As quickly as it started, the melee was over. Of the six orc scouts, only three lay on the balcony over Durin's abyss, the others driven off the platform into the unknown depths. Of the companions, only one was visibly hurt - Caranmîr the Elf had taken a grievous wound and the orc poison was coursing his veins, his brow was damp with the fever from the toxins.
Turumarth who had used his magic to light the battle, quickly subdued his staff, not extinguishing the glow, but hooding it so as not to draw the attention of the entire Second Hall. He hoped they had not already, but time would soon tell. Behind him, the old craftsman whispered, "Quickly, shove the remaining dead orcs into the abyss and let us get across the bridge before it is shut to us!"
Another voice quietly answered, "No... I can go no further in this... evil hole." It was Bornoge, the woodsman warrior that had joined up with the party in Mirkwood. "With each step, I am certain that this is a fool's folly and I will not sacrifice myself for it." He looked to the injured elf, "I will take Caranmîr with me, so that if his death is before him, at least he will be able to go to his home in the clean sunlight, on the soft grass."
"You will not make it past the First Hall... not alone," answered Nori.
"Perhaps so, but I will at least try. If you come again from this place, and if we find a safe path, look for us to the south, towards Lothlorien... I will take this elf there and hopefully his kin will be able to aid him."
The rest of the companions knew that there was no changing the course of the large man, and some wondered how their chances would now fare without the extra arms, but Kori's will brought them all back to their journey, "Very well then. Go and be safe, but if you should alarm the orcs of the First Hall, I pray that you do not sacrifice us all."
The man gave the old dwarf a grim look, "Should we be seen, I will not betray you to any of these vermin. May the Graces guide you."
With that, Bornoge hefted the elf up and proceeded back up the stairs that they had just come down, back towards the First Hall. When they were gone, the remaining companions, faintly aglow from Turumarth's spell, all looked at one another... waiting. Their pause abruptly ended with Nori's voice, "Come."
Leading his companions, Nori took the first hesitant step onto the great span that crossed the abyss and then with built up courage, he quickly moved on. The rest followed.
In the depths of Moria, a great shadow that sat within a corona of flame looked up towards the vast vaulted ceiling above his sinister chamber. It had been a long time since he had felt it, and it had only been the slightest twinge of unpleasantness. Certainly some of the minnions within his realm practiced the sorcerous arts, but none would weave such magic as unclean as what he had just felt.
Was there intruders within his realm? He would have to keep a closer eye, but whomever they might be, they were insignificant enough... certainly the orcs and trolls that resided here would dispatch them.
:ooc: Okay, with the disappearance of players, I have removed certain PC's. We may have another player joining this game, but I have a way to write him in... we'll see.
The map for the Second Hall is posted, on the Moria pages and you guys can give me narrative as to what you are doing and the 'table leader' can post the party's directions.
Just so you know, all Kori knows at this point is that his great great grandsire's chambers were north of the Second Hall towards the mines and that it was 42 stairs down from this level... so, you guys will need to find a passage with 42 stairs down. All the while, of course, avoiding the current residents.
As far as the cut-scene, this stems from the new rule presented in the Paths of the Wise called Gandalf Was Here.
Vári wished Bornoge and Caranmîr well; he had been more fortunate than the Elf, but it was not skill that had spared him, merely fate. He glanced down at the scrape across his armor and the drops of vile ooze upon it as confirmation.
He sincerely hoped that the two of them made it safely back out and that the Elf could regain his health once more. He had learned that the Fair Folk were heartier than Dwarves often gave them credit for, and so he held to hope.
But their Company was far less capable without them, and Vári feared for what was to come. These Orcs were taken by surprise, but the next time, it might be the other way around...
Brushing aside such thoughts, Vári set his mind to the task at hand. After crossing the ancient bridge (which still stood up thanks to its sturdy Dwarf-make, despite the befoulment of the Orcs), they looked for a way down, knowing that finding the correct path on the first try would be an enormous stroke of luck.
"Are we looking for a residence?" Vári asked. "If so, the living quarters might be closer than farther, as the working mines were said to run deep into the mountain."
"Nay," said Kori. "We seek first the vaults and then my grandsires office, where word is said that he dropped the keys."
Vári's incredulous stare back spoke volumes of the improbability that a ring of keys would still lay in the same place that they were dropped, those centuries ago when the city was abandoned. It would be amazing if they still existed at all, and not rusted away. For some reason, in the darkness of Moria, the objective of this mission seemed much more impossible than they had in the warm tavern room, with beer flowing.
Kori acknowledged Vári's look, "If we find that the vaults of Durin still remain sealed, I will be happy enough, but to find Tori's office and per chance, his keys... well then the honour of my family will be restored." To that, Nori made both a physical and audible response, breathing deep and standing himself more erect. "And forget not who were the craftsmen of said locks and keys... none other than the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, greatest of all. Surely the dwimmer-craft that was laid into both will have kept them. So, let us search these passages to the north to find the stairs down."
