Entrance Hallway

4/1/2014

You are standing amid a rubble pile of scree, upturned dirt, broken branches, and massive trees snapped like twigs. The earthen mound which once covered the towering granite wall lies at your feet. Beyond the granite wall The Highwall Peaks extend into the eastern horizon.

An ornately carved stone doorway lies ajar. The entry is open just enough that a grown man might slip through with significant effort. Beyond the doorway, inky black darkness swallows the daylight.

A sense that the hallway was used to channel and expel enemies from this lair is overwhelming. The passage continues for several paces and turns sharply south. The southern arm of the hall extends only a few more paces.

With you are several other adventurers. It is quite apparent you were not trusted enough to carry out the mission alone. From their appearance it is clear these adventurers were gleaned from across the Realms. Some from places you never dared to venture, others from closer proximity to your home.

(Exits)
SOUTH: Attempt to open the simple wooden door
WEST: Open the door by pulling the leather strap
EXIT: Exit the Vaults by the stone doorway

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65 Comments

Andy Novocin link

3/31/2014 12:50:49 pm

OOC: Hi everyone, looking forward to exploring with you all.

Ptolmek Skarab

4/3/2014 06:20:23 am

A warrior emerges from the shadows of the entryway. Not particularly tall but with a compact, muscular build, the figure is clad in dark, old-fashioned plate armor and wields a mace crafted from dark steel and which possesses a very slight ethereal glow. He introduces himself as Ptolmek Skarab, mercenary and fighter, at your service.

Assuming no obvious foes are in sight, he will double move (5) From (B,2) ten paces east to (L, 2).

Erik Sweimler (Sir Jaidev Kaul)

4/1/2014 08:51:44 am

Standing 6'2" tall, Sir Jaidev Kaul is an imposing figure. A rough tumble of golden-blonde hair frames his predatory, feline face and falls to rest lightly on his broad shoulders. His proud expression defies the somewhat ramshackle nature of his appearance. Despite his battered and slightly rusted plate armor, he carries himself as though he wore the trappings of the King's own guard. Not sharing in the weather-worn look of this Mios warrior, a gleaming, gilded scimitar hangs proudly at his side. It would be clear to even the most unlearned onlooker that he takes great care of this weapon.

With a jaunty smirk and a toss of his thick hair, Sir Jaidev steps forward and puffs out his chest. "Well, no adventure worthy of Rakshasa's glory starts with timidity," he remarks casually. He turns and flashes a toothy grin to the rest of the group before heading off down the hallway.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/1/2014 10:41:54 am

Erik Sweimler (Sir Jaidev Kaul) -
Do you intend to Move for your 1. Primary Action, and for your 2. Movement both? If so - you can move the maximum Movement Points allowed for Sir Jaidev Kaul twice - 14 total spaces/tiles.
Please state Where you are moving to - C3 to Q3 ... '14 spaces' away.

Sir Jaidev Kaul

4/2/2014 07:44:55 am

OOC - Yes, my apologies. Full movement is my intended action. C3-Q3

Blackbird McAllister

4/1/2014 12:02:03 pm

Blackbird McAllister was under the impression he was sent on this mission alone. It would appear the University had some doubts about his honesty, and trustworthiness. Their mistake. However, now he found himself surrounded by strangers and he was expected to get along.

Never one to draw attention to himself, and not wanting to be the first to ignite discord in the newly assembled party, Blackbird began to walk off into the Vaults alone. He drew the thick cloak close to his body, and the hood up over his head. A curious spider slipping into his garments would do nothing to improve his disposition.

Move from F2 to R2 (12 tiles)
1) Perform an Action - (may be swapped for another move) - 6 tiles
2) Make a Movement - 6 tiles

Piker Silentall (Mark Belisle)

4/2/2014 08:48:28 am

Piker watches the two rugged, intimidating warriors as they stride down the hall and wonders if he hasn't bitten off a little more than he could rightfully chew. Suddenly the cheap tavern he'd been performing in to earn coin and ale didn't seem so bad. He'd do just about anything to be seated in the dark corner, strumming his lute and harmonizing with the auburn-haired barmaid as they sang about the widow in Hemlock Grove for the hundredth time.

He wanted adventure and to have stories to tell, true, but he never imagined it would be so... foreboding.

He rubs his beard and considers Jaidev's words. Would Piker's father have been so timid?

Perhaps the Mios warrior has a point.

"The gnomes of my village have a proverb," he says to the advancing figures of Jaidev and Blackbird as he clutches the dagger in his hand. "When it comes to adventures, let the tall ones go first."

His smile flashes like the blade of his dagger as he sets off to follow them down the corridor.

1) Move from D2 to J2
2) Move from J2 to P2

Piker Silentall (Mark Belisle)

4/2/2014 08:50:08 am

OOC: Best of luck gents. Hoping for a good game and a fantastic story!

