Third Expedition

[Raven Crowking]

There seems to be a wall preventing access to the area at the end of the north hallway at this time. If you listen, you can hear faint scratching noises behind it.

Do you go to the first southern door? Do you open it? Until you say something definite, I am not going to assume you are taking action.

[beermotor]

Does somebody have a pole? Or a stick? Cisneros has a staff but I guess that's only about 6'.

Grim and Pikar will lead to that southern door, and Cisneros will walk beside Grim and probe the floor with the staff as they move, SLOWLY. Daryll will follow. But nobody moves unless all the others are coming along. Gotta stick together!

[Dumnbunny]

Jedak speaks up; "Hey, I have a 10' pole!" He taps Cisneros on the shoulder. "Not that I'm eager to be in the front rank, but the longer the stick, the better." He laughs nervously, his heart not really it in.

[beermotor]

"Be brave, lad," says Grim. "Come on now, walk right behind me and Pikar."

[bitflipr]

Murq will follow the rest while holding the chest. He'll stick near the end of the group as long as someone with a torch is nearby.

[beermotor]

When we get to the southern door we'll take turns listening. Cisneros will look for runes or frescoes or anything like that on or near the door, and also along the walls as they walk.

[Raven Crowking]

You reach the door without incident. People take turns listening, but no noise is heard beyond. There are no signs of runes or writing on the old brickwork, nor are any frescos visible. Bits of rotting plaster still within some of the joins where bricks come together show that this place must have looked very different long, long ago. It may also be notable that the walls are not perfectly straight. Time and water seepage has caused them to bulge out slightly in some places.

[beermotor]

"All right," Grim says. "Hunter, get an arrow ready. Everybody else keep your torches ready. I'll open the door on three..."

So let's see what's behind door number two.

[bitflipr]

Murq looks behind the group at the newly dropped-down wall beyond the northern passage. "I'd be a bit concerned if that wall opened up any time soon. Those scratching things could sneak up behind us if we're not careful."

[beermotor]

Pikar says, "Keep a sharp lookout back there, then. We can run if we have to."

Grim snorts. "We're dwarves. If we have to run, we're dead."

[Raven Crowking]

Reminder: Until someone actually states that they are opening the door, I am assuming discussion and prep.

[beermotor]

Pikar will push open the door, assuming everyone is ready and in position.

[Raven Crowking]

Pikar opens the door, and a gust of air makes torches flicker with disconcerting shadows.

Beyond the door, a chamber some 20 feet square can be seen, with another door opposite the first. The extra 10 feet extends to your right as you look through the door. Old debris is scattered throughout the room -- mostly bricks and fallen plaster by the looks of it, mixed with scattered rat droppings and rags of mouldy cloth. There is a faint smell in here, like old vinegar.

[beermotor]

"Stinks of urine," Grim says. "Let's check out the other door, slowly now, stay together. And keep that pole prodding, Jedak."

Move through to other door (slowly) and listen.

[Raven Crowking]

Which other door? North or south?

[beermotor]

South I think. Through the room.

[bitflipr]

Murq continues to follow. He'll motion someone to close the door behind them... his hands are full carrying the chest and he'd rather not have to put it down every step.

[Dumnbunny]

Jedak taps his pole against the floor ahead of the party, probing the stones, anxiously listening for a click. Sigur closes the door behind Murq, lit torch in one hand, dagger in the other, while Dugar follows the party, arrow nocked.

[Raven Crowking]

So be it. You move carefully into the room, closing the door behind you. Nothing untoward occurs, although you do spy the stripped and yellowing bones of some very large rats, and you are able to reach the far door.

[beermotor]

Pikar and Grim both listen at the door. Cisneros prods through the bones and rags with his staff, and looks around at the walls in here. Bare like outside?