Assessing the situation you weigh Cole's condition more important than the exploration of the temple. Leaving it behind you move quickly head off to the location of the well led by Jak and the map.
Past the ruined temple, the ground turns back to the den of rocks and huge trees, and resumes its maze-like character. Traveling along, you hear the sound of water, as if from a rippling stream, grows distant.
It is another hour after passing some thick undergrowth that you enter a wide circular clearing. Around the edge is a ring of menhirs, each about 10ft tall and situated a few paces from the surrounding trees. The ground between the stones is an overgrown mix of clover, wildflowers and stunted berry bushes – except in the center of the clearing.
The middle of the clearing is dominated by a massive slab of weathered stone, fully as wide and long as a hay wagon. The stone sits atop a mound of earth, and a circle of ground around it has been cleared down to the dirt in the recent past. The slab itself has been tipped halfway off the mound, as if someone tried to knock it from its perch, and one can see that the surface is covered in dark stains.
Jak looks and reads the map indicating that the location to the well should be here.
Herrick draws his sword as they approach the clearing. Quickly checking the map he nods to the others.
"Well, it looks like we've finally reached our destination. Wish our employer could have told us that the well is not a well, or is hidden or something. Tiefling, why don't you and I check this place out? The others can stay behind and guard Cole and the loot."
He waits for Nesserin and if he agrees, moves out with his shield up, and looking around for any signs of the well.
Nesserin nods to Herrick and approaches with caution. While Herrick relies on his sharp eyes and cynical experience the Tiefling briefly awakens his divine sense to scan the area as the two warriors advance.
Gilhault seems happy to act as the part guardian in the others absence.
"Hmm, indeed," Malthus grumbles. "How do we get in, companions? I regret I did not prepare the Sense Well spell last night."
Jak ignores Henrick's directions to guard Cole and the loot of the others. He slowly circles around the site looking for tracks. He suspects that they will need to cleverly move the menhirs.
Both Herrick and Jak catch sight of an old path that leads away from the circle of stones into a small copse of trees. The trail goes on for about another 50 feet where you see it end at a cave entrance.
Slowly looking around the area it appears to be safe of any misgivings and you doubt anyone or thing has entered this cave for quite a while.
Summoning their light Jawn and Gilhaut illuminates the way for the rest of the group. The light reveals intricate stone etchings and highly detailed
cave paintings depicting warfare, hunting, and even sacred rituals.
The entrance opens into a 30ft long, 15ft wide cave passage, ending in a hole near the back end of the cave. The hole drops into the earth and you can feel warm air blowing up the hole from below.
Three iron stakes have been hammered into the ground each with a severed piece of hemp rope dangling from it.
"Where do you think the warm air arises from, friends?" Malthus sniffs the vent. "I do hope it is not an ogre sleeping down there and just emitting digestive gases," Malthus peeks into the hole. Does he see anything?
If he doesn't see anything threatening, Herrick moves ahead cautiously to the edge of the pit to see if he can see anything from down below. He makes sure that Nesserin stays with him the whole time.
If he doesn't see anything threatening or out of the ordinary, Herrick will curtly gesture to the others to advance into the cave.
"Looks like we're finally here, Gents."
"Aye we made it. No telling what we may find in side. Tread lightly."
Jolly good! That wasn't such a trial now, was it? Let's bring up the chicken chappie what!
Nothing can be seen or heard coming from below other than the occasional draft of warm air. Looking over the edge, Nesserin has a look below and judges the drop to be about 40 feet opening up into a 30 foot chamber below. Bats flutter about and the floor is lined with several stalagmites.
Nesserin also notices the three severed ropes lying about the ground in a jumbled pile in between two pools of water. Several burnt out torches are scattered about the ground along with a broken axe and two swords. Two passages lead out of the chamber.
Nesserin recounts what he sees to the others and considers the situation."Secure the mule somewhere, looks like we're finally heading down. Someone is going to have to carry Cole as we secure the area."
When the team is set he'll secure his own rope and descend.
Herrick looks confused.
"Wait, you want us to carry him down into the well? I thought we just had to collect the bones of his brother down there and then wham! boom! presto! the curse would be lifted. Did I miss something?"
"If that's not what you meant, and we don't have to bring him with us down the well, couldn't we just hide him somewhere nearby in the bushes? I don't think he should be visible, but we also can't really spare the manpower to guard him."
Nesserin tries to clarify for the confused Herrick. "We don't know much about this cave, how far it goes or where we might find these bones. Like you said we don't have the manpower to spare to guard him and you've not wanted to leave him defenceless in the past. We should secure the area as we go and keep him close. Plus if he awakens he might be able to give us valuable information on his current state."