As soon as the fight was ended Gumbo began to check the Orc bodies for anythign that might be useful. This was there realm and the equipment they carried may give an indication of what the group might face. Once done he began to heave the bodies over the side. Wipping the sweat from his brow he looked around and caught the last few words of the conversation and listened to their footsteps fading away,
"Hmrph, he could have left the short sword." Gumbo then looked to his Captain Kori, "I am still at your service and your family, the darkness sooner or later claims us all. I will continue." the Hobbit smiled and looked at Nori, "You see, oaths of binding would have proved ill indeed. Lets cross the bridge, here is not a good place to stop."
Gumbo looked across the bridge and began to pad across his spear at the level and his helm once more down.
Nori scowled at the Hobbit, "I begin to think Master Gumbo that you are indeed a dwarf, who's beard was glued to his feet. Come Uncle, hairyfoot is right, we must proceed, even if none but ourselves are left, the shame of our family would truly belong to us, were we to fail in Khazud-dum a second time."
As the last flits of comfort from the light disappeared, Turumarth ran visions of Caranmîr's wounds through his mind, wondering if it could be he next. He thought of using his healing magic, but his wounds were already bound and packed with the poultice from the river wives which was more than the equal of any aid he could impart.
He kept the light on the end of his staff active, should they need sudden light again (or it seemed, should he need sudden light again), but tampered it down to but a glowing ember which he concealed with cloth. As a form moved past him, he wasn't sure who, he grasped onto their cloak to cross the bridge thinking all along that they never really did hear the orc's bodies find bottom in the chasm.
:ooc: Okay, it has been over eleven days since I posted last, except to reply to the few gamers whose PC's have been written out of the story. I have offered to change the narrative to keep them in the story, but I haven't heard back from them to let me know, so that is it. Please, do not take this as shitty, but I am trying to keep games flowing and if I only get random postings, it doesn't work. So, I am sticking with the narrative as it stands and moving on... sorry.
I still need a direction that the party wants to go once they cross Durin's Bridge.
The company quickly passed over the span that crossed the black chasm and began to move in the direction suggested by Kori. The old craftsman did not have anymore to offer than a stair count, and so, they would have to search each passage at a time to find the right one. It seemed a monumental task to all in the party save two.
As they quietly moved towards the north wall of the Second Hall, none noticed the slender shadow that followed behind.
Idhriel was an Elf from Lothlórien. In that land, she served the king and queen as a border watch, protecting so that none could enter unwanted, but also serving as the eyes on the lands without. She and her Galadhrim company had seen the passage of the Dwarves, and watched the direction in which they traveled. Her captain was concerned as to why Dwarves would head into the Vale of Moria. What trouble could they be stirring up?
And so, while one Watcher was sent to Caras Galadhon to send word to Celeborn and Galadriel, she had been dispatched to keep a discreet eye on the caravan. Her orders had been to follow the Dwarves only to the Gates of Moria and no further, if that be their path, but fear filled her heart. She knew the horrors that orcs could rend upon the land and so when the company of travelers entered the old ruin, she followed to ascertain that no one would wake the sleeping fear within.
:ooc: Take it from there everyone...
A few moments earlier...
Idhriel Kalina, Watcher of the Galadhrim, tilted her head and listened, straining to hear. The slightest sound, the mere whisper of something could save her life. And so she waited patiently in a crouch, balanced on her heels, leaning slightly against one of the walls. She could wait in that position for hours.
Had someone passed by with a torch at that moment, the flickering fire light would have revealed a beautiful elven face with chestnut colored hair tied behind her head in a single sensible braid. Equally lovely amber-colored eyes would have regarded the intruder with a rather deadly intensity, ascertaining whether he be friend or foe. The intruder would notice--assuming of course, that he actually spotted her--that she was sensibly attired in comfortable muted browns and greens that blended as easily into the outside country side as it did to the obscurity that prevailed in Moria. Perhaps the intruder would wonder what the bulges were under cloak and fold of cloth. Could they be half-hidden pommels of cold steel? Certainly he would spot the fine short bow that she held in her hand along with the a quiver of well-made arrows gracing her back.
But there was no torch. And no intruder as of yet...only darkness. Idhriel's eyes had long since adjusted to that darkness. And there in the First Hall of Durin, she spied the ruins of that long lost kingdom. She had been to the Vale of Moria before as part of her training, but never before had she dared to cross its threshold. Seeing it now, she saw that there was nothing. Nothing but the ruin of cold stone and the ghosts of memories that faded from history into oblivion.
She sighed inwardly and was surprised to find that the wreckage and loneliness saddened her. Something that once was good and noble had been lost, taken forever from Middle Earth. It seemed there was always loss. Time, it seemed, always brought loss and change, even to her kind, albeit in different ways.
Shaking her head, she concentrated on the task at hand. Find this mysterious company of dwarves and others. That was the main thing. Yet, she wondered, why had they come to Moria? And more importantly, could they be stopped from awakening the orcs? Her face tightened into a grimace at the thoughts of orc hordes spilling out into the forested borders, befouling Lorien! No, something must be done to prevent that!
She held her breath. There it was again. Slight sounds came from up ahead and downward. She frowned. It was the sounds of steel on steel coming from the other side of Durin's First Hall. A fight! And then, as quickly as it had begun, it had stopped. She exhaled slowly and her frown tightened as she listened for more sounds. It was not uncommon for orcs to fight amongst themselves, she knew. And so, for several long moments she waited for the orc voices to gloat about who they had killed. But, as the moments passed, hearing no forthcoming boasts in their foul orc speech, she finally--and cautiously--moved toward the purported location of the recent sounds, taking pains to avoid any unpleasant encounters en route.
