Crossed Paths, Part III

[doghead]

Marcus the Gypsy.

A number of responses come to mind, but Ehldannis speaks first.

Marcus can't bring himself to rebuff the scholar's entreaty, and so he just glances at Tullius and shrugs and holds his peace.

"I'll take a look at the door. Please keep an eye on the...," he lifts his chin in the direction of the gargoyles, "for me would you."

Marcus sheathes his sword and moves over to the doors, glancing up at the gargoyles between careful sweeps of the floor he crosses and the door and surroundings. He starts with the lock, but doesn't touch anything til he has had a good look, and then a listen.

ooc: Disable Device +7, Listen +6, Move Silently +7, Open Lock +7, Search +4. I think that is all the relevent numbers.

 

[Manzanita]

The double doors are locked, but the mechanism is mostly rusted through, and Marcus has little trouble picking it. He detects no traps or suspicious things. The gargoils do not move. The doors open into a large unlit hall. The room extends beyond the torchlight to the west, but walls are visible to the North and South about 40 feet apart. A door is visible on the north wall.

 

[doghead]

Marcus the Gypsy

Marcus breathes a sigh of relief. He signals the others to ready themselves then pushes the door ajar and glances through the crack, scanning the room for danger. He listens. Then when all seems quiet, he draws his sword. One last thing occures to him, and he signals to Mendicus to keep an eye on the gargoyles. Damn it. We've had Manticores and Sphinxes. As an after thought, he indicates for Brioc, Octar, Tullius and Dhormium to form an arc as they did last time. Once he gets their agreement (assuming that he does) ...

He swings the doors open carefully. As the doors open he slips through and off to one side.

 

[Despaxas]

Tullius draws his weapons and moves through the door. Forming up with the rest to cover the door.

 

[Krilith]

~Dhormium follows in behind tullius, holding his battleaxe firmly in his hand. Glancing occasionally towards the ceiling to heed marcus' warnings about the gargoyles~

ooc: can dhormium spot anything odd about the stonework around here? Seeing difference between the stone tiles on the floor?

 

[Manzanita]

crypts

The party moves cautiously into the room. Dhormium inspects the stonework. It is similar to what has been used ever since the party entered the hallway leading to the Sphinx room. It seems very high quality and distinct from the rest of the caverns thus far.

About 50 feet into the room a heavy black curtain hangs across the room from the ceiling, which is about 10 feet high. A ten foot gap in the curtain in the center of the room reveals a wall of bars, and behind that, a large golden throne.

Hmmm...I seem to be unable to attach a map at the moment. Don't forget that there is a double door on the north wall about 10 feet into the room.

 

[Inez Hull]

"I wonder if the bars are to keep something on that side in, or something on this side out? Regardless, I like this not, perhaps we should investigate the door."

 

[Manzanita]

map - trying again.

 

[doghead]

Marcus the Gypsy

"Or perhaps," Marcus muses quietly while gazing intently at the bars, "it is a trap that has been sprung." He turns his attention to the floors and walls looking for any triggers or release mechanisms*.

"But I agree. Lets check the door. I don't like leaving our backs exposed." Which gives Marcus an idea. "Perhaps those big doors can be closed as well." For Marcus is convinced that those gargoyles are going to be trouble at some point or another.

ooc: * Search +4.

 

[Manzanita]

searching

Marcus is able to close the double doors behind them fairly easily, although the lock no longer works, so without some additional fortification, they would not hold out an enemy more than a round.

He then starts to examine the floors and walls for signs of traps or mechanisms. He finds none of these to start, but does almost immediately find a secret door. Built into the south wall about 5 feet into the room is a cleverly disguised door, different than the earlier secret doors found. It looks like it would have to be forced open.