Seeing the covering over the cave, and the door, Ka'etil motions to Brett and Billy that there is likely a threat there, and motions for them to prepare a shot. He hushes Ry and Alaric, and will sneak up closer
Stealth Check to sneak up to the door
Stealth Check to sneak up to the door
1d20+9
Brett reaches forward and holds you back with his hand, urging you to stop in your tracks.
"Things like this be ain't natural - may be a trick, or likely a trap! Best let them that know how to be searching fer such things give it a once over, eh?" he says.
Brett stands there for a moment - not even advancing to the door; then, he mutters a few words in a low and seemingly foriegn tongue even as Billy Banks comes to you.
Making a pass with his hand Brett searches the door for traps...
Billy looks on, seeing the power to search for traps at such a distance, and merely leans closer to you.
"Where does he get such wonderful toys?" he asks, in astonishment, shaking his head.
Brett nods sagely, then.
"Aye, there be a trap then, right on the bloody door! If ye had moved up to it, and maybe done that wrong which ye need not do - well, it would have dumped something on ye! But what it be, I not right sure..."
Moving forward then, slowly, he indicates you follow. At the door there seems to be a mechanism that he could disable the trap.
Brett will slide out a tool kit, and attempt to do so...
Disable Device:
After succesfully disabling the device he finds that there are small holes in the door - filled with some sort of compressed sand or gas or dust - he is not sure what it is, though. Fearing it is poison, though, he does not touch it, and recommends that you do not either, nor inhale it.
K nature
K nature 1d20+6
You know it is extremely dangerous, and very foreign to this land... Knowledge: Arcana could help you here, if you would like.
As could anyone else who attempts to roll...
k arcana
k arcana 1d20+9
You pale, noticably. The dust is some form of extremely potent magical curse. Anyone who inhales the dust begins to rot - like the dead kings of Osirion do long after they are entombed...
"Gods above and below!" Brett gasps with horror, after you quickly explain the full potency of what the dust does.
"Well..." he offers with a lame smile "as the trap be disarmed, fer it was not too dificult to do - though the poison be something fierce... I guess I should say - "After you"" and he gestures politely to Kae with his hand, though you notice it is shaking somewhat at the near thing of that poison.
"Heh, that would be unfortounate to have beet hit by. Lucky it was not in a complex device," Kae whispers to Brett. "You're sure there are no more traps?"
Kae pulls out his flask of oil, greases the hinges of the door, and the inside, trying to silently open it...
Stealth check
...and listens for any sounds...
Perception to listen at the door
...hand reaching for the mace at his side.
In any case...
The doors seems to be very well made, and you can see the wood of the door look likes pine. You would think it made of local wood. The door seems fairly sturdy, and you are able to lift the latch and swing it slowly open.
Behind the door is a long tunnel, about ten feet wide (after the doorway); the tunnel is roughly ten feet in height. You see a dim red light shining from the end of the tunnel (roughly 30 feet from you).
The tunnel turns with an extreme 90 degree turn to the right. Quick examination reveals the stone is straight cut, well hewn, with direct sharp-cut corners. There is nothing that looks natural here; it looks like someone with good stonemasonry has worked on this tunnel; clearly crafted.
The way the light is at the end of tunnel, around the corner, makes you think it is is torchlight (not magical) - for it flickers as the door widens and a brief gust of wind blows down the corridor.
"Well," Brett whispers in a hushed tone "ye want to go first, or mayhap me?
"I can take point, Brett, if you would be so kind as to cover me as we go, ready should something spring from the shadows." Kae quietly walks down the path, looking around the corner, glad of his elven eyes and ears.
and relevant checks
stealth
perception
Visibly relieved the trap had been disarmed, from the rear of the group, Ariarh watches as Kae then Brett enter. Kae's face had turned paler moments before and it had not gone unnoticed by her. Billy starts to follow but not before turning around briefly and giving her a meaningful look to tread lightly and remain alert. She silently acknowledges him with a brisk nod of her head and removes her dagger from its sheath, ready for any trouble. Ry moves forward cautiously and adjusts her eyes as she peers down the corridor of the tunnel, watching her male companions approaching/reaching the sharp right turn. Occasionally she glances behind her; her griffon Dior following up in the rear, his golden eyes focused like a hunter's.
and relevant checks
stealth
1d20+9perception
1d20+9
While you are relatively sure there is no chance of anyone hearing you, you are slightly disturbed (perhaps because of your excellent perception) to hear the tread of your companions behind you through the doorway.
