Thema: "A simple escort," she said ...

[Mikayla]

Kylara'anon signs to Szordin.  For now you will serve as my bodyguard and as the patrol's reserve.  Stay close to me and see none of your assassin peers are able to put a knife in my back.  If things grow dire, I may direct you as our reserve to blade to cut a path of escape.  When Tarinyon asks about the skeletons, Kylara'anon shakes her head.  "Leave these dead be.  We will find others along the way, or make them, I am sure."

Kylara'anon follows Tavia through the portal.

[Khalas Blackrain]

The Dark Elf follows Mikayla and says (Whispering):

I can serve with the Art, if you wish I can go with you and the time will reveal everything clear like a crystal.
Keep the scroll, it is important and you will know what to do in the future.

[Romaal]

Tarinyon seems to be very disappointed, but he says nothing and just follows the other members of the group through the portal.

[Phaerven]

Zhadristan draws his sabre and walks through the portal as well.

[Zanan]

One by one you reappear in a domed chamber which features exactly the same number and distribution of rune-lined pillars. Like the room you came from, this one is circular and has not seen a visitor since at least a decade. You do not need Tavia's signals to note that, as a thick layer of dust is spread like a sheet over the floor. Fifteen alcoves line the walls, all feature a vase or urn-like vessel, some of which are broken. At first you do not hear any noises bar your breathing, but then you note a constant low sound - clearly a steady draught of air. Tavia points at the only visible exit, motions to the rest to stay back before vanishing through that opening like a cat. You lose sight of her in no-time ... but you frustration (if any) is short lived, as Tavia returns soon after.
"No problems ahead, this place is as dead as the Dalharilen promised. They called it the Tower of Caves, build by some half-sane derro a thousand years ago. It's like a large shaft that features a dozen levels, each lined with caves, chambers and rooms." She points to the exit. "That sound is a vertical air draught ... never bothered to check why it is in place. Derro, you know ..."

[Sheiriya]

Sheiriya steps through the portal and takes a look around on the orther side.

[Fabius Maximus]

As soon as Farviaan came out of the portal and saw Tavia vanishing into the tunnel, he positioned himself beside its opening, weapon at the ready. After the scout reappeares, he relaxes a bit, acknowledging her report with a curt nod.

[Mikayla]

"Perhaps they wanted to breathe."  Kylara'anon replies to Tavia.  "Regardless, lets proceed.  Each to their role as before.  Khalas, you shall work as a bolt, supporting the blades and scouts.  I should not have to say it, but I will; be on your guard people.  A little dust does not mean there is nothing here that will not end our lives if we are careless."  She gestures to the scout to lead the way.

[warlockco]

Xune sheaths her rapier, preparing her crossbow instead.

[Zanan]

Tavia nods, than snips her fingers to get anyone's attention. "There are stairs winding up and down the shaft. They bypass the levels as well as some extra chambers along the way to top and bottom. As the air makes quite a bit of sound, it will be hard to hear anyone ... or anything approach. Thus, make sure that you keep a good watch on your surroundings as well as your comrades. Maybe those in front or behind you spot something before you do!" She looks into the faces of the non-drow while getting her bow out, assembling in no-time. "Note that not everything down here is prey, or on the look for it. Some beasts, especially some undead spectres, may just have a look and return to their places if they see us pass their tombs by. That could change if you try to introduce them to the business ends of your weapons though. In any case, if you see me shoot, do not hesitate to follow suit." Adressing the yathrin, Tavia continues: "We will go upwards for two levels, then pass through a large hallway and a few corridors. They will lead us to one of the upper exits of the Tower. The entrance to the hallway is marked with this rune (she draws it into the dust and invites everyone to have a look, before erasing it with her foot again)."

Drawing her grayish cloak around her, the scouts sets off into the tunnel leading to the shaft.

[warlockco]

Xune pulls out a black traveling cloak, settling it about her shoulders, the spider vanishes into the folds of the cloak out of sight.

[Sheiriya]

With a sigh Sheiriya pulls a shadowy clothing out of her belt and wraps it around her. It looks like she merges into the darkness partially. Then she dons a glove on her left hand and readies her crossbow.

[Korach]

"Don't attack me when I show myself, will you?" Xyranma's usual magical voice tells the others. A few seconds later a strange figure appears besides the spider statue. It is of the size of large human, but too thin to be one. Either it is has an exoskeleton or wears some dark armor which covers its whole body. In addition it wears a cloak and carries a rucksack. The creature retrieves some kind of chain from its backpack and puts it onto the floor before storing away the spider. Its movements are strange, sometimes in a way a drow joint woudn't be able to. Then it disappears again and a few moments later the adamantine chain, which looks like a spiked chain without spikes, starts to move.

[Fabius Maximus]

Farviaan resheathes his scythe-sword. The large weapon is to awkward to carry it in hand. Instead, he opens the quiver at his left hip and withdraws a curious looking crossbow from it, which is loaded with three bolts rather then one.

As he moves towards the tunnel, the spider things announces its transformation. The Githyanki watched it change and raises an eyebrow with mild curiosity. Interesting, he thinks to himself, but I've seen stranger things. He shrugs, then follows Tavia.

[Draezen]

Szordrin signs to Kylara'anon before stepping through the portals: As you wish yathrin. I shall be your eye in the dark never far from your side.
And with that, Szordrin bows slightly then draws his dark red serrated shyrlasses and fades into the darkess recesses of the room, silently trailing Kylara'anon from the shadows.