Romboldt is just about to pipe up to the suggestion to check out the ruins when the bartender steps outside and beats him to it. He grins and shrugs: "That's something like what I was going to suggest.. not very subtle about your business, eh?" The wolf chuckles, smacking the bartender on the shoulder as he passes by and returns indoors. "Curiosity aside, no sense in traveling at night unnecessarily."
Sam addresses Ali once more. Seems there may be company on the road and others out for a treasure hunt.
Ford looked up at the sky again, grimacing a little. "...instincts or not, something's wrong here." Ford turned back, placing his hands on his hips. "You'd be surprised how honest a drunkard can be. In any case, does the sudden lack of rain and the rumbling not bother anyone else more than this? I'm sure you'd love nothing more than for us to settle down and lighten our purses a bit, but in my experience, when Mother Nature herself starts beating a retreat, that's a sure sign of bad things happening."
More company more fun! But...She glanced at the sky and moved her face in a series of odd thinking configurations before looking resolute It may be better to leave in the morning. While the weather is...strange, its just dumb to try and leave at night. Who knows if the weather will change to a squall while we're travelling and I know I don't wanna be caught up in that.
So, after we find the treasure... Kill them in their sleep, per usual? Sam offers a smile.
Snith raises an eyebrow at the wizards words.
What the hell are you talking about
Aliatris scoffs and looks over at Snith.
Obviously we're talking about your imminent demise within easy hearing range. Its how all the pros do it, right?
She sticks her tongue out at him and grins. We're just having a play with you! Besides, you're far too interesting to kill!!
Max looks at the lot of you quizzically.
"you all give me the creeps. That'll be three gold a peice for the food and room. Let me know if you need anything else tonight. If y'all really have yer hearts set on checking out the ruins, I can give ya directions there no problem."
"If my luck keeps up the way it is, I'll do the job for you two." Ford quipped back, hands at his hips. "Directions would be helpful. I'd like to get going right away, but..." He grimaced, arms flopping to his sides under his cloak as he trudged back to the inn.
"Gimme whatever's cheapest. Doubt I'll be sleeping much anyways." he requested, stopping short at the door and suddenly giving Max an equally quizzical look. "Hang on... why not go right now?" he asked, folding his arms. "This evil tree is supposed to be dead and these ruins uninhabited, yeah? If so, why wait? There shouldn't be anything terribly dangerous along the way, not for a large band like us."
Romboldt pauses at the doorway as the others seem to be considering heading out at this unusual hour, turning around to lean against the wall next to the door to watch the debate unfurl. He shrugs at Fords question. "Somethin fishy goin' on for sure, but I see no reason to rush. Either way if the group goes now I'll go too, I'm not difficult to get along with."
"Well I aint goin' without a good nights rest, thats for sure." Garroth asserted, crossing his arms. "Im fine with goin', but it aint like that treasure is a sure thin'. Place is probably just a barren ruin...and I aint givin' up basic necessities for a "maybe" treasure."
Proving his point, he went through the door. "Although with my luck, those two scoundrels will make good on their jest and kill me while I sleep." his voice drifted over his shoulder.
I said after we find the treasure...
You all pay your 3 gold to Max, who's attitude instantly improves with the weight of gold in his apron. You get more drinks and a fresh, hot helping of stew. There is still dancing and singing and whatnot carrying on all through the night, but eventually you all retire for the evening and agree to meet up again in the morning and decide if this group is going to adventure together or what.
So, the morning comes bringing a light fog in from the sea, lightly settling on the town of Oakhurst, covering everything with a fresh morning dew. If you all didn't know better, you'd say everything looks safe and wonderful! As per his word, Max hands you a rough map leading to the citadel down the old road along with some bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Snith stops over at a near by supply store for a crowbar, grappling hook, a 10 foot pole and to sell 10 torches.
Good sir I have 3gp that I would like to spend here. Oh, thank you for your assistance. Good bye
Snith joins the others back at the inn before they leave.
Garroth carry this pole for me please. Its a bit heavy for me.
Romboldt is 'up with the birds', awake at the break of dawn and quick to have breakfast and packing settled. Once set to head out he makes himself comfortable at one of the tables, leans back and kicks his feet up to idly sharpen the blade of his polearm. Ready and waiting patiently for the others.
The shopkeeper beams as snith walks in.
"why, you look like your getting ready for an adventure! Don't see much of you folks lately. Safe travels! Thank you for your business!"
So it is about a 6 hour journey to these ruins, according to max's map. It is currently around 9am.
And thus the rag tag group of adventurers set off for unknown destinations! Alia paused for a moment just outside the doorway of the inn, a thoughtful look on her face. She then amended Well, we know our current destination. The Sunless Citadel. Her voice had taken on an awed tone as she waved her hand in front of her as if to illustrate the importance of this "quest."
She laughed to herself giddily and wiggled in happiness.
This is so exciting!!
"It always its...right up to the point where someone tries to stick the pointy end of a steel implement into you." Garroth commented, smiling at Aliatris. His eyes didn't look quite as happy about his joke however, giving a mixed message.
