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Nebibit:
It occurs to you that the most aggressive and active; meaning able to move about like vampires and mummies; have most likely left for the surface and parts unknown; the dead here are probably not strong enough or motivated enough to leave their crypts without some kind of invitation or stimulous; with the presence of the literal Hellgate in close proximity; lesser spirits and the like probably cannot travel far from their resting spots without getting pulled by the Hellgate. It is those who may have been murdered or died in these halls that woudl be bound to the halls and be most likely to wander it. With all the miles of walking; you literally have not seen a living soul other than the party; so most of the religious binding on the crypts must be still active and working; ie the crypts are consecrated ground and a barrier from the hallway. It is the wandering oppurtunist creatures like gnolls and jellies, slimes, slugs, giant spiders, giant and the like that would most likely be trouble in the hallways; at least that is what is the problem in the crypts in Eygpt. The set up here and the set up back home seems strangly similiar; as if the cultures development and religious styles were once very very closely related.
"What makes you think that?" Nebibit asks breaking her long silence
Dom:
the hallway continues on as far as you can see crypt after crypt; to your memory of hours of walking; you have passed no doors in this corridor other than crypts; religious orders usually are fairly orderly and repetative so probably group their store/supplies/barracks all in the same places probably with a central altar; it is apparently not in this hallway; you have passed miles of hallways and countless crypts; could be anywhere; might take a short or long time to find one. Without some kind of guide; your not sure how to fulfill Kosan's order.
I return, once again taking a lot of care not to be found by anyone or anything lurking around the crypts.
"Kosan, there is no likely resting place that I can find. Any of this hallways or crypts is as good as anything we can find for miles. We could take the risk of resting here, or continue on our way. I didn't want to get too far out of range, but after we move down the areas that I've just explored, I can make another scouting trip."
Hide:
Move Silently:
In the Mind link: Caer, Iunuis, Aahz have you found us a secure location to hole up in yet? Kaluna fly ahead and see what there. Send back information through the mind link. W need a place that can be defended for at least the night or an alternative to staying out her like sitting lets move before its to late.
Sure thing Kusan, although its rather difficult to find a place in death's realm where in its defensible to the dead. But, you never know, spirits can be quite peculiar at times. I wonder if the snakes are dead, hope not, snakes make for good stew you know. Specially with some Halfling spices, I dont know where they get their recipes from but its really tastee stuff...cant wait for some snake stew, and grapes too of course, yummm....
I will fly down a ways, further than Caerwyn went. Until there is either a choice to make, a spot that allows for some cover and is not the middle of the hallway, a trap I hope I dont spring or some sort of entity I sense. Just flying along not searching so normal speed.
with your darkvision and Drow senses, you can see the faint outline of a very old doorway that has been bricked up long ago; is very faintly different from the surrounding area and is in the shape of a door. It looks very solid; whatever is behind that door; perhaps and expansion that didnt happen; perhaps something so nasty they bricked it in; regardless; there behind the party about 30ft back you can see this faint outline in the side of the hall that has no crypts.
I will keep a lookout for hidden doorways, but I am not as skilled as one who makes it there profession. Someone else will need to keep guard at the back of the group for I will be distracted looking for what is not meant to be found.
Kalona
continuing in flight down the hallway at good speed you cover distance quite quickly; while you see no change in the hall for some time and no place for the party to "roost"; down the hall inside the area colored for Hecate; you can see in the distance some broken bricks and the like... do you investigate or return? You are some 500' from the party; only a few minutes by birdflight or a good run; quite a while by the quiet sneaking pace of the party.
Well, its been a little boring lately, bunch of moving, no talking and this is the first change in scenary in a while so she will cautiously move forward and be prepared to make a hasty retreat.
Well something up ahead looks a little more interesting than the rest of the walls (folks get the rolling eye feeling at the mention of walls as if to ask the question who would want to be so enclosed...), will take a closer look
She will also send pictures back via the mindlink for everyones viewing pleasure.
I found something interesting if you want to take the time to give your professional opinion Dom. Its a discoloration in the wall behind us. Perhaps an old doorway bricked over?
I advance towards the wall and start searching for an opening, some mechanism that will open it, or any traps protecting it.
Dom:
This looks like an old passageway that has been bricked back up.
it looks to have been meant to be permanent as you can find no latch; switch; gear; or any opening for a hindge or anything; it just looks walled up perhaps to conceal a passage or to contain something or reroute for structural integrity.
I found something interesting if you want to take the time to give your professional opinion Dom. Its a discoloration in the wall behind us. Perhaps an old doorway bricked over?
