Kellan waited a half beat before he realized that something was wrong, and given the sounds that he had heard around the corner, he wasted no time. He pressed forward once again until he saw the poor girl, set upon by the ravenous dead. He grabbed her around the waist with his free arm in those close, stony confines and spun her around as he shoulder checked the creature into the wall to break it's grip.

Move: to S26
Standard: Re-position Liseth
07:30, Today: Kellan Storval rolled 22 using 1d20+8.  Reposition Liseth.

"All clear in the cave." whispered the gnome as she limped back to the mouth of the tunnel with one are cradling the other.  With a tip of her head, she willed the little glowing gnome to a place ahead of her.  "Is everyone else alright?"

Move: I26 -> M25
Also: Move DL to N25
No AL this round.

Position: M25.

Active Effects: Message on all 50m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

HP: 7/33

AL: 6/9

Cato moved to let Kellan back, then reached into his spell pouch, fishing out a small piece of butter.  [Language unknown: "Thestiwhi!"] the mage shouted, and a slippery coating covered the passageway underneath the ghoul and further back.

Having cast his spell, Cato retreated down the passageway, leaving it clear for Kellan.

Grease on T25-U24.  G1 must make Reflex Save, DC 16 or fall prone.
Move to M25

---

---

The ghoul's poison coursed through Liseth's veins, paralyzing her.  It grinned, ready to finish her off.  Fortunately, that was right when Kellan came pounding up the passage.  He grabbed Liseth, moving her safely behind him, then faced off against the ghoul himself.

Then the floor of the eastern passageway was covered in some sort of slick substance.  The ghoul looked almost comical as it tried to retain its footing, but after a couple of seconds it fell to the ground, scrabbling to find a purchase in the suddenly-slippery stone.

Kerr shouldered by Kellan to take a point-blank shot at the creature.  The monster ineffectually flailed at the paladin as he drew an arrow and sent it directly into the creature's forehead, destroying it.

Suddenly all was quiet.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
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12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxxx |
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21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxx |  xx |
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22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|gg|  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xxx+xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |  |P |DL|Cxxxxxxxxxxx R|G1|xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx  |  | L| K|Kxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights
ss = Staircase

OOC:

PARTY ACTIONS:

Liseth is paralyzed

Liseth repositioned to Q 26

09:09, Today: The Raconteur, for the NPC Ghoul 1, rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Reflex Save v. Grease.

Effect - Ghoul 1 slips and is prone.


KERR MOLLIN

Move:  To S25

Standard Action:  Bow Attack on Ghoul 1

Ghoul 1 Attack of Opportunity -

09:47, Today: The Raconteur, for the NPC Ghoul 1, rolled 13 using 1d20-1.  Attack of Opportunity on Kerr (Bite).

Effect - Miss

Kerr Attack -

09:50, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 14 using 1d8+7.  Damage to Ghoul 1.
09:50, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Bow Attack on Ghoul 1 (PBS, DA).

Effect - Ghoul 1 destroyed

<b>OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  Liseth is at 23 hit points.  Pisca is at 7 hit points.  Kellan is at 10 hit points.

---

---

Cato paused to catch his breath, marveling in the remarkable transformation from the frenzied action of combat to the quietness that followed. He took a few steps back towards Kellan, Liseth and Kerr, feeling safer in the narrow passageway than in the wide-open room beyond.

 "It's not over.  There was another ghoul that Liseth scared off with her channel.  My grease can keep up protected for a little while - a few minutes - but not forever.  Should we chase down after that ghoul when we've recovered?"

Position: O26

Got away ...  The one that got away.

The gnome joined the others in the tunnel.  She did so in silent thought, one arm cradling the other, bloody and savaged as it was.

"No, I think it's already too late for that," she replied at last.  "I think the best we can possibly hope for is for them to come attack us here.  Here, they can only come at us one at a time.  We can protect our more vulnerable people here."

"Of course, the worst we can hope for is for them to ready an ambush against us.  But, I think that's going to happen whether we run after them now or not."

"Keep watch, will you?  I'm going back into the Batcave.  I think I saw a brief, bright glint from one of the bodies in the center of the cavern's floor," added the gnome.

