Ch. 3: Hell's Bells

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo "I do not know the spells to find invisible beings just the ones to make myself or others within a certain radius invisible."

[Zhym]

Congratulations, compliments, and demurrals are exchanged. The unseen monk continues to worry that something may have come through the portals. He asks if anyone has the power to see the unseen. No one has an easy way to do so, though Rool investigates the area at his end of the hallway. After a few minutes of investigation, the overgrown algae stops grasping at you, though it stays thick and lush—if "lush" is the right word for a slimy black carpet two to three feet thick. Khogeki sprinkles some water in the air, but nothing new is revealed.

There is general agreement in favor of resting after you have recovered Xale's pack. If anyone thinks about what will be happening to the good people in hell who were in the Temple of Neheod while you rest, no one has the heart to mention it.

You return without further interruption to the edge of the pit where Xale dropped his pack. It is a weird sight: although the water is gone, instantly desiccated by Malibran's wish, the illusion of the water and the continuing hallway remains. Because you are below the old water line, the illusion is above you (in Risdac's case, about a foot above him). The a black watery surface overhead extends forward as far as you can see.

In front of you is a 20x20 pit that plunges into dark depths beyond the reach of your lights. You lower a light (tying as many ropes together as needed) until you can see the bottom. Inferno dances down the wall, grabs Xale's pack, and flies back to the top of the shaft. The pack is no worse for having been dunked (although the torches won't be useful for a while). Fortunately, the scroll case appears to have been watertight.

Contents of Xale's pack, for reference: 20 bolts with no heads; tinderbox; waterskin; 50' of rope; 4 torches; 3 flasks of oil; Cleric Scroll with CLWx2, Neutralize Poison, CSWx2, Cure Critical Wounds, Heal, Raise Dead.

-----
Status: Tanner (H CG F19): 104/107; Hallagad (H LG P15(Pelor)): 43/93; Xale (D NG C14[9](Dalt)/F13): 74/75; Khogeki (H LN M16): 37/78; Risdac (Giant NG MU17): 47/58; Odilo (1/2E NG MU17): 34/54; Malibran (H LG C20[13](Pholtus)): 64/90; Rool (H LN T20): 64/85;
Effects: Protection from Evil (Malibran, on Risdac): 7 rounds
Light Sources: Continual light coin (Tanner); Continual light dagger (Odilo); Light (on Shield, Malibran): 10 turns; Resist Fire (Malibran): 6 turns;

[Rex]

Xale

"Thank you Unseen Servant" As Xale goes through his pack checking on its contents. "Now I think is a good time for a rest."

[Urson]

Tanner

Tanner nods. A short rest to catch our breath and regroup will be good. He scowls up at the illusion of the water above, muttering damn foolishness

[Norjax]

Rool Diov, Master Thief

Rool paces a few times, gathering his thoughts. “If what we have endured thus far is but a taste of what awaits us, it is imperative that we rest and recover wounds and lost magiks. We will be of no use to those in need of rescue if our lack of sorcerous means results in our premature deaths.

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo begins to feel a familiarity "This reminds me of that damned tomb where my soul was trapped."

[Scott308]

Risdac Egargi

As much as I'd like to rest and recover, now that I take a few moments to think on our progress so far today, it is much too early to stop and rest. We would have to wait most of the day in order to recover any lost spells. Therefore, I suggest we press on. At the very least, get a little more of the "boat" explored and see what else is down here. That, or pack it in and head up top for the rest of the trip, ignoring whatever else may be down here. I think that is a legitimate option; after all, we are travelling to a destination, not set out on a dungeon crawl. Be that as it may, who knows what wonders we may discover below? Who knows, we may find some object of immense power or value that may be able to aid us in our actual quest. We have not gotten to this level of skill and power in our respective professions by being risk averse, or ignoring the possibility of magic or gold. However, we need to determine if we believe the danger of continuing to explore down here is worth the possibility of finding something we can use versus the chances of one or more of us dying...or worse. The giant looks at each of his companions (at least you think he looks at each of you- it is kind of difficult to judge exactly where his eyes are focused) to gauge their interest in the various options presented.

