Mission 7 - The Tunnels, Turn 20
*Turn Ends 9PM UTC, 16 May 2025.*

In order (fight): Count, Gilius, Grog'tial, Zombies, Bellandra, Argy, BenKii, Kyp
After Fight: Count, Gilius, Bellandra, Argy, Gilius, Grog'tial, Hag, BenKii

Count Karnstein: (roll dice*6) (Weakened) You are too shocked and awestruck by the shield suddenly acting up and the zombie dissolving under your blow to analyze the situation. With the feeling of the shield's aura around you, you surge forward, drawn on by the shield and determined not to waste any time proceeding to vigorously smash any remaining undead FILTH! Ignoring the zombies on the ground for the moment, you barely notice the shield battering the wounded zombie against the wall and down to the floor as you swiftly lunge for the one trying to shamble away. You are not familiar nor skilled with a warhammer, but how hard can it be to smash the thing? You swing it down on the zombie's exposed back. *Success* Once again the zombie is encompassed by silvery flames and vanishes! You glance at the shield suspiciously. The mannequin that previously held it seemed hell-bent on killing you, no doubt about that, yet it didn't seem to do much good for him. You recall jokingly thinking of becoming a paladin. Now you begin to be slightly worried that maybe you've caught the eye of some deranged deity, hopelessly fond of redemption arcs or some such bullcrap. Oh, come on, ol' fool, it's just an enchanted shield. Prolly didn't work before 'cause that paladin was, in fact, AN ILLUSION! Still ...

"Gilius, ye felt that too? This design mean anythin' to you?", you ask, turning back towards the dwarf and raising the still faintly glowing shield.

Gilius: (roll dice*7) [Rocky, 2 Turns reserved] Glancing swiftly at the shield, you don't recognize the symbolism on it. "I can see that ye're quite skilled with a shield! Not much me kind o' tool, though. Come on! Stop showin' off an' clean these zombies!" you reply to Count.

Gilius, taking advantage of the zombie's confusion and reaction to your Repel Zombies potion, you run forward to the two zombies trying to crawl back to their feet to smack them with your staff. *Success/Crit!* Expertly spinning your staff, you smash one back to the floor on its belly with the head of your staff, breaking its back. Then you sweep the other zombie behind its legs with the base of your staff, breaking its knees as it somersaults over onto its back on the floor. With both zombies squirming but fairly incapacitated, you move aside to give the others with sharp blades room to finish them by slicing off their heads.

Grog'tial: (roll dice*5) [crossbow; 1 reg + 1 exp bolt loaded] You can't help but smile inwardly at the treasure trove of information you've now stumbled upon regarding your half-brother's exploits and available assets. It's going to take many long nights of careful plotting to sift through it all, and design counters. The good thing, you reflect, is that the skull is obviously willing to make the switch to your team (for the right price of course, which you respect). You smirk at the thought that the next time your half-brother uses this "mirror", he'll be in for a surprise! Then you frown ... unless that's exactly what the Fish wants you to think? On second thought, you'd better guard against that possibility. And if this is all the work of the cabal after all...?

Grog'tial, with effort you stop your mind fully exploring those possibilities and remind yourself to focus on the here and now. The enemies that need dealing with are the more important priority. After all, you won't be exploring those possibilities and thwarting your half-brother if you're dead! Leaning your crossbow against a wall, you dare to use the battleaxe to attempt to cut off their heads. *Fail* Unfortunately you are unskilled with it and fumble the heavy battleaxe, barely missing cutting off your own foot. You swear it literally growls at you!

Zombies: (roll dice*3) The zombies fail their resistance to the Repel Zombies potion. The two of them Gilius hit continue to flail on the floor, while the one Count bashed down desperately tries to crawl away.

Bellandra: (roll dice*3) With only a few zombies pathetically remaining you laugh. "Ha! Ye call yourself a proper zombie horde? Well I suppose ye don't call yerself anything, being zombies, but if ye did I'd be doubting it." You see the flash from the portal and note the return of your crewmates. "Welcome back all! Just in time to finish these off. Better do so and then move out, so we are not caught dilly-dallying again eh?"

Bellandra, you quickly step forward as Gilius gives you room to finish off the nearest zombies. *Success* With your Cutlass of Double Strike you swiftly behead the two zombies Gilius has left incapacitated on the floor.

