I'll go, but when I do... No one touch the thing, just wait for one of us.
Ramos steps up to Markus as he prepares to enter the elevator. "Call me superstitious my friend, but allow me to say quick a blessing on you before you go." Ramos whispers a prayer that misfortune strike another, and then lays his hand on Markus's shoulder.
True enough, but give me some time to see what's what, Lucid. A minute, no more. Thank you, Ramos. Let's make sure this thing is on yellow. That was Pavo's color, right?
When you push the button, the rumbling begin again and a short while later the elevator reappears and the doors open.
While you are making preparations, the rumbling begins, the doors snap shut, and the elevator sinks into the floor.
Markus seems frustrated but keeping it under control.
Guess we wait... If it were a convenience and not a "trap" of some sort, perhaps there is a mechanism on the other end? I was hoping to find out.
Of more concern, is our ability to work as a team. We can't go off in random direction, well when we do... it should be together.
One round after it returns, the doors snap shut and the contraption begins to rise again, this time with you in it.
A short time after it goes down, the cylinder rises back out of the ground. This time, when the doors open Pavo is standing in the chamber.
...Of more concern, is our ability to work as a team. We can't go off in random direction, well when we do... it should be together...
Giving a relieved sigh Ramos claps Pavo on the shoulder. I agree with you Markus, but considering the situation, Pavo was the best to scout ahead. I know I wouldent trust him around my dice! Just kidding friend, but being serious for a moment, what did you find?
Grinning sheepishly, Pavo says, "Well, nothing dangerous in the immediate area down there. There is a giant block that is blocking the only hallway though. I don't think it completely touched the ceiling though, so I might be able ta squeeze through ta the other side. If we can move the block, there might be more ta explore."
I guess first thing's first. Let's clear yellow. Back down, Pavo... You're most familiar with area. And, was there a way to... 'call' this thing, down there?
Sverrir mulls the situation, caution etched on his weathered face;
"Could the block be sundered perhaps? So we all could explore..."
"Not a bad idea, but we don't know how it operates. Damaging the block might cause the lift to malfunction, or cease working entirely."
Looking at Pavo, Khyrn asks, "And do you know how far down you traveled?"
Let's go get some answers.
Yes, but together this time.
Together, but one at a time. The chamber only allows one. There is not enough space for two... Pavo, myself, Lucid, Ramos, etc...
"If we take a closer look at it, I'm sure that we can figure out a way to move the giant block. If not, at the vary least, we can say that we tried," Pavo responds as he steps back into the elevator.
One by one you ferry yourselves down to the lower chamber, until all six of you are standing together.
You find yourselves in a ~20x15 ft room. The walls here are covered in bas-relief images similar to the slender figure upon the sarcophagus lid in the chamber above. Nearly a dozen androgynous, hairless humanoids stand in poses of deference, almost as if they are paying homage to the viewer. Many extend their hands in adoration, their faces awash in adulation. Several of the statues lack hands, arms, heads or anything else easily hacked off by long-absent tomb robbers. About 15ft to the south, a dark passage extends from an elaborately carved arch. Only a little of this hallway is visible, as a large stone slab mostly blocks the entrance.
Heading over to the stone slab, Pavo runs his hands over the stone's surface and looks along its sides and tops for any means of moving the object.
"These fresco's are interesting. The more I see of this place the more I feel like it was dedicted to the worship of something, though I am not sure what..."
Sverrir purses his lips and his hand stray once again to his flask as he scrutinizes the block and surrounding chamber with an expert eye;
”Come stein… give up your secrets…”
:
This vaguely reminds me of Osirian ritual... Not sure. Let's see if we can move this thing. Markus leans his weapon against the wall and sees if the slab will give, inviting others to help.
Checking the stone block, you see that it is 10ft wide, 8ft high and 2ft thick. There is a slot in the ceiling above it of the same dimensions. It is freestanding and it might be possible to topple it with enough force (DC25 STR check) There is a gap between the top of the block and the ceiling that it might be possible to squeeze through (DC25 Escape Artist check). Looking beyond the block, you see a long hallway with alcoves that appear to contain statues.
