Marrant is an Aasimar, 6'4", 180 lbs, 78 years of age. Black hair and eyes. His complexion is fair but appears more like cold forged iron than normal skin. He's wearing a breastplate and is armed with a greatsword and composite longbow.
"I'm not sure why I'm feeling impatient since we're not on any sort of schedule, but can we get going now?"
Zehanet is an 18 year old ratfolk. He has a thin body and solid red orbs for eyes. He is covered with grey fur and white hair on his head. He has a scimitar in one hand and leather armor.
Don't be in such a rush the pit isn't gonna run away. We have plenty of time
turning and looking at the others.
So anyone have a grappling hook? I would get one but I am tapped out.
Malbrighka’s smile curves slightly at the tips. ”Enjoy the peace of the moment. Soon enough I’m sure we’ll be fighting for our lives.” The half-orc stares at the sky for nearly half a minute. ”There’s nearly always enough time for a harrowing. Care for one?”
From an inner pocket of her sleeve she brings out a harrow deck and fans the cards.
As she shuffles, he shakes her head. ”No hook of any type. Some of us haven’t met before. My name is Malbrighka of the Kir Dunraghk tribe.” She wears a black silk robe with an abstracted flower design in pink running along the hemline, neckline, and cuffs. She stands 5’4” and weighs 187 pounds. A double axe covered with a leather sheath is at her feet.
Don't be in such a rush the pit isn't gonna run away. We have plenty of timeturning and looking at the others.
So anyone have a grappling hook? I would get one but I am tapped out.
Marrant grimaces, "Sorry. It's not impatience that's driving me. I'm down to my last two gold pieces and it costs more than that to breath here. If we have to stay the night I'm going to be sleeping in the street and if it's all the same to you I'd rather camp in the ruins." He'll flash Zehanet a grin, "Here's a gold piece for a grappling hook if you need it. Spend it well, that's half my life savings there."
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Standing before you is a dwarf, not just any dwarf but a Dwarf. He has the paperwork stamped 7 times to prove it. Standing Tall at just under four and half feet and weighing about 8 stones is a the dwarven historian named Farrin Druzak. he wears brown leather armor that you can see under his grey robe, at his belt is a warhammer(well made but not MW) and vary vary nice looking double bladed dwarven war axe, made of cold hard steel with a braided leather/silver hand grip. The dwarf carries a pack over his back and small sack with some tools tied to it. His fingers are stained with the ink of his profession and soot of his craft.
"the two of you I havnt met before, I be Farrin of the Druzak's clan. Welcome aboard, even shares for even work is how weve had decided upon things.
Farrin sits down on the floor at Malbrighka's feet. "Iii Woulddd be Honoureddd if you could tell this dwarf what his future holds.
”First there is the choosing, what knowledge do you seek? Hold these cards, focus on your question, and then speak that question aloud. Finally which of the six attributes all beings possess shall frame the answer given by the cards? Strength, wisdom, or dexterity, for example. The choice is yours.” Malbrighka hands the deck to Farrin.
After he has asked his question and chosen the attribute, she takes the cards and shuffles them six times. She places nine cards face down in a three by three square.
The woman who comes down the stairs is stunning. she wears common but well made lavender dress.
She heads over to the bar, order a glass of wine, and heads over to the bulletin board as the read the different announcements / job opportunities posted.
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Farrin takes the pro-offered cards shuffles them, before handing them back. "I choose to know, what fate has in store for all of us down in the pit. If that is too broad, I would ask if I will ever be findin The Darter's Son. It has taken perseverance to find him so far, I would focus on constitution to continue to preserve hope that he can be found.
Vai watches quietly as Mal and Farrin examine the portents and prophecies of the cards.
Dressed in scaled armor that owes more to creating an appearance of dread, Vai sits laconically at the tavern table, sipping mulled wine and picking at a haunch of venison. Her raven-black hair and golden skin speak to a foreign ancestry, but here, not much is "normal"...
She is extremely taken by Zehanet it seems, not having had much experience with rat folk.
The eyes. So incredibly red. Like orbs of blood…
"Zehanet, join me? I need to purchase some rope, among other things.."
Looking up at the tall human woman Zehanet slowly nods.
Feel free to call me Zee. Were are going to be looking out for each other and I would hate to miss a warning because one of us misspoke.
Why is she starring at my eyes like that? People usually turn away when they realize I have no pupil. Ah well never could understand humans anyway.
Yup. I'll spend a bit of my 7 gold (nice to have more than I need this time - you want some of it Mal, Marrant or Farrin? ;p) on some rope etc ASAP...
As Marbrighka places the nine cards face down, she says,
"Three harrow cards for the past
For the single question you asked.
Three harrow cards for the present
Where our lives are always spent.
Three harrow cards for what may be,
Depending on the signs we see.”
Slowly she turns over each card, moving down the columns and from left to right.
