Scene: Race Among the Ruins (Secret Passageway)

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon cautiously moves up (to G6) to stand next to the western door. Several of the party notice that the dust in this passageway has been disturbed quit a bit. It is definitely getting traffic, that appears to run north/south. Damelon inspects the door and... (roll).

[Shiz]

Perc +5 = perfecto

[Greebo]

What happened to din? Did I miss an AFK msg?

[Lycos]

He said last week that he was busy as H-E double toothpicks (in case Drax reads this), and that he could not update at work.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon peers at the door in the dim light. It appears to have been robustly built, but is suffering from severe dry rot. As the rogue presses lightly on it, it creaks open, revealing a small room beyond. As the light moves to the doorway, Damelon can see a broken down wooden bed in the far NW corner... or at least he assumes it was a bed... all that is left is the frame. A broken table lies in the middle of the floor, and the remains of a chair as well.

Map (http://www.primeaxiom.com/rpgt/scene.asp?ID=w2ti7okinetyoy51nuez4on8k6r3get9cwv7c q8ytyl7izogdz7jdgqi136hgz93)

[Shiz]

Crashing and Damelon will search the room.

Damelon Perception +5 = 20

[DinbinFanfoom]

Just another piece of parchement. You are almost afraid to pick it up, it is so brittle.
"More have the madness. We do not know what causes it, but people are staying away from the shrine in fear, to be safe. Three workers are now ill. One had to be restrained, he is screaming and thrashing so. He does not recognize his family, even! I do not know if it is related to the water, or some sickness from the jungle, because those happen often. The water usually cures that, though... it is odd. Since The High One lept to his death, things have been different. People talk of leaving this place, their faith is very much shaken. The new High One is seriously considering this move, which is truly sad. It is almost too terrible to contemplate... No waters means... Is this the end of our people?"

[Shiz]

On to the next door. Damelon will once again try to open it cautiously.

[DinbinFanfoom]

On to the next door. Damelon will once again try to open it cautiously.
The party moves up the hallway, carefully. The dim light shows up several more doors farther down, but Damelon approaches the second and finds that it too opens easily, revealing what he assumes to be another sleeping chamber. Another broken bed, a few broken shards of pottery, but nothing much of interest, not even any more pages.

[Shiz]

Next! Same drill.

Anyone find it weird to have sleeping chambers connected to the main hallways via a secret door?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon moves up to the next western door in the corridor. He pushes on it, but it doesn't move. It appears locked. The door itself looks a bit out of place... it seems to be the same as some of the doors from the eastern part of the ruins, and does not match the previous 2 doors.

[Greebo]

Would a heal check or some other check give us a clue as to what this "madness" might be based on the notes we've found so far?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Would a heal check or some other check give us a clue as to what this "madness" might be based on the notes we've found so far?Likely not, as you have nothing but the notes to go on, thusfar.

[Shiz]

Damelon moves up to the next western door in the corridor. He pushes on it, but it doesn't move. It appears locked. The door itself looks a bit out of place... it seems to be the same as some of the doors from the eastern part of the ruins, and does not match the previous 2 doors.

Examine the mechanism and hinges for clues.

Perception +5 = 17

[DinbinFanfoom]

Blowing the dust off the door and latch a bit, Damelon can see that this door has definitely been taken from elsewhere in the complex and installed here. The rest of the doors in this corridor were lockable from the inside... this one has the keyhole on the outside. No key is apparent. There is very little dust on the locking mechanism and latch... and the dust on the floor here appears disturbed, though it's hard to say when.

[Shiz]

Thievery +8+2 for tools = 29

[DinbinFanfoom]

Thievery +8+2 for tools = 29
Damelon fiddles with the lock. It's fairly intricate, for it's age... but... it relents. He hears a click. He pushes the door. It seems a bit stuck. Probably due to it's poor fit... He shoves harder, and the door opens with a deep groan.

Moving up, the group casts light into the room.

This is a bedroom, similar to the others. The layout is the same but this one appears to have been tended a bit better... the bed is still old, but appears to have been regularly cleared of dust, and repaired... only a thin film lies on it, along with something else...