But she moved quickly as well. She had heard that this place was a warren of passages. It would not do to become lost within these depths. Finding the dwarves quickly was the best way to prevent that.
After some time, she came to the long narrow bridge and saw her quarry crossing the wide expanse.
Finally! Light of step, and a bit lighter of heart, she flitted after them.
[:ooc: - Hooray! I'm excited to be playing! Tomcat, I hope you're alright with me RPing hearing things w/o rolling. Btw, I'm not sure how to do dice rolls etc. you'll need to explain where the dice roller is. Anyway, for now I'll just follow until I can better ascertain their purpose. I'm fine with you rolling stuff for me too if you need to for anything.]
In spite of the pitch blackness he stumbled forward in, Turumarth could sense the immensity of the cavern they had entered. The meager light he had unleashed before, barely revelaed the edges of the bridge, but as he crossed following those ahead, he could feel the swirling currents of air; could feel the sounds he tried so desperately to minimize travel and die beyond the range of an echo. He worked hard to keep up, but his boots caught on debris and upturned flagstones that the others seemed to skirt around. The wafting air revealed the sweat that soaked his brow and hair and he fought hard to ignore the fear rising in his stomach. Refusing to succumb to the affliction that had caused Bornoge to pale.
He had studied long and hard to temper the fear that gripped him when facing the Shadow and the urge to tap into that power again grew strong. Using the Arts made him more aware, unclouded his judgement and let him act with reason and sense. The words rose to his tongue, but then he checked himself, stumbling once more on an uneven crack. He could manage Fear himself and pressed on into the black void, only able to follow.
[Gumbo]
Gumbo chanted over and over in his head like a litany, "42,42,42,42..." and quickly crossed the bridge. He looked out as far as he could with his eyes accostomed ot the darkness and then listend for any other orcs. He determined that the Orcs must be broken up into tribes here in Moria, or at least companies and bands. The most dangerous places would be where two bands met, as they would be closely guarded. he determined himself to look out for things that may mark boundries, be they part of the structure of Moria as the Bridge was, or orcin totems that would denote ownership or territory. Once the party was across he came up close to Kori.
"Captain, we must be methodical if we are to fidn the right passage. I propose to scout ahead of the group slowly down each passage, if I go more than 50' without finding stairs the party can advance. If I find stairs, once I hit 43 I'll come back and we can scratch off that passage." Gumbo looked around, the fey nature of the Hobbit was apparent, he cared not if he found his death here in Moria, perhaps even part of him desired to fall here among the halls of the Dwarves he loved so much. He seldom thought of the Shire anymore, unless it was in its songs or its beer and pipe weed, for once he had taken to arms the stout little hobbit was a changed creature completly bent on the task at hand.
"I know a bit of Orc and will blend in better than a man, or we can blunder down each passage as a group. I imagine that the halls and deeps are orderd somehow, and the avenues to each would be known to those who would recognize the signs."
[Nori]
Nori crossed over the bridge with the party, his hands gripped the axe haft. He would not allow the darkness to take root in his heart. there he pictured the halls awash in light and the sounds of dwarves working and going about their bussiness and when the darkness seemed to deep or he lost the voice he imagined he thought of his family, and the pride of place he had in undertakign this quest, which was long over due. His Uncle, as the patriarch of the family would have pride of place,, but he would insure that the deeds of Nori would not go unsung.
:ooc: Well done! :>
I am digging the character narratives in this game. Okay, Jared (did I spell your name right?), the Dice Roller along with all other resources you will need are along the top of the forum site. Some are active links and the dice roller is an active image of dice. There is also a drop-down that has links to all PC's in games.
Here is the proper URL so that you see the resources: http://rpg.avioc.org
Back to the story... I am going to allow all PC's to give me a Observe roll to try and Perceive Idhriel following the group, but due to Elf Soft-footedness, it will be a TN 25 (Hear) or TN 20 (Sense Power) test.
With Gumbo's suggestion adopted as their plan, the company moved north along the great crevasse until they came to the wall of the cavern. Once found, the group turned west to follow the cold stone until it came to the first opening of a passage... it did not take long.
There was also a new sensation being perceived by the companions - light. From high above, shafts to the outside world sill gleamed with sunlight, those that had no been blocked by refuse or wildlife. It was faint and did nothing but to allow for shadowy shapes to be more clear, yet still the Hall had a faint glow. This added to the faint glow of Turumarth's staff and allowed the company to at least find sure footing.
The first northern passage was roughly five meters wide and disappeared into darkness. As Gumbo had thought, the tribes of orcs in Moria were territorial and marked their own. Whatever the name of the tribe that resided down these halls, the image they took was that of a dagger wrapped by a red-eyed serpent. There were no other symbols, nor were there sentries.
The company took the passage, hoping that luck would shine and it would be the one needed.
:ooc: If it fits the narrative, Vari would be willing to scout ahead with Gumbo - he has the Fey and Grasping flaws himself and would likely be a bit more... aggressive, like Gumbo.
