"We don't have time for this." Alo growled. He had left his little project back at the camp and he was eager to get back to it. However still relieved to have something else than waiting to do or the camp to look at.
Alo walked quickly to the gate and gave it two strong knocks with the butt of his rifle.

"Anybody there!? Open up!"

"They have set traps on the path leading here, so caution would be..." but before Faenkon could continue it would seem the Dire Avenger had other plans in mind. Shaking his head he blended back into the scenery so as better to observe. To say he was paranoid would be an error of thought, but cautious of unnecessary risk would be more accurate. "I do hope Yareli will do the talking once we actually find someone." He mumbled to himself.

@Wata | Astarielle just sighed as Alo announced their presence by banging on the tower door. Not exactly subtle are you? She didn't quite agree with Amriel's suggestion that they simply blow the doors but if the tower had been abandoned, or was only used when needed, they might have to. Glancing up at the building's slit windows for a moment, moving to stand out in the open with her hands away from her holstered weapons, the former Banshee looked over at Alo.
"I hope you'll be more respectful to any Exodites we meet than you were to Talis."

Alo's attention shifted from the gate to Astarielle, turning around near the doors to face her.
"Yes, I'm sure they will all shower you with praise for how you defended their feelings." Alo said with faint interest in continuing the possible argument. He kicked the gate just for not opening by shouting and crossed his arms thinking. His gaze fixed on the keygem.

"Those of you who know these tribals better, how would they lock this thing?"

Avrielle looked up at the tower as Alo pounded on the door. Just in case. There was, however, no response, except from the distant wheeling pterosaurs, who flew further away in consternation. Amriel stood ready to use a more direct method of entering the building. But that would leave the path open behind the group, and perhaps the shelter of the tower could be preserved. Talis glanced at Avrielle before speaking, and she nodded to him, smiling, wanting to encourage the young Exodite.

"You could ... just place your palm over the stone, and send out your thoughts," Talis offered, "as you would with a stone gate, or ... well, with the barrows."

Lysandriax nudged Amriel. "Well, maybe next time, eh?"

Amriel slung the fusion rifle back over his shoulder, body language hiding 99.9% of the disappointment he felt. He enjoyed being a Fire Warrior, for it provided a great conflict inside of him. Part of him was a craftsman who enjoyed making things while the other side enjoyed burning and destruction, provided that the enemies of his race were those on the receiving end.

"Aye, maybe next time, still, it is fine craftsmanship. Almost would have hated to blow a hole in it."

Talis' suggestion made Alo hesitate. Now he wished Amriel had burned a hole in the structure. Anything that involved his thoughts more than usual made him agitated. He wasn't good at control, even something as simple as this sometimes proved difficult.
After staring Talis down for a moment, without realising he did such a gesture or if it was rude, he walked to the gem.
He placed his left hand on it and tried to form a thought to open the door.
First thing that popped up into his mind was her. Salianna. The thought of her angered Alo. Mostly because he did not know why she invaded so much space in his thoughts. Then the thought quickly shifted to shame and just anger. His right hand bunched into a fist. Alo hoped no one had realized what had gone through his mind right now.

Perhaps it was the strength of the emotion. Perhaps the residual energy of the Farseer somehow guided his thoughts, much though Alo hated to think if it. Perhaps it was the power of his psyche, impelled by the frustration of the blocked way and the desire to be free to return to his craft. Whichever it might be, the door-gem glowed, at first red, then a bright amber. The door opened, the wood ebbing back from the force of the Avenger's wishes and leaving a wide, beckoning void.

The gateway thus opened led into a small chamber with no light save a soft glow from the gem in the ceiling, an ancient one this for its light was dim. It brightened a little in the presence of the Eldar, but did not give out much light. The room beyond led to a single door inwards, opening at a touch, and a further, larger chamber with two more exits - stairs to the upper floor, and another into a small courtyard.

Exploration yielded a simple layout: the main chamber, with a simple cooking range and hearth; a chamber for washing and cleansing the body; stairs up to a chamber above the door, watching the path from the lakeside; a courtyard; and on the other side, two floors of simple chambers that could be used for either storage or sleeping. The gatehouse was empty of all furniture save the built-in cooking range and two large sinks that used water diverted from a cold mountain stream. Antique light gems gave some brightness to the scene, but it was as deserted as it was once domestic.

The only thing of note, unusual for the dour Exodites and their simple life, was a bright mural on the far wall of the courtyard. Made of mineral pigments mixed with some kind of plant wax, the paints were bright - it was hard to tell how long they had been there. The main image was of a tall, elegant Eldar male dressed in a simple, sleeveless robe that looked a little like an Autarch's coat. His hair was long and unbound, and he was barefoot, holding a large bundle of lilies in his left arm, a single such flower in his right. He was depicted as if offering it to an observer who stood off to his left, so that the picture was in profile. More flowers lay scattered around his feet, with oval stones mixed in among them. It was a subtle fresco, but at the same time, a disquieting sight.


@Uriel1339 @kanila @MetalDog4 @DaKaptin @BadDo9 @Avenging-Angel @matt23 @Wata

"I would expect nothing less from our Warwitch. Morvan has never been incapable, if not always the most sensible when compared to those of us who do not dwell in matters of the future." Iktomi said.
Iktomi was pleased to hear Yareli's high spirits. Using the warm emotion, the felarch focused to raise his body temperature to dry away the cold water. A simple enough exercise for Eldar to regulate.
Iktomi smiled as Yareli moved to join him. Her touch was like snow, delicate as it melted against his exposed skin. Without warning, the Felarch turned and swept Yareli off her feet. A large smile upon his face as he enjoyed the her look of surprise. "How could anyone think of sleep, when we have promise of adventure and treasure before us?"
After a single spin, Iktomi set Yareli down as gental as dance partner. Placing his shirt and armored chest piece on under his great coat. Finishing off with his trusty wide brimmed hat.
"Who's ready to hunt for a God's Sword? I'm anxious to add it to my collection... I mean, for the good of our race." Iktomi smiled slyly.

[later]
After Yareli's proposed they divide their forces, Iktomi was compelled to see the merit of it. Even if it meant leaving Llyr behind. 'I'll bring back a dragon bone toy for the little fuzz fall. This I swear.' He thought.
After much walking and a familiar dragon's nest, the party arrived at the ruined exodite structure.
Iktomi only had time to enjoy one puff of orbo before their newest hot blooded dire avenger challenged the door to a duel. "Wonder why I didn't think of that. Ha!" He mused at Alo expense. Talis' knowledge proved invaluable, and would reveal the mechanism to grant them access. "Strange. One could be alarmed by the lack of an alarm. Was this place a communal housing or a private residence?" Iktomi thought aloud.
Once inside, Iktomi used his lens eye to scan the room for anything of value, and for any signs of danger.
"Charming Place. I must get the name of their decorator."
The mural caught his eyes, the wax shining in the limited light. The simple depiction bringing out the artist and critic in the hardened Iadanna. "A kin of some renown or a general depiction of those who call this world home? A bountiful harvest and an offering. Is it tp welcome to all who enter here or a sign of the former dwellers coat of arms? Shame we cannot simply ask what it means. Where's Morvan when you actually want him around?"

To Faenkon it did not seem as if the former inhabitants left in a hurry, everything that wasn't attached in some shape or form was removed. "Well if we find anyone betond this place we shall surely ask." Faenkon made his way to the exit beyond the gatehouse. It seemed no answers could be gleaned from their current location. Besides, even if they were to stay the night here it would be wise to scout the nearby area for potential threats.