CHAPTER THREE: What the dead mage said

[Gelatinous Q]

Satisfied that you've seen all there is to see in the antechamber, Stregghi grabs one of the torches on the north wall, and you move into the hallway.

The walls of the tomb are cold, unadorned granite. Wall sconces are set every 12' or so. After about 65' (@ one turn of movement), two 10' wide hallways branch off to the left and right, while the main hallway you're in continues to the north.



Actions?
~~~~~~~~~
Marching order:

Bran | Glogs
Savik | Ulf
Iomhar | Stregghi
Gordon

[Nuke66]

Gordon follows....

[Alethan]

Bran turns back and looks to Stregghi and asks, "Any idea where this bloke's bones are resting?"

If he doesn't know, Bran adds, "Well, it sure ain't gonna be in one of these side rooms. An' we're not here to loot the place, so lets keep heading straight."

But as they pass the intersection, Bran looks to his left to see what is down the side passage.

[onlyme]

Iomhar quietly stows his bow and grabs hold of his sword, ready for more orcs to ambush them as they pass the intersection.

[hedgeknight]

Ulf follows along with his companions, one hand on his short sword, the other trailing along the wall looking overhead and underfoot for any unusual markings or what he thinks might be some sort of trap.

[Argennian]

Savik keeps his bow and arrow at the ready in one hand and his other hand free to make a somatic gesture, if needed. "Don't know who this Vargahsh fellow is," the elf whispers, "but if we can get the drop on him, perhaps I can use my charms to make his acquaintance?"



(previous post from when we dropped the two orc sentries)

Savik readies another arrow as he moves up quickly with the others. He'll check to see if any of their missiles can be recovered while keeping an ear to their cleric guide for his answer to Bran's query.

OOC: GQ, was Savik ever able to retrieve any of his or the others' arrows there?

[Gelatinous Q]

OOC: GQ, was Savik ever able to retrieve any of his or the others' arrows there?

Yes, he was able to salvage both.

[Gelatinous Q]

Bran turns back and looks to Stregghi and asks, "Any idea where this bloke's bones are resting?"

"Nay," Stregghi replies. "The situation of the mage's crypt within the tomb was a secret known only to the mage himself, the dwûr-folk who carved it into the rock, and the high priest who laid him to rest."

But as they pass the intersection, Bran looks to his left to see what is down the side passage.

Stregghi's torch jams your infravision, but in the torchlight you can make out a door on the south wall about 30' down the hall.
~~~

You continue north for another 60' (1 turn) before the hallway empties into a large room, 50'x60'. In the center of the room is a sarcophagus; its lid lies upside down on the floor next to it.

You also notice, huddled behind the left side of the sarcophagus, a youngish (perhaps teenaged?) looking orc, whimpering and shaking uncontrollably. When he sees you're not orcs, he shrieks and throws himself at your feet.

"Please to let Vargahsh go!" he cries in a sort of pidgin Common. "Please! No sword! I leave now, before snake comes. Terrible snake! Please to let Vargahsh pass! Never come back!"

