Realms of Dread Chapter Two

[Archedius]

"If we get caught and captured, this was all my idea."

Archedius takes our his sword and flots behind Inovidil with his back to her most of the time, scanning the surroundings.

He occasionally looks behind him to make sure he's on course.

[ewancummins]

the tunnel into the Rock-

With Rardi in the lead, the party proceeds into the narrow gallery. Ino takes up the middle position- accompanied by a half dozen duplicates images of herself. Archedius' holding the party's only source of illumination, takes up the rear.

The passageway is narrow, only four feet across and six feet high. The stonework is rough. There is a slight upward incline [Rardi, at least, will notice this]. It runs straight for quite some distance, as far as Rardi can see with her darkvision, at least.

[ewancummins]

in the alley


Blaise notes that the men working outside seem normal enough- they grunt, mutter, and strain like any ordinary workers will do.


As Blaise picks up a crate to taken within the house, Cross-face returns to the alley from the street. The scarred man takes a look at the dwindling pile of crates on the cart and says to the crew:

''Good, good- almost done, I see. You lads finish up and we'll all of us go and get a drink.''

[ewancummins]

in the street near the Marsh Gate-



One of the two watchmen says to the other-

''They'd better hurry- our watch is over soon...' '

His companion says to him-

''Yes, I need to get some sleep.''


Alain and Threan can hear this , as they are hiding within eavesdropping distance of the gate and the two men guarding it.

[Ken of Ghastria]

in the alley

As Blaise picks up a crate to taken within the house, Cross-face returns to the alley from the street. The scarred man takes a look at the dwindling pile of crates on the cart and says to the crew:

''Good, good- almost done, I see. You lads finish up and we'll all of us go and get a drink.''

"Best news I've heard in a while," says Blaise. "Been workin' up quite a thirst." Inwardly, though, Blaise is very worried about what's coming next. After he sets down his crate inside, he leans against it, as though to rest of a moment, then he quaffs a liquid from inside an ordinary flask.

OOC: Blaise drinks one of his two potions of eagle's splendor. I'll remove it from my character sheet.

[ewancummins]

In the alley-


It isn't much longer, and the work is done. Four of the men, the oddly silent ones, remain behind in the gloomy storeroom, while the others make ready to leave.

Cross-face says to Blaise,

''Well then, why don't you come along with us to the Frogwife. I believe I owe you a round, friend.''


He turns to the other men and says-

''A couple of you lads take the cart and pony back to the ostlers. Then meet us at the pub.''

[ewancummins]

evening, the Palace of Celestial Delights


Shana has spent the day thoroughly checking out any clues about Fortis that may be gleaned from the girls and patrons of the Palace. Of course, she's no doubt interspersed her interrogations with whatever pleasant conversations, distractions, and amusements as may be necessary to throw off any suspicion about her purpose.


The investigation, though time consuming, is not without fruit. Shana has confirmed the description of Fortis to closely match that of Delthrin, and this is from multiple sources. She has also been told by more than one person working at the brothel that Fortis always came alone and unarmed- and yet never seemed afraid to walk the city streets at night. There's a lot of wild speculation about whom exactly he might be. One girl thinks that he is a married nobleman, another claims that he's a high ranking member of the Baron's court. No one has anything substantial to back up such theories, of course.


Apart from all the rest of it, one story does stand out: a girl named Marna claims to have seen Fortis in the city streets, just yesterday!

''I saw him, all right, only he was dressed all fancy-like. He was walking with two other gentlemen and a pair of big black dogs. They were talking about some court stuff, I overheard that much. I don't think he knew me. ''

[Lord Skybolt]

After the men leave for the pub Threan plans on scout out where they were bring the crates into, but after the paid-off guards shift is over . He will not be using any light source's as his sense's are perfectly suited to the task at hand .

[Ken of Ghastria]

In the alley-

Cross-face says to Blaise,

''Well then, why don't you come along with us to the Frogwife. I believe I owe you a round, friend.''

Blaise's eyes widen momentarily in surprise -- he had been expecting treachery -- but he covers it up by saying excitedly, "Nothin' would make me happier right now!" He begins walking, then says, "Oh, um, what about those fellas?" With a jerk of his chin, he indicates the four quiet men. "They be hard workers, but their spirits seem low. No ale for them? Anyway, my thanks, Mr. .... err, sorry, sir, didn't get yer name. You seem a fair man, I'd be happy to do more work later if the need is there."

OOC: I might as well make use of my boosted Charisma as long as I have it! Blaise is making a Diplomacy check to foster good will with Cross-Face. Here's my Invisible Castle roll:

Diplomacy check (1d20+7=13)

[BigBadQDaddy]

Alain waits in his hiding spot, eager for a chance to make way to the militia headquarters and find out who the men guarding the gate are.

[ewancummins]

in the tunnel within the Rock-


Your small party continues down the tunnel, which begins to curve to the right. A green glowing sigil of bizarre design suddenly appears on the floor beneath Rardi. All of you feel a tingling sensation pass through your bodies. This strange sensation soon recedes but the luminescent sigil remains visible in the floor. The strange symbol is unmoving, and a closer examination reveals it to be etched into the floor.

[ewancummins]

in the alley-


Cross-face answers Blaise-

''That lot? Naw, they don't drink.''

He shakes his head slowly, then places a broad hand on Blaise's right shoulder.

''Never you mind about those lads. They'll see to their own needs. ''


Cross-face and the others [not the four quiet men, who remain inside the candelit storeroom] head to the pub...

[VAN]

Inovidil looks surprised the sigil and automatically checks to see if her companions are ok when passes the tingling sensation. When she is sure that they are safe says:

"Better check that, but without go very close. Wait a moment please."

She waves her hands and concentrates on the sigil for a few seconds.

OOC> Detect magic.

[steveflam]

Rardi waits for Van to detect magic, then speaks in a low voice. "That be a more powerful spell than I kin cast. Let's be careful, now. An it were cast less than an hour afore we passed by here. Be ready fer anythin."

The dwarf casts protection from evil then moves a hand close to her mace, the other close to her symbol. Moving forward she keeps her eyes peeled for any sign of trouble.

[VAN]

After the examination Inovidil says:

"It's a symbol of pain, everyone who passes close to it activate the trap. The thing that preoccupies me more is that is casted permanently. That means the caster is very powerful, more than me at least...and that we have to pay attention when we return too because the trap will be activated again."

When Rardi casts her spell Ino says:

"Good idea this spell!"