"We can go back to that room we rested in before, was safe enough".
"Good idea Davos. We can rest there then return to complete our search here when we are a refreshed."
Assuming the others will follow, Drazhak moves out of the room and back to their resting place.
He then cleans his arms and armour as best he can, before meditating in quiet contemplation for an hour; still as a statue with the symbol of his God held in his lap. He then takes some rations and a drink of water then curls up in his blanket and gets some sleep.
Gelbor a little beat up after all this keep quiet but smiles and nods at Draz when he heals him. "Thank you."
He then listens to what everyone has to say and nods in agreement. "Let's rest we have no idea what else could be down here." He follows the rest still trying to be alert to anything that could still be walking the monument.
Rolling out his bed roll he lays down for some needed rest, although not in a nice bed that he had hoped but the sleep comes nevertheless.
hp:19
As Drazhak sleeps he grips his holy symbol. He stirs briefly then a look of serenity comes over his face, a half smile on his lips.
He finds himself walking down a long corridor, the walls and floor of a stone that Drazhak has never seen before. The craftsmanship is of the highest quality, beyond that of the greatest stonemasons of Janderhoff. The corridor is lit with a soft difuse light, the source of which is not clear.
He strolls on, admiring his surroundings with an appreciation that only a Dwarf can have for stonework and suddenly a hall opens before him. So vast is it that the ceiling cannot be seen, neither can the far walls. It is lit with a soft and radiant golden light. He gasps in wonder and enters.
He walks for what seems an eternity in the vast and empty hall, noticing a slight smell vaguely familiar yet agonisingly deceptive. Whenever he is close to identifying it, it seems to move away; always just out of reach.
Suddenly a stairway rises before him consisting of twenty massive steps, it seems to rise to the very vaults of heaven. At the top of which is an enormous set of doors, intricately carved and of magnificent workmanship. The doors seem at once to be constructed of gold, silver and stone of many types, yet must be another material entirely as Drazhak can almost see through them to the vault beyond. He shields his eyes as a light brighter than the sun seems to emanate from the doors, the smell is suddenly stronger and Drazhak becomes light-headed with the aroma. It soothes him and frightens him at the same time. He strains to make out a figure of what could be a tall man in armour at the head of the stairs and yet could be a short squat Dwarf, massively built.
He steps on to the lowest step and frowns in wonder as he realises that this is familiar. He has been here before yet does not know where he is. Suddenly the figure speaks, his voice rich and deep, yet like the clarion call of a thousand trumpets.
”WHAT IS THE SECRET OF THE VAULT?”
Drazhak can feel the force of the voice pushing at him like a powerful wave, he struggles to keep his footing as his mind reels from the question. He attempts to answer, but he can find no words. It is as if his mind and body have been clamped in irons. He feels himself pushed backwards a little by the force before him yet climbs up to the second step.
”WHAT IS THE SECRET OF THE VAULT? WHO DOES IT SERVE?”
He struggles to find an answer, aware that to do so would grant him access to the vault and the wonders beyond and he would find everlasting enlightenment. He grits his teeth and struggles forward one step at a time. The force opposing him is benevolent, yet like nothing he has encountered before.
He reaches forward and graps the edge of the third step. Using all his remaining strength, he tries to haul himself up onto it. Every inch is a strain, the sweat beading on his forehead as he feels his muscles tear to overcome the opposing force. Time seems to stretch before him for an eternity and he feels like he is hanging on above an abyss for the span of the lifetime of man, not just one but all men. His muscles, screaming beyond their limit, finally give in. Drazhak’s iron will failing him, he gives in to the inevitable and releases his hold on the edge of the step to fall back into the abyss. He seems to fall for an aeon then finds himself suddenly standing on the third step, looking around in wonder.
There is a thundering crash as of vault doors slamming shut, louder than the faliing of a mountain. The noise drives Drazhak to his knees gripping his ears and suddenly all goes black.
