Expedition - Varas/The Dragon's Hoard - May 20, 1 VC

[Keehnelf]

Dorvar could climb up to where the others are, but Mustard could not. There is likely a path for the party to reconnect on the ground level, though.

May 26, 1 VC - 5:30pm

The party and the goblinoids open the portcullis in tandem long enough for Dorvar and Mustard to enter and clamber over the earthworks constructed just inside. Varas drops to the floor below on the rope and greets him there to ensure some safety in numbers.

Once the dwarf and horse are clear, the goblinoids release the hold on the portcullis and drop it back into place.

Currently Odium and Deliah are in the chamber above, but they could climb down if they wish or investigate further on the upper floor. The goblinoids return the confiscated rope and hook to them.

[Marullus]

The various threats of goblinoids, undead, giant bugs, and fire all having passed, Deliah looks around for anything she missed during the commotion.

(Did she get her knives?)

[Keehnelf]

One of the knives was damaged too badly to be considered recoverable.

The group looks about them on the upper floor and finds nothing new in the chamber or on the corpses, which they had already looted. Out in the hall, the passage stretches off to the west, or back to the east whence they came.

[Marullus]

Lantern lit before her, Deliah pads softly and quickly down the unknown hallway to peak into the next chamber. Before she goes, she signals Hermes to fetch, sending him winging in first to see if there is anything there to react.

Reduced throwing daggers by 1.

[AleBelly]

Varas greets Dorvar (and Mustard, of course) warmly. He waits below while the others explore upstairs, ready to throw them the rope if they need it.

[Keehnelf]

May 26, 1 VC - 5:40pm

The pair of wizards leaves the chamber, sending the raven along ahead of them. Hermes does not get far before the pitch-blackness beyond the range of the lantern causes him to flutter, land on the ground, and then return, cawing uncertainly. Twenty feet down the passage, the pair find a door on the south side of the hall (opposite their last chamber). The door appears quite sturdy, made of steel, and has a slit at waist height about four inches high that might serve as an opening for firing a crossbow. Just beyond that, a set of stairs leads steeply down.

[Marullus]

Deliah draws her shortsword and approaches carefully along the wall, avoiding opening herself up to the slit prematurely. Once she is close, she crouches and turns to look in through the slit from the side, gauging for any movement or preparation within. She has her sword blade ready to put through the slit into someone's eye if necessary... she doesn't relish a crossbow marring her complexion.

If nobody is ready to shoot her, she peers to see if anyone is within. If no, she tries the latch. If yes, she calls in using a friendly tone, informing them of the recent alliance and their desire to enter.

[Keehnelf]

May 26, 1 VC - 5:50pm

Delilah approaches with all caution, and sees only darkness within. There is no response to her hails and the door appears both securely locked and barred.

[Marullus]

Deliah considers a moment, then abruptly throws herself against the door to break it open.

Open door... [1d6] = 4

She rebounds off the surface, which seems unperturbed by her efforts. She sheepishly tucks her hair locks back up into her bun and shrugs at Odium, trying to play it off cool while rubbing her shoulder.

[Keehnelf]

May 26, 1 VC - 6:00pm

Delilah sets to work trying to force the door; to no avail. The best that can be said of the situation is that, as the minutes tick slowly by, no new adversaries arrive on the scene to pose a fresh challenge.

The adventurers become more and more aware of what a long journey they have had and how tired they are after their recent exertions. Within an hour or so it would be advisable to stop and eat, and find a place to rest then or soon after.

[Marullus]

Deliah is ready to go down the stair and join Varas. She can let the thief know about the locked door, but it seems our ends will be better served by getting through the gate to richer treasures. She'll hold for Odium's post to support his actions here before we descend, though.

[Starbeard]

Odium taps experimentally on the door with his bony finger. 'It could be locked or barred, or simply stuck. However, I do believe it would be foolish for us to continue battering ourselves in the pursuit of determining which. There are others in our group whose brawn and comparative intelligence are much better suited to such tasks. In the meantime, I will join Varas and eat something.'

He follows Deliah down the stairs toward the others.

[Scott308]

Dorvar Thduum

When the portcullis lifts, Dorvar leads Mustard through. Happy to see the rest of the party, the dwarf greets the others warmly- for him, anyway. Well, nobody came from the other direction. And I fed Mustard. I got plenty accomplished while the rest of you were off having fun. Now, where are we headed?

[Marullus]

Deliah descends the stairs to rejoin Varas, letting him know about the locked chamber above.

[Keehnelf]

May 26, 1 VC - 6:10pm

The pair descend along the steep stairs to the west, which goes down all the way to the level of the passage below. At the bottom there is a small landing and a narrow door to the north that leads out into the main tunnel. From the north (exterior) side, the door appears to be disguised as a smooth part of the tunnel wall. A spring-loaded mechanism inside of the door or the wall indicates that it will close automatically unless it is propped open somehow.

Dorvar and Varas spot the pair coming out through the opening and join them. The portcullis having fallen to with a clang behind the party, the only obvious path appears to be further into the mountain. In that direction, the tunnel continues straight beyond the limit of the light, the ground strewn with the wreckage of fallen statuary and masonry from the walls and ceiling above.

[Marullus]

Deliah slides a chunk of rock discretely into the mechanisms to jam the door slightly open. (Alternatively, if she can just unhook the spring so it can be closed flush butswung open externally in the future, she'll do that.)

[Keehnelf]

It would require time and expertise to undo the mechanism without risking personal injury--Dorvar or Varas would each be able to attempt it if they so desired.

[AleBelly]

Varas massages his hip tenderly. "This looks pretty well secured. This leg of mine is tender where I hit the wall a bit ago. It's late, and I could do with some rest. How about we head back upstairs, set watches and I'll take a look at this spring tomorrow?"

He pats Mustard affectionately.

[Marullus]

Deliah considers that plan and nods, following Varas' lead.

We didn't see a door to the other sidof the portcullis, right? Also, can Mustard come inside the door?

[Keehnelf]

No door visible on the other side. Mustard can get through the door but not up the steep stairs. The landing at the bottom would be large enough to keep her, but she might get antsy in the darkness and tight quarters on the hard stone floor.