Morcant Gunnar (Andy Novocin) link

4/2/2014 02:54:43 pm

Morcant's unique gifts cause him to be a bit stoic when meeting new people, at least at first. He looks around and takes in the scene. A flurry of colored auras show him a great deal about his fellow explorers. There is a healthy mix of nervousness and the faux-confidence that so often accompanies it with adventurers. Most of the group has various secrets, the hooded one in particular. Morcant will try to decipher more if he get's bored or he senses someone getting too aggressive with him. He notes several rats behind the left wall, three of which are in a sensual state of mind (or what passes for sensual in rat culture). There is a very uncomfortable spider travelling with the hooded figure. Sir Kaul shines brightly enough. Morcant will follow him for now, he seems likely to take the brunt of what lies ahead.

Action: Sense Intent
Movement: B2 to H2

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/3/2014 04:30:24 am

Morcant Gunnar - You are starting at position D3, so I will assume the same movement forward of 4 spaces to H3 - Correct?

Thanks for helping out with that clarity - AE Jackson

Morcant Gunnar (A Novo)

4/3/2014 05:06:48 am

OOC: This is very odd. When I looked at the map at first there was my coat of arms with a red dot in the top left space B2. This matches the thumbnail on this post so I used that for reference. When I zoom in today there are two additional coats of arms, my red dot was moved to B3. Now based on your question I assume that I never had the red dot but the other coat of arms which matches that was in C3 and is now in D3. If that is the one that I am then I move east by 6 spaces to J3.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/3/2014 06:46:04 am

OOC: Morcant, you are correct. The 'red dot' is associated with Beltin Hawklight - of the same House Carthorp. You can also click the map thumbnail and enlarge to full scale image.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/4/2014 01:38:49 am

Morcan Gunnar turns his gaze upon the passing figures, and those still lingering behind, in order to determine their true intentions.

Your action does succeed - please add 0:05 Focus Time Minutes to your 'Sense Motive' skill, and to the Wisdom attribute also.

However, he is unable to reveal any deeper thoughts or intentions of the party members than the shared objective. Everyone here - for the moment at least - is focused on discovering the whereabouts (and retrieval) of the Solid Quicksilver Miner's Pick of Legendary Dwarf Mason Glorgrim Morgyth!

Aiden Morax

4/3/2014 09:17:11 am

Aiden Morax tightens his thick cloak, maintains his silence, and strides along with the entire group.

(Double Movement E3 to I3, then on to M3.)

Aiyana

4/3/2014 09:21:06 am

Aiyana, of House Pedrinnor, followed the band of adventurers deeper into the Vaults.

(Double Movement from B3 to F3, then J3)

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/3/2014 09:22:36 am

Aiyana, You will collide with Morcant Gunnar at J3, I will place you at J2. This still allows you to make a full movement.

Akasha

4/3/2014 09:25:40 am

Akasha strides along, glancing over the other's equipment and stature. She moves swiftly and dextrously between the adventurers as she glides down the dark halls of the Vaults.

(Movement twice from E2 all the way to M2)

Beltin Hawklight

4/3/2014 09:32:56 am

Beltin Hawklight notices another member of House Carthorp and attempts to move closer, perhaps strike up an alliance or find a kindred spirit.

Sidling up to Morcant Gunnar - the young Ranger layed on his most charming voice and grreted the stranger with the cheer of a long lost brother. He attempted to gain information from Morcant - his lineage in House Carthorp, or even just about his recent past, and what brought Morcant on this journey.

1) Action Score: 1 = Gather Information (1)
2) Movement from C2 to I2

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/3/2014 09:39:24 am

Beltin Hawklight -
You have been moved on the map.

Your action does succeed - please add 0:05 Focus Time Minutes to your 'Get Information' skill, and to the Charisma attribute also.

Morcant Gunnar does not have a Bluff skill strong enough to fool you with information you already know about House Carthorp. However, you learn little more than he is willing to reveal in a brief conversational exchange. Namely - the Great University sought his aide in discovering the whereabouts (and retrieval) of the Solid Quicksilver Miner's Pick of Legendary Dwarf Mason Glorgrim Morgyth!

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/3/2014 09:51:11 pm

OOC:
Thank you again for taking part in the inaugural adventure titled 'The Secret Vaults of Kas the Betrayer'
The very first Round is complete - which means it's time for us to continue dungeon delving...

The current blog entry and map will encompass the whole first Encounter - which may take several Rounds to complete
Since there are no creatures, or NPCs for the GM to control - his turn is basically void this Round

That means it's your turn again! Reply to the main blog entry, and continue deeper into the legendary Vaults!
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions - please don't hesitate to contact the Game Master by email - [email protected]

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/5/2014 01:04:28 am

OOC: It is the Adventurer's Turn. Please post comments within 2 Days of the last GM Comment. Turns for this Round are due by Sunday, April 6 at Noon-ish. Thanks for taking your turn in a timely manner.

