Barrow Mounds: Hallowed Ground expedition

[torkill]

While the others check the door, Eldon begins to search the rest of the area for any useful items that might have been left behind.

[Spearmint]

May 8th 1066:

Barrow Moor, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

12.50pm. Windy conditions, light rain.
Light: visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lantern (Reuben)
Vann Hector -4hp, Tamson -2hp, Reuben -2hp.
Effects: none.

The group take a few moments to search the area and scavenge any useful items. You can add small hammer, 6 wedging spikes, 6 torches, 50'ft hemp rope, water canteen (freshwater), an ivory handled dagger from the body.

Dalin checks for traps. He doesn't find any but does find a small leather purse wedged into the sealed door. It is empty except for a receipt from the Helix jewellery store, that has a list of payments made in lieu of some pawnbroker gemstone. It seems 200gp was borrowed and the man repaid three quarters of the redemption value.

Tamson finds a trail of bloody marks and feathers. Vultures may have been feasting on the deceased's body. A trail of prints lead east but he cannot tell if they were friend or foe.

Savant, on guard, watches out for dangers. None appear. Reuben the priest picks up the sledgehammer. "It is a sign from Ygg. We should delve here. The door sealed to this man so that the treasures beyond are reserved for us. Come, let's beat down the door."

He goes to whack the stone door, chipping bits of stone of with each dull thud. "Five minutes each, strong arms we have and strong faith. We can do this with a little effort."

He hammers half a dozen swings on the door, determined to finish the work others started.

next actions please

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Watches as the priest starts bearing the stone door down. Then after a few thuds he realises the noise may bring unwanted attention to us. He is faced with a dilemma, to halt Reuben bashing the door through (how long would that take?), or to try and secure the area and prep for any trouble.

While the priest wields the sledgehammer, what has he done with the spooky gargoyle skull? I am thinking maybe the skull actually wields some strange hold on the priest, maybe the item is cursed or evil in some way. So I will try and 'liberate' the item from his person if he has put it back in a pouch or bag that he carries, with the intention to 'kick it into touch' without him knowing.

Vann Hector tries to pick pocket vs 35% [1d100]=70 Charisma check vs 9 [3d6]=7

The 'snatch' attempt doesn't seem successfully so I will try a little charm. "Just helping you out man. Lighten your load. Share your burdens. Give me your pack to carry while you labour and then we can swap around."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin tosses the slip and puts the leather purse in his pack. Then waits for the door and watches the groups backs crossbow back in hand.

[LordKane77]

Savant is visibly agitated by this noise. He turns and shoots a quick quip into the now somewhat disheveled group....
This is too loud. I will silence him if you wish.
No one thinks he is joking. In fact it is quite clear he will throw two arrows in the priest if someone were to say the word.

[LordKane77]

But he also quickly diverts his attention back to the surrounding area, confident they are attracting attention.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin shakes his head at Savant's comment "We need all the allies we can out here. If you have to stuff a dirty sock in his mouth so be it." the dwarf quietly replies and smiles.

[torkill]

Eldon keeps his dog on a tight leash. "Anyone have a crowbar? It would probably be easier, and would definitely be quieter! Or maybe there is a hidden switch or lever nearby." He walks over to the skeleton arm sticking out of the ground and gives it a pull to see if it's a secret lever or just a tasty treat for Sarge.

[Spearmint]

He walks over to the skeleton arm sticking out of the ground and gives it a pull to see if it's a secret lever or just a tasty treat for Sarge.

So the skeletal arm was in the first mound you passed, see the hex map posted earlier, mound 9. As a group you have continued to trek east and are now on mound 10.

The skeletal arm is as described. A long boney arm reaching out of an area of churned up earth. The hand is unadorned but the fingers are curled back except for the middle finger which has been positioned upright as if the skeleton is giving you a rude sign.

The stone door sealing the entry into the mound has been checked, no traps were found but the skill proved inconclusive.

Savant bids the priest 'silence' and offers to silence him given the word. The reverberating noise of the hammer upon stone does carry into the eerie mist. The group tension increases as Vann Hector tries to pick the pouch of Reuben. He notices, how could he not with such a fumble though the sly elf tried to sweet talk himself out of trouble.

"Yes, labour together. Hold my cloak and make room." It seems the ruse has worked though Savant and Tamson now station themselves with bows at the ready should trouble intrude.

Eldon can work in between hammer swings to lever the door hinges but he makes little impression with the hand tool. With only one sledgehammer and therefore only one labourer, the attempt to break through the seal takes an inordinate amount of time.

