Ch. 1 - The Keep on the Borderlands

Once the creatures are long gone, Delfarious, sweat beading on his bald brow and one of his eyes twitching furiously, finally ceases his concentration -- resulting in the illusionary dwarven warriors boiling and wisping away like so much steam.

"There!" the man barks before turning his attention to the others. "They may return quickly with reinforcements! We should move quickly!"

"Aargh, I was itching for a good fight. I haven't had to clean blood-rust off my spike here in months," gripes Kraagor as he returns to the party. "What about treasure? We still need to find treasure."

"Indeed, lets continue with our exploration." The older priest says as he picks up pebbles and examine them to see if they'll make adequate sling stones.

Having already searched the place as member of the scouting team, Farem simply stays behind and waits expectantly the result of the investigation of the more experienced members of the party.

The party is standing in the middle of the clearing, where there are three broad, flat stone platforms that might be old foundation stones—they're certainly cut that way. The largest platform rises 10 feet off the ground and is 70 feet across. At its northern edge is a dark tunnel with rough-hewn steps leading down. It's too black to see what's down there, but it must lead a ways beneath the clearing.

The other two platforms are smaller, with scattered boulders and young trees growing out of cracks in the stone. Nearby, south of the largest platform is a small, grassy mound. Somewhere to the west of you is the corpse gnoll that Darlene killed, hidden from sight by the grass and the distance.

The hastily-abandoned camp is at the edge of the clearing, and the trail you followed to this area faded to nothing as you arrived. It was definitely headed to this spot.

Morgan climbs onto the largest stone platform. "Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you to my ruins! Down there is more treasure than your wildest dreams; I've seen it myself! Some of it, anyway. Shall we descend, my comrades?" She flashes you all an eager grin, her eyes alight with the thought of plunder.

"We're going to need some lighting down there, I hope someone thought of bringing torches or a lantern." Then Father Petronius turned and looked towards the fallen gnoll. "It might be worthwhile to also search that gnoll, see if it has anything useful on its person."

Kraagor stands at the ready, peering down the tunnel with his keen eyes. Such a pity that the race of Man didn't spend more time below ground, and it showed.

Darlene checks her supply of arrows and her weaponry. Satisfied, she makes ready to enter the hole.

"I shall light the way!" Delfarious says, kneeling with some effort, working around his big belly. Retrieving his lantern from his pack, he fills it with oil and lights it after securing his brace of throwing knives. With his lone memorized spell spent, the man is relegated down to working with his wits, his light, and his daggers.

Hearing father Petronius, Farem goes on and searches the gnoll, if a little reluctantly. Once done, he makes himself available to enter the underground tunnels, at any position his more experienced companions will find he would be useful.

Farem finds the dead gnoll sprawled in the grass, the arrow still in its neck. The only things on its person are its leather armor (which would only fit another gnoll) its halberd, and a couple dead conies (1 day standard rations).

Morgan goes to Delfarious's side. "I will stay with the Prestidigitator. I would take point with Kraagor if I had his infravision."

Farem takes the food but not the halberd, figuring it would be impractical when moving underground. He is happy to take his place in the marching order in the front row.