Arching a brow as Snith shoved his pole in his face Garroth placed his clenched fists on his hips. "Since when am I yer pack mule Snith? And is this thing even collapsible? Ill be gettin' stuck in every other minute if I have to carry this through some brush!" He had however taken the pole, examining it as he talked and not giving it back. "Well, I guess ill have to carry it. Wouldn't want yer arms gettin' tired."
Ford didn't sleep much, keeping a watch out the window off and on for much of the night. By morning, however, he doesn't look too tired at all; perhaps sleeplessness is par for the course for him. Perhaps insomnia. His appetite certainly wasn't diminished by dawn, downing an extra helping of the breakfast array and paying accordingly.
Meeting up with the others, Ford waits somewhat impatiently for the others. "C'mon, c'mon, let's go, we're burning daylight here!" he huffed, arms folded.
You all easily make the journey to the citadel, seeing noone else on the road. Here and there, naia notices some light booted footprints, but they are either old or someoe has gone through great efforts to hide them. They occur more frequently the closer you get to your destination.
The old road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the road's closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens and opens into something more akin to a deep, but narrow, canyon. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most of them lean against the sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the darkness-shrouded depths. A few similar pillars are visa blue in the opposite side of the ravine.
The ravine runs for several miles in either direction, with an average depth and width of 30 feet. At the point closest to the road, it widens to 40 feet. It also plunges much deeper into the earth near the pillars. The pillars appear covered in old graffiti bearing Dwarven runes.
Anyone approaching the edge of the ravine immediately notices a sturdy rope knitted to one of a leaning pillar. It hangs down into the darkness below, an judging by it's condition, it could not have been tied up for more than two or three weeks. Ancient Han holds appeared to be carved into the cliff face.
Bending down and picking up a rock, Garroth walked carefully to the edge, before tossing the rock into the depths. Having confirmed that it was indeed very deep, he let out a long impressed whistle. "Well isnt this somethin' then?" he muttered, turning to the others. "Ya think this is supposed to be the entrance?" He shot the ravine another suspicious look.
"Wouldn't want to race to the bottom. I couldn't say.. I was expecting something kinda big fancy entrance, myself. Then again, perhaps these pillars were part of something that WAS big and fancy." The wolf shrugs, then takes a moment to inspect the rope that's tied off and leading down into the chasm. He checks visually for signs of wear/tampering, as well as physically by giving it a firm pull.
Alia looks towards the pillars Wonder what the dwarves have to say about this pit.
Using her vast linguistical knowledge, Alia reads the dwarven graffiti.
Upon inspection, the script is actually not Dwarven. It does, however, use the Dwarven alphabet. Most likely goblin.
Rombolt tugs on the rope into darkness. And the rope in the darkness pulls back.
So! Do you all want to head into the chasm? I realize I may not have been clear earlier; the sunless citadel gets it's name due to it being located in the depths of this very ravine. Long ago, some great event caused it to sink below the earth. Most scholars believe this event was most likely the star fall.
Ford knelt down by the rope as he inspected it, before leaning over and looking into the ravine, cocking an eyebrow to one side. "Looks like someone got here well before us. That bodes well, I'm sure..." The sorcerer shakes his head before gripping the rope tightly and sliding off the edge of the ravine, slipping slowly down the rope. Keeping an eye on the darkness below, his senses slipped into their dragon form as he called back up. "No use sitting here. If we want to find out who's down there, fastest way is to go down and find it for ourselves!" he hollered, sliding down the rope cautiously.
Sam watches in disbelief. Surely, one of you more... robust types will follow him and secure the "landing"?
No magic is detected down the rope, though you can feel ancient magical residue lingering in the air. This place was likely once an important magical landmark.
Romboldt shrugs innocently as he awaits the sorcerer to finish his descent, afterwards taking hold of the rope to cautiously climb his way down.
"Yeah, doesnt bode well at all." Garroth agreed, taking another peek over the edge. "Unless ofcourse whoever went down there, set off all the death traps. Then we get the treasure AND their stuff, all while havin' an easy time of it!" He laughed loudly at his own wit, his voice carrying eerily through the ravine. "Landing securin' comin' right up." He said cheerfully, decending the rope after the Sorcerer.
Ok garroth, as you are first, make a reflex save.
When Garroth makes it about 30 feet down the rope, the rope suddenly frays and snaps, sending the half-orc falling twenty feet to a ledge below!
Romboldt's ears perk at the sound of Garroths incident with gravity, quickly moving to the edge to look down below. He winces in perceived pain, fetching the rope from his pack to fasten it beneath the old one and climb down. He's cautious, but wastes no time: Far as he knew there could be a swarm of goblins about to jump the guy.
"Hope you're alright down there! Hang on, we're comin' down."
Alia looks down over the side of the hole, having heard the distant thud from all the way at the top.
Yeah! Please don't be dead-I can't fix dead!!
Well I can't fix alive either but they don't need to know that. Keep up the morale!