He wakes suddenly refreshed and energised, feeling suffused with spiritual power and a feeling of wellbeing he has not experienced before. He stretches and smiles.
”Best night's sleep I’ve had in a long while. I didn’t even dream. By Abadar I feel like a new Dwarf!”
Davos wakes up to the sounds of rats scuttering across the floor, Davos lights a candle and moves to one of the tables to prepare for the day.
Davos removes the old spell book from his satchel and begins to read
Maybe if I add pinch of fire salts and some brimstone, no no that won't work what was it that Professor Albert showed me
Davos says few works in Draconic adds some components together and after burning the table and the smell of singe hair , Davos manages to discover a spell
"Morning, if we come across any more swarms i'm much more prepared for the now.
0 level
Ray of Frost
Light
Prestidigitation
Detect Magic
1st Level (4 + 1)
Magic Missile - 1
Color Spray - 1
Burning Hands - 1
Burning disarm - 1
Snowball - 1
2nd Level (2 + 1)
Flaming Sphere - 3
Create pit -
Scroll of Shield, Grease x2, comprehend Languages
Wand of mage armor (8 charges)
hp - 12
max hp - 17
Rising early, Domingo stretches out his stiff muscles and checks his wounds. They have sealed well but they still pain him some.
Moving away from the party he draws his sword and begins to run through the myriad sword calisthenics he learned as a novice. His movements are quick and supple his blade a silver blur as he seems to dance through the complex moves.
I am getting stronger, my sword is becoming g part of me just as my mentor told me it would. Whatever awaits us below I will be ready, Domingo Delagroza will not fail
Finishing his workout, Domingo returns to the others and tucks into his dried rations as he breaks his fast with their meagre fare.
Donning fresh garb he pulls on his armour and gets his gear ready
did you all sleep well? There are some strange noises down here , I find it hard to relax.
You were muttering for quite a while In your sleep Draz, you called your gods name a few times my friend
Drazhak finishes his breakfast and washes it down with some water as he watches Domingo practice his kata.
"Very impressive. Your skill improves I think." He says as Domingo sits down. He frowns when Dom tells him about talking in his sleep. "'Tis strange indeed. I do not remember dreaming, yet there is something in the back of my mind.." He shakes is head in frustration. "Almost as if I was somewhere else. Ah! I do not know. Such things are not important now. What is important is making sure you are all well enough to continue."
He looks around at the others. "Does anyone need healing? Davos, you still seem under the weather, perhaps I can help?
DM
He moves to Davos to examine his wounds.
Heal (on Davos)
Gelbor groans as he wakes up the nights sleep did not come easily, rolling around all night unable to settle.
The dream again, will he haunt me forever.
He sits up clearly not in the best of moods and drinks from his water skin. Then get's up and starts to stretch out the cramps he got from last night.
"It seems you all had a good nights sleep. I've done my fair share of sleeping rough, never liked it it takes me back to some bad times."
He then does a backflip while trying to stretch his back and also starts to loosen up by doing some practise strikes with his short swords.
"I'll be glad to be done with this place."
I am not fully recovered Draz, if you could use your healing arts on us before we go. unless any of the others are more seriously hurt a single healing should do it . we can carry on the way we were going yesterday before those bats showed up.
Hp 20/30
"Thank you Draz but ill be fine just need few days rest and ill be in good shape. Yes Dom that's what I would propose also to do".
Kennos lays there for a while pretending to sleep listening to the others talk , He then suddenly jumps up at the talk of pushing on
Morning all, that was a great nights sleep weirdly
He stretches out the reaches in to his pack to start laying out food, He then starts to tuck in to his trail rations, and through a mouth full of food he talks to the others
I'm looking forward to today exploring some more and kicking some ass with some new spells I somehow now know how to cast because I'm so awesome
"Good morning Kennos, I'm glad to hear that think we're going to need everything we can use down there"
Then with a little more grumbling Gelbor starts to pack.
"I really don't want to spend another night here, so the quicker we set off the quicker we're out of here. Everyone else agree?"
