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Hammerfall #8

The dwarves have emerged victorious from a second battle with the duergar. While catching their breath, the drow force approaches. The female dark elf speaks, recommending that the dwarves continue onward while they follow behind. While Aria speaks with the drow, Grondar and Dougan work to bind wounds from the battle.

Aria wrote:Speaking to the drow, Aria says, “So what are you dark elves be getting’ of out this arrangement? This is a dwarf matter, not an elfin one. This isn’t any of your business. Since you know the way to the ruins, why don’t you lead?”

“Do not think that just because we both live in the Underdark, that drow and duergar are allies,” the drow states. “They are just as much a threat to my kind as they are to yours. That is the only reason I suggested this temporary alliance. I have no love lost for your kind, just as I am sure that you would try to slay me where I stand, given the chance. But we share a common enemy and a common threat. If the duergar complete their Iron Warrior, it will be used against both of our peoples. Is it not reasonable that we put aside our mutual hatred to deal with the common threat?”

“Such an alliance makes sense. No one can question your skill in battle. That has been made abundantly clear here. But you lack the subtlety and stealth and magical powers of the drow. We each bring something to the alliance that the other lacks.”

“But make no mistake, this is a temporary arrangement. Once the Iron Orb is destroyed, we go our separate ways and may indeed come into conflict in the future. But for now, let us focus on the task at hand.”

“Logically, you should lead the way as you cannot move in silence and are better skilled in battle. However, as a token of my faith in the alliance, we shall lead you to the ruins. Then you can lead the way into the enemy fortress while we drow offer our support from the back.”

“Is that agreeable?”

GM Notes:

Current Hit Points:

Aria: 93 of 99
Arlos: 63 of 71
Daraden: 51 of 59
Dougan: 44 of 62
Farian: 64 of 75
Grondar: 58 of 70
Lotha: 33 of 37
Opal: 29 of 32
Oran: 98 of 102
Senoia: 55 of 61

Now what?

Aria:

“Blasted dark elves!” Aria mentally curses. While she doesn’t trust them one little bit, the wench’s words do make sense. But it’s still no reason to grant them any level of trust as of yet.

“Very well,” Aria finally says aloud. “Lead the way to the ruins. We’ll follow.”

After the priests are done with their rounds, we’ll move on. Once more the scouts to the front to check for any traps. Aria would like Mayor Arlos to join them, as he has been this way before, so he’d be able to tell if we are being led astray. Oran and Senoia will be the rear guard with everyone else in between them and the scouts.

Grondar:

Once the bandaging is done, Grondar prepares to move on with the rest of the group. He makes certain to collect his enchanted rock, then readies his crossbow.

"All set," he remarks to Aria.

Farian

Farian grumbles as he takes to the front of the formation. “Can’t believe I’m turning me back on a dark elf.” Least there are a few people in back of him before they get to him! As Farian moves forward he wil try and keep a look out for other dark elves as well as any possible ambush sites.

Post Continued:

The talk with the drow has ended. Aria has agreed to allow them to lead the group to the duergar ruins. The dwarves catch their breaths while Grondar and Dougan bind the few wounds they’ve gained thus far. While sitting, Aria remembers the message packet she was given earlier by Jenna Firehand. Taking it out, she shuffles through papers. One parchment is of particular interest. Standing up, Aria will call the dwarves to her.

“Come closer, my friends. I have an announcement to make.”

Once the dwarves comply, Aria continues. As she speaks she moves to face Grondar.

“I have in my hands a decree from King Everast himself. In recognition for deeds above and beyond the call of duty, for working to improve the relations between dwarves and humans, the King grants the title of Lord to Grondar Foehammer with all the responsibilities and awards that comes with it. The King goes on to note that this title was suggested by the Human King in response to your efforts in Corunglain.”

Aria hands Grondar the parchment and offers her hand.

“Congratulations, Lord Grondar!”

Congratulations are offered by many of the dwarfs’ presents. The drow seem irritated by the delay.

Not long after that, the drow move off deeper into the mines with the wary dwarves following. Mayor Arlos will note that you are heading in the proper direction. There are no active traps along the way. The scouts can see where there were traps, but they have already been disarmed and are no longer a danger.

The northernmost passage from the second large natural cavern is the one taken. The passage goes straight before turning to your left and goes down. A few minutes later it intersects another passage. This one eventually does connects to the passage you didn’t take along the way between the two natural caverns, but that is not the way you go.

