So where can Cat cook then?
I guess this will have to wait until we check out that secret room Yulya found. Time to send in the expendable alien!

Cat and Yulya look at the tracks, this room has been cleaned so no further tracks are present but it was clear there were more than a few traveling from this room to the elevator shaft, anyone who was here wearing the boots in question likely left with the elevator. At least 4 distinct tracks trail out the door and to the elevator, three of short stature and one of tall stature. No others, other than your own, are seen.

Cat notes the ventilation is not great, cool air is very slowly falling from the flume, the wrong direction for smoke to ventilate.

Alice takes out the ale, finding cups, she begins to pour. Tasting it:

[ALCHEMY 1d20+2+1d4=17]

She determines the quality is high and the alcohol content is 5.4%, as ales go, Dwarven ale is known for it's smooth texture, strong bitter flavor and crisp sharp kick. 9/10 Dwarves agree, other ales all taste watered down by comparison.

Alice has no objections to resting here while Ashley gets the elevator. "When you return, knock exactly five times! Any other amount of knocks will let us know it's not you or that something is off."

Yulya agrees, "Ashley please get us the elevator! You are best suited for the job we are counting on you! Be careful! We will proceed as Alice has suggested and barricade us in here after you leave."

"Got it. I'm going in a minute."

Still standing in the hall, Ashley concentrates on her Glyph ring, Casting Summon Mechathereal Panther into it, storing the spell and triggering it to go off when an enemy is spotted. She shrugs, "It'll save me a few seconds at least."

She then takes off her robe and ties it into a bundle using the straps. She begins to undress. "No looking! That goes for you two too!" Seeing no threat and to prevent her spawns from causing any trouble, she despawns them, blipping them back to the negative plane.

When her pack and supplies are neatly placed, she puts them just inside the door and ties the robe around her waste tightly, "I hope this works!"

She crouches, suddenly growing a thick coat of dark indigo hair and she morphs into the cursed creature known as Ashley Panther.

[LUCK = 18]



Thankfully the robe stays firmly attached, looking like a little backpack on Ashley Panther, she lets out a light roar and bounds away, expected to return with a knock in approximately 3 hours.

Yulya inspects the runes, they are of roughly the same age as the ones above. The additional writing is newer, perhaps within the last couple years.

As Cat is beginning to set up the tent in this small space, Yulya continues searching for traps and other anomalies.

[PERCEPTION 1d20+5=23]

Yulya sees something odd about the Eastern wall. She approaches and tries to touch the wall, the illusion protecting the area suddenly becomes clear and a passage leading down is shown.



There is a ladder leading down, it seems to be made for smaller humanoids to access, but it's large enough for passage by humans. Remnants of a hoist remain where heavy loads and a space just large enough for a minecart could be lifted up and down the shaft and placed on a rail, again the rails have all been removed in this room long ago. Yulya is certain there are no traps, the ladder seems to go down about 40ft to another room, barely lit by some unseen source which could be a torch or glowstone.

Cat is as puzzled as the others.
Nyaa where did they go Nya? Doesn't look like anyone lived here Nya no luggage or sleeping packs like on the upper floor Nya!

Cat looks for tracks before the others disturb the room to estimate how many people were there.

Cat, cook us something that goes well with ale!

Okay Nya! Let's check that ale Nya!

When the room is secure, Cat helps set up the tent and checks if ventilation through the waterwheel shaft is good enough for cooking. If not, cooking would have to be done outside the room.
Cat makes Takoyaki for 3, worth 1.5 rations. She assumes Ashley will not eat - with a certain dismay and a sigh.
Nyaah I guess the importance of eating together is not a thing where she came from Nya...



When Ashley leaves, at barricades the door with the shelf in the middle of the room. When not on guard duty, she hones her sword and rests.

What's happening in Europe is crazy and sad. I can't really comprehend it.
I guess the dissatisfaction would be 1-digit here

good to see you made it back alive wherever you were. im sure it was somewhere crazy