Anyone who notes that they have yet to reach another cave opening and compares that to Silo's tracking map observes that the cave tunnel network is extensive; exploring the Mount Oranis tunnels fully would take them at least a day of constant walking.
Pushing off against the wall, Alaina practically growled, "Then lets get this over with and end this f*<#!r once and for all."
Cel moves to the edge of the outcropping north of the group and peeks in looking for anything of note.
The shadows shift along the jagged tunnel walls as Cel moves. He and the party see nothing stand out against the dark stone.
Cautiously, Alaina moved forward to a spot just in front of Henri. Shield at the ready to 'bash' in some zombie heads.
Alaina and the party observe no obvious signs of danger nearby. The tunnels look clear within their collective lines of sight.
Walking past human shield mistress, Xizoh moves up as vanguard. Hoping that between his healing and Alaina's defense will keep the others safe he pushes forward into the dark.
Following Xizoh, Anathema nods at Henri as it passes her. Too concerned with the lack of fleshy bits between its teeth to talk the giant snake sulks comically, appearing almost like a petulant child.
Dulae moves up as well, leapfrogging the others and then keeping a watchful eye as they move up in turn.
Cel follows in line with the others, particularly watching the ceiling and checking behind them every so often.
Dulae sees bright light a little less than 100 feet ahead and feels a very cold breeze blowing down the tunnel. She infers this is the next smugglers' cave entrance as indicated on Silo's map.
You see light ahead that's too blue in color to be a torch, but it could be daylight. You feel a cold draft seeping into the tunnel from above that leeches into your damp clothes.
Alaina feels a chill down her spine; a subtle cold draft blowing over damp skin and clothes.
Dulae on map 13.
Alaina, Xizoh, Cel, Henri, Anathema on map 12.
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Active light sources:
Shield - Dulae
Ioun torch - Alaina
Wayfinder - Cel
Ioun torch - Xizoh
Torch (wooden, map 9)
Ring of fire (chamber, map 9)
Daylight (maps 7, 14)
Moving towards the cold draft, Xizoh began to feel nervous. Quietly, he starts singing a song of parents. "You're not alone tonight, we'll survive alright, dark banished by light, don't give up the fight." The half elf continues repeating the lines as he moves past Dulae.
Despite the chill she felt, Alaina hustled forward trying to keep Xizoh in sight.
Xizoh and Alaina see daylight streaming into the tunnel through an opening up ahead on the right side of the tunnel.
As they approach they feel an icy wind gusting in, carrying the scent of pine and fresh snow.
Xizoh notices a very fine wire strung across the tunnel 10 feet in front of him at ankle height. It looks similar to the tripwire from the cage trap Cel was caught in. He also thinks something is off about the tunnel ground for 10 feet beyond the tripwire, but he doesn't spot what exactly from 15-20 feet away.
Dulae, Alaina, Xizoh on map 13.
Cel, Henri, Anathema on map 12.
-
Active light sources:
Shield - Dulae
Ioun torch - Alaina
Wayfinder - Cel
Ioun torch - Xizoh
Torch (wooden, map 9)
Ring of fire (chamber, map 9)
Daylight (maps 7, 14)
Moving closer to inspect the wire, Xizoh holds up his hand. "There's a tripwire of some sort ahead. Something feels...off ahead. "
Resting on his knee, Xizoh takes a moment to see if the necromancer left any trace of magic behind. Holding out his hand, he points ahead and pushes the magic through his body.
Anathema shares the fact of a trap ahead. "The doctor has found a tripwire ahead. Rabbit, you may want to take care to avoid becoming a delicious roasted morsel."
Anathema slithers to the fallen, where it takes a finger off. Crunching the bone, the snake rumbles in happiness at finally getting to eat something.
Now a bit closer and nearer to the ground, Xizoh can make out very faint set of lines outlining two diamonds in the ground five feet beyond the tripwire. The pattern reminds him of the dart traps. If he looks up to see the telltale small holes in the tunnel walls, he sees none, but he does see a broad smear of red that barely stands out against the grey of the stone walls. He thinks this might be diluted paint, and if he checks the ground again he sees a faint red sheen here too, starting at the diamond tiles and running past where he kneels. Probably someone had attempted to paint a warning a found the surface too wet.
Xizoh does spot a small red piece of fabric wrapped tightly around a protruding rock in the tunnel wall, in line with the diamonds.
From this angle, Xizoh thinks he sees the glint of another tripwire 5 feet beyond the subtle diamond tiles.