Still, clearing your mind of any distraction, you focus your senses and direct your entire essence of awareness forward. You listen for echoes in the tunnel around the corner, you raise your hand, open your palm and seek to feel the rustle of air currents around it - does the air move forward, or does it remain still? You inhale gently into your nostrils, seeking the smells of threat...
This is what you discover:
1. You are not clear on echoes, as your allies behind you are not as stealthy as you would prefer - you mainly hear the sound of the scratch of Dior's claws on the rock floors - and the snap and crackle of a sputtering torch. No other sounds are in your ears at this time, except for the sound of your own heartbeat throbbing still at the near miss of that trap.
- You had recalled, vaguely, of the potency of the powers of Osirion kings burried long ago and brought to life through foul necromancy. A stray scrap of information reaching your ears at the campfire. But such a power - the Rot of Mummies, if used, would erode your very health to the point of death if powerful divine spells were not cast quickly and in succession to allay such suffering. You are also sure that none in your party possess such powers at this time - if you had breathed the diseased dust, you would have certainly suffered a terrible fate!
Still, one thing strikes you as odd - if the plague of Osirion is in the nature of the trap, what is this plague doing so far north? Osirion is far to the south by many hundreds of leagues . Why should any folk that could possess such powers be here?
Still, there is something oddly familiar about this southern intrustion - something about it prickles in your memory. Sadly, it just is out of reach!
2. There is indeed a low gust of air that rides past you, from behind. The doorway is clearly letting air flow move forward. However, this seems to indicate to you that though the tunnel has an abrubt turn, it by no means dead ends. The passing wind seems to indicate that there is a large place for fresh air to move into... You think, without even advancing, that the next turn will show you a large space for air to move into...
3. Your senses, enhanced by the trials of the wilderness, and the particulars of the hunt, and perhaps even your bloodline - indicate a strong smell from the turn of the corner - something sweet, fragrant, and potent. Nothing like blood or death, but rather; pleasing and exotic...
Brett stands behind you, his pistols out - saying nothing, waiting until you decide what to do with the information your senses have gathered. He waits for you cue, and is ready.
Behind him Billy is holding a short sword; his sawed-off, double barrelled musket is still in the holster which is strapped to his hip. He seems to know that would be a potent weapon to use in such close quarter combats - with you all around him, it is likely he may injure a friend, unless he is on point, (which he seems very skeptical to go for, given the traps you've seen already) given the nature of situation thus far!
Yet in any case, you are sure that firearms, used in such close quarters in the stone caves - with the echoes - will certainly give away your position!
Visibly relieved the trap had been disarmed, from the rear of the group, Ariarh watches as Kae then Brett enter. Kae's face had turned paler moments before and it had not gone unnoticed by her. Billy starts to follow but not before turning around briefly and giving her a meaningful look to tread lightly and remain alert. She silently acknowledges him with a brisk nod of her head and removes her dagger from its sheath, ready for any trouble. Ry moves forward cautiously and adjusts her eyes as she peers down the corridor of the tunnel, watching her male companions approaching/reaching the sharp right turn. Occasionally she glances behind her; her griffon Dior following up in the rear, his golden eyes focused like a hunter's.
You feel equally confident about your subtlety - even as much as the crafty Half-Elf Barbarian - almost as if your skills are in perfect harmony!
Yet, despite this, you wince! Dior's little claws make slight scratching on the stone floors. You pray they are not heard, and hope that is so - yet it is clear to you that his usage of stealh - at least in this case, is not as successful as your own!
Nevertheless, you proceed slowly...
While you are not as well positioned or trained as the barbarian in front of you to deduce the clues aroud you, your own training has revealed other particulars that have their own advantages...
