Immersive Ink

Dame Simonetta pushes on the door-shaped area, but it won't budge. Perhaps it responds to a pass-phrase like the other doors?

"Yes... perhaps it does," Dougal says aloud, surprising even himself, seeing as how nobody had spoken...

Kiplyn suggests "Say the next rule, which one we at 4 or 5. Let me remember... something something new members of the Club. Oh yeah, NO SPOILERS for new members of the Club

It works! When Kiplyn speaks the next Rule, the door makes a mechanical 'click,' and our Heroes are able to push it open and enter the next area (#6 on the map). This next cavern has a high ceiling and a slight upward breeze suggesting a 'chimney' effect that keeps the Caverns well-ventilated. To their right side, our Heroes see another deep chasm that slices to the northwest. Far below, they hear an occasional distant 'splash' of water. There is a 20' wide ledge running along the south edge of the chasm, if the Hobbets wish to continue to the west. On their left side, to the south, our Heroes see a well-worn tunnel; it is about 10' wide and tall, and does not count as a 'tight squeeze.'

OOC: I hope the map is clear enough to the new players? The sort of 'airbrush' shading represents unexplored areas at the edge of torchlight.



Full size image: https://photos.app.goo.gl/i9Egen9hVNnskCVf7

Dame Simonetta looks to the other Hobbets. "Which way did you go last time, and which way are we going today?"

She will look carefully up at the ceiling before exiting into the new chamber.

Willie looks left & right, and gnaws on a knuckle in thought.

"I think we went this way last time," he says, pointing south-ward. "Let's go the other way & see if we see anything familiar! And watch the ceilings..."

OOC: The ceiling is way higher than 30' and beyond the reach of the Hobbets' feeble torchlight. But your point is well taken: Our Heroes are wary of Spider-Goats and other creepy-crawlies, and will carefully scan in all three dimensions as part of their 'standard operating procedure' from now on. For what it's worth, there is no sign of danger at the moment...

That's one vote to go west-northwest, along the rim of the chasm. What do the rest of you think?

Noh keeps one eye on the ceiling and agrees with Willie, "the other way it is!"

OOC: That's two votes to explore west-northwest. Anyone want to call 'thirdsies' and we'll move the show along?

Kipyln would nod in agreement."Sure is dark and quiet down here..."