Argy: (roll dice*3) You step out of the vortex into the scene of battle. Seeing Grog'tial fumble the battleaxe and one of the zombies still trying to crawl away, you run up and wallop it with your pan. *Success* You bring your trusty pan down hard on the wounded zombies partially melted head, smashing it almost flat as you smoosh its brain down into its eyes. The zombie drops to the floor, stunned and blinded. After, when BenKii shows you a complicated grog recipe you take a look at it and calculate with your cooking and brewing experience that IF you can find all the ingredients you might be able to put it together in the field. [Will require dice roll.]

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*3) You arrive back into the tunnel right where you started to see Count Karnstein and others engaged in a fight with zombies. Now these are enemies you know how to deal with. "We're back gents!" you say, stashing your tricorder and pulling out your musket and silver sickle. "Be sure to save a few zom zoms for us."

BenKii, unfortunately the narrow passage and closeness of your crewmates doesn't allow you to use the musket without risk. Instead you bring the silver sickle to where Argy has smashed the head of a zombie down into a stunned mess on the floor. (Looking at it, you remind yourself once again not to get on the wrong side of this halfling cook's utensils.) *Success* While not entirely skilled with a sickle, it is close enough to some of your childhood farming tool experience that you are able to use it to sever the zombie's head with it. Afterwards you show Argy the complicated grog recipe.

Kyp: (roll dice*3) (Weakened) You get to your feet and make your way through the vortex, still a bit shaky. With your rapier, you double-check that the zombies are all beheaded and no longer a threat before you turn, prepared to follow Grog'tial and the others, hopefully out of this horrid place.

AFTER the fight ...

Count Karnstein: With the battle done and seeing the others having returned, you greet them. "Thank goodness! I'm so, so, so, so glad we don't 'ave come t'rescue ye! Is the deed done? Can we skedaddle?"

Count (roll dice*3), you scan the side passage, and find it connects to a larger main corridor running parallel to the narrower side one you've come from. To your left, in the direction leading back the way you came you see the tracks and several bodies of giant rats against the portcullis you previously pulled down and the room with the cauldron on the other side. In the other direction is a long corridor lit only by a single torch near a few more doors, two of which look opened. Further down you barely see where the main corridor ends in another lowered portcullis with broken chains, leading to a large dark space beyond. You aren't sure if you detect movement in that space. Seems like this is the true main corridor, from whence the skull with zombies came from, and you've been using a smaller parallel side tunnel. While the main path is likely more guarded and booby-trapped, on the other hand there's a risk of getting more lost or going in the wrong direction on a side path. But then again, is there such thing as right direction in this dungeon, seemingly transforming on a whim? You inform the others of what you see, then listen to what they have learned and tag along, noticing that your cloak continues to mend itself slowly.

Gilius:, once the zombies are finished you turn to the others. "The trap in the corridor has been dealt with and should no longer be a threat. We can proceed?"

Bellandra: (roll dice*5) You step up beside Count, your cutlass drawn and ready, to peer about and see the same thing as he has told you all. The bigger corridor parallels this smaller one with giant rat tracks in it. To the left beyond the rat bodies and portcullis lies the room you awoke in originally. To the right you can just barely see where the corridor ends in a lowered portcullis with busted chains and complete darkness beyond. There are three doors between Crew and the blocked corridor's right end, two of which are already open. You judge the owl gargoyle's presence somewhere in the direction of the trapped side tunnel you've been proceeding down encouraging, but perhaps the zombies had guarded something? You also attempt to sense the distant shipkin-like beings. You get only a vague feeling, enough to wonder if these might be the mannequins from the treasure room before. You have no idea if they've moved or if it was the altering of the dungeon. With the vortex gone there is only an empty room on the other side of the right door. "Did ye meet the skull? Did it tell aught that could help us navigate out?" you ask the returned crew.

Argy: (roll dice*3) You shake your head. "The accursed skull been not o' any 'elp. Useless parley and little advice. Besides, it been so close fisted with them books an' did nay give us any, so I 'ad to borrow one... Blimey, don't ye trust any skull unless it has crossed bones under it." You take a quick look at the 'borrowed' book. It isn't written in any comprehensible language you know. In fact, other than the fancy well tooled dark green leather, a silver tree with runes on the cover and strange symbol writing on the first few pages, the book seems blank. You offer it to Count Karnstein with a wink "Arr, matey! Aeshma might be able to read 'tis... a jolly gift fer such a lass, don't ye think?"

