CH 4: Heart of Darkness

[Breila]

Ouragana had been close to Areilon and Val in her pacing, so she comments on Arei's remark.

"Oh, he might have known, but he chooses to ignore it" she says. "And in a way, he is right. The different races should all have the same rights. Still, I do not believe that a group with only humans would fare much better here."

Still very nervous, Ouragana turns around, to her pack to take out her spellbook. She still has her spell memorized, but she wants to find a clue to what the potion was. She had the feeling she was so close to knowing it... and studying had always calmed her nerves.

[JadedDM]

Maua can do little to stop Areilon, as her legs and arms are tied together. The elf bandages the knife wound, which eventually stops bleeding.

After almost an hour, Dalaim finishes his prayers. As luck has it, nobody bothers the party during this time.

He again animates the two dead, bringing them back as zombies and adding them to the ranks.

"Well then, shall we be off?" he asks.

==========

It is now 7:35 AM.

[Nuke]

"I am use to it, but most people don't just attack me." Val adds.

"Carry on" she says in response to the dwarf.

[Jenara]

"Very well." Arei agrees, "Grey, we take the lead, we get closer."

"I would prefer not to kill many more." She says readying her blade and gear.

[JadedDM]

Stepping out of the temple in formation, the party can see considerably better and further now that the bright summer sun is out.

To the west is a large, round building made of some kind of bluish stone. Just south of it is another building, but it looks to be in bad repair. Peeking between the two, there seems to be a sturdy structure further down, southwest.

Furthermore, to the southeast is a square building, fully intact.

"Thoughts?" Dalaim prompts, unsure of where to start.

[Jenara]

"Southeast?" Arei suggests, "Grey and I will scout first."

[HorizonsDream]

"Southeast is about as good as any direction," Jocelyn admits.

[Breila]

"As good or as bad" Ouragana adds gloomily. She stays at the rear for the moment, her back to the building.

Would the floor be even enough to walk backwards without too much of a risk of tripping? If so, she will do so, watching their backs as they walk.

[Nuke]

"We should explore around the outside before we enter building I think." Val moves southeast toward the next building, but not into it.

[JadedDM]

The building is shorter, length-wise, than the temple, but wider. It's also square-shaped instead of rounded. A staircase leads down underground to the entrance. Although dark, there is the slightest hint of a flickering light within. Otherwise, it's all quiet.

There is also a slight smell of sweat and some kind of booze wafting up from within.

[Jenara]

"I agree." Arei responds to Val, "Watch them, Grey and I will take a look around." She taps the Gnome on the shoulder and walks around to the rear of the building, keeping in the shadows if she can.

----
1d100=78, 1d100=65
Fail on both

[JadedDM]

As luck would have it, there is nobody behind the building, or on any side. The only entrance is the descending staircase in front. There aren't even any windows.

Five minutes later, Areilon and Grey circle the building entirely, rejoining the others up front.

[Jenara]

"Well its clear. Shall we try inside? Perhaps we should be careful." Walking back round she glances at the building.

[HorizonsDream]

"From the smells coming from down there, I assume someone is there," Jocelyn says.

[Nuke]

"Smells like booze to me. I want to looks around some more." Val start moving to the west, looking around the ruins.