This AREA is normally empty, but is guarded
by a pair of trolls (from area
402) during
alerts. If present, they stand by the south
wall between the stairways, hoping to surprise
intruders.
The descending stairways empty onto
a
large landing. From there, a passage 20 feet
wide and 30 feet tall slopes slightly downwards to the north,
leading to more stairs, an intersection,
more stairs, and more corridor.
The walls of the landing are covered with
mosaic murals depicting a nauseating scene
of frolicking demons, vile goops and
molds,
and giant humanoids, all capering about
amidst a field of their fallen, torn, and tortured victims.
This stair seems often used, with
fresh
and old footprints of large humanoids all
about. Small scraps of food and bits of bone
lie in the dusty corners of the stairs' risers. In
one corner is a small piece of torn parchment, easily found if characters
examine the
area. Upon it is a faded drawing, its details
only discernible when held up to a light
source. It is a crude depiction of a crowned
skull, with four lines (each about twice the
length of the skull's height) emanating from
the crown, and a circle at the outer end of
each line.
<(apple) pie,
waterskin (50% full: water),
(moldy) bread,
waterskin (50% full: small beer),
roast goose,
aspargus bits>