Chapter 04: Torpor and tremendum

[Nordbo]

Korin and Tiny step out into a larger, at least 25x25' chamber which is softly illuminated. The floor is covered with rugs - some large soft cushions lie arranged to the left, from which direction the sound of water can also be heard.
Some item of furniture stands placed against the opposite ('eastern') wall, and it looks like there might be more doors along some of the walls. Infravision reveals no living entities, but the cushions indicate being a little warmer than the rest of the room.

Are either of you carrying a torch ?

Back in the smaller room, Richard remains slumped on the floor, quite shaken by Thorelf's harsh words. "B-b-b-but....b-b-ut...?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin is not carrying a torch any more I think his was burned up a while back, I could be wrong.

Korin draws the sword he got earlier and starts poking at the cushions with it. lightly not enough to stab through them entirely, just enough that someone on the other side of the cushion might get a little scratch.

[Gebex]

Eaton

I have 3 torches.

Lights a torch.

This place is filled with hidden doors. Quite annoying.But I see that the gods are testing me.

Starts to examine the walls for hidden doors.

[1d20]=2

[Rex]

Tiny

No torch.

Tiny searches around the room.

[sastaz]

Thorelf steps in after the others have cleared the opening. He is carrying a torch.

He looks around, puzzled.

Richard, is this somewhere you've been before, with her? Because this looks like a brothel. Not that I would know of course."

[Rex]

Tiny

"They make soup here, really. It doesn't look it to me."

[Nordbo]

You all step out into the larger room, which turns out to extend 'northwise' up into a pool area, into which a small waterfall pours (the falling water seems to shimmer in many colours). The full north-south length of the area (room + pool) is about 50-60', and 25' wide, with a 20' high ceiling.
The cushions Korin pokes lie arranged by the pool edge; they look very extravagant and luxurious - a cosy lounging poolside spot for someone with refined (or decadent) tastes. Korin finds no living thing among them. Scattered next to the cushions lie some smoking paraphernalia: a waterpipe, crumpled sachets, a small box etc.

Against the 'eastern' wall, the item of furniture turns out to be a wooden chest, on top of which stands a figure.

In clear sight, Eaton finds one door 'north' (open) and two (closed) doors 'south' of the door on the 'western' wall you all just came out of. On the 'southern' wall of this furnished chamber, near to the 'eastern' corner, is another door (closed).

Moments later, Richard stumbles into the room. If he was startled, he is now totally surprised and perplexed. He casts wild eyes around the room, then yelps "Krooda! My love! Where are you!" and dashes over to the soft cushions, throws them aside as if to look for something (one of them falls into the pool). Then looks wildly at the rest of you, gasping frantically while pointing to the cushions "It's here! She's here! I was here! This is the place! But where is she ?" He glances around manically, then over the edge of the pool, peering down into the water. "Kroodaaa-a-a..:" his voice peters out in a pathetic wimper.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin shaking his head at Richard "Outta his wits, poor lad. Tiny yah mind slappin some sense inta him?"

[Rex]

Tiny

"Hey, you need to calm down and smarten up or I am going to have to slap you until you do!"

Tiny will examine the figure.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin curious about the figure examines it with Tiny.

[sastaz]

Map update in progress

is this sketch about right? the room is a little smaller than described to fit the map, but hey poetic maps, right? There's the pool with cushions to the NE ish and the chest/statue to the east

[Gebex]

Eaton

Tries to find some valuables in the room since he thinks where there is luxury there must be good stuff.

This is some compensation for my fine weapon they took from me.

The person who was in here probably took the north open door. Let’s go after him.

[Rex]

Tiny

"Why the north one?"

[Gebex]

Eaton

The theory of usage of the north door, is based on the assumption that when someone flees though a door, in haste, it is likely that the person will not waste time on closing the door.

Tiny, do you have a better theory?

Continues to look for valuables.

[GreyWolfVT]

Korin "How bout cause the north door is tha one that is open? Makes sense they went out that one when they saw an heard us."

[Gebex]

Eaton

That’s kind of what I just did said.

[sastaz]

While the other ones are arguing or busy searching, Thorelf has a look through the norhtern door on the western wall, expecting to find another smaller room with bunk bed and wash bin, like the one they came through. He tries to be ready if there, unlikely but still, should be someone in there.

"I'm telling you, he will draw his favourite witch woman here sooner or later with all that noice making. Richard, you must stay silent, do you understand that?!"

[Rex]

Tiny

Tiny looks through the open north door.

[GreyWolfVT]

Eaton

That’s kind of what I just did said.

Korin "Yup I'm just agreein wit yah Eaton."

[Nordbo]

Map comment: the pool edge is level with the 'northernmost' of the 4 doors on the 'western' wall; the pool area then continues in a half-circular-ish area ca. 20' further 'north'. So: main room length 30' + pool half-circle 20' radius. There seems to be a ledge going around the upper part of the pool area wall.

Where in the room does

Eaton

look for valuables ?

Tiny

goes over to pick up the figure on the chest. He and Korin discover it is a small statuette of a magic-user holding what looks like a crystal ball in his right hand - but a milky one.

Eaton's

hunch seems to be correct - when

Thorelf

peers into the open 'northernmost' of the 4 doors on the 'western' wall, it does indeed look like someone ran through here in a hurry: a small chest and a pot have been knocked over. The room is very similar to its neigbouring room: same size, with a bunk & washstand. The dirty blanket on the bunk was also dragged down on the floor by the 'escapee' running through. The door is open at the other end leading out to the 'table and chairs' room.

Richard

twitches scaredly under Tiny's threats and Thorelf's barking, then just cowers at the pool edge, casting ashamed glances back at the group. Trying to be helpful, he fishes the cushion out of the water and feebly tries to wring it. "I, just, just-t-t..." He seems to steady himself then picks up a crumpled sachet and takes a deeeeeep sniff.