Barrowmaze IV: Delving for Power and Glory

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth gives Isvand a thumbs up and keeps his eyes open for any changes since they left.

[sastaz]

Gerdal agrees with Sven.

"Absolutely. Let's get going shall we? I see the others are already examining the premises. Do we circle the Silas barrow?"

To Isvand

"I see you donned a lighter armor this time Isvand. Are you planning to scout ahead for us underground rather than taking our adversaries head on? I like that, but good that we brought Drew."

[OGRE MAGE]

Still waiting for an answer from Drew about Garrett, Sven joins in with the others circling the Silas mound.

If everything looks normal, he will direct the group to the west about 60 feet or so and make another half circle to the south and then east, making larger semi-circles each lap so they can see further through the mist on each pass.

I am really just trying to fill in the map for about 300 feet in each direction around our mound, if possible.

[Spearmint]

An initial inspection of the Silas Barrow reveals that though the stone is in place between the two carved bears that frame the lintel, the stone may have been rolled aside at some point and subsequently re-closed. It is in the closed position now, no traps, wires or spikes to hold it firm have been placed upon it. So you can push it aside again though it grates, stone upon stone as if you do.

Leaving that for a moment, the group make a little tour, going a bowshot in each direction. You know already that, One hex is each direction around the Silas Barrow (16) is just barren ground.

Directly south, after a hundred feet another grassy knoll rises from the ground. The earth is churned over in multiple places, indicating several previous attempts to dig from the top of the mound or from various locations around the edge. No obvious entrance to the barrow interior is noted by one excavation is more promising than the others. It is a large area, some typical building stones cast aside, though the area has been filled back in. consider a 20'ft square pit, dug up then refilled.

Two spades with fluttering ribbons are stuck upright into the ground a short distance away. In front of them, the ground has been burrowed giving the impression that a hastily dug burial plot has been grave robbed. I will call this Spade Mound (17).

A similar distance directly east, you locate another burial mound. This tumulus is covered in thick bracken, long leafy ferns that sprout red currants and tangles of coarse milky white briars. Grazing among the sparse buds on the knoll top are a number of large baboons which suddenly rise up as a herd to hoot and beat chests. Clearly they feel your incursion upon their territory as a threat but as yet they remain on the high ground as you circumnavigate the foot of the mound. (Baboon mound 24).

actions pleas in regard to the two neighbouring mounds

I will update the Barrow maps with an area pic.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven urges the others to keep their distance from the large baboons, slowly backtracking away from their mound if he can.

"Lets not engage in combat unless it is absolutely necessary." He whispers to the others. "Gerdal, do you think you could speak with one of them if they try anything?"

If they are allowed to leave the area of the baboon mound, the young mage leads the others out a bit further in each direction, only wishing to see where any other mounds may be located, and not interested in exploring or investigating them up close.

[OGRE MAGE]

Mattias, when you get time, could you post a pic of the full interior maze map that you have so far into this thread, please?

That should help us decide where we all want to go on this trip.

Thanks!

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth readies a javelin just in case they attack but holds his attack until it looks necessary.

[redwarrior]

Isvand shares his opinion that We should finish exploring the mound that we started before moving on to another. I don't like the idea of leaving it uncompleted. In answer to Gerdal, Yes, I think I'm of more value the more nimble and quiet I can be. I think I might be good at the finding traps and opponents if I'm not clanking around. Also, it's heavy. He grins.

[Spearmint]

I have edited the Barrow Mounds map in the map thread to show what you have discovered so far.

So descriptions are in previous map thread posts.

[Spearmint]

The baboons grazing on the top of mound 24, make a big display of primate masochism but don't leave the mound so you can disengage and retreat back into the mist.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven breaths a sigh of relief.

"I agree completely, Isvand. We wont be entering any mounds we find, but it might be nice to know what else is up here while we are down in the maze."

Sven urges the others to make another circle, spreading out even wider to learn more of the lay of the land here. However, he wont press the issue very hard if the others prefer to go back to check who has been messing around in the Silas mound.

