Sarah's RequestThe drow advanced ahead of Eins and Kasim with their torchlight behind them so as not to blind the drow to threats that they might spot ahead of time. A wise move as Andrea notices a stone on the floor that looked out of place, and moments later, the holes in the walls that'd probably launch a hail of darts or arrows.
Moving deeper into the temple one would notice that the large black stone changed into more recognisable stone, though the floor was still paved in the suspicious material. Stone Archways reminiscent of a mausoleum were regularly spaced as they all descended a small stone staircase. This hall was of stone and the mausoleum door like places capped with metal doors disturbingly warm to the touch, and yet torches burned as water poured through the ceiling through a grate in the floor. At the end of the corridor it ended in a steel door and two passageways heading off to either side of it, each leading to a similar corridor, also ending in steel doors. The signs of passage were visible on the left hand corridor, and scrapes and scratches suggested that the Dwarven party had attempted to force the steel door at the end of the corridor. The only evidence was a blunt chisel near the door.
It was then that a rumbling noise could be heard and solid stone closed over the exit.
Carnival of ChaosAs Aneura knocked on the thick solid oak door the world rippled around them and changed. The door in front of Aneura changed into striped coloured fabric and suddenly the world was a riot of sound. The sounds of a circus or carnival. Cristoff and Tristan were subject to the same sensory assault. Where once the town had lay was suddenly a sprawl of carnival tents. Hanus drew his blade as there suddenly seemed to be people amongst the streets made between the tents. The riot of sound and noise. There a juggler was juggling shortswords, further on a clown was breathing fire. Their facepaint fit to chill the soul.
"This... is unexpected..." Hanus remarked. The one thing that still seemed to be present was the crows, that and the inn at the centre of town, its structure entirely incongruous amongst the tents, cavorting clowns and things half-seen out of the corner of their eye. Was the town before an illusion to draw them in? The smells of cooking meats from stalls filled the air. And yet everything seemed to be somehow off-kilter. And the faces of all those who moved amongst the carnival were enslaved in a rictus of hate, fear and despair.
One of the clowns cavorted past. "Welcome to the Carnival of Chaos, go to the inn and speak to he who commands obedience to learn your place in his pattern."
Special Note: Image for Sarah's Request was made by me in the NWN2 Toolset.