Nov 14, 2025 2:06 pm
How are you going to open the covering across the top of the stairs?
7. Return to the Halls
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Nov 14, 2025 2:16 pm
Jacky unshoulders his pole to help push up the statue's left arm, indicating for the others to do so with the right too.
Nov 14, 2025 7:11 pm
Zach sheathes his magnificent bastard sword, slings his shield on the side of his pack, rolls up his sleeves, and engages in helping Ellagel as needed.
Nov 14, 2025 11:16 pm
Grim secures his armaments, and rolls up his sleeves. Then, burly dwarven arms help with pushing up the pole!
Nov 15, 2025 2:46 pm
Sorry to be picky, but can you tell me, specifically, the final position of each arm? They both start at the statue's side, i.e. pointing downwards.
Nov 15, 2025 2:56 pm
OOC:
Last time we did it was based on the inscription on the steps, where both of the arms end up horizontal, zombie-style. Unless someone wants to try another configuration?Last edited November 15, 2025 3:15 pm
Nov 15, 2025 5:36 pm
Ella was glad for the additional arms. She looked at the henchmen, and stated "Get ready to see something amazing boys, something to tell your grandkids!" She emphasized her words by pointing emphatically at the statue as the second arm got set into position and, with a swooping motion to the floor, she added "ta daaa!"
Nov 17, 2025 4:12 pm
To keep things moving, I’ll assume that you position the statue’s arms so that Thoth is, as Testlum puts it, in a zombie pose …
As the arms lock into place in their new position, the distinct section of floor before the statue grinds slowly to the west to reveal the familiar opening. Hector lights his lantern, and you begin your descent of the various long stairways.
Half an hour later, the stairs finally debouch into the large chamber with the central statue of Thoth.
A reminder of the description from your previous visit …
The plaster on the room’s walls has been badly damaged, but the decorated ceiling plaster, 30’ above you, appears largely intact. However, there’s insufficient light to pick out any details; the ceiling is too high.
A substantial amount of debris - wrecked furniture, destroyed armour and equipment, bits of bone and leather - has accumulated in the corners of the chamber. There is dust everywhere, although clear paths lead from the stairs to archways in the eastern, southern and western walls, and to a door in the northwest corner of the room. There are also other exits that don’t appear to be heavily trafficked. No dust is found around the central statue.See also Jacky’s map.
As you pause to orient yourselves after the confines of the stairway, a cheery voice calls out from a passageway to your left.
"Oi! Oi! Look who it isn’t! The slayers of Dalton Erdell no less! Always happy to see some repeat customers. Now, who should I make the license out to?"
The owner of the voice is, of course, your old "friend" Roskelly Winterleaf, as he and his halfling entourage saunter into the chamber.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
---
Billie, Mule: 120’
Link to Jacky’s maps …
As the arms lock into place in their new position, the distinct section of floor before the statue grinds slowly to the west to reveal the familiar opening. Hector lights his lantern, and you begin your descent of the various long stairways.
Half an hour later, the stairs finally debouch into the large chamber with the central statue of Thoth.
A reminder of the description from your previous visit …
Quote:
The room is dominated by a massive 15’ tall statue of ibis-headed Thoth at its centre. The perfectly proportioned and lifelike human body stands on a granite pedestal (3’ tall) and is carved of black onyx. In classic Egyptian fashion, Thoth’s right foot is advancing slightly, whilst his arms hang at his side. Thoth’s ibis head is made of white marble, although the eye sockets are empty. At the foot of the statue is a large stone chest that is part of the pedestal.The plaster on the room’s walls has been badly damaged, but the decorated ceiling plaster, 30’ above you, appears largely intact. However, there’s insufficient light to pick out any details; the ceiling is too high.
A substantial amount of debris - wrecked furniture, destroyed armour and equipment, bits of bone and leather - has accumulated in the corners of the chamber. There is dust everywhere, although clear paths lead from the stairs to archways in the eastern, southern and western walls, and to a door in the northwest corner of the room. There are also other exits that don’t appear to be heavily trafficked. No dust is found around the central statue.
