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Helping Alwyn move down the corridor, Boric sends Seri forward to scout the way and make sure nothing catches the group by surprise. Seri Int: ....OMG lol
After calling to the others that a door had been found, the three escape into the corridor Saves DC:12 Boric:
Damage to Alwyn: As she passes through the door, Alwyn unfortunately inhales a large amount of the gas. She is coughing and weezing as she enters the corridor, but still on her feet.
Alwyn:
Alwyn drops to her knees before the hidden seam, hands racing over the stone with mounting urgency as the choking vapor creeps closer. “There has to be a way,” she mutters, voice tight with panic. Boric joins her, coughing as he drags his sleeve over his nose and mouth, pressing along the wall with brute force, searching for anything that will give.
Seri, eyes watering, yanks her shirt up over her face and leans in, forcing herself to ignore the burning in her lungs.
The three of them work in frantic silence, broken only by coughs and the hiss of encroaching vapor.
The three back away from the blob creatures. "Well, they have an eye and mouth full of sharp teeth...I think they are going to be hostile...what can we do?"
Seri goes back over the area where she felt the breeze, searching for any opening or perhaps something that might trigger a secret door. Alwyn and Boric join in the search, while keeping an eye on the slimes
Int check:
"Well...damn! What is this now? Some sort of test or something...and those slimes are still coming after us! What are we going to do?" Seri seems almost at her wits' end and frantically looks around the room for any explanation of these clay vases or an escape from the slime.
"Let's see what is to the south first. It looks like it might open into some sort of room or cavern...just be careful to look up...we were attacked by some creatures living near the top of the first cave we entered!"
Looking at the newcomers, Alwyn looks back at the route they took to arrive in the large cave. "We came from tunnels on the other side of this cave, but had to swim...it was a long way. I would not suggest going back there!"
Both women are shaking with fear and cold from being wet. They wade to the shore and both collapse near Boric, who tried to warm them up. "That was too close", say Alwyn with chattering teeth.
Watching the makeshift boat coming over the water, Seri and Alwyn secure their treasures and climb into the braiser. They hold on tight as the "boat" is pulled back to the shore.
Gathering all the "treasure", Seri and Alwyn prepare for the return to the others. They wait on the shore as the main group decides what to do.
Alwyn pipes up. "Let's use the body to distract the fish and Seri, and I will swim over and check out the island. I want Alwic's death to at least mean something if we can find a Bright Prize!"
Are we on the island? I thought we were on the "mainland". If we are, indeed, on the island, then for sure we will search it...looking for that glittery thing!!
We all head for the shore...away from the big fish!!!
Seeing the huge fish, Boric decides to go back first and bring the others through the water-filled tunnel before they attempt to get to the island and the shiny things located there. Return swim:
Once back he tells the others what he saw and that the swim is long, but doable.
Boric moves towards the island to investigate whatever the shining thing is before he returns to the others to bring them through the watery passageway.
Fort Save: Not finding any place to catch his breath, Boric continues on in the hopes that the stream opens to maybe the outside soon! Fort Save:
Seeing that the creature exited out the same area that Alwyn had located left the group wondering where it might go, and if they could follow. The three of you wait here, and I will go and see where that tunnel leads...maybe it is a way out!" He wades out into the cold water and after gathering up a lung full of air, ducks under the water and follows the current out of the cave.
Alwyn brings the others to see the current at the back of the pool. "Maybe there is a way out of here afterall...but we might have to swim...and deal with whatever that lizard creature is." Seri looks about and shrugs. "Maybe the creature is intelligent and we can talk to it? Or maybe we can offer it some food to let us pass?? What do you think Boric?" Boric moves towards the edge of the water and, seeing the creature at the far end of the pool, he tries to wave it towards them...he hopes it does not take his movements as hostile!"[/b]
The group’s nerves are frayed, the air thick with the memory of Alwic’s last breath. They choose the lesser terror—the pond room—rather than return to the cavern where their friend fell. The water lies still, too still, as if holding its breath with them. Alwyn keeps glancing at the dark surface, half expecting the creature to surge upward again. The others form a loose semicircle, weapons ready, every drip from the ceiling making someone flinch. Then Alwyn moves, quietly but with purpose, running her fingers along the slick stone walls, peering behind broken masonry, nudging aside debris with the toe of her boot.
