"Works for me. Lead on then." Ceirn says as he takes a look behind to make sure no goblins are scouting out their rear.
Jambreth steps turns and leads the group across the room to the single entry/exit for this room. He gives the corners a cursory once over, and nods.
CLearhe whispers, before slipping down the hall, his steps unheard.
he leads you down a narrow hall, (perhaps tunnel would be a better word? you think to yourself), his pace steady and sure. he again pauses at a corner, looking at it, before nodding. he makes no sound though. the only affirmation of all clear being his hand held up and waving you forward.
The tunnel turns to the right and you follow. It is a short tunnel before jambreth holds up his hand in a fist. he steps back to the group and whispers
The tunnel ends, opening into a larger room. or a large hall? I only caught glimpse of it from the reflection of the light. The i need more light to be able to inspect the threshold for traps...
Vondal looks around at Undermountain's stonework, and wishes he could discern stonecunning like other dwarves.
Ceirn will move forward and glance around the corner.
The two quietly follows, but their eyes do move around showing they are alert and not just shambling along like the undead people mistake her to be
Kolaiah steps forward, her hooves making little sound as she moves across the stone floor, keeping her senses sharp. She pauses near Ceirn as he peers around the corner, her sharp gaze flicking to the newly lit area.
This place is more unsettling than I expected. The very walls seem to be watching, like the stone has memories of the countless feet that have tread here before us...
She shifts slightly, her posture still rigid, as she observes Ceirn's movements and the others.
"It's good that we have light," Kolaiah mutters, glancing around the dimly lit surroundings. "But we shouldn't forget to be mindful of what comes next. The labyrinth beneath our feet is far more treacherous than it might first appear."
She takes a deep breath, scanning the tunnel for any signs of danger. "The hall’s not much to look at, but the more we travel deeper, the more it feels like this place is trying to swallow us whole."
She adjusts her stance, her hand lightly resting on the hilt of her greatsword, ready for whatever might lie ahead.
"We stay alert. Any misstep could send us spiraling deeper into the unknown." Her voice remains steady, calm, despite the tension in the air. "Let’s make sure we don’t lose our way in this mess of stone and shadow."
Kolaiah falls into line, keeping her eyes forward, the weight of the task ahead settling over her like the dungeon's ever-looming presence.
"We have you with us, I'm sure we won't get lost. As for myself, I guess I'll have to scavange food if I get seperated. The dead will serve" her laugh dry and humourless
"Yes. You can have some too" she replies dryly at the snake curled around her neck
"I agree that we remain wary. But this is not our first adventure, we've survived worse than this." She said, in a way which she hoped was reassuring.
"Yes. Yes, Kolaiah", Vondal answered in a soothing tone. "It's Undermountain. It's infamous. But you have something the others didn't while exploring Undermountain: me!" The godling smiled, fists resting on his hips defiantly.
I- i cannot do this. jambreth suddenly declares.
It's- i cant explain it. he continues this is too much. I- pray do not mock me, but i feel the weight of the rock above me, beside me, below me. It feels like a solid presence, always tickling at my mind. I fear that the walls will cave in, the ceiling will collapse, the floors will crumble to dust. He coughs, looking away. I have faced monsters large and small. I fought goblins, hobgoblins, orcs and more. i fought them all with all of you by my side. I have dreamed with you, as we sat around the campfires at night, our discussions about being here. Of exploring this dungeon. of pitting our mettle against the Mad Mage.
he waves his hand but, being here, now. It... it is too much. I fear that if i were to progress further, i would collapse, my mind melting into sheer madness from the fear of the dungeon itself! he begins to tremble and shake, a sweat breaking out upon his brow I must go. I am sorry, my friends
He walks down the hall to the lift.
Vondal, like everyone, looks at Jambreth in utter shock to see the normally cool-and-collected elf thief humbled by the legend of Undermountain. Mouth agape, the godling watches one of his few elf friends leave.
Ceirn shakes his head and follows Jambreth and says, "At least I found that gold coin to pay my way out."
The ride up the lift is filled with silence, only broken by the creak of rope, pulley, or board.
Each of you pay the fare for the retreival, one gold coin. The man who runs the lift smirks at each of you wow! You folks lasted so long. A new record. What was it, 2 hours? the man, and patrons who (easily) overheard the comment, laugh.
Jambreth, his head hanging low, slinks away.
