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Tariff's Shackled City
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<blockquote data-quote="Greyhawk" data-source="post: 3916143" data-attributes="member: 40355"><p><strong>On the trail of the Skulks</strong></p><p></p><p>"I say chaps. My god has given me the ability to heal someone today. However I can only do it once. Who should I heal? Rienhart or Mercy? As much as I relish the opportunity to lay hands on this find specimen of womanhood, I fear Rienhart is more badly hurt." says the cleric Giacomo with a look of slight distaste upon his face.</p><p></p><p>"It's but a flesh wound and will soon heal. See to the lady, who is also handy with that blade!" says Reinhardt stoically</p><p></p><p>Col checks the beds in one of the rooms, poking them with his quarterstaff. He finds nothing. He attempts to open one of the chests with his staff, from a distance, but he is unable to get a grip with the staff..</p><p></p><p>Back in the other room Talwin looks at the new cog door they have found. He notices a small diamond shaped slot carved into the door frame. "Hmm, maybe a key goes in here," says Talwin "Anyone seen any likely looking objects about? The symbol on this door is for the letter R"</p><p></p><p>The party gather the loot of the Skulks.. Three rapiers. Col picks up the sunrod that they found in one of the rooms.</p><p></p><p>Col longs longingly at the chests but decides that its too dangerous to meddle with them, he heads back to the room where Talwin is examining the door. He absentmindedly pets Strawberry who had stayed watching the party gnome examining the door. Strawberry looks as bored as a weasel is able to do. "Maybe the key is in the chest?" he asks the gnome</p><p></p><p>"Col... Think about it, why do you think they have dug the tunnelss ?" Sorendal asks Col "Perhapss because they cannot open the doorss... open doorss will give uss the advantage, esspecially if we need a fasst exit" he explains "The chestss must be perssonal lockers, just smash the lock and look if you have to... but I doubt we will find the keys to the doors in them." he suggests</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt grunts his assent "This isn't finding the kids, lets away." he tells the others and leads away to the south</p><p></p><p>Col looks around wildly, he doesn't want to be left behind but neither does he want to miss out on the treasures that he is sure the chest holds. He rushes over to the chest, takes off the lantern, blows out the light and stows it in his backpack. He then takes a deep breath, hopes that Sorendal is right, puts his finger in his ear and attempts to open the chest by the dead skulk.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, let's move on "says Mercy, following Reinhardt south. "I don't think we can do a clean sweep of this dungeon- there are just so many entrances and tunnels. Let's just go for a quick in-and-out and grab the children back to safety. We can come and mop up after." she turns to look at Giacomo and Sorendal "We ought to stick in a single group if we can, and remember to keep your eyes peeled for the Skulks. They seem to appear from nowhere."</p><p></p><p>"There may be a clue to where the children are in this skulk's chest" says Col totally unconvincingly.</p><p></p><p>Col opens the chest. Inside is the following: two tattered dark robes, three Sunrods, two flasks of oil, two Tindertwigs, a Thunderstone and a ceramic stage mask portraying the sad visage of an anguished gnome with rabbit ears. There is also a silver ring shaped like a serpent with gems for eyes. and a silver ewer adorned with dancing dryads and set with gems.</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt and Mercy head down one of tunnels south..</p><p></p><p>"Grab that stuff Col and let's move on" Talwin tells the Halfling who is staring mesmorised by the riches "TREASURE !!!" yells Col excitedly</p><p></p><p>Talwin shrugs and follows the others while Col hurriedly starts stuffing all the items into his backpack</p><p></p><p>"Loot. Awesome. Can i have some?" says Giacomo with an oily smile "That mask looks cool."