Joined: Jul 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 60 Location: Boston, MA, USA Karma: 8
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #30 on Nov 23, 2011, 8:50am »
Dorgan watches Josiane prepare to climb down into one of the graves and frowns. Suddenly, he cocks his head as he hears the sound of grating stone emanating from the tomb.
"Ah! Music to me ears. Looks like yer smarter than me, Guntrum."
Dorgan will leave Gustave to keep an eye on Josiane while he goes back to see if the tomb door opened.
Musing out loud, he says "I wonder if anyone brought a torch with 'em?"
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #31 on Nov 23, 2011, 2:47pm »
Josiane looks up at the sound of grinding stone. The noise sends a chill of forboding creeping down her spine, but she manages a plucky smile of approval for Guntrum nonetheless.
She returns her attention to the open graves. Is there anything to indicate how recently they were exhumed? How freshly dug does the earth appear to be in her opinion? She also examines the ground around them carefully for any signs of recent activity other than that of her own party.
Dorgan watches Josiane prepare to climb down into one of the graves and frowns.
Musing out loud, he says "I wonder if anyone brought a torch with 'em?"
"I have torches," Josiane replies, digging one out and tossing it to Dorgan, "and tinder to light them with."
"I even thought to procure some oil," she adds with a smile; "If the Living Dead await us within they shall not find us lacking in a suitable welcome for them this time."
(031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #33 on Nov 23, 2011, 3:03pm via the ProBoards Mobile App »
"We are five. You were four before, and just escaped. Do we have enough, or should we fetch the others? I suppose we could explore to see if there is a larger complex than appears. But I'd caution against going too deep without bigger numbers."
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #34 on Nov 23, 2011, 4:43pm »
Josiane gives a curt nod of her head.
"Agreed. A brief sortie - no more. We do not yet know for certain that this place has any connection with our adventures of yesterday." She shudders; "Although if there be another unquiet creature unleashed upon this town these are dark days for Ket indeed..."
The tomb door remains shut, but Dorgan fancies he might have better odds of moving it if some stone dead-bolt and freed...
Following this logic, Dorgan will walk back to the tomb, drop his newly acquired torch on the ground to free up both hands, and have another go at sliding the door open.
If he fails again but feels like there's some give in the door, he'll invite Guntrum to assist him.
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #37 on Nov 23, 2011, 6:43pm »
Gustave sighs at the mention of a 'brief sortee' but offers a hand to help the lady from her self-assigned hole anyway.
He glances up at the greying sky and purses his lips, "It will have to be brief indeed for the day will soon be done, and I have no desire to walk in places of the dead during their preferred hours of business."
"Perhaps a short scouting trip is warranted though as you suggest Josiane", he adds, "but let us tread lightly indeed, and return on the morrow with numbers."
(031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #38 on Nov 23, 2011, 6:54pm via the ProBoards Mobile App »
"I am curious if there are tunnels leading away from the site. If this be but an ordinary tomb, we should know soon enough. Do we need a guard to make sure the door stays open?"
She returns her attention to the open graves. Is there anything to indicate how recently they were exhumed? How freshly dug does the earth appear to be in her opinion? She also examines the ground around them carefully for any signs of recent activity other than that of her own party.
Now that she looks more closely, Josiane notes that there are weeds growing on some of the earth works, but not all. The plant-free earth must have been turned relatively recently... that is two of the six graves. The other four must have been exhumed weeks, or even months ago.
There are quite a few Man-sized foot prints in the soil... though it is impossible to known whether they were all made by one individual, or buy a group.
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #40 on Nov 24, 2011, 2:58pm »
"Carrion birds and open graves," the Vagabond Knight murmurs softly to herself; "And a dark dance that has been ongoing for some time. These are lonely, shadowed paths we tread..."
She kneels before the graves and quietly addresses a prayer to each of the former tenants - Gunter, Bartholomaus, Katrin and the others; "I apologise humbly for further disturbing your already-violated rest, but by what I do I seek to aid you and confound the ones responsible for this blasphemy. I pray you grant me pardon and look kindly upon our venture, in the name of Almighty Thuul."
Once this is done she stands. "Friend Gustave, with your assistance..?" and as gingerly as she can, she clambers down into each of the graves in turn. She will plant a clove of garlic in the soil of the unearthed burial plot, cover it over, and then sprinkle the interior with holy water, (though she will be careful to use no more than a little in each - one flask to cover all six graves at most).
"There," she says, clambering out of the last grave and dusting herself down; "Any unclean creature now seeking to use these as a bolt-hole should find them little to their liking. Now onward. Let it be as Guntrum says - We search for evidence of tunnels leading beyond this tomb. If so there be, we leave and return tomorrow with all the force we can muster."
She draws the sword of Jehan and sets her white shield upon her arm.
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #41 on Nov 24, 2011, 5:33pm »
"Err...yes, well, right you are then", says Gustave, brow raised.
He shuffles his new shield into position and plonks the new helm on his head, his curls stick out from its wings. Drawing his blade he plods after the woman knight, "Lead on then indeed", he mutters.
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,217 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #42 on Nov 24, 2011, 7:10pm »
Dorgan tugs at the stone door again; it initially seems as implacable as before, but then it is as if an air tight seal is broken. A breath of air is sucked inward as the door grinds sideways, and day-light spills into the cool tomb...
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #43 on Nov 25, 2011, 12:15pm »
"Friend Dorgan, will you walk beside me?" Josiane asks quietly. She has become fond of this sturdy Dwarf and finds him a reassuring presence at her side in battle.
Before proceeding she examines the steps, mindful of traps or tripwires. She is also looking to see if there is any sign of recent traffic entering or leaving this house of the dead...
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 1,217 Location: Melbourne, Australia Karma: 195
Re: (031) A Cemetery Muckrake « Reply #44 on Nov 25, 2011, 6:27pm »
Those at the entrance to the tomb examine the threshold carefully, but find no sign of any tripwire nor other tomfoolery.
Dorgan's eyesight adjusts to the darkness first, and he is impressed by the grandeur of the stonework within; there is but a modest landing inside, before a wide stair descends further into the earth presided over on all sides by tall, round columns. These are graven elegantly in a gothic style with images of iron gates, fortresses, shields and sombre knight-guardians. Where the columns meet the roof crowds of hideous gargoyles have been hewn into the rock so that their bat-wings are sprawled over the ceiling.
When Josiane can at last see well enough, she notes that there is surprising little dust upon the landing, and that which is present is gathered only around the edges. None fail to note the chill within, nor the vaguely menacing scent of old decay.
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