It was "pushing close to noon for entering the tower," acc. to post 699. But if it's still only mid-morning, "By all means, let us see what we might find in the ruined town," says Sir Thoroncir.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
It was "pushing close to noon for entering the tower," acc. to post 699. But if it's still only mid-morning, "By all means, let us see what we might find in the ruined town," says Sir Thoroncir.Quote:
Originally posted by What Exit?
Correction the Time is around 1pm. Barring corrections, I am saying it is April 3rd now and around 1:00pm.
Gil-Gandel and others know sunset is around 6:20 PM. Sunrise should be around 5:30 AM.
This leaves 5+ hours of daylight. So figure 4+ hours of searching.
Thank you for the clarification, WE?.
Thoroncir agrees that the proposed plan is a sound one, and he supports it. Perhaps the party might have a late lunch to keep its strength up before leaving the vicinity of the ruined stone building.
Deor will agree with the rest of the group- let's keep on looking.
Yes, indeed. If there is a bite to eat then by all means let's take it, but keep an eye and ear out at all times. Then, as usual, form up the heavy hitters and magicians, and carry on in open order with the scouts out. Let's be careful out there.
Mulligan and Rorimac are beginning to wonder if Thoroncir is half hobbit. Let's see, a desire to impetuously run after ghosts into the dark and now a voiced desire for lunch before anyone else. Hmmm.
The party eats a fast repast and approach the outer gate building at about 1:30pm. They pass the newer section and see the curtain walls are mostly rubble and the towers are in terrible shape. The walls of the gate area are still standing tall at about a 25'.
At the first gate the party sees strange wooden structures set up. Tall strong posts about 9' high with crossbars about 2 feet up and 8 feet up. They look oddly a bit rusty. Sala shudders and says, "That is where the sacrifices are made and the undead feast." He pulls out his rough map again.
The gates are of course long gone.
Despite their grim surroundings, Thoroncir smiles at Rory's and Mulligan's jest. "No Hobbit am I," he says with a bow, "to which both my height and my unfurry feet will attest, but I would be in very good company indeed, were I one of your Shire-kinsmen."
He suggests the party check around the strange wooden structures, suspecting that the "rust" is actually dried blood. Are any of the towers climbable, or are they so dilapidated as to be dangerous to ascend?
The towers look safe to climb structurally to the eyes of the Dwarves and the skilled treasure finders.
"Then I think I will climb one to have a look around," Thoroncir says. "In looking deeper into the city from a height, I may be able to see more than is shown on Sala's map. Would anyone like to join me - perhaps a keen-eyed Elf?"
"I will climb with you," says Ithilneth.
"I don't like this place" breathes Prestolwen. "I mistrust it. The very walls seem to exude a darkness into my soul." She steps closer to the group.
"You are most welcome, Ithilneth," says Thoroncir. "And perhaps Deor might send up Folca to see what can be seen, as well?"
Mulligan smiles at Thoroncir's response. "Thoroncir, I think I will join you on that tower climb and see what can be found along the way. I would rather be doing something than standing around at the undead's feeding ground."
Rorimac looks at the towers. "No sense everyone climbing the one tower. I'll take the other one and see what can be seen from the other side. Let's see if there is anything of interest up there."
Thoroncir approaches the tower and sees he could never climb it in armor and carrying weapons and backpack. Rorimac finds the same problem. Mulligan sees the tower as pretty simple to climb though some risk of course. The towers are 35' tall as shown on the map. Ithilneth believes she can make the climb though it would be far simpler if Mulligan lowered a rope.
Mulligan puts her backpack on the ground, and pulls out a pair of climbing gloves and a coil of Elven rope.
Looking up with a speculative eye, she puts the coil over one shoulder. "If I fall, someone catch me."
The party moves into the first section of the gate structure. They find the wooden poles are indeed stained mostly in blood.
Heading to the western tower Mulligan heads up with ease. She has become quite adept at climbing since the time she joined this party. She reaches the top with ease and finds a secure spot to tie of the Elven rope. Ithilneth can make it up with ease now and even Thoroncir feels fairly certain that he can climb the hithlain rope safely.
From this tower the three can see the 8 large buildings in the hexagonal second gate area are in terrible shape. Largely roofless and in the case of the north east one not attached to the wall mostly crumbled. From the height of this tower they can survey the newer sections. These areas are mostly rumble. The can see the tab of the old section that sticks south. Here the buildings appear to be in better shape. Cirist is of course glowing though not fiercely. It seems the undead at not too close or at least too powerful. The town rises steeply up the hill of course so much is cut off from view.
