The cave is rather deep going down some 100 feet in an uneven slope Khorden can immediately tell this place is animal made even at it's huge size. (Opening is 20' by 20') the light from the surface dims out after the first 100' making it neccessary to use infravision or torches down further where likely the bats reside.

Gosric stands at the mouth of the cave looking down.

"Hey, don't elves have infravision? He says to noone in particular.  "Perhaps one of you should lead the way."

After seeing those undead, he now had out his mace and his shield, ready for whatever may be lurking in the dead.  Not that he was planning on leading the charge or anything.

Khorden steps up, sword in hand, "I'll be stepping up."

The Dwarf stomps to the fore, looking like he's ready to walk to the end of the earth.

We'd better be careful. Whatever made this might still be alive.
----
Kronden, your stepping up is polite...your footfalls will announce our presence as well as if you were knocking at the front door. I suggest you let me go well ahead.

 Kree looked at Bruga, then at the Dwarf..I suggest you two go first..I will follow behind you..as  my bow  will be able to shoot over your heads...Now..Good Bruga...we are entering  our Dwarven friend's world..between you stealth, and his KNowledge...we should be alright....

    Senuviel?  Please keep  wacth  at the back..lest we get ambushed...call if you are attacked as we tread  further into the  cave.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #5):

Clair will follow Khorden and Bruga in - she has infravision and is short so Kree should be able to shoot over her if needed.  OK guys lead on, it is bat goo we need.  she makes sure Snare stays with her, directing to him to do so and petting him and slips a little treat for him. good boy.

Okay, but I need to be ninety feet ahead of all of you except Clair to have the best chance of staying undetected.

Senuviel will cover the back

The party makes their way in, and it seems like hours until they actually find any sign of bats, but there are very few in this spot. Perhaps there are more deeper.... Most of you get a sense of forboding from any deeper into the darkness here, and a few tummys are rumbling as it is likely past lunch.

Just so you guys know, with being already four hours into this cave, you may also figure that either the cave has another exit that the bats use... and inside here you will not manage to be able to use the hut inside here it has definitely lower inside maybe 10 by 5, the hut is much bigger. So you may want to watch how much deeper you go if you want to make it back out. By a few i mean like 3-4 bats where you are at and while there is a little gauno you can tell this is not the main nest.

Khorden pulls up short.  "We been about four hours I figure, a bit past noon.  Anyone want to stop fer a bite or do we continue on?"  Khorden didn't like his meals interrupted, but if needs be he could keep this pace for days on end without needing a break, or so he tells himself.

  With a shake of his head, the elf says,we got the  left overs  and the rations...I say we continue on. The sooner  we get that muck, the sooner we can hunt down those bonemen...In here  we can have a person watch  in either direction while the  rest of  us sleep, when we come time to stop...

Bruga has been ranging ahead and not feeling, hearing, seeing or smelling anything unusual—except the seeming lack of anything using this cave.

He reports this back and adds As I've been going on, I've felt ever more uneasy. Something made this cave. Maybe that something isn't around any more, and there aren't any more somethings way down in. NOw I"ve heard tales of fabulous dragon treasures and such, but these tales often mention adventurers turned into meals; or, in my case, a snack.

 Kree listens to Bruga,..that may, or  may not be the case..as it is?  It  does not seem to be used overly much. Good Khordan  might you be able to tell what made this  tunnel...even if  a dargon has  made this, there is no reason to suspect it is still about. Elsewise  we  would have heard  tales of it,

Gosric's eyes light up.  "Dragon treasure?"  Momentarily forgetting about the danger, he peers deeper into the cave.  Pushing a strand of hair out of his face with the handle of his mace, he points the weapon down the cave.  "If there is some kind of beast down here, I'd rather not face it on an empty stomach.  It wouldn't hurt to stop for a moment."

From the back, Senuviel breaks his silence. The elf has been growing silent more and more with the passing of days. He looks undisturbed by the darkness and the cave though. I say we keep moving. We can eat dome dry rations throughout our journey to the heart of this cave. It makes no sense stopping now.

