A man whose presence demands attention sits in a shadowed corner of the taproom. Weathered by years of perilous journeys, his sharp eyes, etched with the secrets of a distant, dark realm, are framed by a mane of silvered hair and a neatly trimmed beard. A deep scar runs along his cheek, hinting at past encounters that left more than just physical marks. Clad in a tattered cloak that speaks of countless travels and battles, his calloused hands rest confidently on the bar as he orders a drink. The ale's bitter tang seems to fuel his resolve as he leans forward, his voice low and deliberate, ready to spin a tale.

"Ever hear about the Sunless Citadel? It all started in the quiet village of Oakhurst, where whispers of danger were as common as the ale. Four unlikely souls, barely more than greenbacks, set out into a maze of ancient traps and monster-infested ruins. And when you think the worst is behind you, they find a hidden grove bathed in an eerie twilight, where dark secrets, enchanted fruit, and a twisted tree guard the final truth. 

This story is set in Oakhurst, a village where most of its 900 residents are human, with a sizable minority of halflings and a scattering of other races. Our adventurers are just appearing over the last hill, on their way to make a name for themselves. The legend of the Sunless Citadel is well known locally, and stories indicate it is a place that holds promise for those intent on discovery, glory, and treasure."

After searching for the Sunless Citadel, the party spends a few days in a town they believe to be close. Exploring places in town like a Shrine, a General Store, and the Ol' Boar Inn, the party learns:

1. Cattle herders don't graze their stock too far afield these days. They're frightened by stories of new monsters that maraud by night. From time to time, cattle and people who have gone out alone at night have been found dead the next day, bearing dozens of needle-like wounds. No one has seen the creatures that cause this mayhem, nor do they leave a discernible trail.
2. No one knows for sure what the Sunless Citadel once was, but legends hint that it served as the retreat of an ancient dragon cult.
3. The missing adventurers include a fighter (Talgen Hucrele), a wizard (Sharwyn Hucrele), a paladin of Pelor (Sir Braford), and a ranger (Karakas). Sir Braford was not a local, and he had a magic sword called Shatterspike.
4. Garon, the barkeep of the Ol' Boar Inn, remembers the last time anyone, aside from Talgen and Sharwyn, asked questions about the Sunless Citadel. About thirteen years ago, a grim human named Belak stopped by, and he had a very large pet frog.

Once the characters are ready to leave Oakhurst, the adventure truly begins. The overgrown Old Road winds through rocky downs, near stands of old-growth oak, and past abandoned farms. It is 7 miles from Oakhurst to the Sunless Citadel.

The Old Road passes to the east of a narrow ravine. At the road's closest approach to the cleft, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most lean atop sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the dark depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.

A sturdy, knotted rope is tied to one of the leaning pillars on this side of the ravine.

The ravine runs for several miles in either direction, with an average depth and width of 30 feet. At the point where it most closely intersects the Old Road, it widens to 40 feet.

The pillars are worn and broken, and graffiti in the Dwarvish alphabet covers most of them. (Does anyone know Goblin?) 

Someone make an Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Survival) check around the area of the pillars. 

When the party is ready to descend, let me know. 

Discovery, glory, treasure...

Those three words echo through Voraxian's mind as he stands before the ravine. Exhiliration thrums through his veins at the thought of what lay ahead of them and he paces impatiently in front of the broken pillars. He is dressed in simple traveling robes, with his pack slung over his shoulder and a long staff in one hand. His skin is dark and contrasts with his hair, which is stark white and cropped short.

"Come on," he says impatiently in his youthful, boyish tone. "We gotta get across."

His eyes are fixed on the other side of the ravine, as if trying to simply transport he and his companions to their destination by sheer will alone. He takes a breath to steady himself, trying his best to summon up an ounce of patience.

He draws on the well of magic that lies within him and pulls it into a small glow of energy in his palm. He reaches down to Perry and touches the Mapach encouragingly on the shoulder, where the light disperses.

"What's the best way, Perry?" he asks, knowing the Mapach is skilled at traversing the outdoors.

[[Guidance to Perry for a Survival check!]]

(OOC: given that we spent a few days in town, would it be okay if Fayez spent some time making a spell scroll with his starting gold?)

