The First Adventure

[mushgnome]

Dougal glances over at Willie and shrugs and turns back to the wall and says, "Johnnycakes?"

As Dougal speaks the word "johnnycakes," he hears a faint sound within the stone wall, like the clicking and whirring of a clockwork mechanism. After a few seconds, the noises stop. The door does not open.

[acodispo]

Willie hesitantly pushes on the door.

[waysoftheearth]

Tet grumpily decides he better conserve his torches for now, and wonders why he didn't bring a longer burning lantern.

Here, put some weight on it Tet suggests, leaning his considerable mass on the door-section of the wall.

[mushgnome]

Here, put some weight on it Tet suggests, leaning his considerable mass on the door-section of the wall.

Here, put some weight on it... As Tet speaks, the secret door makes more of the faint, whirring clockwork sounds. It's almost as though the door is processing Tet's words. After a few seconds, these sounds cease. No matter how hard Tet and his friends lean into it, the door will not budge. Brute force won't do it.

[acodispo]

Well, maybe...

Willie recites the rules of Adventure Club one by one as taught by Frederick:
"You do not talk about ADVENTURE CLUB.
You DO NOT talk about ADVENTURE CLUB!!
ESPECIALLY not to the HUMANS!!!
NO SPOILERS for new members of the Club.
No snooping around town or causing trouble with the humans.
Do not give in to Chaos!"

He pauses before the seventh rule, feeling silly at this point, but speaks it anyway, just in case.

"If this is your first time at ADVENTURE CLUB, you MUST enter the dungeon! "

[mushgnome]

Turn 8

You do not talk about ADVENTURE CLUB. You DO NOT talk about ADVENTURE CLUB!!

When Willie speaks the 2nd Rule, there is a loud click and the secret door opens just a crack. Willie pushes on the rock panel and the door swings open on well-concealed hinges. Willie's lantern light falls upon a short section of rock tunnel. It winds for about 20' and then ends in another door-shaped section of rock to the west.

The walls, floor, and ceiling of this hallway are covered with rainbow colored artwork. Generations of Adventurers have left their marks, signed their names, or scrawled playful graffiti. It's a who's who of Hobbet Heroes, the halfling equivalent of the Hollywood walk of fame. Nearly every square inch is covered in chalk writing or drawing, but there are still a few blank spots to be filled in. On the floor are several boxes of colored chalk.

[ehiker133]

Dougal picks up a dusty piece of charcoal-colored chalk and writes "Black Dougal" on the wall in a tiny, staccato script.

When he finally makes his way down to the door-shaped end of the tunnel, he says, almost angrily, "ESPECIALLY not to the HUMANS!"

[acodispo]

Willie takes a moment to scribe "WILLIE WAS HERE!" in several bright colours on a blank spot. Then he considers for a moment, and adds: "I'll be back soon" in smaller letters underneath.

Then he also presses onward to the next door, and waits to see if Dougal's admonition will open it.

[mushgnome]

Turn 9

Uttering the Third Rule unlocks the next secret door. A pathway leading south is revealed. On your left-hand side is a solid rock wall; to your right-hand side is a terrifying drop down into the unknown abyss! The way south continues at least 30' into the shadows.

More rainbow-chalk signatures cover the walls, floor, and ceiling. A few brave souls have climbed across the crevasse and made their chalk-marks on the opposite wall!

[waysoftheearth]

How d'ya like that? murmurs Tet thoughtfully. He writes his own name TET in upper case in a gap, then follows the others...