In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 235):

Boris looked like he actually wanted to enter the open door, then stopped when it looked like his companions wanted to go a different way.

"Bear in mind, dear companions, that the Saracens likely did not build this, whatever this is. Lair? Temple? I shall call it a temple. They merely occupy this temple, they did not build it.

"The original makers might have not wanted intruders to pass that way, and yes there could be treasure behind it. Or else some sort of shrine they wish to leave undisturbed (which could be lined with gold for all we know, that's pretty common, come to think of it).

"But we are looking for the Saracens, who are by nature lazy and shiftless. They would take the easy route. Perhaps there are gold and jewels and comfy cushions behind the portcullis, but we are unlikely to find the Saracens we seek. Whatever is there will remain there if we should come back later.

"I do not object to lining my pocket with gold, for no good Christian is bound to respect the property nor life of the Saracen, as God wills. But it that is our main objective here I do not wish to keep reminding you, my good friends, that we are here to find the Saracens while every few feet there is a cry of, "oh look! a pit of deadly vipers, obviously there is some treasure someone has concealed behind it! Or maybe there is gold under the vipers! Or maybe the vipers themselves are made of gold!". If that is what we are truly interested in then let's be clear about that, yes?"

Neither doorway seems to possess any other mechanism other then the gate, of which you can find no gearing nor pullies nor any device to operate it.  You do find, however, that the open doorway also possesses a thick, metal portcullis which is currently retracted into the wall above the doorway.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 239):

"Easiest might be best on this occasion." She points to the unbarred entrance.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 240):

"As you wish."
Stoney motions to the open door.
"Shall we?"

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 241):

"Fine. I'll go first."

Someone had to actually step through the door, may as well be him!

First, he checked to see there wasn't a tripwire or other device to release the portcullis when he stepped through.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 242):

"Don't look at me..Last time I chose, I almost lost a foot.." Larz commented.

Gingerly and with deliberateness, Boris slowly makes his way past the threshold and discovers that nothing occurs.  The portcullis remained in place and no devices or mechanisms to move it were present.  As you all begin to enter the hallway, about 20 yards down, you notice a lever embedded in the wall.  The hallway itself appears to continue onward in a straight path.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 244):

"Lever, see this?"
Pointing to the lever.
"I bet it closes the gate..maybe we should pull it, so no one can come from behind and surprise us."
Hand now on the lever....
"What do you think?"

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 245):

"I don't know could also be an alarm." Ondrea stops for a second to see if she can hear anything.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 246):

"That, and we don't know if the lever would open the gate again or not." Larz commented on Ondrea's word of caution. "We could be setting off an alarm, and capturing ourselves at the same time."

In reply to Stoney Applesmith (msg # 245):

He looked at the lever and nodded.

"That is not a bad idea but it also traps us unless there is a rear exit. Let's just keep an eye to the rear!"

Boris continued through the gate.

Stoney, looking slightly disappointed, gently removes his hand from the lever and, after taking another long pull from his private stock, takes up his usual position close to Larz.

The hallway is not as large as the previous but still allows for two to walk abreast with a fairly high arched ceiling (approx. 10-12 ft.).  Continuing straight for another 100 yards or so, the hallway spills out into a stone lined, circular room.  The walls and ceilings were draped in worn, tattered black cloth that hung to and fro.  The floor was littered in tiny bits of fabric that had fallen off over time.  On the far end of the room, perhaps 10 yards away, sits a single wooden door.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 249):

Ondrea will walk the edge of the room, close to the wall hangings. She tries to see if she can discern anything about what may have been on them when they were whole. Once at the door she stops and listens while the others catch up.

-

In reply to Ondrea Avalor (msg # 250):

OOC: Is there anything we can see on the hangings? Or are they too far gone to distinguish anything of use?

Larz will position himself in the center of the room to guard the others while they investigate.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Tue 10 Oct 2017.

The hanging material doesn't appear to have had any markings or embroidery upon it.  It looks like simple black canvas of some type that had been hung about the room.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 252):

"That's odd, who the hell hangs a plain, single color tapestry?" the barbarian commented. "And why black?"

In reply to Larzander Gunderzen (msg # 253):

"It was probably a place of worship, or a quiet room of some sort."
Piping in, Stoney says.

If religious in nature, maybe stone might be able to decipher why...but James has no idea.
15:32, Today: Stoney Applesmith rolled 41 using 1d100.  religous.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 249):

Boris went over and checked out the door.

Ondrea follows Boris and provides some cover while he looks at the door. It was certainly a strange place and obviously had a lot of secrets.

-

A sound like the fluttering of large wings suddenly whips through the chamber.  Stoney and Larz swing their heads around, swearing they saw something move.  Ondrea stands and stares in disbelief as Boris disappears before her ones.  One minute, she is standing by the door waiting for him to approach and the next...poof.  Everyone's vision narrows and you begin to see the outline of Boris, wrapped in a dark, almost leather like material.  It appears to have a tail-like strip that lays out across the floor and then...it rears up what can only be described as a head, with two bright red eyes glowing madly.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 257):

Ondrea steps back as soon as Boris "disappears" she arches her hammer over her shoulder and tries to get a handle on what is going on.

When the creatures head appears she takes a swipe at it, hitting twice in quick succession.

Ondrea Avalor rolled 14 using 1d10+9.  Initiative + speed factor.
Ondrea Avalor rolled 23 using 1d20+6.  Attack.
Ondrea Avalor rolled 20 using 1d20+6.  Attack 2.
Ondrea Avalor rolled 14 using 2d4+10.  Damage.
Ondrea Avalor rolled 17 using 2d4+10.  Damage 2.

As Ondreas' hammer collides with the strange creature, Boris howls in pain.  When the hammer strikes into the creature, the thinness of its' skin becomes apparent and gives easily (though remains whole), transferring the force into Boris.

OOC: Boris, you're pretty certain you felt a rib or two snap when something suddenly crashes into your side.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 259):

Ondrea drops her hammer and grabs the creature looking to rip it off her friend.

Ondrea Avalor rolled 16 using 1d20+3.  Str check - not sure I rolled that correctly.


OOC: Sorry I should have stated that Ondrea would be making a called shot to the creatures head as she thought anything else was likely to hit Boris.

In reply to The Powers That Be (msg # 259):

Figuring the blow was made by someone trying to help him, and not hurt him, Boris saved his breath and didn't curse. Instead he began stabbing the thing with his sword, which was still in his hand. He also jabbed it with the lit torch he'd been using for light.

"Fire! Use fire to get it off!" If it held him so snugly then its skin would be a barrier, protecting him as well.

In reply to Boris Underhill (msg # 261):

Stoney who doesn't want to hurt his friend.   Runs up to the creature, and tries to manually pull it open or off Boris.
"Don't worry friend, we will get you out of there."
Then under his breath.._{"Dead or alive."} As he is worried, since he can't even budge this leathery skin.

Pretty sure a 10 doesn't do anything.

07:05, Today: Stoney Applesmith rolled 10 using 1d20.  grab and pull creature open .

This message was last edited by the player at 18:50, Mon 16 Oct 2017.