The man looks at Pitr and sneers
If you were a man, you would challenge me to a duel, but you're only a cowardly rat, so f.uck off!
Then he glances over at Solaric
You're just a parody of a fighter, you've healed yourself during the whole fight, pah.
You're just a parody of a fighter, you've healed yourself during the whole fight, pah.
"I am a priest of the Vigilant Flame! Clearly the light of the Inheritor flows through me. You may mock me all you like, but look who is standing true and victorious. You and your cult shall fall. It is inevitable!"
Knowing that this fighter is beyond saving, Solaric leaves the guard to the fate of Pitr and Harl. He returns to the entrance of the catacombs and prepares to descend.
"Let us attach ropes to each other to save each other should one of us fall."
Kirk draws his dagger suddenly and steps up behind the last survivor, the archer who shot him. He brings the blade around to the front of the man's neck and draws it methodically across, executing him quickly and without warning. "I think I enjoyed that more than any of you would have," he says, wiping his dagger off on the corpse's shirt before sheathing it once more in his belt. "Let's go then, shall we? I'll lead the way, we can use that rope we got from these fools," he says, pointing to the cultists' bodies scattering the ground.
Before they descend, however, Kirk approaches Solaric. "Solaric, I know you try to find redemption in everyone, but you should know that we did the right thing killing those cultists. They would have shown us no mercy, they've proven that. They got what they deserved."
"The archer mocks someone fer the way they foought, hahaha.", Harl says as he makes his way over to the stairs. "One second their, elf. Lemme take a look at this stone work before ya go an' get yourself killed."
"Solaric, I know you try to find redemption in everyone, but you should know that we did the right thing killing those cultists. They would have shown us no mercy, they've proven that. They got what they deserved."
"Kirk, thank you for your kind words. I am saddened to see such a waste of lives, but I know you're right. They are beyond redemption! Their evil master has certainly taken control over them, body and soul! Well, at least the battle is won! You fought well, my friend. I am glad to have you near!"
"One second their, elf. Lemme take a look at this stone work before ya go an' get yourself killed."
"I have heard that your people are always good with stonework! Tell me, friend. What do you see that is so dangerous other than that slippery moss?"
Victoria stops what she was doing with a slightly stunned surprise as Kirk simply offs the offending archer.
"Well there goes that."
She cleans off her dagger and goes to join the others, handing Kirk the shortbow he requested.
"Ye see that piller there?,he says pointing to column near the entrance to the catacombs. "It bears the mark of Pharasma. You an' both know what that is gonna mean. We have our work cut out fer us once we are below. I says we are gonna need to take up the front an' rear. I'll lead the way bein' as ain't no being better in the underdark 'han my people. I have trained fer just this kind of situation an'am lookin' farwerd to it."
"I have no fear of the undead we may face when we get down there. My biggest concern is getting down those steps in this armor without falling the rest of the way. That moss on rock can be very slick! What do you recommend for that?"
The man looks at Pitr and sneers
If you were a man, you would challenge me to a duel, but you're only a cowardly rat,
Pitr shrugs as Kirk executes the cultist observing, "...and if you had a half a brain, you'd know when not to push your luck."
He makes his way over to the stairs and smiles smugly at Solaric's predicament. "It would probably be safer for anyone in front of you if you just scooted on your butt. I don't mind leading the way although Kirk is probably nimbler than me."
After you have attached the rope to the very pillar bearing the mark of Pharasma, Harl seems content with the safety measures and begins to climb down into the damp darkness below the moor.
Slightly dissapointed that Vic's ritual is over, Zahur steps over to one of the bodies and grabs a heavy mace. Afterwards he goes to climb behind Harl.
Climb:
Harl tromps right over to the entrance and fails to take the moss in to account....unfortunately.
Victoria simply climbs nimbly down without any issue...
A little bit nervous Johenric follows the others.
Climb
And it happened what was already expected...
Level I
Alarm
Shield
Protection from Chaos
Endure Elements
Vampiric Touch
Level II
Book Ward
Protection from Arrows
Witches can learn from scrolls/books, or by having familiars swap spells pretty much
Harl's hands are still full of greasy wepon oil and so the dwarf can't hold on to the rope and crashes down into the darkness.
After about 8m of falling he lands with a heavy "Thump"
The now oiled rope is also Johenric's doom
@ Zahur: You may still choose spells for first level.
spider-climb :p
climb
Pitr leads the way to the bottom, lights a sunrod, and looks around when not dodging falling dwarves...
perception
After a good deal of cursing in both dwarven and Taldan, Harl dust himself hurt more in pride than body. Looking to Johenric, he says, "You alright, fella? I'll let the others try there hand atit then get us stitched up."
