"Would you please?"
Riley nods and takes them carefully, leaving the case in Rhia's hands. "Keep the case, love. The daggers are yours. You can decide what to do with them once I am through. You found them. It is only right." He winks at her and turns back toward the slots.
If Riley finds no traps, he will attempt to insert the mithril key-like daggers.
Perception Check
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Connor peers at the rock in the north...
Connor sees what Riley had noted a moment earlier - a pair of low timber barricades and rocks partially blocking the passageway. He, too, believes there is a large cave beyond the passage. It would explain how the large rodents got into treasury - possibly foraging for more food.
When Felix surveys the chamber and moves closer to the hole in the north wall, he can detect a familiar scent - kobolds, and, from the pungency - that several had passed through here recently. Also, there is another scent - one of death and decomposition.
Connor peers at the timbers and is prepared to move them so his companions can enter the area, too.
Have Connor roll a straight Intelligence Check as to what he thinks is the better option and we will go from there. Thanks.
"Keep the case, love. The daggers are yours. You can decide what to do with them once I am through. You found them. It is only right."
Rhialtyra laughed and smiled at him, pleased by his familiarity. She'd earlier observed that he was a flirt - and involved with Talia - but she could see also that he was genuine and kind in his treatment of women, no matter who.
"Do you think it'll work?" Rhialtyra asked, cheered. She'd assumed the daggers had a secondary use because of the strange notches they'd had on their blades, but if they hadn't come across two slots with similar sizes, she didn't know that it would've occurred to her. She supposed it was partially the oddities of the place that had inspired her.
Of course, it could all turn out to be a dud and then she'd hope to figure out what other secondary use the dagger might have. Still, one could hope, right?
** spoiler omitted **
"Actually Rhia...I think it will take us both inserting the daggers simultaneously. I don't think there are any traps." He hands her one of the daggers. "Ready to give it a shot?" He heads over to one of the slots.
With the recent collapse of the Witch Tower and now this "hole"/tunnel which appears crudely and hastily made, Connor would surmise that the least dangerous solution would be to carefully dig away some of the collected rock to the edge of the rubble/to the side of tunnel and try to move around the blockade rather than attempt to go up and over both timber and rock and possibly unsettle the balance of the pile and cause more damage or danger.
"Actually Rhia...I think it will take us both inserting the daggers simultaneously. I don't think there are any traps." He hands her one of the daggers. "Ready to give it a shot?" He heads over to one of the slots.
Rhialtyra takes the Mithral dagger from Riley. "I am willing. Let us see if this works and neither of us are injured. The oracle moves down to the cage and positions herself at the eastern slot and waits until Riley is situated at its western match.
Through the bars, she watches and she counts, "One, two, three, insert daggers now," and together rogue and oracle insert the Mithral daggers into the respective slots. The notches in the dagger she held fit perfectly in the slot before her and Rhialtyra, encouraged by this prospect, advises, "My dagger has settled readily into the slot."
As the pair work together and turn their daggers in their slots simultaneously, the iron bars of the cage begin to rattle and then grind and begin to slowly descend into a recess in the stone floor.
Once the bars are fully descended, Rhialtyra looks across to Riley and exclaims happily, "It worked! We did it."
You can clearly view the seven black iron chests now and upon closer inspection you can see a large, simple-looking lock set on each chest. You look around but cannot find any keys. You also determine there are no traps on the chests.
Felix moves to the north hole with Connor and says Careful Connor, I smell that kobolds went this way. Also, I can detect the odor of death and decay wafting from there as well. Neither scent fills me with hope that this tunnel will lead to a land of rainbows and sunshine.
Going back to the others he repeats to them what he has smelled.
"Careful Connor, I smell that kobolds went this way. Also, I can detect the odor of death and decay wafting from there as well. Neither scent fills me with hope that this tunnel will lead to a land of rainbows and sunshine."
Riley agrees with Felix. "Please let me take my time on these chests and then we can head to the next area. No need stirring trouble until we are settled here, mates. Besides, I am interested to see what is in these."
Careful Connor, I smell that kobolds went this way. Also, I can detect the odor of death and decay wafting from there as well."
Connor's brow furrow at this comment.
While he had fully intended to leap down the hole and work at clearing the rubble from the bottom - leaving the top portion, and the easier load, for the others; now he is not sure...
He glances at Felix.
"You say you smell the kobolds went this way. In which case, that means they have already been in this room, do you think?" he says, looking around the room curiously.
