As Corlia reaches bottom of the tunnel - she is forced to dash forward suddenly at the sudden fall of Caliphanna behind her.
Still - no one is hurt - only shocked by the sudden appearance of Cali.
Even so - you are now both down there and are free to advance.
The tunnel is roughly ten feet in width - and it stretches forward for about 60 feet before the darkness claims your view.
You are free to advance, if you want - into the darkness.
You hear nothing, and see nothing - this is important though; as it is unnaturally quiet. The stillness feels... uncanny...
Even so - you are free to advance, if you choose to.
Once Yillim hits the bottom, he draws his khopesh from its place at his hip and readies his sheild.
With everburning torch held high, he advances slowly and cautiously down the tunnel attempting to be as quiet as possible, motioning with his free hand for the others to follow, and keeping an eye out for any surprises.
Stealth
Perception
The absoluteness quietness is unsettling and the hairs on Lia's neck are standing tall and she is on guard (her scimitar still before her), trying to see into the darkness and discern danger or landmarks (any clue to tell her it is safe to proceed). She had barely gotten out of the away before the summoner's creature appeared and jumped down the tunnel. She would wait on Yillim and together they would decide if it were wise to continue down the passageway.
She wonders if the place has some kind of magical aura and tries to discern so, concentrating on the area before her for a minute or so.
Casts .
Once Yillim hits the bottom, he draws his khopesh from its place at his hip and readies his sheild.
With everburning torch held high, he advances slowly and cautiously down the tunnel attempting to be as quiet as possible, motioning with his free hand for the others to follow, and keeping an eye out for any surprises.
Stealth 1d20+2
Perception 1d20+7
You are free to advance in front of your companions - and you do so - moving slowly into the tunnel - you advance forward into darkness.
The tunnel is humid - and the ground you tread upon is damp and moldy - and there is a strong stench in the air... fetid and foul.
The absoluteness quietness is unsettling and the hairs on Lia's neck are standing tall and she is on guard (her scimitar still before her), trying to see into the darkness and discern danger or landmarks (any clue to tell her it is safe to proceed). She had barely gotten out of the away before the summoner's creature appeared and jumped down the tunnel. She would wait on Yillim and together they would decide if it were wise to continue down the passageway.
She wonders if the place has some kind of magical aura and tries to discern so.
Casts .
It seems that Yillim has advanced beyond you - not waiting...
Even so - you pause a moment to examine your surroundings. Something is odd about this place - it doesn't look natural. It looks as if it was... perhaps... carved...
As if this tunnel was made - or excavated - but by whom - you don't know...
Your detect magic spell reveals the presence of your goods and gear - and Yillim's - but the range is limited - and you see nothing beyond the range of the spell.
Yillim gags a bit as a bit of the dank air enters his nostrils, but quickly composes himself. Looking back at his companions, he speaks quietly to the half elf
Has your spell told you anything, Lia? I hope the smell does not get much worse.
Then shrugging and glancing at the walls he wonders about the mold, but having no reference for such things, continues on, careful not to be too far from the rest of the party.
Yillim gags a bit as a bit of the dank air enters his nostrils, but quickly composes himself. Looking back at his companions, he speaks quietly to the half elf
Has your spell told you anything, Lia? I hope the smell does not get much worse.
Then shrugging and glancing at the walls he wonders about the mold, but having no reference for such things, continues on, careful not to be too far from the rest of the party.
As you continue to advance - you notice the thickness of the mold and other slime is deepest around your boots. You see the ooze clings thickly to you - and there are trails of filth in it...
Something about the mold doesn't sit right with you, though - your knowledge of survival could be augmented by a knowledge of nature.
Even so - what do you do next?
Taking note of the thickening of the slime and mold about his feet, Yillim stops for a moment.
There is something odd here, companions, hold a moment.
crouching a bit, he holds the torch closer to the slime and tries to get a better look, moving the light so that he can get multiple angles of view.
Survival
Knowledge Nature
Slime - mold - this is the process that nature uses to bread down things on a biological level. Yet the process is aided - typically - by insects and other vermin.
Bugs will help break things down, too - but not in this case.
In this case, however - there is no sign of insects of any kind. Further - it is pushing mid to late spring - and you are in a dank, wet hole - yet there is no sign of anything moving - no mosquitoes - no worms - no flies....
