Chapter Six - Dread Descent

[JohnnyWeird]

"Indeed, Captain. Victory favors those who take pains."

Maclaren touches the strap of his haversack. Nobody who hadn't seen him load himself down on the ship would believe it contained much of anything.

"Though I hope we meet nothing but ease on this trip, the company is well-guarded against...eventualities."

[AdamDaBomb11]

Grask takes one look at the hole and then at Simira. "Did you account for her?" He says to Irgzid. "If not. How far is the descent? I may have a way to get her down if it isn't too far."

[Eanwulf]

"I can go last," comments Mamoon as response to Grask's comments "I'm far from weak or sickened in any manner and could bear the brunt of Simira's weight if need be." The rotund Bakluni smiles momentarily.

[Vardaen]

Daerith looks over the edge too, "Alrgith, pile on." Daerith double checks his Eagle Cape, making sure its fluffed out and read should he need its power to float to the ground if this 'elevator' happens to break on them part way down. "No more delays, let's move."

[JohnnyWeird]

Nodding at Daerith's instruction, Maclaren moves onto the platform. From his haversack he draws two rods, holding one in each hand, but his attitude is one of complete ease.

[Trogdor]

GM

Okay, that happened to be a good point to pause. Not in the middle of a fight or anything. But now let's move onward!

The lift can only take two people at a time, unfortunately. Perhaps it could take three troglodytes. But with gear and armor, the Sea Wyverns consider it best to limit their use of the rickety winch to only two at once. They start with Daerith and Mamoon to guard the bottom. Then Maclaren and Irgzid follow. Then Simira on her own, and finally Grask and Abigail.

It's a sixty foot descent through a narrow tunnel to a small passage below. It takes time to work the lift, and it's not without it harrowing moments. One time in particular, a board breaks when Simira is being lowered, and it's all Grask can do to keep his companion calm. But after a moment's worry, the downward trek resumes and the giant lizard gets safely to the bottom. Eventually everyone is there and you all start onward toward a large cavern not thirty feet down the passage.

The narrow passage leads to a cavern ahead. Trickles of water emerge from a crack in the ceiling of this cavern, splitting into numerous rivulets that roll slowly down stalactites and drip off into the deep, milky pools that dot the floor of this chamber.

Before getting to the cavern, Irgzid warns that what looks like water in the cavern will really be acid, and that the acid leads to toxic air in the cavern. You should be okay near the tunnel up, as fresh air sinks down into the cavern from above. But he cautions you that when you do venture through the cavern, you should do so quickly, heading for the exit on the far side. It goes without saying - though he says it anyway - that you should avoid the large pools of acid in the cave. It's unfortunate that the cavern is so dangerous, he notes. But it's perfectly safe if you hurry through.

GM

Hooray for having Irgzid with you. Without him, the cavern would look a lot more harmless.

[Vardaen]

Daerith holds the safety of the bottom of the lift, until each person has arrived. Once everyone is here he looks into the cavern, "Acid pools, and clouds of acidic gas. This should be fun, no one use open flame." He has already enchanted Torothalion with a simple light spell, and has it in hand. "We will want to move swiftly but not recklessly. Are we ready? If anyone has a long term protection spell, now is the time." He opts to not cast at the moment, and then points at Irgzid, "You first we'll follow." He's right behind the the Troglodtye second in the line.

[AdamDaBomb11]

Grask turns to Irgzid. "How long are we likely to be travelling through the acidic clouds? I have the abiliry to protect us from it, but only for an hour or two."

[Trogdor]

"Oh, not very long," Irgzid replies. "It's a hundred yards or so. We should be across within a few dozen heartbeats. We should be able to hold our breaths long enough to cross. We just don't want to breath in any of the acid, or stay too long in the chamber."

[JohnnyWeird]

Maclaren's rods disappear as he steps off the lift, no sign of agitation at the precarious descent on his face.

Heeding Irgzid's warning, he breathes in deeply before following the Captain briskly.