4. The First Expedition

If it seems plausible that you could recover the arrows (which in the currently constrained area it is), that’s fine. I’ll say there’s a 1-in-6 chance that a given arrow is either broken or lost - I’ll let you roll. Otherwise, you can collect them. Does that seem fair?
Grim spends a turn examining the section of wall he is standing next to. It is of classical Archontean construction consisting of stone walls covered in decorated plaster. In this area, the plaster is relatively intact and shows an image of a large ibis flanked by smaller baboons wielding clubs.

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Scanning east and west along the corridor the skeletons arrived by …

30’ to the east there is a 20’ wide opening in the southern wall. Light spills through this opening as do tendrils of a grey-green mist.

To the west, the corridor continues beyond the range of Thrud’s lantern. However, there is a door after 30’ in the northern wall.

There is also the door that you are already aware of that is 5’ west of the corridor in which you fought the skeletons (i.e. it spans a line of the graph paper, rather than being in the middle of a square).

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11:20 am, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Akoslan, Khumus Fighter 1: 9/8, ?’
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Zach is more than happy to let others make the decisions for now. He wants to smash things and let loose his rage at the universe for stealing a decade of his life. Sticking by Thrudmarr seems to be a good decision…for now.

‘That smells like dark magic’, the elf thought to herself, as she observed the strands of fog coming from the southern opening on the eastern branch. That wasn’t where the skeletons had come from, however, as they had been marching from the west.

Turning to the others, she stated "Im taking a peep at that entrance". She then immediately walked along the southern wall, as silently as her light elven frame allowed. Once she was by the opening, she first observed the tendrils of mist. If they were not particularly threatening, she will peek around the edge of the wall into the illuminated chamber.

I’ll back ya up, Grim says grimly. Wielding his hammer and following just behind his elven friend.

Jacky shakes his head as the others insist on continuing down the passage. Still, he follows.

Thrud will stay near and advance with the others while carrying the lantern, waiting for Ella to tell us what she sees.

"The skeletons were headed that way," Jacky reminds the others. "I don't know what a skeleton could be looking for, though."

Zach walks alongside Thrudmarr, anticipating more mayhem.

Peering through the opening in the southern wall of the corridor, Ella sees a diamond-shaped chamber in which a grey-green mist rises 3’ above the floor throughout. Visible through the mist, in the centre of the chamber, is a 20’-diameter pool rimmed with a 1’-tall, blue-granite lip. The liquid in the pool is a dark, sludgy brown colour. The room is lit by what appears to be a continual light spell cast in the centre of the ceiling.

Mapping information: Diamond-shaped room, in which the only visible entrance is in the northern wall. The west, east and south corners are all sharp points. The distance from the western corner to the eastern corner is 60’. The distance from the northern entrance, to the southern corner is 50’.

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11:20 am, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Akoslan, Khumus Fighter 1: 9/8, ?’
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Jacky will conduct a quick search of the cracked bones lying on the floor while the others go forward.

Ella looked at Grim, and shook her head. She then whispered "Too risky, stinks of hungry daemons."

She then moved back to the intersection.

"Demon fog no scare me!" Thrudmarr says, emboldened by their victory over the skeletons. "But...if Ella lady say no go, we no go."

Jacky finds nothing of interest amongst the bones.

Have we got a long pole we can use, fer ra check dose buttons in de statue’s eyes?!

My bastard sword is about four feet long.

"I have a couple of broken arrow shafts," Ella commented. Assuming the buttons weren’t too deeply recessed, the wooden fragments might be enough.

"Here," Jacky passes his 10' pole to the dwarf. "Just mind you give it back in one piece!"

Grim takes the pole into calloused hands. I’ll do meh best, he quips.
Everybody might wanna stand back, Grim remarks. Before he reaches up and tries pressing the button set into the left eye.

Zach moves to shield Ellagel. Here, Lady Elephant, get behind me and my shield whilst Grok presses buttons.