Zorlon - Bashkher

[Malchik]

The next room is a replica of the one they were in - or almost. It is, of course even darker. The trapped air is stiflingly hot but Top's teeth are chattering despite Auriel's administrations. A flash of light causes Tikita to move towards one of the side walls. Although it is hard to tell, it seems that the walls were once mirrored. Indeed Tikita, Auriel and Dion have a sensation that they are being examined. Top has no such sensation. He just finds the increasingly cold air disturbing.

 

Tikita, rubbing her eyes for no apparent reason, finds that she is actually able to see without light. This has never happened to her before but she can suddenly make out that the room is empty and there is as before a door at the far side. This has to open onto the octagonal room.

 

Auriel, less bothered by the heat than the others, is more concerned by the sensation of being observed.

 

And yet there is no obvious threat.

[Emry]

Tikita looks around and marvels at her newfound ability. "This will be very helpful, I think."

 

Looking back to the others she says "There is another door over here; I can see it. I'm going to see what's in the octagonal room." She heads towards the door.

[Kethruch]

Auriel stays close to Top, worried about his friend. "Mr. Top? Here, take my shirt if you are cold." He takes off his child - sized shirt and holds it up to Top. "Maybe it's your clothes that aren't quite right."

 

He looks around the room, trying to see anything in the dark. He begins mumbling a saying he made up when he wanted the townspeople to go away.

 

Watcher watcher in the night

Save me from your piercing sight

Though your eyes can clearly see

They look around and don't see me

Watcher watcher in the night

No longer am I in your sight.

 

He continues mumbling as he stumbles around, leading Top to he knows not where.

[Emry]

Tikita looks back to the rest of the group. "Auriel, Top, Dion? Do you need help? The door is right over here...." she asks.

[Greywolf]

Dion had been silent, the feeling of someone watching them was spreading. At least, by Auriel's comments. The air was also stifling hot, not that he minded too much ... but even a fire inclined person has his limits. He looked at Top concerned.

 

"Perhaps Top, you could return outside and explore the exterior, we only briefly glanced at it. It seems peculiar that you are cold while myself and Tikita are hot." He followed the voice of Tikita towards the door. He wondered if he could use this heat to their advantage should any ... watchers ... show up.

[Peregrine]

Top shivers a bit as he pulls his jacket tighter around himself. "You're probably right. Besides, as incomplete as this temple is, the real significant spot might not have anything to do with this building anyway." Top starts walking back toward the enterance, right hand drifiting half consciously to his sword handle. The warmer air outside will be a welcome change... and for more than just personal comfort. In the unnatural cold of the inside, he has no faith in his ability to help his companions. He doesn't fear so much for his own safety, but for the harm that could come to them if they trust his restricted ability.

[Malchik]

Tikita opens the door onto the octagonal room. Immediately the light improves in the room where Auriel and Dion are standing. The temperature appears to be normal. It is as if cool air flowed through the building. For Top it feels as if the temperature has risen.

 

In spite of the apparent return to normality the air feels thick. The sensation of being watched disappears in the octagonal room. At first sight Tikita cannot make out what the room is. It seems only to be a wide corridor. The stone floor has several raised plinths at regular intervals. They may once have held statues but there is nothing there now.

 

As she follows the corridor round she finds a door to what must be small room contained in the ocatagon within the octagon. She also discovers a large stone with a metal ring set into the floor.

 

She stares more closely at the door. A handwritten folded note has been pinned to it. Taking the note she reads.

 

"Four. It only happens when there are four. But still, I can't go on...."

[Emry]

"Top, hold on a moment. I found this note. Do you think it might be a clue?"

 

She walks back to the others to show them the note. "I also what might be another door leading downward through the floor in the octagonal room." She describes what she saw in the other room and then looks anxiously at the note and then back to others.

 

"I think that it might be better if we stayed together. Safety in numbers and all that. Are you feeling better... less cold.... now, Top? I'd really feel better if you helped us check out what was down there. " From the tone in her voice you could tell that she had made up her mind to go down further into the temple.

[Greywolf]

Dion was interested in the second door, Tikita was talking to Top anyway. He goes to open it intent on finding out what is at the center of this temple. Almost compelled to open it ... curiousity.

[Malchik]

As the door opens all four of you feel as if you have been called. Dion peers in. The space is small and made smaller being largely filled by four plinths. The one nearest the door is empty but the other three have life sized statues. The odd thing about them is that they are glowing.

 

At the back is a statue of a handsome youth in armour. It glows with a rich golden colour. He could almost be a Shallaran, like Dion.

 

To the left a tall figure heavily cloaked to cover all features is glowing a dull purplish green, not unlike the colour of turnips.

 

To the right the statue is of a girl in a very elaborate costume. The glow here is a dull russet-brown, the colour of Auriel's father's robe.

 

It would just be possible to squeeze the party inside but each would be obliged to stand in front of one of the statues.