[3.5] Ryclend Deephold

[Daryk]

Shrugging his shoulders, but not relaxing his over watch of the darkness, Halad nodded to Rukesh.

[Gryndel]

Drynch grins broadly as he shrugs, "Either that, we go through the darkness, or we just wait."

If others are willing, he will wait for Rukesh to join him and try to break down the stone door.

Spoiler: OOC:

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Map is the same except Rukesh is next to Drynch

Str check (DC 23) (1d20+8)[11] ((+2 Rukesh aid))
once per day ability to add his cleric level to strength for 1 rd

Spells
Drynch: Magic Vestment (+2 on his armor, 9 hrs), Mass Resist Energy (All, Cold 20, 90 minutes), Smite Giant (1/4)

[Gryndel]

A loud clang as the pair bashes into the door, but it doesn't even budge.

With a grunt the dwarf glances at Rukesh, "Try again?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Bull's str 1/day, +2 aid from Rukesh
(1d20+8)[24]

[Gryndel]

The door finally gives way to reveal a hallway that leads to the south, then turns back to the east. Once everyone is around the corner and advancing, Drynch and Rukesh can see that it leads into the same room where they fought the ogres, just before the entire hallway is filled with inky impenetrable darkness.

The dwarf curses under his breath, then mutters, "I say we press on and see how many times an Oni can use magic darkness. Could be a likely place for traps too. What say ye all?"

Spoiler: OOC

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[Duskranger]

Ferdinand

We could temporarily stay here and just see how long the darkness stays. It gives them possibly more time to prepare for us. But it would also show us . Besides that a hallway like this is possibly with opponents like them more advantageous for us. They are reasonably big and broad, so will have difficulty traveling through a hallway like this. Though I will place my voice with the group that has the majority. Ferdinand speaks softly.

[Grodech]

Frustrated with his darkvision not being able to penetrate the magical darkness, Rukesh says "I'm with ya' Drynch."

[Daryk]

Halad scowled at the darkness and said, "I'd prefer to return to the Inn and obtain something to dispel the darkness, but if someone else is willing to trip the inevitable traps waiting for us, by all means..."

[Gryndel]

Drynch shrugs, "Traps aren't that hard to find, especially if they involve stone. I even have a spell that aids me in such a search. It's the damnable darkness I'm concerned about."

He grins, "Let's wait a bit. If we decide to call it a day and head back, there's no hurry. I suggest Halad and Ferdinand keep eyes on the other room while Rukesh and I watch the hallway."

[Duskranger]

Ferdinand nods and smiles. Than turns around and vigilantly starts watching the agreed upon side of the hallway.

[Gryndel]

So they wait, a minute, five minutes, ten minutes... no change.

Drynch heaves a resigned sigh and grumbles, "Ok, so we retreat for now. We'll talk later." He says nothing else, looking around suspiciously as he walks to the door that leads out and pulls out his key.

[Daryk]

Nodding once, Halad said, "Agreed". Gesturing for Ryn to come closer, the elf then withdrew his key from a pouch and returned to the inn.

[Grodech]

Rukesh gives an exasperated sigh, and follows suit, grabbing his key and summoning the gateway back to his room at the inn.

[Gryndel]

Once reunited with his companions at the inn, Drynch says, "So we go back early tomorrow, prepared to deal with the foes we know are there. I can change a few spells to help deal with darkness and traps. Of course they'll get their powers back too, and who knows what they'll do before we return."

After a few gulps of ale, he adds, "I'm surprised that goblin cleric and his minions didn't attack us. Maybe they were waiting in the dark for us, or maybe they've relocated in the dungeon."

Let me know the location on the map where you each activated your key.
Drynch E15

[Grodech]

"Well, we've taken out a few of his minions." Rukesh says. "The giants, the ice devil, the winter wolves, plus all the goblins we've killed. Maybe he's in short supply."