Another few hours pass and now the party hears running water, seeing a light ahead they investigate and find a beautiful part of the cavern, a water full runs from the surface and down further into depths unknown so far down that the sun does not illuminate the bottom nor can anyone in the party (even Khorden) tell how deep it is. There is a pool here some 10 feet deep filled with crystal clear water. The opening to continue on narrows further to a 5 by 5 tunnel.

Khorden looks at the lighter area with discomfort.  "I don't get it.  We shoulda seen them bats by now.  I don't like it.

First things first Bruga comments. He goes to the stream; and, unless something smells amiss, takes a drink. Then, if everything seems all right and he needs to, he refills his waterskin.

The water is a crisp cool spring water and Bruga feels refreshed. The water is certainly safe for consumption. It is now mid afternoon, no bats. So the question is push forward or move back?
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:26, Sun 10 Apr 2011.

In reply to GM (msg #21):

Clair take Snare and they will get refreshed with some of the water, look about, sigh if we press on we will have to stay within the cave, if we back track we will have to spend another 1/2 day getting back to here. shifts uncomfortably Bruga, Kree?  Any tracks or other signs of activity besides our own?  OOC - how much is our voices traveling?  A lot of echo or not?

  Kree looks to  senuviel and motons  to see if he sees any tracks or paths,..There is no reason  we cannot  stay here...we have fresh water, and rations..we can use  the down time toseacrh  some of this area, to see if there  are any other paths  at all

  he puts his arrow in its  quiver, and moves towards the  waterfall, he begins to check around it, and looks to see if there might be  a hidden passage behind it.

no secret passages are found just the continuation of the much smaller and more narrow path further into the caves and of course the way back out. With the water rushing here there is only a bit of echo from behind you the water sounds mute any you might hear in this location. Dropping something to follow the water fall will fall so far you won't hear it hit a bottom.

Khorden will take his turn to slake his thirst at the stream, but he'll wait a bit so not too many of them are distracted all at once.  Besides, he didn't know how deep the stream might be and he wasn't interested in learning to swim.

When his time comes, he drinks his fill and replaces the water in his skin.  "If we're stayin', might as well make good use o' the time."  He pulls out some rations and begins munching on smoked jerky beef and a bit of stale biscuit.

Gosric quenches his thirst then stands near the waterfall.  "I wonder if whatever made this cave is down there."  He sits down on a rock, pulls out some dry rations of his own, and starts to eat.  "I figure we're bound to find something if we keep searching these tunnels."

  Kree  empties his water skin, far  from the  clear water, then refills his  skin with fresh. As he does  so he asks the Dwarf, Good  Khordan? What is your take on these  caves. if they are not natural..how long where they made..and by what...there is  an established  fall, and  a pool, so it cannot be recent?

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #27):

Clair takes up a spot near one wall away from the falls and more toward the way back and has Snare sit with her.  She share some rations with snare then prays to her god for any divine inspirations for continuing on or not.

Clair's lucky gambling dice roll a pair of snake eyes in reponse to any prayers.

Senuviel walks around the lake his keen elves senses at ready.

Bruga has some food while laving his feet.

Senuviel finds nothing of interest in his search.

In reply to GM (msg #29):

Clair just stares st the snake eyes.

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #27):

Khorden considers Kree's question, stroking his beard.  "At a guess, centuries ago, made by some sort of creature.  That bit of cave there,". Knorden points at the smaller section, "Looks to be the work of yon falls."

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #34):

Clair gulps rather loudly, looks about like coming out of a trance.  Pulls Snare closer to her hugging him (gently), picks up her snake eyed dice and looks up to the group nervously.

Guys, er, who here understands what happens when you roll Snake Eyes?  nervously petting Snare while looking from to another.

  Kre walks over  to Clair, sits next to her  and  Snare,  digging around in his pack he  pulls out dome ration, and offers  a bit to Snare, as he  takes a very little bite  of his own,..depends  what game youo are playing..Snake  eyes  could win...or you would  be out...Also..If  Beshaba had a hand in the roll?  if  could be a good thing for us...

