Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[sonofotho]

ooc: Just to be sure I have this right, the passage leading south is from the cave to the west?

Sorry, it’s the one to the east. Have updated

[9littlebees]

Any chance of uploading a quick sketch of the intersection and caves - finding it hard to visualise.

[Longfingers]

Haroun

While the group stop to ponder which path to take, Haroun sheaths his dagger, and bending down, grabs a handful of sand from the floor and stuffs it into the pocket in his breeches (OOC the other one that he's got the round stones in)..

Rising again, he examines the flame of his torch, looking to see if there are any signs of a breeze blowing through the complex.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Any chance of uploading a quick sketch of the intersection and caves - finding it hard to visualise.

ooc: I've knocked together a rather crude representation but, from sonofotho's description, I am visualising it as something like this. Is that about right sonofotho?

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka pauses at the intersection and controls her breathing to push her senses out into the darkness and listen once more. She also scans the floor for anything suspicious or any sign that something has passed this way or that one direction has had more use than the other. Skagvurd is a reassuring bulk behind her.

For some reason, her instincts draw her more to the west but she is wary of the nearby opening into the chamber to the east and decides it is more prudent for them to investigate that first.

Assuming she doesn't hear anything or see anything that triggers her attention, she will gesture her intent to Skagvurd, then turn left at the intersection and enter the eastern chamber.

Once they have determined the extent of that chamber and what passages lead off it they can decide which direction to head next.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper stays safely behind everyone, pausing to sniff the air, but he's not quite sure why. He keeps watch behind the party, glancing back nervously every few seconds. He Stands fast till the others move, and he follows.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Holding his lantern high, Xantius follows quietly behind the rest into the eastern chamber, seemingly very relaxed.

OOC: Thanks, Kinkajou, very helpful!

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

Skagvurd nods at the huntress and will continue following her lead, he will momentarily look back at the group to make sure Jasper hasn't wandered off.

[Nitehood]

Looks like any direction is a as good as the other, both dark, dank, and full of musty air.

I touch the walls and floors a bit with my hand, to get a feel for how dry or moist it is down here. Can I tell if one way seems more "Stale" or "Musty" than the other?

[sonofotho]

Haroun

While the group stop to ponder which path to take, Haroun sheaths his dagger, and bending down, grabs a handful of sand from the floor and stuffs it into the pocket in his breeches (OOC the other one that he's got the round stones in)..

Rising again, he examines the flame of his torch, looking to see if there are any signs of a breeze blowing through the complex.

ooc: You noticed a slight draft when you were on the ground floor level, but the air down here seems quite still and stale.

[sonofotho]

Any chance of uploading a quick sketch of the intersection and caves - finding it hard to visualise.

ooc: I've knocked together a rather crude representation but, from sonofotho's description, I am visualising it as something like this. Is that about right sonofotho?

ooc: You nailed it - thanks! How about I make a map thread and you can plant it there. I will use it as well to post maps going forward.

[sonofotho]

Looks like any direction is a as good as the other, both dark, dank, and full of musty air.

I touch the walls and floors a bit with my hand, to get a feel for how dry or moist it is down here. Can I tell if one way seems more "Stale" or "Musty" than the other?

ooc: No moisture on the walls. The stone is cool to the touch and solid. The 'staleness' seems to be pervasive.

[sonofotho]

The huntress spots more tracks on the sandy floor. Not many, but she does point out a few which seem to lead to the east. But again, the floor doesn't reveal the age. Jayamanka and Skagvurd motion silently for the others to follow as they edge into the cave to the east.

The new chamber is roughly rectangular, stretching thirty-five to forty feet west to east and perhaps half as much north to south. In addition to the passage exiting the cave on the southern wall, a narrow crack is seen on the far east wall; a passage perhaps only a couple feet in width.

On the northern wall three iron gates bar entry to smaller caves or cells. From your vantage point all three appear to have locks, but there are no sign of keys.

ooc: Actions?

[Captain Kinkajou]

ooc: You nailed it - thanks! How about I make a map thread and you can plant it there. I will use it as well to post maps going forward.

ooc: Cool. I'll add the details of the eastern chamber tomorrow and put an updated version in the map thread. One question on that, you said "a narrow crack is seen on the far west wall" is that in the same wall we entered from (perhaps south of the entrance we came through)? Or should it be the east wall?

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Seeing the bars over the entrance to the smaller caves, Haroun let out a shudder. For almost the first time, his broad smile broke and he muttered a few words under his breath.

I'm not awfully keen on going in there my friends. If I must, I will, but my choice would be one of the other chambers.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

"Hrm, I agree, might as well head where we can easily enter and leave."

[sonofotho]

ooc: You nailed it - thanks! How about I make a map thread and you can plant it there. I will use it as well to post maps going forward.

ooc: Cool. I'll add the details of the eastern chamber tomorrow and put an updated version in the map thread. One question on that, you said "a narrow crack is seen on the far west wall" is that in the same wall we entered from (perhaps south of the entrance we came through)? Or should it be the east wall?

ooc: Sorry again - should be eastern wall! Post updated!

[Nitehood]

Fiddleback
I agree with Haroun as well, I am not eager to get into a cage, but we can peer in as we pass by.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

"Indeed, let us explore the main passages first before entering any crevices and cells."

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper gives the cells a wide berth and says quietly "Oh no, I'm not going inta' one of those. Nope. Not again." Then he glances about and with a sheepish smile he says "Uh, I mean, those don't look very nice. Heh. Heh heh heh... yeah... Uh, yeah, let's check out some of those other passages, eh?"

OOC: Agreed, let's check some of the main passages and see where they go.