Chapter 3: A Dangerous Detour

[Longman]

I don't recall, but let's say you fumble around in the dark for a bit and get one lit so you can now see the new 20x20 room.

It's quite empty, having only a skeletal body in rags with a ring on it's finger, and a flight of stairs on the wall opposite the door that look like they will corkscrew in a similar fashion to the ones that came down from the surface.

Jaali also observes the door that just closed. There is no handle on this side, and the keyhole appears to have been closed off somehow when the trap was activated. Peering into it, Jaali can see no light, and no mechanism.

Who has the torch lit in the first room?

[MevlyTM]

Who has the torch lit in the first room?

If no one has a torch, Maju will pull out a lightstone.

[mTeasdale]

I think Maju already had one of his light stone in hand anyway.

Jaali will look at the ring, trying to resist, but will slowly bend down to take it, LOTR style.

Does the stairs goes up or down ?

[Longman]

Maju has a light. OK.

The stairs go down. You haven't been over to look down them, yet.

The ring is silver and has a small ruby set inside, but one of very high quality in Jaali's estimation. The workmanship is also good, although simple. No telling if it is magical, yet.

So far, Kyo seems to have been well behaved upstairs, but both of the bird familiars are starting to get tetchy. They dislike being down here and wish to leave. (I am assuming they came with you...)

[quozl]

I had to go back and look but YC does have a torch lit. He'll peer down the stairs.

[mTeasdale]

If we had light already, Jaali will not light a torch.

And Jaali is putting the ring on. We'll see if it's magical !

Jaali is then yelling at the door : "Can you hear us on the other side ?"

[Longman]

New map file - hope you can see the difference between Monkey Lab (most of the party) room and 2nd room (Jaali and YC).

ug1a.JPG (771.69 KiB) Viewed 11930 times

Those in the monkey lab can hear Jaali's high-pitched, muffled voice calling out from the other side of the door.

Jaali - you put the ring on and nothing obviously magical happens.

The monk has moved over to the stairwell on the south wall and peers down. It's a 10' stair. He can see a large stone door blocking the stairs. It looks similar to the one that has trapped you in here.

[MevlyTM]

Maju says, "If we assume that the skeleton in the next room suffered its fate because this door shut, then there must be some way for it to be restored to the way we found it. It might do so on its own. However, judging by the skeleton, that may take some time."

Maju noticed Taku geting restless so far underground. He stroked the feathers on the nape of her neck and softly cooed to her to help calm her.

He then continued, "If there is another exit, it might be visible from the surface. I'll go talk to Teruk and his tribesmen to see if they'll search for another opening or entrance."

OOC: If no one has any objection, Maju will traverse the stairs back to the surface to discuss this with Teruk and his men.

[mTeasdale]

During that time, Jaali will look for a secret exit.

[quozl]

YC will go downstairs and look at the door down there.