(052) Reckoning the Abbey

[doctorx]

Josiane frowns pensively at the faint sounds of excitement coming from the pit.

"Our friends have found something worthwhile, it seems," she whispers to Olaf; "I do but hope they make haste; I doubt our enemies are standing idle all this while..."

She maintains her watch with diligence.

[sully]

Dorgan will hand the staff back to Wen and shake his pack off his shoulders.

"Hold on there a sec. Lemme dig out the Marrowstone and have a look in here first. The 'Stone lets me see in the dark."

Once Dorgan has the Marrowstone in hand, he'll use its powers to see what he can see in the room.

[Tonneau]

Gustave gives Desmond/Mondes a comradely slap on the back, "Proof! That two heads are better than one - once again you turn the tide my doubly-empowered comrade, ha ha!"

"But what, I wonder, lies within?" he adds, moving from his position on the stairs to back up Dorgan at the portal.

[waysoftheearth]

<<OCC :: Dwarfs see equally well by day and night as it is, but the Marrowstone will empower Dorgan's nightvision in even deeper darkness.>>

Dorgan grasps the Marrowstone once more and closes his eyes... a vision of all that lies before him is emblazoned in his mind's eye as though it were lit by a thousand candles. 'Tis an impressive hexagon chamber 60ft broad with a high, arched ceiling carved in stone. The arches are graven with scrolls and rune-work, no doubt significant to the Sisters and their ilk...

At the base of each of the three walls that stand opposite the door way is a small recess in the stone where the bass relief is at its most ornamental... three naves containing three Holy figures. From Dorgan's left, the first figure hold out its hands, from which a fountain trickles into a basin at the figure's feet. The second figure appear old and doubled and leans upon a fancifully decorated staff. The third figure comprises several children all beholden to a great book that lies open before them.

A nun kneels near to the fountain nave. Her back is to Dorgan but her shoulders are slumped and her head is bowed.

But for the gentle trickle of water, the room is eerily still, clean and quiet.

[danhem]

"It would appear that we have found what we came looking for," Ulric says with obvious relief in his voice. "We'll need Josiane for this I think and as much light as we can muster. Lanterns and torches for everyone."

[mgtremaine]

Wen hears Ulric and relay the message back into the room. Josiane the room has been opened and they are in need of your guidence. Wen would clear out of the staircase so the lady knight can pass as well as retrieve a second torch from his pack, light it from his burning torch, and offer it to her as she passes.

[sully]

When Dorgan waits for torches to be lit and companions to be summoned, he will focus his attention on the nun. Does she move? The slow and steady rise and fall of breath in her lungs, even?

[doctorx]

Wen hears Ulric and relay the message back into the room. Josiane the room has been opened and they are in need of your guidence.

"With all haste, my friend."

Josiane makes to descend into the mysteries below, then pauses, looking back at Olaf.

"My Lord will be well holding the watch alone?" she asks, perhaps a trifle anxiously...


edit: fixed quote

[waysoftheearth]

When Dorgan waits for torches to be lit and companions to be summoned, he will focus his attention on the nun. Does she move? The slow and steady rise and fall of breath in her lungs, even?

Voices whisper and torches are lit in the passage behind him, while Dorgan continues his examination. Even with the uncanny sight of the Marrowstone, Dorgan cannot detect any movement from the nun... not even breathing. Nor has she reacted in any visible way to the door opening, nor the presence of Dorgan and his fellows...

[ehiker133]

Desmond takes a deep breath and holds it (which doesn't really matter, as Mondes continues to breathe normally...) as he steps across the threshold of the massive door and into the room.

"Ahem," he says, clearing his throat, "ma'am?" He begins taking cautious steps towards the nun. He stops suddenly, turns around, and whispers, "Let's make sure whomever has the key stays on that side of the door, in case we need it opened again..."

Then he turns back and once again approaches the kneeling nun.