If he looks up, he sees above the tripwires two features in the cave ceiling; line-like holes that appear wide enough to house a heavy gate that presumably would drop if tripped. He can see corresponding spike-holes in the tunnel ground where they would fall three feet beyond the trip wires.
Xizoh does not spot what would happen if the diamonds were pressed, but notes several attempts were made to mark this trap.
Xizoh detects no magic.
Cel appears to be lost in some kind of day dream for a while before coming to again saying, "Hmm? What were we talking about?" He notices that he's a long way away from the rest and scampers up to get closer to the group.
Henri checks over her ammunition as she listens to Dulae's answers. She was worried that snow had gotten into it and melted, and that consumed her so much that she didn't notice the people moving past her, deeper into the caverns. "Oh," she says, shaking her head and jogging forward quickly, catching up to Dulae. "I hope we survive. Otherwise we don't get paid. And I won't get to hear more of your hilarious jokes!"
"That would be tragic, yes." Dulae deadpans, moving to keep up with the others.
Terrific. Alaina thought at the opening came into view. "Xizoh, avert your eyes for a moment."
Loosening her armor, the Wolf put her shirt back on then re-tightened her armor. "Alright, you can stop now."
Cel and Henri see daylight streaming into the tunnel through an opening up ahead on the left side of the tunnel.
As they approach they feel an icy wind gusting in, carrying the scent of pine and fresh snow.
After Xizoh's warning, Dulae sees a very fine wire strung across the tunnel at ankle height 5 feet in front of where Xizoh kneels.
She can also make out very faint set of lines outlining two diamonds in the ground five feet beyond the tripwire. The pattern reminds her of the dart traps. If she looks up to see the telltale small holes in the tunnel walls, she sees none, but she does see a broad smear of red that barely stands out against the grey of the stone walls. She thinks this is diluted paint, and if she checks the ground again she sees a faint red sheen here too, starting at the diamond tiles and running down past where Xizoh kneels. Probably someone had attempted to paint a warning a found the surface too wet.
Dulae also spots a small red piece of fabric wrapped tightly around a protruding rock in the tunnel wall, in line with the diamonds. She also sees the glint of another tripwire 5 feet beyond the subtle diamond tiles.
If she looks up, she sees above the tripwires two features in the cave ceiling; line-like holes that appear wide enough to house a heavy gate that presumably would drop if tripped. She can see corresponding spike-holes in the tunnel ground where the gates would fall three feet beyond the trip wires.
Dulae also thinks she sees a roughly rectangular outline in the cave ceiling just before the opening. She thinks it looks like it would contain a lot of potential energy in stone mass and she doesn't see anything else that might be associated with the diamond tiles. She notes several attempts were made to mark this trap.
Cel takes a deep breath, partially preparing for what may be coming ahead, but also to get a better sense of what he's smelling. "I think we found the exit. It smells kind of like the other side of the cave. Where did that voice come from?!"
Dulae kneels down next to Xizoh to get a better view of the traps and whistles. "This is a much nastier set of traps than before. I see a cage, darts, and probably a falling block. Tripwires and pressure plates. Good thing you saw this, Doctor, as I doubt our rabbit would survive this particular snare... Fireball, do you think you can jam these?" She points to the diamonds.
Her gaze snaps up to Cel. "Voice? What voice?" She tightens her grip on her shield with one hand and the other reaches for her sword, ready to draw it.
Slithering forwards, Anathema eyes the trip wire with distaste. "And here I thought I'd never find something that made feet better than sithering."
Cel's eyes pop open wide at Dulae's reaction. His voice trembles a bit in his response remembering the encounter back at the town, "The...the necromantic guy. I...I just meant that if we're close to the exit, where did he go?"
Dulae winces and relaxes her defensive posture. "Apologies, Rabbit, I didn't mean to alarm you. I thought you might have heard him again; there's nothing worse than being ambushed by spells." Although being ambushed when sleeping is worse than awake... I still don't believe Kieran that that was normal training...
"As to where he went..." Dulae scowls and sighs before tilting her head back to talk to the ceiling. "Altien, would it be too much to ask that he stepped in some of that watered red paint?"
Dulae spots a set of partial footprints. The faintly red outline of the toe of someone's right boot marks a path from the diluted paint below where Xizoh kneels up the tunnel. From where she stands, Dulae follows the tracks with by eye over the first tripwire to a gap that looks as though the bootwearer vaulted over the subtle diamond tiles, and over the second tripwire.
