"Those levers operate the trapdoor, and the second lever is likely to open a second trapdoor underneath." Draught observes, coolly.
"Thanks, kindly. Would someone like to do the honors and pull the thing, while I stand right next to the door and swing my axe?"
Draught walks over and pulls the first lever, with her hand ready on the second lever if necessary.
Tomin joins Tamas in the "stand and wait to stab things when they pop out" group.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Zazz will chill out a bit behind the others waiting for the doors too
When Draught pulls the first lever, those near the concealed entrance hear a slightly muffled mechanical "click-tic-tic-tic", but the platform does not rise.
"Hmm..." She pulls the second lever.
The trapdoor rises with a similar "Click-tic" mechanical sound. Underneath, you now see a ramp sloping downward 45 degrees. It levels off about 20 feet down, and what you can see is dimly lit (standing at the edge of the discovered entrance, you don't yet see the source).
The walls and floor look to be made of the "poured stone" known as concrete.
The wind begins whipping up again as the cooling surrounding atmosphere, and the lingering heat of the Blisterskin Sands to the south.. vie for dominance through gusts of wind. You see or hear no threats, though the current wind makes it a little more difficult to hear.
"Smoke.. detected... please state nature of fire. One... for sol-lids. Two... for flammable liquid. Three... for flammable gasses. Four... for e-lectrical e-quipment. Five... for.. cooking oils.. and.. fats."
It seems to be emanating from somewhere above your head - around a tiny object which looks like the fat knob of a spigot at the ceiling's center.
"Please say... security... for security dispatch."
Alynthar ignores the voice and tries to move the top of the door so that he can climb out. Failing that, he sits down to study the book entitled Physics until the smoke clears.
'
" Shall we just head down, or should I put some dancing lights off ahead of us while we do so? Also.. Find something to jam this entry way open perhaps."
"Light would be nice, yeh. And I'll just jam a stick into the lever, 'less'n anyone's opposed."
In addition to Zazz's dancing lights, Tomin will cast light on his sword.
Ervin glances down, and gives you all a look - he starts to speak... to say something like "Are you really going down there?"
Instead, he offers... "Timney and I could remain here for the time being... perhaps?"
After the ramp, there is a hall-like chamber. On the ceiling about fifty feet in is a small box with a pair of teacup-sized faint lights. In the dim light against the walls to the left and right you spot lizardfolk figures - behind a single wall of bars on each side. You see them clearly a split-second later as the conjured illuminations brighten the hall... they look like rotting corpses, but move - reacting to the dancing lights by swatting the air.
Buckled sashes crisscross their torsos and are linked to chains strung through iron rings which lead to mechanical winch devices on either wall. They begin to reach and claw for you, but the restraints prevent them from moving more than a few inches from the walls.
A wagon sits at the far side of the chamber, as well as a lift-up sliding door and two apparent exits at the far corners.
After another ten minutes, you hear a voice on the far side of the door. You listen and hear "Huh.. yeah. Scorchmarks?" The door rattles as someone tries to wiggle it open. "Go on ahead.. scare off the rats. I'll check this out."
"Wasteland ghouls?" Ta'mas asks, though hehas no idea what the rotting lizards are. He scowls, and spits at one. "Someone let me know if they get loose. That your wagon?"
"Hello?" Alynthar calls, as he steps back and prepares to cast Color Spray if he is attacked (Readied Action), "Who's there?"
Zazz walks over to examin the corner and see what they are, then points at similar looking structures to light them.
"What are these? Maybe connected to the door or the cages?"
Upon inspection, Zazz is able to determine the two nearer winch devices are connected to chains which clearly operate the "trapdoor".
The wagon itself appears structurally sound, but looks to be less than a third full.
As Ta'mas finishes checking the wagon for traps, you hear a voice echoing from one of the side passages - the southwestern corner...
"You know we can hear that door... and you rats know the rules.", and footsteps drawing nearer.
You hear him lay his shoulder into the door. The metal door groans, but does not yet give way.
"Maybe I should go scrounge up a laser cutter... guess I could just get some help...."
Tomin puts his hand to his mouth in a gesture of "stay quiet."
He then sneaks over to K3 and waits, Falchion drawn.
"No, I'm not a scientist." Alynthar explains."They were holding me here, but nobody's been around for three days. I'd appreciate if you could get me out."
Ta'mas walks behind the wagon, and draws his axe and claw.
He then returns a moment later. "Alright... got someone comin, but lets try this one more time."
He rams into the door again, and it looks ready to give.
Zazz dismisses his dancing lights, and remains in the dark corner. Draught moves to use the zombies as cover - though from a safe distance.
As the footsteps near, you hear a staticky voice "Grabba laser cutter from the supply room while yer over there... lemme know if the rats give you any trouble."
He responds into a handheld device "Alright." as he enters the chamber from the southwest passage. He does not notice Tomin as he steps directly adjacent to him. Human male with buzz cut and red tech vest. He has a holstered pistol low on his hip, in one hand he holds the communication device, the other a metal baton. He cranes his neck looking at the wagon. "There you are... Alright... come on out." The tip of his baton crackles with electricity.
"Changed how, exactly? And what do you need me for?" Alynthar asks cautiously. He doesn't like the sound of this. If these people "can't let him leave alive," they're not likely to be people he wants to associate with. While he's used to doing... unsavory... things for survival, and will continue to do so (within certain limits) if necessary, he resolves to escape at the first opportunity.
"Why don't you join me back here, stranger," Ta'mas calls out, still behind the wagon, "'less'n you can explain a real good reason why you've got this here cart."
The guard straightens in surprise upon hearing the challenge from a non-ratkin voice. He begins to step back and bring the communication device up to his mouth. His face is instantly creeped out and fearful - the undead-inhabited environs suddenly more threatening. He suddenly jumps with fright realizing someone is right next to him.
"Yes, I'm aware that I'm deformed," Alynthar says, somewhat annoyed. "Now, can we get my gear? I was told it's in a Doctor Hackledurn's office. Once we've gotten that, I will be able to show you how I can aid you in your endeavors."
Tomin would try to knock out the man with the flat of his blade.
Ta'mas draws his axe and Tekko-kagi.
Draught moves to H9, then shoots her corrosive pistol at the trog at C9 (should be barely within the normal light, but if she's still in dim light she'll take a penalty to this attack roll).
plus
(on his turn)
Tomin will swing at the man again with the flat of his blade.
Right, then. Ta'mas runs forward to smash the guy.
The ax cracks clavicle and tears flesh. The guard drops his baton, and reaches for his gun. At the same time, he yells into his communication device while attempting to backpedal. "Gribbel! Intruders!"
Tomin knocks him out cold. The device goes skidding, and a voice soon emanates from it... "Roger.. calling it in." brzz-clik-clik "Y'alright Spench? ...
Spench? Spench.... Hang on... help'll be comin."
With the change in dynamics here, the potential level of threat you pose has now increased.
He reaches for a metal baton on his hip... crackles of electricity flit around the tip. He thumbs a dial on his communication device through flashes of chirps and static.
Seeing that the man is reaching for a weapon, Alynthar casts his readied Color Spray.
Alynthar grabs the baton and communication device, and uses the baton to attack the guard.
There is a door north of the wagon, and a wide metal "garage door" to the west in addition to the hallway from where the now unconscious guard had come.
He wobbles, but does not fall. A couple more whacks should do it.
Alynthar takes another swing with the baton.
Alynthar swings the baton again.
And again.
Tomin will look for valuables on the man.