</p><p></p><p>Col finishes stuffing the loot into his backpack and adds the lantern that was on top of the chest to it. "No time to examine it here" he exclaims "We need to keep up with Mercy and Reinhardt" he tells the others and half-runs along the passage and down the corridor to the South</p><p></p><p>The room the party have entered has eight black marble pillars support the thirty-foot-high ceiling of this majestic hall. The pillars are carved to resemble gnome artisans and warriors standing on each other's shoulders, bracing the vaulted roof with their collective strength. The walls are adorned with faded murals depicting gnomes in reverie---playing pipes, dancing, performing acrobatic stunts, drinking wine, and so forth. The forty-foot-wide hall widens at the south end, where a large circular pool is enclosed by a semicircular, one foot high veined marble wall. Carved into the wall above the pool is a gnome visage with water spilling from its wide grin. Four bright lights illuminate the hall. They flicker and dance like torchlight and drift aimlessly about the hall, changing altitude and direction on a whim. Two piles of rubble, one in the northwest corner and another in the southwest corner, add elements of imperfection to this grand hall.</p><p></p><p>Col swaps his quarterstaff for his crossbow and looks around the room suspiciously. "We should check out those other chests" he whispers to Talwin looks at the large room that they have come into. "Wow, its great to be such an important place for us gnomes, I feel honoured"</p><p></p><p>Talwin begins to examine the rubble but finds nothing of interest.</p><p></p><p>"I say. Wait for me chaps. Can I have a look at the mask?" Giacomo asks the Halfling, Col reluctantly fishes inside his backpack and hands the mask over to Giacomo.</p><p></p><p>Mercy moves forward into the room, carefully scanning the area for any skulks. She knows now that they seem to hide in the shadows, so she takes extra care to peer into any shady corners. Reinhardt moves with Mercy, shining his shield into any dark corners, and ready with blade should battle present itself "Hmmm moving lights. Seems magey.." he comments.</p><p></p><p>Grral having finished searching the room follows swiftly after the others to the south</p><p></p><p>Silas realising he has been left behind runs after the party</p><p></p><p>"That looks like another skulk tunnel to the south" says the party rogue "Col I dont suppose any of those skulks were carrying any food were they?" he says over the rumbling belly</p><p></p><p>Col shakes his head sadly to Talwin "No food, and even if they had I doubt it would tempt me. We are completely out of food and will need to return to Cauldron if we are not to die of starvation" he pauses "It must be an hour or more since we had breakfast. I wonder if these stairs lead up to another house in the city?" Col thinks to himself as he gazes up into the darkness to the East "Maybe even an Inn serving fine food, but that would be too much to hope for!" and he grins happily to himself.</p><p></p><p>"Lets take a look at what they've been up to" calls Reinhardt and heads South towards the tunnel spotted by Talwin</p><p></p><p>Grral moves forward into the room and takes a look into the opening/alcove in the West side of the room</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt moves through the large hall, heading for the pool at the south end. Halfway down he stops for emerging from behind the southernmost pillars appear two skulks..</p><p></p><p>"I am feeling weak already, I have never been this long between meals, it must be well past my lunchtime" says Talwin oblivious to the approaching monsters. "Oh my! It's more of those horrible creatures" he says looking away from the rubble</p><p></p><p>"But they've got to eat and to feed the children too. Maybe we are approaching their kitchen although, if the truth be told, I'm sure my nose would have picked up food smells by now" says Col licking his lips and thinking of lunch</p><p></p><p>Sorendal looks into the hall and sees his wounded comrade Reinhardt far ahead of the rest of the group, enemies approaching... " No..no,no,no.. Unfair! Unfair!" he states in a clearly agitated manner. He moves forward into the hall to help even the odds as best as he can... He chants a few arcane words and scatters some sand as he waves his hand and points at the skulk which falls into a deep sleep.</p><p></p><p>"Blasted things!" swears Reinhardt "Give up now, and you will be treated well. Resist, and things will not go so well with you!"</p><p></p><p>Mercy moves swiftly forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Reinhardt, ready to do battle with the remaining skulk</p><p></p><p>Talwin aims his crossbow with one fluid movement "Take that you tasty little rabbit pie" says the gnome drooling, "Sorry it helps me focus when I hunt" he adds by way of an apology</p><p></p><p>"Nice shot Talwin" exclaims Col "That's a brilliant idea, calling it food, it helped your aim no end, we should all do it!". Talwins bolt hits the Skulk which staggers back wounded...