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Koridur shouts as loudly as his dwarven lungs will allow "Be on your guard!!!" Waving his hands frantically to get everyone's attention he again shouts "Strong evil may be here!" Koridur draws his new blade, ready for an attack from anywhere.
I'm looking for a way to disable these loud machines and get down that chute to the main chamber:
PERCEPTION: +2 to notice unusual stonework.
KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING:
KNOWLEDGE DUNGEONEERING:
Gloisil nods acknowledgement at Koridur's shouted warning. He then becomes more alert and he and his owl start looking for any threats while Koridur looks for a way to turn off the machinery.
Sunset steps slowly into the room that seems to have captured her attention fully.
Koridur,
yes; your still many levels above the main hall. These pumps are not controlled from this room; but probably a room nearby that controlls venting which would include pumps. Thier are gages and dial here for making adjustments. Also, there is some evidence that the goblins come here sometimes probably keep these working as they are probably using the main hall for making weapons, armor and general housing.
** spoiler omitted **
Koridur shouts as loudly as his dwarven lungs will allow "Be on your guard!!!" Waving his hands frantically to get everyone's attention he again shouts "Strong evil may be here!" Koridur draws his new blade, ready for an attack from anywhere.
I'm looking for a way to disable these loud machines and get down that chute to the main chamber:
PERCEPTION: 1d20+3 +2 to notice unusual stonework.
KNOWLEDGE ENGINEERING: 1d20+2
KNOWLEDGE DUNGEONEERING: 1d20+2
ok; lets see if game accepts my posts now:
Gyldyr:
you see evidence lying around the room that goblin parties come here; things like food refuse that isnt all dried and hard and also that something is probably living in the air shafts as there is blood that is dry but not dark as the old stuff you have seen; seems like goblins come here when there is a problem and whatever is inside gets one or two; could be it is smart enough to cause a problem to bring the goblins...
Mox has both hands clapped over his ears and is banging his head on the ground; noise really getting to him.
the dark orc with you stands near Sunset, lookin at the pumps with his cruel axe and barbed sheild at the ready.
Gloisil is continuing to look around cautiously, and starts to follow Sunset in to the room that has caught her interest.
When Gloisil catches up to Gyldyr he gets the dark elf's attention and points towards Mox, a bit of concern shows on Gloisil's face for the poor goblin, who is obviously very bothered by the sound of the pumps.
Gloisil seeing what Gyldyr was doing moves over towards him to illuminate what he is writing, nodding in understanding as he reads what was written by the dark elf.
Gesturing to Gyldyr to borrow the charcoal that he used, Gloisil writes the following, "Was hoping to use the air shaft to descend lower into the city."
*Pokie, pokie* (^_^)
Gloisil nods in agreement of Glydyr's last written statement realizing that they would have to defeat whatever is guarding the air shafts. He then continues to follow Sunset into the room she has entered so as to shed some light on what may be inside.
As of yet, nothing jumps out of the air shaft at you, nor is any evidence found of what dragged what inside. There is a slighting foul and rotting odor near the bloodstained opening.
Koridur; you might want to give the group some advice on air shaft defenses and problems of air shaft vs your other path of taking the stairs and moving throughout the hold.
also; to navigate the airshafts; if that is the groups intent; you will need ropes or chains or such or find some way to naviate them; think of them as fairly smooth tubes; flying and spiderclimb would be helpful. Slip and who knows where you might end up and in what condition; probably be nice to have a map.
Gloisil speaks as loudly as needed to be heard by the group and says, "I had hoped to travel by the air shafts lower into the city, but it appears from the signs that Gyldyr and Koridur have found that there is some kind of creature living in the shafts. I also am not sure as to what travel via the shafts would be like."
"Therefore I leave it to the group to decide and any input from the group would be helpful."
"I have rope if it is needed, and although just 'jumping in' I think would be unwise, I do agree that we may be able to use the shafts to speed our travels."
"Let's take a closer look at this shaft and see what we have in store."
Gloisil moves over to where the shaft is, near the air pumping equipment and tries to look into the shaft in an effort to see how deep it may be. With a firm grip on his wand in case there is something there, he looks into the air shaft.
Sunset, not seeming to find anything of interest Pads back to where every one else has gathered and watches on.
The airshafts are winding twisting things of very polished stone and metal; they are about 15' in diameter with lots of twists and turns; imagine a whole bunch of macaroni noodles glued together with a bunch of straight straws. There are access hatches like this one and spikes and things; you can see various places where there were Runes that exploded and in various places bones of things. The wind that blows in here is about 30-40 mph; so a very stiff breeze and is very dry and very warm; about 85 degrees here; will get warmer as you go down; a good thing everyone has filled their water skins cause this will dry you out quick. Anything not securely tied down will flap or blow away or fray and this wind will dry and blind any non elven eyes that dont have protection if you keep looking into it. If you slip and fall in there; who knows what turn you might take but you will go down. there are probably other hatches to lower in the Hold; but thinking this through; this is a vent for gasses and heat from the main forge; so would drop you in the lava at the main forge; so I dont suggest staying in it that long if you decide to go in here.
obvious pro's and cons: <I only do this for low level parties>
will exclude the encounter of all but one goblin tribe; Mox would tell you Spider goblins tribes would likely be in or patrol the vents if the goblins intended to stay here long term, if there are spider tribes here. probably not enough to eat in the vents for a troll to be in there. Stirges and spiders probably most likely enemies and their kin.
you wont know where you are or where your going; tunnels are likely marked; but that is specialized information and coding only dwarven engineers would know or a gnome engineer; so minimally, your dwarf will have to get out and look around to figure out where you are.
less oppurtunities for treasure; other than what the aforementioned critters victims had.
