"Hail there countryman. How you end up here?"
"EEEP Another Dwarf!? A secret dwarf! How'd you get stuck in this wall?"
Ta be honest. I ain't to sure 'bout that little one. Morgrym says to Beldak. He relaxes his stance a bit and throws the warhammer over his shoulder.
I was out wit me retainers, and I had one (dozen) too many and I woke up here. Besides the blasted headache I ain't in too bad of shape. What about ye lot. How'd ye get lost in here?
"We're not lost. We're here on a rescue mission. "
Well ye rescued me, mission over I s'pose.
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"You don't much look like a princess. We're here to rescue a princess. If you are the princess, It's gonna be one hell of a dowry from the king. "
Bwahahaha! Wel met, friend. I am Anders. Join us in heading further in. I promise time enough for drink after we rescue the princess.
Surely, I will join you. But ye better know I am a bloodmaiden not a princess. He pauses for a moment. Guess I better introduce me self. Kaxanar Morgrym of Clan Rumnaheim, Knight-Errant of High Hill.
And I am a warrior of the Buck Tribe from the far north.
"Damn, that's a lot of title. I'm just a town guard. "
Moving on
Day 2, Sunday morning, turn 60, approximately 9:50 am
After crawling through the very short tunnel, the four characters find themselves standing in a large open area that is not exactly a Chamber nor is it technically a Passageway.
The area is fifteen feet north to south, and thirty feet east to west. The short tunnel from the storage room into this area enters in the north wall at the very northeast corner of the area.
On the east wall there is a five foot wide tunnel, ten feet high, located in the very southeast corner of the wall, while in the north wall at the west end of the north wall, there is another tunnel ten feet wide, but this tunnel is only six feet high.
Let's go this way.
Anders moves to the tunnel in the SE corner of the space they occupy. He raises his axe as he awaits the others to join him.
Haarold, lead the way. I will be right behind you.
Anders keeps his eyes open for traps.
"Ok, lead I will. " and he heads out in the lead.
Day 2, Sunday morning, turn 60, approximately 9:50 am
Haarold moves ahead of Anders, immediately he examines the stone of the walls here and can guess that it is not part of the original, smooth stone lined walls of the passageways and rooms they have already explored. It is newer, rough-hewn, and crudely done. The ceiling height begins high, but drops after a few feet to only six feet, but then rises again, showing that whoever dug this tunnel was not consistent in their work.
The passageway goes almost straight to the east for fifty feet, and then turns sharply to the north for twenty feet before turning to the left again and now going back toward the west. The passageway continues to be narrow and goes forty feet to the west, but halfway along its length, on the south side there is a hole in the wall only four feet high this hole is another short tunnel five feet long which opens into a small room.
Through the hole Haarold can see six fairly large sacks on the ground in a pile.
All the while Anders moves cautiously behind Haarold, relying on the light from Beldak's staff. He looks left and right with each step watching for signs of a trap or any other dangers.
Haarold will check out the room with the sacks.
Beldak follows Haarold into the small room and looks about for a proper doorway.
Day 2, Sunday morning, turn 61, approximately 10:00 am
Haarold stoops over, but does not have to crawl this time, and then Beldak follows him into the small chamber beyond.
It looks like a nest, possibly for goblins, but it is impossible to tell. The chamber is barely five feet wide, from north to south, and extends back to the east for ten feet. To the east are several small beds made from dried leaves, needles from tall evergreen trees, animal hides, and other natural materials.
As Haarold shifts the sacks, using his axe, to be careful, one of them spills open and it looks to be filled with dried fruits, nuts, and more of the “biscuits” that Beldak sampled earlier. Tough on closer inspection these biscuits do not smell so bad.
"Looks like we got some backup food supplies in here. Best to keep that in mind. " and he will go back out of there and heads west.
Morgrym will hustle up next to Haarold, You're the closest thing I got to a shieldbrother out here, clansman. Looks like your stuck with me, Town Guard. His hammer remain ever ready as he cautiously looks around the room.
"Yes, noted. Let's assume our primary assailants lived here and will not be returning and if in future need we may find reprieve in this area. Yes, Let's move on!"
Beldak marches off behind Haarold.
Day 2, Sunday morning, turn 61, approximately 10:00 am
Finding nothing of importance, but a possible place to hole up if needed, the heroes make their way back to where they came through the small tunnel and find an Elf standing there (because ythe door had been left open).
"Well now, look what I have discovered! Well met friends!"
"Ah, you have finally caught up. Well say something to our new friends! He is a little shy at first, but he warms up quickly."
Myna motions to the second, armored elf entering the room.
The newcomer is tall of stature, noble of countenance, strong in shoulders and limbs. He stand a respectable six feet or so tall. If there is much in the way of fat on his muscular frame, it must have been from last nights meal.
He lifts his blade in a grave sober salute and then removes his helm.
Golden hair flows down over his shoulders and his mail coif, his fair features and cream complexion can be appreciated. One thing is certain - he is not one of the Iarishea, also called 'Elves', not entirely. His features are too strong and broad rather than the typical chiseled look possessed by the Elves. He is likely a half elf.
His shield bears the emblem of a hand set between two doors.
Greetings, I am Sir Aethorduil Tarathiel. My companion and I have entered this place to see if we may be able to assist the Dwarven monarch in his time of need.
Beldak quickly rushes to the forefront of this most unusual encounter. There are tenuous relationships between dwarves and elves across the land and the last he wants is brash response from any of his companions.
