Ch. 1: Finding the entrance to the Tomb

[Bhart]

A few of you carefully scout the hill. (The divination cast by the druid does not reveal any traps or other dangers during this time). After an hour of searching you find...

On the East side toward the base of the mound is a sandy area full of loose stone and gravel. There are several large rocks piled into a small mound here. A gap, only big enough for a child or a man crawling, is found at the base of the mound.

Mid way up the north side of the hill you find a crumbling cliff of sand and gravel about 20’ high. A low stone ledge overhangs this eroded area, and shrubs and bushes obscure it from observation at a distance.

On the flat peak are a collection of huge black rocks that look like a grinning skull.

The remainder of the hill is covered in briars and scrub bushes.

Which area would you like to search first for the entrance?

[Nuke66]

Mason begins to climb the hill wanting to check out the ledge before continuing to the top.

[MrHemlocks]

Fosco examining the east side. He gathers a long stick and after looking for traps pokes the stick inside the small opening.

[Distorted Humor]

Elsa states that she thinks that the sand might be the way in, and escorts the trap checking types as they explore.

[gray mouser]

Malibran rubs his chin in consternation at Rourke's comments about parties never returning. "Not that I lack faith that Pholtus will lead us all by his light to a safe end - or at least those of us who keep faith with him," the Cleric mutters, "but that fellow is too insouciant for my taste."

Elsa states that she thinks that the sand might be the way in, and escorts the trap checking types as they explore.

At his companion's comment Malibran nods in agreement. "So it would seem," he says, "from the information Zoster obtained from the snake he spoke with.* We would be wise to be chary, however, since the snake also warned that the sand flows back and covers the entrance that parties dig. We would do well to have a means of egress set up before entering the tomb once we find the way in.

"The snake also said all animals avoid the place or become sick and perish, and the marsh bird said the very land here is sick. I am able to Cure Disease, but it would be well to have more than a single cleric able to heal those stricken by disease or plague."

With that he makes his way to follow Elsa and search the sandy area, planning on using his quarter staff as a makeshift pole and thinking of the words of his Cure Disease spell, just in case.

*I assume the information gathered from Zoster's Comune With Nature Spell is public knowledge since it was posted in the thread itself.

[Bhart]

*I assume the information gathered from Zoster's Comune With Nature Spell is public knowledge since it was posted in the thread itself.

That is a safe assumption.

[Bhart]

Mason begins to climb the hill wanting to check out the ledge before continuing to the top.

You climb the shady north side of the hill toward the stone ledge. About half way up you push through some bushes and find an open area with no vegetation. Ahead you can see a 20' high, 200' wide section of the hill under the stone ledge has started eroding, leaving a river of sand and gravel spilled down the hillside to where you stand. Moving forward, your progress is slowed by the sandy ground that shifts under each step you take. Slowly you make your way up to the stone ledge. You noticea spot, just under the ledge, where there seems to be an opening.

[Bhart]

Elsa and Malibran join Fosco as he explores the sandy area at the base of the hill's east side. When they arrive the halfling is kneeling near a small opening in the stone mound carefully inspecting it. Satisfied that there are no traps he grabs a long stick and begins poking around inside the hole. There is a dry rattle as the skull and bones of a small animal come tumbling out.

[Nuke66]

Mason looks around. Is the ledge made, or a naturally occurring out cropping of rock? How steep is the hill? Is there any indication of quarried stone?

[Bhart]

Mason looks around. Is the ledge made, or a naturally occurring out cropping of rock? How steep is the hill? Is there any indication of quarried stone?

If the ledge is made it is not obvious to you.

From the stone ledge down about 10' is an almost vertical cliff. Below that the sand and gravel shallow out to about 45 degrees.

The only stone you see (besides gravel) is the ledge. It is cracked and weather worn. It looks kind of level and straight but it is very difficult to be sure.

[Nuke66]

The monk will nimbly run back down the hill returning to the group to report his findings.

"There might be an opening in the cliff-face, hard to tell from here." He points back up the hill showing its position. "Probably better to try entry from above. We can hike up there, if that's what we want to do."

[MrHemlocks]

Hearing what the monk said, Fosco drops the stick and says, "lead the way. Nothing here but a hole with some bones in them." Fosco looks up at where the monks points and head that direction.

[Vargr1105]

"Gosh darn it." complains the plate-clad Halbrad as he observes his companions poking around the hill, "That dead fellow could have had the decency of building a propper door, couldn't he?"

[max_vale]

Xale comes to where Mason is on the ledge and looks up and studies the rock with his Dwarven eye for stonecraft to see if he can determine if the ledge is naturally occuring or constructed....


OOC: Not sure if you want me to roll for this or do it yourself? I'm good either way....

[NJWilliam]

Worren has his familiar (Edgar the Hawk) fly above those scouting the hillside to see if anything can be better determined from above.

Worren himself uses his excellent distance vision (granted by his hawk familiar) to carefully survey the hillside to see if there are any other remarkable features to direct the more agile of his companions toward.

[MrHemlocks]

Upon reaching the location the monk pointed out Fosco pauses and catches his thoughts. He than begins to search for traps and if none are found...hidden doors.

ooc...we will be given maps of this death pit of a dungeon once we get inside? I hope so

[Bhart]

Xale comes to where Mason is on the ledge and looks up and studies the rock with his Dwarven eye for stonecraft to see if he can determine if the ledge is naturally occuring or constructed....


OOC: Not sure if you want me to roll for this or do it yourself? I'm good either way....

After examining the stone ledge, you are convinced it is not natural. However, you see no signs that it was ever worked by pick or chisel. This ledge almost looks as if it was shaped and molded like a lump of clay by some giant hand.

[Bhart]

Worren has his familiar (Edgar the Hawk) fly above those scouting the hillside to see if anything can be better determined from above.

Worren himself uses his excellent distance vision (granted by his hawk familiar) to carefully survey the hillside to see if there are any other remarkable features to direct the more agile of his companions toward.

Edgar circles above, he sees several darkened patches on the ground. The spots look blackened as if a camp fire had been there. The majority of them are on the north side of the hill.

Near one of the darkest spots to the north you find the remains of a camp hidden in the bushes and brambles which have overgrown the area. Under the vegetation you can make out some large shapes. One of them is the remains of a rotting barrel. Next to it several leather straps are tied to a tree they hang down leading to the skeletal remains of 6 horses.

[Bhart]

Upon reaching the location the monk pointed out Fosco pauses and catches his thoughts. He than begins to search for traps and if none are found...hidden doors.

ooc...we will be given maps of this death pit of a dungeon once we get inside? I hope so

The halfling finds a slope of loose gravel and sand leading up to the ledge. Near the middle of this area is a gap just under the ledge. The hole is too small for even the halfling to enter. Because you are under a ledge and on the north side of the hill no light enters the opening. You can see nothing but blackness.

You look for traps but as suspected find nothing. It just appears to be a big pile of sand possibly blocking a cave entrance.

OOC: Oh there will be maps and illustrations!

[max_vale]

Xale strokes his beard and frowns. Calling up to Mason the Dwarven Warrior-Priest says; "Mason; I believe that ledge was probably created by magic.....or perhaps by some kind of Giant. Either way; it's NOT natural nor worked by any race of similiar size to Dwarves, Men, Elves, etc. I supposed that makes sense; given what we know of this place."

"Anyway, do you see anything of interest up there?"