Sven urges that the secret door be closed behind them so nothing can follow them down from the outside mounds area.
He takes a deep breath at the bottom of the stairs, ready to start his illustrious career as a certified dungeon delver. Asking Amos to accompany him, he moves to the northern door, touches it softly with his staff, before taking a listen beyond, silently urging the former thief to do the same.
Once they return to the others, he nods at the logic of Steban, both for his idea on the marching order and to check out the noise. He whispers his intent to listen at the next door as well, before they move any further to the south.
"Good ideas all around. My friend Mazzah warned me about slimy monsters that roam this place. If that noise was one of them, we should be doubly careful. Lets put that pole we brought to good use and always prod out ahead of us, in case there is some unseen and unheard obstruction in the passages. A jelly cube, I think he called it."
Sven takes a listen at the next door as well before deciding their next course of action.
Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Gerdal lights her lantern and has a thorough look around as they pass the rooms the others already visited, taking her place in line as the others suggest.
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Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
May 3rd 1066.
Barrow Maze. Going down 'the Bear stair'.
3.30pm. Firebrand torchlight (Bro Fab) Lantern light (Gerdal)
I will try and move exploration on if most of the posts are in the searching, listening, guarding mode.
The trapdoor into the bear sarcophagus sealed above you, the party begin their first tentative explorations.
Sven and Amos listen in to the sound of trickling water beyond the closed northern door. It is not a cascade but steady intermittent dripping. The door has wedged shut, sodden with water absorption and the iron reinforcing is tinged with rust. There is no lock and the handle has long since been broken away.
Orgoth can check out the second door you spot. This one is made with rusty iron, verdigris embellishments frame the door and around the keyhole which sits in a depressed socket. Nothing is heard beyond.
Isvand and Steban can check the south end of the corridor. A look east to their left and you spy a short corridor which seems to open to a hallway. Dark, quiet, the scurrying of large centipedes that skirt the floor.
Looking west you see a 10'ft wide corridor leading about 60'ft. A door after 40'ft in the north wall. After the door their is a passage leading south. Shedding some pastel coloured candlelight is a small lantern box fixed to the south wall about 15'ft away. Some wilted crimson and black flowers, typical of a wreath in a vase beneath it. By the glazed box is a wall plaque.
The pair listen, the stone scraping stopped. Heavy breathing? A footstep, coin dropping, door creaking, the echoes of a lonely chamber mirroring the lonely heartbeat of the intrepid warriors.
Gerdal peers by lantern light down the central open corridor just opposite the staircase. The corridor leads west at least 60'ft beyond your light. At the edge of your vision a door in the southern wall and opposite that another 10'ft corridor leads north. A closer north leading corridor after 40'ft.
The area is foreboding and damp, an eerie atmosphere. Bro' Fabian has the torch, recovered now from the leech induced fatigue. He guards your rear from the steps.
decisions, decisions ...
Barrow Maze. Going down 'the Bear stair'.
3.30pm. Firebrand torchlight (Bro Fab) Lantern light (Gerdal)
I will try and move exploration on if most of the posts are in the searching, listening, guarding mode.
The trapdoor into the bear sarcophagus sealed above you, the party begin their first tentative explorations.
Sven and Amos listen in to the sound of trickling water beyond the closed northern door. It is not a cascade but steady intermittent dripping. The door has wedged shut, sodden with water absorption and the iron reinforcing is tinged with rust. There is no lock and the handle has long since been broken away.
Orgoth can check out the second door you spot. This one is made with rusty iron, verdigris embellishments frame the door and around the keyhole which sits in a depressed socket. Nothing is heard beyond.
Isvand and Steban can check the south end of the corridor. A look east to their left and you spy a short corridor which seems to open to a hallway. Dark, quiet, the scurrying of large centipedes that skirt the floor.
Looking west you see a 10'ft wide corridor leading about 60'ft. A door after 40'ft in the north wall. After the door their is a passage leading south. Shedding some pastel coloured candlelight is a small lantern box fixed to the south wall about 15'ft away. Some wilted crimson and black flowers, typical of a wreath in a vase beneath it. By the glazed box is a wall plaque.
