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The decapitated arm is gripping a metal handle, and I am not sure I know what these spherical objects are. I thought they may be gems, but they feel like boiled eggs. can you have a look while I examine the handle?
Filios will peer deeply into the murk at the handle to determine if it is trapped.
Perception:
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Deris allows himself to be guided back ashore but stops there.
"Oh we'll be fine. Besides, its rude to leave somebody on the curb before they go inside. We just want to make sure you arrive to where you want to be going."
You detect no traps. It looks like pulling up on the handle will release the seal.
When you are ready to open it, give me a Str check.
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Aside to Owai: “Owai, can you cast Detect Magic? "
To the group in general: “When the handle is pulled, I’m expecting the water to drain away via the entrance to a tunnel.”
“I don’t know if I’m being too cautious or not – but we could tie a rope around the handle and all pull together from a distance, to make sure we’re not sucked down into any holes.”
“Oh … I’m first going to go and retrieve my backpack.”
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Nodding lightly towards Ezrek, Haraldir responds - "No worries my friend. I ain't drinkin' it, this is for one of my bosses."
Hearing Luisila' suggestion, he scratches his chin a couple of times, and then adds: "You know lass, I think it is a good idea. Why don't the two of you go out of that water, but first tie the ropes to the shaft, and then we'll pull it from here. What do you say?" - he turns towards Ezrek, Owai and others.
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Omrax stands over the seal with sword and shield at the ready.
Owai stands at the water's edge with bow ready and waiting.
Haraldir is holding onto a single limp rope, unsure of where its other end is actually tied too.
The main rope tied to the leaver in the water does not extend all the way to the shore line, leaving its pullers in the water on slippery soil. Filios in the lead with Luisia & Ezrek behind him assist in the strenuous pull within the dark water.
The iron plug pops and a sound from a technologically more advanced future can be heard (a flushing toilet).
A violent rush of water spins within the pool trying to knock its occupants to the ground.
Omrax gets sucked down into the hole. He tries to grab onto the edge but fails to do so, landing flat on his back. Gallons of Black Water comes crashing down upon him, pouring into every exposed orifice.
Deris slips & trips along the waters edge. He is then caught in the turning torrent and follows Omrax down the hole.
The ropers dig their feet into the silt and maintain their ground. The pool quickly drains itself of any remaining water leaving only a blackened marsh and a secret entrance exposed.
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Omrax, with the wind knocked out of him, spits and coughs out the black water and wipes the grime from his eyes.
oh Inheritor help me!
With the light from his wayfinder, he stands and looks around for any movement...or glowing beedy eyes in the dark. If none apparent..
"Um..I found the bottom. Watch that first step...it is a doozie. "
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"Watch that first step...it is a doozie. "
Luisila stares at Ezrek and Filios for a second while thinking …
Why does this STUFF always seem to happen to Omrax?
She moves quickly but cautiously to a few yards from the edge of the hole, lies face down and crawls to the edge before calling out:
“Omrax, are you all right? Healer, do you want to heal thyself, or wait for me? Either way works.”
Can I spot where he is or if there’s any immediate danger to him.
Once she’s established if he is pretty much OK she will add:
“Say, Omrax - did you enjoy your trip?”
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"Hah, yes Lady Luisila. For a second it reminded me of our last trip together...the lovely stroll through a smelly swamp followed by a luxurious cruise in an rickety old boat, tossed about at sea. Well, at least it did not last as long this time.".
The Inheritor says suffering builds character, so she must like me. .
He smiles to himself in the tunnel.
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Owai rushes forward and looks down the hole next to Luisila. He awaits Omrax's reply, but as he does so, his head begins to emit a nimbus of light that seems to enhance his otherworldly characteristics. The light shines down into the hole with the illumination of a torch, but with a comforting white glow. The Mwangi man holds his bow still at the ready as he looks down with concern in his eyes.
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It appears Omrax fell down a vertical shaft. There are slippery looking hand-holds set into the wall of the shaft.
The underground walls are made of a yellowish stone that form a tight, damp corridor that travels for 15' before descending down a set of stairs. There are no other occupants in this hall.
Deris takes a moment before raising himself on his elbow. A thin stream of blood drips off the old man's brow. Deris wipes the blood away and looks at his hand in astonishment. The look of shock fades with a chuckling smile, "I will be fine. I always wanted to be an adventurer."