</p><p></p><p>"Come on porkie pie!" shouts Mercy</p><p></p><p>Grral sights the Skulk directly to the south lets out an exultant "Skul-Dug-er-Ee!!!" before drawing his sword and charging towards the creature "Yaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhwwwwwwwwaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr!!!!" echoes around the hall as the barbarians feet pound their way toward their target</p><p></p><p>Grral rushes at the wounded creature, with one swing of his greatsword the creature dies..</p><p></p><p>Silas looks from the sleeping skulk to Grral to Sorendal "Well that spell certainly works well, I thought Grral's battle cry would waken the dead there"</p><p></p><p>Col moves to the West and looks up the side tunnel to check for danger and also to get a safe distance from the sleeping skulk.</p><p></p><p>"Someone gonna finish it off? " says Sorendal and he points to the sleeping skulk..</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt moves to the southern entrance and readies a swing in case anything approaches "Kill it, or not, I care not."</p><p></p><p>Grral leaves his sword unsheathed and wanders after Reinhardt toward the southern tunnel</p><p></p><p>"For goodness sake someone slit its throat before it wakes up and attempts to slaughter us from behind" says Col shaking his head</p><p></p><p>Grral looks over at Col. "Well done friend Col, you kill Skul-Dug-er-Ee"</p><p></p><p>"Unfortunately not Grral" replies Col "I just wouldn't be able to do enough damage to kill it but more than enough to wake it up - and make it angry too!" he adds with a laugh</p><p></p><p>Giacomo walks up with his mace ready to swing. He takes a careful aim at the Skulks ugly bonce and take a good swipe at it. Giacomo's mace strikes the Skulks head with a sickening thump.. the creature is dead</p><p></p><p>Grral peers down the corridor for any clue as to what lies ahead, as he concentrates his eyes begin to droop and his breathing slows to deep rumbling breaths</p><p></p><p>Silas raises an eyebrow "Nice hit Giacomo" he says with a wry smile as he wanders after the others</p><p></p><p>Mercy slips between Grral and Reinhardt and peers down the tunnel at the end of the great hall. "Shall we carry on following the skulks' tunnels, rather than the main corridors? Seems to make sense to me" She looks closely at the tunnel- every shadow looks like it might be hiding a Skulk but spots nothing..</p><p></p><p>"Looks like a theatre in this direction" Col calls back "No sign of life that I can see..." he tells the others while he gazes round the room where four ornate pillars support the twenty foot high vaulted ceiling of this room, which is illuminated by lanterns hanging in the corners. Tattered red curtains dangle from iron rods mounted to the walls and pillars. Ornately carved benches stand in the rectangular area defined by the pillars. Partially set in the south wall is a raised wooden stage with two short staircases leading up to it. Red curtains partially conceal the back wall of the stage, which is painted with an elaborate woodland mural.</p><p></p><p>"By the way, I'm just reporting what I see" says Col over his shoulder "I'm not suggesting this is a good way to go - although I do see another of those skulk tunnels to the North! I'll follow where you lead Lady Mercy"</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt smiles softly to himself "I too, follow this day, it seems."</p><p></p><p>Not being able to see what the others are doing Col hurries back into the room with the dancing lights casting a reluctant glance back at the benches set out before the stage with its tattered curtains and a trapdoor set in the centre.</p><p></p><p>"This is a very orderly line." scoff Giacomo "You guys must all be lawful... Bloody queuing in a dungeon. Who's have thunk it?"</p><p></p><p>Given the long queue to go into the tunnel, Col wanders off to check the two skulk bodies for items of note or value. "If you're going down the tunnel, get on with it" he thinks to himself "Personally the abandoned theatre looks more interesting, maybe we'll find real treasure amongst the costume jewellery in the prop. box!"</p><p></p><p>Sorendal sheathes his sword gets his bow out, again "Col.. we're ssuppossed to be looking for kidnapped children not trinkets.. "</p><p></p><p>Col pretends to look around "I see no children here or even any clues to where they are. So anyplace we look is as good as any other" he says sulkily "And I don't see why we shouldn't confiscate any valuables from the abductors! I'm sure they will keep all their valuables together treasures and captives, so they can guard them better" he finishes triumphant but totally unconvincingly. He moves forward, he drops the sunrod on the floor and then creeps forward slowly down the passageway, keeping to the shadows and peeps round the corner <b>very bravely</b>!