[i]Takao's fall takes him down about 15', alongside an iron ladder into a brightly lit room.  Hundreds of candles line the walls, their flames swaying and dancing.  Some are tall, as if they were lit just moments ago, while others are burnt down to stubby mounds of wax.

In the center of the room stands an onyx pedestal supporting a massive tome bound in gold and worn black scales. 

The walls are decorated with detailed murals depicting what must be the lives of heroes:  warriors rising up from humble beginnings to lead armies against forces of darkness; humble apprentices inheriting arcane powers from their masters, casting down kings and emperors with a wave of their wands; meek rouges growing to become daring shadow lords; and destitute warrior monks rising to become leaders of holy armies.

  
[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/a087e8ed-44b6-4b67-ba12-5c6e4d6762a0.png[/img][/center]


Meanwhile, on the roof of the tower, the sounds of commotion rouses one of the men near the keg awake and he blinked in surprise.  [color=f26522]"Hey!"[/color] he yelled, collecting his wits as he kicked his two companions awake.  They fumbled for their blades while the one to wake first took a threatening step toward Arnold, shifty eyes sizing up the cleric.  [color=f26522]"We was here first,"[/color] he stated, as if that simple fact solidified their claim to the tower. [color=f26522]"Get back in yer boat."[/color] [/i]