Gilius, seeing Argy offer the book to Count, you immediately recognize the runes and the silver tree. It is a druidic spellbook!

Grog'tial: You inform the rest of the crew that the objective has become to find the paintings which the female voices behind the door previously referenced. Haste should be made. You are about to set off down the new corridor when you hear what Count reports about the rat bodies and the room, the doors, and the lowered portcullis with the large dark space beyond. Unless you want to return to the original room, the doors lead to other passages or you can raise that portcullis, that way appears blocked. Gilius tells you all the trap ahead has been dealt with. Then a resounding BOOM comes from somewhere down the right side of the new corridor, and a cackling voice speaks from down the left side of it ...

Hag's Voice: "I know you've been to see the skull, I can smell it on you. We have a deal. I want that book! There's nowhere to run. Bring it to me or I'll come for you, dearies."

Captain BenKii: With the hag's demands still ringing in your ears, you quickly relay the information you've learned from the skull to the rest of the crew ... about the paintings and where to find the ingredients for Hagsbane. Suddenly your tricorder beeps and comes alive with odd old arcade style sounds. Taking it from your pocket you look at the screen to see a retro looking outline that reminds you of a very old earth game. What was it called again? Oh yes, Pac-Man! Only this one has a grinning skull proceeding down the narrower tunnel past the cleared trap to disappear through what your tricorder says is a hidden doorway ahead of you.

-----
Available: 5 regular unbroken hand-bolts (scattered in corridor trap area)

Dungeon side passage (opening to new corridor): Count, Bellandra
Dungeon inside side passage: Argy, BenKii, Gilius, Grog'tial, Kyp
Somewhere out in the World, near a brothel: Devin
???: Aylar, Cliodhna, Aeshma, Refyx, Rummyfangs, Baldbeard

"Well then dearie, you'll just have to find this dwarf and bring the book back, won't you?" There is more cackling and then the voice becomes more like that of a doting old grandmother. "Come dearies, show me what you have found so far and I will give you gifts and open a way out for you to seek this dwarf. Bring me that book and you will be rewarded beyond your dreams. But until you do, the halfling remains here with me. I may have use for her small talents. Better hurry, dearies. You wouldn't want me to grow impatient."

Captain's Log: Mission 7 - The Tunnels, Turn 20
It seems our time has run out. The Hag knows we've been to the Skull's hideout. She'll be coming for us soon unless we can convince her to give us more time. We still do not have what we need to defeat her so we must delay the confrontation as long as possible. But where to go in this labyrinth? (beep beep) Hmm? My tricorder just came alive with what looks like a modded version of Pac Man. The level sort of resembles an overhead map of our current area. And Is that the skull face showing us where to go? I think he may have programmed my tricorder to help us out.

BenKii whispers to the crew so the Hag can not hear them, "Look, our Skull friend apparently left us another gift." He showed them the tricorder map which had a grinning skull proceeding down the narrower tunnel past the cleared trap to disappear through what the tricorder says is a hidden doorway. "I think we should follow it. Right now it's our only lead so let's get over there and find the hidden doorway."

BenKii then addressed the Hag, "Hey don't worry, we're hot on the case! The skull provided us with a lead to where your book is. We're a resourceful bunch, so give us a little more time and you'll have it soon™."

BenKii will follow his tricorder down the narrower tunnel while also scanning for traps. When he reaches where the hidden doorway should be, he'll look around the area for some way to open it. Once open, he'll wait for everyone to enter it before trying to close the door to prevent the Hag from following. If it can not be closed then he will proceed to follow the tricorder while continuing to scan for traps.

(™ = That trade mark thing on the "soon" is an inside joke about Gog and when they say they'll release games here. Whenever they say "soon", it usually means forever. So a lot of Gog people replied back with a soon™ to reference the long time before actual games get released. More information can be found at the wiki linked below.)

https://wowwiki-archive.fandom.com/wiki/Soon

"Hagsbane, really now? Right... It better not bite us in the arse," Count Karnstein expresses skepticism, feeling concerned they might be sent on a wild-goose chase or it being a setup by hag herself; hags being known for their fondness of trickery and peculiar sense of humor.

When offered the book by Argy, he scrutinizes an unidentified tome briefly and flashes a bittersweet smile. "How jolly thoughtful, li'l cook, I shan't risk 'avin' flies fer breakfast till the end o' me days though. Knowin' me luck, she'd prolly hate it." If Gilius decides to share his knowledge about the book, Count will get promptly reassured - druids are bores, she'd definitely hate it.

