(024) The Ravine Door

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

LOL! I'm delighted that Olaf of the nine lives lives still!

How many times has he cheated the grim reaper so far...3, 4?

I can think of two times he cheated death on the last throw of the dice, for sure. One time when he also got swallowed by the Swamp Shambler, and this time. I'm sure there have been a couple of other close calls along the way too... that's the joy of this game ;D

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf is badly beaten up as is on 1 hit point. A rest would be a good idea!

As far as gear goes Olaf has:
Clothing, Purse {5sp 5cp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Victuals {2 days}, Chainmail (4), Helm (1), Sword (1), Masterwork lantern (1), Matching tinderbox, Matching flask of magefire oil (1).

Victor is also feeling pretty poor, and has:
Clothing, Purse {1gp 1sp}, Hide (4), Masterwork handaxe (1).

Everything else was left behind the door back in the Ogre lair.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Olaf is badly beaten up as is on 1 hit point. A rest would be a good idea!

As far as gear goes Olaf has:
Clothing, Purse {5sp 5cp}, Waterskin {2 quarts} (1), Victuals {2 days}, Chainmail (4), Helm (1), Sword (1), Masterwork lantern (1), Matching tinderbox, Matching flask of magefire oil (1).

Victor is also feeling pretty poor, and has:
Clothing, Purse {1gp 1sp}, Hide (4), Masterwork handaxe (1).

Everything else was left behind the door back in the Ogre lair.

"Let's take a chance here and rest." Olaf says, "If we try to go on now as beat up as we are we'll both be dead ducks if we run into any more monsters."

Olaf will rest and try to recover a bit.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Victor grunts his agreement, and stiffly kicked the foul reptilian corpse aside so that he can stiffly sit down, his back leaning against the wall.

By the steady, orange lantern light Olaf can see that Victor is looking rather green himself... more ashen than his usual grim.

The two of them could certainly do with a rest after their recent trials... Victor takes a swill from his near-empty water skin, and then passes it to Olaf, who finishes the last of the water.

The two of them sit, across from one another in the grisly passage and close their eyes for a moment's respite. Hoping to find the strength with which to push on that little bit further.

"If I ever git outa here alive," mutters Victor quietly, "I'm gonna find me a good woman, marry her, an' stay safe at home til I'm old.". He spits.

Rest time passes...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
(1d6)

Creaks and groans and distant echoes carry faintly to the pair, but for a change of fortune no further hazard comes upon them as they rest.

(1d6; Olaf=4, Victor=1)

Shortly, Olaf rouses himself and straightens his rent and filthy mail, tightens his belt and stands. He feels a good deal better for the rest, but Victor is still looking somewhat shaky as he makes to get to his feet also...

---

Health Check:

Olaf (Man F2, AC3/5, HD 2+3, hp 4/10, Load 9/14)

Victor (Man F1, AC4/5, HD 1+6, hp 3/10, Load 5/13)

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
"Well, let's move out." Olaf says, "Back to the intersection and down the other passage."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf's masterwork lantern continues to burn steadily, giving its warn orange light, by which the pair retrace their steps to the last intersection and turn left (away from the Ogre lair).

This passage continues 40 or more feet, as a sharp, animal smell on the air grows steadily stronger until the Men reach a four-way intersection. Ahead is a closed door. To the left is a second closed door. Right, the grim passage way continues into the darkness.

What to do?

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Olaf's masterwork lantern continues to burn steadily, giving its warn orange light, by which the pair retrace their steps to the last intersection and turn left (away from the Ogre lair).

This passage continues 40 or more feet, as a sharp, animal smell on the air grows steadily stronger until the Men reach a four-way intersection. Ahead is a closed door. To the left is a second closed door. Right, the grim passage way continues into the darkness.

What to do?

"Let's try the door on the left." Olaf whispers, "I'm putting the lantern down here, to shine into the room beyond when I open it. Get ready."

Olaf leans in and listens at the door, if he doesn't hear any sounds he'll try to open it. If he does, he'll whisper to Victor that he hears something inside, and then open it.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf puts down the lantern, then gives the door a listen...

(1d6)

There is nothing out of the ordinary to be heard, so he grasps the door knob, gives it a cautious turn and shoulders the door inward. The door is only partially stuck, and on the third grunting shove it gives way, creaking on its hinges as it swings inward.

The animal smell is immediately much stronger as the lantern light spills into the room beyond to reveal a long, messy chamber which appears to be divided into stalls along one side. There is an exit barely visible at the far side, and chains hang from iron rings anchored to the wall above each stall. The floor is littered with a mess of soiled furs, hay and rancorous chunks of carcass and bones -- mainly concentrated by the stalls.

Olaf's skin shivers at the appalling sight and smell.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
"Wicked!" Olaf says in a hard voice, "Much wickedness in this place."

Taking up the lantern, he moves forward. Stopping right at the doorway and turning the lantern to shine up and examining the ceiling and walls,"Don't want to be surprised, do we?"

If he sees nothing, he'll move through the room being very wary of any movement from any side, top or bottom.