Vishnu will take point again.

Stealth: 18

(OOC: Did I understand the exchange correctly in my interpretation below?)

Vishnu brings back a quick report about the library-like room she partially inspected and suggests the group should search for other exits within the chamber. Ven and Kalak disagree, urging the group to inspect the other path. The rogue recognizes defeat and carefully leads the group east.

The short walk only takes the rrakkma as far as 75 feet. The tunnel ends in an apparent dead end, though the wind still blows through the walls as strongly as every other corner of this place.

(No, I was saying to not go back in the room, but close enough.  Sorry if that wasn’t clear.)

Puzzled by the passageway coming to an abrupt end Shai inclines her head slightly saying " A dead end...does that make sense?  Vishnu, do you see anything that could indicate a hidden doorway or some such?"

Upon seeing the dead end, Quadere takes a moment to study the group’s surroundings. “Hmmm. Perhaps...” Studying the wind’s patterns and the actual wall itself, she attempts to determine if there’s any illusions or tricks that would block the passage.

Perception: 24

Vishnu shrugs, and attempts to search for anything hidden.

Investigation: 16

Kandalou will walk up to the dead end and will gently push the wall. Is there any give?

Strength: 8 - 4 (if Athletics can be applicable, add another 4 to the roll.)

Kalak responds to Shai as he looks around the seemingly empty hallway, "No, so far, every hall we've been in this place has led to somewhere. It is nearly inconceivable to think this is a false path."

Investigation: 9

The abrupt dead end does not sit well with Shai. She asks for Vishnu to have a look around and Quadere, Kandalou, and Kalak join in the search as well.

@Kalak: You focus on the southern wall of the tunnel but can't quite find anything wrong with it. It is eroded, full of holes, and the wind blows through it. In other words, it is no different from every other wall you have seen in this place except for the ones Vishnu reported on recently.

@Quadere: You focus your efforts on the dead end to the east, which is the direction the wind is blowing from at the moment. You don't see anything particularly strange but gesture for Kandalou to approach just in case.

@Kandalou: You get closer and push against the wall. There is no give...

@Vishnu: The northern wall of this tunnel is left for you to investigate. With your hand, you begin feeling for anything unexpected and, surely enough, your hand passes through the wall at a certain point some 12 feet before the end of the tunnel (where Kandalou pushed.) The illusory wall partially fades once the realization sinks in, and you see a tunnel leading north into another large chamber.

How would the rrakkma like to approach?

Vishnu looks back at the party and shrugs.

"When people go through this much trouble to hide something, it's generally important.  Can't hurt to check it out."

If the rest agree, she'll once again take point and scout ahead.

Stealth: 21

Shai adds to Vishnu's comments "Now we are getting somewhere....and it must be important" and will follow him thorugh the identified opening trying (but probably failing) to be as stealthy as the rogue but fully prepared to dodge if she becomes aware of someone trying to attack her as she enters the room

Stealth 20 -> forgot disadvantage 8

Quadere initially holds back, knowing that her armor is a dead giveaway. However, she will stand near the mouth of the secret tunnel, ready to leap into action if needed

Kandalou nods in agreement. "Let's move out."

Stealth: 6 - 4

*CLANK CLANK*

"Careful, you don't want to be too quiet. We need to announce our coming..." Kalak says with thick sarcasm as Kanalou's clattering armor manages to cut through the howling winds.

Ven stays in the back row with Quadere, going throught the illusionary wall last

DM's Screen:

Quadere and Ven stay back to give their companions the room they need to approach the next chamber carefully. Shai and Vishnu take the opportunity to scout ahead while Kalak and Kandalou follow a few feet back, at half speed. The fighter, in particular, is quite noisy in his approach.

The vanguard duo approaches the opening of the tunnel and sees an enormous room (45 feet x 110 feet), that clearly served as a massive cathedral in some distant past. This cathedral must have been something to behold at one point in time, but now the porous stone and winds of Pandemonium have brought it to its current decrepit state. There are various nooks and crannies all around this room, which where undoubtedly decorated at some point in the past, and possibly used to hold valuables or relics of some sort. At the far end of the cathedral is a shining adamantine archway alight with runes of power. The gate to the Far Realm is open, just like Belthomias feared/told you. Due to some strange influence from either the portal or the Far Realm itself, the winds of Pandemonium do not touch this place at the moment. Unlike the rest of this complex, there is a dim light throughout this chamber, originating from the active portal.

Two mind flayers stand guard at the open portal to the Far Realm, though they are levitating 20 feet above the ground (explaining why the rrakkma was unable to find any tracks thus far.) They hiss  at the group, as the absence of wind in this chamber easily allows them to hear Kandalou's armor clanking.

ROLLING INITIATIVE (which counts as a DEX-based ability check):

THE CATHEDRAL - INITIATIVE ROUND 1

• 18. Ven (57/57) - exhaustion, source of Light;
• 18. Mind Flayers - hovering 20 feet above the ground; 
• 17. Kandalou (38/94) - memory-drained (d4 penalty to ability checks and attacks);
• 16. Vishnu (66/66) - exhaustion;
• 07. Quadere (66/66) - exhaustion, source of Light;
• 07. Kalak (38/38) - exhaustion, source of Light;
• 05. Shai (66/66) - exhaustion;

MAP:

 

NOTES: Dim light permeates the entire room. Perception checks and search actions are done at disadvantage.

(Another post coming soon.)

Without any warning whatsoever, both Quadere and Ven feel the slash of a multitude of rapid claw attacks against their backs:

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 22 Damage: 14 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 13 Damage: 21 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 24 Damage: 14 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 20 Damage: 15 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 19 Damage: 19 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Quadere: Attack: 26 Damage: 16 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 24 Damage: 14 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 16 Damage: 21 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 22 Damage: 15 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 24 Damage: 9 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 27 Damage: 19 slashing and psychic.

-> Claw vs. Ven: Attack: 17 Damage: 16 slashing and psychic.

Quadere swings back an forth as the five slashes continuously hit her. By the time the fifth attack lands, the cleric falls unconscious. In a bit of a silver lining, the sixth attack misses only because Quadere is on her way to hitting the floor. (Quadere takes 74 slashing and psychic damage and is unconscious, incapacitated, and prone.)

Ven fares even worse. The first three slashes all land around his neck area. As he falls down, his attacker quickly puts an end to the bard... He not only falls unconscious, but his last breath is taken away from him. (Ven takes 57 slashing and psychic damage from the first three attacks and unconscious, incapacitated, and prone. I'm afraid the following three attacks count as DEATH saving throws as well!) 

(OOC: Oh wow... these rolls were so ruthless...)

(Mind Flayers go next.)

The mind flayers stay next to the portal, deciding not to move away from their charge for now. They still float at a height of about 20 feet from the ground.

(Kandalou, Vishnu, Quadere, Kalak, and Shai are up next. Quadere needs to roll a DEATH saving throw. No one sees the creatures that attacked Quadere and Ven. You heard them attacking but it looks like they moved back into the tunnel afterwards.)

(Is Vishnu hidden?)

Vishnu will hiss quietly, and ready an arrow for when the creature returns.

(Staying hidden if possible.  If she's not already hidden, she'll try to hide as a bonus action: 24