”The past: the Uprising, overwhelming strength, powerful forces that catch you, neither for good or ill. The Juggler, sometimes we are the juggler and sometimes the juggled. Whether destiny, deities, or those who play with our fate, it is difficult to to know precisely. A strong constitution will more likely lead us to the answer. The Rakshasa, represents slavery and domination. It’s crossed by the Uprising signifying an end to that domination through strength.
“The present: The Brass Dwarf, a being invulnerable to a current threat. A favorable card for endurance, obviously. The Queen Mother, knowledge, an aid to the underclass and powerless. Few are lower than a former slave. This is a good card combined with the Brass Dwarf. Lastly, the Vision, knowledge of an esoteric and arcane nature, however taken in the extreme it may lead to madness. Two founts of knowledge in one aspect. Very favorable.
“The future: The Trumpet, facing danger aggressively, since you can endure it. Ah, but not so fast! The Joke, a monster that can only be defeated by trickery or humor. Hmmmm. A time not to be stubborn or obstinate, indeed to yield offense and strike from the side. Do you feel wily? When was the last time you laughed? Finally, the Liar, destructive love like those of star-crossed lovers or an obsession. This is worrisome. Like a cliff, even a great endurance can be worn away. You must be mindful of knowing when to press and when to yield in your search for Darter’s son. This coupled with the Joke may be seen as advantageous. Are not many jokes lies that tell the truth?”
Yep. Nice reading!
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Farrin rocks back on heels and laughs heatily."This is indeed the first time.. in years that this dwarf has..Farrin starts to laugh so hard hes slapping his thigh.
After a moment he composes himself.
"This dwarf is going to assume that you are serious as either of our axes are serious. From what you say of the cards this is how I see it.'
"All but the newcomers know that I spent most of my life changed to a giants anvil. Perhaps the uprising you speak of, is when Darter freed this dwarf from the chains. The juggler perhaps could stand for The Great One known as Da Jelly Man, When the first Great One was required to step away from the world, this one stepping up in his place to guide our steps. The Rakshasa I think refers to my three score years spend with those giants. That actually seems to sum up my past vary well."
"As far as the present. The brass Dwarf, how fitting for me is that potent or what."Farrin raises his sleaves, showing his forearms for the first time. His vary skin has been blistered and burnt countless times, you can actually see vary tiny beads of brass set into his skin."I was marked in Brass by those giants. The Queen Mother, that you child of the Flowers for beyond slaves, none are more downtrodden then those you have spent your life protecting. The Vision, Humm Perhaps that why I am here I am a student of the Arcane, but lets face it, it took make 20 years to mask the aura of a magical stone. So I am stuborn, perhaps that is what you mean? So far you are six for six.
The trumpet, hum. I do want to lead the charge, Durzak is as thirsty as this dwarf is thirsty for knowledge. The joke scares me, Its a strange twist of fate that I cannot even comprehend.. like chaos, an unknown of some sort. That is why I laughed so heartily, if I didn't I feel the accuracy of your reading.. would honestly scare this dwarf. I only bairly shuffled or even held your cards, how can they know me so well? If only I could not press on with my task to find him. Perhaps when we get back out of the pit it may be easier to find some trace of him. If only you knew the weight of this burdon. Never I have felt like this before.
"Dear lass, as I said. I am impressed with your Harrowing, if I had even a copper piece I would pay you for your time. If this whole ruins delving things doesn't work out for us, I am Sure you could make a fortune with your readings.
After a bit of getting to know each other and some ooos and aaahs over the fabulous Harrow readings of Mal, you all agree you should get some rest for you will be headed to The Pit first thing in the morning.
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After a quick breakfast you all double check you have everything you need and then take your leave of the Tired Coyote Inn. The town of Finwad's Pit (if you can even call it a town), consists of dusty dirt roads and maybe two dozen or so small buildings forming a perimeter around the Pit. The largest building by far is also the most recent addition, a temple to the goddess Desna, located on one of the outermost streets.
In the last 10 or so years since the Pit was discovered, religion mostly stayed out of Finwad's Pit. However, due to the recent population boom, the cleric's of Desna decided this was an opportune time to spread their faith to the many travelers and adventurers the town was gathering. As such, they like to think of themselves as being in charge.
Anyone who knows anything, however, knows that Briny Hammertoe, an old sailor and notorious crime lord, is truly the one running the show, and his men have eyes on almost every street corner.
Arriving at the Pit, you come to the sheer cliffs that lead into the blackness below. There is a crude sign stating that you are entering on your own peril, and tied to the sign is a fairly sturdy looking rope.
Now caparisoned for delving, Vai'anassena's grim appearance is unsettling - her wide-horned helmet reminiscent of a fiend, her dread hauberk-khirt fashioned to represent skeletal-draconic scales and her bastard sword replete with wicked flanges.
Vai ties her wide-horned helm to her pack, stows her sword and buckler, and, after repositioning the rest of her gear for the descent, grips the rope and begins to let herself down, hand over hand, steadily as she can.
