Pulling at the Root of Evil

[Magnus]

The party heads north up the hallway. As they pass a few knee-high piles of rubble, they reach a broad staircase. Seeing that there are only a few steps, the party heads up and enters a circular, well-like chamber filled with a deep-looking pool of dark liquid.

The party stands at the pool's edge. They can see that the liquid is flowing up from below, as if from a spring or the like.

[Eulalios]

Kjelti glances around to see to where the water might be flowing, then stands with drawn sword at the foot of the stairs, facing southward.

[Magnus]

Kjelti glances around to see to where the water might be flowing, then stands with drawn sword at the foot of the stairs, facing southward.

The shield-maiden can see that the liquid is bubbling upwards and running over slightly into a few small cracks in the western wall.

[Zhym]

"Shall we go back to the intersection and take the south passage?" Gaerys asks.

[drpete]

Ethan looks at the spring to see if he can notice anything unusual. Does it actually look like water, or is it "black"? Is this burbling up just a little, or is it something we might shift to going down the stairs to (eventually) flood the dungeon? Is there any sign that the west wall has a tunnel behind it? Maybe wind coming from the little cracks that could disturb the fire on Ethan's sword?

Ethan doesn't spend a lot of time investigating, he just looks to see if there's anything that catches his eye, or if it's just a well. If nothing stands out, he'll nod and suggest we try the other direction.

[Magnus]

Ethan takes a closer look at the spring. He sees that the dark pool is indeed water that appears fresh. The cracks seem to simply be the natural shape of the stone. The experienced warrior also realizes that it would take quite a bit of engineering and probably more time than the party had to rig the well to overflow such that the dungeon flooded.

The only thing unusual is that the spring is bubbling up but not overflowing. Perhaps the water is escaping through another route?

[NJWilliam]

Antheris, Druid

Antheris examines the liquid to determine if it is water, and if so, how pure it is.

[Eulalios]

"I will go back toward the intersection until the light fades," Kjelti says firmly. She moves, sword and board readied, listening for danger that she cannot see.

[Magnus]

Antheris, Druid

Antheris examines the liquid to determine if it is water, and if so, how pure it is.

It appears to be pure water from an underground spring.

Kjelti smartly watches the party's back, but no foes emerge from the darkness, yet.

[sulldawga]

Hollis says, Perhaps this is where we would have emerged if we had tried to follow the stream into the dungeon. I think we can move on, unless Antheris finds something unusual about the water itself.

[NJWilliam]

Antheris, Druid

"Nay, seems to be pure water from a spring is all. Probably good fer brewin' though."

[Zhym]

"In a place ruled by giants, it's a wonder the pure spring isn't being used as a privy," comments Gaerys. "But since it appears not to be, let's fill our water skins if we will and investigate the other branch of the hallway." When the party is ready, he sets out in that direction.

[Magnus]

The party determines that even filthy hill giants need fresh water, and realize they have found the source of it. While controlling a foe's water source would be a tremendous victory in a long-term siege, the heroes' purpose on this day was much more urgent.

The party filled their water skins if and as desired, and prepared to explore the southern end of the hall.

Are you all moving down the hall, past the enterance to the storage closet and around the bend?

[sulldawga]

Hollis says, Let's go down the hall, but quietly.

Can we stop if and when we first see another source of light, and extinguish ours? I think it likely that we won't encounter any traps down here, since we're not coming in the front door, and the element of surprise is valuable.

[Computer +1]

The party determines that even filthy hill giants need fresh water, and realize they have found the source of it. While controlling a foe's water source would be a tremendous victory in a long-term siege, the heroes' purpose on this day was much more urgent.

Hahah Magnus just told us we are a bunch of idiots in a DM way.

[NJWilliam]

Antheris, Druid

"I imagine that we could lie in wait here by this water source until someone is next sent for fresh water. That could be momentarily or hours I suppose, and the longer we wait the more we risk the lives of more prisoners . . ."

[sulldawga]

Antheris, Druid

"I imagine that we could lie in wait here by this water source until someone is next sent for fresh water. That could be momentarily or hours I suppose, and the longer we wait the more we risk the lives of more prisoners . . ."

Hollis the Cleric

Those sent to fetch water are often the weakest. Let's not risk losing the element of surprise while waiting around for minions to show up.

[drpete]

Ethan finishes looking at the water source, and less the group back to the other fork. That smoke demon doesn't need to drink. Let's keep moving while we can remain hidden

[Eulalios]

Kjelti glances up at the ceiling. How high is it?

[Magnus]

Kjelti glances up at the ceiling. How high is it?

30'-40'