2. The First Delve

"I agree," says Fewick. "That was amazing! I've never cast a sleep spell! You've got to show me how it works sometimes! And you got every one!"


Since others are searching the altar, Fenwick will catalog the motley row of weapons.

Pickles gives a nod and thumbs up to Ricard’s suggestion for the copper.

Ruined Chapel
Fenwick collects the weapons from the dead berzerkers. They comprise a club (with the obligatory nail enhancements), two serrated daggers, a mace, a barbed spear and an oversized battle axe. All the customisations are a case of style over substance (the weapons don’t confer any mechanical advantages, but do offer a distinct "Mörk Borg" aesthetic if you’re after that vibe).

Meanwhile, Ricard inspects the bodies. All are (very) dead. They have been stripped and several have been butchered - limbs amputated, organs removed, etc. It seems that the collection was, quite literally, a larder.

Luther and Pickles investigate the stone altar. It is plain and unadorned but it looks like it was originally crafted with some skill. However, it now shows numerous signs of minor damage, particularly at the edges and corners where the stone has become chipped. The charring suggests that it has, at some point, been subjected to a sizable fire, but there is no indication as to the origin of that. Strangely, the charring is wholly confined to the altar itself - there are no signs of burning on the dais upon which the altar sits.

As Luther looks more closely, he notices that there is a slight, but perceptible, gap between the base of the altar and the dais. A bit more experimentation reveals that, with less-than-expected effort, the altar can be slid to one side to reveal a trapdoor in the dais beneath.

Don’t forget to add the berzerkers’ coins to your character sheets - if they’re not on your sheet, you haven’t got them! Each encumbrance slot can hold 100 coins.

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Day 3, 10:10 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 ...

"Ahh, what do we have here." calls the group over.

Ricard turns away from the grim spectacle of the larder and examines the new found trap door.

"Woah-ho! A secret door! I think we know what we have to do with this, eh lads?"

Ricard will open the door and examine inside, if it is too dark he lights a torch and drops it down...

Fenwick decides to grab the barbed spear so that she has options from either the front and back row.

"Anybody need a battle axe?" she asks, going over to see what the others are doing at the altar.

Jessica does not participate in the butchering. When asked about Gabbro and the left over coinage, she nods.

A mischievous glint widens Pickles eyes upon the discovery of the secret door. He steps back a wee to allow Ricard room to search, and for him to have reaction time in case of a trap attack . . .

Ruined Chapel
Ricard opens the trap door. It’s dark below, so he tosses down a lit torch. He can see an iron ladder descending 30’ to a chamber beneath. The construction of the chamber is similar to that encountered elsewhere in Stonehell - a flagstone floor and rough-faced limestone block walls. Apart from the torch's flickering, Ricard cannot see any movement below, nor are there any sounds.
That’s fine. It functions as a regular spear. Make sure to add it to your inventory as either an Equipped or Packed item, and let me know if this has any impact on your movement rate.

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Day 3, 10:10 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 ...

"What do you all think? Could be an easy path down to the second floor, or it could have only to do with this chapel."

"We should head down and check it out. Check locations of exits and what nots."

With his curiosity pecking Pickles starts moving towards the trap door, but pauses. "We have our meeting with the Bandits, will we have time?"

"I agree with Luther. We should at least take a quick look."

Pickles shrugs and sheaths his bow, freeing up his hands for the climb down.

Secret Chamber
Pickles descends the iron ladder into the chamber below. He arrives in a 10’ x 10’ alcove that opens out into a larger space that is nominally 20’ x 30’, although the two corners immediately to his left and right are on a diagonal rather than square.

Opposite the ladder, dominating the room, is a stone statue that sits atop a circular pedestal. It depicts three women joined at their backs and facing outwards. One is a young maiden, another is a matronly mother and the third is an elderly crone.

It looks like the chamber has lain undisturbed for some time save for the vermin marks amidst the thick dust layer covering the floor. Cobwebs congregate in the corners and hang from the statue.

There are no other visible exits.

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Day 3, 10:10 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 ...

"The Triple Goddess," Jessica remarks. "I've heard of her."

Ricard climbs down to join Pickles in the vault and begins searching the walls for secret paths of egress...

Luther will also join them down below to get a good look at the women.

Secret Chamber
Can you be more specific about where, and how, you are searching?

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Day 3, 10:10 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 (Torch)

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...