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Knowledge History DC 25
The dwarves found something in this city that brought them into revolt against their queen, causing a rebellion that killed most of those in the city, those few who survived fled and never would speak of what caused this.
Knowledge History DC 20
Knowledge History DC 18
Knowledge History DC 15
The trip from Brindenford to the Dragon's Delve is a smooth and easy walk over lightly rolling hills. The first mile or so of the trip is well tended farm land with small houses nestled on the side of the road here and there and the occasional family out rotating crops to prepare for the burgeoning spring.
As the last farm is left behind the road becomes much more of just a trail, obviously rarely used but easy to follow as it winds along the grassy slopes. At just over the second mile of the journey, a hill is crested that gives a view of your destination. Amid the endless grassy hills surrounding the area is a single stone strewn tor, its top overgrown with brown grass and brush, but peeking through is what must have once been a fair sized castle that has been completely razed to the ground some time in the past.
Still, where the fires once spread the grass doesn't grow well and where it sprouts it looks to die quickly, as if the melted and wood had poisoned the ground somehow. There are no intact structures in this ruin, only vine-grasped piles of stones, overgrown outlines of foundations, and the furtive hint of walls and arches.
The entrance to the dungeon itself is little more then a twenty-foot wide pit with an exposed stone stair that descends into darkness out of the range of the sunlight. Unlike most of the surrounding area, the entrance is well cleared, and even basic scouting around shows the remnants of several cooking fires and signs that previous camps have been set up near this pit.
Bengal goes over to the entrance, looking down in the pit to see how far she can see with her darkvision.
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Peering down into the pit, it looks like the stone stair descends about 50ft to a large rectangular stoop. From the top of the stairway, you can just barely make out three more sets of stairs that branch off from this platform and move deeper into the dungeon, one directly across from the entry stairs, one on the left wall, and one on the right.
Knowledge: History check (1d20+7=18)
Stepping up next to Bengal, Jayden takes a long look down into the entrance of the Delve before looking up at Bengal and saying, "There probably isn't much up here after all these years but it might be worth scouting the surrounding area and around up top here to see if there is anything out of the ordinary."
Kolgun stands ready; one hand is resting on his hip, the other is gently cupping a an unlit pipe. He’s wearing an overcoat with deep pockets on either side. A leather apron is tied around his neck and hangs below his knees.
A thick leather belt with a worked iron buckle is wrapped around his waist. His warhammer is held in a loop on his right side. His boots peek out from below his apron. They appear worn, but sturdy.
His back pack is sitting on the ground next to him. He has a bedroll, a tin cup, and rope tied to it. His shield, a plain metal design, is hooked on as well.
He carefully reaches into his pocket and removes a chain and amulet which he hangs around his neck.
Finally faced with the entrance to the delve he feels nervous, despite his preparation and planning. Who built this place? Why is it here?
His background in the church doesn’t seem to provide any answers to these questions.
He sees Bengal peering into the darkness below. He’s heard that cats can see in the dark, though he’s never met one that could tell him for sure.
He puts his pipe into his other pocket, still unlit, kneels beside her and has a look for himself. His nervousness is offset by his desire to return underground. He examines the stone steps and walls to determine if he can make anything of workmanship or design. He’s also checking for anything that’s suspicious or might for a surprise for him or his companions ( Stonecunning) . . . .
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2027570/
She nods to Jayden, "Yes, that is probably a good idea." She then backs up, then does a little searching of the immediate area.
"Being leaving Oppara I did some research on the Dragon's Delve and it's history. Reportedly there were 4 powerful wizards who claimed the Delve for their home about 500 years ago and reshaped much of it to their liking. Some trace of the magic may have been left behind after the wizards disappeared. Let me see if I can find anything."
Jayden then begins a brief incantation before his eyes start to glow a slight blue.
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As the Tibbet snoops around the top of the hill, she spots a fair amount of evidence that travelers have used this as a campsite for years now, setting up all around the top of the tor. Likely more worrying though is that there seem to be a fair number of humanoid tracks that seem to have passed in and out of the entry recently, the tracks are of all sizes, some booted, some not, but they do not look to be human. There are also a pair of fairly large animal tracks that lead down within recently.
From the view at the top of the hilltop, it turns out the grasslands do not go on forever as they felt to. Instead over just a hill or two away in most directions a birch forest begins. Perking her ears carefully, it seems that there must be a river not too far off as well.
Kolgun
The rock that makes up the stairs and walls of the entrance are carved, somewhat crudely so obviously the work was done by human hands. There isn't any particular style to it, the work was likely performed by unskilled labor rather then anyone with a talent for architechture, but from the wear of the stone you would place this as being between one or two centuries old.
Edit: Curses, I left off one detail. When exploring around the top of the tor, in the place that looks like it must have been the courtyard of the keep here, there is a fair sized hole in the earth, as if a very large tree had been removed here. There are still cracks and burrows in the walls where its roots must have extended.
