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Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6125041" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 11b: Heads, you lose.</span></p><p></p><p>Jimmy and Gokan head down the stairs, as silently as they can, in to a large cavern; something squeaks.</p><p></p><p>“Rats!” Jimmy hisses.</p><p></p><p>Something moves in the shadows ahead.</p><p></p><p>The pair hold station for a minute- taking a good look at the area before them, then cautiously head forward, staying as best as they can in the shadows, and close to the walls- Jimmy to the east, Gokan to the west.</p><p></p><p>A minute or so later and they have circumnavigated the chamber, there are two exits - both heading south.</p><p></p><p>There are rats here, every now and then one hoves briefly in to view, or else a shadow darts away.</p><p></p><p>“Cave rats.” Gokan whispers, Jimmy nods.</p><p>“Clear?” The halfling asks- it’s Gokan’s turn to nod back.</p><p></p><p>A minute later and the chamber is flooded with light; Tonka has placed a lantern down in the centre of the cavern, causing many more rats to scurry away, as far away as they can get from the light.</p><p></p><p>“They lead us back through here- we came from that way, I think…” Sigur points to one of the passages to the south.</p><p>“We’ll try that way then.” Tonka nods and Jimmy and Gokan head forward again.</p><p></p><p>It takes the adventurers another twenty or so minutes to map out the caves; they encounter only three things of interest in their journey.</p><p></p><p>The first is another secret door, expertly spotted by Sigur, it takes a moment for Jimmy to get the thing open, it’s a crude affair but heavy- Ramm has to help the halfling in the end. A short excavated tunnel leads in to a pocket chamber, which is quickly identified.</p><p></p><p>“This is where they kept us.” Sigur states.</p><p>Gokan and Tonka nod.</p><p></p><p>The secret chamber is briefly searched, there’s not much to it- it’s empty.</p><p></p><p>The adventurers move on.</p><p></p><p>The second thing, or rather place, of note comes in the shape of a large warped metal studded wooden door, warped because of the damp. A crude sign has been affixed to the door, in scrawled common it reads “Stay Out!”</p><p></p><p>On the third try Ramm’s shoulder smashes open the door, which is beginning to crumble and come apart in places- the wood is waterlogged.</p><p></p><p>There’s another natural cavern ahead, smaller and rounder, with a sunken floor and slippery stone steps leading down to a very still looking pool of water.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t like it.” Tonka states, and shakes his head.</p><p>“That’s because you’re a big baby.” Sigur fires back and points with his mace down the stairs; there’s a pile of something down there, by the pool.</p><p>“I think we’ve found tin legs…” The dwarf finishes.</p><p></p><p>Gokan and Jimmy are quickly, but carefully, down the stairs and in to the chamber proper- there’s a small bank, the rest- water.</p><p></p><p>“It looks deep.” Jimmy adds, peering in to the cold dark pool.</p><p>“Very deep.” He adds.</p><p></p><p>Gokan meanwhile is at the pile that Sigur indicated, sorting through twisted metal. The half-orc shivers, then looks at the pool, he shivers again. Gokan feels… frightened, perhaps that’s too strong a word, uneasy, that’ll do it.</p><p></p><p>The half-orc grabs out a sack and begins to fill it with Hal’s remains, job done Gokan creeps back up the stairs, now and then looking over his shoulder at the still water.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy remains below, grabs up a stone and hoys it up and PLOOOP! In to the pool, concentric circles spread from the spot, Jimmy dips a toe.</p><p></p><p>“Bloody hell, it’s freezing…”</p><p>“Come away from it, brother.” Gokan calmly, but firmly, states.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy stares at Gokan for a moment, trying to read the half-orc’s thoughts, then with one last look at the pool the halfling scurries up the steps, and out of the room.</p><p></p><p>“Close the door please Ramm.” Gokan adds, once the adventurers are out of the chamber.</p><p>The great minotaur shrugs and then gets to work, the area is sealed, although the door itself is beginning to break apart, it’s far from impassable.</p><p></p><p>“Well? Is he in there?” Sigur asks.</p><p>“Most of him.” Gokan states.</p><p>“Most of him?” Tonka and Jimmy ask in unison.</p><p>“Mmm.” Gokan affirms.</p><p>“What’s…”</p><p>“… missing?” The pair collude again to ask.</p><p>“His head.” Gokan calmly states.</p><p>“His head?” The pair come again.</p><p>“Mmm.” Gokan affirms again.</p><p></p><p>Sigur giggles.</p><p></p><p>The other four adventurers turn to stare.</p><p></p><p>“Sorry, just thought of something funny…” Sigur covers his mouth with his hand and looks suitably contrite.</p><p>Gokan and Jimmy look less than pleased, Jimmy particularly.</p><p>“He was our brother.” The halfling states, sharply.</p><p>Sigur clears his throat, and then coughs.</p><p>“Sorry, but…” The dwarf adds, and then trails off.</p><p>“But what?” Jimmy asks and steps up to Sigur, hand on his blade.</p><p></p><p>Sigur’s demeanour changes, instantly, Jimmy swears later he could see pinpricks of fire in the dwarf’s eyes.