Chapter 1: The mystery of Odlo Hillhouse

[Marullus]

Deuteria went up.
Rolf will go down the tunnel with the Vanguard.

Hailey stays on the floor watching.
Bobwhite is watching at the tunnel mouth with Infravision.

[AleBelly]

Ayre, Baye, Cotgric, Duala

Cotgric pulls out his rope and grappling hook and will try and throw up to get a good place to climb up.

[1d20-1]=4-1=3

The ledge is about 35-40' from the cavern floor, making a throw essentially impossible. The dwarf can get closer by taking the ledge the others are climbing, though.

[gurusql]

The ledge is about 35-40' from the cavern floor, making a throw essentially impossible. The dwarf can get closer by taking the ledge the others are climbing, though.

If Cotgric can use the rope and grapple successfully, then the group will climb up the rope. Cotgric, then Ayre happy he does not need to touch the grapple, then Baye and not wanting to be left behind Duala.

[Rex]

My characters positions are correct.

[AleBelly]

The ledge is about 35-40' from the cavern floor, making a throw essentially impossible. The dwarf can get closer by taking the ledge the others are climbing, though.

If Cotgric can use the rope and grapple successfully, then the group will climb up the rope. Cotgric, then Ayre happy he does not need to touch the grapple, then Baye and not wanting to be left behind Duala.

Cotgric and the others can use Hanson's rope and belay. So I'll have them go up with the others.

[AleBelly]

Torchbearers: Hanson, Hunwald, Baye, Zygmund, Hailey

Hanson belays Hunwald, Sisyphus, Ayre, Deuteria, Sully, Wenyld, Baye, Cotgric, Palermo, and Duala up to the ledge (in that order...rearrange as necessary). Duala is able to join the others on the ledge once Hanson, torch in hand, sets off towards the ceiling and the webby cocoons. The way requires care, but moving at about half speed and single file Hanson picks a scrambly path up the cavern wall to the ceiling.

For those making the ascent:

A fetid, rotten odor envelops them as they rise, and their eyes confirms what their noses already told them. Between the strands of one of the cocoons they see the body of Kelvran, eyes stare glazed and lifeless from his bloated, purple face. Dry, ropey entrails hang from a gaping hole in his stomach. Any liquid from the wound has been sucked clean. His hand axe, still hanging from his belt, suggests he never saw his spider predator coming. The other two cocoons (dustier than Kelvran's) contain mummified, dessicated human remains. Cracked pouches hang from the victims' belts, and it looks as if one has a salvageable set of padded armor. It should be a trivial matter to lean over and cut down the cocoons, which would fall to the cavern floor far below. Indeed, none of the cocoon occupants are Odlo.

Thirty feet ahead is the ledge Hanson spotted from afar, about 15' wide and 10' deep. At the edge of his torchlight he sees a human-shaped figure, face down on this ledge. The figure is clad in dusty rags, but Hanson thinks he sees a bony hand protruding at the end of a sleeve. A couple feet above this ledge is an alcove heading further back into darkness, with depths unknown. Hanson sees a path to this ledge, about 10' wide. As there has been along this whole ascent, there is a drop-off to the cavern floor, now 35-40' below. It is silent up here, aside from the sounds of exertion from the others as they ascend the path Hanson took.

Meanwhile, down below, Legless draws a chalky 'X' on the stone wall, standing in stark contrast to the recently burned surface. Hailey, torch held aloft, watches with others to alert the climbing party of any danger.

Wenceslas, Rolf, Xerxes, Yarnold, Margit, and Zygmund decide to descend into the damp tunnel, Wenceslas using some of his clothing to fashion a face covering, hoping to ward off potential mold spores. As far as he can tell, the moisture in the tunnel wall is due to more humid air from below.

For Wenceslas, Rolf, Xerxes, Yarnold, Margit, and Zygmund only:

The humid, cool air in this tunnel begins to chill you to the bones. As you make your way to the bend in the tunnel 15' from the entrance, you feel the tunnel floor squish ever so slightly as the moisture seeps around your feet. Close inspection of the tunnel walls reveal nothing living or organic. Once you get to the bend, the tunnel turns to the left, continuing down as far as your torchlight reaches. The tunnel gets slightly steeper, but careful walking should be safe. Once at the bend, hits of a musty, acrid smell are carried along the breeze from below.

Guarding exits: Bobwhite, Legless, Nordman
Watching: Rimilda, Bilberta, Radahn, Hailey

[Stirling]

W, X, Y, Z.

Wenceslas, checks the surround, using his dwarven miner trade skills to assess the sincerity of the boggy ground and passage. Can he identify the acrid smell with any reference to a natural gas or source?

Wenceslas: Intelligence (15) mining / subterranean check [1d20]=17

He has a lantern which he can light also, holding it out before him, he will lead the way sticking close to the more stable ground and wall. He gestures to others to mask up, 'just in case'.

