Barrowmaze: Repatriating the Red Lion of Aerik

[kwll]

Genaromes ponders. "Should we go west?" he asks around.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
West it is. Through the double doors or the western hall on the south end?

[Spearmint]

edit

Sorry I corrected my error here:

The lantern stops its motion, shining light in a directly south-west compass setting.

Which would make Fydmar's suggestion

Fydmar
West it is. Through the double doors (west) or the western hall on the south end? (south-west)

[Straither]

Wrathbone

I made a comment before that 'double doors lead to double trouble', so I might stick with that and think at least exiting these interior crypts and going South & West (if not Southwest) may being us more on a parallel with the Harpy shaft and our previous thoughts that Sir Guy O'Veargne is not buried too far away from the Harpy area, rather than heading further away.

Mindful of that area was where the ghouls came from, we should proceed with Undead dangers in mind.

[Spearmint]

This is a current map portion, showing the interior crypts and the Harpy Shaft area (the rubble in the lower right corner).

Health Starus:

Durgo Brightboon: 26/29hp
Fydmar: 17/24hp
Wrathbone: 12/12hp
Bhelnus: 9/12hp
Genaromes: 4/4hp (8/8hp with Wincy weasel Familiar)
Bro Symeon: 12/18hp
Yngvar: deceased
Rickford: 5/8hp
Duvall: 8/8hp
Brutus the mastiff: 4/8hp

[kwll]

"Going south and west might be more prudent. But I think we should make an attempt to at least locate the exact position of the remains of the Red Lion." proposes Genaromes.

[Straither]

Wrathbone

To avoid other characters falling to temptation. I will go to the Obelisk in crypt room D, and cover it with a large sack, tying a note with a warning upon it.

I am fine to scout ahead or lead the way. I remember noting this when we first entered the Harpy shaft (from Durgo & Fydmar's previous adventure here)

Some of the dead do not know they are dead, they act as if still living. A 'grisly scholar' stalks those western hallways seeking books and tomes not tombs.

We did not ventured far, we were kept here to ... do unspeakable things ..."

That certainly clues in a link to Crypt of Librarians'.

Brother Symeon is being npc'd now. Does he have healing spells left. He used a CLW in myself. I would ask he use others now rather than later to boost those in lesser hp.

Maybe Bhelnus can take and train Brutus after he lost Bucky?

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo stows the trinket and speaks the command to extinguish it's holy light.

"Good work everyone. My mind has been forgetful lately. Southwest or generally in that direction. Good thinking Wrathbone to cover the obelisk if the warning will be heeded. Check your gear secure you belongings and let's move with purpose and care my friends. We lost a good person and I still have concerns for Gen. The rest of you also. I take your safety personally all of you. So, be wary and alert.

Durgo stays near the front with Wrathbone and Fydmar. Shield and lantern as needed with a prayer, "St. ygg bless us as we continue our search for the faithful Red Lion of Aerik"

[kwll]

Genaromes raises an eyebrow at Durgo but says nothing more.

[scottjen]

Fydmar
South & west, got it. He will take point & move down the southwest hall in a (poor) attempt at stealth
Rolls if needed..Thief skills [1d100]=94, [1d100]=64

[BaltoBruiser]

Bhelnus

Falls in behind Fydmar with his shield and assegai at the ready.

[Spearmint]

Exploring beyond the Harpy Halls.



A good job stealth is not needed, yet at least. The group exit the interior crypts and decide to follow the guidance of Durgo's lantern. South of those crypts are two passages, both leading west into darkness. Each one has a branching angled passage that may proceed to one and the same crypt. There is another one that was spied previously by Wrathbone but not explored. For prudence sake, it is investigated so you leave no stone unturned. Inside, this chamber is roughly twenty feet square with an angled entrance. The floors are bare flagstone, the walls covered in dusty spider webs that veil the back wall of burial alcoves. The many alcoves have bones and skulls, many of which show signs of being cracked or broken, the testimony of violent deaths. The memory of who they once were lost beneath the layers of grime and relentless march of time.

In the lower passage, two closed crypt doors offer alternative search options. As yet, no one or no thing seems alerted to your search.

continuing actions please.

