You're enjoying a drink and a meal at the lonesome drake Inn when the Innkeeper approaches. "Beg my pardon but you seems the adventuring type and I was wondering if you could do something for me. There is a door in my basement and I didn't know it was there until last night. I'd like to know were it leads...Could you go have a look? I'll pay of course."
"Aye, an' Kols hisself's sent me all o'er thi backwater tryin' t' find sommat tha' cannae be found - justice. Just wha's this door got t' do wit' yer place? Ye said ye ain't ne'er seen it afore? Did ye be movin' a tapestry or sommat?"
Firebeard took a swig of his ale, a healthy swig that tilted his head all the way back. Beneath the red hair of his beard, you can see the twisted line of a very long, very deep scar, as if the dwarf's throat had been slashed nearly from ear to ear and then healed. The read-headed dwarf was taller and leaner than most of his kin, with lightweight robes instead of metal armor. His weapons were unusual as well. Instead of axe or hammer, the dwarf carried a pair of metal rods with curved crosspieces strapped across his back. At his sides were handgrips ending in six inch claws.
"Tell ye wha'. Ye take th' price o' me beer off'n th' tab an' I'll be goin' down into yer basement t' have a lookit this door. Deal?"
"Of course. I moved a shelf and found the door hidden behind it. It's barricaded and the previous owner never mentioned it when he sold me this place at a very low price two years ago. You do this for me sir dwarf and you can have free room and board for a year."
A terminally pretty girl, um, bishonen, uh, guy, like person, approaches Firebeard's table, leans over and places her/his elbows on the table, resting his/her tiny adorable chin in her/his hands and says, "I couldn't help overhearing the innkeeper telling you his troubles. I want you to know, right from the beginning that I like your style, and I simply must find out everything about your life so that I can write an epic poem about you and that super cool scar. My name is Waglinde, but friends call me Wags. May I join you?"
A tall, gruff looking man quickly downs the rest of his tankard and then wipes his mouth and let's out a satisfied belch.
am I correct in hearing there be adventure under this here tavern? Well, count me in! Barkeep, another round! No adventure should begin without a proper drunk going!
"Aye lass, tha' ye may, and welcome too. Always lookin' fer others t' swap stories wit'. Name's...well, Firebeard'll do fer now. I be a follower o' Kols, th' Oath-Keeper, and go where he leads. Seems like he led me here fer sommat. As fer th' drink, longshanks, sounds like jest th' thing."
Firebeard grabbed up the new tankard, and chugged it, not allowing a single drop to spill. He smacked his lips and stood, stretching. His gnarled knickles popped with cricks like branches snapping in high winds.
A small slider man with black hair and small unobtrusive horns on his head speaks up.
I could offer my services as well. I am not as impressive of stature as these two burly fellows, but I have a very specific set of services that can prove most useful for such problems as these. The name is Xarol, Xarol Hopa.
After that he turns to Firebeard. "Master Dwarf, if you let me know what interests you, I might be able to providesomething
As the group was talking a tall man with skin like slate came up and motioned for the barkeep to listen and with a voice like gravel spoke.
"Listen, the earth round here ain't right. There be something shifting below that shouldnt be shifting, I can feel it in my bones. I would suggest you gather up some people an seek it out before it finds you first."
Then as he looked around and noticed the small group forming
"Ahhh. I see you already knew an be gathering an expidition force. Well it be no good ta warn you an do nuthing to help. Names Stonz, an I got rock down ta my bonez." he chuckled at his own joke, a sound like rocks rumbling.
Caught of guard by the sudden influx of volunteers Gil stammers for a bit.
"I'll never understand adventurers...All so eager to run into danger. Well I extend my offer to all of you. Just check it out and tell me if it's dangerous or not. I'm not particularly rich but I can offer a payment of fifty gold coins or free room and board for a year. Go whenever you're ready. I can show you to the basement whenever you want. I ask only that you don't go around telling folk about a mysterious and potentially dangerous door in my basement...Would be bad for business."
A mystery? We gnomes are intrigued by mystery. May I tag along? I could possibly be of some use to you if magic is involved.
I would be happy to take you up on that offer of free room and board, sir Innkeeper. Also if this goes well, I would love to possibly do some business with a few brews I have crafted myself at some point.
Wags suddenly stands up straight, and thrust his/her hips forward while putting fist at her waist.
"Ha! Never. I do not expect people to pay me for my research. Performances are another thing."
Thrusting the right hand out and making a "V" with two fingers Wags goes on.
"Adventure is the soul of Art and the buttered scones of box office attraction! I'm in for the thrill and the opportunity to learn everything about these adventuring heroes. Of course you will all have to sign these disclosure and dramatic license forms, k?"