The pair listen, the stone scraping stopped. Heavy breathing? A footstep, coin dropping, door creaking, the echoes of a lonely chamber mirroring the lonely heartbeat of the intrepid warriors.
Gerdal peers by lantern light down the central open corridor just opposite the staircase. The corridor leads west at least 60'ft beyond your light. At the edge of your vision a door in the southern wall and opposite that another 10'ft corridor leads north. A closer north leading corridor after 40'ft.
The area is foreboding and damp, an eerie atmosphere. Bro' Fabian has the torch, recovered now from the leech induced fatigue. He guards your rear from the steps.
decisions, decisions ...
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
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Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Isvan looks to Steband and says A lit candle. Someone or something maintains this place. And has been here recently. Shall we check the plaque? Isvand will follow Steband and Sven's lead on what we explore next.
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OGRE MAGE
- First Gentleman
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Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
DM rolls to induce paranoia [1d6]=4 [1d6]=2 It’s working. 
Sven thinks over their options, finally whispering to the others.
“There is something I should have warned everyone about. I believe this maze is cursed with some kind of confusion magic. I think that could explain all the strange noises we are hearing. Perhaps it is supposed to be some kind of built in defense mechanism or something. Do you remember the vagabond outside the tavern? Alastar I think he was called? Well, it is said that he lost his mind chasing noises in the Barrowmaze. My friend told me that… *The Barrowmaze has a penchant for erasing the sanity of those who seek its treasures.*…so I think we might consider that could be what is happening here.”
Sven nods at Isvands suggestion to check the hall with the plaque first. “Some kind of crypt perhaps? I can’t imagine anyone living down here but never investigating the door leading up to the mounds.”
Sven stays in the main hall, listening at the iron door and searching the immediate area for any signs of recent movement through this hallway while the others look over the plaque.
Sven thinks over their options, finally whispering to the others.
“There is something I should have warned everyone about. I believe this maze is cursed with some kind of confusion magic. I think that could explain all the strange noises we are hearing. Perhaps it is supposed to be some kind of built in defense mechanism or something. Do you remember the vagabond outside the tavern? Alastar I think he was called? Well, it is said that he lost his mind chasing noises in the Barrowmaze. My friend told me that… *The Barrowmaze has a penchant for erasing the sanity of those who seek its treasures.*…so I think we might consider that could be what is happening here.”
Sven nods at Isvands suggestion to check the hall with the plaque first. “Some kind of crypt perhaps? I can’t imagine anyone living down here but never investigating the door leading up to the mounds.”
Sven stays in the main hall, listening at the iron door and searching the immediate area for any signs of recent movement through this hallway while the others look over the plaque.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Steban
"There are horrors worse than death, my friends," Steban said quietly. He placed a hand on whomever was closest. "Together we can face whatever is here until we decide to leave. Let us move forward, and then back to the exit each time. It will take longer, but it will ensure we do not stray too far from the exit."
Steban will move past the plaque, wary of attack, so the others can investigate the plaque itself.
"There are horrors worse than death, my friends," Steban said quietly. He placed a hand on whomever was closest. "Together we can face whatever is here until we decide to leave. Let us move forward, and then back to the exit each time. It will take longer, but it will ensure we do not stray too far from the exit."
Steban will move past the plaque, wary of attack, so the others can investigate the plaque itself.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
"Are we looking for something in particular? Gerdal enquires in a low voice as she moves her lantern around to get a good overview.
Once Steban has passed it, she moves along to check the plaque to see if it can offer any explanation as to what this place is supposed to be.
"You try whichever door or way, I will go with you. As of now I don't have any idea what's better or worse."
Once Steban has passed it, she moves along to check the plaque to see if it can offer any explanation as to what this place is supposed to be.
"You try whichever door or way, I will go with you. As of now I don't have any idea what's better or worse."
Last edited by sastaz on Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Updated map.
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Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Can Gerdal make a 4d6 vs intelligence check please.
Can Isvand & Steban make 4d6 vs Dex saves please.