What do you guys think?

[redwarrior]

Isvand is fine with taking a look, seems prudent. He just doesn't want to go down hole #1 until #2 is fully explored. Or fight a bunch of baboons for no good reason.

[sastaz]

Mattias, when you get time, could you post a pic of the full interior maze map that you have so far into this thread, please?

That should help us decide where we all want to go on this trip.

Thanks!

Sure, coming right up!

[sastaz]

Doors
A. 'Trickling water'. Wedged shut, sodden wooden door.
B. Locked, reinforced with iron and embellished with verdigris designs.
C. Iron reinforced, well preserved, lacquered and greased hinges. Has a panel containing a book cover? Two scarabs cover keyholes.
D. Wooden, opens freely.
E. Swollen oaken door, previously shrunk and now swollen but ajar.
F. Leeing face. Smell of hops or barley. Unlocked.
G. Reglar door, unlocked.
H. ??
I. ??
J. Wooden, green with mold and swollen by damp. Locked and the rusty keyhole has a broken lockpick in it.
K. Wooden, green with mold and swollen by damp. No lock or securing device. Opened and shut before by Amos without trouble.
L. Wooden, opens freely.
M. Iron reinforced door, unlocked.
N. Door has embossed designs on the exterior panel. Scarabs etcetera. Locked and trapped, poison stinger.
O. Exploding skeletons exited this room. Door is open.
P. A heavy gated portcullis.
Q. Wooden door with mended, previously broken, lock.
R. Wedged with spikes, skull and crossbones scrawled, dried blood.
S & T. Solid metal doors.

Mausoleums
a. Kali's snake emporium
b. Sticky webs and maggot infested elven mage
c. Two open stone caskets
d. Dusty floor and magic stone face
e. Single grave decorated by bones
f. Poseidon gate
g. Trapdoors on ceiling, alcoves in eastern wall

Unexplored areas
I. -
II. -
III. Rusted porticulis, behind it some sort of storage or guardroom.
IV. This is where the cultists made their stand and the location of their sacrificial pit.
V. ??
VI. -
VII. Skeleton knight with sword was burned here.
VIII. Continues east for at least 20'.

[sastaz]

Will soon post in character, but sorry, did not memorize Speak with animals this trip...

[sastaz]

Since we normally don't spend any time in the wilderness, ironically enough. Maybe if we manage to get a rest inside she can do it on our way back?

[OGRE MAGE]

Thanks!

Sure. That works too.

[Spearmint]

Will soon post in character, but sorry, did not memorize Speak with animals this trip...

As a mage you know all the spells in your retinue, the only limit to memorization is the intelligence maximum known spells per level, assigned by Intelligence score.

With you in particular as a 'sorceress' drawing from a restricted mage and druid list, the only handicap is that druid or cleric specific spells (such as Cure light wounds) are erased from memory once cast whereas Charm Person (a druid and mage spell) can be retained subject to an intelligence check.

[sastaz]

Will soon post in character, but sorry, did not memorize Speak with animals this trip...

As a mage you know all the spells in your retinue, the only limit to memorization is the intelligence maximum known spells per level, assigned by Intelligence score.

With you in particular as a 'sorceress' drawing from a restricted mage and druid list, the only handicap is that druid or cleric specific spells (such as Cure light wounds) are erased from memory once cast whereas Charm Person (a druid and mage spell) can be retained subject to an intelligence check.

Okay, not sure I follow. Gerdal is still limited to memorize 7 (her limit based on INT score) spells, regardless? Or how does that work for her since she has a mixed bag of spells? More specifically: how does it affect her possilility of casting Speak with animals right now?

As we move in the next direction, away from the baboons:

"I agree with you Isvand, but I think it is wise - as Sven points out - to beware of the nearby mounds. Let's say we are instantly transported to another place, like that diamond thief, and we make our way to the surface, if we see baboons close to that exit, at least we know where we are and the way home."

[Spearmint]

I will answer the question on spells in ooc to keep expedition thread free of clutter.