2. The First Delve

We can assume the two elves have scouted east to the intersection, whilst those without infravision are fumbling around for a light source back at the portcullis.

The 60’ range of your infravision allows you to see a little further.

Beyond the intersection to the east, the corridor continues for 30’ before reaching a corner and turning to the south.

South from the intersection, you can see a door in the western wall after 30’ (already described), an archway in the eastern wall after 50’ and a side passage in the western wall after 60’.

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Day 2, 12:10 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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

"I have six torches," Jessica offers, "But no way to light them."

"Hmm, interesting." Fenwick looks at Gabbro. "Don't suppose you know any light magic? If not, do you remember any exposed sources of flame anywhere that could light a torch? I'd rather not pass through the brigands camped outside to go get some flint, but I don't think I really remember any. I'm kind of coming around to the idea of checking the room with all the voices, since where there are voices there may be lights--unless everyone talking can see in the dark and they come charging out at our mostly blind party."

Hold on. I have something. there is rustling as Tiberious takes off his pack and digs through his items.

Ah, there it is. the room lights up as Tiberious sparks the flint Where is the torch? I cannot see. He reaches out and grabs for the torch held up by the new person. He feels the rough wood of the torch handle

Okay, keep it steady. the flint sparks again a few times, then finally catches. Light fills the room and Tiberious relaxes. Thank goodness! My heart dropped when I saw Swan walk away with the only light. Who knew that darkness would be so complete.

"I have a huge bundle of torches but I seem to have lost my flint."

"Ah, light! Better, right?" Gabbro blinks a little and gestures for the others to join him and Fenwick at the intersection. "Come and see from here. We've just been discussing whether to continue down one of these passages or go back north and then take a right at the 'open sore' corridor...you know, where we heard the voices earlier? Who knows? There could be kobolds running the tavern!" He nudges Fenwick playfully. As the others join them, the elf points down the southern passage, describing the view beyond the torchlight. "Further down there on the left is an archway, a side passage to the right even further, and the corridor continues straight past what I can see from here." He looks expectantly at the group. "What do you think? Any preferences?"

As his companions fumble with flints and torches Pickles steps from the shadows. Will these help? I must have picked them up along the way, probably someone left them lying around." within his small yet nimble hands the Halfling holds a lantern and tinderbox. He gives a small shrug as he lights the lantern deftly with a small smile. Would someone like to carry this? I prefer not too." He adds as he moves off after the Elves, holding the lantern up for anyone to grab.

"East from the tree room, that's what they said. Let's follow the corridor East."

Ricard takes the halfling's lamp, lights it, and slowly makes his way to the end of the corridor to peer down the Southern passage. Once at the intersection, Ricard realizes that he can't use his spear to prod AND carry the lantern so he sets the lamp down for someone else to carry.

"Let's head east to the end of this passage and then turn south, if we take this first turn south we're closer to whatever is making all that noise, and the eastern passage in the middle looks like it would end up in the same place anyways?"

Feeing lighter for handing off the lantern Pickles follows Ricard up the hallway to see what is so interesting, staying close to the shadows where he feels the most comfortable. He looks a little complexed as the large Human places the lantern on the ground.

He brings his hand to his chin as he thinks the situation over before saying, "If someone takes a couple of ration supplies of me, I will happily carry the lantern. Cause currently I am to loaded up and will slow the group."

Pickles picks up the Lantern after rummaging through his pack and handing off a couple of Iron rations to the Wizard. Feeling appropriately weighted he falls into place.

"Well, let us proceed to the east then. Fenwick, you want to go in front with your spear, or can I borrow it? We don't want to fall into any more pits..."

You follow the passage eastwards from the Chamber of the Woods until the point at which it turns south. It immediately turns back to the east, continuing for a further 10’ before opening out into an oddly-shaped chamber that shows clear signs of regular traffic. Scrawled upon the wall is crude writing and an arrow that points east to the only other exit:

DIS WAY 2 DA MARKIT

Looking through the exit to the east, you see that a short 10’ corridor extends into a second room. Unlike any other area of Stonehell you’ve encountered so far, it is dimly lit by torchlight. You can see numerous kobolds milling around within this second room. All are armoured and carrying spears, but they don’t seem to be paying you any particular attention.

Mapping information: the first chamber is generally 30’ x 30’ with exits in the middle of its western and eastern walls. However, the northwest and southwest corners are diagonal rather than square. From your position in this chamber, you can’t see enough of the second chamber (the one with the kobolds) to gauge its dimensions or exits.

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Day 2, 12:20 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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

"Finally, some good news!"

Ricard lowers his spear and shield and breathes a sigh of relief. He casually approaches the kobolds and asks,

"Mar-ket?"

As they move into the hall and some light Pickles doused the flame in the lantern, to save oil, then hang it off his pack. With his hands free to use his bow helped clam his nerves as the walk towards the Kobolds.

Fenwick trades weapons with Gabbro, looks at her new one with puzzlement for a moment as she swishes it back and forth a bit experimentally, and shrugs.

Reaching the kobolds, she is somewhat concerned to see no other races present, as the dwarves had implied it might be a mingling place of sorts. But at least the sign being written in charmingly misspelled Common seems to imply their presence won't be seen as offensive.

"Well, this sure looks like the place, seems like there's no point in sneaking around and we just go in openly?"

Guard Post
You make your way through the market entrance chamber and into the guard post beyond. The kobolds seem neither surprised nor concerned by your arrival. In accented Common, one of them addresses you in a rather disinterested, officious manner. "Welcome to Kobold Korners. Hand over your weapons. Anything larger than a knife."

In the northeast corner of the room, there is a large rusty cage. Inside that cage are three rickety wardrobes containing a wide assortment of weapons - presumably arms surrendered by others.

From beyond a door in the eastern wall of the room, you can hear a general hubbub, as if there is quite a crowd in that direction.

Mapping information: square room, 30’ x 30’. You enter through the central section of the western wall. There are two doors leading elsewhere - one in the middle of the eastern wall and one in the middle of the southern wall.

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Day 2, 12:30 pm
Fenwick, Elf 1: 5/5
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7
Jessica, Cleric 1: 5/5
Pickles, Halfling 1: 4/4
Ricard, Fighter 1: 5/7
Tiberious, Magic-User 1: 5/5

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

Ricard shrugs and hands over his sword and spear.

"Do you have an inn? Or a tavern in there?"