Reluctantly, he will follow BenKii and his annoying, noisy contraption (what is that, anyway?) to the alleged secret room, half-expecting it to be total waste of time (or a deadly trap in the worst case). While others will be looking for entrance, he will stay alert, looking out for any dangers lurking in the dark, and ready to warn the rest should the need arise.

After spotting the runes and the silver tree on the book, Gilius immediately asks Argy to show it to him. "What be that there, sailor ? It looks familiarrr t'me. Let me check that nice piece o' loot !"
If she does, Gilius will examine the book and try to see if the blank pages inside have a meaning to him.
Especially, he will try to quickly see if the book may be of any use in the current situation (defeat a hag, navigate more easily in this dungeon, locate the dungeon's exit if any, communicate with the rest of the crew, locate traps more easily, neutralize potential enemies, strengthen Rocky, etc.).

Apart from that, he will follow the crew through this secret passage.

Bellandra heard BenKii's explanation about some paintings that the skull had mentioned as being a potential way out, which BenKii had apparently seen in a room he had encountered in a previous visit to this place. She also heard about their need for hagsbane ingredients - graverot and moonflowers apparently, the former to come from a nighttime graveyard, but no confirmation where to find moonflowers unless they happened to bloom at graveyards too. The place they were in certainly had already had zombies and flying skulls, but it still did not seem like it would feature an actual indoor graveyard, she thought. Perhaps those paintings could take them to a graveyard then.

She also heard the count's description ot areas beyond the side passage as well as seeing it herself. The rooms they had already seen seemed not that useful, but perhaps there might be something beyond the three doors in that blocked corridor.

But then the hag's voice cackled from the darkness. So she had come to collect. But they did not have the book she sought, as far as Bellandra knew. She heard Grog'tial call out to the hag and the hag's answer - claiming she would hold a halfling with her. Did she mean Argy? "We need her more than ye, and she us," she retorted to the hag. "Surely if ye want yer book, ye want to give us the best chance to find it and that means having all of us on the task. Time be not on yer side, no more than it be on ours."

The distant shipkin-like beings seemed lost for the moment, and might have been the wooden mannequin sentinels they had encountered earlier - she would try again later when they had moved on to another location. For the moment, the owl gargoyle was the clearest indication of a direction to go, so she preferred to continue down the previously trapped corridor. "Mayhap someone with good night vision could quickly check those doors in this blocked passage. Methinks otherwise the current passage we be already in is the best," she commented to the crew.

She saw BenKii consult his strange device, and apparently the tiny drawings its light made seemed to agree with that direction too. She would keep her weapons ready in case any new enemies appeared (or in case the hag became annoyed enough to launch some attack), and would keep her eyes sharp for any new traps, and would proceed down the previous passage. If there was any place where they needed to find something hidden, and it was not easy for the crew to find, she would offer to use her cracked mirror.

[OOC: Argy had previously indicated she wished to alert about the switch in the trap, but according to the mission descriptions it seems she has not done this yet due to other events. If Bellandra heard Argy's warning about the switch, she would suggest that she could climb on someone's shoulders, or someone could climb on hers, to flip the switch, or if that is not tall enough she could shoot the switch with a hand crossbow bolt to flip it.]

You are correct, however Gilius had initiative and had already triggered the trap then tested it again the previous turn. He informed everyone the trap was cleared before Argy would have said anything, so I skipped that so to not confuse people. (At that point playing with the switch could have reset the trap.)

"Halflin'? Which halfling? I see none 'ere..." Argy will step behing Grog'tial and hide from the creepy voice.
So, right now, it seems that the best available option is to follow Cap'n BenKii and his strange trinket, and so will do an unconvinced Argy, staying out of sight and looking for traps or dangers.

She will also hand Gilius the book. Karnstein will have to come up with a better gift...

Mission 7 - The Tunnels, Turn 21
*Turn Ends 9PM UTC, 20 May 2025.*

In order: BenKii, Count, Grog'tial, Argy, Kyp, Gilius, Bellandra, Crew, Count, Bellandra, BenKii

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*7) When the Hag replies to Grog'tial you raise your voice and call back, "Hey don't worry, we're hot on the case! The skull provided us with a lead to where your book is. We're a resourceful bunch, so give us a little more time and you'll have it soon™."

