Shih regards Admodhim curiously, listens attentively, then moves out.  He follows Ssrivan's directions exactly, though being a bubble boy might be momentarily exciting.  At the last portal, he waits patiently.

Ssrivan will point out items of interest/danger as each of the individuals from the group moves into the first chamber.  He will also pull his scribe to the side once she reaches him, since he will need her nearby and taking notes during the next phases of this journey.

Almodhim gathers up some of her gear, it is obvious from her choices that she is intentionally leaving some things behind, and moves to the massive doors.  She walks with succinct movements, purposeful body actions that seem to be measured out exactly in her mind.  She makes a quick half step just before the doors and then tumbles forward, slipping through the opening and out the other end of ten feet of passage as though it were but a few inches. She stands quickly on the other side and walks calmly into the chamber. Truly and expertly performed acrobatic feat if ever there was one, and one that brings astonished looks from many in the room.

Ssrivan continues to lead those coming through the first passage to the proper exit point.

Deshnah stands and makes his way slowly and cautiously through the opening to the room with the large glass sphere.

Nesh can be seen to visibly close his mouth, agape at the twists of Almodhim, and make his way carefully through the opening to the glass sphere chamber.

Dlarumei, follows the rest through the doorway, but before she passes through the launching room to the other opening that Ssrivan has created, she pauses, turns and faces the massive doors. She opens her hands and places them on the doors slowly caresses the cold metal and placing her forehead on the patterned scroll work of its leading edge. She stands there for a moment with her eyes closed in a fashion that resembles someone saying good-bye to and old friend never to be seen again.  Then with an audible sigh, she turns and, gathering her robes around her moves quickly to and then through the opening in the rusted out iron door.

It is completely as Ssrivan has described it to be.  The large clear sphere sat there pressed against the massive doors, obviously a misfire on the launch or foul play.  The remains in the sphere were simply skeletal at this point and did pose an interesting question as to the owner’s origin.  Elongate facial bone structure and four arms with two legs.  Interesting at the very least one would remark upon passing. The iron door that Ssrivan had pulled apart still contained its lock and handle and they were still firmly in place as Ssrivan had commanded that they be left.

The chamber was as odd as he had mentioned as well.  Long benches that were actually individual seats pressed close together and above on the wall seams that appeared to have once opened to create a small doorway.  The isle was wide enough to for you to pass one-by-one and through the next narrow doorway which was half open.

Passing through the doorway did not make things better as you find yourselves continuing in a single file rank and order, walking cautiously down hand hewn stone steps in a hallway barley wide enough for you to stand facing forward without touching your shoulders on each side. There also seemed to be all manner of moss and lichens that cling to the wall faces, only dislodged as people brushed against them.  This, of course makes things a bit more treacherous for those who would pass later down the hallway as the moistness of the mosses and such caused hard sandals, already prone to unsure climbing, to slip on ancient stone.

Each step was two feet long, from front to back, almost three feet wide and at least a foot tall. The end of this hallway/stairway was some ways off, though you could see the end down below and there was a dim light that shone through the opening. Other than that bit of light and the light leaking through from whence you came, not a lot with all those bodies funneling through, the stairs were extremely dark. Churisan, at point, has a small candled lamp of some sort and Neshkriuma has created a faint blue light off the end of his sword. The group moves in a hushed mass, one step at a time until Churisan commands all to stop.

"I'd urge those who breathe to cover their faces with damp cloth.  Some molds here can be quite dangerous."

Shih is especially careful here.  Moving from something so distinctly "Ancient" to something hand-hewn suggests that, perhaps, this will open into a different kind of place ... one where Ancient technology is not welcome.

"While I have descended in the past to metal corridors, descending beyond those corridors is a first for me.  Dlarumei, where are we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:11, Wed 02 Aug 2006.

Dlarumei, way in the back speaks quietly but all can hear her.

“I can not be sure where we are, I can say that I have seen similar surroundings, usually in ancient temples.  Temples that were among the first, some that tried to value many different aspects. I would be leery of traps or, keys of knowledge.  Some of these temples have ritualistic stations that one needed to worship, or unlock for us, before moving on to the next area. Obviously the higher your station, the more you could unlock and therefore the further you could advance in the temple. But remember that I am only speculating at this, still caution is the word. Actually I am more interested in why Noble Churisan has stopped us in this stairwell.”
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Tue 08 Aug 2006.

