Chapter One: The Lost Tower of Balaz-kai

[Longfingers]

No offense, but I would suggest you'd have a much better notion of where a creepy necromancer might hide his stash than us, said Haroun to Xantius. In my experience, maidens' bedrooms are up, wine cellars are down, so as I don't hold out much hope of any damsels, distressed or otherwise, I'm minded to follow the booze.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

"Ha. Sorcerers are a mysterious lot," Jayamanka remarks. "As much to each other as the rest of us, I would wager. Who can say where one of their number might keep relics, wine or women. Is that not right Xantius?"

The hunter moves over to Haroun at the top of the stairs leading downward.

"Down it is then."

She glances at Skagvurd and gives the big Northman a nod, then carefully descends the stairs to the floor below. She stalks cat-like, as though hunting, moving stealthily and casting her senses out ahead of her to discern prey or danger. Once again, she holds the torch aloft in her left hand and her spear at the ready in her right. For the moment, her shield is slung.

ooc: It's worth noting that Jayamanka is currently carrying the only torch,. So, as she descends, the gloom will return to the room above.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper, still staring in awe at the misty spider box, takes heed of Jaymanka's words of warning and says "Yeah, I think I'll leave this guy alone. For now." He smiles and winks at Jaymanka and then seeing everyone heading down, he draws his dagger with the best flourish he can muster, brandishing it with all the grace and poise of an old lady with a frying pan. With a raised eyebrow he says "C'mon! Let's find them riches and whatnot? Eh? EH?"He chuckles, waiting to proceed downward.

[sonofotho]

ooc: So it sounds like down the stairs it is. Sounds like Jayamanka is in the lead with a torch. Could I get a marching order and overview of who has what in hands, e.g. weapons, lights, etc.?

Feel free to discuss in chat, if needed...

Thanks!

[Longfingers]

OOC: can Haroun break apart one of those cobweb covered chairs?

I suggest we don't rely on just one flame, said Haroun, suddenly serious. Does anyone have any dry cloth you can lend me so I can fashion a torch?

OOC:if I can make or borrow a light, bring up the rear with torch in one hand, dagger in the other

[badams30]

Jasper has some torches, so he could take up position toward the back and light one if needed.

[9littlebees]

OOC: Xantius will stay near the back. He has a lantern which he will light. Sorry about being sporadic, it's been a busy weekend.

[LtTibbles]

Skagvurd

Once the group is ready to go down stairs, Skagvurd will take up position behind Jayamanka, keeping his warhammer ready.

[Captain Kinkajou]

ooc: Haha. So, let me get this right. The party order is Jayamanka 1st, ably backed up by Skagvurd 2nd, then a gap, followed by everyone else crowded at the rear?

Given what's been said, what about if Jayamanka gives Jasper her torch, as he offered to take it earlier, and Jasper goes 3rd. Then Jayamanka has both hands free and can wield spear + shield if we meet anything + Jasper is closer to the front if we encounter any locked doors or traps. Then maybe Fiddleback 4th, Xantius with his lantern on 5th and Haroun as the other warrior keeping watch at the rear? Does that make sense? No sweat if you want to propose something different or stick with the 1-2-gap-crowd plan even . I just thought I'd put something out there for people to discuss and modify.

[9littlebees]

Sounds good.

[sonofotho]

As you stand at the top of the spiral staircase discussing how best to align yourselves for the descent, you hear a dull thud behind you.

Your heads whip around to scan the room behind you for the source of the sound. At first you see nothing, but then you realize that the front door to the tower is gone. It seems to have completely vanished, replaced by the stone wall of the tower.

ooc: Actions?

[Longfingers]

Haroun gave a rich laugh. Cunning fellow, eh? Rather than try and keep us out, it appears he wants to keep us in! Lead on, then, he continued, indicating the stairs to the spearwoman.

[Nitehood]

Careful eveyone! These folk look like they died from bites. Keep an eye out for that spiders big brother.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper gets a worried look on his face and says "Ohhhh.... that's not good. Oh boy. Say - is that spider still in his box?"
And until we begin the downward march, Jasper will hold the lantern or torch high and keep his eye back on the spider box, ready to report any happenings from the creepy spider.

[sonofotho]

The light from the torches and lantern reveals a narrow, spiral staircase which appears to have been roughly hewn from the rock beneath the tower. As you make the steep descent down, you notice some cobwebs, although nothing to raise alarm. Jayamanka slinks down the steps like a cat, leading the rest of the group down beneath the tower.

After a descent of fifty-sixty feet by your rough estimation, the steps end in a circular cave. You hear nothing, but there is a noticeable musty, stale smell in them air. The cave is empty but you do notice a single passage leading out of the chamber and into darkness.

ooc: Actions? I assumed from the comments the plan was to continue down after the door disappeared, but if not, let me know and we can delay this post...

[Captain Kinkajou]

Jayamanka

Jayamanka scans the floor of the cave for anything suspicious and then moves cautiously toward the passage leading on. She pauses for a moment, to listen for any sound in the darkness ahead and to check that none of her companions want to do anything before continuing, Assuming she doesn't hear anything and the party is moving onward, she will lead them into the passage, shield and spear at the ready.

ooc: Actions? I assumed from the comments the plan was to continue down after the door disappeared, but if not, let me know and we can delay this post...

ooc: That's a safe assumption from my perspective. Jayamanka would certainly continue downward, so I've gone with that. Happy to delay if someone's got other ideas.

[9littlebees]

Xantius

Having lit his lantern at the rear of the group, Xantius looks up in interest as the door disappears.

"This tower gets more interesting by the minute!" he declares happily, preparing to descend after the others.

[badams30]

Jasper - Rogue

Jasper sticks his dagger back into it's sheath and he begins to inspect the chamber, looking for secret doors or concealed stuff, occasionally stopping long enough to tap on the walls suspiciously, as though he suspects something to pop out at him.

[sonofotho]

Jasper probes the walls of the cave. The stone is solid and cold to the touch. The chamber was most likely carved out by man or beast many years ago. You notice a thin layer of sand and pebbles on the floor and Jayamanka points out what appears to be tracks, although they are not identifiable. Most likely a man or men, but she cannot tell how long ago they were made.

The huntress angles her head towards the passage leading south out of the chamber. No sounds. With a nod to the others, she heads down the passage. Skavguard and Haroun follow closely behind, the torchlight from the latter illuminating the way.

After thirty feet the passage reaches an intersection. To the west the passage continues about twenty feet before opening into another cave. Looking east the light reveals a chamber which opens up almost immediately and extends beyond the reach of the torchlight (thirty feet). From the intersection you can see a passage leading south out of the cave to the east. The northern wall of the chamber is out of sight as there is a slight bend in the passage.

ooc: Actions?

[Captain Kinkajou]

After thirty feet the passage reaches an intersection. To the west the passage continues about twenty feet before opening into another cave. Looking east the light reveals a chamber which opens up almost immediately and extends beyond the reach of the torchlight (thirty feet). From the intersection you can see a passage leading south out of this new cave. The northern wall of the chamber is out of sight as there is a slight bend in the passage.

ooc: Just to be sure I have this right, the passage leading south is from the cave to the west?