The Game Thread 2

[tibbius]

Alas he repeats, leaving the minerals for what it is, ready to move on.

But in what direction? Further along the main passage? Along dark passage 1 or dark passage 2? Back to the leftward main passage?

[Juramenta]

Bishop let's Elcroon make that decision. He follows along regardless of what direction the others take. Think last time we decided on dealing with the Fae first, so they couldn't ambush us later.

[jemmus]

Delx examines the purple veins of minerals. I believe you may be right, friend Elcroon. These are mining tunnels. Maybe used also as underground roads and "alleys." Pathways to connect here to there and go about, in a city carved under a mountain. But this purple stuff probably had some value-- and maybe a lot of it. It had to have been worth something, hadn't it? For the old dwarves to have chosen to chisel out a tunnel just right here. Let's have a torch right here, friends..... He leans close to a vein and eyes it, breathing to the side so as not to let the moisture frost over and obstruct the view of the mineral.

Elcroon has plotted this space better that me and friend Bishop, and better than Black Dog and our wooden friend. Please to lead on, Elcroon. Right, left, or back, please lead on, friend. But if it were me, I'd go left first. Just because people tend to like the right better. They somehow think it's better or safer.

I'm sorry, I'm behind on learning the new rules system and the die rolls involved. Delx's Know skill from the first one is the one he valued most. If there's an analogous one in Dungeon Goons, he'd like to use it now. GM Tibbius, could you roll for him?

[jemmus]

Dungeon Goons sheet finally done and posted in the Rules and Character sheets thread. I think I did it about right. Delx rolls on erudite to try to suss out the nature of the veins of purple minerals. At +2 now, I believe.
[2d6]=3 +1 for Erudite level. Still .

[Grognardsw]

The earlier opinion was to continue down the right (east) passageway, where we had encountered the fae. The idea being if we went left (west) they could ambush or otherwise plague us later. But going into the theoretical nest of fae seems even more fraught. This is all assuming there is a nest. Someone put salt lines at each level entry at the elevator. And I suspect the elevator was directed to leave our level, which indicates further organized inhabitants. But those actions don't seem fae-ish to me. So Elcroon votes for...

"If no protest to the request
I do say west is the best,"

expressed the bard as he turned west and started walking, then took the south corner saying:

"But first a question to address
Has our lift left us in distress?"

Elcroon went just far enough south to spy the elevator entrance to tell if it had left the floor, as the humming heard earlier may have indicated. The singsword was certain there were stairs connecting all levels too, for the dwarves would not be foolish enough to rely on only an elevator to go up and down the mountain.

After elevator confirmation, Elcroon and the party proceeded down the west main corridor. He glanced at the north narrow mining corridors as he passed them, expecting them to be all the same and bereft of treasure.

"Beware fae tricks and traps and tracks
Lest our quest end in premature climax!"

[Juramenta]

If you feel avoiding the Fae will be safer, I will not stand in the way of your decision. I believe you far outrank me in experience when it comes to exploring these caves.
If you are uncertain, however. I could request the dormant spirits hidden within the stones for their wisdom and ask if taking the left path will make us regret our decision.
I felt I should have at least offered you the option before moving forward. I stand behind whatever decision you feel is best Bishop offers, leaving the decision with Elcroon.

[Grognardsw]

“In this Ghostal sequel
We are all equal!’

Elcroon assured Bishop. Remembering the last spirit they encountered tried to kill them, Elcroon said:

“A wise mystic measure
Though could it pose danger?
Can it guide us to treasure?
And make threats a stranger?”

He paused and glanced at his musical companion.

“Whatever helps.
What say you Delx?”

[jemmus]

Hmm. Friend Bishop, I'm curious to see how you get counsel from spirits. But perhaps for a decision more challenging than right or left. To the left then. Delx leads the way, axe and torch in his hands.

[tibbius]

Leftward ho!

The passage continues straight on, with smaller dark side passages to the right spaced about five paces apart. Do you investigate each side passage, or just count them as you pass?

[Grognardsw]

"But first a question to address
Has our lift left us in distress?"

Elcroon went just far enough south to spy the elevator entrance to tell if it had left the floor, as the humming heard earlier may have indicated.

What was seen?

…Elcroon… He glanced at the north narrow mining corridors as he passed them, expecting them to be all the same and bereft of treasure.

Following after the woodman and Black Dog,
Elcroon didn’t go into the narrow side passages, unless one seemed different from the others. He did count them.

[tibbius]

"But first a question to address
Has our lift left us in distress?"

Elcroon went just far enough south to spy the elevator entrance to tell if it had left the floor, as the humming heard earlier may have indicated.

What was seen?

An empty shaft. No platform. Retreat cut off — unless Elcroon might figure how to recall the lift.

[jemmus]

No way back up, not the way we came, at least. But through these doors should be a way. He goes along with Elcroon to the door at the end of the hallway, looking at the doors along the walls along the way. He raises his torch to check the ceiling and wall surfaces beside the door.

[Juramenta]

Bishop frowns, hearing they are cut off from the elevator.
He follows along, hoping they will find a route back to the exit in case things turn sour.

[Grognardsw]

Looking at the shaft, Elcroon said:

"Do not abandon hope
We could get down with rope
And the dwarves would not dare
To not provide access by stair."

Following after the tapping woodman and the sniffing Black Dog, who were detecting and guarding against traps, Elcroon and the others continued down the west/left passageway. He didn’t go into the narrow side passages on the north wall, as they were dead end mining areas without treasure for them. Unless one seemed different from the others. He did count them as they walked along.

[tibbius]

The long straight passage continues past fourteen — or fifteen? — side passages and ends at: a flight of stairs, cut into the rock of the mountain. Possibly the same that Delx and Elcroon were on before. The stairs go up, and down, in a typical back-and-forth manner. There is a line of salt across the floor at the landing.

[Juramenta]

Bishop nods at Elcroon.
That makes sense, relying on just one exit would seem too dangerous, even for dwarves who must feel at home here Bishops responds slightly relieved and more at ease now.

[Grognardsw]

Elcroon paused at the stairs, looking at the others on whether to go up or down.

[Juramenta]

Bishop observes the stairs for a moment.
Shall we proceed down the stairs? I still want to explore further to find a cure for the root cause of it all, but going down has the added benefit of possibly finding that alternative route back to the entrance. We wouldn't want to find ourselves in a situation where we quickly need to leave without knowing our way out.

[jemmus]

Delx
Down the stairs it is then. But let's not forget this hallway and the doors we haven't explored. Or the other end of the hallway, which may mirror this one-- or not. Come, Black Dog, down we go. He holds his torch high, looking left, right, down and up at the features of the stairwell.

[Grognardsw]

Delx
…let's not forget this hallway and the doors we haven't explored.

Did I miss the door part? It’s a long hallway with fourteen narrow mining passageways running off north walls. At the end of the long hallway are stairs.