(013) The Gatehouse Dunjon

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric's eyes light up as Highbough vanishes from sight.

"Most impressive," he says in admiration.

Ulric will place himself in the second rank with his lantern lighting the way.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough creeps invisibly into the gloom...

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
"Do you think that elf was an ogre spy--seems suspicious, him walking out on us. Keep you eye's peeled men, we could have company," says Pelenwin.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Ulric lights the way with his lantern held aloft, Mads and Pelenwin with weapons ready ahead of him. Highbough proceeds all of them into the gloomy ante, invisibly, while the rest of the company -- including those lugging the cumbersome chests -- follow after.

In the ante, all is cool and quiet.

Ahead a broad stair descends to the level below (from whence the company came). The passage way extends to the right (to the torture chamber) and to the left -- off into unexplored dark.

Which way?

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough scouts the path ahead, never moving too far ahead of the party that he cannot yell for help. If he sees/hears any dangers ahead, he will backtrack and report his findings.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Dissappearing elves now?", notes Gustave with characteristic raised brow, "whatever next."
He waits for the party to depart the sleeping chamber, keeping an eye on the rear blockades.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

Highbough scouts the path ahead, never moving too far ahead of the party that he cannot yell for help. If he sees/hears any dangers ahead, he will backtrack and report his findings.

Ahead in which direction? Down the stair, left or right?

Highbough will not be able to get farther ahead than the limit of Ulric's lantern light, or else risk stumbling in the dark.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough remembers he cannot see in the dark [img]images/smiley/cool.png[/img] and rejoins the party, safely positioning himself behind the front line of Fighting Men (but still invisible).

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
"Shall we go Down the stair so we can check on Victor and crew outside, then come back to fire this ogre lair as palnned, and also have a better look around. BUT beware of everything on the way, make sure there is no traps waiting for us as we exit", suggests Padrig.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"Get a move on up front!" grumbles Thorgrim under the heavy load of the chest. Dieter, Olaf and Andaros' arms and backs are all likewise straining...

...meanwhile Mads and Pelenwin have the lead, after the invisible form of Highbough pushes past them unexpectedly to join Ulric in the second rank.

Padrig offers his advice from the third rank.