Rennik's Dilemma, Splitting Up?
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Mission takes hold of the rope and drops easily down into the hole.
"No one should be alone in the dark." Mission sniffs, still hanging onto the rope. "But you're welcome to your bath, Garyth. I think I'll keep my feet on solid ground as much as I can."
Ty, are there any hand holds on the wall? Anything that would help Mission climb sidewise to avoid dropping into the pool of water? His intention is to make for the rocks that Garyth saw.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Garyth silently curses as he hits the water. It's a good thing that he has Cadfael's glove, as his own lantern's wick is likely to be soaked. Holding the glove aloft, he waits for the rest to descend before heading toward shallower water.
OOC: I won't have a computer at work until next week, so I'm only going to be able to get online before and after work. Sorry, guys.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Rennik looks into the hole with a frown. If he had gone first, he would have disappeared beneath the surface of the water. If he had held onto the rope, he could have climbed back up, surely... but if he had let go, he would likely have drowned.
"How far are these rocks you speak of? It appears the depth of this water is too high for me to travel through... perhaps the rocks and the dammed water are there to prevent halflings entry? With their halfling soul slaves, they must be conscious of our size differences and our willingness to rescue our kin."
His brow furrows. "Is there a way across that you can find, friend Mission, that does not require a swim with full gear?"
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Cadfael will quietly let the others do the exploring and keeps an eye out for nasties that may be lurking above ground.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
It might be possible to swing over and grab onto the cut stone wall, but it would not be easy (DC20).
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Garyth believes the rocks to be no more than 60 or 70 feet away. In the tunnel itself, there is no other path east except through the water. It may be possible to climb sideways using the cut stone walls of the tunnel as handholds, but it would be very difficult.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Might the DC go down if Garyth were to walk the end of the rope toward the wall and secure it with his body weight as Mission and Rennik climbed down?
If anything, Rennik could use the wall as handholds to support his kicking legs for the swim across... sorta like holding onto the edge of a pool.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Yes, Garyth could use the rope to help people get to the wall, but climbing sideways for 60 feet will still be tough. Using the wall as handholds while you swim would be much easier, say -5 to the swim DC.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Hm. That's not really gonna help, seing as Rennik has a -14 to Swim with all his gear on. No manner of reduced Swim check is really gonna work for him.
Just how hard is it to scale this wall?
Is it possible for Rennik to find some fallen logs or wood and lash together a makeshift raft for his stuff? That'd reduce his swim check to just a 0. Maybe he could tie the raft to his waste or something as he crept along the wall.
Or possibly could he find a log (or chop something down) to create a log to kick across the water with? So that even if he failed his Swim check, he wouldn't just sink to the bottom?
(see, this is where Rennik's weaknesses come out)
From: Tom
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
> Maybe he could tie the raft to his waste or something as he crept along the wall.
Eeeeew.
????????Tom
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Yes, it would be possible to chop a log and throw it into the hole. It wouldn't take more than half an hour to do so. And, if he was floating on a log, the larger party members could tow him.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
If anyone could lift 126 pounds or so onto their back, Rennik wouldn't be above being carried. :)
Otherwise, he'd probably go for the log option and try to creep along the wall while staying afloat with the log. Though, again, he wouldn't be above a little push or tow. He was raised in a forest, not on a river... grumble, grumble...
Damn friggin sitting friggin pools of friggin water...
(next time Rennik goes anywhere, he's packin' a set of upper arm floaties, damnit.)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Why don't we wait and see if this is even where we want to be first? Cadfael can carry him and be under a heavy load but if we came across something both of us would be useless. Not to mention that if he drops him Rennik's boned.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Let me know what your final plan is.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Rennik shuffles his feet impatiently.
Garyth and Mission are in the tunnel, chest deep in water. Cadfael has chosen to stay above ground while the other two scout ahead. Sa'id seems ready to drop down the hole, as well, but Farron seems undecided.
The halfling feels helpless, but he knows he would be even moreso in the hole if they were attacked.
"Perhaps we should split up for a time," he says to Cadfael, then turns his attention down the hole. "Garyth, until we know what lies ahead, I agree with Brother Cadfael's suggestion that we not commit ourselves entirely. If you, Mission and Sa'id plan to scout ahead, I think Farron, Cadfael and I should stay above ground."
"If we are attacked, we will call for your aid, and I hope you would do the same. While we wait for you to report back, I will cut a log for myself to float on so I do not sink to the bottom."
"Do you think this plan sound?"
(OOC: Compromise? Sound good to everyone? Even to the "puppet with no strings" Farron who's standing their idly until Raja, aka Stromboli, makes Pinnocchio dance?)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Farron and Sa'id nod in unison. "Why yes," they say in chorus, "That works well."
;-)
[OOC: I agree, scouting the tunnel is a good idea.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The hole; down we go
Garyth begins to agree with Rennik's plan almost before thinking about it. But if this expedition has done nothing else, it has taught him that rushing ahead is dangerous.
He calls up to Rennik. "We do need to see what's ahead, so we will scout ahead a little way. But I don't think we should go too far. So far, splitting up has not had good results for us."
He will accompany Mission and Farron across the pool, but will not proceed out of earshot of the remaining party members.