</p><p></p><p>Col looks down the tunnel, the sunrod casting its light...the tunnel appears to be empty..</p><p></p><p>Mercy moves to the corner of the tunnel and on around the corner. "Col" she says "Can you carry the sun rod? I want to concentrate on keeping my sword ready for any unexpected attacks". She moves slowly forward, looking for any skulks that might be loitering.</p><p></p><p>Col nods and collects the sun-rod again to follow Mercy down the passage. In his other hand he carries the loaded cross-bow</p><p></p><p>"I think that this is the first tunnel that takes us away from the rooms mapped out by Keygan. The others appear to link us to other rooms on this level, so this would seem to be the best bet for finding a new hiding place. Or maybe this tunnel just bends back on itself and joins back to Keygan's map." It's not clear whether Mercy is seriously thinking about the map, or just trying to distract herself from the prospect of more skulks. "Maybe the skulks have just made these tunnels so that they can avoid the cogged doors, which are meant to be dangerous according to Jenya's riddle"</p><p></p><p>"I hope that we are near the end of the quest and to finding the children in the skulks home nest" says Col, his voice pitched low and trembling slightly "So we can go home" he adds to himself</p><p></p><p>"Mmmm Col, I suspect that we have a little way to go yet. Keep cheerful- we may find some food or something...." Mercy finishes lamely. The halfling's face brightens at the mention of food and he peers hopefully down the passage.</p><p></p><p>Silas walks down the tunnel "Let me scout ahead" he whispers to Mercy</p><p></p><p>"OK" she whispers back "but be careful. There are bound to be more of the creepy chaps hiding in the dark corners"</p><p></p><p>Silas moves forward down the tunnel. Eventually it turns north and then again east..</p><p></p><p>Col creeps forward to peer round the next corner, surely this will reveal the room with the children and maybe food... He tries to hug the shadows and waits, listening and watching the darkness ahead</p><p></p><p>Talwin catches up, he observes down the side corridor whilst he waits for the party to move forward</p><p></p><p>Reinhardt breathes in Mercy's ear "Not the stand-up fight I'd prefer - just these creepy bastards keeping to the shadows, not good!"</p><p></p><p>"Is anyone coming to help" Col calls in a low voice from his advanced position "Otherwise I'm bloody well coming back!" he sees that the tunnel ends abruptly. At the end is a 5ft diameter hole in the floor</p><p></p><p>Mercy moves towards the hole in the floor at the end of the corridor. She edges forwards and looks down the hole.</p><p></p><p>Sorendal sighs when he sees the hole in the floor ... " That ssucks... "</p><p></p><p>Undetered Mercy peers down the hole. From the light afforded by the sunrod Col holds, she can see that it drops approximately 7 foot, then continues east, she looks around, but spots nothing more of interest..</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greyhawk, post: 3916143, member: 40355"] [b]On the trail of the Skulks[/b] "I say chaps. My god has given me the ability to heal someone today. However I can only do it once. Who should I heal? Rienhart or Mercy? As much as I relish the opportunity to lay hands on this find specimen of womanhood, I fear Rienhart is more badly hurt." says the cleric Giacomo with a look of slight distaste upon his face. "It's but a flesh wound and will soon heal. See to the lady, who is also handy with that blade!" says Reinhardt stoically Col checks the beds in one of the rooms, poking them with his quarterstaff. He finds nothing. He attempts to open one of the chests with his staff, from a distance, but he is unable to get a grip with the staff.. Back in the other room Talwin looks at the new cog door they have found. He notices a small diamond shaped slot carved into the door frame. "Hmm, maybe a key goes in here," says Talwin "Anyone seen any likely looking objects about? The symbol on this door is for the letter R" The party gather the loot of the Skulks.. Three rapiers. Col picks up the sunrod that they found in one of the rooms. Col longs longingly at the chests but decides that its too dangerous to meddle with them, he heads back to the room where Talwin is examining the door. He absentmindedly pets Strawberry who had stayed watching the party gnome examining the door. Strawberry looks as bored as a weasel is able to do. "Maybe the key is in the chest?" he asks the gnome "Col... Think about it, why do you think they have dug the tunnelss ?" Sorendal asks Col "Perhapss because they cannot open the doorss... open doorss will give uss the advantage, esspecially if we need