"Oh. No need ta pay me. I'll look after the good earth then I be on my way, heading ever eastward. Lookin after Ferrakus's domain ain't something I be doing for money."
He then takes the piece of paper that Wagline handed him and gives it a cursiry look before setting it down on the table.
"If you wan ta write stories about me then you write stories. If you want ta slander me then that's between you an your god. Me? I care not."
To Waglinde Xarol replies: "Hrmm... I suppose I wouldn't mind someone chronicling what we find here and what we do. However, my father was incredibly keen on contracts, or so I have heard. I will sign nothing unless there is something in it for me, but will gladly welcome some assistance."
Xarol also welcomes Stonz "Glad to have such a... Sturdy fellow here!"
I shan't tell a soul, dear Inn Keep! his eyes scan over his newly found adventure partners... Well, let's get on wit it, adventure awaits! Now how do I open this here trap door... and what am I to expect? Anyone have any idears?
Xarol grins and beckons to Maximus "I have not the slightest clue, but is that not indeed why we became adventurers? The thrill of the unknown! Try the door and let us see! Actually... On second thought, let me check that to make sure it isn't rigged with something nasty."
With that said Xarol will examine the trap door.
As soon as the door is check and opened, Maximus will light a torch (Assuming there is no light), and take point, peering into what lies beyond...
The Innkeeper bring you down to the cellar and shows you the door.
It's clearly very old, perhaps even older than the inn. Interestingly enough it's barricaded from this side and the planks holding the door in place have cracks in them as if something tried to break the door down from the other side. The door is also locked. The Innkeeper doesn't have the key.
Open lock dc 20. Break dc 20. 30 if bolts still in place.
Xarol (searching at 9) doesn't find any traps.
No key, eh? No problem!
With a grunt and a wild grin, Min takes a step back, and then charges the door, attempting to break it down.
"Two nasty looking planks here, but I won't be the first."
"So let me see if I have everyone's name and occupation down in my notes before we get started. There's Maximus the Porter, Hopa the Lemonade Merchant, McCoy the Gardener, Sputnikk the Fortune Teller, Firebeard the handyman, and myself. Is that everyone?"
"Wait, wait, I think I'm ready to solve the mystery. It was Sputnikk in the Library with a Lead Pipe. Check the cards, quick. Am I right, am I right."
Rubbing his shoulder, and whistling impressively at his own strength, Maximus turns to Waglinde....
You sure are a strange one, ain't ya?... What... I'm sorry... What are you?
"I am the romance, I am the drive, I am the night on fire and the waves crashing on the shore, and a recently unemployed cabaret dancer and singer, looking for a chance to start a new career, Why what's it to ya? By the way, ya might want to take those bolt-y thingies off before you try that again. But hey, it looked awesome, I'm writing it down. Did it hurt?""
No it don't hurt!
To himself: $@#* that hurts... think before you act Min...
You just are a curious sort tis all...... For the record... I thought my awesome muscles would shatter the door...
"Well those muscles were... Rather effective. You'll definitely come in handy Maximus. Pointing to Waglinde "You, odd boy, I'll have to make you some lemonade some time. You'll never taste anything like it ever again." Xopa gives a sort of weak grin.
He then suggests that he or the dwarf go first if there is no light, since they won 't give away their presence with torches.
Do I LOOK like a fortune teller strange one? I am most certainly NOT! I am Sputnikk, wizard extraordinaire at yer service. Now let us get down to business, and signing your rediculous paper I will NOT! My magic is NOT for your poetic injustice! Turning his back on Waglinde, he walks over to Min and motions for him to kneel down to his level.
Stonz reaches down and picks up a rock, concentrating on it for a few seconds. Slowly it begins to glow in his hand and he unhooks a bullseye lantern from his belt and places the stone inside.
"It matters not if the light is 5 feet forward or 5 feet back, us in the rear would need to see regardless. This lantern has a special covering that can hide the light at a moments notice if need be so I will accompany you two in the front, providing assistance where I can."
As he talks he places a hand on Min then on Xarol in turn. Each of you feel a faint flow of defensive magic surround you, like a breath of fresh air in a stale tunnel.
Then looking at Waglinde and her offhand comment on his profession
"Gardener, huh. I be a miner, wresting the very fruits of the stone from her rocky grip. Gardner. Pha!" He mutters to himself.
Min Maximus kneels down eye to eye with the gnome...
aye?
In the meantime the door is still closed.
Min took a very good swing at it but since he failed to remove the large planks holding the door shut it barely budged.
Break dc 20. Break dc 30 if bolts still in place.
The bolts are meant to stop someone from the other side and aren't very hard to remove from this side. They are however nailed in place.