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sorry for not posting; was sick and had to go to the hospital; then recovering.
Party has the choice of walking through the halls of the hold; or climbing through air vents, both have some merit.
Looking down the air shaft and seeing what a journey though there would be like, Gloisil is now having second thoughts about going that way.
"I'm not so sure that this way is the best option anymore. Maybe going through the city would be better ..."
Gloisil's voice trails off at the end as he shrugs his shoulders and awaits what the others have to say.
Mox looks scared to go in the tunnel; chittering nervously while holding his ears and banging his head on the wall.
the ork seems to only be watching Sunset.
Sunset leans over the edge and peers down into the darkness, shielding her eyes from the wind whipping past and seeming oblivious to what the gusts are doing to her shirt and other clothes.
"Geeee....t'is an awful ways down..." She straightens and steps back.
"I dun't know. I think gettin' folks down them holes is gonna be a whole load more work than findin' some stairs we c'n use..." She ponders out loud. She walks over and gently stops Mox from smudging the wall any further.
"I'm not hearing too many votes for traveling by air shaft at the moment, so let's head back the other way and see what the dwarf city has in store for us."
Gloisil starts heading back to the intersection where they turned to go down this passage.
Mox follows Gloisil, still holding his ears.
the dark ork walks to the room doorway and looks from Sunset to Gloisil to Sunset...
Sunset throws an arm around Desidera's waist and begins to skip along behind Gloisil. (^_^)
Gloisil looks back to make sure that everyone is following him back down the hallway. As he looks he motions forward back down the hallway to make sure that everyone knows his intent is to go back.
Elsdyn takes a final glance around the room. He had hoped they would find a maintenance path, but such does not seem the case. So, he supposed Gloisil's decision was best and without another thought hurries to move to the front less they encounter something and he not be close enough to act.
As the party travels back down the long hallway; the noise is less, but still very loud until you get back to the T intesections with the Woodshop straight in front of you; the noise of the pumps a dull, but noticable hum. To your left is the way you came from; the cold forge, and storage areas for coal, oil; bar metal and the like.
to your right is untravel area; looks like small shops and residences above them.
Gloisil with a last wistful glance down the hallway leading to the pumps, turns to the right and starts heading for the shops and homes that once resided in this part of the dwarf complex.
Wary that this area could provide a multitude of hiding places to their foes, Gloisil keeps an eyes and ears alert to any potential dangers and ask his owl Hoot to do the same.
"Be watchful everyone, there are lots of potential hiding places within the shops and homes ahead for those that would see our quest fail."
Sunset nods at Gloisil's words, but Desidera can feel it is only her arm around the brown skinned Elf's waist that stops Sunset from skipping randomly off to peer and poke about in the tumbles lot of dark Dwarven homes.
This hallway of shops continues for some time at an angle; trash and smashed shops and generally junk is strewn about. As the party continues you begin to see spider webs; then dried husks hanging from the ceiling.
the party comes to an intersection; the shops and living quarters stop for about 30 ft from the intestecition; solid stone here looks like support.
The hallway of shops continues along the angle; it is full of webs; and the mummified husks of goblin sized creatures hanging from the cieling continues; probably a good reason why you havent seen many goblins down the way you came.
The hallways to the left has a few houses; still smashed but they are much more heavily fortified. here in the intesection is evidence that two great warmachines were once placed here; mighty ballista that fired an massive 8 foot iron tipped arrow. Also; the hall to the left has none to few webs; in the distance you can see that the area that the left hallway comes to is dimly lit some 300 ft away.
What does the party do?
all but the humans notice that a faint current of air is coming from the left hall way.
Peering into a few homes; one thing stands out; all things of craft or metal has been stripped; you often see dwarven skeletons impaled on sticks; or stuck on walls with spears, smashed into crevices; torn apart; in a couple places; you see the skulls of whole families stacked in a wierd column; but no other pieces. Dried blood is everywhere.
In addition; their are quite a few insects, arachnids, worms; centipedes, rats; snakes and the like; but they are shy and dont bother you.
Sunset nods at Gloisil's words, but Desidera can feel it is only her arm around the brown skinned Elf's waist that stops Sunset from skipping randomly off to peer and poke about in the tumbles lot of dark Dwarven homes.
Sunset frowns and pouts, obviously becoming slightly disheartened and sad at the fate of the locals. Though, when the party comes to the splitting of the ways her eyes open wide and she bounces up and down, pointing and calling gleefully.
"Looky! Looky! I see somat shiny!" (^_^)
Pointing into the left hand tunnel/corridor.
"Well we can certainly head that way if you would like Sunset. Just keep alert as there seems to be spiders large enough to make a meal of goblins."
Gloisil then once again takes out his wand and starts down the left hand corridor. As he walks he wonders at the slight breeze that he feels.
Mox: "some de Gobby ride some de Bigun Spiders; N'er dun seena Orky Boyz ridin ones. Spiders be good eatin; yep; good eatin; crunchy legs; yum yum; squishy eyes OOOOOH, 5 onna plate; gimme dem squishy eyes; 5 onna plate." <dances and mummbles a song about crunchy legs and squishy eyes 5 onna plate>
Kurg: "Methinks this leads to dah main entrance n shiite, seems a bit like de uttter Hold o Kojan."
Koridur
you would agree; this weapon emplacement would be stop something big from entering the hold; there is probably a hall just like this one on the other side that had a weapon emplacement and the end of the main entrance would have a fortress. Light is probably coming from outside through the shattered main gate. Judging by the light; you figure main gate is some couple thousand feet to the left. Ahead there is probably other elevators, stairs; and more tunnels.