The Brink [of Madness] Act 1, Scene 1

[Styrius]

Axid decides to lower himself on down to what appears to be a bunch of snakes at least to the edge of the opening since the lit object is now illuminating the area and not detecting any source of life in the area.

[TristenC]

As the group above contemplates a source of action, the Dwarven Psion far below begins to drop smoothly to the ground...

At the bottom, Axid can see that the snakes do not move at all, though are eerily life-like; many reared up as if poised to strike. The floor and walls here have been very convincingly carved from the natural black stone so that they appear to be constructed of writhing, intertwining snakes of all shapes and sizes. The closer he looks the more he sees the horrified visages of humans being overwhelmed by the swarm peeking between the twining serpents; with faces and the occasional grasping hand all that is visible beneath the mass of snakes.

The octagonal room is dominated by the 30 ft long and 15 ft high head of a massive snake. Datk green paint covers it; though it shows signs of aging...

Even more disturbing, from close up he can see carvings of tormented faces

[Dark Omen 67]

Braiden looks over the edge "What in the cold forges of Kal-Hat is that?!!" seeing the images of the giant snake and its serpentine cohorts. "Who's down there? Best be looking for traps, those buggers look to real to be just stone. He'll be needing to look for trigger mechanisms or symbols and such."he looks at the group for a moment, waiting for a response before making his next move.

[Nocturno]

Trying to not look afraid.
"If our large fellow would oblige. I will follow him down."
Jag says with the utmost confidence.

[Rainshadow]

Landro nods twice. He checks first to see if the ladder can hold his weight. If so, he starts climbing down the ladder...

[Styrius]

Axid observes the intricately carved 'mess' before him. He thinks to himself, "Elves aren't into this sort of stuff. It must be human work. Short lived races always mucking about with crap they should never have bothered with for fuck's sake." Further pondering on the fact that there was no life he could discern in the area he yells up: "COME ON DOWN! JUST A BUNCH OF CARVED ROCK! NO DROPPING AND F'ING DEAD THINGS ON ME EITHER!"

[TristenC]

Landro checks the ladder with half his weight still on the bridge. Finding it satisfactory so far he transitions cautiously to his full weight. The chains (thick, sturdy and magically enhanced according to "Binky") bear him with little more than the gentle groan of shifting links. The Giant-Kin begins his smooth descent, followed by the half-elf Cleric-mage Jagrinder. Braiden Forgedheart watches the proceedings intently but finds no overt sign of trechary. Though details the fellow far below amid the snakes (Axid) are difficult to Discern, he is sure the man is a Dwarf, and at least likely posessed of their natural proclivity for detecting stonework and traps of such nature... if not those of other natures.

Binky giggles uncontrollably at Axid's demand not to drop dead things on him. Go on, someone give the zombie bear a push! he laughs aloud. It'll be funny as all the hells! the quasit cackles.

[chris107]

Jack shrugs, relieved that no one is dying…just yet…
He hops on the chain and lowers himself down.

[Dark Omen 67]

When the others have cleared the ladder, Braiden takes his turn on the chain "Won't nobody tell me that a Dwarf was scared of the dark", as he climbs down he begins singing in Dwarven "I hear the hammers singing in the mithral mines below, with the sparkle of the gemstones that the Dwarven Gods did sow...."

[TristenC]

Landro, Jag, Jack and Braiden make their ways safely to the ground. The slick black stone and artistry of the countless snakes on the floor and walls give them a distrubingly lifelike appearance; much less the massive snake-head in the center. The garish Continual Light from the stone nestled in the curved carvings casts steep shadows along the floor and figures in an unsettling manner.

Back up at the bridge, Allikhain muses aloud to the others. It seems disaster has failed to befall our companions just yet. It seems this is our destination. Shall we?

[BishGada]

Ke'Sha holds his head in frustration when Allikhain let Binky throw down the pebble. He checks if it crushed Axid head... Then is amazed by the suggestion to order the zombie to take the dive. "Be careful that I won't order it to throw you down, and find a replacement for you." and just as he says it, the replacement comes in the form of a firbolg that joins them, and goes past him and climbs down. "Dear me... Well, let's go after them." Seeing the ladder is safe enough he orders his minions to use it and walk down and he himself easily climbs down with his air walk spell on.
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(OOC: So I believe we change the movement order? Rror still in the lead and Ho in the back or you what both zombies at the back?)

[TristenC]

[Wherever Ke'Sha wants his minions is fine. I figured since the party was asking for fighters and rogues in camp to go first there would be no objections when they did ]

[chris107]

Jack flits around the perimeter of the snaky chamber, taking full advantage of any shadows for cover and padding on nearly silent feet. He’s looking for exits or anything that piques his curiosity. He will not touch anything until he has investigated it first.

[Dark Omen 67]

Braiden takes a closer inspection of the snake sculptures, looking for runic symbols or any script that might trigger. He knew he couldn't read the runes, but he knew what runes looked like and with luck, others would know how to decipher the message. He traces his finger along the grooves of the carving while taking a very close inspection.

[Nocturno]

Jag will stay near the base of the ladder.
"If you all find anything interesting let me know. Otherwise I will stay out of the way."