(062) The Basal

[waysoftheearth]

A brief council is had before the company elects to make all haste to the reliquary, via the infirmary.

Desmond/Mondes leads the way around the dim, narrow passage that trends toward the right as if follows the curve of the abbey's outer wall. The passage is long, close and austere, and were you not in a company of armed heroes it might seem a rather intimidating place.

However, before over-long the company have marched the length of the abbey entire, and returns to recognisable parts; directly ahead now lies the lobby--a hint of natural light indicating that the outer door must be breached.

But before getting quite so far, the doorway to the infirmary presents on the right-hand side of the passageway.

| The referee casts a die; 1d6 |

What now?

[ehiker133]

Desmond listens at the door. If no sounds can be heard from within, the door is opened post-haste.

"Dieter, if that thing already looks like me, might be best if someone other than me goes in first..."

[waysoftheearth]

The door yields no mysterious moans or creaks, so it opened post-haste and the leading members of the company enter the infirmary ante--site of the former battle with the giant ooze--once more. It is a ruinous mess, although as Demond/Mondes foretold, the clutter has been cleared from the most direct route to the inside door (which leads to the inner chamber).

The room is too small to accommodate everyone, so that at the rear of the column are still outside in the passage way at this point in time.

[ehiker133]

Desmond points to the second room and says, "That is where the double was."

If the door is open, he waits for Dieter to enter before following.

If it is closed, he checks the door before stepping back to make room for Dieter.

[waysoftheearth]

The door hangs slightly ajar...

[coffee]

"You stay back," Dieter murmurs.

Then he pushes the door wide and strides through, sword forward and shield up.

[waysoftheearth]

The door opens into the ante-chamber.

There is nobody here.

Within is the familiar scene of the burned out infirmary; the charred wreckage of the awful biological apparatus is un-identifiable among the general mess.

Most notable, however, is that there is a clear route through the mess to the secret trapdoor, which is flung open. The dark stair down to the reliquary beckons...

[ehiker133]

Noting that Dieter does not immediately enter a room, Desmond approaches the door and takes in the view. "Hold on, Dieter. Me nose is itching..."

Desmond and Mondes begin searching the path to the opening in the floor for traps. If he makes it all the way to the opening without spotting anything (or setting anything off), he looks back at Dieter and shrugs. Then he looks down the stairs to see if they're collapsed, indicating something tripped the trapped step.

If it isn't, he says, "Maybe I was wrong. Watch out for that trapped step there on the way down."

He hesitates to see if Dieter wants to take the lead again.

[sully]

Dorgan says, "Des, was the secret door open the last time you were here?"

[waysoftheearth]

Desmond/Mondes gives the floor of the room a good double-looking over, but it seems safe.

The stair leading down to the reliquary looks usable too.