-in-picture display of THE CLOAKED MAN FROM THE LOBBY in some kind of tavern, ZATAKA in a WINE CELLAR with that LADY BURGLAR from before, MALICHOR in an ORCHARD with a young wizard, and a SPEAR-TOTING LIZARDMAN smashing mirrors in a dark hall. He is making subtle gestures with his hands and mumbling as he watches, almost as if in a daze.
It would appear that you've located TELIVAR'S STUDY.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you bind the BURGLAR WOMAN and place her in one of the cells. The lock is flimsy, but it is the strongest you were able to locate. Confident she will be detained until you finish your business, you then return to the cask she was investigating.
It's against the wall, but there doesn't seem to be anything significant about it. You decide to help yourself to the contents, so you grab a nearby FLAGON and tap the cask. Nothing. It appears to be empty.
You stop to ponder, and that's when you notice the breeze. It's coming from behind the cask.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you follow TOMA through the door, coming upon an ORCHARD contained within a COURTYARD. He doesn't notice you. Instead, he runs out of the ORCHARD through a door on the other side. You follow. The two of you come to a door that has been blasted open. Beyond is a crater and a clear view to the PUMPKIN PATCH.
Toma turns back and bumps into you.
"Oh, I'm dreadfully sorry, but I must go to the library and prepare a damage invoice. Master will want to know how much gold repairs will take."
You ask why he doesn't seem concerned that the mansion is under attack.
"Defense is not my responsibility. Besides, I'm sure master Telivar has thought up a suitable response already. He will be quite cross if I don't prepare these numbers quickly, though."
You ask where the Wine Cellar is.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting that people are not familiar with the layout of this place. You can find the wine cellar by taking the stairs down in the AVIARY or the TAVERN. The TAVERN is right over there, actually."
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Reven, you tell the rat that an adventure of dragonslaying would not suit you.
"Well, good company is good company regardless, and perhaps there is another task I could pay you for... if not in gold then perhaps in fine spirits. Such is a matter to be discussed in person, however."
Before the conversation can continue, the shockwave of an enormous explosion shakes the room.
"What was that?! What if it's back! Oh ****!"
The rat possessed by Telivar looks around frantically, as if it is looking through a different set of eyes.
"No, not a dragon. One of its lackeys. Dragoon. I have to take care of this."
The rat goes limp. You lean in closer and it awakens, squeaks, and flees to a hole in the wall. You assume the wizard has relinquished possession of its body.
With your conversation partner gone, you decide to make your way to the study to continue the conversation in person (Only a soldier runs TOWARDS an explosion, after all). Taking the stairs down as far as you can go, you find yourself in the WINE CELLAR.
You see the SOLDIER from the LOBBY tying up some woman in front of a wine cask. You hide around the corner and wait for him to depart. When he's gone, you approach the cask. As you suspected, it is the empty cask, so you turn the spigot and the thing opens like a door.
Passing through, you shut the opening behind you. Walking down a long stairway, you come across a gigantic room, roughly fifty yards on each side, with a SEA OF GOLD filling it roughly halfway. There is a WARSHIP sailing in the distance and four SHORE BOATS docked at a pier near where you are standing.
What do you do?

I catapult off of my spear towards the ceiling and cling to it tightly, hoping to avoid the deluge. If I am successful, I make an attempt to flee the area; This rat is a force to be reckoned with.

I examine the wine cask again, this time fiddling with every possible thing I can to discover what mysteries it hides. I stay cautious however in the case of a trap.

I keep my katana drawn but down. I take a step forward and say, "Expecting more company? My friends may be otherwise occupied, so we can start without them." When he turns to face me, I pull the wraithwood root from my pack and toss it to the floor in front of him. "First, we shall discuss this."

I am somewhat baffled by Toma's reaction. Does this sort of thing happen so often that the biggest concern is the cost? I stand and take in the scene of the crater and the blast as I put my stars away. Once Toma has left, I make my way to the Tavern.