Kennos moves his arms about like he's doing Kung fu he then punches the air
Pow! Yeah see these lightning reflexes I am really ready!
He then put on his equipment and with shield and whip in hand turns to the others
I'm ready to move out now when you guys are
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The party returns to the room where they were near overwhelmed by bats.
Thick guano guano covers the floor of this room. Stalls divide the
western wall, and a stone bench and fountain stand to the east.
None of the party seem keen on searching through the dung but Gelbor's keen eyes spot something shiny in a far corner. Plucking it out with the tip of his sword he sees that it is actually a very nicely crafted silver bracelet, untarnished by time.
Deciding to press on the party turns to the corridor on the opposite side of the pool. They find it leads to another descending set of stairs which, judging by the number of steps, must end below sea level.
Davos stands on the edge and looks down the stairwell
"Well no time like the present!"
Domingo looks down the stairwell and turns to the others
what do we think amigos? Shall we go down together? Gelbor could scout ahead but it is too dark down there to see anything, only Draz here can find his way without a light.
Drazhak lays his hand on Domingo's shoulder and calls forthe the healing power of his God.
CLW
"There my friend, I hope that helps."
SPELLS
LVL 0: light. Stabilize. Resistance. Detect magic.
LVL 1: Protection from evil. Bless. Sunmetal
LVL 2: Aboleth's lung. Bull's Strength . Lesser Restoration.
"I say we try the stair. Gelbor do you want to scout head?"
Lets do this
kennos says to the others as he starts to descend the stairs
"I'll take point again but i'll still need some of the light cast by you behind me, i can see in low light but pitch black i'm useless."
Gelbor then pulls up his hood and takes out his dagger and short sword moving down slowly.
my thanks Draz, now let us descend into this ruin and uncover its mysteries.
Drawing his sword Domingo follows Gelbor and kennos down the stairs.
|
|
Gelbor takes the lead down the stairs, trying to strain his eyes for where to place his next step in Davos’ meagre light.
The air gets markedly colder the further down the steps you go, not uncomfortably so, but definitely noticeable.
As he is walking down, Gelbor notices a small wooden peg stuck at an odd angle on one of the steps. It is attached to a length of thin rope that, when he follows it along the wall, he can see holds aloft a net of masonry and scrap metal. The trap is not sophisticated, but nonetheless deadly.
The stairs open out into a large chamber, possibly the biggest you have seen in the Crow so far. This wide catacomb chamber has rows of burial niches cut into the stone walls. These have been stripped bare of any former occupants. Half a dozen ten-foot high mounds of dirt and debris dominate the floor of the chamber, reaching nearly to the ceiling above.
You can hear an intermittent scratching, clicking noise within the room but cannot pinpoint where it is coming from.
Gelbor spotting the trap turns around and signal for the others to stop, he then whispers back to them.
"I've found a trap, stand back i don't want you hurt if this goes off i'll attempt to disable it."
Gelbor then takes out a dagger and starts to look at the mechanism holding the thin length of rope in place. He slips the knife into the trap hoping to jam it. But looses his footing and slips falling face first into the trap and triggering it, while also cursing.
"Shit!"
Just as the trap is about to shut Gelbor takes a step and the backflips out of the way takes a deep breath and turns around.
"There disarmed...." He then slowly turns around and heads back down the stairs trying to keep his cool.
|
|
The net above bursts open, raining down lumps of rock and scrap metal.
Gelbor manages to flip out of the way at the last moment but as the dust clears and your ears stop ringing, you see that the masonry has all but blocked the stairway. You can dig it out but it will take hours.
This time can be halved with a successful dc 12 knowledge engineering check.
cayden's beard! you are lucky you are so quick my friend that was close! I dont think i would have spotted that trap gelbor well done! well I suppose we had better start digging.