BenKii, you whisper to the Crew in an effort to not let the Hag hear you. "Look, our Skull friend apparently left us another gift." You show them the tricorder map with the grinning skull proceeding down the narrower tunnel through a hidden doorway. "I think we should follow it. Right now it's our only lead so let's get over there and find the hidden doorway."

BenKii, you proceed down the narrower tunnel past the now cleared trap, scattered bolts and flickering torch, watching your tricorder screen while also scanning for more traps. When you reach the end where the hidden doorway should be, you look around the area for some way to open it. *Success* Your tricorder highlights three bricks in red. With the end of your musket you carefully nudge the bricks, finding they depress then snap back in place. Nothing happens. You try again, in a different order. Finally on your third try there is the sound of a catch releasing and the brick doorway rasps open on squeaky hinges. You swiftly urge everyone inside, then close the squeaky door again, wincing at the noise. Turning, you see another spiral stairway, wide enough for three of you abreast at a time, descending into dimness. A look at your tricorder shows the skull proceeding downwards. At least there appears to be the slight flickering of light below.

Count Karnstein: (roll dice*4) (Weakened) "Hagsbane, really now? Right... It better not bite us in the arse," you say skeptically. You're concerned you're being sent on a wild-goose chase ... or could it be a setup by the Hag herself? After all, hags are known for their fondness of trickery and peculiar sense of humor.

Count, when offered the book by Argy you scrutinize the unidentified tome briefly then flash a bittersweet smile. "How jolly thoughtful, li'l cook, I shan't risk 'avin' flies fer breakfast till the end o' me days though. Knowin' me luck, she'd prolly hate it." Seeing Gilius' interest in the book, you feel reassured. After all, in your book druids are bores, so she'd definitely hate it. Instead you reluctantly follow BenKii with his annoying, noisy contraption, what is that, anyway?, to the end where the tunnel turns. Expecting it to be another waste of time, or another trap, you stay alert for any dangers. After the turn to the right you see the continuing tunnel turns dark again, ending in another door with a closed eye slit in it. When BenKii actually manages to get the squeaky hidden door open, you follow the others inside. Ahead of you are spiral stairs down. Still on alert, you note the dust indicates the stairs have not been used by physical footsteps for quite a while.

Grog'tial: (roll dice*4) [crossbow; 1 stun+1 exp bolt loaded] You are annoyed that you've evidently become rusty with battleaxes. Sure, you hadn't been on the front lines during any of the goblin raids, you'd known better, but like all dwarves you'd still taken basic training. Deciding you'll have to do some practicing once back on the Ship, you return the battleaxe to its loop on your backpack, then do a double-take. Had the eyes of wolf decorating the battleaxe head briefly glowed at you?

Grog'tial, the Hag's voice claims your focus. You think quickly and call back, "We did see the skull, but it told us it gave the book to some dwarf called Og'rialt! He had something to do with one of yer sisters? We're sorry, but that's everything we managed to get out of the skull on this subject!"

"Well then dearie, you'll just have to find this dwarf and bring the book back, won't you?" the Hag says. There is more cackling and then the voice becomes more like that of a doting old grandmother. "Come dearies, show me what you have found so far and I will give you gifts and open a way out for you to seek this dwarf. Bring me that book and you will be rewarded beyond your dreams. But until you do, the halfling remains here with me. I may have use for her small talents. Better hurry, dearies. You wouldn't want me to grow impatient."

Grog'tial, as BenKii informs you all about the reading from his magic box, you decide not to take any chances and pull the regular bolt from your crossbow, replacing it with your last stun bolt. You suspect a confrontation with the Hag might follow and you want to be ready. Your plan in place, you follow BenKii and Count to the secret door. As BenKii finally pushes it open, the old untended hinges give off a loud rasping creak which your mind just knows had to be heard by everything in the vicinity. Which is only doubled when BenKii pushes the door shut again! Looking around, you see that the dust and cobwebs seem undisturbed and the air somewhat stale, but there is flickering light from down below.

Argy: (roll dice*2) You offer the 'borrowed' book to Count Karnstein, but he declines, saying something about not wanting to eat flies for breakfast. Later you pass the book to Gilius when he asks to see it. Karnstein will have to come up with a better gift...

