Player Introduction
Maybe you first heard the name in a tavern well after closing time, as two old adventurers, well past their prime, spoke of it in hushed tones. Maybe it was from your own mother, who swore she'd send you there when you misbehaved. Perhaps you read the name in an ancient tome of history and lore illuminated by flickering candlelight late at night as the wind howled outside. Wherever you first heard of the place, you have long heard tales of Dragon's Delve.
A vast underground dungeon of labyrinths and catacombs, built perhaps by dwarves or perhaps by wizards--or maybe even dragons--Dragon's Delve is infamous among treasure-hunters and monster-slayers. Filled with deadly danger and ancient treasures, the dungeon offers both risk and reward in equal amounts, each growing more intense the deeper one goes. How much peril is worth risking for how much return? It's all up to those brave enough to try.
The tales of Dragon's Delve teem with contradictions and unbelievable anecdotes of impossible encounters and bizarre monstrosities. And yet, some of it all must be true. Do demonic cultists really use Dragon's Delve as a secret base? Is there truly some kind of ambient magic seeping up through the place? Did wizards of old hoard away powerful artifacts in the dungeon's vaults? Do gateways to remote lands and even other planes of existence really lie somewhere in Dragon's Delve? Does the prince of all dragonkind really hold court in the deepest reaches of the subterranean stronghold? No one knows for certain, but those that could find the answers to even some of these questions, or learn even a few of the dungeon's other secrets, might earn for themselves notoriety and wealth beyond imagining.
If they survive.
Dragon's Delve lies in a remote corner of a long-forsaken wilderness that people once called the Duchy of Chordille. Yet a hundred years ago or more, the folk of the surrounding lands took up arms against Chordille. They razed the keep and slew the duke. It's hard now to find someone who knows the real reason why this happened. A few speak of evil intent on the part of the duke, who had plans for conquest. Others, however, say that the duke's actions were always benevolent, and that the conflict arose from misunderstanding, or perhaps deception on the part of some mysterious third party.
All that is known for certain is that folks call that remote realm the Fallen Duchy. It boasts no ruler and little population. Wilderness reclaimed Chordille, and it is now a land of dangers.
People in Brindenford, a small town just two miles to the north, claim that murderous humanoid creatures prowl those ruins. Goblins? Orcs? Worse? No one seems to know for sure, and eyewitness accounts are few, and always contradictory. They also claim that the place is both haunted and cursed.
So many questions. So many secrets.
If you dare to brave this ancient dungeon, go well equipped. Be ready for anything. Keep your eyes open, and search everywhere. Any passage or door you find could lead to wealth enough for you to retire. Or it could lead to certain doom.
But that's what being an adventurer is all about, right? This isn't an undertaking that you'll finish in one foray or even a dozen. This is the challenge of a lifetime. As someone thrilled at the prospect of exploring the unknown, incredible challenges, and the promise of gold and magic, Dragon's Delve is exactly where you've always wanted to go.
-----------------------------------------------------
And now, six intrepid young adventurers stand amidst the ruins of Chordile Keep. This ruin offers no intact structures--only vine-grasped piles of stones, overgrown outlines of foundations, and the furtive hint of walls and arches. The entrance to the Dragon's Delve itself is little more than a twenty-foot wide open pit with an exposed stone stair that descends into darkness. Various explorers and treasure seekers have left the entrance well-cleared. Likewise, the observant adventurer may notice the remnants of cooking fires and other signs that previous delvers have made camp near this pit.
Each of you thinks back to recent days, how you all met in the taproom of the Lost Shepherd Inn in Brindenford. For your own reasons, your own interests, you were drawn to this town due to its proximity to the renowned dungeon. Knowing that you stood a better chance of survival in a group, rather than on your own, you banded together with five others of like interest. Finally, with weapons sharpened, spells ready, equipment purchased, you set out to the ruins of the keep. The journey was uneventful, but the anticipation kept you moving at a brisk pace.
And now, the darkness yawns open before you, beckoning you below...
Kellith, Human Warrior
Kellith unshoulders his pack, keeping a wary eye on the ruins. A tall human with dark hair, he had introduced himself briefly as a guard at the Lost Shepherd Inn. He certainly looked the part with his close-cropped brown hair, broad shoulders, studded leather armor and a wooden shield which had seen more than its fair share of use. Numerous weapons, including throwing axes, a rapier, and a polearm of some kind hang in sheathes or are strapped to his back, but it is the enormous greataxe he carries in his hands that first caught your attention.
The warrior kneels on the ground, unsheathing every weapon he owns and laying it out before him. He studies them for a minute before selecting a throwing axe and his heavy shield. He then gathers up his remaining arms, stands up and looks at the rest of the group for guidance.
Lyria kneels and rearranges her gear so she has everything she needs to cast her spells close by. Wearing a red and black robe and holding a staff in her hand, she looks like any other apprentice mage. Looking in her black eyes however, one can see a glint of an old natural talent with magic combined with intelligence which cannot be comprehended by most mortals.
Lyria gracefully steps next to Kellith, gazing into the thick darkness. She appears to be mesmerized by the darkness for a moment, then says :"I wonder what ancient knowledge hides down there. I've heard tales about a mage who ventured deep down into the dungeon. He emerged back a couple of weeks later without a hand, but much more powerful with the times of magic he recovered from down here. I hope I'll fare the same while keeping my hand thanks to our group..."
then breaths deeply and walks down a few steps. Looking back she calls to the rest of the group: "Well, who wants to lead? I won't stay first after these stairs."