As the group paused to consider their options once on the other side of the bridge, Idhriel also paused, hanging back in the deeper darkness. She watched them carefully, considering what her eyes told her. Two dwarves, a human, and a--what was it? Another dwarf? Hard to tell in that armour. It seemed about the right height, but the voice had a higher tenor and the form was more slender than the usual bulkier dwarves. She shook her head. Not a dwarf, perhaps a halfling? She had never seen one, of course, and only had a vague recollection about them from her elven teachers and loremasters.
She sighed. There was plenty, she was beginning to realize, that she had never seen.
Her eyes went back to the human. He, more than the others, gave her pause. This was because the first thing she noticed about him was that a pale light emanated from his staff. From his staff... At first, she had thought perhaps he was merely carrying a pole lantern, yet the light was of different caste. It did behave in as a pole lantern should, swinging. No, this one remained a constant glow with nary a flicker. And while it did little to dispel the gloom of the place, even so, light coming from a lifeless staff of wood bespoke of one who knew things. Things of power. That one would have to be treated carefully.
Unsure of the group's intentions and their demeanor towards her kind, she decided she was not yet ready to reveal herself. Perhaps if she could overhear what, had drawn them into these accursed halls, she would be better able to ascertain their motives.
She crept nearer attempting to overhear any conversation.
Observe Test:Roll(2d6)+4 5,3,+4 (+2 listen specialty)Total:14[/]
Observe Roll Gumbo
Roll(2d6)+5:
5,6,+5
Total:16
Observe Roll Nori
Roll(2d6)+5:
6,4,+5
Total:15
Neither notice the elf.
[Gumbo]
He looked down the hall and and prepared to move out. He head and then saw Vari move up beside him and looked to the dwarf. "Your axe is welcome at my back Vari, but move a few steps behind me. I can move quickly and quietly alone. I may also be able to bluff my way past or away from an Orc or two without revealing our presence as I am unknown to them and would be small for a dwarf, but the right size for a goblin. If I run into something I will fall back to you and we will hold them until the party comes up. If we come to an intersection wait for me there and I will run ahead to check for stairs, I'll always start to the right and go no more than 50 feet or so. With you here I can distance myself more from the noise and light of the party." Gumbo looked around, leveled his spear and trotted down the hall.
[Nori]
Took up position by his uncle, he was getting on in years but would not admit that to him out loud. He knew his place was to be here in Moria on this quest, and while here by his uncle is where he should be. As the others began to move to follow the hobbit he whispered to his uncle, "I regret even more the dismal state of our house that there were not more of our kin or those loyal to us to come on this quest. the Lords of the Iron Hills will know how worth whether we return or not, just by being here uncle we have redeemed our house, if only there were more of our kin to do this on our own. I will not let the darkness of Moria brng me despair uncle, for when I close my eyes I can hear the voices of our people and see the House of Durin as it once was."
A momentary feeling tickled the back of Turumarth's mind. He glimpsed behind and saw only the utter darkness, starker for the muted greys that were filtering through ahead.
Observe (Hear) test, DC 25
Observe +5 (no specialty)
Roll 2d6 +5 = 2,3 + 5 = 10 failure
Shaking it off as nothing, he focused on moving ahead.
Gumbo moved silently down the passage, his ears straining to hear anything beyond his limited sight, but all was quiet. A cold, damp draft blew into his face and the smell of mold and rot was evident.
"Unclean creatures, orcs," he thought to himself.
Behind him, Vári trotted along. The dwarf could just barely see his smaller companion moving ahead of him, but then Gumbo became more clear as Vári realized he had stopped. Catching up, the dwarf saw Gumbo standing at the top of a set of stairs! Looking down both could see large shadows littering the distorted stairwell, but both were excited and hoped that this may be their first clue.
Yet, the smell of rot and death became more apparent as they stood there, making the path down more ominous.
Gumbo swollowed hard as the dwarf came up. "Well here is our next challenge. There are no other side passages that I have seen." Gumbo looks down the stairs, "Well 42 is the number..." He looks at Vari and then crinkles his noise, "Orcs, they great deeps of the earth must stink something foul." He looks around again and tried to peer forward into the gloom. "42..." With a sigh and a look into the darkness he plungs ahead and starts counting.
Vári stood, axe in hand, barely breathing. He knew that in moments, either the brave Hobbit would return, or he would be headed back to his companions, ready to make a last stand.
Gumbo began to go down the stairs, counting as he did. He marvelled how each step that had been crafted by dwarves, was level and consistant in height and depth. Still, time had taken its toll along with heavy, iron-shod boots, for chips and loose fragments were felt through his tough soled feet.
Thirty-two.
Gumbo came to the last step - not because he had reached the bottom of the stairwell, but because there before him were tumbled many pieces of broken rock. The halfling could see that the tumbled stone had broken all of the slated stairs between the one he stood on, and two that still made landing to the bottom. He tried to calculate the number of stairs that would have been there, but he could not be sure. What he did see was the serpent face in one of the large broken stones. It was somewhat like the horrible etching on the wall above, except carved into a now-broken stone totem.
But why was it shattered??
Peering harder into the darkness, Gumbo tried to see more, but could only discern what looked like piles of sticks and stones. The only other thing that was certain was the smell of rot.
