The door is stuck tight. There are no apparent lock mechanisms on this side.
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Three levers, three doors. I am going to change the position of this lever. Grog, let me know if it opens your door. Someone else check the door to the south and the other the entry door. And yell to regroup if something comes through... still yell even if you can handle it Grog!
Ignatius grabs the lever in front of him an moves it to a new position.
Please let this work without one of us getting jumped by something lurking on the other side of a doorway waiting to be released!
When Nat adjusts the lever, there is an audible click that comes from within the door near Grog. It sounds like a locking mechanism tumbling into place.
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Noggin? Huh, I like that one. Might work that in some how.
OK Grog, I'll take the one to the south.
Ngonunho motions to Thurin as he walks past.
Thurin, take the one to the north.
Ngonunho walks straight to the third intersection and carefully looks around for any pits.
Seems clear, here goes nothing.
Ngonunho moves south to the level.
Ngonunho successfully avoids the pits and is standing before the lever to the South.
There is a second clicking noise coming from the door when Thurim pulls the lever.
When Ngonunho shifts his lever, a third clicking sound is heard on the door. When he adjusts the lever again, there is another clicking sound that sounds like a lock going in place. Adjusting it again, sounds like it unlocks.
Grog can test the door and determine that it will now open.
There's a short, musty hallway on the other side of the door. It splits left and right. The mournful wailing can be heard louder now, coming from the left.
The wailing grows louder with each step toward the door at the end of the hallway. There are a host of bone strewn on the floor here, many of which are cracked and broken. Another hallway leads off to the East, which ends at a door.
The corridor bends again and ends at a doorway. The door is locked.
The wailing is coming from the door to the North. As you get closer and it sound is less echoed, you can make out the sobbing and moaning is that of a person.
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Ngonunho tries to silently sneak up behind Grog, though his little legs means his movement is a little more hurried.
I need to keep up with the big lug. He's keeping us safe, at least I can try to keep him alive.
Ngonunho whispers as he approaches.
Alright Grog, ready when you are. Though try to remember that your backup isn't so speedy.
Grog attempts to open the door, but it is locked. The wailing stops.
You hear the sound of a crossbow being loaded on the other side of the door.
You successful unlock the locking mechanism, but find the door is still stuck. Something on the other side is preventing it from opening.
You bash the door, pushing whatever is holding it stuck on the other side a bit out of the way. There's a slight opening and a sudden twang as a crossbow bolt comes flying at you.
You bash the door in, moving a makeshift barricade out of the way. There is a sudden twang sound as a crossbow bolt comes flying at you.
From within the darkened room, a crossbow bolt emerges, but flies harmlessly by Grog.
With the door now opened, you see a small storage room. Crates are spilled along the floor by the door, and stacked up around the room. Behind one of the stacks is a human, with wide eyes, frantically reloading a crossbow. He mumbles, the angry bones, oh no, they're coming for me.
You recognize the man from town, his name is Roldare. You hadn't seen him around town for a few days before you left.
No! You are a trick of the dead one!
He hurries to reload the crossbow and levels up.
Keep away, you won't take me like the others.
Angry, angry dead, they...
There's a glimmer of recognition in his eyes as he trails off, mumbling too quietly to hear. There's silence for a moment, then Roldare breaks it, Kass...Kassen...yes. No walking bones in Kassen.
He peers out at you, as if he is seeing you for the first time. Oh, Ignatius! Is that you?
Roldare looks at the others with a look of surprise on his face, then realizing his crossbow is still pointed at you, he lowers it.
It is really you! I thought it a trick. I am glad to see you all. The walking bones attacked us in the middle of the night. There's the one with the voice of death, he stalks the halls in ancient mail. Terrifying. Only myself and sister were left alive, the others all dead, poor souls. Dimira, she was dragged away, the voice took her, I know.
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At ease my friend, tell us what brought you here and what happened from the beginning. We will keep you safe, and then turn our attention to finding your sister, Dimira. Nat rests a hand on Roldare's shoulder to reassure him that the group is real, and that he is safe. Nat also looks to the group to see what the others have to say on the matter.
The man seems calmer now. He looks to Grog and says defiantly, I will not leave my sister. Once she is safe I will return to Kassen with her, but not before. I can stay here, though, I don't wish to see the bones again.
