The Sarcophagus Legion III

[Jenara]

"Well we'll look after you. And I was thinking, you feel really bad about the things your people did... Maybe helping us, and helping find Imani's Sister wife, it might help you, everyone loves a Hero!" Locky says as she walks on.

"To the Shrine?" She asks curiously, "Or the Lab."

[Jerrard]

"I am in two minds, the Shrine or the Lab might be interesting. But if I were to hide someone, I might use somewhere less obvious ." Jerrard comments in response to Locky.

"Thank you Dala, your help is appreciated." Jerrard smiles, he seems to be unaffected by the nature of the Dwarf.

[Breila]

"What about the silver smelt then? That's probably large enough for a group of people, and to hide someone in." Babushka suggests. Then she turns back to Dala. "But where did you and the other workers stay? Before you were imprisoned, I mean?"

[JadedDM]

"I am glad to have been a help, in my own way," Dala says. To Babushka's question, she answers, "we stayed at the barracks. It's just south, and to the right. It's also where the winch to open and close the doors is."

Now that she thinks about it, Babushka does remember there being a dozen or so simple cots in that room.

[Breila]

"Oh yes, I remember." Babushka smiles at Dala.

[HorizonsDream]

Imani walks up close to Jerrard and starts to speak softly "I don't know how long Dala has been in there, but things could have changed a little in here. Cave ins and the like. The Jackals could have made changes of their own as well. I'm not grateful for the help, but I think we should be a little more cautious than we are being."

[JadedDM]

While Imani and Jerrard have their private conversation, Thuskar asks, "So...the lab, the smelter, or the shrine. Or somewhere else? Should we split up and cover more ground then? Babushka and Ulster can go check the smelter, Locky and Imani the shrine, and Jerrard and me can check the lab."

[Breila]

Babushka shakes her head at Thuskar's question. "No, I think we should stay together. In groups of two, we're too vulnerable.

Why don't we continue the way we began? Take the next corridor to the right? We can see if the shrine is still there, or what changes have been made since Dala last was here."

As the others make up their mind, Babushka walks over to Dekker to comfort him, trying to let him feel that no harm will come to him from Dala.

[JadedDM]

Dala fidgets as they try to decide which path to take. "So then, I guess you don't really need me any further then, right?" she asks.

[Jenara]

"Do you want to go?" Locky asks, still invisible, as usual it wasn't as much fun and she had hoped. "I do understand, although if you stay with us I can help you find your way home." Reaching forwards, she strokes her medallion softly. "Paladine will protect us."

"Lets go to the Silver Smelt." She announces, pulling on Babuskha's hand.

[Jerrard]

"Your judgement is ok with me." Jerrard announces, "Going separately would be quicker, yet more dangerous. Unless you have a thought my dear." He comments looking at Imani.

[JadedDM]

"Thank you," Dala says. "But I think I can find my own way." She starts to walk toward the exit. After a few steps, she turns back and waves. "Thanks again for freeing me!" She resumes walking, but never makes it to the doors. Instead, she just fades away, her spirit finally departing for the Gate of Souls. The party may never know if she'll be claimed by Reorx or Sargonnas, but they can take some comfort in knowing she has finally moved on.

Locky drags Babushka north, and the others follow at twenty feet behind. They turn left at the third passage which opens up into a chamber. There's a hallway to the south and the west, and a closed door to the north.

A pair of iron kettles is suspended by metal brackets over a now-cold stone hearth. The brackets allow the kettles to be swung away from the heart and lowered to the floor. Iron ladles with pour spouts and molds for making ingots rest on a table nearby. A large stack of cut firewood, which once fed the flames of the heart, occupies a stretch of the north wall. Iron rails enter the chamber from the descending tunnel along the west wall and terminate before the kettles. Two wooden carts occupy the tracks.

[HorizonsDream]

Imani raises an eyebrow at being called 'my dear', but decides not to comment on it. "I suggest we stick together for the time being," she says. "There is no telling what we might find in here."

[Jerrard]

"Then we are in agreement." Jerrard Glances around, he was still disturbed by the disappearance of Dala. "I guess the tracks go down to the mines." Wishing he knew where Locky was he grasps Babuskhas arm gently. "Hold on to her."

[Breila]

Babushka smiles up at Jerrard. "I'll do what I can"

In the chamber, she looks around carefully and checks if she can find any signs of recent passage, before investigating the technical appliances out of sheer gnome curiosity.

Tracking check: 2, pass