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Halvar starts by asking about supplies and logistics during the war. Unfortunately, he really can't feign interest for long about a subject he's not really that interested in.
After that failed attempt, he'll try learning about the prisons. Were there military prisons and city prisons? What happened at the end of the war? Did all the POW's get sent home? Did we get ours back? Are there records of such things?
Halvar will stop by the Warrior Guild and see what he can find out about the Tafaj family as well as any general information about what the city did as contingencies during the war without actually asking about secret underground jails.
”I think it’s just more likely that it’s a forgotten precinct or whatever.” "This one was forgotten but are there others? This was not a natural occurrence." Halvar takes a long drink of his ale before continuing, "Does--or did--our government regularly make mindless zombies of those unfit to serve in the public guard or did something else do this? Is it still occurring? Are there other locations where people are held in secret by idiotic citizen ensembles? If so, then they need to be abolished."
Halvar is unsure about the next course of action but just leaving things alone seems problematic. He vacillates between passing it off to the authorities, which could be done anonymously, and continuing to handle it themselves. Ultimately, there appears to be no exigency to handle it today. "I'm okay with calling it a day and discussing our options over an ale. I would like to know more about this place though." Halvar isn't exactly the diplomatic type so would rather not be the lead in gathering information, but he'll go out on his own if needed.
"Can anyone tell if the chest itself is magical? I could tomorrow if no one else can't." Halvar considers their options and then offers, "Shall we deal with the zombies and then call it a day? Tomorrow we can try digging out the stairs. I'm still intrigued about what happened here. We could ask about the Tafaj Family at the Rogue and Imp."
"Are we in a hurry?" "Only to get to a tavern and an ale. I'm not up for another half day or more of excavation to go down the staircase, and this appears to be the last room on this level." Halvar waits for Hamarr's observations. "I'm going to assume it's locked. I won't ask how you know, but do any of you know how to pick one?"
Halvar moves into the room and kicks at a few of the bones. "I've learned about the undead but will admit this is the first day I've actually encountered them. About all I can is someone or something animated them. Who or when is beyond me without more clues." He takes a few steps toward the chest but stops. "That's a nice chest. Maybe it holds some of the answers." Halvar doesn't continue talking or approaching as he has no knowledge applicable to the chest. He looks around the room and hopes someone else will speak up about the chest and the best way to approach it.
Round 3 Halvar moves up and takes another shot with a blunt arrow since Olf didn't manage to go three for three. Unfortunately, he does not connect either. Maybe the ladies will finish it off.
Round 2 "Well done, brother! Halvar cheers on Olf's solo job of turning a pile of bones into just a pile of bones. Halvar recalls he has some blunt arrows--which he's never actually used aside from practice--and tries to find a part of the skeleton not obstructed by his brother.
Round 1 Halvar lets an arrow fly at red since his longsword will be similarly ineffective. "Smashing them works best, but we should still be able to chip away at them with swords and arrows."
Round 1, religion check
Will my arrows do any good? If not, what will?
"Other door." Halvar heads back to the other door. "No more digging for me today."
Halvar follows Olf to the south and knocks an arrow for whatever might rush out them. "Ready when you are."
"I always try to make the most use of animal I kill, but I'll admit to never having tried to harvest the poison. Have you done this before, Aelin?" Halvar is ready to proceed with either door once everyone is ready.
"I'm good," Halvar responds to Olf. Assuming Olf doesn't see anything concerning, Halvar moves into the room. He glances at the door hoping to not see another days worth of drudgery but focuses on looking down the corridor for any immediate threats.
Round 3, Init 14 I can slip a shot between Aelin and Hamarr, Halvar thinks to himself.
Well, at least I didn't hit either of them.
Round 2, Init 14 Halvar breathes in, holds his breath, and tries to loose an arrow between Hamarr and Aelin but they likely provide too much cover for the fresh foe. He keeps his bow in hand and holds his ground for now assuming the animal will go for someone closer.