There is nothing in here that you can see moving; only yourselves...
And that stillness - that lack of life - it is even more disturbing.
In the distance you think you see a widening in the tunnel - will you advance?
Yillim gags a bit as a bit of the dank air enters his nostrils, but quickly composes himself. Looking back at his companions, he speaks quietly to the half elf
Has your spell told you anything, Lia? I hope the smell does not get much worse.
Then shrugging and glancing at the walls he wonders about the mold, but having no reference for such things, continues on, careful not to be too far from the rest of the party.
"The range is limited and I only picked up our goods and gear, nothing beyond. I have looked harder at the surroundings and this is no natural place -- it has been excavated, the land carved back. I wonder who did this ..." Her voice quiet yet still eerie in the absolute quiet of the cavern.
Arasmes ties himself off and has some of the soldiers lower him and Isani down. Once at the bottom he quickly moves to catch up with Yillim and Lia.
The space in the tunnel is cramped - the stone walls that flank you do much to muffle the sounds of your speech, however. You do not hear an echo - but it is as if the muck and filth absorb the noise that would normally be so loud in a stone tunnel.
You are able to advance - slowly a bit - and in the distance - roughly forty feet - you see an opening. Rather - the tunnel reaches a wall, and in the wall is what would look like the mouth of a cave - or perhaps a doorway?
If Corlia is correct then it is, in fact, more like a doorway then a natural opening in the stone. It must be, you each notice it now...
The walls are too straight - the edges of the tunnel flow to a flat edge in a look that appears square, as if chiseled in sharp corners. The wall forward - it looks as if there is a flat space, and a door beyond.
In any case - in the dim light you see that the opening in the far wall is what would be a doorway - yet at the base of the wall are broken rocks and stone, scattered in the filth.
This is inconsistent with the rest of the cave - and though you are still forty feet from these broken rocks - you may attempt either a Perception Check - or a Knowledge: Nature or Dungeoneering Check to learn more.
NOTE: At this distance you are at a penalty. Again - you can advance - but I don't want to move people when they can do it themselves. Still waiting on Waiph, though.
Finally - I'm off to work now - I work for bulk of mid-day today - then I will be home relatively early. I look forward to seeing your posts when I return.
Lia is not too far ahead of Arasmes and Isani. Yillim took the lead and I'm not quite sure how far in front he is at the moment.
Isani looks about her, taking in the surroundings using her darkvision and if further afield then the magical light off Lia's scimitar. About 40 feet in front she spies an opening in the far wall...
Isani looks about her, taking in the surroundings using her darkvision and if further afield then the magical light off Lia's scimitar. About 40 feet in front she spies an opening in the far wall...
It is clear that the tunnel was fashioned by tools - it is far too square and cut to be natural.
The far opening is also obviously a fashioned doorway. Yet the rocks and refuse at the base of the doorway are also noteworthy.
It seems clear that the rocks are not native to the stone on the wall. It looks like someone threw heavy rocks from the surrounding land above into the cave, and carried them to the entrance and tried to wall it up.
That effort has failed - the rocks were torn down - someone had gone through - though you do not know when....
You are clear that beyond the entrance is a foul smell, though.
Yillim is at most 30 feet from the rest of the group, waiting on the others to see if they want to proceed. He is taking careful note of the surroundings, and watching the doorway ahead of him, in case there is something beyond.
Yillim is at most 30 feet from the rest of the group, waiting on the others to see if they want to proceed. He is taking careful note of the surroundings, and watching the doorway ahead of him, in case there is something beyond.
Thanks for letting me/us know. :)
Clari slides down the rope and follows closely behind the others, Keravel drawn, but not lighted yet
Climb down
Perception
Stealth
Clari is stealthily advancing up to the party - even as Garith remains with the horses and the men.
You are now forward - and ready to advance.
What is your next move?
Yillim nods as he sees the last of the party join the group. Carefully, he advances towards the dank and ominous doorway, holding his weapon at the ready and peering in under the light of the everburning torch.
Perception
Advances along silently behind the others like a shadow in a dark room... yeah nat 20 stealth roll...
