Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[Urson]

Mudlark
Mudlark doesn't assist with the burial of the stranger.
Hoi! I'd like some o' those pitons! She walks back and forth, studying the cliff above- looking for splashes that could be blood, crumbled stone, etc.
'His companions', you say. P'raps he was alone- some bold, daft bugger out here on his own- on a mission we might not ever ken?

[scottjen]

Alishar
Belaying is a good idea Niphos, for when the going becomes dangerous. I don't like the idea of being tethered until it becomes necessary. (nods to Gelli).
Alishar has no interest in the weapons. We should each take a gold & a silver. If he had companions, they abandoned him, and so have no claim to it.
He is ready to start the climb and would like to be close to the front. He has no problem with Thargus leading.
I find myself drawn toward Lanikos's Basement each time I look at that map.

[BaltoBruiser]

That door there in the tower perhaps to check out…”

With that, and if the group is ready, Thargus will begin the ascent, moving carefully and signaling any slippery or unstable sections to those behind him.

Before I draft the next segment, I want to confirm that the party is going to start climbing and bypass the tower?

Mudlark
'His companions', you say. P'raps he was alone- some bold, daft bugger out here on his own- on a mission we might not ever ken?

Mudlark may be on to something here.

[Rex]

Athena

"Before we start climbing we should check out the open door to the tower."

[gurusql]

Gelli

"Sounds reasonable."

[Spearmint]

'Fez' Pheasantplucker

"We should each take a gold & a silver. If he had companions, they abandoned him, and so have no claim to it."

The goblin agrees with the suggestion, opening his little palm out to whoever has the purse. "Better a treasurer doesn't fall off the cliff with all the trove. It's a long way down to retrieve a purse."

If given +1gp, +1sp, he kisses the coins and adds a big stone and a little stone to the fall-guy's cairn. Favouring ignoring the tower, he will join climbers.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus listens as Octavios suggests checking out the door in the tower and Mudlark questions whether the fallen adventurer was truly alone. He considers their words thoughtfully, glancing towards the tower. "You know, checking that door might not be a bad idea," Thargus finally says, shifting his attention back to the group. "If there's anything in there that could help us or shed light on this place, it might be worth a look."

Thargus then turns to Fez, acknowledging his suggestion about the coins. "Fez has a point. We should each take a fair share. Let's get it sorted quickly so we can move on."

With a firm nod, Thargus prepares to lead the group towards the tower, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger or traps as they approach.

(Just to clarify, I am constantly saying Thargus 'leads' the group, but that's just how I see the character - he is not trying to be the leader, he just takes decisive action is all - perhaps too impulsive in fact )

[Rex]

Athena

Sheet updated, +1gp and 1sp.

[gurusql]

Gelli

"Let us make our way to the door."

Sheet updated, +1gp and 1sp.

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

Gundren stops staring at the cliff and pockets the coin before shifting his focus to the tower.

“To the door then, lead away Thargus, I’ll be right behind you with the Axe”

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos will move to where he can see the activity at the door, but stand well back.

[Spearmint]

'Fez' Pheasantplucker

Looks up at the cliffs and Colossal. He figures exploring the tower may delay any ascent and camping out here in the wilderness is certainly not advised. Unless we take to the tower ourselves for an overnight refuge.

He watches the warriors among the group, Gelli, Gundrun & Thargus advance to the tower.

"Hey Mudlark. Wanna bet a silver coin on which one gets battle scarred first? Reckon 'first blood' will be drawn on the dwarf.

Any takers?

He opens a little black book and scribbles a few notes and odds.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 10:45 AM

Godric’s weapons have no special marks nor characteristics other than they are free; the same goes for the chainmail hauberk and grappling hook. Mudlark can see a bright red spot on the cliff face about 20’ below what appears to be an area where the “Stair” narrows and about 80’ above their heads.

The party lays Godric to rest under a cairn of stones with the blessings of Ardenia. After leaving the gold and food for his passage, the characters each add a 1GP and 1SP to their purses with 2 GP and 1SP added to pooled funds which are going to be held by Niphos. In addition, party members gather up mundane but useful items: Fez and Niphos split 6 torches, Niphos adds a coil of rope, Gundren adds the other coil, Athena adds 4 rations while Mudlark includes the 20 pitons in her inventory.

Thargus, Gundren, Gelli, and Athena make their way around the square tower while the remaining party members remain vigilant and prepare for the ascent. The tower is a 60 foot square with an entry door facing south. The walls of the ground floor appear to be solid but soaked with spray from the Falls and icing in the frigid temperatures. The upper floors have collapsed into and around the ground floor with stone blocks and beams littering the perimeter of the tower and sticking over the top of the walls at odd angles. Upon inspection, it appears that someone had attempted to close the door which no longer quite fits the frame and hangs off only one of its hinges.

[Rex]

Athena

Athena will look inside the doorway. Does she see anything other than the collapsed upper floors? Is there a path inside the rubble?

[scottjen]

Alishar
If there was a grappling hook with the body & no one took it, Alishar will pick it up. He will keep watch while the other four move towards the tower door.

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will back-up Athena.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 10:45 AM

Athena pushes the broken door (normal sized made of wood with iron bands which are somewhat rusted) into the tower allowing a beam of sunlight which is swallowed by the darkness within. Any further exploration will require stepping into the space with a torch.

Gundren looks at the outside stone covered in moss and hoarfrost and estimates that these building stones are somewhere between 200 and 300 years olds meaning that this tower was probably built during the Archontean Empire’s revival approximately 250 years ago. His cursory examination of the ground floor interior ceiling indicates that it appears stable despite the collapse of the upper floors.

Add a grappling hook to Alishar’s inventory.

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will take off his backpack and light a torch for the group to see.

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos

While Gelli lights the torch Niphos will undo the belaying line connecting Niphos to Javess.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus watches as Athena pushes the broken door open and Gelli lights a torch, illuminating the tower's dark interior. He steps forward cautiously, taking in the scene before him.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s be careful. The structure looks old, but Gundren says the ground floor seems stable. Still, watch your step. Gelli, good job with the torch. That’ll help us see what we’re dealing with.”

He turns to Athena. "Athena, you take the lead since you’ve already started? I’ll be right behind you. Gundren, stay close in case we need your expertise with the stonework. And Gelli, keep that torch high so we can all see."

Thargus then glances back at the rest of the group. “Mudlark, keep an eye on our surroundings outside in case anything tries to sneak up on us. Fez, stay ready for anything unexpected inside.”

He pauses and looks around, ensuring everyone is prepared. “Let’s move in slowly and see what we can find. Keep your eyes open for any paths through the rubble or anything out of place.”

With that, Thargus follows Athena into the tower, remaining vigilant and ready for any surprises as they explore the darkened interior.