2. The First Delve

Trash Heap
Rolling for the collar-wearing rodent’s reaction to Ricard the rat whisperer … I’ll give Ricard a +2 (net +1 for his Charisma) for his friendly approach.

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Day 2, 4:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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Trash Heap
Ricard successfully attracts the giant rat’s attention, but it’s clear the rodent is wary and suspicious.

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Day 2, 4:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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Luther says to RicardMaybe offer it a morsel of food.

Fenwick leaves the rubble room more cautiously than the others, pausing to glance back occasionally at the shadows before eventually taking up position behind Ricard and Luther. She watches them attempting rat diplomacy with a sort of bemused curiosity, sword drawn and a few steps back so she'll have room to swing at anything that gets between them. "Well, that's one way to go. Don't know why I was expecting there would be fewer."

"Good idea Luther."

Ricard takes a bit of hard tack from his belt pouch and tosses a few crumbs to the collared rat. After that, he holds out a bit in his palm to see if the rodent will take it.

Pickles withdraws a few step notches an arrow but holds the bow down to his side, stepping sideways into a shadow.

Trash Heap
I’ll give Ricard an additional +2 (so +3 total) for proffering food in a final reaction roll for the collared giant rat …

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Day 2, 4:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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Trash Heap
The collared rat approaches Ricard cautiously, and tentatively sniffs the food in the fighter’s open hand. However, it seems uninterested and doesn’t take the offering. Instead, it resumes its foraging amongst the rubbish.

However, the rat does get close enough to allow Ricard to read the word "Precious" on its brass collar tag.

The other rats also seem largely indifferent to your presence.

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Day 2, 4:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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Jessica relaxes and sighs, relieved that they do not have to fight all the rats. "Someone's pet or did it devour such and gain the collar by acquisition?"

Looking at the filth and the depth of it Pickles is a little unsure about heading that way, but he shrugs and moves forward again to join Ricard. "Looks like they might let us pass by, shall we try or head east at the next junction?"

Ricard tries one final time to make something of the unusual rodent,

"Precious! Here Precious, come here! Precious..."

Assuming nothing happens, Ricard gives up and turns back to the group.

"Well that was a bust, where to now?"

"What's in that direction?" Fenwick asks Pickles."It seems like it might head toward the other side of the Dwarves secret door."

"That is my thought exactly Fenwick. Are we up to facing some Orcs? Could be some treasure and could help building our relationship with the Dwarves. You can never have to many allies."

Trash Heap
The rat lifts its head and looks at Ricard, as if recognising and confirming its name. But it makes no further approach.

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Day 2, 4:40 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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"That assumes they aren't from the Open Sore tribe and our allies," Fenwick responds, she nods toward the rat's nest. "So, who wants to test whether the rats react to us skirting around the wall?"

"They (the rats) don't seem too concerned with us, I'll lead the way around the pile if you want to go."

If Fenwick is keen to skirt the pile, Ricard leads the way.

Fenwick will hold back a step to make sure that the rats don't react negatively to either Ricard or whoever is first into line behind him entering their territory, then quickly follow after. (Just because Precious has made friends with Ricard, she isn't sure that will extend to her if she's left behind with the rates without him around).

Pickles keeps an arrow ready at hand and skips along the wall behind Fenwick.

Tally Ho

Wading through piles of stinking trash whilst giant rats scurry about your feet is not a pleasant experience, but at least the rodents leave you alone. You make it across the room to the exit in the northeast corner without major incident. From that exit, you see a passageway that leads east for a further 20’ before opening out into a larger chamber from which you can hear the sound of orcish conversation.

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Day 2, 4:50 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 4/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Luther, Cleric 1: 5/5 (Lantern)
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 2: 12/14

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