(019) Exploring the North-West Stair

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Elsewhere (Olaf and Koch)

By now Olaf and Koch has reached the bottom of the stair, and find themselves looking into an obliquely angled room.

There is a large, closed iron gate to their left, barring a wide, dark passage. Opposite is an old weapon rack, empty but for a few spears. At their right is a closed door. And more or less directly ahead, between the gate and the weapon rack is an open door.

All is still and quiet. Olaf's bright scepter lights the way.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf is looking for disturbances in the dust on the floor, or other evidence, to point the way the party of his companions has gone, "Through that open door, don't you think?, he says to Koch.

"Do you think we should stop here and call out loudly?" Olaf asks.

[waysoftheearth]

Professor P wrote:
KOCH

KOCH approaches the weapon rack and examines it to see if there are any strings or such attached to the spears. If there aren't, he will take one. KOCH longs for his favored weapon.

"I don't think we should call yet. There are surely enemies about and I'd rather not alert them to our presence yet. Let's check the open way first."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

Olaf is looking for disturbances in the dust on the floor, or other evidence, to point the way the party of his companions has gone, "Through that open door, don't you think?, he says to Koch.

"Do you think we should stop here and call out loudly?" Olaf asks.

There are certainly hints left on the grubby floor that several persons went through the open door recently. Olaf couldn't be sure who it might have been though...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

KOCH

KOCH approaches the weapon rack and examines it to see if there are any strings or such attached to the spears. If there aren't, he will take one. KOCH longs for his favored weapon.

"I don't think we should call yet. There are surely enemies about and I'd rather not alert them to our presence yet. Let's check the open way first."

There are no strings attached, so Koch takes one of the four idle spears... picking the only one with a straight point. Despite its dusty appearance, the weight of it is a comfort in his hand...

[waysoftheearth]

Professor P wrote:

KOCH

KOCH approaches the weapon rack and examines it to see if there are any strings or such attached to the spears. If there aren't, he will take one. KOCH longs for his favored weapon.

"I don't think we should call yet. There are surely enemies about and I'd rather not alert them to our presence yet. Let's check the open way first."

There are no strings attached, so Koch takes one of the four idle spears... picking the only one with a straight point. Despite its dusty appearance, the weight of it is a comfort in his hand...

KOCH hefts the spear a few times and then takes a few practice thrusts. "Yes, this should do nicely. Shall we Olaf?"

KOCH approaches the door and uses the spear to check the doorway for tripwires and anything overhead on the other side of the doorway.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
"Yes, it looks like someone went through here recently." Olaf says, "Let's hope it was our party not someone else."

"Just a second..." Olaf uses his sword to scratch an X on the stone wall next to the stairs, "I don't know where this place is going and I want to be able to find our way out of here in a hurry."

"Okay, let's go." Olaf will continue to scan the floor, walls and ceiling for anything that looks like a trap or out of place as they go through the door and into the opening beyond.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf and Koch

Olaf scratches his mark into the protesting stone by the stair as Koch runs the spear point around the door frame opposite, and along the floor a little way into the passage. When he detects no trip wires, he thrusts the spear into the space above the door frame, and again encounters nothing untoward...

Satisfied that the way ahead is safe, the cautious pair proceed down the 6ft wide stone passage by the eerie blue-white light cast off by Olaf's scepter. Koch has the lead with spear and shield held foremost, and Olaf follows close behind with sword and scepter to hand...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf and Koch

The passage travels some 20ft or more in a straight line before veering somewhat to the right, and then proceeding for a like distance up to an open door way. Beyond this there is a large low room cluttered with rows of racks and crates and miscellany.

The ceiling seems strangely low -- Olaf could almost reach up and touch it -- and appears to be wholly made of timber boards resting on perpendicular thick joists and bearers.

(1d6=2)

But the pair hardly have time to study the carpentry. The pair of them hear the distinct clatter of numerous pairs of boots on the floor above them, and just as Koch arrives in the doorway (Olaf is right behind him, but can't yet into the room) he hears footsteps immediately to his right. He looks about and spies a dastardly looking fellow coming right at him out of the shadowy stores, a great black cloak billowing out behind him and a long stabbing blade gleaming wickedly in the pale blue light!

Combat!

Neither Koch nor the killer are surprised (rather fortunately for Koch). The killer is only 5 paces away... what will you do?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Stage Left (Pelenwin, Dieter, Ulric, Mads)

Dieter and Pelenwin have both made several attempts to scale the frail looking scaffolds, without great success. Perhaps if they were to abandon helm, armour, shield and backpack they might have more success?

Meanwhile there is has been total silence from the darkness above for the last minute or so...