(062) The Basal

[waysoftheearth]

[p Man,leather,short-sword,hand,12,7/7]Armando[/p] vanishes from sight... and the only hint of his existence thereafter is the persistent tugging at the rope which [p Man,elvish mail+helm,spear,shield,12,10/11]Torben[/p] has anchored about his own waist (as far as [p Man,elvish mail+helm,spear,shield,12,10/11]Torben[/p] is concerned, [p Man,leather,short-sword,hand,12,7/7]Armando[/p] weighs scarcely more than a woman).

The seconds tick ponderously by...

[danhem]

"We could all just go down the chute now," Ulric says. "If our foes are below they would not expect that."

"Olaf! You will be needed there. Torben and Beringar can you both help anchor the rope? Olaf, then Josiane, and then myself should lead the way."

| Ulric obviously feels like throwing caution to the wind. |

[waysoftheearth]

| It's already three minutes since Dieter and Dorgan vanished. A lot can happen down a dark hole in three minutes. |

[Olroda]

Beringar gives Torben a hand with the rope.

[flightcommander]

"Another length of rope! Shadows beset Dieter and Dorgan!"

[doctorx]

"More rope, in the Saint's name!" bewails Josiane, starting to actively search her companions' packs in her desperation...

[waysoftheearth]

| As far as I'm concerned, the players know better than I do what they're carrying on their backs... |

[doctorx]

"To the Pit with this!" swears the Vagabond Knight, in a most unusual moment of inflamed temper.

She sees Beringar step forward to assist the powerful Torben with the stout (she hopes) hemp rope and makes a decision.

"Armando! Have care! I descend!"

She passes her torch to whoever's nearest, grabs hold of the rope and make ready to climb down into the blackness that has claimed her friends.

"Find more rope! Quickly!" snaps she in that voice that seems strangely other in moments of emergency or high drama; "If you cannot, hold fast here! Lord Dieter's ring may allow us to effect an escape! Do not surrender our exit! Hold this ground!!"

And she begins her descent.

[mushgnome]

Wen would creep forward after Highbough if possible, arrow at the ready and some paces behind, he would watch for movement or any sign of danger.....

"Wen, I am glad you are near," whispers Highbough. "This is a different kind of dungeon, more ancient than those we have explored. It is cunningly designed by some devious mind to trap, disorient, and separate intruders. What do you make of that wolf's head? The eyes seem almost to follow us; I do not like the look of it!"

[waysoftheearth]

| Okay, so I have:

[p Man,leather,short-sword,hand,12,7/7]Armando[/p] down the hole already, on a rope held by [p Man,elvish mail+helm,spear,shield,12,10/11]Torben[/p].

[pp Maiden,leather+helm,sword,torch,12,9/9]Josiane[/pp] intends to jump down, on a rope held by [p Man,leather,spear,hand,12,7/7]Beringar[/p].

[p Old Elf,leather+helm,spear,hand,12,10/10]Highbough[/p] and [p Elf,leather+helm,hand,hand,12,8/8]Wen[/p] are somewhat ahead of the group, looking out.

[p Young Man,leather+helm,sword,shield,12,12/14]Olaf[/p] is somewhat behind on watch.

[pp Man,robes,lantern,hand,12,9/9]Ulric[/pp] is here.

Is the is sum of the players' actions for the upcoming turn? |