Sir Jaidev Kaul

4/5/2014 03:41:54 am

With nary a backward glance Sir Jaidev strides powerfully foward to the nearest door, pulling his gleaming scimitar from its sheath in a single fluid motion. Knees slightly bent, he looks almost eager to find a reason to use his weapon.

"Rahshasa's glory will crumble those unworthy to look upon it," he declares loudly, clearly intending to instill fear in anyone on the other side of the door.

With a smile ear to ear and a fanatical gleam in his eye he throws his weight into opening the door before him.

1) Move Q3-R7
2) Open the door!

Ptolmek Skarab

4/5/2014 05:00:40 am

The fighter clad in dark armor felt an unusual chill as the party proceeded into the Vaults, an untoward clamminess to his skin. The air tasted thick and dusty and his limbs felt dull and heavy, as if the place itself were protesting the intrusion of the living. Ptolmek regarded the others silently as they proceeded down the corridor. Could they be trusted? That remained to be seen. He hefted his dire mace in a vain attempt to stave off the vague sense of foreboding, but even its solidity could not dispel the feeling that they were unwelcome trespassers here.

OOC: orders Move 5 east to (Q, 2), then Move 1 SE and 3E to end at (R, 6) please.

Ptolmek Skarab

4/5/2014 05:04:08 am

Oops that should be M5 E, then M1 SE and M3 S.

Piker Silentall

4/5/2014 08:16:31 am

Something was wrong.

That much Piker could feel in the air. They were not welcome here and not even the Mio paladin's zealotry could dispel the sense of dread that was curdling in his stomach. He turns behind him and watches the other members of the party as the move ahead, taking special note of the human wizard and elven sorceress. We wonders what it would be like to sling spells instead of harmonies. Would he feel any more prepared than he did right now? He doubts it.

He walks down the corridor and turns to see Jaidev and Ptomlek framing the door. He watches as the paladin throws his weight against the door and decides maybe discretion is the better part of valor. He presses himself against a shadowy ensconce and allows his small stature to be swaddled in shadow, waiting to see what could be lying beyond the threshold.

1) Move 2 E to R2, then 3 S to R5
2) Use Stealth Skill to become hidden in shadow

Akasha

4/6/2014 11:28:11 am

Akasha saunters past a few of the strange hodgepodge of cohorts that have bogarted her quest. A crooked playful grin is all the interaction she can muster as she hears the metallic clang of armor echoing off the stone walls. She gently runs her fingers along the smooth walls as she decides to take a more subtle back seat to the inevitable commotion. After all, places like these don't lie around uninhabited for too long.

L2-S6 (is how far I would like to go, but I'm not %100 on how many movement I have, so as close as I can get is fine)

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/6/2014 11:38:57 am

OOC: Would any players be opposed to me posting a link to your Character Sheets for the world to see (publicly visible)? It might also be an easy, fast way for Players to reach their Character Sheets with a single click. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, AE Jackson

Piker Silentall (Mark Belisle)

4/6/2014 08:11:02 pm

OOC: I don't have any problem with that.

Morcant Gunnar

4/7/2014 03:38:31 am

Sure, sounds fine

Akasha

4/7/2014 05:08:47 am

I am fine with that kind sir!

Beltin Hawklight (Zack L)

4/7/2014 10:44:06 am

OOC: I'm ok with that.

Morcant Gunnar

4/7/2014 03:47:13 am

As the adventurers turn the corner and approach the first door the colors of their auras seem to simultaneously tend towards a darker orange. Morcant recognizes that there is a real chance of danger ahead. Without quite turning the corner he decides to do some calisthenics in order to nimble up in preparation for what might be behind the door.

Move to P3,
Stretch to increase dexterity

Beltin Hawklight (Zack L.)

4/7/2014 11:02:16 am

Beltin, relieved to have a connection to someone in this rag-tag group he wound up in, feels increasingly worried about the place he's ended up in. Beltin glaces at some of the more brash characters in the group and decides to let them lead the charge, sticking behind, but not lagging.
Move from I2 to N3 to O3

Blackbird McAllister

4/7/2014 11:17:16 am

Blackbird McAllister allows the others to take the lead, and stands at the ready next to Akasha.

1) Move R2 to S5
2) None

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/7/2014 11:34:41 am

Just beyond the corner, a large leather strap hangs from a brass orb embedded at the top of a closed wooden door. At the end of the hallway another closed wooden door bears a similar orb and leather strap - this one is affixed near the stone floor.

Sir Jaidev Kaul puts the full extend of his Strength into pulling on the leather strap in an attempt to open the Unlocked Strong Wooden Door. With ease, the door slides down, and embeds itself into the stone floor. Somewhere in the dark hallways beyond a slamming is heard which echos throughout the Vaults.

