Descent into the Underdark

Edair and Sawen descend through a series of rooms and halls below the buildings of the base and arrive at another guarded gate to the extensive natural caverns beyond. The guard here gives you a lantern and you make your way, with Sawen flitting ahead at the edge of your light and beyond. Only after scrambling over the rough cavern floor for tens of minutes does the passage open into larger caverns and Sawen draws back to join you as you proceed with more caution. Luckily marks have been made with chalk that are easily followed and you soon find yourself at a small campside in a larger cavern.

You find Valpip and Fiznik, an old human wizard, coffering in a tent near a large square of tiles set into the cavern floor. After yo explain your assignment the little gnome thinks for a moment Hmmm. I see. Well we do need to know a bit more about the deeper tunnels. I suggest caution first and foremost. Now the map case will draw a map of the area you pass through. I have a few other baubles that should be of help. You can each borrow 1 of them. We will be staying here to study the Matric Node for some time. I suggest you not go too deep for your first foray.Sawen motions for you to pick first. (ask to see Magic shop items tagged for UnderDark use)

Sawen chooses the Amulet of Echos. After talking with Valpip a bit about the area and getting the 3 items, including the magical map case, you set off.You get familiar with the area and make your way west (past room 10 on the left) to the tunnel that leads down. With your new helm, that you lean can be adjusted as well to change color and intensity as simple commands, you move much easier. Sawen tends to fly ahead and above but never goes to far ahead for too long and makes sure to emit a short chirp as he approaches so that you know it is him approaching's in the dark.

The first challenge is the steep slope leading down. The tunnels is wide enough at first for Sawen to glide down but he quickly returns as you make your way down.

The passage narrows further down and continues to increase it's incline

You soon reach the point he mentioned and see the passage turn into a near vertical drop through a craggy tunnel that varies between 2 to 20 feet wide. Even the wider areas are not large enough for Sawen to properly fly so he is forced to join you as you both climb down.

Describe how you want to handle the climb. Who is first? Any strategies/techniques you use. And make a climbing test. I allow players to test with focus out of combat. That means anything 4 or higher indicates a success. A standard test rolls 2d6 but your Strong trait gives you advantage so you can roll 3d6.

Edair works with Sawen to climb down the steep sloping passage and after about an hour of exhausting tense maneuvering you find yourselves coming out of it and into a cavern more than 10 times larger than any you have seen before. You soon learn that there is a dim ambient light, enough to see forms move in the darkness as well as the general outline of most stones. Small patches of lichen or fungus emit a soft blue/green light. In the distance the light is a bit brighter but the air seems oddly milky from the glow as if mist or dust fills much of the cavern.



Next to you Sawen flexes his wings wide as you look around. I wonder what kind of beast live down here and what they live on? he muses quietly. Shall I fly ahead to scout while you remain here or would you prefer we stay close. I can easily find you if you activate your helm.

As you are discussing options you hear a faint noise nearby. Turning your help you spot a lizard like creature the size of a large bull. The beast hisses as the light strikes its eyes before it closes them. With its eyes still closed it charges.