The Secret Passage d20=14 Friday August 27th, 1999 6:21:58 PM
Milo successfully navigates the passage beyond the cabinet, descending via stairs to a landing situated next to an obvious sewer (the stench is rather powerful). A quick look around reveals no obvious exits -- it appears to be a deadend, with only openings to the left and right for the foul waters to flow through. Milo thinks he hears creaking sounds coming from upstream (to the left).
The Wine Cellar d20=11 Friday August 27th, 1999 6:23:51 PM
The Talons quickly make plans for exposing the rats to the blue gas. Whisps of the stuff can be seen to slip from under the door (there is an inch of clearance). No one has heard back from Milo yet.
Flueterflam Saturday August 28th, 1999 12:48:22 AM
Fluet walks up behind Olana as quietly as he can. Then he does the best imitation of a rat that he can. After all, no better time to make a joke then when everyone is nervous or tense. Assuming that she'll probably scream, he gets ready to place his hand over her mouth and quietly tell her that it was just him making a joke. He hopes that in won't put the two of them on ill-terms, but after worrying for a minute or two, he forgets about it anyway. Although if anyone catches a glimpse of his face, they'll notice a huge snicker.
Shadrach Saturday August 28th, 1999 11:55:26 AM
"Miiiilllllloooo?" Shad called nervously.
K'nara Sunday August 29th, 1999 11:15:03 AM
While she waits to hear back from Milo, K'nara's eyes peer around the room, searching for something like a length of cloth or the like to plug up any potential leak from this room out to the passage the group will sound all be in...
K'nara Sunday August 29th, 1999 11:18:55 AM
(OOC: sorry, that should read "soon" not "sound")
Ingrge Sunday August 29th, 1999 5:37:05 PM
Seeing K'nara looking at the gap and the blue mist, Ingrge says. K'nara in the top of my back pack is my extra cloak, go ahead and get it out. I would hate to have to put down the bow jsut when we might need it again.
Milo Monday August 30th, 1999 3:08:05 AM
Emerging silently from the secret passage, holding his nose, with a disgusted look on his face, "Its definitely a sewer. There didn't appear to be any other way around the water other than getting in. I'm not quite sure how deep it is, but I'd personally feel more comfortable if someone will give me a piggy back ride, or let me sit on their shoulders or something. Assuming you still want to go down that is..." Looking as perplexed as he is disgusted, "I did hear a strange creaking sound coming from upstream... I'm not sure what it was, but it may merit investigation anyhow."
Figment Monday August 30th, 1999 11:01:39 AM
"We committed to do this and we took money. We HAVE to do it. Either way we need to exterminate these rats. K'Nara, I think we're ready. And I wouldn't worry about the gas. This celler is huge. There's no way it's going to fill up.". He waits for the others to go down the stairs and then positions himself at the top - making sure to leave a space for K'Nara.
Blue Death Monday August 30th, 1999 12:17:15 PM
Once everyone is in the secret passage, one of the members sprints across the room, opens the door to the blue cloud, and quickly makes his/her way back to the others. As you watch the roiling cloud, it instantly slays all the trapped rats, and continues to spread throughout the wine cellar, although its outer edges extend only a few inches from the floor. Assuming that it is only deadly if breathed, the cloud shouldn't pose a problem to the party. On the otherhand, if touch alone is enough to kill..
Olana Monday August 30th, 1999 1:58:34 PM
Olana whirls around as Fluet makes the noise,blinking for half a second, and then - on discovering it was a trick - lets out a hushed, totally involuntary exclamation in elven, which if translated would mean something along the lines of "You hole in a squirrel's backside" (or words to that effect). Then - recovering her composure, a little shocked that she would utter such a thing, she grins. "Knock it off, Fluet," she says. Listening to Milo's report, she nods and says "Well - I don't think I'm big enough to carry you, but maybe I could go first." She then descends a couple of steps and waits for the others to finish blocking the door.
K'nara Monday August 30th, 1999 3:10:41 PM
K'nara sheathes her flaming sword (after extinguishing the fire, of course) and scrounges the cloak from Ingrge's pack, then puts her plan into action, opening the door between the outer cellar and the inner one before running for the secret passage. Once there, she hauls the cabinet back into place, quickly jamming the cloak into whatever gap may exist between the cabinet and the edges of the sewer side of the bottom of the portal. "Okay, then...let's go check out that creaking sound Milo heard--if we're lucky, it may be some kind of raft or something." The tall human bladesinger stands up, once more pulling her sword free and uttering the command word "Lucia" to ignite its flame. "I hope so--I don't relish the thought of--" here K'nara shudders, "--slogging through the sewer on foot."
Figment Monday August 30th, 1999 3:10:42 PM
"I'm not sure how much of this we need to deal with. It may be as simple as bricking up the entrance here with a reinforced wall - which I could engineer for the good lady. But I DO think we owe it to her to go down a bit". The well dressed mage grimaces at the idea of putting his finely tailored clothes through such an ordeal for a long time...
Flueterflam Monday August 30th, 1999 6:30:33 PM
At the thought of slugging through the sewers, Fluet makes an absolutely horrible face. "EEEWWwwwww...." he shudders. "Well, gotta do whatcha gotta do." He follows close to the others.
