"I hear what you are saying, but there are still more questions," Kolaiah says, her voice low and thoughtful as she stands tall, eyeing Shen Hzo with a careful expression. Her hooves shift slightly, her attention now fully on him. "You mentioned splitting up once you reached the bottom of the well. Did you and the Magpies have a plan? What did you expect to find down there? And this woman..." she trails off for a moment, frowning slightly. "What exactly did she do to open that secret door? Did she say anything? Did she make any gestures, or speak any words?"
Her gaze sharpens, the focus of her inquiry clear. "It’s not every day that a wall just opens up like that. I’d like to know what we might be dealing with."
She pauses, the faintest click of her hooves against the floor as she shifts her stance, her eyes never leaving Shen Hzo. "If we’re to go after this woman or learn more about her, we need all the details you’ve got. Anything could help us."
"We could probably ask around the tavern and maybe find out who the woman was." Ceirn suggests.
"Secret doors and mysterious ladies? Ooh...now you have my interest for sure!"
Jambreth grins with a twinkle in his eye at the mention of the hidden door, flexing his fingers almost subconsciously.
"I have a feeling I'm gonna like this delve."
The dwarf winks at Jambreth. "Hell yeah!"
Shen Hzo shakes his head. No. Never interacted with the Magpies before. We all went down together because the lift was going down at that time. He thinks about it a moment Though, they were 2nd tier adventurers. Seeing blank looks, he explains 2nd tier. the- ok, so the well. bar room. Common room. first tier. 2nd tier is the second floor, but only select people, well, more like those that are willing to pay, are allowed into the 2nd tier. it provides a better view of the activities on the first tier and down the well. 3rd tier, 3rd floor. thats reserved. Nobles and high priests and priestesses, and top tier prostitutes come and go. A lot of unofficial happenings happen on the 3rd tier. SHen hzo snaps his fingers now that i think about it, i think i did see the woman come from the 3rd tier.... he trails off, thinking. oh! yes. No, we didnt catch her using any words, or moving her hands, or using anything on the secret door. The magpies and Us, we were discussing next steps, how far to stick together, wasnt paying attention to the woman at all. we figured wed stick together to the room of Pillars and then go from there. Then we heard the stone grinding and she was slipping through the opening.
he shrugs and continues what did we expect to find down there? treasure. fame. fortune.... you know, the usual stuff. Beware the goblins though! this time around, they are mean! They have a new type of knife. has a gut hook on it. Sticks in ya, and they yank, hard. and your innards, they come with it. Learned that the third day down there.
The lady cerila tsks loudly. great. i hadnt pulled the blade out yet, and now the flesh is healed around it.... Vondal was it? please come here and kneel with me.
The dwarf kneels down. "What is it, gorgeous? Ususally when I heal, somebody takes the offending object out of the body."
A loud hiss comes from Pac, followed by a knowing smile from Astrillith. The rather morbid duo simply watches as the happenings unfold. Though the mention of the 2nd tier did spark an interest from the Tiefling.
"Perhaps once we return we can enquire about the 2nd tier, it sounds like a promising prospect to get into"
As the dwarf tries to make a pass at their healer, her blank expression does not betray any of her feelings, though the hiss from Pac does show a bit of annoyance
"Interesting technique, and we shall endeavour to watch ourselves for goblins wielding such weaponry"
"Hmm...perhaps I can speak with one of these goblins and learn their knife techniques. Twist and pull usually works but pulling out guts sounds quite...effective."
Nodding to Astrilith, Jambreths grin widens.
"I like that plan...getting higher up and better placed sounds great."
Kolaiah steps forward, her hooves clicking on the floor as she listens intently. She casts a wary glance at the mention of the goblins' weapons and the secret door.
"Aye, that sounds like an unpleasant surprise," she rumbles, her deep voice steady but concerned. "Gut hooks, eh? I’ll make sure to keep my guard up. I’ve no interest in becoming a goblin's trophy." Her gaze sharpens as she looks at Shen Hzo. "As for this woman—if she’s from the 3rd tier, then she’s not just some wanderer. Sounds like she knows exactly what she’s doing. As for the secret door... no words or gestures? Strange. We might want to keep an eye out for any unusual mechanisms."
She pauses, considering the plan to head up to the 2nd tier.
"And aye, when we return, I’ll gladly help with learning more about this 2nd tier. Might be useful for gaining information—or leverage, should it come to that."
She glances over at Lady Cerila and Vondal, then adds with a hint of dry humor: "And Vondal, don’t be too hasty with your charm. Let’s not complicate things more than they already are." She then turns back to Shen Hzo, her expression firm. "We’ll keep our wits about us, but I’d like to hear more about what you all were expecting to find down there. If we’re heading in, the more we know, the better."
"What is this room of pillars? Is it where a bunch of passages converge?" Ceirn asks.
