2. The First Delve

"To be sure we aren't giving our former rogue (implying Bea) a burial here. And whoever is going to carry that body is going to slow us down for further exploring. And of course, the worry about having that dear rope you climbed down on. Stolen. And who knows, by chance we could lose another rogue (implying Lanhkmer) for climbing up that well. As noted by wingman warrior Ricard, this lower level might be a too rough for us."

That was probably the longest set of sentences anyone has heard from Swan. She by habit doesn't tend to explain what she thinks. She likes action.

GM: By the way, did we get a loot list on what as on Bea body? Probably need a separate area just to keep a running list it seems.

Tiberious is more than happy to head back up to the top level. He has heard that things get more dangerous the further you delve into Stonehell. Still ... Someone put a trap here. I assume it is for a reason. How about we check just a bit further. Maybe there is something ahead worth protecting.

"Yes, let's take her back to the Temple of St. Ras...after we've checked around a bit more. I haven't forgotten those 'tax collectors' and how they're likely to ambush us the next time we come out!" Gabbro looks meaningfully at the characters with spears, who should be leading to probe the floor ahead for traps, as we've only just discussed thirty seconds ago. When no one leaps into motion, Gabbro suggests, "Let's review what we know so far. People are living in the caves on the surface, robbing adventurers and cutting down trees. We found a secret message, about jewels awaiting us 'two levels down in the chamber past the acolytes' cells,' that probably contains wasps. There are kobolds on the first level, bats, and more fire beetles. We've secured ropes to climb up and down the well to get to this level. There are mad men here, and giant toads. Am I forgetting any clues, important details, anything?" Gabbro ponders. "We might be only two levels down now. Do you think anything we've seen down here so far could be an acolyte's cell?"

"you have a point, and this does not mean we are abandoning the Rogue...we could provide a proper burial in a second moment. But it's up to you of course, I'm sticking to your decision as I'm already much lucky to have stumbled upon you here"

"I'm hoping the bandits only try to tax us when we leave the canyon? Otherwise, we're going to be getting in a lot of fights over no money." Fenwick says."If we want to bury Bea at the temple I guess I'm game, but it sounds complicated. Someone will need to climb up to haul her up on the rope, and they should probably have guards. Or do we all go up and pull her after? I don't think the toads would bother her after we leave. "

The consensus seems to be to return to Level 1 (rather than continuing to explore Level 2). However, if I have misunderstood, please let me know.

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Carrying Bea’s body between you, you retrace your steps back to the bottom of the well and prepare to ascend.

I will need some details here …

Please describe how you plan to get Bea’s body back up the well. I will add 1 extra turn to the time it will take everyone to get back up the well because of this additional burden … it will now take you 5 turns in total. No climb rolls are needed provided that you’re not "distracted".

As you are effectively splitting the party here, at least temporarily, I will need the order in which you plan to ascend. Until you are all safely back up the well, there will be some party members on Level 2, some party members on Level 1 and someone climbing the rope. If you are unlucky enough to roll a wandering monster whilst the party is in mid-climb, I will roll randomly to determine whether it arrives at the top or the bottom of the well.

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Day 2, 9:20 am
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Lankmer, Thief 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 7/7
Swan, Fighter 1: 5/6
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...
Link to McButterpants' mega-maps ...

Whistling Well
The ascent of the whistling well is slow and strenuous for all but Lanhkmer (who skips up the shaft easily). The subsequent hauling-up of Bea’s corpse is even more energy-sapping. But, on this occasion, Stonehell smiles upon The Hellions and you complete the operation without any interruptions from its wandering denizens.

Catching your breath, you consider your options. Immediately to your west is the cavern with the phosphorescent moss-coated walls. Or you can head north back into the natural cavern with its three exits, two of which you have yet to explore (your maps provide the details).

Are you going to leave the two lengths of rope at the whistling well, or untie them and take them with you? Whatever you decide, please update your inventories accordingly.

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Day 2, 10:10 am
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Lanhkmer, Thief 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 7/7
Swan, Fighter 1: 5/6
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...
Link to Tiberious' mega-maps ...

Further thoughts are still taking care of the body. next is burial. Plans to take our rope with us. Return it to whomever it came from originally for carry. Temple of St. Ras seems to be the next stop.

"While I imagine the way the kobolds went may head outside, retracing our steps to the main entrance and going back up the steps is probably the safest route to the temple. I'd guess we take turns carrying Bea in pairs, maybe excluding Swann and Ricard as the best guards?"

"Yeah, that's the problem. They came after us the first time when we were still in the canyon. So they're probably going to come after us again every time we come out the doors." Even though three of us talked about exploring to the corner, it seems we didn't do that, and instead we've taken turns lugging Bea's body and climbing up the well. "I'll take her shoulders, and someone in the middle rank can take her legs, as we go back the way we came, to the surface and the Temple of St. Ras." The elf looks expectantly at the others. "But just be prepared for those tax collectors to spring an ambush on us."

Let me have a word with these tax collectors. I'm hoping I might be able to convince them to let us pass. Tiberious says with a smile. I'm not much of a fighter, but I can be quite charming when it's called for.

Sounds intelligent, let the muscled ones have their hands free to punch, I'll be gladly helping with the corpse for the moment

"We can leave Bea in the entry foyer until we're ready to leave but it's not time to go back to the temple yet. I think since we will be in the foyer anyway we may as well check out the southwest door we have yet to open, otherwise I'd just as soon come back here to explore that cavern to the west."

Not leaving Bea to fire beetle bait. Lets just put him away and come back. It is early enough.

"Bea will be fine, pretty sure we all heard the voice of God telling us not to waste so much time with the comings and goings and it seems like the majority agrees with him. I have some salt in my rations, we can sprinkle a circle of it around the body to keep the beetles away."