Above & Below

As you emerge into the room, the man's eyes grow wide and he leans tighter against the wall as you walk by him. The door looks old but the wooden beams are huge and thick. There seem to be some fresh chunks taken out of the door, with lighter bits of wood peaking out behind the dark, aged exterior. Inspecting the hinges and the metal work, you see a few weak spots that might help this thing come loose. 

"Indeed, that is my owl.  And just who are you, and what are you doing here?" Effort says as she approaches the bald man.

(Whatever his answer is, insight: 12 )

And what's behind this? says Brask, thumbing towards the door.

"Also are you alright?  How did that happen to you?"  Kurama asks the wounded man as well.

The man props himself back up against the wall. "My name is Wendel," he reveals. "I was tasked to deliver an important message to someone who is apparently dwelling within this stronghold. What I wasn't counting on was a damn basilisk to be tunneling down here as well." He gestures to his wound. "As for the door - it seems to be the only way to go at this point. The other entryway halls don't lead nearly this far down, and I couldn't find any signs of life within them. So this seems to be the way...but the door is too large for me to open by force."

Effort carefully studies his expressions as he speaks, and as far as she can tell, it's all truthful. Wendel coughs gently, perhaps just clearing his throat. "Does anyone have a drink of water...or better, wine?"

"You ran into a basilisk as well?  You're lucky to have survived!"  Kurama replies after hearing the man's story.  Grabbing his waterskin to hand over to the man, he continues, "Though it is a bit strange to have been sent to deliver a message all the way up here in these mountain ruins by yourself."  

Insight: 9

"Heh...well, I'm quicker than I currently appear. Or at least I was." He nods politely as he takes the waterskin and takes a deep swig. He closes his eyes, savoring it. "Thank you." He hands it back and wipes his chin. "I'm a bit of an expert on traveling and delivering messages, as it were...wasn't quite prepared for this place, though. Now that you mention it, what is a group like yours doing deep in an ancient mountain stronghold?"

Kurama takes the waterskin back, listening intent as Wendel speaks. He seems trustworthy as far as the monk can tell. 

"Searching for dark cultists who are trying to kidnap wielders of arcane power all across the continent and press them into the service of their dark army in the hopes of overrunning the world in the name of their demon prince," Effort replies.  "Generally when we find them, we end up slaying them and all of their accomplices with great prejudice.  Now, who were you delivering a message for again?" she asks.

"Ah! So it is you!" He smiles. "I am working with the Sons of Oshait. We are trying to track down these magic users before anyone else can. I've heard tale of your bravery in Lovilra. It's good to see that you're still on this righteous journey." He looks around, stopping on Kurama and especially Pip. "It seems your group has been growing, eh?"

Effort brightens up a bit at the mention of the Sons of Osthait.  "Oh, well.  That would explain how you got past the basilisk, at least.   We have indeed been recruiting while on our own journey.  I would hope your branch would be doing the same, for the kidnappings of the cult do not seem to have slowed down in the slightest."

Effort takes a closer look at Wendel's leg, murmuring a few words of guidance to herself.  "What happened to your leg exactly?  I'm afraid I am not skilled enough to offer you any healing." 

Medicine: 19 + 1

While keeping her pleasant demeanor, she speaks mentally to Cadmael:

I heard a noise behind us.  Go, check it out.  Don't stray so far that you lose contact with me.  Warn us if something dark this way slouches, she instructs the bird.

Cadmael Stealth: 22
Perception: 18

Effort can't tell much by looking at the wound. "Bite from that damn thing," Wendel offers. "It'll be fine. I've had worse."

Effort:

"Move," Effort says suddenly, instructing Cadmael to return.  "Those cultists we spoke of?  They're here.  Five, humanoids.  One wears a heavy knight's armor, the other is likely a magician or priest of some sort. They are moving quickly."  She herself moves almost automatically to the door as she speaks, brushing past Brask and reaching out to push against it  "We need to go.  In here, right now.  I can feel it calling to me.  I must get inside," she repeats, almost rotely.  "Brask, can you break it down?"  She presses a hand to the minotaur's shoulder, almost urgently, granting him guidance before continuing to push at the door herself, trying to help as much as she can.

Though Kurama had a host of questions, they all faded away at Effort's sudden panic.  Surging into action, Kurama will call on the turbulent energy inside of himself as he turns to the door and use them to get it open by whatever means necessary.

(Using 1 Ki point to activate Astral Arms (which gives a boost to strength checks) and then using them to push or break down the door (whichever will be faster))

The door is sturdy and locked from the other side. You can make attack rolls against it to try and break it down or push it open. I assume everyone will spring into action with Effort's urgency, so you'll all get a round of attacking the door before...other things are set in motion. :)

(Is there a way/ time to determine if it'd be quicker or easier to push or breakdown the door?)

It's a heavy wooden door that's relatively large. Seven feet high and about four feet across. You can all try pushing at the same time to shove it in (combined athletics check) or attacking the door to try and break it in (attack rolls against the door's AC). Up to you. You can decide out-of-character if you want. 

(It might make sense to try and keep the door intact (by shoving it open & closed) to use it as a temporary barrier against whatever's charging towards us)

Effort would try to push first unless someone suggested an attack to her.

Athletics: 2

Kurama Athletics: 22

Burik: 22

Pip: 1

Wendel: 14