Expedition: Baxtaw - Seeking Scatha's Lair - 23 July 2021

[Marullus]

The nub of the torch is held at the rear of the group to light the next one, the group descending into near blackness as Baxtaw's eye's adjust at the front of the group. He sees nothing in the hallway that would seem to be alive. 30-40' up the slope he sees a door on the right. Down the slope perhaps 100', he sees the slick, cool patch on the hallway floor which he surmises to be the molten gold from the melted double doors they saw on their last foray. The cooled gold lies between large double doors on both sides of the hall - the left ones intact, the right ones melted and now standing hollow. The grand hallway continues on both sloping up and down further than you can see, as straight as dwarven precision allows.

Date: 11:50am, 26 July 2021
Light: None. Baxtaw's Torch (until 11:40am)
Effects: None.
Injuries: Bremen (minor wound), Stantz (minor wound), Clouson (minor wound), Baxtaw (minor wound), Lug (superficial wound)[/quote]

[Dram]

Baxtaw- There is door up the slope about 40 feet. Downwards about a 100 feet is where we last seen the dragon.

[Jernau35]

Piers hands another torch to Crowgar. "So do you think the door will help us sneak around behind the back of the dragon? Or do we follow the route where we at least know where it went"

Torch deducted from character sheet.

[Dram]

Baxtaw-I do not know, but we could go find out. Do we need to rest or should we head straight where we met the dragon?

[Rusty Tincanne]

Bremen let's folks know he is in favor of avoiding attacking a dragon head-on, if possible. I'm not opposed to trying those smaller doors and hoping they lead to another way to the dragon.

[Marullus]

(...actions?)

[Zhym]

Lug picks his nose and waits for the thinky folks to decide what to do. When he does things without asking people first, he gets yelled at.

[Jernau35]

Piers

"I say we go through the smaller door. It might lead us around to a position of advantage over the dragon. Furthermore, unlike that hallway over there, the dragon is not likely able to fit in the hallway behind the door and be waiting for us." The cleric pauses for breath. "And if the small door doesn't go anywhere, we can come back here later. I think that covers all our options, correct?"

"Mr Baxtaw, I believe you have the lead." Piers, irritatingly polite, makes the 'after-you' gesture to the elf.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Being a military man, Bremen is used to following chains of command. He is hoping to get decisions from Baxtaw, the organizer of this mission. His input has been offered though.

[Dram]

Baxtaw- Leads the way to the smaller door. Bremen you have combat experience. I am relying on your skills as a military man to help this mission to be a success. When he gets to the door he listens for a noises within.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Nothing I ever faced makes me qualified to storm a dragon's lair... But he says nothing, instead he smiles at the elf's faith in him. Baudh and Baudhil will favor the Just. He also listens at the door.

Just remember that Bremen is actually a thief.

[Dram]

OCC- Did not know that. Baxtaw is just a magic user.

[Rusty Tincanne]

Really? The rogue's gallery has him listed as an elf.

[Dram]

Yes he is a Elf, My apologies in LabLord a Elf is like a M.U./Fighter.

[Marullus]

Who is subtracting a torch?

Baxtaw and Bremen make their way up the silent, cold, interminable grand hallway with the torch, to the next doorway. The rest of the party stays close, the dead stillness unnerving.

Just 40' along, they finds a set of finely-carved wooden double doors on their right which lead into a derelict commercial hall, racks and racks of dwarven clothing arranged within, much of it tossed by the goblin plunderers into piles. The doors hang open - pausing to listen anyway reveals nothing but the unnerving silence. There are no doors on in the grand hallway on the left side, but the hallway continues far beyond sense or sight, the main dwarven hold still above you.

Within the commercial hall, high ceilings with ample chandeliers, now dusty and webbed, once provided ample light. The area to the right of the doors (about 20') is filled with vendor tables and racks of picked over knickknacks and small goods. Ahead of you, the room stretches 90' across, beyond your torchlight, and there are several seating areas with chairs now tumbled in disarray. To the left the room stretches at least 90' as well, rack upon rack of dwarf-sized woolens and leathers, long ransacked by goblin hands.

Date: 12:10am, 26 July 2021
Light: Unknown.
Effects: None.
Injuries: Bremen (minor wound), Stantz (minor wound), Clouson (minor wound), Baxtaw (minor wound), Lug (superficial wound)

[Rusty Tincanne]

Bremen pulls a torch out for the group to see by, handing it off to someone one carrying a two-handed weapon.

[Jernau35]

Piers gave Crowgar a torch about a dozen posts up the page there. I put the ooc "1 torch deducted" in a spoiler to avoid breaking the 4th wall

As before, Piers directs Rowine to watch off to the left and keep her bow at hand. If nobody else watches the rear, then he'll take it upon himself. Piers leaves the exploration of the room to those with more knowledge of dwarven culture, and more suitable investigative skills.

[Marullus]

Thanks.

Rowine scowls, very dubious of the dark and silent grand hallway above them. "I don't trust it," she grumbles to Crowgar, who holds the torch aloft for her.

Clouson and Stantz stay close behind Bremen and Baxtaw, Clouson's torch (from Bremen) casting a circle of light into the room to illuminate the nearest clothing racks.


Date: 12:10am, 26 July 2021
Light: Crowgar's torch (until 12:50pm); Clouson's torch (until 12:50pm).
Effects: None.
Injuries: Bremen (minor wound), Stantz (minor wound), Clouson (minor wound), Baxtaw (minor wound), Lug (superficial wound)

[Dram]

Baxtaw- Moves to the left slowly ahead, listening for any noises that may let them know of danger ahead. This way.I do not trust it either, but this is the way we go.

[Jernau35]

Piers considers making a wisecrack about how he's glad he's not the only one who's worried, he was starting to feel paranoid. But then realizes he'd be better off keeping his mouth shut. He doesn't want to give away their position to anybody listening. And it wouldn't do to look nervous in front of the help.