Round 1, Init 14 Halvar takes a shot at the monster but shooting past his brother's big head and the narrow doorway are likely too much for him to overcome. He stays where he's at figuring the monster will close to within point blank range on its own. He takes a deep breath and tries to focus for his next shot.
Halvar chips in 3 gp for the lunch and weapon run but will continue working on until things are done before washing up for lunch. "So, zombies first or door first? I think it would be best to take care of the known threat first in case anything goes wrong. If we can't handle chained up zombies with a glaive, then perhaps we're not ready for whatever else might be lurking down here."
Halvar enjoys the chance for a good workout and labors the whole way through without stopping for lunch. Once things are clear, he takes up his bow and waits for someone to open the door.
"Well, we know what's behind us, and there's only one option going forward. If we continue this way, we should be sure of something not escaping while we checked for other routes. In short, lets get the desk and get this over with. We should still be able to finish before lunch...or at least dinner."
"It mostly worked if it was a solution. I'm just glad it was us and not someone less prepared just exploring." Halvar takes out his compass and tries to figure out where they are in relation to the surface. "I wonder if there's another entrance to this labyrinth? It looks like a lot of work to continue this way."
Halvar moves forward and again switches from longsword to longbow while the others make their way over the rubble. He looks around while waiting.
Halvar is content to let the door close. Odds are unlikely that the zombies will escape--or be freed--before they return to finish the job.
We could just close the door, Halvar considers but does not voice. An unattended knife--or zombie--might always cut someone. The universe has an odd way of making the impossible possible. "If I continue down my current path, then I might be able to deal with them all at once someday. Today, though, I think we'll have to dispose of them like the sergeant. If the chains hold, we should be able to take them on one at a time." Halvar switches back to his longsword for the messy work unless another sibling comes up with a better idea.
Halvar goes over to assist Kalendra, touched by her care for the not so recently deceased.
Halvar will store the cloak for later identification unless any of his siblings can identify it. After stowing it, he'll switch from his longsword back to his bow and follow the others onto the next room.
Halvar wracks his brain about how zombies come into existence and checks with the others about their knowledge. "So, jokes aside, how did this zombie end up here? Even if this sergeant died from some cave in, zombies don't just spontaneously generate. Someone, or something, else is--or was--definitely lurking down here." Halvar considers his protective spells but holds off for now except for another casting of resistance.
Round 2, Init 13 "This is what happens to sergeants when they don't get out in the field. Slashing weapons will work best against him." Halvar swings again at the desk dummy and follows his older brother's lead of taking a step back. He uses his swift travel blessing to nimbly hop on the desk.
Round 1, Init 13 "Zombie ahead! Halvar shouts to those behind him as he moves up to stand beside his brother and also readies a strike for the zombie once he's in range.
"Well, the rubble might explain why no one returned. Anyone have a guess what might have caused it? Just old age and neglect?" Halvar puts his bow away figuring he'll more likely need his sword in these cramped quarters. He taps his symbol of Uller to give himself resistance for a minute before beginning to climb over the rubble with sword in hand (if feasible) to the stairs. He'll let someone else go first if they would like, but Halvar does have the hands-free light source in the ioun torch.
Halvar wonders at the conditions. What emergency caused everyone to rush to leave? Why did no one ever come back? His imaginations spins. Maybe some monster came in, ate everyone, and the authorities just sealed it off? That would make a good start to a book. He takes up a position where he can see the door as Olf opens it.
Halvar breathes a sigh of relief that the mini genie didn't explode. "I guess he won't be forging us anything." As soon as the others are ready, he'll head to the next room.
Round 3 Halvar takes a 5' step back and tries another arrow, but realizes he might have to switch to his longsword. I really need a composite bow.
Round 2 Halvar is pleased to see his arrow was effective, so he lets fly another, unaware that it will take another perfect shot to cause any damage.
Halvar
Surprise Round Halvar moves into the room to see what's going on. He then looks to his siblings to see if any of them know anything about the mini genie. "Anyone speak mechanical genie?" Round 1 Though not confident about its effectiveness, Halvar takes aim with his bow ready to shoot it if it comes within 15'.
