Beerg leans forward towards Thurbal in eagerness to get moving. What do you think could be down in these tunnels? and do you have the area mapped for ease of navigation? beerg crosses his arms and leans back into his chair.
"The have been occasional, isolated reports of dangerous critters down there: cave lizards, the odd ooze, even a rust monster once," Thurbal acknowledges. "But we haven't scouted the area for some time. It's possible there may be intelligent creatures, like bandits, using it as a hideout. Even these "cattle rustlers" that are the talk of the town. But we don't know. That's why we're hiring. Your job would be to map all the areas you can access. Do you agree to the terms?"
Kraz looks a bit confused, again..
"Wait, so Kraz and his good friends are not going to beat up cattle rustlers? Now Kraz goes looking through tunnels for monsters? Jack, does that sound right to you?"
He looks to his friend for guidance.
"Could be Kraz, could be. See, the rustlers might be using this place as a base for their operations...like a home. We gotta go in and see if they are hiding in there, and if not, then clean out whatever is. But 20% of loot found is pretty low Warden...is this a test? See if we are gullible yokals willing to risk life and limb for such a paltry sum. Or maybe you are trying to see if we are the greedy types...just in it for the loot? Well, I say I am willing to go at this agreed wage, but further arrangements will need to be made once we return and prove ourselves. You needed to see what we can do..and I understand that, but once we have shown out mettle I think you will agree a bit higher percentage might be in order?"
The rapid pace of the man's talk spins along until he suddenly stops and offers his hand to seal the agreement.
Krad nods.
"Sounds good to Kraz then.. Let's go beat up monster cattle rustlers!"
Sorin watches with great interest following the deal Jack was making. ”Well, if Jack is good with it, so am I. ” smiling at the group.
Beerg smirks a little with Jacks way and pace with words. "Well said Jack. We will prove our worth".
Thurbal considers Jack for a moment, then leans forward slightly. "The tunnels under the Old Skull are property of the Lord and Shadowdale. Anything you discover is likely been stolen from residents, past or present. I'm willing to double your wage to 200 gp each if you do a good job, and I will consider renegotiation of found loot, depending on what said loot is. In addition, I can get you some potions to bolster your health while you're down there. Fair?"
Sorin’s jaw drops open slightly on watching Jack’s persuasive powers in action.
Jack stands a little straighter and a grim erupts onto his face...perhaps not the best card face, but to be truthful he had not thought the man would increase his offer.
"Done and done! And you will not regret your decision Warden. We might not look like much, but this group can get remarkable things done!"
He turns to smile at the others, astonished at the results of their meeting.
"Well let's be off then and prove to these fine people that they are getting their monies worth...now where would we go to collect those potions??"
"A couple of things..." Thurbal says as you move to leave. "Now that you've accepted, I have a little more to tell you. First, the guardsman whose funeral was held yesterday... It's thought that he went into the tunnels, perhaps with a young chambermaid. We aren't sure who the chambermaid was. The guardsman's body wasn't recovered, so there may be a small bonus if you're able to locate it and bring it back for a proper interment."
He sighs. "Second, the reason I can't offer you any map is that the last patrol we sent into the tunnels, only four days ago, never returned. The copy of the map they took is lost with them. Worse, the original seems to have been destroyed, along with some other maps, in an unexplained fire here in the Tower the day after. I don't know what this all means, but that's why you're on board."
"Feel free to take the day to prepare and get what supplies you may need. If not, you can begin immediately. I will collect the potions now."
Under her breath Sorin mumbles to herself surprised ”It wasn’t part of the show, hmmm. As the depth of the situation begins to settle in, you notice Sorin’s demeanor become much more serious. She thanks the Warden for the opportunity to help and she prepares to leave. ”We will just need you to show us where this tunnel entrance is and make sure we have access to it. ”
Thurbal nods. "The tunnels are accessed from the lower levels of the Tower. I will escort you there myself when you are ready."
Kraz pulls a ginormous sword from his back and slides a wetstone down each side of the blade. Looking up you see a different tone on his face. No more big oaf..
"Kraz is ready.."
Beerg retrieves his maul and grips it firmly in both hands. "May the hand of Torm guide us"
"Yes, Indeed...Torm's hand! Now then, let's take a look at these tunnels."
Jack too seems to grow more serious as you descend the tower.
Thurbal leads you back down the circular stairway, and continues down past the ground floor of the tower. After descending what must be another 80 or 100', the stairwell exits into an extremely ancient stone corridor, lit by wall-mounted torches every 30' or so. The corridor continues for over 150' before turning sharply to the right. You see a row of barred cells running up the left hand side of this length of corridor, but Thurbal turns to a door on your immediate left which is flanked by a pair of guardsmen. He opens it and enters what appears to be a multipurpose barracks and armoury. He unlocks a mounted cabinet and withdraws five small red potions, passing them out to the party before relocking the cabinet and exiting. "If these are not required, I would like them returned, please."
He continues on down the corridor, past the cells, most of which are empty, but you do notice four prisoners: a serpentine-looking elf female with cold eyes, a massive minotaur from gods know where, and in separate cells, the two huntsmen you saw in the taproom of the Old Skull Inn last night.
You have little chance to wonder, as immediately after the cells you reach a crossroads. On your left an archway leads into a long chamber lined with crypts. At the far end of the 80'-long chamber there seems to be a particularly ornate casket that forms the centrepiece of some kind of shrine. The corridor leading right seems to connect to more cells. Thurbal presses on straight ahead, coming to a heavy door beside a rubble-filled area. He unlocks this door to reveal what seems to serve as an airlock, steps inside, unlocks a second door, and continues through.
