Areus ignores Callisto's laugh and keeping his weapons ready walks right beside her. "Let's go friends, keep your weapons and spells ready as I fear that we will be tested soon by the creature that lives, so to speak, below this temple."

You descend into the old temple of Ephara. You’ve been here before, in Meletis, when the temple was nothing but underground ruins. You see it now in its full glory, towering pillars holding a high roof. A dark, cold light filters in through the windows. A large three-headed hound guards the bottom of the stairs.

You know the myths of this creature, Kunoros, Hound of Athreos.  Athreos you know to be the god of passage who ferries the dead across the Tartyx River, conveying each mortal soul to its destiny in the Underworld.  But why is Kunoros here?  Has Erebos, the god of death and the Underworld, lord of all that has ever lived, put him here? Erebos presides over the bitterness, envy, and eventual acceptance of those who suffer misfortune.  Is this your misfortune?

Kunoros does not seem aware of you at the top of the stairs.

 "Does anyone knows if we are able to face such a creature?" Saya asks quietly.

in his usual irreverent style Tisto looks down at the dogs and says "I wonder what his name is? Fido, no Spot, no I've got it now he's called Eeniemeenieminimo!" 

Areus dons the Green Fragment Mask and whispers back to Saya "I fear that we do not have any other choice Saya, that creature is probably guarding the passage to the last fragment or maybe the fragment itself."
The Arkoan tightens the grip on his spear and takes a few steps forward whispering again to the group "If we the creature is going to attack us, I'll invoke the power granted me by this fragment, I'll get very big so be careful to not stand to close to me."

Looking at the hallway you see that the stairway descends about 20 feet to reach the floor where Kunoros is.  The staircase is 10 feet wide and about 10 feet tall.  As you quietly discuss how to proceed Kunoros walks out of sight for a moment as it paces around.

Calisto grins.  "Kill it and be done, it is in our way.  We are clearly strong enough to destroy such a creature."

Calisto grins.  "Kill it and be done, it is in our way.  We are clearly strong enough to destroy such a creature."

"Listen lady, on second thoughts that might be too a generous title? How about Hag - hmm? Why don't you show us how good you and the three bits of dead cow are and kill it yourself -  hmmm?" Tisto comments

Areus quickly checks the staircase and the room and shakes his head noticing that he will not have enough space for his transformation.
The Akroan as he takes a few more steps down the stairs says to Tisto "She just talks Tisto, I doubt that she has the power she is saying to have." Areus pauses one moment before saying "The Gods sent us here for a purpose, let's fulfil our promise to them." 

Saya was going to reprimand Calisto for not being helpful in a moment like this, but Areus spoke before her. So, Saya just glances at Calisto, and then speaks to the party. "What's the plan? Do we engage the creature? The Vampires upstairs do not seemed to be bothered by it. I wonder if we are able to skip fighting it, unless it is necessary."

"I think that we should engage the creature Saya, we do not know what other creatures dwell in this place." replies Areus "We can not afford to be flanked or attacked from behind by that creature while fighting something else."

"Understood." Saya replies to Areus. "Ready when you are ready." She readies herself for battle.

Soren frowns "Didn't the vampires request that we not kill it? I would be loathe to anger them and have yet another enemy at our throats."

"They said that it was of use of them since it prevents other creatures to going up to their place." replies Areus "They did not request to not kill it." The Arkoan turns towards Soren "If that creature follows or ambush us while we are fighting something else it may end poorly for us."

Callaphe looks unimpressed by the idea of killing the creature. "Do we really want to risk the wrath of Athreos?"

"If you put it that way Callaphe, let's try to avoid the creature and press on." replies Areus "But be prepared to fight it as I doubt that it will allow us free passage."

Calisto glares at the group "So what are we doing, hiding or fighting?  We need to get past the creature one way or another."

At Caliisto's continued suggestions from safely in the rear Tisto turns to her and bows with a flourish "my lady I was mistaken in calling you a hag for which I offer my humblest apologies. I was mixing up my aitches and enns which you should never do. Nag is a far better term for you than Hag! Now you and those useless lumps of dead cow either take the lead and show us what to do or as they say in the vernacular put a sock in it!"

Calisto sneers at Tisto has he insults her.  "So be it then, we kill the dog.  Unlike you I do not fear the gods or their wrath."

She then begins to push past the group intent on walking down the stairs, the minotaurs following right behind her. The minotaur Dakun shoulders past Tisto and spits on the ground in front of Areus.  He clearly looks forward to the fight.

 Saya was about to raise a finger to warn Calisto, but before she could say a word, she was already at the end of the steps. "I have a bad feeling about this..." Sighs the Centaur.

Areus points at Calisto as she walks past the group and says "We have our oath to keep, let's go." He adjusts the grip on his spear and shield and follows Calisto preparing himself for the inevitable fight.