IG's Legend of The Ripper [IC]

[Autumn]

Fen runs a hand over the plastered section of the north wall, peering closely at it. "Shouldn't be too tough to get this outta the way," he mutters. "Don't look like anyone's been this way recently... but I reckon we might at least find some pointers. But let's have a thorough poke round in here first."

He starts with the floor, inspecting each foot methodically for any sign of a concealed trap door, including under the bed. From there he'll move on to turn over every other square foot of the place, looking for anything they might have missed on a first inspection. The painting is removed and the wall behind it checked, the chimney flue is inspected, the table moved and the cupboard checked for any hidden compartments or small objects lurking at the back.

[sblock=OOC]Assuming everybody else gives him the time, Fen will take 20 on a Search check for a result of 26.[/sblock]

 

[PhoenixAsh]

As a cursory glance at the contents of the cabinet turns up nothing of interest, Dacen stands out of the way of the more complete search Fen is performing.

"Take your time Fen, it'll give the 'battering ram' time to recover, if we need it again," Dacen rubs his shoulder with a rueful smile.

 

[industrygothica]

Fen turns over every square inch of the place as Dacen rests his shoulder. It takes approximately 15 minutes, but when he is finished Fen is confident that there are no secret doors or compartments in the room.

 

[Rhun]

Rexy watches as Fen searches the room, still holding her blade tightly.

 

[PhoenixAsh]

After Fen's search turns up nothing Dacen sighs, "Right. Let's try a different tact."

He walks up to the plastered area. Hefting his heavy mace, he gives it a few solid whacks with the blunt instrument, testing whether it will be sufficent to break open the sealed-over doorway. If the plaster yields, he'll continue bashing it in until it breaks apart completely.

OOC:[sblock]1d8+2 bludgeoning damage, wash, rinse, repeat[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

Dacen smashes away the plaster with ease, and opens the doorway. Beyond you lies a room in which hundreds of ale-soaked dramas would have played out over the years before it was boarded up and abandoned. At one time, it may have been a comfortable if decidedly lower-class tavern. The original brick and flint walls, ancient floors, old beams, and aged furnishings and tables are reminiscent of an earlier age, a time when patrons by the dozens would have drunken themselves into rowdy stupors within. Now the room is eerily silent, and the only patron is a frighteningly large rat that scurries into the fireplace in response to your intrusion.

This must be the Ten Bells, the famous tavern in which, a hundred years ago, Mari Kell lived and worked her wares.

 

[Rhun]

"Well," says Rexy, moving cautiously into the abandoned taproom, "A tavern was the last thing I expected to find behind that door."

 

[Schmoe]

Xao stands gaping silently for a moment. Then his hands flutter in a brief gesture as he moves slowly toward the opening. "By the grace of the ancestors," he mutters to noone in particular. "This place has weight. You can feel it. So many souls mingled here. So much laughter. So much pain." His voice trails off as he hesitantly crosses the threshhold. "If these walls could speak, they would ache with sorrow for the loneliness they now bear."

Shaking himself slightly, Xao seems to come out of a reverie. "Judging by the room we just left, what we are looking for has more in common with the world of the flesh than the world of the spirit. Can any of you search for signs of life? Aside from the rats, that is."

 

[industrygothica]

Speaking of walls talking...

As you enter the closed tavern a table in a far corner begins to shake. Alone at first, it is quickly followed by another, and then another; soon every table and chair in the room is shaking, rocking violently on the wooden floor. Old glasses rattle and shatter in the cupboards, and a spray of shards erupts from it with a vicious force.

Finally, a table is lifted from the floor completely and launched in your direction, exploding against the wall and causing a whirlwind of splinters and sharp debris (everyone takes 2 damage after passing a reflex save for half). As the table smashes into the wall, you can barely make out a ghostly female voice shouting what sounds like "get out!"

Suddenly, the room is again silent and still.

 

[Rhun]

Rexy, HP 10 of 12

Despite the scratches and pain from the exploding table, Rexy holds her ground. "That's a bit unsettling," she says, hoping her companions have a better idea on how to proceed than she does.