Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th Day of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately at first light (8:00 AM)

Temperatures are well below freezing and the party can see ice forming on the shores of Totey Lake as they leave through Gosterwick’s Water Gate. They begin their trek to the ancient, ruined city of Arden Vul hoping that they will find wealth, arcane knowledge, and fame; each party member has their own priority for these objectives. None in the party has ever stepped foot in the ruins nor delved into the halls beneath the city.

The party’s objective today is to reach the top of the plateau and begin their exploration of the Ruined City to find ways into the Halls. The party has heard from other adventurers that there is a fortified roadhouse north of the city run by a husband and wife which may provide a warm meal and a place to rest. They have also been told not to avoid the ancient city after sundown for it is an extremely dangerous place. On this short winter day, sundown is expected in approximately 8 hours. The party has been told to follow the Imperial Road north away from Gosterwick and they should reach the Long Falls and the Colossi beneath the city in two and half hours.

[Doctor Crunch]

"Come along Javess. The first principle of discovery is 'well begun is half done.'" The Archontean man blows on his fingers and pulls his heavy velvet cloak close around him. "Besides the sooner we arrive the sooner we can get out of this deuced cold." The man is neither tall nor short and and perhaps a touch on the stout side although it would be rude to say so. His clothes are of rich fabric in red and gold. Both he and his valet are burdened for travel. As he walks he begins to hum a song that was popular at the university last season. "I am sure it will all be worth it. The ancient priests of Thoth had secrets that not even the Order knows now." He is talking as much to himself as he is to the smallish stoutish man who follows him. "There is just so much to discover! I am sure it will all be just fascinating!" The older smaller man simply trods along in silence with the occasional nod as his employer rattles on. Occasionally he nods slightly if it seems called for.

As he walks Niphos will keep an eye out for landmarks and interesting elements of the natural world. At rest stops, which he would like rather more frequently than the swiftest pace would call for, he will take notes with quill and ink on a loose sheet of paper. While he will occasionally lag behind to inspect an interesting stone or winter plant he will mostly keep to the middle of the group.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus pulls his fur-lined cloak tighter against the biting cold as he walks through the Water Gate, his breath visible in the frigid morning air. The ice forming along the shores of Totey Lake reminds him of his homeland's harsh winters, and he finds a strange comfort in the familiarity of the chill. He looks at his companions, sizing them up once more, knowing that trust and camaraderie will be essential in the dangerous days ahead. He grips the handle of his hand axe tightly, feeling its reassuring weight. Thargus has heard tales of the riches and ancient knowledge buried in the halls beneath Arden Vul, but his heart beats for the thrill of the fight and the glory that comes with it. Wealth and arcane lore are secondary to the honor he seeks to reclaim for his people.

As the party moves along the Imperial Road, Thargus positions himself near the front, his keen eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. The tales of the fortified roadhouse to the north offer some comfort, but he knows better than to let his guard down. He glances at Niphos, who seems more interested in his notes than the journey ahead, and smirks - "Keep your wits about you, scholar" - he says in a voice like gravel, yet not unkind - "I feel like the cold might be the least of our worries on this path"

As they walk, Thargus occasionally adjusts the straps of his banded mail and checks his weapons, a ritual that keeps him focused. He hums an old battle song under his breath, a melody that has seen him through many skirmishes and will, he hopes, see him through many more. At the rest stops, he is the first to ensure the perimeter is secure before taking a moment to rest himself. He sharpens his axe, the rhythmic scrape of the whetstone a comforting sound amidst the silence of the winter landscape. He keeps an ear on Niphos's musings, finding a strange amusement in the scholar's enthusiasm - "Just remember, not all knowledge is worth the price" - he says, half to himself, as he rises to continue their journey.

With each step, Thargus feels the weight of his ancestors watching over him, urging him forward. The ruins of Arden Vul await, and with them, the chance to carve his name into legend.

(Taking some liberties, and assuming we have been on the road together for at least some time?)

[Spearmint]

'Fez' Pheasantplucker

Wrapped in a mangy wolverine pelt, the goblin fairly lopes along the trail, foot padding silently and skipping over the shadows cast by the tree trunks along the trail.

"Bad luck to step upon the shadows. You need skip over them too." he says, occasionally jumping into puddles, especially if they can inadvertently splash an extra streak of wet mud upon dwarven legs.

[Rex]

Athena

Athena stretches her back out and pulls her wool cloak about her as she begins the first great journey of her life. Her excitement clear to see by her companions. She travels along in her cloak covered mail armor, spear in hand, used as a walking staff. Her shield slung over her shoulder, mostly resting on her pack, but easily deployed if need be without tiring her arm on their march.

"Ardenia blesses us this morning with such a beautiful day to travel. Not to hot, as my weapons master used to say, the greatest enemy of an armored warrior is the heat."

In reply to Thargus, "Yes a good point, we should stay alert and keep our wits about us all. Panic would doom us."