Xerxes follows, shovel at the ready to pan any beastie or dig out anyone caught in a mudslide or tunnel collapse.

Yarnold, masks up too and gestures to those left behind in the upper cavern that it is safe to follow us down. Zygmund scribbles a few map note additions.

All four look about for any indication of Odilo walking this way or for more cave danger surprises.

[Marullus]

Deuteria lights a candle from the torchbearer behind her and holds it aloft as she crests the path and goes straight to the body on the ledge. She checks it over, collecting what might be of value or interest.

Rolf holds his axe ready and guards the miner as he inspects the soggy tunnel. This isn't his area of expertise, but he's ready to be brave.

Less brave, Bobwhite and Hailey continue to watch from where they were.

[Rex]

Hunwald, Nordman, Rimilda, & Wenyld

Hunwald will try and work the hand axe free from Kelvran's belt. Once he has it he will use it to cut the cocoons free and drop them to the floor below.
"Watch out below, I am dropping these down. Looks like some of their stuff might be still usable. This one is Kelvran."

Nordman continues to guard the exit.

Rimilda will stay away from the dropping cocoons until they are down then move over to salvage anything she can.
"Got it, let them drop."

Wenyld will help Rimilda.

I think you missed Wenyld so put her with Rimilda.

[CAI4]

Sisyphus Makes an advance towards the corpses and inspects the sack and entrails of the nearest victim. Following this, he says "See if that armor over there fits one of you, may come in handy later"

Margit Continues into the darkness, seemingly gripping his shovel tighter with each step forward

Bilberta and Radahn both remain put, seemingly eager to see what the others find in their adventures.

[OGRE MAGE]

Hanson will tie himself off around the waist, making sure the slack in his rope is secure in case he falls. He will then slink out to investigate the body he sees. Then checking the deeper alcove with his torch before climbing inside.

Sully and Palmero will provide backup to whoever needs a hand, staying near the ropes for now.

Legless gets curious and joins the others who investigated the tunnel leading deeper below.

[Stirling]

Wenceslas

Can he identify the acrid smell with any reference to a natural gas or source?

Stepping forward he pokes a finger into the mucky soft ground at the corner's bend. "Guano. Bat-shit." he assesses with a confident swagger. He doesn't know how many but the large mass of droppingd indicate a numerous flock.

"We will disturb them with too many lights ", he gestures for those with torches to hang back and those with infravisual capabilities to come forward. Bobwhite, Legless, Bilberta?

He waits a moment for any to catch up, then presses ahead hoping to scout out the next section without disturbing any bats, ordinary or giant ones from harassing us.

Wenceslas: Dex 14: sneak or move silently [1d20]=4 [1d100]=30

[AleBelly]

Wenceslas

Can he identify the acrid smell with any reference to a natural gas or source?

Stepping forward he pokes a finger into the mucky soft ground at the corner's bend. "Guano. Bat-shit." he assesses with a confident swagger. He doesn't know how many but the large mass of droppingd indicate a numerous flock.

"We will disturb them with too many lights ", he gestures for those with torches to hang back and those with infravisual capabilities to come forward. Bobwhite, Legless, Bilberta?

He waits a moment for any to catch up, then presses ahead hoping to scout out the next section without disturbing any bats, ordinary or giant ones from harassing us.

Wenceslas: Dex 14: sneak or move silently [1d20]=4 [1d100]=30

Oops there was a misunderstanding - the bat guano smell is carried on the breeze wafting up from ahead (and downwards) in the tunnel. Underneath you is just wet, slimy rock. You do see signs of Odlo's footsteps going this way.

[Marullus]

Called for, Bobwhite pads down the tunnel, agreeing to peek ahead. He does his best to remain inconspicuous.

[gurusql]

Ayre, Baye, Cotgric, Duala

Seeing that way to many people climbed up for what space is up here, the four watch for trouble weapons at the ready (and Baye with the torch) if that is people falling or scary surprises.

[Stirling]

Oops there was a misunderstanding - the bat guano smell is carried on the breeze wafting up from ahead (and downwards) in the tunnel. Underneath you is just wet, slimy rock. You do see signs of Odlo's footsteps going this way.

No worries, we could all trek down until a wider 'bat cave' is found and then decide to sneak ahead. Just go checking 'wet, slimy rock' is not an Ooze type creature and checking how slimy vs downwards tunnel means slipping and sliding prone to the bottom of the tunnel and vulnerable to attack.