"I stopped because a step just moved. I'm on the 31st step from the landing, and when I stepped on it, I heard a 'click' sound from somewhere behind me and the step went down a little. I fear I may have triggered a device. I'm looking for more signs now. In theIn the 29th step, where Jenge is, there is an pattern of finger-sized holes. Next to the 30th step there is an image of a god, might be the Flame Lord. About halfway back up, might have been stair 15, there were some squiggly lines carved in the stair.  I'm not sure how to proceed. Any suggestions?"

Since he is near the back of the group, Ssrivan will look for the panel with the wavy lines that should be back here somewhere.


Churisan, please stay where you are while I check the path between us for any additional signs.  For the rest of you, I'll have to work my way past you carefully so as not to accidentally knock anyone onto the steps near Churisan.

Once he's inspected the rear area, Ssrivan will start to work his way through the group towards Churisan.

"Right Master Locksmith, standing by..."

Churisan stands still, holding up his magic lantern to try to see further down the  steps.

Nesh has taken the opportunity to tie a wet rag around his face. He will wait for Ssrivan to complete his inspection and inform us before going on.

As he can't help without injecting more of himself than may be prudent, Shih ponders the aesthetics of whatever portion of Almodhim that's facing him.

I am having great problems with my computer and its ability to stay on line for more than a few seconds.  It is very frustrating and I apologize for the unconvinced, but rest assured that I am working on the solution. It is just taking much longer than I want and tech support seems to be filled with clueless individuals at the moment.  If you are seeing this message, it means that I was extremely lucky and made it on long enough to post it quickly.  But it is no guarantee that I am able to remain on line for long.
Aarrggggg!
Kevin

OOC- I have figured out how to get on-line in spurts of three minutes or less, so I will continue to post as I wait for parts and the fix to my problem.  I am truly sorry for the situation.

IC- Ssrivan moves cautiously and slowly down the staircase, one step at a time. In most areas he crouches low to pass the person on the step as there is very little room from side to side. Though he remains erect while working his way slowly past Almodhim and then slowly kneels down in front of her to check out the pattern in the step she is standing on.  It is as Churisan had said, a pattern of very warn wavy lines.  From her Ssrivan remain low and examines the steps, up close and personal, till he reaches the one before Churisan.

Jenge blinks, twitches a little, and looks around like he just woke up. After a minute he seems to realize what is going on. "I will cast Perception of the Energies," he says. "Perhaps there is some interplanar energy involved here."

There is a small popping sound as Jenge attempts to cast his POE in the narrows of the staircase.

"Oh dear," says Jenge quietly.  "Churisan, please do not move off the step. You appear to be standing on a trigger, and when weight is lifted, something will occur. I'm not sure what will happen when you step off, but I'm reasonably confident that it won't be good. It appears to be a mixing of substances." The priest peers down at the stairs, and to the sides. When he looks at Shih, he starts. "That's *very* interesting. Learned colleague, can you see what you are doing?"

From somewhere in the middle of the line you can hear Dlarumei's voice say, "It would be nice for all of us to remain quiet and not move while ssrivan, Jenge and Churisan investigate this situation."

Nesh quietly nods his reply.

"Ssrivan, Shih, do you think you can disengage this mechanism? I can see where things connect, but have no way to reach them."

Deshnah sits and basques in the silence and the darkness, you sense him focusing inwardly.

OOC- Yes there are several private post attached to this actions, have fun...

Looking up and down with a expression that seems to indicate he's seeing something that others can't, Shih says, "Jenge, I believe that Churisan can move.  The one that can't move is Urutlen; he's on the trigger.  If he moves, then I believe that something will happen ... perhaps to us all.  It's not clear whether something will be released from those holes on his step.  That seems to be it.  Ssrivan, if I'm understanding this correctly, it's Urutlen's pressure that's keeping the trap from springing.  If we can find something to prevent his step from moving ... you're the device master.  What do you suggest?"

"Someone went to an amazing amount of trouble to create a very elaborate magical trap that would stand the test of time."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Sun 03 Sept 2006.