Quote from: pbj44;737561Baldue looks about in wonder and mutters,  "The dwarf has got a ton of rope."

Beyla looks back at the archway, "amazing...I can see perfectly well in this darkness..."

Norda moves to the edge and stares at the platform, "I think I see something on the platform. Hmm...looks like a stick standing on its end."

Foromo joins Jolly, looking around (OOC - how am I seeing, what am I seeing??) and what am I looking at on the landing..."Yes I have some rope"...I also tell my minions to stay in front of the Cleric and quit bunching up on this stair / ramp.

"Where do you want me...shrimp"

Foromo is surprised that he can see very well in this pitch darkness. He is unsure how this is possible, but it certainly looks nothing like infravision. He see's the same things as everyone else: the archway, staircase, and platform below.

Beyla nods encouragingly to Jolly, and gently taking a length of rope from Foromo she ties it off to a rough protrusion on the staircase and nudges the coil off the stairs. The gusting winds swat the rope about.

What do you do?

Jolly sheathes his sword and slings his shield on his back.  He ties himself a harness and loops the rope around his chest and under his shoulders for stability.  Once he's checked the knots thoroughly, he nods to himself in satisfaction.
 
"Alright," he says with a quirky smile yet determined tone, "lower me down slowly.  Two quick successive tugs means to pull me up immediately."

Quote from: pbj44;737615Beyla nods encouragingly to Jolly, and gently taking a length of rope from Foromo she ties it off to a rough protrusion on the staircase and nudges the coil off the stairs. The gusting winds swat the rope about.

Foromo checks to make sure the anchor point is solid and safe to anchor to...he then tries to get a sense of this wind, what's the source, what does he know bout strong winds inside a cavern or such...trying to remember any stories of a 'Foul Wind" found inside of places like this...

He stands guard over Jolly...

Foromo ensures that the rope is secure, then looks about into the vast darkness. He vaguely remembers some tale from long ago associated with such haunted winds…

Beyla smiles, “We will lower you gently and reel you back in as needed, so just let us know.”

Jolly - The rest of the team lowers you over the side. You sway and spin in the wind gusts and eventually reach the platform which turns out to be made of stone with a concentric rusting iron-plate center. The “Standing stick” is revealed to be a lever.

Foromo! Now it comes to you! Those ancient stories of haunted winds were always associated with accounts of  flying Vampires!

What do all of you do now?

Quote from: pbj44;737699Foromo! Now it comes to you! Those ancient stories of haunted winds were always associated with accounts of  flying Vampires!

Foromo hollers out..."Vampires! Flying Vampires! ... keep watch out there!!!

Jolly was about to untie the rope around his torso when he hears Foromo shout out.  He quickly looks about and above him searching for any flying creatures.  

He then chuckles to himself and thinks, just trying to get a rise out of me.  Nice try, Foromo!

He proceeds to untie the rope about him and then secure it to the grating in the floor.  

Once done and satisfied with the job, he shouts up, "all clear!  Start coming down!"

Baldue screams, "OMG! FLYING VAMPIRES! WE ARE SO SCREWED!" He runs back to the archway and then pauses and screams again, "OH SH@$, WE CAN'T GO BACK THROUGH THOSE BURNT GUYS!! WE ARE DOUBLE SCREWED! WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!"

He then slinks back to the center of the party and sulks -  staring at Beyla moodily.

One by one the party descends the rope to the platform, until all have arrived safely.

What do you do now?

Quote from: pbj44;737718One by one the party descends the rope to the platform, until all have arrived safely.

What do you do now?

Once back together, Foromo recounts the stories he remembers bout the winds and how they always involve Flying Vampires..."All I mean is to be on the look-out, that's all..."

He looks over at Baldue..."And they smell the fear in people..." He smiles an evil smile, then inspects the lever...what does he see?

Baldue fumes and sneers at Foromo, "I AM NOT DYING IN THIS HELLHOLE. COUNT ON THAT!"

The lever is currently leaning out and away from the platform. In sharp contrast to the rusting iron grating, it is greased and in serviceable condition. What do you do?

OOC:  So the only way to move off the platform looks to be through the covered hole in the center of the platform?

Quote from: pbj44;737733The lever is currently leaning out and away from the platform. In sharp contrast to the rusting iron grating, it is greased and in serviceable condition. What do you do?

See if I can find out what happens when you pull it, if unable to, then look over to Jolly..."Well?...You or me?"

OOC – It looks like the lever releases a gear into motion when the lever is pulled all the way towards the platform.

What do you do?

Jolly looks to Foromo and shrugs his shoulders as he says casually, "pull it."

Once Foromo pulls the lever, the entire iron center circle begins to descend within the column, groaning and grinding on the way down. It sinks slowly for some time – perhaps for 5 minutes, before slowing to a stuttering halt at the base of the shaft.

You are now once again in pitch darkness. You sense more than see the opening now in front of you.

Lighting a torch you can make out the chamber:



The room has partially collapsed along the western wall with the exception of the shaft opening. Worn frescos of a burial procession leading to a barrow mound line the walls. Bones litter the floor. Booted footprints can be seen heading east. Rubble and debris throughout. Smells of dampness, death, and cloves are in the air. The sound of a hammer in the distance "Tap-tom, tom-tap."

Some Graffiti boldly marks the nearest wall: Make no sound. They will seek you out.

Baldue chortles, "So this is what the end looks like!"

Norda glares at him, "Shut up fool!"

Beyla looks at Jolly, "What now my friend?"

Torch Count: 29