(OOC: Successful Action Sir Jaidev Kaul, please add 0:05 min to your Strength Ability Focus Time)

Ptolmek Skarab moved deftly along the corridor, always on guard, to shoulder along side Sir Jaidev Kaul as he opened the door.

Piker Silentall quickly darts between adventurers, and silently slips into the shadows. Whatever lies beyond the door will have to work doubly hard to see the small gnome as he hides in the shadows.

(OOC: Successful Action Piker Silentall, please add 0:05 min to your Stealth Skill and also Dexterity Ability Focus Time)

Akasha moves quickly into a position wherein she is both protected, and has the best view. A bit of a sadist... but then, everyone has their vices. With Jaidev and Ptolmek as living shields, she settles against the cold stone walls awaiting the worst.

(OOC: Akasha, you have 4 Movement Points total. Swapping an Action for another Movement nets you 8 spaces. And that's enough!)

Morcant Gunnar proceeds down the corridor and hears the grinding of the door slipping into it's stone sleeve. Followed closely by the echoing of what he could only assume was another door slamming far off in another chamber. Morcant let's caution be his guide, as he stands back, just shy of the corner.

Beltin Hawklight proceeded down the hall and edged up to Morcant Gunnar. Perhaps he can strike up a small conversation before whatever is lying in wait strikes! It would be good to know someone could carry word of his demise home...

Blackbird McAllister allows the others to take the lead, and stands at the ready next to Akasha. Aiden Morax, and Aiyana follow suit and close ranks with Morcant and Beltin.

OOC: Thus ends the GM's Turn, and Round 2. Please proceed with Round 3! Your Character Sheets are now linked to the Heraldric Shield which bears your name on the blog entry 'Meet The Adventurers'. This should give you a quick link to your Statistics, Attributes & Skill Ranks, as well as Equipment & Supernatural Powers.
http://www.realmsofadventures.com/1/post/2014/04/meet-the-adventurers.html

Sir Jaidev Kaul

4/9/2014 07:37:08 am

OOC: Does pulling down the door reveal what is behind it? My action will depend on what I see beyond the threshold.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/9/2014 10:01:17 am

OOC: At this time, your vision is severely limited. No one has lit a torch, or cast any illumination spell, or orb of fire ... nothing! You are creeping through the halls of the Vaults practically feeling your way along. Opening the door does not reveal what is beyond the threshold - stepping into the room might ...

Akasha

4/7/2014 06:13:09 pm

Akasha decides this whole ordeal is a bit too crowded. Glancing into the room on her way by she still has the mood urge to Sprint in and pillfer what may lie in the dimness being but she decides the rewards mat be greater if the herd is thinned. With a firm hold of her worn staff she heads Down to R14.

Akasha

4/8/2014 05:37:20 am

I really need to work in typos if I do this on my phone.

Blackbird McAllister

4/9/2014 10:05:04 am

Blackbird McAllister watches as Akasha begins to move down the darkened hallway. His curiosity peaked - he heads off to join her. It would appear that the two warriors have everything in control at the doorway.

Hearing something ahead - either behind the closed door, or in the walls - Blackbird hurries past Akasha and edges closer to the door.

1) Move and 2) Move to S17

Morcant Gunnar

4/9/2014 12:58:11 pm

Morcant Gunnar sees the earnestness in Mr. Hawklight, his compatriate, and diplomatically strikes up a conversation with him. Morcant wants to create favorable relations so that when decisions are needed he'll have more than one voice in the discussion.

He encourages the two of them to round the corner and observe the others.

1. use skill Diplomacy
2. move to S5 or closest reasonable free space

Piker Silentall

4/9/2014 11:34:57 pm

From the shadows, Piker watches the elf Akasha and the ranger Blackbird stride further down the hall. He remembers figures like her from the stories the old widow used to tell him, recognizes the subtle malevolence in her eyes. He vows to give that one a wide berth.

For the time being he might as well stay with the two warriors he'd been following. He slips between the two warriors and slides along the wall, watching the darkness in the room before him, searching for any movement that might betray a foe or trap.

"My blade may be small, but I will lend to you should we come to violence here!" Piker says to the two warriors at the threshold.

1) Move to O6
2) Use skill Diplomacy to converse with Ptomlek and Jaidev

Ptolmek Skarab

4/10/2014 06:55:04 am

The fighter squints into the gloomscape. He politely replies in a low quiet voice, tinged with an unfamiliar accent, some of the syllables sounding odd and archaic. "Glad to meet you, Mister Piker. Don't suppose you happened to bring a Lantern? It would be nice to see what we are dealing with here. I might be able to see a little from my weapon's witchlight."

Ptolmek Skarab readies himself to step into the room, weapon ready, giving Jaidev enough of a berth that he could in theory jump back to the doorway without colliding.