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Jayden
Looking around the rest of the tor, it seems that most of the stone blocks hold at least some hint of a magical aura too them, though with a quick inspection its not clear whether those are leftovers of some preservative magic or remnants of whatever destroyed this place so thoroughly.
Finally, looking at the large hole in the hilltop, there is a strong magic glow that persists there. Enough so that it was either a very powerful thing once that is just taking its time in fading, or there are still trails of strong magic coming from the hole.
"Well, I don't doubt that you know your history, Jayden. But I assure you these steps, the work done here, if you can call it that, isn't 500 years old. Not nearly half that.
Kolgun watches the steps for any sign of movement. He makes sure he's standing so the sun doesn't cast his shadow into the hole, or leave him back-lit.
He knows his strengths aren't tracking or snooping, so he leaves that work to those better suited to it. "There's a task for every tool," so it's written.
Thel approaches the stairway, and notes the tracks. His meager outdoor training has not been very extensive, yet he kneels down--careful not to get his leggings dirty--and looks over the tracks.
Survival - 1d20+2=5 "Some breed of humanoid. Certainly nothing worrying our time over."
He looks around and spots the hole with the missing tree, and goes over to take a look.
Perception (sight) - 1d20+1=9
"Wow. That was strange. There was a bright flash of light coming from the ground for a moment but now it is gone. Most of the stone blocks seem to have some residual magical aura but that hole there is radiating magic pretty strongly. I'm not sure if it is the remnants of what was there or if the magical aura is leaking out of the hole."
Jayden moves over to investigate the large hole.
Perception (sight/sound) check (1d20+2=8)
Jayden will then briefly investigate the footprints before moving about the top of the tor.
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Beyond that it looks to be where a tree was pulled up, and the magical aura emanating from the area, neither of you recognize anything more that is unusual about the hole. Its perhaps 10ft across and 10ft deep, and the cracks that extend out from it don't look like they go anywhere, perhaps a couple feet into the earth before they have collapsed off.
Jayden
"Well, I don't doubt that you know your history, Jayden. But I assure you these steps, the work done here, if you can call it that, isn't 500 years old. Not nearly half that.
Jayden smiles back to Kolgun, "That is to be expected. A little over a 100 years ago a Duke Bryson Chordille claimed this hill and the surrounding area as his own and began the construction of his keep on this very tor. During construction the workers were said to have unearthed a massive underground labyrinth and although the Duke forbade any further exploration and tried to have it sealed up he was prevented from doing so when his duchy was beset by war. Some say that it was a curse brought about by opening the labyrinth and others say it was coincidence but the Duke was slain and his keep razed a few years after the labyrinth's discovery. I imagine these ruins and blocks of stone are the remnants of that keep."
"Hmmm, these large animal prints appear to be that of a large cat. They only seem to go into the cave though and not out. I do not have much experience with this though as I am working mostly off what I have learned in books."
Kolgun nods in Jayden’s direction. His study time, wherever he’s spent it, has paid off.
He shoulders his pack, making sure his shield is within easy reach, and pulls his warhammer from the loop in his belt.
”I believe we've learned what we can from the outside. What say you to heading down and seeing what we can uncover?”
She looks to Kolgun, "You do not wish to see if there is anything in the hole? I can inspect it further if you all wish."
"I don't see any gems up here..." I say we check out the steps. He pulls out a dagger, spinning the tips in the palm of his hand. He deftly flips it over, and sheaths it in his belt. Pulling out his rapier, he displays another awkward maneuver.
He walks over to the steps... "Let's see if we can't find some riches..."
"Kol is right, we've seen what we can from up here. We'll have to head in if we're to know what kind of beast left those tracks." He begins shuffling through his packs and readjusting his backpack. "Although, if it's all right with you all, I'll stay in the rear. Physical exhertion outside the laboratory has never been my strong suit." Hoists his heavy crossbow, knocks a bolt in it, and straightens his robe. Whatever is down there, he's sure it can't be that bad.
She pouts a bit, wanting to see if anything of interest was done there. But she was sure they would find plenty of other things once they entered the dungeon. "I shall go first." She then proceeds to go down the stairs, trying to move silently.
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Moving down the stairs to the upper landing, the stone walls around you quickly become more damp and cool until the air feels almost as if you are entering an underground cave system. It is obvious that you are far enough underground that weather on the surface bears no effect here.
From where you stand you can see that there are three ten foot wide stone staircases, one branching off each of the other walls of the landing. Straight ahead you can see that the stairs seem to end in a long corridor lined with doors. Strangely about halfway down the corridor a small guttering torch hangs from a sconce, providing very little in the way of light but showing someone has been here recently.
To the left the stairs end in a dark hallway that runs perpendicular to the stairway so not much is in view. However directly across from the stairs a smaller corridor seems to bend south at an angle.
To the right the stairs open up into what appears to be a large chamber. Your darkvision ends at a pool of water set in the floor.
