Back to Basics Chapter 1: Where are we ?

[ewancummins]

Dalorna continues to search the room. She checks the beds for any sign of recent use.

[Lord Skybolt]

While searching the beds many of the supporting slats fall apart in her hands . This is a clear sign that no one has used these beds for years .

[ewancummins]

"Well, it certainly looks as if no one has slept in here in a long time."

[kintire]

Alia gives a slight smile which she quickly smothers and resumes watching the party's rear, crossbow levelled.

[ewancummins]

Dalorna continues to search.
Her raven caws a few times.

''Hungry bird!"

She pauses her search and looks in her satchel for some crumbs of dry bread.
"Hush, Hobb. Here, have some."

[Lord Skybolt]

While listening in the room the party does not hear much except the occasional click as Sara opens a clock and there own breathing .

[ewancummins]

If Sara has actually opened some of the chests, Dalorna will come over to have a look.

[Lord Skybolt]

On coming over to see whats in the chests, Dalorna is disappointed to learn that none of the Chest are open just that the simple pad locks on them are swinging open . She has not open the chest to see what in them yet though as she has been concentrating on just opening them apparently as Dalorna has been occupied with search the rest of the room for other signs of anything .

[Roofdrak]

Isidar touches the stone walls, seemingly studying them for a long time. "This does not look like any mine work I have seen. Human-sized beds deep in mines that were not dug for mining. Where have all the 'miners' gone, that there beds would be rotted through?" She turns to Dalorna and the professor, "Do you think that whoever was here was searching for the portal and went through it?"

[VAN]

Sara rises her head for a second and says:

"This can be an explanation or maybe there is no portal and the miners just left. Guess we will get more answers about everything when we finish searching the mine tomorrow."

[ewancummins]

''Maybe. I just don't know. Sara, is it safe to open these? Did you leave them closed for a reason?"

To Isidar-
"If it isn't like any mine work you've seen, what is it? What do you mean?"

[VAN]

"No I just didn't manage to open them with first try, I can open them later when I imply a bit more time or you can try break the lock. I have searched all for traps and they all seem ok."

Going back to 1st chest she hasn't managed to open, she says:

"I will try to open this one now."

[ewancummins]

Dalorna opens the four chests that have been unlocked, and has a look inside each one.

[Lord Skybolt]

All the chests are completely empty of any thing except stale air .

[BigBadQDaddy]

From his look-out position the Professor Aumnoir replies to Sara's query, "An interesting scenario you have just painted young lady. Perhaps a group of lost individuals not unlike ourselves came in search of the rumored doorway. Perhaps we could ask Mr. Ping about that when we return to the village." After a few moments hesitation he adds, "Another scenario could say that perhaps the inhabitants encountered an unforeseen danger below. Any number of things can go wrong in a dig site from faulty equipment to unsafe environmental fixtures such as old bridges being rotted out. Of course any number of cave dwelling creatures are likely to have taken up residence. When I was commissioned to lead archeological surveys under the employ of the University in Skuld we had hired men to deal with such threats. Ha, never in my life would I have guessed to be filling such a roll."