[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, you spike your spear into the ceiling and cling tight, narrowly evading the deluge. As the water clears, you see the rat flailing its paws in concentric circles, gathering the shattered MIRROR GLASS in a terrifying BALL OF DOOM. You flee through a door as the rat launches it.
You are in a LIBRARY. The place is huge, four stories tall to be precise with books up the walls. A young man is sitting at a desk one floor down, frantically scribbling numbers on a roll of parchment. There are stairs going up and down, as well as a door to your RIGHT.
The egg on your back twitches slightly.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, you fiddle with the cask, first pushing against the edges. You find that it is hinged on the right, set up to swing in. Figuring it is a door, you look for something that would function as a knob and quickly settle on the spigot. Indeed, as you turn it the face of the cask swings open. Passing through, you find a long staircase leading down. Following it, you come across a glittering SEA OF GOLD COINS as you enter a room roughly fifty yards on each side. There is a WARSHIP in the distance sailing in circles, and there are four SHORE BOATS docked near where you are standing.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, for a moment it seems as if the wizard has not heard you. However, he flinches upon realizing he has company and leans over slightly in his recliner. Turning his head, he looks at you and then to the object on the floor.
"Oh, you're that elf fellow that was in the Pumpkin Patch earlier. So you're here about my offer then? What's that you want to discuss?"
You explain rather forcefully that you found this specimen in HIS greenhouse.
Squinting, he paws around his desk with his left hand. You raise your katana expecting an attack, but instead he grabs a pair of reading glasses and raises them to his eyes.
"Well then, that appears to be the root ball of Toma's Wraithwood tree. My but he will be disappointed."
You pound your fists on the table demanding an explanation.
"The boy is working on his magister's thesis. This specimen was one of his experiments. He's no doubt cataloged the data by now, but I believe he was going to use the tree as part of his defense. He'll have to start over now."
You vehemently demand to know where the Aasimar victim is being held.
"He didn't use one, he used his own blood."
This doesn't sound right. You did not sense an Aasimar presence when you entered the mansion. But it doesn't seem like Telivar is lying.
"His thesis is aiming to redefine the way we look at magic. Though personally, given my own recent close encounter, the results of his studies seem almost textbook. Anyway, that's his work, you'll want to talk to him. I think I scried him in the LIBRARY."
He shrugs.
"Still, before you leave, would you care to discuss my BUSINESS PROPOSITION?"
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, taking in the grave crater with one last glance, you acknowledge that a mansion like this is an attractive nuisance for any manner of adventurer, so you assume damage and calculated repairs would be common. However, devastation of this magnitude seems a bit extreme to be blase' about. Perhaps it is a matter to be discussed with the manor's lord?
You go into the tavern. The place is eerily quiet. There are tables on this level and a bartender's island in the center of the room. You take the stairs up to catch a quick gander at the other levels. On the second floor there is a table of BILLARDS. It has been recently used. Additionally, there is a great WALL OF SPIRITS and a traditional bar counter. Two glasses and a bottle of wine sit on the counter; the bottle is still open. A dumbwaiter is on this level; flour has been spilled within and there are rat footprints patterned in the dust.
Going to the third floor, you find a series of small rooms, each with a bed. Somewhere for patrons to crash after a night of partying?
Heading all the way down the staircase, you find an oaken door. Opening it leads you to the WINE CELLAR.
What do you do?

I concentrate with my senses, trying to detect any sign of an aasimar presence. Even if he could mask it from being detected by other beings, that would not hide him from another aasimar. Unless he is actually a tiefling instead...they too could use their blood to grow wraithwood, but I would not sense a tiefling's presence. Meanwhile, I question this wizard about his business proposal.

I remember the command of the voice, to find the gold hidden beneath the mansion. This man is concerned with numbers, finances. He should know the whereabouts of what I am searching for. I sneak up on him to hold him up for the location of the gold. I have the drop on him; if he attempts to flee or attacks me, I am prepared to take him down.

I carefully get into one of the boats and, with even greater care, attempt to row to the warship. I attempt to time my approach to prevent capsizing. This gold may look solid, but my battle-trained senses tell me that a fall into it would be the last mistake I make.

The tavern certainly looks built and stocked to accommodate a large number of people. I'm curious as to how often the mansion has invited guests and parties. Suspecting the open bottle of wine was used recently, I prepare to encounter another adventurer as I enter the Wine Cellar.

