Corren & Rowan IIX

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12a8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <B> </B></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Missiledine's Archives</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missiledines Archives"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan"><U>Corren & Rowan</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan II"><U>Corren & Rowan II</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id115.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan III"><U>Corren & Rowan III</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan IV"><U>Corren & Rowan IV</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan V"><U>Corren & Rowan V</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan VI"><U>Corren & Rowan VI</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan VII"><U>Corren & Rowan VII</U></A>   |   <B>Corren & Rowan IIX</B>   |   <A HREF="id187.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corren Rowan IIIX"><U>Corren & Rowan IIIX</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id188.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Epilouge"><U>Epilouge</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U><B>Archive Directory</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12b8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Corren & Rowan IIX</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> 9th Game Session </div> <div>                                                                  Velitrium Campaign: Lendale Faire, In the</div> <div>                                                                  Palood </div> <div>                                                                  PC: Corren </div> <div>                                                                  Rowan </div> <bR> <div>                                                                  You have just entered room "Missiledine</div> <div>                                                                  Chat25." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01 has entered the room. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hey </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: How are you? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: waiting for Ty </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD has entered the room. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hi ty </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: yo Dave </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Sorry I'm running a bit late </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: got coffee, got dog at feet, I am</div> <div>                                                                  ready </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I got on about 10 minutes before</div> <div>                                                                  you </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok, when last we parted... You</div> <div>                                                                  sods were recovering from the pasting, er</div> <div>                                                                  accident you were involved in </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: right. I think we were about to go</div> <div>                                                                  back and ID the goo </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: yeah, refresh my memory....what</div> <div>                                                                  am I doing for clothes again? I know I no</div> <div>                                                                  longer have armor </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: It is early morning and Talbon</div> <div>                                                                  is getting ready to try again </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You and Talbon both lost your</div> <div>                                                                  armor and most of your clothing. From</div> <div>                                                                  various sources you have each pieced</div> <div>                                                                  together enough to be decent </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: but still 0/0? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: uhm, yep... actually, Talbon</div> <div>                                                                  has a leather jerkin you can have... 1/1 </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: well, that makes me feel a little</div> <div>                                                                  better </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: glad to hear it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: mmm... frog. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: After eating and piecing your</div> <div>                                                                  wardrobe together, you gather at the</div> <div>                                                                  entrance of the tomb </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: There is no sign of the fumes</div> <div>                                                                  rising from the hole now </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The air seems pretty clear, tho</div> <div>                                                                  their is still a slight odor lingering </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: Corren will go take a look. he</div> <div>                                                                  leaves behind his axe and has a rag tied</div> <div>                                                                  around his mouth </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: yeah, I put a hanky around my</div> <div>                                                                  mouth/nose too </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: unless my battlesuit is available </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Looking down in the hole you</div> <div>                                                                  see that the chamber below is cleared of</div> <div>                                                                  the fumes and all signs of the organic</div> <div>                                                                  matter, grass, guano, sticks and ropes are </div> <div>                                                                  also gone </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: sorry, its in the shop </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: damn </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: all you see left is bits of rock</div> <div>                                                                  and stones that had been shoveled down </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm.... lower a lamp, want to</div> <div>                                                                  see if the trap is open/floor. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: it is closed </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k. relay said observations. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: the stone floor no longer looks</div> <div>                                                                  slimey or slick </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Much of the slime and goo on</div> <div>                                                                  the walls and ceiling are gone as well, tho</div> <div>                                                                  some of the higher spots still remain </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: can I see more of those runes</div> <div>                                                                  that were on the wall? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yes, many are now visible </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Jhensari Hieroglyphics </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: anybody here read these? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: No </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren ties a rope around his</div> <div>                                                                  waist. making sure that there is just enough</div> <div>                                                                  slack to reach the ground and no more. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon says, "Looks like better</div> <div>                                                                  footing than last time." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: he takes a couple torches and</div> <div>                                                                  lowers himself. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Ok, the floor does have better</div> <div>                                                                  footing. You feel like you can walk safely </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon will come down as well </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: allright, corren looks over the</div> <div>                                                                  hieroglyphs, to see if he can make any</div> <div>                                                                  sense of them </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: they may be pictorals rather than</div> <div>                                                                  symbolic. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no, they mean absolutely</div> <div>                                                                  nothing to you. Talbon says, "AS I said</div> <div>                                                                  before, there probably aren't more than a</div> <div>                                                                  dozen sages in all of Velitrium that could </div> <div>                                                                  make sense of it." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren shrugs. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: he carefullylooks over the wall</div> <div>                                                                  looking for cracks thea might mean an</div> <div>                                                                  opening </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon inches his way down</div> <div>                                                                  the slope to where the trap door is </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Ok, you can see the recessed</div> <div>                                                                  rings that the ooze came out of. They</div> <div>                                                                  appear dry now </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon is studying the far wall</div> <div>                                                                  where the door is. He seems lost in thought</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm... so there might be a</div> <div>                                                                  space behnd this wall, but that dosn't mean</div> <div>                                                                  that is a way in. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: True </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: Rowan asks if the trap door is</div> <div>                                                                  still down where the "door" at the end of the</div> <div>                                                                  room is </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon goes back to the</div> <div>                                                                  opening and calls up to Yossarrian and</div> <div>                                                                  Rolb. "Cut some branches, make a ladder.</div> <div>                                                                  Maybe eighteen feet long." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm... corren looks it</div> <div>                                                                  overpeers cautiously into the holes. sees if</div> <div>                                                                  ther are any triggers. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "No, its back up." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Rolb and Yossarrian go off to</div> <div>                                                                  gather materials. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: Rowan starts to look for</div> <div>                                                                  branches </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: ladder is a good idea. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: is the rope tied to corren tied off</div> <div>                                                                  on top? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Takes about a half hour to</div> <div>                                                                  assemble the ladder, then lower it into the</div> <div>                                                                  hole </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yes, to the stump </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: in the meantime, corren is</div> <div>                                                                  looking over the other walls using his knife</div> <div>                                                                  to pry and poke </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Ok, other than the ring</div> <div>                                                                  openings, you can't find anything seam or</div> <div>                                                                  crack like </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren sheathes his knife. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Leaning the ladder against the</div> <div>                                                                  wall above the door, and making certain</div> <div>                                                                  that the base is well beyond the edge of the</div> <div>                                                                  trap door, Talbon tries the ladder </div> <div>                                                                  several times to make sure its firm </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: good idea. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Don't know which side of the</div> <div>                                                                  door is hinged." He mutters </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Let me go first, Lord." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon nods and steps back.</div> <div>                                                                  He will brace the ladder so it doesn't slide </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: Okay. corren makes sure</div> <div>                                                                  everything is secure. then crouches, and</div> <div>                                                                  carefully crawls up the ladder. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: make surehte rope is tight. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The ladder, being made of</div> <div>                                                                  green wood, sags quite a bit </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: great </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: But it seems to be holding for</div> <div>                                                                  the moment... You can easily reach out and</div> <div>                                                                  touch the engravings on the door </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm.... arethey the same type</div> <div>                                                                  of markings as on the wal? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: wall? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: is there anywhere to put a piton</div> <div>                                                                  or other hold? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: yes, but they are smaller and</div> <div>                                                                  denser, but up on the left corner is, what</div> <div>                                                                  you interperate to be, a sunburst that just</div> <div>                                                                  looks different than the rest of the dioor. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "There is a sunburst inscription." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: isn;t that a mitra holy symbol? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Some of the nooks and</div> <div>                                                                  recesses of the carving might provide a</div> <div>                                                                  starting point to hammer in a spike </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: do we have any spikes? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yes it is, tho this looks different</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: yes, you have plenty of them </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. so I haveany? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: yeah </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. corren carefully places a</div> <div>                                                                  piton and taps on it. careful not to strain the</div> <div>                                                                  ladder. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Where are you placing it? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: in a crack that is NOT in the</div> <div>                                                                  stones witht he inscription. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: on the door? Or the wall? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: wall </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok, none of the ooze vents are</div> <div>                                                                  present on this wall </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You can find a deep cranny to</div> <div>                                                                  set the point, though there are deeper ones</div> <div>                                                                  on the door. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: wall. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You start tapping away, its</div> <div>                                                                  pretty hard stone and you will have to do</div> <div>                                                                  more than tap if you want to accomplish</div> <div>                                                                  anything </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: sounds like a lets make a deal</div> <div>                                                                  speech. are you sure you dont want whats</div> <div>                                                                  behind door number one? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: well, hit is harder. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: As you start hitting harder the</div> <div>                                                                  ladder will sag and sway and creak... </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: great. how deep is it? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Finally, after a couple good</div> <div>                                                                  whacks, the spike penetrates and seats </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. tie off a safety line on the</div> <div>                                                                  piton immediatly </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: a couple inches </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: whew </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. lets take a look at the door.</div> <div>                                                                  you mentioned cravases, is it stone? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon says, "Try hammering</div> <div>                                                                  a spike into the door. We can tie a rope to</div> <div>                                                                  it and try pulling it open." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yes </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. spike the door. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: carved stone, different color</div> <div>                                                                  than the wall </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: the carvings are smeller and</div> <div>                                                                  denser than the walls </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: smaller </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: too bad I can't tell if they are</div> <div>                                                                  magic. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: good point </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: set and hammer a piton. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon will call for his staffe.</div> <div>                                                                  Leaning out he will touch the door with the</div> <div>                                                                  staff. "No, not magic." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: cool. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: if the piton sets. tie a rope to it</div> <div>                                                                  and back off the ladder </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Again the ladder creaks and</div> <div>                                                                  sways. You can see cracks forming in the</div> <div>                                                                  stone of the door as pieces chip away. but</div> <div>                                                                  eventually the piton is set </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Tallbon will move the ladder</div> <div>                                                                  back out of the way </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yossarian and Rolb will come</div> <div>                                                                  down to pull on the rope. Rowan, where will</div> <div>                                                                  you be? </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: on the rope also </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: everyone in the hole? is that</div> <div>                                                                  wise? </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I thought we were above it? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok, the five of you are all in</div> <div>                                                                  posistion. On the count of three you satrt</div> <div>                                                                  pulling..... no, only way to get the angle is in</div> <div>                                                                  it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: well, hell. PULL! </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: For a moment it seems like it</div> <div>                                                                  won't work, then you hear a grating sound</div> <div>                                                                  and the slab seems to be moving outwards</div> <div>                                                                  just a bit... </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: dig in.... where is the ladder? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You heave harder and the</div> <div>                                                                  grating continues, the slab moves more</div> <div>                                                                  and a gap appears along the left side....</div> <div>                                                                  Suddenly there is a sucking sounbd as</div> <div>                                                                  wind </div> <div>                                                                  howls out through the gap..... The ladder is</div> <div>                                                                  leaning to the right of the door </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Yossarian and Rolb and</div> <div>                                                                  Talbon all drop the rope and cover their</div> <div>                                                                  faces with scarves as the wind seems to fill</div> <div>                                                                  the chamber </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: a few seconds later it dies off</div> <div>                                                                  and stops </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The air smells stale but seems</div> <div>                                                                  breathable </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren hangs on the the rope with</div> <div>                                                                  one hand. puts his face in the crook of hsi</div> <div>                                                                  arm with teh other,. and crouchs </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: There is a long silence while</div> <div>                                                                  everyone seems to wait for the other shoe</div> <div>                                                                  to fall, but nothing happens </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Finally Talbon picks up the</div> <div>                                                                  rope again and says, "Lets try some more."</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren shrugs and takes up the</div> <div>                                                                  rope withthe other hand. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Again on the count of three...</div> <div>                                                                  you heave and heave until the gap has</div> <div>                                                                  opened out to maybe 18". That seems to</div> <div>                                                                  be as wide as the angle of pull will allow </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. how wide is the ladder? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: about 20" give or take, it had</div> <div>                                                                  to fit down the hole </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: ok. so it can't be used as a</div> <div>                                                                  bridge. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Uhm, maybe with some</div> <div>                                                                  modification </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: no matter </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: can the ladder be manuevered</div> <div>                                                                  near the gap? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: its just lashed together </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: easily </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: well, a more permanent bridge</div> <div>                                                                  would be agood idea. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: It'll take twenty minutes to re tie</div> <div>                                                                  the ladder </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. move the ladder near the</div> <div>                                                                  gap. secure this end. cut a couple short</div> <div>                                                                  peices of rope to tie the ladder off on the</div> <div>                                                                  other sidee tothe piton. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: then crawl up the ladder and tie</div> <div>                                                                  the other end to the piton to secure it. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren looks in the gap </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: sticks a torch it. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: in </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: There is a narrow (6'wide x 6'</div> <div>                                                                  high) tunnel, squared off leading away from</div> <div>                                                                  you. The floor seems dry </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Narrow tunnel about 6 feet a</div> <div>                                                                  side, square. floor seems dry." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: how easy to step in? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Not hard, but holding the torch</div> <div>                                                                  will make it tricky </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: chuck the torch in </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: how wide's the opening again? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: 18" GAP </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: tALBON SAYS, "sPIKE THE</div> <div>                                                                  DOOR OPEN." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: sorry about the caps </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: good idea. take two spikes and</div> <div>                                                                  use them to spike the door open </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: yeah, it was caps because it's a</div> <div>                                                                  Jim move to have it lock :-) </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: you'll need to be inside to do it </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: lol </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: is there room for Corren to sit on</div> <div>                                                                  top of the door now that it is open? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: (Damn!) </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: yeah, you could do that </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. corren eases his weight on</div> <div>                                                                  top of the toop. and with a secure base, he</div> <div>                                                                  puts two more spikes in the wall. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: err, where? to keep the door</div> <div>                                                                  open? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: the idea is to have a safety line</div> <div>                                                                  so he can ease his weight slowly to the</div> <div>                                                                  floor and if necessary he can leap back out</div> <div>                                                                  and use the safety lines to prevent </div> <div>                                                                  going in the pit. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ah! ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: THEN he will ease his way to the</div> <div>                                                                  floor inside the door and spike it open. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: It takes a few minutes, but you</div> <div>                                                                  get it done </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You touch ground in the</div> <div>                                                                  passage. Nothing happens </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. spike the door. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: use threee spikes. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Rolb calls, "See if ye canna</div> <div>                                                                  open the door a wee bit more." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: good idea. puch open door first </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: push </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren just grunts</div> <div>                                                                  acknowledgement </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: he braces a foot on the jab. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Its very, very hard for one man.</div> <div>                                                                  Once the others start pulling it gets easier</div> <div>                                                                  and you can get another six inches or so </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: that is about it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: that is two feet. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: yep </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren spikes the door with three</div> <div>                                                                  spikes, </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok, done </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren loosens one safety and</div> <div>                                                                  completely untiesthe other. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Toss me my axe and a lamp" </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: They do </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. he uses the second safety</div> <div>                                                                  to secure the ladder with a second line to</div> <div>                                                                  help prevent bowing. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: then he lights the lamp and looks</div> <div>                                                                  at the ceiling floor wall etc. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: loop the axe in belt </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The passage extends</div> <div>                                                                  awayfrom you about forty feet, then seems</div> <div>                                                                  to drop. The floor, walls, etc are plain and</div> <div>                                                                  unadorned </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: poke the foor a bit. dirt? stone?</div> <div>                                                                  worked? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: worked stone </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: step gingerly </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: .. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok.... walking carefully down</div> <div>                                                                  the passage, you see that the passage</div> <div>                                                                  turns abrubtly into a flight of stairs down. As</div> <div>                                                                  you reach the steps you have to duck </div> <div>                                                                  your head slighlty to avoid banging into a 1'</div> <div>                                                                  deep stone projection that runs the width of</div> <div>                                                                  the corridor. It is triangular in shape with the</div> <div>                                                                  point aimed at the floor. The </div> <div>                                                                  stairs are dressed stone and about 4' wide</div> <div>                                                                  in the center of the passage (which is 6') </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: there is a ledge os stone,</div> <div>                                                                  about 1 foot wide that runs along the steps</div> <div>                                                                  on each side </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: Corren returns, "40 feet to stairs</div> <div>                                                                  going down. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: " </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon will cross over </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: look at the projection. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: appears to be the same stone</div> <div>                                                                  as the walls etc </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: could the projection be a</div> <div>                                                                  drop-rock trap? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: it is of one piece and there</div> <div>                                                                  seems to be a seam where it meets the</div> <div>                                                                  wall on each side </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: it is forthy feet long? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: forty </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no, 4' wide </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: ah </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: gotcha </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: can't tell how far up into the</div> <div>                                                                  ceiling it extends </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: if it does </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. move some equipment</div> <div>                                                                  over to this side. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: sorry, 6' wide NOT 4 </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: got it. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren picks up the torch he</div> <div>                                                                  threw earlier. them leads the way down the</div> <div>                                                                  corridor </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: he carefully avoids gettin</div> <div>                                                                  underneath the rock. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: As you do that, Talbon squats</div> <div>                                                                  at the top of the steps shining the light down</div> <div>                                                                  it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: projection </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k, corren stands a couple feet</div> <div>                                                                  behind him. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: (Rowan, are you coming</div> <div>                                                                  across?) </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: yes </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon sits for a bit, studying</div> <div>                                                                  the shaft. Then he stans up and says, "Shall</div> <div>                                                                  we use the steps or the ledge to either</div> <div>                                                                  side?" </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren shrugs. looks at the steps.</div> <div>                                                                  any cracks? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: not that you can see </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "I wonder about this" Corren</div> <div>                                                                  gestures tot he projection. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Using his staff, Talbon thumps</div> <div>                                                                  the first step </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Nothing happens </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "I don't know. I don't like it tho."</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Could be a gate. closes to trap</div> <div>                                                                  someone inside." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "maybe it can be spiked open. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Hmm, worth trying. But if its</div> <div>                                                                  really big, spikes won't stop it." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: once you look up, past the</div> <div>                                                                  projection, you can see that the ceiling in</div> <div>                                                                  the stairway opens up several feet </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: is the projection part of one large</div> <div>                                                                  piece? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: you think so, but its hard to say</div> <div>                                                                  just how big it is </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren cautiously puts his weight</div> <div>                                                                  on the firs step </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: it could be the corner of a verry</div> <div>                                                                  large block </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: nothing happens </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: it's always the third step :-) </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: he, he, he </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. does the stair go straight</div> <div>                                                                  down or does it curve? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: straight </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k. toss the extra torch down </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: refresh my memory, is Corren</div> <div>                                                                  tied off? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: let's tie him off and keep the</div> <div>                                                                  rope taught </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: good idea </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: anyplace to put a piton in the wall</div> <div>                                                                  of the stair? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: the torch bounces off several</div> <div>                                                                  steps before landing at the bottom, some</div> <div>                                                                  thirty feet down. It splutters a bit.... Corren is</div> <div>                                                                  tied off </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: appears to be smooth, solid</div> <div>                                                                  rock </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: what about the ceiling? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: there is the seam by the</div> <div>                                                                  projection </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: of course </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: at either end </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: its a trap.... </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: well, no helping it. put a piton in</div> <div>                                                                  that for s "safety" <snort> </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: tie off and ease my weight onto</div> <div>                                                                  the second step </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: nothing happens </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: carefully check the third step.... </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: nothing </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: but it's always the third step! </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: lol </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: a third step... </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: you mean a fourth? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: check each step carefully for</div> <div>                                                                  seams before taking them </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Nothing, nothing, nothing...... </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: how far do you go? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: all the way down. but If there is a</div> <div>                                                                  breal in the pattern or a chink in the wall,</div> <div>                                                                  stop </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: break </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok, there are thirty steps. Each</div> <div>                                                                  one appears identical to the last. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I got it, it's the third step from the</div> <div>                                                                  top! </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: er bottom </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: any change or seam in the wall? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: At the bottom the leges on</div> <div>                                                                  either side run out and go flush with the</div> <div>                                                                  floor </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ledges </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: other than that, nothing </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. crouch on the step before</div> <div>                                                                  getting to the bottom, shine the lamp</div> <div>                                                                  ahead. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You see a glint of gold about</div> <div>                                                                  forty feed ahead </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: feet </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm.. .MUST be a trap </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Looks alike another passage,</div> <div>                                                                  forty feet. something glinting up ahead </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: gold as in gold light or gold in</div> <div>                                                                  the walls? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: as in gold reflecting light back </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: cautiously, corren continues.</div> <div>                                                                  make sure the rope is tight. he picks up the</div> <div>                                                                  torch and tosses it ahead. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: As above, the floor here is</div> <div>                                                                  smooth stone. The walls are also smooth</div> <div>                                                                  and the ceiling, which has dropped back to</div> <div>                                                                  6' in height is smooth </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: any seams? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no, none that you can see </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: actually, no seams makes sense.</div> <div>                                                                  seams would let the water in. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: or hold water in </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: which is a diabolical trap, seal</div> <div>                                                                  the door and flood it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: no time to chisel out. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Throwing the torch ahead</div> <div>                                                                  shows that the end of the passage is a wall</div> <div>                                                                  and is set with six points of gold </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "the tunnel ends in a wall with six</div> <div>                                                                  points of gold set in, Lord." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon comes down and lloks</div> <div>                                                                  around. He then taps the floor with his staff,</div> <div>                                                                  tapping four or five feet ahead of him, he</div> <div>                                                                  advances down the tunnel </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren follows </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: Rowan as well </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: As you approach the end of</div> <div>                                                                  the passage you see six rounded</div> <div>                                                                  projections of gold coming out of the wall.</div> <div>                                                                  They seem to be randomly set, each one </div> <div>                                                                  about the size of a spagenhelm </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The gold domes do not</div> <div>                                                                  appear to actually touch the wall behind</div> <div>                                                                  them </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren looks at the walls and</div> <div>                                                                  ceiling. does the tunnel end here or does it</div> <div>                                                                  T? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: cool </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: it looks as though you could</div> <div>                                                                  get your fingers behind them </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: It ends here </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon is examining the</div> <div>                                                                  corners carefully. "This wall is not part of the</div> <div>                                                                  passage walls." He indicates the wall the</div> <div>                                                                  domes are on </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmmm.... "A magic puzzle,</div> <div>                                                                  Lord?" </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "This is a door. And these, are</div> <div>                                                                  the lock." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: was there any carving on the</div> <div>                                                                  previous walls that numbered 6? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: are there carvings on the</div> <div>                                                                  domes? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: He concentrates and says,</div> <div>                                                                  "No magic here." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no, the domes are smooth.</div> <div>                                                                  And no, no carvings that you recall that</div> <div>                                                                  seemed to emphasise 6 </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: anything resembling these in the</div> <div>                                                                  other carvings? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: not that you recall </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren looks at the domes. how</div> <div>                                                                  are they attached? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: hard to tell. Possibly fitted over</div> <div>                                                                  something </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren scratches his head. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: how high is the ceiling here? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: 6' </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: dunno. we could try it screwing</div> <div>                                                                  with it. maybe set off a trap </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I'll watch from a distance when</div> <div>                                                                  you do that :-) </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren shrugs. he is willing. the</div> <div>                                                                  decision is the Lord's </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon takes the hilt of his</div> <div>                                                                  dagger and is tapping on each dome,</div> <div>                                                                  pausing to listen carefully </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: After doing the same with all</div> <div>                                                                  six he asys, "Three sound hollow." He</div> <div>                                                                  indicates which ones </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: hmmm... corren tightens his</div> <div>                                                                  gloves. "Twist one?" </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Hollow or solid?" Talbon</div> <div>                                                                  asks, looking around at you two </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "Maybe something in a hollow</div> <div>                                                                  one" </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: hollow sounds good </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren slowly picks a hollow on at</div> <div>                                                                  random. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Ok, hollow it is." Talbon nods </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren gets a grip with one hand</div> <div>                                                                  and twists the dome. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: first one way than another </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: It resists, will need a two</div> <div>                                                                  handed grip </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: two hands. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: you twist and tug and twist,</div> <div>                                                                  when, suddenly.... </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: the gold dome comes off in</div> <div>                                                                  your hands. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren freezes. then slowly backs</div> <div>                                                                  away with it </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You see a stone tube about 5"</div> <div>                                                                  in diameter, projecting out about eight</div> <div>                                                                  inches from the wall </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: back off </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: the tube is hollow. Nothing</div> <div>                                                                  comes out </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. look at the dome. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: at the inside </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: clearly made to fit over the</div> <div>                                                                  tube </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. shine the lamp into the</div> <div>                                                                  tube </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: probably weighs a pound,</div> <div>                                                                  maybe a bit more </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: real gold? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: seems to be </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: Corren shrugs. hands it to</div> <div>                                                                  Rowen </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: takes it </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren looks into the tube. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The tube seems to extend</div> <div>                                                                  inwards about a foot and a half. The inside</div> <div>                                                                  beyond that appears to open up a little.</div> <div>                                                                  There is asomething narrow and dark </div> <div>                                                                  running verticly infront of the opening</div> <div>                                                                  (inside) </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: crouching to the side. corren</div> <div>                                                                  takes a closer look atthe narrow dark thing </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: should we try other domes to</div> <div>                                                                  see what's in them first> </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon peerrs in with you, then</div> <div>                                                                  says. "Lets pull the other hollow domes off."