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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 18, 2011 2:40:02 GMT -6
Hearts swell as the grand company now makes its assault on the West Hall proper.
Elindir and Legandir lead the way, dagger-point arrows ready upon the white limbed greatbows of Rivendell. The half Elves tread lightly up the broad stone stair, avoiding the dusty corpses of ancient Dwarf and Orc warriors, and also the scattered rubble.
Behind them march the pair of vigorous Dwarf heroes, Sili and Norin. The Dwarves can scarcely be held to a steady march, such is their vim. Their boots thud, their mail shunks, and their bold voices boom -- or so it seems to the Elves.
But it matters little, for there is no disguising the racket made by a score of heavily armed Men and Dwarves, not even withstanding the quieter Elves and Hobbits among them.
The climb continues steadily into the deepening gloom without sign of the vanquished Trolls. 60 broad steps, Ardenbard counts, then 80, then 100, and still the stair climbs as it begins to round a broad bend to right.
By now, the sunshine permitted by Hollin Gate is vanished entirely, and only the torches carried by Vestri and Hepti, and the lantern carried by Soval at the van, illuminate the way. Voices grow quiet, and even brave hearts now wonder what evil the oppressive dark might hide...
The stair seems to rise ever upward, and so the company climbs and climbs. After 160 steps even the stout are beginning to tire, while the less fit struggle to continue on. The way ahead now curves broadly to the left, and the steps continue up, unabated, the tramping of the company's many feet and rattling of their arms echoing disturbing off the hard walls around them...
But still they climb.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 18, 2011 2:41:59 GMT -6
At last! Elindir and Legandir at the lead see the mighty dark of the West Hall opening up before them.
By the dimmest illumination carried behind them, they cannot yet make out the extent of the vast chamber -- only that a great double row of mighty stone columns demarcate a broad passage into the cold, sightless gloom ahead...
What now?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2011 5:26:14 GMT -6
Legandir sniffs the air cautiously for troll-sign, moving forward carefully to check for the retreated foe.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 18, 2011 6:36:06 GMT -6
The air is old and stale, but there is a sharp tang of filth drifting upon it. The smell of Orc, and their kind.
Legandir kneels to momentarily examine the floor in the dim light... there is much grime and dust upon it, but it seems oft trodden.
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Post by tombowings on Jun 18, 2011 11:59:12 GMT -6
Elindir looks to the floor in the attempt to discern the movement and size of the beasts by their tracks in the filth on the stone floor of the hall.
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Post by doctorx on Jun 18, 2011 14:27:48 GMT -6
Lómëluin's nostrils flare at the stench of Orc and his eyes begin to burn; "Slayers of my kin, we are well-met," he whispers in Sindarin, pulling back on his bowstring slowly...
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 19, 2011 3:02:00 GMT -6
Elindir looks to the floor in the attempt to discern the movement and size of the beasts by their tracks in the filth on the stone floor of the hall. There are so many marks it is all but impossible to divine anything specific. Clearly many booted and bare feet have marched this way and that.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 19, 2011 3:09:38 GMT -6
Legandir and Elindir creep cautiously into the dark chamber. The remainder of the company continue to troop up the stair, bringing light with them...
@@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@..@..@..@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O..O..O@@o@@o@ @@@#.............@@@@@@ ####.e............@@@@@ 888...g...........@@@@@ ####..............@@@@@ @@@#.............@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O..O..O@@o@@o@ @@@#@..@..@..@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
# Wall @ Darkness/Unknown O Column e Elindir g Legandir 8 Other company members
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Post by tombowings on Jun 19, 2011 12:31:46 GMT -6
Elindir creeps north, towards the columns.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 20, 2011 5:53:03 GMT -6
(Unaware of exactly which direction it is) Elindir turns to his left and skirts the ancient flagstones lightly until he peers between the first two column into the greater gloom beyond.
At first the darkness is impenetrable, but as the Dwarves come tramp, tramp, tramping up the stair with the torch bearers in tow, a dim yellow illumination begins to suffuse the mighty West Hall.
Its dimensions are great indeed.
With his sharp eyes Elindir can scarce make out the wall beyond the columns, and the far extent of the chamber is yet beyond sight.