A vaguely human-shaped bundle lies on the remains of the bed. Around the bed, appear to be candles of various sizes... all burned down pretty much to nubs. Among the candles are stains on the floor.

[Asharad]

Perception or Insight (not sure):

Do the candles look like they are placed where they are for light or for some ritual?

I might not even need a roll for this, but just in case....

R der canmals den?

[DinbinFanfoom]

As Lamsi leans into the room to get a better look, Crashing looks down and sideways.

[Shiz]

Do we need Dungeoneering or something other than a Perception check in here? I hate to be hogging all the exploration rolls.

Damelon will approach the bed with doublesword sheathed and dagger in hand. What does he see closer up?

[Lycos]

Do we need Dungeoneering or something other than a Perception check in here? I hate to be hogging all the exploration rolls.

Damelon will approach the bed with doublesword sheathed and dagger in hand. What does he see closer up?

Sigurd isn't much help here. I have a decent perception (+5) that's about it.

Sigurd will be on the lookout at the door in the corridor.

[DinbinFanfoom]

OOC: Whoops, I guess it's DM's turn...

Sigurd looks around the hallway. He does note that the dust is disturbed in this passageway, more than other places in the ruin. He can't tell how recently, though.

Damelon creeps towards the bed, dagger in hand. Everyone is silent as he leans in close to look at the body. Sigurd sees Lamsi smirk and draw a breath to yell "BOO!" again and quickly grabs her and puts his hand over her mouth. She glares at him out of the corner of her eye but relents and gets serious again.

Damelon sees that it is indeed a humanoid figure, wrapped head to toe in some sort of tight shroud... wrapped around and around. On where the face would be rests a metal mask of some sort of very light metal painted white. It is perfectly devoid of dust and looks vaguely female, with stylized features. Something crunches underfoot... Crashing kneels and sees that the stains are from old, rotten foliage. Perhaps flowers.

[Lycos]

At this point, Sigurd doesn't think that disturbing the sarcophogus would be a good idea. Also, Sigurd mentions that the dust out here is disturbed a good bit compared to any other place we've been so far.

[Shiz]

I don't see a sarcophagus, just a body wrapped in something.

Damelon tries to remove the mask. he wants Crashing and Lamso to have a look (Religion/History/?).

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon gently lifts the mask of of the "face" of the wrapped figure. It was just sitting there, not affixed by anything in particular. Underneath, the bandages encircling the head cover the face too, unbroken. Damelon turns the mask over in his hands... the back is tarnished but the front is, as he saw before, painted almost pure white, and has been maintained, it seems. He holds it out towards Erik, Crashing and Lamsi.

Lamsi steps back, shaking her head. "I do not know what it is, but I do not disturb the dead.", she says.

[Asharad]

I'll check it out.

[DinbinFanfoom]

I'll check it out.
Crashing (Perception 24) turns the item over in his hands. It is made of some light, flat metal and is painted on the convex side and not on the concave. He notes that the protrusions on the convex side correlate strongly to the protruding features on the human face. He can make out eyes, nose... mouth. Yup. All there and vaguely female in design. Amazing. In the end, he believes it to be some sort of ornamental and perhaps ceremonial face-covering. "In my expert opinion, it is a mask." he states firmly. "I'm absolutely sure."

Did you MEAN to roll perception? :D

[Asharad]

****. No, I meant insight.

Which isn't much better but it and perception are all I got.

[Lycos]

****. No, I meant insight.

Which isn't much better but it and perception are all I got.

You're not a religious kinda guy?

[Asharad]

Oddly, no.

I put it down to me being raised in a village in a swamp. I know my particular brand of voodoo but don't have a larger religious background.

[Lycos]

It appears that KT is our religious fanatic at +4. Maybe he can determine something.

[Greebo]

Yes, my child, I will examine the mask.

It has no religious significance of which I am aware.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Yes, my child, I will examine the mask.
It has no religious significance of which I am aware.
KT knows that "death-masks" are rather common in some cultures, and this looks like a fairly simple version of that, nothing more.