The Light Touch - Alwyn, Boric and Seri
Boric looks over the armour, and Seri tells him to put it on. Alwyn is still in shock at the loss of her brother and barely notices what the others are doing. Once dressed in the armour, Boric calls the others together, away from the shore of the unknown pond. "This seems a dead end. Let's go back and search the other branch and hope it leads somewhere better than this dank tunnel."
The party moves forward to examine the items left at the edge of the pond.
Alwic staggers forward, one hand pressed desperately against the crimson blooming across his chest. He manages only a few more unsteady steps before his knees buckle and he collapses onto the slick, water‑logged stone. The others lunge toward him, catching his shoulders before the dark water can swallow him. His breath rattles. His eyes search for each of them in turn. “I… tried to keep you safe. Everything down here wants us dead. Alwyn… get home. Boric… look after them…” A final shudder runs through him, then his body slackens, growing terribly still. Alwyn’s quiet sobs echo in the cavern as she cradles her brother’s head. Seri kneels beside her, trembling, while Boric holds Alwic’s limp form, jaw clenched, staring into the dark as if expecting an answer that will never come. They are alone with their grief, unsure of the next step, the weight of the loss settling over them like the cold water at their feet.
Once Gabi is with the group, they move further into the tunnel, with Alwic and Seri protecting their retreat. They all hope that the creatures do not follow. Once out of the way of danger, Alwyn will 3 candles and distribute them among the party as they move deeper into the underground labyrinth.
I hear ya...sleep is sometimes the hardest thing to get when you need it the most. Been dealing with sleep apnea for 25 years or so now...brain fog is real and very debilitating!
All four of the "Light Touch" call out to Gabi, encouraging her to get to the tunnel. Both Seri and Alwyn have their knives out now, ready to slash anything coming into the area to harm them. Alwic waves the dead creature on the end of his staff like a warning to all the others to stay away, as Boric readies another stone in his sling.
Boric and Alwic struggle to keep the winged abominations at bay, striking from the dubious refuge of the tunnel mouth—Boric’s sling whirring through the stale air while Alwic lashes out with his staff at anything that dares swoop too near. Their blows feel pitifully small against the chittering things that flit just beyond the lantern‑light. Alwic Attack (staff): (OMG!!)
Boric Attack (SLing):
Meanwhile, Alwyn and Seri weave and stagger beneath the creatures’ erratic dives, their frantic dash toward the tunnel’s shadowed safety becoming a desperate ballet of near‑misses and whispered prayers. The darkness ahead promises shelter… or merely a different flavour of doom.
Alwic -
[ooc]Ah..ok. Sorry about that. OK, then they will try to move swiftly, but safely through the chamber. HAHA....oh to be a new adventurer!! lol
Scanning the open chamber, Alwic comes to an abrupt halt, his expression freezing in shock. "Ummm… I think we really don’t want to be here," he mutters, staring wide‑eyed at the cluster of eggs. "Gabi… maybe come back. Let’s try the other tunnel," Alwyn urges, already guiding the others toward the alternate exit. Seri snatches up the lantern as they retreat, its light bobbing behind them.
Sorry for the delay...been sick the last few days! The group would follow them into the hole and move with Gabi further into the structure..
The group watches as Gabi takes the rope and lowers herself into the hole. Both Alwic and Boric grip the vine as the newcomer enters the cold water. Alwyn and Seri hold candles as they look down into the darkness, trying to help Gabi's lantern light the space below. "What do you see?", Alwyn calls softly down to the other girl.
Seeing that the ladder is useless, the team try to determine how deep the hole is and if they would be able to climb down without seriously injuring themselves.
The group examine the ladder to make sure it will hold their weight before sliding it into the hole and carrying on down into the darkness
Seri’s eyes go wide. “Ah—HA!” she crows, just as the stone she tossed vanishes straight through the moss‑covered floorboards. A heartbeat later, a dull clack echoes from somewhere below. “I knew there was something wrong with this floor.” Boric grunts in agreement, already kneeling beside the spot. “Yes, yes, you are very clever,” he says, though there’s a hint of pride in his voice. He braces his staff and begins scraping away the soft moss, carving a rough circle around the hidden opening. Alwic crouches beside him, steadying the edges as more of the false floor gives way. Alwyn drifts closer, curiosity pulling her forward. “What do you think is down there…” she murmurs, already fishing a pair of stubby candles from her pack. She hands one to Seri, and together they lean over the dark gap. The candle flames gutter in a faint draft rising from below, casting trembling light into the unknown space beneath their feet.
