CH. 03 - The Accursed Tower

[Daos]

The party stands around the open trap door, looking down at the spiral staircase that disappears into total darkness.  "So nobody has a light of any kind, huh?" Taska asks.  "How do we proceed?"

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It is Mirtul 20th, 1368 DR at Fourteenth Bell.

[Rax]

"An embarrassing oversight, Captain, I must admit, but the need for artificial light does tend to slip one's mind when one has no need of such things," Malavar replies with an awkward shrug. "On the other hand, we are in the middle of a forest. I'm no expert, but surely we could gather enough wood and scrape together some rags to create some makeshift torches? Should our explorations prove to require more than a day, we could even send someone back to Lonelywood to procure some lanterns and other supplies we may need."

[Daos]

"Alright, then what's the plan to proceed?" she asks.

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(OOC:  Marching order?  Oh, and are you leaving someone behind and if so, who?)

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden shrugs "Uh draw straws to see who stays here with the animals?"

[Dram]

Jaxle- I shall lead searching for any traps. He begins by closely inspecting the begininng of the staircase

[Rax]

"I suggest that Krah remain behind to watch the campsite, unless you'd prefer the job, Captain?" Malavar answers Taska. "And if Jaxle leads the way, I suggest that Drezden goes second. Your knowledge of stonework and living underground will no doubt prove most useful as we venture deeper into the tower. I will go in the middle, where I can easily heal both those in front and behind of me. Dallion and either Krah or Captain Taska can bring up the rear."

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden nods his head "Fair enough if Krah is ok with staying topside that's fine by me."

[Daos]

"Very well," Krah says.  "I will wait here."

Not finding any traps on the stairs, Jaxle leads the way, followed by Drezden, then Malavar, then Taska (grasping onto Malavar's shoulder so she doesn't fall in the darkness) and finally Dallion.

The spiral stair descends ten feet into a 10' x 15' room. The cobwebs, though not as thick as in the upper chamber, make it clear that nothing has used these stairs in a very long time.  The room is empty, except for a broken skull on the floor and a door at north end the west wall.

[Dram]

Jaxle moves slowly towards the door. Inspects it very closely for any traps.checks to see if it is locked. This is a wizards tower. I may not be able to detect all the traps or even unlock all the doors. 

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden "Fair enough I figured a wizard would likely use magic rather than standard traps anyway Jaxle."

[Dallion80]

Dallion nods at Drezden's words "This is true, most wizards use magic to protect their towers."

[Rax]

While Jaxle examines the obvious door, Malavar carefully searches the room for any secret or concealed doors. If he finds nothing, he stops to examine the skull on the floor before the party leaves the room.

[Daos]

As soon as Jaxle gets close enough to the door, which does appear unlocked from what he can tell, his prophetic warning seems to come true.  The broken skull stirs, then springs to life!  However, it's just a broken skull, so all it really does it sort of awkwardly hop toward the elf and try in vain to bite his ankle.  Without a body, it is no threat at all.

[Rax]

Seizing his warhammer, Malavar advances on the skull with a look of distaste and does his best to crush it completely.

OOC: Does this require standard to hit and damage rolls?

[GreyWolfVT]

Drezden watches the skull and elf with a bit of amusement then waits to see if the elf stops it with the warhammer or not.