Candlekeep Mysteries

Erudisia withdraws her tome of shadows as Bell begins her magic, writing quickly to Little One. 

We will work on your flexibility once home. I know some contortionist tricks. Will need your help and rope or bedsheet to climb out quietly!. 

Now with some light, Erudisia will pick a path carefully through the detritus to join Bell at the descent. If there is a larger piece of mirror, hand sized or bigger, she will carefully pick up the shared and look for clues, perhaps such as an inscription on the back or a design around the frame if it’s an edge piece. 

Little One responds to Erudisia’s sending, “Yes, will find rope so you can get out.”

Near the statue the mirror shards are fine as gravel, trodden upon over years. Between the statue and the doors and windows the shards are larger and sharp enough to seriously wound uncovered feet. Yet, Erudisia finds no clues in the mirror shards. However, she does note along one wall, one of the crumpled pieces of stone on the floor at the edge of the wall. A gecko, perfectly carved in every detail. 

Meanwhile, Meredith has begun moving down the stairs.

At intervals, tiny stone figurines lay at the edges of the stairs. A mouse, a sparrow. 

Meredith’s lights illuminate a chamber equal in shape and size to the shrine above. Stone columns punctuate the space, supporting the edifice above. At the chamber’s far end is a square pool, emitting a soft white glow. Torn cushions, rugs, tapestries, and clothing have been piled in the farthest corner as a makeshift bed, while twigs and scraps of deadfall form a simple campfire, though it is not now lit. A lone figure lies beside the pool under a ragged cloak, facing away from the stairs, some 60’ away from the bottom of the stairs.

The figure inhaled slowly, then sighs deeply.

“Who have they sent this time to torment us, Ripley?,” comes its dry whisper. She is answered only by the sound of the pool’s water gently lapping its edges.