[Lycos]

Ok. Moving on?

[Greebo]

Why don't one of you try it on, just in case... ;)

[Lycos]

Why don't one of you try it on, just in case... ;)

Uh huh, ok. Let's move out. Did anyone search the room yet for anything of interest?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Uh huh, ok. Let's move out. Did anyone search the room yet for anything of interest?I'm pretty sure you did.

[Lycos]

I'm pretty sure you did.

Onto the next door then.

[Shiz]

No no. Search this room more thoroughly. Everyone with a mod roll.

Perception +5

[Asharad]

Perception to search

[Lycos]

Perception to search the room.

[EricStratton]

Erik looks on in amazement as three of his group mates bend down to look at something on the floor and knock heads. Then he puts on his pair of broken glasses and...

Perc 2-1

...hits his own head on a low hanging beam that he somehow missed.

[Lycos]

Erik looks on in amazement as three of his group mates bend down to look at something on the floor and knock heads. Then he puts on his pair of broken glasses and...

Perc 2-1

...hits his own head on a low hanging beam that he somehow missed.

LOL

But to be fair Crashing got a 16. But yeah, Damelon and I have whacked into each other. :rotflmao:

[DinbinFanfoom]

Simultaneously, Damelon and Sigurd searched the room and the coconut-like sound of their heads colliding secretly delighted the sorcerer. "Yessss..." he thought, gleefully.

Damelon, Sigurd and even Crashing find nothing new.

[Shiz]

Next room. Same process at the door.

[DinbinFanfoom]

The group moves up the corridor to the next door (it's on the right). Damelon pushes lightly on it and it doesn't move. He pushes harder on it and it opens a crack... he can see a small room beyond and a dark corridor beyond that, but that's it. Opening the door more fully will require more muscle.

[Greebo]

I'd push, but I am a fragile musician, and can't risk damaging my hands.

[Shiz]

Damelon STR check +3 = 14
Sigurd STR check +4 = 22

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon and Sigurd Acro checks, plzkthxla.

[Shiz]

Acros:

Dam +8
Sigurd -1

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon and Sigurd, side by side, shove mightily on the door and it finally creaks open. The dim light of your torches illuminate another small room, but this one is different... not quarters, it appears. The ceiling is higher here, and there is another passageway in the far wall, with a corridor that leads farther into the darkness.

Several iron hooks adorn the walls here, on both sides of the room. On the floor is what looks like the fragile, broken remains of old furniture... perhaps a wardrobe?

[EricStratton]

"At home, we always have secret rooms triggered by hooks."

Perception 14-1

[DinbinFanfoom]

"At home, we always have secret rooms triggered by hooks."
Perception 14-1Erik moves closer to the hooks and examines them closely. He starts tugging on them but the seem to be firmly affixed. Mostly. One breaks off in his hand. Considering the amount of rust, that's not surprising. What is surprising is that one of the hooks in the NE corner of the wall still has something hanging on it.

[Lycos]

What is surprising is that one of the hooks in the NE corner of the wall still has something hanging on it.

What is hanging on it???

[DinbinFanfoom]

What is hanging on it???
Looks like a long piece of cloth. Maybe a robe or dress? Do you pick it up? (Y/N)

[Lycos]

Looks like a long piece of cloth. Maybe a robe or dress? Do you pick it up? (Y/N)

Sigurd wear a dress??? :evileye: :lowlol: :rotflmao:

[Greebo]

Is it special seeming?
Arcana: 28

(yay, a 20 :/ )

[DinbinFanfoom]

Is it special seeming?
Arcana: 28
(yay, a 20 :/ )
Haha, if you'd rolled a "fail" on "1d29+8" I probably would have let it stand, for obvious reasons. :D
But in this case, even 17 is enough:

KT carefully retrieves the garment from the hook and discerns that it is in fact a ceremonial robe, likely used long ago in this shrine. It appears strangely unaffected by the passing of time. It is a bright orange colour with a stylized set of waterfalls down the front.