Hopefully not as quickly... Every one was all "dark-visiony". I should have done this earlier. Same hold his hand out towards the pit.
Watching the rope suddenly give up on its task, snapping like a dry twig, dust and tendrils of rope shrapnel filling the air, Garroth had scant moments to ponder whether he would feel the impact or simply die instantly. As he slammed into the hard rock, he felt a moment of elation, realizing the fall had not been deadly.
Then the pain washed over him.
Feeling his back scream in protest at the mistreatment, the pain quickly flared out into ever corner of his body in sickening waves. He faintly heard the concerned calls from above, muffled as if talking through a pillow. He was sure he had slammed the back of his head into the ground as well, stars playing across his vision which tunneled dangerously into the sky inducing spectacular vertigo.
Trying to take a breath, he could do nothing but gasp uselessly, even as bile rushed into his throat. Having the presence of mind to turn on his side, he stained the ground with his morning meal. Finally managing to draw breath, he heaved in the air as hard as his lungs could manage.
Overcome with pain, nausea and the sudden and overly abundant oxygen, he passed out with a gurgling sigh as more of his breakfast poured from his lips.
Seeing his new found compatriot knot the rope for a safer descent Snith does the same with his own rope and ties the two together.
Dammit, don't worry about him the fall hasn't killed him. I will be going next after you so I can heal him up.
Ford landed at the bottom with a soft thud before looking up at Garroth came clambering down after him. Then the rope broke. And he heard Garroth fall to a ledge above with a much more painful THUD! That didn't sound healthy at all.
"Dang it! Where did he land!?" Ford called up from the dark bottom, before looking around. Come to think of it, where did he land? He seemed to be on solid ground... reaching under his cloak, Ford pulled out a spare torch he'd been saving and snapped his fingers.
The head burst into flares as he raised it, looking around himself. Then, he raised the torch up, looking up along the ravine wall and squinting.
With the new rope you can all easily make your way down into the dark chasm. At the bottom of the rope a sandy ledge overlooks a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. It is anout a 20 x 20' ledge. Luckily this is were garroth landed. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A roughly hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge into darkness.
Even those of you with darkvision cannot see the far wall of the chasm or the bottom of the vault as it is too far either way.
The wolf takes a moment to investigate the landing and the apparent abyss nearby. "Good thing you fell here instead of.. say.. a few feet that way." He gestures to the edge. "I imagine it'd be an exciting trip.. but that sudden stop at the bottom would really ruin yer day." He moves to the stairwell, eying it suspiciously. He frowns.
"Right. Well. Anybody have another rope? I've already used mine. I'll lead the way, I've got the senses and the reflexes to handle it.. but I'd like to have a backup plan. Better safe than dead."
If somebody produces a rope for him, he ties it around his waist, and gives it to the marching order behind him to hold onto. If the s~!% hits the fan, they could collectively be able to hold his weight without much issue. That said and done, he would lead the way.
I've got some rope Mr. Fluffykins!! Aliatris passes it down to him and follows his lead. Carefully.
Sitting up straight with a gasp at Sniths healing touch, Garroth looked around wildeyed, seemingly thinking he was in danger. It lasted but a moment, as he realized who was with him. "A couple of feet what way, I..." Garroth stopped mid sentence, seeing the gaping abyss. "Wow, yeah, lets just call this a lucky fall then." Getting shakily to his feet, he lightly brushed Snith away as the priest crowded him with his spells. "Im fine, im fine, quit fussin' Snith."
Rummaging through his pack he too produced a rope, handing it to Romboldt "Yeah ya can go first this time, aint no complaints from me there." Taking the rope as it was handed back, he steadied himself. "Dont worry, ya wont be fallin' unless one of these ropes decide to act like that other one and snap on ya."
Noticing the intrepid way in which Aliatris was looking over the edge, he lightly nudged her with his knee "I can tie ya to my belt and ya leave the climbin' to me if ya want?"
Ford took hold of the rope, holding the handle of the torch in his mouth (carefully) as he held onto the rope and stepped away from the edge, tugging hard and slowly lowering the wolf man down. "Yeah, 'e shee ho' 'ell dat 'ent." he quipped past the torch to Garroth.
Satisfied that Garroth is fine, and no danger is in sight, you all decide to descend the stairs, as it seems the most obvious way down.
Romboldt and Aliastris slowly and methodically make their way down, scanning the darkness for any threats or things of intrigue. As you two round the stairs for what seems to be the final flight before the bottom, you notice strange reddish light flickering through the fog. You can just barely make it out, and it appears to be quite a ways a way. Your first impression is that there must be some sort of bonfire further down. You can almost make out snatches of a conversation, but it is too quiet to be sure or to understand anything being said.
Feeling the rope stop moving, Garroth gave an inquiring tug, cursing himself for not setting up some kind of signal agreement.
Romboldt pauses and gestures towards the curious glow, listening intently but to no avail. He whispers: "Looks like we're not alone.. we need to be careful and get everybody on solid footing before all hell breaks loose."