Idhriel watched as the party stopped, and one of their number--the smaller one --descend down a set of foreboding stairs. She wrinkled her nose at the familiar smell of decay. It was one she always associated with orcs and their ilk; for nothing but death and decay ever came from the creatures of the shadow. Straining her senses for any sign of danger, and her bow at the ready, she settled down to see what direction the company would take next.
This wasnt the way ahead, nor was it necessarily a dead end either. Gumbo looked around again and decided that Vari maybe a better judge of things, he was after all a Dwarf. He thought about calling out to him, but then he started getting the feeling that something lived there and was not quite sure that he was there yet. The smell might be the den of some creature. Suddenly the idea of scouting ahead so not such a good one as he thought. there were older things in the deeps of the world that were worse than orcs, that not even Hobbit stories told about. Not wanting to turn his back to the wreckage he took a couple of steps back up the stairs towards Vari to tell him what he found.
:ooc: You heading all the way back up, Tom? Or are you going to wait for Vari to come down?
:ooc: I am going to head back to VARI, i dont want to wake anyhting up by calling to him. Its a short distance but I dont want to get gumbo eaten. that the rest of the party may close up on him in the meanttime so that we everyone esle can get invovled in the debate as well.
Vári stood at the top of the stairs waiting when Gumbo returned. The two stood there discussing the situation of the stairs below, as the remainder of the company arrived - again the halfling gave a quick synopsis of what he saw.
"Did you go no further than the broken stair?" asked Kori. With Gumbo's shake of his head, Kori continued. "Perhaps we should go beyond the break to see what lays beyond the stairwell?"
Vári replied softly, "Gumbo brings ill news from the stair. There are so many other places to explore... Unless you know that this is the way," he said as he looked to the elder with a quizzical glance, "might we wish to try other rooms first?"
Their company was already weakened; Vári did not wish to weaken it any more so quickly unless it was necessary to accomplish what they set out to do.
"We must proceed, we cant double back later or we havent begun anything. The truth be told I did not want to try and cross it alone. We have already seen alarms....but the smell...i think something is living beneath the stairs. If I could see a bit further I could approximate the remaining distance to see if 42 stairs would fit as they are uniform in length, but another set of hands and eyes would be appreciated. we must proceed here, I only thought that the party should be present until we better know the ways of these halls."
Vári shrugged his shoulders. "So be it," he whispered. He hefted his axe and prepared to face the darkness.
Turumarth nodded his acceptance, words stuck in his dry throat. The dim light masked the gestures of his friends, but he knew they could at least see him. He grew surprised at how quickly his other senses aided his lack of vision, but was far from comfortable with what they told him. The rank smells, the faint echoes and distant dripping of water, the stale taste of the air. His hands shook as he took a small sip from his waterskin, the desire to unveil his staff and bathe in the light was strong, but he checked that emotion and nodded again to lead on as he hefted his gear once more.
As a group, the companions followed Gumbo back down the stairs. The halfling counted each step until he once more came to stair thirty-two and the broken patch that lay beyond. The dwarves all fumbled forward to make their analysis of how many stairs were missing, but there was only so much room and the broken shards of rock made the congestion dangerous.
The end result was to cause the normally dexterous halfling to slip and tumble down the broken slabs of rock to land hard and loud at the base of the stairs. Gumbo rose to his feet to look around. The first thing he noticed was the large broken rocks around him and how some were carved. He also noticed the other sticks and stones, but now close up realized that they were bones and skulls.
Nimbleness test to keep from falling
(http://rpg.avioc.org/boards/Themes/default/images/dice.gif) TN 12 Nim (by PC)
-------------------------
Gumbo (+2) Roll(2d6)+2: 2,6,+2 Total:10 FAILED [3 Damage, but armor absorbs it]
Vári (+2) Roll(2d6)+2: 5,5,+2 Total:12 SUCCESS
Nori (+2) Roll(2d6)+2: 6,5,+2 Total:13 SUCCESS
Kori (+1) Roll(2d6)+1: 4,4,+1 Total:9 (+3 Courage) SUCCESS
Vári inhaled sharply when he saw Gumbo fall. He was relieved to see that the Hobbit seemed uninjured, but the thump he had made as he landed made Vári nervous. Moreso after he saw the look on Gumbo's face as he surveyed his surroundings.
The two other dwarves began a whispered debate, seemingly unaware that their companion had fallen.
Kori hissed, "Turumarth, increase that light a bit for me."
"See, Uncle," replied Nori, not even waiting for the added illumination. "There is three stairs remaining at the foot - easily seven stairs would fill the gap."
The older craftsman did not answer right away, rubbing his bearded chin as he gazed at the work of his forefathers. "I don't know, Nori... I'd have to take measure."
Impatiently, Nori countered, "It is at least worth a further search, aye?"
:ooc: I know you are running Nori, Tom, so sorry I interjected talk here for the two dwarves, but I wanted to give you guys something to work with.
:ooc: No worries, as the two dwarves are the folcrum of the story it makes sense to use them as a narrative device. No complaints from me.
[Gumbo]
Looked around at the bottom of the stairs and tried to judge the distance. "there are bones here. What ever was down here couldnt get out becasue the stars were destroyed, or they died in the fall. there are also carvings in the rock" Gumbo tried to examine some of the bones and the carvings. "this will be an obstacle if we try and withdraw this way and any aid left to depart will be noticed as evidence of our passage. The darkness and evil spirit of these halls conspire against us Captain, but for that reason I'll wager that there were 42 stairs here at one point. Oh and i'm all right."
gumbo looked up at the distance, "I have a wooden stakes and some iron pitons, we can wedge one in one of the cracks and toss a rope over it to raise and lower people. that way we can keep the rope and the piton may go unnoticed."