The right hand passage is taken and once more you can feel the way going deeper into the earth. The tunnel twists to the left and continues downward. Not long after this, the mining tunnel begins to change. The walls become worked stone and there are steps under your feet! The stairs continue downward and enter into a twenty-foot wide hallway. The area to the left of the stair opening has collapsed, but the passage continues on to the right. The ceiling is a dizzying thirty feet overhead!

Twenty feet past the stairs, a smaller hallway bisects the larger one. The drow ignore the openings to the left and right and continue forward. Further up ahead the main hallway enters into a larger room. Huge bronze double doors once sealed the chamber, but they’ve fallen off and lay on the ground. The doors are easily twenty feet tall!

The large room is 60’s square in size. The ceiling in this room at least fifty feet overhead! Rubble and debris litter the floor. The only significant feature is a 3’ high pedestal of black stone in the middle of the chamber. On top of the pedestal are what appear to be the feet and ankles of a statue that once stood here cast in bronze. The rest of the statue is missing.

Huge bronze doors stand open on the opposite side of the chamber. These ones are at least thirty feet high. They still stand, but are current ajar. Another passageway leads off behind them. A hellish orangish-red light illuminates the passageway. The air is hot and has a sulfurous odor to it.

“Our destination lies that way,” the drow maiden calls out.

Some eighty feet along, the walls and ceiling drop away and the passageway enters a vast cavern. Far below, a sea of lava slowly churns, casting its fiery glow on the cavern walls. The air is stiflingly hot and full of noxious fumes.

The passageway becomes a bridge that crosses the cavern to reach the far side of the chamber. At the far end, the bridge leads up to two towering bronze doors set into the wall of a mighty fortress of gray stone.

The glow from the lava below casts an eerie, menacing light on the fortress. Its forbidding walls meld with the natural cavern, giving it an impenetrable appearance. Rows of narrow arrow slits dot the walls, flanking a protruding towerlike structure that contains the entrance doors.

The lave lake sits about 500’ below the stone bridge that crosses it. The walls of the fortress are fifty feet high, with the exception of the tower structure by the main entrance. That is eighty feet high. The walls of the fortress merge with the ceiling of the cavern overhead, thus there is no roof to the fortress.


“That is the enemy fortress,” the drow maiden announces. She, like the male drow warriors with her, are using their cloaks to shield themselves from the bright light. “The duergar do not patrol this area as they do not like the brightness. We can cross over unhindered. Once inside the fortress, there will be many duergar. Just inside the front doors are stairs leading down. These will take us deeper into the earth and to where they are building the iron warrior.”

“Now you must take the lead and we shall follow. The conditions are ideal for your kind, and a hindrance to mine.”

The drow maiden starts to turn away, but then looks back to Aria. “One more thing and a token of my good faith in this alliance. There is a trap door just inside the front doors that you must avoid. Anyone who falls into it shall surely perish. Now go. The longer we wait, the sooner the Iron Warrior will be completed.”

GM Notes:

It took a while, but Grondar’s reward was first mentioned by King Victor the 8th way back in New Frontiers #63. The title is much like that of the human rank of Court Lord. It is an honorary title and does not transfer to offspring. Grondar’s wife would not automatically be a lady.

Current Hit Points:

Aria: 93 of 99
Arlos: 63 of 71
Daraden: 51 of 59
Dougan: 44 of 62
Farian: 64 of 75
Grondar: 58 of 70
Lotha: 33 of 37
Opal: 29 of 32
Oran: 98 of 102
Senoia: 55 of 61

You’ve reached the duergar fortress.

Now what?

Daraden Stormbeard:

Farian grumbles as he takes to the front of the formation. “Can’t believe I’m turning me back on a dark elf.”

"Yeah it jus' don't sit right no matter how many times yah try to explain it to yerself," Daraden agrees.

“I have in my hands a decree from King Everast himself. In recognition for deeds above and beyond the call of duty, for working to improve the relations between dwarves and humans, the King grants the title of Lord to Grondar Foehammer with all the responsibilities and awards that comes with it. The King goes on to note that this title was suggested by the Human King in response to your efforts in Corunglain.”

"Lord, eh?" Daraden replies upon hearing the news. "That must've been some serious work yah did to be earning such a title fer yerself. Congratulations indeed, Lord Grondar!"

The drow agree to lead the way to the duergar fortress. The way is long and with many impressive sights. One of these catches Daraden's eye.

The large room is 60’s square in size. The ceiling in this room at least fifty feet overhead! Rubble and debris litter the floor. The only significant feature is a 3’ high pedestal of black stone in the middle of the chamber. On top of the pedestal are what appear to be the feet and ankles of a statue that once stood here cast in bronze. The rest of the statue is missing.

