Xusius, you are unable to connect the symbols with anything specifically arcane. You do recall Ledt mentioning some connection between the Gloomspires and the ancient Ghol-Gan Empire, so the one-eyed nature of the symbols could relate to that.
As each of you passes by the stone, you feel a chill run down your spine; the lingering aura of the stone's ancient magic must still have some effect, as many of you are shaken to the core.
While the specific aura from the stone passes as you move past it, the general sense of unease continues as you travel underneath the overgrown canopy of trees. You come to another junction in the path; you can turn left along a smaller path that continues north, or follow the main tunnel through the trees to the east.
Shaggy does not share his master's appraisal of the situation but his whimpering subsides and he begins to move with more confidence.
A crack in the earth splits the ground here, most of it covered by thick weeds and the roots of a huge strangler fig tree. There are several gaps between the roots through which an adventurer might squeeze. Below the tangled roots is a deep shaft that descends into the gloom.
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"Easy" Ledt advances his way through the tangled weeds to have a look on what is below. He casts dancing lights in order to help himself see as far as possible.
The thirty-foot-long, root-covered crack extends deep into the Gloomspire. Numerous gnarled tree roots creep down the sides of the shaft, a few of them hanging almost to the muddy floor. Dozens of shallow niches are set at irregular intervals down each of the four walls of the shaft. Though some are empty, most of the recesses hold squat, four-foot-tall stone idols of leering, horned fiends.
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Xusius smiles at Ledt and says, "Eet was a good suggestion of zours to purchase ze climbing keet. Let me light ze way down."
He picks up a loose branch off the ground and concentrates for a moment while moving his lips and hand. Suddenly, a bright light beams from the branch!
He drops the branch into the dark crack.
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Sylvester looks at the deep cavern.
"That would be a nice fall."
"Perhaps lowering people down with a rope might be a good idea. I do not see how we will be able to get the animals down any other way."
"That would mean that only the best climber among us would need to climb down at the end."
The tiny gnome smiles at the group.
"And in case anyone is wondering that is not me."
(The difficult terrain would not bother Sylvester as he has the Woodland Stride ability)
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Ledt gives a cocky smile at Xusius, the halfling is clearly satisfied "Maybe some of us should check the area below. No need to bring down all the animals if there is only a small cave"
The halfling helps to set up a rope. With it and bracing against the wall and helping oneself with the branches "It should be an easy descend"
@GM Zin - Would it not be possible to lower down people with the rope thus avoiding a climb check?
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"I am small, I can easily descend in parallel with someone more sturdy" offers Ledt himself. Unless someone needs it more, the halfling will equip the climbing kit tools to help in the descend "I can tie id up to the rope once below, so you can pull it up and use it too"
Once everyone is ready, Ledt starts descending the rope in parallel to whomever goes ahead with him.
The way down is moist and dirty, but proves to be no difficulty at all for these seasoned--or lucky--adventurers. Ledt and Akter both reach the bottom without difficulty, descending side-by-side with Ledt on the rope and Akter using the niches to easy effect.
The floor is covered with a 6-inch layer of mud, rainwater, and a few shards of broken statuary . The strangler fig roots that drop down into the shaft extend only a negligible distance past the ceiling, ending 10 feet from the floor.
The chamber you find yourself in appears to be constructed of huge blocks of dark, grey stone. A single door, 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide and constructed from a single piece of the same featureless stone, stands in the south wall. 1 foot wide skylights in two walls provide dim light in the chamber. Perhaps it's just the dim light, but as you look around, shadows jump and shift just on the edges of your vision, making it almost seem like the walls are moving--though when you glance back to check, everything is as it first was.
Ledt ties the climbing kit and tugs on the rope, indicating that it's ready to be pulled back up for the next climber to use. Akter stands guard, ready for trouble.
Sylvester knots the rope to make the climb easier, and finds it to be abundantly so. When he gets about halfway down, however--as if by some unseen trigger--a number of the idols simultaneously fall from their niches!
Sylvester gets pummeled by two of the idols on their way down, and three of the remaining four tumbling idols batter Akter and Ledt!
Status
Akter: 7/28 hp
Ledt: 27/37 hp
Sylvester: 7/38 hp (Ref save pending)
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"Even demons fall!" Ledt tries to cover himself from the falling idol rocks. The halfling looks for a small overture in the walls where to protect himself.
There he brings up his healing wand and taps himself.
Seeing Akter is also rather injured by the boulders, he also heals him.
