"Whoa, Big Fella.  I am all for charging ahead into the unknown.  BUT... I prefer to do it with all my tools and weapons.   Anybody see a pile of loose gear or pouches or.... ANYTHING?"   

[combat log - Perception: 7]         (( Eyes like an eagle, this one;  can spot a fish a half mile off but can't see her hand in front of her face! ))

Kordia runs another Dancing Lights  to keep the corridor from the porticullis to the lever well lit.

Kordia does not see her gear, and instead finds a very pretty rock on the floor. It has a small, grasping hand carved into it. She pockets it, and keeps searching, but to no avail. However Artan, whose magic lights combined with his keen senses, notices a small trapdoor in the ceiling (which, before you ask, is about 4 feet above Artan's head)

How high is it? (if I didn't ask, it wouldn't be before I asked...) 

Artan will offer to give Kordia a leg up to reach the trapdoor 

Kordia looks at Artan and then the ceiling and gives a little shrug,   "I am game if you are." 

A frown briefly crosses her face before returning to it's normal 'pissed at the world' visage,  "Just be aware, if I yell 'trap' - you best move like your life depended on it."  

[ game log - Acrobatics:  23 ]   Kordia nimbly climbs up the firbolg's body and gains a stance on Artan's shoulders.  She will invoke her Dancing Lights to get a clear view of the ceiling 'door' and it's immediate surroundings.

[ game log:  Investigation: 24 ]   (( NAT20 ! )) 

Kordia, given a boost by Artan, with Beshlog possibly providing support, climbs up to the trapdoor and pushes it open, the rotting birch wood hitting the floor of the chamber above with a smack. She peeks her head, and though the chamber is shrouded in darkness, the keen eyes of her Underdark heritage give her the following view: 

Rows of coffins line the walls, alcoves holding marble effigies of strange creatures. Contrary to the monsters which you have seen before, these carvings are most peculiar that they appear natural. While other monsters appear to be mushed together from different beasts in all manner of horrifying combinations, these creatures appear to be an evolution of biology. This fact is easy to recognize, seeing as the level of detail and artistry in which the statues are rendered is almost astounding.

As for the creatures themselves, they appear to be tall, slender beings, with large craniums; wide, bug eyes; & three long arms, two extending from the shoulder and the third from the stomach, which end in six tentacle like fingers. They carry staffs, orbs, and other implements of magic.

If you want a better description, think a DND Spellweaver combined with an Ur-skek from the new dark crystal, as well as star wars Kaminoans.

The coffins themselves are also wellcarved, though what is carved upon each of them is not apparent, seeing as Kordia is too low to see them. In addition, Kordia notices that the lids of the crypts are shaking slightly, and a faint, almost imperceptible moaning is heard. 

Oh yeah, theres also a carved stone door set into one of the walls. It depicts the horrifying visage of a demon or some such vile creature. Horns, fangs, pig snout, the standard thing. Oh yeah, the head is also carved to look like it is on fire.

"Shit shit shit shit shit shit.... down down down NOW." 

Kordia lowers the rotted wood trapdoor gently yet swiftly, repeating that sentence until she is on solid ground and stepping away from underneath the trap door.    She will repeat -- in exacting detail EVERYTHING mentioned above.   Extra emphasis on the things that are moving or making noise!

"Well, that sounds pleasant," Beshlog says sarcastically. "But I guess now we have some idea what we're up against... banging coffins definitely says 'undead' to me. You didn't happen to see any signs of these good folks' stuff, did you? I guess I can let the elf-lady have my dagger if you didn't... but that's about it for gear that I'm carrying but not using."

Kordia pats Beshlog's arm... or as close as she can on the goliath's arm region.   "I appreciate the thought, big fella,  but I am not without resources..."  She will generate a psychic blade in each hand that glow with a purple-blackish energy before vanishing.    "I just was hoping to get back my other things... rope, waterskin... FOOD... you know, the simple things in life."

She takes a large breath.  "Maybe that was all undead and potential demons.  Maybe it's this 'Master' nobody has ever seen with another crazy trap or illusion.  I don't know but, I am NOT ready to take a chance on undead without all our weapons, armour, and necessities accounted for (or replaced)."  She looks over at Flax with a quirked eyebrow.

"If we get out of here alive I can share some food.  But I'm guessing the "cha-chunk" we heard* in the difference is a different portcullis that shuts off the exit.  Anyone think otherwise?  If not, I'll shut this portcullis back."  Ember holds a hand near the lever

*(post 578)

Flax's eyes gleam with resolve as he surveys the group. "No need to fear," he says, his voice steady and reassuring. "Even if we face the undead, I'll make sure they regret crossing our path." His lion-like hands flex, revealing massive claws.

"It's been a while since I've had to tear something apart," he adds, a hint of nostalgia in his voice, "but I haven't forgotten how."

Turning from the group, staring into the darkness ahead, Flax suggests, "We should press on, cautiously. Let's move forward and stay alert. If there are any these creatures ahead, we'll handle them." He takes a step forward, ready to lead the way.

"So nobody can think of a reason not to put the lever back to it's original position?"

Flax shrugs, "I don't much understand artifice. If you know what it does?"

I was wondering if i could Maaaaybbeeeeee

PLEASE I REALLY WANNA PLAY DND RIGHT NOW

join a campaign here?

Sorry, this game is full. If you want to join a game, go to the PBP forum and filter for recruiting games. That should show you games that are actively looking for players. Sorry

Does Ember pull the lever?

"Any move that puts distance and an iron barrier between us and what I saw 'up there'... is fine with me."  Kordia takes a few steps until she is on the 'lever side' of the portcullis.

(Is the portcullis between us & the trapdoor?  So the dead will be locked away from us I'd I pull the lever?  If so, I put it back to startingposition)

The trapdoor is above the lever, on the "right" side of the portcullis. You descended from the "left" side. if you wish to continue deeper in the dungeon, you should head to the right. Your best bet for avoiding whatever is in those coffins is to close the trapdoor and continue on, hoping that they don't catch up to you.

(I thought Kordia closed the trapdoor in post 586.  But it sounds like pulling the lever would trap us and the undead on the same (right) side of the portcullis.  If so, she won't pull it.)

"Exit, stage right", Ember whispers and heads away from the way they came.

Kordia stands with her fists on her hips.  "Ready for the unknown, Flax?"  She gave her companion a raised eyebrow; turned and glided forward to catch up to the flame hair as they walked into the darkness.

Even though the question was not directed at him, Beshlog answers.

"Well, I think I'm as ready as I'll be. Let's get to it."