Twenty feet or so further on, the corridor veers to the left, revealing a pair of old, dark wood doors. Inscribed across the doors in old-style script are the words: Here of old humankind defeated the dark ones and drove them back under the earth. The drow built this place to defend their tunnels. If we do not watch, they will yet make it our tomb.
Leading you through these doors into a dust-covered corridor blocked by a heavy chain, he turns and hands Jack a key. "Follow the corridor, and you will come to a bridge. This key unlocks the door on the far side." He then turns to Nilelane, hesitates, then gives her a scrap of paper.
"You'll need that to get past the magical lock. Good luck. Youll be paid when you report back. It shouldn't take you more than a few days to investigate the passable tunnels, but remember, if it is passable by people or dangerous beasts, your job is to reconnoiter and report on it. With that, he turns on his heel and marches back the way you have all come, shutting the heavy double doors behind him with an ominous boom.
Kraz let's the more heavily armored Berg lead the way and he comes in second in line.
Beerg looks at the size and prowess of Kraz and then at himself. yes of course. I’m wearing armour. Just let me know of trouble presents itself and you need to get passed. I’m sure your combat skills are superior to mine but happy to take the lead.
Sorin will take the back rank, quarterstaff in hand.
”Be careful. We are not the first to enter these tunnels. Whatever is down here may be prepared for us. ”
"Wow...will ya look at that! Very...ummm...interesting Nilelane. Well, let's move forward!"
The party climbs over, or ducks below, the thick chain across the tunnel, although by the light of Nilelane's magical light you can all see recent booted footprints heading past the chain, and back again. Most of these stop about 40' on, but a few continue.
You walk on for about 100', until the corridor opens up, crossed by a natural cave. Directly ahead is a 20-foot-long, single-span, unrailed, stone bridge. It appears well-used, but of sturdy construction, narrowing from 10' wide to two feet wide as one crosses from the Tower side to the far side. The stone on the bridge is worn smooth and is wet with water which drips intermittently from above.
The bridge spans a 12-foot-wide chasm to another wide ledge on the far side, with a large, steelbanded wooden door inset in the far wall. The chasm has steep, sheer sides, falling away about 20' to what appears to be a shallow stream bed. The slope near the bottom of the chasm has a light littering of bones, weapons, coins, and items apparently too small to be swept away by the lazy water flow, even when the stream is deeper.
Startled at first when Nilelane begins writhing, Sorin is relived when her familiar appears. The lights were just a nice touch. The monk shakes her head at the awkwardness of her new companion but is nevertheless glad she’s here. ”I believe the key the captain gave us fits the door and Nilelane knows how to get passes the magical seal. If the way is watched though, the stream below may present an alternative route. It would probably be treacherous and equally unsafe. ”
Sorin steps up to the ledge and keeps into the chasm.
"Kraz thinks we should try the door."
Jack looks down the chasm and gives a low whistle.
"Well I would not like to fall down there, I tell you. So let's make sure we are safe and maybe use a guide-rope to help us across. I can go first and attach the rope to the door on the far side and then everyone else can come across...what do you think?"
solid plan Jack. Let’s tie the rope off at this end and then around you while you head over. Just in case.
"Ok, well let's take a look at this 'bridge' before I am to cross it, shall we!"
Perception:
Beerg begins tying the rope to the small outcropping of rock as Nilelane's raven swoops down to alight near a small scattering of coins near an ornately decorated short sword and a human skull. Suddenly as the bird picks with its beak among the shining coins, the skull and the ground near it seem to spring upward and toward the raven, as if a geyser or volcanic eruption were impelling them explosively in a ballistic arc at the startled bird. You realize, with shock, that this springing skull of doom is actually a beast - a hook-clawed apparition of deadly muscle and sinew.
The fearsome creature lunges at the raven, surprising it, and its skull-like jaw opens widely, crunching down on the poor bird. The raven disappears in a cloud of black motes, thrown back to the plane from whence it came!
The bizarre creature begins springing off on its one leg to your right down the ravine (southeast). It is still well within sight, but seems to be fleeing enemies it cannot reach.
"To bad for the birdy. Should Kraz go after the springy thing?"
Beerg, somewhat slow to respond to the events that have just past, looks up to Nilelane, who he thought might be distraught but isn't, so continues tying the rope. you ready for this to be tied to you Jack? He looks up with rope in hand.
Sorin watches as the bird disappeared with an inter dimensional pop. She looks to Nilelane ”Was that supposed to happen? Is the raven dead?” she asks concerned.
”There does apeer to be some valuable things down there. I can climb down the rope and retrieve the items while the undead creature is distracted. What do all think?”” Thinking back on her studies she tries to recall all that she can about the creature she witnessed.
”You know, come to think of it, I don’t think it was an undead creature after all. That was a Gambado. Then have a penchant for collecting valuable items and coins. It may just be worth trying to destroy it. They can be dangerous though so be aware. ” Sorin looks at the others.
"Treasure hmmm...is it still down there...the treasure not the Gumbo-thingy. Maybe I can take a bit of a detour and climb down and check it out. What say you all?"
Jack waits until the group has made a decision.
kraz and I can lower you in Jack? the rope is still wrapped in his arms. are you sure you want to go down there alone? beerg looking down into the chasm and back at jack. I can come down with you if you’d like