CHAPTER 14: Retrace the Tunnels

[shaidar]

Silvestri moves around the cone so he can get a better view of any more flashes in the western passage.

[Norjax]

The Gam’A Zone 21D/82 (Evening)

As you move into the irregular chamber, additional areas and pathways are revealed. On the eastern side of the main chamber, two more 3-foot circular tunnels come into view.



To the west, the corridor stretches until it fades into darkness beyond the limit of visibility. Moving northward, the corridor extends for 70 feet before reaching an area obscured by darkness. Along its eastern wall, there is a ten-foot-wide oval side passage located 50 feet away from the chamber and one foot above the level of the main path. Both these paths feature a raised block on the floor.

Heading south, the corridor extends for 70 feet until it is obstructed by debris from an ancient collapse. A ten-foot-wide oval side tunnel can be found in the western wall, situated fifty feet beyond the chamber.

Max cautiously approaches the conical structure, noticing its dirty exterior. Upon closer inspection, he observes that the exposed gray metal is immaculately smooth, lacking any blemishes or scratches. Determined, Max clears away the grime and readies himself to ascend the featureless surface. As soon as his hands make contact, an intense burning sensation grips him, sending sharp pains coursing up both arms. Staggering back, the neuronaut examines his blistered hands in disbelief. Despite the absence of any visible heat, the object inexplicably burns as though it were scorching hot. Max feels the sensation of nausea building in his abdomen.

(DMG 11)

The tunnels here are devoid of the guide rails that characterized those explored earlier. With no other sources of illumination visible, Denslow ventures into the southern corridor. As he nears the entrance of the first narrow passage, he discerns faint, weathered letters or numbers inscribed in Old Ongish script on the adjacent wall. This tube stretches for 30 feet before curving southward. Denslow then shifts his attention to the eastern wall and inspects its corresponding tunnel. It spans 60 feet before vanishing into darkness, accompanied by another faded Old Ongish marking adorning the wall beside the entrance.

Anton and Silvestri watch for additional flashes while the others explore. Neither notice any additional luminous disturbances.

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Initiative and Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 24D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [8/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [4/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [11/15]
Max – 17/28 [7/15]
Anton – 43/43 [5/11]

[Anton_E_Gregor]

Anton rushes to aid Max, applying any first aid he is able to.

[greyarea]

Max cradles his wounded hands. The pyramid burns. Be careful with it.

[greyarea]

Denslow calls out, Doesn’t one of you know the language of the ancients? I thought one of you did.

[shaidar]

Silvestri heads over and applies his healing powers to Max's hands:

Psychic Healing: [2d8]=12

[Zhym]

Denslow calls out, Doesn’t one of you know the language of the ancients? I thought one of you did.

Oh, that would be Kurot!

Kurot joins Denslow and tries to read the ancient Ongish script.

[Norjax]

The Gam’A Zone 21D/82 (Evening)

Anton and Silvestri attend to Max. The psion renders healing energy to the neuronaut. (+12hp)

Kurot and Denslow examine the Old Ongish markings on the wall next to each 3 ft. diameter circular tunnel. The Southeast tunnel is marked “Elevation A1 Discharge”. The Southwest tunnel is marked "Elevation B Discharge”.

They discover the Northwest tunnel extends 40 ft. before it turns to the north. The Northeast tunnel extends 30 ft. until it is blocked by rubble.

The Northwest tunnel is marked “Elevation C Discharge” and the Northeast tunnel is marked "Elevation A2 Discharge”.



Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 24D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [8/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [4/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [11/15]
Max – 28/28 [7/15]
Anton – 43/43 [5/11]

[greyarea]

Denslow suggests, Let’s head north and check out that side passage.

He ambles in that direction.

[greyarea]

Max thanks Silvestri, Your healing means a lot. I suppose that I should be more wary before jumping in next time.

Still, I wonder what this thing is… he visually examines the conical structure for old onglish, but stays clear of touching it.

If he finds nothing, he will catch up with Denslow to the north.

[Zhym]

"Discharge," muses Kurot, as he follows along with Denslow. "I wonder what was meant to discharge?"

[Anton_E_Gregor]

Anton follows Denslow. "If discharge means what I think it does, we don't want to be here when those outlets start discharging."

[shaidar]

Silvestri follows the others north.

[Norjax]

The Gam’A Zone 21D/82 (Evening)

Sorry for the delay!

Denslow takes the lead and proposes investigation of the northern side passage. As the others indicate agreement with the plantient’s suggestion, Max pauses to inspect the searing metal cone for Old Ongish script. His visual examination fails to locate any such markings, so he rounds the perimeter and joins the others.

A second, ten-foot-wide oval side passage comes into view along the western wall, but you begin with the eastern route.



The eastern corridor extends for 60ft until blocked by a mechanical door constructed of artificial bone (engineered polymer; plastic).



There is degraded Old Ongish writing that reads: “Exposure!”

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 24D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [8/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [4/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [11/15]
Max – 28/28 [7/15]
Anton – 43/43 [5/11]

[greyarea]

Denslow says, what could that mean? Do we proceed?

[greyarea]

Max (slow learner) says, Of course we proceed! What’s the worst that could happen?

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"Why don't we try the other tunnel first."

[Anton_E_Gregor]

Sounds like it could be more of that strange energy, let's definitely avoid it.

[greyarea]

Max, forgetting the recent burns to his hands, says, C’mon, what’s the worst that could happen.

He advances towards the door.

[Zhym]

Kurot gives Max a blank look. But then, "blank" is pretty much his only expression.

"Let's look somewhere else."