As you pause to orient yourselves after the confines of the stairway, a cheery voice calls out from a passageway to your left.
"Oi! Oi! Look who it isn’t! The slayers of Dalton Erdell no less! Always happy to see some repeat customers. Now, who should I make the license out to?"
The owner of the voice is, of course, your old "friend" Roskelly Winterleaf, as he and his halfling entourage saunter into the chamber.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
---
Billie, Mule: 120’
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Nov 18, 2025 10:28 am
Ella looked at Jacky. It seemed natural, at least to her, that their own halfling companion be the liaison with this band of racketeering scoundrels.
"I still have Dalton's. Is it not valid anymore?"
"I still have Dalton's. Is it not valid anymore?"
Last edited November 18, 2025 11:21 am
Nov 18, 2025 10:35 am
"We have a license right here, so let's not waste any of your ink, hm?" Jacky agrees. The halfling slips a pint of lantern oil into his hand.
Nov 18, 2025 2:34 pm
Thrud's face hardens as he sees the halflings slink into view.
"Hat thieves!" he sneers under his breath as he glares at Roskelly. He interposes himself between the halfling gang and his group, but allows the others to do the talking.
"Hat thieves!" he sneers under his breath as he glares at Roskelly. He interposes himself between the halfling gang and his group, but allows the others to do the talking.
Nov 18, 2025 2:54 pm
Avraham says:
OOC:
How many in the sauntering entourage?"Come now," chuckles Roskelly, "We’re talking about a legal document here. As Dalton’s Darlings no longer exist, for reasons that you well understand, the previous licence is clearly invalid. Even the remaining Darlings had to purchase a new licence for their "Debellaton’s Darlings" moniker. So that’ll be 25 gold for the licence, and a 10 gold fee for your current sortie. As a gesture of good faith, I’ll overlook the 10 gold you so dishonestly avoided last time."
You see his countenance harden a little, the initial cheeriness becoming more forced. He doesn't seem in any way intimidated by Thrud's posturing.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
---
Billie, Mule: 120’
Link to Jacky’s maps …
Nov 18, 2025 4:07 pm
"No dishonesty involved then, or now. We were in the service of the late Dalton, who should have treated his partners better, and paid with his life for his mistake. I pray no other lose their lives for equally egregious misjudgment of the situation they find themselves in," the small-framed elf stated in a level tone, the thinly-veiled threat hanging in the air between the two groups.
"We will at best agree to a nominal fee for the editing of our current license. Perhaps 15 gold for the rectification of the license — a mere change of name — and our expedition fee for the day. It is indeed a purely formal matter: Dalton’s darling have changed their leadership, and with it, their denomination. The impudent curs who served Dalton were dismissed from our employ, and it is just and appropriate that they be forced to pay a new licence in full. We, on the other hand, have already paid in full, the change in leadership having no effect over the validity of our licence. It would take an ignorant ruffian to misunderstand this most obvious application of sound principles of Archontean jurisprudence!"
"We will at best agree to a nominal fee for the editing of our current license. Perhaps 15 gold for the rectification of the license — a mere change of name — and our expedition fee for the day. It is indeed a purely formal matter: Dalton’s darling have changed their leadership, and with it, their denomination. The impudent curs who served Dalton were dismissed from our employ, and it is just and appropriate that they be forced to pay a new licence in full. We, on the other hand, have already paid in full, the change in leadership having no effect over the validity of our licence. It would take an ignorant ruffian to misunderstand this most obvious application of sound principles of Archontean jurisprudence!"
OOC:
Who knew Ella had gone to law school?! I am not in favor of starting a fight here, but am ready to hit them with sleep if they refuse the off-ramp Ella has just offered in an attempt to de-escalate. Last edited November 18, 2025 6:52 pm
Nov 19, 2025 12:35 am
Grim stands stalwartly by with his trusty hammer in-hand.
Aye, meh friend’s tellin’ ya right! I’m all fer obeyin’ just authority n’ whatnot, but we won’t be abiding’ by a bunch o’ arbitrary n’ unfair made-up rules! Ya take meh friend’s offer, n’ be off, ‘cause it’s as good as yer gonna get!
