In reply to Fire elemental (msg # 507):

Christine will follow Stenet, instructing the fire elemental to follow his directions.

I sense no nearby spirits or undead, Brother Micheal excepted.

Jednesa begins unbelting her harness in case she has squeeze down the narrow stairs.

Stenet moves into the archway alert for any ambushing Doomchildren.

Hearing the commotion in the room with the secret stairs, Walter cautiously makes his way there.  Seeing Stennet in the doorway, the grizzled old sailor pauses.

"We be stayin' as they head below?"

In reply to Walter Goldman (msg # 512):

"Dwarves seem much better suited to confined underground fighting than ogres. Someone needs to stay up here with Jednessa, perhaps 2 folk, while the rest of us check out what is below. If it is big enough, we can come back for the rest."

As you wish

In reply to Azrael (msg # 514):

"Actually I was suggesting you and Walter and Mal could decide between yourselves who came down and who stayed. It would seem though that Mals staff and seeking of items might be better with us."

Yes, Walter and I can stay up here with Jednesa

In reply to Azrael (msg # 516):

"Ok, then. I hope we will not be long. Stay safe."

She heads down, beckoning Mal to follow her.

"Ye know," says Walter;"in me young days on a ship, a challenge and password be established when sendin' out a scout party."

"Prevents friendly fire, heh heh."

"Way it works is ye pick an agreeable sum.  When ye be gettin' close to where ye thinkin' might be near yer crew, ye say one number.  If the response be a number which adds to yer number to make the sum, ye know it be your own men."

Malga'mar quietly arranges his gear while waiting to move out.  If his oddly colored and shaped pupils were a clock, they would currently be declaring the time to be about one o'clock in the afternoon.


OOC: Just taking a moment to figure out what/where I am carrying items.  I'll have the shield acquired from Konrad strapped to my back, as well as my backpack.  (I had asked in an early portion of the adventure if I could strap both to my back.)  I'll carry my ornate wizard staff in my left hand and the crozier in my right hand.  The book is placed in my pack.

In reply to Malga'Mar (msg # 519):

"Not a silly idea. Since math is not our strong point, how about the response be our name, and the challenge simply be to ask 'Who passes?' Any demon that can read our minds for our names can also read our minds for any other response we are actively trying to remember. Lets just avoid using our names unnecessarily. Pretty much ready to go, Mal. Stennet already gone..."

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 520):

Haskell  treads carefully, shield first, with his sword raised over the edge, looking at the steps below as the elemental lights the way.

OOC:  Still waiting to find out what is past the archway as noted in msg #511.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 522):

The archway opens into a hallway two yards wide by three tall, with a round arch, that carries to the left a short distance, but much further to the right.

Stenet leans a bit back to speak up the stairs, without taking his eyes off the hall.

"Intersection corridor, left and right.  Right goes straight a ways, left is a bit short up.  Haskell, if you'll keep your eyes right, I'll go check the left."

As soon as Haskell gives his ascent, Stenet will move left and go to check out the corridor's 'end'.


OOC:  Figure this roll still carries over from earlier, unless you want a new roll.

02:03, Today: Stenet Fjall rolled 11 using 3d6.  Per 12; descending the staircase.
MoS 1 for any beasties, MoF -3 for any traps.

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 524):

The stairs are trapless, and there are no readily visible beasties.

To the left id a rounded alcove, containing a statue of some saint, but it appears to have had mud or filth flung at it.  (Needs cleaning, reconsecration) a stone chest is beside it.

To the right is a long arched corridor.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 525):

As mentioned, Christine is not far behind...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 526):

It may be possible for the larger characters to enter. Malga'Mar may have to duck, although Jednesa  may have to squirm.

Malga'mar will wait until everyone that is going down the secret stairs has descended.  He will then venture down and follow Christine from the rear of the formation.

Stenet will prod at the stone chest with his axe, seeing if he can get the lid to wiggle open with it, while saying, "Found a stone chest and a Saint covered in filth back here."

In reply to Stenet Fjall (msg # 529):

"Chris, see if you can very carefully open it, please. Hand me your pick to hold, and use your shield as cover..."

After several minutes of quiet prayer to Sethygg, I situate my belongings, re-ready my shield, and rejoin Walter and Azrael.

"I see they've decided to press onward.  I hope they don't need my services and are unable to return."

I then give them both the once-over to confirm neither are injured.

"Is there anything I can do for either of you while we wait?"

As the others (Walter, Azrael, and Dareos) begin to gather and hang out in the small cell, Jednesa eases herself out into the corridor and finishes stripping off her harness.  She settles it into another room along with her pouches, blanket, and the tablecloth she has been trying unsuccessfully to use as a wrap/shawl/shirt.  She leans the bed in the room so it will fall against the door when she shuts it (barricading it shut.  Hopefully).  She has kept only her iron wedge (axe/mace) and loincloth.

She sits down in the hall and tries to watch both ways at once.




OOC:  Note to the Narrator, Stenet was playing with the stone chest in msg #529 and Chris was ordered in specific ways to help him open it (presumably when his fiddling at it with his axe proves pointless) in msg #530.