Hmm, nice view up here, should have brought a picnic. Also gives us an idea of where to start looking, although we should be cautious and look everywhere. If you two want to climb down, I'll follow shortly with the rope.
Thoroncir thanks Ithilneth and Mulligan for their help, and climbs back down. Does Folca see anything noteworthy from aloft? He asks the treasure-finders and Dwarves to help him check around the sacrificial area to see if there are any hidden trapdoors or the like.
Do we still have an unclimbed tower? I should have no difficulty with it if so, and I could do with a look around in case I spot anything the others have missed - although Ithilneth's eyes are fully the equal of mine, and she has many years' experience on me. :)
Not much to see from the east towers. Probably time to make your way through the buildings to the innermost of the triple outer-gates. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...sofHatha-1.jpg
Take a look at the hexagonal area showing 8 long buildings highlighted in yellow. Keep in mind the hill rises swiftly.
Ceol has both swords out, and scans the area, detecting evil, in case there is anything substantial within his range.
He nods to Prestolwen. "This is, indeed, a disquieting place. If you wish, stay near me...Eonwë's blessings allow me to banish evil which may be near me. If naught else, it may help with the feeling of unease."
The party moves cautiously forward, as they get near the 4 long buildings in the center of the hexagonal Ceol does detect evil and Cirist shines a bit brighter. This probably indicates minor undead nearby as opposed to powerful. Could be in the building or underground. Ceol's Detect Evil is only out to 60' and so he can move around a bit and determine that the evil is in the northwest of the 4 buildings. This is the building of the 4 also in the best shape. There are doorways in the south and eastern wall of the old 3 story stone building. The doors are long gone apparently.
"Shall we cautiously enter one of the buildings?" suggests Ithilneth.
"Yes, let us enter the northwest building, which seems to be the focus of evil in this part of the city," says Thoroncir, shield on his arm and sword at the ready.
I presume we found nothing hidden in or around the sacrificial area.
Sorry Ref missed a note:
Nothing was found near the posts of sacrifice.
Mulligan is willing to go into the building. Does the party use one door or two? Also which one? Who goes in and who stays out if anyone?
Ithilneth will certainly enter.
"I say we use both doors. Whatever's in there, we don't want to risk it escaping should we disturb it from only one side."
How far apart are the doorways? Presumably (but not necessarily) the corridors or passageways that open onto them connect somewhere inside. All things being equal, I'd prefer to keep the party together and all enter the same doorway, which might as well be the closest one to us.
No more than 30 feet. So what are the two groups?
Ceol will go in. "I suggest we use one door. I am less concerned with letting something escape, than I am with splitting us up more than necessary."
"I best go forward with the others. Certainly, I am more uneasy just waiting here." and with that, Prestolwen draws her dagger and approaches the door.
Mulligan starts tapping her feet waiting for the others to make up their minds.
"Ok, the doors are gone, so we can peer in directly. If we are lucky we may even be able to see each other from doorframe to doorframe. Judging by the light from Cirist, the undead are a distance away, which is good, but that doesn't say what else might be hanging around."
"Oh and I really hate having people sneak up behind me through unguarded passageways. Really don't want to do that again. We should have enough numbers and quality to do hold one door and go through the other."
"So, as a suggestion, Rorimac, Theogrim, Bitur, Gwaelur, cover the far door. Ceol, Prestolwen, Ithilneth, Gil-Gandel, Sala, Gilraen, Thoroncir and myself go through this door. Deor, Drindoleth, keep an eye outside for anything that might be sneaking up on us."
"Did I miss anyone?"
Ithilneth is content with the order. It's not like we're storming a castle.
The order is fine. Let's go.
Ceol nods. "That seems a reasonable precaution. I am ready."
If it meets with our Elf-captain's approval, Sir Thoroncir has no objection.
"The split order is fine for me as well."
Go ahead.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...roundFloor.jpg
Rorimac, Theogrim, Bitur, Gwaelur, cover the far door. Deor, Drindoleth, keep an eye outside for anything that might be sneaking up.
