Dongle the Dungeoneeror--CLOSED--Adventure #52

[Gray Shade]

I nodded in approval of his prudence. I then managed about three cautious steps back toward the stairs, keeping my eyes focused on the dim light issuing from that entryway, before stopping at a gutteral grumble that both my master and I recognized as the language of the dwellers of the dark, Undercommon. Translated as closely as possible to Common, the beast asked in an old, old voice, "It has been many years since I have been disturbed, but of late I've had many visitors. None, however, have had authority to enter. Prove that I am wrong now in assuming that you seek to pass without proper permission. Upon whose orders do you come to this place?"

I paused, waiting for my master to answer the beast or indicate that we should continue toward the stairs.

 

[Lazlow]

Dongle paused; rare it was that one had a chance to parlay with such denizens of the subterranean world. Then, peering into the darkness but remaining where he was, my master chose to answer, but I could sense himself preparing to spring to action should any trickery reveal itself. Toward this end, he also motioned that I continue to move back toward the stairs a bit further. He spoke:

"My orders are from the new lord of this keep, Maurak'Gunar. I have been charged to clear the lower levels of any... Inconveniences to his lordship," he stated plainly in the same language, although I did detect just a smattering of irony when he referred to the rat-faced gentleman's alleged rank (quite a feat, mind you, given that Undercommon does not readily lend itself to such subtleties of the spoken word).

Smiling now at the novelty of the situation in which we found ourselves, he added, "...And to whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?" It warmed my heart to see that even though we were in a dank, ancient dungeon, speaking with an arcanely empowered monster such as was the roper, there was no need to dispense with civility altogether.

 

[Gray Shade]

"You may know me simply as the watcher of the Black Keep. I do not recognize this Maurak'Gunar. If he claims to be master of this keep, then he is mistaken. I have been watcher here for nigh on 30 years and I have never heard of him, nor have my orders been altered. So I ask you a final time: upon whose authority should I allow you to pass?"

There was then a pregnant pause in the warm air. I focused as well as I could to provide any assistance my master may need.

 

[Lazlow]

Puzzled, the Diligent Dungeoneeror gave me an inquisitorial glance, but after a second of silent conference, the answer dawned on both of us: This roper had to have been put in service by the previous owner (and this, in fact, gave my master good cause to doubt the claims of the Orc-lord's "new" ownership.) Presently he gave his answer:

"On the authority of Duke Archibald of the Third Kingdom, Protector of Safe Haven, Scourge of the Twisted Forest."

He waited for the creature's response, ready to spring back up the stairs should the beast refuse my master's second answer.

 

[Gray Shade]

After a moment of staring into the black void of the room, there came the response.

"Yeah, okay, that sounds about right. Go ahead."

The dragging sound then recommenced, this time getting further away.

 

[Lazlow]

"Oh. Yes. Quite."

For a moment, Dongle was a bit at a loss as to what to do - it isn't every day that gruesome guardians of underearth dungeons actually allow you access to the caverns. Presently he spoke up once again.

"I say, Watcher, if I may have a moment of your time..." he said as he carefully made his way deeper into the darkness, wary of any more traps in the floor.

 

[Gray Shade]

Once Dongle had made his way up and past where he had been stopped earlier, the dragging sound ceased. The Roper's tired voice called out, "Such long conversations as these are not usually my way. But make your statement or ask your question if you must and allow me to rest again."

I, meantime, waited where I stood. Once the master had cleared the room, I would move up to him. I was in no rush to get deep into this room with traps still engaged (one of which Dongle disarmed while speaking with the Roper). When I did eventually move up, though, I would find the room scattered with the bodies of potential thieves.

 

[Lazlow]

"Yes, yes, of course, just a quick question: What can I expect in there? Anything I should be on the lookout for? Carrion crawlers, oozes, shambling mounds, gelatinous cubes?"

He didn't really expect much of an answer, seeing as how he had already somewhat tricked the roper into gaining access (which really just amounted to the roper leaving us alone) by claiming to have authority to enter (which would lead the roper to think that we had already talked to the Duke about the dungeon, were the roper inclined to such leaps of logic, which it probably wasn't), but my master had never been one to simply let any possible source of information go.

 

[Gray Shade]

There was a pause after his question so silent that I could hear Dongle's evenly-paced breath across the room. He looked back at me and I shrugged.

I believe we both had given up on an answer when with a smacking of oddly-shaped lips the Roper spoke in a suspicious tone: "You've nothing to fear under the Dark Keep, so long as you keep the seal of the Duke visible. It's been so long since anyone stopped to talk, usually they just try to kill me or run past, that I forgot to check for the seal on you. I do not see you wearing it. Perhaps you should take a moment to dig it out for my inspection. No need to come any closer."

We were both as surprised by this turn as we had been moments earlier when it spoke out in the first place. Ropers are malicious things, and not usually in a talkative mood, however, they are not known for being stupid, either.

For my part, I tensed, digging through my pack of holding for an everburning torch. On the off-chance that Dongle signalled me to go running across the room, I would need some light source.

* * * *

OOC: Ropers have Int 12. It apparently has Darkvision with a range further than your 60' as well, since you cannot see it, but it seems to be able to see you. Brabinger is about 40' back from you, and you don't know for sure how long the hall is, but it's about 40' wide and at least 100' long.

 

[Lazlow]

Dongle reached up and started patting himself down, feigning looking for the seal.

"Ah, the seal, yes. It appears in my haste to fulfill his lordship's desires I've left it in my pack, back up in the courtyard on my horse. I'll be but a moment," he concluded, quickly walking back toward the stairs and signalling me to do the same. "Had to take it just a little too far, didn't you Dongle old man?" he muttered under his breath.