Torchlight catches on the ruby's faces as Corindus sets the gem back down, though with a pang of regret.
Such a stone represents so much potential. At first, he wonders how many days of reprieve it could buy him from laboring along the river.
However, as his thoughts quickly return to the town they hope to save, Corindus instead ponders for a long moment how many of the Hollow's beleaguered residents could benefit from its worth.
Ultimately, he defers to the holy woman's wisdom and turns his back on the ruby and its accompanying coins.
Corindus sets his face firmly, resolving that he carries enough sin already. He can find another way - or at least, he hopes he can.
"I agree with Kinshara. Let's check the other wing of the monastery."
Kinshara moves out of the room, searching for ironbloom mushrooms.
You get to room 15 with no problems
This small study looks like it has been lived in recently.
Gnawed bones litter the floor and tufts of gray fur can be seen here and there.
An old stone desk sits in the center of the chamber, scratched and cracked in many places.
The stench of wet fur hangs heavy in the air.
"So those wolves outside weren't just hunting. They were patrolling their lair. Let's hope they are all away and we can finish before they return."
Corindus crouches down and examines the fur and offal, analyzing the tracks to see how many animals frequent this place.
He also keeps his nose and ears open, wary for clues that any more such beasts are near.
Detecting magic
Searching the room
"Indeed. Let's search quickly."
Detect Magic help you find a hidden compartment.
The desk is completely empty save for a few scraps of ancient parchment and an old quill.
One of the drawers has a secret compartment, though, that can be found with a DC 15 Search check.
Inside is a +1 handaxe, a small pouch containing 100 pp, and a prayer book.
The book is written in dwarven and describes the worship of Droskar.
A small note on the inside cover reads
“Torag is no longer worthy of our devotion. Only Droskar can deliver us from the failings of King Garbold.”
Darion and Kinshara can split the platinum pieces and Corindus seems a fitting person for the +1 handaxe
”Let’s keep moving everyone”
Corindus sheathes his cutlass and examines the handaxe. He runs a thumb across the face of the axehead, marveling at how well the steel has endured the centuries.
He even appreciates the tiny runes etched upon it, even if he is utterly illiterate to their meaning.
He grasps the preserved wooden haft and takes a moment to adjust to the lighter weapon before leading the party into the adjoining room.
Gaping holes in the roof allow faint light to enter this ruined chamber.
One of the stone columns that once supported the ceiling is toppled, its broken pieces littering the floor.
A thick patch of black mushrooms hides in a nearby corner, giving the room an earthy scent that is barely noticeable above the stench of wet fur.
Darion observes the mushrooms from a distance ”Are those iron blooms”
"I certainly hope so."
Corindus holds his torch aloft to better illuminate the room. While he hopes to identify the ironblooms, he also remains alert for the source of the wet fur smell.
You wake up a Large grey wolf in it's Den and makes himself known and that he ain't happy.
Alarmed at the sight of the growling wolf, Kinshara starts to back away slowly.
Your all shaken for 3 rounds, no save.
Corindus' foot begins the slide back as the urge strikes him to edge away cautiously.
However, his eyes turn and catch upon the mushrooms, leading his mind back to the people of the Hollow.
"Easy now," he says, holstering the magic handaxe on his belt and raising his palm plaintively, and hoping the quaver in his voice does not trigger the wolf. "Would you like some food?"
Slowly, carefully, he retrieves some jerky from his belt pouch and offers it in hopes to placate the animal
Darion readies for a confrontation and prays that it is not necessary as he peers into the room with the wolf
Kinshara lowers her sword in an effort to not interfere with Corindus's attempt to placate the large beast.
The Wolf speaks
"What are you doing IN MY DEN?"
Kinshara is startled by the wolf's speech but tries to regain her composure quickly. "We meant no tresspass. We are searching for a particular type of mushroom that we were told could be found in this place. We need them to cure a sickness in our village."
After hearing the wolf speak Darion wracks his brain for any knowledge that he might remember about talking wolf creatures
"Yes, all we want are the mushrooms. If you'll allow us to collect a few, we will leave you and your den in piece. We can provide some food in trade, if that will satisfy you."
Corindus swallows a lump in his throat, choking back the bewilderment of speaking with a wolf. He also resists the instinctive urge to slap his hand to the hilt of his cutlass.
The Wolf speaks
"Sorry, but they are quite delicious.
Instead how about a few tasks...for the mushrooms?"
"People are dying in Falcon's Hollow, so we don't have time to spare. We could trade some meat for the mushrooms. If you are the type of beast that collects wealth, we could also offer coins."
Darion casts Message and speaks in a quite whisper to Corindus
”Corindus.... Lets here what the tasks are perhaps they will be relatively quick. I doubt it is willing to really negotiate for meat and coin. Think about it a talking wolf... my suspicion leads me to think of only one creature that takes this form and is intelligent enough to speak let alone negotiate. That creature is a barghest, pretty nasty, but we may be able to defeat it if we were lucky.... and smart for that matter. I’m not saying this is a barghest, but that is the only thing I can think of. Let’s try it’s way first, unless it wants us to do something morally wrong”
Kinshara's Iomedean sensibilities kick in at the wolf's mention of a task quest and she steps forward to address it: "Name your price. If the tasks are something we can do, we shall attempt to aid you in return for the mushrooms we seek."
For now, Corindus holds his tongue and waits to hear the beast's response. Much of his trepidation stems from superstitious fear of such a strange, speaking creature.
"I would like it if you could take care of those Darkmantles,
as they have attacked me and members of my pack a few times.
that and they tend to eat all the rats here which I'd like to have around as a food reserve."
"That sounds acceptable to me," Kinshara states while glancing at her companions. "Where do these creatures lair?"
”Darkmantles eh! Something tells me we’ve already met some earlier. Now that we know what they are that should make it a little easier to defeat them”
It is a small magical beast that likes to be underground or in ruins.
Corindus quietly, begrudgingly accepts that the party will need to exchange favors with this wolf.
Rather than the loss of precious time, it is striking a bargain with such an unnatural beast that most unnerves the riverman.
You wander around for the Dark mantles in the area you fought them and adjacent rooms
Perception check to find them.
Darion casts light on several small stones to illuminate their surroundings and hopefully not be caught unawares by the dark mantles. He gives a few stones to each person and peels his eyes to try and notice the creatures
He doesn’t know if their are no creatures near by or whether he is just not looking hard enough
Corindus draws his magic handaxe anew and leads the search.
With his torch's flame beginning to burn low, he gladly accepts the glowing stone from Darion as a backup.
Kinshara moves forward with sword drawn, ready to strike down the darkmantles.
Corindus find them hanging on the ceiling of room 10.
Initiative.
"Found the devils," he growls.
After Corindus points out the dark mantles on the ceiling Darion casts grease on the ceiling to get as many as possible to fall to the floor
They loose their grip and fall a bit, but start flying at about half way down.
Kinshara raises her sword with a battle shout and rushes forward to take advantage of Darion's spell.
It is in reach and you miss.
Corindus drops his torch, scattering a plume of dust and a halo of burning sparks from the floor.
He hustles forward, drawing his other handaxe as he moves, and confronts the nearest flapping beast.
Finally able to vent his frustrations, he hacks at the creature with his magic handaxe.
Corindus hit one really well.
They counter attack
The Health one attacks Corindus
It's Holding Corindus's head quite well
The weakened one attacks Kinshara.
The weakened one drunkenly tries to attack Kinshara's head.