I walk down the passage way and approach a grandiose portcullis. The room beyond is dimly lit, but with my trusty darkvision, I can see clearly. It measures ninety feet in length and forty feet in width, and is adorned with shadowy alcoves along its cold stone walls.
With a deep breath, I push against the portcullis, feeling the weight of centuries-old hinges groan under my touch. The metallic clang reverberates off the walls, breaking the silence like an unwelcome guest. As I step inside, I let my eyes adjust to the gloom, taking in the chilling sight before me.
This once sacred sanctuary is now a haunting reminder of time's cruel passage. Skeletal remains of robed figures slump in their alcoves in the walls, their hollow eye sockets staring blankly into nothingness. Fleshless hands still clutch tattered scrolls or prayer beads, frozen in eternal supplication. The stench of rot fills my nostrils, mingling with the musty odor of old parchment and damp stone.
My gaze lingers on an empty alcove nestled in the eastern wall, its occupant long since vanished. An inexplicable pull draws me closer, urging me to uncover the mystery that lies within. What could have driven those who came before me to abandon this place? And what role does this vacant niche play in the macabre tableau before me? Only time will tell as I delve deeper into the enigma that awaits behind the crumbling walls of this haunting chamber.
Now, I must decide: do I examine the empty alcove or explore these mysterious alcoves for potential treasure? Ah, the choices we face in life!