(038) The Concourse Catacomb

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:

My understanding of the scenario differs only in that the company have already passed under the spider's nook -- Dugel the Dwarf used his magical shield to ensure their safe passage.

So, now Rufus wants everybody to turn around and pass back under the spider's nook again, as he leaves a trail of firewater on the ground behind him.

Then, when everybody has passed back some safe distance, Rufus intends to put a torch to the firewater and watch it burn.

Yes! That is the plan, with Mads light protecting the above nook. Plus Dugel again holding the enchanted shield.

To go forward into the web lair is certain death. Unless Mads and the team can think of an other way this is the plan!

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Leaning down to Rufus, Mads says "I don't think we're going to reach any consensus on this. I say we push forward, take the ascending stairs, and hold onto the fire water for emergencies." With that, he draws his sword, splits his magical light half trailing behind them and half ahead, and makes his way towards the stair.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"I'm with him!" say Dugal and Wendal in unison, and scurry after Mads as quickly as they safely can.

Rufus is left to decide whether he want to follow the three, or backpedal according to his original plan...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Up front, Mads leads the trio through a dozen yards of cobwebbed passageway to the landing, where he begins to climb the stone stair.

Having no mail or plate armour, they make little noise as they climb with Mads' animated candle flames lighting the way.

Having climbed a dozen or more steps of the narrow stone stair (in single file), Mads now sees the dull glow of torch- or lantern-light illuminating a doorway some score or so more steps ahead of him...

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads holds up a hand as if to signal everyone to stop and be silent. Leaning forward, Mads perks his right ear up the stair to determine if there's anyone (or anything) standing guard by the light.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Now that he stops to listen, there is certainly some sound ahead. What is that? Whispering? Mumbling?

(1d6=6!)

By some good fortune, Mads excavated the wax from his ears only last spring, and his hearing is sharp as a bat's. That must be voices ahead, he determines; at least two of them muttering in hushed tones. A couple of fellows might be on the landing ahead...

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads grips the handle of his sword tightly. He points and motions ahead, giving the hand signal for the number two. He then tries to make out what they're talking about before rushing ahead.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
"...said they'd be along anytime now," mutters a frustrated voice in a base dialect of the common tongue.

"Then like as not, they will," replies a second voice, equally frustrated.

"Well, I don't like it," says the first voice, with finality.

"You never do!"

Then some further mumbling along the same lines reaches Mads' ears, before he hears...

"Pssst! Shut it!" from a third voice. "Or I'll shut you."

Then there is quiet...

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Mads the Enlightened

Mads frowns slightly and cocks his right eyebrow. Turning his head ever so slightly, he makes a hand gesture to indicate that there are three people at the landing of the steps, and makes a throat-slitting motion.

He impatiently awaits for a gesture of approval from the remaining party before moving forward.

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:
OOC: I'm back after some time off from a minor operation.

Rufus is left to decide whether he want to follow the three, or backpedal according to his original plan...

Rufus will follow the three, after Mads also.

Mads the Enlightened
He impatiently awaits for a gesture of approval from the remaining party before moving forward.

Rufus nods to Mads in agreement, with weapons in hand ready if required.