IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[Voadam]

"The pine pitch torches we made will last several hours. I don't plan for us to spend multiple days down in the goblin's den. Even if we have to spend multiple days searching we should come back out to rest at night. The underground area may not be that extensive and the victims might be within easy reach down there. I would not want to delay that for another couple of days simply to get extra torches when we have multiple hours worth already. Jerek, I simply want to know if the knotted rope is long enough to make a harness for Terrek when we need to come back up before I send him down."

 

[JimAde]

Jerek shrugs. "Looks like it to me," he says non-commitally.

[OOC: Jerek doesn't actually have Use Rope skill ranks! Sorry. He has a +3 modifier for dex, though. If we take 10 with someone helping (Aid Another) we can succeed on a DC 15 "special knot" roll to make the harness. I can't believe none of us brought rope or a light source. What kind of adventurers are we? ]

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko nods. He sticks one of his torches in his belt and glances at the propsed descension. "It's a sturdy knot with a moderate climb down, on a rough surface with a knotted rope. I don't see a problem. I will go first, if none other will. We do have a quest, and after all they're worth double alive." He starts down the wall, assuming nobody will stop him. Over his shoulder he calls "I would appreciate if someone with a strong arm would be at my back." With that, he swings his legs over the edge, and starts down.

 

[JimAde]

Jerek says, "I'll cover you. Just in case." He quickly readies his bow and stands at the top of the cliff, poised to shoot anyone who might come out to menace the bold mage.

 

[Voadam]

Jair readies his sling just in case along with Jerek as the Chultian heads down.

 

[IndyPendant]

Lehko makes his way down to the ledge without very much difficulty by going slowly and carefully. As Dengar starts down after him, Lehko takes a look around himself in the dimness. The wide but rough ledge overlooks a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it, and a roughly hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge, descending into darkness.

Unfortunately, Lehko fails to spot them until it's too late.

Three huge rats--each half the size of Lehko himself!--dart out of the rubble before he can react, and surround him!

((Lehko and Dengar are taking 10 on climb checks, DC 0. Dengar is currently 20' down the rope, 30' from the ledge. Jayaint, Jair, and Heirmund stand at the top ready to act; Ydyr would need to ready a ranged weapon if he wants to strike. Note that you will not be able to take 10 while climbing during a combat situation.))

((Lehko's spot roll: 10+0-5=5. Rats' hide check: 21. The rats used the surprise round to move into melee range with Lehko; 2 of the rats are flanking him, and the third 'flanks' him with the cliff wall.))

((Initiative order: Heirmund/14; Lehko/12; Dengar/11; Ydyr/10; Jerek/9; Rats/7; Jair/2))

 

[Voadam]

Since speak with animals lasts a whole minute and is personal range instead of to a limited distance it should still be going so I will try shouting at the rats in rat speak "Danger! Not food! Not food! Back away! Bad magic! Back away! Danger!"

Druidic animal empathy.

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Not ready to wait for Jair's chittering to be effective, Lehko takes action. He turns to face the one closest to the edge, crosses his arms before him and begins a deep hum in his chest that rises in pitch and volume. He sweeps his arms downward and with a gutteral shout.

[[Designating one of the flanking opponents with Dodge, taking a Defensive Casting action to cast Force Wave against the rat closest to the edge of the pit.]]

 

[jayaint]

Ydyr will delay to see where his help is needed most, and how clogged the rope-climbing is.

 

[Voadam]

"Heirmund, ready your feather fall for Terrek." Once Heirmund nods or signifies that he is ready Jair tells his trusty wolfhound to leap down to protect Lekho, trusting in the gnome's magic.