Aye, meh friend’s tellin’ ya right! I’m all fer obeyin’ just authority n’ whatnot, but we won’t be abiding’ by a bunch o’ arbitrary n’ unfair made-up rules! Ya take meh friend’s offer, n’ be off, ‘cause it’s as good as yer gonna get!
Last edited November 19, 2025 12:36 am
Nov 19, 2025 2:24 am
Zach's eyes glaze over slightly as the elf lets forth a torrent of what sounds like legal invective. denomination, jurisprudence, egregious? Lady Elminster may be more dangerous than even bullywugs! he thinks with a shudder. Zach lets his pack slip to the ground and assumes a loose, but ready posture. He will not draw first, but he will stand last, he thinks. He is willing to see if Ellagel can charm her way out of this issue, and will go along with whatever she decides. If it were up to him, though, there would be much feasting for Gog tonight. Does Gog like his halfling roasted or braised?
Nov 20, 2025 12:51 am
Thrud listens to Ellagel's big words and understands almost none of them. But he hears Grim's tone and sees him grip his hammer, and prepares himself for battle should things go badly.
"Friends say price fair. Take it." he growls in a low voice.
"Friends say price fair. Take it." he growls in a low voice.
Nov 20, 2025 4:21 pm
Roskelly screws up his face in concentration as he attempts to follow Ella’s legalese. When the elf finally finishes her monologue, he takes a deep breath before continuing in a slow, patient, slightly patronising tone, as if explaining something to a small child or an idiot.
"Let me try again, as you’re misunderstanding the simplest of principles. Each licence grants a party access to the Halls through this entrance. You have a licence made out to "Dalton’s Darlings". Now, if you are telling me that you have assumed that name for your party, with all the baggage and liabilities that come with it, then I guess you have me on a technicality. In that case, all that is due today is your ten gold sortie fee. If, on the other hand, you wish to adventure under any other banner, then you will need a new licence. Or, of course, you are free to return up the stairs and find another way in. This is an entry fee, not a shakedown."
He continues, "I really do think you are underestimating the value of the licence. Mr Plumthorn, at his own considerable time and expense, and with nothing but a charitable purpose, has secured this entrance so that adventurers such as your good selves have easy access to the Halls. Imagine if this area was riddled with goblins, or beastmen, or Set cultists, or worse!"
"I really do hope we’re not going to have a problem here. Twenty-five gold is exceptional value, and you’re worth far more to Mr Plumthorn alive than dead."
You can’t help but notice that, despite being outnumbered by much taller opponents (well, mostly), the halflings seem remarkably confident and secure in their position.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
---
Billie, Mule: 120’
Link to Jacky’s maps …
"Let me try again, as you’re misunderstanding the simplest of principles. Each licence grants a party access to the Halls through this entrance. You have a licence made out to "Dalton’s Darlings". Now, if you are telling me that you have assumed that name for your party, with all the baggage and liabilities that come with it, then I guess you have me on a technicality. In that case, all that is due today is your ten gold sortie fee. If, on the other hand, you wish to adventure under any other banner, then you will need a new licence. Or, of course, you are free to return up the stairs and find another way in. This is an entry fee, not a shakedown."
He continues, "I really do think you are underestimating the value of the licence. Mr Plumthorn, at his own considerable time and expense, and with nothing but a charitable purpose, has secured this entrance so that adventurers such as your good selves have easy access to the Halls. Imagine if this area was riddled with goblins, or beastmen, or Set cultists, or worse!"
"I really do hope we’re not going to have a problem here. Twenty-five gold is exceptional value, and you’re worth far more to Mr Plumthorn alive than dead."
You can’t help but notice that, despite being outnumbered by much taller opponents (well, mostly), the halflings seem remarkably confident and secure in their position.
---
9:10 am, Mitrasday 26th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’ (Hooded Lantern)
---
Billie, Mule: 120’
Link to Jacky’s maps …
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