"Or is it possible that the scents confused..."
The last question was important to Connor only because it seemed likely that either the kobolds were hiding in the next room, or that they had made it up into this chamber somehow. Yet if they had, how did they evade the ghoul and the construct?
Unless there was something more cunning and more powerful guiding them...
Neither scent fills me with hope that this tunnel will lead to a land of rainbows and sunshine.
Connor looks at Felix strangely -
"Aye! This tunnel, no; yet do not worry, for rainbows connect all lands and their colored trails bind every world together as one. And on those paths mighty heroes may journey between realms to do battle with dreadful enemies..." he says, then - catching Felix's tone - nods slowly, as if suddenly realizing the Man-Cat's meaning and offers him a small smile.
Meanwhile, he waits for the others and then overhears Riley's words.
"Please let me take my time on these chests and then we can head to the next area. No need stirring trouble until we are settled here, mates. Besides, I am interested to see what is in these."
Connor watches Riley work. Of course, he is also incredibly curious at what is within them; to be driven by that curiosity - that need - to know what is over the next hill, or hidden in some secret place... These were qualities valued in his people.
A being with a curious heart was a being that would feel a calling to sail to new shores and to explore new realms and cultures; to find new treasures, to claim new things for their people.
In short, being curious was his in his nature - he wanted to discover what was in them as much as Riley, though he himself suspected they were merely bodies used to create new ghouls to guard this room.
Yet only by searching could that mystery be solved...
"If you cannot open those locks, do not worry overmuch," he says, trying to reassure Riley.
"If your tools will not work then maybe we shall try a different key," he adds, and then hefts his axe.
Clearly Connor has no problem in chopping the chests apart and taking what is in inside them if the others are unable to pick the locks.
The rogue and the bard worked steadily side by side, methodically picking each lock on the seven iron chests. It takes some time but they are rewarded with success upon every chest.
They discover two of the iron chests are empty; the third contains 18,500 copper pieces, the fourth: 4,000 silver pieces, the fifth: 115 gold pieces, the sixth: 14 platinum pieces and the last chest contains a high quality/carved teak case. Opening the case, you discover, nestled among the black velvet interior, thirty small gems (they are opaque in colour with bluish iridescence).
`Connor's eyes widen when he sees the light glimmering on the coins and he laughs loudly and with genuine pleasure as he plunges his hands in to the silver pieces and flings them in the air, then turns to the gold and platinum with equal enthusiasm.
His eyes next turn to the boxes and the gems and when he sees them he attempts to guess their value...
Connor takes the somewhat heavy bronze plaque from his satchel and lays it against the chest of Copper Coins.
He ponders the value of the gems for a moment, then looks to his companions, curious to know their estimation.
While he waits to hear their value he scoops up the gold and platinum coins and dumps them in his sack.
He looks at the others.
"We have the treasure; can we reclaim the daggers from their slots, or will it seal the gates?"
He thinks a moment.
"If it does seal the gates it may be wise to leave the majority of the loot here behind the lowered bars. Once we have finished our exploration we can return to the rest of the plunder and simply cart it out later. Carrying so many things may weight us down if we have to fight..." he says looking around.
You have never seen such a finely crafted case as this before, yet you recognise the wood from which it is carved/made and you believe it to be worth 20 gold pieces.
The size and clarity of the 30 gems are the same (which is most unusual in itself) and although the colour is more opaque than translucent, you believe each gem is worth 25 gold pieces, making the 30 worth 750 gold pieces in total.
The mariners of your people have collected and used feldspar to navigate on cloudy days. Although such stones are aptly named "sunstones", these gems appear to be a feldspar, too, but of a different variety. These are its opposite - Moonstones, said to afford protection to those at night. You have only seen one such stone as this once before (it was larger and clearer than these gems) and marvel at the number housed in the case.
Gamblers could be an interesting lot - especially with what they put down on the card table as wager. Before you met Lauirreux Montpierre and threw your lot in with him, you were gambling heavily one late night and one of the patrons set down two larger, clearer versions of the gems before you now. He told you how they are mined and their name, "Moonstones". The ale made his tongue run loose and he schooled you in the colours, sizes and clarity to appease your curiosity. Although these gems are smaller and more opaque, they are most certainly Moonstones and pretty in their own right.
