Chapter 6: The Iron Door mission

[Stirling]

Choose a girl, no problems. Sure, though we'll have to make sure Ranulf don't peek as she changes.

[Dogma]

Choose a girl, no problems. Sure, though we'll have to make sure Ranulf don't peek as she changes.

Ranulf feigns righteous indignation at that thought that he would try to peek at Emm ( or Audi) while they were naked...

[drpete]

Alright, so Emm puts on Quinn's old chainmail, leaving the scale armor the group scavenged from the orcs in a corner of the storeroom.

What next, folks?

[Zorroroaster]

South towards the caverns?

[kalstone]

Sounds good.

[drpete]

Date: Euryale 12, 2:10 pm (Turn 31)
Season: Mid Fall
Moon phase: First Quarter
Light Sources: Randolpho (Lantern, 2 hrs, 10 minutes remaining), Galen (Lantern, 2 hrs, 50 minutes remaining)
Time since rest: 50 minutes (5 turns)
Location: Mosaic Passageway (Room 42)

The group heads back to the door south, which the map indicates will lead into the caverns. Torgyr listens and checks it for traps, finding none. On trying to open it, he finds it locked, or at least barred.

[Zorroroaster]

"Lovely. Just lovely."

Torgyr rattles the door once more, as if it would have changed its mind somehow and consented to open to them all of a sudden. He throws up his hands in disgust.

"One entrance to the caverns guarded, the other locked. Anyone feel like giving the lock a go before I get really angry and break it down?"

He huffs impotently and stands back.

[Stirling]

Quinn

"Why struggle, I bet the iron door knocker can magically open this too. Got to try it some time. Give it a go Galen."

[Zorroroaster]

"Hold up a sec. What if this Knocker can only do it the once? I agree it would be useful here, but at the expense of possibly not getting into the Vault? Too risky, I say. Lemme break it down if Randolpho can't get past it."

[Dogma]

"Torgyr is right. Let's try our other options before resorting to the magic Knocker."

[drpete]

You guys are about due for a rest. Do you want to press on, or take a break first?

[barkman]

"Let's take a break, and then i'll try and open the door."

[drpete]

Date: Euryale 12, 2:30 pm (Turn 33)
Season: Mid Fall
Moon phase: First Quarter
Light Sources: Randolpho (Lantern, 1 hrs, 50 minutes remaining), Galen (Lantern, 2 hrs, 30 minutes remaining)
Time since rest: 10 minutes (1 turns)
Location: Mosaic Passageway (Room 42)

The group takes a brief rest, then Randolpho sets to work in an attempt to get the door open. He quickly discovers that the door is barred from the other side, rather than locked with a keyed lock. Fortunately for you, he is able to work a lever through a gap in the door and get the door open.

Through the door, things look very different from what you've seen before. Ahead, you see a natural cavern, extending into the darkness.

As you are considering your next move, a group of 5 dwarves comes into the corridor behind you (leading to the map room, 36). They look very suspicious, and they raise crossbows at you.

[barkman]

"Torgyr, tell me these guys are the friends of yours we are looking for?!" Randolpho will move back so there are armoured bodies between him and the raised crossbows.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr calls out in Dwarven:

"Hail, friends! A warm greeting to you in these cold halls! I am Torgyr, and these are my fellows. Be at ease! Are you the band of dwarves presumed lost in these dark corridors? Lower your weapons and talk with us a while. Perhaps we can aid each other, for this is a dangerous place for anyone!"

Torgyr's tone and posture are relaxed and at ease, but those among him who've known him a while are aware that one hand doesn't stray far from where he keeps a flask of military oil hidden behind the folds of his cloak.

[drpete]

The dwarves hesitate, unsure if you're a threat. One of them speaks, in dwarven:

"Are you from the surface? Did you pass through the barriers? Do you have mages? What is your purpose, here?"

He looks suspiciously at the various group members as he asks a series of quick, suspicious questions.

[Zorroroaster]

Torgyr clears his throat and tries to answer as best he can.

"We are from the surface, gaining entrance to Dwimmermount via the long and winding stair. We know of the Dwarven entrance, but have not risked it in case it is not passable by the majority of our party. We no longer employ a Mage, though we did travel with one recently. A fellow by the name of Climent, whose talents seemed to surpass his bravery at times. We have members of different spiritual orders among us if you are in need of healing or help."

He pauses a moment, considering the last question carefully.

"Why are we here? We seek a greater understanding of Dwimmermount and what befell this place so long ago. We have heard of evil stirring in its depths and wish to add our efforts in striking it down before it grows too strong. And if a few pieces of gold come our way from our labour, well that too won't go unappreciated. I trust I have answered your questions in good faith. Who are you, and what brings you to this place?"

[drpete]

The dwarf nods, then speaks in an archaic form of the common tongue:

"We come from below. We help preserve the great machine. We are searching for our friend, and to visit a ... holy place here for dwarves. We require powerful allies, to prevent evil from waking."

[kalstone]

Solaine tries to reply simply, to aid understanding. "We also seek to prevent evil from waking. We would be honored to be your allies."

[drpete]

The dwarf nods to Solaine, solemnly. "We thank you. My name is Torgun, and these are my companions. We know these tunnels have been overrun by kobolds. Will you help us clear them out? We ask that you not reveal the dwarven secrets you see here. " After this last bit, he looks to Torgyr for confirmation that the group cam be trusted.