Below the Undercroft (Solo)
Below the Undercroft, Delve 14 - by Lilliaquil Dec. 9
We spent a couple of days reviewing our plan to hunt down the necromancer. First, to ensure that we were better prepared for animated skeletons the warriors procured bludgeoning weapons, clubs and the like. Gabriel, Rockmound, Breccia and I went to the church where Dalieliquin's body was being cared for. The three of them donated coin to the church in exchange for vials of holy water. As we understand, the cursed undead are susceptible to the blessed water. While there, I paid respect to my brother's body and also retrieved a scroll he had with his possessions. The spells are well beyond my skill but I might be able to cast them directly from the scroll in a dire situation.
When we returned to the others, Dargo was collecting gear for our next delve. Knowing of various chutes and shafts, his gear included spikes and ropes so we could descend safely if necessary.
Together we consulted the map and, after much discussion, and insistence by Gabriel, we decided to descend the stairs in the vacated necromancer's chamber.
Once again the undercroft was quiet and the kobolds' lair and the necromancer's chamber were still empty. We took great care going down the stairs only to be greeted by a long hallway that had yet another set of stairs down. As we crept down, both Dargo and myself mapping and conferring over each other's diagrams, Rockmound and Breccia spotted a section of wall that was suspicious. Having encountered many traps recently, we were wary. The dwarves investigated and determined that the wall was designed to slide across behind us. We guessed that it would be triggered at the bottom of the stairs. Dargo hammered in a spike to stop the section of wall from sliding over and we tested it by leaving some of us on one side while the others triggered the sliding wall from the bottom of the stairs. A couple of clicks later followed by the sound of stone grinding on stone, we could see the wall section shudder and then stop. Dargo's spikes held the section in place. At the bottom of this set of stairs we encountered an empty room with a couple of doors.
Dargo and I consulted our maps and, if our mapping of the first level was accurate, there could well be a staircase up just down the hall beyond one of the doors. Sure enough, at the fringe of the lantern light we could see the foot of the staircase. This set of stairs comes out closer to the main entrance to the undercroft, so we could use it to return much faster than taking the stairs in the necromancer's quarters.
As we approached the foot of those stairs, a pit opened at the feet of Gabriel and Barris. Both fell in. Barris flailed his arms and frantically twisted his body in an attempt to prevent the lantern from smashing on the rough stone of the pit floor below. He managed to save the lantern, clutching it to his chest. Amazingly it stayed lit. In saving the lantern, he cracked his head on the stone floor and was unconscious. Gabriel fared much better, merely having the wind knocked from his lungs. He quickly snatched the lantern off of Barris' chest, then righted it beside him. A wave of calm emanated from Gabriel as he placed his hands on Barris' head. The small, expanding puddle of blood under Barris' head slowly stopped expanding and Gabriel assured the rest of us that Barris would be well. As Dargo rummaged through his backpack to retrieve his rope. There was a hiss and a loud clicking sound followed by a yell of pain. Two of the giant beetles with the glowing eyes had crept out of cracks in the walls of the pit. One had nearly decapitated Barris and the other's powerful mandibles were clamped on Gabriel's neck. Once the surprise wore off, Rockmound and Breccia jumped down the 10 feet to engage the insects. There was little else that we could do from above for fear of hitting Gabriel and Barris with darts, or bolts. Breccia, with one mighty swing of his morning star, crushed the beetle that was on Barris' body. At the same instant, before Rockmound could stop it, the other snapped Gabriel's head from his neck. I looked on in horror and poor Willa cried out in shock and anguish. Shortly after, Rockmound and Breccia killed the final beetle, but could save neither Gabriel nor Barris. Caedwilla was frantic. "Father, git up and oot o' that evil pit at once." And she threw down Dargo's rope. Noble Gabriel and loyal Barris were dead. We were nervous while Rockmound and Breccia organized Gabriel and Barris' bodies and gear; fearful that more of the beetles would emerge from the cracks. Gabriel was well over 200 pounds, so Breccia ascended to help us pull Gabriel up. It seemed like hours before Rockmound and the bodies were out of the pit.
We struggled getting our two fallen comrades out of the undercroft. The going was slow as both had to be carried by Rockmound, Breccia, Caedwilla and Dargo. Fortunately, our maps were correct and we could escape this cursed place much faster by ascending the flight of stairs above the pit trap.
We returned with nothing of value from our last delve and now, so quickly and surprisingly, we lost two of our party. Our luck has turned bad.
Gabriel's oath has been fulfilled, as he swore he would learn what evil machinations were at play beneath the undercroft, or die trying.
Perhaps it's best that I take what coin I have earned from these delves and escort my brother home. I have no more stomach for this evil place and its denizens.
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