Ingrge Monday August 30th, 1999 9:15:34 PM
Looking over at Milo as he returns and tells of his forray, Ingrge wrinkles his nose and says. You know Milo, that smells an awful lot like Parnoth's dungeons and we got out of those and made a little cash as well so.... lead on.
Milo Tuesday August 31st, 1999 12:07:30 AM
To Ingrge as he is headed back down the passage with the rest of the group, "I don't mind the change, if we could just avoid the smell... I hope it isn't too deep."
Sewar Platform Tuesday August 31st, 1999 12:48:16 PM
Within a minute, the crew finds itself on a long stone walkway, bordering the open sewar canal. It appears that the passage is a dead-end, and water (along with less-savory items) fills the viaduct. You can all clearly hear the creak-squeaking noise that Milo reported earlier. You would guess that the sound is the scrap of wood on wood. The noise is fairly constant, and the smell is enough to nearly make you lose your lunch.
Figment Tuesday August 31st, 1999 2:49:54 PM
searches the wall as they decend to the water level looking for places where the rats could have escaped into without going swimming. "Where did all the rats go? I doubt they went swimming. Help me search the wall for hidden openings. Maybe we won't have to go swimming after all..."
Olana Tuesday August 31st, 1999 3:20:57 PM
Olana walks along the stone pathway slowly, trying to determine exactly where the sound is coming from.
K'nara Tuesday August 31st, 1999 5:37:28 PM
K'nara holds her sword high, letting the flames light the way for most of the party. "All right, then...I've heard that elves are supposed to be particularly good at looking for secret doors, so if Olana and Ingrge would be so kind as to do that, I know *I'd* appreciate it...meanwhile, Chuckles--" the warrior woman's head jerks towards Fluet, "--and I can check out that creaking sound...who knows, Fluet...maybe you can do your impression of a rat for ME--that is, IF you believe your reflexes are better than mine." K'nara waggles her eyebrows and waves her flaming sword in demonstration. (Who says fighters don't have a sense of humor?)
Shadrach Tuesday August 31st, 1999 5:37:29 PM
Shad stuck his trident into the water, testing the strength of the current and depth. "It's possible we could swim out of here..."
Ingrge d6=2 Tuesday August 31st, 1999 7:04:36 PM
As ingrge scuttles along the sewer passage he will let Milo and K'narra keep a look out for things and he will switch his attention to actively looking for hidden or secret openings.( succeeding if there are any)
Flueterflam Tuesday August 31st, 1999 8:54:09 PM
Smiling, "I'll help the best I can. But don't get me wrong, I have no doubt that you have better reflexes than me. Plus," he looks at his dagger, "I don't have sword, much less one that flames." Feeling small, he sheathes his dagger, and unslings his bow, nocks an arrow. Feeling as ready as ever, "I'm following you though."
Milo Tuesday August 31st, 1999 11:25:35 PM
Sheathing his short sword, Milo steps up closer to the ledge, peering upstream and then down. His gaze floats across the water and then travels up the wall towards the ceiling, checking it for any possible danger. Once he is satisfied that all is well at the moment, he keeps his eyes peeled for any possible danger to Ingrge as he traverses the narrow stone path.
Figment Wednesday September 1st, 1999 10:11:12 AM
continues to search for holes near the floor also checking for light, air, temperature differences. "There may not be a door per se. Maybe just a hole where rats could run through. That might imply an empty space on the other side. Some of our bigger compatriots might be able to break through if there is no door."
Shadrach Wednesday September 1st, 1999 2:57:48 PM
"Rats CAN swim, you know," Shad mentioned offhandedly. "That's how they desert sinking ships."
Sewage on My Mind (DM) Wednesday September 1st, 1999 6:32:42 PM
By the light of K'nara's sword, Shadrach does, in fact, notice several rats swimming in the swollen stream. Two promptly disappear as the massive jaws of an alligator close on the little squeakers, then the alligator in turn disappears under the strong current. The trident test reveals that the bottom is roughly 4 feet below the level of the walkway. K'nara, confirming Milo's earlier discovery, notes that the creaking noises originate from somewhere upstream (to the left), but what may be causing them lies beyond the sword's firelight. A minute is spent by various party members looking for secret openings or fresh breezes, and you are fairly certain that none exist.
Figment Thursday September 2nd, 1999 11:14:23 AM
"Well it looks like we travel into the rat and alligator infested waters. Keep to the side of the stream and someone - like Shad with his trident stay at the back and continually thrust it into the water continuously. Alligators are interested in food that doesn't bite back. He'll probably leave us alone preferring the rats I would think." He waits for the others to assemble and follows them into the muck.
Olana Thursday September 2nd, 1999 12:01:43 PM
"Alligators....." Olana whispers with a shudder. Biting her lip she begins to move slowly off to the left, sword drawn.
Milo Thursday September 2nd, 1999 12:28:56 PM
"I am NOT getting in that water... that is, unless I absolutely have to. That THING could have swallowed me whole...." Milo moves up the narrow side path, searching in earnest for another way out of this chamber. "There has to be another way..." swallowing hard, "At least, I hope so."