Actions?
~~~~~~~~~
Marching order:

Bran | Gordon
Savik | Ulf
Iomhar | Stregghi
Glogs

[rredmond]

Glogs looks behind him expecting a surprise snake attack. Which way did the snake go Orc? he asks the terrified orc

[onlyme]

Iomhar feels every hair stand up. Snakes... he looks around, sword ready. For the snake or an orc if its a ruse.

[Argennian]

"Stay your weapons, friends," Savik whispers to his companions as he steps forward, makes a somatic gesture with his free hand and casts his charm person spell on the cowering orc.

"What snake, friend Vargahsh? Where is it now?" the elf asks in orcish as he kneels down to console the trembling orc youth. He gives him a thorough scrutinization when he leans down close.

[hedgeknight]

Ulf moves into the room and pulls a thin wand from his belt. Pointing at the sarcophagus while standing a few feet away, he says,"Avabreyhu..."

[Gelatinous Q]

"Stay your weapons, friends," Savik whispers to his companions as he steps forward, makes a somatic gesture with his free hand and casts his charm person spell on the cowering orc.

"What snake, friend Vargahsh? Where is it now?" the elf asks in orcish as he kneels down to console the trembling orc youth. He gives him a thorough scrutinization when he leans down close.

Vargahsh's save vs. magic: [1d20] = 2

The charm takes effect on the young orc, calming him but slightly.

"Thank you, olven friend, thank you!" he exclaims, embracing Savik's legs. "May Gruumsh One-Eye pave your steps with the crushed bones of your enemies!" He points to the passage in the NE (top right) corner of the room. "Snake is back there. I will show you. We kill snake, yes!"

Ulf moves into the room and pulls a thin wand from his belt. Pointing at the sarcophagus while standing a few feet away, he says,"Avabreyhu..."

Meanwhile, upon the utterance of the trigger word, Ulf's wand illuminates a hidden panel at the base of the sarcophagus, beneath the head...

OOC: wand of secret door & trap detection -1 charge; new total: 10

[onlyme]

Iomhar is still a bit worried about this snake thing. He holds fast the sword and readies himself for an attack.

[hedgeknight]

Ulf moves into the room and pulls a thin wand from his belt. Pointing at the sarcophagus while standing a few feet away, he says,"Avabreyhu..."

Meanwhile, upon the utterance of the trigger word, Ulf's wand illuminates a hidden panel at the base of the sarcophagus, beneath the head...

Ulf moves cautiously to the head of the sarcophagus and checks the hidden panel for traps...before opening it.

[Alethan]

Bran tries to approach the orc to ask it questions of the snake, but... even under the influence of a charm spell, he cannot bring himself to speak with such a creature. Instead, he readies his battle axe and keeps a sharp eye on the northeast passage, hoping another will ask about the size and type of snake...

[Argennian]

... "Thank you, olven friend, thank you!" he exclaims, embracing Savik's legs. "May Gruumsh One-Eye pave your steps with the crushed bones of your enemies!" He points to the passage in the NE (top right) corner of the room. "Snake is back there. I will show you. We kill snake, yes!" ...

"He says there is some kind of snake in yonder passage," Savik announces in common for his companions that don't speak orcish, and points with his bow towards the northeast passage (top right) that the orc just indicated.

The elf then turns to smile all friendly-like back at his pathetic little charmed orc. "Quickly now, friend Vargahsh, what kind of snake is it and how big? Is there any other dangers in here?" he asks in orcish.

[Gelatinous Q]

The elf then turns to smile all friendly-like back at his pathetic little charmed orc. "Quickly now, friend Vargahsh, what kind of snake is it and how big? Is there any other dangers in here?" he asks in orcish.

"Snake slither in while we sleep and kill many fierce orcs in his coils. Even Hraathgwür! Big snake, very big." Vargahsh turns and points at Glogs. "Big as four of him.

"Orcs not be happy to see humans and olven and dwûr. But we not as many as we were. Some killed by fire. Some killed by snake. Some run away. Vargahsh almost run away til my olven friend saved me!" He hugs Savik again. "We kill snake now! Yes!"

Ulf moves cautiously to the head of the sarcophagus and checks the hidden panel for traps...before opening it.

Ulf doesn't find anything suspicious about the panel. It is easily removed with a pick and chisel from your thieves tool kit. Behind it is a recess and what appears to be a foot pedal in the floor.

OOC: assuming you're using the wand for trap detection: -1 charge; now down to 9

[onlyme]

as big as four... Glogs?
Is about all Iomhar can say...

[rredmond]

I doubt as natty, Glogs chimes in, pulling a crooked ruffle back out from under his sleeve.

Is Glogs big too? Sheesh, y'all are really making me ROLE play... where's my frickin' dice?