Cerilis exits the wet storage room to find a quiet evening beginning. The Golden Grain Inn is oddly vacant for the time of day. Cerilis sees no one in the main hall.
Both Augier and Siondel notice that the door is still at the end of the room and has been successfully debarred by the dwarf. With the exception of the movable sconce and secret door that they have already discovered, there is nothing else noteworthy about the cellar.
Cerilis moves back down the steps through the wet storage to join up with the others. He motions for those that followed him upstairs to follow him back downstairs.
Well the upstairs is clear of anyone. The constable and his men plus that man whom said he was robbed....all gone. There are stairs leading up to the main room and another leading outside plus the ladder. So we have several ways to leave if we need to. We are short on time so lets see what is behind that door. I want to find out what is so damn important about this area. We move quietly and quickly...keep eyes and ears open and cover each other. What do you say?
It is apparent to all the Cerilis wants to explore the area behind the door but also is worried about the people that just up and left so soon after they went downstairs.
Augier looks rather nervous. Just cleared out? One would think they would have around, the sheriff's posse that is.
I agree, and It makes me wonder if the are off for the temple. There is something off about that whole group but I can not put my dagger on it.
The corridor beyond the southeast door has been hastily excavated from dirt, and is shored at five foot intervals with heavy timbers on the walls and ceiling. The ceiling is only six feet high. The floor is smooth dirt, and there is a smell of must and decay. The air is unusually cold. Many small rats scurry off into the darkness beyond as the door is opened.
"We've come this far there's no point in being timid now." And with that Zirul will head down into the cavern.
Augier turns on his darkvision and follows.
"A little light please for us humans?" says Ravenna.
Cerilis draws his weapon as he moves forward down the tunnel. His eyes darting from side to side looking for danger. His mind trying to sort through the sounds of his companions and what might be sounds from an enemy or maybe even a prisoner.
In a low voice he whispers back
Siondel can you give us some light?
As he comes to the intersection of tunnels he keeps to his right, moving with determination.
Siondel casts light on his bow, holding the weapon up and ready.
"In for a penny, in for a pound. Lead the way."
The corridor gradually descends away from the inn. At first, there is only six feet of headroom, but in this room, the ceiling extends to ten feet with rotting wooden rafters supporting the increased space.
Cerilis scans that room from the entrance way after noticing the rotting rafters.
Cerilis enters the room moving cautiously to investigate
Cerilis turns and moves back down the tunnel back towards the way they came into this room. At the first intersection of tunnels he turns to his right and continues on. He then takes the right hand tunnel towards a room.
The rafters creak a bit.
Cerilis notices a constrictor poising his head to strike at him while coiled around the loose, rotten rafter.
Cerilis moves to the side as he takes a swing at the snake. trying desperately to get out of reach of the thing.
Zirul moves in to assist his companion.
"What is going on out there? Are we under attack by lizard people?"
Nope...just a snake, well a rather mean and large snake.
Why did it have to be snakes? Augier is no doubt crowded out.
Cerilis's blade doesn't quite reach the snake, but Zirul follows quickly with a successful strike, breaking the thick flesh of the snake.
The snake drops from the rafters in a pathetic attempt to strike Cerilis, missing terribly and falling upon the floor of the cavern.
Siondel will take up the rear, with Medved behind him.
Zirul, noticing that the snake is still "kicking", takes another swing at it.
Cerilis shifts his position to flank with Zirul
Ravenna moves into the front line and tries to support her melee combat friends.
Three valiant attempts result in Zirul finishing the job on the lurking creature.
The party takes a moment to descalate after the unexpected encounter raises their adrenaline levels. They find themselves in the middle of a cold, dark underground maze.
Let us keep following the right hand wall.
Cerilis turns and moves back down the tunnel back towards the way they came into this room. At the first intersection of tunnels he turns to his right and continues on. He then takes the right hand tunnel towards a room.
Ravenna keeps her rapier at ready and moves alongside Cerilis.
"At least we have some more food to consume. Snake is highly nutritious, with good protein value."
"Tastes like chicken."
Augier wonders if elf tastes like chicken.
Sure, I do not mind someone else finding the traps, if any...come on up