1. The stone around you, while well crafted and well cut, is not simply stone. Rather, it is extremely hard packed, very solid clay. You have seen such "stone" near dry riverbeds, in which water had compressed mud for great lengths and, having dried up, left formations of lovely natural "rock" that is, in fact, compressed, dried mud.
Your experience with the natural world makes you wonder ponder this stone work. You are, suddenly, less impressed at the craftsmenship then you were a moment ago. Yes; the stones are well cut and crafted - but this was not as difficult as you first guessed! No dwarven pickaxe or master wizard was needed to fashion these tunnels - a strong back, and good shovels could, in time, carve the tunnel, and a patient worker with a chisel and spade could arrange the interior to be more pleasing with tight corners and straight lines.
- In short, you now believe that this tunnel was not carved so long ago - for the "stone" itself was an natural occurance resulting in more recent times. You are standing in no "ruin" that coincides with the ancient stone works of the fortress - no! This is fresh, made less then a century!
2. While you are unable to hear a sputtering torch so close to the entrance to the caves, and near Dior's shuffling feet, and nor can you feel a suble movement of the air currents, you clearly smell a strong, pungent smell.
- Perhaps it was Dior himself who directed your nostrils to the smell, as though you are equally perceptive - he has a more finely tuned nose... Yet as he cannot tell you his full opinion on the matter, you must resort to your own conclusions.
- Your sense detect the smell of something sweet and pungent. And though to others this may be a confused scent, your background with nature and some study of Divine methods lead you to believe you are clearly smelling incense!
Yet, why is there burning incense in a cave? Perhaps for a ceremony, or sacred purpose? You search your mind on this point for a moment, seeing if you can remember from your studies when and why such insense would be used...
Both Ariarh and Ka'etil used the exact same skills but got widely different sets of feedback and questions.
This is because I feel that, due to their character's personal background, as well as their location in the tunnel and proximity to the issues, not to mention the fact that they each have attempted to look for and check out different things - I am giving you both very different results.
This is on purpose.
Kae, you have no reason to make a Knowledge: Nature check, nor does Ariarh believe the tunnel may go on for a long time. The results posted are currently related to your own characters.
However: you are both free to confer with each other and share information for a moment, before you proceed. But if you do this, make sure you are stealthy. Both of you should guess (common sense, I suspect), that whispers will carry in these caves if you're not careful with sharing information...
Knowing that anything around the bend that would notice hushed whispers is likely to have heard Dior's scratching, Ka'etil holds up his hand to silently halt the party, motions for quiet and says, "We seem to be about to enter a large chamber, based on the sound of things, and air currents, but... Well... There's something bothering me. The powdered Mummy Rot at the door strikes me as Orsion, perhaps, as they used necromancy to raise theor ancient kings. It's odd that their work would be here, but I recall the perpetrator of the expiraments done with Anuk-su, the Seti, and the troll-blood who killed Lechner, was working with the Osiron. Could this be the base of operations for those he was communicating with? Have there been other Osiron incursions before I arrived?"
Then he takes a moment, closes his eyes focusing his perception inward, and asks Is there a deeper connection with the Osiron that I am yet missing?
Then looking at Dior, he apoligeticly looks at Ariarh, "I'm sorry but his sniffing is almost as loud as his scratching. I know there's an interesting smell, not sure what it is, but would you be able to quiet him, Ariarh? Unless you know what it is?" He does not mean to offend, but in the silence of the caves he can't help but wince as he percieves the Griphon's clinking claws and sniffing is echoing all throughout the caves.
Bronwyn waits in the entrance of the cave, knowing full well his presence would hinder the efforts of his companions.
He looks at Alaric and whispers:
"Keep you eyes open, sir, for I trust not this place."
The knight looks down the portal, many questions forming up in his mind. He shares some with Alaric, knowing the young man's education might offer him some insight
"Even though it left death and carnage, there are no indications that whatever creature that attacked the herd had malicious intent. It might be one of the many different species of animals larger than men, and unnacostumed to civilization. It may simply see the smaller animal as prey, and hunt with no malice."
