Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter One

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Well I would have given it to Byntrou, but he seems to like wielding his scimitar in two hands. Anyway in your hands Destiny it may throw some strange and frightening shadows towards our enemies coming from so low down behind a bunch of large and somewhat scary shapes,” Keryth chuckles.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Getting a closer look at the cave (5 feet out from the opening) reveals that while the cave is indeed natural, there have been some modifications made. Stacked inside the cave entrance is a bit of wood - it appears to be scraps from a building project rather than stacked firewood. There are also several places in the ground where it appears several very large, metal objects were dragged or pushed down the mouth of the cave. The ruts are not deeply engraved in the stone floor, but they are significantly scratched into the floor of the cave. Destiny lights the lantern and shines it into the mouth of the cave. The cave appears to be empty for as long as can be seen ... although it is clear that the light is not reaching anywhere near the end of the cave.

The air at the mouth of the cave is much cooler than the air outside the mountain. The path inside the cave does descend doward rather sharply at the beginning.

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, sorcerous barbarian

Byntrou takes the crystal and bows his head.

"Tchyen*, Destiny. You are right that the price means little; this is important as a focus, rather than a comsumable material. Should we encounter any strange writings, this may be important," he says, stowing the crystal in one of his robe's pockets.

At the cave entrance, Byn retrieves one of the scraps of leather Gav found.

"Before we enter, a moment for me to prepare," he says. Holding the leather in the palm of one hand, Byntrou passes his other above it, a soft mumble coming from him. He lifts the free hand, fingers closing as if around an invisible string. Indeed, the leather lifts slightly into the air with no apparent support. With a quick series of harsh consonants, Byntrou snaps his fingers. The air about him seems to quiver like the wavering above a campfire. Then the effect is gone, the leather laying in the open palm again.

Byn looks up and smiles, returning the leather to its pocket and bringing his recently retrieved bow off his back (though he leaves the arrows in their quiver for the moment).

"Now that I'm a bit harder to hit, let's see what this cave has to offer," he says.

OOC: [sblock] Casting Mage Armor on himself. +4 armor bonus to AC for the next hour.[/sblock]

*: [sblock]A pleasant, casual level of thanks. (BTW, if I'm getting carried away playing with Bous society, feel free to roll your eyes and tell me enough's enough. )[/sblock]

 

[magic_gathering2001]

"What's with all the wood and stuff?" Pwent wonders aloud as he takes his first steps into the cave

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Well I guess there’s something here after all...as for the wood Pwent, my guess is that they’ve built something further into the cave. Whatever it is I hope we can get past it,” Keryth remarks, “Let us be about our task then so we can return all the sooner.”

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Destiny looks at the pile of wood. "I agree with Keryth. Something's obviously been built, and they've not hiddent he evidence too well. Most likely they're not afraid of being discovered."

As the party proceeds down the cave entrance, suddenly a wall comes into view. The wall is ... made of wood, apparently the same stuff that is at the entrance. The cave widens to about 10 feet across at this point, and there is a door with no handle in the middle of the wall. There does appear to be a very small hole in the middle of the door - about the right height for a human face. From the other side of the door can be heard a voice, "We don't want none, now if you don't know any better lemme give you some advice. GO HOME!" The voice is clearly male, and based upon the deep pitch the voice is most likely from a person about Byntrou's size.

 

[D20Dazza]

Bahruul Bous Barbarian

Stopping before the door Bahruul plants his feet and draws his battle axe. He carefully tests the blades edge with his thumb and looks over his shoulder at Bryn, his head motioning towards the door "barg-Gruul*" he barks in the guttural language of the bous "I love the sound of my axe biting into wood" he casually continues in the common language of men "I will be but a moment my friends" with that he takes the couple of strides he needs to get within striking distance of the door, winds up and attempts to bury his axe deep in the door, at about the level of the eye hole is.

[sblock]barg-Gruul loosely translates to bloody idiot[/sblock]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

The axe sinks deep into door - cracking it, but not opening any significant holes. The structure of the door is weakened enough that one more good blow would probably break off the top third of the door.

"Oh," the voice says calmly - although it sounds as if it has wisely moved from right behind the door. "You're one of those. You think that just because there is an unusual wooden door built in a dungeon that gives you permission to come through it to the other side. Well, have at the door, I say. It's a bit stronger than it looks, no? But seriously, have at the door. You'll notice that big pile of wood at the entrance? Thats from the last group that wanted revenge. They wanted their little stolen items back. So they huffed, and they puffed, and they chopped my door down. But you notice who's still here now. I can always make another one when you're dead. I'll be waiting for you here on the other side."

The voice clearly seems to be intent on confidently mocking the party.

 

[magic_gathering2001]

Pwent takes his cue and charges at the door with spit flying and a growl.
[sblock]If the door looks like it will topple then bull rush if not then normal attack[/sblock]

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Keryth watches the two warriors try to penetrate the door, while making sure his shield is correctly set on his arm he takes up his morningstar in his right hand.