Orders: 1) M 1 west into the room. 2) Attempt to use the slight glow of enchanted mace to Look around.

Piker Silentall

4/11/2014 02:49:32 am

"I'm sorry Ptolmek, but once the University contacted me I wasn't given the time to procure the proper equipment for crypt spelunking," Piker says with a grin. "The only thing I could snatch up was a dagger and my strings."

He taps the antiquated lute on his back.

"Forgive me for saying so, but my gnomish eyes are sharper than your human ones. If we could get some kind of light in this chamber, I could relay what lays beyond the threshold to you."

Sir Jaidev Kaul

4/10/2014 07:40:13 am

"The glory of Rakshasa will light our way. I will show my ..." Jaidev's voice grows lower and trails off, and his words become a disconcerting mumble under his breath. His barely audible muttering runs on as he steps lithely into the darkened room. His feline eyes flash in the faint light of the glowing mace and scan the floor and walls carefully, looking for potential threats or some source of illumination.

1) Move R7-O8
2) Use skill Perception (or Spot as the DM sees fit) to look around the room.

Beltin Hawklight (Zack L.)

4/10/2014 08:03:16 am

The sounds coming from the doors worries Beltin. His wary nature had kept him alive thus far, and he wasn't about to go rushing into unnecessary danger. He didn't want to be disabled, however, he decided to run forward and get a good position with his bow.

Double movement O3 to R6 and then R6 to M6.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/11/2014 10:29:19 am

With a firm hold of her worn staff, Akasha moves quickly toward the darkened door at the end of the hallway. Curiosity getting the better of him, Blackbird hurries past Akasha and edges closer to the door.

Morcant Gunnar and Beltin Hawklight wait behind the corner, in relative safety, away from the unknown lurking in the dark room. Morcant leads the conversation to favor his will, and his Diplomacy moulds Hawklight like clay. Leading the young Carthorpian along, Morcant rounds the bend.

(OOC: Successful Action Morcant Gunnar, please add 0:05 min to your Diplomacy Skill and to your Charisma Ability Focus Times)

Piker Silentall slides between the warriors in an attempt to pierce the darkness and lend some aide to the adventuring party. As he passes, eyebrows raise and the two massive fighters look at one another in wonder. "My blade may be small, but I will lend to you should we come to violence here!" Piker declares as he enters the threshold.

(OOC: Successful Action Piker Silentall, please add 0:05 min to your Diplomacy Skill and to your Charisma Ability Focus Times - as a result of your action, the warriors are both impressed with your bravery and stealth.)

"Forgive me for saying so, but my gnomish eyes are sharper than your human ones." Piker turns his head and looks directly at Ptolmek. "If we could get some kind of light in this chamber, I could relay what lays beyond the threshold to you."

Edging slowly into the room, Ptolmek Skarab raises his enchanted mace and allows the glowing steel to enhance both of their vision - if only slightly.

(OOC: Successful Action Ptolmek Skarab, please add 0:05 min to your Steel Mace inventory item. Also, update the description of the item to reflect it's enchanted nature.)

The room is sparsely furnished with items befitting a captain of the guard. The walls are smooth granite, clearly carved by master masons. The floor is covered with rough hewn lumber planks that are aged and splintering.

In the center of the room a large oaken desk sits undisturbed. Along the western wall a row of thick leather coats and blacksmithing aprons hangs on wooden dowels. One of the dowels appears empty. A bunk bed is placed squarely in one corner.

"The glory of Rakshasa will light our way. I will show my ..." Sir Jaidev Kaul's voice grows lower and trails off, and his words become a disconcerting mumble under his breath.

(OOC: Successful Action Sir Jaidev Kaul, please add 0:05 min to your Spot Skill and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times.)

His feline eyes flash in the faint light of the glowing mace and scan the floor and walls carefully. The southern wall is home to a large bookshelf filled with a guard's watch logs and ledgers. There are no creatures visible in the room at this time.

Beltin Hawklight's watches Akasha and Blackbird slip into darkness toward the end of the hall. Relying on his wary nature he ran forward and positioned himself between the warriors with his bow drawn.

Aiden Morax, also tending to his nature, observed. And upon observing, strolled slowly ahead, putting himself in a position of advantage - so that no matter how either side of the party's query resulted - he would be safe.

The human fighter - Aiyana - noticed a certain confidence and stoicism in Aiden. She tended to align more with strong bodies rather than powerful minds, but thought it best to stick close to the Wizard for the time being.

