Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka had thought to stop and stand guard with Skagvurd while the others investigated the chamber but it seems that none of her companions are keen to linger there. She has a notion to head west again but decides it not worth the bother of backing the party up and turning them around. Better just to press onward instead.

"Let us take the passage to the south then," she comments, her voice kept low so it does not carry. "The cells are small and the crack to the east is narrow. I wouldn't want to risk you getting wedged in behind me Northman." She grins at Skagvurd.

So saying, she crosses the chamber to the southern exit, keeping an eye out for more tracks as she passes through. She waits for a moment at the doorway out of the chamber, readying herself and casting her senses out ahead of her once more. Then, when she is sure Skagvurd and Haroun are behind her, she presses on down the passage leading southward.

[Longfingers]

Haroun

While the warrior woman was making her decision, Haroun quickly took the chance to turn round quickly, and in similar hushed tones looked first at Xantius then Fiddleback before saying can you tell if there is magic here? Any creatures which might be lurking or another trick like the one with the door above? It all seems a bit quiet, which given what we heard before we came makes me suspicious that other looters have been before us, or there is something lurking in the depths...

[sonofotho]

ooc: So before posting, I just wanted to get clarity on the actions. Do you want to investigate the cells and/or try and sense magic before heading out?

And the 'crack' is 2.5-3 feet wide, so you could fit through, but the bigger boys would need to squeeze through. Skagvurd, I'm looking at you!

[badams30]

OOC: If you want, Jasper can scout the crack ahead of the main party....

[LtTibbles]

OOC:No harm in checking for magic...I hope I also don't mind Jasper scouting ahead.

[Nitehood]

Haroun

While the warrior woman was making her decision, Haroun quickly took the chance to turn round quickly, and in similar hushed tones looked first at Xantius then Fiddleback before saying can you tell if there is magic here? Any creatures which might be lurking or another trick like the one with the door above? It all seems a bit quiet, which given what we heard before we came makes me suspicious that other looters have been before us, or there is something lurking in the depths...

Fiddleback:
Using his Sense Magic abilities, I concentrate on the area around us and especially the crack.

I can certainly try, Haroun

OOC: Not sure what I need to do, rule wise to use my special ability.

[sonofotho]

Haroun


OOC: Not sure what I need to do, rule wise to use my special ability.

ooc: Please use the Unseen Servant dice roller (upper right) and make an Intellect check. If you haven't used it before, there is a users guide when you get in there.

Brandon, will Jasper also check the crack? Does he just go to the edge and peer in and/or listen?

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper will hand the torch off for a moment, and he'll approach the crack, listening first. If he hears nothing, then he'll take the torch and see what he can make out inside.

Two rolls?
[1d20] = 1

[1d20] = 11

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Haroun voices his concerns as Jayamanka crosses the chamber to the southern exit. She stops to the east of the doorway and waits, keeping guard while Fiddleback does whatever is needed to sense magic. She figures there's a good chance he will. This is a wizard's tower after all. Still, no harm in being careful.

As Jasper moves to investigate the crack in the east wall, the huntress continues keeping watch and listening for any indication that anyone or anything is approaching.

"You be careful in there Jasper," she advises. "Don't do anything stupid?"

[Nitehood]

Special Ability-Sense Magic (Int):[1d20] = 18

My intellegence is 12

I do not sense any magic

[sonofotho]

Jasper makes his way over to the crack in the eastern wall of the chamber. He pauses to listen but cannot detect any sound coming from that direction. With a sheepish grin he lifts the torch up and peers into the crack.

It is in fact a narrow passage, maybe 5-7 feet, which bends slightly to the northeast before opening into another cave. Jasper cannot see everything in the new cave from his vantage point, but he can make out a wooden table along one of the walls. He sees several shiny, metallic objects lying on the table, but cannot discern exactly what they are.

He returns to the rest and relays the information.

ooc: Actions?

[Captain Kinkajou]

He returns to the rest and relays the information.

ooc: That would be the smart thing to do

[badams30]

He returns to the rest and relays the information.

ooc: That would be the smart thing to do

The "Smart" thing to do. If that's the case, Jasper probably wouldn't do that...

Nah, just kidding.

Jasper comes back, a wide smile on his face and he says with the glee of a child "Shiny things on the table! And I didn't see any spiders!" He gets his patented far off look and says at almost a whisper "I'd sure like to see what them there shiny things is...."

He stands slack jawed, staring off toward the crack.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius appears lost in his own thoughts for a time, but snaps to when Jasper comes back.

"Hmmmm, yes, detecting magic would be a most excellent idea, friend Jasper." He strides confidently to the crack and reaches out with his finely tuned arcane senses...

Sense Magic: [1d20] = 18, vs Intellect 13.

[sonofotho]

ooc: Actions?

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

"So, I'm guessing you want to check out the 'shiny things' Jasper found. Is that right?" Jayamanka asks, pre-empting the response by moving to lead the group through the crack in the wall.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

The northman nods "Shiny usually means valuable, lets move on." He starts to follow Jayamanka towards the crack before eyeing it up and down, grimacong as he tries to judge his size in relation to it. "Hrm...shouldn't be a problem...hopefully...

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius steps forward as if to block the others from entering the crack.

"While I do not sense any magic from that room beyond, I must say that I have a bad feeling about this - it seems altogether too... convenient. In addition, we can only enter one at a time. Perhaps it would be prudent for me to go first and cleanse the room with fire if there is danger within, with one of our strong warriors coming in behind me?"

While awaiting their replies, Xantius shrugs off his satchel, placing it on the wall next to the crack. He then leans his staff on the rough cave wall next to it and shrugs out of his robe. The other party members are surprised to see that Xantius had been hiding a surprisingly powerful physique under his scholarly garb. Tucking his dagger into his belt and lifting the lantern up high, he peers back at the party.

"Well, what say you all?"

OOC: This isn't strutting, I honestly think this could be a good idea. Xantius has one of the highest Physique ratings in the group, and his Arcane Blast spell is a great AOE attack. Plus he's reckless and looking for any opportunity to use Sorcery.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka looks Xantius up and down suspiciously. She figures his surprisingly taut physique must be the product of sorcery. After all, you can never really trust a mage. He could be a wrinkled old man underneath.

"If you think thete's dark magic about, I'm more than happy to let you take the lead Xantius. Though, seeing as you're paying our wages and your magic may well be the only way we have out of this place, it might be best if you didn't take too many risks."

She gestures for the wizard to lead on and makes ready to back him up.

"Keep an eye on the others," she says to Skagvurd before entering the crack."No sense in you getting yourself stuck until we know what's in there."

ooc: Edited for clarity.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Seeing the others heading to the crack ahead of him, Jasper gets a forlorn look and says with a tone of sadness... "Oh... I sure would like to see them shiny things up close... you sure you don't need me to check those out?..."
Jasper gathers his torch and sullenly follows.