He speaks more softly now, a little skittishness in his voice, Nice to meet you, Ngonunho. It's all a mess in my head, but I will try to explain. He makes a few false starts before explaining, It happened several days ago, I'm not sure how many, three perhaps, or four? We arrived, six of us, to setup the tomb. For you. We were attacked by the angry bones, walking skeletons, in the middle of the night. I did not see the one that lead them, just the voice, I don't know if it is real, but the others heard it too. I heard the clanking of mail as the voice moved beyond my sight. It was terrible. Dimira was dragged away by the bones, they were acting for the voice, I'm sure.
He has a few scratches and bruises, but nothing significant physically. Mentally, he's been almost scared mad.
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Not to worry, Roldare, we will find your sister and return you both to Kassen, with the eternal flame. Nat looks to Grog but continues speaking to Roldare, The flame is a symbol of the sacrifice of Kassen for the people of the town, we would be unforgivably remiss to care for the flame without protecting what it represents. Warmth, hope and light for the people of Kassen in the darkness of winter. Stay with us and we will all safely return to town with the flame.
I believe my earlier supposition was correct. These men came here to provide a symbolic resistance to our efforts to take the flame. There would have been no real threat to us normally. But this is not normal.
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Grrr... I hate when dwarf is right.
Grog grumbles softly to himself for a moment before he replies.
Grog accepts new challenge. Will do what others cannot. Protect Kassen's lost people is mission now. All will see greatness when we return... Let's go find others and finish here. Follow.
Grog exits the room. Once the others follow him, he'll move to the next door.
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Nat smiles. There is greatness in him already, I hope he comes to see it for himself.
We've got your back, Grog! Nat nods encouragingly to Ngonunho and Thurim. Thurim, good eye spotting that crossbow bolt, we will need you to be just as sharp for whatever comes next. Ngonunho, have your healing ready! Are you able to use raw power to harm undead the way clerics can?
Roldare smiles at the mention of finding his sister, then holds out his crossbow, If it'll help you, please use it. I bought it several years ago from some down-on-his-luck traveler. It's served me well. There's a few supplies here as well, you're welcome to them.
It is really well-made and the sight is incredibly accurate. It would be worth a lot of gold in a market, the traveler must have been in dire straights to get rid of it.
You find several bedrolls, a pair of bullseye lanterns, 4 flasks of oil, 5 days of rations, and 2 potions labeled "healing"
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Ngonunho stands again from Roldare and brushes his pants off. He returns his healer's kit to his belt and looks at Nat.
My healing abilities are always at the ready, but sadly Pei Zin teaches us to focus our healing through our knowledge and even our touch, though it cannot be used to harm those linked to undeath. Still, the forces that direct me do grant me limited ability to harm them through my spells.
Ngonunho returns to Grog's side and pats his leg.
I think we should probably let mighty Grog here focus on bringing harm to our enemies. I will focus on keeping Grog standing.
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Good to know Master Kaetanta. I would like to hear more of this Pei Zin, when we have a chance to rest. Until then, I trust that with Thurim's spells and Grog's blade our foes will not stand a chance... at least not with your healing, Roldare's crossbow bolts and my inspirational tales backing them up!
Roldare, we will take the supplies, bedrolls aside. I have seen you shoot, and without a lucky warning by our sharp eyed Thurim, I believe you would have skewered one of us quite nicely - why don't you keep it and back us up. We could use the support of skilled archer like yourself.
And you need the confidence to continue, if we take your weapon we will allow you to feel defeated. Stay strong Roldare.
Roldare pales and stammers, I...I...I'm not going, please don't make me. I'll barricade myself here, don't make me go. I can't.
Roldare is beyond scared, he's on the brink of sanity and may not survive another encounter, mentally.
He nods excitedly, yes, yes, I'll wait here. Thank you. Please, find my sister! Find Dimira!
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Ngonunho leans back to Roldare with a smile.
Don't worry about the dead. Grog here is an experienced killer of the dead. Huh, that doesn't sound right. Can the dead be killed?
Ngonunho pauses and looks around.
Another time maybe. Roldare, sir, maybe next time if we knock though don't try to shoot us with your crossbow. I'd rather use my skills to heal wounds from our enemies and not our allies.
Ngonunho smiles and returns to behind Grog.
Ready when you are Big Green.
Roldare nods, yes, yes, knock and I won't shoot. Sorry about that.
Through the next door, you see a small, mostly empty chamber. There's a body of a villager sprawled in the center. Perched atop the corpse is a man-sized brown and yellow beetle, trying to push the body into the corner, where a pile of trash and filth awaits. Along the opposite you wall you see a staircase that descends into darkness.