OOC: Here ends the GM's Turn, and Round 3. Please proceed with Round 4! If any of you have feedback, suggestions, or questions - feel free to use OOC comments, or you can email me directly [email protected]

Ptolmek Skarab

4/12/2014 11:24:34 pm

<<"Forgive me for saying so, but my gnomish eyes are sharper than your human ones. If we could get some kind of light in this chamber, I could relay what lays beyond the threshold to you." said Piker.>>

Ptolmek replies in his strange guttural cadence. "Indeed, comrade. It would seem we have a guardroom here, but no guards. I suggest we inspect the room further, especially the desk and also the dowels. It is curious that one does not have a garment, perhaps the owner is presently wearing it. Or could it be a secret lever for a devious denizen? I'll keep an eye on the doorway if our more nimbled-fingered allies wish to search the shelves and desk?"

Piker Silentall

4/13/2014 11:56:22 pm

"Sounds like a plan, friend. Maybe I can take a look at bookcase and logs to see if we can find a journal explaining what the soldiers garrisoned here were guarding?"

Piker strides over to the bookcase and plucks a log from one of the lower shelves. His fingers graze the dusty surface and he scans the words printed there, looking for any type of useful information that could point the adventurers in the right direction.

1) Move to O12 (Or to the nearest bookcase
2) Search logs for information

Akasha

4/11/2014 11:22:54 am

Akasha walks confidently to R18, glancing at Blackbird she remarks "how nice of you to join me, you wouldn't happen to be both rich and susceptible to poison would you?" As a playful grin spreads across her dark face. The near blackness hides her hand as she gently reaches into his pack, holding his gaze with what little light reaches them, all the while she attempts to quietly remove the first thing her fingers can grasp.

Sir Jaidev Kaul

4/13/2014 06:25:50 am

Sir Jaidev furrows his brow as he strides easily into the room. The look on his face reflects almost disappointment that the room appears to be empty. "Look for anything we can use as a light source. The deeper we go the less I will be able to see," he commands forcefully.

1) Advance O8-I10
2) Use skill Perception (or spot) to observe the room. He is looking for dust (More specifically a lack of dust) to see if there is a regularly traveled path or commonly used item in this room.

Beltin Hawklight (Zack L.)

4/13/2014 12:00:51 pm

Beltin sees no obvious signs of danger, and relaxes visibly. He calls out "I'll go along and check out the desk and see if I can't figure anything out about this place. Maybe it'll give us a clue as to what's ahead."

Movement: M6 - J9 (or space closest to the desk)
Action: Search desk (gather information)

Morcant Gunnar

4/13/2014 12:02:21 pm

Observing the auras of the explorers in the fresh room Morcant notes that there is not an immediate danger. As the alertness and anticipation of the group converted into more greens blues and greys. Morcant moves closer to the desk in the center of the room and tries to perceive a candle on the officer's desk.

1. Move towards a reasonable spot in the center of the room.
2. Use skill "perceive" to search for a candle.

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/14/2014 11:01:16 am

Round 004 - GM Turn - Gatehouse.txt

Ptolmek Skarab replies to Piker Silentall, and glances down at the floor near the entrance of the room. Among the remnants of items that do remain in the Gatehouse, Ptolmek easily spots a fairly basic backpack. It's contents indicate that another adventurer had explored at least this far into the Vaults in the past. Inside he found a climber's kit, some iron rations, a flint and tender, two large empty sacks, and a battered crowbar.

(OOC: Ptolmek Skarab, as your comment suggested you were searching, I saw fit to equip you with a suitable find!)

He slung the pack up onto his back and turned his gaze toward the western wall. A row of thick leather coats and blacksmithing aprons hangs on wooden dowels here, and the empty dowel has caught Ptolmek's attention.

Piker Silentall proceeds toward the southern wall and the large bookshelf filled with a guard's watch logs and ledgers. Among the notes and ledgers he learns of a but more about the small band of outlaws who accompanied the infamous Dwarven Engraver Thonkas Magarum. It seems once the band of dwarves were sealed in the Vaults, little more than daily monotonous mundane rituals took place. These ledgers and logs record every shift change, meal prepared, and slight infection the outcasts encountered. They carry on for years, until one passage indicates Thonkas stopped the formalities that Dwarven custom dictates. He declared the group disbanded and simply allowed the dwarves to live on here, or leave, of their own free will.

(OOC: Successful Action Piker Silentall, please add 0:05 min to your Linguistics Skill and to your Intelligence Ability Focus Times - as a result of your action, you were able to quickly read through the outdated dwarven dialect contained within.)

Akasha walks confidently toward the closed door at the end of the hall. While engaging Blackbird she attempts to pick his pocket, but fumbles in the darkness. While the smooth movements of her hand go largely unnoticed, she is unsuccessful at pilfering anything at all.

(OOC: Failed Action Akasha, please add 0:15 min to your Sleight Of Hand Skill and to your Dexterity Ability Focus Times. You may update your Character Sheet with this new skill, however, you will continue to fail until you reach a Rank 1 in Sleight Of Hand.)