After lighting the sunrod, the sizzling torch brightens up the room in which you stand:
The walls and floor are tiled with large square-shaped granite stones. The room is without any decor and the only thing of note is that the dust that covers the floor must have been extensively dispersed recently.
You can also make out a dead end to your right and another corridor that leads northwards.
Johenric is starring at the others...you can see a big questionmark on his face.
Climb
Kirk, trying to follow the steps of Pitr carefully, slips hopelessly on the mossy stairs.
Climb Check
Solaric takes the rope in his hands, but still finds the mossy steps too slippery to negotiate. He tumbles down as well.
Damage
"Ouch! I knew these steps were going to be treacherous! Come gather folks and let me heal your wounds."
Solaric Channels Energy 30ft radius twice.
"Well, let us move onward to find this dragon hoard. Let us stay together."
Pitr stands far enough away from the stairs not to be pelted by falling party members and take a look at the 'dead end'.
Victoria arrives at Pitrs side, shaking her head at her comrades... especially the 'master of the underground'.
And then inspects it - Perception
While Pitr and Victoria inspect the dead end, Zahur lights his own sunrod and guards the oppening on the left to make sure that nothing comes at them.
The tunnel to the right has collapsed after about 15m making it a dead end. Yet the rubble consists mostly of small stones and with enough time and endurance one could maybe make it passable again.
"Well folks, let's not let a little hard work stop us from getting inside. Let's clear a passage through!"
Solaric lays his backpack down and then begins to clear the passage by moving rocks away by hand.
....ok.....
Johenric stays around and although this was a simple comment made by Solaric it seems he obviously does not know what to do....
Solaric makes steady progress pulling out rock after rock. After a moment he notices Johenric staring, unable to figure out what to do.
"My friend, I could use your assistance if you are willing. All you have to do is pick up rocks and move them one stone at a time. You appear completely out of place here. Don't tell me you have never done manual labor before? What do you do if you need to lift something? Do you have any magic or something to get this job done?"
Kirk steps forward to Solaric and assists with moving the rocks. If there isn't room for everyone to crowd, he'll be sure to open up space for Zahur, Harl, or Pitr--seeing as they're more built for this sort of chore.
Harl moves forward to assit with the opening of the passageway. Though he is not happy to be engaging in this type of work when it is less than likely to result in treasure or mineral wealth at the end, he does have a bit of a smile on his face as the feel of rocks in hands take home to the mines of Druma. As he moves up to where the others are, Harl continues to inspect the area looking for any sign of what may have caused the collapse or the safety of the remaining structure. "Get with it, Johenric. The work 'ill be good fer ya.", he says as he passes the confused human.
Victoria watches on, but at least offers words of encouragement.
Her slight frame probably more hinderance than help for such coarse work.
Track
Pitr shakes his head again at Solaric's enthusiasm. "You're doing a heckuva job there, but are you sure the cultists are under these rocks? Perhaps we should press on while we have time. The rocks will wait for now."
At Pitr's comment Zahur turns around.
I'll have to agree with Pitr on this one Solaric, I think it would be best if we looked at the rest before we start digging into some more dust.
Somehow Johenric is present
That is exactly why I was affected...I was asking myself: what has this collapsed tunnel what the other does not have? Does anybody know the point in time when the tunnel has collapsed?
Even though Pitr can't say anything precise about the cave in, the thick layer of dust proves that the tunnel must have collapsed a long while ago.
Another question to the experts: what do you expect how long do we have to work before we can pass the tunnel? Depending on this answer, I propose we investigate the rest meaning the other options first.
"Very well! Let's proceed then." Solaric grabs his pack and slings it back over his shoulders. "But next time, I could use your advise a little sooner."
Another question to the experts: what do you expect how long do we have to work before we can pass the tunnel?
"More time than we have right now. Let's get going." Pitr leads on to the northern corridor takiong a moment to check the thick dust for tracks.
Tracking
The dust is still heavily dispersed, there must have been quite some traffic during the last hours.
After you have followed the northern corridor for some metres, you come to a t-junction leading either further northwards or to the east.
Solaric takes a moment and concentrates. Does he detect any evil auras coming from either direction?
No, so at least the area you can scan seems to be devoid of evil.
"Well, my friends, I do not see any difference what direction we go. Kirk, do you wish to scout ahead for traps and such?"
Pitr can you see which way the traffic went?
Pitr gives Zahur a grin, "It'd be easier if they were on horses, but I'll give it a try."
Tracking