The clouds start to darken and thunder rolls in the distance as the party descends the spiral staircase. Rain begins to fall through the central column, which leaves a puddle on the stone floor below.

Pock gulps audibly. "We're coming right back out again, right? Right, Manaku?"

"Good to get out of the rain" Travis shook his cloak dry splattering drips around the stone floor. Now in the dry he strung his bow and readied himself.

This time, I'll make a better impression, thought Vanomir to himself. He had splattered a bug last time, eventually, but he hoped the look of determination on his face and the fact that he had left his paints behind might show everyone that he meant business this time. It was worth a try, at least.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:09, Wed 25 Aug 2021.

Pock looked up to Vanomir. "D-don't worry. We'll be fine, I think." He didn't know why he was comforting someone who seemed obviously so much more prepared for the rigors of this dungeon.

"Don't create your own enemies," Paxton cautioned as he descended.  "Stay sharp."

Feeling oddly different about entering the delve, Durek keeps his weapon to hand, remains silent and counts the steps on the way down.

Creston decides not to enter the dungeon for a fifth, pointless delve. Instead, he wanders off in search of his lost farm, never to be seen again.

The party advances past the crevice of the fire beetles, breathing a sigh of relief as there is no telltale glow to be seen. They come to the T in the passageway where they have the choice of breaking through the boarded door with the painted black skull on it or descending left into the catacombs.

"Catacombs again I guess," grunts Durek and starts to walk in that direction.

======
OOC: @GM - Just checking, has the crevice been explored? Or parhaps it's too small and 'not explorable'?

In reply to Durek Stoneshield (msg # 10):

[If you still had a pixie in your party you could explore it. Otherwise it's too narrow.]

In reply to DM (msg # 11):

======
Completely fine, TY.

Following behind Durek came Travis with bow readied. The scout was familiar with the catacombs but kept vigilant. He checked floors and ceilings as he advanced.

Pock was up toward the front, since his gnomish eyes could see well in the dark.

Dwarghar stops...should we examine this? he says at the door. I mean it could be worse than the dragon but that would be unlikely...

"Anyone got a hammer to knock down the door?" Travis asked as Dwarghar examined it.

Durek turns to speak to Dwarghar. "So there's nothing remnaining in this direction," he says, pointing to the catacombs. "..that reamains unexplored and not blocked by the dragon?"

======
OOC: The context is that this character has been there, but this player hasn't.
This message was last updated by the player at 20:08, Thu 02 Sept 2021.

Pock held at the front. "Are we going in the creepy door?" He asked from up front, turning his back on the darkness entirely.

Sure, I’ve got a hammer, wrench and most any tool.

The Dwarf holds out a war hammer for the man to use

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 19):

Durek paces up to Dwarghar to stand half in front of the door, "So, Dwarghar, any chance you're going to answer the question I just asked you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Thu 02 Sept 2021.

Sorry brother, my eyes I mean ears must have skipped. I think there was supposed to be a coin room after the bone room and then the dragon if we go that way, Travis would know.

This door has not been opened. I can’t say it f opening it is a bad idea or not.

Pock got a bit closer. "There was a stench about that door, wasn't there?" He grimaced.

"If this door was closed, and still is, then there's little reason to suspect it will open without our help and therefore represents little risk in having it behind us. We should definitely explore all avenues through the catacombs and beyond until we hcave exhausted all those ways as either fully explored, impassable or as yet beyond our abilitties, to wit, a dragon would most certainly count. And, thank you for the civility. I apologise for my short temper." He smiles at the self-referance pun about his height. "At that point we should return to tackle this door and beyond. And, again, my temporary amnesia is a source of aggravasion to me. I hope not so much to cause you all concern or frustration. I just need some things refreshing in my mind."

He turns to Pock, "Hello, my dear gone. I didn't mean to ignore you. Pock, if I recall. Well, how do you mean, a stink about the door? Literally, like old socks? Or figuratively, like an arguement?"

"A deathly stench, Durek!"

"If the door is sealed now and we open it, we an reseal it after exploring if need be" Travis added to the discussion.

"Ahh Travis! Let's see if your memory fairs better," presses Durek. "Have we explored all ways ad doors through and beyond the catacombs and determined all those ways as either fully explored, impassable or as yet beyond our abilitties?"

"There's nothing else on this level" Travis confirmed "beyond the catacombs there maybe many ways".

"Thanks, Tavis. That's good to know." ackowledges Durek. "Not sure quite what the extent of 'level' is but if you're saying the catacombs are explored, then let's establish what exits to other places lay beyond them. What's wrong in that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Fri 03 Sept 2021.