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Luisila looks up to the aasimar bard : “Do you have a halo, Owai? Can you switch it on and off as a light source? That must come in handy.”
*Deadpans* “I used to have a halo too you know ... but it kept slipping down to my neck to try and strangle me, so the High Priestess had it exorcised.”
She then takes out Air Crystal and says seriously, “Owai, would you mind Prestiditigitating me ...”
That kinda ... doesn’t sound ... right ...
“... and Ezrek’s Air Crystal? ”
Assuming the servant of the Dawnflower agrees, she will toss the Crystal back to its owner.
“Don’t worry, Ezrek ... I didn’t inhale.”
She will then climb down using the hand holds to join Omrax.
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"A gift from my mother." Owai says of his halo, with a slight bow. He smiles, and with more gestures and melodious whispers, he utilizes his magic to dry Luisila's clothing. When he is done, he puts away his bow and climbs down. When he reaches the bottom, the light from his halo fills the room. He draws his scimitar and peers into the tunnel.
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Everybody makes their way down into the tight tunnel. Once gear has been reorganized and preparations are made, the exploration begins.
The stair case descends for about 20' before coming to a landing. The stairs continue down ahead of the group but the landing it reaches appears to be flooded with water. There is also a tunnel to the right. Looking down this passage ends at a stone door.
The patchwork of yellowish-brown stone walls, faded paint, and crumbling plaster form the tunnels. Water seeps through the walls and collects in floor cracks and ankle-deep puddles. After a few moments, thick humidity makes itself known. The party will have to proceed single file line. I'll leave the order up to you.
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Filios addresses everyone quietly before taking out his Curveblade.
I suggest that I lead while looking for any traps that may exist in this hole. I will be busy though, and I am not suggesting that I navigate. Just point me in the direction you would like to proceed, and I will check it out. Is that acceptable?
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Luisila will knock a blunt arrow in her left hand, and hold her whip in her right. Her hanbo is packed away in her backpack, but she keeps her club in her belt.
“I would ideally like to be located in a middle rank to maximise the effect of Bless , but also so I can stay pretty close to the front-rankers for touch-buffs, healing or to provide ‘reach’ melee assistance with my whip.”
“Haraldir and Owai, you are probably both better archers than I am. I have twenty blunt arrows that deal lethal bludgeoning rather than piercing damage. If either of you want to swap say five bludgers for five piercers just let me know.”
“VC Valsin taught me a trick between missions that wouldn’t have occurred to me – but might be well-known to some of you. It involves casting Light on an arrow and then shooting it ahead to see what’s there. I understand this would eliminate the element of surprise, but it might be something to keep in mind in certain circumstances.”
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"I am also excellent at finding traps.".
Omrax blurts out...before he realizes his companions meant without setting them off accidentally.
"Um, if you think you will do it more efficiently, I can follow close in the next rank."
Haraldir chuckles rather loudly (and involuntarily) at the quip coming from Omrax. Good one my friend, good one
He takes a brief look at the blunt arrow that Luisila proffered to them, and then nods shortly. "Aye, these might come in handy. Thanks lass."
He proceeds to exchange 5 piercing for 5 blunt arrows from Luisila , and then takes a position behind her. Next, he addresses Owai - "Would you mind taking the rear rank? I like to be close to the lass, when possible"
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Owai smiles. "Thank you Luisila. If it becomes necessary, these may be useful." he says, accepting the proffered arrows and returning five of his own for them. As he is arranging them in his quiver, he nods at Haraldir. "I can take the rear position." he says. "I am neither skilled in trap finding nor blessed in attracting them as Sir Omrax is." he adds with a grin. He lets the others pass ahead of him and follows at the rear, his halo still glowing. He keeps his scimitar in hand.
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Hmmm ... I like having Owai covering our six, but what about a light source up front ...
To the ‘shining’ paladin: “Omrax, if you get tired of carrying a light source, I can cast Light on an arrow and tuck it into my belt. If it needs to be ‘turned off’ in a hurry I can just shoot it behind us. Also if you or someone up front wants a ‘torch’, I can pass it to them, or Light up that person’s weapon or something. Let me know what you think is best.”
“I can only have one (the most recent) Light source active at any time, but as an orison – unless I start behaving myself – it can be cast as long as we need.”
“Now, which way to go? I will leave that choice to the more experienced in the group.”