The adventure begins...

[max_vale]

Lavex continues to attempt to be as inconspicuous as possible while paying close attention to these maksed men and listening carefully to what they have to say....

[riftstone]

Lindon Silverheart

"Um, forgive me for pointing this out but, um, you have two rooms, and um, lots of bunk beds, and um...no, um, women."

[Dogma]

"Zargon lives in the depths of the pyramid, many levels below this one and none who have seem him besides his acolytes have lived to tell the tale. His followers roam these halls, taking the greatest treasure of my people and offering them in sacrifice to their foul god. We are but few while his minions are many so though we fight to stem the tide of his evil we have not yet prevailed. But Gorm is mighty and our faith is strong."

"We of Gorm have a stronghold on the level blow. There are also the followers of Usamigaras and of Madarua, the lesser gods of our people, though you will find little help from them and no succor from the followers of Zargon." Kanadius eyes your group suspiciously. "Thou are not follower of Zargon, sent in trickery to deceive us? If thou will are not sent by Gorm and deny his brotherhood, perhaps it would be unwise to let you wonder these halls."

[NJWilliam]

From the shadows, Jofrid looks about the rooms more closely for any spare masks or other items of interest.

[Alethan]

Peader quietly slips his hand with the silver ring on his finger into a pocket and takes the ring off, leaving it in his pocket.

[riftstone]

Lindon Silverheart places his hand on his sword-hilt.

"We have no quarrel with you, Minion of Gazer, and mean you no harm but I will not be constrained."

[mithrandir138]

Gamil is watching the conversation transpire. He sits and stifles his urge to verbalize his true feelings, and huffs every now and then. When he feels that he cannot hold back any longer, he crams food into his mouth to keep the words from coming out. He desperately wants to see these underground trees he has heard of, but he doesn't feel that an alliance with a false and potentially non-dwarven god is a fair trade. He ponders about what small-minded or trivial tennets he would have to abide by. He thinks about how Clanggedin would possibly curse his future battles for forsaking him, and he hasn't heard of any gold or riches to be had in this endeavor. Perhaps if he were to somehow sacrifice some of the spoils to Clanggedin afterwards, he would not be thought of as a heretic. This was a dicy situation, and it frustrates Gamil greatly, but he is thankfully keeping his mouth from getting his companions in trouble.

[max_vale]

Lavex; curious to hear this talk of different deities; perks up and then gets concerned as it seems the masked men are getting suscpitious to the point of perhaps inciting violence. Doing what he can to hopefully avert a fight; the cleric speaks up.....

"None of us serve Zargon; nor are we in any way disparaging Gorm. You yourself have just mentioned followers of other Gods in this place; and unless I'm completely misunderstanding your tone; at least two of these factions are not hostile to your group and yet worship other Gods.... Usamigaras and Madarua, I believe you said? We follow different Gods; but none of them are enemies of Gorm nor allies of Zargon; I assure you."

[Dogma]

Jofrid sees no other masks or other items of interest. Other than the bunks, a few other items of clothing, and the small amount of food and water he sees nothing of value.

Kanadius accepts the disk from Morel. "It is indeed a symbol of our god. Good it is that it is back among the true believers of the faith."

He raises the disk to his lips before passing it to one of his companions. He then focuses his attention on Lavex. "The others are but followers of less gods. Gorm is the true salvation of my people. The others are fools to put there faith in lesser gods and not follow the guidance of the might Gorm. And withi these walls one is either with Zargon or one is against him. There is no middle ground."

He gives the group a shrewd look. "We will let you go in peace at this time. think well on what I have said for the walls of this place are small and we wll meet again. And maybe then you will have seem the error of your ways. I have few gifts but the following words to give you upon your parting. Trust not in the followers of Zargon nor in those of the lesser gods. There is food and water to be found on the levels below. Look to where Zargon takes the treasure of my people."

[Makofan]

Brax looks up. "Then, if you can tell us how to get down to the lower levels, we will seek the truth for yourself, and slay this evil Zargon."

[NJWilliam]

Jofrid prepares to quietly follow his companions out of the rooms of this before-unknown-to-him god worshippers.

[Alethan]

Can we get a quick mud map, Dogma? That would help...

EDIT: Never mind. Looked at Mako's map. Is there anything north of our current position in that hallway? Or do we know yet? If we don't know, let's head that way. Otherwise, it's the hallway with the centipedes...

[thirdkingdom]

Agreed.

[Makofan]

Brax still wants to know the way down to the next level

[Dogma]

As Kanadius describes how to find the way down to the next level you realize he is describing the doorway through which you saw the centipedes.

Also, for mapping purposes, there is a doorway between the two rooms that the brotherhood are residing in, and another doorway at the back of the room Kanadius is in, though he doesn't offer its use.

[Makofan]

"Excellent", says Brax. "I will open the door and then run!"

[Alethan]

Peadar prepares his sling and a stone, once they are back in the main room and ready to open the door, and positions himself for a ranged attack once the door is opened.

[NJWilliam]

Jofrid likewise prepares his crossbow for the centipedes behind the about to be opened door.

[max_vale]

Lavex follows his companions down the passageway and upon hearing the plan of using missile weapons vs. the insects; he hooks his mace on his belt and takes one of his warhammers in hand. He prepares himself to hurl it at any visible foes....

[thirdkingdom]

Alastor the Bold, Magic-user

Alastor stands back, to allow the others a better chance. Also, he wishes to stand out if harm's way.