Ch. 1 - The Keep on the Borderlands

"If the effect is from the incense," Delfarious says from the floor where he lies musing, still, "One should be able to cover one's mouth and nose with a protective scarf! And in holding one's breath, rapidly retrieve the others! And indeed, one could even douse or disable the braziers! Darlene, this is your calling, your moment! You are the one! Tie the rope 'round your waist so Morgan may pull you to safety should something untoward befall you!"

"Me? What makes you think that I can hold my breath that long?" Darlene begins to protest but realizes the futility of it. With a sigh, she ties the rope about her waist and ties a cloth over her nose and mouth. She checks the knot on the rope and takes a few deep breaths before sucking in and holding it. She makes her first focus extinguishing the braziers, using water from an excess waterskin (one of the ones that were formerly owned by those who have left us). She stays within the smoke only as long as her breath lasts before emerging and letting her head clear.