The Romance of the River Kingdoms

[Dr Simon]

ooc: does Ape recognize the type of the creatures?
Know (nature)+3 (governs animals, fey, giants, monstrous humanoids)

[sblock="Growling Ape"]
Enough that he doesn't think that they are any of those types of creature.
[/sblock]

 

[Dr Simon]

The sounds of yammering and banging recede down the hole again. Although the words are incoherent, it sounds like an argument is going on.

[*cough* Anyone doing anything]

 

[Walking Dad]

Growling Ape, AC 15 (T15, FF13), HP 25/25, F +4,R+2,W+5

In preparation of the possibly upcoming fight, Ape changes ones again into baboon form, retrieving his staff afterwards.

 

[The Rolling Man]

Jar'Thol, Salsham'ai shaman

"We have to do something, that statue might be the one we are looking for. Don't let them flee with it." Jar'Thol cautiously approaches the edge of the hole in the ground. He yells out in low imperial. "We come in peace. Who are you ?" Despite his words, Jar'Thol has his trusty sling in hand and is ready to duck back out of the way if he gets attacked.

 

[Shayuri]

Annika gasps at the nasty looking head and stands up, holding her hands protectively before her; ready to cast a spell at a moment's notice.

(Delaying action)

 

[Blackrat]

"There must be another entry down there, they can't have entered through here. That means they can get away if we don't follow." Three Flowers thinks out loud and takes a peek down the hatch.

 

[Dr Simon]

Jar'Thol and Three Flowers, at the edge of the hole, see that it descends into darkness. The figures can just be seen climbing down metal rungs, at the edge of the sunrod's light. They seem to be emaciated and feral-looking humanoids, but little else can be seen from this angle.

Jar'Thol's entreaty is met with a tirade of guttural gibberish (although to Jar'Thol it sounds similar to Shromic). Only one word can be understood in Low Imperial, said in spiteful tones:

"Mine!"

 

[Redclaw]

Xielt swiftly rises to his feet, brushing off the last of his discomfort. We must pursue. That statue might well be the focus of our mission, and we should not let it out of our sight.

He moves to the edge of the hole, and attempts to climb down the ladder. He's happy to let someone else lead the way, having recently been reminded of his mortality, but will take point if nobody else wants it.

[sblock=ooc] Climb +0, he will happily take 10 if you okay it. [/sblock]

 

[The Rolling Man]

Jar'Thol, Salsham'ai shaman

We need a better view of what's going on down there before we go down. Jar'Thol thinks. Once again invoking the simple spirits of fireflies, Jar'Thol touches a small peeble with one of his toe. The little rock fragment suddenly shines brightly as it seems to contain a small luminous sprite. The little shaman then picks up with his foot and drops it down the opening.

[Sblock=OOC]Casting light on some sort of peeble or debris on the floor and throwing it down the hole to get a better view.[/Sblock]

 

[Dr Simon]

OOC: I think Take 10 on a Climb check will be fine, as there is a ladder going down there (well, series of rungs). Assuming you don't want to get down there really really fast.

IC:

The pebble drops down the shaft and lands with a *Sploosh* in the water below, to the surprise of the grey humanoids. They look up, briefly, then scatter from beneath the shaft (still shouting "Mine!" as the go).

The shaft is about 20 ft. deep, opening out at the bottom into a chamber of some sort. The series of metal rungs leads right down to the bottom - the side of the shaft opposite the moon relief looks like it carries on down the wall of the chamber below.

It doesn't look like the water in the lower room is as high as it was in the room that you currently occupy.