"Now who woulda been making off with that?" Daraden puzzles aloud.

Eventually we arrive and the drow are more than eager to let us lead now. Daraden can only wonder that they managed the easier of the two tasks, but that would be typical for those dark elves! Then that drow wench thinks she's doing everyone a favor by pointing out a trap door 'in good faith.'

The drow maiden starts to turn away, but then looks back to Aria. “One more thing and a token of my good faith in this alliance. There is a trap door just inside the front doors that you must avoid. Anyone who falls into it shall surely perish. Now go. The longer we wait, the sooner the Iron Warrior will be completed.”

"Aye, I be doubtin' there be only one trap in that hellish place," Daraden spits. "Thanks fer all the helpful insight." He will wait to see if Aria has any last minute change in plans before they start to make their way across.

Farian

“I have in my hands a decree from King Everast himself. In recognition for deeds above and beyond the call of duty, for working to improve the relations between dwarves and humans, the King grants the title of Lord to Grondar Foehammer with all the responsibilities and awards that comes with it. The King goes on to note that this title was suggested by the Human King in response to your efforts in Corunglain.”

“I ain’t gonna be bowin to you, Priest. But congratulations.”

"Now who woulda been making off with that?" Daraden puzzles aloud.

“A halfling?” he says with a sly smirk. “though would make a good mold….”

"Aye, I be doubtin' there be only one trap in that hellish place," Daraden spits. "Thanks fer all the helpful insight." He will wait to see if Aria has any last minute change in plans before they start to make their way across.

“And the cheap labor.” As he spits on the ground. “Well what we be waiting for? Me beard and getting any blacker.”

Grondar:

When Aria asks them all to gather around, Grondar moves closer as requested. In truth, he's curious what the message could be about, but figures it has something to do with the battle ahead.

Aria wrote:“I have in my hands a decree from King Everast himself. In recognition for deeds above and beyond the call of duty, for working to improve the relations between dwarves and humans, the King grants the title of Lord to Grondar Foehammer with all the responsibilities and awards that comes with it. The King goes on to note that this title was suggested by the Human King in response to your efforts in Corunglain.”

Aria hands Grondar the parchment and offers her hand.

“Congratulations, Lord Grondar!”

Stunned, Grondar absently accepts the parchment from Aria. He stammers for a bit, but is unable to form a coherent thought so he just bows.

"L-l-lord? Me?" Grondar gets a comically-puzzled look on his face. Somehow all this lordly nonsense seems at odds with his priestly commitments. Still, he cannot refuse such an honor. "Th-thank you," he says to Aria and the other well-wishers, still feeling a bit dazed.

Daraden wrote:"Lord, eh?" Daraden replies upon hearing the news. "That must've been some serious work yah did to be earning such a title fer yerself. Congratulations indeed, Lord Grondar!"

"Oh! Uh... Thank you, Daraden," Grondar replies. "I guess so. We did manage to free the city from the horde of orcs and such that had taken it over."

Farian wrote:“I ain’t gonna be bowin to you, Priest. But congratulations.”

"Thanks Farian, for both. Wouldn't want anyone bowing to me regardless. Ain't got time for that silliness."

Soon they are travelling again; this time following the drow deeper into the mine complex. Eventually they come to a large room. At the far end is a pedestal with the bottom of what appears to be a statue. Concerned that this may have been a statue of a dwarven deity that has been descecrated, Grondar will move to examine it for any indications of religious significance.

Huge bronze doors open onto another tunnel, which they follow for some ways. At its end, it opens into a huge cavern. A bridge leads across a lava-filled chasm to the gates of a fortress. The drow inform them that the fortress is full of numerous duergar. They must descend beneath the fortress to reach their goal.

Grondar doesn't like the circumstances here, but there is little choice but to press forward. They cannot rist allowing the duergar to finish their task.

Grondar moves over to Aria. "Should we assign a group to guard the path from the gate to the stairs while the rest file past? They could then form a rear-guard as we descend toward our goal."

Aria:

The talk with the drow has ended. Aria has agreed to allow them to lead the group to the duergar ruins. The dwarves catch their breaths while Grondar and Dougan bind the few wounds they’ve gained thus far. While sitting, Aria remembers the message packet she was given earlier by Jenna Firehand. Taking it out, she shuffles through papers. One parchment is of particular interest. Standing up, Aria will call the dwarves to her.

“Come closer, my friends. I have an announcement to make.”

