And nearly impossible to find.
Good point. We are in the backwater of the backwater, aren’t we?
Yes, you are. Even in the big city lanterns are expensive and hard to come by. And torches and candles are only for the rich. The poor use rushlights, reeds soaked in tallow.
Well, once we get back out, let’s get a bundle of rush lights (enough for several hours worth of light, burning two at a time), whatever passes for rope out here, and a pole or two.
Let’s all head out together. We’ll compare notes and all head the same path.
OK, you’re out. You drag Ingmar away from the mushrooms and crawl out.
Narus is a little disappointed that you came back empty handed.
The day is drawing late, and it has begun to rain. That’s going to be bad for the torches, and you might not want to be in the woods in the dark.
There are probably a couple more torches in the manor. Rushlights aren’t great for illuminating large areas.
“I don’t think we want to waste any more of the lord’s time. I think we just need to gather some rush lights, we can keep them dry under our cloaks until we get back to the cave, and some rope. Wasting time could mean the boy’s life.”
Let’s take some of the guesswork out ot it. You guys have probably had need for illumination at night, so you’d know how things work.
A torch burns for 1-3 hours, and provides light in a 20’ radius.
A rush light burns for 4-10 hours, and provides light in a 5’ radius, with a penalty of 2 to eyesight.
Both are pretty smokey.
I guess that means that both of our torches are in pretty good shape then. But it probably a good idea to get at least two rush lights to supplement them.
How much rope is available in the town?
You can scare up a 10 foot length and a 25 foot length.
I’ll take the 10’ length I’ll let one of our big strong warriors carry the big rope.
“Ok, we’ve got our lights and our rope I think we should get headed back as soon as possible. Can you think of anything else we might need?”
I think we, or a party of us at least, should get back there ASAP. With the rope and the lights we’re probably as equipped to deal with it as we’re going to be. We still don’t know anything about the kid’s condition or location.
Am I rested up? If so, I’d like to try my hand at the Violet Eye again: “Is the boy Kial in the cave?”
All signs point to Yes.
Let’s head back in.
As you head back in, it’s starting to get dark out. Bats are now going into and out of the cave. That first tunnel is a bit harrowing because of them.
When you get into the first chamber, Brunis, you notice something slightly amiss. There are a couple of dead bats on the floor where there weren’t before. They’re torn up and partly eaten.
Let’s try improving that hearing again.
It’s improved. And your smell is still at superhuman levels.
“We might as well do this the easy way and all take the tunnel on the right. I have no urge to crawl when I can walk. What are we going to do when we get to the next cavern. I think splitting up is the right idea still.”
I think we need to go down that hole, as a group.
“I think you’re crazy, I’m not going down there unless we have some proof the kid is there. Lets check the easy stuff before we try to kill ourselves.”
“I think we’re going to kill ourselves trying to get around it. Unless you can think of a way to safely cross the room. A controlled descent is better than a slip and fall.”