Lady Cerila purses her lips in a frown. Enough of that later, sir vondal. Right now, i need you to prepare yourself. I need to cut into my friend here so that i can pull out the knife in him. Your healing helped him a bit too well, i am afraid....
SHen Hzo points at Kolaiah. Now, hang on there, miss. I said i didnt see her use anything, nor heard her say anything. It is entirely possible she did say something, or use something, and we just dont know.
Shen frowns. You keep asking me what we were expecting down there. Im not understanding what you mean...
Shen nods at Jambreth. indeed. there are three ways to leave the Room of Pillars. north, south, and west. Hold on! Mauot! Come down here! Show us the map!
The bat chirps irritably but flaps its wings, taking flight and landing beside Jambreth. It molds and forms, changing shape into that of a tall man with broad shoulders and an even broader beard. his gaze meets each of yours with a quiet intensity that seems to hold natures fury held in check. He looks at everyone, holding their gaze a moment. He frowns at Pac but says nothing else. Finally he looks at Kolaiah and bows
Lady, your horns do have a healthy sheen to them. I know this is untoward, but i would like to, at a later moment, ask you a rather... intimate question.
The man does, however, as he is speaking to Kolaiah, pull out a roll of parchment.
Shen Hzo takes it and holds it out to Jambreth. Here is our map. Mauot here has a perfect memory, so he shall be able to produce for us a new map once we return...
Pac in turn hisses at can only be described as a druid, while Astrillith shakes her head, but gives Mauot a rather dry smile
"Pac can get twitchy with newcomers. Especially those that are not always as they seem" she keeps his gaze, her own emotions hidden behind her dry smile
Turning back to Shen "Information about the laberynth, in any form, is quite welcome"
Viondal kneels down opposite of Lady Cerila. "Alright. Ready when you are."
Kolaiah stands tall, her eyes narrowing slightly as she listens to the conversation. She watches as Mauot transforms into a man, his words and presence not escaping her keen gaze. Her hooves shift on the floor, and she gives a small, barely perceptible snort at the mention of her horns.
"Aye, you’ll have your questions later, I’m sure," she replies, her voice steady but with a touch of amusement. "For now, though, I think we should focus on what we’re here for. This map—" she gestures toward Mauot and the parchment, "—will be helpful. It sounds like the Room of Pillars is a key location with many exits, and it’s good to know what we’re dealing with before we go further."
Her gaze shifts toward Shen, and she continues, "As for the labyrinth, yes, more details are always welcome. I imagine knowing where we might be headed could save us some trouble." She glances briefly at Pac, her voice softening. "And you, Pac, stay calm. There’s no need to get twitchy just yet."
Kolaiah steps closer to the group, her attention now fully focused on the map and the task at hand. "I’ll be ready to move when we know what’s next," she adds, her tone unwavering, though there’s a hint of readiness in her stance.
"Excellent! Many thanks, I'm sure this will come in handy very soon. Can't wait to get down there and see what all the fuss is about."
Jambreth spreads the map out on a table and begins to pore over it, intently trying to find some patterns, escape routes, and the like.
Lady Cerila moves quickly, her hand flashing left and right. a bright well of blood slipping forth onto the mans tanned abdomen. The man flinches, but otherwise remains unconscious. She pauses, considering, and then another line of blood forms perpendicular to the knife. Her free hand lowers and gently but firmly pulls the broken blade free...
Lifting higher, the blade slips out of the torso.
ahhh, there we go. Vondal, if you please... Lady cerila commands softly.
"Boomity Boom", Vondal states.
Astrillith and Pac simultaneously yawn at this
"Such theatrics. But I guess the jobs done. No matter the method. Though it was fascinating to see the workings of the weapon up close. It is indeed quite the tool. Would you mind terribly if I were to have it?" she asks Cerila
"Thank you for the map. Can you mark the wall the woman went through?" Ceirn asks the Mauot.
Kolaiah’s sharp gaze lingers on the map that Shen Hzo hands over, her mind working immediately. The labyrinthine nature of the map catches her attention—the winding paths, the narrow corridors, and the seemingly endless branches that threaten to lose even the most experienced adventurer. Her keen eyes trace the lines, her thoughts quickly sorting through the complexities of the design.
It’s not a simple series of rooms, like some dungeons. This map, the labyrinth, twists in on itself, curving in ways that make no immediate sense, as if the builders themselves had designed it to confuse. The branching paths, all converging in various spots, create an intricate web, and Kolaiah can’t shake the feeling that the true danger lies not in the monsters that roam these halls, but in the very structure of the place itself. How much of this map is accurate? How much has been forgotten or intentionally hidden? These are questions that gnaw at the back of her mind.
