While Silthras meticulously maps out their progress, the rest of the group moves forward as quietly as they can. While Usul is as silent as ever, the rest of the group struggles somewhat. Accidentally bumping metal equipment against stone, stumbling on occasion. Still, the patrol doesn't seem to notice, as the sound of their footsteps continue to recede from you ever so slightly.
The half-elf carefully maps out your journey as you walk, taking note of the different tunnels you move past. Eventually you come to a strange intersection, with one tunnel heading east, and the other two directions split off in V that continues northwest-ish. Silthras runs a straight line across his map, noting that the rightmost wing of the V would take you to the temple if it continues straight.
Sounds of the undead patrol however, are receding down the left wing of the V.
Black is explored. Blue are other tunnels you passed. Red is the projection.
@DM: We have gone past some intersections by the look of it...were they (or the V tunnels) the 'normal' wide tunnels, or the narrow type we entered by?
Silthras stares at the map for a moment, then sighs. "Let's see where the right-hand part of the fork leads, though I fear it may curve away again before we reach the temples."
As Silthras anticipated, the tunnel begins to curve as you follow it - though not as sharply as he feared. Another 15 minute walk, and just as he estimates your party to be reaching the temple, you spot a narrow tunnel, similar to the one you first arrived in. It isn't as long however, and Silthras is able to see a stone stair case ascending at the end of it.
Silthras' heart sinks. Until now, despite his habitual pessimism, he had still held out hope that there was no connection to the temple. He puts away his mapping tools, tightens his pack, and says in a resigned tone, "Stairs ahead."
With a narrow path once more, he suggests Usul lead with great care, and suggest that they resume their prior order. Then he looks thoughtfully at Loghain, "Or would you prefer to backup young Usul while he searches?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Loghain stairs down the narrow corridor, nodding absent-mindedly as a question is directed his way. "Sure. I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'd like to check something first." Now that they're stopped, he checks the ground outside this branch, looking for signs of the creatures they had been following.
After his search is concluded, he gets in line behind the gnome, passing on any relevant information he gleans from his investigation.
[Survival: 15]
If Stealth or Initiative is required: trigger "Ambush" Maneuver [1d8 to the roll]
Crouching down, you find faint traces of drying blood trailing out in either direction. The others would know that these creatures seem to leak blood, and given the amount that's still wet, you sumrise it's been about 30 minutes to an hour since they've crossed through here.
Dib jumps up to Usul's head and the little gnome nods and says, "Right! We'll see what's up ahead!" He then begins to slowly walk up towards the stairs, the weasel sniffing the air as they go.
@DM: Is there anything out of the ordinary we have seen in several miles of tunnel? Or are they uniform, old, and well(ish) maintained throughout? I'm thinking sagging walls, cart-tracks, cave-ins, bodies or skeletons, drainage pipes...anything that breaks the remarkable monotony of the construction?
It's a short walk through this small passageway before you reach the stairs. It widens to about ten feet across at this point, and there is still no lighting in here. The stairs take you up a flight, about 8 feet before ending on a small landing, the way forward cut off by a large metal door. There is a handle on it, with two different keyholes sitting above it.
It looks incredibly uniform. No bodies. No skeletons. No tracks. This door is the first thing you've seen that looks like proper "construction." Unless you've got some method up your sleeve, I don't think anyone could actually try and figure the age of the tunnel?
Could try a nature check to see what information can be gleaned.
Nature check: I don't think I'll try -- I can't see how he could do much at his tech level! More broadly: perhaps one could chip the rock and see how deep the oxidation/algae/water penetration/alteration is, IF its the right kind of rock and IF he's seen it before. But, as they say here: "yeah, nah".
(( Earlier ))
"This is so huge and uniform, it's like it's part of some huge spell or magical machine...I wonder...if there might be some residual magic?"
(( now ))
Silthras takes a look at the two locks, musing quietly, but audibly, "I wonder if they have to be opened simultaneously?"
He then steps back to give Usul room to examine them one at a time, pulling out his own tools, and offering help where possible.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The pair search over the door relentlessly before attempting to open it, Usul even going as far as to peer inside the locks themselves. After about a minute, satisfied that it isn't going to blow up in his face, the gnome pulls out his tools and goes to work.
The first lock, directly above the handle - is exceptionally difficult to unlock. The mechanism itself is unlike anything Usul has ever seen before, with many awkwardly placed pin tumblers. Still, using the full compliment of his toolkit, he's able to get through it. By comparison, the second lock is a breeze. Though still a difficult mechanism, the make is common enough that he's seen it before.