Alwic pauses at the threshold, studying the chamber where thick sheets of moss drape the stone like a damp, living tapestry. He extends his staff and begins scraping away at the growth, peeling back layers of green to reveal the cold stone beneath. Each stroke sends a faint, earthy scent into the air and tests the floor for hidden give or pressure plates. Beside him, Seri gathers a handful of loose stones and flicks them one by one into the room. The clacks echo off the walls, stirring only dust and the slow drift of spores—no shifting mechanisms, no sudden movement in the shadows. When both are satisfied that nothing in the chamber reacts to their probing, the group steps inside, boots sinking slightly into the spongy moss as they fan out to search the room for anything of value that time or decay might have overlooked.
Alwic lets out a disgruntled hrrumph at the newcomer’s arrival, then pointedly shifts his focus to the chamber ahead. Uncertain what might be lurking in the gloom, he plucks one of Alwyn’s candles, strikes a flame, and lifts it to cast a clearer light into the room.
Seeing another searcher heading their way, the little party stops. Alwic moves to the fore and looks the person up and down. "What can we do for you miss?'
The group pauses just long enough to glance back. Alwyn lingers, clearly torn, but the other three have already decided they’ve had enough—backs turned, boots crunching as they tromp off toward the next cluster of half‑collapsed buildings. “With all that racket they’re makin’, I’m shocked some hungry beast hasn’t come barreling after them… or us, for that matter. And honestly—once we find the treasure, do we really want to carve it up into tiny little pitiful portions?” Seri mutters, poking around the rubble with the enthusiasm of someone hoping to find either gold or a good excuse to stop walking. Alwic and Boric grunt their agreement—two men who would absolutely fight a troll but absolutely would not fight for a smaller share of loot. Alwyn finally tears her gaze away from the departing group and sighs.
With that settled—more or less—the remaining four turn back to the ruins, rummaging through broken stone and twisted beams for anything shiny, useful, or at least not actively trying to kill them.
Me too...lol But I also hope not to die instantly as well...just the group feels they can do better on their own...lol
The group loiters near the front of the building, half curious, half bored, watching another band of would‑be heroes wrestle with the stubborn doors. “Well that’s just perfect,” Alwic grumbles, arms crossed. “A place that looks welcoming but’s built like a bloody fortress. And of course it’s got magic all over it. Because why wouldn’t it.” He snorts, as if personally offended by architecture. “Oh no… look at her!” Alwyn blurts, already drifting toward the abandoned cow like a mother hen spotting a lost chick. “They’re just leaving her out here all alone!” “Alwyn.” Seri’s voice cracks like a whip. “Head. Game. Now.” She jabs a finger toward the looming structures. “We’re here to find something valuable enough to drag us out of those slums, not adopt every stray barnyard animal we meet.” She mutters under her breath, “Next thing you know she’ll be naming it.” “If we’re done gawking,” Boric rumbles, already turning away from the crowd, “why don’t we check out some of the other buildings? No sense playing ‘follow the leader’ when the leader clearly doesn’t know what they’re doing.” With that, the group peels away from the makeshift arena, boots crunching over grit and debris as they head toward the quieter, less‑touched structures — the kind of places where secrets, trouble, and maybe a little profit like to hide.
Building for 'us' as well!!
Alwyn’s face twists, the colour draining as the creature collapses. It writhes weakly on the ground, its limbs spasming in uneven jerks, a thin, broken mewling leaking from its throat. The sound is small—too small—and somehow that makes it worse. "Why…?” Alwyn’s voice cracks as she stares at the dying thing.
Boric follows her gaze and lets out a low exhale, rubbing a hand across his jaw as if trying to scrape off the discomfort. “Better to get in the first swing, I guess.” Even he doesn’t sound convinced. The shrug he gives Wynic is half-hearted, weighed down by the twitching shape at their feet. Wynic doesn’t answer. His eyes shift instead to the shapes rising in the mist—dozens more of the creatures gathering like shadows thickening around the firelight. Their silhouettes multiply, weapons glinting, bodies hunched and quivering with agitation.
“Well… looks like we’ve gone and planted our boots right in the muck on this one.” Seri steps forward, her expression devoid of doubt or hesitation. A grin crawls across her face—sharp, feral—followed by a low rumble deep in her chest. “Good,” she growls.
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