"If it does seal the gates it may be wise to leave the majority of the loot here behind the lowered bars. Once we have finished our exploration we can return to the rest of the plunder and simply cart it out later. Carrying so many things may weight us down if we have to fight..."
Riley listens to his companion's wisdom. "I agree mate. Great idea."
Riley looks at the gems closely. "These are moonstones. Felix, mate, you ever run across these before?"
After they settle the treasure, Riley has Rhia help him close the gate to protect their treasure. He gives his dagger to Rhia for safe keeping.
He then heads back to the barricade and looks it over carefully with Connor. "What are you thinking Connor son of Ceorl? Thanks to Felix's nose, we know there is trouble on the other side."
Impressed by the apparent bounty of the chests, Rhialtyra's mouth fell open. She'd seen purses of platinum before, but the sheer number of coins - platinum and otherwise - impressed her.
"If it does seal the gates it may be wise to leave the majority of the loot here behind the lowered bars. Once we have finished our exploration we can return to the rest of the plunder and simply cart it out later. Carrying so many things may weight us down if we have to fight..." he says looking around.
"I as well. Carrying this will weigh us down whether we fight or not - there are enough coins that I'd not want to remove the money alone. Even dividing it among ourselves would be a burden." Rhialytyra chimed in after Riley.
After they settle the treasure, Riley has Rhia help him close the gate to protect their treasure. He gives his dagger to Rhia for safe keeping.
She accepted the dagger back with a word of thanks and replaced them in their box before resettling them in her kit, perhaps a bit more carefully now that she better understood their value.
The Halflings who adopted you into their clan used to share stories of a stone called a "Moonstone" or the "Traveller's Stone" - granting mystical protection to those who travelled at night or upon the water when the moon was shining and thus were worn as a talisman. These certainly appear to be the pearly white semi-precious stone the Halflings taught you about, even though they are the smaller variety. More importantly, you believe these to be 'White Moonstone' as the stones come in a variety of colours: blue, grey, white, peach or yellow and rainbow.
The stones do not possess any magical property that you are aware of but they instil basic hope in the wearer (People just feel better for wearing a Moonstone talisman - believing it can keep them from harm).
Valuing gemstones was never your forte. The Halflings believed the Moonstones to be important/valuable as talismans. They're semi-precious stones to be sure - so you believe they are valued at least 1000 gold pieces for their sought after protection.
The seven black iron chests are closed and the bars of the cage rise up to the roof of the chamber with the removal of the Mithral daggers from their slots. They are returned to Rhialtyra for safekeeping who returns them to their box and carefully stows them in her pack.
Riley moves to the mouth of the cave in the north wall and calls to Connor, who surveyed the tunnel earlier. Connor shares with the rogue his thoughts on the timbers and rocks. A thought occurs to to the rogue and Riley peers more closely at the twin timber barricades.
A trapper you once knew used to brag of rigging a pair of trapped barricades. Your skill allows you to see that the position and angle of the timber barricades means that if anyone were attempting to climb over the barricades and put their weight on the timbers that it would trigger a trap. Your eyes scan the roof of the tunnel and you can see the mechanism that will release several broken off stalactites to swing down like a pendulum to strike anyone in their path, causing deep injury.
Riley and Connor put their heads together to try and tackle the barricade. While they are looking, Riley makes a discovery. To Connor, "Hey mate. The position and angle of those timber barricades will be troublesome should we attempt to climb or put weight on them. They appear to trigger some type of trap." He scan the roof of the tunnel and notices the mechanism. He points at a couple of broken off stalactites. "See there? If we trigger the mechanism, those bad boys will swing down like a pendulum and do significant damage to anyone on top. I'll see if I can disarm it." Riley cautiously works on the mechanism, attempting to avoid springing the trap. Sweating from the work, "It's a good thing you held off on advancing shield brother."
Felix smiles when he sees the moonstones and says to the group, The halflings that raised me put great store into the luck these moonstones generated as charms. Whether they work or not I am not sure but I've always said I'll take all the luck I can get. These stones in particular are known as White Moonstone. They come in other colors as well such as blue, grey, white, yellow or peach and a dazzling rainbow sort of color. He pops one of the nicer ones out and has it dance across his knuckles before he makes it vanish and appear in his belt pouch.
"Do the hold any magic?" Riley asks Felix.
He then heads back to the barricade and looks it over carefully with Connor. "What are you thinking Connor son of Ceorl? Thanks to Felix's nose, we know there is trouble on the other side."