[Nori]
Looked down at the hobbit, "Full of surprises Master Gumbo." then back to his uncle. "We should at least explore this option uncle. If we leave it now we may have to double back later and the less passage through the same spots the better off we are. Besides we need to be out of that hall as the Orcs will have missed the patrol by now. we have not the numbers to defend the halls of our fathers, only to restore our family name."
Turumarth unhooded his staff and increased the brilliance to reveal the steps below. Squinting at the sudden light, he soon gained comfort in one again seeing familiar faces and recognizing that the horrors he imagined were engraved in the walls were not there and were, in fact, just bare stone.
He stood quietly as the dwarves conversed on the course of action, he the light-bearer, and uneasily looked behind as talk of discovery from the rooms they have passed might pose a threat from behind.
It was not a great challenge to overcome the gap in the stairs and soon all the companions were standing at the foot. The new sub-level passage continued north into the darkness. It was absolutely still and quiet - this eased Turumarth's concern of the light emanating from his staff. Still, the darkness of Moria subdued the glow and seemed to want to devour it and return the world below to darkness.
Gumbo took the opportunity to search the area. The stone fragments were now easy to see that they had been a totem - thrown down and broken. It was also apparent that it was the weight of the stone totem, along with its fall down the stairs that had broken the missing steps. Continuing to look, the scattered bones were those of orcs. Amongst the litter lay old ruined weapons, armour, and something shiney caught the hobbits eye.
The light cast down the hallway but shadows quickly returned after some fifteen feet. Still, the companions could tell that the passage forked off in two directions.
The hobbit walked over to the shiny object, his approach could only be described as a staulk. He approached carefully and looked at it before he reached out to touch it. He also glanced at the passages as he did so. If there were in deed 42 steps there then the directions that the dwarven kin had, had quickly expired.
Gumbo came to the small item that caught the light from Turumarth's staff, and the halfling caught his breath. It was a gem - a sapphire to be certain - and it was set in a golden ring of some width. The ornate work showed that its craftsman had been one of great talent, to still have such beauty after so many years. Or did something, or someone, wear the treasure into these tunnels? And die here? For Gumbo could see the finger bone the ring still was wrapped about, although the rest of the hand, arm, and even body was scattered with the rest of the refuse in the hall.
Kori came up behind the hobbit, the other companions shuffling a few feet back. A look crossed the old craftsman face - one of desire and greed - but then it faded. He sighed, "Pray this is not the only treasures that remain in this city."
Nori then sounded out with a whispered cry, "Oy! Look Uncle!"
Where Nori pointed could be seen a sign written in Khuzdul. It had been scraped at and even washed over with foul-looking paint, but still its carved letters stood out. The Dwarven words were etched into the stone walls at the intersection of both passages - a street sign, perhaps? Kori read the old tongue, "It names this passage and the apartments that lay beyond... t'would seem that these two corridors follow on into an estate of some long-lost Dwarf-lord."
Kori sighed heavily, for he knew that the Vaults of Durin would not be located inside the home of some dwarf. "Those were not our stairs."
Behind them, at the top of the stairs, Idhriel quietly sat and listened.
:ooc:GAHHH!!! Hobbits finding rings in the darkis never good! :o
Gumbo reached down and picked up the ring. He examined it in the light of torch to see if there was anything written upon it and turned it over in his hand to feel its weight and get a better look at it.
"Aye, Captain, I doubt this is the way and while i am curious to find out more about the halls beyond this is perhaps not the time or excursion to explore around. Back to the hall then? or could the house of a Lord also be an office of some kind? we are close to the gate, a tax official maybe? One who would need weights and measures? then again if your sires were in charge of the official weights they wouldnt be used for everyday things and would be deeper and more secure than here so near the gate."
Gumbo peered ahead further down the hall to see if there was any indication that further push them one way or the other and then looked back up the stair.
"If this lay here," indicating the ring, "then the orcs do not come this way. this maybe a good spot to hole up and rest after looking ahead a bit further. Or we can proceed back to the hall."
:ooc: About how long has the party been going at this point Tomcat i dont recall?
:ooc: Funny you ask, Telcontar... I was going to bring up rest is needed. Anyway, it has only been a couple hours thus far inside Moria, and the day outside is at early dusk, but the stress on the company is causing you all to feel weariness. I was about to call for the first series of tests to stave off any effects.
Gumbo had a very good point. Kori was certain that no orc would leave such a treasure just lying about... but why was this are not inhabited? Or was the treasure laid there to ensnare any would-be interlopers? But then, why was the orc tribal totem cast down and shattered?
There was no sounds coming from any hall, but there was a sense of danger... but that had been the feeling since they had entered the ruined city. "Perhaps we should explore this manor and see what kind of defense it would allow," agreed the craftsman. "It would be good to have a base camp. And maybe there are items of old, still undisturbed, that may offer clues to locations within Moria."
