Relics of the Past

[Telcontar]

"Friends! Here! A stair into the darkness." The Dunedan man summoned his companions to him before he made any attempt to head down the stairs.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Be wary, this is a place of the Eldar.  It'd be wise to let Edrahil go first, for we know not any protections this place might have from outsiders," warned Durgil.  Even though this be fair place, he is still reminded of the pit into which he helped rescue a couple of dwarves and gained the sword at his side.  He gripped its hilt for reassurance.

[Rothesay]

"I shall lead the way for I have nothing to fear from my kin, not now, not then." He moves towards the stairs to stand beside Celdrahil before turning back. "What say you Dirnhael? Do we descend? And Nain, will you enter into the halls of the elves?"

[tomcat]

Not sure if Stefan and Shawn are out on vacation, busy with real life, or moving on from the boards. If so, that is a bummer as they have been here a long time.

Anyway, to go down the hole a Willpower test must be made:

Edrahil - no roll necessary
Dúnedain - TN 10
Non-Dúnedain - TN 12

Celdrahil
TN 10 Willpower +1, Valour +4

2d6+5 : 4, 4 + 5, total 13

Dirnhael
TN 10 Willpower +2, Vorandúr +3

2d6+5 : 2, 3 + 5, total 10

Durgil
TN 10 Willpower +3

2d6+3 : 1, 2 + 3, total 6

Fengel
TN 12 Willpower +2

2d6+2 : 6, 3 + 2, total 11

Nain
TN 12 Willpower +1, Hardness o'mind +2

2d6+3 : 6, 4 + 3, total 13

[tomcat]

The men found the makings for a brand and Nain set about lighting the end.

Once done, Edrahil started down the stairs but turned when he saw both Fengel and Durgil hesitate. The men did not want to go down into the darkness. It was not fear they felt, but more so a power that hearkened back to the age of Elves. A glamour had been placed here and it only allowed those strong of will to pass.

The Éothraim drew his sword, Cerduil, and took a step back. "You all go...I will watch for any dangers from the fens."

[Telcontar]

Celdrahil nodded, "very well. Let us go then Edrahil."

[sdrotar]

  Still here... just working insane hours now that football season's here. Sorry. 

"I shall lead the way for I have nothing to fear from my kin, not now, not then." Edrahil moved towards the stairs to stand beside Celdrahil before turning back. "What say you Dirnhael? Do we descend?"

"Indeed," Dirnhael replied with a smile, "even if your confidence is not entirely shared."

[tomcat]

They descended down the long stairs under a flickering torchlight, the light of day high above them. It was a steep climb down, but Edrahil had no trouble even in the darkness. The four companions wondered at the purpose of such a stair, as it wend deep and did not stop on multi-underground levels. Elves had lived in vast underground realms of legend that rivaled those of the Dwarves - such as Nargothrond and Menegroth from the First Age - so seeing such a place as this did not surprise any of the company. What its purpose was the question.

At last Edrahil stepped off the last step and felt his feet splash into a brisk pool of water. The chamber had flooded - the waters of the Nin-in-Eilph seeping in through its walls or coming up through it floor. Celdrahil cast the torch in multiple directions to see a stone-laid room with algae growing over all.

Observe (spot) TN 14

Celdrahil
TN 14 observe (spot) +7 +2

2d6+9 : 1, 5 + 9, total 15

Dirnhael
TN 14 observe (spot) +5 +2

2d6+7 : 4, 2 + 7, total 13

Edrahil
TN 14 observe (spot) +4 +2

2d6+6 : 5, 3 + 6, total 14

Nain
TN 14 observe (spot) +6 +2

2d6+8 : 4, 3 + 8, total 15

[tomcat]

With the light of the torch chasing shadows from place to place, as it moved, the companions could see a reflection of light against something on the far wall. As if sparked to life, a faint whisper filled the chamber singing from another time and place...

By embers glow,
Heat unsurpassed,
Ringing anvil,
Marveled task

Wreathed in fire,
Mithril inlay,
Powers present
Thine Lord Aulë

Blessed thine works of steel,
Blessed thine works in gold,
By white-smith's hands
Treasures old

Bind thee, shadow
Bind thee, fear
Of Nargothrond to Eregion
Lo, Taranthir

[Telcontar]

"With Ulmo's blessing I do not fear the water."

The knigth took a step forward into the water to further illuminate the room.

[tomcat]

Celdrahil moved out into the open area of the subterranean room - his boots stirring up the calf-high water. It was icy cold but there was no evil presence emanating from the shadows. The whispered poem had caused goose-flesh to stand up on the arms of the men, but no threat revealed itself.

The Dúnadan stumbled over some unseen object under the water and the torch tumbled from his hand to extinguish with a loud hiss. Darkness enveloped them all, but then, as their eyes adjusted, the faint green glow came from the wall where before the light had flashed.

[Telcontar]

The knight froze where he was an waited.
"edrahil, what do you make of this?"

[Rothesay]

Edrahil peered intently at the greenish glow. Possibly some light-sensitive lichen, or perhaps an afterglow of the before times. He searched his memory ...

  
Lore - spellcraft:

Rolled 2d6+9 : 4, 3 + 9, total 16