(004) The Dunjon Door

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Ulric heads cautiously out into the evening drizzle to collect what dry kindling and wood he can find. With the intermittent rain, most of that which he comes across in the courtyard and its immediate surrounds is wet, but he eventually returns with a small bundle of twigs and sticks that are merely damp and will likely keep a small fire burning for half the night.

When he returns he find that the others have barricaded the top of the stair with the charred long-table turned on its side. Taines has chopped up the remains of the burned chairs to supplement the firewood, and it looks like there will be fuel good for the whole night.

The windows are shuttered, and as evening deepens toward night, a small fire and several torches are lit. The torches are placed in brackets on the wall which appear to have been designed for exactly this purpose and soon everyone settles in to consume their very modest evening fare.

All are impressed by the glamour of the modest treasures won from the spider, and so despite the wounds suffered by Olaf and Dieter, you are in agreement that your luck has held thus far.

As the first pair of torches begin to burn low, Taines and Rodrick prepare to take the first watch. The others abandon their armour, pull out their bedrolls and blankets and settle in to get what rest they can...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The night temperature drops quickly as the wind gets gustier, and the the rain becomes heavier. As the night slowly turns, Taines and Rodrick listen to the rain, the rattling shutters, and the distant cries of wolves...

A good while after the torches have burned out, and near half the firewood has been burned, the first watchmen wake Victor and Mads for the second watch, and turn in themselves to get some rest...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
The rain abates sometime during the deepest part of the night, but the wind does not slacken.

Victor and Mads build the fire up somewhat to stay warm as they intermittently check the perimeter by peering out of the arrow slits. All about the wilderness is bleak, wet and windy. A good night to be indoors, they conclude grimly.

When both the fuel and the night are mostly spent they awake Anwyn and Caine before returning to the refuge of their bedrolls...

[waysoftheearth]

waysoftheearth wrote:
Anwyn and Caine see out the bleakest watch without incident -- and largely by torch light for the fire's fuel is spent well before dawn.

The new day is crisp and still, with everyone's breath condensing in the chilly morning air.

Both Olaf and Dieter are feeling strong and well rested and ready for anything. Each has recovered 3 hit-points for a full night's uninterrupted rest (equal to their constitution chance-in-6).

[waysoftheearth]

Harry wrote:
(OOC - Away until Friday, Standing orders- Taine will happily engage any foe, lead the dunjon party etc)

[waysoftheearth]

tombowings wrote:
After eating a hardy breakfast of dried rations, Rodrick devotes himself meditation and prayer. Once again Rodrick will memorize the Supplication of Medicant Requite.

[waysoftheearth]

danhem wrote:
Ulric wakes early, eats a light meal and then settles himself near the remains of the fire to study his ancient Grimoire. He hunches over the large tome and reads through the complex incantation required to bring forth The Word of Anthracite Sufferance.

[waysoftheearth]

TheMyth wrote:
Anwyn will eat breakfast, then go down to listen for movement from the dungeon level.

[waysoftheearth]

makofan wrote:
Caine will cram on some rations and follow Anwyn

[waysoftheearth]

eris wrote:
Olaf stretches and then while seated cross legged on the floor breaks his fast with his rations and sips of water. While eating he chats with those that went down the stairs the previous evening...

"It sounds from your description like those first doors were dungeon cells for prisoners from back in the old days when this keep was occupied and not in ruins. The last door, though, was different...more like an entry to another area." Olaf muses, "Do you think the hobgoblins we found here retreated past that door into the bowels of the earth?"

When the party is ready to continue their explorations, he is ready to join them.