His eyes narrow on the opening and the dust.
"But then there's this. It's a deliberate construction, carrying a powerful curse, possibly intended to weaken any trespassers so its owner can more easily deal with them. May we be facing some sort of magician, maybe able to transform himself into some larger beast? Or maybe capable of summoning demons from other realms to do his work for him? Could it be that this person has trained an animal or dominated it through his magic? He could be using it to further his aims and goals, or maybe even just supply him with food."
Finally, the armored man looks at Alaric, hoping to receive his arcane insights on the matter at hand.
Alaric looks back at his brother and whispers: It is definitely a possibility that a transformation is occurring. Any of those ideas are possible as a matter of fact. That is one of the great things, and in this case terrible things, about magic...anything is possible. Perhaps the best thing is to keep an open mind and see what we find.
Regrettably, I was under the impression that both Sir Bronwyn and Alaric were waiting below with the other NPC's, including our nervous drover...
If that is incorrect, let me know. But the people at the cave entrance are about 200 feet away from the horses, gear, NPC's and the nervous drover; at this time.
You feel equally confident about your subtlety - even as much as the crafty Half-Elf Barbarian - almost as if your skills are in perfect harmony!
Yet, despite this, you wince! Dior's little claws make slight scratching on the stone floors. You pray they are not heard, and hope that is so - yet it is clear to you that his usage of stealth - at least in this case, is not as successful as your own!
Nevertheless, you proceed slowly...
While you are not as well positioned or trained as the barbarian in front of you to deduce the clues around you, your own training has revealed other particulars that have their own advantages...
1. The stone around you, while well crafted and well cut, is not simply stone. Rather, it is extremely hard packed, very solid clay. You have seen such "stone" near dry riverbeds, in which water had compressed mud for great lengths and, having dried up, left formations of lovely natural "rock" that is, in fact, compressed, dried mud.
Your experience with the natural world makes you wonder ponder this stone work. You are, suddenly, less impressed at the craftsmenship then...
The recurrent sound of the griffon's claws on the stone floor makes Ariarh uneasy. She turns around and halts the griffon's progress with her hand. Using simple, repetitive hand gestures, Ry communicates to him to stop moving as the sound of his stepping is carrying down the corridor. Dior gives his mistress somewhat of an apologetic look and then a short steely glance, obviously rankled with her abrupt command to stop his progression. Ry scratches the top of his head in a conciliatory gesture as she understands it is not his fault.
Something about the walls, the "stonework" of this tunnel catches her attention. Walking quietly over to the walls, Ry touches the surface of the "stone" and gently scratches at it with her fingernail. This is not stone but clay. Man-made rather than a ruin of old. When were you built ..., Ry silently asks in her head, pondering the time frame of such a project as this before her.
Something assails her nostrils and Dior's emphatic sniffing of the air does not help. Once again, Ry raises her hand, this time to her lips, in gesture of silence. Dior indeed possessed an uncanny ability with scent, however this tunnel carried all manner of sound and they could not afford to be detected at this time. Kae's quiet displeasure from the front was not missed by her either. The sweet, pungent scent was familiar and she tried to place it in her mind. Khro, would be better at this, thinking of her priest love back at the fortress, wishing he could have accompanied them yet understanding the necessity of his continued presence at the keep.
Knowing that anything around the bend that would notice hushed whispers is likely to have heard Dior's scratching, Ka'etil holds up his hand to silently halt the party, motions for quiet and says, "We seem to be about to enter a large chamber, based on the sound of things, and air currents, but... Well... There's something bothering me. The powdered Mummy Rot at the door strikes me as Orision, perhaps, as they used necromancy to raise their ancient kings. It's odd that their work would be here, but I recall the perpetrator of the experiments done with Anuk-su, the Seti, and the troll-blood who killed Lechner, was working with the Osirion. Could this be the base of operations for those he was communicating with? Have there been other Osirion incursions before I arrived?"
Then he takes a moment, closes his eyes focusing his perception inward, and asks Is there a deeper connection with the Osiron that I am yet missing?
