(024) The Ravine Door

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Victor's face is gaunt and damp with fevor-sweat, his body is rigid like a board of wood. His muscles look clenched hard and clamped in position. But at least he is breathing, quick, shallow breaths. There appears to be no rousing him.

Olaf dreads to think what might have befallen them both, left to the centipede in this condition!

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf goes over Victor looking for a sting or bite or something, thinking he can stop any more of the poison from getting into him, "I'd give you fresh water from my waterskin, but I'm afraid you might choke, Victor."

"We can't stay here long, I might have to leave the coins here and carry you." Olaf says worriedly.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
With his neutral alignment, Olaf is just as likely to take the coin and leave Victor behind... he can, after all, promise to "come back later" for him [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img]

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf considers his options carefully...

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

With his neutral alignment, Olaf is just as likely to take the coin and leave Victor behind... he can, after all, promise to "come back later" for him [img]images/smiley/smiley.png[/img]

Olaf considers his options carefully and decides to drag the bags of coin inside the double doors and leave them there...for now.

Victor's distraction of the monster just now probably saved him, so it's only right that he return the favor and try to save Victor.

Olaf searches for a regular torch among his and Victor's gear, if he finds one, he'll light it and douse his scepter...it might be losing it's power adn he doesn't want to have it go out and leave him completely in the dark.

Olaf removes Victor's gear and much of his on and puts Victor over one shoulder and holding the torch in the other continues through the Ogre's lair to the unexplored exit. (I know there was one in the dungeon part, but I think there was one at the back of this room, too...yes?)

He is going to have to move very quietly and cautiously now, but the Ogres that attacked them outside in the Ravine had to have come OUT from somewhere, somewhere above...or so he reasons. So, Olaf is looking for a way up.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:

Olaf ... drag the bags of coin inside the double doors and leave them there...for now.

Olaf shoulders his way into the former Ogre den, dragging the two bulky sacks of coins behind him.

Within the chamber is eerie dark. The young fighter pauses for a moment, and when he doesn't hear anything more disturbing than vague echoes from somewhere deep in the dungeon, he finishes the task.

The Ogre lair seems to be pretty much as he remembers it from his visit several days ago.

Olaf searches for a regular torch among his and Victor's gear, if he finds one, he'll light it

Victor doesn't have any torches amongst his gear, but Olaf himself has his masterfully crafted lantern, and flask of legendary magefire oil, which will burn brightly for many long hours. He sets about getting the lantern lit, and pretty soon has a steady, warm flame burning. The great thing about his beautiful little lantern is that he can shutter each of the four glass panes independently.

Olaf ... puts Victor over one shoulder and holding the torch in the other continues through the Ogre's lair to the unexplored exit. (I know there was one in the dungeon part, but I think there was one at the back of this room, too...yes?)

Even leaving everything besides the lantern and his sword, Victor is a solidly built Man (16 consistitution, 13 strength) and a weighty load to bear. Olaf gives a determined grunt and proceeds to the rear of the lair, where he sees not one but two passages vanishing into the darkness ahead. One on the left of the rear wall, the other on the right of the rear wall (see the map http://odd74.proboards.com/index.cgi?ac ... e=26#59402here).

Which way?

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
"Let's try left." Olaf says to Victor...even though Victor can't reply. He proceeds, cautiously down that passage.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Balancing Victor over his shoulder with his right arm, and holding the lantern in his left, Olaf moves as carefully as he can toward the left-most tunnel. Truth be told it is heavy work.

However, the bold young fighting-Man persists, and as he enters the tunnel he finds the space rather constrained for his newly acquired bulk. He wonders that the Ogres themselves used it... they would have had to hunch over to do so. But there is no mistaking that sharp stink on the air. Ogres have been here, and there is no mistaking it.

Before long Olaf comes to a T intersection where he can either forge ahead, or else turn to his left down a similarly sized passage. Neither way looks particularly more inviting than the other -- both are gloomy passages with slightly damp, uneven, gritty flagstone floors.

The magefire lantern burns silent and bright, however, and is some comfort.

Victor gives a low moan.


What now?

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
If Victor is moaning, Olaf will put him down on the floor and offer him a sip of water. If this rouses Victor, such that he can walk, that will be a very fair use of the time. Olaf will also scratch the wall with a mark near the T intersection with an arrow pointing back toward the Ogre's room...the better to not get lost later on.

Once he's done this, one way or another, the pair will take the passage to the left.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf puts down the bright little lantern and then eases Victor down. He looks to have slightly more mobility than previously, and his lips quiver some at the proffered water, though Olaf isn't sure whether his companion actually manages to swallow any.

It still looks as though Victor isn't going anywhere under his own steam, so Olaf makes his scratch on the grimy wall and then takes up his load again before turning left.

Now this passage continues on for somewhat fewer than twenty yards before turning left again. With no other options, Olaf pushes on a soon comes to a stout, iron bound door. Curiously, there are numerous great slashes and dents in the timbers, and one 6 inch wide plan has been beaten off its fittings so that it hangs ajar, offering a slight view of the utter darkness beyond the door...

What to do?