Beylinda having put her gear on will watch over. After all it was her first time into the pit. And she had plans for was was coming next.
Zee Pulls of his armor and goes down hand over hand to the bottom of the pit. Then he places his armor back on at the bottom and pulls out his own rope carefully knotting it so it is easier to climb.
Give me a moment I barely made it down that rope I need a moment to get my armor back on and knot this rope.
”You are too kind with your praise, but thank you,” Malbrighka says as she puts her harrow cards into a little wooden case.
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She peers down into the pit, remembering the previous time she went down there. ”A spiral staircase would be helpful. Hopefully some industrious person builds one,” she says.
She double checks the ties holding her axe to her back then grabs the rope to begin her descent. She handily reaches the bottom. Once there she removes her axe from her back and takes off the leather sheath from the axehead. She smiles at the gleam along the edge. Hello, don't you look lovely after your sleep."
Beylinds Will also start to climb down. She will has casted a light on her weapon before
A great sadness falls over Mal as she has a premonition that even in 50 years, people will still be climbing down ropes into the Pit.
- - - - - - -
Everyone makes it down to the bottom with little effort, notably Farrin, who climbed down the rope just as easy as the rest of you breathe.
At the bottom of the rope, you all find yourselves in a small damp cave. Water trickles down the sides in several places and the rock gleams brightly in Beylinda's light. There appear to be several small passages leading off into the underground, four in all. However, one path (the largest one) appears to be somewhat well traveled recently.
This must be the way to the city, if the rumors hold true.
Off i go then Beylinda will starts heading down trough the largest passage
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhh." Thud.
.
Go ahead and make a reflex save... If I roll damage from this height (30') you very well may not survive...
You fall about 10 feet but miraculously manage to catch him of the rope again!
You make it down safely and join the others t the bottom.
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Farrin picks readys his axe, he was about to drop it to try and break Marrant's fall with himself, but as there is no need, Farrin just goes to the 2nd to rear of the party so he can keep a watchful eye over the womenfolk in the party that none of which need him to protect, but he doesn't know that yet.
Cringing at the paladins near fall Zee sighs with the others and relaxes as he catches himself.
Zee looks at the walls carefully searching for signs others have made to mark their passage.
I feel that words should be said to mark this occasion. But words bore me so lets get to the city and find some loot.
Vai draws her bastard sword and straps on her buckler. She concentrates for a moment on some inner meditation before hissing out to Beylinda in a loud rasping whisper.
"Beylinda! Wait for us."
Though obviously surprised by Beylinda's disappearance, she does not appear to be perturbed.
You all wind through the damp passage for several minutes before it finally opens up on the edge of a large cliff in an immense underground chamber. Thick fog comes up from the groud far below, but the spires of several buildings can be seen poking up here and there even at this height. You have all made it to the city! It seems some cut back stairs have been carved into the wall, allowing access to the city below, though only the first 15' or so if stairs can be seen through the thick fog.
Vai stares over the ruins below, whistling under her breath at the immensity of the settlement, and the possibility of discovering undreamed of wealth and artifacts. She realises the denizens below are likely seeing them even now...
So where are we starting our search? she ask
"Down there by the looks of it. Hopefully these stairs are easier to navigate than the rope was." Marrant answers glaring suspiciously (and perhaps a bit apprehensively) at the descending staircase.
Marrant, thanks to your darkvision, once you guys have descended the steps several feet, you can see an obvious section of stairs are missing, leaving a formidable drop to the floor below. The gap is 7' wide.
Zee takes out his 25 foot knotted rope and then attaches the grappling hook.
Ok, I think we should go a few feet back from the rotten edge and attach this to the stairs to get down. Everyone but be gets down then I pull it out and tie it around myself. I jump and the lot of you manage the difficult task of holding up my 90 pounds of weight that ok with you guys.
Well, even with that 7, you can just barely make it down! Thank the gods for the forethought of buying a grappling hook!
Marrant will fish a piece of chalk out of his pack and write. "Caution, stairs are out!" where anyone approaching can't fail to see it.
Taking 10 he'll cautiously clamber down the rope.
"Farrin, can you tell if the stairs collapsed normally or were they purposely broken?"
The stairs appear to have collapsed naturally due to either seismic activity or foundations slipping due to construction. Either way, it appears they have been collapsed for many years. The stairs appear to be easily navigated for their remainder.
At the bottom, you find yourselves in an ornate entryway leadin to a Main Street through the city. Ancient buildings stand all all sides, most little more than huge piles of rubble. A few yards ahead, the street tees off, leaving you with three directions you could take: continuing straight, left, or right.
Perception, K. Dungeoneering, or K. Geography could all be rolled here.
Malbrighka swallows. gripping her axe tightly for a moment as she looks at the rubble.
”The last time I was here, we went left,” she says. ”I’d rather go straight or right.”
"I'll be guided by your experience. I vote right, but only because our flank will be guarded."