Move: M25 -> P26
Also: Move DL to O26

Position: P26

Active Effects: Message on all 50m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

HP: 7/33

AL: 6/9

"By the gods...were falling apart down here..." Kellan exclaimed as he looked around at the wagged, wounded band of friends in the dim light. "How are we looking magical healing? another ambush like that and things could get really ugly" he asked the group as he eased back towards the larger room.

---

---

As the ghoul fell, Kerr immediately turned and moved back towards Liseth to make sure that she was okay.  He was relieved to find her only temporarily paralyzed by the ghoul's venom.

"I think I can help out, Kellan," he responded, "or, at least, Desna and Iomedae can."  The young paladin brought out the holy symbol he wore around his neck, then knelt in prayer.  Once, twice, thrice . . . six times a wave of positive energy washed out from him, healing and rejuvenating the entire party.

Kerr stood, looking only slightly taxed, then bowed his head and put a hand on Kellan's shoulder.  The erstwhile farmboy felt more positive energy flowing into him, closing his wounds and restoring his spirit.  After what might have been ten seconds, Kerr looked up, smiling.

"The gods are with us," he said, hugging Liseth to him after she overcame the ghoul's venom.  "No matter how many ghouls are down here, we can defeat them."  He looked happier than he had been since they'd entered the cursed manor.  "I know we can."

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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11|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxxx |
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21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxx |  xx |
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22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|gg|  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xxx+xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |DLxxxxxxxxxx  |gg|xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx C| P| L| K|Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights
ss = Staircase

OOC:

KERR MOLLIN

13:58, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
13:57, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
13:57, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
13:57, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
13:57, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
13:57, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  Channel Energy (Cleric).
14:01, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Lay on Hands on Kellan.
14:01, Today: Kerr Mollin rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  Lay on Hands on Kellan.

Effect:  All party members within 30' burst healed for 29 points of damage.  Kellan is healed for an additional 20 points of damage.

OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  All party members are fully healed.

---

---

The gnome moved her arm from the socket of the shoulder.  It was as though it had never been injured at all.  The only thing that remained of the bite of the giant bat was the memory, and Pisca wondered, as she walked across the cave, whether that meant it was still really real, and that some other Pisca - a Pisca within her mind - was still suffering horribly?  It was not a very happy or comforting thought.  But, then again, it was very appropriate to this not very happy or comforting place.

"Thank you, Kerr Mollin," said the gnome, though the Boyfriend was well behind in the tunnel with the others.  "Let me just see what there is to be had here," she added, speaking, in truth, mostly to herself.  "There were no footprints into this part of the caves.  And yet, there are a terrible lot of bodies here.  That means that Ginormous Bat must have flown them in here from somewhere else.  Lets see whether I can figure out how she got in and out.  Maybe even figure out where she's been hunting."

Position: F23 or Unknown

Search Batcave and bodies: 26 Taking 10

Active Effects: Message on all 50m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

---

---

Pisca searched through the cave, a space which really seemed more like a charnel house.  Most of the torn, partially-eaten bodies were nondescript Varisians in various states of decomposition.  But one stood out; a one-armed man with a distinctive, red-hilted dagger.  Searching him further, Pisca found a pearl ring, an adamantine longsword, finely-tooled but ripped leather armor, a jaunty hat, and a pouch containing 56 gold pieces.

Exploring further, Pisca found that the alcove in the corner was the bottom of what looked like a well that traveled up to the surface.  Even more interesting, in the northern wall of the cave she found a secret door, a door which which—when opened—revealed a staircase leading up into darkness.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxx-+
20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+-xxx-+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxx |  xx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+x-+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|  |  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xSDxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |P |  |  |DLxxxxxxxxxx  |  |xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx C|  | L| K|Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights     SD = Secret Door
ss = Staircase

OOC:

OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  All party members are fully healed.

---

---

"A staircase.  Really?" Pisca said in a tone that almost sounded as though she were accusing the haunted house itself of a terrible social faux pas.  "There's a staircase to the surface here," she announced to the others through her Whisper Magic.  "But, I'm coming back.  Those ghoulies mean we're on the right track.  They're down here somewhere, and we should take a look at the rest of the caverns before going back up."

