[Ptolus/AD&D] In-character thread #1 - The Gold Ladder

[thedungeondelver]

"Do you know how deep it is and what the immediate layout at the bottom is?"

[Benoist]

"Do you know how deep it is and what the immediate layout at the bottom is?"

Cadfan answers first: "Five hundred feet. Maybe more. It's hard to tell. I've been there once. There's a large circular room at the bottom of this shaft, some smaller rooms around, and a large corridor leading to a strange door about... two hundred feet away? Maybe?"

Angharad cuts in: "My uncle bought this ruin some time ago and built the inn around it. He intends to use it as a gateway to the underworld, taking fees from would-be adventurers, that kind of thing. He went down, and found that whatever was down there, a shrine to some forsaken God or something, needed to be investigated first. He ... had helped some brothers of St. Fharlang escape the questions of the Church... and they proposed to help him investigate what's down there in return."

She takes a breath, and goes on: "I do not know what happened. About three days ago, they were down there exploring the place. And then something happened. There was a huge explosion, flames came back up here, in this room, for a brief moment."

"Only Delbaeth made it back. It's our alchemist here. He's an elf. He came back up, flying, and..." Angharad stops.

It is Cadfan who finishes the sentence. Amazingly, the dwarf's eyes seem to be watering as he says: "The elf. His entire body was burning. Like a torch. I put the flames out. But... I don't know if he's going to make it."

"The platform and ropes that were linked to this pulley there," as he points to the roof directly above the well, "everything's gone. Stayed down there, with everybody else."

[Drohem]

Five hundred feet down? Rissthil wonders to himself as he starts walking over to where Angharad and Ylarum are standing.  

He smiles genuinely at Angharad and says, "greetings Goodlady, I am Rissthil Tanlithrin.  I am truly sorry for your pain and suffering of late."

He motions back toward the hole and then the ceiling with his hand, and continues, "however, this job is a serious undertaking.  Well, I don't mean to seem callous, but what are you offering as compensation?"

[Benoist]

She smiles, then sighs, cynical, but neither frustrated nor angry. "It is alright. I did not expect you to work for naught. I am sure my uncle would welcome his rescuers and reward them handsomely, probably in the hundreds of imperial thrones*. Maybe more."

"You would get a significant cut of whatever would be found directly down there as well. The particulars would be up to my uncle, since he's the owner of this place, but I assure you: Bertold is no selfish man. He would not rob you of any reward you would have earned."

"I'm afraid I can't promise much more at this point. If ... Well. If something happened to my uncle, we will still be able to talk about it when you decide to come back to the surface."

* DM: Imperial Gold Coins.

[Cole]

"Mistress," says Ulas,

"My blade is at your beckon call."

He stands, then bows neatly.

"Forgive me - I am Ulas Xegg, a swordsman of some small talent. Now, before we descend, was there anything else you learned from poor Delbaeth?"

He approaches more closely, and leans against the wall for support.

[winkingbishop]

Slipping clumsily from his stool, Friar Othos nods at Ulas' words.  "Yes indeed.  Pray tell us of his condition or if we could aid him somehow before our departure." Clearing his throat, Othos continues, "I am Friar Othos, a sworn Son of Mocharum the Dwarf Lord.  If we should tend to him, only say the word.  After all, he may have information vital to all of us, this party and your uncle included."  

[Benoist]

It is Cadfan who answers: "He is resting in my care, in this very building. He is healing, or at least his flesh is. But somehow his mind seems to slip away. He is delirious. His words do not make much sense..."

"Maybe they should see him, Cadfan."

Cadfan winces. "Fine. Who's coming with me?"

[Cole]

It is Cadfan who answers: "He is resting in my care, in this very building. He is healing, or at least his flesh is. But somehow his mind seems to slip away. He is delirious. His words do not make much sense..."

"What did he say? Senseless answers may later make sense when the right question arises."

[Benoist]

"What did he say? Senseless answers may later make sense when the right question arises."

"I will take you to him. You and the Friar. But that's it! Alright?"

[Cole]

"I will take you to him. You and and the Friar. But that's it! Alright?"

"If you can recall his discourse to memory we need not disturb his rest."

[Drohem]

Rissthil nods in acknowledgment toward Cadfan at his words.

He turns back to Angharad, smiles, and says, "that is fair and agreeable.  Thank you for your kindness at my crassness."

[Benoist]

Cadfan tries to remember: "Something about colors and rainbows. He kept going on about that. 'Too many colors, burning rainbows, things swirling, begging me to stop everything from moving, something like that."

[Cole]

Cadfan tries to remember: "Something about colors and rainbows. He kept going on about that. 'Too many colors, burning rainbows, things swirling, begging me to stop everything from moving, something like that."

"Did he make any utterance that sounded like even part of the description of a place?

[Benoist]

"Did he make any utterance that sounded like even part of the description of a place?

Cadfan puts his hand on his beard and thinks. "I... can't say I remember anything like that, no."

[Drohem]

"I am but a dabbler in the Arcane Art," Rissthil says thoughtfully, "but, there are spells that might cause such descriptions of their visual effects."

Looking at Ulas, Rissthil says, "if you can, try to verify if the explosion was caused by them or something else.  If he was the alchemist, then maybe the explosion was an accident."