[ravenn4544]

Malibran looks at the group as he considers Risdac's speech. "I have to agree, Master Mage. While spells and prayers are desperately needed, our quest compels us to continue today. Pressing on a bit more is sage advice, while, of course, balancing our overall ability to complete this quest."

[Norjax]

Rool Diov

Rool concedes. “Let’s press forward, then.”

OOC: Area “E” on the map.

[GreyWolfVT]

Odilo will follow the group as they proceed.

[Rex]

Xale

"Then lets continue." Xale follows along, hammer at the ready.

[Urson]

Tanner

Tanner says nothing, just resumes his place near the front of the group.

[AleBelly]

Hallagad takes his position in the marching order. It's far too early for congratulations between the members of the party, and his silence belies the complex task that lies ahead.

[Norjax]

Rool Diov

Rool makes his way to the front to turn invisible, but then stops to look up at his polymorphed mage companion. “Risdac,” he begins. “If you could part with a few copper pieces, I will carry them forward with me and drop one every 20 feet. This will serve as a marker that all is clear. Someone can retrieve them and return them to me after 100 feet of travel.”

OOC: Rool will kneel and place one under his right foot every 20 feet before moving on. This will serve to hide the coin until he removes his foot. After 100 feet, he will collect them and start over. He will be moving silently, so I'm sure there is a modifier when he kneels and places the coin.

[Urson]

Tanner

Damn clever, Rool.

[Zhym]

Resolving to press on this morning (after just a little nudging from the DM), you decide to explore the center passage again. When you tried yesterday, you were ambushed. But that was yesterday, when these halls were full of water.

Speaking of which—you notice that the floor is no longer quite so dry as it had been immediately after Malibran's wish. There is now a thin layer of dark water on the floor. Not much to worry about now, but it's a sign that whatever had filled this place full of water is slowly replenishing the supply.

Rool, invisible, devises a clever scheme to scout ahead and signal when all is clear by leaving coins on the floor. You gather in the center hallway and watch as a copper piece appears on the floor. Not long after, another coin appears 20 feet way. Another pause, and you can barely make out a slight glint 40' ahead of you.

Seeing nothing but a seemingly endless hallway, Rool proceeds another 20'. He kneels down to place the next coin...and sees a copper piece very much like it already on the floor! And is that another one 20' ahead of him?

-----
Status: Tanner (H CG F19): 104/107; Hallagad (H LG P15(Pelor)): 44/93; Xale (D NG C14[9](Dalt)/F13): 74/75; Khogeki (H LN M16): 38/78; Risdac (Giant NG MU17): 47/58; Odilo (1/2E NG MU17): 34/54; Malibran (H LG C20[13](Pholtus)): 64/90; Rool (H LN T20): 64/85;
Effects:
Light Sources: Continual light coin (Tanner); Continual light dagger (Odilo); Light (on Shield, Malibran): 9 turns; Resist Fire (Malibran): 5 turns;

[Norjax]

Rool Diov

Surprised by the appearance of spaced coins ahead of him, the Master Thief stands and removes his ring of invisibility. He waits for a few minutes, signaling his comrades to halt. Looking around to make sure a nether-denizen is not toying with him, the Crime Lord stretches out his arms in imitation of a gladiator he once saw in the arena of Pentopolis. “Are you not entertained!?” he half-jokingly calls out.

If his attempt to provoke any unseen beings fails to produce a result, he will walk back to the others and explain what has happened.

[Rex]

Xale

On seeing Rool's exploits he pulls his gem of seeing from his pouch and scans everywhere for anything unusual.

[Urson]

Tanner

Are we gettin' led in a circle again? Tanner growls.

[AleBelly]

"Interesting..." muses Hallagad. He pulls a copper from his pocket and throws it down the hallway as far as he can.