Immersive Ink

ehiker133 wrote:
(np [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img] )

waysoftheearth wrote:
Before very long Koch, and Boris behind him, see another closed door ahead in the passage.

They approach cautiously, and Koch inspects the door for any sign of trickery while everyone else waits impatiently in the passage behind...

(1d6)

Eventually Koch is satisfied the door knob will not be fatal, and risks turning it.

The mechanism gives way with an insidious creak, and then an abrupt shove of the fighting-Man's solid shoulder has the door burst inward.

The shadows of the two fighters spill into the room beyond... the content of which can hardly be seen beyond their bulky shoulders.

"Well I never," mutters Boris, and blows on his walrus mustache.

In fact, those further back can't see anything, but a pungent scent not unlike compost reaches them...

tombowings wrote:
"Whope. I guess we found Olaf," mutters Pelenwin sarcastically.

ehiker133 wrote:
"What's going on," asks Desmond, "I can't see past all of these legs!"

waysoftheearth wrote:
Koch and Boris move cautiously into this new chamber, allowing Wibert access to the doorway so that his dying torch illuminates the place.

Highbough can see over Wibert's head, and Ulric behind him can see past the narrow Elf.

Therein is a strange sight indeed... the walls of the squarish chamber are some 40 or 50ft wide, but are mostly concealed behind tangled ropes of gnarled roots which seem to burst from uncountable places along the ceiling and the walls.

But that is the least of it.

The ceiling itself is perhaps 30ft overhead, and is like covered in crawling roots. But from the center hangs an enormous chandelier of the stuff which branches out into an upside down tree hanging from the ceiling!

This strange plant has a covering of thick, dark "leaves" no smaller than a Man's hand, and also seems to carry a load of glistening, puce fruits -- each one like a overgrown aubergine.

tonneau wrote:
Gustave, at the far end of the queue, receives a waft of the heavy air eminating from up ahead and surreptitiously sniffs at his own armpit, wondering just how long it will be to his next bath...

waysoftheearth wrote:
The company shuffle into the chamber, Wibert's torch sputtering its final gasps of life, and gawk at the magnificent vegetation.

You are all tired and feeling that lunch is well overdue. The compost-scent and underlying perfume of the lush purple fruit in the room is making you even hungrier!

ehiker133 wrote:
Overcome by hunger, Desmond approaches the tree. If he can reach a fruit, he'll attempt to do so and sniff it, examining it further to make sure it looks safe to eat.

If he can't reach it, he'll try to use Mads' Cold Iron Fruit Picker to knock one out of the tree.

If it looks safe enough, he'll cut one open with his knife and slice a bit out to try.

tombowings wrote:
"Come apace, Desmond," offers Pelenwin. "my pole axe better serviced in the picking of fruit." The templar will cut down one of the bulging fruits and hand it to Desmond.

waysoftheearth wrote:
Desmond can't quite reach any of the fruit himself, even with the outstretched axe. The lowest leaves hand to some 8ft above the floor, and the lowest of the gravitas fruits is some 10 or 11ft overhead.

However, Pelenwin has the extra reach of a Man's height and also the length of his pole-axe, and licking his own lips (for he too is hungry), he reaches up and carefully (or as carefully as one can with a pole-axe held to full reach overhead), he knocks at of the fruits, trying to set it free...

By now Highbough has noted that there is another door -- half hidden by roots and creepers -- directly opposite that by which the company has entered this room.

But, for now all eyes are upon the glistening, dark fruit as Pelenwin struggles to cut it free without damaging it, and every nostril is full of its sweet scent...

At last he cuts it free, and the dark thing plummets like a lead balloon, and is caught only inches from the ground by Desmond!