Kolaiah snorts in annoyance. She asks out loud now what? We're out our thief. And to go down there without someone proficient at trap finding and disarming them is tantamount to suicide. she snorts again and stomps her hooves hard into the hardwood flooring of the yawning portal, walking to an empty table and taking a seat.
"We find a new trapspotter." Gaelden said, as she watched their comrade leave. She did so with a sympathetic look. "This isn't our first adventure, and there are plenty of people we have worked with before..."
"Yeah, lets go see if anyone around here wants to go down with us and seems semi-trustworthy." Ceirn says as he looks for a potential candidate.
Astrillith is sitting on the edge of the pit. Her feet dangling down the side as she looks around. "I know it calls me. No need to remind me. We'll go down there again soon enough" she sighs as she runs a hand down the scales of her curled up companion
Simon Severant sits at a table near the "well" in the Yawning Portal. He listens to the, mostly, human clientele discuss tall tales of their derring-do within the dungeon complex beneath his very feet. His Half-Orc companion is the strong silent type, so Simon can spend more time listening than talking.
Upon arrival in the Yawning Portal this evening, they had asked around about any groups who were interested in "getting dunked" as Simon put it, but it seemed on this night, no one was interested in doing more than talking, Well, I, we, can hardly expect to get down there night one in the city I suppose the Halfling thinks to himself.
Then he hears the commentary of one of the employees, "wow! You folks lasted so long. A new record. What was it, 2 hours?" along with some of the laughter that ensues.
He watches as an Elf slinks away. Then, he hears just what he traveled here to hear, "now what? We're out our thief. And to go down there without someone proficient at trap finding and disarming them is tantamount to suicide".
”I think I found what we’re looking for Hellig, wait right here!” The Halfling, gets down and heads through the crowd, he cannot quite hear what the other companions are saying in response, but he heard enough to know that this is his moment. Once he pushes through he sees the group, quite eclectic. He freezes for only a moment as he realizes that among their group is a legitimate creature of myth, a Minotaur. Simon breathes deep pushing past his, unusual for a halfling, fear, and strides towards the group.
"My new friends, you are in luck! You are an adventuring company without a thief and I a thief without an adventuring company! Plus, I come with my very own muscle!
Let's sit and talk, I'll buy the drinks, you ask the questions. If all works out, we can be back down in the halls of the Mad Mage before the night is through!"
Simon is a Strongheart Halfling, moderately shorter and stockier than his lightfoot kin. Across his back is slung quite a finely crafted crossbow and a short spear though it appears mundane, both sitting on top of a backpack. Two Ioun Stones float above his head, a deep red sphere and an incandescent blue sphere. Around his neck is a holy trinket of Oghma the Binder though it appears to be somewhat less formal than a holy symbol. He wears no armor.
The smiling Halfling leads you to a table where an intimidating Half-Orc is seated.
Kolaiah laughs and shakes her head in dismay. Ive heard of Fate but this... She rolls her eyes to the ceiling above, as if seeking out a sign from the heavens above.
Weaving through the crowd seeking the warmth from the severe blizzard wracking Waterdeep, she follows the halfling to the open table. Gently, she lowers herself to the table.
Alright. We are listening.
Ceirn will join and accept the drink. He then asks, "Have you been down the hole before?"
Simon's compatriot, armored head to toe in red full plate, nods as the others arrive. You wouldn't know he was a half-orc if the halfling hadn't said so. He could easily be a burly human. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the shield hung on the back of his chair bears the sigil of the Red Knight. "I have not." he says in response to Ceirn's question, turning his head slightly, as if to ask the halfling for his answer.
She swings her legs over and away from the pit, one last glance as the two casually make their way to the group. Not removing her mask, in 'polite' company she didn't want to scare or cause a riot.
Pac once again slithers down her arms and attach himself to her black staff. His head swaying from side to side as he too inspects the seemingly new additions to the group
Simon shakes his head in the negative, "No. Well not down this hole at any rate. I have been delving into "dungeons" since I was a youngling. I have traveled a quarter of the continent as a trapspringer for a half dozen adventuring companies.
I'm here because this place is the ultimate challenge and I want to test my mettle.
Besides that skills set, I've a few arcane tricks up my sleeve".
The Halfling nods to Astrillith as she inspects he and Hellig. He then calls for a round of drinks.
Kolaiah shifts her large fram on her seat. She waves at a passing serving wench ale. For all of us
She looks at simon and hellig so tell us about your selves. What sorts of adventures have you gotten into?