Upon hearing Kae quietly talking about the Osirion plague, Mummy Rot, it sparks a recollection, something she had read in Ghould-se-Kot's journal, the one they found in the dungeon at the Temple of Iomedae.
Drawing closer to Kae and the others, Ry shares her thoughts in a very low voice, hoping the sound would not carry in this tunnel. "The Osirion, Ghould-se-Kot had, if memory serves me correct, two entries in his journal pertaining to emissaries from Osirion coming to these lands. The first entry was made in the month of Rova, I believe." Ry pauses to see if there is movement from the end of the tunnel and listens for unusual sounds, hoping she was speaking quietly enough. "Two months later, there was another entry made recounting scouts moving south to the fortress by the lake. If this is correct, then it is possible Osirion scouts made their way to the Stag Lord's fortress and found themselves at these cliffs on the Western Lane. It would provide a discreet, protected shelter for experiments would it not? We have no idea what information was shared between Ghould-se-Kot and his allied countrymen. They may have even gotten their hands on some of the dragon blood he had collected and continued the experiments or they may have been here first and begun their work before Ghould-se-Kot", Ariarh surmises.
Acurately, I said you were by the horses. However, I also said that was if you chose to be. If you would like to come up, you are free to come up.
So, as it seems that you like to come up, and Bronwyn has followed you, then I will presume the two of you are up at the doorway, though not far into the door.
You feel equally confident about your subtlety - even as much as the crafty Half-Elf Barbarian - almost as if your skills are in perfect harmony!
Yet, despite this, you wince! Dior's little claws make slight scratching on the stone floors. You pray they are not heard, and hope that is so - yet it is clear to you that his usage of stealth - at least in this case, is not as successful as your own!
Nevertheless, you proceed slowly...
While you are not as well positioned or trained as the barbarian in front of you to deduce the clues around you, your own training has revealed other particulars that have their own advantages...
1. The stone around you, while well crafted and well cut, is not simply stone. Rather, it is extremely hard packed, very solid clay. You have seen such "stone" near dry riverbeds, in which water had compressed mud for great lengths and, having dried up, left formations of lovely natural "rock" that is, in fact, compressed, dried mud.
Your experience with the natural world makes you wonder ponder this stone work. You are, suddenly, less impressed at the craftsmenship then...
The recurrent sound of the griffon's claws on the stone floor makes Ariarh uneasy. She turns around and halts the griffon's progress with her hand. Using simple, repetitive hand gestures, Ry communicates to him to stop moving as the sound of his stepping is carrying down the corridor. Dior gives his mistress somewhat of an apologetic look and then a short steely glance, obviously rankled with her abrupt command to stop his progression. Ry scratches the top of his head in a conciliatory gesture as she understands it is not his fault.
Something about the walls, the "stonework" of this tunnel catches her attention. Walking quietly over to the walls, Ry touches the surface of the "stone" and gently scratches at it with her fingernail. This is not stone but clay. Man-made rather than a ruin of old. When were you built ..., Ry silently asks in her head,...
You look hard at the stone around you - not sure how old it is; but as your fingers crumble the rock slightly, you would guess that this passage is not less then 20 years old. You feel somewhat annoyed - if you could use "dungeoneering" knowledge, you may have a better idea, or a more accurate one.
As for the smell? Clearly, a smell of incense. You vaugely recall that it is used during certain religious rituals.... You think (though you are not sure) that this type of incense is used during burials and the ceremonies to prepare bodies for the afterlife...
Alaric, if you and Bronwyn are actually in the doorway/tunnel, I need your position, and I need to know what you decide to do - specifically...
Knowing that anything around the bend that would notice hushed whispers is likely to have heard Dior's scratching, Ka'etil holds up his hand to silently halt the party, motions for quiet and says, "We seem to be about to enter a large chamber, based on the sound of things, and air currents, but... Well... There's something bothering me. The powdered Mummy Rot at the door strikes me as Orsion, perhaps, as they used necromancy to raise theor ancient kings. It's odd that their work would be here, but I recall the perpetrator of the expiraments done with Anuk-su, the Seti, and the troll-blood who killed Lechner, was working with the Osiron. Could this be the base of operations for those he was communicating with? Have there been other Osiron incursions before I arrived?"
