[AU] Stone Bones

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Will, the snail's shell is very tough, but with some help from Atlas you can hack off about a palm-sized chunk of the multi-hued shell. Then you continue your travels; through the chamber of bats (there seem to be small vents in the ceiling that probably allow them access to the outside world, or perhaps they eat the insects in here) and to the larger chamber with the shallow river across it.*

*It is about twenty feet across, though would only be knee deep on Wil. It is crystal clear, and has several blind white fish in it. The only exit from this chamber, and the one that follows the red walls, is a low tunnel that the rivers exits from, on the right side. The tunnel seems to be only three feet above the surface of the water, which means that while everyone else could just wade through it, Atlas would probably have to go through on his knees. The tunnel seems to extend for a goodly distance, and your lights cannot see the end of it from here.*

 

[Erekose13]

"Come on Leesea, lets have a look at what is down the tunnel. You guys check if the water is safe to stand or kneel in." Phaern says, excited to be back on track.

 

[Rybaer]

"Come on Leesea, lets have a look at what is down the tunnel. You guys check if the water is safe to stand or kneel in." Phaern says, excited to be back on track.

"Absolutely," she says. "I'd hate for us to run into something nasty in that tight a space. Could get ugly for the tall'uns."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Leesea and Phaern fly down the narrow passage, glowglobe lantern at the ready. The reddish walls extend the full length of the passage, glimmering like old blood on the walls. Ahead you hear something roaring and see a faint glow, and the passage comes to an abrupt end, spilling into a waterfall in a huge cavern. The uneven floor is about twenty feet below and ends in a large bubbling pool. The cavern itself is about fifty feet across and nearly sixty feet high. Moss grows in great profusion on the rocks around the pool, and along the small outlet that exits the chamber. The moss is many different colors, green, blue, purple, and orange. Up above phosphorescent fungus gives off a weak white light, mimicing stars.*

*There's ample room in this chamber to rest, even if it would be a bit damp. The passage that leads away from this chamber seems to be a bit reddish-orange; perhaps you're close to a change in the color of the road. It is a fairly broad passage, one side of which is taken up by the stream. The passage is only eight feet high further on, so it seems that Atlas is going to have a crink in his neck come tomorrow evening.*

*The only dangers you could see would be the speed of the current as you get closer to the waterfall, and getting down the waterfall itself. The pool seems deep enough that one could land in it safely, but it would get everyone all wet. And getting the mule through here is going to be a challenge...*

 

[Erekose13]

"Wow the wonders never cease. This room looks really comfortable. I think that we may be able to camp here tonight and explore a bit from this cavern to see whats around. The color of the walls certainly indicate that we are on the right track. But hmm that waterfall looks like it might be difficult to our land bound companions. I can summon a quick enchantment to carry them all down to the bottom of the falls, but that might be then end of my spells for the day. Maybe if I grant Atlas the ability to fly too he can help ferry the others down. Guess we should head back and let the others know what we have found eh? Wonder if they have had any luck with the water yet." Phaern says as he looks around the big cavern and tests how comfortable the soft moss feels.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The moss is indeed soft, particularly the purple moss which is even pleasently dry, and gives off a faint sweet scent. Going back to the others, Indacalis says that the water is cold, though non-poisonous and quite safe to drink, if laden with minerals which give it a peculiar flavor.*

 

[Rybaer]

Leesea turns to Phaern while they look over the mossy cavern. "I agree, this does look like a nice place to stop. The approach is pretty ugly, though. If something comes out of that far cave, most of the group will be trapped. I think we should explore a little further before we go to the trouble of bringing everyone down the falls."

 

[Erekose13]

"Good point. Okay lets have a look see." Phaern says, agreeing that they should look further before returning.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The two sprytes fly down the one passage, noting that the walls are indeed turning a distinct orange color the further they go. Several caverns are farther in, many choaked with stalactites and stalagmites that form massive pillars. It seems, for the time being, that you will be paralleling the stream. There are few branching caverns, but short flights down them don't give you any sign of life other than fungus. The only thing of note is a large pile of dung about a ten minutes' flight down the passageway. It is mosly covered with mushrooms, but there is one place where the dung seems reasonably fresh. The animal it comes from seems to not be too large, which would make sense, considering how little these passages can get. From looking around you can see some vaguely lizard-like tracks leading both to and from the pile. They go both further down your road and down some of the adjoining passageways. You would guess the lizard isn't probably too much longer than three feet or so.*

 

[Erekose13]

"Er right then. Thats gross. In any case looks like we have found the orange caverns. Though that moss room doesnt look too defensible, neither has anything we have seen so far. I imagine that as long as we leave some one on watch through out the night that we will be pretty safe there. The sound of the waterfall covering anything we might make and only one really viable exit to watch." Phaern says, wondering if Leesea wants to continue exploring without the others.