Delve the 9th

[acodispo]

Wiglaff has an idea for an amusing experiment to try.

"Edgar, a flask of holy water, please!"

Assuming ignition below, once the oil fire is going nicely, Wiglaff will drop the holy water into the center of it.

Mental Floss: Why You Shouldn't Use Water to Extinguish a Grease Fire

[Makofan]

The result of all these machinations is a spectacular fiery explosion that sends a plume of flame up the shaft, and doubtless has spread in whatever underground area is below

[coffee]

Rhod looks at all these machinations and blinks.

"Y'know," he says."I'm bloody glad I'm on your side!"

[mushgnome]

Franklin ducks back so his eyebrows don't get singed. He hopes the flames didn't destroy the ladder! He thoughtfully munches on a strip of apple jerky, which he shares with Sconces, while waiting for the flames to die down so the damage can be assessed. If there is no sign of life (or undead life) then he volunteers to go down the ladder for a look-see, since he's the fastest and sneakiest party member.

[coffee]

"Why don't we tie a rope to you, in case the ladder is damaged?"Rhod says. "We wouldn't want you stuck down there."

[mushgnome]

"Tee hee! Hobbit on a string!!" Franklin loops the rope snugly around his chest, under his armpits. He commands Sconces to 'stay.'

[Makofan]

Does Franklin take a torch with him?

[mushgnome]

Franklin lights his little lantern. If any bad guys chase him up the ladder, he can drop the lantern on their heads like a molotov cocktail, while his friends pull him up!

[acodispo]

Wiglaff is pleased with the effect of the holy water / flaming oil bomb, and makes a mental note of it for future use.

Being fairly strong, he will volunteer to be a hobbet hauler, and will pull Franklin back up as quick as he can if the brave halfling gives any indication to do so.

[Makofan]

The brave little hobbit inches down the ladder, until he makes the bottom, thankfully without incident. Half-burnt bodies strew the ground, eight all told. He finds himself in an irregular-shaped room. In one alcove is a huge pile of treasure. In another direction, is a door leading out

The room itself is damp with an earthen floor