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The adventurers continue down the right hand passage. After thirty feet or so the slope increases, and the footing becomes more treacherous as the humidity increases, to the point where all surfaces of the tunnel are slick with moisture. Towards the end of the tunnel, which proves to be no more than ninety or so feet in length, the less dextrous adventurers are forced to scoot along on their buttocks, 'ere they slip and fall.

The tunnel opens up into a large cavern, filled with steam. The clouds of vapor refract the light, and make it impossible to determine the exact size of the place without venturing within. Numerous pools of water bubble and roil; it seems to be possible to traverse the floor of the cavern without stepping in a pool -- but the footing looks extremely treacherous.

Rhys the Traveler

"What are we doing down this way, again?" Rhys asks, stopping because he feels foolish sliding on his rear and wonders how easy it will be to get back out...

Severi Silvertongue, Elf

"Surveying, essentially. I think we've determined that it's too hazardous to proceed further in this direction. We should withdraw and attempt the other branch."

Alethan wrote:Rhys the Traveler

"What are we doing down this way, again?" Rhys asks, stopping because he feels foolish sliding on his rear and wonders how easy it will be to get back out...

Tev Meren, Fighter

"Agreed," says Tev, who was sure-footed enough to avoid the ignominy, but didn't relish a steam bath in plate armor. It was a sweaty, thoroughly uncomfortable affair, though the man wasn't complaining.

thirdkingdom wrote:

Alethan wrote:Rhys the Traveler

"What are we doing down this way, again?" Rhys asks, stopping because he feels foolish sliding on his rear and wonders how easy it will be to get back out...

Note that Rhys does not have to slide on his rear, should he choose not to.

Rhys does not, then, slide on his posterior.

"Let's head back..."

Thurgan, dwarf

"Yes, back and try the other way".

Quint Kacie
"Well, at least we've determined what's here. A bit warm for my taste though."
Looking flush and wiping sweat from his brow, Quint backtracks up the slick passage as carefully as he can.

The adventurers retreat and return to the "Y" intersection, then head down the other passageway. It runs roughly straight for several hundred feet, before splitting in twain again. One branch continues to lead in a northwesterly direction, whilst the other takes a hardish right and veers off to the north-east. The northwesterly tunnel bears more -- and more recent -- signs of working; the floor has been somewhat smoothed, the tunnel widened with chisels in places where it begins to constrict.

Tev Meren

"Shall we take the less developed path?"

Atlictoatl wrote:Tev Meren

"Shall we take the less developed path?"

Quint Kacie
"Why not? I don't think it really matters. We'll end up exploring both anyway. Lead on!"

Severi Silvertongue, Elf

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same."

"The less-traveled path looks fine enough to me."

Rhys the Traveler

"That sounds fine with me. I assume we'll be exploring both eventually, anyway..."

The adventurers decide to take the northeasterly passage. It runs for some hundred feet and seems considerably drier than the passages below, and not nearly as hot. The passage soon opens up into a roughly circular cavern some forty feet in diameter. Two tunnels lead out of the chamber, one in a northerly direction, the other easterly. A strange, purplish moss covers the walls and ceilings of this chamber; it is as thick as the rug in a Thyatian pleasure house, but seems to be mostly absent from the floor of the cavern. Alongside the northern wall, roughly between the two tunnel openings, the adventurers espy the remains of what look to be several humanoid bodies.

Quint Kacie
"Well now, it seems we've finally found evidence of someone who made it past that mechanical spider. Or perhaps a clue to other entrances to these tunnels. We should get a closer look don't you think? I'd try to avoid rubbing up against that moss though."
Quint moves to get a closer look at the bodies.

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys likewise cautiously approaches the bodies, sword drawn.

There are two bodies; they are both similar in appearance to orcs, but much thicker of stature and with paler skin. It is impossible to tell for sure what killed them -- at least, without disturbing the bodies -- but they seem to have been subject to no small amount of blunt trauma.

Severi stays well away from the fungus.