The Lost Cellar

[ybn1197]

Player Knowledge
You will be starting in the town of Dulwich located in the southern part of the Duchy of Ashlar. On the map, the town is located about 9 hexes from the bottom in the middle of the map, right on the Great South Road. You have come here with little coin in your pockets but hopes that you will find an easy way to ease that burden.
Centuries ago, another settlement stood where Dulwich now stands. Much of the area's ancient history has been forgotten —lost to time and memory. However, some buried or lost fragments of the past yet remain.

---

Snorldrab and Oggdrab

Either together or separately, you are in the Dancing Bear tavern (location 4 on the Dulwich town map.) when you overhear two men. It transpires that one of the men, Matias Hirvi, a stonemason by trade, was hired to do some work in Antero Kalervo's cellar— repairing parts of an old sagging wall. During the work, he found something odd, and Antero is looking for someone to investigate what lies below his house.

---

Nolthar and Quintin

Either together or separately, you overhear two locals gossiping about Antero and what he has discovered in his cellar. It seems that he is looking for someone to investigate this find.

---

Blaghrog

While perusing the market, you notice a man following you. His hair peppered with grey, this tall and slim middle-aged man wears fine robes and boots. A friendly smile creases his time-worn face. A quick furtive look at him and it shows he is not trying to be stealthy. It appears more that he wants to talk to you but is unsure of how to approach.

[kwll]

Oggdrab is in a bit of a predicament, having been kicked out of his wizard master's house because of his blatant inability to cast any spell of any magnitude. He has e few coins left, but no stable place to stay and no assured income. Hearing about a potential opportunity, he rises from his seat and approaches the stonemason. "I couldn't help to overhear that someone is looking for investigators?" he asks, a bit briskly.

[Rex]

Snorldrab

Snorldrab, having no money at all agrees with Oggdrab's decision to take some work. He gets up with his friend and moves over to talk to the men.

[trawets]

Quintin is a big man with a big sword. His intellect, not so big. Quintin approaches the two discussing the cellar. Can you tell me where to find the cellar? I'd like to see into it. Copacetic?

[hedgeknight]

Quintin is a big man with a big sword. His intellect, not so big. Quintin approaches the two discussing the cellar. Can you tell me where to find the cellar? I'd like to see into it. Copacetic?

Nolthar, a rather unremarkable human, walks alongside Quintin as he approaches the two locals. He gives the men an approving look and nods with a smile. He says nothing, waiting for their reply.

[Edeldhur]

Blaghrog

Not one for much dithering, the half-orc turns around and heads toward the man - "Do we know each other friend?" - he asked in a deep, guttural, but non-threatening voice.

[ybn1197]

Snorldrab and Oggdrab

Oggdrab is in a bit of a predicament, having been kicked out of his wizard master's house because of his blatant inability to cast any spell of any magnitude. He has e few coins left, but no stable place to stay and no assured income. Hearing about a potential opportunity, he rises from his seat and approaches the stonemason. "I couldn't help to overhear that someone is looking for investigators?" he asks, a bit briskly.

Snorldrab, having no money at all agrees with Oggdrab's decision to take some work. He gets up with his friend and moves over to talk to the men.

Matias looks up at the pair of half-orcs and nervously takes a swig of his ale; seemingly to calm his anxiety. "Aye... aye," he manages to spit out. "Ye'll have to talk to Antero directly yerselves but I can tell ye he's a lookin' for some people of strong heart to do some peekin' and pokin'. A few days ago, Antero Kalervo engaged me in some work to repair a section of an old, sagging wall in his cellar. I removed some of the old stones to better repair the wall, ye know. In doin' so, i found a small sealed-up chamber beyond. Bein' cautious and all, ye know I know a thing or two Foundation Way and what might be liein' 'neath, I wasn't about to enlarge the hole or anythin' myself. But by the light of me flaring torch, I could make out a stone trapdoor set there in the floor. For me, this was a problem for Antero to be solvin'."

---

Nolthar and Quintin

Quintin is a big man with a big sword. His intellect, not so big. Quintin approaches the two discussing the cellar. Can you tell me where to find the cellar? I'd like to see into it. Copacetic?

Nolthar, a rather unremarkable human, walks alongside Quintin as he approaches the two locals. He gives the men an approving look and nods with a smile. He says nothing, waiting for their reply.