</p><p>“Why would anyone want the tin man’s head, it was probably the least important part of him, although…”, Sigur thinks for a short moment before ploughing on with his insult. “Although, that’d be a close fought race- the least important part of the tin man. Like that one…”, Sigur points at Tonka, “… he had a habit of spending time on the floor.” The dwarf finishes by puffing out his chest and squaring up to Jimmy.</p><p></p><p>The halfling and the dwarf glare at each other for a moment.</p><p></p><p>“Do you have any friends?” Jimmy bites off.</p><p>“Your dad.” Sigur snaps back.</p><p>“He thinks you’re a nutter!” Jimmy sneers.</p><p>“Then no, I don’t have any friends.” Sigur calmly states.</p><p></p><p>Ramm shakes his head and snorts, then stomps off.</p><p></p><p>After a few more moments spent glaring, the adventurers file after the minotaur.</p><p></p><p>The third and final discovery is a little more mundane in comparison; a section of the cave complex which was obviously the lair of the wererats the adventurers fought previously. The cavern curves around, with nests and rat-holes either side, and… well, mess, and stink. </p><p></p><p>The adventurers follow the path, Ramm to the fore, generally rooting through the nests with his axe, or else slamming the blade in to the wall here and there to collapse an area. The curved cavern opens at last in to a slightly wider chamber. </p><p></p><p>In the centre of this final chamber is a larger nest, probably the former home of the wererat chief, now of course deceased.</p><p></p><p>No new creatures are encountered, although a myriad cave rats scurry and squeak, but do not seem intent on any harm.</p><p></p><p>“Spread out. Search the place.” Tonka states.</p><p>“Ramm, stay back a way- keep a look out.” The dragonborn continues, Ramm nods and takes up position back down the corridor, axe at the ready.</p><p></p><p>The nests are constructed of all manner of detritus, from sticks and mud to gnawed and scavenged pieces of furniture, wood, cloth and other found objects. There’s little of any real interest to be found, although here and there the odd coin or two turns up.</p><p></p><p>The only item of any real note is a small amount of paper; this located in the largest nest- the one right at the very end of the corridor. The paper is shredded in places; certainly it has seen better days… Tonka is intrigued.</p><p></p><p>“It seems to be all from the same sheet of paper, perhaps if we could piece it together.”</p><p>Tonka notes Sigur’s look, the dwarf looks less ‘intrigued’.</p><p>“It could be something important.” Tonka states.</p><p>“It could.” Sigur agrees, “but I doubt it.”</p><p></p><p>Tonka shoves the papers inside a pouch at his belt.</p><p>“Okay. I’ll try my best to piece it together later, but for now…”</p><p>Tonka points back down the corridor, back the way they came.</p><p></p><p>The caverns have been searched, most of Hal has been located, the adventurers press on- back to the rest room beyond the entrance chamber, the door through which the goblin wizard tried to flee.</p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045379431/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8045379431_4273f9f012_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 6125041, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 11b: Heads, you lose.[/SIZE][/CENTER] Jimmy and Gokan head down the stairs, as silently as they can, in to a large cavern; something squeaks. “Rats!” Jimmy hisses. Something moves in the shadows ahead. The pair hold station for a minute- taking a good look at the area before them, then cautiously head forward, staying as best as they can in the shadows, and close to the walls- Jimmy to the east, Gokan to the west. A minute or so later and they have circumnavigated the chamber, there are two exits - both heading south. There are rats here, every now and then one hoves briefly in to view, or else a shadow darts away. “Cave rats.” Gokan whispers, Jimmy nods. “Clear?” The halfling asks- it’s Gokan’s turn to nod back. A minute later and the chamber is flooded with light; Tonka has placed a lantern down in the centre of the cavern, causing many more rats to scurry away, as far away as they can get from the light. “They lead us back through here- we came from that way, I think…” Sigur points to one of the passages to the south. “We’ll try that way then.” Tonka nods and Jimmy and Gokan head forward again. It takes the adventurers another twenty or so minutes to map out the caves; they encounter only three things of interest in their journey. The first is another secret door, expertly spotted by Sigur, it takes a moment for Jimmy to get the thing open, it’s a crude affair but heavy- Ramm has to help the halfling in the end. A short excavated tunnel leads in to a pocket chamber, which is quickly identified. “This is where they kept us.” Sigur states. Gokan and Tonka nod. The secret chamber is briefly searched, there’s not much to it- it’s empty. The adventurers move on. The second thing, or rather place, of note comes in the shape of a large warped metal studded wooden door, warped because of the damp. A crude sign has been affixed to the door, in scrawled common it reads “Stay Out!” On the third try Ramm’s shoulder smashes open the door, which is beginning to crumble and come apart in places- the wood is waterlogged. There’s another natural cavern ahead, smaller and rounder, with a sunken floor and slippery stone steps leading down to a very still looking pool of water. “I don’t like it.” Tonka states, and shakes his head. “That’s