Clair has a memory of the fact that snakes eyes is a bad omen in almost every game of luck.

In reply to GM (msg #37):

OOC - thanks oh mighty GM that was what I was thinking - yulch.

Clair gives Kree a gentle smile, Kree, sometimes you have to hold em, sometimes fold em other times walk away and more time then not, run. I, I do not think my lady gave me an Ace that I can hold onto so ... gets up brushes off the dirt ...  Snare to me, time to looks to the rest, back track out of here and regroup ... looks to see if any are following her as she starts off back out of the cave.  We can camp out under the stars tonight or maybe use that hut again. sighs mumbles better to loose a small hand then the whole pot.

OOC  Clair is "spooked" an leaving - exit stage right .. out of the cave.

And there was my feeling too Bruga says as he settles his backpack and waterskin and trots after Clair.

"We've been down here so long, do we have to travel all that way back?" Gosric almost whines.  A second later, he realizes what Clair is eluding to, and gathers up his bag quickly.  "I see, well, then, lets make haste."  Of course, going back outside had its own drawbacks; The skeletons!!!  Adventuring was going to give him acne with all of its stress.

  Kree looks at Clair, he is in no hurry to stand,..we are in safe  confines here. There  are no bones, no broken weapons or signs of struggle...if anything comes at us, it must come through the tunnel...funneled  at us, in such a way, we can set up a very good  defense...what are the  'good' options, for leaving  here?

Bruga calls back When mama yelled,"Watch out!" I watched out. Besides, I don't think Clair is going to turn around.

  The  elf  nodded  as he studied the falls   from where he sat,..you folks go along..I will catch up after  a bit....

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #43):

continuing to make her point by making her way out Bruga, just ain't got that good feeling right now, looks back who is staying behind? makes sure Snare is next to her by petting him as she walks That falls was not what I called a happy place Shivers not claustrophobic ... just well ... I rather fight dem bones dudes then stay in there, sighs plus, whispers I think I may have a small advantage with dem bones dudes ... hint me priest ... they undead winks.

Make sure they all get out smiles at Bruga Glad you see it my way chuckles Goseric will need another full course meal after this

Clair keeps an eye out as she continues out.

Bruga gets a stone ready in his sling in one hand and holds a dagger in the other. I'm hoping the others follow. I don't know if omens are easy to interpret, but going iwth you is better than staying regardless.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #45):

Omens are not easy but thanks, I do hope the rest follow our lead and move out quickly.

  Kree waited and till those who were goig  were well on thier  way. He sat  and listened, slowling getting to his  feet as he tucked away the  rations he barley nibbled on.

 watching and waiting, with his back towards the way they came...he listened. This place showed no sign of struggle, no sign  or spore of  Insects  or cretures...yet Clair was moved to almost sprint out of here....

Senuviel follows after everyone has left. He stops by Kree then. Have you guys pondered all the possibilities? It's an omen, so it deals with the future. What about if the hazard is outside, or one or 2 days ahead of us?

Sword in hand and feet set, Khorden grumbles, "If there be a threat, I'll not be fleein' from it."

 Kree chuckled,...if there is a threat? It is  very smart...as i said..no bones, no claw marks, no broken weapons,,no stains....and...if  there is a threat...then it must be staying some were...it it lairs...it has treasure...or..at very least...if  we put it down, folks might  travel here , with more ease...

Khorden and Kree notice that the chamber has gotten strangely warmer since the others left, they would expect it to get colder....

  Kree frowns  a bit as he reaches   slowly to pull a shaft from his quiver and nock it, do you feel that?

 he smiles  just  a bit, perhaps...we  will see what nature  has invested  in this  tunnel....

As the warmth makes itself felt, Khorden grips his sword all the tighter and looks about.  "I heard tales that dragons can warm the coldest o' caves."  Khorden gives thought to the cave again, wondering just how large a dragon might be able to fit itself into the cave.  Having seen no obvious sign coming in, he turns and looks cautiously down into the water to see where the waterfall spills.

