Fellowship of the Dice

"Praise the Lord of Spirits!"

Theodrix is back in the fight just like that. With both hands holding weapons, keeping his flanking position, he strikes out, slash and stab at the construct, "lets turn this thing into scrap!"

Whatever surprise or threat the animated Griffon had at the start, the group has fully recovered. Everyone ... basically descends upon the monster. Bertram's staff comes down with such force that the thing is flung prone flat on the ground, and everyone else moves in and chops the enemy apart. Whatever mechanical and magical energy animating it is rendered inert, and they stand triumphant.

Blood drips from two of the combatants, although Theodrix is not anywhere near death anymore. While everyone puts themselves together, the servant Imistos makes himself useful searching for useful loot (unfortunately there is none), then foolishly takes the initiate with opening the door to the north ... and nothing bad happens. No explosions, nothing jumps out at him. He peeks his head out, then pops back in. "Gentles, there is a long hallway ahead, going left and right. It is not bright, but I can see the left goes on a ways, and to the east it then turns right again at an angle." He puffs up a bit at his courage at taking the lead, and being useful.

Astraea frowns as Imistos opens the door. "You may want to wait until we are ready before flinging open any more doors. Best to be prepared in case we come across any more rooms such as this. I would hate to have another stuffed griffon have you for dinner."

"If that hallway leads to new places, maybe we should make sure we have checked out all the old ones, first?" Mercutio suggests.

Imistos cringes back at the stern talking-to, or at least his interpretation of the talk as stern. He seems to expect a whipping from the nobility for taking the initiative. He bows and scrapes in abasement, repeatedly apologizing for his error. As they move on he sticks to the back of the group in shame.
The last room across this row of revelations is filled with intricate banners hanging motionless against a wooden pillar in the center of the room. Wooden racks line the south and west walls, each bearing up a unique banner of its own. Two additional banner racks lie on the floor in the northeastern corner of the room, their flags pulled away and inked with dozens of circles. There is an exit to the northern hallway just like the others.

The banners in this room belong to old regiments of the Taldan Phalanx, various baronies, and a few foreign allies, and at varying times have been hung in the Senate to welcome visiting dignitaries or war heroes. Most of the banners here belong to disbanded regiments and have little value beyond the historic purpose they still serve. Beyond their historical notability, the banners serve no purpose other than another pompous display of Taldan military supremacy.

These mysterious circles are similar to all the others that have been found scatters in this underground set of chambers. The others were chalk and hesitant, but these are in ink and have many other geometric notations. For those with some experience with such learned things, it is the work of a brilliant, if untrained, mathematical mind.

The enchantress steps in carefully. The banners are not extremely interesting to her, although she will search them just to see if they conceal any hidden goodies. The mysterious circles are also checked for magical auras. "People don't draw these kinds of circles and write these notations for nothing. Could this be code for some planning some something else? Or is this just someone trying to learn wizardry? And why in these rooms instead of in a set place for training?

"The purpose of the circles are beyond my ken, I am no help there I'm afraid." He moves in and searches the banners for various sigils and signs of which houses and families they represent. He pauses and touches one flicking at it to make the dust fall off. He gives a search then looks at Imisto, "No worries man, we are all just on edge and would hate for you to get hurt. Keep up the good work."

"Let's just record the patterns and move on" Mercutio offers, might be useful down the line.

The Enchantress can tell that the circles are newer than the ones earlier, and scribbled in more permanent ink than the chalk drawings found before. Likely from a brilliant mind, but one without educational resources. Somewhat like seeing evidence someone is re-inventing algebra from scratch. It currently has no power, but maybe some day the author can rediscover ritualistic magic.

Imistos perks up after Theodrix reassures him, his eyes showing some shock at the idea of you actually caring for his well-being. He stands tall again, trying to be helpful. He takes a look nearby to check out the hallway, being extra careful this time, and lists out your options.

"West, then east," Astraea suggests. "We will likely not come back this way, so we should search thoroughly."