IC: Dichotomy's Age of Worms Redux, Part I

[Dichotomy]

As the wolves remains are dealt with while Boldak and Alendar look around, it seems that there are no immediate threats in the area.

The central hallway opens into the large chamber where Boldak first encountered the wolves. It has wings leading both east and west. Across the chamber to the north yawns a twenty-foot-wide open arch draped from top to bottom in translucent cobwebs. An eerie green light flickers from beyond the webs, casting strang shadows about this room. The place smells of animal spoor and wet fur.

To the west, three shorts stairs lead to a wide marble dais, but the far end of the wing is obscured by darkness.

Huge slabs of masonry and irregular piles of scattered debris choke the eastern wing, giving the appearance of complete collapse.

The sibilant, almost human whispers present in the passage become a chorus in this massive chamber, eerily echoing off the walls.
[sblock=OOC]Sorry, no time to post anymore now. But that should give you something to talk about at least.[/sblock]

 

[michael_noah]

As he awaits the lighting of the wolves, the dwarf explains what he saw inside to the others.

"One of the hallways has caved in, I didn't see anything strange about it, it's probably just old. Another is covered in cobwebs and has some light coming from behind it, I imagine that's what we saw when we first entered the cave. Whatever's back there hasn't moved in a while, though, or the cobwebs wouldn't be so thick." At the thought of cobwebs, he spits, "Of course, spiders might be bad enough.

"I say we check out the last passage first, as it's unobstructed, and looks like it might bear more signs of intelligent fashionings."
[sblock=ooc]Boldak will check out the steps and dias, searching as I noted before.[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

A wide dais spanning the back half of the western wing calls attention to a faded fresco upon the south, west, and north walls. From a vantage point at the center of the dais, the wall painting makes it look like you stand within a massive room with seven short hallways radiating outward from a central point. A chain dangles from the ceiling at the end of each hallway, and each chain bears a gleaming colored lantern. Clockwise, the colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

While Boldak examines the west wing, Alendar keeps watch in the central hall. "I think there are steps down on the other side of the webs," the elf says as he examines them.

 

[TiCaudata]

Shavora sits on Breth's shoulder as the wolves are ignited muttering about the "..waste of perfectly good food."

Upon getting his lantern back, Breth walks into the cairn and approaches the cobwebbed entrance. As he tilts his lantern to light the webs he says, "That should take care of those for the meantime at least."

He then climbs the dais and takes a good look around at the frescoes. "I bet these practically looked real when they were new. I wouldn't be surprised if someone mistook them for a passage way once or twice. I bet that would have left a mark."

 

[michael_noah]

After Boldak spends some time poking around the fresco, he walks back to the others, running his fingers along the realistic facade. "Well, I still can't make much of it. I don't see how this relates to that frame, but it sure fits in the 'strange' theme.

"Nothing has come after us yet, so I suppose there's not too much to worry about down here," the dwarf mumbles as he procedes to search the steps on the other side of the fried silk.
[sblock=ooc]He'll continue onward after searching the steps, too.[/sblock]

 

[Dichotomy]

In the increased light that accompanies the flare of the webs, you suddenly realize that the eastern passage is, in fact, not completely blocked by rubble.

 

[michael_noah]

Boldak continues on past the stairs, but as he does so, he motions toward the wall with his free hand, bringing the opening to the attention of the others.
[sblock]Boldak will still investigate the light source first.[/sblock]

 

[worthley]

Viktor will attemp to move quietly to Boldak, with the skill of a blind bull covered in bells. There he awaits further directions.

 

[o3caudata]

Alexis stays close to Breth once Boldak begins his searching. In the fresco room, she takes special attention to anything overtly religious. Visibly stumped, she hums quietly for a moment and then looks around and blushes sheepishly. From them she focuses on the darkness where she thinks Boldak is, tense and slightly jumpy.

 

[TiCaudata]

Breth takes his lantern over towards the eastern opening to see if he can determine anything without going in. He keeps an eye on the others, following them when they go further down the stairs.