I advance towards the wall and start searching for an opening, some mechanism that will open it, or any traps protecting it.
Anyone viewing the scene from Kalona in the mindlink:
Kalona flies into the area, crossing the Hecate Boundry, and it takes on a darker; more mystical air. You notice that Kalona have very sharp vision, much more acute than any of the other players; <though her darkvison range is a bit less than you, LLvenoc> down the hall in the distance she can see some dirt and rubble of bricks; she flies a bit closer and can see a couple tiny dinosours, like mini velociraptors, standing guard; just beyond them is more rubble; then a great hole opens into the wall. The raptors look right at Kalona, but I guess they dont see her as food or know they cannot get to her flying; strangly; their beady little eyes do not even blink, though one hisses at her. Something is disturbing about them...ah; they have a queer and keen, yet malicious intelligence in their eyes...creepy.
Kosan and Llvenoc; you can see much area of destruction of the stonework in this region; the most obvious explaination is that someone can from that hole and damaged some of Hecate's crypts. Using weapons that can shake or disturb the already weakened foundations.
"Aw swell." Kemnebi mutters as the images of Kalona's flight come through the mindlink.
"Looks like the snakes have set guards. Any ideas on how we get to them and take them out before they give an alarm? Hm, I have a spell of invisibility. If I cast it on one of the warriors, they wouldn't be able to see you, though they could still hear you. Also, it fades once you engage in violent activity, so you only get one free shot." He muses.
I move over to where Llevonic and Caer are.
In mind Link: let me see lads.
I inspect the area for a way in or demolition also to see if it is a passage (air moving, etc).
Search roll: 17 (1d20) + 9 (Mod Adj) + 2 (Stone Cunning) = 28 (If it matters I also have +11 to Dungeoneering).
Val: ?? What Do I Think ??
The two catpersons:
ok; some special knowledge you guys have as these are all catpersons sworn enemies; reptiles have one or more sensory packages; some track by sight; some by sound that works like tremorsense; some by taste so in game turns like scent but they can target by it. These look like "hunter" type guards and look like myabe they are swarmers. They LOOK like they are drawn to movement by sight or smell; but in a swarm sight is not effective <your not sure about smell> so they probably have some other sense to pull down prey in a pack
"Aw swell." Kemnebi mutters as the images of Kalona's flight come through the mindlink.
"Looks like the snakes have set guards. Any ideas on how we get to them and take them out before they give an alarm? Hm, I have a spell of invisibility. If I cast it on one of the warriors, they wouldn't be able to see you, though they could still hear you. Also, it fades once you engage in violent activity, so you only get one free shot." He muses.
Kosan
whatever you do; this wall is solid; they mean for whatever is back there to not get out or others not to get in; whatever you do to this wall will be pretty noisy and there is no telling if it goes to anything at all; might be dirt back there or a room or even another set of hallways as Llvenoc suggests; got any X-ray vision; hehe Superdwarf hehe. It occurs to you that perhaps Caer might be able to use his "tools" to drill a small hole and run a dowel through and at least see how thick it is or something like that on a small, quiet scale or maybe there is a way to quietly remove a brick by dissolving the mortar or the like.
I move over to where Llevonic and Caer are.
In mind Link: let me see lads.
I inspect the area for a way in or demolition also to see if it is a passage (air moving, etc).
Search roll: 17 (1d20) + 9 (Mod Adj) + 2 (Stone Cunning) = 28 (If it matters I also have +11 to Dungeoneering).Val: ?? What Do I Think ??
Okay, I will not go any deeper in and am returning to the group. Mini raptors qualify as a stopping point.
On my way back, unless there are some hidden ways within these walls, those little ones are the only way past. I think they will likely attack and eat anything that comes into reach, probably not much food down here for them. Probably also a lot more than I saw. Bet they taste like frog. Could make for some fine fixings...got to watch the bones though.
with Kalonas last message; both of you two catpersons would agree that lizards are tasty and often a special treat served in your homeland; on a stick a bit like shish k bob with a nice peanut and mango sauce.
The two catpersons:
** spoiler omitted **"Aw swell." Kemnebi mutters as the images of Kalona's flight come through the mindlink.
"Looks like the snakes have set guards. Any ideas on how we get to them and take them out before they give an alarm? Hm, I have a spell of invisibility. If I cast it on one of the warriors, they wouldn't be able to see you, though they could still hear you. Also, it fades once you engage in violent activity, so you only get one free shot." He muses.
with Kalonas last message; both of you two catpersons would agree that lizards are tasty and often a special treat served in your homeland; on a stick a bit like shish k bob with a nice peanut and mango sauce.
