Branding's Age of Worms, the 4th Generation

[Branding Opportunity]

Passage of the Face

As Gregor and Owen help to bring the rest of the party up from below, Azten continues exploring the passageway. The wall with the frieze in the shape of a face is clearly the most interesting, although that does not stop him from closely paying attention to the rest of the hallway (OOC: "Taking 20" on Search checks.)

Inspecting it more closely, the dwarf decides that the face's features are similar to the other sexless semi-human figures found throughout the cairn. The screaming visage dominates the entire 10-foot by 10-foot wall at the end of the corridor. As he approaches it, keeping a careful eye on where he is stepping and the surrounding walls, he feels his left heel drop slightly and hears the sound of stone scraping against stone. Quickly looking down he notices that a small section of the floor tile he is standing on has been depressed.

Within seconds the face at the end of the hallway begins to animate. Its mouth opens tremendously wide and a strong wind begins to bellow from it, which seems to be growing in speed and intensity. At the same time the eyes of the face begin to spin, flashing blue and green, a pattern that the dwarf finds strangely fascinating; so alluring that he is frozen in place and can't seem to do anything other than stare at the oscillating colors. (OOC: Azten makes a Will save: 7 + 5 = 12, failure; Azten is now Paralyzed)

At the far end of the corridor everything seems to happen all at once. Owen and Gregor have just helped Alexi climb up the 40 feet from below, and she still has the rope tied around her. With a loud roar an incredibly strong wind starts blowing from the end of the passage. It is not strong enough to hinder your movement at the moment, but definitely seems to be growing in intensity. The spinning green and blue lights can be seen from here as well, and are just as compelling. Somehow Gregor and Alexi are able to tear their eyes away from the colors, instantly realizing that the patterns were trying to freeze them in place. Down below Majakilar and Kenneth hear and feel the roar of the wind and see the colors, but are unaffected. (OOC: Owen makes a Will save: 8 - 1 = 7, failure; Gregor makes a Will save: 19 + 1 = 20, success! Alexi makes a Will save: 10 + 4 = 14, success! Owen is Paralyzed)

(OOC: PLEASE POST ALL ACTIONS TO THE NEW COMBAT THREAD!))​

 

[Voadam]

oops

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Alexi looks around, especially in the direction where the wind is coming from, while she detaches herself from the rope. “This does not bode well. We need to get them out of here! Is there any exit, where we can get away from this wind and the weird face?”

Azten tries to shift his weight into the wind, fighting the paralyzing effect of the flashing lights. After tremendous mental effort he is able to tear his eyes away from the mesmerizing lights. He immediately drops to the floor to decrease the wind's effect on him. (OOC: Will save: 20 + 5 = success! Azten is no longer paralyzed)

"Owen, snap out of it!" Gregor grabs Owen in one hand "Alexi, it got Azten too. We need to help him." Gregor then moves down to Azten, glancing quickly into the animated mouth to see if there is anything that can be done to stop the wind. As the force of the wind increases Gregor realized that anything which might be stuffed into the hole would only be immediately blown out.

What happened? I should of checked for traps! I can't move! Owen thinks to himself as he tries his hardest to move any of his limbs. Try has he might, however, he can't seem to control them. It feels as if they belong to a different person and he is observing them from a distance. (OOC: Will save: 6 + 4 = 10, failure) Owen is vaguely aware of being picked up by the giant and carried down the corridor towards the flashing lights. Even this change in venue is not enough to snap him out of it.

"What's happening?" Majakilar looks at Kenneth for a moment, hoping he had a better idea of what's going on. "They are in trouble!" Majakilar, realizing Gregor may be unable to pull him up, starts trying to climb up the chain (not the rope) Due to his armor and equipment he is sadly not able to make any headway and after a few tries falls a few feet back to the ground. (OOC: Climb check 2 - 2 = 0, failure)

(OOC: The wind is now considered SEVERE and continues to grow in strength.)

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Majakilar looks around desperately. He could see now that the wind was getting stronger, and quickly. Climbing up the rope, even if he could muster the strength to do it without falling, would take far too long. Helpless, he looks around the lower chamber, looking for a clue. Could the trap be reset from down here? His eyes sweep the room again, searching... His eyes fall on the bones. He suddenly thinks Were you blown down from up above? "Gregor! Get everyone out of there! Get out, get out! It's going to blow you off the edge!"
Despite his best efforts, the young miner finds nothing on the wall of the corridor nearest to him.(OOC: Search and Spot checks on a 5 foot by 5 foot square of the wall)

Standing next to him, the gnome looks on helplessly.

