"Perhaps this is not her cave and we should explore this side of the river."
The Nethian shrugs at Paul. "Honestly, there is far too much that we don't know. We could spend all week trying to figure out what happened here, but without any clues, it would just be idle thought."
Gii goes and picks up the sack that had been covering the barrels and looks at it sideways for a moment. "Hmmm..." he mutters, before casting another spell and examining the bag more closely.
No worries.
This is the map I posted on the discussion thread a couple of days ago re the chamber you're in.
Once your group is done in the small chamber, you could always go back outside the chamber to the alcove mentioned by Alar and have a look around (perception roll required).
** spoiler omitted **
"These gems are worth only 200 gold pieces - no more," Paul says sincerely.
"Now we can't split gems equally, so I reckon that I'll just keep the gems, but I'll split 200 gold pieces equally among us as I got the coin later... But I'll do that a little later; for now we got work to do," he says as he pockets the gems.
"As for the pair of daggers? They're less than 300 gold pieces, so I figure that - as I use multiple weapons - I'll keep them too and give you their value in coin as well," he says.
"Or perhaps there is more to this cave than first meets the eye. That traps suggest effort. There could be a concealed door elsewhere."
"Or perhaps there is more to this cave than first meets the eye. That traps suggest effort. There could be a concealed door elsewhere."
"Yeah - that's what I figured," he says with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Anyone want to take a look for that stuff?"
Paul will go over the cave as carefully as possible; searching every nook and crevice. It may take him a while, but he'll happily do what he can to find any secret doors.
There are 28 squares at 5 feet for a net total of 140 square feet.
It takes 2 minutes to Take 20 to search a 10x10 area.
As there are 140 square feet in this cave, that means that there are 14 Perception Checks at Take 20 to search the whole cave at a Take 20 for a net total of 30 against any secret doors.
At latest it would take him no more than 28 minutes to do a full search of the cave (or less) until he finds a secret door - if at all.
Just keep me posted on what's up with any secret doors :)
** spoiler omitted **
Even better. It's easier for Paul to carry.
The way Appraise is being used, the value of that bag is going to be very interesting - whoever claims it may have lots of gold, or none at all ;)
"Oh. Very interesting," Gii muses as he finishes inspecting the sack. "I've read about these. This is a bag of holding," he says, before placing his staff in it to prove the point. He then pulls his weapon back out, obviously not feeling comfortable without it at his side. "As you can see, it's very good for carrying things, and it's entirely possible that the trap's trigger was hidden inside the bag. That might explain why Paul didn't notice anything."
Bart was grateful no one seemed to notice his mark and happily let the others pick up the conversation. When Gii revealed the purpose of the bag, Bart made an 'oooooh' sound and walked over to look at it. He offered his hand to the Doc and if Gii gave it to him, the priest would quickly find Bart putting his head in the bag to see what was inside.
Gii shakes his head as Bart decides to stick his face into the bag. "You, boy, are a strange one. I don't think I can even keep track of all the ways. Great Nethys surely is amused watching what you do with magic."
Bart was frowning when he pulled his head out of the bag again. Not because of what Gii said. "Couldn't see nothin."
He pouts a little, then checks to make sure his hat and goggles are on his head before offering the bag back to Gii. He trusted the man to carry the magic-y stuff more then he trusted himself. If they kept get along like this, he might even... No, maybe not. He shakes his head a little and unconsciously summons Alar to his side, who quickly pads over to him. By now the Lion has finally shed the cloak of shadows, leaving the Starry form for all to see. Bart was against the idea of Alar showing everyone that much, but they had already seen enough to get him in trouble if that's what they wanted. They had protected him instead when it was he who got in trouble. "Can he actually see what I do with all my magic? Even the stuff that's bout hidin and all that?"
Bart reaches into one of his pickets and pulls out a somehow dry piece of straw, then sticks it into his mouth to chew on absently.
"There is no magic that Nethys cannot see. No, there is nothing that escapes his gaze. He did not earn the title of the All-Seeing Eye for nothing," Gii begins, practically in full-sermon mode. "Though it rended his mind and left him split, he still continues to watch over the world. With his right hand," the Nethian opens his right hand, showing his palm to Bart, "he creates. With his left hand," he squeezes the fist tightly shut, straining with the force, "he destroys. What he builds, he unmakes; what he breaks down, he mends." The missionary brings the two hands together, resting his tightly clenched fist in his open palm. "And this is why I serve him."
