IC XV

[Wyzard]

Severi the Silvertongued, Elf

Severi shakes his head. "They must not be made of normal blood and bone, though, otherwise presumably the ur-orcs would have fed them to the flesh-columns."

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
"There is little we can do for them, whatever they are. Which exit?"

Nothing to choose between them from Vanco's perspective. If the other PCs remember that one route is more fun than the other, then fine by Vanco.

[Wyzard]

Severi the Silvertongue

"We take the northern tunnel. And keep a wary eye out for traps. They may not have forgotten our last foray."

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf[/b

"I'll lead the way again".

[thirdkingdom]

Felmont 3, AC 1000
The Caves under the Forgotten City
10:25 am
12 turns elapsed


After only sixty or so feet, they find that the tunnel comes to an abrupt end. It has been walled off with some sort of smooth stone. In the center of the wall is a metal door, crudely beaten out of dark iron. Rhys places an ear to the door and hears nothing. It does not appear to be trapped. Gentle pressure applied indicates it is locked -- or at the very least difficult to open -- and there is no visible keyhole.

Most notably, the concealed lever the party had previously discovered that operated the door can no longer be found.

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

"Curious." Tev comments. "Perhaps there's some way around through one of the other tunnels?"

[thirdkingdom]

Do y'all want to try the moss-covered tunnel or backtrack further?

[Alethan]

Sir Rhys

"Interesting... it appears our way is blocked. I wonder if the two dead mushroom men are supposed to be some sort of warning to us. Shall we try the mossy tunnel, instead?"

[Wyzard]

Severi asks if any of those present can identify the moss. "Many subterranean fungi have dangerous and mysterious properties. That said, it is most likely our best hope for an alternate route."

[phil285]

Vanco Basou, cleric
"I am unfamiliar with such subterranean fungi. I think it our best route for now."

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

"And yet, our foes have shown themselves to be cunning, and they leave it gaping in open invitation. Before we entrust our lives to foreign fungus, we might wish to see if one of the other nearby buildings lends passage where this one no longer does. These sly subterraneans must seek access for surface sorties somewhere. "

[phil285]

Vanco Basou, cleric
Vanco considers Tev's remarks: "An emminently sensible point. Perhaps when we next return to town, we could identify the fungus. In the meantime, I think we should do as you suggest and find an alternative." He peers carefully at the fungus and tries to commit some features to memory, for future research.

[thirdkingdom]

None of the adventurers are familiar with the variety of fungus that lines the walls and ceiling of the tunnel. A closer examination of the agarical heads reveals small patches of a similar moss, almost like hair.

Just as the companions are ready to turn back and try another corridor, Quint recalls that he in fact has a spell of passage memorized. A quick casting of the enchantment causes hidden tumblers to turn with a slight "click", and the door swings open almost imperceptibly.

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
Vanco nods a word of thanks for Quint, then glances into the now-open doorway.

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

Tev, pleased that they're free of a need to either brave the fungus or deviate from their desired direction, claps Thurgan on the shoulder and urges everyone back into formation, that they might proceed in their extermination of the execrable entities beyond.

[Wyzard]

Severi opens the door.

[thirdkingdom]

Severi boldly pushes the door open, revealing the same room that had previously been used as a guardroom. The room looks essentially the same:

The room proves to be fifteen feet or so across and twenty deep. Besides the stone table in the center of the room there are a half-dozen short javelins leaned against one wall, a keg containing some vile smelling swill in the corner and what looks to be an early warning system dangling from the ceiling. In reality, the alarm consists of a battered sheet of iron suspended from a chain. The hafts of the spear are fashioned from yellowish bone, the tips stone. The room is dimly lit by a strange sort of glowing fungus that grows in patches on the wall and ceiling, providing only a modicum of light.

There is an open corridor leading out of the room to the north, and another to the west.

with one notable exception: the table in the center of the room has been overturned, the keg turned over on its side and its contents puddled in a sticky stain on the floor. Half the javelins are broken. What looks to be dried blood spots the floor, walls and even ceiling.

[Wyzard]

Severi Silvertongue, Elf

Severi returns to his place in formation. "Looks like they've had trouble from more than just us."

[Atlictoatl]

Tev Meren, Fighter

Tev eyes the wreckage and nods. He proceeds to the exit to the northern corridor, skirting the alarm, and listens.

[phil285]

Vanco Basou
Vanco looks at the mess and follows the others around to the northern exit.