From this distance it is difficult to be sure, but Dulae thinks the tracks veer left and outside of the tunnel.
Any PCs within 30 feet of daylight also clearly see the remnants of another large circular white stone lying near the tunnel opening. It is shattered in a very similar way to the white stone the party found near the first entrance.
Deciding to start simple, Xizoh focused his attention on the small red fabrics. Offhandly, he found the bond between him and Anathema.
Forcing the giant serpent into wherever it went when it left this world, Xizoh asks,"I don't suppose safely triggering these traps is an option?"
Xizoh and anyone else that examines the red cloth that from 5-10 feet away sees it's a strip about an inch wide. It's wrapped tightly at least twice around a rock that protrudes a few inches from the right side of the tunnel wall at chest height.
Xizoh thinks he might be able to tell more about the cloth's origin if he studied it from a few inches away. Clearly it served to mark the location of the diamond tile traps.
Henri jogs up to keep up with the others, stopping suddenly on the mention of traps. At Dulae's gesturing, Henri crouches down for a short moment to examine the tripwires. "I likely could disable these, but it will take up a lot of time." Still, Henri flips open her belt pouch and brings forth a set of tools. "We probably already lost that damned necromancer, anyway. It's not like we know where he went." She glances out towards the opening, trying to gauge the sunlight level. A small shiver rolls through her. "What time is it, anyway? Can we even afford to keep chasing this guy, or whatever he was hiding, before the sun comes down?" She lifts up her tools. "If you're sure, then I'll get to work."
Henri and anyone else who studies the daylight streaming into the cave observes bright, direct sunlight unobstructed by clouds.
It's difficult to tell where the sun is in the sky from the way it strikes the cave without being sure where on the mountain they are. Based on how long it's been since they departed, Henri reckons they have at least 3 hours of daylight left if the clouds hold off, and it will probably take a bit longer than 3 hours to get back to town if they hurry.
After Dulae points it out, Henri sees a very fine wire strung across the tunnel at ankle height 5 feet in front of where she kneels.
Henri can also make out very faint set of lines outlining two diamonds in the ground five feet beyond the tripwire. The pattern reminds her of the dart traps. If she looks up to see the telltale small holes in the tunnel walls, she sees none, but she does see a broad smear of red that barely stands out against the grey of the stone walls. She thinks this is diluted paint, and if she checks the ground again she sees a faint red sheen here too, starting at the diamond tiles and running down past where she and Xizoh kneel. Probably someone had attempted to paint a warning a found the surface too wet.
Henri also spots a small red piece of fabric wrapped tightly around a protruding rock in the tunnel wall, in line with the diamonds. Another warning of the tiles.
She also sees the glint of another tripwire 5 feet beyond the subtle diamond tiles. Both tripwires look very new; strung within the last month.
If she looks up, she sees above the tripwires two features in the cave ceiling; line-like holes wide enough to house a heavy gate that presumably would drop if the wires were tripped. She can see corresponding spike-holes in the tunnel ground where the gates would fall three feet beyond the trip wires.
Henri also thinks she sees a roughly rectangular outline in the cave ceiling just before the opening. She thinks it looks like it would contain a lot of potential energy in stone mass and she doesn't see anything else that might be associated with the diamond tiles. She notes several attempts were made to mark the diamond tile trap.
Henri thinks she could disable the tripwire traps in a few seconds by carefully cutting them and relieving the tension without adding more.
She thinks she could shim the diamond tiles to not depress, but it would take the better part of half an hour to do a robust job. She notes it would be relatively easy to jump over the diamond tiles if both wire traps were disabled.
Cel moves up closer and says, "Anything I can help with?" as he looks over her shoulder.
Alaina waited with baited breath as Henri attempted to disarm the traps.
Now closer, Cel and Alaina see a very fine wire strung across the tunnel at ankle height 5 feet in front of where Henri and Xizoh kneel.
They can also make out very faint set of lines outlining two diamonds in the ground five feet beyond the tripwire. The pattern reminds them of the dart traps. If they looks up to see the telltale small holes in the tunnel walls, they see none, but they do see a broad smear of red that barely stands out against the grey of the stone walls.
Cal and Alaina also spot a small red piece of fabric wrapped tightly around a protruding rock in the tunnel wall, in line with the diamonds. Another warning of the tiles.
They also see the glint of another tripwire 5 feet beyond the subtle diamond tiles.