Then he takes a moment, closes his eyes focusing his perception inward, and asks Is there a deeper connection with the Osiron that I am yet missing?
Then looking at Dior, he apoligeticly looks at Ariarh, "I'm sorry but his sniffing is almost as loud as his scratching. I know there's an interesting smell, not sure what it is, but would you be able to quiet him, Ariarh? Unless you know what it is?" He does not mean to offend, but in the silence of the caves he can't help but wince as he percieves the Griphon's clinking claws and sniffing is echoing all throughout the caves.
Beware the wiles of men...
Blood, intermingled, hearkens more blood spilled...To fashion life is a dominion of the Divine...
They who would create life from the lifeless and seek to breed new strength shall incur the observation of their betters - with all due consequences...
"It is clear that the Osirons have been doing further experiments in this place. Most likely it was one of these thing that escaped, or maybe released, that killed poor Held, so there is likely to be a creature here, maybe several. Also there is a chance of undead, maybe some sort of dark ritual, although I know of no Arcane ceremonies that involve whatever this aroma is..." Kae whispers.
In equal hushed tone as Kae, Ry addresses the subject of the scent in the air, "Before I came to these lands, I had found a curious book in my mother's library that spoke of a certain type of incense used during burials and in ceremonies to prepare bodies for the afterlife. The description of it and what my mother told me afterward, would seem to fit the sense of the aroma filling this tunnel at present."
Having received the Augry, Ka'etil whispers
Beware the wiles of men...
Blood, intermingled, hearkens more blood spilled...
To fashion life is a dominion of the Divine...
They who would create life from the lifeless and seek to breed new strength shall incur the observation of their betters - with all due consequences...
"Hmmm, binding blood, creating life, the abominations. We must be ready for them as well as their creators. There may be some sord of devine or evil practices goin on here, based on the incense. Perhaps they are creating undead versions of what we found in the other tomb."Ryul may have wanted the chance to deliver justice to associates of those that imprisoned him and his people.
Upon hearing the Augury, it would seem that the gods were very aware of the abominations and those who would make themselves gods by creating them. All due consequences sent the appropriate shiver down Ry's spine. Gods' wrath and vengeance were something to fear and she would not want to be in the boots of these Undead creators. It seemed the party were once again walking into a mighty cesspool of danger.
Motioning to the presence of Alaric and Bronwyn by the door of the cave, ensuring she made as little sound as possible, "Mayhap one of us can go and advise Alaric and Bronwyn of what we feel we have discovered, here. If it is necessary, I can pen a quick note and attach it to Dior and have him fly down to Ryul and advise the others as well. The kobold ranger, at the very least, may want to climb the cliffs and join us. What say you?"
"Well, that be a pessle o' hash, no mistake! But the question be, as I see it, nay "What the purpose of what may be...", but, if I may be so bold "What we be doing, [i[now[/i]?" Brett mutters with a hoarse whisper.
He taps his left foot gently against the rock.
"Talk, debate, what-have-ye... What be the bloody plan? Are Alaric and Bronwyn comming, too? Or are they waiting at the door all day? And what about the gear down by the horses? Finally - are we going forward, or just heading on out? Hell, we could head on back home, rustle up about twenty or thirty folk with spears and such, and come back here. This be concerning all o' us, so... ye know? What do ye folk want to be doing, eh?" he asks, a stern, questioning look on his face.
Ariarh listens and carefully considers all of Brett's questions.
She scans the faces of the companions around her and then in a low-hushed but concerned voice,
"I do not think it wise to proceed any further without vital gear and with such a small party. Also, the last time we fought an aberration or abomination was at the Temple of Iomedae and it resulted in a long, drawn out battle that I would not like repeated. I propose we head back to the fortress immediately, put together a larger armed contingent of willing people and return to complete the exploration of these tunnels and find the creatures hidden deep within. At present we have no idea of their numbers, the strength of these man-made creations or even the Osirions behind their existence. I would rather we did not promptly walk into a trap."
