"Show us where these doors are," Devin said to the wizard.

Fiene raises an eyebrow at Devin's question. "The doors are locked.  The oracle said they key was south.  Do you think you can open them without the key?"

Despite their disinterest in a bear hunt, Bea guarded the others as they went to the Stonehell area. But when they moved on from Coal's cave, she remained behind. With a grim look, she watched them go, wondering if any of them would be coming back or if goblins would devour the lot. Not for her to suffer the same; it was far safer to go hunting bear.

After the others were gone from sight, she went over and took the offering of meat Fiene had left behind, and moved it further away from the cave opening. She then moved to a concealed position, at the longer end of medium bow range. Placing some oil and a torch to her side, she lit a small fire for warmth, and then sat and watched the cave, waiting patiently for a bear to show.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:50, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

In reply to Fiene (msg # 39):

"Lead the way, Comrade Fiene. Surely no one has ever been mislead by an oracle before," twits Derry.

The party entered the dungeon through the stone archway carved into the cliff. The spiral staircase led them downward. Inside the dungeon the stonework was rough faced limestone blocks, flagstones and ceiling slabs. The floor was worn by regular travel. The floor, walls and ceiling all had signs of cracks and crevices. The air was not fresh but was musty and dank.

The foyer was a forty foot by forty foot square chamber with a vaulted ceiling. The staircase was in the middle of the chamber. There was five exits. To the south west an archway led south. To the south east a corridor led south. To the east was a door. To the north east a short ten corridor ended in a door. To the north west was an archway that resembled a fanged ogre mouth with murals of cavorting imps on the walls beyond.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 9:20am. Turn: 3, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Devin waited for the wizard to lead the way as this was his quest.

"Of course." Fiene says.  He lights his lantern, and has Holden light a torch. "All in due time." With his third pole in hand, Fiene moves south, towards the pit that Ermangard fell in to at their first delve.  He looks to see if it has been reconstructed, and test it with his pole to see if it is still hollow below.

Once satisfied with that knowledge, he will lead through the ogre's maw, and north to the morgue, noting if the blood stains remain or if they have been cleaned.  "This is where Ben was taken, but a swarm of rats kept me away, twice." he says as they travel.  "I've heard told those that die in Stonehell return to unlife, so there may be more than rats beyond."   Once they arrive, he will wait for one better armored to open the door, having learned a hard lesson.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:24, Thu 12 Aug 2021.

There was no pit in the corridor to the south, A tap with the pole resulted in a hollow echo.

To the north the party passed through the ogre's maw and passed the rusty pole at the crossroads. They reached the door to the cadaver storage without any interruption.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 9:40am. Turn: 3, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Knowing the door opens out, Fiene stands behind on the hinge side, and gestures for one of the fighters to open the door.

Devin put on his shield and stepped back to let Ermengard open the door as well.

Teodore waits until everyone is ready, then opens the door.

The rat chewed door was opened by Teodore with ease. Beyond the room was a forty foot by forty foot room. The room smelt of bodies, linen and chemicals. The beady eyes of eight giant rats turned to face the door as it was opened. Hung from hooks were fresh humanoid corpses.

OOC Declare your actions and roll any dice.

The rats were not surprised and I didn't roll for the party as they knew to expect rats.

Shoulder to shoulder with Teodore (or Ermangard), Derry introduces his sword to one of the rats.

If we win init, then the front line will advance to the best tactical position. Otherwise, we'll strike the ones that end up next to us.

19:03, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 13,8 using d20+1,d8+1.  Attack Rat.
Hits AC 6 for 8 dmg

Teodore stabs at an advancing rat as well. It is not his most accurate effort.


18:12, Today: Teodore rolled 7 using 1d20+1.  attack rat.

Devin pulled out his hammer in case any of the rats gets past the dwarf and Teodore.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 4,2 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Fiene stays behind Ermandgard's protection, lending his light as well as Holden's to the battle.

After an initial squeak the rats paid no heed to newcomers to the larder. One of the corpses was hanging low enough that the rats could feast on it hands and fingers. Devouring the flesh their ignored Derry as the dwarf stepped into the room and killed a rat. Teodore and Devin followed but did not strike any rats.



OOC Derry killed a rat. Declare actions and roll dice.

Fiene keeps clear, thinking the rats were more aggressive when he was here last.

Not wanting to rile them up if they weren't attacking, Devin checked his swing in order to let the other two work while he covered their flank.  He readied a strike if any of the rats turned on them.

OOC: Devin Harper rolled 20,3 using d20,d6.  Hammer time! Thaco 19.

Derry advances to the northeastern corner to make space for Ermangard and another warrior, before skewering another one of the vermin, terminating its time at the grotesque larder.

"This is an abomination," he bellows, just in case it wasn't clear to the others. "Kill them all!"

14:07, Today: Derry the Dwarf rolled 14,2 using d20+1,d8+1.  rat attack.
Hits AC 5 for 2 dmg

Teodore attempts to kill a rat - again.

13:28, Today: Teodore rolled 8 using 1d8+1.  sword damage.

13:27, Today: Teodore rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  attack rat.

The rats cowered and squealed as they were massacred by the adventurers. The four rats that weren't killed fled to hide in the corners of the square room.

OOC Day: 10. Time: 10:00am. Turn: 5, Weather: Sunny, dry and unseasonably very cold. Vision: Daylight. Movement: 20'

Lantern oil and torches
Fiene: 5 Turns - lit
Holden: 5 Turns - lit

With the rats retreating, Fiene scans the bodies, to see if Ben was still there.  Without venturing too deep, he looks to see if there is any equipment abandoned, or if something might be lost in the drain, if there was such a thing to catch drips and other fluids.

The corpses appeared to be fresh and Fiene did not recognise one of them as Ben. Toward the back of the room Fiene could a flagstone that was slightly lifted and a streaky mixture of blood and chemicals drained away into the gap.

"Who put these bodies here?" Devin asked grimly, remaining on the defensive if the rats regained their courage.