Flueterflam Thursday September 2nd, 1999 6:24:18 PM
"You have a point about the alligators. But the problem for us is that we don't know if the rats have been feeding the alligator to its satisfaction. So basically, lets not chance it if possible." As Fluet stands/walks, he keeps his nocked arrow pointed towards the water. If anything comes out moving in their general direction, he shoots at it.
Shadrach Thursday September 2nd, 1999 9:22:39 PM
Shad looked faintly amused at Figment's opinion of gators. He looked thoughtfully up and downstream. "The question, friends and neighbors, is do we wait here--and maybe get gassed or just go back up the stairs and tell Lady Colsum to get some workmen down here straightaway. Or do we brave giant rats and peckish alligators to get out, and if so, which way? Upstream, we got creaking. My guess is it's a watergate, a doohickey to prevent stuff from gettin' in. Downstream, is probably more sewers, and wherever the water comes out to."
Ingrge Thursday September 2nd, 1999 10:05:24 PM
having searched for other ways out Ingrge shakes his head and tells the group that he finds nothing and then rereadies his bow. I think we ought to check out the squeeking first and then go down if necessary.
Figment Friday September 3rd, 1999 12:21:33 PM
"I agree with Ingrige. But there is another possibility as well: We just walked out on a device or a being that produces a poisonous cloud. We didn't check out the pile of furniture yet. I suspect it was a trap. Well who set it? We also didn't search that huge wine cellar either - which yet may reveal other doors or passageways - or beings in hiding which are much worse than giant rats. But I would recommend we tie up this loose end first while we wait for the gas to dissipate."
Discussions (DM) Friday September 3rd, 1999 2:07:05 PM
The Talons debate the merits, with several good points being made. Ever so often, just beyond the light of the sword, you do spot eyes briefly look at you from the murky waters, before submerging. The steady creaking sound continues. You are certain that no other exits exist this way, unless you choose to wade the waist-deep (for humans) effluent.
K'nara Friday September 3rd, 1999 5:04:27 PM
K'nara shakes her filleted head. "Neither wading through a sewer nor braving the poison-filled room are good options...but let's see about that creaking noise first. I can go into the...ah...current first...you guys can wait and see about that alligator." The female fighter grits her teeth as she steels herself to step into the (ha! ha!) water. "I heartily suggest you have missile weapons ready...in case that gator decides that I'd make the perfect main course to those rodent h'or doeuvres!"
Figment Friday September 3rd, 1999 5:04:28 PM
prepares to cast. "I would suggest another fighter type go in with you. Two large targets is less inviting than one."
Olana Friday September 3rd, 1999 5:26:59 PM
At K'Nara's suggestion, Olana puts her sword away and readies her bow. "What an awful smelly place" she says, somewhat stating the obvious.
Shadrach Friday September 3rd, 1999 5:35:50 PM
"If I might volunteer? A trident is a better weapon in water than a sword, if I may say so."
Milo Friday September 3rd, 1999 6:10:00 PM
Grabbing a handful of darts from his pouch, "Pay attention to the motion of the water around your legs. You won't SEE the attack until its too late."
Ingrge Saturday September 4th, 1999 1:21:18 PM
Ingrge, already having his bow at the ready merely nods at K'narra's comments and then starts keeping a vigilant eye on the water and will fire immeiadtly upon seeing movement from anything larger than our rodent friends.
Flueterflam Sunday September 5th, 1999 10:49:09 AM
Knowing an attack could come from the front or back, Fluet shifts his gaze (and bow) back and forth across the water. If he sees any kind of difference in the water: movement or color, he shoots at it.
Mucking About (DM) d20=2 d20=8 Monday September 6th, 1999 8:07:43 PM
K'nara and Shad ease their way into the 'stew' of the canal, trying hard to think about what this will do to their clothing. Wading toward the noise, the two slog 60 feet upstream, and see a water wheel mounted to the side of the tunnel, with a metal shaft leading from the gear box, extending upward to a hole in the ceiling. You both realize that the device sits directly under the clock tower.
Flueterflam Monday September 6th, 1999 9:57:26 PM
"I don't like them being so far away." He looks to the others still around him for any thoughts. "Maybe we should follow them?"
Shadrach Monday September 6th, 1999 10:20:09 PM
Shad mused, "Well, now I know where to go to vandalize things." He looked up ahead trying to see a way out of the canal.
Olana Tuesday September 7th, 1999 11:12:16 AM
Olana bites her lip and frowns, eyes and ears straining ahead in an effort to see/hear what's going on. "I don't know Fluet - perhaps we should if they don't arrive back in a few moments."
Figment Tuesday September 7th, 1999 11:51:04 AM
calls up to the intrepid 2 "So what have you found? Don't tarry too long. It's not safe!". He prepares to join them if there is the slightest hint of attack.
K'nara Tuesday September 7th, 1999 3:55:17 PM
"There's a wheel...a great big wheel--I think it powers the clock in Madam Colsum's famous clock tower..." K'nara yells to the others above the sound of the noisome current. "...I don't know...there's a hole up here that we just might be able to go through...to get out of here...if there isn't any other way, that is..." The human bladesinger squinted upwards, trying to gage if there WAS room for a person to go in and out of that opening the shaft was disappearing into...
Milo Tuesday September 7th, 1999 4:49:26 PM
Yelling down the passage at Knara, "Well, if one of you want to come get me, cause the water is WAY to deep for me to wade, and swimming is nearly unthinkable, I'll take a look at the hole. Maybe I can get up there and toss down a rope or something."
