Something Wicked, Part 10

Notes

On the first anniversary of the event, the tunnels were reopened to allow exploration. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Since the tunnels have been reopened for the second anniversary by now, I figure anyone who wanted to explore for themselves had a reasonable chance of doing so, and I'll share some of my own explorations for the rest of you. From December 2001...

Action

Mnar followed.

You say, "Breeze."

You elbow Mnar in the ribs in a playful sort of way.

The root, about as thick as a giantkin wrist, dangles over the center of the abyss from a knot of tree roots overhead.

You ease slowly up to the edge of the deep abyss. Despite the gloom of the tunnel a ledge is barely visible across the abyss. A thick white root dangles above it. A stress fracture in the stone forming the side of the abyss looks like it might be traversed by a strong climber.

[Tunnel, Abyss]
The floor of the tunnel is uneven and strewn with rocks and clods of loosely packed dirt. The sound of water trickling on stone echos weirdly through the gloom. The chamber ends in a deep, jagged abyss. You also see a hanging root.
Also in the room: Cathryine, Reidic, Mnar
Obvious exits: up.

You say, "Go on, breeze."

Mnar gestures and utters a phrase of magic.

Mnar gestures.
A strong breeze suddenly picks up and begins to blow around in different directions through the area!

The breeze causes the root to begin swaying.

You grin.

You point at a hanging root.

Reidic rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Mnar asks, "Why are we down here, precisely?"

A strong breeze continues to swirl through the area.

You ask, "Think I can make it?"

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

You say, "Well, you, to breeze."

Mnar says, "If you jump real hard."

>jump root
You CAN'T be serious. The root is too far away to even touch!

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

Reidic says, "forgot how to make the root"

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

>leap root
You CAN'T be serious. The root is too far away to even touch!

>go root
You CAN'T be serious. The root is too far away to even touch!

You stride a few steps forward.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

Mnar exclaims, "Jump!"

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

Poor baby!

You say, "It's still too far."

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

You CAN'T be serious. The root is too far away to even touch!

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

You stare at a hanging root.

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

That was fun.

You sigh.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

You tap your foot impatiently.

Reidic eases cautiously to the edge of the abyss and peers into the gloom.

You say, "All right..."

Reidic points at a deep abyss.

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

You gather up your courage, get a running start, then just as you reach the deep abyss you stop suddenly, overcome with fear.

How can they be so mean to you?!

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

Mnar says, "I don't think this is a good idea, thief."

You gather up your courage a second time, get a running start, then try to leap over the deep abyss.

About a quarter of the way over the deep abyss you realize you're not going to make it. With a little quick thinking and a lot of luck you manage to grab a root hanging from the ceiling, but your grip is unsteady at best.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss but you cannot time the release to make the edge, so you hang on.

Reidic says, "ahh"

Cathryine blinks.

The root swings towards the north side of the abyss and you manage to release the hanging root at just the right time to make it to the edge.

Mnar says, "She's doomed."

The strong breeze stops as suddenly as it arrived.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

Reidic takes a running start, then leaps the deep abyss.

You hear a thud in the distance.

You laugh out loud!

Cathryine blinks.

The hanging root settles back into place.

Mnar says, "Hm."

You say, "Breeze again."

Mnar gestures and utters a phrase of magic.

Mnar gestures.
A strong breeze suddenly picks up and begins to blow around in different directions through the area!

The breeze causes the root to begin swaying.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

Cathryine asks, "any particular reason why we're here?"

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

Mnar points at you.

You gather up your courage, get a running start, then just as you reach the deep abyss you stop suddenly, overcome with fear.

Mnar says, "I'm here because of her."

You gather up your courage a second time, get a running start, then try to leap over the deep abyss.

The root swings towards the north side of the abyss but you cannot time the release to make the edge, so you hang on.

Cathryine asks, "and why is she here?"

Mnar says, "You'd have to ask her."

You exclaim, "I'm reliving a great event!"

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss and you manage to release the hanging root at just the right time.

[Tunnel, Abyss]
The tunnel floor here is mostly stone covered with loose dirt and clods of mud. One wall of the tunnel is formed by a massive boulder which leans precariously overhead. The face of the boulder has been shattered, leaving three large slabs of rock heaped at the base. Water trickles down the face of the boulder and runs into a natural cavern to the east. To the north is a deep abyss.
Also in the room: Reidic
Obvious exits: east.

You let out a cheer!

Reidic pulls you to your feet.

You lean into the rock slab and give it a good shove. The slab rocks unsteadily for a moment, then topples over, finally resting across the abyss.

[Tunnel, Abyss]
The floor of the tunnel is uneven and strewn with rocks and clods of loosely packed dirt. The sound of water trickling on stone echos weirdly through the gloom. The chamber ends in a deep, jagged abyss. You also see a rock slab and a hanging root.
Also in the room: Harloch, Cathryine, Mnar
Obvious exits: up.

Mnar grins.

You clasp Mnar's hand tenderly.

