(047) The Lonely Abbey

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The West Way
(Torban, Rufus, Gustave, Ulric, Guntram and Armando)

Armando deftly takes Ulric's lantern while Gustave and Torban join shields and push cautiously into the dark space beyond.

By the light behind them, the pair can't make out the extend of the space before them... but by the cool air and slow echoes it feels large. There is no hint of any living thing for a moment, save for a vaguely animal scent about the air. But as the lantern light jangles behind them they catch a glimmer of its yellow light being reflected back at them from two eyes in the dark... the skin on the back of their necks prickles as the... thing... then gives a slow and deep but soundly threatening growl low down in the back of its throat.

They can only imaging its lips curling back to reveal a set of savage fangs.

The eyes are perhaps 40ft away, beyond all good light, but directly ahead and into what might be the center of the dark room.

What now?

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Desmond says, "I think we should explore and make sure something didn't escape the fire. There has to be more! But first, we need better light. We aren't going to find anything this way, even with two heads."

"Josiane, we should have more torches on the pack animal, yes? We need to get some of them."

[mgtremaine]

mgtremaine wrote:
OOC: Doh, I meant to sy I have 12 Candles, I also have 6 torches.

Wen would smile at Desmond and hold up a finger as if to say "wait". Take off his backpack and remove a wrapped bundle of short torches. Removing one he would light it from his small candle flame and handed it to Desmond. Stow the rest unless some else wants a candle or a torch.

"Alone in the dark has never been my favorite idea, so I carry extra light."

[waysoftheearth]

ehiker133 wrote:
Desmond sighs in relief and takes the proffered torch, lighting it on the candle before blowing the candle out and passing it back to Wen.

Then he'll slowly make his way to the third platform to examine it more closely.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Goooooood doggy...gooood boy", croons Gustave at the glinting eyes (and teeth).

"Err...Ulric", he whispers over his shoulder while peering over his shield at the thing, "You don't have anything in your sorcerers bag of tricks to 'tame' wild beasts perchance?"

[waysoftheearth]

sulldawga wrote:
Dorgan will also take a torch from Wen, with the dwarf's thanks.

Before he lights it, he'll go back into his pack and dig out the Marrowstone again.

"Des, hold up before ya go down with that torch. The Marrowstone gives me sight in the darkness. Let me see what's below first."

Holding the Marrowstone, Dorgan will look below to see what he can of the third, fourth, and fifth areas.

OOC: Just in case clarification is needed, Dorgan has the Marrowstone in his left hand and shield still sturdily fitted upon his right arm. Mads Cold Iron Axe is hooked to his belt and the torch and pack lie on the floor behind him.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Josiane waits nervously, sword in hand, to see what Wen's torchlight and Dorgan's dark vision will reveal...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The West Chamber
(Torban, Rufus, Gustave, Ulric, Guntram and Armando)

Gustave makes placating sounds, but as he turns his head to speak to Ulric them beast suddenly bounds toward them with fantastic agility! It must have been nearer then they thought, for Torben and Gustave find themselves clattering backward, scarcely set before the great black beast savagely barrels into them at neck height!

(Torben has his spear so attacks first; 1d20=8, but misses. Gustave and the beast roll initiative 1d6; Gustave=6, beast=4. Gustave attacks next; 1d20=1, misses. Beast attacks 1-3 Torben, 4-6 Gustave; 1d6=1 Torban; 1d20=1; misses.)


Torben tries to spit it with his spear, as Gustave slashes wildly with his sword in the gloom, and the great black wolf crashes upon their raised shields forcing everyone back several paces by its weight alone. Somehow in all the ruckus no one is injured.

What next?

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Burned Library
(Josiane, Desmond/Mondes, Dorgan, Dieter and Wen)

Wen passes out the torches while Dorgan fetches out the Mountain's Heart once more.

With its extraordinary powers he can make out much more of the shadowy library. He spies all the way to the bottom of the library where it appear the debris and ashes are heaped highest. Hidden among them in the dark are the charred remains of several man-sized bodies... burned well beyond recognition.

There are two other exits just visible through the stair and charred shelves -- one leads away from the rear of the third area, and the other is at the rear of the fifth (and deepest) area.

(1d6=6)

While all this goes on Mondes pricks up his ears. "Did ya hear that?" he mutters, "Sounds like a creaking door in the passage behind us..."

What now?

[waysoftheearth]

verhaden wrote:
Torben

Torben grits his teeth and pushes against the beast with his shield, attempting to create some distance with which to impale the beast.