Also I don't want to be on a rope when the goblins come and cut it... I think we're rather in a bit of a spot.
While the others discuss, Jak pulls out his rope and hooded lantern. He secures the rope on one of the spikes and one of his own piton for good measure. He secures the top handle of his lantern to the loose end of the rope. Then, he fills and ignites the lantern with a full tank of oil.
He opens the hood as much as possible and slowly lowers the rope into the hole in the ground.
Herrick puts his hands on his hips.
"You mean to say you want me to carry the unconscious man around with us? I'm not going to be very effective in combat that way, but I guess I can try."
Herrick walks over to Cole and tries to lift him to see how much of a burden the unconscious man will be.
While concentrating on lowering the lantern, he says wryly, ”No, he means he wants to take the mule with us to carry the man. “
Nesserin shakes his head to Jak and turns back to Herrick."The mule will be even more cumbersome than Cole. I mean to take this room by room if we can. Secure the area, bring Cole in, move to the next area secure it, move Cole in. You're an army man Henrrick would that not be a viable stratagem?
Herrick nods. "I'm not disagreeing with the strategy, I just think Cole will be better off if we hide him in the woods up here somewhere. I'm guessing the critters up here will be a lot less likely to attack an unconscious man than anything we find down there."
He then throws up his hands. "But if you all want me to carry our patron around from room to room then I'll do that."
The lantern is lowered lighting the area revealing very little more than what Nesserin already described. The light does make you notice that the walls are stained in an orange rust like colour. The two pools are also full of orange coloured water.
Herrick claps Jawn on the back. "At last the wizard is making some sense, see?"
He then peaks his head over the side of the hole as Jak lowers down the lantern. "Is that rust or something?"
"Let's avoid the water. Down the hole." Jak lowers himself down on his rope and climbs down.
"Good idea." Nesserin follows Jak down the hole
The priest stands very very confused.
Herrick and Jean were talking about resting above while Jak and Nessy (dear chap, a bit strange looking but) went down the rope.
He stands guard and decides to wait to see what happens next.
Herrick is unsure what has caused the walls and water to appear in this colour.
Regardless, Jak followed by Nesserin climb down the rope to the bottom chamber. The chamber is much as Nesserin described.
The light from the lantern gleams from the damp walls and drops of water rain down sporadically from the ceiling, draining into the loose wet gravel floor.
Your descent seems to awaken more of the permanent residents of this cave as a dozen more bats begin to flit about above. Guano covers the rocks and stalactites below marking the bats' territory.
The floor itself seems relatively even, sloping only slightly to the left towards the northern passage.
A tiny rivulet of drainage runs down the second passage to the right in the eastern portion of this chamber.
Jak gets down and cautiously inspects the area for tracks and clues while avoiding the water. He is hunting and hoping he is yet the hunted.
The ground shows no signs of tracks but you do hear the a loud sound coming from the passage that the water is trickling towards. It doesn't sound like any creature you have encountered before.
Unwilling to let the two at the bottom of the pit expose themselves to more than they can handle, Herrick stows his weapon and shield.
"Jawn, why don't you guard Cole while I help the youngsters make sure our landing place below is safe. If we end up in a fight, you can throw fire or frogs, or whatever you wizards do."
He briefly turns to Gilhaut before heading down the rope himself.
"Priest, you with me?"
Jak pulls out his bow and backs up behind the tiefling, "Um, something's coming from that cave."
Malthus had been deep in his thoughts here, reflecting back on how this short-yet-lengthy trip had already revealed more to himself than he knew. Companionship. Dignity. Cleanliness. He may even decide to wash his shirt if this 'well' actually has water.
The bard climbs down after Herrick. "Well, what is that sound, friends? It is not my lute, this time."
Nesserin stands at the ready.
The sound does not seem to be getting any quieter or louder from where the party stands.
Lets hurry up and go down.
He starts to strip off his armour.
I can't climb in this... cover me.
He slings his shield over his shoulder and starts to climb down.
If disadvantage applies?
Jak relaxes and stows his bow, "Um, maybe it's a waterfall. Which way you want to start looking first?"
He asks Henrick when he arrives down at the bottom of the cave who is obviously in charge.
Having arrived at the bottom of the rope, Herrick throws Jawn an "all okay" symbol. Hearing the strange sound, he tries to figure out what it might be.
Nesserin checks the cave floor for signs of passage and follow as Henrrick investigates the noise.
Malthus follows behind Nesserin and Herrick, sniffing the air curiously.
"I didn't find any tracks. Do you want to check the cave that doesn't sound like a waterfall first?" Jak asks Henrick.