Mnar asks, "Where'd that other guy go?"

The root swings towards this side of the abyss.

You say, "Now, Mnar, you can take the root, or you can take the slab."

You point at a hanging root.

You point at a rock slab.

Mnar gazes heavenward.

The root swings towards the south end of the abyss.

Mnar went across a rock slab.

Mnar whispers, "A thousand cruel whispers"

>whi mnar you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress you look fat in that dress
You whisper quietly to Mnar.

[Cavern, Stalactites]
Some peculiar essence in the soil or stones above has caused swirls of bright crimson to form in the pale stalactites. It's almost as if the cavern itself is bleeding. The flowing water, now tinged with red, follows a downward southwestern track. To the southeast is a narrow passageway from which emanates a putrid smell.
Obvious exits: northwest, southeast, down.
Mnar followed.

You say, "Oooh."

You point southeast.

You say, "I wonder what that smell is."

[Cavern, Narrow Passageway]
This narrow, twisting passageway is piled high with the decaying carcasses of small subterranean and burrowing creatures--moles, shrews, rats, snakes. The stink of decaying flesh is appalling. A small hole to the southeast emits an especially powerful stench.
Obvious exits: northwest.

Mnar gazes heavenward.

[Cavern, Banaltra Nursery]
Once alive with the chittering of newborn and young banaltra this small area is now still and silent. The broken and putrefying bodies of small, furry creatures litter the floor...evidence of the grisly diet of the beasts. The stink of death and decay hangs in the air. You also see a small hole.
Obvious exits: up.

Mnar asks, "You had to ask?"

You wrinkle your nose.

[Cavern, Dark Pool]
A dark, inky pool dominates the area. The pool reeks with the stink of strong minerals. Looming menacingly overhead are long, thin, black stalactites. Water drips into the pool from the overhanging stalactites, but the drops make no sound as they strike and leave no ripple on its surface. You also see a linen-covered table with some stuff on it.
Obvious exits: up.

You say, "Ooh, look."

On the linen-covered table you see some linden leaf salad, a hot cup of green tea, some steamed banaltra fingers, a marzipan feithidmor mandible and a chilled mug of dark ale.

Mnar blinks.

Mnar asks, "How odd. Who restocks it?"

You say, "Somehow, I don't recall this being hear during the great conflagration."

You scratch your head.

You say, "The restocking gnomes."

Mnar says, "Ah."

The surface of the pool is absolutely still. Water from the black stalactites falls into the pool, but makes no sound and leaves no ripple. The stink of rotten eggs is appalling in the small room.

These glistening, black stalactites hang overhead like giant stilettos.

You say, "Sulfury."

>go pool
You can't do that.

>drink pool
But you are not holding a dark inky pool.

>put fing in pool
You can't seem to find a way to do that.

Mnar says, "Sulfur isn't good for you."

>pull stal
I'm afraid that you can't pull that.

>hit stal
Actually, using a weapon would probably be a bit more effective.

You say, "It's almost as if the cavern itself is bleeding."

You reach out and touch a dark inky pool.

Mnar says, "Poor idea."

You ask, "What to do, what to do?"

(Juspera wipes her hand off on her skirt.)

Mnar says, "We could terrorize the boulder. Again."

You say, "No no."

You say, "We must find the lair."

You take a bite of your banaltra fingers.
MMMMM mmmmm GOOOD!
You only have one bite left.

You say, "Mmm."

Mnar says, "I don't think it's down here. I've checked."

You ask, "Well then, where is it?"

Mnar says, "Perhaps it collapsed? Anyway, the banaltra are all gone."

You say, "All the better."

Mnar says, "I wasn't their biggest fan"

You say, "Such a puzzle."

This immense wall of stone has been recently shattered. The face of the boulders glistens as a thin sheet of water trickles down from above.

Mnar scratches his head.

Mnar says, "One for the ages."

You say, "You may go terrorize the boulder."

Mnar grins.

You say, "I must find where the other people got to."

Mnar asks, "Would you like to help?"

You exclaim, "No!"

Mnar asks, "You're sure?"

You nod.

You say, "I will see you in a bit."

Mnar says, "Very well. If you sense that I've died, I'll be on the porch."

Mnar bows.

Mnar went across a large slab of rock bridging the abyss.

You stub your toe trying to kick the pool!

How can they be so mean to you?!

You're not able to do that. The fissure is simply too small. Perhaps if you get closer to the ground?

You kneel down.

You crawl through the fissure, being careful not to scrape yourself on the sharp rocks that surround you.
Roundtime: 3 seconds.

[Tunnel, Small Fissure]
This fissure is nothing more than a wide crack in a massive boulder, riven by the formidable magic that created these tunnels. Craggy, cold stone looms oppressively on all sides, above and below. Tiny cracks and fracture lines appear everywhere in the stone. To the south is a high stone ledge.
Obvious exits: none.

The force that ripped apart this massive boulder left hundreds of tiny stress fractures. The air around each of the fractures shimmers strangely.