Ceol, Prestolwen, Ithilneth, Gil-Gandel, Sala, Gilraen, Thoroncir and Mulligan go through this door. Gilraen does suggest Prestolwen ready her bow as she is far better with it than her knife. Gilraen’s has Thoroncir lit up and her bauble.
The party enters the musty damp building with mold and cobwebs everywhere. The first room is more of a hall, 15’ wide and 30’ long. The ceiling is largely intact but some dark holes stare down. The floor is covered in dust, grime, mud and rubble.
There are 3 doors to the right, a door at the far end and two to the left. There are also stairs going down to the left. The doors are wooden and in terrible shape. Some just rot hanging on hinges. Checking the 6 doors reveals 3 rooms to the right and two to the left on either side of the stairs. The rooms are empty of item of interest. The far door leads a central area that includes the door that Rorimac and the others are at. This T=shaped chamber includes two more doorways. The middle one leads to the north side of the building and the more eastern one to what was probably a small office. Further explorations reveals 3 more rooms. The one has a crumbling section of wall.
Shall we begin with the near door on the right? Ithilneth suggests that while we are working on the door, that several people keep their eyes on the stairs, ceiling and other doors.
Mulligan ponders the options. "Would those with undead detection like to give us an idea of where they are and who would like to guard the stairs. This floor is empty, but the same cannot be said of above or below. The rooms in the southern half are empty, so we may as well check out those in the North. The office could be of interest Ithilnith, if you would like to provide some cover while I check it out".
"I wonder where the stairs up are or if we will have to go climbing instead.?"
You make short work of the entire ground floor. There is nothing of value or interest left.
The Stairs up and down are next to each other.
Thoroncir using Cirist cannot determine if the undead are above or below. Gilraen relates, "Missy feels they are below."
"Well given the state of the ceiling, perhaps those of us of a lighter weight should look upstairs, while the rest stay here. After that we can head down and dispose of what undead there are." Rorimac seems eager to do something other than waiting.
It's a three-story building - I assume that's in American terms, with three stories above ground level? And who knows how many basements and sub-basements....
If Rorimac and Mulligan are willing, yes, please, let them look around upstairs, perhaps along with a light-footed Elf or two. The rest of the party will come at your call. For the moment, Thoroncir will stand at the base of the stairs, alert for threats from below, but ready to ascend if needed.
Sorry only 3 counting the ground floor. I did it again.
The Hobbits and Elves head up. The Dwarves explore the ground floor a bit more.
The small group is using available lanterns. Rorimac finds no sign of recent passage by anything large than a rat. The upper floors are in fair shape, daylight peeking through where possible from shutterless windows. The top floor is one large open space with a few support columns in the middle. It appears to have once had wooden bunks probably. Some remains of the wood and cords are still around in rectangular patterns.
Bitur and Gwaelur find nothing interesting except where the wall is crumbling in the one room to the west. A small space is revealed with some stone removal and inside is found a shaft going down into the dark.
Looks like we're ready to descend.
Agreed. Let us proceed with courage but all due caution.
Mulligan goes a short distance ahead and cautiously and then Bitur and Gwaelur come next to check the stonework as the party heads down the stairs. The stairs hit a landing and drops again for a total of about 12'. This leads to a large chamber that is maybe 20'x20'. The party spreads out and using the light from Thoroncir and the bauble search the room. It is full of rubbish and rodent droppings and several rat nests. The rats scurry away from the searchers.
Finally a single stone door is located in the north wall. It took the sharp eyes of Ithilneth to find it and Gil-Gandel found the way to open it. This leads to a short passage of about 10’ and another door. The door is without traps and simple to open from this side. It leads to a smaller chamber with 4 undead beings in it. Gilraen attempts to turn them and they drop dead as they should have been. The room has an opening heading to the east that goes maybe 40’ before a end is seen in the light. The room is also full of odds and ends. There are piles in the room; one each of rusty weapons, rotting clothes, bones and dead rats.
Nothing looks likely to be magical and the room has no other exits. Heading for the far end of the passage running east, Bitur reports we must be under the next building now. The passage ends in partially collapses doorway and Bitur and Gwaelur both believe the passage is unsafe from further use.
Undead beings, eh? Men or some other race? Does Ceol's Detect Evil now show some other source of malignity around here, or were those four the source of his earlier reading? Is Thoroncir's longsword indicating any other undead close at hand?
If not, let's go back up to ground level and move deeper into the city, the knight-errant suggests.