Bart's features scrunch up. He was clearly listening and intently at that, but the young lad was not to be won over so quickly. "Perhaps its a metaphor or somethin like Miss Fancy Pants' earlier, but if he always be breakin what he makes, then fixin it, how is he ever gettin anytin done? Is it supposed to suggest a balance between the two or erratic nature?"
He pauses, then raises a hand quickly. "Not ta offend. From what I remember of the guy in readin, he seems ta appreciate a bit of curiosity, right?"
"Of course. He is the master of magics, and the only way to truly take control of magic is to understand it. Curiosity fuels research, and research allows us to reach out and grasp some of the power that he, himself, has attained," Gii says, the corners of his mouth inching upwards.
The Tien ascetic smiles as Gii tells the boy of his barbaric deity. If only the boy had grown up in civilization, he could be taught properly of the civilized gods. But it is a no more a barbarian's fault that he was born outside of civilization than it is a dog's fault that it barks.
"Oh oh! And mine likes pranks! Story and legend has it he made an infernal lord smile... and hes been hunted ever since!" she chimes in with a huge grin
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Paul listens to his companions for a little bit as he searches the cave as thoroughly as possible. However, his mind is bent more to trying to evidence of the girl and what else is going on.
”Not to be rude, but if ya’ll want to talk about gods or sorcery, or any of that – that’s fine and all, but maybe you could do that while you’re helping look for stuff… you know… multitask,” he calls out.
As he searches he feels the presence of a cooler air over a rock and frowns. Shaking his head, he pulls out a dagger and plunges it into the rock, only to reveal it shreds like old canvas.
Figured you don’t make a trap that big and complicated if there weren’t nothing else in here…
Ripping the opening apart he sees the beginning of a dark tunnel beyond; the darkness is quickly banished by the light shining from his gear as he looks into it.
”Oye – there’s a secret cave back here – let’s fall in and move out,” he calls to his companions as he sees the tunnel, hoping that they’ll move into marching order and advance.
Bart is about to ask more questions, as well as point out that not all of his other ones had been answered, when he hears Paul call after them about a secret tunnel or cave. He raises a finger to Gii and says, "Lets continue that thought lata! Could be dis is where our missing cook went off to... oh!"
Bart rushes to Alar and grabs the bedsheets out of the dry saddle bag, then holds them up to the Lions face. Alar gets the idea rather quickly and takes a deep breath, then moves over to the newly revealed tunnel entrance.
"Lets continue that thought lata! Could be dis is where our missing cook went off to... oh!"
Bart rushes to Alar and grabs the bedsheets out of the dry saddle bag, then holds them up to the Lions face. Alar gets the idea rather quickly and takes a deep breath, then moves over to the newly revealed tunnel entrance.
Noticing that Alar is attempting to track someone, he looks at the lion with a wry grin.
"Why don't we work together - help each other out, eh lad?" he says softly to the lion.
The lion looks to Paul and takes a deep breath, but Bart quickly pipes up, "Sounds good!" The Lion looks at Bart, then nods and turns his attention back to the tracking, this time taking cues from Paul, who seemed much more skilled at finding hints of someones passage. With Paul pointing out specific spots to look at Alar would have a much easier time of it.
After a few moments of hanging back, Bart catches on to what Paul was pointing out in this particular area and steps up to help Alar as well.
The lion looks to Paul and takes a deep breath, but Bart quickly pipes up, "Sounds good!" The Lion looks at Bart, then nods and turns his attention back to the tracking, this time taking cues from Paul, who seemed much more skilled at finding hints of someones passage. With Paul pointing out specific spots to look at Alar would have a much easier time of it.
[dice=Bart's Survival]1d20+1
After a few moments of hanging back, Bart catches on to what Paul was pointing out in this particular area and steps up to help Alar as well.
Paul pauses, noting Alar.
Huh... never saw a lion nod before; it's kind of... well, let's just call it 'fluffy'...
He grins a little and continues...
|
He failed to realize that his hat had been knocked free by the log, and for all to see there was a Magical, glowing Mark on his forehead that matched on one Alar's head perfectly. Alar was already at his side, his expression worried and his thoughts concerned, providing a perfect chance for people to see both marks. Glowing stars in a circle, appearing to be a very small piece of a star chart held in a circle.....