[AleBelly]

Lanternbearer: Wenceslas
Torchbearers: Hanson, Hunwald, Baye, Zygmund, Hailey
DM rolls dice

Hunwald is able to free the hand axe from Kelvran's belt, but just barely. He begins the task of cutting down the cocoons as they fall down below, Kelvran's corpse making a sickening squish-thud while the other two fall with a soft "whump," betraying their relatively light, waterless bodies. Sisyphus alerts those on the cavern floor, staying well out of the way of the falling webbed corpses, "See if that armor fits one of you, may come in handy later!" The armor is human-sized, but could also fit an elf. Rimilda, Rahahn, and Hailey head a "tink" from one of the pouches at the belot of a dessicated corpse on the cavern floor. The other has the armor that Sisyphus mentioned. The party does not recognize the faces of these two, though it would be difficult given their mummified, dessicated state.

Up above, Hanson and Deuteria head for the newly discovered body and look it over. As they inspect it, two pairs of eyes gleam from the alcove, reflecting the torchlight. Two more spider-toads are heading for the curious duo!

The two spiders will reach the ledge next round. Hanson and Deuteria can make a ranged attack at 20'. Hunwald, Sisyphus, Ayre, and Wenyld can all make one at 40'. These six can arrange themselves however they like, but only three can fight the spiders at a time. Fleeing will be quite difficult given the careful path that had to picked up to the upper ledge.

Down below, Yarnold mentions that it's safe to follow into the tunnel. Legless and Bobwhite decide to join the party heading downwards.

Wenceslas, Rolf, Xerxes, Yarnold, Margit, Zygmund, Bobwhite, and Legless:

Wenceslas lights a lantern and alerts the others that he smells bat waste. As if on cue, several bats fly towards the dwarf, zipping past him and the others. Flapping, leathery wings graze the party as they fly up, past the spelunkers, into the cavern from which they just came.



Then, a thunderous cacophany of squeaks fills the ears of those in the tunnel as a wave of more bats come. Numbering in the hundreds, they fly chaotically through the tunnel, bumping and jostling the adventurers to and fro. They are in danger of losing their footing and sliding on down below! For players in the tunnel, please roll an agility check, DC=7. If this fails, please roll a luck check DC=10. You do not want to fail both rolls.

Those remaining in the tunnel suddenly hear the pips and squeaks of bats as hundreds fly in through into the cavern through the tunnel Wenceslas, Rolf, Xerxes, Yarnold, Margit, Zygmund, Bobwhite, and Legless just entered!

[Rex]

Hunwald, Nordman, Rimilda, & Wenyld

Hunwald will move up with Hanson and Deuteria to form the front line. He has the torch in one hand and hand axe in the other. He will attack with the hand axe when the spider/toads are close enough for melee.

Nordman continues to guard the exit.

Rimilda will look for whatever caused the clinking noise.

Wenyld will start to strip the armor off the corpse.

[Stirling]

Slip sliding

Tunnel dexterity checks vs 7+: Wenceslas [1d20+1]=17+1=18 Xerxes [1d20-1]=13-1=12 Yarnold [1d20]=7 Zygmund [1d20-1]=1-1=0Zygmund: Slippery tunnel luck roll vs 10+ [1d20]=12

Steadfast and sure footed, the slimy surface holds no fears for doughty dwarven miner Wenceslas . He ignored the swarm, ducking under their flyby. With the creatures alerted already he abandons any sneak attempt and illuminates his dimmed lantern to a wider radiance.

Yarnold almost slips, stumbling but just about managing to keep his footing. However his flailing arms help unbalance Zygmund who falls prone and as if on ice, rapidly descends the rocky incline, tobogganing on his backside, flaming torch still held firmly in his hand.

He is about to reach past those at the bottom and land in the mush and hidden dangers beyond until gravedigger Xerxes braces out his long handled shovel as a pole which bars the wizard's apprentice from further descents into batshit and danger. At the last minute, Zygmund is slowed and grapples the spade head, clinging on until he can stand again, muddied and slimed and hopefully (for the 1hp scholar), relatively intact.

[Marullus]

Bobwhite proves uncommonly nimble when startled and threatened. He likely has ducked many a backhand in his life. He disappears abruptly into the shadows, examining the contents of the darkness away from the disruptive torchlight.
Agility 8(-1) [1d20]=20 Luck 14(+1) [1d20]=11

Rolf ducks and keeps his footing, his axe blows having disturbed many a flock of birds or swarm of hornets. He plants his feet steadfast at the front of the group.
Agility 10(0) [1d20]=17 Luck 10(0) [1d20]=3

Enamored by the mysterious body, Deuteria almost doesn't notice the bulbous eyes in the darkness. Spiders upon her and no place to retreat, she snaps the brittle dry-rotted thongs of a leather pouch and tucks it in her bag as she brandishes her dagger.
She will rotate out if someone else pushes to the front line. Otherwise she accepts her fate and sticks it with the pointy end next round.

Hailey holds the torch for Rimilda as they search the dessicated body.