[Pathfinder] Hewligan's Rise of the Runelords: The Hook Mountain Massacre

[hewligan]

The door opens to reveal a large chamber that rises almost thirty feet to the barn ceiling far above. The majority of this large, stuffy chamber is covered in filthy webs forming a funnel that dips down into the ground. A catwalk runs around the rim of the room, about eight feet below the ceiling. In each corner the catwalk expands into a ten foot square platform that's fenced in by wooden beams, forming a cage in each corner. The walls within each cage are hung with iron manacles. Most of the manacles - while bloody - are empty, but the cage in the southeast corner of the room contains three emaciated men, looking dishevelled and weak to the point of collapse.

Kibb mews. Not a noise you expect to hear from such a large bear. A pitiful sound, as if wimpering.

 

[frostrune]

OOC: Hew - are the 'cages' at the floor level where we are or on the catwalk level?

 

[hewligan]

OOC: Hew - are the 'cages' at the floor level where we are or on the catwalk level?

They are raised far up on the catwalk. There is an ogre-kin sized ladder resting on the left (north) wall, leaning against the catwalk to the floor.

 

[Rhun]

"We must reach those men so that I can tend to their wounds," says Danth quietly, glancing about the chamber for any signs of danger.

 

[frostrune]

"We must reach those men so that I can tend to their wounds," says Danth quietly, glancing about the chamber for any signs of danger.

"Right".

Jokad slings his spear and shield over his back and dashes off to the ladder leading up. He figures he'll find a winch or pulley tying them off and will lower the whole cage down to the others. As he climbs he does keep his eyes on the darkness and webbing above him.

 

[hewligan]

Jokad moves into the room and starts to wade towards the ladder, brushing the large, sticky webs away from his face as he moves. Under-foot, concealed by the white of the web, some things crunch and break as he treads on them, other things feel more like stones that he walks over with care. As he turns for a second to review the damage he has done in his progress, he can see that the things he have been treading on are bones - small bones, generally. Perhaps animals, or small people.

He moves on towards the ladder. It appears unconnected by any gadget, just leaning lazily against the wall, although tangled by webs in a few places, but nothing Jokad couldn't easily clear.

The Shoanti shifts it, to check its weight and whether it will move freely. It is heavy, but he can tilt and drag it into position.

OOC: is that what Jokad wants to do then? Move the ladder over to the corner and ascend to the men in the cage?

 

[frostrune]

OOC: is that what Jokad wants to do then? Move the ladder over to the corner and ascend to the men in the cage?

I pictured the ladder as simply leading up to the catwalk. I hadn't planned on moving it (though I can). I was figuring I'd use it to ascend to the catwalk level then make my way over to the corner with the cage. Once there, I was hoping he'd find a rope/winch/pulley system to lower the cage down to Danth and the others.

I also hadn't realized there was so much webbing. While I was previously suspecting I was going to get jumped by a large spider while climbing... now I am certain of it. LOL!! Jokad simply doesn't always think things through. Hehe.

 

[Fenris]

As the doors open, Jovik peers through assessing the situation. As Jokad enters and wades through the webs, Jovik instead turns and heads to the ramps as he originally suggested, since they all lead to the same place it appears.

 

[hewligan]

As the doors open, Jovik peers through assessing the situation. As Jokad enters and wades through the webs, Jovik instead turns and heads to the ramps as he originally suggested, since they all lead to the same place it appears.

Note that the wall that separated this room extends to the roof - so while there are platforms in the main room and in this room, they do not lead to one another. The only way into this part of the barn was through the door you entered via.

 

[hewligan]

Jokad "knows" an attack is imminent. Spider webs everywhere mean there must be a spider. His right hand itches, as it always does when he knows battle will be joined, but he tries to ignore it, moves the ladder, and climbs to the cage.

Inside, shackled to the walls, are three men. They are dressed in torn, stained, and stinking uniforms of the Black Arrows. The men look near starvation. Their skin seems to stick to their bones. Ragged beards cover their faces. All three are slumped, as if unconscious, but Jokad hears a voice. Weak, rasping, as if from a dry throat.

"help"

One of the men lifts his head a little, as if the effort is all he can muster. His face is bruised and swollen, with scar tissue also showing older wounds that have partly healed. These men are going to need some serious help.

And then, of course, Jokad can hear the scuttling.

At last the spider is about to show itself.

OOC: The cage's lock looks simple - certainly something Jovik could pick easily, or even perhaps Jokad could force. The cage is built into the wall, so no way of lowering it to the ground. It is going to be a case of get in, unshackle the men, and then carry them down one by one. That, though, can wait until after the spider.