because you’re a big baby.” Sigur fires back and points with his mace down the stairs; there’s a pile of something down there, by the pool. “I think we’ve found tin legs…” The dwarf finishes. Gokan and Jimmy are quickly, but carefully, down the stairs and in to the chamber proper- there’s a small bank, the rest- water. “It looks deep.” Jimmy adds, peering in to the cold dark pool. “Very deep.” He adds. Gokan meanwhile is at the pile that Sigur indicated, sorting through twisted metal. The half-orc shivers, then looks at the pool, he shivers again. Gokan feels… frightened, perhaps that’s too strong a word, uneasy, that’ll do it. The half-orc grabs out a sack and begins to fill it with Hal’s remains, job done Gokan creeps back up the stairs, now and then looking over his shoulder at the still water. Jimmy remains below, grabs up a stone and hoys it up and PLOOOP! In to the pool, concentric circles spread from the spot, Jimmy dips a toe. “Bloody hell, it’s freezing…” “Come away from it, brother.” Gokan calmly, but firmly, states. Jimmy stares at Gokan for a moment, trying to read the half-orc’s thoughts, then with one last look at the pool the halfling scurries up the steps, and out of the room. “Close the door please Ramm.” Gokan adds, once the adventurers are out of the chamber. The great minotaur shrugs and then gets to work, the area is sealed, although the door itself is beginning to break apart, it’s far from impassable. “Well? Is he in there?” Sigur asks. “Most of him.” Gokan states. “Most of him?” Tonka and Jimmy ask in unison. “Mmm.” Gokan affirms. “What’s…” “… missing?” The pair collude again to ask. “His head.” Gokan calmly states. “His head?” The pair come again. “Mmm.” Gokan affirms again. Sigur giggles. The other four adventurers turn to stare. “Sorry, just thought of something funny…” Sigur covers his mouth with his hand and looks suitably contrite. Gokan and Jimmy look less than pleased, Jimmy particularly. “He was our brother.” The halfling states, sharply. Sigur clears his throat, and then coughs. “Sorry, but…” The dwarf adds, and then trails off. “But what?” Jimmy asks and steps up to Sigur, hand on his blade. Sigur’s demeanour changes, instantly, Jimmy swears later he could see pinpricks of fire in the dwarf’s eyes. “Why would anyone want the tin man’s head, it was probably the least important part of him, although…”, Sigur thinks for a short moment before ploughing on with his insult. “Although, that’d be a close fought race- the least important part of the tin man. Like that one…”, Sigur points at Tonka, “… he had a habit of spending time on the floor.” The dwarf finishes by puffing out his chest and squaring up to Jimmy. The halfling and the dwarf glare at each other for a moment. “Do you have any friends?” Jimmy bites off. “Your dad.” Sigur snaps back. “He thinks you’re a nutter!” Jimmy sneers. “Then no, I don’t have any friends.” Sigur calmly states. Ramm shakes his head and snorts, then stomps off. After a few more moments spent glaring, the adventurers file after the minotaur. The third and final discovery is a little more mundane in comparison; a section of the cave complex which was obviously the lair of the wererats the adventurers fought previously. The cavern curves around, with nests and rat-holes either side, and… well, mess, and stink. The adventurers follow the path, Ramm to the fore, generally rooting through the nests with his axe, or else slamming the blade in to the wall here and there to collapse an area. The curved cavern opens at last in to a slightly wider chamber. In the centre of this final chamber is a larger nest, probably the former home of the wererat chief, now of course deceased. No new creatures are encountered, although a myriad cave rats scurry and squeak, but do not seem intent on any harm. “Spread out. Search the place.” Tonka states. “Ramm, stay back a way- keep a look out.” The dragonborn continues, Ramm nods and takes up position back down the corridor, axe at the ready. The nests are constructed of all manner of detritus, from sticks and mud to gnawed and scavenged pieces of furniture, wood, cloth and other found objects. There’s little of any real interest to be found, although here and there the odd coin or two turns up. The only item of any real note is a small amount of paper; this located in the largest nest- the one right at the very end of the corridor. The paper is shredded in places; certainly it has seen better days… Tonka is intrigued. “It seems to be all from the same sheet of paper, perhaps if we could piece it together.” Tonka notes Sigur’s look, the dwarf looks less ‘intrigued’. “It could be something important.” Tonka states. “It could.” Sigur agrees, “but I doubt it.” Tonka shoves the papers inside a pouch at his belt. “Okay. I’ll try my best to piece it together later, but for now…” Tonka points back down the corridor, back the way they came. The caverns have been searched, most of Hal has been located, the adventurers press on- back to the rest room beyond the entrance chamber, the door through which the goblin wizard tried to flee. [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045379431/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8045379431_4273f9f012_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/QUOTE]
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Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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