Dc 10 str check to remove the bolts.
to remove bolts.
If he fails he will take 10 to remove them.
Squeezing one of his biceps, Your a strong feller ain't ya? Well I've been workin' on a spell that'd make ya as strong as a bull! Haven't quite mastered it yet, but I'll let ya know when I do!
Stonz goes over and gives Min a hand with his task, pulling on the boards while Min attempts to pull out the bolts.
"Phew! there, that should loosen it enough to break down. Together on three?" He says as he rests his hand on Sputnikk for a bit of momentary respite.
Min winks at the gnome and says:
nothing like killing things more dead, I always say...
A shiver runs down his spine... He thinks maybe the gnome has strange vibes.
He then busies himself helping Stonz with the door and grumbles a thank you for his help.
After a bit of effort you manage to break down the door. Revealing a dark tunnel big enough for a single person that goes on seemingly forever.
The walls and ground seem to be stone but they are rough and uneven. Like tunnel was was dug but never worked.
well... Shall we?
Min will cast his torch into the darkness and take a step into the doorway
Sputnikk hides off to the side of the opening and peeks down the corridor.
Firebeard watched the humans smash down the door with great amusement. Although he certainly had no skills to open the door by stealth, it seemed a little foolish to break down a door that was obviously locked from this side to keep something from entering. Ah well, they were likely committed now.
"I ken be goin' up front. 'swhere I normally be a' any rate. Th' darkness ain't no problem fer me, but Stonz there is right. Ye'll all need t' be able t' see wha's comin'.
That said, he moved off down the tunnel with Min.
I agree master dwarf, lead the way! I shall follow,then McCoy, then Maximus, then the esteemed wizard and... Whatever Wagalinde is. Xarol gestures to Firebeard then follows him down the tunnel.
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"Wait just a bullywug spitting mud in your eye minute. So that's it? We're going in, now, no dress rehearsal, no shopping extravaganza, just like that, and me hardly dressed for something that looks that cold and dirty. Really, well, okay, I'm in, but I want to be in the middle, I like it in the middle. Hey Firehairfacely, wait for me!"
I draw my rapier, and shift my shoulder sack around so that it is almost on my back and follow Firebeard
You walk down the dark tunnel heading deeper into the ground at a 45 degree angle.
You travel about 250 feet and reach a T shaped intersection.
You've breached into a larger tunnel this one 10 feet wide and high and it seems natural and not dug.
You look to the right at the intersection and about 40 feet down the way is blocked by large rocks. Seems like this section collapsed.
To the left the tunnel goes for about 60 feet and turns to the right.
"Tha right dont seem to go anywhere so you want to check that way first? Sos we can cross it off an not have anything sneaking up behind us? Also, along that line of thought, Min, you want to take the rear? A good rearguard would be essential in a cramped place like this, make sure we dont fall like dominoes."
Stonz takes out a piece of chalk and marks a small symbol about a foot off the ground and on both sides of the corner of the tunnel where they just came from.
As quickly as I can I expand upon McCoy's chalk marks until there is a fully functional hop scotch field on the floor.
"That's the way you do it," Wags smiles and then hops to the end of the design, turns and throws down a copper piece.
"What? We're not taking a hopscotch break, okay have it your way."
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I take a look down at the floor and a smirk crosses over Stonz face. He sets down his pick and his bullseye lantern, then does a quick hop through the chalk drawings before picking up his equipment again and sheepishly says "To the right, ya... To the right.
so can McCoy aid me in a Performance check...wait can he be Burns to my Schreiber?
"I can hold a light if you need me to, you know, because you have to do something else."
Min shall draw his great sword off his back and take a position defensively at the back.
i second taking that other path. Doubtful we could get past a cave - in.
I must concur, let us check the right to make sure it is clear, then head to the left and around that corner.
Perception check
Along with drawing his sword, he shall hand his torch to Waglinde.
Here... Lass... Lad.... uh.... don't burn anyone with this
Searching along Xarol finds and opening just big enough for Sputnikk to crawl trough. You can see the other side indicating the collapses is only about 10 or 15 feet long. However for anyone bigger then Sputnikk to get trough would require either magic or a lot of digging.
A passage made fer me I see! Well lassi-laddi, hold that there lantern to be backside as I, the only one who can maneuver this tunnel efficiently, check things out! Sputnikk then stretches his back and starts into the opening, turning briefly. And don't be burnin' me either. Waggling a finger at Waglinde. He then carefully walks through.
Stealth
Once on the other side Sputnikk sees the tunnel goes on for another 40 feet or so and ends in a stone wall with a wooden door at it's center.
The door is open a crack and light is shining out of the room beyond.