Gumbo looked around again and was suddenly reminded of the barrow downs near his own home. "maybe there is a guardian here of your kin captain? Something that after all these years is still at its post and smashed this totem." Gumbo looked at the ring again. "It is good that we have some of Durin's kin with us. Let us camp here then after a closer look around. We need to at least identify the number and direction of routes that come to this stair. Let's move as a group and see what we find."
Gumbo looked around again and had the impression that the ring had something to do with this setting. he looked it over again for a name or identifier and then slipped it back into his pocket.
Vári gazed at the ring before Gumbo slipped it into his pocket; yet another treasure that the crafty Hobbit had obtained by simply walking the path ahead of the others... a wise decision for a treasure-hunter, he thought.
The young dwarf, in all honesty, cared little for Kori's family history; he wanted wealth, fame and the prestige that had never been his during his days in the army. Helping his kin would merely be a bonus. Nevertheless, this was a Dwarf-delving, and while he appreciated the Hobbit's boldness, cunning and even merry companionship... he did not finish the thought.
He wished no ill for Gumbo, but Vári promised to himself that soon, he would not leave all of Khazud-dum's spoils to the halfling...
:ooc: I liked both of your posts Shawn! Welcome back! ;)
:ooc: what else have i got? I dont remember finding anything else.
Speaking of which, Tomcat do we have a running tally of party treasure? like the stuff we left behind from the troll hoard or should one of us be keeping track of that stuff?
:ooc: I never wrote anything down, except what I listed in the posts... so, I will go back and collect those notes and put them in a consolidated list.
[EDIT:] Done.
But don't take any personal offense, Tom. I think it is just great the way the Dwarf is thinking... after all, they truly are a greedy bunch.
Question: Which passage do you guys want to take? The one that goes north, or the one that goes northwest?
Quote from: tomcat on Oct 15, 2009, 09:58 AM
But don't take any personal offense, Tom. I think it is just great the way the Dwarf is thinking... after all, they truly are a greedy bunch.
:ooc: Precisely. It was meant purely as an internal monologue... certainly not as any out-of-game complaint against any character/player. Vari has the Grasping flaw, and he's in Moria, a place told to be full of riches, and his greed gnaws at him sometimes. Sorry if I caused any consternation there, Telcontar. I was just trying to set a mood.
:ooc: No worries at all man! I knew it was all internal i was just trying to think of what else I may have picked up along the way. I remember the troll cave and telling Vari he could keep somethinng that he was all engrossed in and the treasure dispute in the woods. Gumbo is still a little peeved that the woodman who just showed up out of the blue walked off with the Short Sword he was interested in. But I am playing his blasie attitude off on his fey trait. I think PBeM is the perfect setting to be able to talk about the internal aspects of the character and really establish the traits and flaws. GRASP AWAY! I thought it was well done too and adds to the story. Still glad he is back there with his axe too, fey or not Gumbo is going places!
[Nori]
"if we want to hole up for a time lets check out the smaller passage to left first. It may be a small room that we can drop our gear in and then quickly explore the main route before setting up a watch."
"Sounds like a good idea," agreed Kori, and so once more, Gumbo took up a lead position and lead the company deeper into the dwarven house. They moved down the left passage and the light of Turumarth's staff lit the way, while behind them, the shadows quickly returned and draped the area where they once were back in darkness.
The company moved the length of 40' and came once more to a set of stairs that went down. Each of them made silent count of the stairs, but it was plain to see that there were too few. From the base of the stairs, they moved another twenty feet and suddenly the passage opened up into a small room measuring 15' by 15'. There was no furnishings, though there was evidence of habitation - an old fire pit blackened a portion of the floor, and straw lay strewn about. There were also small piles of remains. Some of the bones looked to be those of a medium-sided creature, or man, while others looked to be the skeletal remains of rodents. In the northwest corner was a door that still hung on hinges, though it looked ready to come down. There was no sound; no light; only the smell of death.
Kori shook suddenly with a chill, but then spoke, "This was a foyer. Whomever owned this home would have met his guests here before welcoming him into further chambers." The craftsman pointed at the door, "Through there should lead to bedchambers, dining and kitchen hall, and perhaps a forge."
As if the darkness was listening, the distant sound of hammer on anvil could be heard. The companions all drew up their weapons and turned about, listening, but none could pinpoint the direction from which the sound came... more it seemed as if they heard it within their own heads.
Back in the darkened hall where they had entered the dwarf estate, a darker form moved. It was on all fours, and it sniffed at the floor, drawing in the scent - the scent of the living. The scent of food. The shadow followed its nose and moved up the angled northwest passage.
:ooc: Just so you know, I'm still here. For some reason I wasn't getting email updates to this thread so wasn't aware that things were progressing. Sorry! I'll let you know shortly what
my char does.
Idhriel sat on her heels, bow in hand and head cocked, listening for long moments, straining to hear the voices that had descended the staircase below. She had only caught bits and pieces of the conversation. They seemed to be searching for something. She only hoped that this search would not awaken the hordes of orcs that lay hidden and plotting in these dark realms.
The loud crash at the bottom of the stairs moments earlier had sent her heart racing. Had the shadow's agents also heard this noise? Were they even now converging on this location? She peered around nervously for some time.
