Completed [Play-by-Post] Magic World/BRP: "In Search of the Sorcerer"

[nikolokolus]

Mab roots around in his pack and pulls out a length of silk rope "Might we be able to use this to replace it?"

Spoiler

I made a secret Idea roll for you. If you failed it, then there is some defect in the way you anchor the rope that other people can make Idea rolls to spot. If you fumble your idea roll then it will take a Special or better Search roll to spot the defect.

Mab ties a large double knot in the end of the rope and slides it into the narrow finger-width crack in the cavern wall. He tests it with a couple of sharp tugs and it seems securely seated.

 

[Siveon]

Idea Check: [1d100] = 19 vs 75

Spoiler

Ah geez, see ya Helly!

"Just be careful, we'll be right down!" Marcán says down the hole.

 

[nikolokolus]

Marcán is reasonably confident in Mab's ropework.

 

[L'ennui]

"Shall we resume our ill-advised descent, then? Our comrade awaits us, and who knows what else."

If noone else steps in, Urash grips the the rope as firmly as he can, enrolling it about hia forearm, and he begins a slow descent.

Spoiler

Roll needed?

 

[Siveon]

"Right behind you."

Marcán tugs at the rope with light suspicion before sliding down.

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab grunts and follows.

 

[Grimgravy]

"I'll act as rear guard. Until we know more of what's down there."

 

[nikolokolus]

Urash, Marcán and Mab straddle the rope and gingerly walk down the smooth slide made doubly slick by the thick sheen of mold and slime that covers its surface. Fortunately the rope holds and you deposit yourself on a wedge-shaped ledge, 30' on each side, that is surrounded by an empty black void. Ker stands near the ledge and peers down into the impenetrable gloom aided by an eldritch fire he must have summoned from some nameless hell. The thin line of flames runs the length of the lefthand side of the ledge alternating between sickly shades of green and vibrant purple.

Ker points down, "Come. It won't burn you, I promise. Look, another ledge somewhat like this one about 20 or 30 feet below us. There's steps leading down."

Indeed, when you glance into the yawning chasm you can make out steps that hug the cavern wall to your left that curve down to another wedge shaped platform. Ragged sheets of cobwebs hang from the cavern walls and coat the steps and wall below the lip of the ledge you stand on. A heavy layer of dust coats the cobwebs making them look like giant curtains or sails fluttering in the light draft of air that wells up from below.

 

[Siveon]

Marcan gasps and makes an annoyed yelp at the sight of the ledge. "Pardon me, but I'm not exactly comfortable with darkness and heights." He steels himself for a moment, "D-down the stairs, then, 'o firebearer?"

 

[L'ennui]

"Can your alchemical fire not rid us of these cobwebs, brother Ker?"

Urash pokes disdainfully at the nearest cobweb with his staff.

 

[nikolokolus]

Ker reaches into his pouch and produces a clay flask. "Sadly, I possess no more Atlantean Fire, but a bit of oil and a bit of fire should do the trick." He uncorks the flask and pours a measure into the palm of his hand and tosses it in sweeping arc over the thick cobwebs that cover the stairs, he grins and holds his torch to the stuff, but nothing happens.

Ker frowns deeply.

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

Cormac takes a look down the hole. "I hope there are no more spiders down there. I really don't like those things."

 

[Siveon]

"I'd say there is a pretty decent chance of spiders. What with the cobwebs and all." Marcán tries to slice at the cobwebs with his spare sword.

 

[Grimgravy]

Joining the group Rhenmyr remarks, "Any bets on the dust all over the webs meaning no spiders to trouble us?"

 

[Wayward Son]

"Dust may mean that the spiders are no more, but they are unlikely to have left unless forced to by something we would be far less lucky if we encountered." Mab prods one of the cobwebs with the butt of his spear.

 

[nikolokolus]

Siveon and Wayward Son check your inbox

 

[Siveon]

"Oh! Oh, oh dear." Marcán takes a few steps back in astonishment. "Some spiders. There's something unnatural in these cobwebs, I swear it's trying to lure me," he looks at Mab, "or us, in. I can still smell the sheep stomach on rye bread."

 

[Siveon]

Spoiler

Magical webs roll?
World Lore Check (63) vs [1d100] = 25

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab acts like he can barely hear Marcàn, tears brimming in his eyes, "N-no." Mab emphatically shakes his head, "She- she can't be here. And... hen and dumpling stew? Just the way that they used to... Friend Marcàn, if... if I begin to act out of the ordinary and run off, stop me in any way necessary. These voices are too realistic to be falsehoods to my addled mind."

 

[nikolokolus]

Spoiler

Magical webs roll?
World Lore Check (63) vs [1d100] = 25

Spoiler

This is beyond normal rumors and legends. You (and anybody else) are going to need a 'Special' or better; i.e. 1/5th of your skill

 

[Siveon]

"Steel yourself, Mab! There's no fathomable way your parents, your kin, are here in this place. I fear should we press on, we'd only experience more illusions, and stumble upon whatever is creating them."

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab chuckles lightly, "Do you believe in ghosts my friend? If so, there is a very tangible way for some of them to be here." Mab growls, "Illusion or no, I want to find whatever caused this and make them feel a wrath like no Hell can bear for causing wounds like these to come back."

 

[Siveon]

Marcán scoffs, "As if a ghost of your kin would haunt here of all places. I don't think they wander, now, do they?"

 

[Grimgravy]

failed lore

World Lore (52): [1d100] = 78

"What's all this talk of ghost's and illusions?"

 

[Wayward Son]

Mash calms down, "Of course Marcàn. The voices... they just... Thank you. Should we leave here, or do you wish to travel deeper? Oona may be down here yet." He still looks a little shaken.