Domingo sheathes his sword and begins to pull the rubble and scrap metal out of the way.
this is going to take a while he curses as he heaves aside the large lumps of masonry
kennos exams the rubble
I read a poem once about a man who path was block on the way to market or somewhere and he moved the large stones allowing the small ones to just fall away so that may work here too
"That was a little too close, i'm not used to disarming traps, We had better go to it then."
Gelbor half heartedly starts to help move the rocks not really going for any of the big ones but trying his best to keep himself looking busy
that seems logical kennos, good idea. Come and grab some of these large pieces with me then my friend and we will clear this in no time .
kennos helps clear the rubble
Ever heard the story of the sand point summoner? well he was a normal farmer who had the ability to summon loads of creatures to his side some how anyway we could do with him now to make his eagles move these damn rocks
grunting with the effort Domingo heaves another rock to one side and mops his brow, taking out hiis canteen he shakes it and sighs.
I am almost out of water, I may need to go check that pool and see if the water is ok to drink.
Draining his canteen he listens to kennos and chuckles
I have never seen an eagle move rocks my friend I don't think they would help much , but this sand point summoner sounds interesting, you'll have to tell us some of his tales later.
Kennos goes to drink some of his canteen but finds it empty
I have heard about people drinking their own pee when they run out of water so our choices now are pee or ooze water, yay for choices
Davos walks down the steps cautiously not to slip
"Indeed I don't have a great deal of water left".
"I've never heard of this sandpoint summoner, another story told to pull people out of the drudge of their crappy lives i'm sure." He says as he lifts another big rock out of the way.
"Dom you're right, i really hope to be out of here today but if that fails like it has for the past two days i should have another two days of rations i'll be happy to share." Gelbor then wipes the sweat from his brow, takes a breather. "We could even search if the girls had some supplies that hopefully are somewhat edible."
Domingo stops for a rest his back beginning to ache from all the bending and lifting,
Sitting on one of the large rocks he wipes the sweat off his face.
I have about four days of rations left. I think food isn't going to be a problem. We will need water though. Draz, any chance of you praying to your god for some ? I could go for some divine water about now, my mouth is as dry as a dust devils shoe! I may have to go try that pool
From all the talk to thrust and dry mouths Gelbor takes a long drink from his water skin.
"I wouldnt mind some fresh water. If you're willing to try that pool you're a braver man than me Dom. I don't want to think how long those slim things were living in it"
Drazhak watches the others moving rubble indiscriminately and studies the rockfall silently.
Knowledge engineering
"Gentlemen, this is work for a Dwarf. Let me guide your efforts and we will have this lot shifted in no time. And on the subject of rations, fear not. I have another week's worth in my pack and a whole waterskin full. If we end up here another day, I can attempt to create more water tomorrow. As it is, we have enough for now."
With that he begins shifting rubble and instructing the others to move certain pieces of rock before others, gradually they make headway to clearing a passage through the rubble.
Davos leans back against the wall to catch his breath from moving the rubble
"That's good to hear Draz, when your ready guys lets move on."
kennos takes a gulp of water from drazhaks canteen
Thanks my friend much better than my pee or the ooze water, one of those rings I need that mean I never have to eat or drink again except when I want to at fine taverns that is. ahh well onwards and ... downwards I guess
kennos picks his whip back up readies his shield and pushes onwards
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|
The stairs open out into a large chamber, possibly the biggest you have seen in the Crow so far. This wide catacomb chamber has rows of burial niches cut into the stone walls. These have been stripped bare of any former occupants. Half a dozen ten-foot high mounds of dirt and debris dominate the floor of the chamber, reaching nearly to the ceiling above.
You can hear an intermittent scratching, clicking noise within the room but cannot pinpoint where it is coming from.
what is this place? Some kind of old crypt?
Domingo says as he moves into the room
what are all these mounds of earth? And what is that noise, Are there giant moles down here? I hope not, I wouldn't know how to tackle a giant mole he says half jokingly whilst eying up the strange mounds
Davos moves in the room and takes note
"Seems like that indeed Dom I wonder who was buried here".
Davos listens to the noise to hear whreres it coming from