While trying to determine whether the room has any religious significance Ramos discovers a number of small metal pipes hidden in the mouths of some of the bas-relief figures.
Sverrir shoulders his pickaxe and spits on his palms, before getting a purchase on the block.
"Feh!"
The Dwur's back and arms bulge as he seeks to bull the stone block;
"Some helpen lads!?" he grunts through gritted teeth
Putting as much of his back into it as he can, Pavo attempts to assist.
Assist:
Take 20+4 or +6 for 2 hands? With any assist should be good.
Hold my friends! There's tubes comming out of the mouths of some of the statues. Pavo could this be some sort of trap? [
Before Ramos can put voice to his warning, the others, with a great show of force, topple the stone slab forward. It crashes to the ground with a deafening boom that echos in the subterranean halls for a long time.
Beyond the stone, the hallway extends ~70 feet ending in a T junction. Curious carvings that seem to represent a stirring tempest cover the walls of the ten-foot-wide passage. At measured intervals, small alcoves flank the passage, and, based on the closest pair, each alcove contains an androgynous humanoid figure with cupped hands. The figures stand roughly seven feet tall.
As the noise dies a little, another sound can be heard, the softer sound of stone against stone, as a pressure plate, held down through the ages by the great weight of the stone, slides out of the floor. In an instant, the room is flooded with noxious green fumes that pour out of the mouths of some of the bas-reliefs.
Markus manages to bring a scarf up over his the lower half of his face, quickly. He stands watch over the others as they deal with the fumes.
Cursing, Pavo has the opposite idea, moving over to the opposite side of the toppled stone and attempting to push the rock onto the pressurized plate. "Give me a hand!" he shouts as he does so.
Lord, it's times like this when I catch a bad turn, well I know your hand is in it, and im your man, but dammit if it woulden strike someone else.
Hacking and coughing in the noxious green fumes, Ramos stumbles towards Pavo. Shoving his shoulder against the stone block he begins to thow his weight against the cube trying to force it back onto the pressure pad.
Marcus helps folks over and then helps move the slab back.
Khyrn covers his mouth, but not quickly enough, and his eyes begin watering as he breathes in some of the noxious fumes. Despite his, Khyrn hurries over and attempts to help push the stone.
:
As the gas is released Sverrir takes in a slow, steady gulp of air, almost as if the noxious fumes were a sweet mead to be supped…
Seeing the others once again grapple with stone he sets his jaw and lends his brawn to their endeavours;
:
While you're struggling to move the stone back into position, the flow of gas slows down and then stops all together. Then tomb is well ventilated, and soon the gas begins to clear. While you all initially feel fine, as your hearts stop pounding you all begin to feel a little weak and tired.
His heartbeat slowing down, Pavo's gear suddenly feels heavier as the poisonous gas takes effect. Resting against the stone for a bit, he comments, "Strange way to set up a trap," before he pushes himself up and looks to the others, letting them know that he was ready to advance.
We sure this is worth it? Feeling a little weak.
"If you are saying that now, then you should rethink if this whole expedition is worth it." The look in Pavo's eyes shows the young man's determination, though a hint of fear is still evident. However, a smile crosses his face as he continues, "Besides, how does that saying go? True glory only comes to those who pay for it...something like that."
Khyrn relaxes as the gas stops and begins to dissipate. Clenching his fists, he grimaces slightly as the lingering effects cause his body to ache. He shakes his hands out, rolls his arms around a couple of times, and violently throws his head to one side, popping his neck with a loud "crack!"
"Better." he says to nobody in particular. Nodding at the halfling, "You're right to suggest caution, Lucid. Point well made."
Khryn pulls his shield off his back and readies his battleaxe. Resting the weapon on his shoulder, he turns to look down the unexplored hallway, "Now, I suggest we follow Pavo's idea and go find ourselves some glory."
He starts walking down the hallway.
0th level: create water, guidance, stabilize
1st level: magic weapon (D), X-bless, remove fear