The next morning of Alturiak 16, the others awoke to find Rahnee sitting outside her room and counting the stones in the hallway floor. Darrow considerately asked her if she’d like an ale to start the morning off right, while Dinendal helpfully offered to provide a Calishite hangover remedy called “sheep’s breath.” (It is amazing that with so many adventurers afflicted, no one has succeeded in a quest to obtain the one true hangover remedy. --R) After a short time, Rahnee managed to stand and attempted to buckle her sword belt, which was only accomplished after she gave up and asked Darrow to do it for her. Once Aerikoth joined them, on the wizard’s suggestion they adjourned to Rahnee’s chambers for a private conversation, where Rahnee was informed of the previous day’s encounter with Iskar.
After breakfast, during which Darrow also asked for some lunches from his mother Nurina, the adventurers returned to their quarters and made ready for their expedition. As Iskar had asked, they first went to the temple in order to inform him they were ready and to obtain additional healing items. Darrow also rubbed the head of his acolyte brother Andin for good luck. Iskar told them that as soon as they left the temple, he would release the locking wards on the door to the deeper delves. The priest also advised them to seek out the shift leader in the mines for the latest news.
The four companions departed the temple and Darrow led them to the entrance to the clan mines. After a bit of searching in the mines, they found the dwarven shift leader yelling orders to several miners.
He readily shared with Darrow that the eastern diggings were currently not being worked and that the lower mine level, where the entrance to the Deep Delve was located, had been abandoned for some time. The shift leader wished Darrow and the others luck, although he was fearful of what they might find below and rejected Dinendal’s idea of trying to help the adventurers if they had to run away from any monsters. (This sort of behavior is why the stereotype of the 'fraidy elf' exists. --R)
The group made their way carefully across the bridge to the eastern diggings, hearing some rumblings in the distance. Once on the other side, they encountered a number of stink beetles, which had apparently moved in once the dwarven miners had vacated the area. The vermin were easily, if stinkily, defeated and the adventurers moved on to the next level down in the mines, also defeating an ooze they found by the stairs down. The lower mine level was dark and deserted. During their explorations, despite being careful, they were attacked by a number of crystal oozes that had congregated near a large underground pool. They also found a circular door in the eastern part of the mine level that was sealed tight.
Exploring further, they encountered an umber hulk in the northwestern part of the area, which was soon eliminated thanks to Aerikoth’s spells warding his companions against its confusion gaze. (An excellent piece of tactics, which I shall make a note to remember. --C) Just when they had relaxed, however, a second one appeared in a tunnel to their rear, surprising the wizard. His summoned dire bear was quick to react and protected its master, keeping the monster occupied and savaging it until the others came over to finish it off. Once the adventurers were sure that no other unwanted visitors were around, they finished exploring the tunnel complex and located a door which lead further downwards.
Darrow decided to absent himself for a short while, so the others took another look at the eastern door and then went back to the upper mine level to ask the shift leader about it. The dwarven miner informed them that it sounded like the old water tunnel, which had been sealed off to prevent an underground stream from flooding the mine.
Returning to the abandoned mine level, Rahnee, Aerikoth and Dinendal encountered some more crystal oozes by the pool. Rahnee this time used an empty potion bottle to collect some of the ooze material, to the consternation of Dinendal. Once the three made their way back to the door to the lower level, they found Darrow smacking his lips, the dwarf evidently having just finished a snack. After carefully opening the old stone door, which was unlocked, the adventurers descended to the Deep Delve.
After breakfast, during which Darrow also asked for some lunches from his mother Nurina, the adventurers returned to their quarters and made ready for their expedition. As Iskar had asked, they first went to the temple in order to inform him they were ready and to obtain additional healing items. Darrow also rubbed the head of his acolyte brother Andin for good luck. Iskar told them that as soon as they left the temple, he would release the locking wards on the door to the deeper delves. The priest also advised them to seek out the shift leader in the mines for the latest news.
The four companions departed the temple and Darrow led them to the entrance to the clan mines. After a bit of searching in the mines, they found the dwarven shift leader yelling orders to several miners.
He readily shared with Darrow that the eastern diggings were currently not being worked and that the lower mine level, where the entrance to the Deep Delve was located, had been abandoned for some time. The shift leader wished Darrow and the others luck, although he was fearful of what they might find below and rejected Dinendal’s idea of trying to help the adventurers if they had to run away from any monsters. (This sort of behavior is why the stereotype of the 'fraidy elf' exists. --R)
The group made their way carefully across the bridge to the eastern diggings, hearing some rumblings in the distance. Once on the other side, they encountered a number of stink beetles, which had apparently moved in once the dwarven miners had vacated the area. The vermin were easily, if stinkily, defeated and the adventurers moved on to the next level down in the mines, also defeating an ooze they found by the stairs down. The lower mine level was dark and deserted. During their explorations, despite being careful, they were attacked by a number of crystal oozes that had congregated near a large underground pool. They also found a circular door in the eastern part of the mine level that was sealed tight.
Exploring further, they encountered an umber hulk in the northwestern part of the area, which was soon eliminated thanks to Aerikoth’s spells warding his companions against its confusion gaze. (An excellent piece of tactics, which I shall make a note to remember. --C) Just when they had relaxed, however, a second one appeared in a tunnel to their rear, surprising the wizard. His summoned dire bear was quick to react and protected its master, keeping the monster occupied and savaging it until the others came over to finish it off. Once the adventurers were sure that no other unwanted visitors were around, they finished exploring the tunnel complex and located a door which lead further downwards.
Darrow decided to absent himself for a short while, so the others took another look at the eastern door and then went back to the upper mine level to ask the shift leader about it. The dwarven miner informed them that it sounded like the old water tunnel, which had been sealed off to prevent an underground stream from flooding the mine.
Returning to the abandoned mine level, Rahnee, Aerikoth and Dinendal encountered some more crystal oozes by the pool. Rahnee this time used an empty potion bottle to collect some of the ooze material, to the consternation of Dinendal. Once the three made their way back to the door to the lower level, they found Darrow smacking his lips, the dwarf evidently having just finished a snack. After carefully opening the old stone door, which was unlocked, the adventurers descended to the Deep Delve.