Entering the Pod-Caverns

[Gelatinous Q]

Palgravadorix

The druid nods gravely at the halfling's request, then resumes looking for an anchor rock.

[ybn1197]

The stream running down the tunnel plunges thirty feet down into a large cavern below. The descent to the cave floor may present a challenge, for the rocks at the edge of the waterfall are extremely slippery. The cavern wall directly to the south of the waterfall is crusted with a fungus growth.

About five feet below the waterfall, a bamboo-like wooden pipe is fed by the flow of water, channeling it around the cavern wall at a height of 25 feet.

At the bottom of the waterfall a vast chamber extends into the darkness, echoing with the sound of the waterfall plunging down to the streambed. Drops of water fall occasionally from the stalactites above, glittering in whatever light the party carries.

With the number of stalagmites present, Palgravadorix has no trouble finding an anchor for the rope.

[Inferno]

Ulfang the barbarian grunted with a bleak grin, "Someone get a torch alight and drop it down there, that we may see what Hell we're walking into."

[tomlowshang]

Yulia frowns slightly at Ulfang's suggestion and says, "Let Kelsey scout quietly first since she does not need light. Perhaps there's another path close by, given the pipe's height above the cavern floor."

Yulia asks Ritbert, "Can you tell how the pipe is attached to the wall?"

[Gelatinous Q]

Satisfied that's he's found a good solid stalagmite, Palgravadorix tightens his lasso around the base and tosses the loose end to Kelsey.

He takes an interest in the channels flowing off into the darkness from behind the waterfall.

"Where there is water," he intones, "there is life."

[hammerHead]

Ritbert the Bold

Answering Yulia, the dwarf as if he were the builder discusses the likely makeup of pipe, wall, and water flow, relative to the falls - what a dwarf would know.
(sorry about the edit)

[OGRE MAGE]

Travix continues scribbling out his sketch of the chamber as best he can, trying to keep his notes as far away from the splashing water as possible.

He rolls his eyes and smiles jokingly at Palgravadorix after his corny cliché, but he doesn't disagree with his fellow human.

"What can you see down there Kelsey?" He says this as he watches the halfling closely, in case any unfriendly surprises pop up.

"Perhaps if we move our light away from this ledge, while the non-humans stay here, they will be able to spot anything dangerous that might be lurking in the dark?"

Did we decide who is carrying what as far as light goes yet?

[ybn1197]

Waterfall.png (5.58 KiB) Viewed 720 times

1 square = 10 feet. North is up so the fungus growth is on the other side of the water at the bottom of the map.

Ritbert takes a quick moment to carefully study the pipe, or more actually half pipe. Its a sturdy enough wood to carry the water away from the waterfall, but he doubts that the pipe will hold any significant weight. And even if the wood was strong enough, the methods used to anchor it in place won't hold any weight. Chance of Slipping (1-2): [1d6] = 4 The rocks are slippery from the constant water but Ritbert is quite stable standing where he is. Looking down, it appears that the tunnel continues further along into most likely a larger cavern.

[OGRE MAGE]

Once his papers are put safely away, the quiet mage takes a closer look at the fungus growth, wondering if it may hide another, safer descent.

"What do you make of this fungal growth, master druid?"

[Hotgoblin]

Once the rope is secured to the stalagmite Kelsey will tie it around herself and be lowered down. What does the area look like and does she hear anything out of the ordinary ?

[Gelatinous Q]

Keeping a firm hold on the rope to steady himself on the wet rocks, Palgravadorix inspects the fungal growth on the cavern walls.

Uses Druid's Knowledge skill

[tomlowshang]

Yulia listens to Ritbert's comments as he examines the pipe's construction. "So, definitely not made to Dwarven standards," she says to Ritbert with a grin.

She resumes a watchful stance as the others continue their tasks.

[Inferno]

Ulfang the barbarian sheathed his weapons and, seizing hold of the rope, lowered the little thief down into the waiting darkness.

[Pelokentus]

Osford Green Ears positions himself so the torch he's holding provides enough light for his companions to secure ropes and inspect fungal growth, while trying not to wash out the ancestral sight abilities of his descending friends.

[hammerHead]

Ritbert the Bold

The fighter applies himself to the rope in support of Ulfang.

[ybn1197]

Once the rope is secured to the stalagmite Kelsey will tie it around herself and be lowered down. What does the area look like and does she hear anything out of the ordinary ?

As Kelsey is lowered, she is unable to hear anything let alone anything out of the ordinary as the water splashes down approximately 30 feet from the ledge where the others are gathered. She is able to confirm that the passage everyone is in continues another 20 or so feet before opening up into another cavern of much larger size. As she passes out of the radius of the torch, she is able to see that the cavern extends more than the 60 feet with which she can see.

Keeping a firm hold on the rope to steady himself on the wet rocks, Palgravadorix inspects the fungal growth on the cavern walls.

Uses Druid's Knowledge skill

With Ritbert and Ulfang holding on to the rope, Palgravadorix is able to make his way over the steadily moving stream to the south wall and inspect the fungal growth along the wall. Though the fungus is natural, it has been enhanced by magic. It is much stronger than normal and it appears to have had its growth accelerated as it would normally be much more prevalent at the bottom as it grows upward. But in this case, the fungal growth is more patterned and it appears it was intended to be used as a ladder to move up and down the waterfall.

[OGRE MAGE]

Travix smiles once the druid reveals his findings.

"Do we dare take advantage of this easier route, friend? Can you see anything down below?"

The mage looks over the fungus as well, trying to determine how safe it would be for a man sized person to traverse.

"I will give it a try if nobody else wants to go first. Do we have any more rope? That might make the descent a bit safer."

[tomlowshang]

Yulia notices that both Travix and Palgravadorix are now separated from the party by the stream and gets that feeling every Ranger knows not to ignore.

"I'll cross the stream and support Travix and Palgravadorix up here in case anything lurks under the fungal growth." Yulia's tone seems concerned.

"We should wait until Kelsey has checked the fungal ladder for traps from the bottom of the cliff, assuming she can cross the stream. Luthandier and Ritbert can descend on the rope to cover Kelsey since they do not need light. If the fungal ladder is safe, we'll move the rope to the other side of the stream, and descend using the ladder."

She carefully makes her way across the stream and joins the Magic-User and Druid.

[Hotgoblin]

Kelsey will be lowered all the way down to investigate the cave floor.

[hammerHead]

Ritbert the Boldl

Yo ho dare! One Halfling on the rope, says the fighter!