AoW: The Whispering Cairn (Act I)

[Miraqariftsky]

PT-UIEEE!

Akra spits violently at the sight of the bag amongst the bones. Slowly, she inches forward and attempts to hook it out with the curve of an axeblade...

[Zyks]

Yta'ir

The druid observes the rest of the group. His usual timidity enhanced by the presence of multiple human corpses.

This doesn't look like a promising situation

[Madmal]

The backpack is easily dragged out of the pile, it contains some mostly useless items not worth of notice, with the exception of an elaborate lantern.

((still waiting for other actions...))

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Naomi still hangs out in the center. She holds the torch as high as she can, to shine it's flickering light as far as she can.

[Duke of URL]

Trevor's hanging out in the middle, too. Until he has detect magic at his disposal (2nd level), he's not much use as a scout, and prefers to be in the back when trouble arises.

[Miraqariftsky]

The backpack is easily dragged out of the pile, it contains some mostly useless items not worth of notice, with the exception of an elaborate lantern.

((still waiting for other actions...))

Akra's emerald eyes bug out at the priceless glassware before her and she tremblingly puts it the bag back down. She then crouches and drops her axe, reaching for the bag and its precious contents.

Gingerly holding it at armslength by the very tip of its straps, the barbarian slowly stands and holds it out to the others. Her piercing green gaze implores roams the faces of her companions, lingering on Ita'ir's as she says, "This looks like it'd fetch a fine price... but 'm'afeard I might break it. And... and... Protector... I'm not sure... but methinks you might have to exorcise the spirits from that lantern--- 'tlooks too shiny to be a safe piece o' smithcraft..."

[Zyks]

Yta'ir

The druid takes the lantern, and turns it over in his hands

uhh... It certainly doesn't look like the usual stuff. I can't say I've seen this sort of thing before

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spellcraft check: (1d20+2)[16]
Knowledge nature (you never know): (1d20+4)[21]

[Miraqariftsky]

Akra heaves a huge sigh of relief when the seemingly supernatural lantern is taken away from her hands. Running rough bronzed hands through her birdsnest of hazel-hued hair, she withdraws her hands, spits on them the rubs them together.

With spit-dripping hands held together, she bows toward the pile of bones and then towards the dead wolves. Getting up, she shuffles forward and picks out the four sturdiest femurs and the four best shoulder blades from the whole heap of bones. The femurs she ties up along with her lumber while the shoulder blades go into an extra exterior pocket of her pack so as not to spoil the rest of the trail rations within.

She then stands and retrieves her axe. Twirling the heavy weapon to shake the dust off, she asks Ita'ir, "I... I don't know if it's proper for me to ask, Your Worshipfulness, but... but, are you going to... um... bless the bones of the dead--- both men and beasts?"

[kamikasei]

Jarel

Jarel looks at the corridor marked with a green lantern, then at the blue; then at the green light to the north, then back east at the blue lantern in Akra's possession. He doesn't say anything, but his right hand comes up and starts rubbing behind his earlobe.

After a moment he rummages around in his pack, removes a small candle, and tosses it towards the green-marked arch on the fresco, calling to the others as he does so:

"This looks like some magic may be operating."

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The point being to see if the candle bounces off the wall or if the "fresco" works like a painted-on train tunnel in a Road Runner cartoon.

[Madmal]

The candle bounces on the fresco, leaving a tiny wax mark.

[Miraqariftsky]

"GAH!" Akra blurts out. "It's a gate of ghosts!"

[kamikasei]

Jarel raises an eyebrow at Akra.

[Duke of URL]

Trevor

Trevor does his best to ignore Akra's demonstrations. "That lamp... where is it again? I think it looks something like that one over there." He steps closer to the dais to look at the section of the mural with the blue lamp more closely.

[kamikasei]

"Well, it seems this fresco is not in fact a magical portal to a fabulous realm beyond imagining. Or at least that if it is, we're not using it right."

Jarel retrieves his candle.

"Still, I'd guess we'll find a green lamp much like that other in the alcove to the north."

[Duke of URL]

Trevor

"I agree... time to examine that strange green light."

[Miraqariftsky]

"um...

...um...

Hey, wait fer me!" Akra blurts out as she races out of her stuttering stance of indecision and sprints to keep up with the others.

