Return To The Ruins (Warlords Palace)

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He walks up the return path as if in a haze, simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Kain is voting with his feet.

[OGRE MAGE]

Under The Zakath Desert
Easy Come Easy Go
No Idea On Time Or Day

As the group leave their druid and all the items she carries away, disappearing into the darkness of Underborea, possibly to never be seen again, they make their way back up towards civilization. A few steps into their climb, Akhilleus suddenly shrinks back to his normal size. Fortunately, all of his clothes and equipment shrink back down along with him. Drest looks over his newfound sword, almost wishing he could find something nasty to stab along the way. Almost.

Passing the switchbacks, the narrow tunnels, the gaping trench without bottom under the precarious stairway, the secret room with the dead Hyperborean, the pesky tight hallway, the mural room and the barracks room you entered, the party finds itself back inside the massive domed area with the huge statue of the one-eyed giant.

Before they make their way back towards the massive stairway with the huge stone steps (35), everyone notices something strange that appears different from the first time you checked this room. The single door across the floor is now hanging wide open, while you were certain it used to be closed.

Actions?

Underborea 2.jpeg (133.38 KiB) Viewed 453 times

Belloc (M2) FA:0(20) AC6 20/14 Enlarge/Darkness/Enlarge
Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Drest (Sc4) FA:3 AC7 16/22
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 19/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

[silifi]

"I don't like the looks of that," Sik says, but continues towards the southern door, albeit slower and keeping the corner of his eye on the now open door to the east.

[subaltari]

As the party makes their way back Magda remembers the tome by the Hyperborean's bed and removes it from its place, wrapping it carefully in cloth before securing it in her bag.

"It does seem someone else has been here, eh?" she remarks of the open door.

I recall that the giant statue faces south, is that right?

[Rex]

Drest

Drest gives the be silent signal (finger to lips) and then sneaks over to look past the now open door.

Move Silently 6:12

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus enjoyed being big like it is some times sung about the heroes of the old epics, but he's glad he's back to normal again.

When they arrive at the big chamber with the one-eyed statue and see the door, he's about to go himself check and take a look, but nods and stays put near the center of the room when Drest silently tells them he's going to check it himself. The warrior unsheathes his sword again and stays attentive.

Would you stop reminding us of the lost magical items Ceana was carrying

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He nods at Magda when she remembers the tome. "Good call. I'm sure we can find a buyer for it if nothing else."

Kain smiles weakly, trying to leave the past behind. "Oh. Remember everyone. Don't touch that gem." Then he notices that Drest is sneaking, and he shuts up.

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Will keep moving towards the exit, aware of the open door, and moving quietly so as not to foul his teammates attempt to scout out that passage.

[OGRE MAGE]

Along with the items Ceana departed with....... (don't tell me what to do)

When Magda goes to retrieve the ancient tome from the Hyperboreans room, she finds that it is no longer there.

She sees no evidence as to where it might have gone, or who might have removed it from the desk.

(the gem Kain is referring to is not in this room you are in now, it's in the area up the steps)

Yes, the huge statue is looking towards the stairs to the south.

[The_Wanderer]

When Magda goes to retrieve the ancient tome from the Hyperboreans room, she finds that it is no longer there.

She sees no evidence as to where it might have gone, or who might have removed it from the desk.

Cyril whispers,
"I don't get it either, Magda. We were just here. Someone or something must have followed us.

And it is possible that the open door points the way to our answer."

He stays still, waiting to hear what Drest notices about the passage to the east.

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He looks back at where they came from and chuckles. "Maybe she read it when we weren't looking." He eagerly awaits Drest's discoveries.

[shaidar]

Xenos keeps an eye out while Drest sneaks over to the door.

[subaltari]

Is the (disrobed) hyperborean dude still lying there?

While still in that room, Magda looks around at each of her companions, then her suspicious brown eyes come to rest on the staff-armed magician. "Indeed. Belloc, that shadow creature... are you quite sure you destroyed it?"

Once in the round chamber, she hushes up and stands near the wall some thirty feet northwest of Drest while he checks the open door.

[OGRE MAGE]

Under The Zakath Desert
Easy Come Easy Go
No Idea On Time Or Day

Drest looks through the now open door to find a 30 foot hallway that ends in a larger room. He can make out little detail in the darkness from this distance, but he doesnt think he spots any movement beyond.

Actions?

Yes, the body of the Hyperborean was still on the bed.

Belloc (M2) FA:0(20) AC6 20/14 Enlarge/Darkness/Enlarge
Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Drest (Sc4) FA:3 AC7 16/22
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 19/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

[silifi]

Sik begins climbing the stair, but keeps quiet as possible, not wanting to tip off whatever lies beyond the open door that the party is far apart.

[Belkregos]

Is the (disrobed) hyperborean dude still lying there?
While still in that room, Magda looks around at each of her companions, then her suspicious brown eyes come to rest on the staff-armed magician. "Indeed. Belloc, that shadow creature... are you quite sure you destroyed it?"

yes, thought there might be more

Belloc continues documenting the expedition

[Rex]

Drest

"Clear as far as I can see, someone bring a light over."

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus comes next to Drest in case his help is needed. He stands behind the scout.

[shaidar]

Xenos joins Drest and Akhilleus at the door.

"It is worth taking a look?" he says quietly.

[subaltari]

Magda moves to the doorway, holding up her hooded lantern, now that the stronger fighters are in front of her.

The bolder Skavi meanders around feet to where Drest is standing, as usual.