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Post by greentongue on Jan 22, 2008 12:20:18 GMT -6
When he glanced back, Kevuk had noticed a dim flickering light on the tunnel walls from the direction they had come. =
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bert
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 138
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Post by bert on Jan 22, 2008 14:01:35 GMT -6
'Obvious solution here, gentlemen,' says Gereshma, we go thatway'- pointing to the empty passage - 'The green thing comes thisaway and eats them -' jerks finger over shoulder at the possible pursuit - 'while we are elsewhere finding another way round.'
'Hoi, slave, you know these passages at all? Been down here with your old bandit masters?'
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Post by Epengar on Jan 22, 2008 16:20:11 GMT -6
Hrunal draws a dagger, and takes one of the torches from the slave with his off-hand. "I like Imalcho's suggestion" he whispers as he steps back away from the opening of the side passage.
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Post by greentongue on Jan 22, 2008 16:39:03 GMT -6
slave
"No master, I have only gone as directed. I know nothing of these tunnels."
He gives up one of the torches to Hrunal, with a look of concern for the status of his new masters.
Torch burn times 1, 2 and 4 (with 6 being just enough to light another from it.) =
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Post by greentongue on Jan 22, 2008 19:41:55 GMT -6
After another ten minutes of careful travel the party reaches a crossroad in the sewer. A fresco with carving decorates the side tunnel on the right. The carving are of ragged brown bristles and and teeth. The tunnel is given the form of the gaping mouth, of an huge worm like creature. It looks very realistic and the ring of sharp teeth glitter with malice. This tunnel is raised above the rest of the sewer and only has flow through when the water level is unusually high. To the left is the normal sewer tunnel with flow coming to join the main way. Continuing ahead, at the very edge of the light shed by the torches, there is a wider area with columns supporting the roof. Behind you there is the noise of excited human voices. They are somewhat muffled as if there was something blocking the sound. = Map: home.earthlink.net/~djackson24/EPT04.JPG
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Post by calithena on Jan 23, 2008 7:46:46 GMT -6
Kevuk nods approvingly at Gereshma. Having seen the lights behind them the ambush plan was not the best, and now they've bought ample time.
"Looks as though we're at a dump for worm's-dung, eh? Any reason to go through the bowels of Sarku to get where we're going?"
If no-one offers one Kevuk will suggest moving on towards the columns.
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Post by Epengar on Jan 23, 2008 13:18:46 GMT -6
"I would prefer not to intrude upon the worm-god's followers. The columns look more promising."
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Post by greentongue on Jan 24, 2008 7:41:29 GMT -6
After Imalcho has indicated they should be going in the direction of the worm tunnel, everyone decides to find yet another shortcut. They noticed nothing of concern in the side tunnel in the opposite direction. Together they moved towards the columned opening ahead on the right. This was revealed to be a forty foot wide area raised like the worm passage. Behind the first row of columns there are spaces full of racks. An earthy smell emanating from this area struggles with the sewer stench. The racks contain shelves of soil covered in mushrooms. Each shelve has mushrooms in a stage of growth. Behind the open area is another row of columns. This repeats as far as the torch light extends. A fungal glow provides some illumination. The columns are decorated and the clan symbol of a grey mushroom on a blue background is prominently displayed. Torch burn time: 2, 3 and 5= Map: home.earthlink.net/~djackson24/EPT05.JPG
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bert
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 138
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Post by bert on Jan 24, 2008 17:39:14 GMT -6
'A mushroom farm,' says Gereshma. 'Enterprising use of underground space I must say, but not very exciting. I say go back and go up the worm passage as Imalcho first suggested. Not scared of M'rur are you Kevuk?'
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Post by dwayanu on Jan 24, 2008 17:50:30 GMT -6
"I suppose these mushrooms are worth guarding," Sanjesh says. "Someone should keep an eye on our new linkboy while the rest look out for fellows who may resent our intrusion. If we can douse one of the torches and save it for later, that may be a good idea. If it comes to a fight, I wouldn't want to be juggling sword, shield and burning brand."