Once the dwarves comply, Aria continues. As she speaks she moves to face Grondar.

“I have in my hands a decree from King Everast himself. In recognition for deeds above and beyond the call of duty, for working to improve the relations between dwarves and humans, the King grants the title of Lord to Grondar Foehammer with all the responsibilities and awards that comes with it. The King goes on to note that this title was suggested by the Human King in response to your efforts in Corunglain.”

Aria hands Grondar the parchment and offers her hand.

“Congratulations, Lord Grondar!”

Grondar wrote:"L-l-lord? Me?" Grondar gets a comically-puzzled look on his face. Somehow all this lordly nonsense seems at odds with his priestly commitments. Still, he cannot refuse such an honor. "Th-thank you," he says to Aria and the other well-wishers, still feeling a bit dazed.

“No need to thank me, Lord Grondar. You’ve earned it.”

Grondar wrote:"Thanks Farian, for both. Wouldn't want anyone bowing to me regardless. Ain't got time for that silliness."

“There may come a time where you have to make time for that foolishness,” Aria adds with a sly grin on her face. “As I see it, this pronouncement means that if something would happen to me, that you’d be in charge then!”

Grondar wrote:Soon they are traveling again; this time following the drow deeper into the mine complex. Eventually they come to a large room. At the far end is a pedestal with the bottom of what appears to be a statue. Concerned that this may have been a statue of a dwarven deity that has been desecrated, Grondar will move to examine it for any indications of religious significance.

Daraden wrote:"Now who woulda been making off with that?" Daraden puzzles aloud.

“No way to know, “Aria notes. “But we are heading towards a duergar ruin, so perhaps the statue was theirs. Our ancestors could have been the ones to do this.”


Moving further along, we come to a large chamber and a bridge that spans a sea of lava. A great place for a forge to be! The drow wench speaks once more.

“That is the enemy fortress,” the drow maiden announces. She, like the male drow warriors with her, are using their cloaks to shield themselves from the bright light. “The duergar do not patrol this area as they do not like the brightness. We can cross over unhindered. Once inside the fortress, there will be many duergar. Just inside the front doors are stairs leading down. These will take us deeper into the earth and to where they are building the iron warrior.”

“Now you must take the lead and we shall follow. The conditions are ideal for your kind, and a hindrance to mine.”

The drow maiden starts to turn away, but then looks back to Aria. “One more thing and a token of my good faith in this alliance. There is a trap door just inside the front doors that you must avoid. Anyone who falls into it shall surely perish. Now go. The longer we wait, the sooner the Iron Warrior will be completed.”

Daraden wrote:"Aye, I be doubtin' there be only one trap in that hellish place," Daraden spits. "Thanks fer all the helpful insight." He will wait to see if Aria has any last minute change in plans before they start to make their way across.

Aria just nods her understanding. She’s not going to waste words with the drow. At least she’s right in one aspect. This area is far to bright for those who live in darkness to tolerate. There shouldn’t be any danger of being attacked here, not until we reach the fortress. But traps could have been set here.

“Let’s move forward, slowly. Farian and Salem lead the way. This bridge could be trapped as well.”

Grondar wrote:Grondar moves over to Aria. "Should we assign a group to guard the path from the gate to the stairs while the rest file past? They could then form a rear-guard as we descend toward our goal."

“Sure, sounds reasonable. Make it happen, Lord Grondar.”

There is a smile on Aria’s face during that last bit. She’s content to let Grondar make the choices for that particular assignment. He is now a dwarven lord after all!

Grondar:

Aria wrote:“There may come a time where you have to make time for that foolishness,” Aria adds with a sly grin on her face. “As I see it, this pronouncement means that if something would happen to me, that you’d be in charge then!”

Grondar considers for a moment. "I'll start worrying about that when they start bowing to you - which I haven't seen yet. Besides, you'll outlive us all, fair lady."

Aria wrote:“Sure, sounds reasonable. Make it happen, Lord Grondar.”

Seeing the teasing / mocking smile on Aria's face, Grondar looks at her for several moments with one eyebrow raised. Then, he turns away and calls out, "Oran, Daraden, Senoia, we're going to follow right behind Farian and Salem through those gates. Create a defensive line between the gates and the stairs. Farian, I'm counting on you to point out that deadfall to us as we go through so that we don't fall in. Okay?"

Grondar moves into position to follow right behind the two scouts. As he does so, he readies his shield and Truthgiver, and makes certain that he still has his glowing rock.

