Resting for a moment, the party regarded the ruins around them. Dermot noted that, unless there was something he had missed, it seemed that just the Sacrifice Pit was left to explore. Shanni pointed out that they still could go past their “friend”, nodding at the ghostly warrior Aronson still guarding the entry to the tower. Both Dermot and Darrow thought that would be a bad option, the dwarf wondering whether it would be better to take Aronson’s mortal remains to Reddansyr or to Westgate, with the idea of laying the spirit to rest. Aerikoth observed that they knew the tower was the way to go, as Aronson had mentioned that the fleeing hag had entered there.
Dermot and Darrow admitted that it would take a long time to remove Aronson’s remains and then return, at least two days even with Aerikoth’s spells. The wizard cast further doubt on that option, saying it would be possible that Aronson’s spirit could still remain guarding the entrance. Darrow thought they would still be no worse off, but Shanni – impatient as usual – thought time was of the essence, with the hag having recently passed. Dermot reluctantly came around to Shanni’s way of thinking, although he backed Darrow’s suggestion to look into the pit first.
The four adventurers retraced their steps into the cave and took inventory of their tools along the way. Dermot observed that they weren’t short of rope, but Shanni wished that they had more holy water. Once they reached the lip of the pit, Shanni peered over and down, but was unable to make out much in the blackness of its depths. Darrow, frowning at a red-stained rock, lit a torch and then tossed it over the side, counting out the four seconds before it landed with a faint thud, glowing like an ember below them. The dwarf then cursed at the realization of how long a way down it was.
Shanni suggested they use two ropes and Dermot sprung into action, hitching some rope to one of the stakes protruding from the ground, then working to sailors-knot two lengths together, as Darrow nodded his approval of the ranger’s work. The petite rogue asked him to tie the rope around her, then handed her pack and bow over as well, so she would not be overly encumbered. Dermot coiled it around her waist, then left Shanni to tie it into a kind of harness, looping around both her legs and through the belt. She took a good look over the near-vertical edge, trying to decide on the best way down, then redid the loops of rope she had made, so she could lower herself down using them as an anchor. She made it clear that she would need to be hauled back up again, though, warning her companions not to go anywhere.
As Shanni lowered herself over the edge, she slipped on the slick rock and began falling, dropping rapidly out of sight. Aerikoth quickly told the others to grab the rope, the wizard not possessing sufficient strength, and Darrow was the first to respond. The dwarf attempted to slow the fall, but the rope was slack, due to how Shanni had rigged it. However, rather than a scream, they only heard a faint "oomph" from Shanni as she hit the bottom.
Dermot and Darrow admitted that it would take a long time to remove Aronson’s remains and then return, at least two days even with Aerikoth’s spells. The wizard cast further doubt on that option, saying it would be possible that Aronson’s spirit could still remain guarding the entrance. Darrow thought they would still be no worse off, but Shanni – impatient as usual – thought time was of the essence, with the hag having recently passed. Dermot reluctantly came around to Shanni’s way of thinking, although he backed Darrow’s suggestion to look into the pit first.
The four adventurers retraced their steps into the cave and took inventory of their tools along the way. Dermot observed that they weren’t short of rope, but Shanni wished that they had more holy water. Once they reached the lip of the pit, Shanni peered over and down, but was unable to make out much in the blackness of its depths. Darrow, frowning at a red-stained rock, lit a torch and then tossed it over the side, counting out the four seconds before it landed with a faint thud, glowing like an ember below them. The dwarf then cursed at the realization of how long a way down it was.
Shanni suggested they use two ropes and Dermot sprung into action, hitching some rope to one of the stakes protruding from the ground, then working to sailors-knot two lengths together, as Darrow nodded his approval of the ranger’s work. The petite rogue asked him to tie the rope around her, then handed her pack and bow over as well, so she would not be overly encumbered. Dermot coiled it around her waist, then left Shanni to tie it into a kind of harness, looping around both her legs and through the belt. She took a good look over the near-vertical edge, trying to decide on the best way down, then redid the loops of rope she had made, so she could lower herself down using them as an anchor. She made it clear that she would need to be hauled back up again, though, warning her companions not to go anywhere.
As Shanni lowered herself over the edge, she slipped on the slick rock and began falling, dropping rapidly out of sight. Aerikoth quickly told the others to grab the rope, the wizard not possessing sufficient strength, and Darrow was the first to respond. The dwarf attempted to slow the fall, but the rope was slack, due to how Shanni had rigged it. However, rather than a scream, they only heard a faint "oomph" from Shanni as she hit the bottom.