The sky above is gray, the color of slate, as dawn breaks, the unbroken canopy of clouds permitting only a muted light from above. Beneath it, the moors take on a lifeless quality, and even as the adventurers and their hirelings venture across the marsh, they do not stir up insects or other swampland creatures with their passage. The pools of stagnant water that dot the forbidding landscape are perfectly still.

In time, the barrows rise up from the moors, the black entrance to the Barrowmaze coming into view. Beneath the oppressive sky, the access to the catacombs has the appearance of a gaping maw, waiting to swallow the unwary who draw near. Looking about, the adventurers find the area just as they left it, with no evidence of any activity since their last departure.

Without being told, Ol Gib immediately sets to work at setting up the camp, the other hirelings joining him in the work. Trisrel Yante, with Ranger by her side, takes her bow in hand and stands watch several paces away from the campsite.

Jesper, Lampert’s brother who insisted on taking his sibling’s place, regards the entrance to the tombs for a long, silent moment. ”It did require great courage to enter that place,” he says quietly as he turns his attention to checking over his supplies.

Wrapping his arm round Jesper's back, Barnabus reassures the tenderfoot linkboy, "Where your feet go, courage is sure to follow."

Then with the others he descends the siege ladder into the tombs below, eager to find gory prizes and surprises for their patron.

Straight to 41 for the return of the tablet.

Malivoire found the stillness of the moor unsettling and spent most of the trip nervously peering at shadows between the reeds.  When they made it to their camp above the entrance he calmed slightly, but understood well Jesper's concern.

When Ol' Gibb had preparations well underway Malivoire followed the others down the ladder, ready to fulfill their promise to return the tablet to the Briar Queen's faithful.

Dax is quiet as the group travels back into the moors. He stays alert, watching for anything that might threaten the group as they head to the familiar spot near the entrance to the catacombs.

Once camp is being set up, and there appears to be nothing lying in wait, he leaves watch to Trisrel as he checks his weapons. "A good starting point," he agrees with Barnabus, "Returning the tablet should keep us in the Briar Queen's good graces. and Nineve will get the chance to see that place."

"Aye. And I'm hoping that visit will result in something that will aid us, in some way, be it advice, knowledge or something more tangible.   In any case, I'm as ready as I can be, and honored to have a place in this doughty company."   

At an appropriate interval, she too took to the ladder, and began making her way down, toward whatever awaited for them where most would never think to tread...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Fri 13 Oct 2023.

Sir Dryvyk, filled with resolve, bolstered in spirit and heart, trod the outskirts of the camp with nervous anticipation. He wore his new swamp boots and was pleased that they worked even better than he might have expected. The wide soles and sealed seems kept his feet from sinking into the marshy ground as they normally would as well as keeping them dry. He discussed a few particulars with his trusted squire and mentor, Ol' Gib, and then took a few moments to apply a thin coat of fresh oil to his gear. When all was ready, he joined the others as the party descended into the hellish depths below.

"Guide our steps Lord of Righteousness," he prayed quietly as he waited for the others to descend behind him. "Steel our spines and strengthen our hearts and direct our blows. Let the light of Truth and Goodness be as a beacon in these dark corridors. We fight to rid this swamp of uttermost evil and protect our land against the darkness rising herein from long confinement. Protect us I pray!"

The Knight took his place in the marching order and tried to focus his thoughts on deeds of renown.

Jesper lights and holds his lantern high after the whole of the party have descended into the high ceilinged entrance chamber below.

The catacombs are not silent. For several moments, the distinctive sounds of the clash of steel, the exchange of blows and the rending of armor, can be heard from the south, the noise of conflict amplified by the deep silence of the underground.

As the company prepare to proceed into the Barrowmaze, there is the crash of a strong blow, and all sounds of battle cease. The sudden quiet is heavy and cold.

Proceeding through sections of the tombs which are familiar to many of the explorers, the company moves down a south leading corridor which passes beneath an arch bearing ancient runes which remain unfamiliar to all. Amber light flickers in the chamber ahead, the wavering illumination from a brazier which sits at the feet of a gruesome statue the adventurers have observed on several prior occasions.

As the group draws nearer, Safherd abruptly halts, holding up a hand in warning. From the chamber ahead there can be heard a heavy, dragging tread.

OOC: For reference, on the Main Game Map, the party is roughly twenty feet north of chamber 13, positioned primarily within the southeastern slanting corridor.

As the party descends the staircase to the sounds of battle, Dax mutters, "Who the bloody hell might that be?"

When Safherd stopped the party in the diagonal corridor, Dax drew his sword, and whispered quietly, "I'll take a look, be ready to come to my rescue, Dryvyk!" he smiled and winked as the moved carefully toward the chamber with the statue.

---

Let's see if these ranger bonuses for surprise are worthwhile!

With a gesture, Barnabus echoes Dax's edict of silence such that even the tap tapping of the pole ceases.

Familiar with the spell, though not among those she'd prepared, Nineve watched as Dax proceeded ahead without making any sound whatsoever.

If some unfortunate person had been the recipient of that blow, then perhaps it was their body they heard getting dragged.  She offered brief and silent prayer that if so, it hadn't happened to a nice person...