(038) The Concourse Catacomb

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The slick is not overwide, and Mads (1d6=4) hops over it gracefully to land on the small round ledge, opposite without mishap.

Rufus goes to follow (1d6=1!) but alas his legs are not quite long ehough and he winds up falling half a yard short. Gloop! He puts his foot right in the horrible stuff and sinks half way to his knee before his can scurry up onto the ledge.

Now he'll be tramping that repugnant smell everywhere with him!

"You'll not catch me setting foot in that mess," declares Dugel, and moves to heave the carcass of the centipede across so that he can lay it across the filth, as a make shift bridge...

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads raises an eyebrow and hands Rufus his lantern, mumbling "Be so kind?" as he does so. Standing still for a moment, he snaps his fingers together sharply (casting the Eerie Lambent).

Once created, he'll direct them, like a conductor, to a distance of 30 ft. (or so) ahead of the party and under the archway.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:

The slick is not overwide...Rufus goes to follow (1d6=1!) but alas his legs are not quite long ehough and he winds up falling half a yard short. Gloop! He puts his foot right in the horrible stuff and sinks half way to his knee before his can scurry up onto the ledge.

Now he'll be tramping that repugnant smell everywhere with him!

Oh man!!!!

Rufus will place the lantern on the floor and run some water from his water skin if there is non else around on his leg to clean it, and wipe it on any clothes if they happen to be lying around.

"I like your moving light Mads, now we want get suprised anymore down here", says Rufus wide eyed. Why didn't you use it before!

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Rufus grumbles as he rinses his leg and foot off with the contents of his water skin; it is hardly really enough to do the job properly, but it will have to do.

Meanwhile, Mads has conjured an entourage of (1d6+1=4) four animates candle flames that circle lazily in the air about him, lighting the passage as brightly as if he carried a torch. When the warlock points his finger, the little flames dash off down the passage way at amazing speed!

By the time Dugel has lugged the centipede corpse into a position where it forms half a causeway across the foul slick, Mads' little helpers have flown ahead to hover brightly in an intersection in the passage. There appears to be a half-opened metal gate directly ahead, while alternate routes leading away to the left and right...

Dugel and Wendel walk carefully across the centipede, and then hop easily to the other side to join Rufus an Mads.

What now?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The little flames flutter about like butterflies...

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads eyes the metal gate with suspicion, but orders the flames ahead anyway. He follows at a reasonable distance, careful not to over exert himself.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The lights nip through the gaps in the gate, which is actually a series of thin, diagonal beams with large, diamond shaped gaps between them. The gate itself only seems to block one vertical half of a thick rimmed, square door way.

Beyond the gate there is apparently only a small, metal enclosure. The lights buzz about happily in this space, while Mads observes from afar.

The way ahead is like this:


....................
..........M.........
..........|.........
..........|.........
..........|.........
..........|.........
........--T--.......
.........(.)........


-- passage
T gate
(.) small room

Mads is at in the passage, his eerie lights are in the small space behind the gate.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
Rufus will examine the gate, been very careful for traps and sharp edges to check it is safe to proceed.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The company approach, led by the extremely bold Halfling...

The "gate" looks rather flimsy, to be honest, and it appears to be opened sideways. After some close examination, Rufus decides it is safe and gives the gate a poke. It rattles rather than resists. And soon enough Rufus discovers than it can be opened by pushing it to the left. Doing so "compresses" the gate, such that the diamond shaped gaps close up to nothing and the slim metal beams are pressed closer and closer together. Neat.

Behind the flexible gate is what appears to be a small box shaped room entirely constructed of old steel plate. It looks gritty and heavily worn.

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads slowly follows up behind Rufus, scratching his chin. "Curious..." He directs his supernatural flames to the four corners of the metal enclosure, to better illuminate the room. His eyes scan for markings or writing.

"Careful not to proceed to far," Mads mutters aloud in a low voice, as his eyes make their way from side to side. "Metal protects and imprisons."