[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, you try again to sense Aasimar blood off the wizard or another inhabitant of the mansion, but find nothing. From what you can see of the mansion lord there is no evidence of infernal blood on his physical presence, nor does he have the air of a pact beneficiary. He is, however, concealing his right arm. You ask about the business proposal.
"Well, it's actually TWO proposals, one in the short term and one in the long term. I'll start with the short term. My home was recently assaulted by a dragon."
A pneumatic tube descends from the ceiling and from it erupts a small scrap of paper.
"Ah, damage reports for the brewery. Hmm... we're going to need a quarry."
You look at him, confused.
"Sorry, this will only take a moment."
The ship lurches to the left and then settles into calm sailing once more.
"Right then, that takes care of that. They'll begin repairs in the morning."
He quickly scribbles something on a scroll of paper, sends it back through the tube, and then it vanishes again into the ceiling.
"Anyway, long story short I need somebody to kill the dragon and bring me samples from its body. Scales, fangs, bones, whatever you can pry off the thing. I'll pay double if you can bring me the whole body intact. Though I suppose before I offer such a bonus I should ask you to name your price."
What do you do?

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[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, you grab the young man by his throat and hoist him up into the air. Strangely, the look of fear on his face (an expected reaction) quickly turns to excitement as he assesses you with his eyes. You correct his reaction with a few forceful lashes of your tail. You begin to speak. It is difficult at first; the words are familiar but you can't comprehend how to shape them with your mouth. 'The Gold' you say in a forceful, intimidating hiss.
He tries to speak, but your claw is on his throat and all that emerges is a gasp. You drop him.
"My goodness, look at you! An honest-to-goodness dragon corrupted dragoon!"
He seems to be analyzing you as if he is trying to catalog your characteristics.
"Would you mind terribly if I harvested a few samples? Some scales, a tooth, what have you? I'm sure they'll grow back".
You once again remind him: 'The Gold'.
"Bit of a one-track mind on you. Let's have a gander, shall we?"
He locks eyes with you. By instinct you interpret this as an aggressive act, and so lunge forward to bite. But he has already recoiled and he is visibly shaking.
"I... I..."
Once more you remind him: 'The Gold'.
"Yes, yes, the gold. Please, follow me."
He leaves the room through the door on this floor. What do you do?

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[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, indeed the gold appears solid when you examine it, as it should. However, the oars of the shore boat pass through it as if it were water or, perhaps more appropriately, molasses. As you row towards the boat you are startled by a spontaneously forming maelstrom near its port stern. What could only be described as a HOLE draws in floods of the gold and your boat with it. Then, just as spontaneously as it had begun, the maelstrom ceased. You and your ship are in position at the port side of the boat, but there is no crew to hoist you aboard.
Unfortunately you parted with the GRAPPLING HOOK. Still, there are CANNONS on this side of the ship, so you decide to climb in there.
It's DARK. There is a painting of a BOAT on the wall, barrels of GUNPOWDER in a room to your left, and a LOCKED DOOR to your right. You have a general sense of unease standing in here. Is it the rocking of the boat? Or something worse?
What do you do?

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[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you enter the WINE CELLAR expecting to encounter another adventurer, and indeed you do. As you step into the area you see a series of OUBLIETTES in a row, and one of them houses an unconscious WOMAN tied up with some kind of grappling hook. In the wine cellar itself there is a single cask with its face open, revealing a stairway leading DOWN. Clearly someone has been here first.
The woman is human: a brunette wearing mostly black clothing. Her hair is badly tangled to the right, indicating she is left-handed. She has a CROSSBOW on her belt. You do not detect any magic on the woman. Some kind of strike to the head knocked her unconscious. You wonder if she in danger of expiring from the complications of a concussion. Who tied her up?
And more importantly, what do you do?

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[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Reven, hearing footsteps you shelter yourself with your cloak, pretending to be a pile of rags. The SOLDIER from the LOBBY walks past you, boarding one of the shore boats and rowing his way to the WARSHIP in the distance. He does not notice you as he goes past. During his approach you notice a portal of DARKSPACE open in the gold, drawing in an incalculable sum of coins and then spontaneously closing again. During this even you also notice that the gold seems to be flowing as a liquid, rather than the solid it should. You confirm your suspicions by reaching into the gold; it runs through your fingers. Grabbing a nearby bucket you dunk it into the gold and pour it out on the dock. Odd... on the dock it behaves as a solid, and the metal was able to interact with it correctly. A limitation of the magic, perhaps? The lord of the mansion made no mention of this when he invited you down here; was it simply an oversight or did he want you to observe his power firsthand? Or is this some kind of test? A matter to be discussed in person indeed.
What do you do?

