2. The First Delve

Gabbro agrees with Pickles, and they examine the room for another turn with Ricard and Luther (and anyone else who is looking).

Having already had a go at the wall and found nothing of obvious value, Fenwick will move to the door and keep watch since there seem to be enough teammates involved in the search.

OK ... can someone roll me 1d4 again for your second (and final) trawl through the graffiti ...

Pickles runs his fingers over an area where words seem to have been chiseled into the wall . . .

Graffiti-covered Room
With a further 10 minutes of study, you really get your eye in and are able to discern the following pearls of wisdom from amongst the more dubious content …

"I had it! A ruby the size of a fist was almost mine, but a giant serpent swallowed it before I could reach it."

"The little, scaly bastards can‘t be trusted. They turned on us, killed Sydel, and stole all our gold! Kill ‘em on sight"

"Be careful in the lowest depths of Stonehell. The rooms there change from time to time and
what once was no longer stands."

"This dungeon was cleared by the Circle of Six. Nothing remains below."

---
Day 2, 5:50 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 ...

Pickles enjoyed reading the stories and the clatter reminded him of his on thoughts. He pauses spending the longest time reading over the giant snake and Ruby, images of finding both flickering through his mind.
Finally he turns his attention back to the group, "Time to go then?"

Ricard stretches and nods,

"Time to go."

Realizing that he has potentially let his guard down, the warrior slaps himself in the face and re-assures himself of his surroundings.

Fenwick compares notes with the others and records what they've found.

"Interesting, the lower levels sound fun. Hope that last one doesn't mean there's no treasure left. "

She then falls into step behind Ricard as they exit the room.

"Don't worry, Ricard, we'll get you back before your bed time." Gabbro takes up Fenwick's spear again and accompanies the human fighter back in the direction they came, heading for Kobold Korners. At Ricard's glower, the elf grins and holds up his free hand defensively. "Hey, hey - I'm tired, too. Where do you think we should go next? Tomorrow, I mean."

Some DM behind-the-screen dice rolling ...

More DM behind-the-screen dice rolling ...

Leaving the graffiti room behind, you begin your trek back to Kobold Korners. Neither Gruk and his guardmates, nor the giant rats in the trash heap pay you any particular attention. It’s almost as if you’re already becoming part of the Stonehell furniture.

As you head south from the trash heap towards the crossroads that takes you back through the Open Sore’s main territory and on towards the Chamber of the Woods, you hear the sounds of a large group approaching. You can’t see them (they are beyond the range of your lantern’s light), but they are clearly kobolds from the noises they are making. They sound agitated, as if they are bickering noisily and angrily amongst themselves.

---
Day 2, 6:10 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 kobolds have been friendly and we're... sort of headed to their place. Maybe we approach them openly? Or make other plans?"

Luther looks at the group. You have more experience down here than I so I will follow y'alls lead.

Pickles hearing the agitation in the voices draws his bow, and moves off into the shadows. "If you attempt speaking to them, I’ll take heed of some sage advice the wall gave us. ‘While not every game of chance in Stonehell is rigged, bet with caution’., and I’ll cover you."

The kobolds are speaking in Kobold so, no, Luther cannot understand them.
Sure - go ahead and make a hide in shadows roll (2 in 6).

The pack of kobolds shambles into view out of the darkness, 30’ ahead of you. It’s a large group - at least a dozen - and judging by the buckets, shovels and picks that some of them are carrying, it’s a work crew on a maintenance job. Indeed, the major source of their argument seems to be who should carry a large bucket filled with a sludgy brown substance.

There are enough of them such that they fill the entire width of the corridor. It’s also clear that they are in no mood for pleasantries and are pressing forward with the full expectation that you will make way for them.

---
Day 2, 6:10 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 ...

"Excuse us guys!" Fenwick apologizes, urging the party against the wall and out of their way.

Jessica follows suit, pressing against the wall to get out of their way.