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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8056156" data-attributes="member: 7015827">After several minutes, just as Rahnee and Dermot were beginning to get worried, a shout from Shanni was heard. She yelled up the shaft, informing them that there was a big cavern and a hole with stone that Darrow said was funny-looking; she then asked if they were coming down. Before her two companions had a chance to respond, sounds of fighting were heard below and Shanni’s torch vanished from sight again. A minute later, she shouted and tugged on the hanging rope for attention.In response to a query from Rahnee about bringing Shanni up, Darrow shouted back that there were a few little pests down there, but nothing big...yet. The dwarf was in favor of the other two joining them below, but Rahnee insisted they come back up so everyone could coordinate their plans, telling Shanni to rope up first. A minute later, Shanni tugged on the rope and yelled up that there was trouble. Despite not wanting to leave Darrow alone, the dwarf insisted that she get moving. Rahnee and Dermot, tired from their earlier efforts, slowly and jerkily pulled Shanni up the shaft to the top. The diminutive rogue urged them to get the rope back down quickly, as there was a “sodding great big stone like thing” coming for Darrow. They dropped the rope end back down the shaft and were relieved when they could feel the dwarf tying it around him.Rahnee, Dermot and Shanni then braced the rope and tried to haul Darrow up. The rope slipped from Dermot’s tired fingers and the other two on the first try could not get Darrow up to the shaft at the top of the cavern, with Rahnee taking most of the strain. Dermot grimly grasped the rope again and heaved along with the others, getting Darrow to a point where the dwarf could use his own strength to brace himself on the side of the shaft.Rahnee yelled for Helrud’s help, but the dwarven scout retorted that there were too many big folk in the way for him to assist. Rahnee, Dermot and Shanni braced themselves as Darrow decided to manhandle his way up the rope. Rahnee’s grip gave way, but Dermot provided sufficient anchor for Darrow to make his way out of the shaft. The dwarf, still cheery, said that it was faster for him to climb up himself rather than be hauled up, since they all had the strength of punch-drunk moon elves. Darrow received no arguments from his exhausted companions, but did get a tired grin in response from Rahnee.Darrow related that there were lots of “little beasties” and then one big beastie that seemed to have been attracted to their shouting; it was huge and looked like stone, according to Shanni. They killed it, but she warned there might be more of them, standing on tippy-toe and gesturing to show how tall it was. Darrow said that it was a big cavern – large enough to be a dragon’s lair - and thought it would be worth further exploring, in response to a question from Rahnee.All agreed it would be best to locate Aerikoth and explore the cavern as a group. Helrud declined to go down with them, saying that someone needed to keep an eye on their gear; he was also unsure if a “mature” dwarf like him would fit down the shaft, which drew a smile from Rahnee. She and Dermot then re-examined the old winch and collaborated to rig the rope to it to better support their descent. Dermot tied it with a complicated knot to ensure it would not unravel under the strain.</blockquote>

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