Mario continues watching behind as he follows up the group -- actually going so far as to walk backward a few steps, before switching to a sort of sidling gait that lets him keep his bow side toward the rear and still put some attention on where he's putting his feet.

In reply to Mario Crowfoot (msg # 230):

You round the bend (turning left behind the kitchen area), and find a stepwell- three steps up to the lip of a yard abd a half wide spiral staircase down. A cool breeze blows up the steps.


[Private to Narrator: secret door behind stairs lead to lo otomized goblin tunnels]

"Hold up.  Let me check for t'e nasty rune trap t'e cultist like use, t'en Brodak an Clarence follow up."

Jareth holds the light stone a few inches from each step, and examines them thoroughly, including the walls and undersides of the above steps, before advancing slowly up the stairs.


OOC:
12:17, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 8 using 3d6.  Trap (Spotting) 15.

Nodwin waits patiently at the back, monitoring the progress ahead of him.  He has confidence in Jareth's ability to figure out what the cultists might have done, so he was happy to rest.  Quietly he mouths a few prayers while he has a few minutes to himself.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 232):

The steps up to the well are rune free.

The steps in the  well descend into darkness... with a breeze rising from them.

Going up, slowly to see what's up there.

But Steps go Down! always one trying to go up the down stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

Jareth indeed goes down...



OOC:  Aha...  having reading comprehension issues for some reason.

In reply to Brodak (msg # 236):

Clarence continues to follow, holding the light.

Mario keeps his place near the rear, watching behind.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 237):

There were two steps up to the top of the well, and Jareth mounts those and begins a descent into darkness. What grade light source does he have?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 240):

Clarence has a daylight strength continual light on his shield, as well as the light stone. He is following Jareth...

Nodwin takes up the rear.  He has loaded a light stone into his pistol crossbow, and is holding it in a hand in case he needs to illuminate something for the group.

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 242):

Given that Jareth is illuminated from behind, he is casting strong shadows on the steps below. The air current strengthens as you descend.

Jareth uses his own light stone keep his footing illuminated and examine each step all the way down.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 244):

The spiral stair descends into a small room with a step up to an openwork gate, from which a stiff breeze is blowing.

The step below the gate has some writing on it.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 245):

Clarence will step close to the writing to illuminate it, trying to ready it.

Nodwin takes a look through the gate.  Can they see what's behind it?

[Private to GM: Perhaps a judgement call, but he's tempted to fire a bolt through the gate with a light stone in it, so they can see what's in the next room or hall.  If it's a smaller area, maybe he will just toss one in.  He has at least 1-2 left over even after distributing some.]

Jareth glances around the room checking for anything unusual and sets Akimbo down to check for scents.


OOC:  23:08, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 10 using 3d6.  Akimbo Tracking 16.

23:06, Today: Jareth Mooncalled rolled 9 using 3d6.  Quick look over of room.  Possible skills:  Observation/Search 13, Traps (Spotting) 15.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 248):

Aside from the runes written on the doorsill of the gate,there is nothing exceptional here at first glance.


A very faint, rythmic sound csn be hesrd through the grate.light from the assorted sources already shines out through the grste, illuminating a space with another set of grillwork accross.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 249):

"Gates and more gates. Let us first clear the other areas before opening up a bunch of gates."

Unable to really see toward the front, and still trying to keep watch to the rear, Mario responds to Clarence.

"Good plan.  Nothing sucks as bad as getting attacked at both top and bottom of a stair."

"Shhhhh.  Everybody, back upstairs.  Fy just going read this..."

Jareth crouches and muffles the lightstone to reduce it to just illuminating the doorsill as Akimbo climbs back up into a pocket.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 252):

Looks like the same sort of vile runes you dealt with before.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 253):

Clarence backs up...

"What is it?"