Branding's Age of Worms, the 4th Generation

[Voadam]

Gregor shakes the water from his eyes peers in more closely then looks embarrased. "Oh, right." The big youth will then shuttle everyone up the shaft on his back one by one.

 

[Mista Collins]

"I appreciate the offer, kind Gregor, but no need to weigh you down as you try to climb."

Owen starts traversing the shaft on his own after Gregor makes a few trips.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Passing by the corpse of the strange eye creature you make your way back to the rubble-strewn remains end of the corridor. After a bit of effort you climb up the collapsed elevator shaft to the star-shaped lantern room. The burnt husks of the acid beetles you killed earlier crunch underfoot. The chamber seems just as you left it, with colored lanterns hanging at the ends of nearly all of the radial passages. The only exception is the passageway just to the left as one enters the room, which seems to missing its red lantern. Only the green lantern is lit by the everburning torch you first found when you entered the cairn.

When you are quiet you can again here the whisper-like susurrations coming from the entrance corridor carried in on a light spring breeze.

 

[Mista Collins]

"Let's hang that red lantern and see what happens if we turn the sarcophagus again."

 

[Thanee]

Alexi

“Yes, we should do that. Surely it will open up another way for us to explore! Hopefully without beetles...”

 

[Branding Opportunity]

The distant sound of whispering continues in the background as you stand around deciding on what to do. The light of the illuminated green lantern from the northward pointing corridor casts you in its dim radiance, giving all a sickly pallor.

Quite in contrast to the indestinct murmurings coming from the exit hallway, you realize that you can hear the faint echo of what can only be described as a child's laughter or snickering coming from somewhere nearby.

 

[Voadam]

Gregor's first thought was that a kid had found his way into here and he should go make sure of the young one's safety. Then the hair rose on his hackles as the snickering sounded . . . off. It sent chills down Gregor's spine as he strained trying to pinpoint the sound.

 

[Mista Collins]

Startled, Owen finds himself holding two daggers at the ready; looking in every direction wondering where the noise of the child is coming from.

 

[Azten]

Azten hears the eerie laughter, but doesn't realize what he's hearing at first. Then he looks around to see how the others are responding and ventures a hesitant Hello? ...

 

[hbarsquared]

Kenneth

After a quick presitidigitation to dry off his clothes, Kenneth follows the others with a mournful look into the side chambers as they pass. Rooms filled with adventure and renown, no doubt. He scampers up the elevator shaft with the rest of the party.

Kenneth dismisses the strange sounds with a wave of his hand. "Most likely nothing," he claims as he walks to the side chamber with the missing lantern. "The wind just got caught in a series of twisting tunnels and echoed back onto itself. It's nothing."

He glances up at the empty hook and points. "Let's hang it back up, in its proper place, and see what happens."