”You know, if it is all just as well, I can try opening doors with a bit more finesse, should you want to rest your shoulders from banging them into doors.” Halvar makes room for his big sister and her more subtle ways. "Picked up some new skills, sis? You never did like things being kept from you."
What a waste, Halvar thinks as he proceeds to the next door. "These things should have been repurposed or the place better maintained."
"Has anyone ever been to Coventry Grove? Might be interesting tov visit if it isn’t completely overrun by civilization by now.” He takes a sip of his spiced wine. ”Or maybe even if it is completely overrun by civilization by now.” "You know I spent a few years living in Coventry Grove before our pair of years as citizens-in-training. It's not the largest of forests on the continent but still wild. The tale of the Ravenguard's exploit was a popular one amongst the few people I encountered, but I never came across an eyewitness to the event."
Halvar rises early with anticipation for the day's activity. He prays for his usual spells and packs his backpack with everything except for the sleeping and cooking gear. He arrives at the cafe a few minutes early--because on time is late. He stands almost as if on guard until someone else arrives before grabbing a table. Over the first cup of coffee, Halvar inquires of Olf about his lamellar armor and how he acquired it. However, his calm composure begins to crack as the party lingers, and he gives Olf a sideways look for ordering a second coffee. When they finally reach the secret passageway, Halvar pulls out a dull gray spherical stone and tosses it up. It doesn't drop but instead begins to orbit above his head and emanate light like a torch (20'). When his senses are attacked by the odor from within, he touches his medal for Uller and gives himself resistance--Uller protect me. He chides himself for being out of the habit and not having done it prior to opening the door. He will need to reinforce his old good habits. Halvar takes notes of how far they descend and at the bottom of the stairs checks his compass against his estimate of which direction they now face. At the stuck door, Halvar again taps on his medal for Uller and assists Olf with the stuck door if needed.
"Fine by me." Halvar resumes his search for a waiter, now for Kalendra's order of spiced wine.
"Afraid of the dark Olf? You've got the better eyesight." He points at Olf's holy symbol of Odur. "Or, is there some regulation about only being out in the sun? You can bring a torch for the fire. That should balance things out."
Halvar picks up his mug and takes a loooong drink before putting down the empty mug. "I"m ready. Anyone need assistance with their drink?"
"Isn't that where you learnt S.W.A.T. tactics? You know combining Swords, Wands, Archery, Theft? I bet you're glad to have that training behind you," Olf shows interest in Halvar's training. "Sorry, but the first rule of the Crim Operatives is: you do not talk about the Crim Operatives." Halvar tries to keep a straight face but gives up with a chuckle. "I'll admit that I miss the action. Beating someone at the archery range isn't quite the same as landing a perfect strike as some swordsman charges at you. Of course, it is a lot safer at the range."
I’m going to go and check it out, and I was hoping many or all of you would be interested in joining me. We all have different talents, I need all the help I can get.”[/b] "You? Lurking around? Good thing I was sitting down for that surprise," Halvar grins. "Sure, I was only at the Cypress Academy for a couple years, but I remember that small part occupied by the Educator's Guild. I'd be up for a return trip."
Halvar's curiosity is sated knowing who is celebrating, but he has no desire to crash a party. His five siblings are more than enough company. He finishes his ale and looks around for a server while debating if going to the bar is worth the effort and weaving through the crowds.
He takes a swig of his beverage. ”Hells, I’d be up for it if it got me out in the open air for a bit.” "The open air is wonderful. Desk work drudgery has been a bit soul crushing these last couple years, but we're free as the birds now." Halvar takes a long drink of his ale. "And, with the war over, we could travel even further. Of course, just because there aren't armies out there trying to kill us doesn't mean it's always safe. It's been two years since I've been on the road, so maybe it's better. If not, we can make it better."
"Us? An adventuring troop?" Halvar chuckles. "Sure, we're family, but you should have seen the results of our 'group' project last year. At least no one was too badly injured. However, I still think the arrow messenger system is viable if there were better archers delivering the mail."
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