(020) Exploring the South-East Stair

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

KOCH to Highbough

"Hello, Highbough was it? I am KOCH, formerly a captive of Saxxon released and escaped with the help of your companion Nidhogg. How far into the keep are the other group? If we hope to get the whole group together, perhaps one of us should inform them what is going on over here. I would volunteer to do this, though I may not be the best choice because done in the other group know me from Saxxon's men."

"They know me." Olaf says, "Tell me where they went and I'll go see if I can find them."

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Desmond staggers off after Wibert, scarcely about to drag himself (and his armour) off the musty cot.

Wibert crossing the courtyard without a care, pushes open the door into the abandoned mess hall -- observing the haphazardly arranged and over-turned tables and pews with a snort of distaste, and turns smartly to his left to enter the kitchen...

...inside the place is mostly dark and the hearth is stone cold. A big black cauldron loiters above an empty fireplace, and there is no sign of any firewood. A few battered old pots and pans lie about the place in a sorry state of uncleanliness. Oddly, the trapdoor which (as Wibert knows from experience) descends to the cellars is closed, and a large, heavy looking, but crude chest sits atop it...

Desmond arrives in the doorway, slow and pale.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
Gustave takes a few quiet moments to allow some offensive material to drain from his nose and mouth onto the dusty cobblestones of the courtyard, sporadically emitting an obviously uncomfortable retching sound.
Apparenlty completed in this task, he raises himself on one elbow, removes a last, tenacious, string of mucus from the tip of his shapely nose, and follows the halflings with his reddened eyes, "I suppose a few pastries is out of the question, my dear Wibert?"

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile, Highbough places his cool hand on Gustave's forehead and determines his patient is far too cool, but sweating. Then he examines the whites of the Man's eyes, and the colour of his tongue.

(1d6=1)

As Gustave staggers off toward the kitchen, swaying weakly in the breeze, Highbough considers what he has learned...

The symptoms in combination are unlike anything Highbough has encountered or read about. Not a naturally occurring ailment then, nor even one of the more easily prepared poisons. That leaves something crafted with specific and evil intent, and requiring an expertise in such things...

As for healing herbs, Highbough is at a loss where to start. Perhaps it would be wise to begin with the most base remedies and gauge their effect? Perhaps a strong fomentation of Birch, Carraway or the Catarhh Root applied plentifully to the skin? All are known to aid the vitality and to stimulate general good health, but alas Highbough has but a meagre, dry strip of Birch bark in his supplies. Though perhaps the frugal quantity of Sage he has remaining could be made to a stimulating infusion or tincture -- That herb being associated with protection, harmony and longevity.

Perhaps as his fellows breathed in the poison, the best remedy would be to create a steam bed for them to inhale directly to the lung?

[waysoftheearth]

Professor P wrote:

KOCH to Highbough

"Hello, Highbough was it? I am KOCH, formerly a captive of Saxxon released and escaped with the help of your companion Nidhogg. How far into the keep are the other group? If we hope to get the whole group together, perhaps one of us should inform them what is going on over here. I would volunteer to do this, though I may not be the best choice because done in the other group know me from Saxxon's men."

"They know me." Olaf says, "Tell me where they went and I'll go see if I can find them."

"Well Olaf, since most everyone else is heading to the kitchen, I'll go with you. May as well get acquainted with the rest of this outfit."

KOCH preps his belongings and readies his shield and loaded sling and goes with Olaf to find the rest of the group (once Highbough informs us of their location.)

[waysoftheearth]

heartless wrote:

Desmond staggers off after Wibert, scarcely about to drag himself (and his armour) off the musty cot.
... Oddly, the trapdoor which (as Wibert knows from experience) descends to the cellars is closed, and a large, heavy looking, but crude chest sits atop it...

Desmond arrives in the doorway, slow and pale.

Wibert examines the chest for traps that may go off if you open or move the chest.

"Hey this chest is on top of the cellar trap door where the food should be, let me look at it and make sure its not an other trap before we move it to get the the cellars below", says Wibert.

If all looks safe Wibert will get help to tie a rope around the chest and pull it off the trap door from a safe distance. Then force a crowbar in the lock to open it holding your breath.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:

KOCH to Highbough

"Hello, Highbough was it? I am KOCH, formerly a captive of Saxxon released and escaped with the help of your companion Nidhogg. How far into the keep are the other group? If we hope to get the whole group together, perhaps one of us should inform them what is going on over here. I would volunteer to do this, though I may not be the best choice because done in the other group know me from Saxxon's men."

"Koch, I am Highbough, known as The Cypher. Ulric and his three Man-Fighters descended the north-west stairs to explore the dunjeons below. I know not where they are, nor where to find them."

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
"We need fire! I shall brew an expectorant to purge your poisoned lungs," calls Highbough in his distinctive, piercing whisper. "Surely there be enough scraps of wood in this ruin to boil a pot of water."

Highbough will look around the courtyard for anything burnable. Once Wibert has secured the kitchen area, he will set some water to boil and search the pantry for sage and other healing herbs.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

KOCH to Highbough

"Hello, Highbough was it? I am KOCH, formerly a captive of Saxxon released and escaped with the help of your companion Nidhogg. How far into the keep are the other group? If we hope to get the whole group together, perhaps one of us should inform them what is going on over here. I would volunteer to do this, though I may not be the best choice because done in the other group know me from Saxxon's men."

"Koch, I am Highbough, known as The Cypher. Ulric and his three Man-Fighters descended the north-west stairs to explore the dunjeons below. I know not where they are, nor where to find them."

"Point us in the right direction and we'll go find them." Olaf says.

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:
Highbough points Olaf towards the stair where the other half of the party descended. "But return swiftly with the others; for if we are attacked, I fear Wibert and I alone cannot protect the wounded!"