Casa d’Aurelion

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

“We have to keep going. I think it opens to the sea...or something near it.” She tried to see if the air moved as all as they moved forward.

[The Forgotten God]

They make it around the corner and there’s a ladder not far down the way leading up into another building, dead-ending at another trapdoor that’s closed. The tunnel also goes father on where it would lead to the water at some point. There’s a dim candle far down the hall and they see a faintly humanoid figure silhouetted against the dull glow. It is larger than them but any other details are impossible to make out at this distance.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Justine stopped dead at the ladder. “Do you see that, Silvia?” she asked, voice shaking a little. Just because she had been in an asylum and through most of the rougher parts of Innuria did t mean she wasn’t frightened of the inexplicable. “I think it might be time to go back up.”

She started climbing the ladder shakily, trying to keep an eye on whatever it was as she ascended

[The Forgotten God]

The ladder clattered as she climbed, the rickety handholds quivering under her movements. She makes it to the top in just a few seconds, the trapdoor weighed down by something probably Like the other entrance has been. She’ll need to shove with all her might to lift it and get through. The shadowy form in the distance doesn’t ever seem to visibly move but the women can’t escape the thought it seems a bit closer every time they blink.

[Silvia Raizer]

Silvia stood below the ladder, standing close to the wall and remaining still in the hope that the shadowy figure didn't notice her. She kept her eye on it, rather than watching Justine. She thought it was probably a smuggler or someone engaged on another nefarious duty.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Justine tries to force the trapdoor upwards with all her strength. It isn’t much, but it’s done her before in a pinch. The man...thing...whatever down there way filled her with unease.

[The Forgotten God]

The door takes two efforts to budge but it flies open on the second effort and a loud clang comes from the falling weight on top. The room Justine has uncovered is pitch dark but Silvia sees the shadowy giant down the tunnel striding purposefully toward them, moving like a man yet also in an almost alien way, strides seeming to cover ground faster than his steps would indicate.

[Silvia Raizer]

She loosened her dagger in its sheath, slowly and quietly. She shrank further against the wall, waiting to see if the man had noticed her.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Justine slowly pulled herself up, scanning the dark room, oblivious to whatever was going on down there. “Silvia,” she hissed. “Come up, I think it’s ok.” She felt around to see what she had moved away from the trapdoor. Another troll?

[The Forgotten God]

She feels a piece of metal, so her best guess sans light is maybe a suit of armor. The sound was loud enough it’s somewhat surprising no one seems to have heard yet. She can just make out the dim outline of an exit to her left but she heard a creaking floor above. They were not alone.

The shadowy figure continued its approach and Silvia sees a gleaming bit of metal in its left hand. The cloak it wears still conceals all traces of a feature. It will notice Silvia within the next few seconds if it hasn’t already.

[Silvia Raizer]

Silvia decided to risk moving. After all, she didn't want to become trapped. She scrambled hurriedly up the ladder.

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

Justine breathed out shakily and went back down until she saw the thing advancing rapidly. She decided what was up would be better than what was down. Maybe even human. She gestured wildly for Silvia To come up, then committed to ascending into the darkened room, moving as quietly as possible. Not very quietly...due to the creaking stair.

[The Forgotten God]

Silvia: 112 agility

Silvia scrambled up and got into the dark room as the shadow Passed underneath. They heard footsteps slowly descending the stairs and they still couldn’t see much of anything. Ordinarily they would excel in this sort of fight but they haven’t had a chance to commit the room’s layout to memory. Whatever is coming from the stairs that must be nearby is much noisier than the shadow as they hear it breathing through scarred lungs with a hideous rasp.

[Silvia Raizer]

"Now what?" Silvia whispered. "I think we ought to strike first, if we can. I'd rather do that than be caught out."

[Justine-Juliette de Vair]

“It sounds awful...but not so bad as what was down there, I don’t think. We just have to not impale eachother.” Justine drew her sword slowly. “Come on.” She started moving toward the door.