Isani tugs at Arasmes' sleeve to gain his attention. In soft voice she shares her observations with him,
"The tunnel has been fashioned by tools and the opening there is a doorway. Yet, see the rocks and refuse at the base of the doorway? They are not native to the stone that is on the walls. It looks as though someone has brought rock from the outside here and attempted to wall up this opening. Although unsuccessfully because it seems as though something tore down the rocks to enter. I do not like the look of this, habibi. The foul smell in this cavern is coming from beyond that entrance."
Yillim nods as he sees the last of the party join the group. Carefully, he advances towards the dank and ominous doorway, holding his weapon at the ready and peering in under the light of the everburning torch.
Perception 1d20+7
You are able to see that beyond the entrance is a narrow ledge. The ledge extends in twenty feet in either direction - and it is roughly ten feet in width. Beyond it is a stairway - roughly 10 feet in width.
It descends into darkness.
Flanking the stairway on either side is open feeling of chill air rising from the darkness. It seems that the stairway goes down into a open cave, and there is nothing on either side of it except for a wide open space.
Despite the damp and moist feeling in the room, it does not feel humid - but rather chill, and clammy.
The sense of darkness is heavy here, and the air is very still...
Yillim nods as he sees the last of the party join the group. Carefully, he advances towards the dank and ominous doorway, holding his weapon at the ready and peering in under the light of the everburning torch.
Perception 1d20+7
You are able to see that beyond the entrance is a narrow ledge. The ledge extends in twenty feet in either direction - and it is roughly ten feet in width. Beyond it is a stairway - roughly 10 feet in width.
It descends into darkness.
Flanking the stairway on either side is open feeling of chill air rising from the darkness. It seems that the stairway goes down into a open cave, and there is nothing on either side of it except for a wide open space.
Despite the damp and moist feeling in the room, it does not feel humid - but rather chill, and clammy.
The sense of darkness is heavy here, and the air is very still...
The smell is strong, overpowering. Yet, it could provide them with information in relation to the cause/origin.
Yillim looks carefully at the stairs, testing if first with one foot, to make sure it is stable, and that it wont crumble under any significant weight. Then, when he is reasonably sure that it is safe, he proceeds down the stairs slowly, till he is about 10-15 inside the cave, and looks around some more to see if and what he can see at the bottom.
Then, to Corlia;
Lia, if you would, ready your bow and cover me from the doorway...this place is eerily still, and the air does not quite feel right.
Arasmes and Cali move up as far as they can behind Lia and Yillim, keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of trouble or issue.
Clari too moves up close to the others, putting Keravel away casting message and whispering to the group, "I could cast light on one of my arrow heads and fire it into the cave to give us a greater range of vision. If there are enemies to be found here it is unlikely that we will achieve our ends without them noticing and being the subject of an ambush, and this cave is large".
Stealth
Perception
She places one hand on her bow, and tho other on the Hilt of Keravel, not wanting to be unable to draw her blade at a moment's notice.
If others with the Light cantrip assist, clari can light several arrows and fire them around the room to act as torches, if the magic works. She can also fly her set of Dancing lights about as well.
The smell is strong, overpowering. Yet, it could provide them with information in relation to the cause/origin.
The smells are foul…
Firstly, the difficulty lies with the copious amount of mold and fungus heavy in a dank cave in the middle of spring. Your companions – further – are clustered near. The smells of leather, steel, and rank sweat are high in your nostrils.
Yet beyond that all is something else – you detect something – something subtle with your nose. There is the smell of a lingering wave of foulness beyond. To anyone else who may have noticed this – it would be a mild curiosity – but it does indicate one thing to you for certain: the wind is blowing toward you – from the cave to the tunnel. Something is causing the air to move forward into the exit of the cave, rather then allow the air from the exit to blow down inside.
You suspect the cave may have… larger passages; some of them may lead deeper into the earth. But it is clearly not a single room you are entering.
Yillim looks carefully at the stairs, testing if first with one foot, to make sure it is stable, and that it wont crumble under any significant weight. Then, when he is reasonably sure that it is safe, he proceeds down the stairs slowly, till he is about 10-15 inside the cave, and looks around some more to see if and what he can see at the bottom.
Then, to Corlia;
Lia, if you would, ready your bow and cover me from the doorway...this place is eerily still, and the air does not quite feel right.
As you walk into the “room” itself you sense you are standing on the edge of a “cliff”. This cliff edge extends roughly 30 feet to your left and right, you’d suspect, and extends forward from the “doorway” you walked through about 10 feet. You suspect that you could have a group of people at the top of this ledge, or cliff, arrayed and spread out, if you needed to.