She notices the three exits from the Room of Pillars—north, south, and west. Three paths out of a maze that promises no easy answers. A part of her wants to know exactly which path leads to what, but another part—perhaps a more cautious side—tells her that a simple map won’t be enough. In a place like this, with walls that move and secrets hidden in every corner, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll have to rely on their wits and instincts more than any charted path.
There’s a small flicker of frustration as she realizes that even with the map in hand, they are no closer to truly understanding what lies ahead. This isn’t a maze designed for mere mortals. This is a place where even the best-laid plans can unravel, where each step forward could be as dangerous as the last. She scans the map again, focusing on the key areas—the areas they’ll need to reach, the places where they’ll face their greatest challenges.
Her mind drifts momentarily to Mauot and his cryptic presence. If he’s as knowledgeable about the labyrinth as he claims, then perhaps there’s more to this map than meets the eye. But she won’t rush to ask him anything just yet. She’ll watch. She’ll wait. She knows that in places like this, patience is as valuable as any weapon.
Kolaiah folds her arms, her mind racing as she takes in every detail. This map—this maze—will be their greatest test yet. She’ll need to stay sharp. They all will. Because once they step into the unknown, there’s no turning back.
Mauot nods at Jambreth's request. He points at the map
Here the man whispers softly.
the energy from vondal fills the room, and the wound upon the man's torso heals itself closed, a vivid scar forming upon the flesh.
There, all better. Lady Cerila says to no one. She offers up the blade to Astrillith and Pac. Here. Careful though
Pac slithers forward and coils himself around the dagger as he 'hands' it over to Astrillith. Who then admires it for a second before putting it away "You are correct Pac, time for inspection of the tool can come later"
"If this woman came from upstairs, we probably won't get up there to find anything out about her. Should we just try and head down now with the map?" Ceirn asks.
Vondal listens to the others strategize, occasionally looking up at Lady Cerila once or twice.
"No time like the present, eh? All this talk of danger and goblins and hidden doors has my fingers and ear-tips twitching to get delving."
The thick rope overhead creaks and strains as you are lowered into Undermountain itself, a mild accompaniment to provide you with some noise to ponder, instead of the slight quickening of your breath. You stand upon the platform, thick boards nailed tightly to supporting beams, with iron rings set into the thick wood providing anchor points for the ropes to be looped and rethreaded into itself. Above your heads, a single large iron ring, again with rope run through and threaded upon itself.
The boards are stained, covered in layers of dried blood, dirt, muck, and other dungeon dirties.
slowly, the platform gang from up in the Yawning portal lowers you. Sure hands keep the pace steady, with control.
Before you had been lowered below the ledge of the half wall that surrounds the well's opening, the man who oversees the entry point, looks at each of you. Remember. It's one gold per person to come up. or whatever weapon or armor you have upon you.
and he then looks at Vondal and, in honor of you, good dwarf, the rules have been amended. anyone foolish enough to jump onto the platform from here, the platform will simply be allowed to fall back down.
He waved his wand and said mockingly enjoy the descent!
an odd chill overcomes you as you think about the possibility of a long fall to Undermountain below....
Finally, the platform stops. it remains suspended a few feet off the dungeon floor. The room itself, illuminated by four glowing orbs set into the walls, is bigger than the platform. a large pile of sand, spread out, takes up most of the space below the well and platform. A trail of sand looks to have been tracked towards the lone exit of the room.
The 'good' dwarf looks back up from whence they came, thumbing the air.
"You know, ladies and fellows? I may be off base here, but I think that guy was a prick!"
"Eh... we just made his life hard on him. I think we should head to where that woman disappeared and see if we can figure out how she did that." Ceirn suggests.
Kolaiah steps off the platform, her hooves making a quiet but distinct sound against the sand-covered floor. Her gaze sweeps across the room, her posture unshaken, though her mind churns with the oddity of the place. The thick rope overhead creaks as it settles, but it does little to distract her from the new surroundings.
She inhales deeply, tasting the musty air, and notices the thick sand that carpets the floor, a strange and somewhat unsettling presence. The tracks leading to the exit catch her attention, and she shifts her weight slightly, her eyes narrowing as she inspects the trail. Her instincts tell her that these are not ordinary footprints. Something about them feels deliberate, and the thought of what might have made them lingers in her mind.
As the platform is secured, she listens to the others’ remarks about their journey so far, but her mind is already on the task ahead. She quietly observes the layout of the room, noting the glowing orbs in the walls, their soft light casting strange shadows on the sand. The room is sparse, and yet, it feels like a carefully orchestrated space. She’s not sure what it is yet, but Kolaiah can feel the weight of a looming question hanging in the air.
“This place…” Kolaiah murmurs to herself, her voice low but steady. “It’s almost as if the dungeon itself is watching, waiting.” Her gaze flickers to the tracks once more. “That woman, wherever she’s gone, she’s left a trail. And we’d best be careful following it. Who knows what tricks lie ahead in this maze.”
