2. The First Delve

Luther looks at Ricard Always ready for some exterminating.

"I suppose we could use some more fire glands..." Gabbro raises his eyebrows. "But are we sure these aren't our hosts' pets? That fancy toff came out of here with his guards, and they didn't seem like they were running from the bugs..."

"Hard to say, " muses Fenwwick. "Not sure if his guards were running to catch up, get away, or both. "

"We could sell them for meat, like the giant weasels." Pickles added to the conversation, while drawing an arrow from his quiver.

The door was only open for a moment and it was pretty gloomy on the other side. But you caught a glimpse of at least a couple of beetles and each was around five feet long.

However, you didn’t see the distinctive glow that would indicate that they are fire beetles.

---
Day 3, 8:10 am
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 ...

In B/X it's a full day (24 hours) of complete, uninterrupted rest to heal 1d3 hit points. You don't recover anything from just a night's sleep.

With the door closed before him, Ricard has time to hesitate.

"Good point about the beetles being pets... Don't wanna make enemies at the way station."

Agreed about not making enemies but why would anyone keep beetles for pets?

"Okay, let's try the other passage then, " Fenwick agrees. "We can always come back here later when we hit another dead end. "

Jessica frowns to herself. Beetles as pets? Yuck!

"Dungeon folk are a different sort."

Satisfied that he has solved the riddle of why beetles, Ricard gladly leads the way towards the other passage.

Pickles expression is a little sad as he replaces the arrow. "Maybe next time." is all he says as he turns to follow the group.

You make a u-turn and return to the main corridor. It continues south for a further 30’ before arriving at a crossroads.

To your left (east) a 10’ corridor ends at a door. There’s a foul stench coming from the other side. "Unserviced latrine" would be a good description of the odour emanating from that direction.

Ahead, to the south, the corridor continues for 30’ before opening out into a larger, torchlit chamber. There’s no sign of anyone/thing in the chamber. Nor, from this distance, does it appear to contain any furniture or fittings.

To your right (west) a corridor extends 30’ to a dead-end. However, at the end of the corridor there are doors in the north and south walls.

---
Day 3, 8:20 am
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 check out the route south," Gabbro suggests, beginning to test the ground in front of them with the spear as he goes, "I don't like leaving open, unexplored passages at our back."

"Good plan, " Fenwick agrees, following. She doesn't want to meet up with the Beggars smelling like refuse and the western doors may circle back into that main western hall. The south seems like a good direction. Man, this place is big!

Ricard nods in agreement and switches to his own spear to help in the trap finding as the group moves south.

Sound good. Lead on.

Stairs Below
You continue south to the chamber at the end of the corridor, the dominant feature of which is a grand stone staircase leading down into darkness. Other than that, the room appears empty. Ilumination is provided by lit torches in sconces around the walls.

There is one other visible exit leading west, which continues for 20’ before opening into a larger space.

Mapping information: rectangular chamber, 40’ x 30’. You enter through the northern wall, 10’ east of the western wall. The staircase, which is 20’ x 10’, heads down in a west -> east direction. It’s in the eastern half of the room, equidistant between the north and south walls (hope that makes sense, it’s easy to see but difficult to describe!).

The westerly exist is in the middle of the western wall.

---
Day 3, 8:20 am
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 ...

"Another way down that's close to the Korners, cool... I vote for now we head west though? We're further south than we've been before, so it should lead somewhere new?. " Fenwick suggests. "Probably want to think about turning around at the next junction if we're going to pretend to be Beggar recruits."