Post Continued:


The dwarves are now outside the Duergar fortress. It lies in an immense cavern and a bridge over a lava filled chasm has to be crossed to reach it. Farian and Salem lead the way with a force consisting of Oran, Daraden, and Senoia led by Grondar following closely behind. There are many worn grooves in the stonework leading up the fortress, suggesting that many heavy things were dragged over the bridge. The bridge itself is solid and no traps are noted along the way.

Looking at the worn grooves, Mayor Arlos speaks up. “This must be the way the processed iron ore was brought in. Those groves are from the carts used to move the ore. Just follow the grooves as they are the safe path.”

“Your man speaks the truth,” the drow maiden adds. “We have seen ore taken across this bridge before.”


The trek across the bridge is slow as the scouts are checking for traps and pits, but they find nothing. In short order you reach the gates to the fortress. While the massive gates are very old, you can tell that they’ve had recent maintenance to them. The doors are open enough to allow the passage of ore carts. The tracks in the floor clearly show them.

It’s not as bright as you step into the duergar fortress. The ceiling is fifty feet overhead. You step into a hallway that is forty feet wide. It travels ahead for fifty feet before widening to the left and right. The far wall is seventy feet away and another pair of massive doors are there.

The grooves cut in from the ore carts lead about twenty-five feet into the room and stop. It is at the point that the scouts bring the procession to a stop.

The pit the drow warned you about is at this point. It spans most of the hallway, except for the sides. Hanging from the ceiling is a large ore bucket attached to steel wire. This wire rises up and passes through a hole in the ceiling overhead.

“The ore is brought here and transferred to the bucket” the drow states aloud. “The bucket is then lowered into the depths of the fortress. To the left are the stairs going down, to the right are stairs going up to the crane that controls the ore bucket. Keep to the sides of the room to safely pass the pit.”

No duergar have been seen, but given their innate ability to turn invisible that does not mean that none are present. You'd have to go single file past the pit and it is the perfect place for an ambush.

GM Notes:

Concerned that this may have been a statue of a dwarven deity that has been desecrated, Grondar will move to examine it for any indications of religious significance.

Grondar does not note anything suggesting that what remains of the statue had any religious significance to him and the other dwarves.


Current Hit Points:
Aria: 93 of 99
Arlos: 63 of 71
Daraden: 51 of 59
Dougan: 44 of 62
Farian: 64 of 75
Grondar: 58 of 70
Lotha: 33 of 37
Opal: 29 of 32
Oran: 98 of 102
Senoia: 55 of 61

Now what?

Grondar:

Crossing the bridge, Grondar takes note of the grooves which Mayor Arlos says are the ore cart tracks. It makes sense that they would describe trace a safe path into the fortress. Better keep an eye out to make sure the tracks don't suddenly end...

After a period of slow progress, they reach the gates of the fortress. The gates stand open a crack, enough to let the carts enter. The dwarves take advantage of this to enter without disturbing the gate. Within lies a wide corridor leading up to an interior gate. The group follows the tracks until the end, about a third of the way down the corridor.

The end of the tracks demark the edge of the pit. Apparently the pit serves as the means of getting the ore down into the bowels of the fortress. A large bucket is suspended above, confirming the location of the trap door.

Drow female wrote:“The ore is brought here and transferred to the bucket” the drow states aloud. “The bucket is then lowered into the depths of the fortress. To the left are the stairs going down, to the right are stairs going up to the crane that controls the ore bucket. Keep to the sides of the room to safely pass the pit.”

"Looks like it's time for us to lead the way," Grondar says to his team. Pausing a moment, he pulls the brightly-glowing rock from his pouch and holds it up. "Let's shed a little light on the subject and see what it reveals, eh?"

Crowding close to the left-hand wall, Grondar starts to make his way past the pit. If he reaches the other side without opposition, he'll begin to set up a picket line with the rest of his team.

Aria:

Grondar wrote:Grondar considers for a moment. "I'll start worrying about that when they start bowing to you - which I haven't seen yet. Besides, you'll outlive us all, fair lady."

“Moradin willing, we’ll all live to a ripe old age.” Aria responds.

Grondar moves into position to follow right behind the two scouts. As he does so, he readies his shield and Truthgiver, and makes certain that he still has his glowing rock.

"Looks like it's time for us to lead the way," Grondar says to his team. Pausing a moment, he pulls the brightly glowing rock from his pouch and holds it up. "Let's shed a little light on the subject and see what it reveals, eh?"

Crowding close to the left-hand wall, Grondar starts to make his way past the pit. If he reaches the other side without opposition, he'll begin to set up a picket line with the rest of his team.