A dwarf also kneels before the entrance of the dungeon. Like the human, he also has his tools spread out in front of him. A series of picks, pliers and clamps sit in front of him, resting in a leather container. The dwarf is thin, for a dwarf, and his dirty blond beard is only vaguely well-kept. He is wearing leather armor, and a voluminous cloak the color of granite.
Rurik rolls up his kit and raises the crossbow hanging from his belt. "I'll lead."
Rurik rolls up his kit and raises the crossbow hanging from his belt. "I'll lead."
Kellith nods to the dwarf, having heard that dungeons like this are often filled with traps and such. "I will be behind you with my axe," he says showing it to Rurik, "in case something jumps out and tries to," drawing his throwing axe in a gesture across this throat, "krrrch you." Others might say this as a joke, but not Kellith, he is deadly serious.
He throws a glance at the mage, "You hear anything else about what might be awaiting us down there?"
|
"Hey friends, how deep do you think this goes?" As Uran peers into the dark. "I wonder what kind of things will will find" She begins to step closer and before she goes any further, a low growl emanates from this wolf that almost seems to be rolling its eyes. "Your right Tikk (giggling to herself), I'll wait for the others"
Marcus stands there glancing about at the country side. His long black hair blows from under his wide brimmed hat. The sunlight glitters off of the scale armor under his cloak. The long ransuer in his hand is well used but sharp. "I think this will be a glorious adventure. I will walk third so that I may cover our friend dwarf's retreat if need be."
Kellith looks around at his companions, "Anyone not have their hands full that could carry a lantern or a torch?"
Lyria answers to Kellith: "Actually there are quite a few tales about the place. I've heard the dungeon has no end - it keeps on going down and down both on this and on other planes. I've heard about whole levels which are underwater that cannot be passed without magic. I've heard about levels, or even the whole dungeon according to other rumors, which shift constantly, changing the layout and moving in and out of exsistance. Think about the knowledge you could gain just from the structure of this place..." Lyria sighs.
"I could carry a torch but would have to drop it during fights. I need both my hands available for my spells."
The cleric's dark, form-fitting leathers creak as she stretches her body, working out the kinks she accumulated on the long ride to the Dragon's Delve.
"I can hold another torch. I want to be somewhere in the back, where I can keep an eye on you all."
With nothing more to be said, it is time to take the plunge. Within moments, two torches have been lit and are blazing away in the hands of Uran and Sevegny. Rurik leads the way, and the group descends down the stairs into the dungeon.
The worn stone steps descend some 20 feet, and emerge into a small entry chamber. From here, the flickering torchlight reveals that three more sets of stairs extend downward to the north, east, and west.
"One direction is as good as the other two. Lets continue down the north stairway."
Before proceeding, Kellith takes a moment to listen to each of the three corridors. Living on the streets taught him that awareness of one's surroundings can often be the determining factor between a nice day and a shiv in the kidneys.
The warrior shrugs his shoulders, "Hrrm, north as good as any, I guess." He waits for the dwarf to move out, before stepping in line slightly behind and to his right.
"I heard the first few levels were filled with poison."
Rurik carefully searches the north stairs.
Marcus's eyes glisten as he tries to feel the world around him.
"I am not partial to any direction."
Rurik carefully searches the north stairs.
The stairs look clear to Rurik's keen eye.
Marcus's eyes glisten as he tries to feel the world around him.
No aura of evil to be found near here.
Proceeding northward down the stairs, the party sees an ancient hall of mortared stone which stretches before them, littered with small bits of rotten, splintered wood and grimy tatters of cloth. A dim torch in a sconce ahead reveals a number of wooden doors, all closed. It stinks of urine and sweat here.
Spot Check: DC 19
"Goblins, I bet."
"is there something wrong?"
Kellith doesn't like the doors. "Too many ways to surprise us," he thinks. Keeping his back towards a wall, he looks up and down the corridor.
Lyria advances slowly. "I bet those rooms contain something hostile. We should open them one at a time and clear them. I don't like the idea of being surrounded."
"Should we knock on them to see if anyone is inside? Tikk, do you smell anyone?"
Tikk definitely seems agitated by the odors in this area, but since the whole area is so perfused with smells, it's hard for the wolf to localize anything in particular.
Not knowing what else to do, and getting a little antsy, Kellith tries to open the nearest door to him (). He tries to open it just enough to get a quick look inside.
Maracus looks back and forth between his two companions. "May the virtues guide us." He readies his ransuer in case something comes from either room.
Lyria taps her foot impatiently.
Kellith shrugs, "Hmm, mine is stuck on this side as well."
|
|
"there appears to be some kind of magical time lock on our doors. Maybe we should do something to pass the time."
Reaches into her pack and pulls out a small sack some pencils and some sheets of paper.
"Have any of you heard of the new game called Dungeons and Dragons? I learned it from a gnome I once new, I could teach you guys. I also have some dice I carved out of wood. It's a really fun game!!"
|
|
Till the end of the weekend? Although I would like to keep it open for him to jump back in as DM, because sometimes, you just can;'t help it, he may be sick or something, and this being his game and all, I would like him to be able to take over when he gets back if thats ok.
That was absolutely my intention. If he reappears - this week or next month or three years down the road - I will step aside with a smile and a bow. I'm honestly still hoping he shows up before I put my foot in it. But I don't want you guys to lose your game if something unexpected is going to keep him from being able to continue it.
I would be ok with that.