The center of the cliff – in a direct line from the doorway you passed through – is a stairway leading down. As you descend slowly down the stairs (which are 10 feet wide) you observe that on either side of the stairway is a sheer drop. If an enemy were to hit you and knock you to the side – you would fall off into the darkness below.
Still – you descend further.
There is a dull echo in the cave – a swirling, rippling noise – you are not certain, but it sounds like the dull lapping of water.
At 15 feet down the vertical angle of the stairs – you are able to see little – but can make out that the stairs themselves do indeed seem to continue to descend; however – this descent goes into brackish slime.
You look to your left and right – and think that – perhaps – the walls of this cave are exactly the width of the ledge that you stood upon a moment ago. The height above you – you cannot see the ceiling of the cave – and the smell is quite foul; like an open sewer.
Glancing off the side of the stair, you can see that the drop leads directly into the slime in every direction. Further – you believe it is roughly 50 – 60 feet from the top of the ledge to the slimy ooze. But you are not certain at the exact footage.
Somewhere in the distance you feel a cold chill – but you cannot see anything forward – yet – unless you are willing to proceed into the slime…
Arasmes and Cali move up as far as they can behind Lia and Yillim, keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of trouble or issue.
1d20+11
1d20+9
You are above Yillim – and cannot see farther then him at this time – however – your “aid checks” have been factored into his own taking 20 for the results I posted.
Clari too moves up close to the others, putting Keravel away casting message and whispering to the group, "I could cast light on one of my arrow heads and fire it into the cave to give us a greater range of vision. If there are enemies to be found here it is unlikely that we will achieve our ends without them noticing and being the subject of an ambush, and this cave is large".
Stealth
1d20+4
Perception
1d20+10She places one hand on her bow, and tho other on the Hilt of Keravel, not wanting to be unable to draw her blade at a moment's notice.
If others with the Light cantrip assist, clari can light several arrows and fire them around the room to act as torches, if the magic works. She can also fly her set of Dancing lights about as well.
Clari – you too cannot exceed Yillim’s taking 20 – as he is forward of you by far. However – your ability via "Aid Checks" has been factored in to his observations.
Further – you believe that no one noticed your stealthy whispers…
sorry about that i said i cast , but that's not actually on the magus spell list, so if i had had the soell, they would have heard me, but as i donnot, please ignore my murmerings.
as Yillim passes on his information, Clari simply asks, "I can shoot arrows around the room so we can see better? There are, of course obvious disadvantages, but as any enemy will likely be able to see us anyway, we may as well even the playing field."
Yillim looks over his shoulder to Clari, and nods
Yes, I believe that would be a good idea, we need to know better what is down there, and that seems as good an idea as any.
and to the rest,
I think that the ledge just past the doorway would be quite a good place to have archers. I will go down the stairs a bit more, so have those lights and arrows ready, if you will.
With that, Yillim carefully continues to go further down the stairs, about 15 feet more.
At a mental prod from Arasmes, Cali follows Yillim down the stairs, staying close to him and keeping her eyes and ears sharp.
Lia stows her scimitar away and gets her bow ready, looking toward the ledge Yillim mentioned. She would see first what the light would show, having heard the elf's intention.
In quiet voice, she warns, "Tread carefully, Yillim. Do not move too far from the pack."
Then to any who would hear, "The air is moving from the cave to this tunnel - toward us, that is why the air is so foul. I do not believe this is a single chamber and there may be other passages leading deeper into the earth."
Having not heard a reply from Arasmes regarding her information, she turns to any companion close enough to hear her restrained voice and warns them that something has broken through the wall causing the opening and that they should proceed with due caution.
Cali asks if there is a direction that the break likely is, casting and sending them away from the party allowing them to remain concealed by darkness.
She then uses the cantrip on the tip of her arrow and fires it in the direction Isani indicates as where the breach may be.
Clari can cast the spell again, extinguishing the first arrow if the light becomes useless by sinking into the muck below. Another with the spell can also enchant more arrows as one object can be at a time. long and the short is we can get a decent glimps of the surroundings, while others around can see where we are at the moments between the casting and firing.
