Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrophe

[SunlessNick]

"I agree," says William.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Noticing the vermin, and thence the softer areas of the floor, Lepus attempts to mark them out with the stick.

WIS 18 to make out any patterns,[dice]227705:0[/dice]

Lepus notices that the softer areas of the cavern floor, more sandy than rocky, mark out a rough circle just in front of the two pillars, about the size of a punch bowl.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Vincent frowns as he studies the curious arrangement of stones, attempting to determine if they possess some esoteric significance.

Spoiler:

Intelligence 9 + 1 Esoteric Knowledge
[dice]227708:0[/dice]

The French magician is able to determine that the arrangement of the stones has no preternatural meaning; rather, it appears to be an entirely mundane way of leaving a message.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst their companions study the pillars of stones and the ground near them, Doctor North and Captain Palliser investigate the cavern on the right. They pass by a particularly tall stalagmite on their left, and note several boulders of moderate size in an alcove to the right. Otherwise, this chamber appears to be unconnected to any other, save the way they came in.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry examines the portion of the wall represented by the letter "S" on the map, tapping the wall to find any hollow spots, searching for mechanisms or some sort of secret passage.

[jp1885]

Lepus points out the circular area to the others nearby. He looks around for a rock of similar size and, presuming he can find one and can carry it, places it on the spot by way of an experiment.

[SunlessNick]

William listens rather than looks, remaining alert for any danger that might be approaching from the the directions the party has yet to explore.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry examines the portion of the wall represented by the letter "S" on the map, tapping the wall to find any hollow spots, searching for mechanisms or some sort of secret passage.

It is hardly surprising to discover that the place so indicated produces a sound much like a large drum when one strikes it firmly; beyond this, there is no obvious mechanism or manner of opening it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus points out the circular area to the others nearby. He looks around for a rock of similar size and, presuming he can find one and can carry it, places it on the spot by way of an experiment.

With a soft, almost whispering sound, the said stone sinks into the ground, where it is soon lost to sight. In a moment the ground appears as if it had been entirely undisturbed.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William listens rather than looks, remaining alert for any danger that might be approaching from the the directions the party has yet to explore.

Given the cathedral-like interior of the caverns, one must expect that the softest whisper, or the most delicate movement of one's foot upon the sand and gravel covering the ground, produces echoing sounds louder than one would expect under different circumstances. In addition to these, there are occasional rapid, high-pitched, sharply defined sounds, reflected from the surrounding rock walls in such manner as to make their exact source impossible to determine.

[jp1885]

Lepus mutters a warning to avoid stepping on any sandy areas. Avoiding the circle himself, he examines the stacks to see if he can work out their purpose.

[Mr. Handy]

"There's a secret passage here all right," says Henry. "I can't find a mechanism to open it in the wall, but perhaps the answer is elsewhere in this cavern or in the one with the pillars. Lepus or Vincent may be able to apply their expertise. The stick would have allowed us to pass through the wall, but now it's just so much kindling, and good riddance too."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus mutters a warning to avoid stepping on any sandy areas. Avoiding the circle himself, he examines the stacks to see if he can work out their purpose.

Close examination of the two pillars reveals that, through clever arrangement of one upon another, it is possible to rotate each individual stone about its center, without needing to disturb the position of the others. Experimentation with such movement leads inevitably to the conclusion that such must be done handsomely, lest the structures topple through carelessness. This might be thought merely a child's game, without method or purpose, were it not for the fact that each time a stone is turned, a peculiar sound, much like some great engine, is heard creaking from within the walls of the cavern itself.

[jp1885]

Muttering and twitching slightly , Lepus gingerly rotates the stones, trying to ascertain a pattern. Perhaps, if he can align them correctly, the stoned will open the secret passages?

INT 15,[dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Muttering and twitching slightly , Lepus gingerly rotates the stones, trying to ascertain a pattern. Perhaps, if he can align them correctly, the stoned will open the secret passages?

INT 15,[dice]227987:0[/dice]

By carefully observing certain chips upon the stones, seemingly the work of human hands and not of Nature, and aligning them, it is possible to cause previously unseen passages between the caverns to open, much in the same way as a drawbridge of former days, and then to close them again. In particular, a passageway between the first cavern to the right, and, previously unseen, a chamber beyond it, is now revealed, with many a loud creaking sound, as of hinges rusty with time. (Similar noises are heard coming from more distant areas, but as of yet these remain unseen.)

This room is notable for a group of curiously formed stalagmites to the right upon first entering.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

There are half a dozen of these, close to one another, each about the height of a tall man and shaped in such a way as to remind one of a crudely carved human figure.

[SunlessNick]

Mentally shaking his head at the superstition the events of these past weeks have seemingly instilled in him, William wonders aloud whether these stalactites might be men somehow petrified.

[jp1885]

Lepus capers with glee as gears grind and the secret passage opens. He grins at the others before looking down at the doll in his pocket.

"'tis a clever mechanism yesno? Didst thou know of this place Poppy?"

He looks up at the ceiling. If there are stalagmites on the floor, surely there should be stalactites above?

[Mr. Handy]

Henry is of a similar mind. "There may be a gorgon, or something akin to it, in these caves," he says, readying a mirror just in case. "These could very well be fellow explorers turned to stone by its gaze. Like Perseus, we must be prepared to reflect that gaze back at it."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus capers with glee as gears grind and the secret passage opens. He grins at the others before looking down at the doll in his pocket.

"'tis a clever mechanism yesno? Didst thou know of this place Poppy?"

Spoiler:

Aye, for 'tis here one must make sacrifice, that I be set free. Think not to turn coward, for thy way back is denied thee.

He looks up at the ceiling. If there are stalagmites on the floor, surely there should be stalactites above?

There are indeed such structures, from some of which the slow dripping of water, nearly as white as milk as a result of the minerals suspended in the liquid, splashes upon the ground, forming tiny pools. Whilst taking note of this interesting phenomenon, the party is alarmed to hear a loud crashing noise, as the ground shakes as it did before, although reason dictates this is not likely to be the work of the same tentacled creature as formerly encountered, due to its current reduction in size. Be it the whim of capricious Nature, or some other cause, the result is unmistakable; large boulders now block the entrance into these caverns. As if by design, only minor changes occur in the other parts of the caverns, a few of the smaller stalactites breaking off the ceiling and falling to the ground.

[jp1885]

“‘‘twas the agreement, was it not, that neither would play each other false?” Lepus asks the doll. “Say what must be done.”

He turns to the others.

“The way back be blocked. The doll will have old Lepus make a sacrifice in return for freeing the twins from her influence. If these be my final moments, the it has been a pleasure to know thee.”

He bows deeply.