-----Shrugging his shoulders, the Dread Pirate says, "Hold on a moment. There must be some reason why that thing tied that vine to the sheep. I assume it was going to lower it down for some reason. Perhaps the steps are unstable? I'd hate to be partway down and have them collapse under me. Here, let's try this," The Dread Pirate then unties the vine from the sheep and ties it around his waist. He then hands the other end to Krord, saying, "Hold on to this. Keep it somewhat taut. If I yell, then reel me in."
-----The Dread Pirate then turns and starts down the steps, checking them every now and then for traps or obvious structural problems that may cause the staircase collapse.
-----Kazel looks puzzled. "Umm, the sheep was in a bag, not tied to a vine. The vines are probably just to hide the hole. Anyway, something is snoring down there." After cleaning her sword, she climbs down into the pit very quietly and slowly.
-----Runik chimes in looking with wide eyes at the large dead creature, "That be yer basic ogre!" The dwarf then turns toward Seth to further answer his questions. "Krord gits excited once he gits a notion thar be orges 'bout."
-----By this time, Krord curiously hangs onto one end of a vine that the Dread Pirate handed to him while the halfling pirate carefully eases down the stone steps.
-----Kazel brushes past the Dread Pirate and quietly proceeds down the ancient steps.
-----The Dread Pirate stops when Kazel brushes past him, reaching his hand out he signals her to stop and wait for him for a moment. He then rushes back up the steps and says to the mercenaries and Seth, "We don't know how many ogres might be down there. It might not be a bad idea to gather up the largest rocks you think you can handle and get them ready to throw. If Kazel and I come rushing back up those steps, then you can drop those rocks down on whatever follows us. Not only will it damage whatever might be chasing us, it'll make it difficult for them to navigate the staircase. When Kazel and I get to the top, we'll all back off and draw our ranged weapons and get another attack while the critters crawl out of the pit."
-----The Dread Pirate then sneaks back down the staircase.
-----Brandel then calls on Krord and Runik to follow him. The three bodyguards then begin to scour the immediate area for rocks of a good sized to place beside the open hole. Marast keeps his place beside Seth as they watch for any commotion from down below.
-----Seth waits where he is, but while waiting asks Albert to fly around the ruins to see if anything else is around.
-----Seth looks to the sky and then announces, "It does appear that there are no other beasties around that may cause us trouble."
-----Marast simply grunts as he watches for any activity from the underground entrance. Soon the other three bodyguards slowly begin to pile what good-sized stones they can find close to the hole.
-----Just as Brandel, Runik, and Krord complete their well-stocked pile of rocks, a loud low-toned humanoid-like scream reverberates up from below.
-----Marast instantly jumps as he clenches his bow tighter.
-----"Zounds!" Brandel exclaims, "What was that?"
-----Krord simply smiles and pounds one fist into the other hand.
-----"What ye say, lads?" Runik calls as he looks at Seth, "What say we storm below?"
-----Seth nods. He grips his crossbow tight and indicates for the others to go first. "I'll follow up behind!"
-----Away the entire company charges into the darkness, the pile of stones entirely forgotten. Seth follows behind Brandel watching his way as he glides down the ancient stone steps.
-----At the bottom of the steps, Seth sees a small landing that leads ahead for about ten feet. The ancient stone walls around the company look rough but still secure. From there another set of steps leads from the end of the landing further on down into the darkness. Still the procession lead by Runik plunges on down.
-----As Seth himself starts down the second set of steps, he hears Runik suddenly call out, "Hail ye below, Cap'n! Hail ye, Lass! Me hammer's ready n' . . ." With that, an excited and surprised yell goes up from the dwarf as it sounds like he is loosing his footing and falling down the remaining steps.
-----A few feet away from the bottom of the steps, Seth thinks he can see Kazel and the Dread Pirate standing holding their daggers.
-----Seth calls out to the mercenaries, "Stand fast! There could be a trap!" He then tries harder to see what Kazel and Dread are up to. He softly calls out, "Kazel! Dread! Need help?"
-----The Dread Pirate sighs at the less than stealthy approach of the mercenaries, then says, "Stay back and draw yer bows. There be a couple o' ogres down here, beyond that corner. Kazel stuck one of 'em in the back, but I imagine they'll be comin any minute now. Actually, Runik, Kazel and myself in the front rank. Everybody else back up onto the steps, where ye can shoot over our heads. As soon as the ogres appear, start firin, or throwin whatever ye got. The caltrops will slow down the first one, but it might clear a path fer the second."