Delve #1 - The Adventure Begins

[Rex]

Athena

Athena will lead the way. Shield and spear at the ready.

[Urson]

Mudlark
Aye, Skipper. Mudlark has her sling ready, the tails around one hand and the cup and stone in the other- ready to fire. She stays as quiet as possible, listening for trouble.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus follows closely behind Athena, eyes scanning the shadows. The damp, decaying air inside the tower heightens his unease. “Stay alert,” he whispers, gripping his weapon tightly.

As they move deeper, the darkness feels almost alive, pressing in on them. “This place has seen centuries of history. If something feels off, trust your instincts,” he advises.

[ravenn4544]

Octavios follows also - not unhappy about avoiding such a dangerous climb. For now.

In the tower he breathes in the smell of age - compacted earth and dampness and smoke. All lingering still in the shadows of stories long ago told.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 10:50 AM

Athena, Thargus, Gundren, and Gelli make their way into the open space beyond the doorway. They find themselves in the wreckage of former guard tower in a rough 50 x 50 space with a rubble roof barely a foot above Thargus’ head creating a sense of oppression for the humans and elf but not felt by Gundren. The space is surprisingly dry and since there is less moisture “inside” it is also a bit warmer than outside. The floor is littered with debris from the collapse and creates minor impediments to moving around the space. There is no furniture or divisions in the space. It appears that the floor could be cleared and a makeshift campsite could be set up inside the tower if needed.

Meanwhile, the party members who remain outside preparing for the trek up the Stair are sodden from the mist exuded by the Falls and are starting to see ice crystals form on their cloaks.

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren will move into the room and scan the stone work for any construction tricks paying particular attention for any dangerous areas or hidden floor work.

“Step back, surface dwellers, let me check this construction before ye all blunder in”

Action: Check for Construction Tricks (2 in 6) [1d6]=2

“This place might be good for a campsite if we can clear it, if we ever need on the way up or down.”

Gundren seems to brighten up briefly as he checks the stone work throughout the room.

[Rex]

Athena

"Good thing to keep in mind. Maybe if we get injured and need to fall back it would be a good spot. Lets make sure we are not missing something."

Athena will search for secret doors, particularly on the floor.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus nods at Gundren's assessment. "Good thinking."

He surveys the room, considering Athena's search. "Maybe there is something of use among the debris"

And starts sifting through the rubble.

[scottjen]

Meanwhile, the party members who remain outside preparing for the trek up the Stair are sodden from the mist exuded by the Falls and are starting to see ice crystals form on their cloaks.

Alishar
Listens for anyone calling from inside the tower as they disappear inside. Since nothing is heard, he figures it deserted & starts thinking about the cold.
Can I move to put the tower between myself & the ice spray? Or move away a little in an attempt to keep warm.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 11:00 AM

As Athena, Thargus, Gundren, and Gelli make a closer examination of the interior of the collapsed tower. They do not find any secret doors, construction tricks, or items of use but, as they clear debris from the floor in the northeast corner of the chamber, they uncover what appears to be a hatch door. The metal pull ring on the door appears to be frosted over and there is distinct sense of cold emanating from the door. The pull ring is on the middle of the northern edge of the door and the hinges are on the southern edge.

Unfortunately, for the party members outside of the tower, there is no respite from the spray and the sound produced by the cascade of thousands of gallons of water down the cliff. While the sun is getting close to its zenith and providing some warmth, the cliffs are icing over and the Stair looks more treacherous by the minute.

Picture of Nigara Falls during a freeze. For perspective Horseshoe and American Falls are only about 200 feet high. Our Falls are 1,500 feet high.

Frozen Falls.png (353.66 KiB) Viewed 752 times

[Rex]

Athena

"Let everyone outside know we need them in here. I want everyone in and ready when we open this trap door, just in case."

She will look over the trap door carefully without touching it yet.

[Edeldhur]

Thargus

Thargus nods in agreement with Athena's directive. "I'll go relay the message," he says, turning towards the entrance of the tower. He steps out into the misty air, shielded momentarily from the icy spray by the stone walls.

"Hey, everyone! Athena needs us inside," Thargus calls out to the group braving the cold. He waits for them to acknowledge before heading back inside, ready to assist in whatever lies beyond the frosted trap door.

[scottjen]

Alishar
Acknowledges Thargus & moves into the tower, relieved to get out of the icy spray

[Doctor Crunch]

Niphos

Niphos blows on his hands as he gets in out of the spray and wrings out his cloak as well as he can. Best see if you can light one of those torches Javess. We may need more light in a minute. Niphos will do his best to move where he can see both the door and the hatch without being too close to either.

[Bucephalus77]

Gundren

Grunts in agreement with Athena and grabs out his newly acquired rope - threading it through the metal pull ring and throwing both ends to the hinge side.

“One of us can pull that open. I’ll be right here, where it opens, with me axe. If it’s all clear we could tie rope round young Pluckerpheasant and lower him down - just to have a look around. He’s light ya know - easiest to pull back up.”

Gundren draws his Battle Axe and sets himself in position, waiting first for the others.

[Rex]

Athena

"Looking at everyone's condition now that we are inside, if this turns out to be secure we may want to dry out and warm up here before attempting the climb. Some of you that just came in look in pretty bad shape to be making that climb safely."

[gurusql]

Gelli

Gelli will continue holding his sword and torch and keep and eye out as the group moves around.

[BaltoBruiser]

Horasday the 6th of Molivios 2993 AEP approximately 11:10 AM

Athena, Thargus, Gundren, and Gelli are joined by the remainder of the party Niphos, his man Javess, Fez, Octavios, Alishar, and Mudlark and the 50 x 50 space becomes a little less spacious. The party is certainly more dry than being outside and the sound of the Falls is only a dull roar allowing verbal communication to be a little more effective. This would be a good place to plan out the ascent up the Stair. Unless...

Meanwhile, the cold emanating from the tower’s basement is disturbingly unnatural. With the rope looped through the ring and tied off, Gundred pulls the hatch and a blast of cold air fills the tower room as a spectral humanoid form rushes from the basement.

A voice of Mithric echoes through the cold, dark chamber: Heed my plea! Long ago, in the warmth of life, my beloved Neyema was torn from me by the foul hands of the Cult of Set. They took her from my embrace, cast her into darkness, and extinguished her light. I beseech you, seekers of justice, find her bones, gather the fragments of her essence, and return them to me. Only then can I lay her spirit to rest, only then can I find solace in this endless night. Unearth Neyema's remains, bring them back to me, and earn the gratitude of one who has known only sorrow since her loss.

The spectral form shivers slightly, a flicker of hope amidst eternal despair, as he waits for the adventurers' decision.

[Rex]

Athena

Athena replies to the spirit, "How would we know the remains of this Neyema or that they even still exist? They may have been used for unholy rites by the followers of set and be un-returnable."

[gurusql]

Gelli

"And do you have clues as to where they could be. Without some more information I fear the task could be unattainable."