He turns to Gereshma. "Say, that's right -- or rather, this is not 'right and right again.' Imalcho at least has some notion of which way to turn."
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Post by Epengar on Jan 24, 2008 22:48:06 GMT -6
"I'm keeping an eye on our torchbearer. If you can suggest a way to put out one of these torches so that we could light it again, that would be helpful." He looks around the mushroom farm. "I suppose they have a way to the surface here, but no doubt the mushroom farmers will require a high price. Maybe the worm mouth will take us back towards the direction Imalcho suggested. Besides, it seemed drier, and I've never walked inside a worm before. Let's go."
OOC: post modified to facilitate progress.
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Post by calithena on Jan 25, 2008 21:39:17 GMT -6
"Eh? What's that? A few gibbering Mrur never turned a stout warrior's heart..."
Kevuk stuffs handfuls of mushrooms of different colors into his bag while he talks.
"No sense wandering through here if Imalcho wants to shove us down the worm-lord's throat, eh? Back to the tunnel, I think." Once his bag is full Kevuk will encourage everyone else to go that way as well, though he will stay alert for interesting things while exploring the nearest 20 or 30 feet of the mushroom chamber.
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Post by greentongue on Jan 26, 2008 10:39:08 GMT -6
As Kevuk crosses between the pillars to grab mushrooms, a shrill whistling teet nearby. He notices a small child size shadowy shape at the edge of the torch light. The sound is coming from it.
Soon other whistles join in from the distance.
Kevuk, do you continue looting the mushrooms when the alarm sounds? =
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bert
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 138
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Post by bert on Jan 26, 2008 17:18:24 GMT -6
'Typical warrior, thinking with his gut,' says Gereshma. 'Hoi! Kid! Did you not know whistling summons the Demon Ru'utlanesh? I'd shut it if I were you...'
Gereshma then proceeds to go in the general direction of away, his club ready in case of pursuit. He will stick by Imlacho and defend him - if we lose our guide we really are in Hrü’ü’s dü’dü..
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Post by Epengar on Jan 26, 2008 22:06:31 GMT -6
Hrunal rolls his eyes, and directs our torchbearer to join him as he heads down the tunnel away from the mushroom farm and towards the worm's mouth.
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Post by thorswulf on Jan 27, 2008 11:31:06 GMT -6
Zharkan will gaurd the rear of the party looking for any sign of pursuit. It is helpful to have a rear gaurd sometimes he thinks....
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Post by calithena on Jan 27, 2008 15:02:17 GMT -6
As soon as Kevuk hears the alarm, he breaks off going for the mushrooms.
"Let's beat a hasty retreat, cousins!" he calls out, staying near Imalcho. Since he's rear guard he'll let everyone else get through the worm teeth before he goes ("Ho! Step lively, there!"). He'll do what they do if they get through OK, otherwise he'll just stand with sword out, ready to defend his fellows against the guardians of the (sh)room if necessary.
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Post by Epengar on Jan 28, 2008 16:33:44 GMT -6
When Hrunal and the torchbearer get to the worm-mouth, the sorcerer stops and cups one ear, looking and listening for the green beast, or anything else that might be back the way the party came. He does the same peering through the worm mouth.
He tosses his torch through the mouth and to the left side, and if nothing untoward occurs, he steps gingerly through, one foot at a time.
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Post by greentongue on Jan 28, 2008 18:57:36 GMT -6
Hrunal faintly hears the sound of voices from the direction of the green beast. The sound is farther away than he remembered it from before. Through the worm's mouth he hears nothing.
When thrown, the torch flies through and rolls up against the left side of the passage. It sputters as it rolls through the dust on the floor but does not go out.
As Gereshma steps through the mouth into the now lighted passage beyond, several of the teeth spring out at him in what looks like a spear trap. One of the teeth cut a shallow furrow along his calf. (Gereshma takes 1 point of damage.)
