2. The First Delve

Hope that is good enough.. Luther whispers.

It's a little difficult to describe, but here's a picture ... 18 is (part of) the trash heap room, 16 is (part of) the room with the orc guards in it (you're also seeing part of a southern exit from the guard post).

Orc Guard Post
The orcs with short bows apply a little more tension to their strings. Those with swords grip their hilts a little more tightly. The orc by the gong prepares to strike it. All have their attention fully focused on Pickles.

"Well, little man," growls the spokesorc, raising an eyebrow. "What IS the name of the Chieftan?"

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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

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

"The Boss," says Fenwick, stepping forward. "We're in his employ, tracking the Ghost Beggars, and free to walk his territory. Though, if you want to go explain why you've stopped us, we can wait. "

Pickles maintained a smile at the Orc, though his eyes had a little twinkle of nervousness, and he gives a shrug. "The Boss?"

Ricard steps casually into view with his hands splayed in a non threatening manner.

"Two of your tribe met us in the market and took us to see The Boss, he never gave his name and we weren't rude enough to ask. He has hired us against the Ghost Beggars as Fenwick said."

Jessica's hand slides to the hammer at her side and tightens about the hilt.

Orc Guard Post
"Oh, so there’s an elf as well! This just gets better and better," sneers the orc. "And a pair of humans. Best light the fire boys, we’re in for a fun evening!"

The orc archers pull back their bowstrings to their full extent. Flanked by his sword-wielding comrades, the lead orc strides towards you, a sadistic grin on his face.

And then, when he’s on the verge of striking range, he stops, throws back his head and lets forth a huge belly laugh. "The look on your faces! We had you going there!"

Wiping his eyes, he continues. "Of course the Chief told us about you. C’mon through."

He gives Pickles an overly firm pat on the head and waves you forward into the room.

Mapping information: square chamber, 30’ x 30’. You enter through the southernmost section of the western wall. You can see two other exits (no doors) - one in the middle of the southern wall and one in the easternmost section of the northern wall. There is also a 10’ x 10’ alcove in the northernmost section of the western wall. An assortment of stones and other debris have been piled into a defensive wall in the centre of the room.

---
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

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Ricard let's put a good humored groan and then laughs,

"Ha ha! Yeah you got me! Started writing up my will just about!"

Ricard clasps arms in greeting with the leader and steps easily into the room.

"Took out a couple of those Beggars near the pit trap a ways over, mentioned that they were dealing with some wild men down on the second level. You hear anything useful?"

Jessica relaxes slightly, moving her hand from her hammer, but still does not let her guard down.

Pickles gives an overly exaggerated laugh at the Orcs joke, but his eyes flash a dark fury ever so briefly. "I may have wee’d myself a little, and again now with laughter." The Halfling says as his usual easy smile falls back into place. "So what awaits down these hallways? Must be dangerous to have such an intimidating group watching over it."

"Great, the Orcs got jokes," observes Fenwick. Her companions have already covered the important questions, so out of idle curiosity she studies what the door to the dwarf room looks like from this side.

Orc Guard Post
The orc guard shakes his head in a disinterested, almost distracted fashion. "There’s no shortage of wild men down below, although most seem to have lost their minds. Perhaps the Beggars are on a recruitment drive, eh?"

He slaps Ricard on the shoulder to emphasise his ready wit.
Jessica’s not the only one. Whilst the orc speaking with Ricard seems (overly) jovial, the rest are much more guarded. She sees arrows still nocked in bowstrings and swords remaining unsheathed.
"Ah, there’s still a bit of fallout from our recent altercation with the goblins, but nothing we can’t handle. You’ll want to be careful if you plan on heading thataways though .. it’s crawling with skeletons, zombies and such like. Those things ain’t natural and are best avoided if you know what’s good for you."

He waves his hand vaguely towards the east.
Without the aid of an updated map, it isn’t easy to work out exactly where on the western wall the secret door is likely to be. But, in general, that wall looks pretty much the same as most other walls in this part of the dungeon - rough-faced limestone blocks in poor repair. There’s certainly no evidence of dwarven master stonework.

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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

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Luther listens carefully and is still ready to grab his mace if this goes south. He is also glad to feel the symbol around his neck at the mention of zombies and skeletons.

"The skeletons are to the north?" Gabbro asks, making no sudden moves and keeping his hands where they can be seen. "We'll definitely be careful."

Pickles skips up next to Ricard and the jovial Orc, "Skeletons and Zombies you say. I had an Aunt that we thought was a zombie once, with the way she moved around, her greenish complexion, and red rimmed eyes. Turned out she wasn’t, she had contracted a flesh eating disease which was turning her slowly into a ghoul. My Uncle woke one morning with her chewing on his foot. We still laugh about it today, the look on his face as he limp down the hall away from her. Priceless . . ." Pickles laughs at his own memory before turning his smile back to the Orc, "So do you recommend one tunnel or the other?"

"Is there any other goblin turf we should be careful of?" asks Fenwick.

Ricard can't help but snort a chuckle at the halfling's tale of podiatry gone wrong but he quickly regains his composure.