Shadrach Tuesday September 7th, 1999 6:31:46 PM
If there was room, the big priest would trudge back and carry Milo on his shoulders.
A shaft in the hole, and the hole in the wall, and wheel...(DM) Tuesday September 7th, 1999 8:58:13 PM
Unfortunately, the gear shaft fills the majority of the hole, leaving an inch of clearance all around. The hole itself is so small, you doubt Milo could fit, regardless. Shad, looking down the tunnel, notices no obvious egress -- it is dark into the distance. K'nara feels something brush against her leg. The wheel continues its turning.
Figment Tuesday September 7th, 1999 8:58:14 PM
prepares to move into action - but waits. "If there is no obvious tunnels I would suggest our path lies behind us. Either way pull yourselves out of the water as quickly as you can. No need to tempt that big gator!"
Ingrge Tuesday September 7th, 1999 10:33:11 PM
Ingrge continues to watch
Olana Wednesday September 8th, 1999 1:42:16 PM
The elf, bow and arrow at the ready, glances back up the way they came, hoping that misty cloud hadn't managed to get through and come floating down, and then turns her attention to what's going on further up the passage. "Is it a dead end there, too?" she yells, "or does the stream go beyond the wheel?"
K'nara Wednesday September 8th, 1999 5:44:49 PM
The female fighter turned her head to warn Shad about not leaving quite yet, but then something brushed by one of her legs and she flinched, gripping her sword tighter and looking around quite sharply. Nothing. But, by then, Shad was more than halfway back to the others, so she shouted: "Shadrach is coming to get you, Milo--we'll have you search this contraption...maybe you can spot something we missed--and answer Olana's question after you check it out."
Milo Wednesday September 8th, 1999 5:44:50 PM
Milo's brows furrow in concentration as he watches the water, "Okay Knara... I'm game!" then whispering under his breath, "and lunch if this croc decides to make a move while I'm on Shadrach's back."
Piggy back, anyone? (DM) d20=5 d20=8 d20=1 Wednesday September 8th, 1999 6:19:03 PM
Shad quickly reaches Milo, and gives him a 'lift' back to the waiting wheel. As per Olana's request, the the three in the water have looked both ways in the tunnel, and spot narry an entrance. They (K'nara and company) once again inspect the water wheel, and see nothing special about it. It has been extremely well constructed, and is holding up well, despite it's many years of service. Back on dry land, the rest of the crew, checking for gas, detects none (of the blue variety, that is).
Figment Wednesday September 8th, 1999 6:19:04 PM
"You guys are pressing your luck in there! Wrap it up one way or another get out of the water!"
Shadrach Wednesday September 8th, 1999 10:15:42 PM
"Come on, Milo. We're not getting through there." To K'Nara, "We're going to have to move further up, to look for an opening. Or back down the other way. We should talk to the others, too." Shad carried Milo back, watching the water closely and moving along the sides. At the landing, Shad informed the others of the choices.
Flueterflam Wednesday September 8th, 1999 11:11:30 PM
"You know, we could always check to see if the gas, the blue kind that is, hasn't already dissipated. I mean, do we really need to find the hardest way out, if the easiest way out isn't blocked anymore?" He starts to walk towards the door they all came through. He holds his breathe and carefully, and quickly, opens the door, then closes it again. If nothing comes out, he'll open the door again and take a quick peek inside.
Figment Thursday September 9th, 1999 11:20:44 AM
"I agree with Fluet. There is nothing down here that would suggest anything is out of order. All I see is a landing that leads to the sewer for mantenance purposes and a vermin exterminator - who would probably not be here if somebody or something were using this entrance regualrly. One or the other of them would be gone. There may be more down here but I would be willing to bet that the room behind us is where our path lies. We were tasked to find out why and how the girl was killed and then to destroy it. There would be no bones if it were caused by the gator. Most likely she was overcome by the gas and then eaten by the large rats - which would imply that the cloud dissipates after a time. We need to find out how that gas cloud was created and disable it. We also need to search the remainder of the wine cellar. THEN if we find nothing perhaps we should consider searching the sewer. There is no sense in continuing to tempt that gator for most likely no gain. Please get out of the water guys.". The worries mage keeps an eye on Fluet as he opens the door.
K'nara Thursday September 9th, 1999 3:48:35 PM
K'nara wades back, following Shad & Milo. "Fluet's probably right--at least we can look to see if that blue gas is gone. If it is, we should check out the corner...or direction...or wherever it was...that it came from."
Shadrach Thursday September 9th, 1999 3:48:36 PM
Shad held his nose, watching the door. "What I keep wondering is why that gas thing is there anyway? It could be a stupid mistake, something left on, and unnoticed cause mostly the servants just get a bottle and leave before the gas spreads. Or it could be put there deliberately. Why would someone put a gas thing there? To hide something? To kill someone? Us? I guess we'll find out when we search that room..."
Olana Thursday September 9th, 1999 3:48:37 PM
The elf slings her bow over her shoulder for a moment, and helps Shad and K'Nara out of the water. "I seemed to remember the gas staying fairly low on the ground," she says. "So hopefully - if it does it's damage through inhaling, we might be okay. Although Milo will have to be more careful than the rest of us. With a bit of luck it will be gone." She moves cautiously back to the door, along with the others.
