Insight's "The Isle of Dread" - Chapter One

[stonegod]

Skaros looks unfriendly at the clear sky, preferring shade. Seeing the large fountain, he instead sought one of the side cafés that such open places inevitably attracted. He whispered to the flying construct as he did so. Find us there if you can find us. If you cannot, let us know.

 

[JustKim]

Nafije had let her curiosity get the better of her and sank down with her light to inspect the man-made chips. But she took only a cursory glance before she became distracted by Skaros' message. "Oh!" she said, and only to herself this time. She rose, shook out the hem of her robe for fear of spiders and centipedes, and made to return and share her discoveries with Cassi, Questor, and Vrashek.

 

[Rhun]

Listening to Nafije relay the message, the half-orc finds himself nodding. "We shall find them there, to be sure. If Astra ever returns to us."

 

[Scotley]

"Yes, let's find a quiet spot to wait," agrees Geirgrim. He keeps his eyes open for his companions or trouble, whichever arrives first.

 

[Shayuri]

Dwarves? In a human city's sewers? Astra wonders. She places her hand on the door, ready to open it...but then frowns and takes it back.

It didn't smell right, metaphorically. Three or four dwarves...well, she could outrun them, but she couldn't outrun crossbow bolts. No, she wanted backup to investigate this. Between their singing, and the door, it should be safe for the others to come this far.

And if this was nothing bad after all, then no harm done.

Otherwise...well, best not to speculate.

She turned and hurried back to make her report to the others.

On arriving, the elf said, "There's a small group of what sounds like dwarves digging and singing behind a door. I can't think of a legitimate reason dwarves would be digging in a human sewer by night...but I know little of the ways of cities."

 

[Rhun]

Vrashek shrugs. "Well, it isn't really our concern, unless we have to go through them to join with our companions."

 

[Leif]

Questor, Halfling Chaos Sorcerer 6

"Agreed, let's leave them for now. And they might just be contract sewer workers anyway."

 

[Shayuri]

Astra frowned slightly, but nodded.

"So be it. They're making too much noise to overhear us, so it's not likely they're dangerous to us right now."

"Onward then."

She resumed moving towards the rendezvous...or towards what she hoped would be at least.

 

[drothgery]

"I certainly don't want to spend any more time in these sewers than we have to." Cassi adds, agreeing that they should head for the rendevous.

 

[Insight]

Inside the Secret Passage: Cassi, Nafije, Astra, Questor, and Vrashek
Everyone is gathered together once more, at the point where Nafije first spotted the strange cracks in the tunnel beyond.

As the group moves down the narrower, adjoining tunnel, each sees what Nafije spotted: cracks, scratches, and furrows in the stonework sides of the tunnel. The cracking is more pronounced in some places, but it appears that whatever was damaging the tunnel walls was fairly persistent throughout this area.

The tunnel continues generally north and turns slightly northwest after about 45ft.

Before she exits the tunnel, Astra notices a small scrap of wadded paper near some of the larger cracks.

[sblock=Astra]The paper is a note written in rough Dwarven. You'll probably need to find someone to read it (assuming Astra doesn't read Dwarven).[/sblock]

The narrow tunnel adjoins a large cistern in the chamber beyond. Even before reaching the cistern, the noise of rushing water becomes quite loud. The 15ft diameter cistern sits in the middle of a 40ft by 40ft square chamber. There is an exit out of this room on the other side.