"The catacombs are downstairs. Up here we have explored everything besides this sealed door" Travis explained.

"Well, are we busting it open?" Pock looked up at the door, grimacing.

"Sure. You want to go that way, Travis, that's just fine," answers Durek, beards bobbing with a nod. "You lead on and we'll follow you."

[Who wishes to open the barred door, and describe how]

In reply to DM (msg # 32):

Durek looks at Travis, smiles, beards abobbing a d takes a few steps back. "There you go."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:29, Thu 09 Sept 2021.

Glad that the door discussion appeared to have been concluded, Vanomir stood back and prepared himself for action. This time he prepared his longbow, nocking an arrow.

In reply to Vanomir (msg # 34):

"Will you boys stop bugging around an' open the damn door? Travis, you gonna open it? If you're scared of the thing step back and I'll open it!!" Amalrik barks.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Tue 14 Sept 2021.

Travis stepped back and gave Dwarghar room to hammer the door open.

Pock notched an arrow in his own bow, falling in at Vanomir's side.

Paxton just stood by warily.  He was strong, but not so strong as to think he could force the door.  He had gifts from his gods, but none that would unbar the way.  So he just was ready to back the others as best he could.

Dwarghar spits on his hands rubs them together and picks up the hammer. He chooses a spot that should break any bar or lock, winds up and

11:18, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 17 using 1d20+1.  Swing away

The rotten wood smashes away easily. Now you can more clearly see the ancient door defaced with a crude drawing in charcoal of a black skull.

Right
Says the trap maker as he examines the stone and the door.

Can anyone help see if there are surprises before I open this?


12:26, Today: Dwarghar Stoneblood rolled 4 using 1d6.  Traps

Pock looked on in fascination, knowing he could be of little help in that situation, but also wanting to see what the deal really was with this door.

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 41):

"Fine. So who's up next? Travis?" urges Amalrik, keen to get back on the move.

If Dwarghar finds no traps and the thief is gone he will go ahead and open the door or continue hitting, whatever is needed

When the door had been cleared Travis nodded to Amalrik "aye let me have a look" Travis put away his bow and drew his dagger "step back" he warned the others.

With his dagger Travis checked the edges of the door and along the walls for any signs of traps or triggers.

OOC 2 in 6 chance of success of finding traps.

In reply to Travis (msg # 45):

Amalrik gives a nod to Travis as he goes to the front to do the tricky bit. She moves back a bit in case he doesn't.

[Rolled secretly]

Travis can find no traps.

After a thorough examination Travis sheathed his dagger and stepped back "no sign of anything on the door" he announced and drew his bow in preparation for when someone opened the door.

"Here, let thwe woman open the door for the men," says Amalrik wiith a chuckle. "Maybe city living makes you weak." She moves up and pushes the door, half sheltered by the door frame.

Leaning against the wall with a bemused expression, Paxton folded his arms for a moment as the burly barbarian threw her might against the door.

"Maybe," he smiled.  "But I've got a healing spell ready if you throw out your back."

"I'm afraid it's not city living that does that, Amalrik. I've only been in a few cities in my whole life, and I'm plenty weak!" He made up for it with...well, maybe not wits, but with something. Pluck? Courage, by certain definitions of that word?

In reply to Paxton (msg # 50):

"Ha! Thnank you, Paxton. I will suffer the touch of divine hands when need be. But the power of nartural healing is not to be sniffed at!"

Hearing Pock's comment, she softens her tone, "I meant you no offense, little one. And if any try to bully you, come tell me." Almarik leaves the unspoken "..and I'll cracks heads together" to be inferred. She smiles tenderly at Pock, the way one might a favourite little cousin. She then tries to persuade the door to open.

[Amalrik, make an Open Doors roll. Your chance is 4-in-6.]

Amalrik bends at the knees and leans violently into the door, one shoulder lowered.

======
16:24, Today: Amalrik rolled 1 using 1d6.  Open door.

In reply to Amalrik (msg # 54):

Splinters fly everywhere, and dry, dusty air surges out for a moment.

In reply to DM (msg # 55):

Assuming its dark in there, Amalrik says, "OK, done. Who's up next?" and step back for those with infravision or light sources to take over.

Dwarghar enters, carrying his sword and shield

As the others began to enter the new chamber Travis followed, he looked up and had his bow at the ready.

Durek moves up with Dwarghar, weapon readied.

Paxton stood up off the wall at that, and readied himself for combat.  He wasn't the first to rush in, but was ready to back up his comrades.

Pock followed with Travis, taking one large, audible gulp before he went.

Almarik is content to bring up the rear, but is happy to go somewhere else if folks prefer it.