Aria watches as Grondar’s group starts to move out. She’s a bit concerned as the area beside the pit is a great place for an ambush, but decides that he knows what he’s doing. To those who remain on the other side of the pit she’ll say, “Those of you who have ranged weapons, stand ready. They’ll need support if an attack comes.”

Daraden Stormbeard:

Seeing the teasing / mocking smile on Aria's face, Grondar looks at her for several moments with one eyebrow raised. Then, he turns away and calls out, "Oran, Daraden, Senoia, we're going to follow right behind Farian and Salem through those gates. Create a defensive line between the gates and the stairs. Farian, I'm counting on you to point out that deadfall to us as we go through so that we don't fall in. Okay?"

Daraden simply nods his understanding. No sense in wasting time with words when none are needed. They move forward until reaching the point that the drow wench warned them about. Lord Grondar decides to go first.

Aria watches as Grondar’s group starts to move out. She’s a bit concerned as the area beside the pit is a great place for an ambush, but decides that he knows what he’s doing. To those who remain on the other side of the pit she’ll say, “Those of you who have ranged weapons, stand ready. They’ll need support if an attack comes.”

Daraden signals to Darkfang to remain alert for trouble. He keeps an axe at the ready himself and waits for his turn, sending Darkfang across first when the time comes.

Farian

“The ore is brought here and transferred to the bucket” the drow states aloud. “The bucket is then lowered into the depths of the fortress. To the left are the stairs going down, to the right are stairs going up to the crane that controls the ore bucket. Keep to the sides of the room to safely pass the pit.”

“You be knowing a awful lot about this place.” He states evenly though he has his doubts, he cant help but wonder if the drow are in cahoots with the drueger.

Farian will follow Grondar through after he passes and sets up on the other side. Farian will attempt to do the same afterward locking shields with Grondar as he does so.

Post Continued:

The dwarves have entered the duergar fortress. Just inside the front door is a large covered pit in the floor. It opens once enough weight is on it. The pit descends into the depths of the fortress to where the Iron Warrior is being built. Iron ore, refined up in the village, is brought here and lowered down on a crane. The drow maiden describes the operation to the dwarves, but it's obvious to most dwarves the purpose of the device.

Farian wrote:"You be knowing a awful lot about this place." He states evenly though he has his doubts, he can't help but wonder if the drow are in cahoots with the duergar.

"As I mentioned before, subtlety and stealth are among our skills," the drow maiden arrogantly answers in her accent. "I have been relating what we've seen from our initial scouting. However, our knowledge ends once we go down those stairs. There were far to many duergar to go any further.”

Grondar wrote:"Looks like it's time for us to lead the way," Grondar says to his team. Pausing a moment, he pulls the brightly glowing rock from his pouch and holds it up. "Let's shed a little light on the subject and see what it reveals, eh?"

Crowding close to the left-hand wall, Grondar starts to make his way past the pit. If he reaches the other side without opposition, he'll begin to set up a picket line with the rest of his team.

Grondar begins his crossing, while the others watch. Darkfang seems at ease, suggesting that the wolf doesn’t sense anyone else in the area. Grondar reaches the far side and takes his position. The stairs that the drow spoke of are right there. They are twenty feet wide and lead down into darkness.

Farian goes next, quickly followed by Darkfang and Daraden. Oran brings up the rear. So far, so good. Salem goes next and begins to go down the stairs. The rest of the dwarves follow with the drow bringing up the rear.

The stairs go down thirty feet and reach a twenty-foot square landing. The stairs continue on to your left, where they go down another thirty feet before reaching yet another landing. In this manner, the stairs wind down and around the opening of the pit. There is no wall on the pit side of the stairs, just an opening that descends into darkness. It’s impossible to tell just how far down the stairs go. The stairs are very wide, so no one has to get close to the edge.

Just as the last of Grondar’s group is getting ready to go down the stairs, they hear the two large doors that leads deeper into the fortress begin to open! Someone or thing is coming!

GM Notes:

It is possible to go down the stairs and not be seen by whatever is opening the doors. There is a wall between the stairs and the pit on this level. It opens up down below the floor. So going to move on or see what’s coming through the doors?

Current Hit Points:

Aria: 93 of 99
Arlos: 63 of 71
Daraden: 51 of 59
Dougan: 44 of 62
Farian: 64 of 75
Grondar: 58 of 70
Lotha: 33 of 37
Opal: 29 of 32
Oran: 98 of 102
Senoia: 55 of 61

Now what?

