[IC] To The Edge of the World...

[Fubsy]

Wimena wanted to say that her last thoughts as she plummeted diwn the hole were analytical and clever. That she was planning out ways to clamber up as the earth gave way beneath her feet. That she was twisting her body on purpose to land safely. Of course, none of those things really occurred, leaving the Halfling with the ever so eloquent verbal and mental interjection of "AAAAUUUUGGGH," as she tumbled into the dark. Her eyes were shut tight in fear as the wind rushed around her. Suddenly, Wimena's scream was cut short as she collided with something soft, and her body instantly tensed up. The ground, perhaps? But the fall felt so quick, and she was sure the cold stine wouldn't be as warm and comfortable. Risking an eye open, the halfling gasped in shock as she saw the floating girl from before carrying her. "T-thank you..." she said, her viice coming out like a deflated squeak.

[Wick]

Eve looked up when Wimena screamed. June came out of nowhere at such a fast speed that she actually caught her before she hit the ground. Eve had wandered between both sides of the hill and determined one of the side's openings would have been about the size of a human door but the other was much larger. She contemplated using magic to move the opening's blockage.

She looked up and asked. "Do we have any idea who or what lived in here? Or if they still do?"

[Marcus XVI]

"Ah, fine catch, m'lady." Tarquin mimicked tipping a wide brimmed hat at June and smiled warmly while looking around, like he was trying to remember something, or like he was searching for something in particular. After a while he walked up to Eve and shrugged his shoulders. "Well I personally have never been this far away from the mainland before - mostly due to seasickness, but still... There might be something..." He trailed off to mumbling and shook his head.

[Kelewen]

"That's an impressive trick," Cedric said to June. Much less cautious than Tarquin, he asked her "You think you could safely lower us each down there?"

[Lunar]

Still holding the halfling and hovering a few inches off the ground June asked the group "so what's going on around here? I was kinda sleeping the whole time" she said feeling kind of embarrassed. "And most importantly, why are people falling in wholes?" She said playfully and then setting the girl she had just saved Back on her feet with a little pat on the head just as a joke. "And ya I can do that easily"

[Marcus XVI]

Tarquin - who at this point in his own mind at least seemed to be the voice of reason for the group - shook his head slightly. "Now, just listen to me. We need to find another exit in case we get in to some damn trouble down there. I'm not going down in to a cave if it has only one exit on the damned ceiling."

[Kelewen]

Cedric scratched his head, unhappy about the idea of wasting a day excavating an entrance. "Wimena, didn't you say that the beast's tracks went towards the forest and the swamp? So it's not here now, right? If only we had some rope, it should be safe enough to explore." He looked to the others in the group to see who they would side with.

[Lunar]

Looking Cedric in the face she said "If we need rope I can fly back to the village and grab some" she said floating higher in the air and doing a few slow back swirls like a fairy would. then she looked back at Cedrick again.

[Fubsy]

Wimena smoothed her shirt as she was set down, blushing as June patted her head. She nodded in answer to Cedric's question, though she held more caution, especially after her fall. "Tarquin's right, though. What if the beast returns, or the rope snaps? We may have June to fly us out, but I'm betting carrying a half-Orc won't be as easy as catching me."

[Lunar]

"Well actually I could hold you all with ease as long as a part of you is within two feet of me, see I control gravity" she said like a nerdy kid. "So if I were to need to pull everyone out they would need to be within two feet of me which posts a problem, it's called small corridors and cave routes. Not to mention if someone were to get lost they would be kind of well... You know."

[Marcus XVI]

"Splendid, so off to find a more suitable entry hole we go." Tarquin smirked and rolled his eyes. "I should perhaps rephrase that, but... Off we go." The bard made a little pose before again glancing around.

[Wick]

Eve looked at Tarquin. "I can handle the other entrance." She went back to where she and Rockmar had been and opened the smaller of the two entrances with a bit of magic. The others could hear the ground on one side of the hill shifting as she opened it up. "This was at some point the original doorway. It even has the frame. I imagine that from lack of use it was closed over by erosion of the land." She waited as they came round the hill to investigate.

[Fubsy]

Wimena followed Eve around the hill. Surprise filled her gaze as an entrance opened up, the earth trembling slightly as the doorway was revealed. "How did you know this was here?" Wimena marveled, peering into the doorway.

[Marcus XVI]

Tarquin followed after Wimena and hummed a catchy song. He examined the entrance for any kind of hints of either craftsmanship or other handiwork. "Hmmm... Let's see..."

[Kelewen]

As Eve's magic moved and shook the soil in front of the entrance, it slowly fell away to reveal a large circular stone set over the entrance, decorated with serpentine spirals worn by time. The slab itself rolled to the left just enough to create an opening wide enough for 1 adventurer at a time to squeeze through.

If one were to peek inside, they could see a dark, narrow passage supported by walls of stone slabs. The floor is hard packed earth. The ceiling is low (~6 ft) and both the walls and the ceiling are inscribed with the same serpentine spirals. The air is still and cool.

(further description to follow if/when someone goes inside)

Cedric looked suitable impressed at the magic and was certainly pleased not to have to walk back to the village to collect excavating supplies. "Fellas, look like we best keep these ladies safe."

[Lunar]

"For your information mr protector I can defend myself perfectly fine" she sed with a sassy tone and her hands on her hips levitating a little higher than Cedric's head so she could look down on him. Then looked back at the group and said "this looks interesting"

[Garth]

Rockmar looked in the tunnel. "Oh, hell's bells, I'll go in first." He knew he wouldn't have enough room to use his greataxe. He pulled his hand axe from his belt. He squeezed in past the stone slab. He had to stay hunched over to keep from hitting his head on the ceiling.

[Fubsy]

For once, Wimena was glad of her small stature. While Rockmar struggled to squeeze into the tight room, the Halfling merely followed with an unhindered pace. She peered into the passageways. Her hands carefully traced each serpentine swirl on the wall. "Who do you think built this place?" she asked curiously,

[Marcus XVI]

Tarquin tilted his head and examined the serpentine swirls and began thinking about all the stories and history he had heard or read. "...Perhaps some of the ancient people who lived here? Doesn't seem dwarf made... Nor is it elven to my eyes. I'd say humans from... oh, roughly... Hmmm..." He touched the rock and scratched the side of his head. "...Perhaps even as far back as... Hmm.. I admit that it is a long time ago... That coming from someone who's lived for nearly 400 years... So... these must be more than... Hmmm... I'd say over a millenia before my time, maybe even three. Perhaps from the time when humans were just starting to use copper in their weapons..." The tall elf paused again to think and shook his head. "I'd actually love to inspect these further..."

[Kelewen]

@Garth It takes a few moments for Rockmar's eyes to adjust enough to see much of anything. The only light is that which is trickling in from the opening. But a few feet from the entrance, the serpentine spirals on the right wall give way to a mural depicting a barbaric warrior clad in a bearskin cloak and welding a heavy spear and shield. He is engaged in battle with a huge, demonic hound.

The tunnel is 40 feet long, then appears to open up into a room, though it is currently too dark to see any details.