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #53):

OOC - Who has left with Clair? Is it just Snare, Bruga and Goseric?

OOC: guess so..Senuviel was on the way out when he stopped to talk to Kree.

Feeling the sudden change in temperature, Senuviel urges his senses as he draws his sword.
the
I believe we should join the others quickly. What if this sudden change in the  temperature is a lure to keep us separated from the others. Can you see it Kree? All the men-at-arms are here while the spy and the healers are outside. I sense a trap! Let's hurry to the outside, now! Saying that, the elf urges to the outside, his sword and shield at ready.

  Kree nods slowly,..Perhaps....but there has to be  a reason...there are no signs  of anything of  danger here....

 looking to the Dwarf  he says, . we will withdraw a few yards, both to see  if the heat is spreading...and to give us room, lest something pops up too close...

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #56):

Bruga, I do hope they hurry out, I have a bless spell and possibly a detect snares and pits spell I can use if we have to go back in there.  Fairy fire is my only lol offensive spell.  Goseric, How are you with your gods gifts (spells).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

Khorden sees a pair of glowing eyes in the distance moving closer up the waterfall from below, it will likely be where he and Kree are in about 10 minutes....

In reply to GM (msg #58):

OOC Running with the devil .... 5 feet high and rising ... or better yet, a dragon I really saw a dragon.

With a firmness Clair has not heard before from Bruga, he declares You try to go back, I'll do whatever I can to stop you...even go so far as to try to carry you kicking and screaming. Keep going as fast as you can, trotting or running and walking.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:14, Fri 15 Apr 2011.

Gosric's heart was beating faster and his palms were beginning to sweat.  Swallowing his fear, he answers Clair. "Ummmm, Lathander has gifted me with bless and invisibility to undead.  I'll do my best to assist our mighty warriors."

When Bruga shouts back to them, Gosric almost jumps.  Holding his holy symbol, he mutters, "Well, I guess this is it, then."

"Whatever it be, it looks t' be coming closer." the Dwarf reports in a harsh whisper.  There is an air of resolution in his manner, "If needs be, I'll face it while you two ward the others."

Now that his die had been cast, Khorden would see it through.  Any true Dwarf would choose Death above Dishonor any day of the week.

  Kree Chuckles  slightly,..twas i  who needed to see what danger  ws here...and if  we may turn it  to our  advantage...You shall not be facing what is is  alone...

Snare runs along with Bruga and Clair as the room gets even warmer...

In reply to GM (msg #64):

OOC - The group with Clair is or has left the cave by now so we probably do not know of the plight within.  alas to say they did not follow right away and was suppose to be behind us soon, like Kree always liked to do.

Bruga, no worry i meant to clear out and be free of this cave, smiles at seeing Snare still with her, Gosseric has decided to join us and I assume Kree is up to his old trick of being last out and first in.  she breaths hard from the quick withdrawal out of the cave Khorden, he should be wise enough about the caves makings and follow Kree out.

All that odd feelings and snake eyes with that queezy heat flowing was making me to jumpy ... I wish they would hurry out. 

Looks about once out of the cave.

Lets move off and find cover for the night, some place safe and away from the cave.  I am sure we can hear Khorden clumping along in his armor once they get out.

Bless and invso to undead, nice choices.


No fire tonight and right about now I am not much for sleeping so we will all wait out there return. Keeps Snare close to her.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sat 16 Apr 2011.

Gosric follows along closely behind Clair, looking over his shoulder the whole way.  "I hope noone needs my healing powers; best to avoid all that."

Bruga saves his breath for his legs, but he does stay behind Clair.

A spurt of flame plumes up from the water fall filling the room with steam...

  Kree's borw  furrows  a bit  as he taps the dwarf on the shoulder to move back  a few yards  as the steam arrives....

  then the wave  of fear wshes  over him, he pulls on the dwarf's shoulder  and begins  to head towards the exit.



13:53, Today: Kree Quickshadow rolled 14 using 1d20. vs spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Tue 19 Apr 2011.