There are grim remains of several creatures laying in litter and refuse about the columns... but no sign of the defeated Trolls.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 20, 2011 6:00:01 GMT -6
The situation is thus:
@@@################ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@...@@@.@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..........@@..@@@@@@ @@@#...@..@..@..@@@@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O.eO..O..O@.O@@o @@@#................@@@@@@ ####.................@@@@@ |8|8.8.8.............@@@@@ ####...........g.....@@@@@ @@@#................@@@@@@ @@@#..O..O..O..O..O@.O@@o@ @@@#@..@..@..@@.@.@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
# Wall @ Darkness/Unknown O Column e Elindir g Legandir 8 Other company members
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 20, 2011 8:11:46 GMT -6
Norin whispers, "We need to stick together. We don't know how vast this hall could be, so let's stay close to a wall until we can find out."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jun 20, 2011 9:03:20 GMT -6
"I agree with Norin," whispers Sili. "Standard Procedure is to circle the room clockwise and find all the exits."
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Post by crusssdaddy on Jun 20, 2011 21:27:26 GMT -6
Arbenbard steps forward to examine the corpses. Any heraldry, unique equipment, etc.? Nat stands close watch.
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Post by doctorx on Jun 21, 2011 5:03:18 GMT -6
"I agree with Norin," whispers Sili. "Standard Procedure is to circle the room clockwise and find all the exits." Lómëluin gives a curt nod; "Agreed." Then he sees Arbenbard starting forward toward the bodies; " Arbenbard! Wait!" he hisses; "Let us make safe the hall first!"
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 21, 2011 5:37:43 GMT -6
Nat puts a cautionary hand upon Ardenbard's shoulder, advising him to heed Lomeluin's advice -- at least for now. There's no telling the extent of this chamber, or what might lay silently in wait just beyond the torch light.
Thus it is that the company proceeds slowly about the great perimeter, turning first left (more or less north, to the Dwarves present).
Soon, beyond the great row of columns, a narrow arch is revealed -- wide enough just for single file -- and within is another stair climbing further up and westward.
Marking the presence of this exit, the company continues until they encounter the huge, flat expanse of the chamber's boundary wall, and here they turn right to follow it as far as the vault does extend. And this is some way indeed, Ardenbard makes it perhaps 200 feet before another wall is spied in the gloom ahead.
And in this one there is a massive Dwarf-decorated arch above a broad stair, again climbing up, ever up. This second one is wide enough for two to climb abreast with comfort. It is as wide as the first stair you did climb.
"Not more stairs, surely?" complains Grim the Dunderling, near the back of the column.
Somewhere, a long way off in the dark comes a sharp metal bang, like hammer on anvil. But only once does it come...
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 21, 2011 5:38:20 GMT -6
'Tis not entirely unlike this:
################################################## ################################################### ########@@@@@@@@@.............................###### ########@@@@@@@@......S.8.8888.8.8.8.s.....e...[[@@ up ##up/[[@@@@@@@@@....................n.........###### ########@@@@@@@@@..............X........g.....##### ########@@O@@O@@O@.O..O..O..O@@O..O..O..O..O@@#### ########@@@@@@@@@@@@..@..@@@.@@@@@@..@..@@.@@@#### ########@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#### down[[[@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ########@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
# Wall @ Darkness/Unknown O Column X Fresh Orc corpses e Elindir g Legandir s Sili n Norin S Soval 8 Other company members
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 21, 2011 5:52:09 GMT -6
The company has observed much rubble and detritus in the grand hall, and no few bodies of slain Orcs. Most of these might have been rotting and gathering dust here for years or decades, but none have recognisable markings of rank or organisation upon them.
Behind the row of mighty columns near the center of the room are two far fresher corpses... albeit missing several limbs, most of one abdomen and one head between them. The stench of them is palpable.
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Post by tombowings on Jun 21, 2011 13:16:49 GMT -6
"Norin," Elindir whispers, "examine the cause of the foul orc's death - be if sword, fire, or the ripping of flesh."
Meanwhile, Elindir will move towards the nearby staircase, listen for any signs of movement above.