The gnome picked her way back across the carrion strewn floor as she spoke, and turned back only once at the exit to the cave to wonder why a dried and desiccated Ginormous Bat would want to eat all of this meat.  That is likely the reason that the first question upon rejoining her friends was, "Why do zombies eat brains, Lysa?"

"Oh, and I'll leave this with you, Stomper.  I found some things back there and this is one of them."  Pisca flicked a finger off the blade to hear it sing.  "Adamantine.  This will cut through anything," she said, and swung the big human-sized blade in a reckless two-handed arc by way of demonstration.  The sound of steel against stone left a gash low in the tunnel wall deeper than could be accredited to the strength of the gnome.  "Heh.  It's good," Pisca added as she held the sword up to the guardsman.

"Alright.  I'm going to sneak ahead and see whether the ghoulies have set up an ambush or not.  I wonder whether Aldren is down here or not?" said the gnome as she headed back up the tunnel.

Position: U24

Give adamantine longsword to Kellan.

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 32.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 19.  Perception.

Did you give me a knowledge local check on the one-armed man with a distinctive, red-hilted dagger?

Active Effects: Message on all 50m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

Kellan looked better than ever, and shut his eyes as the accumulated aches, pains and cuts seemed to melt away in a flood of warmth and relief. "Praise the gods...the good ones in any case, I needed that" he smiled to Kerr "Appreciate it...now hopefully we can get out of here in one piece"

The room brought a serious expression to Kellans face, having seen death before, but never on a scale like this. He carefully picked his way through the mess before pausing at the distinctive man. "This is one of the Bilger brothers...Shaz I think...they used to call him "Redshiv" because of that knife of his." Kellan did not seem too upset about it as he gestured to the dagger. "One of the old hands...has been causing trouble since well before I first got brought on by the Guard...worlds probably a better place for it, although what a way to go..." he shook his head.

"Man knew his blades though by the look of things" Kellan exclaimed as he watched Pisca's demonstration and took up the sword. "Don't think I've ever heard of the stuff...Amantatine?" he seemed surprised. "Not a scratch on it..." he marveled

---

---

Pisca stole to the edge of the fissure, looking back into the room containing the staircase that led back up into the manor.  The slick substance that Cato conjured had disappeared; the only thing left was a dead ghoul with an arrow protruding from its forehead.

Kerr silently followed Pisca up the narrow corridor, arrow nocked.  For now, they could neither hear nor see anything out of the ordinary.  Although they knew that at least one ghoul remained in the area, it seemed to have retreated deeper into the cave system.

That, or was just very skilled at hiding.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxx-+
20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+-xxx-+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxx |  xx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+x-+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx| P|  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xSDxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |DLxxxxxxxxxx  | R|xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx C|  | L| K| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights     SD = Secret Door
ss = Staircase

OOC:

OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  All party members are fully healed.

---

---

"I don't hear anything," whispered the gnome into her magic.  The darkness of the tunnel was being very typically dark.  Somewhere, back in the tunnel, she'd left her Temporary Friend - the construct of light that had come to illuminate the way.  It had become bored, though, with these dark and unhappy tunnels and had wandered off to places that Pisca herself could not follow.  How the gnome knew this she could not say.  But she knew.

"Jibber," she said in as low a tone as possible, and she pointed out into the darkness.  Another gnomish figure constructed from pure light appeared, banishing the dark from its surroundings.

"Two tunnels," said the gnome, this time into her magic again.  "One north.  The other ... sort of north-westish.  Which one," she asked, using the time for the reply to slowly and carefully scan the lighted area for signs of the ghoulies.  "I'm more partial to the hawk and the handsaw myself," she added in typically perplexing fashion.

Cast Dancing Lights at X22 in the shape of a gnome.

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 20.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 36. Perception.

BTW, Dancing Lights only lasts for a minute.