Grondar:

Aria wrote:Aria watches as Grondar’s group starts to move out. She’s a bit concerned as the area beside the pit is a great place for an ambush, but decides that he knows what he’s doing. To those who remain on the other side of the pit she’ll say, “Those of you who have ranged weapons, stand ready. They’ll need support if an attack comes.”

Grondar is glad for the potential covering fire. He had known that this was the trickiest part of the maneuver, but they all have to cross to reach the stairway and Grondar's as good as any to lead the way. Besides, he's never been one to send others into danger that he himself would not face.

Fortunately, the crossing proves uneventful. There is no immediate attack, and no growling from Daraden's... companion. Soon, they have the picket line set up and the rest of the group begin to make their way across and down the stairs.

Farian wrote:Farian will follow Grondar through after he passes and sets up on the other side. Farian will attempt to do the same afterward locking shields with Grondar as he does so.

"Appreciate the gesture, my friend, but I believe Aria be needing your help to make certain the stairs are safe. We'll be fine here," he says to Farian.

As soon as the last of the main group - including the drow pass - Grondar starts to withdraw his group. "Daraden, you and Senoia pull out and head down. Oran and I will be right behind you." Backing up as Daraden and Senoia head off, Grondar lets them get a few steps ahead, then turns and follows, gesturing for Oran to do the same.

Just as he passes the lip of the stairs, Grondar hears a rumbling from behind them. Glancing back, he can just see the fortress gates opening before passing out of sight down the stairs.

Farian

"As I mentioned before, subtlety and stealth are among our skills," the drow maiden arrogantly answers in her accent. "I have been relating what we've seen from our initial scouting. However, our knowledge ends once we go down those stairs. There were far to many duergar to go any further.”

Holding back the retort of stabbing ye in the back to! Farian excepts the drows words for the moment.

"Appreciate the gesture, my friend, but I believe Aria be needing your help to make certain the stairs are safe. We'll be fine here," he says to Farian.

Shaking his head in confusion, “We? No one else is yet across!” walking away and grumbling “Daft that one is, cant even be seeing he is alone. Thinkin the lordship be going to his head.” he says as he reaches the stairs and Salem.

Being one of the first on the stairs, he looks to Salem, ‘Thinking we should be sending the drow to look, they expandable.” he says just above a whisper

Aria:

The passage past the pit goes off without incident. Aria jogs past and goes to the top of the stairs. Farian and Salem are there and they all look down the stairs.

“Let’s get moving lads. Make sure the way is clear. Given that drop off, I don’t want anyone falling!”

Aria will cautiously follow the scouts down the stairs. She’s much further along and unaware of the groups potential discovery.

Grondar:

Farian wrote:Shaking his head in confusion, “We? No one else is yet across!” walking away and grumbling “Daft that one is, cant even be seeing he is alone. Thinkin the lordship be going to his head.” he says as he reaches the stairs and Salem.

"Look behind you, my friend. Daraden and his companion are right behind you. And Senoia and Oran are already on their way across." So far, no attacks, so maybe there aren't any of the buggers out here...

Fortunately, the rest pass quickly, and no attack comes. Time to peel back.

Daraden Stormbeard:

As soon as the last of the main group - including the drow pass - Grondar starts to withdraw his group. "Daraden, you and Senoia pull out and head down. Oran and I will be right behind you." Backing up as Daraden and Senoia head off, Grondar lets them get a few steps ahead, then turns and follows, gesturing for Oran to do the same.

"Ye got it," Daraden replies and looks to Senoia. "Guess we be the first to battle and the treasure!"

Daraden heads down with Darkfang at his side. He hears a rumbling but, although curious, keeps his head on what lies below him. He figures the others can handle themselves if something bothers them, or else they'll let him know if they're in need of his help.

Post Continued:

The dwarves move deeper into the duergar fortress. Thus far, it seems unprotected, as if they expected their forces in the mines to deal with any invaders.

Daraden wrote:"Ye got it," Daraden replies and looks to Senoia. "Guess we be the first to battle and the treasure!"

“Sounds good to me,” Senoia adds excitedly. “And plenty of ale to count our treasure with!”


Grondar and Oran make their way down the stairs just as the large double doors open. Whoever came through cannot see the dwarves as they move down the stairs. Those in the rear keep watch back up the stairs, but no one is seen approaching.

Farian and Salem lead the way down the steps. There are no handrails to hold on to. The stairs circle around the pit used to lower the crane basket down below. Farian is a few steps ahead of Salem, when both scouts hear telltale click as if something was just triggered. It came from where Salem just stepped!