Bengal waits for the others to move down before moving in another room, but makes a search of the platform.
She decides to do just a little bit of scouting, moving quietly to the right, careful to stay against the wall as she moves down to right before the end of the stairs.
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As you dip a bit ahead out of sight down the stairway to the right you see a massive chamber filled with cobwebs and dust. A shallow pool twenty feet across lies in the middle of the room, with tall pillars to the east of it, each carved to look like a tall, beautiful, human woman. The ceiling is vaulted, and a crescent moon has been painted at the highest point, which is directly above the pool. Although the paint is chipped, it still retains a peculiar luster that reflects light with a glistening glow. The walls sport a few empty sconces, and you see an imposing set of bronze doors on the east wall. These double doors bear images of winged horses rearing majestically.
There is a hallway that continues on to the east at the far north and south ends of the room, it looks like these continue on to the east.
Perception(sound based) DC 20
Knowledge(Religion) DC 15
After listening for a moment, and looking at the things in the room, she heads back to the platform and waits for the others.
Thel shifts his weight from foot to foot, waiting for Bengal to return. He peers into the darkness where she went off to the right.
1d20+1=16 Perception
"Now where did she get off to?"
Tired of waiting, Thel grabs the torch and follows after her.
She smiles to Thel, "There were some interesting things in there. Didn't see any monsters or people, but I did hear something from another room not too far off. Something that sounded like scratching."
Thel smirks. "Looks like this sword wasn't a waste of money then." He looks towards the scratching, and back up the stairs. "Now if they'd only make their way down here."
Aldrin looks at the cat and the human heading down, and decides that three is better than two, and heads down the stairs to stand beside them. "Scratching sound, eh? Well, I don't hear anything, but that's no surprise. I've been in so many explosions, it's amazing I hear anything nowadays, heh."
Kolgun follows the group in and steps up next the Thel. He shades his eyes from the torch for a moment, allowing his darkvision to adjust.
He takes in the images and something about them (the moon, the woman, the horses) tickles the back of his mind . . .
1d20+5 → [7,5] = (12)
but it doesn’t quite click.
He returns to the lowest step using the wall for cover, and continues peering into the chamber.
She folds her arms over her chest, "Well, it seems like the creature from the hole went to the left, some people went straight, and there is something in another room beyond the room on the right.". She thinks a bit more, "Soooo, I say we go straight."
He glances at Bengal; “This is what she knows,” he thinks, “best to trust her judgment.”
Kolgun moves across the landing as quietly as possible into position next to the north stairs Bengal indicated. His boots aren’t made for stepping softly, but he’s able to move carefully when the situation arises. He knew the cooler air would keep his coat from becoming too uncomfortable, and it was better to be a little warm than allow a glint from his chain shirt to give away his presence at an in-opportune moment.
He peers down the stairway to see what his Darkvision will show him, and listens for any sound or noise. . . .
Perception Check (hearing) (1d20+3=7)
it's quiet.
He motions to Bengal that he’s ready, and that she can slip down the stairs at her leisure.
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An ancient hall of mortared stone stretches before you, littered with small bits of rotten, splintered wood and grimy tatters of cloth. A dim torch in a sconce ahead reveals a number of wooden doors, all closed. It stinks of urine and sweat here. Beyond the smell and the occasional scurry of a rat or flap of a bat, this hallway looks uninhabited.
There are a number of doors here, two facing north, on either side of the main hall, and four more down the main hall itself, two set on each wall. If you strain your eyes at the far end of the hall you can just barely make out a flight of stairs on the western wall that lead to a hallway that continues west.
Bengal
She tilts her head to the side, then moves down a hall to a bit to where she saw the poorly made trap, shaking her head as she mutters, "What a waste. This is so easy."
She picks up the bells, placing them in her backpack since she didn't want to leave them just on the floor. She then turns around to face the room she is in, and does a careful search.
Bengal makes sure to wrap the bells in her blanket before sticking them in her backpack, so that they don't make noise while she moves around.
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Searching around the hallway, you can hear some angry mutterings coming from room 1c that seem to be in a mixture of common and goblin but are mostly indistinct. From room 1b you can hear the sounds of loud snoring.
There is just a hint of light coming from beneath the door to room 5, and an occasional guttural laugh or shout in goblin.
From up the stairs(to area 7) you can hear the occasional drip of water on stone.
The rest of the hallway and doors are quiet, and there don't appear to be any other traps or items left laying around.
She waits for a moment more, then heads back to the group. "From two doors I was able to hear speaking of common and goblin, though I could not hear clearly enough to make out what was said. From another room I heard snoring. Further down I heard water. How shall we proceed?"
"Goblins eh? Probably best to get them before they're aware of us, and sneak up and do something...gobliny. I say we go get the drop on them."
Sheaths his rapier and pulls out a dagger, the hilt designed in the shape of a dragon head. He notices everyone looking at it... "Splinter, given to me on my graduation day by my field marshal."