.....Bart reaches up to fix the hat that wasn't on the head out of habit, and when he realized it wasn't there, he got a look of panic. In a moment he was rushing back to the wall where he had been knocked against it and grabbing his hat. Another had him putting it on his head tightly, once more blocking from view the mark. He strolled back on over, muttering to himself for a moment before looking at the rest expectantly, waiting for answers to his questions or other ideas as if nothing strange had just happened.....
By now the Lion has finally shed the cloak of shadows, leaving the Starry form for all to see. Bart was against the idea of Alar showing everyone that much, but they had already seen enough to get him in trouble if that's what they wanted.
While the conversations regarding magic, religion, traps, etcetera forge ahead, Ayreth pulls out what looks to be a journal and begins carefully making notes and sketches in it with a charcoal stick while using her ring for light.
She occasionally spares a glance for Bart even after he replaces his hat, though he is not the only subject of her attention. Alar, too, receives a fair amount of looks. Any who wander close enough can hear mutterings such as ...stars and constellations..." and "...symbols of fate..."
When the hidden passage is discovered, Ayreth takes the time to finish her notes before standing up and getting ready to move along.
Like the rest, this wide cavern has an unusually low ceiling, only twelve feet high. Tangles of roots protrude from the southern ceiling and walls, and the entire chamber feels damp and moist. A large nest of leaves, furs, straw, and blankets is heaped to the northeast. Sheets of canvas have been pinned to the northern walls, onto which numerous pockets have been stitched. A small firepit sits near the entrance to the cave, but it is currently unlit.
Alar informs Bart, who informs the rest of the group, of what the Lion had found. Well, first Bart stares at Alar oddly, not quite sure how to take the news that the cook may have turned into a cat, but otherwise it went like that. "Alar is thinkin he found the cooks scent! It's funny though, it's real close like, but its goin and smellin like a cat. I don't know if that's Alar with some wishful tinkin or if she actually got turned inta one, but either way be on the lookout for sometin cat like that ain't Alar."
After a moment or two of waiting, Alar nods to Bart, and then activates his shadowy form again. Hoping the shadows within the tunnel will conceal him the Lion heads down first to scout ahead once more, this time trying to take extra care to spot important details as he moves through the cavern.
Paul unconsciously moves his hat back on his head as he studies the tracks.
”There was a scuffle here… The two lads back in the other room bought it – there was another set of tracks, animal – but for some reason that set of tracks just melted away…”
He glances at Alar and Bart after mentioning animals melting away; then he continues.
”The tracks look like someone was pacing – maybe waiting for someone – or something…” he muses slowly.
”They’re stepping on the balls of their feet; they ain’t walking like city-folk – they walk like wild-elf do… You know, not heel-toe; but sliding their toe first – real quiet-like… as if they’re either stealthy by nature, or they’re trying to be stealthy on purpose…”
He glances at the rear of the cave thoughtfully, his eyes flick to the fire pit.
”Odd place for a fire; the damp here would mean it would smoke a lot…” he says as he studies the moist moss.
He thinks a little, trying to puzzle out the tracks and what they may mean.
"Alar is thinkin he found the cooks scent! It's funny though, it's real close like, but its goin and smellin like a cat. I don't know if that's Alar with some wishful tinkin or if she actually got turned inta one, but either way be on the lookout for sometin cat like that ain't Alar."
Paul’s eyes narrow as he remembers the marks on the dead men, and considers one of his guesses.
He glances at Gii and Ayreth.
”You think maybe she’s a lycan?” he asks the magic-users slowly.
”I heard tell of folk out in Ustalav that could change their shape to look like a big man-wolf… why not a big cat-lady?”
He glances at Yuki thoughtfully.
”Hell – folk changing skins ain’t that far-fetched,” he says with a shrug.
He turns his gaze north to the walls with the blankets.
”Look, that girl didn’t up and vanish – and she sure as hell didn’t put a gods damned log trap big enough to crush a poxing ogre in the other room to protect some furs and old bedding…” he adds slowly, shaking his head.
”There’s more here than meets the eye.”
He glances at Yuki.
”Oye – you know something about traps? Well, I ain’t screwing it up again – this time, game’s to you,” he says, leaning back as he waits for their trap-finder to see what’s up.
Gii shrugs. "Lycans and other skinshifters are not as uncommon as some would believe. It is entirely possible that lady Leeara is such a creature, as it would also explain why she would want to come out to this dank cave in the middle of a very hostile nowhere. I cannot say for sure, without more evidence, however." He stands behind Paul, leaning heavily on his staff, and attempts to peer into the dim reaches of the cave.