Lia heeds the elf's instruction and extinguishes the light on her scimitar and casts on one of her arrows and carefully shoots up and across the void/space, hoping to illuminate more of the space and surroundings. She does not want to waste arrows as she may need them inside this befouled place yet one lit could be spared.
Isani watches as the lit arrows elevate and cross the darkness from both bows.
Using her darkvision and then the light beyond that point, she strains to see anything of import, especially hidden monsters or their missing allies.
A thought crosses her mind as she looks, What if our allies were taken lower, deeper beneath the earth?
Yillim you advance down the stairs, as you requested. The descent takes your booted feet into the water, and you tread into it. The water rises to your waist as you continue to step down the stairs until it “bottom’s out” – and you are now at the bottom of the “floor” of the cave. The water rises to your waist – it feels like slime and the stench of raw sewage reaches your nose.
Clari – you cast and send them flying forward. In the moment that they rush forward past Yillim you are able to observe that roughly 75 feet in front of him is a large pyramid-like staircase that rises before you – the steps are black – and as the lights rush toward them you see them blink out.
Corlia – the arrow slings forward and it suddenly blinks out as it rushes toward the stairs and you hear it clatter against the stone stairs. You are clear that there are definite stairs there – the stairs, you believe – rise about 30 or 40 feet from the water-line. Based on Yillimi’s position on the floor in the water below – you’d guess that the top of this flat pyramid structure is roughly 50 feet off the floor.
Isani – you see in the dim light before the arrow winks out that there is a black altar-like structure on top of the stairs. There seems to be something on top of the altar – but you are not sure what it is. Further – you observe that the water is lapping against the cliff you stand on – which means that something is pushing the water toward you – either a downward slant of the cave floor – or the water has risen and is being forced out to the cave from something beyond the stairs. Even so – you see nothing beyond the pyramid beyond except a wall – but you don’t know if there is more to it then that – the light has vanished for now….
Something has extinguished it.
Having not heard a reply from Arasmes regarding her information, she turns to any companion close enough to hear her restrained voice and warns them that something has broken through the wall causing the opening and that they should proceed with due caution.
Thank you for the warning. It is possible that is where the previous expedition went through but I am uncertain.
Noticing the blackness, Arasmes says Was there not a stone that extinguished light within a certain distance of it? Perhaps that is what we are seeing?
Clari fires off another ed arrow, not at the structure, but at an angle so it shoots the right of the stairway. Re conjuring her Lights, she has them float along in approach from the left, circling around the left wall of the cavern, looking for breaches.
She notes to Arasmes as he is working her magiks, "Malas'rae warned me about those stairs over there. Just walking on them can knock you out. It takes some serious will to get up them. I figure they're made of pure rock that knocks out the lights."
Isani, when we get close enough, try channeling the divine energies of Sarenrae. Perhaps that will help to counteract the stones influence. It may do nothing but it is worth a try.
"Yes, Lady Ariarh mentioned the Black Stone which drained magical energy, voiding its effects and usefulness. We must not waste spells in its vicinity. The water below us is lapping against this cliff we stand upon. It is being pushed yet I cannot see what it is forcing the water forward. There may be something in the water. I recollect the Lady Ariarh mentioning they had come across an Undead Serpent guarding this underground lake. I am unsure if they dispatched it upon their last mission, so all be mindful of the water."
Hearing Arasmes suggesting channeling, she nods slowly, "I shall try when we are closer, Arasmes."
Clari – you attempt to flank the stone pyramid – and near the base of it – on either side – you observe two small tunnels; one on the left side, one on the right side. The water is clearly exiting from the tunnels into this room, at least – you suspect this is the case.
What do you do now?
Meanwhile – to all –
Your words – your speech – it is well received as it echoes roundly in the cold stone walls of the cavern. You are certain that your companions heard it well – quite certain.
Yes – you have no doubts as your voice echoes about you – your words have been heard….
Yillim carefully wades towards the pyramid, holding up his light, careful of his footing. Slow movements, so as not to go under the foul water. To when it appears that there are no other creatures in the room, and hearing Isani and Arasmes, he motions with his free hand for them to approach as well.
I think I can see where the water is coming in, fellows, but what else may be here, I'm unsure...my hope is that no serpent still exists here, as it could easily swim under this muck and most likely would not be seen. Does anyone have the ability to detect its presence with magicks?
Perception
Yillim seems momentarily distracted from his search by the smell of the water...