Position: U24
DL Position: X22

Active Effects: Message on all 50m, Dancing Lights 1m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

At the back of the group, Cato struggled to see anything in the dim murkiness of the caverns.  Finally, he gave up.  "[Language unknown: Cktrom]" he murmured, and his staff shed light around him.  The wizard took a few steps back to Liseth.  "I guess I'll be covering our rear.  Should we join Pisca and explore the rest of these caverns, find that last ghoul?"

Cast Light on Staff
Position: P26

"Thank you."  Having recovered from the ghoul poison and been healed of her injuries by Kerr, Liseth took up a position in the middle of her friends.  "Kerr, I don't know how much longer I can keep up.  I'm running out of energy and I can feel it."

"So that monster bat was some kind of pet?"  Liseth observed Pisca and Kellan with that sword retrieved from the bat's debris.  "They fed it...people?  To dispose of bodies?"  That monster was there as some kind charnel disposal; underneath Foxglove Manor?  And it looks as though it had seen a lot of use.  "Did Aldern even know about this?"

"I didn't see which way the second ghoul retreated, Pisca.  I don't know which direction would be better to go.  Sorry.  Let's just go in the nearer passage first.  That undead could have gone anywhere...probably to get more."

Position: S 25

Kellan jingled along at Pisca's side, or as close as he could get in the close confines, but glanced over his shoulder as he looked back at Cato. "How smart are these things...I mean, smart enough to run away, sure...but can they talk to each other? They seemed to attack all at once."


Position: V25

Cato looked thoughtful in response to Kellan's question.  "I don't know too much about undead specifically, though from everything I've seen here, I think we're dealing with fairly intelligent creatures.  At least human-level.  I mean, at least one of them has left notes, made plans.  Remember Grayst back in the Sanitorium?  He said their leader made him memorize a message to give to Liseth.  And at the farmouse...they certainly attacked intelligently.  I think their hunger and rage makes it hard to plan in combat, but outside of that, at least some of them prove capable of laying plans.  Maybe the longer they have existed, the more control they have?  That necromancer at the Sanitorium had lots of notes about tracking the spread of the undead, and the source of the infection."

---

---

Sending her glowing, gnome-shaped apparition ahead of her, Pisca moved silently forward, past the stairs down which the group had so recently descended.  She moved into the north passageway, which was an easy fit for her but seemed a little tight for Kellan, who was following her, polearm at the ready.

Almost immediately the tunnel opened up into a room of sorts, one where the mold seemed to grow particularly thick.  Several pickaxes were scattered about the room--none of them looked particularly well-made.  Pisca scanned the room closely, but the low-grade tools seemed to be the only occupants of the room.  If the injured ghoul was in the area, he was well-hidden.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xx |DL|  |  |P |K |C |xxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxx+--+--xxxxxxx--+-xxx-+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xxxxxxxxL|R xx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+x-+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|  |  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xSDxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxxxx  |  |xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx  |  |  |  | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights     SD = Secret Door
ss = Staircase

OOC:

OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  All party members are fully healed.

---

---

"Wait ... "  The gnome stopped before the entrance to the room (of sorts), even going so far as to settle down on her haunches for a good long look that allowed a proper, healthy amount of suspicion.

"I don't like it," Pisca said at last.  "The mold in this room is suspiciously ... suspicious.  I don't think we should take unnecessary risks," she added.  "Not now that we're so close to finding Your Lordship.  Or Aldern.  Or whoever."

"Besides," her arm raised up, pointing at the southwardly curving curve of the tunnel up ahead, "I think this tunnel might just join up with the other tunnel anyway.  Lets backtrack and check before risking this room.  Shouldn't take too long.  And better safe than sorry."

If all are amenable ...

Retrace steps and wind up:

Position: T22???
DL Position: ???

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 22.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 19. Perception.

Active Effects: Message on all 50m, Dancing Lights 1m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

---

---

Suspicious of the northern room, Pisca turned around, motioning the others back to the room where they'd entered the caverns.  Skirting by the staircase, they took the middle opening.  It turned out to connect with the passage exiting the northern room, and both that passage and the southern tunnel emptied out into a larger cave.

The cave system itself seemed to be getting colder, and the rythmic breathing sound growing even louder.

