(024) The Ravine Door

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf searches the wall with his hands but finds very little, until at last he decides that by pushing against the wall very firmly he can move it just a little. Encouraged, he leans into it with all his might, and this causes the entire wall to rotate about it left corner.

As the dead end of the passage gives way, there is a shhhuh! of air as an ancient seal is broken and the wall to left simultaneously grinds into the space in the passage. The walls must be adjoined as part of a great, heavy turnstile!

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Here's a mud map...


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[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf says to Victor, "Let's go through and see what lies beyond."

He picks up the lantern and moves through the opening made by the turning wall. Looking carefully ahead to see what lies beyond.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf has moved the rotating wall section approximately half way open, and peers out into the passage beyond...

...there is a long passage that runs off into darkness ahead, and another turns left. But most immediately, he notices the foul smell of carrion upon the air, and soon realises that it must be due to the several, dark forms lying heaped upon the floor in the passage.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

Olaf has moved the rotating wall section approximately half way open, and peers out into the passage beyond...

...there is a long passage that runs off into darkness ahead, and another turns left. But most immediately, he notices the foul smell of carrion upon the air, and soon realises that it must be due to the several, dark forms lying heaped upon the floor in the passage.

Olaf moves slowly, and carefully, forward. He wants to identify the forms lying on the floor of the passage. He is also looking for anything that might be a trap through here that could have done these "forms" in.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The stench is most profound as Olaf moves into this new passage and nudge one of the dark bodies.

It becomes apart that these are the rotting remains of several large, dark Wolves. They seem dead a week or so, for much of the flesh is withered down and they are bloated with maggots.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf tries to see if he can determine what killed them...quickly, because he wants to move on from this smell.

Once he has had his look he says, "Let's move on from this place. The smell is awful!"

Olaf and Victor will continue down the corridor...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
It appears the wolves succumbed to stabbing and slashing wounds. One of them appears to have been partially burned.

From the secret door Olaf and Victor can either go directly ahead, or else turn to his left. Which way to proceed?

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

It appears the wolves succumbed to stabbing and slashing wounds. One of them appears to have been partially burned.

From the secret door Olaf and Victor can either go directly ahead, or else turn to his left. Which way to proceed?

"This shows signs of a party of adventurers." Olaf says quietly, "Let's go straight ahead past these carcases."

Once past them, Olaf looks closely at the floor to see if he can see boot prints and if he can the direction they point.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Olaf, followed by Victor, proceed ahead along a narrow passage, which soon broadens to double its width. Along this passage way are a number of bodies in an advanced state of decay, and the pair soon recognise their surroundings. This is the stretch of passage where Anwyn the Elf maid fell, and also where Dieter earned himself the name Ogre Slayer -- he put the killing blow to three of the monsters.

Up ahead, on the left, is the stinking corpse of the carrion crawler in front of the double doors that lead into the Ogres' lair (where Olaf and Victor left their treasure and excess gear). On the right is the stair that descends down to the lower level, and the exit to the ravine floor. Directly ahead is an unexplored passage.

Olaf and Victor are both weary from their trials.