In his focused advancement into the room, Sir Jaidev Kaul completely misses the backpack obtained by Ptolmek Skarab. However, as the small gnome proceeds toward the bookshelf, Jaidev's eyes do notice an arc worn and scraped into the stone floor at the bookshelf's base.

(OOC: Successful Action Sir Jaidev Kaul, please add 0:05 min to your Perception Skill and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times.)

Beltin Hawklight approaches the desk in the center of the room and begins to search it's contents. Although he undertakes a thorough search, the desk yields nothing of importance. Except perhaps the antiquated inkwell which could fetch a small amount of gold at the market.

(OOC: Successful Action Beltin Hawklight, please add 0:05 min to your Search Skill and to your Intelligence Ability Focus Times. You may update your Character Sheet with this new skill, however, you will likely fail against significant Difficulty Ranks until you reach a Rank 1 in Search. The skill you attempted, Gather Information, is intended more for interacting with NPCs in conversation.)

Morcant Gunnar takes note of the shifting and flowing auras surrounding the explorers. Nothing in their auras, nor any object living or inanimate, indicates any danger tot he party. He follows young Beltin forward to the large oaken desk, and chuckles to himself. The measure of experience that some Carthorpians think is appropriate to impart upon their youth - before allowing them to enter the world - is astounding to him. He nimbly bends at the waist, and plucks a small desk candle and brass holder from the floor. The boy had passed the object near the door on his way to the room's center piece.

(OOC: Successful Action Morcant Gunnar, please add 0:05 min to your Perception Skill and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times. As a result of your action, you may include the small desk candle and brass holder to your inventory.)

Blackbird McAllister, Aiden Morax, and Aiyana remained stationary and observant this turn.

OOC: At this point, the GM has remained somewhat silent. There have been no creatures, or NPCs to control. So at this point the round ends and Round 5 begins!

Ptolmek Skarab

4/15/2014 08:58:59 am

Ptolmek Skarab will thoroughly search the backpack, and if no one objects will sling it onto his back.

Stoically he holds his mace aloft, still shining it into the room, prepared for any attack upon the party.

Squinting down the corridor he notes that someone has decided to press onward.... are they brave or simply foolhardy? Let the Gods decide, he thinks.

Actions this turn:

Remain vigilant at the doorway in case of anything sneaking up on those searching the guardroom.

Morcant Gunnar

4/15/2014 12:38:58 pm

Inspecting the candle sent Morcant into his own world. A distant memory came to him, vivid as the day it happened:

His father had taken him to a fair three towns from his own as a child. At this fair was a magician that Morcant saw illuminate a candle with his mind. When that magician lit the candle the magician's aura flashed from light green into a vibrant violet as it launched from the magician to the candle. The flame of the candle had been given a violet aura, one of the few times Morcant had seen an inanimate object with its own glow. When young Morcant yelped, "It's violet!" the magician gave him a knowing smile (and the others gave him odd looks). That moment was when Morcant knew that his gift could be made to impact the physical world, a goal of his ever since.

Here in the darkened room Morcant stared at the candle intensely, he tried to alter his own aura from light green to violet, in at least ten different ways. He thought of lilacs followed by flames, on another attempt he tried remembering his first kiss followed by thinking of the pain of a knife wound. Did he sense some sort of spark?

1. Attempt to produce flame (on candle wick)
2. Attempt to produce flame (on candle wick)

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/16/2014 10:29:18 am

OOC: I realize there was a tight turn around between the last GM Post and the Round Closing - Please get your turns in ASAP and I will honor them. Otherwise, your Character will sit idle this round, and you can jump back in on the Player Posts due April 18 - Thanks everyone! - AE Jackson

Piker Silentall

4/16/2014 11:31:45 am

Piker puts the book down and turns back to the doorway to talk to the other adventurers in the room. He relays the information he had found in the book and retreats back to the threshold of the room.

1) Move to M9

Beltin Hawklight

4/16/2014 12:24:59 pm

Upset with himself for having overlooked the candle, Beltin decides that he may as well take the inkwell with him, to pawn off after this whole mysterious adventure is finished. Slightly abashed, Beltin walks to Morcant and attempts to help him light the candle and shed some light on the room.

Move J9 to O9
Attempt to produce flame with Morcant Gunnar (on candle wick)
(OOC: I can't seem to edit my character sheet at all. If I could. I would add the search skill and add the inkwell to my inventory.)

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/17/2014 10:17:45 am

Heads up Players! GM Turn delayed - Please continue to post your Turns until the next Round closes on April 18. - Thanks, AE Jackson

Ptolmek Skarab

4/19/2014 03:26:30 am

Ptolmek notices the hulking Mios paladin across the room. Something with the bookshelf?

~Meanwhile, he thinks back to the scree-covered black mountains and murky swamps of his lost homeland.