Taking in my surroundings, I formulate several scenarios of what I could do, and decide to start by examining the painting of the boat in detail before turning my attention to the locked door. Knowing how dangerous gunpowder is, I decide to leave it be for the time being.

Wary that he might be leading me into a trap or ambush, I follow him cautiously with my spear drawn. I have a feeling that I just need to get eyes on the gold and I will satisfy the voice.

"My price for slaying a dragon? How much do you suppose a life is worth these days? I don't know if I should be flattered that you think so highly of my abilities, or insulted that you would send me to my death." Then I step forward, raising my sword a bit. "Now, tell me of this Toma. He is no aasimar; how does he grow wraithwood?"

I check the room for any clues to the struggle involving the woman, to try to discover if she is friendly or a threat. She may be tied up as a result of encountering one of the other adventurers I came in with, or it could be another reason entirely. Didn't the Soldier have a grappling hook he tried to use at the front door? I will check her wound to make sure it isn't life threatening. If it is, I will attempt to stabilize her so she won't die. If not, or when I'm done, I continue through the wine cask and down the stairs.

[MENTION=38704]mrz84[/MENTION]
Zataka, inspecting the painting you notice that it is a landscape interpretation of the very ship you are currently occupying. As you look closely, a door on the painting seems out of place. Running your finger down the canvas you find a key has been painted into position and you tear it free. You put the key in the lock and turn it.
Making your way to the DECK, you see a cabin door which subsequently shakes as if struck by a heavy object. You can hear voices inside.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=39056]bigjoe[/MENTION]
Jerias, as you follow the young man into the lobby he turns on his heel. Flailing his hands, he animates the CURTAINS and ensnares you. You burn them and stab him with your spear, striking him in the shin. He screams, flailing as the fire-wreathed fabric dances across the lobby. Frantically forming a ball of light in his hands the stuck wizard tries to fling it at you, but you grab him and redirect his blast downward, opening a gaping hole in the floor. You see a WINE CELLAR below and, more importantly, below that is a SEA OF GOLD.
What do you do?

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[MENTION=60919]TheDarkOne[/MENTION]
Sancireph, the hedge wizard glares at you.
"Put that away. I told you he's redefining how we think about magic. Clearly he found a workaround."
As his eyes lock on yours, his right eye flashes orange, the pupil contracting into an... obelus? Division sign eyes, weird. Within a moment it reverts to a milky blue.
"Honestly yes, dragonslaying is a risk and you are expendable. But I wouldn't just fling you into a conflict you don't believe in. That's what gold is for, and clearly you can't be bought."
You swipe your sword at him but he catches it with his right hand. Or rather his right claw.
"But if I can't bribe you into helping me, perhaps I can scare you. This is dragon corruption, and this is just the tip of the iceberg."
He flings you against the cabin door.
What do you do?

============

[MENTION=38796]Xyvol[/MENTION]
Malichor, you don't see any evidence of a struggle, but you do see scuffs on her clothes. She's been dragged here. Checking her eyes you find that she is responding correctly to light; she doesn't appear to have a concussion. Assuming she is a prisoner of the soldier, you leave her constrained. As you head for the cask, a TERRIBLE ORB OF LIGHT blasts through the ceiling and--subsequently--the floor. Looking up, you see a LIZARDMAN glaring down the hole. Looking down, you see a glorious OCEAN OF GOLD.
What do you do?

============

[MENTION=38528]SUCCESSOR[/MENTION]
Reven, a TERRIBLE ORB OF LIGHT blasts through the ceiling of the grand room you now occupy, crashing into the gold with a splash.
What do you do?

I hasten to the door and attempt to enter it. If a conflict is at hand, perhaps I can put a stop to it with words. Otherwise I'll be forced to use my greatsword, with a fire enchantment ready to cast on it.

My natural elven sense of balance allows me to right myself as I am flung towards the door. I glare at the wizard, daring him silently to attempt anything, but he stares calmly back. I consider attacking, but not knowing what other effects his "dragon corruption" might have on him, I think better of the notion and sheath my weapon. "You are correct, I cannot be bought. As for your 'conidtion,' that is your problem and not mine, therefore I leave you to it. I do not believe we have anything left to discuss, and so good day to you." I turn and reach for the door handle, but keep my senses attuned to defend against anything he might send at me from behind.