Hammerheads [1d6]=4 [1d6]=3

It takes more than 300 strikes of the sledgehammer, more than 3 turns of solid bearing but final the brutal onslaught and sheer persistence pays off and the slab cracks enough for the crowbars and fingers to wedge between the gaps and finally sheer half the stone away.

You peer beyond, an arched passageway extends about twenty feet before opening into a dark chamber. The walls and floor of the passage made with moss covered cobblestone. An alcove halfway down the passage has some luminescent funghi which twinkles in pretty purple blue light.

A fetid damp and stale smell comes from the tunnel, grains of dust float in the still air.

"Praise be. Ygg has rewarded our patient endeavours." the priest declares, gesticulating over the entryway various hand motions of blessing. He has kept a beady eye on his pouch with the gargoyle skull, so no further hidden attempts could be made to snatch it from him.

Sarge sniffs the air. He doesn't growl or bark indicating the presence of creatures inside. What would you like to do next?

actions please

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

"No point hanging around. We came to 'bring freedom and grace' to this accursed place and help the reverend to establish a holy sanctuary.

God help us. Amen."

He keeps any prayers or motivations short. "Let us keep in our pairs. Each risk we face, we rotate who scouts ahead." he says and strikes a flaming torch. He enters past the seal with Reuben behind.

[LordKane77]

Savant nodds in affirmation and follows, allowing his vision to adjust. But then hesitates just inside the entrance, appraising the situation.

"We should keep the priest to the rear. And quiet."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin "That or he needs to learn the art of speaking quietly." the dwarf agrees with Savant.

[torkill]

Eldon readies his shortsword and chokes up on Sarge's lead. "Send him back here in front of me. If he gets too loud, I'll have Sarge nip 'im in the bum."

[Spearmint]

May 8th 1066:

Barrow Moor, south of Helix, Duchy of Aerik.

1.50pm. Windy conditions, light rain.
Light: visibility limited to 60'ft through thick mist.
Lantern (Reuben)
Vann Hector -4hp, Tamson -2hp, Reuben -2hp.
Effects: none.

The intrepid pair advance down the narrow passage having forced their way through the stone sealed door. Vann Hector taking the vanguard and Reuben the priest behind. He holds out a holy symbol and mutters in strange tongues. Halfway down the passage was an alcove, noted to contain the luminescent growths. The actual cause of this is a sheen of purple weedy moss, which shrouds the damp stone and fungi growths. As you both approach the flora erupts with a sweet scented burst of fragrant spores. The little grassy clumps rippling as the alcove and corridor react to the sensed intrusion.

The spores are breathed in and both priest and rogue start coughing uncontrollably. The priest staggers one or two steps clutching his throat then collapses to his knees by the wall. Vann Hector, similarly affected by the respiratory attack fights to succumb to the drowsiness and fatigue that overwhelms him.

to stay in the fight, I am using my Poison/Paralysis house rules. Roll a successful 3d6 vs con to act next round. Then increase the difficulty by +d6 each round until failure means you pass out.

Vann Hector's save vs poison cloud 13 [1d20]=12
Reuben poison save vs moss spores [1d20]=1

At the entrance, waiting for the signal to enter and all is okay, the other quartet see the duo suddenly choke up and stagger.

actions please

[Stirling]

Vann Hector

Succumbing to the poison effects, he tries to burn the area with his firebrand, hoping to crisp the spores and frazzle any other budding eruptions of the insidious plant.

He attacks before he also collapses, staggering past the alcove and falling over the threshold of the next chamber.

Vann Hector Constitution check vs 9 [3d6]=6 next round [4d6]=15

[LordKane77]

Savant grabs an empty bag from his belt and ties it around his mouth and nose, before running up half the distance with his bow ready.....

Someone grab them, I will cover you.

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin digs out one of his sacks (whichever was empty) that is in his pack and ties it around his nose and mouth as best he can and tucks the rest in at his neck into his armor/clothing enough to move but in attempt to seal off alien things from getting through the sack. He then moves to help Vann Hector. "I'm not as skilled in poisons and what not what do we do Savant?" the dwarf asks trying to be helpful.

[LordKane77]

"Get them from danger, make sure there's not more. Go from there."

[GreyWolfVT]

Dalin does his best to remove Vann from the harm. Not sure exactly what it is and nods his head as to the advice from Savant.

[torkill]

Eldon sighs and follows suit by using a small sack from his supplies to cover his nose and mouth. "Well that was quick." he mumbles from behind the makeshift face covering. He takes a deep breath and holds it as long as he can while he runs forward to grab the priest by his boot and drag him back toward the door.