Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[sonofotho]

ooc: So is the plan that Xantius goes through the crack first to check things out? Do others go with or hang back in the current cave?

[Longfingers]

Haroun

You'll get your chance, Haroun said to the crestfallen rogue in a kindly tone. Let the wizard do his work for now. Besides, maybe not the best place to be if he starts throwing balls of fire around, he added tapping the side of his nose knowingly.

I'm happy to stick around out here while you poke about. If anything comes along I'll give a yell. And if you need me in there, just say the word, he added to the others.

[Captain Kinkajou]

ooc: So is the plan that Xantius goes through the crack first to check things out? Do others go with or hang back in the current cave?

ooc: From what had preceded, I'd taken it that Xantius was going in first, backed up by Jayamanka close behind him. But that's only my interpretation.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

Skagvurd takes position next to the opening of the crack l, waiting for Jaya and Xantius to finish their work.

"Alright you two be cautious, I'll keep an eye on these three erm...with these three."

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Seeing that everyone has agreed, Xantius holds the lantern in front of him and slides sideways into the crevice...

OOC: The intent is to be cautious, but to also be fairly swift. He'll need a hand free to cast a spell, and at the moment I assume his body is sideways.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka waits at the entrance, watching the silhouette of Xantius edge deeper into the crevice. She tries to time it so she is close enough to aid him if he needs it but not in his way if he needs to come back quickly. From Jasper's report, it is only about 6 or 7 feet to the other end of the crack, so she figures the sorcerer must already be there when she plunges in after him...

[sonofotho]

Xantius makes his way through the narrow passage and into the cave beyond. He holds the lantern in front of him and the light reveals a chamber roughly have the size of the previous one.

Jayamanka enters and stands at the ready behind the mage. She wrinkles her nose at a foul stench which assaults her senses.

A quick scan of the cave does not reveal any immediate threats, but Xantius does see an opening in the southern wall leading into another chamber. Along the northern wall stands the wooden table atop which rest the 'shiny' objects which Jasper spied. Upon closer inspection the magic-user sees a length of chain, several wicked looking hooks, and a number of knives; some with barbed ends, some with serrated edges.

Jayamanka silently points to the side of the cave opposite them. A rusty iron maiden, perhaps seven feet high, stands closed against the cave wall.

ooc: Actions? Note, the others are still in the previous cave, so the above is for Jayamanka and Xantius.

[badams30]

Jasper - Impatient Rogue

Jasper fidgets about as he waits in the other chamber. He mumbles "You all don't suppose they's run into sumthin' in there, eh? I'm gettin' antsy standing out here."

He taps his toe impatiently, anxiously awaiting the word to move ahead and through the crack.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

The barbarian rests a big meaty paw on Jasper's shoulder. "Easy now Jasper, Jayamanka seems perfectly capable of taking care of herself as does Xantius if they were in trouble I'm sure we'd hear their screams of terror from here."

[Nitehood]

I peer into the crack and take a quick look.

Something shiny just sitting on the table, out where everyone can see.... I say its a trap, and we will hear them holloring shortly.... or its just a kitchen utensil

I pull my sword back out and wait....

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

While Xantius inspects the 'shiny objects' on the table to the north, Jayamanka skirts around the south-western edge of the cave to listen at the opening in the southern wall. As she does, she keeps one eye on the rusty iron maiden, from where she suspects the foul stench emanates.

"Xantius, shall I get the others to come through, or do we go back?" she asks the mage, keeping her voice low.

[sonofotho]

Jayamanka

While Xantius inspects the 'shiny objects' on the table to the north, Jayamanka skirts around the south-western edge of the cave to listen at the opening in the southern wall. As she does, she keeps one eye on the rusty iron maiden, from where she suspects the foul stench emanates.

"Xantius, shall I get the others to come through, or do we go back?" she asks the mage, keeping her voice low.

Jayamanka hears nothing from the cave to the south. A quick glance in reveals a number of large, iron vats and cauldrons. There isn't enough light from Xantius' lantern to illuminate fully the new chamber.

(ooc: I assume he is still near the entrance as Jayamanka slipped away.)

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Xantius nods to Jayamanka, tipping his head towards the crack they just came from and touching a finger to his lips in the universal gesture of silence. When Jayamanka moves past him to go back, he whispers in her ear:

"Have someone bring my staff, if you would."

He then walks over to the table, glances at the implements on it, and places the lantern on it. With both hands free, he takes a moment to take a good look around the chamber, including up at the ceiling. He avoids getting to close to the southern passage.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Passing Xantius, Jayamanka moves back over to the crack and pokes her head into the opening. She hopes the sound of her voice will be funneled toward the others rather than echoing around. She makes a couple of clicking sounds with her tongue to test that theory and to ensure she has the others' attention, then she says in a low whisper, "Come through. We can see no immediate threat but keep quiet, there may still be danger close by. Oh, and bring Xantius's staff and gear will you."

She watches for a moment to make sure they have heard and have started coming through and then she returns to the south-west corner of the cave to stand guard.

[Longfingers]

Haroun

Want to try first, Northman? said Haroun to Skagvurd. Don't want the rest of us through then find you don't fit. Especially if that, he raised his voice theatrically and looked at Jasper ENORMOUS spider comes looking for a meal!

Chuckling, he stepped back from the crack to give the big man space, all the time maintaining an eye behind. He might have joked about it to the rogue, but deep down Haroun was beginning to feel a little uneasy about this venture...

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper smiles and starts moving forward, anxious to go through the crack, till he hears the word SPIDER. Then he stops and says "Spider? Uh, let's get movin, huh, I don't want to be a spider snack like those poor fellers up there." Jasper will make his way through the crack as swiftly as he can, waiting of course till his comrades tell him it's his turn to go. As he starts coming through, he'll whisper repeatedly "Jasper Bigguns, comin' through! Don't stab me!"

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

The northman rolls his shoulders before enterining the crack and moving through as quietly as posible.

[sonofotho]

Xantius

He then walks over to the table, glances at the implements on it, and places the lantern on it. With both hands free, he takes a moment to take a good look around the chamber, including up at the ceiling. He avoids getting to close to the southern passage.

Xantius doesn't see any sign of danger from the rocky ceiling of the cave. No ominous spider webs or other warning signs. Confident that there is no immediate threat from above, he shifts his focus to the implements on the table.

After a closer inspection, the mage gets the distinct feeling that he is looking at instruments of torture and cruelty. The iron maiden further supports the theory that Balaz-kai, or someone, was up to evil things in this cave. The strong stench returns and Xantius involuntary brings his hand to his nose. The smell of death is strong.

The rest of the party make their way into the cave and Jayamanka moves to the opening to the south. All is quiet.

ooc: Actions?

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

ooc: I have a couple of questions:

• Can Jayamanka tell where the stench is emanating from? i.e. Does it smell stronger over here by the opening to the south or, as I originally assumed, from the direction of the iron maiden?
• Does she recognise the smell? I was originally thinking it might be the smell of death but it occurs to me that bodies decompose within a month or so. Thus, if the smell was rotting flesh it would be significant, as it would mean the death was relatively recent (within a month) or something unnatural (that continues to reek of decay for longer).

[Longfingers]

Haroun

OOC also: Haroun will examine the 'implements' in the room and if one presents itself as a potential weapon, he'll tuck it into his belt - not looking for anything large, just something not too heavy that could be swung/thrown/used to parry in a pinch