Milo Thursday September 9th, 1999 7:19:18 PM
After hopping off Shadrach's back, and replacing his darts, Milo draws his short sword and proceeds to cut a two inch strip off the bottom of his cloak. That done, he sheaths the sword and soaks the strip in water from one of his skins, tying it securely around his face, covering his nose and mouth. Finally he assumes a position towards the rear of the group, furthest away from the door.
Ingrge Thursday September 9th, 1999 8:48:46 PM
keeping an eye on the waders and the water ingrge merely grunts in assent to the plan to leave the sewer and to check out the cellar more closely
Back to the Wine Cellar (DM) Thursday September 9th, 1999 10:37:15 PM
Fluet opens the cabinet, and discovers a room full of dead rats scattered here and there. Some patches of the blue cloud still linger in a couple of areas, but the way to the initial cellar room is clear.
Milo Friday September 10th, 1999 11:50:49 AM
Seeing that the room is somewhat clear, Milo cautiously proceeds in, checking for traps the entire way. Lifting up the cloth from around his face briefly, "Careful as you come is guys, I'm gonna try and find out where that blue gas came from... Following the theory that the path of most resistance is generally the way you want to go." With that, he replaces the moist cloth and begins a careful search.
Olana Friday September 10th, 1999 12:26:59 PM
The elf steps back into the cellar carefully, looking around for something they might have missed....hidden doors, anything....
Shadrach Friday September 10th, 1999 5:05:06 PM
Shad checked to make sure a rat was actually dead from the gas, not asleep. "Milo, the trap might've been set off by the door or steps we came down too."
Ingrge Friday September 10th, 1999 11:36:30 PM
Waiting until everyone is back into the room from the sewer, ingrge will then use iron spikes and rop to try and secure the door so that no one can come up on them from the sewers.
K'nara Sunday September 12th, 1999 1:44:56 PM
K'nara utters the magic phrase for her sword to put out its flame, sheathes it and then takes up the spare cloak that had imperfectly sealed the passage from the cellar. As Ingrge pulls the cabinet into place and then secures it, she idly folds up the garment and looks around the room, also searching for...well...anything...
Flueterflam Sunday September 12th, 1999 10:02:01 PM
"Well, at least we're not in the bad smelling sewer anymore." Fluet then carefully focuses all his attention on the ground, looking for some kind of switch or panel that could have triggered the gas. Although he's careful not to walk over most of the ground (just in case).
The Cellars (DM) Sunday September 12th, 1999 10:44:11 PM
Shad notices that the rats are very much dead. Fluet (scouring the floor, and trying hard not to step on any hidden triggers) makes his way back to the stair case, underneath which is the pile of furniture, and the origin of the blue cloud. A minute of moving the chairs and tables around reveals a cabinet, which seems to bear the most staining from the cloud. A definite ticking sound eminates from within. The rest of the group, looking around for other secret passages, doesn't spot any this round, although there are a couple of mighty fine wines in one of the racks...
Figment d20=13 Monday September 13th, 1999 10:42:02 AM
examines the rats. He tries to remember as he watched the rats die now twice. Did they die when the gas touched them or when they actually breathed it (made intelligence check) - or was it too close to call? He walks the length of the cellar looking for stones in the walls that might be sticking in or out too far, or cracks not caused by age. And he admires the fine wine as would any chef... of course. As Fluet move furniture he moves over to the door to make sure he is OK.
Milo Monday September 13th, 1999 2:55:18 PM
Thinking to himself, "MMM...mmmm I just can't help myself... or rather, I can!!" Milo stands quietly out of the way as the remainder of the group moves about the room. As soon as he believes that everyone's attention is diverted towards the furniture moving and such, he slips one of the finer vintages into his backpack, securing it so it won't rattle.
Shadrach Monday September 13th, 1999 8:52:56 PM
"Call me crazy, Fluet, but I think opening things is Milo's specialty."
Flueterflam Monday September 13th, 1999 9:16:28 PM
"ummm...hey guys, over here." He backs away a bit when he hears the ticking. Then, he gets courage enough to explore where the ticking is coming from. "Whatever it is I hear, we better hurry up and find it, I'm afraid if we don't, then the blue cloud will wreak its havok again."
Tick Tock (DM) d20=5 d100=64 d20=13 Tuesday September 14th, 1999 12:17:44 AM
One of the doors to the cabinet is slightly ajar, and Fluet, peering in, glimpses an intricate clock. Pulling the door open a little, he notices that a track is leading from the base of the clock, over to a broken crystal sphere. Some type of tiny metal man, holding a hammer, has apparently slid from the base of the clock, over to the ball, and broken it. Traces of blue are all over the crystal. The time on the clock shows 15 minutes after 12.
Bottle Thief (DM) d100=38 Tuesday September 14th, 1999 12:19:51 AM
Milo nabs the bottle with none the wiser. Glancing at the bottle, he knows this one could easily fetch 75 gp, but of course, that assumes it manages to get to market before being consumed...