The party advances south through the smashed doorway. They immediately enter a dusty chamber, 10x10. There is a stone pillar, waist high, with a metal bowl embedded in the top. Though the bowl is filled with nothing but dust, Paxton can immediately identify it as a station for dispensment of holy water. There are also some niches in the walls with holes the correct size for candles.

From where he's standing at the fronnt can Durek see any other exits from the room?

"This is just a guess, but perhaps if we light candles in all the niches, we could turn dust into holy water. Assuming we want to, of course."

"Well, if we see any more undead things, holy water would come in handy! I think we should try it."

The apparent lack of peril worried Travis "a church... who boarded this up and why?" the scout mused. Travis headed to one of the niches in the wall and with his dagger scraped around it's edges for signs of dust, wax, blood, whatever...

"It was probably whoever is the reason for all the undead down here..."

If no other exits are apparent, Durek studies the stonework to see if any of it seems newer, or is designed to move or constitute a trap, and so forth

"This once dispensed holy water," Paxton said.  "But long abandoned now.  Perhaps that's why it's boarded up.  This place is still sacred."

"I doubt we can sanctify it in a short period of time," he added, musing towards the holy water fountain full of dust.

OOC: Unless Paxton knows of a way to do this?

Dwarghar also examines the stonework, since it was helpful in the past.

In reply to Paxton (msg # 70):

In reply to Durek Stoneshield (msg # 69):

There is another passageway further south.

"With time, this could be restored to service.  But it's nothing I can do quickly.  A day or so at least," Paxton commented about the fount.

Durek anounces the passagemway and peers at it.

In reply to Durek Stoneshield (msg # 75):

Assuming the adventurers with lights back away enough for you to peer with infravision, you see nothing warm blooded in the way of the passage.

In reply to DM (msg # 76):

"So who wants to go where this time?" asks Durek in an attempt to avoid argument.

Now that they had opened the sealed door Travis urged them onwards "let us explore the southern passage".

In reply to Travis (msg # 78):

"Good idea, Travis. Do you want to scout ahead with some ligh?" asks Durek.

"All fine and good.  Do we send the night-see-ers ahead, or move as one?" Paxton asked.

"W-well, I can look ahead if no one else wants to risk it." He was trying to be braver.

"Let me, Pock. Or I can stand beside you as we both do it, strength in numbers and all that."

Vanomir was perhaps better suited to be a pin cushion, though he didn't particularly care to become one.

In reply to Vanomir (msg # 82):

Amalrik says, "I'd go with you, Pock, but I can't see without light."

He took a deep breath. "Thank you, I think Vanomir and me will do well enough on our own."

In reply to Pock Oneshoe (msg # 84):

"If you need me, call me," says Amalrik.

"You'll know I need you by the screaming." He audibly gulped and moved on to scout.

In reply to Pock Oneshoe (msg # 86):

"Good luck, little one!" Almarik responds with an alarming but kindly meant smile.

"It makes sense for the two darkseers to go alone ahead," Paxton said, "But you won't be alone for long.  The blessing of the Light are waiting for you, and my mace and shield are right behind you.  You run into anything, get hit by anything... fall back.  We'll be close."

In reply to Paxton (msg # 88):

Amalrik nods agreement.

Dwarghar continues forward without further discussion.

Sorry, very busy just assume I am moving forward as needed.

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 90):

Durek stays near Dwarghar.

You enter another chamber much like the previous. The first thing you notice is a stone sarcophagus in the center of the room.

Pock looked up at his stalwart ally with a mild expression of panic.

It sure didn't look good to him.

"Well the one obvious question beckons: shall we open it? I can add my strength to the task should we decide to do so."

It didn't look like an open and shut case to Vanomir.

"There's no telling what's in there," Paxton said.  "I'd lend my arm, but it's better I'm ready with the Light in case it's something Unholy."

Since their other Cleric had abandoned them for True Love^tm, Paxton felt the obligation of the Light even more strongly.

In reply to Pock Oneshoe (msg # 93):

The wild woman listens intently for any call of distress from Pock.

Pock retreated back slowly to alert the others to what was ahead, making no judgments of his own about what might lay in the sarcophagus.

Aye let’s says Dwarghar. But first he checks the area for traps  (2/6)

In reply to Dwarghar Stoneblood (msg # 98):

Durek follows Dwarghar and covers the same area looking for interesting stonework that moves and so forth.

======
1-2 on d6
This message was last edited by the player at 09:28, Sun 10 Oct 2021.

When the pair of dwarves set about searching the area for traps Travis focused on checking the stone sarcophagus for traps.