Turning the handle, he opens the heavy door slowly. Torchlight hits your eyes as you open it fully, revealing a small room(15x20 feet). On the far wall hangs a silver sculpture of some kind, almost like a painting - but instead of paint, the patterns are made from grooves in the metal. At a glance there's no discernible meaning to it, just random lines, shapes, and spirals. On the right side of the room is a desk with a map and a letter opener knife jammed into it. The map is of the city, with different homes circled in red. On the opposite wall is a small shelf with gray cloth pouches on it. You can see the silvery glint of coin through the opening of one of them.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
A furrowed brow is his immediate reaction to the room, his gaze fixed on the on piece of art decorating the otherwise sparse room. 'The fiend is cunning.' The thought bounces in his head as he steps into the room. Spinning the ring on his finger, he activates the magic it bears, taking on the Aspect of the Hunter. Approaching the far wall, Loghain takes a deep whiff of the stale air, hoping to find some stray scent.
Cat's Eye Ring (1 hour) Aspect of the Hunter: Gain advantage on survival checks that rely on tracking other creatures. Gain Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet and Expertise in Perception checks that rely on smell. If Stealth or Initiative is required: trigger "Ambush" Maneuver [1d8 to the roll]
Silthras nods in appreciation of the gnome's skill. His own skills are good enough for most uses, but Usul makes things he would find challenging or awkward look like child's play. "Nicely done," he whispers.
Examining the sculpture briefly, Silthras wonders if the curves in it might relate to the corridors from which they just came, or have some other similar significance, but then his eyes catch sight of the map lying on the desk. He is drawn to it, careful not to touch it. He examines it closely to determine the significance of the homes, and the placement of the knife...checking to see if the knife matches the location of the house by which they entered.
(( @DM: Is the map just parchment/paper, or is it embedded in the desk top? Ditto the sculpture and wall ))
Through the heavy odor of burning lime and sulfur from the torch, Loghain gets a faint scent of something metallic on the air. As Silthras looks over the map, he finds no real significance to the placement of the knife. It's placed rather randomly on a road in the Squall Ward. He does notice that one of the circled homes is the same as the one they caught the thieves stealing from.
((Map is just parchment. For the sculpture. Imagine a picture frame hanging on the wall. Except it's like a silvery metallic sheet instead, with grooves. It isn't embedded in the wall))
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While Silthras meticulously maps out their progress, the rest of the group moves forward as quietly as they can. While Usul is as silent as ever, the rest of the group struggles somewhat. Accidentally bumping metal equipment against stone, stumbling on occasion. Still, the patrol doesn't seem to notice, as the sound of their footsteps continue to recede from you ever so slightly.
The half-elf carefully maps out your journey as you walk, taking note of the different tunnels you move past. Eventually you come to a strange intersection, with one tunnel heading east, and the other two directions split off in V that continues northwest-ish. Silthras runs a straight line across his map, noting that the rightmost wing of the V would take you to the temple if it continues straight.
Sounds of the undead patrol however, are receding down the left wing of the V.
Black is explored. Blue are other tunnels you passed. Red is the projection.
@DM: We have gone past some intersections by the look of it...were they (or the V tunnels) the 'normal' wide tunnels, or the narrow type we entered by?
All the tunnels are the same wide ones.
Silthras stares at the map for a moment, then sighs. "Let's see where the right-hand part of the fork leads, though I fear it may curve away again before we reach the temples."
As Silthras anticipated, the tunnel begins to curve as you follow it - though not as sharply as he feared. Another 15 minute walk, and just as he estimates your party to be reaching the temple, you spot a narrow tunnel, similar to the one you first arrived in. It isn't as long however, and Silthras is able to see a stone stair case ascending at the end of it.
Silthras' heart sinks. Until now, despite his habitual pessimism, he had still held out hope that there was no connection to the temple. He puts away his mapping tools, tightens his pack, and says in a resigned tone, "Stairs ahead."
With a narrow path once more, he suggests Usul lead with great care, and suggest that they resume their prior order. Then he looks thoughtfully at Loghain, "Or would you prefer to backup young Usul while he searches?"
Loghain stairs down the narrow corridor, nodding absent-mindedly as a question is directed his way. "Sure. I'll keep my eyes peeled. I'd like to check something first." Now that they're stopped, he checks the ground outside this branch, looking for signs of the creatures they had been following.
After his search is concluded, he gets in line behind the gnome, passing on any relevant information he gleans from his investigation.
[Survival: 15]
If Stealth or Initiative is required: trigger "Ambush" Maneuver [1d8 to the roll]
Crouching down, you find faint traces of drying blood trailing out in either direction. The others would know that these creatures seem to leak blood, and given the amount that's still wet, you sumrise it's been about 30 minutes to an hour since they've crossed through here.
