2. The First Delve

"Hmmm." Gabbro narrates to the others. "It just looks like an old camp, like we saw...uh, like some of us saw up in the first area we entered, up in the ravine. No obvious exits; a lot of graffiti from previous visitors. A few cobwebs."

Gabbro takes a moment to scan for any infravision-visible chalk messages. Then he continues. "I dunno; we could take some time to read through it for possible information, or just go back to that passage leading west. What do you think?"

Luther looks around at the group.Info is always good. It wouldn't take long. What do y'all think?

"Stupid question guys, but uh, these aren't dwarven runes, right?"

Ricard scratches his head quizzically as he studies the pictographs.

Pickles folds out of the shadows entering the room of scribbles, his eyes widening as he looks around. "A bit of time here could be of use, you never know what pearls of wisdom the average adventurer could leave behind."

Graffiti-covered Room
If you’re asking whether there are any parallels between these wall markings and the dwarven master stonework in the other room then, no, the two are polar opposites!
Good thinking!

Luther dims the lantern to allow Gabbro’s infravision to kick in. A symbol emerges in the faint but distinctive glow of flame chalk …



You may also study the graffiti under normal light, but it will take at least a turn to sift through the "noise" and potentially uncover anything of interest.

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Day 2, 5:30 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 ...

Noticing Gabbro's look of intense concentration, Jessica asks, "What do you see, Gabbro?"

"Is that a symbol or a map?" Fenwick asks Gabbro, squinting at the wall.

"Hmm..." Gabbro looks over at Fenwick and then back at the wall again. "My guess is it's a map, but if it is, I think it doesn't correspond to anyplace we've explored so far." He touches the wall, tracing the chalk outlines. "I haven't really been looking - I should have been! - but the only other place we've seen this flame chalk writing is in the cave from the ravine outside, which talked about gems on the second level. If they're connected in any way - and that's a BIG if - then it's not a surprise that we haven't seen anything like this. It might be something down on level 2."

Belatedly, after all that, Gabbro responds to the Sister: "Sorry! Let me describe it: it's a strange shape with an 'X' drawn on the left side. It doesn't look like it represents anything - it's not a picture, as far as I can tell - unless it is a map. Read as a map, it looks like a passageway or a vault with several alcoves leading off of it - three to one side, three on the other - and then a final room or chamber with a large 'X' drawn in it all the way on the left. There is a narrower rectangle leading off to the right and another one leading down from the 'X' room...here, I'll try to draw it." As best he can, Gabbro draws what he sees in the margins of one of the map sheets.

Interesting, maybe we should go through this room thoroughly to see if there are any clues to this drawing.

"We've been here ten seconds and ya found a map, I'd say it's well worth the time spent to look more thoroughly! I'll stand guard while you lot have a look."

Fenwick will start from the area where the symbol was found and start reading through the graffiti, working to her right and leaving the other side of the wall to Gabbro and the others.

You spend a turn (10 minutes) examining the wall for any useful snippets of information amongst the dense graffiti.

Someone, anyone, please roll me 1d4 ...

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Day 2, 5:40 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

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Fenwick skims through the scrawled crude jokes and insults.

Graffiti-covered Room
Thanks Fenwick.

Collectively, you spot two potentially useful or interesting pieces of information …

Firstly, a section of the western wall is given over to a makeshift memorial. The words "In memory of those who met their fate in the halls of Stonehell" are carved into the stone. Beneath, many names have been added - some carved, some scrawled in chalk, charcoal, ink or something that looks suspiciously like dried blood. Poignantly, Ricard spots the name of his grandfather amongst the fallen.

Secondly, a rather more cryptic message reads "While not every game of chance in Stonehell is rigged, bet with caution."

You may continue to search for another turn. However, bear in mind that turns = wandering monster checks - the longer you linger, the more chance you have of being interrupted.

Also, 8.00 pm is the point at which you’ll have been adventuring for 12 hours. If you continue adventuring beyond that time, you’ll suffer a -1 penalty to all your rolls until you rest for the night. So factor that into your plans.

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Day 2, 5:40 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

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

"Huh, would ya look at that..."

Ricard yawns as he marvels over the name of his father's father.

"That's my grandpa! Drunk lout that he was, it still brings me joy to see his name here on the wall. Not sure why, maybe I'm just tired. Could be time to head back to the Korners and grab a bite and a bed, eh?"

Seeing Ricard yawn Luther yawns also. I guess we have been at it for a bit. A meal and rest does sound good.

"I've got maybe another hour in me, before I need to head back." Gabbro considers the cryptic text. "Game of chance? Bet with caution? I have a feeling that that has to do with more than just gambling at the tavern. I figure it's some kind of trap or puzzle...they wouldn't bother writing it on the wall if they were just complaining about people cheating at dice..." Gabbro frowns. "...but I have no idea what it could mean, specifically. I don't think we've seen anything yet that required or even involved any betting."

Lost in the scrawling and pictures spread across the walls, Pickles only half hears the conversation. He looks up finally at the mention of leaving, "This stuff is really interesting, maybe a moment more?"

Remember, you can move more confidently and rapidly through areas you've already mapped. As a guide, it would take 3 turns (30 minutes) to return to Kobold Korners from where you are currently.