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Crossed Paths Part V

Dhormium smiles and nods his head.

"I prayed for guidance as for what we should do, and the first thing I saw after my prayers was your ugly mug, Marcus, so you must be the one to guide me today, I suppose. Lead on."
 

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Brioc calls his wolf to his side and prepares to advance. He is content to let the others lead, contemplating the situation, and looking for solutions to their problems.
 

Marcus of the Roma

Marcus snorts at Dhormium's little speach.

"Never met a decent Dwarven comedian yet," he mutters.

"Right then. This way shall we?"

Marcus sets off through the door to the north, moving cautiously and keeping his eyes and ears open. The bloody lantern casts grotesque shadows that seem to lurch across the rough walls. More than once Marcus catches sight of something in the corner of his eye that makes him think that real shadows have returned. Each time his stomach does a little summersault.
 

The door to the north is easily opened. Beyond is the same dark silence. In the lantern light, the party can see a long corridor opening East. It is about 5 feet wide and continues some 100 feet. About halfway down the length, Marcus feels the floor give way underneath him. Only by dint of extraordinary reflexes does he avoid falling in. The party does notice a brief ray of light eminate from under the pit cover before it closes again as Marcus lifts his foot. The trap door covers about the middle 4 feet of the corridor, making it possible, though still somewhat dangerous, to edge around it and continue.
 

Tullius make his way up to the front.

"You have good reflexe, Marcus." he inspects a moment the ground and adds "I would like to know what that light was. Octar, Marcus, can you grab my arms, I'll trigger the trap again, but I wouldn't like to fall."

If the two others accept, he will put one feet on the trap and slowly add weight on it and pull back as soon as the trap open, with his friend's help. He will then try to see where the light was coming from.
 


With a little ingenuity, the party is able to prop open the trap door. Far below is a green world, lit by some unseen light. The party can see green fields, and animals the size of insects, small thatched round huts, large leafy trees, and a palace of indeterminate size. Ecgthow, after looking for a time, can identify where he stayed among the huts and goat fields.
 


"Fascinating, a whole world existing deep underground.... I wonder how it is lit?.... or how many live there?... wondrous, truly wondrous." With a wrench the elf pulls himself away from the view. "Perhaps after we have finished our quest we can find cause to journey below, but for now let us push on."
 

Into the Woods

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