A timely meeting

3 November, 595
Part 2

The foursome enter through the secret door and make their way down a flight of stairs to a room with copper masks set about the walls at regular intervals. There are strange giggling and chirping noises which seem to be coming from the walls, and two round gear-like doors, one of which has been wedged open.

They venture down a hallway and Salla and Kyladrian fall through the floor into a pit trap. After being shook up a bit, they are able to escape and disable the trap. The group continues on past an illusionary wall and into a room with one wall embossed with the map of the ruins similar to the one that was given to them by Keygan.

At the other end of the long hallway Salla discovers a secret door which opens into a laboratory left in disarray. Stepping into the room, the party is attacked by a swirling pile of rags which leaps up from the middle of the room. After having disposed of that threat, Kyladrian sorts through the debris and comes up with what he believes is a vial of toxin or antitoxin, a few flasks of red liquid, and what would prove to be a key with a 'U' marking on it. Another secret door is found in this room and the group presses onward.

The party passes a hallway distinguished with several mysterious contraptions set in alcoves. They come to a room with ceiling fans, the only other notable feature an object covered with a sheet. Removing the sheet reveals a large machine roughly resembling a lobster. After disturbing the machine, it whirrs to life and begins to attack the party. Things appear to be going badly but help arrives in the form of two half-elfs who encourage the group to beat a hasty retreat while they provide cover. This, however, is not needed, as a well place strike allows Kyladrian to deliver the finishing blow on the mechanized beast.

Introductions are exchanged and the newcomers reveal themselves to be none other than Fario and Felian. They had been tracking the party and seemed to arrived to help out just in time. After Fario offers healing for the party, the group decides to head back up to the shop and rest the remainder of the night.