Round 31

The wards pulse again, slower this time—predatory patience rather than random decay. Seraphine stands near the base of the tower, her wizard's eyes narrowed in concentration as she works arcane analysis on the ominous stonework. The magic here is wrong—predatory instead of protective. She needs more data before suggesting a plan, but time is running out. Every pulse from within the stone makes her skin crawl with ancient hunger.

Varrika moves with practiced efficiency beside Merrin, her warrior's instincts screaming warnings even as she methodically checks each stone slab for temperature shifts or structural weaknesses. The dwarf has faced many dangers in her years—undead hordes, dark sorcerers, treacherous mountain passes—but something about this tower feels... wrong. Hungry. She grits her teeth and focuses on the task at hand. Find a safe entry point. Avoid the feeding zones.

Merrin crouches low, her rogue's eyes scanning every inch of the stone facade for weaknesses—as well as obvious exits. She's good at finding things that don't want to be found, but this feels different. These wards aren't guarding treasure—they're feeding something. And now she knows it's awake upstairs. "Varrika," she hisses softly, "help me map every stone that shifts or changes temperature. We need to know which entry points are safest before Jeane flies up there." The dwarf nods grimly and moves to her side.

The ground shifts again underfoot, louder this time—a stone slab settling with an ominous groan. Too loudly. Merrin freezes mid-crouch, her eyes wide as she looks up at the tower looming overhead. The structure's pulse quickens slightly, almost... interested?* "Shit," she breathes, "I think we just woke something up." She scrambles backward, pulling Varrika with her. "Seraphine! Jeane! We need to talk—now—and fast."

The three women gather in a tight circle near the base of the tower, their expressions grave as they quickly share what they've observed. The ward pulses slow and deliberate now—feeding something large inside. A shadow moved across the uppermost window again, this time lingering. The magic structure's rhythm changed, no longer random fluctuations but synchronizing with something awake upstairs. Fifteen minutes remain before it decides...

Jeane descends from her vantage point, her expression troubled. "I saw movement inside—the top floor. Something large, moving purposefully." She looks at each woman in turn. "We have options: abort and regroup with Elric for more information, attempt a stealthy entry using the less-active ground-level points, or... I could fly up alone to scout further before bringing everyone else in."

The tower breathes again, its magic pulsing hungrier than before. They have minutes to decide which path leads least likely into whatever's waiting upstairs—hungry and aware of their presence.