The Sunless Citadel [IC1]

[perrinmiller]

As the group heads South down the Old Road, it winds through rocky downs near stands of old-growth oak trees, and past a few abandoned farm shacks. The lonely road is empty of all travelers except for our adventurers. After about four hours that included a brief stop for a lunch break, they arrive at the site, according to the map where the Sunless Citadel is believed to be.

The Old Road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the road's closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens and opens into something more akin to a deep, but narrow, canyon. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most of them lean against the sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the darkness-shrouded depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.

<<If there was anything you wanted to do en route, just separate that part of your post with a horizontal line to eliminate confusion.>>

 

[Errandir]

Eivan points at the ravine. "Well, this looks about right for a sunken citadel, I think. I hope you brought that rope you were talking about," he adds, eying the crevice. "We may need it if we're supposed to get down there."

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Well I donno 'bout ye but me I got a rope." says the dwarf unfolding his rope from his pack.

 

[grufflehead]

Brunhilde peers over the edge of the precipice. 'Hmmph' she snorts, 'going to have to be a long rope to reach down there! Any of you lot any good at climbing?' she enquires of her companions. 'Maybe should have brought some things to hammer in as hand and footholds' she mutters to herself. 'Oh well, best be getting on with it - how much rope have you got? Enough to secure a bit here and take some down with us? I can climb down a bit and fasten the next section if it's too far for the rope to reach'.

The halfling begins to look for a likely spot to start climbing down.

 

[WarShrike]

"I've got 50' of rope" says Gregor. "You can carry it down if you'd like."

 

[perrinmiller]

Looking at the ravine, it's about 40 feet wide at this spot. Once closer, a sturdy looking, knotted rope is easily seen to be tied to one of the leaning pillars. The rope hangs down into the darkness below. Looking at the rope a little closer, it appears to be in good condition and couldn't have been tied there any longer than two or three weeks ago.

 

[Errandir]

Eivan walks curiously toward the pillar with the rope and points. "Well, look at that... someone's been here before us. Like as not it's the adventuring party we're looking for." He walks around the pillar and tugs at the rope as hard as he can, then nods in satisfaction. "Well, seems like they knew what they were doing this far, at least."

That said, he swings himself over the lip of the ravine and begins climbing down the rope. "Come on!" he yells, as he disappears over the edge. "No sense waiting around all day!"

[sblock=ooc]The rope "looks sturdy," so I assumed it felt sturdy too. If Eivan pulled on it and it didn't feel secure, ignore the rest of the post, since he wouldn't have climbed down.

Climb check: 1d20-1=6
[/sblock]

 

[WarShrike]

Gregor looks at the others and shrugs. He then proceeds to follow Eivan down.

Climb Check (1d20+2=10)

 

[grufflehead]

'Hurry up then' says Brunhilde, slinging her shield on her back and making sure her array of weapons are securely fastened or tucked in her belt, 'I'm not letting you two have all the fun!'.

She peers over the edge to see if Eivan is still on the rope - if there is a ledge or somewhere else to stand, she will start climbing as soon as Gregor and Eivan are off the rope.

Climb 1d20+6=12

 

[perrinmiller]

The rope appears to be strong enough for both Eivan and Gregor. There are also older and weathered hand- and footholds carved into the cliff face. The gnome and human are having no trouble climbing down the knotted rope.

About 50 feet below the edge of the ravine, a sandy ledge overlooks a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough. Sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals cover it. A roughly hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge, descending into darkness.

Eivan and Gregor are about halfway down to the ledge.