[IC] Industrygothica's "The Hive"

[jkason]

Shaimon Hu'u, barbaric human druid

"Very well," says Courage, looking at the boar corpse, "perhaps I am being over-cautious. With Dyspeer keeing guard, we should maintain our options. I expect our quarry is down, but that there will be additional threats along the North passage. Both ways make sense. Does anyone have a preference?"

Whichever way someone suggests, Courage will willingly lead the way along the path, battleaxe in hand.

Shai looks across the room, trying to see if there are more tracks down one path than another, especially interested in anything bipedal.

[sblock=OOC]If there's a difference between the amount / type of tracks in one direction or another, Shai will suggest following those. If not, he'll go with Courage's suggestion of the North passage barring further insight.[/sblock]

 

[industrygothica]

There are no more tracks leading to or from one tunnel than the other, though there are plenty at either. Judging the north tunnel to be easier without a climb, the party goes in that direction, with Courage at the lead.

The tunnel is about five feet in diameter, like the others. It winds and curves for about 30 to 40 feet, and then bends sharply to the left. Thankful for Shai's sunrod, Courage stops abruptly as this tunnel too begins a sharp downward slope.

The angle is such that you may be able to actually sit down and slide to the bottom, assuming it doesn't get any more vertical than it is.

As for the bottom, it can't be seen from your vantage point, so there's no telling how long it is, or how steep it gets.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"I am sorry Shai, it looks like Dyspeer's guarding skills will not avoid us heading downwards in any case. If someone wants to give me a rope, I can take it down to make the decent easier for the rest of you."

 

[DrZombie]

Jonas mutters under his breath 'Told you this was a bad idea'

 

[jkason]

Shaimon Hu'u, barbaric human druid

"I am sorry Shai, it looks like Dyspeer's guarding skills will not avoid us heading downwards in any case. If someone wants to give me a rope, I can take it down to make the decent easier for the rest of you."

Shai returns his warhammer to its place on his belt for a moment, then plops his heavy backpack on the ground. After a bit of rifling, he pulls a thick coil of rope out, offering one end to Courage.

"Will this do?" he asks. He looks around for a place to tie off the rope if need be as he waits for an answer.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Courage takes the rope and thanks Shai.

She then proceeds down the slope, rope looped around one hand, with her axe in the other.

 

[Mista Collins]

Jonas mutters under his breath 'Told you this was a bad idea'

"Oh come on, Jonas," Tanith says with a little smile. "This could be fun!"

Tanith then waits and watches Courage slowly proceed down the slope.

 

[DrZombie]

"Yes, yes. Getting bitten by giant ants in the unmentionables. Hilarious. Great. Oh what stories we'll tell our grandchildren, if we can still have them after this adventure." grumbles the Cleric as he prepares to slide down the rope after courage.

 

[industrygothica]

There is currently nothing to tie the rope onto, although the heavily muscled Shai could probably hold on to the rope while the others lower themselves down. He'll just have to take his chances when it's his turn. Unless anyone has a piton, that is.

Courage hangs on to the rope and slides down at least 40 feet before coming to another opening, spilling into a small cavern. The stench is overwhelming, but she manages to keep down her lunch.

The cave is damp and filled with stacks of neatly severed body part, apparently harvested from various animals, giant vermin, and even humanoids. They are all in various stages of decay, making the wretched stench almost visible. Lengths of timber and other building materials are stacked elsewhere in the cave, along with several barrels and crates. Some of the crates are marked with a gold rune that resembles an eagle in flight. Courage doesn't recognize the symbol.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Suspended at the end of the rope that Shai (or another) holds, Courage makes her way and describes the scene.

"It's not pleasant, and there were no obvious exits. I'm happy to explore the area if you wish, but perhaps we will find more fruitful paths elsewhere."

If others want her to go down and explore, she will happpily do so. Her dark eyebrows curve with interest at the possibility.