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

Gundren grunts at the little Goblin called Fez’s childlike attempts to cause mischief and keeps his feet firmly planted on the nearest stone. “Rock remembers” he mutters under his breath.

His eyes seems distant, focussed completely on the huge cliff face that forms the plateu of Arden Vul. “If we can’t reach that inn today, we should find shelter from this blasted cold within the stone of that massive cliff-face” he murmurs in a sort of mesmerised awe.

Under his winter cloak Gundren bristles with weapons and armour - clanking with each move of his small frame. A small and slow moving arsenal. He holds a piece of some sort of stone (is it quartz or obsidian perhaps) in his mits that he can be seen examining as he waits for the group to move, returning the stone to a pouch hanging around his neck and pulling another one.

[scottjen]

Alishar
His pale green eyes seem to take on an even lighter aspect in the frosty air. They move from companion to companion, and a slight smile parts his lips at their idiosyncrasies. He keeps the hood up on his green & brown cloak and tries to keep his steps as quiet as possible given the armor & gear he wears. The elders would be chastising me for this racket I am sure, he mutters to himself, eliciting another slight smile. He says little, but projects an eager excitement to be heading to the legendary halls.

[gurusql]

Gelli Firissadottir

Gelli is an elf that wears banded mail and when walking in the outside carries his short bow. He wears a red fur-lined cloak to keep him warm. He will be near the front of group, but allowed others that want it more than him to take the lead position.

[Urson]

Mudlark
The young thief moves quietly, her shoulders hunched against the cold. 'Tis a miserable day to be away from shelter- 'specially if that shelter has good rum and a hot fire. Something in the rhythms of her voice reminds listeners of a sailor's speech.
She tries to keep an eye out for danger, but the wind and blowing snow make it hard.

[ravenn4544]

Octavios blows hot breath into his cupped hands to warm them against the cold. Cloak tight about him to keep the bitter air out and waxed boots to keep the same from his feet. Hands slightly warmed he takes up his staff once more and continues on the path.

"It is days like this that make one appreciate the sun and the warmth!" He tightens his cloak about him and thinks warm thoughts.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th Day of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 9:15 AM

The old Imperial Road runs along the east side of the Swift River ending at the Long Stairs to the city of Arden Vul. It is made of large rectangular cobblestones, and originally boasted curbs and drainage. Today it is largely overrun, cracked, with grasses and small shrubs growing out of it. A little over an hour into their journey, the party approaches a fork in the road where it branches west over what appears to be a sturdy stone bridge which crosses the Swift River and joins with a road sunken by the wheels of countless farmer’s carts coming from the fertile fields North of the Long Run and West of the Swift River. The road climbs to the West over a small hill and then disappears. In the distance to the north, the party can see the falls appearing as thin stream of white against the grey and green of the cliff face which rise from the floor of the valley.

Cliff Face Lucas.jpg (395.15 KiB) Viewed 4658 times

Art by Lucas Claren

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos stares for a minute at the cliffs and mutters to himself "It is all beginning isn't it?" He shakes away the moment of awe and speaks louder. "Perhaps we could get a better vantage from the top of that hill? I suspect the bridge is our route, but 'what you don't know can hurt you.' The last part is said as if he is quoting something. "That's the second law of discovery."

[Edit to add colored text.]

[Rex]

Athena

"Lead the way, a good look around sounds like a good idea."

She will follow along with the others. Trying to stay alert for any potential dangers.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus narrows his eyes at the cliff, noting the massive carvings of the armored warrior and the robed figure - "Aye, the scholar speaks true. What we don't know can indeed harm us" - he says, nodding to Niphos.

He adjusts his shield and grips his hand axe - "And are my eyes deceiving me, or there is some sort of stairway over yonder, between the carvings?"

As they move ahead, the man stays alert, scanning for movement - "Stay sharp" - he mutters, ready for whatever awaits, and keeping an eye on what seem to be two cave openings - one to the left and another to the right on the cliff wall.

[Rex]

Athena

"Yes, I think you are correct Thargus."

[ravenn4544]

Octavious points to the waterfall, "That looks intriguing - who knows what those above may have tried to conceal behind it!"

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos nods. "Sharp eyes. I think you're correct. He puts down his pack and begins a complex sequence of stretching and finger exercises. "Best prepare for anything.

[Urson]

Mudlark
The young thief says nothing, just nods as she scans the landscape. She shivers, wishing her oilskin coat was thicker.

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

“Aye, impressive carving and those switchbacks lead all the way up to the city. That cliffside must have many caves and ways in. ”

[Spearmint]

'Fez' Pheasantplucker

“Rock remembers”

"Does it? Is that a dwarven thing. Maybe
those statuesque carvings remember things too then? You should go and ask. Perhaps we need leave an offering at their feet. You know just to pay respects and whatnot.

Will flowers do?" he asks the gruff dwarf and skips ahead, picking at stalks to make a wreath of wildflowers hoping the druid don't mind him uprooting his favoured blossoms.