She turns back to her companions, her posture unwavering despite the unease creeping along her spine. “This place seems…alive in its own way. Let’s not rush in, but we should move forward.” She continues. “We’ve come this far, and there’s more to learn in this labyrinth. But we’ll need to stay sharp.” She gives a curt nod, her resolve hardening. “Let’s see where this path leads.”
She briefly glances at the exit, then back at the sand, her eyes briefly glinting in the dim light, filled with a sense of purpose. The maze may twist and turn in ways that only those familiar with its paths would understand, but Kolaiah is determined to find the answers they seek.
She hefts her greatsword and prepares to move out.
After what felt like months, she was finally going into the depths. She could feel the excitement from Pac. As she gives him an affirmative nod.
The man at the top breaking her from her thoughts, she looks up and stretches her small wings "It would be faster, I agree, and I need to stretch them anyway" she gives him a reminding glare before turning to Pac again "As much as I would like that, I believe that's frowned upon"
Reaching the bottom, she grips her staff with two hands as Pac slithers up and wraps himself around her neck like a protective scarf
"Ah, guardsmen and doorwatchers, always the bane of a true entrepreneur and free spirit. No matter, I'm sure the lift up will be of no consequence when we are ready."
Jambreth does a few stretching exercises and limbers himself up, checking his tools and knives to ensure everything is in its place.
"So, off we go, then, eh? Keep eyes tight, no telling what dastardly traps and hazards are down here with us."
Despite his light tone, his face is set and serious as he begins to scan and watch, intent on spotting danger before it springs on him.
Moving on the balls of his feet, he approaches the exit and checks the door.
Whatever keeps the game moving.
Ceirn takes up the rear position and keeps an eye behind them in case the goblins they heard about try and ambush them unaware.
Gaelden, having stayed quiet up as she was still deep in meditation, walked alongside Ceirn.
im just going to type this out without putting it into OOC. itd be a lot of formatting i dont want to deal with.
the way i see it, the balanced coin is a group of experienced adventurers, so it would make sense that you guys quickly come up with a way to adventure/travel in the Realm's most well known (perhaps the most dangerous?) dungeon.
what i need
a marching order for a 5foot wide path
a marching order for a 10foot wide path
is someone going to scout ahead? if so, who? how far?
is someone going to lag behind to guard the rear? if so, who?
what is the light source for the group? who is holding it?
i think these skills would cover the basics for the party.
perception
if you have a trap detection bonus, make a separate take ten perception with that bonus
disable device
Stealth
survival
if you have a skill that you think would work for you in the dungeon, feel free to include it
having cleared the platform, it begins to lift up the well. The sound of creaks and groans, of ropes rasping against each other, of metal pulleys softly squealing in protest to the movement. Soon enough, even those sounds grow distant, until fading to a faint echo within your mind.
Here!
Here is the place where you have always yearned to be! the place you have dreamt of. the place where your campfire talks long into the night always tracked back to. Your adventures in the environs surrounding Waterdeep have only been a prelude, a mental treatment to harden your mind to the rigors of where you stand. The mental fortitude to be brave when cut off from the known world.
You stand in Undermountain....
Fear slowly tickles the back of your mind, testing your nerve...
panic claws at your throat, drying your mouth for a moment...
anxiety squeezes your heart, seeking to stop it, while also forcing it to beat fast and hard within your chest.
Well Jambreth mutters softly best get to it
he begins to walk softly around the room, his steps sure and easy. His gaze taking in everything.
Hmpf. he grunts, facing a corner. Found the door the Moaning nymph's told us about. the one with the woman.
he lingers over the door for several minutes, before finally stating i... i- I know it's here. The door is here. but for the life of me, i cannot figure out how to open it from this side.
Ceirn reaches down and picks up a gold coin, "Well, I have made enough to get out of here already." Cerin says with a short laugh.
Looking towards where the secret door is Ceirn shrugs and says, "Well, we can opt to open it the hard way and move on. I am guessing that there are some who will not appreciate it if we go for the hard way."
"Perhaps magic or we will have to go around somehow". she looks over the the horned warrior "Unless you wish to try and brute force a way through?" she does cast detect magic on the area of the door and the surrounding area
As she does she looks over to Pac "It doesn't matter. We will get there eventually. And no. You stay with me for now."
"Let Jambreth have a go", Vondal suggests. "He's trained on this sort of thing."
jambreth shrugs his shoulders. I cannot open it. I cannot even find anything on this side. a button, a lever, a key hole. There is nothing. I say we move on
”Just because there is no way to open it here doesn’t mean one won’t be found later. I agree, let us press on and see what comes.”
She nods at Pac
"We are both in agreement that we should move on then"