Round 7 Transcript

As Jeane finishes her proposal, the sound of scuttling claws grows louder, and the air seems to vibrate with an otherworldly energy. Merrin's fingers move swiftly over the puzzle lock, and the mechanism clicks open, revealing a dark, narrow passageway beyond. The scratching claws now echo up from all directions, as if the creature is circling their position. Merrin steps through the trapdoor, her eyes adjusting slowly to the gloom. She fumbles for a torch in her belt and lights it, casting flickering shadows on the walls. "I see something down there," she calls back to the group, her voice barely audible over the growing din of claws.

I descend first into Merrin's torchlight below, my wings folding against the low ceiling of this new tunnel. The air here is stale and thick with an otherworldly musk—a cloying sweetness mixed with decay that immediately raises every hair on my body. These are not the lair of mindless undead. I think critically as my crimson eyes adjust to the gloom, scanning for threats or escape routes. This is a living thing—something ancient and terrible. The scratching above grows distant now, replaced by a new sound: the wet slapping of flesh against stone echoing through this maze-like passage. Three things we know for certain: I murmur to myself as my fingers trace the cold glyphs etched into the walls here. One—the entity upstairs is dimensional in nature and powerful enough to drag off even our strongest fighter. Two—whatever's down here is numerous, coordinated, and likely the source of this tower's corruption.*

And three... My wings twitch involuntarily as I spot movement in the shadows ahead—a swarm of glistening tentacles retreating into a side passage at our approach. Whatever lies below us now knows we're here. I turn back to face the others descending behind me, my expression grave but controlled. Halie—I need you to mark these glyphs with your symbol's power while Merrin secures that junction ahead. We can't afford another surprise ambush. My eyes flick briefly to Seraphine. Prepare those signal devices—we'll likely be splitting up before long if we hope to bypass this creature's domain and reach Varrika. The scratching begins anew, louder now and coming from multiple directions as the creatures below respond to our presence. We go forward with purpose or not at all. This thing is cunning—I can feel it watching us even now, measuring our strength before striking again. Don't underestimate what's waiting down here—whatever these tunnels were built for originally, they weren't meant for easy passage. I step forward into the gloom, arcane energy crackling between my fingertips as I prepare to confront whatever horrors await us in the depths of this cursed tower. The air grows colder still as we proceed deeper into its ancient heart

Merrin's eyes narrow as she listens to Jeane's instructions, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides. Alright, you heard the sorceress—let's move out. She takes point, her torch casting flickering shadows on the damp stone walls as she creeps forward into the tunnel.

The scratching claws grow louder again, and Merrin can feel a draft of cold air across the back of her neck. I don't like this... she mutters under her breath, her hand drifting towards the hilt of her dagger. Stay sharp—who knows what's lurking in these shadows. As she rounds a corner into a wider chamber, Merrin freezes, her torchlight revealing a scene of nightmarish proportions. The walls are covered in writhing tentacles, each one thick as a tree trunk and glistening with an oily sheen. In the center of the room is a massive pit, its depths filled with a swirling vortex of darkness that seems to pull at Merrin's very soul.

She takes a step back, her heart racing in her chest. Halie—we need some holy light in here, quick! Merrin shouts, her voice echoing off the stone walls. And Jeane—any bright ideas on how we're supposed to get past this thing without becoming part of its dinner plans? She risks a glance over her shoulder, wondering what other horrors might be lurking in the shadows behind them. The scratching claws are louder now, and Merrin can see movement in the darkness at the edge of her torchlight.

But there's no time to dwell on it—the tentacles begin to writhe faster, their tips reaching out towards the party like hungry serpents. Merrin draws her dagger, ready to fight, but she knows deep down that this might be a battle they can't win. Not without losing something precious in the process.

I descend after Jeane, my holy symbol clutched tightly in both hands—its surface is burning hot now, scorching my palms but I don't dare drop it. The air here is wrong, thick with a living corruption that makes my skin crawl and my lungs ache. This isn't just undead—I can feel the malevolent intelligence behind this place. The glyphs on the walls pulse with a sickly light as we pass, each one seeming to absorb some of the energy from my symbol. I grit my teeth against the pain, forcing myself to continue downward.

When Merrin calls out her warning about the chamber ahead, I quicken my pace, pushing past Jeane and into the room. The sight that greets me is beyond anything I've ever faced before—rows upon rows of writhing tentacles, each one more alive than any creature should be in a place like this.

I raise my symbol high, channeling every ounce of divine power I can muster. "By the light of the goddess—" My voice cuts off as the air crackles with energy. A blinding flash erupts from my hands, washing over the chamber and searing the very shadows away. The tentacles recoil, shrieking in a sound like tearing metal as they burn back from the holy fire.

But it's not enough—the vortex in the center of the room pulses hungrily, drawing strength from the very air itself. And now I can see them—dozens of glowing eyes peering up at us from the darkness below. "This thing is feeding on something ancient," I gasp out between clenched teeth. "We need more than light—we need exorcism rites, purification rituals—" My voice trails off as I realize the truth: none of my usual cleric spells will be enough here. This creature exists on a plane we weren't meant to disturb.

I stumble backward, my symbol still blazing but my strength flagging. "Jeane," I manage, my voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me you have something that can actually fight this thing—because if we go any further without serious firepower, we're all joining Varrika in whatever hell she's trapped in."