Chapter 8: A Puzzle

[Hywaywolf]

"Well there's a pool or water down there with something alive in it, and a passage leading up and away from it. The pools doesn't appear too deep. "

GM, how big was the room and how far from the hole to the floor. and how far from the dangling rope to the passage? Is it to far to swing to without landing in the water?

[Solomoriah]

About 20' square, Shybolt thinks. Swinging to the doorway might be possible, but he'd have to let go to land there. If he's very lucky, he might be able to hang on to the very end of the rope... but getting back up the rope would still expose him to a dunk in the water first.

Don't make me draw a picture, just take my word for it.

[Hywaywolf]

assuming the hole in the ceiling is in the center, then its a 10' run to the passage to get out of the water?

I am just waiting for everyone else to respond to see what they want to do. I think giving a choice, I will slide down the rope till just above the water and throw the sandwich that arven makes into the opposite end of the pool, wait a sec, then drop into the pool and run for the passage. Then hunt the beast with my bow if its possible. Unless it can climb up out of the water.

[jstater]

Grumm: "When the priest gets back with my sandwich I shall eat it, and then descend with you into the watery hole to slay the whatever. Sound good?"

[Nekron99]

Brother Arven, surprised at the agreement of the other two, hurries up the stairs to the inn and raids the kitchen, ignoring the confused and annoyed look of the scruffy cook. He only takes a few minutes to make some masterful sandwich creations, and descends the stairs back to the portal room where Shybolt had just finished spiking the floor.

After issuing out the culinary delights to the others, Arven, closes the door to the room and then spikes it shut. "No sense having unwanted visitors coming behind and cutting the ropes, now is there?" he says. "If the passage below leads to another exit then great, but it will also insure that no unsuspecting person from above will not fall in or use it as a dimensional garbage chute."

After eating, he hitches his pack tighter for the climb down and gets ready to descend. Once again, Brother Arven will carry a torch bringing up the rear after we get to the bottom.

[Hywaywolf]

Shybolt will watch Grumm wolf down the sandwich then say to the others, "Grumm, if you are ready, I propose that I go down the rope to just before I reach the water. Then I will ready my sword, toss half my sandwich into the far corner of the pit, opposite of the passage, hope the water beastie goes after it, then drop into the pool and run for the passage. Arven, hold your torch down inside the pit so that I can have my hands free and see what I am doing. Once I get to the passage, and if the beastie doesn't come after me, I will ready my bow and try to protect Grumm from the beastie when he comes down. When you get near the water, I will toss the other half of my sandwich to the far corner again, and you can then make a run for the passage. Grumm you should try to bring the end of the rope with you when you come so that you can hold the rope and Timorrel, when he finishes his sandwich, and Arven can climb straight to the passage."

Shybolt will wait to see if the others agree with this plan or suggest alternative actions or order of descent.

[Solomoriah]

I'll need to see a post from Timorel before I proceed here.

[Hywaywolf]

Agreed, I was waiting for him myself, but thought I'd give him something to post about .

[Sir Bedivere]

Hey! It's a good sandwich -- don't rush me!

Timorel says, "Why don't we tie another rope in? That way we don't have to worry about losing hold of this one."

He'll wait to see what happens as Shybolt & Grumm go down. If nothing untoward happens, he'll follow Grumm down the rope (assuming we keep our marching order as we slide down).

[Hywaywolf]

Fine by me. I am good with anything so long as it gets us moving down the .... subway