With the warriors guarding the rear, Hrunal tries his luck with the teeth. As he also straddles the row of fangs, more shoot out at him. He was not as lucky as Gereshma and two of them gouged at his flesh. (Hrunal takes 2 points of damage.)
He is able to retrieve the sputtering torch from the floor. With the additional light from holding it up he sees that at the very edge of its light, there is another crossing of tunnels.
Imalcho and the torchbearer nervously eye the teeth while waiting for someone else to go before them. =
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Post by greentongue on Jan 28, 2008 19:00:47 GMT -6
Imalcho
"Do you think there is a way to cross those teeth without setting off the trap?" asks Imalcho in a hopeful whisper.
"I see now why this passage doesn't look much used." =
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Post by calithena on Jan 28, 2008 19:34:13 GMT -6
With his cousins at the ready, Kevuk decides to help Imalcho. He gestures at his shield.
"I'll hold it down under you when you jump and hopefully that will block the blow. Quickly now, man!"
Kevuk will do this for the other warriors if they wish after Imalcho. As soon as there's a lull though he'll try jumping through on his own shield.
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Post by Epengar on Jan 28, 2008 22:01:54 GMT -6
While waiting for the warriors to cross, Hrunal cuts up one of his small sacks, and uses it to make a crude bandage for his wounds.
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Post by thorswulf on Jan 28, 2008 22:26:30 GMT -6
"I think two might serve a better purpose." Zharkan tries to block the other set of spears. "Back to back when the others are through?"
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Post by greentongue on Jan 29, 2008 7:20:26 GMT -6
With Kevuk laying his shield over the teeth on the floor, Imalcho hopped over. It was an undignified move. The teeth "snapped shut" as soon as he landed on the other side.
The shield was pinned from all directions but otherwise undamaged. Kevuk was able to keep a grip on it and it did not clatter to the floor as the spear teeth slide back.
The torchbearer has become more jittery with every snap of the teeth.
While Zharkan planned with Sanjesh, Kevuk vaulted through bracing his shield over the teeth. This time the trap did not spring. =
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Post by greentongue on Jan 29, 2008 7:26:49 GMT -6
Imalcho
"That was a close one, your shield saved my life." "We may want to use it again to bring our torchbearer through. It would be a shame to leave him behind, at least as long as the torches last." =
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Post by calithena on Jan 29, 2008 7:27:08 GMT -6
"Hurry, cousins," Kevuk hisses, still nervous about the guardians of the mushrooms. "I think the trap may be out, but all the same we can use my shield to cover the way..."
Once we're all through, if there are no urgent threats, we should go back to ordinary marching order, checking for more traps carefully as we go.
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Post by greentongue on Jan 29, 2008 9:26:48 GMT -6
The torchbearer stepped up to cross the teeth while Kevuk held his shield ready. As soon as he stepped before the teeth, some shot out from all directions around the mouth.
The torchbearer jumped back with a gasp, narrowly missing being hit by Kevuk's shield as it flew up propelled by the spears below it. =
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Post by Epengar on Jan 29, 2008 15:14:47 GMT -6
If time allows after he bandages himself, Hrunal will look for a mechanism that might turn off the trap on his side.
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bert
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 138
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Post by bert on Jan 29, 2008 17:04:38 GMT -6
'It's as if the worm god himself can see us,' assisting Hrunal in looking for a way to disarm the trap.
OOC: Is there any hole or mark on the wall betwen these spears that might be a sensor of some kind? Or on the ceiling just before it? If so Gereshma wil look for some way to block it with a wad of chewed up paper.
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Post by greentongue on Jan 29, 2008 21:10:46 GMT -6
A through search takes 10 minutes (a torch increment).
There is no deactivation lever. A roll of 1 or 2 on a D6 indicates that the trigger sticks and the trap does activate.
The stone blocks on either side of the teeth move up and down slightly. The movable stones cover three feet on each side. Wide enough that a person stepping across must step on them.
Gereshma (Brilliant) can determine that pressing down stones on both sides at the same time triggers the teeth.
Torch burn time: 3, 4 and 6. That last torch is sputtering out. =
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