Farian looks back in time to see several spring-loaded pistons emerge from the right hand wall. Salem is struck by these pistons and is knocked off the stairs and into the gaping pit! The startled dwarf cries out as he falls into darkness! In mere moments, Salem is beyond the range of your sight. You all can hear his screams as he plunges deeper into the pit. Suddenly there is a crushing thud and then there is silence…


GM Notes:

Given how long it took Salem to fall, you’d guess that the pit is at least 450’ deep! Probably not much left of Salem down there now. He did make quite a racket on the way down.


Current Hit Points:

Aria: 93 of 99
Arlos: 63 of 71
Daraden: 51 of 59
Dougan: 44 of 62
Farian: 64 of 75
Grondar: 58 of 70
Lotha: 33 of 37
Opal: 29 of 32
Oran: 98 of 102
Salem: RIP
Senoia: 55 of 61

Now what?

Farian

Farian and Salem lead the way down the steps. There are no handrails to hold on to. The stairs circle around the pit used to lower the crane basket down below. Farian is a few steps ahead of Salem, when both scouts hear telltale click as if something was just triggered. It came from where Salem just stepped!

Farian looks back in time to see several spring-loaded pistons emerge from the right hand wall. Salem is struck by these pistons and is knocked off the stairs and into the gaping pit! The startled dwarf cries out as he falls into darkness! In mere moments, Salem is beyond the range of your sight. You all can hear his screams as he plunges deeper into the pit. Suddenly there is a crushing thud and then there is silence…

Hearing a click from going behind him, He quickly looks back as several pistons fly from the right wall, striking Salem off his feet. Even before he can move or react Salem is falling through the air down the chasm. A crashing thud is soon heard, “Goodbye, My friend.”

Farian will look back to see where Farian stepped, and look for sign of the pressure activated switch. If he can see it he will look for that or similar on the way down the stairs.

Grondar:

As he retreats, Grondar keeps an eye back over his shoulder, but whoever or whatever emerged from the inner gates never comes into view.

With so many people ahead of him, it's hard to see what's happening at the front of the group. However, Grondar cannot miss the sight of Salem being flung off the stairs and out over the pit. The poor man's flailing and screaming is an experience Grondar never wants to repeat.

Stepping to the edge of the stairs, Grondar says a brief Rite of Passing, ending with, "Moradin, Berronar and all the Lords of the Great Cavern; please bless our stout companion Salem and take his spirit into your keeping."

Looking down the stairs, he can just make out some kind of thick pistons sticking out from the wall. They will have to be careful making their way past those, as well as watching for others.

Aria:

Aria was looking back to make sure the rest of the group had made it to the stairs, when the screams make her turn back. She just catches a glimpse of Salem before he fades from sight. It’s also clear that some sort of trap was sprung and that’s what led to Salem’s demise.

Anger rises up in Aria and she looks around for someone to bury her axe in, but holds off on that thought. Instead, she trudges up to the dark elf maiden.

“It’s time for you dark elves to back up your words. If’n you’re such great scouts, then you’ll be needed to help sweep these stairs for traps. Farian’s good, but it’ll take too long for one man to do it alone, so you had best pitch in!”

For a split second Aria almost adds, “Before I start throwing you off these stairs!”, but bites back that particular thought.


To the others, Aria adds, “Eyes to the rear lads. We have to every reason to believe what happened reached enemy ears. I don’t want any more losses!”

Daraden Stormbeard:

Salem is struck by these pistons and is knocked off the stairs and into the gaping pit! The startled dwarf cries out as he falls into darkness! In mere moments, Salem is beyond the range of your sight. You all can hear his screams as he plunges deeper into the pit. Suddenly there is a crushing thud and then there is silence…

"That is not the way one should die," Daraden says grimly. There's nothing he can do for his fellow dwarf, but he knows that they might now have vistors. "Look lively lads and lasses," he says. "we might be having company sooner than we want now."

To the others, Aria adds, “Eyes to the rear lads. We have to every reason to believe what happened reached enemy ears. I don’t want any more losses!”

Daraden will remain alert, dividing his attention between the stairs and possible enemy advances. He will signal for Darkfang to remain alert as well, indicating trouble could be finding them soon.

Grondar:

Aria wrote:To the others, Aria adds, “Eyes to the rear lads. We have to every reason to believe what happened reached enemy ears. I don’t want any more losses!”

Since he's already in the rear with Oran, Grondar will stay there and keep his eye on the stair behind. "We'll make sure of that, Lady Aria!"

Post Closed