Argy, hearing the Hag's words sends a shiver down your spine. "Halflin'? Which halfling? I see none 'ere..." you say, stepping behind Grog'tial to hide from the creepy voice. Since it seems the best option is currently to follow Cap'n BenKii and his strange trinket, you do so. But you remain somewhat unconvinced by things, and attempt to stay out of sight while keeping your eyes open for more traps or dangers. Unfortunately that doesn't help the sound of the hinges as BenKii pushes the hidden door open. You scramble quickly inside right behind Grog'tial. It's a dim space, and the dust tickles your nose making you want to sneeze, but at least the stairway seems to be dimly lit with flickering torches every so often as you descend.

Kyp: (roll dice*3) (Weakened) [Per PM] Using your dim vision, you are about to point out the slight variation in the bricks when BenKii's magic box seems to show them to him. Instead you help Count by staying alert and on guard. You also notice the turn in the tunnel becomes dark again, but your vision isn't quite good enough to see the end. Once BenKii opens the hidden door, you follow the others inside and down the stairs, guarding the rear. You are several turns of the stair down when you pick up the faint sound of dripping and the scent of dampness, but this water doesn't smell fresh or pure to you.

Gilius: (roll dice*5) [Rocky, 2 Turns reserved] Seeing the runes and the silver tree on the book, you ask Argy to show it to you. "What be that there, sailor? It looks familiarrr t'me. Let me check that nice piece o' loot!"

Gilius, examining the book you can see it is a druid spellbook, similar to the one containing all your spells that you lost to the waters escaping this accursed dungeon last time. Between that, and what you are sure was a foul black voodoo curse that stole away much of your magic, your magic had been weakened. You've been building it up again, but had not yet found another druid spellbook to replace yours. You page through the book, noting a basic Blessing of Nature and cantrips for Mold Earth and Shape Water inscribed on the first few pages. The following blank pages are ready to magically inscribe any druid spells for study and use. With this you can inscribe and memorize any available druid spells you find or can buy, giving you access to spells again. You stash your new spellbook in your robes and follow the Crew through the secret passage. [GM - You can now use the book to learn druid spells you find as loot or can buy from certain upcoming merchants. I will PM you the spells already written in it.]

Bellandra: (roll dice*3) "Mayhap someone with good night vision could quickly check those doors in this blocked passage. Methinks otherwise the current passage we be already in is the best," you say, wondering if there might be something beyond the three doors in that blocked corridor. For now the distant shipkin-like beings seem lost to your senses for the moment, but the owl gargoyle is your clearest indication of a direction to go, and it is further down the previously trapped tunnel. Then the Hag's voice interrupts your thought. You hear her reply to Grog'tial that she would hold the halfling here. Could she mean Argy? "We need her more than ye, and she us," you swiftly retort. "Surely if ye want yer book, ye want to give us the best chance to find it and that means having all of us on the task. Time be not on yer side, no more than it be on ours."

"Time as you know it be what I mean for it to be," the Hag replies to you and BenKii. "It is you who be confined by its mechanisms, to the ticking of its clock." She cackles again, then continues menacingly. "We have a deal. Don't think to break it or you'll make me angry. You don't want to make me angry, dearies."

Bellandra, you hear BenKii's quickly whispered explanation about some paintings the skull had mentioned as being a potential way out, paintings which Benkii says he'd seen in a room the last time he was in this place. When listening to his description of Hagsbane and the ingredients, you note graverot is said to be found in nighttime graveyards, but no hint of where moonflowers were to be found. While you have run across zombies and flying skulls, you doubt this place has a graveyard. Wait! Didn't the female voice say something about a painting of a graveyard? And didn't Devin mention moonflowers? Perhaps those paintings could take you to a graveyard then. You watch as BenKii consults his strange device. The tiny drawings its light makes seem to agree with your own preferred direction, and you move with Crew to where BenKii uses his device again to reveal a hidden door. Not liking the noisy squeak of the hinges, you swiftly dart inside with the others, keeping your eyes sharp and your weapons ready in case any new traps or enemies appear or the Hag launches an attack.

Crew: (roll dice*4) You are many turns down the stairs when you hear the squeaking of the hinges again. Then there comes a heavy rumbling sound and the stone of the steps vibrate. There is something very large coming down after you! Captain BenKii, all your holodeck experiences of Indiana Jones and large rolling stones comes rushing up in your memory. Suddenly something gives way beneath you as the stairs alter to become a slide. You are all sent tumbling and sliding down, some barely managing to hold onto your weapons as you are finally spat out through a doorway into dim dank space. Moments later a large boulder collides with the doorway, which luckily holds even as the torch mounted there is flung to the damp floor, sputtering. The large boulder is now wedged against the doorway, preventing your exit back the way you came.