Pisca sent her light-gnome forward.  She could see glistening from the sweating cavern walls, droplets running over the omnipresent mold.  A couple of cast off, dented parts of armor lay on the floor, but other than that the place seemed empty.  It looked as if the passageway continued westward through an aperture across the room.

   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
4 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
6 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
10|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
11|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
12|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
13|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
14|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
15|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
16|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
17|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+
18|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
19|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxx  |  |xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--x--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
20|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xx |DL|  |  x  |  xx |  |  |  |  |  |  |xxxx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+--xxxxx-+--xxx+--+--xxxxxxx--+-xxx-+
21|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxx  |  |  xxxxxxx  xxx|  |  xxxxxxxx |  xx |
  +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--xxxx--+--+--+-xxxxx--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+x-+
22|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxxxxxx|P |K |C |L |R |  |  xxx|  |  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+--+--xx-+
23|  |  |  | xxWW| xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--+--+ss+--+x-+
24|  |  |  | xxxxx  |  |  |  |  |xxxssxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx|  |  |  ssss  xx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxx-+--+--+--+--+--xSDxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+-xx--+--+ss+--xx-+
25|  |  |  | xxxxxxx|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxxxxx  |  |xxx  |  |  |  |x |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxx--+--+--+--+--+--+-xxxx+--xxxxxxxxx+--xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+
26|  |  |  | xxxxxxxx  |  |  |  |  |  xxxxxxx  |  |  |  | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
  +--+--+--+-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-+

WW = Well               gg = Grease
DL = Dancing Lights     SD = Secret Door
ss = Staircase

OOC:

OPPONENT STATUS - Ghoul 2 has taken 11 points of damage.

PARTY STATUS - Combat rounds are over, but please continue to note your location on the map.  All party members are fully healed.

---

---

"Wary wary," whispered the gnome to herself as her eyes scanned the underground chamber.  Then, "Hold where you are please," she said to the others through her magic.

First she spoke a simple word of power, and the gnome-shaped construct of light blinked briefly in its existence as the force that sustained it was renewed.  Then Pisca crept into the small cave with eyes that were as wary as her words.  She paused to examine the bits of cast off armor and the surrounding area - paused to see what they might tell her.

Cast Dancing Lights again.

Question: Any bones in and around the armor?

Position: ??? (Wherever the cast off pieces of armor are.)
DL Position: M20

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 24.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 25. Perception.

Active Effects: Message on all 50m, Dancing Lights 1m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

"A gnome and her four human friends went down into a cave full of ghoulies," Pisca muttered to herself as she left the remnants of armor behind and crossed to her construct of light.

"Stop me if you've heard this one," she added in typically quizzical fashion.  Then, passing her gnome-shaped light, she crept up the tunnel into the shadows and listened for suspicious movement ahead.

Position: K19
DL Position: M20

Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 17.  Stealth.
Pisca Neep Freemish rolled 34. Perception.

Active Effects: Message on all 50m, Dancing Lights 1m

Expended
L1 - 2/5
L2 - 2/3

AL: 6/9

As Pisca moved forward, Cato kept his position in the group, moving forward behind Kellan as Liseth and Kerr brought up the rear.

"Any thoughts as to the noise we keep hearing?  Maybe it's something natural.  We're close to the water, right?  Maybe these tunnels connect to the beach, and it's waves making that sound."

Move to N20

"There's so many places an undead could be sneaking..."  Liseth cast about with her enchanted ligth as they walked down the tunnel; shining it into every dark corner and unlit passage.  "Lots of undead don't have that instinct to run away and hide when they get hurt, like people and animals do.  They mostly just keep coming until they are destroyed...I don't like this."

"After we were attacked by that bat, I thought that maybe the breathign sound had been from it."  The girl listened intently, "But you're right, it's getting stronger.  I don't think it's the ocean...it probably has a lot more to do with this evil place than simply that."

"How old do you think these caves are?"  The acolyte asked Cato, "I don't know much about underground places, but you've researched them, right?  When searching for ruins?  I think these might be even older than Foxglove Manor; maybe that's why the manor was placed here.  Because of this evil power that the Foxglove Patriarch wanted to use in his evil plans to become a lich."