a fasst exit" he explains "The chestss must be perssonal lockers, just smash the lock and look if you have to... but I doubt we will find the keys to the doors in them." he suggests Reinhardt grunts his assent "This isn't finding the kids, lets away." he tells the others and leads away to the south Col looks around wildly, he doesn't want to be left behind but neither does he want to miss out on the treasures that he is sure the chest holds. He rushes over to the chest, takes off the lantern, blows out the light and stows it in his backpack. He then takes a deep breath, hopes that Sorendal is right, puts his finger in his ear and attempts to open the chest by the dead skulk. "Yes, let's move on "says Mercy, following Reinhardt south. "I don't think we can do a clean sweep of this dungeon- there are just so many entrances and tunnels. Let's just go for a quick in-and-out and grab the children back to safety. We can come and mop up after." she turns to look at Giacomo and Sorendal "We ought to stick in a single group if we can, and remember to keep your eyes peeled for the Skulks. They seem to appear from nowhere." "There may be a clue to where the children are in this skulk's chest" says Col totally unconvincingly. Col opens the chest. Inside is the following: two tattered dark robes, three Sunrods, two flasks of oil, two Tindertwigs, a Thunderstone and a ceramic stage mask portraying the sad visage of an anguished gnome with rabbit ears. There is also a silver ring shaped like a serpent with gems for eyes. and a silver ewer adorned with dancing dryads and set with gems. Reinhardt and Mercy head down one of tunnels south.. "Grab that stuff Col and let's move on" Talwin tells the Halfling who is staring mesmorised by the riches "TREASURE !!!" yells Col excitedly Talwin shrugs and follows the others while Col hurriedly starts stuffing all the items into his backpack "Loot. Awesome. Can i have some?" says Giacomo with an oily smile "That mask looks cool." Col finishes stuffing the loot into his backpack and adds the lantern that was on top of the chest to it. "No time to examine it here" he exclaims "We need to keep up with Mercy and Reinhardt" he tells the others and half-runs along the passage and down the corridor to the South The room the party have entered has eight black marble pillars support the thirty-foot-high ceiling of this majestic hall. The pillars are carved to resemble gnome artisans and warriors standing on each other's shoulders, bracing the vaulted roof with their collective strength. The walls are adorned with faded murals depicting gnomes in reverie---playing pipes, dancing, performing acrobatic stunts, drinking wine, and so forth. The forty-foot-wide hall widens at the south end, where a large circular pool is enclosed by a semicircular, one foot high veined marble wall. Carved into the wall above the pool is a gnome visage with water spilling from its wide grin. Four bright lights illuminate the hall. They flicker and dance like torchlight and drift aimlessly about the hall, changing altitude and direction on a whim. Two piles of rubble, one in the northwest corner and another in the southwest corner, add elements of imperfection to this grand hall. Col swaps his quarterstaff for his crossbow and looks around the room suspiciously. "We should check out those other chests" he whispers to Talwin looks at the large room that they have come into. "Wow, its great to be such an important place for us gnomes, I feel honoured" Talwin begins to examine the rubble but finds nothing of interest. "I say. Wait for me chaps. Can I have a look at the mask?" Giacomo asks the Halfling, Col reluctantly fishes inside his backpack and hands the mask over to Giacomo. Mercy moves forward into the room, carefully scanning the area for any skulks. She knows now that they seem to hide in the shadows, so she takes extra care to peer into any shady corners. Reinhardt moves with Mercy, shining his shield into any dark corners, and ready with blade should battle present itself "Hmmm moving lights. Seems magey.." he comments. Grral having finished searching the room follows swiftly after the others to the south Silas realising he has been left behind runs after the party "That looks like another skulk tunnel to the south" says the party rogue "Col I dont suppose any of those skulks were carrying any food were they?" he says over the rumbling belly Col shakes his head sadly to Talwin "No food, and even if they had I doubt it would tempt me. We are completely out of food and will need to return to Cauldron if we are not to die of starvation" he pauses "It must be an hour or more since we had breakfast. I wonder if these stairs lead up to another house in