(+1 Cloth Armour)

[Greebo]

Hand it to Erik. "New dress for you..."

[EricStratton]

"Woo! And it's orange too so no one will shoot me as I walk through the forest."

[DinbinFanfoom]

OOC: I just realized Erik is leather-capable and not just stuck with cloth. My bad.

Shall I leave the item as (DM is mean!) is or turn it into a +1 AC cloak (which could also look ceremonial-robey, I suppose) which would be a bit more useful to more in the party? A "ceremonial orange leather jacket" would be kinda... wonky. More fitting if perhaps you stumbled into a jungle re-enactment of "West Side Story".

[EricStratton]

OOC: I just realized Erik is leather-capable and not just stuck with cloth. My bad.

Shall I leave the item as (DM is mean!) is or turn it into a +1 AC cloak (which could also look ceremonial-robey, I suppose) which would be a bit more useful to more in the party?
It's up to you. Erik doesn't plan on getting hit much (;)) so he's ok with wearing a +1 cloth item until he gets a plus +1 leather item.

But a +1 AC cloak is better b/c the tank could have it.

[DinbinFanfoom]

But a +1 AC cloak is better b/c the tank could have it.
Yeah, plus I forgot Erik already got a "toy". :D

[Shiz]

There is no suck thing as a +1 AC cloak in 4E is there? Only armor items are +AC as a general rule.

[DinbinFanfoom]

There is no suck thing as a +1 AC cloak in 4E is there? Only armor items are +AC as a general rule.I suppose not. I got WoW'd there. Lemme chew on it tonight.

[Lycos]

There is no suck thing as a +1 AC cloak in 4E is there?

I would think that a +1 cloak would not suck. :mrgreen:

[Greebo]

There is no suck thing as a +1 AC cloak in 4E is there? Only armor items are +AC as a general rule.

shut up shut up SHUT UP

[Greebo]

I suppose not. I got WoW'd there. Lemme chew on it tonight.

Entirely DM's discretion - make your own items at will

[Shiz]

Greebo is correct but it does make it hard to put a non-existent item in the Character Builder, is all.

[Greebo]

Greebo is correct but it does make it hard to put a non-existent item in the Character Builder, is all.

You can do it though - I forget exactly how but you can define custom items.

[Lycos]

Sigurd is going to search the room further for some hidden doors or compartments, etc.

Perception +5

Ugh, 6.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Sigurd searches the room, turning the remaining furniture over and generally splintering them and throwing up a lot of dust. He finds nothing new.

(Sorry, sick most of the weekend)

[Greebo]

Noticing how Sigurd doesn't really appear to be paying attention, KT looks as well:
Perc+5

[DinbinFanfoom]

KT glares at Sigurd's clumsy rampaging and examines the room more carefully. Nope, as crude as the barbarians methods were, KT finds nothing new. The door is west and an opening is to the east.

(whoever is wearing the cloak) notices something fall to the ground when it is put on... another piece of paper, seems to have been wrapped up in the fabric.

“They won’t take her! They say she is too ill and others will catch it. I don’t want her to be alone! Her cough is getting better, even. It is not fair! The old High One would not allow this sort of thing.”

[Lycos]

Note has been added to the thread of notes.

Onward now?

[Lycos]

Can we get an update to the map? I don't see where we are right now.

http://www.primeaxiom.com/rpgt/scene.asp?ID=w2ti7okinetyoy51nuez4on8k6r3get9cwv7c q8ytyl7izogdz7jdgqi136hgz93

[DinbinFanfoom]

The party moves on through the antechamber and into the dim passage beyond. They make a right-hand turn, and find themselves faced with a blank wall... Damelon reaches out and touches it... and his hand goes right through. Peeking out, he sees that they are finally back in the Hall of the Two Waters.

[Shiz]

On the ground level?