Olana Tuesday September 14th, 1999 12:45:06 AM
On her search, Olana happens to pass by the cupboard. "Ooh.. are there more of those blue spheres in there? If there is and we took them away - then we wouldn't run the risk of another gas attack," she says, once again, a master of the obvious statement. "I wonder who set all that up, do you suppose?"
K'nara Tuesday September 14th, 1999 2:13:27 AM
K'nara kneeled down and frowned at the mechanical device. "Someone good with clocks, I should think." she answered Olana's question. "Hmmm...fifteen minutes after twelve...call me crazy, but wasn't our esteemed Madam Colsum rather insistent about the fact that we HAD to be here a 12 o'clock sharp..?" A nasty ol' suspicion rears its tiny little ugly head in the back of K'nara's mind. "Spread out...and search EVERYwhere--*both* rooms! We're looking for anything unusual, of course..." The human bladesinger's face is grim.
Figment Tuesday September 14th, 1999 10:21:46 AM
"Actually, K'Nara, her exact words were '...after the noon meal...'. I doubt she is in on this. But I also doubt it has anything to do with wererats from the sewer. I don't think they would be capable of constructing such a device. I am concerned that someone in her household would be a party in this, though. Perhaps Heuse - or someone else. I wonder why such sabotage - if that is what it is - would be beneficial? Perhaps revenge, or money? Of course, we can't rule out that someone outside is working against the Colsum estate - either randomly or by design. Let's see what our search yields.". The mage scrutinizes the clock for markings. Anything that might reveal the maker of the clock. He then moves up the cellar stairs to the door and listens out into the house. He examines the door and the area around it to see if he can detect any recent repairs - such as the addition of hardware or wood (architecture NWP). He looks at the ceiling and upper walls for any holes or cracks that could betray a listening post - to see if they are being spied on manually. He also wonders if his examination of the wine room yielded any new information.
Milo Tuesday September 14th, 1999 12:18:50 PM
With no risk of being exposed to the blue gas, Milo pulls the cloth from around his mouth and nose, discarding it to the side. Being curious about such devices, Milo walks across the room to where the clock is and begins a thorough investigation of its workings. He even goes so far as to begin to take it apart, a task that he treats with the utmost care. "Gimme a sec guys and I'll tell what makes this trap tick." Milo turns and grins at the group before continuing with his work.
Shadrach Tuesday September 14th, 1999 3:06:31 PM
Shad watched the sewer entrance suspiciously. "Figment old buddy, none of those rats were wererats. They woulda been a lot more trouble. That gas-trap is too sophisticated and pretty. There's a human, or non-monster agency behind this. Lady Colsumn definitly was worried about something she wasn't telling. She said there's been SOUNDS and ruckus coming from here. I think somebody's been using this cellar for funny business. But we ain't got time to sit and wait."
Ingrge Tuesday September 14th, 1999 10:25:17 PM
Ingrge puts away his bow and wanders up to K'nara and states If there is no easy access from the sewers and it isnt someone from Madam Colsum's retinue, then it stands to reason that there is another way into this cellar. If there is no other entrance into the cellar either we missed something in the sewer or it is someone in her household that is behind all this. I would like to know who the were rat theory originated with and who has access to any blueprints of this property?
Cellar Discoveries (DM) Tuesday September 14th, 1999 11:18:02 PM
Figment and Milo, looking at the clock, see that a master craftsman put it together. No more blue balls are present. Figment, listening to the door upstairs, hears nary a sound. He's certain that there is no recent construction, and no spy-holes are located. The rest of the group spends a few minutes banging around, checking for other egresses, and come up empty-handed. Figment, thinking back, is not sure at what point the rats died -- it could have been contact poison or inhaled poison in the cloud. Milo, finishing up with the clock, determines that it was set to go off either when the clock struck 12, or when the cabinet door was opened.
Figment Wednesday September 15th, 1999 11:43:02 AM
"So here's what we know so far: A woman came down here and did not return, Heuse was dispatched to find her, he found her bones presumably cleaned by the rats, the door was barred, noises have since been heard, the door was opened for us (we assumed it had not been opened since, I don't think that was ever said), a trap was set to go off down here around our time of arrival down here. Since then we discover that the only other access is through the sewers - at least so far...". Figment moves into the wine cellar and begins walking the walls getting an idea of how big the cellar really is. Seeing what's in it.
Milo Wednesday September 15th, 1999 12:10:49 PM
Listening intently to Figment... "Wow, did you guys get on someone's bad side or what... If we can't find another way out of here, I'd say that someone just tried to assassinate us." Scratching at his temple... "Ya know, this clock was pretty well made, so was that clock tower... I wonder if they share a common craftsman?"
Shadrach Wednesday September 15th, 1999 12:46:32 PM
Shad smiled. "The cupboard that led to the sewer was designed to be secret. That's the secret door they've been using. Which means they've been entering from some other place in the sewer. We'll have to go back up and down the sewer to find where they came in."
Olana Wednesday September 15th, 1999 3:11:55 PM
Olana looks at Shad like he's gone nuts for a moment, and then sighs resignedly. "I just wish it didn't smell so bad down there," she says, wrinking her finely tuned elven nostrils. Preparing to go back down, she adds "I wonder why people are trying to get in here anyway? I mean there's only a few bottles of wine to be had - unless they have contacts in the House above. Maybe it's some kind of smuggling ring, and if it's the sewer they're coming along - I bet they have a boat. I sincerely hope there's no underwater channels or anything - wouldn't want to traverse those under any circumstances."
