Ch. 5: Plunging Deeper Into the Tomb

[AleBelly]

"By all means" replies Zoster, gesturing Elsa forward with his hands. "Ladies first! I'll even be a gentleman and tie a rope around you first in case something happens..."

[Grognardsw]

Elsa, not a dumb blond

"You're so chivalric, are you sure you're not a paladin?" Elsa smiles a fang-toothed smile. "You can tie that rope around this pew. I'll heave it through, pull it back and see what happens."

"The false doors are an idea too."

[AleBelly]

Zoster laughs and nods towards the half-orc. She is appealing in her own way.

He does as she asks.

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarf trap-hacker:

Dredd's pudgy fingers helped tie knots around pews.

The bald-pated dwarf muttered, "Aye. I am in agreement with Zoster.
...About the false doors. Once we're done here, let's go back and search them."

[Zhym]

Zoster helps Elsa tie a rope around a pew. With a mighty heave, the half-orc warrior lady throws the pew through the misty arch. It lands with a crash on the other side. When Elsa pulls the rope, the pew returns to the room, bashed-up from its fall but otherwise seeming no different than it was before.

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Status: Elsa (F10): 37/58; Malibran (C10): 37/68; Zoster (F9/D12): 48/76; Xale (F8/C8): 47/54; Worren (C9/MU11): 53/53; Dredd (F7/T11): 50/57
Spells in effect: None

[AleBelly]

"Who wants to give this a try? I'll hold the rope" says Zoster, slightly astonished that the pew is in good shape.

[ravenn4544]

Malibran suddenly becomes intently interested in anything other than the archway....

[Grognardsw]

Elsa pokes the pew with her sword. If normal, she'll touch it to make sure it's not an illusion (while making her mind disbelieve.) Then she'll try to see beyond the mist, thinking it an illusion.

If not...

"Hmm, I still don't trust it. I guess lets search the false doors first and return to this as last resort."

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarf trap-hacker:

Dredd hiked up his toolbelt across his massive girth and blustered, "It's all well and good for an inanimate thing to pass through. But we should test it with something living! Have any of ye warlocks a pet cat or toad that could act as a canary in a mithril mine?"

[Zhym]

As far as Elsa can tell, the pew is as real as she is, if perhaps a bit less solid. The mist, too, resists her efforts to see through it by disbelieiving in its existence.

[ybn1197]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarf trap-hacker:

Dredd hiked up his toolbelt across his massive girth and blustered, "It's all well and good for an inanimate thing to pass through. But we should test it with something living! Have any of ye warlocks a pet cat or toad that could act as a canary in a mithril mine?"

Worren scowls at the dwarf. "Alas, my familiar was a victim of this despicable tomb. Even if he wasn't I would no more volunteer him than I would any member of this group. I can however create a mystical eye to send through the portal and see what is truly on the other side."

[max_vale]

Xale takes a deep breath and then steps forward. "Alright….I'll test it out. Please, someone make sure the rope is VERY securely fastened around me and please, both Elsa and Zoster keep a firm grip on the line and ready to pull me back after a count of five." The Dwarven warrior-priest looks at all of his companions and says; "Well, if this is the last time I speak to any of you; I hope all of you fare well in this accursed place and may Dalt bless all of you." He takes a deep breath after making sure the rope is secure and if his strong companions have a firm grip; he says; "Alright; let's do this"; and enters the mist….

[Grognardsw]

Elsa the Inconsiderate

"You are a braver hero than me Xale," says the half-orc. "Is there anything you want to leave behind, just in case you.... Weapons, magic items, anything which will help us take revenge and defeat Acererack in your honor?"

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarf trap-hacker:

Dredd solemnly and gravely holds the rope in his fat hands, eyes downcast.
"Nay. It'll not come to that, brother," he managed to get out as his fellow dwarf bravely entered the mysterious mists.

[AleBelly]

Zoster grabs the rope firmly and prays to the gods of the winds and forests for Xale's safe return. He does so silently to avoid offending Dalt.

[Zhym]

Xale steps up and takes action. He ties a rope to himself and hands the other end to Dredd, who holds on tight. He checks the rope one more time, takes a deep breath, and steps into the mist.

PM sent.
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Status: Elsa (F10): 37/58; Malibran (C10): 37/68; Zoster (F9/D12): 48/76; Xale (F8/C8): 47/54; Worren (C9/MU11): 53/53; Dredd (F7/T11): 50/57
Spells in effect: None

[Inferno]

I sure am gonna miss that guy.

[max_vale]

Xale steps back out of the mist; only something is different....SHE looks around with a wary look in her eyes; she sees her companions and their widened eyes and she can TELL they know something is different about her as well...

Snarling, she steps away from the group for a moment, keeping a watch on them in case they try anything and as she moves, she notices a distinct difference in how she moves....how the weight of the armor and equipment she's wearing has shifted its distribution...how she is....is....FEMALE!

"This....this...this isn't right"; she sputters in a confused rage. As some of her fellow party members start to open their mouths she snaps out; "SHUT UP, all of you! I'll take care of this accursed enchantment!"; and she angrily hurls herself back into the mist; hoping that it changes things back to the way they were....


OOC: Sorry for being rude there everyone; a bit of a magical change to the character's gender....and other things.....I'm hoping this move might restore things; if not; well, I may not be an active party member for much longer.

[max_vale]

A long few moments later; Xale returns from the mist; pulling on the ropes.

The Dwarven warrior-priest is still a SHE, but her demeanor is much calmer and MUCH more like she was before....when she was a HE. "Ahem; I'm sorry for my outburst there....in addition to my, ahem, gender, I believe Accerak's enchantment changed by moral outlook on life as well. Having gone back through; I believe I am back to being....um....ME; but still female." She looks at her companions and says; "Well....so long as I'm not an agent of darkness; I guess my gender doesn't really matter. Also; there is nothing through the mist except a small room with no doors or features; alas, I don't believe that's the path we need to take to defeat this foul lich".


OOC: Sorry everyone, in addition to the gender change (which I don't mind); there was also an alignment change (which I was NOT cool with). Luckily, going back changed Xale's alignment back, but not the gender...so...whoo-hoo!

[Zhym]

So. Anyone else interested in a quick sex-change operation?

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Status: Elsa (F10): 37/58; Malibran (C10): 37/68; Zoster (F9/D12): 48/76; Xale (F8/C8): 46/54; Worren (C9/MU11): 53/53; Dredd (F7/T11): 50/57
Spells in effect: None