Sons of Krauss Age of Worms Adventure Path (IC)

[Voadam]

Gregor stops straining and turns to the bard.

"Kenneth, I guess you can't see the top, it is wide and tall but not that deep. See the slot up above where it came down? I'm going to try to push it over, not push it in farther. Once toppled we could just walk over it. However if you want to check for a mechanism on the other side that might clear it out first that's fine. Anybody got a rope for him to make it back to our side if need be?"

Gregor picks up the small bard and lifts him up easily.

"Thanks Majikalar, the crowbar is strapped to my pack."

 

[hbarsquared]

Kenneth

"Ah, yes," says Kenneth, tapping one finger against his temple. "Good thinking, Gregor. But I think I would like to check it first. We don't want to topple the block onto anything we might not be able to see."

After Gregor propels Kenneth up the side of the block, Kenneth lower his stomach a hair breadth's distance from the stone and attempts to manuever through the crevasse without getting his shirt dusty.

 

[Azten]

When his examination of the statues is completed, Azten joins the others at the block and assists when possible.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Kenneth

"Ah, yes," says Kenneth, tapping one finger against his temple. "Good thinking, Gregor. But I think I would like to check it first. We don't want to topple the block onto anything we might not be able to see."

After Gregor propels Kenneth up the side of the block, Kenneth lower his stomach a hair breadth's distance from the stone and attempts to manuever through the crevasse without getting his shirt dusty.

After a few minutes and much huffing and puffing the gnome seems convinced that he can make it, but that he keeps getting his boot caught in one place. Quickly slipping them off he turns back to the hole and tries to relax enough to make his way through. A few minutes later you hear a brief outcry of joy and he disappears from view completely.

Kenneth drops down on the far side of the blocked passage, his bare feet slapping the cold tile floor. Sadly the crawl has left him covered in dust and dirt from head to toe. With his sensitive eyes, there is enough light spillage from the other room to not bump into anything, but if he wants to look at anything in any detail he will need his own light source.

As the human had described to all before, the corridor is about 10 feet wide and has alcoves on each side. Now that he can move around he can see that there are statues in each of these alcoves. The statues are of a large humanoid, but further detail is not discernable in this light. There is a definite breeze coming from somewhere, but the gnome is not sure from where exactly.

(OOC: FYI, when you try and topple the block, it will tip most easily towards you. The far side of it is flush with the wall of the chamber you're in.)

 

[Voadam]

Gregor will wait patiently for the gnome before trying to pull the block down.

 

[Azten]

Azten suggests that if anyone has a grappling hook or similar piece of equipment that Kenneth should hook it to the far side of the block and we can all assist in pulling the rope to move the block back our direction.

 

[Thanee]

Alexi

Alexi waits patiently for Kenneth to return or tell them to proceed, tapping her fingers rythmically on the wall while she waits.

 

[hbarsquared]

Kenneth

"Hey guys! calls Kenneth over the stone block, "Everything's clear! No valuable artifacts or priceless statues that might be in the way!"

Kenneth cocks his ear to listen to Azten from the other side of the block. "If you have a grappling hook, throw it on over. I'll see what I can manage."

He stands at the center of the hallway, a good distance back from the stone block in case it gets pushed over prematurely, waiting to see if a grapping hook appears from over the edge. Muttering, he begins to brush the dust off his clothing, sneezing when he sniffs a puff up his nose.

"Ready when you are!" he calls before bringing a sleeve to his nose for a second sneeze.

 

[Branding Opportunity]

Hearing that the minstrel is clear of the rock, Owen and Majakilar motion for everyone to stand back. The giant grips the top of the block while his helper wedges the crowbar into the corner which he believes will yield the best result. With a nod of their heads both begin to strain against the weight of the stone. At first the block does not move. Then the two redouble their efforts and push almost to the brink of their ability. Veins pop out in their necks and heads and their muscles can be seen moving even under their armor. Finally the top of the block begins to move and once it is past it's tipping point, comes crashing down on the floor next to them, making a sound loud enough to possible be heard back in Diamond Lake. Amazingly, neither the block nor the floor seem to sustain any damage (OOC: Majakilar Str check to aid 13 + 2 (Str) + 2 (crowbar) = 17, success! Owen Strength check 15 + 5 (Str) + 2 (assist) = 22, failure; 2nd Owen Str check 18 + 5 (Str) + 2 (assist) = 25, success!).

After a split-second everyone recovers from the din just in time to hear a small stone "click!" and a pressure plate pop up in the place where the block once stood. It is immediately followed by a hissing sound coming from the walls. It seems that the many bas-relief frescos lining the wall are emitting a noxious green gas which begins to fill the room.

Now that the block has been cleared there is a clear exit out of the room. The only impediment, if only a small one, is a very dirty, yet well-dressed gnome. Be careful not to run him over.

 

[silentspace]

After a moment of elation at knocking the stone over, Majakilar spots the noxious gasses filling the chamber. "That can't be good," he mutters as he moves forward into the next room looking for a way to escape the gas, covering his mouth with his cape the best he can.