[Gryndel]

"Aye," Drynch chuckles and drains his mug, "and we can add the white dragon to that list as well. I suspect that goblin priest is mighty upset with us at this point."

[Grodech]

"Well, he shouldn't be there to start with." Rukesh says with a chuckle.

[Daryk]

"After a day, who knows where it might be..." Halad said, glumly staring into his elven liquor.

[Gryndel]

Drynch swigs down his latest tankard of ale and chuckles, "Aye, good points both. Well, nothing new to our plan then, other than the new spells for the morrow. We finish that first level as quickly and efficiently as possible, then move on to the stairs and see what the second level has in store for us."

The dwarf stays up drinking and eating while chatting with his companions until they retire for the night. He has at least one more drink after they leave for their room before heading up to his own.

The next morning all three have a note that was slipped under their door during the night. It simply asks them to visit Elduin, the elf mage and co-owner of the Inn, before departing. He's easy to find, being the one who tends to the place in the morning. Drynch grumbles about it a bit, but greets the elf with an expectant visage when he comes down for breakfast.

[Daryk]

Halad rose as usual, and contemplated the note briefly before heading down for breakfast. Joining Drynch, he asked Elduin, "What news?"

[Grodech]

Rukesh's stony face remains silent in the morning, greeting Elduin with a nod and a smile as they enter. With Halad already posing the question, there was no need to do it again.

[Gryndel]

Elduin asks how the dungeon exploring is going as a way to open the conversation. He seems genuinely interested in hearing what all they've found so far, and how they plan to proceed. After this simple conversation is concluded he says, "I have devised a means to create new keys to allow other to join you without making the initial journey. You must simply take a new key with you, the act of returning to the spot you left will trigger the magic in it, allowing another to go along on the next return trip."

Drynch harrumphs and asks, "So, long ears, have anyone in mind?"

Elduin chuckles, "No, though with your collective permission I can start offering the position to likely candidates as they might arrive. I might even send out advertisements to nearby towns. Unless, of course, you have others in mind that would like to journey here and join you?"

Drynch shrugs, "None I know of right now. You do the recruiting, then we'll interview them and make a decision about them joining us."

Elduin looks to the other two for any other input.

[Grodech]

"Hopefully it will be someone with the mettle to stick with us." Rukesh says. "You got one of those keys for us to take now, or do you still need to create them?"

[Daryk]

Halad nodded and said, "Agreed. After those last few fights, help would be most appreciated!"

[Gryndel]

"I have two prepared," Elduin replies to Rukesh as he produces a pair of keys from a pouch and lays them on the table, "and more in the process of being prepared. You need only take these with you, and they will be activated when you next return here with your keys. You must keep them in this plane, so they cannot be stored in extradimensional spaces while in the dungeon."

Drynch grunts and says, "Whoever you get better be ready to do battle, and not be too disagreeable."

He smiles at Halad and nods to the dwarf, "I will do my best to recruit capable and compatible companions. Now, go rest, I am certain you deserve it, and certainly need it."

[Grodech]

Rukesh take the keys, putting one in his own pocket, and handing the other to Drynch.

"Off to Deephold again, then?" Once he confirms the others are ready to go, he heads back to his room and activates his key to take him back to the spot they left.

[Daryk]

"Uh, I think it might be worth waiting for the new recruits before we head back..." the confused elf said.

[Grodech]

"He didn't say he had any yet." Rukesh says. "That's what these new keys are about. We take them with us, then if he has someone when we get back, we give them the new key and they can go back with us instead of having to go through the initial trip like we did. Even if there was someone now, we still have to go back without them in order to activate these keys." He looks back at Elduin and says "Right?"

[Daryk]

Before Elduin responded, Halad nodded and said, "Ah, that makes sense... shall we?"

[samduke]

as per gm request post removed

[Daryk]

Only slightly startled, Halad turned to the newcomer and said, "Oh, uh... as far as we know. Welcome!"