Descending the Temple Depths

... Continuing from Off the Beaten Track

With loud creaks the rusted hinges move and the door swings open towards you --crowding everyone on the stairs and threatening to push them into the water.

A 'guardian' of the door appears to leap at you. But then --as though just glad to finally get out-- lies still, outstretched, half inside and half on the stairs. Nothing by a moss-covered human skeleton.

Whereas the temple building above was sterile and devoid of life, here, down below, it smells of life --possibly too much so. Unseen insects (you hope) scuttle away from your light, easily heard in the silence. The ground is covered in soft, springy moss and various vividly coloured fungi sprout --intermittently-- from many of the surfaces.

At least the constant dripping of the stairwell is absent inside. Instead, a cool damp pervades the air.

What do you do?

- Falur -

Something (a half-remembered warning, maybe) about the fungi worries you. Few of the others (except maybe Dirk, you think) would know to be wary, so it probably falls to you keep your wits about you and spot any danger.

"That was that plan, anyway." The captain says quietly in reply to the news that there is no other way.

"Yes...?" She answers Albert's question hesitantly. "Something has changed." She looks at the sword in her hand --so ineffective a moment ago-- and then down at the mossy skeleton, sprawled at her feet. Considering.

Yes lets move on but that moss looks like something I have seen on the dying trees in my forest so keep away if you can

With the door closed the air quickly becomes still and stuffy, the various smells assault your senses --for some of you bringing memories of mould and decay.

The passage T-junctions a short way ahead. "Does anyone have a strategy for navigating such a maze?" The captain asks --her voice very soft, even in the silence down here.

"Where are are even going?" Asha asks, but quietly enough that she maybe does not want anyone to hear.

---

• Where are you all wanting to go? Final destination.

• Dirk: As the lead explorer (and the one with tomb-raiding experience?), give us a roll (and accompanying fiction to justify the Stat used) to find an efficient route. (Decipher probably applies.)
• Falur: The scent-memory triggers something for you. Make a Survival roll (probably +WIS) to pick up on dangers, and an Awareness roll (also probably +WIS) to see if you do it in time.

ooc: since Roald has joined the party for the adventure and to see more of the world, the journey itself IS his destination. That being said, if someone has an interesting goal or destination, he would probably tag along.

Survival Roll 2d6+3

(32) + 3 = 8

Awareness Role

- Falur -

You see a puff of spores from a fungal bloom at head-height on the wall a little ways down the passage. Now you remember what was nagging at you: These are the ones that you remember exploding when exposed to fire... fire, as from the torches the party is using for light.

So long as the torches are kept well away from the mushrooms you don't think they should ignite, but you currently have no way of predicting when they are going to puff out as the one ahead just did. If they do that near an open flame it would probably be bad.

What do you do?