Phyrric Legacy - Shackled City IC Thread

stonegod said:

Jon looks at the others. "I believe I have asked all there is. Let us leave this one in the Cuthbertite's care for its final justice."

Taking the others aside, Jon states, "It appears we are not under a dire time pressure. I suggest we rest and approach in the morning. I have already depleted much of my strength today."

Click to expand...

Jon's suggestion seems agreeable to everyone, so the party turns to leave the temple. As Jon turns away from the skulk, it starts to howl and thrash violently once again, screaming, "NOOOOO! You let me go! Let me gooooo!"

Jenya raises her voice to be heard over the skulk's cries, "We will do our best to care for the creature here, but if it cannot be calmed, we may have no choice but to turn it over to the town watch. Still, we will try not to do so. Go under the protection of St. Cuthbert, our prayers are with you."

The party soon disperses for the night, each retiring to his respective inn or home. A good night's sleep is the order of the day, although it may be hard to come by in the excitement of the journey to come.

(OOC: If anyone wishes to do anything specific for the balance of the evening, please insert it here. Otherwise, I'll go ahead and advance to the next day.)
-------------------------------------------------------
Freeday, Ready'reat the 21st

The group assembles early at Ghelve's Locks, as prepared as they can be for what awaits them below the surface. Although his business is not yet open at this early hour, Keygan Ghelve expectantly lets the party inside. As he does, the group cannot help but notice his much diminished stature. In response to any questions or puzzled looks, the gnome mumbles, "I usually only wear my stilts during business hours. Don't like customers looking down on me..."

After all last-minute details have been checked, and the party is completely ready to go, Keygan unlocks the secret door under the stairs again, and says, "Thank you for doing this for me...and for Starbrow. I don't know whether you'll be able to rescue any of the stolen townspeople...but all of Cauldron will be in your debt if you can. Good luck to you!"

With that, the party steps forth into the unknown. The stone staircase, its steps shrouded with cobwebs and dust, descends twenty feet to a ten-foot-square landing that bends to the right and plunges into darkness. An empty iron torch sconce is mounted to one wall of the landing.

(OOC: Okay, you're going in! The group will need a light source to able to go any further, so we'll hold up here to take care of that, and for some role-playing opportunity. I am presuming that the marching order I presented in the OOC thread is acceptable to all of you.)

Jon, remembering his annoyance at not having pen and paper earlier, makes sure to get some on his return trip. He also picks up a few sundries. To the others, he asks whether they plan on trying to make a straight shot for the tunnel, or are they anxious to explore the entire complex?

~~~

Jon takes out a torch, lights it, and examines the map the gnome gave them. "I am not sure where we are on this yet. Best be careful."

[OOC: Bought 10 sheets of parchment, a vail of ink, an inkpen, 10 pc. chalk, and flint and steel for a total of 11 gp, 2 sp.]

Arak kneels and prays silently.

"We should probably go straight to the children, if we can." Dowlee looks at everyone, "Once we know they're home and safe, we can explore down here at our leisure."

Arak stands again.

"Yes, the children's safety is our first priority. And after that, justice."

"Just watch out for the doors with teeth, or whatever other surprises they have in store for us." Liracor, at the back, advises.

"On into the darkness then"

"I have a silent step," he looks at the gnome "I could go just behind to cover you..."

In the flickering light of Jon's torch, the party continues down to the landing, then turns and descends another set of stairs to a second landing. From here, the staircase descends another twenty feet before opening into a room. From this landing can be heard strange sounds emanating from the chamber below, specifically chirping birds, rustling leaves, and cheery giggles. The landing itself is bare save for another empty iron torch sconce mounted on the south wall.

(OOC: I put a red dot on the map. Think of it as a 'You Are Here' marker.)

Flannad licks his lips. He knows that now his life, and those of the others and the children, may depend on his skills. He listens carefully for a moment before checking the stairs briefly for any traps. (OOC: Listen/Spot +7, Search +8, Hide +16, Move Silently +12)