(036) The Remains of the Day

[waysoftheearth]

mushgnome wrote:

While the party bickers over the next move, Dorgan will pick up a couple gold pieces and examine them to see if they are actual gold or not.

"The dwarf gets to play with the gold," grumbles Highbough.

He keeps his eyes and ears open for anything unusual.

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
Dieter recovers his crowbar.

Then he resumes checking for any evidence of his wayward comrades.

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:

"Given that creature wot was behind us, maybe we'd rather the door be shut, as long as we know how to open it."

Now that is a good idea. Leave the door closed and the gold alone for now. Let's find our guys and get out of here.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
"Agreed," says Josiane curtly.

Assuming everyone is clear of it and on her side of the door (and Dieter's got his crowbar back) she steps off the pressure plate.

"Lord Olaf, Lord Dieter?" she says quietly as she approaches the two veterans, suddenly much less the strident holy warrior and much more the shy young maid; "You both bear sore wounds from the last battle. I have some small skill in healing."

She seems torn between urgency and prudence.

"I am as keen to find our friends as you, but... perhaps a moment to tend your wounds? We will have need of all your strength in what lies ahead. What say you?"

[waysoftheearth]

coffee wrote:
"Makes sense," Dieter says.

[waysoftheearth]

doctorx wrote:
Josiane sets about cleaning and dressing the two warrior's wounds as quickly and efficiently as she may, awaiting Dorgan's verdict on the gold and casting the occasional anxious eye into the darkness beyond.

"Lord Gustave, Lord Guntrum, please be so good as to keep watch," she whispers.

[waysoftheearth]

tonneau wrote:
"Ever vigilant, my dear" replies Gustave, scanning the darkness ahead sternly.

"However, I would greatly appreciate some attention myself", he adds, tenderly prodding at his nose, which currently sits at an untidy angle and still dribbles blood from its close encounter with the fore-head of a walking corpse.

"That is of course, when you are finished with those gentlemen" he finishes with a bloody grin.

[waysoftheearth]

rleduc wrote:
"No Lord, I, m'Lady" blushes Guntrum, "just a common gameskeeper. But I'll keep a keen eye, the same.". He takes up watch at one of the other entrances.

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Third Vault

Josiane steps off the plate and the door rushes swiftly down, landing with a heavy thud. You are not sure whether you feel safer... or trapped in.

Which ever it is, Guntrum and Gustave set themselves to keep a watch while Josiane tends to Dieter and Olaf's wounds (requiring 10 minutes each).

Meanwhile, the others poke about in the vault, attempting to ascertain its extent...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The Third Vault
(farther back...)

Ulric and Highbough bring their lanterns into the shadows farther back. This third vault proves to be much deeper than anticipated. The first double row of upright sarcophagi end after six pairs of the bulky things have been passed -- each bearing the likeness of a grim knight upon its stone face. Fully half of these remain silently sealed. The others appear to have partly or completely fallen down. Between all these are tempting boxes of glittering coins...

But beyond this "honour guard", if that is what they are, is a break in the line approximately 20ft wide. From here a 5ft wide stair descends into cold darkness to the left, and another to the right. Ahead stand another dual line of upright sarcophagi, similar in every way to the first group, except that instead of treasure between them, there are piled skulls and bones.

The darkness ahead is gradually peeled back to reveal a great stone statue of a fell knight dominating the far end of the vault. It might be 10ft tall if it stood upright, but instead it hunches over so that the great ceiling appears to rest upon its immense, armoured shoulders. The stone visor is raised to reveal a skeletal features of a feral zeal...


It is frightfully eerie. And cold.


(mud map coming up...)