Flueterflam Wednesday September 15th, 1999 7:19:26 PM
"We're obviously dealing with someone who like riddles. Not to mention someone who has some interest in clocks. For, if I recall correctly, K'nara and Shad, you said there was some kind of giant clock in the sewer, right?" He pauses to think for a moment. "Now the big question is, how do all the facts relate? That's more important that any specifics. I mean, why put us through all this trouble?"
Ingrge Wednesday September 15th, 1999 7:27:46 PM
With a wry look in his eye and a sound like a chuckle, Ingrge looks up at Fluet's Why Us question and simply says, because it is out TIME. Turning to Milo, he asks can you rig up some sort of non-lethal, marking device on that chest should someone want to retrieve the clock or reset it? You know something that wont come off for a while so that we can identify the person(s) that mess with the clock?
Clockwork Blue (DM) Thursday September 16th, 1999 7:15:04 AM
The group discusses theories and paths of investigation.
Figment Thursday September 16th, 1999 10:49:52 AM
still wonders what his search of the wine cellar walls turned up. As he continues to search and listen to the other theories he turns his focus to the wine racks. He counts them and makes an assessment of how full they are (i.e. If many bottles are missing). He also looks for broken bottles - anything to suggest a pattern of activity. The thoughtful mage then moves back to the smaller room. "I wonder how this furniture was arranged? Was it piled here by the household or was it piled up by somebody else to hide this clock? Remember they heard noise down here. Maybe the piling up of the furniture is what was heard. Maybe the fact that the bomb was set to go off at 12 was a coincidence? Probably not...". Following his line of logic he asks another question "Milo, did you check to see if the clock was rigged to go off when someone came down the stairs? Perhaps the clock didn't start ticking until we began to decend? That would suggest that the house members are not involved because the clock would just begin ticking when the bomb was triggered. And what better place to set the clock but at 12? Let's not hurry back into the sewer. It might, in fact, be better to wait in hiding here for whoever is using the basement. A stakeout so to speak."
Milo Thursday September 16th, 1999 12:29:58 PM
"Well, Mr. Figment, I'm sure you know your business... magic and all, but see here," Milo directs his attention to the clock, "There are two triggers, one when the clock strikes 12, and the other goes if some unfortunate opens the door. So the whole experiment is set to go for certain, unless you hear the tick tock...tick tock, and investigate, catching the poison right in the face." Clearing his throat ..."However, if someone has ink with them, I believe that I can rig it up so that anyone grabbing the handle, or handling the clock itself, will mark themselves with the ink."
Shadrach Thursday September 16th, 1999 2:46:33 PM
He rolled his eyes. "That trap seemed pretty well designed to KILL, not leave riddles. And, yeah, the safest course would be to sit and wait for the bad guys to use the cellar again. But our employer seemed to want a solution before her party tonight? Why don't we split up? Some of us search for clues in the sewer, while others hide here?"
K'nara Thursday September 16th, 1999 3:59:58 PM
The fighter's fileted head bobs once. "Sounds good, Milo--do that." Meanwhile she thinks about Figment's suggestion of a stakeout, then shakes her head. "No offense, Figment--but everyone in the house KNOWS we're in here, so the stakeout won't catch anyone from there, really...Milo's counter-trap MIGHT, but it's a long shot. No--I think that Madam Colsum has to be involved in this somehow, as both the tower and this clock are on her property...and SHE is the one who hired us. Call me paranoid, but we were originally 'hired' by a less-than-honest dragon, so it wouldn't surprise me if we got a less-than-honest human employer THIS time around, either." K'nara frowns fiercely. "However, after Milo is finished, I think we ought to go check out the other end of the sewer passage...we already know that there is no way to get past the stuff that powers the giant clock in the tower."
Ingrge Thursday September 16th, 1999 4:39:58 PM
Watching and listening, Ingrge too is puzzled by the pile of furniture and carefully works his way around all edges of the pile looking to see if any of it appears to have been moved recently(looking for broken cobwebs, scuff marks on the floor,stirred up dust from a misplaced hand, etc)
Figment Thursday September 16th, 1999 4:47:32 PM
"The household knows we walked into a trap - if indeed they are the ones who set it. I would expect they will check on it soon - at least by tomorrow. But you ARE correct in saying we are on a tight schedule. If we can't find another entrance then the sewer is probably the answer. I doubt that Madame Colsum is actually involved, though. It would make no sense to lure an able group to her basement and try to kill them. Too much chance of failure. One or two maybe - but 8? Not likely. Now if it were someone else in the household it would make sense - if they were trying to hide something. Maybe they are in collusion with an outside interest? Perhaps the answer lies in treachery from within and opportunism from without? A likely possibility. Let's let Milo set his ink trap and the rest of us go over the rooms with a fine toothed comb. And don't forget to check the floor and ceiling. Then if we come up empty we hit the sewers. Too bad it would blow our cover if we went back up. We might get a small boat.". Figment also looks around the cellar for anything that could be used as a boat.
Olana Thursday September 16th, 1999 7:16:07 PM
The elf listens to the others for a moment, and then starts off back down the stairs to the sewer.