Dib jumps up to Usul's head and the little gnome nods and says, "Right! We'll see what's up ahead!" He then begins to slowly walk up towards the stairs, the weasel sniffing the air as they go.
stealth: 24; perception 23; dib perception 17
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
@DM: Is there anything out of the ordinary we have seen in several miles of tunnel? Or are they uniform, old, and well(ish) maintained throughout? I'm thinking sagging walls, cart-tracks, cave-ins, bodies or skeletons, drainage pipes...anything that breaks the remarkable monotony of the construction?
It's a short walk through this small passageway before you reach the stairs. It widens to about ten feet across at this point, and there is still no lighting in here. The stairs take you up a flight, about 8 feet before ending on a small landing, the way forward cut off by a large metal door. There is a handle on it, with two different keyholes sitting above it.
It looks incredibly uniform. No bodies. No skeletons. No tracks. This door is the first thing you've seen that looks like proper "construction." Unless you've got some method up your sleeve, I don't think anyone could actually try and figure the age of the tunnel?
Could try a nature check to see what information can be gleaned.
Nature check: I don't think I'll try -- I can't see how he could do much at his tech level! More broadly: perhaps one could chip the rock and see how deep the oxidation/algae/water penetration/alteration is, IF its the right kind of rock and IF he's seen it before. But, as they say here: "yeah, nah".
(( Earlier ))
"This is so huge and uniform, it's like it's part of some huge spell or magical machine...I wonder...if there might be some residual magic?"
(( now ))
Silthras takes a look at the two locks, musing quietly, but audibly, "I wonder if they have to be opened simultaneously?"
He then steps back to give Usul room to examine them one at a time, pulling out his own tools, and offering help where possible.
Remembered the trapped armor, Usul looks carefully ((25)) over the door and locks with Silthras' help before attempting to mess with the locks.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The pair search over the door relentlessly before attempting to open it, Usul even going as far as to peer inside the locks themselves. After about a minute, satisfied that it isn't going to blow up in his face, the gnome pulls out his tools and goes to work.
Lock #1: 26
Lock #2: 18
The first lock, directly above the handle - is exceptionally difficult to unlock. The mechanism itself is unlike anything Usul has ever seen before, with many awkwardly placed pin tumblers. Still, using the full compliment of his toolkit, he's able to get through it. By comparison, the second lock is a breeze. Though still a difficult mechanism, the make is common enough that he's seen it before.
Turning the handle, he opens the heavy door slowly. Torchlight hits your eyes as you open it fully, revealing a small room(15x20 feet). On the far wall hangs a silver sculpture of some kind, almost like a painting - but instead of paint, the patterns are made from grooves in the metal. At a glance there's no discernible meaning to it, just random lines, shapes, and spirals. On the right side of the room is a desk with a map and a letter opener knife jammed into it. The map is of the city, with different homes circled in red. On the opposite wall is a small shelf with gray cloth pouches on it. You can see the silvery glint of coin through the opening of one of them.
A furrowed brow is his immediate reaction to the room, his gaze fixed on the on piece of art decorating the otherwise sparse room. 'The fiend is cunning.' The thought bounces in his head as he steps into the room. Spinning the ring on his finger, he activates the magic it bears, taking on the Aspect of the Hunter. Approaching the far wall, Loghain takes a deep whiff of the stale air, hoping to find some stray scent.
Cat's Eye Ring (1 hour)
Aspect of the Hunter: Gain advantage on survival checks that rely on tracking other creatures. Gain Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet and Expertise in Perception checks that rely on smell.
If Stealth or Initiative is required: trigger "Ambush" Maneuver [1d8 to the roll]
[Perception(scent): 25]
Silthras nods in appreciation of the gnome's skill. His own skills are good enough for most uses, but Usul makes things he would find challenging or awkward look like child's play. "Nicely done," he whispers.
Examining the sculpture briefly, Silthras wonders if the curves in it might relate to the corridors from which they just came, or have some other similar significance, but then his eyes catch sight of the map lying on the desk. He is drawn to it, careful not to touch it. He examines it closely to determine the significance of the homes, and the placement of the knife...checking to see if the knife matches the location of the house by which they entered.
(( @DM: Is the map just parchment/paper, or is it embedded in the desk top? Ditto the sculpture and wall ))
Silthras Investigation: 10
Through the heavy odor of burning lime and sulfur from the torch, Loghain gets a faint scent of something metallic on the air. As Silthras looks over the map, he finds no real significance to the placement of the knife. It's placed rather randomly on a road in the Squall Ward. He does notice that one of the circled homes is the same as the one they caught the thieves stealing from.
((Map is just parchment. For the sculpture. Imagine a picture frame hanging on the wall. Except it's like a silvery metallic sheet instead, with grooves. It isn't embedded in the wall))