The two men look from Quintin to Nolthar, nodding back at Nolthar. They both look at Quintin with startled eyes; not so much surprise but wonder as if to say, where did this guy come from? The one man, who was doing the talking as the two of you arrived, breaks the startlement first and nods again. "Sure, signor. Antero lives in his family home, over on Foundation Way." He points off to the eastern side of the town. "Once you get over there, just ask for the Kalervo house. Everyone knows where it is; You can't miss it."

---

Blaghrog and Agis Zyllamin

Blaghrog
Not one for much dithering, the half-orc turns around and heads toward the man - "Do we know each other friend?" - he asked in a deep, guttural, but non-threatening voice.

Tall though the man is, he does not match the size of Blaghrog and takes a step back as the half-orc approaches. "No... no we do not, but I have a good eye for things," he says pointing to his eye, "and I can tell you are a man of action and purpose. I... I have an issue or.. or a problem," he says moving his arm as if waving away the words, "at my abode and I am in strong need of someone stout of heart and arm to look into it for me."

Agis, you are in the market as well and see the two, a human and a half-orc conversing. You first take it the human is trying to sell something and are about to dismiss it and move along when you hear the man asking for assistance.

[kwll]

"A stone trapdoor you say?" ponders Oggdrab. "Fair enough, where can we find Antero?"

[Edeldhur]

Blaghrog

Tall though the man is, he does not match the size of Blaghrog and takes a step back as the half-orc approaches. "No... no we do not, but I have a good eye for things," he says pointing to his eye, "and I can tell you are a man of action and purpose. I... I have an issue or.. or a problem," he says moving his arm as if waving away the words, "at my abode and I am in strong need of someone stout of heart and arm to look into it for me."

Blaghrog’s nostrils flare slightly as he studies the man - "I may be interested in your plight," he rumbles, his lips curling to reveal a hint of tusk. "But I do not follow strangers to their dens like a lamb to slaughter. The world is full of treachery, and I do not suffer fools or traps."

His fingers twitch at his side, a habit born from years of reading omens in the flicker of flames. "What ails you, that you seek a stranger’s hand instead of your own?" His eyes narrow. "Give me a taste of your burden, so I may judge whether it is worthy of Memnon’s fire."

[hedgeknight]

The two men look from Quintin to Nolthar, nodding back at Nolthar. They both look at Quintin with startled eyes; not so much surprise but wonder as if to say, where did this guy come from? The one man, who was doing the talking as the two of you arrived, breaks the startlement first and nods again. "Sure, signor. Antero lives in his family home, over on Foundation Way." He points off to the eastern side of the town. "Once you get over there, just ask for the Kalervo house. Everyone knows where it is; You can't miss it."

Nolthar places a hand over his heart and offers a slight bow. "Thank you good sirs," he says with a smile. Then, turning to the big man standing beside him, he says, "Wanna head on over and see if we can find Foundation Way?"
He begins walking, expecting the big man to follow.

[McThunder]

Agis’s keen ears pick up the man’s plea before he can dismiss the conversation as mere trade. His neutral stance tempers any impulsive judgment—curiosity overcomes indifference. With a measured step forward, Agis addresses the human in a calm, even tone:

“Your call hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Agis, a wizard without any lofty allegiances. I’m not in the habit of taking sides, but I do have a knack for resolving complications. Why don’t you explain what has brought you to such distress? Perhaps my expertise can be of use.”

He lets his gaze settle impartially on both the human and the half-orc, his voice conveying neither overt sympathy nor disdain, only a keen, analytical interest in the unfolding situation.

[trawets]

Nolthar places a hand over his heart and offers a slight bow. "Thank you good sirs," he says with a smile. Then, turning to the big man standing beside him, he says, "Wanna head on over and see if we can find Foundation Way?"
He begins walking, expecting the big man to follow.

Quintin looks down at the smaller man and shrugs. He turns and starts following him. His only words are Copacetic.

[Rex]

Snorldrab

Once we have the directions to Antero.

"Thanks for the help, much appreciated."

[ybn1197]

Snorldrab and Oggdrab

"A stone trapdoor you say?" ponders Oggdrab. "Fair enough, where can we find Antero?"