Gii shrugs. "Lycans and other skinshifters are not as uncommon as some would believe. It is entirely possible that lady Leeara is such a creature, as it would also explain why she would want to come out to this dank cave in the middle of a very hostile nowhere. I cannot say for sure, without more evidence, however." He stands behind Paul, leaning heavily on his staff, and attempts to peer into the dim reaches of the cave.
Paul flings himself down on the floor and leans against the wall, waiting for his more skilled companions to search for traps.
He rolls a smoke and leans back, taking a long draw, thinking a little.
"Don't know why it would explain why she'd want to come to cave so much... Unless she couldn't control when she changed... On the other hand, if she could turn into a beast at will... I reckon that maybe this turf ain't as hostile to a lass that can turn into a beast..."
He waves his hand.
"Eh - it's all guesswork..." he says with a grunt.
Then he muses thoughtfully.
"I'm still hazy on where those damn tracks came from, though," he mutters - "you know - the ones that disappeared in the middle of the cave back there?"
"I feel like she could have just summoned up some back-up with a spell; but I don't know how that works," he adds with a shrug as he takes a draw.
He thinks about the tracks.
"The girl walked sly though; if she was a human, then she walked like a wood-elf, not a Wašíču, you know - not like we would," he says with a grin.
"Someone who's either good in the wild, or maybe she's stepping weird for some other reason - like skinchanging..." he adds, and takes another draw from the smoke as he stretches out his legs.
As Paul waits to hear what Gii has to say on the possible of magical summoning; potentially summoned monsters called to aid the girl, he glances to Ayreth, curious to know what she has to say.
"You know something about magic, too, yeah?" he says, asking her.
"What do you think of the idea of her being a magic user - maybe calling up an animal or something to fight for her?" he asks.
He stretches out his legs and blows a stream of smoke out of his mouth as he waits for someone to properly examine the area of traps.
Alar moves into position almost so stealth-fully that you all forget he's there. Out of the range of the light cast by the various spells, he's nearly invisible. He mentally reports back his findings, or rather, lack of. The scent is definitely stronger in the "nest". Faint perspiration can be smelled, but little else over the ambient smells of the room.
Bartholomew looks to the others and shrugs as Alar continues to search, this time moving closer, continuing with his soundless and careful movements.
Paul taps the ash of his smoke and stubs it out. He swings himself to his feet and glances around the room.
”This place ain’t too big…” he says as he looks at the walls; gauging them, especially the canvas on the north side.
He pauses and looks at his companions – his voice and tone completely serious.
”I almost got ya’ll killed because I was stupid and impatient,” he says to them.
”I ain’t going to do that this time.”
Alar quietly moved forward to U:5 to check out the nest. He suddenly notices a fuzzy ball skim past his head and land on the square directly behind him U:6.
The fuzzy ball instantly transforms/changes into a full-sized wolverine and immediately attempts to bite the surprised Alar.
Fortunately for the starry lion, Alar, his defences are too resilient for the Wolverine's attack and it dismally misses.
Gii nods at Paul's words, while trying to peer through the darkness of the cave. "Better to be cautious. Especially in the dark like this."
Alar
Ayreth
Bart
Blue Heron
Gii
Paul
Yuki
Wolverine
I can't provide exact coordinates for Paul until or unless I have some kind of time frame.
I was starting on the top left corner - taking 2 minutes for each 5x5 grid and moving across.
I don't know when the target appeared to attack Alar, so I don't how far I've gotten.
I do know that Paul would have been at O:3 to search O:2 as his first search.
Gii nods at Paul's words, while trying to peer through the darkness of the cave. "Better to be cautious. Especially in the dark like this."
Paul glances at Gii as he works.
"What do you mean? It ain't dark..." he says with confusion.
Paul continues to work, noting that Alar is moving about.
"How's it coming, ya'll?" he asks them with a somewhat distracted tone as he works.
"Something shape-shifty just attacked Alar!" Bart rushes forward into the cavern, grabbing at his amulet for security, and tries to determine as he moves toward his friend what the creature is. He stops a good fifteen feet away from the critter and holds up his hands. "Whoa, whoa, easy there! We're not here ta hurt ya. Promise. We were sent ta find the cook, her employer is all worried about her goin missin!"
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