by Vampire Jester Jinx » Mon Nov 17, 2003 1:35 pm
Elan calmly made sure he had all of his possessions, took a firm grip on his walking staff, and began to descent towards the tower, the setting sun making his hair shine brilliant white.
The group follows, each having their own distinct worry or for that matter, complete lack of any worries at all as they come nearer the tower itself.
It's walls are smooth and of a dark stone, it looks to be built long ago, but to what purpose it really can't be determined. In several places higher up on the tower, there are remains of decorative gargoyles with hands outstretched as if they were holding something. A piece of a shattered stone tablet is still gripped in one of their hands, showing only faintly what looks to be perhaps a family crest. There is a single door into the tower, standing a massive height, old and sturdy and braced with thick bars. There doesn't seem to be any handle or chain, or mechanism for opening it at all. Although there is a glint of something.... near eye level for them. But in the distance, and in the dark, it is hard to tell.
The surrounding grounds are dark, and as they walk a barely there path through the half finished wall, they enter what looks like a wild garden. Plants of a nefarioius variety are running wild. Poisens, herbs known to cause various ailments, even a few to heal are scattered about. Here and there amoung the path is even a plant when dried and smoked, is claimed to bring you closer to the Gods.
Scattered throughout the tangle of plantlife, are large shapes, glinting somewhat. Some crouch, some reared back as if for attack, and all oddly still. In the vague moonlight as they tramp ever closer to the forbidding tower, the shapes become sculptures. Massive bronze likenesses of animals and monsters, even a few people. Each is caught in a moment of action, as if they had only just stopped, wary that someone was around.
Elan stopped about forty feet from the tower and turned to his companions, signalling for them to be quiet.
In a somber tone he says "Luckily I know the way in. Just stay quiet for a bit so I can say the proper words. If we're lucky, no one will wake, and nothing will notice you're here."
With that he left the motly group in a little cluster, under the shadow of a large bronze bear, who was standing straight, paws outstretched to crush what lay before him.