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Post by doctorx on Jun 21, 2011 14:20:20 GMT -6
"Norin," Elindir whispers, "examine the cause of the foul orc's death - be if sword, fire, or the ripping of flesh." Meanwhile, Elindir will move towards the nearby staircase, listen for any signs of movement above. "'Ware that hammer blow!" mutters Lomeluin; "Let none wander too far from the company until we have completed our circle of this place." His elf eyes hunt the shadows of the cavernous hall for any sign of threat. "Something speaks in the dark. And it speaks of us, I'll wager..."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2011 16:33:19 GMT -6
Legandir takes a position at the base of the stairs next to Elindir, and peers into the darkness.
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 21, 2011 21:43:31 GMT -6
As long as it doesn't take him too far from the rest of the party, Norin goes to examine the recently dead to try and determine the cause of death.
Once that is done...
"I suggest we circle the hall, going clockwise from the door. We can stay just far enough away from the wall on the left that we can still see it, but get to see as much of the rest of the hall as possible."
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 23, 2011 7:02:32 GMT -6
Elindir and Legandir move with cat-like stealth to the base of the stair and peer at the broad treads which climb ever up into pitch darkness. These are likewise littered with dust and rubble, and few ancient Orc corpses.
Their sharp Elvish ears discern the faint but harrowing echo of a distant scream for a moment before it is cut short, but there is no movement to be seen upon the stair.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 23, 2011 7:08:04 GMT -6
As the company continues to march around the perimeter of the great haul, Norin pauses to examine the bloody pile of Orc flesh behind the column.
The sight of the broken, torn and rent Orc bodies is no comfort to the Dwarf, even though he spares no love for the Orc kind. These have been mauled awfully by powerful claws and teeth, and what remains of them is a grisly sight indeed. One of the pair is missing its head; the other has been thoroughly gutted -- most of its organs reduced to a dark, bloody splatter. An arm is off one body, and a leg completely missing from the other.
These mortal wounds could have been dealt by the Trolls, Norin supposes grimly...
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 23, 2011 7:16:36 GMT -6
Now Sili turns south(ish) and leads the column along the far wall of the West Hall. Between the two rows of pillars they encounter yet another broad stair -- this one descending deeper. Perhaps to where the greater treasures of Durin and all the Seven Fathers?
He feels a very faint current of stale air wafting up from those depths... and Hepti and Vestri's torches flicker at its coming. But even though that air is musty and foul by centuries of dark confinement, there is something else... something that rouses a sense of pride in the Dwarves. This is Khazad-dum!
The others are not moved so.
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 23, 2011 7:19:59 GMT -6
You are here:
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ###################@@@@ @@@@..............####@@ @@@@......S.88...e[[[[[[up @@@@...........8.g###@@@ @@@Xn...........8.#@@@@ O@@O@@O..O..O..O8.#@@@ @@@@@@@@@@......8.#@@@ @@@@@@@@@.......8.###@@@ @@@@@@@@@@......s.]]]]]down @@@@@@@@@@@.......###@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@.......#@@@ @@@@@@O@@O@@O..O..#@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
# Wall @ Darkness/Unknown O Column X Fresh Orc corpses e Elindir g Legandir s Sili n Norin S Soval 8 Other company members
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Post by ehiker133 on Jun 23, 2011 8:47:00 GMT -6
Norin leaves the orc corpse and returns to the group.
"Let's make sure there aren't any other openings along the south wall before we decide if we're going to head up or down..."
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Post by Mushgnome on Jun 23, 2011 8:51:53 GMT -6
Norin leaves the orc corpse and returns to the group. "Let's make sure there aren't any other openings along the south wall before we decide if we're going to head up or down..." Sili: "I agree! Let's fully explore this room before we move on. When we do, my vote is toward the scream."
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Post by doctorx on Jun 23, 2011 12:54:44 GMT -6
Lómëluin lingers momentarily at the top of the great stair descending into the depths of Khazad-dum, staring down into the darkness below, lost in his own thoughts...
Then he snaps back to the present; "In a hall of the Dwarves it would do well for the rest of us to follow Dwarves' counsel. Lead on."
(O.O.C: Any idea what screamed? Did it sound Orc-like, or something else?)
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Post by waysoftheearth on Jun 24, 2011 22:11:44 GMT -6
(O.O.C: Any idea what screamed? Did it sound Orc-like, or something else?) Lomeluin could not discern the distant echo clearly... it could just as easily have been an Orc as a Dwarf.
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