"Everyone on Foundation Way knows where his family home is; they've been living there for generations. Just step outside and head to the right. When you come to the end of the street, turn left and then the first right. That will put you on Foundation Way. Ask anyone you see where the Kalervo family home is. They will point you right to his doorstep."

Snorldrab

Once we have the directions to Antero.

"Thanks for the help, much appreciated."

The man nods in surprise. "Of course." He then turns to the man to whom he was talking to when you approached and continues his conversation; but you see him pointing back to the two of you an occasion or two.

---

Blaghrog and Agis Zyllamin

Blaghrog’s nostrils flare slightly as he studies the man - "I may be interested in your plight," he rumbles, his lips curling to reveal a hint of tusk. "But I do not follow strangers to their dens like a lamb to slaughter. The world is full of treachery, and I do not suffer fools or traps."

His fingers twitch at his side, a habit born from years of reading omens in the flicker of flames. "What ails you, that you seek a stranger’s hand instead of your own?" His eyes narrow. "Give me a taste of your burden, so I may judge whether it is worthy of Memnon’s fire."

Agis’s keen ears pick up the man’s plea before he can dismiss the conversation as mere trade. His neutral stance tempers any impulsive judgment—curiosity overcomes indifference. With a measured step forward, Agis addresses the human in a calm, even tone:

“Your call hasn’t fallen on deaf ears. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Agis, a wizard without any lofty allegiances. I’m not in the habit of taking sides, but I do have a knack for resolving complications. Why don’t you explain what has brought you to such distress? Perhaps my expertise can be of use.”

He lets his gaze settle impartially on both the human and the half-orc, his voice conveying neither overt sympathy nor disdain, only a keen, analytical interest in the unfolding situation.

A few days ago, I engaged a stonemason in some work to repair a section of an old, sagging wall in my cellar. He removed some of the old stones to better repair the wall. In doin' so, he found a small sealed-up chamber beyond. I have lived in that house my entire life as well as my father who lived there his entire life and his father too. I have never heard either talk of a walled off door in the basement. Now, Dulwich is not the first settlement to be built on this site. Some parts of the old town are built on the rubble and ruin of a much earlier settlement. It is not uncommon for the cellars of those houses to have queer or odd architecture. Every
year or so, someone discovers a hitherto unknown room, chamber or dead-end passage beneath their house. But I have never heard tale of a trapdoor. I need some hardy souls to see where it leads.

---

Nolthar and Quintin
The two of you make your way over to Foundation Way and find a section the town which appears older than the remainder of the town. Not to say this structures where here for a tremendous amount of time, merely that they were the first of the settlement to be built. People have flocked outside here. Whether sitting outside their doors or crowding the street; there are a number of people about.

[trawets]

Quintin looks at all the people in the street and shrugs. He walks up to the closest one and looks down at them, Can I have the Kalervo house? He then smiles and waits.

[Rex]

Snorldrab

"Lets head there now Oggdrab."

She heads out, following the mans instructions.

[hedgeknight]

Quintin looks at all the people in the street and shrugs. He walks up to the closest one and looks down at them, Can I have the Kalervo house? He then smiles and waits.

Nolthar waits with the big man, while looking around at all the people in the neighborhood streets. "Is there a party going on around here? A celebration...of some sort?" he asks causally, hoping someone will answer.

[kwll]

Oggdrab nods and follows along, curious to see what is obviously attracting so much attention in the neighborhood.

[Edeldhur]

Blaghrog

A few days ago, I engaged a stonemason in some work to repair a section of an old, sagging wall in my cellar. He removed some of the old stones to better repair the wall. In doin' so, he found a small sealed-up chamber beyond. I have lived in that house my entire life as well as my father who lived there his entire life and his father too. I have never heard either talk of a walled off door in the basement. Now, Dulwich is not the first settlement to be built on this site. Some parts of the old town are built on the rubble and ruin of a much earlier settlement. It is not uncommon for the cellars of those houses to have queer or odd architecture. Every
year or so, someone discovers a hitherto unknown room, chamber or dead-end passage beneath their house. But I have never heard tale of a trapdoor. I need some hardy souls to see where it leads.

"That sounds like an interesting proposition to me" - the half-orc nodded - "What sort of payment are you offering for this?"

[McThunder]

Aegis leans forward, his eyes alight with intrigue. “I’ve never seen such a secret hidden away,” he murmurs. “I’m in. Let’s uncover what lies beneath.”