Ambush on the staircase

4 November, 595
Part One

At midnight the group heads back to Keygan's and finds a window slightly ajar on the second floor around the back of the building. Lyra climbs up with ease and opens the window, being careful to oil the joints to minimize any sound. She then proceeds to sneak in the window... and land flat on her face with a loud thud. Finding herself alone in what appears to be a bedroom, she listens for noises outside the room and thinks she hears the scuffling of footsteps outside. She then lowers a rope out the window and the rest of the group climbs up. Bruinor is the last up and makes a din of noise as he clambors up into the room. So much for the element of surprise.

Bruinor opens the door to the bedroom and peeks out onto a balcony. Not seeing anything unusual, he sneaks out and begins walking down the stairs, the rest of the group following. Lyra is the last on the stairs and is suddenly attacked from behind by a pair of "Tall Ones." Lyra takes multiple stab wounds before a light spell is cast, blinding the creatures momentarily. Joseph pins one of the creatures against the wall while Lyra and Plenty finish off the other one. Soon the skulks are disposed of.

The group searches the room for secret doors and eventually one is found set into the side of the staircase. It is opened and the group descends the stairs into a chamber filled with mysterious giggling and chirping noises. The noises appear to be coming from the very walls, or copper masks set about the walls. There are two gear-like doors set with gnomish runes, one of which is open. Brisk enters the open doors, and is immediately attacked by something. He moves back out of the room and whatever attacked him disappears into a rough tunnel carved into one of the walls of the room. The group enters the room and finds a glowing iron rod lying on the floor.