Ch. 6: One More Time Around

[Stirling]

McCloud agrees with Urdak, "I feel like we are a few little mice about to be hunted down in these dark corridors by a big black cat", McCloud looks over his shoulders to check if his spoken words alight pussy shadows on the walls."We do however have more than a portion of cheese" as McClouds pats the carried treasure trove.

"Can I suggest we heal up and feast up on any remaining food somewhere safe? I am thinking of the illusion room where we found the first crown and skeleton Acerack. It is defensible and quiet, tucked away in a corner and we can agree the way forward from there instead of just wandering down corridors with no plan? bro Skarlos you did suggest before about the misty arch leading from the chapel room, very obvious skeleton pointing the way to that trap in my view but maybe worth a chance, dunno though what happened to old man Bindle maybe you'll step through and not come back and I don't fancy skipping through all holding hands together like a bunch of pansies." McCloud becomes all thoughtful.

"My preference is to go back to the entrance corridor with the spheres and find our exit from there. I think all other ways will be further into the tomb and we are needing to get out. After a few days in the sunlight and swamp, fully furnished with a new crew, maybe a few disciples in tow Bro Skarlos and an extra 'hammershield guard' Urdak we could always return if we don't fancy a mithril backed glorious retirement?"

[tkrexx]

Aye, those mithral doorns wuz pretty! Urdak's eyes go all dreamy for a moment. But we canna gettn 'em ifn weern dead.

[saalaria]

"I agree - back to the hall it is. The question is though where from there, as from memory the statue room had no exit. We could go and search thoroughly for a way back. We can then gradually work our way back through the tomb, looking for a way out."

[Stirling]

Agreed, perhaps some food and rest while I go through my remaining provisions.

[Zhym]

You carefully cross the pits, enter the chapel, and crawl through the cramped tunnel. You emerge from the tunnel back into to the second great hallway. The walls and ceiling are covered with figures of animals, strange signs, and glyphs. Images of humans and human-like creatures hold colored spheres. You emerged from a black sphere, held at a figure's feet.

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The colors of the orbs held by each figure (or other features) on the west wall, counting from the north are:
GOLD held high above head (which you recall leads to the chamber with the gargoyle statue)
ORANGE held waist high
Door
PURPLE at feet
Door
BRONZE held waist high
GRAY at shoulder
(none)
BRIGHT BLUE at feet
WHITE held high above head
TURQUOISE at shoulder
SCARLET held waist high
PALE GREEN at feet

Down the east wall, starting from the north, are:
PALE BLUE at shoulder
SILVER at feet
(none)
GREEN held high above head
YELLOW at shoulder
PINK held high above head
BLACK at feet (from which you just emerged)
PALE VIOLET at shoulder
(none)
RED held waist high (which you recall leads to a tunnel ending in a dead end)
BUFF at feet
(none)
INDIGO held high above head.

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There is also a mist-filled archway at the south end of the hall.


Actions?

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Status: Urdak (Dwarf F10): 15/75; McCloud (F6/MU6/T10): 13/40; Skarlos (C10): 29/56
Effects: None

[Stirling]

McCloud will start checking all the spheres on the eastern wall. He is not sure exactly what he is looking for though, so using his intuitive rogue skills he will feel his way forward. Any doors, hinges, empty spaces, chill breeze, swamp scent of eerie sounds?

[Zhym]

McCloud pokes and sniffs at the spheres on the eastern wall. Other than the black hole from which you emerged and the red sphere leading to a dead-end tunnel, all the other spheres appear to be solid.

[Zhym]

Any thoughts on your next action?

[tkrexx]

Maybe we tryin' the red'un... Maybe we missin' sommat last time? Urdak's memory is not what it used to be. Never was.

[Stirling]

With no reason not to try the red sphere, McCloud will press his hands on the wall where the sphere is drawn and try to open the portal."Better red than dead" says McCloud as a new wave of optimism sweeps over him, "perhaps we'll make out through those mithril gates yet!". He will move ahead into what room or passage lies beyond unless it ends up in some hazy misty arch or is dark.

OOC: did we rest at all in this sphere room, only asking cus McCloud is hungry and looking a but worse for wear?

[Zhym]

McCloud's hands pass right through the space where the red sphere seems to be. Crawling through the passage, he finds himself at an apparent dead end. A little searching, however, reveals a secret door.

You have not rested.
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Status: Urdak (Dwarf F10): 15/75; McCloud (F6/MU6/T10): 13/40; Skarlos (C10): 29/56
Effects: None

[tkrexx]

Mayhap we restin' heern? For the first time, Urdak acknowledges pain. An' getn some grub in my belly.

[saalaria]

"Have you found anything McCloud?"
Assumng he responds.
"Let's give it a go - we have few other options at the moment."

[Zhym]

FYI, it looks like McCloud could open the secret door just by pushing on it.

[tkrexx]

Been careful, Halfn-Elfn Cloud, the Dwarf warns.

[Stirling]

McCloud pushes his way through the red sphere, expecting a burst of misty red fog and then...

...standing in the next room or passageway, if it is 'safe' with no horrors about to leap out McCloud will call to Bro Skarlos and Urdak to follow through the red sphere portal.

[Zhym]

McCloud is already at the far end of the tunnel on the other side of the red sphere. The secret door is at the end of that tunnel. Nothing has jumped out at him so far.

[tkrexx]

Ae'm still thinkn' we needn to rest, Urdak puffs. And figgern a way to getn zis stinky spear outn my hands.

[Stirling]

"okay guys I've found a not-so-secret door", McCloud is encouraged by the success and feels we are moving forward (or backwards) with some purpose, a hope of escape from the tomb energising his weary bones.

McCloud will give a little finger search for traps, his tool kit crowbar has been zapped so he will rap on the secret door using the end of the sceptre and scrape away the seal with a pin from his kilt.

[Zhym]

McCloud's fingers find no traps—probably a good thing, given what traps often do to probing fingers.

There is no seal to scrape away. A simple push will open the door.