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The tunnel is traversed without any unexpected hardship, or further harm. After the sharp turn to to the left, the tunnel turns back and forth several times for another 150 feet or so, all the while declining slightly. There are places where water has pooled and it seems that surface water, when precipitation has been heavy, flows from the vent where you entered, and proceeds in much the same pattern you have followed. Where you find water it is foul, and often has small insects or fungus or both. The most curious thing you see is something that well supports Bryndyn's claims. Rusted torch holders line the wall here and again, and though the rust is thick, on several of them it is clear that they were made well, and ornamented.
Ahead you see the tunnel both ends and drops off, though how suddenly you cannot see from this angle.
Assuming we can walk without falling, Ellie is in front, shield up, sword drawn, sunrod still held behind her shield if this is practical, otherwise sticking out of her backpack (so much for any chance of sneaking up on the enemy unawares).
Perception
Initiative
Again! These things again! Blasted things never learn.
Acid splash
damage
"Maggots! Are they being spewed out of the earth's stomach?"
Elinor sheathes her sword and reaches for a javelin.
Narnel moves forward 20' so that he is within 30' of the enemy, and he fires into the foremost.
LB ATT:
LB DAM:
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Elinor stops suddenly, sheathes her sword and grabs a javelin, and at nearly the same moment Harlynn assumes a casters stance and then you all see what has caused them alarm. Another of the hulking slug things has emerged from the tunnel ahead of you and now slithers toward you, in search of an easy meal.
Reflex:
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Bryndyn is definately in the front rank. He will use his crossbow first without moving, then guage the speed of the oncoming grubs. If he deems he can get a second shot off, he'll do that, otherwise he'll switch to his sword and wait for them to come to him.
Crossbow attack
Crossbow damage
Perception
Reflex (in case):
"We need skates for this mess. Hold fast everyone."
Elinor hurls her javelin at the grub, then pulls the second.
Attack:
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Elinors javelin does not hit the grub, but not to worry, Bryndyn's bolt flies over the supine Narnel, and catches the creature in the face. Its progress halts for a beat, and then it slides back whence it came.
Moving forward, with senses on high alert, you hear more movement from ahead, in the opening, and peering down you see 2 burned grubs, likely the runners from Harlynn's earlier burning hands spell.
Without much ado, these 2 are also put down from a distance, and then with care you enter this room. Immediately there is a ledge nearly a mans height tall you must descend, and though it is slick, it is also slightly angled.
The room itself is large and round and to the right of the opening where you came in are two stone carved lizardfolk holding a basin. The basin is formed in away that it catches runnoff from the surface. It is currently full.
The floor is littered with debris, rotting vegetation, and bones (is that a deer skeleton, or a horse?) and of course the slime. There is also the remnants of large eggs. Perhaps the monsters you have fought thus far have hatched here.
The most interesting feature of the room is a steep staircase, carved into the side of the room rising up toward a dark opening. The opening is some 20 feet above the ground, and the stairs appear to have seen better days, with several of them nearly completely crumbled. The opening at the top is flanked with statues that match the ones holding the basin, save these brandish spears. The opening itself is about 5 feet wide, and maybe 8 feet tall. The stairs to not seem to be slime covered as much else in this room is.
Narnel, after attempting to recover his missed arrow...
Recovery (High Good):
He carefully examines the room while looking over the ledge.
Perception:
Well, shall we descend and work our way to those stairs across the way?
Reflex(to join the group?)
Those stairs may be the way to go, but they look precarious. Can we set up a harness system to steady and safely go the way?
Go see Cabin in the Woods.
These 'remains of eggs', are there the remains of 'a couple dozen' eggs, or just one or two?
"I thought maggots spawned from rotting flesh. Maybe they are some sort of wyrm. It doesn't look like your folk have been here in a while, lizard man."
Is there a slight emphasis on 'man', or is that just a feature of her accent?
"I don't fancy falling from the top, at least a grab line. You're spry Narnel, maybe you can check the footing while we slide across."
Elinor recovered her javelin from the tunnel and will keep that in her hand. Assuming nothing bad happens, she'll peer into the water basin when she gets close enough.
Acid Splash
Damage
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Bryndyn stands resolutely looking into the chamber as Narnel checks out the footing. He is using his heavy mace as a weighted walking stick to give him additional balance. Nearby, the Lizardman holding the basin and the two above resonate with Bryndyn in ways he can barely understand. This place is holy. This place is dangerous. This place is awesome. Why are these grubs here? What are they? Are they monsters are are the somehow related. That thought is not comforting.
Acrobatics:
Climb:
Reflex:
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Elinor looks into the water, which appears to be more runoff, though sans the insect and fungus.
Narnel moves easily to the top of the steps, and peers between the stone guardians that flank the passage. Looking into the dark, he can only see darkness.
Whatever hand made these carvings was skilled to be certain!
Narnel turns back from the darkness, and in a quiet voice, says down to his advancing companions.
I cannot see anything beyond the top of the stairs, I need a light source.
Narnel draws and arrow and peers into the darkness, awaiting illumination to see if there is any threat.
Harlynn tried to steady is step as much as he is able. Placing every step as if it really mattered much like a cat stalking it's prey.
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
"Kep this then."
Elinor tosses the sunrod up to Narnel and studies the staircase.
"I'm going to need a line if I'm not to faal on my hintend."
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Narnel takes the sunrod and peers into the black. The walls thus far underground have been unworked, or crudely worked walls of dirt and rock. The space before you is a departure. The space past the stone sentinels is a corridor whose length cannot be determined from this point. It appears to be nearly perfectly straight and extremely smooth. This applies to the walls floor and ceiling. The walls are noticeably narrower at the top than the bottom. There are some few spider webs in the passge, but not many, and old and broken (not to be confused in any way with what you saw on the surface!) and the floor has a fairly thick layer of dust.
Narnel leaves the sunrod at the top of the stairs and ties off his 50' rope around the base of one of the statues. He then flings the rope down the stairs after securing the same.
C'mon up Elie and all.
He takes a few steps down the hall to make room for the further advance of the party and points his drawn bow down the hallway's length.
Stowing all gear safely, Ellie will use both hands to ascend the stairs clinging to the rope to counteract the giant armour penalty to climb. Once at the top she stands behind Narnel readying her shield and gazes down the ancient corridor.
Perception
Larayn uses the rope to crawl up.
Perception
Perception:
"This shield isn't for decoration. I'll lead."
Elinor steps into the front and (unless perception revealed anything important) begins to walk slowly down the tunnel.
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And into this tunnel they go, though if they emerge and then only to curse their bravado remains to be seen. The tunnel is long, and apparently made to be dark, as the torch holders evident earlier are not found here.
Moving slowly something becomes clear, and somewhat alarmingly so. At first you thought it was your imagination, but no, the walls are getting closer the further you move, and the ceiling lower, or the floor higher. In any case, even without claustrophobia it is not hard to start to feel hedged in here.