Hearing the sounds of the dwarves diminish into the blackness and not wanting to leave the small comfort the light brought from the tall one's staff, she made up her mind to descend the stairs and trail them at a distance.
After all, she reasoned, it wouldn't do any good to get caught here alone or to lose her way. There were at least two dwarves among the group. Surely they would know the way out. That firmed her resolve to follow all the more; for she was already beginning to feel somewhat disoriented with the crushing weight of the mountain all around where the glimmer of sun, or moon or star never reached.
She cautiously navigated the stairs, reaching the end where they tumbled away down below. Peering below she tried to move silently among the debris and leap lightly down below.
[Using Nimbleness TN 12 from your earlier post to not fall down the broken stair:
Roll(2d6)+3:
2,3,+3
Total:8
Ouch! Not sure if +4 acrobatics balance from Lightfootedness helps here or not. If not, she fails. Your call. The text below assumes she fails. Let me know the damage.
]
Idhriel gritted her teeth against the jarring blow, and then making sure she was only slightly bruised and scraped, she picked herself up, brushed off the dust, and listened intently for any sign of danger. Then she continued to move down the passageway.
Coming to the fork, she frowned for a moment and peered and listened down both passageways hoping for the tell-tale gleam of the light carried by the tall one that would indicate the direction they had gone.
:ooc: She'll stay at the fork until she's certain either by sight or sound of the party's location. Then she will cautiously move towards them. If she hears no dwarven voices or sees no light, she will study the tracks in the dust and make her decision based on that information.
Idhriel approached the second set of stairs and could hear the dwarves talking below, as well as see the soft glow of light. As she knelt there, a snuffling sound was suddenly evident, behind her - as a sniffing dog might sound on the chase.
:ooc: I may be able to get this engagement going while I am away, then I might not... I will see what I can do a little later today.
The instant Idhriel heard the sound behind her, her eyes went wide and she turned her head trying to see what was there. The darkness made it difficult and her imagination conjured up several distasteful aspects of what could be tracking them in the dark. She spun on her heel facing the threat and backed silently up against the side of the wall, hoping it would pass by her undetected.
Feeling that the beast was too close for bow work, she cautiously and quietly slung her bow on her back and slowly drew out two simple, yet well-made, elven scimitars. She slowed her breathing and concentrated on not moving a muscle. Not until the moment was right.
:ooc: She will try to stay motionless and hidden. Hopefully the "thing" will go towards the light and she can get behind it. If that isn't possible and she's discovered, she will drop down the stairs alerting the party of the danger, by saying both in common and then in elven, "Strike me not! I am a friend! Yet a shadow has tracked you in the dark! Be ready!", she'll then turn to face the stairway blades at the ready. Feel free to roll for me.
Nori's heart raced at the sound of the anvil. For a moment he believed that perhaps some of his kin still dwelled here, the hope quickly faded as the idea of the thought become more unlikely. Perhaps the halls remembered their former masters and were responding to their presence. He looked about eager to find out what the anvil sound was, and if it was goblins working one of the forges of his father's they would pay the price.
The elf saw the thing approaching her and she knew that it was aware of her presence. It was man-shaped, yet crawled on all fours like a beast, and it snuffed the ground with its nose. Still, Moria was too dark for her to get a true grasp of what it was. Was it a new breed of orc, unseen in the light of the world? Behind the thing, Idhriel saw others coming - more cautiously, but definitely following the lead creature.
Being lithe, she sprung off the top of the stairs to drop down to the base below, calling out an alert as she did. Idhriel first called in the common tongue of all Free-Folk, and then in her own tongue to let any fell-creature know that one of the high-folk was present. "Strike me not! I am a friend! Yet a shadow has tracked you in the dark! Be ready!"
Idhriel faced the stairs, blades at the ready. Suddenly, a large shadow leaped from above!
Nori looked about anxiously to discern the sound that all seemed to be hearing, but there was nothing in the quiet foyer. It was empty and sad, lost of any life that might have been present those many years past.
Suddenly, a voice called out in the dark hall from which they came... it was the voice of an elf. Caranmîr?
:ooc: give me some dialogue, but know I will be opening a round 1 combat thread. Feel free to give me your initiative rolls as well. Understand it will take all of round 1 for the company to go back up the hall, and the hall is only 7' wide at most (two combatants may stand and fight abreast with swinging weapons; polearm type weapons I will allow three, but if an enemy gets inside the pole length, you will have penalties to defend).
Lastly, we can go back to the old method of initiative rolling, which is you make me your init roll for the next round at the end of your current round post. Make sense? If any questions, let me know.
[Nori]
"An elf, here? Will wonders never cease. These halls recieve more traffic than I thought, these interlopers are defiling the halls of my fathers and we dwarves are forced to suffer such insluts." His tirade is cut off by the faint sound of drawn weapons, "It seems our fair footed companion drew out some of the beasts of the dark, my axe cries to the heavens and souls of my father's to avenge myself as muxh as possible while here. Come, back to the Hall!"
initiative 2d6+2= 11
[Gumbo]
Spun on his heels pivioting on his spear as he did so, the move was unnecessary but the Hobbit like to work a little flair into his work. He sensed another battle about the begin and that always stirred his blood. Dropping his helm back into place he took off back towards the hall. "Barruk Kaduk!"
initiative 2d6+3= 13