Nebibits stomach makes a bit of a rumbling noise at the thought of cooked Lizard. Something a red faced Nebibit quickly apolagises for.
In the Mind Link: This looks pretty solid. Caer can ye get some sort of viewing scope or quietly remove a few bricks so that we can see what is behind this? Try dissolving the mortar. Does anyone have any type of special sight or stone melding spells? Kaluna good job get back here. Try to not be followed by the the enemy Stay high.
Caer
in game terms:
you could use your "tools" to scrape away some mortar and perhaps somewhat quietly remove a brick, if that is your goal. looking at the brick and mortar; assume that it would take you about an hour to get a brick out; worst case; if the brick breaks and you have to hammer it out; best case if the mortar gives and is weak and the brick itself doesnt crumble; about two turns (20 minutes). Consider also; that this is the tomb of Zeus' patrons, and your not sure but this might be defileing his tomb, thought Zeus is not a hard liner nor has any absolute rules; tends to be fickle; so up to you to decide how you feel about this.
Kemnebi grins at Nebibit, embarrassed when he realizes that he was also licking his lips at the thought of roast lizard.
"Actually, they taste like chicken, only gamier." Kemnebi replies with a mental grin.
"However we decide to take care of them, we shall have to do it swiftly & silently, so as not to give warning. For these are pack creatures, minor annoyances on their own, but deadly once they swarm. Fortunately being in a swarm seems to mess up the tremorsense that some of the greater reptiles seem to possess. I'm not certain about their sense of smell." The mage shrugs.
"If we cannot avoid them, we should strike swiftly and then keep moving. Do not give them time to group up."
"Good idea Llevinoc! Where IS that map?!?,..." Kemnebi murmurs aloud as he pats his own pockets, to make sure he didn't pocket it and forget about it.
Ok; after about 15 minutes work; you can work one brick out; others will come faster now that you have one out; behind this brick you see a wooden panel; probably fairly thick and treated with oil of some kind or magic to keep it from rotting away surrounded by earth; do you choose to boar a hole through it? how shall you proceed; you think it probable that this may be a bricked up door, though you dont know much about how this place was constructed; seems unlikely to have very much wood.
I used to know one my dear cat; Passwall I think it was there was also one to change you temporarily into a spectre like creature; to slip through holes and things; do you know that one?
Kemnebi shakes his head ruefully, then grins at June.
"You never cease to amaze me! I confess to a certain, healthy ego regarding my arcane knowledge, but it is entirely possible that you have forgotten more about magic than I have yet learned!"
The mage tenses as Astinos hisses tersely. He nods, looking around and wondering just how it could be so easy to forget he was walking through a crypt populated with undead!
In the mind link: So Caerwyn what do you see boy. Can we get out that way or not.
"Well, it looks like we have a bricked up door behind this wall. I can probably bore a hole through it with my tools. It might take a bit of time to do it quietly though, so let me know if I should start, since it seems that Astinos is wanting us to go in a different direction."
In the Mind Link: Caer you have 10 minutes to tell me if that is a good way to go. Don't let us down boy. Kaluna, Whats out there beyond Decidio's sight. Aahz can you see what she can not? Give it a try. Astinios prepare the party to move if need be. But also have them prepared for a fight in case this turns ugly. Any recommendations? Scouts speak to me.
*blushes* well...uhm...I haven't studies in centuries, I doubt I am much help
<then looks down the hall>
yes, I see it too, a cloud of some sort I think, can't tell what it is, but seems to slowly be coming this way, but doesnt seem to know about us; I cant tell if it is intelligent or not.
__________
I used to know one my dear cat; Passwall I think it was there was also one to change you temporarily into a spectre like creature; to slip through holes and things; do you know that one?Kemnebi shakes his head ruefully, then grins at June.
"You never cease to amaze me! I confess to a certain, healthy ego regarding my arcane knowledge, but it is entirely possible that you have forgotten more about magic than I have yet learned!"
The mage tenses as Astinos hisses tersely. He nods, looking around and wondering just how it could be so easy to forget he was walking through a crypt populated with undead!
As you say sister mine, it could turn down a hallway before it gets to us, we shall endevor to watch it; it appears a boiling cloudlike mass of darkness moving very slowly. It is still some 200ft or so away, but coming from Hecate's area
can you see it Prince Llvenoc?
for those in the ABQ area that need a hook up; my daughter is now taking orders for Girl Scout Cookies till Thurday Morning; yes a shameless plug; and no; they are not made of real girl scouts
<ponder>