You find yourselves in a large room where water slowly seeps between cracks in the mortar of the bricks to drip down the right wall, slowly flowing in narrow channels to make puddles on the floor. To the left side is a banquet table, set with golden dishes and crystal glasses. On it is a veritable feast; roast pig, goose and capon with bowls of various breads, cheeses, fruits and vegetables and a small sign that says "Eat me." Beside the golden candelabra sit two large casks with another small sign, "Drink Me."

From the room are wide corridors traveling three different directions, left, right and ahead, with a single torch mounted beside each opening. The corridors appear to have alcoves spaced along them on each side every 10m/33ft with more tunnels branching off into darkness in between. Some of the alcoves have statues in them, while others have dimly bioluminescent vines. Strangely, many of the tunnel entrances seem lined with skulls. Faint skittering and clacking sounds can be heard down some of them.

Count, you pick yourself up out of a foul puddle and look around. You swear the longer you are in this place the more vindictive this dungeon gets. You recognize an entrance to catacombs when you see one. The skull has led you down into a bloomin' labyrinth of death.

Bellandra: (roll dice) Your senses pick up your owl-gargoyle friend's essence ahead.

Captain BenKii: (roll dice*3) You consult your tricorder to see the Pac-Man skull travelling down the corridor ahead, even as more sounds begin to awaken around you. Suddenly you hear ladies screaming and a voice chanting in the direction the Pac-Man skull took, then all goes eeriely quiet, except for the beeping of your tricorder and its flashing indication of several red somethings beginning to stir down the tunnels of the corridors to your right and left.

-----
Entrance room to catacombs: Argy, Bellandra, BenKii, Count, Gilius, Grog'tial, Kyp
Somewhere out in the World, near a brothel: Devin
???: Aylar, Cliodhna, Aeshma, Refyx, Rummyfangs, Baldbeard

Another deadly trap... what could go wrong?
Trying to ignore her growling stomach, Argy sniffs the food and wrinkles her nose. " 'Tis be not healthy. Food should be stored in a clean and dry place, nay like 'ere" The casks seem to be closed and so safer, but she'll wait for someone else to inspect them before doing anything.

She'll grab one candelabra, her pan on the other hand and continue with the others as fast as she can (to the corridor ahead, it seems...)

Gilius approaches the table and takes a look at the banquet . He tries to focus and feel if there is anything magical or unnatural about this meal. Should anything suspect appear, he will get back and warn the others not to get close.

Otherwise, he will take a look at the side entrances and see if anything dangerous is there. If it's the case, Gilius will run toward the front corridor.

Mindful of Argy's words, Grog'tial scans the food and casks with his dirk. If it gives the expected indication that these items aren't safe to consume, then once BenKii has shared the info from his magic box that the way to go is forward, Grog'tial will use his gloved hands to toss the crystal glasses at the entrances of the side tunnels to hamper anyone coming from there (who needs actual caltrops?), and will overturn the banquet table (requesting assistance from fellow crew if he can't manage it by himself), using it to blockade the entrance to the tunnel once they're all inside.

(If, despite Argy's words, the food and drink unexpectedly turn out to be safe and Gilius' examination agrees, then Grog'tial will still do all of the above, but will first grab a few easily carried pieces of high-energy food (the cheese probably), will try to determine if there's a good way to carry along some of the drink, and will wait for fellow crew to do the same before overturning the table.) He wouldn't yet eat any of the food, but would ask Argy to take a closer look.

Once in the tunnel, he'll again use his dirk to get some idea about the statues and vines in the alcoves, and will otherwise take up guard duty, ready to shoot enemies from wherever they appear. (A small sigh escapes him as he slots out both currently loaded bolts and puts in two regular bolts instead, but all the same he figures he can just count it as extra practice to help him get even swifter with reloading. His plan for how to deal with the Hag - if they actually encounter her again - remains the same.)

If BenKii's magic box will lead them to side tunnels, Grog'tial will use his dwarven familiarity with branching tunnels to try and memorize the route, additionally using his dirk to mark the walls at the corners they turn.