If they look up, they see above the tripwires two features in the cave ceiling; line-like holes wide enough to house a heavy gate that presumably would drop if the wires were tripped. They see corresponding spike-holes in the tunnel ground where the gates would fall three feet beyond the trip wires.
Alaina thinks the smear of red on the tunnel wall is diluted paint, and if she checks the ground again she sees a faint red sheen here too, starting at the diamond tiles and running down past where Henri and Xizoh kneel. Probably someone had attempted to paint a warning a found the surface too wet.
Both tripwires look very new; strung within the last month.
Alaina also sees a roughly rectangular outline in the cave ceiling just before the opening. She thinks it looks like it would contain a lot of potential energy in stone mass and she doesn't see anything else that might be associated with the diamond tiles. She notes several attempts were made to mark the diamond tile trap.
Xizoh watches Henri examine the traps with nervous energy. "If we want to make it to town before sundown I think we're already cutting it close. Even if we take the tunnel straight back to the trail."
Hearing Xizoh's words Cel's face pales in fear, "We have to go! Now!" He starts to back away, but not wanting to take off running without the group.
"The trail leads out of the cave and most likely into the snow. While it would be easy to track, it wouldn't be quick..." She sighs, practicality outweighing her desire to hunt the necromancer. "We probably should be getting back. I doubt these caves will provide real shelter from whatever is going on."
Xizoh speaks, adding, "I have to agree. If a horde of the dead attack in the fog there's no telling who'd get hurt and from who."
Xizoh glances further in the cave. "Come tomorrow though, I say we give the necromancer a morning he wont forget.
Henri gently picks and prods at the wire, deciding to take the time to disarm it in order to give her friends a bit easier of a chance to get over the traps. "I agree. But I don't know if we should come back. If that necromancer was that strong... well, my guess would be that we got lucky." She shakes her head, and stands after disarming the trap. "As much as I'd like to end a necromancer..." She sighs wistfully.
Dulae, Alaina, Xizoh, Cel, Henri on map 13.
-
Active light sources:
Shield - Dulae
Ioun torch - Alaina
Wayfinder - Cel
Ioun torch - Xizoh
Torch (wooden, map 9)
Ring of fire (chamber, map 9)
Daylight (maps 7, 14)
-
Disabled traps:
Map 14, lowest tripwire
As much as Alaina didn't like running from a fight, she had to agree there wasn't much else for them to do, and she needed to get her head right. "I vote we head back as well."
The party turns away from daylight, back into the blackness of the tunnel. The steady glow of their torches makes the wet tunnel walls glisten as they descend.
They pass the two lifeless forms that stalled them long enough for the presumed necromancer to flee. They pass the dead woman, slain again. Her lifeless eyes seems to follow them; her face is still frozen in panic.
The party smells the stench of burned flesh well before they see the room where they found four of the dead archeologists. The ring of oil still burns strongly, casting a flickering light on the mutilated corpses.
As you walk past the burned husks you notice that although clothes have been burned away, you don’t spot any metal. Silo mentioned they first tried to use a rare metal all Altiendel military personnel carry for tracking. From your own experience with soldiers, you expect this to be something like a dogtag.
Toward the mouth of the cave, before the party can see daylight or feel a draft of fresh mountain breeze, they notice the air in the tunnels has become steadily more cool and dry throughout their descent.
As they cross into daylight, blinking at the bright afternoon sunshine, a gust of wind sweeps up the mountain and swirls snow around them. The cold wind bites. Cel notices his cotton-lined clothes feel cool and clammy on his skin.
The sky is not totally clear; grey snowclouds roll in from eastern Altiendel, lapping up against the mountains. From the track of the clouds, it looks like snow will be falling on them just before sunset.
The sun is already casting shadows against bottom of the westward slope of Mount Oranis, but most of the mountain is stretched out before them in a carpet of snow, golden in the late afternoon sun.
Ahead Todd Laverty still lies in the snow. His face is obscured by crows.
As the party approaches the crows fly off and land nearby in the trees, leaving a grisly visage behind them. Todd Laverty’s eyes are now gone, along with bits of flesh pecked from his face. His body gapes eyeless and wide-mouthed up at the sky.
Dulae glances at Laverty’s body and frowns at the approaching clouds. “He is beyond our help now, lost to darkness. It looks like nightfall will come early and I’m not keen to carry a dead thing with us through the mist.”
She shifts her weight. “This place will be crawling with soldiers in the morning. They can see he is properly put to rest.”