(025) Return to the Ogres' Dungeon

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Desmond stands, takes a deep breath, shoulders his pack, and grips the cold iron axe in his hands as he follows Pelenwin (also making sure he doesn't step on any bad symbols).

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:

"I myself must continue my quest to find a bath, before I become a victim of my own oppressive odour", he adds, sniffing an armpit with furrowed brow.

"I think we should find a bath for poor old Gustave, he is starting to spell like a old grandpa. You know we couldn't get him to take a wash, and I think he died of hunger because he would eat food that smelt bad. The unwise fool wouldn't believe it was him all along. We don't want Gustave going the same way ", jests Wibert as he moves on, careful not to stand also on tiles with symbols on them.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough is loathe to leave the Infernal runes behind; they call to him.

Finally, in an icy voice: "Lead the way, Pelenwin..."

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"I knew I could count on your support of my conjecture," says Gustave, raising an eyebrow at Wibert "and it is much appreciated, to be sure."

"Right then," he continues, drawing his blade and pulling together the ramshackle remnants of his armour. "Lets to it then, shall we?"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

Highbough is loathe to leave the Infernal runes behind; they call to him.

Finally, in an icy voice: "Lead the way, Pelenwin..."

Ulric has made a copy which can be studied later...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
At last Pelenwin and Gustave lead the way from the diabolical room where they very nearly lost their lives... the dire threat of the last dying creature still echoing in the backs of all their minds...

They experimentally peer down the dark, narrow passage way ahead while the rest of the company forms up behind them.


I'll assume the same marching order as before:

Pelenwin (with pole-axe grasped in both hands),
Gustave (with lantern and sword ready),
Dieter (with sword),
Desmond (with Mads' axe in two hands),
Ulric (with sword),
Highbough (with spear),
Wibert (with torch and shortsword),
Boris (with mace and shield),
Koch (with shield and handaxe).

Wibert's original torch has burned through, and he has replaced it with another -- he has one more in reserve.

Dieter's lantern is approximately 3/4 full still.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
By Gustave's lantern is the way forward lit.

The company is in very rough shape indeed, with many a moan and cringe and the battered and beaten group shuffle forward into who knows what danger?

The passage way is wide enough only for one abreast, and goes only a relatively short way before turning abruptly left. There is little choice but to continue on, which Pelenwin stoically does.

Another short way and the passage turns abruptly right, and then carries on. As does the weary company.

Now Pelenwin slows, for ahead of him there comes an open door arch which spills into an open space, the dimensions of which cannot yet be properly discerned...

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
In two minds about his predicament, Pelenwin strives towards the light, hoping there is not an ambush awaiting him their.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

In two minds about his predicament, Pelenwin strives towards the light, hoping there is not an ambush awaiting him their.

The light from Gustave's lantern is behind Pelenwin.

The chamber ahead is all dark and silent.

Pelenwin momentarily shakes the vision from his head, then proceedes carefully for a closer look...

The chamber appears to be roughly square-shaped and perhaps 50ft across -- so that Gustave's lantern light scarcely reaches the opposite wall. More interestingly, however, is the floor. Which is to say it is hardly a floor at all, but rather a multi-tiered excavation so that the room is ultimately deeper than it is wide.

From where he stands, Pelenwin can see that there is a narrow ledge inside the room, before an 8ft drop down to another ledge, then another, and another, and so on. The bottom of the pit cannot yet be discerned...

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
"I think we should be going up rather than down. Perhaps we might try the other path?"