A hissing sound escapes from the cracks.
An irritating tickle in your throat makes you cough.

This formidable stone ledge is quite high, beyond the reach of all but giantkin.

You're going to need both hands free.

You put some steamed banaltra fingers in your cloak.

You grab ahold and climb the stone ledge.

[Tunnel, Ledge]
This is a tall, narrow band of dark stone, dropping off sharply on both sides. To the north it descends into a small fissure. Toxic fumes rising from stress cracks in the fissure disturb the air, making it dance and shimmer. To the south the ledge plummets into a bowl-shaped pit filled with sand and dirt. You also see a large root.
Obvious exits: none.

[Tunnel, Pit]
The stark and forbidding walls of this pit rise steeply. The bottom of the pit is filled with fine-grained sand and dirt. Loose dirt skitters down the sides of the pit making a sound like lizard claws on stone walls. You also see some sheer stone walls.
Obvious exits: none.

Sand begins pouring in from overhead.
The sand begins to pile up around you.

You say, "Oh, dear."

The walls of this stone pit are tall and sheer, offering no handholds. Loose dirt, sand and grit drifts down the sides of the walls.

Sand continues to pour into the room from overhead.
The sand buries you a little further.

You cough.

You flail your arms about.

Sand continues to pour into the room from overhead.
The sand buries you a little further.

You don't find anything of interest here.
Roundtime: 3 sec.

One of my favorite pastimes at this point is imagining the despair the four original teams must have felt as the sand poured in and they could find no escape. Fun, huh?

Sand continues to pour into the room from overhead.
Much to your horror you are buried in the sand.

You feel yourself falling through the sand...

[Tunnel, Feithidmor's Nest]
The stench of decay in this area is appalling. The bodies of children and old people in various stages of decomposition are scattered about. Some are partially eaten, some are virtually nothing but denuded bone and bits of putrefied flesh. Those bodies that still have faces reveal expressions of absolute and unrelenting horror. In one corner of the room is a dark pool of inky, viscous water.
Obvious exits: none.

You stand back up.

You say, "Much to my horror."

You focus your mind on Mnar and think:
"I am in the nest!"

You focus your mind on Mnar and think:
"There are partially eaten old ladies."

All the dead are either old folks or children, their ravaged bodies flung about the room like dross. Elves, halflings, giantkin...there are dead of every race. Clearly some of the decomposing bodies have been fed on...ragged strips of flesh hang loosely from bits of bone and cartilage.

You focus your mind on Mnar and think:
"They are in various stages of decomposition."

You cover your nose tightly. Phew!

The water in the pool is black and viscous. Bits of gristle and bone float on the oily surface.

You say, "Eew."

You kneel down.

You murmur some prayers under your breath.

You stand back up.

You wade into the black pool, trying to ignore the bits of gristle and bone that litter its oily surface. Suddenly your feet slide out from under you!

You are plunged into liquid darkness...soft, slimy objects bump into your face and seem to wrap around your fingers. You claw your way to the surface!

You shudder.

You focus your mind on Mnar and think:
"Well, no -- we already killed the feithidmors."

You focus your mind on Mnar and think:
"I went into the pool and slimy things kept bumping into my face."

[Linden Tree, Roots]
The roots of the linden tree create a low, narrow tunnel that inclines slightly. Loose dirt filters down from the latticework of roots overhead. The sound of the softly cascading dirt is reminiscent of the rasping breath of a dying man. A small, angular stone juts up through the floor. You also see a small crevice.
Obvious exits: down.

[Linden Tree, Roots]
The thick roots of the linden tree intertwine to form a sort of canopy. Worms and grubs wriggle deeper into the dirt and centipedes scurry under stones and root ends. Loose dirt seeps down from above. The smell of fresh, rich soil pervades the area. A large, jagged stone leans against two of the larger roots. You also see a narrow crack high in the wall between the roots.
Obvious exits: none.

[Wehnimer's, Boatyard]
Otis the Shipwright often spends his spare time on this promontory, which extends a short way into the river. Workmen hustle all about you, some busily passing in and out of a large sailing vessel, which sports a gaping hole in its side, much as a speared and dying fish. Others are putting the finishing touches on a refurbished frigate, standing proudly offshore, which awaits a new cargo as well as a new lease on life. The small beach stretches to the south. You also see a small stone shrine with a polished ironwood plaque on it, a narrow crack in the ground at the base of the tree and a flowering linden tree.
Obvious paths: south, west.

You sigh deeply.

>go crack
BONK! You smash your nose.

You reach out and touch a polished ironwood plaque.

It reads:
Fearless in battle, tireless in your quest for knowledge and selfless in your desire to defend the weak, you stood together as one to protect this city against the feithidmor. With knowledge as your weapon and your faith in each other as your shield, you set out to succeed where all others failed. Through your countless hours, dedication, blood and tears, you also became the first to break the feithidmor's cycle and save this city. History shall remember your courage and your feats, honorable heroes.