"Ginger, stay alert girl.  This is not a very welcoming place and we need all the help we can get."

Just in case
11:31, Today: Zan rolled 2 using 1d6.  roll for Ginger.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Wed 19 July 2017.

The party has four choices: retreat back toward the secret storeroom. Move to the right, to the upper tunnel leading into darkness. Move to the right toward the lower tunnel leading into darkness. Move down the map into darkness.

OOC: Thanks for the rolls. They will be relevant shortly, one way or another.

OOC2: I will keep tabs on the map for the time being until my printing situation resolves itself. If need be, I may post the entire map of this level - there's some merit in that it will move things along a bit quicker, even if it steals some of the suspense...

Uthecar ignores the passages going up and down continuing on into the darkness.

OOC:  Unless anyone objects he plans to clear out this level before going further.  Hopefully everything on this level is about equal in difficulty, and until we get some XP under our belts we all have a pretty tenuous grip on staying alive, so personally I think let's stick to what might be easiest.

Kullonar follows the leader...

Myrrick stays near Uthecar, helping the dwarf check for traps etc.

OOC: Uthecar, which tunnel leading to the right are you taking - there are two tunnels that run parallel and are separated by only 2' of masonry (as a dwarf you would recognize such) - an upper tunnel and a lower tunnel.

He wasn't planning on taking any tunnel that leads up or down.



By your description, he was heading down the map into darkness but with the thought of staying on the same level.  Am I getting this right or is down the map, down in levels?

The party heads 'down' the corridor, 40' - you're not sure if it's an odd puff of air, a strange echo, or just blind luck, but Bruno hisses a quick warning and halts to study the wall before him, on the right side of the passage.

At the same time, Zan feels along the 'seams' in the blocks that construct the place, as if looking for something.

The rest of the party halts to see what the two are up to.

Kullonar waits and wipes the sweat from his face, his mind running through the disciplines of St. Cuthbert; doing so seems to calm his nerves, help him focus. This maze of corridors has him completely turned around. By the Cudgel, he hopes Uthecar knows the way back out!

"There's a door here.", Bruno says has he stands before the wall.

Looking around the party, "Am I the only one to see it?"

Moving closer he taps with his hammer the door's outline to indicate where it is and looking for some means to open it.

Uthecar steps up to Bruno.  "If you say there is a door there, there is a door there."  He will look himself to see if he can see the door.  If he can't he will get Bruno to show him the outline clearly and look to force it open by whatever means.


01:22, Today: Uthecar Hornskin II rolled 1 using 1d6.  find door.  Raw score equal success unless there are other reasons it might fail.


01:23, Today: Uthecar Hornskin II rolled 5 using 1d8.  open door.  Raw score equal success unless there are other reasons it might fail.

Weasel finds himself near Zan.

"What'd ya find?" he asks in a loud whisper.

Secret door, trying to figure how to get it open. Maybe you could lend a hand
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Mon 24 July 2017.

Uthecar, Bruno, Kullonar and Myrrick hover at the right wall, studying where Bruno is pointing. Uthecar spies the thin crack the wounds its way first up, then across, then down.

"If you say there's a door here, there is a door here," he says with complete confidence. With sudden, violent motion, he kicks the alleged portal, and smashes it open.


On the other side of the hall, Zan calls Weasel over for assistance.

"There's a secret door. I'm trying to figure out how to get it open. Maybe you could lend a hand."

Weasel grins, points to a small lever cleverly hidden in the frame. A quick pull opens the portal and within is darkness...and the stench of death.


All of you roll initiative, please.

PM

19:54, Today: Kullonar rolled 1 using 1d6.  Initiative.

Kullonar steps back when he hears the sound of rats and readies his morningstar.

12:58, Today: Uthecar Hornskin II rolled 3 using 1d6.  Initiative.

Uthecar has his axe out and ready to swing as soon as the door splinters.

(Given our environment would we really be opening 2 doors at the same time?  I can't vouch for Weasel's wisdom, but on finding the lever would he really pull it open when Uthecar had just kicked the wall in opposite?  Given the potential danger, I think we would be operating as a more cohesive fighting unit than the uneven posts seem to indicate.  Is it possible to deal with the open wall as a single event, before Weasel triggers the latch, or make Weasel save versus wisdom to see if he does still pull the lever down?  It probably isn't going to change anything anyway, isn't wisdom the dump stat for thieves?)

OOC: Yeah, well, tactically, I don't think any of this makes sense; however, it is a great/weird scene. Part of the problem is that I don't think Zan/Weasel realizes everyone else was at a separate door.

Whatever! This is going to be fun.

21:58, Today: Bruno Rhunthane rolled 8 using 1d6+3.

09:40, Today: Myrrick rolled 5 using 1d6+2 ((3))

Weasel's fast on his feet, and let's out a shout, "L'il help here, please!"

His sword is freed in swift motion, and he prepares to strike at something that is coming at him and Zan. Despite his quick reaction, his blow goes awry.

Initiative: 7

On the other side of the corridor, the party members note that the (really big) rats seemed disinclined to pursue conversation. As a matter of fact, you can no longer see any of the things moving about, though two eyes glow evilly as from a sentry keeping watch.

Upon hearing Weasel's shout, they turn and see the bold, young thief fencing with a dull, shadowy blade, against a foe that has yet to exit the room.

ooc: Waiting on Zan's initiative and actions. This should be a good fight.

Initiative:

Uthecar 3

Bruno 8

Kullonar 1

Weasel 7

Myrrick 5

Zan

---

baddies

Giant Rats - 5

Big Bad Bogeyman - 3

OOC:  could have sworn that I replied to this, but not seeing the post
21:54, Today: Zan rolled 9 using 1d6+3.  reaction roll.
21:54, Today: Zan rolled 6 using 1d6+3.
09:59, Today: The Seer, on behalf of Weasel, rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  initiative.
08:52, Today: Zan rolled 5 using 1d20.  save vs poison.

If Zan is able to act he will pull the secret door closed again  "A Ghast"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:43, Wed 26 July 2017.

Group 1: Uthecar, Bruno, Kullonar & Myrrick:

Abridged description of the interior of the room:

Hidden Storeroom: Irregularly shaped in a sort of a triangle, contains mostly empty shelves though some canisters, jars and other containers are still present, littered throughout. There are also approximately 60 small casks, those nearest the door (and Bruno's light) have what appear to be runes atop. Toward the back of the room, there is a large pile of rubbish and rubble where most of the rats seem to have congregated.

If you desire further descriptions through exploration, I am happy to oblige.

------

Group 2: Weasel and Zan

From the darkness comes death personified. Zan attempts to close the door - although he's successful, he's overcome by a powerful stench and cannot reset the lever. The Ghast pulls the door back open with ease.

Meanwhile, Weasel makes his save, but fails to land a blow against the beast. Since surprise was neutralized by Zan's initiative, the next round begins with Zan taking initiative. However, Zan attacks with a -2 penalty to hit.

Bruno casts in his inititiative Protection from Evil uncertain whether it will help against the rats, but figures better safe than sorry.