"I am not sure how familiar you are with the South. I hail from Sleepy Hollow, a small halfling village nestled on the Arnrock Volcano in the Lake of Steam.
The cave system there is expansive and while there are no traps set within, at least none I ever encountered, I got plenty of a taste for dungeon delving there as sometimes, there were threats deep in the mountain. Most of my people are born, live, and die there. Perhaps I would have too had it not been for the visit of an infamous Wizard, Akhlau of Halruaa.
I did not know it then, but I know now that he is a powerful conjurer and necromancer who sits on whatever passes for a government in that land of magic. His research delves into the experimentally dangerous territory. For what was at the time a King's Ransom of gold, I quite readily agreed to lead him into the tunnels of the volcano network. While deep within, the crazy bastard began to summon creatures from the plane of magma, I think.
Well, I hightailed it the hell out of there!" Simon shivers a bit
"But, despite the dangers, or perhaps because of the dangers. I decided to leave my homeland in search of adventure. But, instead of becoming a powerful mage, like most of my people, my talents lent themselves towards the path of the Rogue. I cut my teeth in many dungeons and cave systems with several adventuring groups of the Vilhon Reach, the Dragonmere, and the The Dragon Reach.
The Champions of Muktar, that bunch were far too cutthroat for my taste. The Company of the Fire Shield, I spent some time in and around Priapurl. Until they took a contract to attack some Brigand Wizard. We parted ways, my interest is in traps and magic and that job seemed like more of an assassination than a delve. The Shining Steel Mercenary Company, after their work against the Horde of course when they became an adventuring company. Llandrydd's Steel, while a mercenary company, had several members who took time off to handle quests for the right price.
A few smaller bands as well, but those were one offs. Most of the time, it was a delve into the rumors of a forgotten dungeon or the upperdark, which is much more dangerous as far as I'm concerned.
Most recently, Hellig and I pulled ourselves out of the band known as Nehlsons Raiders up by Luskan. Ne'er do wells as it turns out.
There's more tale there to be told but I think that's as much as you need no?"
Hellig nods as couple of times as Simon discusses the short time they'd been adventuring together. "As for me, I was born up north. Grandpa was a...well, an aristocrat" Tribal chieftain, but that's basically the same thing "My mother's sister was a priestess of the Red Knight. Eventually, orcs coming down out of the mountains did for most of them, my father and I managed to escape, and I finished growing up at the Citadel of Strategic Militancy, over by The Gate. Spent most of my time since then serving the church in one way or another, troubleshooting here, teaching there, investigating accusations of heresy, often some merc jobs in between." he pulls out a straw, sticks it through the mouth grill of his helm and drinks a bit of ale, then resumes "That's how I met the little one here. Like he says, worked with some folks up near Luskan, turned out to be bad eggs so we left."
"Well, we just lost our companion who was trained in dealing with traps. Rumor has it there are some pretty dangerous traps down there. Do either of you have the skills to find and bypass such dangers?" Ceirn asks.
The pair listens, but her demeanor shouts disinterest. But to her companions that's just how she is. Even Pac seems to have once again curled up around her neck. Lazily bobbing his head and flicking out his tongue
"Well, we just lost our companion who was trained in dealing with traps. Rumor has it there are some pretty dangerous traps down there. Do either of you have the skills to find and bypass such dangers?" Ceirn asks.
Simon nods, "I have a sixth sense for them. Sometimes I find them when im not even actively looking".
"It would seem that the Gods have indeed blessed us." The paladin said. "It will be an honor to work together, I am sure. Shall we continue our introductions as we descend?" She offered.
Vondal smirks at Gaelden's comment, as he always does when the Gods are invoked. "Say, Hellig? You ever meet Her? The Red Knight, I mean? Dream visitations? Full material manifestations? That sort of thing?"
"It would seem that the Gods have indeed blessed us." The paladin said. "It will be an honor to work together, I am sure. Shall we continue our introductions as we descend?" She offered.
Simon grins, "You really are ready to head back down! I believe we too are game".
Vondal smirks at Gaelden's comment, as he always does when the Gods are invoked. "Say, Hellig? You ever meet Her? The Red Knight, I mean? Dream visitations? Full material manifestations? That sort of thing?"
"Alas, I have never been so blessed. I have had, on occasion, impulses, sudden uncharacteristic ideas, that at times almost seemed like the voice of one beside me, but never anything as blatant as real visitation or vision. One day, perhaps." Hellig says, as he rises to go with the others. He pauses before leaving the table. "I should probably state, for the record, that I have no particular ability with traps. But I can patch you up if you trip one. Just try not to die."
