Well, this seems to be it. Let's have a closer look.
It doesn't take you long to spot some faded tracks leading up to the tree.
Noticing the tracks as the Guardians approach the tree, Fenna slides off the back of her trusty mount to get a closer look, "Somebody has been here at least, whether to hide the treasure or retrieve it though is another matter."
Fenna locates the cache in short order- the tracks lead to a section of recently disturbed earth by the roots of the tree.
The cache itself is wrapped in a heavy leather cloak and consists of a masterwork dagger, a wand, a silver ring worth 75 gp, and a spellbook. The spellbook is mostly ruined, but still contains five spells- I'll need spellcraft checks to decipher them, please number them.
Casimir lets out a low whistle of approval as the bundle is unwrapped.
Nice catch - well worth the sidetrip. Let's see if some of this stuff is special - Arcane Awareness
identify, mage armor, reduce person, silent image, and unseen servant. For simplicity i'lll tell you wand too- its a CL2 wand of burning hands with 10 charges left.
With a few hours of daylight left, the Guardians move south-west to an area south-east of the gold mine they discovered some time ago.
The massive Sycamore tree is visible in the distance with the fading light of the sun as the group make camp. The weather unleashes a full-furied thunderstorm complete with lightning striking within a few miles of the camp, and the group try their best to remain dry.
The next morning the group awaken, their campsite soggy and treacherous, and make plans for the day.
As you ride to the Sycamore, you see various signs of recent battle as you pass- the corpses left behind are of either kobolds or mites, stripped to their undergarments. Clearly the victor of each skirmish stripped their opponents bodies but removed their own. The skirmishes suggest neither side has made decisive victories, although the mites seem to have won a few more battles than the kobolds.
The tree itself is a massive landmark- a hundred feet tall. From what you have heard from the huntersat the trading post, the mites live in the roots of the sycamore, and there is a hidden entrance somewhere...
[/ooc]
Yelena reaches into her robes and pulls out her familiar. She holds the overweight tabby out in front of her under its front arms with its legs dangling. "Cornflower, we need you to find where those mites live for us. Can you? Can my big sweetie find the mites for Mommy?" A few kisses and hugs later, the cat searches around the sycamore for the trapdoor.
Cornflower Perception 1d20+5
"I would recommend keeping your blanch treated weapons unseen for now," Fenna says, beginning to search the roots of the great tree for any concealed openings, "I suspect that the sight of them may prove a hindrance to any attempts to find a peaceful resolution."
Fenna locates the hidden entrance, descending into the earth- a root lined shaft leading down 10 feet. It is pitch black inside, and those without darkvision will be needing a light source. Climbing down the shaft, the group find themselves in extremely cramped quarters- with the exception of Fenna who is small enough to easily move in the earthen tunnels.
The narrow tunnel you are in extends to the right and to the left of the shaft, and is fairly long- extending 40 feet in either direction.
Well, what do we do now? Move down all at once, or send out scouts? Casimir whispers, glancing at Fenna and Yelena, who are both better suited at sneaking down the dark passageway than the blind and clumsy humans.
Yelena whispers to the others, "I can scout ahead. I will return and report shortly."
Yelena readies her crossbow, then quietly creeps through the tunnel.
Stealth 1d20+11
Malthir stays put but has his longsword drawn out and will guard the other side, the right passageway but is not proceeding down. Since we need light he will strike 1 of his sunrods and ask Fenna to hold it since she isn't really wielding any weapons.
You sneak down the left passage, hearing movement ahead of you, down a small slope. Taking a peek over the edge, you can see some kind of prank workshop ahead of you.
Three crude, wooden workbenches occupy the center of this room, their tops strewn with various tiny tools, metal and wooden hardware, and blocks of wood.
Two mites are gleefully practicing with what appear to be miniature catapults, flinging caltrops into each others mouth. A third sits, appearing to be sulking as he can't join in the game. This third mite spots you, his hands going to his mouth and his ugly blue head turning pale in panic as he spots you.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Malthir stays put but has his longsword drawn out and will guard the other side, the right passageway but is not proceeding down. Since we need light he will strike 1 of his sunrods and ask Fenna to hold it since she isn't really wielding any weapons.
** spoiler omitted **
Casimir pulls out his bow and a blanched arrow.
Fenna, some light would be nice now.
You see the alchemist fire down the unaware mite and splash his friends just before you flee.
Yelena runs towards the group, and squeals of surprise and pain are behind her, along with some shouted words...
Intruder! She has slain Dingetooth! Urgath, ready the catapults!
"Sounds like a diplomatic solution isn't on the table," Fenna says, cracking the sunrod against the wall to send illumination cascading along the corridor.
If they are waiting for us, then maybe we go should go down the other passageway, it may circle around them? I can lead the way.
While you are dicsussing the situation, the sounds coming from the room fade...
"I am not sure that would be wise..." Fenna whispers to Malthir, "They could as easily attack us from behind as soon as we turn away from them, and in these cramped conditions that may prove deadly for us. If the corridor opens out further along as Yalena says, it may be better for us to get there where the mites' small statures are less of an advantage."