Can Isvand & Steban make 4d6 vs Dex saves please.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Gerdal
performs INT check
She bends down by the vase, plucks a petal from one of the flowers and examines it thoroughly.
performs INT check
She bends down by the vase, plucks a petal from one of the flowers and examines it thoroughly.
Last edited by sastaz on Sat Jul 17, 2021 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Orgoth
Inside Orgoth has his Silver Spear in hand.
Inside Orgoth has his Silver Spear in hand.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
noted. The door you budged is locked solid.
I will hold update until Isvand rolls check.
I will hold update until Isvand rolls check.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
May 3rd 1066.
Barrow Maze. Going down 'the Bear stair'.
3.40pm. Firebrand torchlight (Bro Fab) Lantern light (Gerdal)
Secondly the passageway continues as a 30'ft corridor going directly NE. The northern side wall on your left looks to have evidence of collapsing and rubble from the breach is strewn across the floor for about 30'ft, starting approximately 10'ft away. That would normally be the extent of your vision but right at the very top of the corridor a group of robed men seem to be engaging in melee with some skeletal figures who in turn face off against some lurching zombie types who assist some other robed opponents. The clash of steel and claw and the curses of infernal tongues echo down the hallway.
Meanwhile, Gerdal walks behind the two vanguard. Her interest is peaked at the flowers in the vase for they are known by a variety of names, none of noble purpose. 'Widow's Nightshade' 'Bloodveins', 'Ghoulblossoms' or any other colloquial name for a vampiric thorn rose. The flowers are currently wilted and the petals dry though their sustenance is on the way ...
Dropping at least three times the height of a man, the first faller impales himself on a sharpened stake which skewers through a leg. -7hp. The halfling tips over the edge but makes a softer landing on top of him. -4hp. The fall surprises you both as much as the third person resident in the pit. A grimacing grey-blonde haired, long toothed and rictus mortified but ravishingly ravenous skirted ghoulette.
The dry petals, whose root stems dig deep into the chamber below and curl around the stakes, soak up the fresh blood with gusto, becoming glossy black and radiant crimson in bloom.
The lantern case, fixed to the wall begins to 'chink, chink' around like a clock mechanism, rotating clockwise. The two dropleaf doors of the trap begin to echo the gears and slowly tilt back to a closed position.
actions and initiative please
Barrow Maze. Going down 'the Bear stair'.
3.40pm. Firebrand torchlight (Bro Fab) Lantern light (Gerdal)
Orgoth barges into the embellished door. It rattles a little under his shoulder charge but stands firm, the mortice and tenon lock dutifully serving its purpose to stop unauthorised intruders. Sven and Amos go 'tippy-tappy' in advance of their explorations, wary of stone camouflaged oozes lurking on the floor or indeed, the floor opening up underneath them. I will surmise you both took the eastern branch of the T-junction. You note two things of interest. Firstly the hall proceeds south and opens in to a 20ns x 30ft ew chamber with a door in the centre of the southern wall. Milling in the room are several large beetles, about the size and girth of a fat gnome. They are nibbling on lichen and funghi which cover the walls and ceilings. The beetles radiate a soft glow from red throbbing glands which cast flickering light as they move around.Lets put that pole we brought to good use and always prod out ahead of us, in case there is some unseen and unheard obstruction in the passages. A jelly cube, I think he called it."
Secondly the passageway continues as a 30'ft corridor going directly NE. The northern side wall on your left looks to have evidence of collapsing and rubble from the breach is strewn across the floor for about 30'ft, starting approximately 10'ft away. That would normally be the extent of your vision but right at the very top of the corridor a group of robed men seem to be engaging in melee with some skeletal figures who in turn face off against some lurching zombie types who assist some other robed opponents. The clash of steel and claw and the curses of infernal tongues echo down the hallway.