the city?" Col thinks to himself as he gazes up into the darkness to the East "Maybe even an Inn serving fine food, but that would be too much to hope for!" and he grins happily to himself. "Lets take a look at what they've been up to" calls Reinhardt and heads South towards the tunnel spotted by Talwin Grral moves forward into the room and takes a look into the opening/alcove in the West side of the room Reinhardt moves through the large hall, heading for the pool at the south end. Halfway down he stops for emerging from behind the southernmost pillars appear two skulks.. "I am feeling weak already, I have never been this long between meals, it must be well past my lunchtime" says Talwin oblivious to the approaching monsters. "Oh my! It's more of those horrible creatures" he says looking away from the rubble "But they've got to eat and to feed the children too. Maybe we are approaching their kitchen although, if the truth be told, I'm sure my nose would have picked up food smells by now" says Col licking his lips and thinking of lunch Sorendal looks into the hall and sees his wounded comrade Reinhardt far ahead of the rest of the group, enemies approaching... " No..no,no,no.. Unfair! Unfair!" he states in a clearly agitated manner. He moves forward into the hall to help even the odds as best as he can... He chants a few arcane words and scatters some sand as he waves his hand and points at the skulk which falls into a deep sleep. "Blasted things!" swears Reinhardt "Give up now, and you will be treated well. Resist, and things will not go so well with you!" Mercy moves swiftly forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Reinhardt, ready to do battle with the remaining skulk Talwin aims his crossbow with one fluid movement "Take that you tasty little rabbit pie" says the gnome drooling, "Sorry it helps me focus when I hunt" he adds by way of an apology "Nice shot Talwin" exclaims Col "That's a brilliant idea, calling it food, it helped your aim no end, we should all do it!". Talwins bolt hits the Skulk which staggers back wounded... "Come on porkie pie!" shouts Mercy Grral sights the Skulk directly to the south lets out an exultant "Skul-Dug-er-Ee!!!" before drawing his sword and charging towards the creature "Yaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhwwwwwwwwaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr!!!!" echoes around the hall as the barbarians feet pound their way toward their target Grral rushes at the wounded creature, with one swing of his greatsword the creature dies.. Silas looks from the sleeping skulk to Grral to Sorendal "Well that spell certainly works well, I thought Grral's battle cry would waken the dead there" Col moves to the West and looks up the side tunnel to check for danger and also to get a safe distance from the sleeping skulk. "Someone gonna finish it off? " says Sorendal and he points to the sleeping skulk.. Reinhardt moves to the southern entrance and readies a swing in case anything approaches "Kill it, or not, I care not." Grral leaves his sword unsheathed and wanders after Reinhardt toward the southern tunnel "For goodness sake someone slit its throat before it wakes up and attempts to slaughter us from behind" says Col shaking his head Grral looks over at Col. "Well done friend Col, you kill Skul-Dug-er-Ee" "Unfortunately not Grral" replies Col "I just wouldn't be able to do enough damage to kill it but more than enough to wake it up - and make it angry too!" he adds with a laugh Giacomo walks up with his mace ready to swing. He takes a careful aim at the Skulks ugly bonce and take a good swipe at it. Giacomo's mace strikes the Skulks head with a sickening thump.. the creature is dead Grral peers down the corridor for any clue as to what lies ahead, as he concentrates his eyes begin to droop and his breathing slows to deep rumbling breaths Silas raises an eyebrow "Nice hit Giacomo" he says with a wry smile as he wanders after the others Mercy slips between Grral and Reinhardt and peers down the tunnel at the end of the great hall. "Shall we carry on following the skulks' tunnels, rather than the main corridors? Seems to make sense to me" She looks closely at the tunnel- every shadow looks like it might be hiding a Skulk but spots nothing.. "Looks like a theatre in this direction" Col calls back "No sign of life that I can see..." he tells the others while he gazes round the room where four ornate pillars support the twenty foot high vaulted ceiling of this room, which is illuminated by lanterns hanging in the corners. Tattered red curtains dangle from iron rods mounted to the walls and pillars. Ornately carved benches stand in the rectangular area defined by the pillars. Partially