Now that Azten is down on the floor, he fumbles for his holy symbol/hammer and looks for some interruption in the stone that he can drive it into to help him hold on. While doing so, he prays to Moradin to give him strength and luck in holding on. As the wind continues to increase in strength he does his best to yell to his companions: "Look out! The wind ... Getting stronger ..." (OOC: Casts Resistance)

Gregor is glad to see Azten shake off the paralysis but worried at the increasing wind force. "I don't see anything to stop it! Let's get back before it blows us out, hold onto me! We need to move quick!"

Taking his advice, Alexi takes a short leap off the edge of the hallway and grabs on to the chain. Once she has a firm hold on it, she quickly begins to climb down it as fast as she can. She is able to make it down about 15 feet before almost loosing her grip. She dangles by only one hand 25 feet above the floor, the wind making the chain sway and sing like the string on a ill-tuned lute. (OOC: Double Climb check 20 - 1 (ACP) - 1 (Str) = 18, success! Climb check#2 12 - 2 = 10, failure)

Still hanging limp in Gregor's arm in the corridor above, Owen is along for the ride.

After casting his spell, the dwarf looks around desperately trying to find a place where he can drive his holy symbol into. The careful craftsmanship of the builders works against him in this instance, as no break or flaw in the dark-tan flagstones can be found. The blessing of Moradin seems to manifest itself in a different manner, however, as Azten feels himself grabbed by the scruff of his traveler's cloak and lifted off the ground by the giant.

Now carrying two of his companions, Gregor lumbers as fast as he can to the edge of the corridor. The wind whips around the lantern chain, buffeted back by the far wall of the shaft before plunging into the dimly lit passageway below. From where he now stands, the miner can see him friend Majakilar below, gesturing wildly at him and yelling. His words are carried off by the now gale-force winds.

(OOC: The wind strength is now at Windstorm strength)

 

[Branding Opportunity]

None of you thought the wind streaming from the screaming face's mouth could get any stronger. And then it did. A storm blowing this intensely outside would uproot trees and carry off small livestock. Although those still in the passage studiously avoid it, the eyes of the frieze still flash blue and green, if you could see them at all through the blown up dust and debris.

Majakilar watches as the young woman Alexi scrambles down the chain, and gasps as she almost slips. "Hold on Alexi! Grab hold of the chain again! You can do it!"
Tossing his glaive aside, he rushes forward, reaching out with his hands. "Don't worry, if you slip I'll break your fall! Come on Alexi!" (OOC: Readying an action to catch/cushion her fall.)

Alexi tries to get hold of the chain once more, hoping to get down further to clear the way for the others. Managing to get a better grip this time, she climbs down until she is only 15 feet above the lower corridor. She jumps the last few feet, trusting to Majakilar to soften her landing. The miner catches her easily in his arms and is about to say something when he looks up again and sees Gregor grabbing hold of the chain above. (OOC: Climb check 18 - 1 - 1 (ACP) = 16, success; Majakilar melee touch attack vs. AC 10: 17 + 2 = 19, success! Alexi takes no damage from the fall)

Gregor shouts "Hold on!" to Azten as he shifts the dwarf to cling to his back. He will then have one arm free as he leaps out to grab the chain. He will then exert all his strength just to hold on, wrapping his legs around the chain for more support. One companion clinging to his back, the other paralyzed and clutched tightly to his side.

It takes only a fraction of a second for Azten's sense of self-preservation (and dislike of bouncing after falling large distances) to overcome his indignation at being picked up and hauled by Gregor.
Shouting to be heard over the roar of the wind, Azten hangs on for all he's worth and lets Gregor know. "I'm trying!"

Both hang on for dear life as the hurricane blows them about as if they were a flag on a mast. Thanks to their strength and a good deal of luck, both manage to hang on. (OOC: Both make Str checks, Gregor to hold on to the chain, Azten to hold on to Gregor: Gregor 12 + 5 - 1 (ACP) = 16, success! Azten 19 - 4 (ACP) = 15, success!)

The wind continues blowing. All you can see is the dust and debris blown about in the light of the flashing blue and green eyes and the blue lantern in the corridor below. All you can hear is the obliterating roaring of the wind. It does not grow any stronger, but does not seem to diminish in ferocity.

(OOC: At this point we can leave strict combat rounds, and just continue posting here. The wind continues blowing, however, so Gregor, Azten and Owen will still have a problem getting down. Note that Gregor requires two free hands to climb.)

 

[Voadam]

Gregor continues to hold on for the moment, just glad that he didn't miss or drop his friends.

 

[Mista Collins]

Owen continues to lay limp in Gregor's arm until he gets the ability to move his muscles again.

 

[Azten]

Azten also hangs on for dear life.

 

[Thanee]

Alexi

“Thanks!” Alexi says to Majakilar, as she gets down on her own feet again. Then she shouts up: “Is everyone alright? Can we help you somehow from down here?”

 

[Voadam]

Gregor focuses on holding on to the chain and making sure the other two don't drop as they are buffeted by the continuing unnatural winds.