Crossed Paths, Part III

Marcus

Marcus and the others cautiously walk up the corridor. About 30 feet in, Marcus notices a lump on the ground. Looking closer, it appears to be some rotted wood, now decomposed into a grey mush. Glancing upwards, Marcus sees an opening in the ceiling. It is about 4 foot square. He can't see the top. Even Dhormium, when he walks directly under it, can't see an end to it. It seems to proceed straight up at least 60 feet, in the same 4x4 foot square shape. Marcus notices nothing else that would smell like a trap in the rest of the hallway.

Marcus of the Roma.

Marcus pauses for a moment to consider the doors. Or to be more accurate, the faces. Then, with a shrug, he slips quietly up to the doors. He listens first, then proceeds to give them a once over for traps, then move on to the locks (if there are any).

ooc: * Listen +6 * Search +4 * Disable Device +7 * Open Lock +7

The corridor

Marcus listens at the next set of double doors. He thinks he can hear a faint humming, or droning sound. There are no traps in evidence. The doors don't seem to be locked. A simple latch, but a very sturdy and heavy one, keeps them closed. It would seem more designed to keep whatever was on the other side out, than to keep the party from entering.

At this point, I need everyone to state their position on the map, per the grid coordinates. I took the liberty of placing Marcus.

"Huh," says Octar. "Strange. I don't feel terribly optimistic about this one. Tullius, you and I take the front, aye?" Octar will position himself next to Tullius right in front of the double doors.

Tullius nods at Octar and grins. "Once more into the breach, dear friend." He draws his shortsword and swings his axe to loosen up muscles. "Ready." He moves next to Octar.

"Hold a minute, this has the sense of a trap even though Marcus can find no evidence of one. Let us fully investigate what is visibly before us."

Ehldannis crouches to better inspect the rotted wood, trying to discern what it may have once been. He will then make a quick circuit of the hallway, relying on his keen senses to pick up any hidden doors. Lastly he will suggest to his companions, "Perhaps a magically lit arrow could be fired up this shaft to see what lies at the top? I will gladly invoke the spell if it will glean us any knowledge of what we may be walking into."

Place Ehldannis at d5

Marcus of the Roma.

Marcus moves back to the others, urging them back a few steps if need be. He passes on what he has noticed and heard and nods in agreement with Octar's accessment.

"Hold a minute there Tullius. Whatever is in there will be there for a moment longer.

But before he can continue Ehldannis steps up and makes his suggestion. Marcus holds his thoughts while Ehldannis makes his circuit. Marcus shrugs at the idea of the shooting an arrow up the shaft. It looks pretty much like a vent. The wood probably just a cover that fell in long ago. But he raises no objections and does what he can to help.

assuming nothing comes of it (and before I forget) ...

Before they move back towards the door Marcus gestures for everyone to listen up a minute.

"I think that we should go carefully from here. Two to the left and two to the right. One into the keystone postion. Form a protective arch around the door with enough room for Ehldannis room to move into. Given what we have fouind down here so far, I would suggest Dhormium take the center. But," he glances at Octar and Tullius, "it six of one and half a dozen of the other."

Octar shrugs at Ehldanni's suggestion, sheathing his sword, loosing his shield, and taking his bow off his back. He presents an arrow for enscorclment, pulls back the string to his ear with a stiff pull, and fires it up the shaft, wary of it coming back down on him again.

Ehldannis, like Marcus, figures most likely the rotten wood was a cover over the hole in the ceiling. Elhdannis, using his alchemy knowledge, figures it was once painted to look like stone.

Octar readies an arrow. Ehldannis casts his spell, and the legionairre sends it flying upwards. It's been a long time since Octar has shot an arrow straight up, but he is amazed at how fast and straight his arrow goes. He knows his bow is better than any he has ever used before.

The glowing arrow streaks upwards, quickly striking something and falling. It does not fall back down the shaft, and its light is still visible. From Octar's angle, he still can't really see anything, other than what is probably a stone ceiling of a room. He can, however, hear a scream of surprise from above, as can the rest of the party.

"Well, that was interesting," says Octar, warily keeping his eye upwards and notching another arrow. "What now?"