Senuviel breathes deeply as he feels the coming of the beast. The warrior/mage struggles to keep his nerves on as he sees the effects of the presence of the beast acting upon Kree. The elf urges his friends to run outside. The beast is too much for us. Kree, Khorden, to the exit now! Quickly! Let's live today to fight another day. Saying that, Senuviel urges Kree and Khorden towards the exit.

OOC: 15:29, Today: Senuviel Alantir rolled 20 using 1d20. Save vs Spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Tue 19 Apr 2011.

The fear bubbles up in Khorden's very being and he allows the grasping hands of Kree and Senuviel to persuade him to turn and flee.  At the least, Khorden manages to hold the hilt of his blade in near nerves fingers.


13:25, Today: Khorden Stonegrip rolled 11 using 1d20. ST vs. Magic (Fear).

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #71):

OOC - I hope my lady luck guides you guys out safely.

OOC:  or Beshaba causes it to trip...or a stalagtie palls  and impales it

The party runs for their lives 3 rounds later they are all back together in the bat room... the creature has not followed them to here.

  Kree is  less-then-pleased with himself,...My friends..please, except  by apologies...I have  never run from danger like a sacred school girl...I have skirted  it, i have  went  around it, when it was prudent..but i have never ran before...."

 Khorden is obviously put out about something, but is disinclined to comment.  Finally, "Enough, let's grab what we came fer and put this vile place aback o' us."

In reply to Khorden Stonegrip (msg #76):

OOC - I shall assume Clairs group is outside waiting on the rest?

Senuviel speaks while catching his breath. Let's move out of here. Grab your gear folks and move along, I take the back. Senuviel waits his comrades grab their gear and move. The warrior/mage prepares his bow and moves along covering the back of the group during their retreat.

  Kree, still in somewhat of  a dour mood, takes the point,now?  are  we hunting...or looking for a camp spot?

Oddly enough, Khorden makes no comment to Kree's taking point, despite the fact that The task of leading people about in caves is a job well suited to a Dwarf.  Instead, Khorden just ambles in Kree's wake, falling into whatever place in the marching order he just happens to fall.

OOC:  we are out of the cave now? if not..Kree would have had the dwarf go first.

Then good for you, Kree, for your wisdom today. When the group finally emerges, he judged how near to darkness it is,

Clair, my thanks to your Mistress.

In reply to Bruga Honeyfinder (msg #82):

Smiling, I also am in prayer of thanks to my lady of luck. looking thoughtful Tonight I will make extra prayers on her behalf and sacrifice a set of dice for her. feeling for the dice  No worry Goseric, I always carry a spare grinning so we can finish our game for tonight. ... I think it was your roll for watch duty or not.

Bruga, let's find us a nice safe camp sight and wait out our friends, keep an eye on them, I hope they will be along soon.  Smiles, when we go get the bat dung I will need a brave strong man ... Bruga ... you can guide me back in the cave, or any cave after that.

Clair sets up camp and awaits her companions return.

You guys can now be outside, when the party exits teh caves there is a quake the entrance collapses behind you the cave no more.

 The  elf  stands , looking at the rocks  bouncing  down the , now  covered  mouth....It is a shame, we lacked  a more worthy party, to try and take down that beast...one can only wonder, what riches  it had in its lair...

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #85):

Kree, sometimes gold is not worth the price hence it becomes fools gold.  Yup, we probably would not survived an encounter with that fellow at our current experience and add a cave in, yikes even if we survived the creature surly not the cave in.  Think of it this way.  It was not our primary target, the slavers are so ...

 Taking one  last look at the cave mouth,..think of what  we could have  gained with the coin, or ..what items there may have been, to fight the slavers

In reply to Kree Quickshadow (msg #87):

True, if you were alive to use them.

Khorden looks at the cave-in. "Time to be moving on." he grumbles, having little stomach for Kree's comments about their shortcomings, taking almost as a personal insult.

For a moment, Bruga's eyes sparkle. Then he nods and begins to scout for a level place near good water. Before he gets far, the earthquake happens. After it, he remarks We know where the cave entrance is. It may be possible to clear the rubble.