Meanwhile, Gerdal walks behind the two vanguard. Her interest is peaked at the flowers in the vase for they are known by a variety of names, none of noble purpose. 'Widow's Nightshade' 'Bloodveins', 'Ghoulblossoms' or any other colloquial name for a vampiric thorn rose. The flowers are currently wilted and the petals dry though their sustenance is on the way ...
and as he does so he thinks he should have prudently copied Amos. His weight, maybe with a combination of the added halfling, triggers the release of a false flagstone floor and a held catch mechanism unbolts to drop him and Isvand below. you get the falling free, just the landing hurts.Steban will move past the plaque,
Dropping at least three times the height of a man, the first faller impales himself on a sharpened stake which skewers through a leg. -7hp. The halfling tips over the edge but makes a softer landing on top of him. -4hp. The fall surprises you both as much as the third person resident in the pit. A grimacing grey-blonde haired, long toothed and rictus mortified but ravishingly ravenous skirted ghoulette.
The dry petals, whose root stems dig deep into the chamber below and curl around the stakes, soak up the fresh blood with gusto, becoming glossy black and radiant crimson in bloom.
The lantern case, fixed to the wall begins to 'chink, chink' around like a clock mechanism, rotating clockwise. The two dropleaf doors of the trap begin to echo the gears and slowly tilt back to a closed position.
actions and initiative please
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
In the pit group init [1d6]=3
Steban
"Not the sort of wife I'm looking for, sorry." Steban winced, and then swung at the ghoulette. "Isvand, study the mechanism while we have light!"
Attack, Damage [1d20]=9, [1d8+1]=4+1=5
If we have surprise, and Steban gets a second attack
Attack, Damage [1d20]=14, [1d8+1]=5+1=6
Steban
"Not the sort of wife I'm looking for, sorry." Steban winced, and then swung at the ghoulette. "Isvand, study the mechanism while we have light!"
Attack, Damage [1d20]=9, [1d8+1]=4+1=5
If we have surprise, and Steban gets a second attack
Attack, Damage [1d20]=14, [1d8+1]=5+1=6
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2653
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:07 am
- Location: Sumner, WA
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Isvand decides that he doesn't want to be in a trap with a ghoul in the dark, and that takes precedence over tinkering with mechanisms - which he doesn't know anything about anyway. He swings wide with his morningstar, not recovered from the fall, and a bit woozy on his feet.
Morningstar THAC0 20 [1d20]=1, Damage [2d4]=4
If we have surprise, second attack, not much better..
Morningstar THAC0 20 [1d20]=7, Damage [2d4]=7
I think the mechanism is actually controlled/reset by the lantern bolted to the wall in the hallway
Morningstar THAC0 20 [1d20]=1, Damage [2d4]=4
If we have surprise, second attack, not much better..
Morningstar THAC0 20 [1d20]=7, Damage [2d4]=7
I think the mechanism is actually controlled/reset by the lantern bolted to the wall in the hallway
Last edited by redwarrior on Sat Jul 17, 2021 6:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Orgoth
Orgoth seeing what happens in front of him quickly grabs his rope and tosses one end down. He backs away sits down and anchors himself using the lip of the door frame as a foot hold. Holding the rope fast. "Get out of there."
He looks for the others, "Is there some magic you can try on that thing in the pit with them, if I toss javelins it may hit Isvand or Steban. Maybe just keep it away from the rope."
Orgoth seeing what happens in front of him quickly grabs his rope and tosses one end down. He backs away sits down and anchors himself using the lip of the door frame as a foot hold. Holding the rope fast. "Get out of there."
He looks for the others, "Is there some magic you can try on that thing in the pit with them, if I toss javelins it may hit Isvand or Steban. Maybe just keep it away from the rope."
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Is Bro Fabian by the trapdoor or comes rushing?
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
he is following behind you and will act this round. Sven and Amos are at the other end of the corridor and their action might be to rush in and see what is going on.
Re: Return to the Barrow Mounds:
Gerdal turns her head quickly around and sputters to Bro Fabian
"Brother, repel it!"
While doing this she will quickly check if the way to the lantern case is safe. If the lantern case is not close to the pit itself she will run over to it and do her best to hold it steady as to stop the pit trap doors from closing shut.
"Brother, repel it!"
While doing this she will quickly check if the way to the lantern case is safe. If the lantern case is not close to the pit itself she will run over to it and do her best to hold it steady as to stop the pit trap doors from closing shut.