Episode 14

With Denis Platt freed from his prison, the party takes a short moment to provide him with some food and water.

Taman talks to Denis and learns that he requires his equipment in order to travel through time. Denis informs him that he is connected to them and can sense them near by. Taman invites him to join the party, and with no objection from the others present, Denis agrees to the terms provided. Standing up straight, Denis is about 7 foot and 5 inches tall. The party later notices that he is levitating about a foot off the ground while he moves which accounts for at least some of his height. Denis promises to provide the party with a magical reward should they help him find his belongings.The party moves to locate Cade.

While moving, Denis is shown the star statue. He explains to the party that it is a depiction of an object known as "The Mercury Event" and only the most powerful arcane users can create such an object. The party moves through the halls and eventually reach the hall in which Cade is waiting for them, sitting on the throne and playing with his newly obtained dagger.

On seeing the party approach he is quite surprised to find Denis with them and briefly introduces hims, but does not question his presence. He explains to them that he found a staircase which seems to lead down for quite a few stories. He explains to them that it is under the throne and shows them how to light up the star behind the throne. On seeing the star, Denis immediately informs the party that it is an actual Mercury Event. He goes on to explain that only the creator knows each combination possible and that it could take decades to find every combination. Cade is very sure he can show them the stairs and attempts to open them again. In the far distance, Taman hears a metal noise, sounds like a metal gate has fallen into place. Cade not hearing this, decides to give it another go while Taman moves towards the metal sound to get a better idea of what it may have been. Suddenly there is a great shudder and rumble beneath the feet of the party, Taman heads back towards them and takes his time to scan the area.

Above Cade in the corner there seems to be a large brown tarantula which have been there since the party has entered the halls. It seems to be hiding in the dark above the Mercury Event. There also seems to be a lot of smaller spiders on the ceiling so many that they could easily have been mistaken for the ceiling itself. Denis tells them that he has seen a few through the years but none could attack him. They did seem to check up on him from time to time but would move away if noticed. The spiders seem to be moving around the ceiling trying to locate the party which was just before them.

With a final attempt, Cade manages to open the stairs beneath the altar and the party inspects it. The stairs only seem to lead down one floor. Surprised Cade looks around and together with the rest, he learns that his failed attempts to open the staircase has resulted in the floor lowering down towards it. Denis points out a magical barrier which resides above them and the party figure out that the spiders cannot see them through it. They figure the barrier makes it seem like the floor is still there. They see some of the spiders moving about the ceiling which is now a good 100 feet plus above them instead of the usual 20 feet is has been. They decide to head down the stairs to avoid contact with the spiders.

Beneath the stairs they are greeted with a immaculately clean room which, after careful inspection, they believe belongs to the owner of the tower. They find a alchemy station, some book shelves, two metal cages (one containing a skeleton), chests along the wall, a bed, some shelves and two massive clay figures resting on both sides o the bed. There is a chest at the foot of the bed and what seems to be the remains of a small humanoid. A arcane circle of sorts resides in the middle of the room.

Very carefully the party inspects and moves about the room, fiddling here and there. Cade moves too close to the golem's and they suddenly spring to life, standing up straight. Nok-Nok looks into the table and retrieves two potions from it. He takes a look around and notices a rune etched into the bottom off the table. The rune seems capable of activating hidden surveillance should it be triggered. Nok-Nok orders everyone to stay away from the alchemy desk. Cade uses his magical capabilities in attempt to move the remains of the small humanoid closer to the party and in doing so the golem's attack it on the floor, smashing it to pieces. The party retrieves a cloak from a stand in the room and hands it to Denis along with the dagger they found. Denis goes to work identifying the objects. With a few discussions and a some practical testing, the party learns that the golem's react to pressure on the floor within a certain range of their station. With this knowledge, the party ponders how they are going to get close to the chests which are on the opposite sides. Mera aids the party by pointing out which objects are protected by magic and which is not. Lilith studies the runes and markings of the arcane circle and excitedly tells them that it seems to be a teleportation circle. She explains that with the right combinations, one could travel to and from this circle. This has Nok-Nok and Taman worried as it means the owner could return at any moment.

With the party still pondering how they are going to retrieve the magical items pointed out by Mera, Denis floats over to the middle of the room between the golem's. He asks the party to show him what they need and he will retrieve it for them. They manage to find Denis's belongings, some magical scrolls and a locked magical tomb. Denis thanks them for finding his belongings but points out that the crystals he requires to travel through time have been drained of their power. He shows them the crystal belt which has clear crystals hanging from it. He informs the party that they should be glowing dull blue. The party asks how they can be recharged and Denis informs them that a fallen star has the capability to recharge them. He asks them what year it is and explains that there is an fallen star recorded for this time line and that it should not be far away. Referring to their maps, the party finds a promising location. With more pressing problems they focus on getting out safely.

Moving back up the stairs, the party notices that the large tarantula is no longer in the hall. They notice a few small spiders on the ceiling but nothing they can't handle. Cade stealthily moves towards the exit trying to see if it is safe for them to leave. He finds the tarantula sitting above the star statue near the entrance. Moving back to the party he relays the information and the group moves towards the place where Taman heard the metal object move. They reach a portion of the halls which seems to be in the process of being built. Almost like the owner was expanding and found a cave whilst busy. Moving further in they are greeted with a stone archway standing freely on the cave floor. Some crude stone steppes and some stone pillars are visible.

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