[Cwreando]

Drugo

"Folks we can search rooms as we go. Just so we don't leave something behind us. I'd rather it be cleared as best we can. I'd rather fight something in a room as before heading further and it comes behind us if we skipped searching."

Durgo stays ready. He stows his shield and readies his bow since the are some in front of him anyway. If anything happens, he'll set the lantern down to use both hands for the bow.

[Straither]

Wrathbone

Wrathbone: random blessing [1d8]=5

Looks through the burial alcoves, trying to spot any 'bleeding bricks'. Sounds either like a cairn of stones raised after a bloody battle or an actual wall that bleeds. Actual blood or some crimson dye or maybe something like sap from a fungus.

He speculates a few thoughts, trying to focus on various meanings so we don't overlook an obvious sign. He reaches into the alcoves to touch any back wall, maybe if his fingerprints looked bloody afterwards it would be a sign. Trusting not to get bitten or poisoned mind you!

[scottjen]

Fydmar
Wrathbone, we might need to burn some of those webs to see the rear alcoves. Will assist while keeping watch for spiders.
Check behind the doors southernmost passage as we proceed west? Then the middle diagonal?

[BaltoBruiser]

Bhelnus

Works along side Wrathbone to clear the room the with the alcoves looking for a evidence of "bleeding walls" , secret doors, or valuables using his assegai to clear the cobwebs and detritus.

[Cwreando]

Durgo

Durgo posts guards at the North junction Duvall and Rickford looking East and West and himself in the Southern junction looking East and West, "You lads cover our blind spots. Duvall North looking West and Rickford North looking East. Watch our backs and no heroics alert us immediately fighting retreat to get behind us. I'll watch the South looking East and West while they search the alcove area."

Durgo moves to the South hallway to see East and West.

[kwll]

Genaromes joins his companions in searching the alcoves in the yet unexplored crypt, while being very cautious not to be too far away from them for safety purpose. He pets Wincy again, trying to obtain his appraisal of the place.

[Spearmint]

Exploring beyond the Harpy Halls

The open chamber is casually searched, the alcoves proving a barren resource of any worthwhile trove. The spider webs are burned aside, the torch brandished by Fydmar exposing a sac of spider eggs, the critters hatching quickly to vainly try and scuttle away but none escape the flames. Fydmar has seen such before, Orb Weaver critters similar to those in the logging camp cabin. Thankfully the larger and more venomous adult is not present.

Behind the alcoves is just bare stone wall. The alcoves prodded, the walls checked over for authenticity and concealment. The dwarven masonry experts can conclude nothing suspect is beyond and no bricks bleed.

Rickford & Duvall take to guarding the rear. They are untroubled. Durgo checks out the lower passage. He shines his lantern east, lighting up into the Harpy Shaft area. Turning west, the passage continues at least a hundred feet. You can move to the closest crypt door which is slightly ajar. Opening with a creak inwards into a cross shaped room, thirty feet north-south and the same east-west. The lantern is shone into the corners of the room, highlighting that each side has more webbed burial alcoves and a sense of desolation. The walls have faded murals of shrouded figures that loom over the bones and skulls placed in the niches. A glinty reflection shines briefly as the light is shone around, a metal blade that appears free of the dull rustiness common to most ancient blades.

The exploration can continue slowly, Fydmar leapfrogging ahead to check out the next crypt door. This is closed. Grunty and gravelly sounding voices are heard arguing and laughing beyond, speaking a pidgeon common in glutural tones. The dwarf can hush others, finger to his lips.

Actions please

[Straither]

Wrathbone

Content not to hang about searching for trinkets in favour of the saintly remains. He will stop when signalled and hushed.

As much as he enjoys a battle as much as the next dwarf should, he doesn't want to fight unnecessarily. It is that decision of not wanting alerted foes behind us stopping any escape versus sneaking by or around dangers or even slaying all the cultists and ghouls in front.

Maybe we need a little more information and Fydmar might hear more or even 'send in the weasel' if the little creature can sneak even quieter and Genaromes can empathise its visual and audio senses.

Other than that, he offers to sneak with Rickford and Duvall, along the northern passage and see if it angles about to the passage opposite the crypt door.