Ry is then silent and stands back waiting for the other companions to share their opinion on whether to continue as they are now or retreat and come back another day, stronger in force and better armed.
"The problem with that, is that every day that these experiments continues is a day where our people are in danger, and another day to improve their creations. If they did in face release the creature, then it is likely that they are in the final testing phases of their work, and I would hate to try to bring a large force, loose the element of surprise, and allow them to create more of these monsters. If we can stop them now, we can prevent further bloodshed, risk fewer lives, and curtail this threat. That said, we should bring those at the bottom of the hill, and bring them up to join us.."
"Ariarh, sending a note to bring them up. The matter is what to do with the cow-herd. I'm not entirely sure about him. Perhaps we should leave Mak Morn with him, to keep an eye on he and the horses. Maybe Ryul as well. Or we could bring the man up here, I'm no sure." Kae suggests, thinking seizing the opportunity now with swift action will likely entail the least risk, using the maximum fighting force available to them now.
Alaric waited for the report from the advanced group with trepidation. This foe could potentially be a deadly one and as such had Alaric worried.
We should have heard something. I don't like this brother. We need to see what is going on. Henry. Ryul. Stay with Hobbs and the horses. Mak Morn if you would come with us it would be appreciated. The expertise of dwarves in caves could be very helpful. Anuk-su, please keep an eye on the group here from the sky and if anything happens inform those of us in the cave. With that Alaric heads off towards the cave entrance on foot.
As Alaric and bronwyn approach, kae makes a simple gesture, accompanied by a nearly inaudible whisper, "Alaric, Bronwyn, QUIET. We're likely to be entering a large chamber, and we suspect that within are Osiron conspirators of Gould-se-kot, the expiraments they were working on, and possibly undead. We are hoping to surprise them, so hold until we signal if you can't move silently," a disembodied voice eminating from the doorway whispers to them. The words should be quiet enough to barely be heard by the party, if at all.
After a brief glance at Brett and Ry, Ka'etil again whispers through the illusionary voice, "we are not sure to proceed now, or return with re-enforcements later..."
Brett glances between the suddenly large and incredibly intimidatingly diverse group...
"Well, if ye lads want to be doing yer thinking, do it! But with all o' us here, I reckon ye don't need me to be doing much else. So, Billy and I be heading back down to the horses and giving ol' Ironhorse a hand, as it were."
He stares hard at the heavily mailed forms of Bronwyn and Mak Morn, the massive frame of Ka'etil, the rustling feathers of Dior's eagle mane, and the intent looks of Ariarh and Alaric.
"It be too bloody crowed here... We be heading outside. If ye want to go on, I say do it good and true - but so many folk be waking the dead - like as not... Though I hope it ain't be comming to that! Anyhow, the less folk there be, the quieter it be. So... good luck!"
And with that, Brett and Billy slide out of the caves and scramble down the rocks to the horses and gear.
Mak Morn turns and looks at you all.
"Just as well, laddy! Och! There be too many folk jarring about - we need bloody stealth!" he says, slamming the butt of his axe firmly on the ground, the reverberations echoing soundly...
Ariarh is perplexed with the sudden change of participants in the tunnel. Brett and Billy had swiftly left and here stood Mak Morn in all his loud glory, being anything but covert and cautious in his manner. Ry turns her head quickly toward the end of the tunnel to see if anyone had heard them and were already making their way to investigate.
Turning back to the dwarf, Ry chides him softly for his lack of restraint, though she wonders why she is even remaining quiet since the echo of the axe was still making its way through the tunnel. Gods, I pray the sound has not attracted undue attention.
Speaking to Kae directly, "So, we are doing this, then? We are going in with this number of people? Because if this is the case, then perhaps we should make ready as the loud slamming of Mak Morn's axe would have given away our presence." She waits, looking from Kae to their leader, Alaric. They needed to either get in and deal with whatever they found or leave this place. It seemed to her that her other companions had privately chosen to stay and see it through. Ariarh would aid them in any way she could, although she was very uneasy at this point.