Before it was swallowed by a furious Earth God in volcanic form. This God felt that the people of the land had turned too much to other Gods who received many tributes and blood sacrifices. Many of his people had taken spirit form then to left to travel beyond the veil of life. As had Aztealan his mate...She had gone with the other priestesses to safety only to perish with them all. Many years had passed where he wandered as a mercenary before finding his way to this particular expedition.

He remembered when, in a land across the red ocean, deep in a dead forest of stunted trees, at a forgotten chieftain's grave he had by accident disturbed the angry revenant which had then animated and attacked him wielding a black mace. Badly wounded and on
the verge of defeat he retreated through the underbrush. As the zombie in its bulky armor attempted to follow him beyond the circle of its tomb it halted then slowly retreated back to its lair.
This gave him an idea. Quickly he used his trail knife to cut several of the sturdier branches from the brush around him. He rapidly whittled these together to form a rough mat while sharpening several others and setting these aside. Using his shovel he dug a deep depression in the stinking mulch that comprised the soft earth just beyond the barrow and managed to make something of a pit. At the bottom he planted the sharpened sticks vertically and reinforced these with the dank clay. Finally he covered his trap with the
mat of branches and covered that in turn with brush. Ptolmek summoned his courage and returned to the grave. Once again his proximity caused the malign spirit to arise. Taunting the undead lord it followed him. But it was too close! The mace swung and hit Ptolmek in his left leg causing him to buckle to the ground. He scuttled backwards blindly feeling the first deep throb of pain clouding his mind. The zombie lord rose over him, a black shadow blotting out the twilight. He rolled backwards. Towards the pit.

Panickally he scrabbled for purchase stopping his roll at the last moment. Somehow in a stroke of fortune the zombie tripped over his cringing form, clumsily falling onto the thin mat concealing the trap and with a thwack was impaled on the spikes which had found a home between the black armor plates.

The spirit returned as an apparition, identifying itself as a Lord Volos who had been betrayed by a rival and cursed to unrest in his tomb until someone awoke and freed him. The spirit of Volos blessed him in his travels before vanishing again.

Ptolmek, always practical, and a decent climber, crawled down to the bottom of the pit where the remains of Volos were impaled on the spikes. They had not rent the hard armor, nor were there any bones. He collected the pieces of armor and the weapon. He discarded the tattered fragments of leather that were all that remained of his garments. As he put on the black plate mail, did he feel it *slither* as it molded itself to his torso?

Surely he was imagining things. Still, it fit perfectly. He raised the mace. It felt heavier than it should. But again perhaps he was just fatigued.

Only after he had marched far away from the barrow mound did he finally make camp....~

AE Jackson, Game Master

4/19/2014 03:36:45 am

Ptolmek Skarab remains vigilant at the doorway - in the event that anything sneaking up on the party in the guardroom can be spotted.

While inspecting the candle, Morcant becomes lost in a memory. As he stared at the candle intensely, Morcant tried to shift the auras he saw the same was the magician did to illuminate a candle with his mind. In the end, no spark - not even a sputter - erupted from the tiny wick.

(OOC: Two Failed Actions Morcant, please add 0:30 min to a newly attempted Produce Flame Memorized Spell and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times. You may update your Character Sheet with this new spell, however, you will continue to fail until you reach a Rank 1 in Produce Flame.)

Piker relays the information he found in the books and retreats back to the threshold of the room.

Beltin takes the inkwell, and approaches Morcant to help him light the candle.

(OOC: Failed Action Beltin, you lack any inventory item, skill, or spell sufficient in starting a flame.)

Aiden Morax, and Aiyana advance toward Blackbird and Akasha.

The other adventurers simply observe the situation and await some change in the configuration of the room.

OOC: This ends Round 5, and your next turn should be posted before midnight Monday, April 21. Consider interacting with the object in the Gatehouse - Ptolmek Skarab was on a hot lead, but neglected to follow through!

Ptolmek Skarab

4/19/2014 04:00:43 am

Something *was* still bothering him about this room. Ptolmek Skarab will inspect the series of wooden dowels on the west wall, particularly the one without a coat or apron hanging on it.

OOC: Yes was meaning to take a closer look at that thanks for the nudge- Josh

Morcant Gunnar

4/20/2014 11:47:10 pm

After failing to create fire, Morcant slowly looks back up and takes stock of the auras in the room. Recognizing a faint essence of fire related thought in Ptolmek drowned in the colors of a vivid memory, Morcant gets the notion that Ptolmek has found something which might help bring light to the room. He follows Ptolmek and diplomatically attempts to ask him for anything which could be used to light the candle.

1. Follow Ptolmek
2. Use Diplomacy to find a source of flame for the candle

OOC Andy

4/24/2014 05:20:26 am

OOC: In case anyone else was waiting for an email to this post, the GM posted to a new article and will for each turn from here on out.