Fayez seems excited to finally start his first adventure. He stands clad in armor that looks as if it has not seen combat yet. During the past few days Fayez has used his knowledge of history to weave everything they learn into a story. Fayez also desperately tries to figure out a name that the group can go by but he seems to hate all of the names he thinks of.

Unless someone else offers he will proudly declare that he will brave the dangers first. 

“Voraxian is right, we will get nothing just standing around here. Fear not friends, I shall brave the unknown and descend first.”

Fayez is ready to descend.

Tyr knows both Goblin and Dwarvish and approaches the pillars to read the graffitti.

Hold a moment, Fayez.  Let me see what was written here.

Perry takes a look at the pillars

Survival check 18

After he does his best to translate, he ties another rope to a pillar to lead downward. He doesn't trust a random rope set up by some stranger.

The Goblin inscriptions are warnings and threats against potential trespassers.

A Wisdom (Survival) check reveals that the area in and around the pillars has hosted many small campfires, some as recent as a month ago. Someone made an effort to hide the evidence of the camps from casual scrutiny.

Adventurers can easily climb down the knotted rope, using the wall to brace themselves. Using the carved indentations is slower but only slightly harder. The descent is 50 feet to the ledge. 

What order do PC descend? 

Fayez tells the group that he wants to go first.

If Tyr indicates that he wants to go first Fayez will not argue and will go second.

"Go for it, Fayez.  I'll guard your descent and go after.  With all these warnings, I expect someone or something else will be watching this spot"

Tyr grabs his longbow, nocks an arrow, and stands at the edge scanning the area for movement.

are you using the ready action? 

if so, whats the trigger?

Perry gets out of the way of those so eager to jump into darkness. He'll make sure the tail end is safe, then follow the others down.

Voraxian will follow after Tyr and Fayes. While he waits for his turn, his eyes scan the lip of the far ridge. He releases his nervous energy by bouncing on the balls of his feet.

The descent is 50 feet to the ledge. 

A sandy ledge overlooks a subterranean gulf of darkness to the west. The ledge is wide but rough, covered with sand, rocky debris, and the bones of small animals. A rough-hewn stairwell zigs and zags down the side of the ledge, descending into darkness.

The far wall of the chasm is 250 feet to the west, and the bottom of the subterranean vault is 80 feet below where the characters stand.

First one down, make a Dexterity (Athletics) check or Dexterity (Stealth) check. 

Fayez climbs down the rope. He will cast Guidance on himself if allowed. Athletics is Strength?

Athletics role: 13(15 with Guidance)

Fact check true, that is what I meant.  

Fayez climbs down the rope first, scanning the area. Fayez finds humanoid footprints, as well as rat tracks of unusually large size. The footprints lead down the stairs. Among the rubble is an old ring of stones that contains (and is covered by) the accumulated ash of hundreds of fires, though no fire has been lit here for a few years. Inside the ash pile are a few rough-hewn spear tips of goblin manufacture and small animal bones.

Seeing Fayez made it down, Tyr shoulders his bow and makes his way down the rope.

19 Athletics Check

After following the others down Perry takes a look around.

Then he uses bits of rope, ash paste, and goblin spears to fashion a lantern, and lights it.

The 5-foot-wide stairs that descend are roughly carved. They aren't dangerous to traverse, however, except that combat while on the narrow path can be risky. Three small landings lie along the route: the first at 60 feet above the floor in area 3, the second at 40 feet, and the third at 20 feet.

The characters might be able to see this as they descend: a fortress emerges from the darkness. The subterranean citadel, though impressive, seems long forgotten, if the lightless windows, cracked crenellations, and leaning towers are any indication. All is quiet, though a cold breeze blows up from below, bringing with it the scent of dust and a faint trace of rot.

The narrow stairs empty into a small courtyard, apparently the top of what was once a crenellated battlement. The buried citadel has sunk so far into the earth that the battlement is now level with the surrounding floor. That floor stretches away to the north and south, composed of a layer of treacherous, crumbled masonry, which reaches to an unknown depth. To the west looms the surviving structure of what must be the Sunless Citadel. A tower stands on the west side of the courtyard.