Alaric looks at the group and says We go. I do not wish to give whomever is in here the time to prepare or escape.
Possible plans as i see it:
1. we continue down the hall, with Bron and Mak clanging along behind
2. we get brett back, stealth characters stealth, not stealthy ones wait till scouts get in
3. we leave and i'm not really sure...
Kae's vote is fr plan 2. Get Brett, and scout out the place, heavies listen for a signal to call them charging in and joining the fight...
Ka'etil glances at Ry, as Brett leaves, and then looks to the turn, nodding his head, indicating that they really should move on, if they are going to. and makes a quiet incantation as Alaric speaks.
As Brett and Billy exit the cave, coming from about 10 feet from the mouth of the cave, they hear Kae's voice calling "Wait! if any of us should be scouting along the caves, it should be you! I know my way round traps, but nowhere near good as you, and you know what may be in here! Well, we're going in as you heard Alaric say, so ..." the voice peters out and fades.
"Grah! 'bout bloody time!" Mak Morn grunts with a hoarse whisper.
"But before rushing in, I be needing a wee nip o' cour'age! he adds, then slips out a hip flask, takes a gulp, then lets out an audible Gasp!
Somewhere from down below you can hear the strange sound of a halfling rolling his eyes at this gesture...
"Fer god's sake, lad - ye elf folk be blabbing far too much! We need to take action, not guff!" Mak Morn suddenly belts out to Ka'etil's sublte hints at calling for Brett to return even as the halfling is currently retreating down the cliffs.
The sturdy hill Dwarf steps forward with a heavy tread; his iron shod boots clacking loudly on the stones. He turns back to you all, seeing your shocked looks at his posture and bold stance and movements.
"What, ye ginna just be standing about?" he says, staring hard at you all.
Seeing your looks, he wipes his hand over his face in frustration, pausing to tug at his forked beard as if considering what to say next.
"Now listen here; I be not one fer stealth, me foin gentleman and lasses! I be clad in in bloody iron and steel! 'Sides, I prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking about!" he growls, then pushes past Ka'etil and advances forward down the tunnel with a loud stomp, stomp, stomp!
Ry is dismayed by the amount of noise Mak Morn's making as he stomps down the tunnel. He may not prefer covert but they certainly did and it seemed to work better than announcing their presence to all and sundry. There is no getting through to the dwarf! He may be jeopardising all our lives with his gung-ho bravery.
Ariarh gives Kae a look which says, "We need to go, now". She waits for Kae to take the lead and then will follow with dagger drawn, Dior close behind her.
Ka'etil fumes momentarily as Mak Morn thunders past him, then shruggs. He nods to Ry, as she looks at him, and takes off down the corridor, easily jogging twice as fast as the Dwarf is able to lumber along.
As he moves, he draws a pole-arm with a long blade with a wicked hilt extending out the back, where the blade meets the haft and readies to engage any enemy that appears before him, slowing as he rounds the corner.
You rush forward quickly around the corner, and are struck with -
A stairway!
It is large, ten feet in width, and the height is still consistent - that is to say, ten feet from the ground. As you stand at the top, looking down, ready to charge forward, you pause, for a moment.
While Stealth may be a forgone conclusion, at this time, you feel it is wise to pause a moment and check things first. The wind down there... Something doesn't feel right.... But what can it be?
Only a truly Perceptive person will determine what that is, no doubt.
Mak Morn comes charging up and nearly collides into you.
"What be the hold-up," he barks.
"Oh! I see what ye mean, laddy! Well, it be a foin thing that whatever forces be governing yer bloody life out there that they give ye the chance to look before ye leap, as it were... Anyhow, what do ye think be down there?" he asks, stairing down the stairwell.
It looks like it travels nearly straight down. Though you are not a master at underground fighting and direction, you sense that with the twists and turns of the tunnel from the cliff (bearing the cliff was south, you headed south up it, then enetered a cave to the west, then headed down the tunnel and made a right turn...) Of course! You are clearly headed North.
But that would lead you right back to the fields you were just at.
Hmmm...
What exactly do you sense? Only time, (and Fate) will tell...