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Postion: one space to the right of Jarel

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Naomi follows behind. She didn't think that the fresco was going to be anything special; if it was some sort of magical portal, then she surely would have felt it.

[Madmal]

Thick Cobwebs Completely cover the arch leaving to the next area, blocking any view of that chamber except the flickering green light (which seems to be a good distance to the north)

the ones standing close to it can see through the mess enough to notice that a short flight of stairs descends from the arch.

[kamikasei]

More to this part than I'd thought, Jarel realizes.

"Are any of us locals?" he asks cheerfully. "Any hints or clues as to what the original purpose of this place was? So far its construction seems most odd."

He moves over to near the cobwebbed archway, positioning himself a short distance from Naomi, keeping her in front of him and to his left as much as is possible while remaining inconspicuous about it.

[Zyks]

Yta'ir

Um. I guess you could say I'm local. Though... uh... I'm not really part of the civilised society. Wildsman and all that.

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Maybe an intelligence roll anyhow? [roll0]

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

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Your roll messed up.

And I'll do a bunch of rolls of my own:
Knowledge: Arcana:(1d20+6)[7]

Intelligence Check: (1d20+2)[12]

[Zyks]

Yta'ir

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try that again. Intelligence: (1d20+1)[18]

[Duke of URL]

Trevor

"Yes, I grew up here. Let me try to remember..." He thinks for a moment. "No, I don't recall ever hearing what it was ever meant for. It's only just ever been a ruin to me."

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KnLocal - (1d20)[2] (untrained) <== yeah, that'd be a failure, all right

[Madmal]

Most of the individuals at Diamond Lake are more interested in trying to pay off their debts, so the cairn (and other ruins around the place) have been completely ignored for a long time, except for the children, who normally use them as hideouts, or on their "dare" games.

However, there is someone who might posses some information on the subject, the proclaimed "the smartest man in Diamond Lake", Allustan, who usually offers his intellect (and his library) to the citizens, at the exchange for some gold.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

"I'm not sure as to the purpose of the ruins myself," Naomi hazards. "But I think I know someone who might know. He's called Allustan, he knows just about everything there is to know. I've been to his place twice, with my dad..."

FLASHBACK

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He was at a loss. His daughter was acting different. Things were happening that could only be described as 'wierd'. And so, he went to one of the most knowledgeable people he knew, nay, the most knowledgeable.
Naomi didn't know how he did it, whether it be magic, or just bookmagic, but Allustan was able to describe exactly what was happening. Everything made sense now. For the first time in the longest time, Naomi was happy. All of a sudden, she had a father who loved her, and it made her feel warm and fuzzy.
After a few days however, the same vacant stare now occupied her baby blue eyes. The same scratches returned on her face, though not nessecarily int he same places.

[Miraqariftsky]

((Sorry for the delay! Exams!))

"Aye?" Akra asks, grunting under the strain of carrying three dead wolves atop her load of lumber and bone-scraps. Spitting away the sweat that has trickled into her mouth, she shakes her head vigourously, sending a spray of sweat every whichway. "Well'n lass, 'dye reckon these 'ere wolf pelts'd fetch a fair price wid yer man Allustan?"

[Madmal]

((no worries. I've been quite busy myself with college (lotsa stuff to read this semester) and one of my grandparents got me the flu while i was spending time with him. Besides, i just found out that the scanned article i had of Diamond Lake is missing about two pages of information.Nothing too big, but a little disconcerting.

Also, no-one daring to pass the cobwebs? that is, i don't suggest you should charge into them...))

[Duke of URL]

Trevor

"Wait... are you suggesting we leave already? We just got here, and that green light seems to warrant looking into."

[Tacitus]

Jamian

Through his visor he turns to gaze at Trevor, "We can always come back, you know. I doubt it will be going anywhere over the course of one single day."

[Miraqariftsky]

"gimme the crazies, gimme the beasties... just not them bloody green ghosts! Well, I ain't 'fraid o' nuthin', 'slong as the Great Green Spirits have blest it..." Akra mutters beneath her breath.

Checking and tightening the straps on her pack and the ropes securing the lumber and the dead wolves, she gives a little jump just to make sure everything is tied down well. Flashing a friendly wink at Naomi, the barbarian asks her, "Hey Naomi, yer one wot lives in the town proper, right? D'ye know of any good marketplace where I could sell these 'ere buggers?"