Ptolus: 165 Vock Row - "Rat-catchers"

[Vdou]

Ella seems a bit dismayed at the prospect of a warbly tune.

"Oh, well let's get on with this then. The map says there should be an entrance inside here somewhere..."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The watchmen part with some grumbles about Delvers and let the group from Kunstlerhaus through and into the darkened lower level of the Clock Tower. The library research was correct: Ignored by the watchmen is a set of well-worn stone steps descending into the darkness below street level.

 

[Filthy]

Standing at the top of the steps, looking down, Valana pauses. "So ... who wants to go first?"

 

[Fyrie Windlitened]

Looking at the others to see if there are any eager volunteers, Mairan steps forward and says "I've never seen a rodent I was afraid of, I can move in first." She turns and looks at the rest waiting to see if anyone stops her.

 

[Wool]

Thurst continues to ignore his companions, lost in his own world of gears and schematics. As a matter of fact, during the trip to the tower and during the entire previous exchange he did nothing but explain in intricate detail how engineering can benefit "you". So caught up in his logic and explanations, the dwarf didn't even realize that the only person paying attention to him was a tragically confused gnome that thought Thurst was a tour guide teaching a seminar on how to get a job in the city.

Upon arriving at the tower, he abruptly ended his diatribe and marched straight in. "Bloody hell! This is what they fired me for? This was their grand idea? Add bats? Really? I didnae think this junk-heap could get any worse."

Snapping out of his reverie, Thurst notices Mairan and unapologetically returns to the task at hand. "Oh aye, right. Here let me help you." Thurst walks forward and begins to prod and push her down the steps.

 

[Aeshen]

Aeshen moves in behind Mairan, subtely side-stepping the dwarf. "I don't want to be in the lead, but I should be close to it - just to keep an eye open for any traps that might be lingering" he explains casually.

As they move in Aeshen stays alert for any sights or sounds that might tell him something. He also seems to be scanning the area ahead of the party, as well as the walls, ceiling, and floor for anything amiss.

 

[Voca]

Mata had been staring at the steps, not quite believing she was really going to get to go down them. Thurst's cursing brings her to her senses, and she falls in behind as they head down the steps, desperately trying to remember everything her grandfather ever said about dungeoneering.

 

[Vdou]

Trailing behind a little while trying to follow her map, Ella steps carefully down into the dark.

"Mind your step, mind your step, mind your step" Ella repeats to herself.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The group descends into darkness. Below the clocktower, the steps end in what was probably a storeroom. A large hole has been knocked in the far wall, and all the debris long since moved away. Innumerable footprints mark a path between the hole and the staircase leading up to street level.

Some wag has chalked a message on the wall with faintly glowing chalk: "THIS WAY, ROOKIES!" with an arrow pointing into the hole.

 

[Vdou]

Ella peers at the chalked message and footprints. "Hardly the road less traveled."