(Artwork by Jono 'Adwonus' Decker)
The silence of the dim halls was disturbed only by the muttering and work of the two pirates. But not by party. One by one, the party crept across the hall and through the secret door on the other side, as silent as ghosts. When all their members had filed into the passage, Jacqueline, with deft hands, removed the small rocks which inoculated the trap and, too, dashed into the the passage. Mikael softly closed the door behind them. Finally they were alone, and more importantly, they were safe.
"
We were pretty good back there," said Imbellem. "
Yea," Dwalin corroborated. "
Never thought you or I could have a lick of stealth to 'em." Standing behind them, Pyrra cleared her throat. They anticipated her to make a derisive comment, but instead they heard this. "
Yea, not bad." Both were stunned by the rare complement.
Now they stood together in an unlit tunnel of the old Aqueducts. Unlike the halls of the pirate complex where the stone was polished and clean, the walls here wore deep signs of age, deteriorating beneath the long years and humidity. Through the center of the tunnel flowed a channel of clear, blue water, which played the constant music of a babbling brook. They were very grateful for its cleanliness, for they just as easily could have found themselves in one of the more pungent sewers. They crouched at they edge of the walkway which bordered the current and drank heavily, having acquired a terrible thirst from this long and dangerous night. Imbellem dunked his head into the water; as he stood with a face full of satisfaction, small rivulets poured from the tips of his hair. Once they felt adequately refreshed, the party became determined to continue their journey and set off into the tunnel. There was only one way to go, and so that way they went.
Those of orc, dwarf, and elven blood led the way while the humans followed close behind, keeping one hand on the wall beside them. They walked for several minutes before stumbling onto something. Pyrra called out, "
There's a wooden door over here." The party gathered around the door. Pyrra tried to open it but was stiff, tightly wedged in place. "
Let me do it," spoke Dwalin. He took her place and, grabbing the handle with both hands, pulled with all his strength. It popped open. It clearly hadn't been opened in a long time. And on the other side, to their surprise, was a wooden wall!
"
What's this?" Adwonus exclaimed. Dwalin put his hands against it. Feeling it, he said, "
This ain't no wall. They're boxes. Everyone, come push." Following his direction, the party grouped together a gave a unified shove. It budged slightly and a crack of light gleamed through. "
Once more," encouraged Herr Johannes. "
One, two three – heave!" They pushed again, and the wall of boxes fell over, along with themselves. Everyone poured into the room landing on boxes. They coughed as dust clouded the air around them, but the dust soon settled.
They found themselves alone in a small room with shelves, boxes, and barrels along the edges. They could now see the door they had entered through was fully hidden behind a wall of dusty boxes. Aside from the door they entered through, there was only one other – no doubt it connected to the rest of the pirate complex. Also in the corner of the room was a ladder which lead into a shaft, and finally to a trap door high above. This looked very promising to the party. And best of all, in the center of the room, lay a very messy pile of all their stolen equipment! It looked like it was thrown in here with little regard, perhaps intending to sort through it later.
"
Our stuff!" cried Herr Johannes with joy. Still dusty, they stood from the pile of boxes and flocked to their things. "
It's pretty much all here," said Mikael as he rifled through. Dwalin muttered grimly, "
Except for the gold and all our coins. Figures. Bastards didn't leave a cent." "
Well, at least we escaped, with everyone alive no less." Adwonus added. "
Yes, we're alive," echoed Jacqueline. "
But we're not out of the woods yet."
As Herr Johannes gathered his equipment and began to redress himself, Imbellem spoke, his eyes fixed on something on the ground. "
Hey Herr – there's a sword here that I don't think we brought. And I think it's got your name on it." "
Huh? Let me see," Herr Johannes replied. He stepped beside him and lifted what was indeed a beautiful longsword off the ground. It glistened, unmarred by the slightest bit of rust or flaw, save for an etched name at the base of the blade.
quote:
Herr Johannes Otto Albrecht von Krieger
He then noticed a note attached to the handle (oddly, it was attached by a small, clear strip of an unknown material that was sticky on one side). It read as follows:
quote:
Congratulations! Top game poster for a year straight. Not bad, not bad at all. Thought I'd leave you a little gift. Keep it up. I'll be watching. ~ VC
[
Private to Herr Johannes: As you crept across the hall, you felt lighter, as though you were being lifted by your shoulders. The artistry of your pensive thoughts and prayers must have impressed someone! Your Hide and Move Silently received mysterious +5 bonuses.]
[
Private to Imbellem Tueri: As you crept across the hall, you felt lighter, as though you were being lifted by your shoulders. The eloquence and artistry of your post and prayers must have impressed someone! Your Hide and Move Silently received mysterious +5 bonuses.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Fri 14 Aug 2015.