"Elin sila lumenn omentilmo Tarathiel"
Beldak bows and splays the staff out wide so the light does not blind the newcomers.
"Elves in the employ of a Dwarven King? That's almost as surprising as your appearance! We're here on a mission of rescue and vanquishing evil. Maybe our paths are better off aligned?! No?"
A smile splits the halfling's face as he rises to face them, well, waist on at least.
under his breath "Dogs and cats, living together, mass hysteria"
Courteously spoken and well, says the warrior with a small bow.
While the language of your greeting is ever dear to mine heart, I think it best that our conversation is best in the common tongue, lest offence is given.
I greet you as well an' your companions also for myself and in the name of Pelor, the god of sun and light. I wish to be accurate, rather than invoke confusion from my words. I am not in the employ of the good king of the dwarves but rather am acting on my own to effect the rescue. My companion here pledged to aid me in my attempts.
I believes that we share common purpose if your aid is the recovery of the princess - a shared association, an alliance is best - what terms say you?
I am Anders of the Clan of the Buck. Well met, and the more steel we have the better off our chance at rescuin' the princess, I say.
"Right, yeah, well met and all that. Let's keep moving. "
Myna smiles at the dwarves attitude towards him and his knightly friend.
"Ah good sir dwarf, I have not had the pleasure of your name!", he says still smiling at Haarold.
"Oh yeah, Haarold. I'm just a town guard. I don't sport any lofty titles. "
"A name can be as lofty or as low as the owner wishes. Haarold is a strong and dependable name, I think. Very nice to meet you all. So what have we come across so far?"
Aethorduil nods in agreement to Myna's response and awaits the answer of those who have been here longer.
"Uhm yeah fought some goblins. Ok, let's just keep moving. "
Well said - agreed. Lead on. We've no desire to back track
Well, this party just took a turn south. Morgrym says as he sees two elves before him. He sighs heavily before saying in his usual gruff tone. You two knife ears can follow us just remember that I am nobility in service to kings and gods. Certainly a more just duty than your talking to trees all day.
I be the bloodmaiden Morgrym.
A male maiden...is that a joke, Morgrym? I care not for anyone's line. We just need to be killin' together to save the princess. Can we all just agree on that?
ears... Nice ears for certain. And no more just a duty than speaking fine Sylvan tongues. Our bloody maiden has more titles and signifiers than a newborn gnome but he's no less a proud knight because of it!" Beldak quickly tries to smooth over the promising storm.
He quickly steps up next to Myna and Aetherduil and whispers, "To be honest we've all just become acquainted all the same. Haarold Anders and I have lost several companions along the way and we found Morgrym wedged into a secret pass."
He pauses and looks over his shoulder preparing to cast shield if need be, "We're a bit on edge I mean to say. A few less surprises would be welcome."
I accede to your authority Morgrym, as the local representive of his Dwarvish Majesty. My own claim to nobility only goes back four generations for mine own part but that can't possibility matter... All are equal before the gods
As for everything else? I understand that you've had some surprises and companions that have wandered off. I will do my best to assist. Onwards then Master Halfling and warriors of the King, let us make the foul queen rue the day she kidnapped the princess.
He is the very soul of humble courtesy.
And behold, Pelor did smile upon them for their works were just and there was no guile in them, as it said. Allow me to prove to you that I am an ambassador in his ways by rendering good service to this cause
Aye, Bloodmaiden. He grunts. All followers of Haela Brightaxe are bloodmaidens. It is a title I bear proudly for my lady of battle and luck. He pauses for a moment, and Luck in Battle.
"Enough heraldry! Let's press on lest the princess perish at the hand of boredom first!" Beldak holds his staff high as he heads off towards the passage heading north along the west wall.
Aethorduil bows to allow the dwarves to pass first then falls in the middle rank.
I am unsure if Maya wishes to take the vanguard or stay in the formation.
He replaces his helm and brings his shield to the front.
"Everyone except maybe Anders has better eyes than I for this sort of thing. Mine are better suited for books than dark passages." Beldak explains as they start off.
Myra tries not to laugh at the stuffy little dwarf and mostly manages it.
When asked where in the lineup he would like to be, Myna shrugs.
"No matter. I could scout ahead or stay with the group. I dont want to be stepping on anyones toes now!"
Day 2, Sunday morning, turn 62, approximately 10:10 am
After introductions are made, the group moves to peer around the corner to the north.
There is a passageway going north, and just a short distance in that direction there is a opening on the left, indicating another passageway, and then just a short distance beyond that the passageway turns to the right.
Sneaking northward, the group peers around the corner to check the intersection and they discover that the passageway that branches (and goes west) only extends twenty feet before it turns to the north. It seems as if the group has wandered into some kind of maze.
"Further up to the right might take us back to the main hall or beyond but if we turn here [indicating western passage] we might delve deeper into the mountain. Hard to say where we'll end up for sure! Can't say as I've noticed any more signs of our littler friends either."
Myna also checks the corridor for any marks or information.
Investigation:
or
Perception:
Well, lordling Knife-Ears he says to Tarathiel, You better have a good set of eyes on ya!
Perception on the stonework
Words are naught but the sound of air passing whether it be pleasant or no. You'll know me by my actions and not the words said between us.
He does however make an effort to spot marks or tracks that indicate the best options for future movement or hint that they have passed before.