As Sylvester seems to avoid the trap, Ledt waits to see how much healin the gnome might need.
Bertha straps Betsy to her torso...
dice=Reflex save
Sylvester is unfortunately unable to keep his grip. The idol knocks Sylvester free of the rope; Sylvester tumbles to the bottom, landing hard, though he remains conscious (barely).
Iladora, hearing the commotion from down the shaft, quickly tries to make her way down, but find the roots too slippery to be effective.
BABS remains at the top briefly, working out how she's going to tie her boar to her chest to make their way down.
Xusius makes his way down the rope with little difficulty.
Shaggy dog stands at the edge of the rift, sniffing out Sylvester's scent and trying to find a foothold to follow, but ends up simply whimpering confusedly.
Status
Akter: 16/28 hp (bottom of shaft)
B.A.B.S.: 37/37 (top of shaft)
- Betsy: 26/26 (top of shaft)
Iladora: 28/28 (bottom of shaft)
Ledt: 34/37 hp (bottom of shaft)
Sylvester: 1/38 hp (prone; bottom of shaft)
- Shaggy: 13/13 (top of shaft)
Xusius: 30/30 (bottom of shaft)
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Sylvester pulls out his wand and attempts to cure himself. The gnome is almost in a panic as he struggles to remain conscious.
After half-healing himself with his wand he gets to his feet and asks either Illaodora or Akter to help him with the wand after revealing the command word.
"There is no need to jam it up for no reason."
(With the assumption that help is provided)
Sylvester signals to Shaggy to stay at the entrance for the time being. The fall had almost killed the gnome and he does not want to risk his travelling companion's life.
The group decides that it's best to leave the animals at the top of the opening.
Taking a moment to look around, the rest of the Pathfinders now see what Ledt and Akter first saw when they came down: the chamber you find yourself in appears to be constructed of huge blocks of dark, grey stone. A single door, 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide and constructed from a single piece of the same featureless stone, stands in the south wall. 1 foot wide skylights in two walls provide dim light in the chamber. Perhaps it's just the dim light, but as you look around, shadows jump and shift just on the edges of your vision, making it almost seem like the walls are moving--though when you glance back to check, everything is as it first was.
Status
Akter: 16/28 hp
B.A.B.S.: 37/37
Iladora: 28/28
Ledt: 34/37 hp
Sylvester: 38/38 hp
Xusius: 30/30
Ledt approaches the door and--gripping the stone handle tightly--struggles initially, but finally is able to get the heavy door moving; it swings open to reveal a short hallway.
Moving down the hallway, Ledt attempts to open the next door, but finds the effort of opening the first one sapped what little strength he has; the door won't budge.
Status
Akter: 24/28 hp
B.A.B.S.: 37/37
Iladora: 28/28
Ledt: 34/37 hp
Sylvester: 38/38 hp
Xusius: 30/30
Ledt's second attempt proves fruitful; after gathering his strength, he pushes the second door open, revealing a perfectly square, low-ceilinged chamber. A sickly-sweet smell--like that of rotting meat--assaults your nostrils as the door swings open. The east wall features a large bas-relief carving portraying a wide-eyed hag devouring her own hands.
You see the hag’s eyes suddenly lock on to your eyes with an icy glare.
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Sylvester casts a light spell on his wand of magic missiles which he places back in its sheath to conceal its illumination but is ready if it is needed.
He calls out to Ledt with a tone of concern.
"Ledt. Wait up for the bigger folk to go in first."
Sylvester goes in between the doors to back up the sorcerer if required.
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"They are just there looking. We short ones have to do all the stuff all the time, haven't you notice Sylvester? Not only in noblemen houses we are working, also in the Society. What will they do without us?" the complaining halfling suddenly seems to go silently, staring at the statue in the room "I do not like how that statue is looking at me"
The halfling hair starts to crackle with electricity, the sparks descending to his right arm and making all its way to the hand. When Ledt points at the statue's eyes a ray of crackling electricity blasts the offending stone eyes!
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"It's my understanding that here on the Material Plane, walls and shadows don't move on their own," Iladora remarks, without explaining her comment further.
She permits herself a small indulgence watching Ledt struggle against the door, which finally budges.
"They are just there looking. We short ones have to do all the stuff all the time, haven't you notice Sylvester? Not only in noblemen houses we are working, also in the Society. What will they do without us?"
"Fail, most likely, because your kind is so adept!"