</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: great minds... </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren does so </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: lol </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Eventually you have all three</div> <div>                                                                  hollow domes off. Each resulting tube is</div> <div>                                                                  identical to the first. You can judge that the</div> <div>                                                                  three narrow dark things all run </div> <div>                                                                  verticaly and appear to be parallel to each</div> <div>                                                                  other. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon looks at them a long</div> <div>                                                                  time, then says. "Anyone notice that they</div> <div>                                                                  are just the right size to put your arm in?" </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: what a surprise </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "should we prise off the solid</div> <div>                                                                  ones?: </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: " </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Hmmm, I don't know." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. look closely at the narrow</div> <div>                                                                  dark thing. can it be identifed? </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: can a lantern be lowered down</div> <div>                                                                  one of them>? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: You hear Rolb calling, "Is</div> <div>                                                                  everthin all right down there?" </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: or a torch? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: no, its too narrow and they are</div> <div>                                                                  set straight or horizopntally into the wall </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: a torch with an extended handle?</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: might be able to push a torch</div> <div>                                                                  in </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I'd like to see what's in one </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren collects the three domes.</div> <div>                                                                  returns to rob hands them over to him. says</div> <div>                                                                  "yep" </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: rolb </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "ooh! Paydirt!" He grins </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: get qa couple more torches. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: return. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: tie a couple torches together for</div> <div>                                                                  extend reach </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: That gives you abot three feet.</div> <div>                                                                  Talbon says, "Don't touch those narrow</div> <div>                                                                  things." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: okay. corren lights one end and</div> <div>                                                                  using both hands. he carefully extends it</div> <div>                                                                  into the pipe </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Carefully pushing the lighteds</div> <div>                                                                  torch in, you quickly realise that the area</div> <div>                                                                  behind the tubes is open. You can see the</div> <div>                                                                  light through all three tubes </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: poke it in as far as possible</div> <div>                                                                  "Look thru the other tubes. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: its hard to judge what the thin</div> <div>                                                                  things are made of, some kind of dark</div> <div>                                                                  metal, probably bronze. They appear to be</div> <div>                                                                  bars </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: or rods </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: rods that push or pull? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Don't touch the bars!" Talbon</div> <div>                                                                  cautions again </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Can't tell </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren does not touch the bars. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: can an arm be reached in the</div> <div>                                                                  tube without touching the bars? </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "I would guess that</div> <div>                                                                  manipulating one or more bars, in the</div> <div>                                                                  proper sequence, will either open the door</div> <div>                                                                  or kill us instantly." Talbon ventures </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: The bars are just about at the</div> <div>                                                                  end of arms reach </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren grunts </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: oh, i see </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I figured the same thing...now</div> <div>                                                                  we need a sequence </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "perhaps the clues are under the</div> <div>                                                                  other domes. </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "Or the other domes connect</div> <div>                                                                  to the rods that trigger the trap." </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren nods. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: I wonder if those runes at the</div> <div>                                                                  enterance are the key </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "wouldn;t hurt to look." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Talbon studies it for a moment.</div> <div>                                                                  "Two of these tubes are posistioned close</div> <div>                                                                  enough that you could put both arms in at</div> <div>                                                                  once. But to do so means pressing </div> <div>                                                                  your chest against one of the solid domes."</div> <bR> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren chuckles. </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: "a real bastard designed this." </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: (Watch it!) </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: what about making poles to</div> <div>                                                                  push the rods from a distance? </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: :-) </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: corren meant the jhensari tomb</div> <div>                                                                  buikders </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: "What if you need to pull the</div> <div>                                                                  rods?" </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: hmmm, hooked ends :-) </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: could need to twist them. </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: well,why dont we sleep on the</div> <div>                                                                  solution...it's about that time </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: ok by me </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: k </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Tune in next week to see if our</div> <div>                                                                  heros die or..... </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: LIVE! </div> <div>                                                                  ElwingFD: night all </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: Nahhh! </div> <div>                                                                  Missiledine: night </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01: night </div> <div>                                                                  Dukejr01 has left the room.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Missiledines Archives"><U>Back to Archives</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>