[Lycos]

Did the hallway end in column H?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Did the hallway end in column H?
No, it continues on.
On the ground level?
Yes. Ahead of you is the largest room you've seen thusfar... with the balconies above that you traversed earlier, their eastern edges collapsed. In the middle of the room is a large recessed pool... though it appears mostly dry. Some sort of liquid splatters down through a strange and ornate opening in the ceiling.

[Lycos]

We should go back to the corridor at H then.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Concensus?

[Greebo]

After 12 hours, assume if nobody disagrees, we consent by silence. :)

[EricStratton]

Concensus?
Mostly I'll just speak up when I disagree. Just to make it official, yes the H corridor.

[Shiz]

I have to admit that I am a bit lost as to our options. Damelon want to go deeper, though.

[DinbinFanfoom]

I have to admit that I am a bit lost as to our options. Damelon want to go deeper, though.
Unexpored areas:
1) The other passage (north, the one Sigurd is talking about)
2) The waters hall (which you saw from above and are standing at the edge of)

[Shiz]

Ok, then. North it is.

[Lycos]

Ok, so back up the hallway heading north in column H.

[DinbinFanfoom]

The party backtracks through the antechamber and is soon in the north/south corridor again. They find that the corridor turns left here, and they find another door on the west wall. Crashing notes the dust is quite disturbed here, like it gets more traffic in this corner.

[Lycos]

Crashing notes the dust is quite disturbed here, like it gets more traffic in this corner.

Just the corner???

Check for secret doors.

9

[DinbinFanfoom]

Sigurd scuffles around the floor. Gouts of dust fly everywhere. He sneezes.

[Greebo]

KT will also search

[Shiz]

Secret door hunt! Damelon +5

[EricStratton]

I definitely did not read the above as signs of a secret door. Just that this door was recently used. But Erik, ever the one to try to prove that he doesn't have poor eyesight, will look around as well.

Perc 2-1

"I found the door!"

[Lycos]

I definitely did not read the above as signs of a secret door. Just that this door was recently used.

Is that what you intended to say Dinbin?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Is that what you intended to say Dinbin?
I said what I said. :D

Through all of the mess that the others are making of the dust trail... KT makes out that indeed the un-dusty part is mostly between the northern wall and the western door.

[Shiz]

Guys, we have been wandering about for a bit. We all have the exp for level 2. Do we want to take an extended rest now and get our dings on?

[Asharad]

Yeah, we keep this up and we'll end up leveling twice.

[DinbinFanfoom]

OK, anything you would like to do before your rest? Where would you like to go for it?

[Shiz]

First, did anyone find a door in all this searching? Or am I misunderstanding the above post?

Second, the pool room is probably a good place to rest.

[Lycos]

Fine with me.

[Asharad]

Wait, the pool room makes me nervous. Better to find one of the rooms where we can barricade ourselves in, easily defend it and such.

The pool room is just too wide open.

[Lycos]

Wait, the pool room makes me nervous. Better to find one of the rooms where we can barricade ourselves in, easily defend it and such.

The pool room is just too wide open.

Plus, there are places to attack from above us in the pool room. Good point. It might be good to get a room in the hallway where the markings in the dust on the floor have been made. Maybe we can find out who or what is making those tracks.

[Shiz]

If we cannot all fit in one room, we could split up among them with the watch patrolling the hallways.

[DinbinFanfoom]

I'm just gonna guess that you've been exploring since after breakfast, and it's early afternoon. No less than that, I'd say, given the cautious pace necessary in a place like this.

[Lycos]

We'll hole up in I8, or G6. I think we should be able to fit in one of those rooms. The one that looks the least disturbed.

[DinbinFanfoom]

We'll hole up in I8, or G6. I think we should be able to fit in one of those rooms. The one that looks the least disturbed.
G6 is semi-occupied. Any problem with that? What shall you do for light, if any? How long will you rest?

[Lycos]

G6 is semi-occupied. Any problem with that? What shall you do for light, if any? How long will you rest?

Hmmm, that's right, we have limited torches. Pull back out to the outside again?

[Shiz]

That isn't a bad idea.

[Greebo]

"Sing us a song, bard!"

4dRVgnL2cwg
+4 to surges