(067) Back Passages

[ehiker133]

Up the shaft or in the vent, both jobs are about the size for a hobbit.

Desmond ponders the two for a moment, then says, "Let's check out the vent here, first."

He helps to move the shelves and cans away from the opening as quietly as he can. Then asks for a torch and a boost to get through the hole.

[Merctime]

Then asks for a torch and a boost to get through the hole.

Dhren will lend both (that is if he still has the torch).

"Brave Desmond, would you like to grasp the end of a rope to bring along, that we might hold the other, and you could give a tug should you need rapid removal from that hole? Or have one tied about your waistline? I daresay most of us might not be able to follow you and wouldn't be able to assist if some immediate danger were to assail you."

After a bit of a moment, Dhren cleared his throat in an embarrassed fashion, and added... "Oh, and I meant you, too, Mondes."

[ehiker133]

Desmond shakes his head in the negative, "No, that'll cramp my style."

He climbs in the hole, holding the torch ahead of him.

[sully]

Dorgan will examine the thickness of the wall near the vent. He is wondering if they can tear down the wall next to the hollow section, versus having to send a "tunnel rat" through the open vent.

[Merctime]

Once Desmond/Mondes is in the hole, Dhren Will remain near it and keep a watchful eye as the two-headed hobbit forays into the unknown.

[Condorcet]

"It seems you have already reconnoitered much of this place," says Helmut as Desmond/Mondes disappears up the shaft into darkness, "Are there places yet where the enemy may hide, or are we left only with the strange ring?"

[waysoftheearth]

Desmond/Mondes squeezes through the wire-grate and into the crawlspace beyond. It's tight--even for a Halfling.

It's more or a less a 1ft wide, 3ft high vent shaft. From the look of it, it was never intended to carry any traffic other than air currents. It is rough hewn and the raw rocks are piled with thick dust and vermin droppings. Because of this, however, it's very apparent that someone--or something--has been using this route. And rather recently if Desmond/Mondes is not mistaken.

By the limited torch light behind him, Desmond/Mondes observes that the vent carries on at a level to the right, but rises steeply to the left. It seems both routes have been used.

Meanwhile, in the laundry, Dorgan judges that it might be plausible to open the wall up to reveal the hidden vent--but would require proper tools and a fair bit of muscle. In his weakened state he doesn't feel fit to do it himself. At least not immediately...

[heartless]

Ashtad continues to stand guard with her bow at the ready, with an itchy trigger finger, with all the talk of doppelgangers.

"His Desmond/Mondes is a brave Halfling going into that small vent, so if he comes back with one head do we shoot and ask questions later, and assume its a doppelganger? Or does Desmond/Mondes have the ability totake off one head at will?" asks Ashtad.

[ehiker133]

Desmond quickly exits the passage and returns to the laundry room to describe what he finds to the others.

"I'm not normally one for being claustrophobic, but... that was a tight space."

[sully]

Dorgan says, "We oughtta block this path off, make it tougher for the doppler ta get around here."