“I gave me this name. I didn’t care for the name given me by my brothers and sisters. It made me feel very bad about myself. So I gave myself a new name.”

Chonk’s eyes grow distant and his brow furrows as if he’s trying to recall something very ancient.

”My mother and father gave me a name,” he hesitates. And then his eyes refocus on Child and smiles, “but I’ve quite forgotten what it was.”

”Five years old, huh? You seem quite strong for a five year old. And quite brave.” Chonk flatters. “I myself am over two-hundred years old.”

He stows the berry back in the pack and rises to aid in food preparation for all.

“What do you recommend we have for dinner?” Chonk asks of Child and then encourages their assistance in locating the foodstuffs and in serving.

Chonk looks forlornly at his walking stick leaning against the wall and makes a mental note, Remember to devote some time to fashion that into a formidable quarterstaff. He sighs and rejoins the group’s conversations.

You all take a short rest as Chonk and the Child make a late lunch and dish it out. Every now and again one of the sheep tries to ram the door, but for the most part they are simply milling around outside making their blood curdling noises. Looking out of the window you see a few starting to drift away but nowhere near enough to give you a clear path out.

Guroz, the axe feels good in your hands and the blade is sharp. 

Sindri looks around at their situation during the short rest and hopes they do find an answer in the basement.  She turns to the child, "Would you like me to stay with you while the rest check out the basement?  My name is Sindri by the way, and yes Chonk is right - you are very brave."

"Everyone ready then?" Lefaris asks as she stands up, once she feels rested enough to continue. She moves to the items blocking the trap door and glances to her companions. "Let's move this stuff away, then we can see what we can about what is below."

The child smiles bravely as you offer to stay with them Sindri;

"I'll be ok, you go help Papa. Will you all make him better?"

Lefaris you lead the way in clearing the hatch (no roll required) and soon have it open. 

Who's heading down?

“Let me go first.” Chonk volunteers. “I can avoid or absorb the first unwelcome surprise.”

Chonk you head down first and find yourself in a small dark storage room with a closed door in the far corner. The strange smell you all noticed upstairs is overpowering down here. You can almost taste it, a sharp metallic taste that catches at the back of your throat. 

Who's following?

“Bad air.” Chonk quietly calls up the stairs.

Chonk enters further into the room to allow more to cautiously enter the basement. He will utilize his dark vision to scan the room and will be very focused on the door on the far side. Can he perceive light or sound coming from what’s beyond?

Chonk you see the flicker of dim torch light peeking through the cracks beneath the door, but can hear nothing right now. 

Lefaris would follow down into the basement. She would grimace at the smell, then follow on towards the door with the torch light coming out from under it.

Sindri responds to the child, “If you’re sure” And she pats them on the arm before she heads down after Lefaris.  “Whew, it does stink down here!”

Guroz makes a grimace as he goes to descends; both from smell and tense situation. He rolls his shoulders, suddenly realising he cannot feel the blade in the backpack, or its extra weight thinking about! Chonk was right; amazing!

The overpowering metallic odour brought him back to the matter at hand. He remains silent,  and took great effort for his mind to remain centred. He calmly advances towards the door and gives it a firm knock, "Farmer, are you okay?"

Pwok settles down on the child's lap as you follow the others below Sindri.

Guroz you knock the door and call out.

Nothing happens.

“Back up everyone. In case the door is trapped.”

Chonk will first try and open the door using the handle. If that fails, he’ll attempt to break it down with a thrusting leg attack.

(The Nat20 STR will suffice lol)

Chonk you try the handle and the door is indeed locked. You give it a mighty kick and it splinters open to reveal the room beyond.

The room is filled with mutilated zombie parts and bubbling cauldrons of noxious liquids. The smell is overpowering! In the centre of the room sits a table of obsidian and upon it a book which glows with an eerie red light that casts the whole room in shades of crimson. 

You do not see the farmer. Instead you stand face to face with a monstrosity; half humanoid half beast. It crouches before the glowing book and as you enter it slowly turns with a guttural snarl. 

Everyone roll initiative!

"Yikes!  I'm kinda wishing I stayed with the child!!"

Sindri initiative 7

"What is that thing?" Lefaris calls out as she takes a step back from the door, drawing her hand crossbow...
Lefaris initiative: 12

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH FARMER?” yells Chonk.

Initiative: 13

"I bloody knew it!" Guroz grips the greataxe, his own words crumbling to a snarl!

Initiative: 7