set in the south wall is a raised wooden stage with two short staircases leading up to it. Red curtains partially conceal the back wall of the stage, which is painted with an elaborate woodland mural. "By the way, I'm just reporting what I see" says Col over his shoulder "I'm not suggesting this is a good way to go - although I do see another of those skulk tunnels to the North! I'll follow where you lead Lady Mercy" Reinhardt smiles softly to himself "I too, follow this day, it seems." Not being able to see what the others are doing Col hurries back into the room with the dancing lights casting a reluctant glance back at the benches set out before the stage with its tattered curtains and a trapdoor set in the centre. "This is a very orderly line." scoff Giacomo "You guys must all be lawful... Bloody queuing in a dungeon. Who's have thunk it?" Given the long queue to go into the tunnel, Col wanders off to check the two skulk bodies for items of note or value. "If you're going down the tunnel, get on with it" he thinks to himself "Personally the abandoned theatre looks more interesting, maybe we'll find real treasure amongst the costume jewellery in the prop. box!" Sorendal sheathes his sword gets his bow out, again "Col.. we're ssuppossed to be looking for kidnapped children not trinkets.. " Col pretends to look around "I see no children here or even any clues to where they are. So anyplace we look is as good as any other" he says sulkily "And I don't see why we shouldn't confiscate any valuables from the abductors! I'm sure they will keep all their valuables together treasures and captives, so they can guard them better" he finishes triumphant but totally unconvincingly. He moves forward, he drops the sunrod on the floor and then creeps forward slowly down the passageway, keeping to the shadows and peeps round the corner <b>very bravely</b>! Col looks down the tunnel, the sunrod casting its light...the tunnel appears to be empty.. Mercy moves to the corner of the tunnel and on around the corner. "Col" she says "Can you carry the sun rod? I want to concentrate on keeping my sword ready for any unexpected attacks". She moves slowly forward, looking for any skulks that might be loitering. Col nods and collects the sun-rod again to follow Mercy down the passage. In his other hand he carries the loaded cross-bow "I think that this is the first tunnel that takes us away from the rooms mapped out by Keygan. The others appear to link us to other rooms on this level, so this would seem to be the best bet for finding a new hiding place. Or maybe this tunnel just bends back on itself and joins back to Keygan's map." It's not clear whether Mercy is seriously thinking about the map, or just trying to distract herself from the prospect of more skulks. "Maybe the skulks have just made these tunnels so that they can avoid the cogged doors, which are meant to be dangerous according to Jenya's riddle" "I hope that we are near the end of the quest and to finding the children in the skulks home nest" says Col, his voice pitched low and trembling slightly "So we can go home" he adds to himself "Mmmm Col, I suspect that we have a little way to go yet. Keep cheerful- we may find some food or something...." Mercy finishes lamely. The halfling's face brightens at the mention of food and he peers hopefully down the passage. Silas walks down the tunnel "Let me scout ahead" he whispers to Mercy "OK" she whispers back "but be careful. There are bound to be more of the creepy chaps hiding in the dark corners" Silas moves forward down the tunnel. Eventually it turns north and then again east.. Col creeps forward to peer round the next corner, surely this will reveal the room with the children and maybe food... He tries to hug the shadows and waits, listening and watching the darkness ahead Talwin catches up, he observes down the side corridor whilst he waits for the party to move forward Reinhardt breathes in Mercy's ear "Not the stand-up fight I'd prefer - just these creepy bastards keeping to the shadows, not good!" "Is anyone coming to help" Col calls in a low voice from his advanced position "Otherwise I'm bloody well coming back!" he sees that the tunnel ends abruptly. At the end is a 5ft diameter hole in the floor Mercy moves towards the hole in the floor at the end of the corridor. She edges forwards and looks down the hole. Sorendal sighs when he sees the hole in the floor ... " That ssucks... " Undetered Mercy peers down the hole. From the light afforded by the sunrod Col holds, she can see that it drops approximately 7 foot, then continues east, she looks around, but spots nothing more of interest.. [/QUOTE]
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