Kolaiah shifts in her seat, her hooves tapping rhythmically against the wooden floor as she listens to Simon and Hellig speak of their pasts. Her sharp eyes scan the room, noting the various faces and the quiet murmurs from those around them. The weight of what lies ahead presses heavily on her mind, but she remains outwardly calm, her posture solid and unwavering.
So, it’s Simon and Hellig now… Kolaiah thinks to herself. A halfling rogue and a half-orc inquisitor. Not the team I expected, but perhaps Fate has a hand in this after all. The gods know Undermountain has a way of testing all kinds of souls.
She glances over at Simon and Hellig, taking in the mix of confidence and mystery that surrounds them. I wonder just how deep their stories run…
"I’ll admit, your stories of past adventures are a welcome distraction," Kolaiah says, her voice low but steady. "But we must be ready. This place doesn’t care for our past triumphs. The deeper we go, the more it’ll try to tear us apart. We’re not out of danger yet."
Her gaze shifts to the others, meeting their eyes one by one. "We’ve lost one of our own, but we gain new strength. I hope the gods are truly with us. But for now, let’s focus. We’ll need every bit of skill and strength to survive what’s ahead."
She crosses her arms and leans back in her chair, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "As for traps, I suppose we’ll have to rely on Simon’s talents for that, but let’s not be careless. If we’re going down, it’s best we go prepared." Her gaze lingers for a moment longer, taking in the faces of her new companions.
"Let’s not waste any more time," she adds, standing slowly. "We have a dungeon to conquer."
Simon nods to Kolaiah keeping in his slight fear of her, "Yes.
You will all need to be wary as well. No charging down the halls at foes, no splitting up to investigate, a tactical and methodical approach is what is needed. Less fun, but less injury and death as well.
My understanding is that the place is filled more with magical than mundane traps, I am able to disarm those as well so not to worry. I'll probably need to scout about 20' or so ahead much of the time, if I encounter a foe rather than a trap, I'll try to retreat of course". He shrugs.
"I am all for heading down tonight as well".
"Then lets see if we can get the crew going and head down before they are too drunk to lower us safely." Ceirn says.
Once more! the man intones with a sardonic lit to his voice once more, the Balanced Coin descends into the well. he waves his hands in a sweeping motion, encompassing the crowd that surrounds the well. Once more they go down! Down! DOWN! He turns and puts his hands to his heart.
Once more, and Once again i shall tell you. he continues as you all step onto the platform. Once again, the price is thus. 1 gold for the trip up, or else it is everything else upon you. If such an amount cannot be furnished by any of you, the entirety of you shall enjoy the quick ride down.
He laughs a harsh, wicked, mocking laugh Do try to last longer than two hours. As he laughs, and the crowd begins to laugh and jeer as well.
Bits of food begin to fly into the air, peppering you with mashed potatoes, corn, gravy and bits of meat as the crowd laughs and chants charity! charity! Charity! charity!
ever so slowly, the platform descends...
the mocking grows quieter...
the laughter cools
the only thing to observes from your position is the man as he leans over the wall, watching you. Even as you pass 50 feet down, you can easily see the condescending look upon his face.
as you pass one hundred feet down, he gives you one final wave, as only the sound of creaking buckle and tackle turn and groan, rope strain and twist, stretch and bind. A pulley squeals horribly in loud protest...
finally you reach bottom...
youve arrived (once again!) in Undermountain!!!
.... 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 in the southwest corner.
The Halfling grins and bows and the jeering crowd, "He picks some of the mash off of his shoulder, hey free food!"
After the reach the bottom, Simon hops off and begins to look around the room to see if there is an exit no one else sees.
"Many things can be free food if you are hungry enough" the grimspawn expresses in a very monotone voice, Pac hissing in emphasis
Simon looks back to Astrillith and her viper grimacing, "Right, I got it".
Vondal unfolds the map Jambreth got for the Coin after his departure. The dwarf orients himself by flipping the map in various ways.
"Alright. Alright. I see. I see."
"There was a secret door here." Ceirn points to where Jambreth had located the door, "But we did not find the means to opening it and decided it was not worth busting it down. There are also goblins not far from here. So lets head out."
Simon nods to Ceirn, "I'll take a look, always better to have two options to move forward, just uh, back up ten feet just in case".
"Best stand back and let him work. A lesson I may have learned the hard way once." Hellig says, backing away from Simon.