Searching for...(DM) d100=15 d100=61 d20=13 d20=18 Thursday September 16th, 1999 7:33:41 PM
Ingrge notes that the furniture must have been moved recently, due to the lack of cobwebs. Olana heads for the stairs to the sewar. Milo finishes resetting the trap. The rest of the crew fans out, checking the wine cellar. No particular area seems to be picked-over more than others...there are plenty of wine bottles in the racks. There is enough wood (if you break up the racks) to rope a raft together. You are definite in your assessment that there are no other entrances to the cellars.
Ingrge Thursday September 16th, 1999 10:41:07 PM
looking at the furniture and the racks Ingre asks the group if anyone knows how to make a raft that wont sink the moment they set foot on it?
Figment Thursday September 16th, 1999 10:41:08 PM
carefully sets the wine bottles onto the floor and sets to tearing up the racks into raft size pieces. "I design buildings, bridges and the like - never done a raft before - but it shouldn't be too hard if we all pitch in."
Figment Thursday September 16th, 1999 10:41:09 PM
As he works he has another thought. "Hey, I bet I know what might be afoot here - or at least it's a possibilty. There is going to be a huge party here tonight with all the richest people in the city in attendance. Could it be that someone might be planning a heist tonight? Maybe our butler friend Heuse is setting something up with an outside group. They enter through the basement, the door 'magically' isn't barred, they come in and help themselves to mountains of jewelry and other goods, and then make their escape... not a bad plan if that was your kind of thing."
Olana Friday September 17th, 1999 3:33:54 PM
On hearing Ingrge and Figment talking of building a raft, the elf returns to the room. "Good idea...I'll help," she says, doing what she can, as quickly as possible. Nodding as Figment discusses the possibility of a robbery, she grins. "Well Figment - if that's the case - then they're in for a surprise, aren't they," she says with a wink.
Milo Friday September 17th, 1999 4:55:07 PM
Moving over to help with the raft as well... "Nice theory, but they wouldn't even have to go into the house to make the haul... this wine alone," Milo motions towards the bottles, "is worth a fortune."
Figment Friday September 17th, 1999 4:55:08 PM
"Unless there is something specific they are after. A 'big score' of some kind. Oh well, I guess we'll find out soon enough."
Shadrach Sunday September 19th, 1999 9:48:57 AM
Shad looked at Figment with an open mouth. "That's so ORDINARY...I never would've guessed." He looks thoughtful. "Remember that the tunnel kept going past the clock tower, K'nara."
Flueterflam Sunday September 19th, 1999 12:46:51 PM
Fluet zones out into his own world. Everything that has happened during the recent events circles around his head. He suddenly feels very alone for no apparent reason. The thought of the sewer again isn't appealing one bit to him.
K'nara Monday September 20th, 1999 1:44:31 PM
The chesnut-haired warrior nodded to Shad. "We'll have to explore both ways. So shall we take the path of least resistance (downstream) or make our way up the sewer (upstream)?" K'nara asks, looking around for something to make several oars out of while the raft is being crafted...
Figment Monday September 20th, 1999 1:44:32 PM
"I would suggest upstream. If it's a heist they will be putting in upstream and when its over they'll probably be getting out downstream. So that would make it more likely for them to currently be upstream. Unless I'm wrong and it's really wererats...".
Creaks and Squeaks (DM) d20=18 d20=5 d20=18 d20=7 Monday September 20th, 1999 6:06:14 PM
Above the racket of dismantling the wine racks for a raft, Milo's sharp ears pick out the definite sound of the door at the top of the cellar stairs (leading to the ground level of the mansion -- the door ya'll originally came through) opening up, and then quickly slam shut.
Milo Monday September 20th, 1999 6:36:22 PM
Quick as a whip, Milo jumps up from where he is and dashes up the stairs in order to investigate the interloper. As he reaches the top of the stairs, he turns ever-so-briefly, "They weren't supposed to open this door until we knocked... so who was that." With that he grabs the door handle and gives a tug.
Ingrge Monday September 20th, 1999 8:47:28 PM
As Milo jumps up and races toward the stairs, Ingrgequickly grabs his bow and follows at a distance so as to easily cover Milo but not be easily overcome should something try to jump the halfling.
Olana Monday September 20th, 1999 10:02:16 PM
Seeing Milo, and then Ingrge disappear back up the stairs, Olana stops what she is doing. "Looks like we might have trouble," she says to the others, and moves toward the steps.
Figment Monday September 20th, 1999 10:02:17 PM
"So we have half of the equation. I suggest we don't let them escape or they may warn the other half of the conspiracy if there is one.". Figment joins the chase but defers to the fighter types to ascend first.
K'nara Tuesday September 21st, 1999 8:29:40 AM
"Milo--is that door locked? If it is, open it--" K'nara barks, sprinting up the stairs, too, "--if not, get out of the way..!" The female fighter's face is set into determined lines...she wants answers, and she's going to get them if she has to break down the door..!
Shadrach Tuesday September 21st, 1999 1:45:04 PM
Shad exhales and rolls his eyes, following the others. "Before you guys start slapping one of the servants around for being too curious, remember that we do NOT know who the bad guys are. And we shouldn't go offending our hostess. If you REALLY don't care about that, we might as well give the money back and get out of here."
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