Connor scratches his beard absently before answering; his eyes trained on the tunnel to the north, despite the tempting wealth in the chests.
”What do I think?” he says slowly, as if considering things.
”I think that this place is ancient and filled with nothing to eat, yet we just killed two large rats and rats need food to survive.”
”I think that the rats came from the tunnel before us – and I think that, if they did – the rats entered these ruins from some deeper place that had food for them to scavenge; for surely they did not find food in any of the ruins we have journeyed in.”
”I think that something dug up from below the ruins from places that large rats journey in, and I think we shall find them – and more – in the chambers beyond; but I do not think these chambers will end at the ruins themselves, but continue into darker places of the earth.”
”If that is true, we must be cautious. But perhaps I am wrong…” he adds, then turns and gives Riley a small smile.
Felix smiles when he sees the moonstones and says to the group, The halflings that raised me put great store into the luck these moonstones generated as charms. Whether they work or not I am not sure but I've always said I'll take all the luck I can get. These stones in particular are known as White Moonstone. They come in other colors as well such as blue, grey, white, yellow or peach and a dazzling rainbow sort of color. He pops one of the nicer ones out and has it dance across his knuckles before he makes it vanish and appear in his belt pouch.
Connor nods his head slowly.
"Aye; I've seen similar stones in my journey that my uncle carried; though we call them "sunstones" - for we use them to catch the light on cloudy days when our people navigate ships and we wished to plot a course on the waters."
"It seems that they have many virtues; I am glad that we found them."
"I do not for certain, yet I deem they are only worth about twenty-five gold pieces each. Still, that is a tidy sum of wealth," he says with a nod at the bundle.
"As for the box they came in? Who can say for sure; for the wood is rare and it may be worth more to different merchants. Yet I have seen much woodwork in my day, and though I am no expert, I deem the box is itself worth roughly twenty gold pieces."
After giving his assessment the others offer their own opinions and Riley advances to the northern tunnel.
"Hey mate. The position and angle of those timber barricades will be troublesome should we attempt to climb or put weight on them. They appear to trigger some type of trap." He scan the roof of the tunnel and notices the mechanism. He points at a couple of broken off stalactites. "See there? If we trigger the mechanism, those bad boys will swing down like a pendulum and do significant damage to anyone on top. I'll see if I can disarm it." Riley cautiously works on the mechanism, attempting to avoid springing the trap. Sweating from the work, "It's a good thing you held of on advancing shield brother."
Connor notes Riley’s observation, and claps him on his shoulder, clearly appreciating the warning.
As he waits for the Half-Elf to work, he considers things aloud.
”I do not understand this breed of kobolds…” he says slowly.
”These sort seem to traffic in traps and treachery, rather than combat and courage… The kobolds I have met are far too honorable for such things. They would rather kill face to face – or be killed – rather then skulking about like some filthy goblin,” he mutters with a scowl.
It seems that, although Connor has a remarkable set of knowledge regarding kobolds, his knowledge is limited to a specific breed that is far different than the ones in this place. Consequentially, while his tales may be intriguing, the lore he shares about his prior adventures is likely to have little bearing on the beings that they are dealing with currently.
”When you are done with that trap I shall climb down first for it is an easy climb and I should have no trouble. Once I have reached the bottom I shall tell you if there are any threats, meanwhile you can lower the folk in our company to me that have difficulty in climbing and we may aid their descent together,” he adds, waiting for Riley to finish with the traps.
Felix also says Connor? Do you have any idea how much the moonstones are worth? I thought around 1000 pieces of gold altogether but I may be off a bit depending on the local markets. As for heading down, would it not be better to lower Riley, whom can see better, or myself whom can smell any threats?
Felix also says Connor? Do you have any idea how much the moonstones are worth? I thought around 1000 pieces of gold altogether but I may be off a bit depending on the local markets."
He shrugs.
"You are right, not all merchants would pay the same. But with thirty gems at roughly twenty-five pieces, or so they seem to me, then that is close to nearly eight-hundred gold pieces."
"Of course, I may wrong."
"Perhaps when we get back, we should have another that we trust evaluate them a little more carefully."
He glances at the others, realizing that they are not as interested in the gems as he and Felix are, but that may change in time.
As he leans over Riley, he hears Felix move up behind him.
"As for heading down, would it not be better to lower Riley, whom can see better, or myself whom can smell any threats?
Connor turns to Felix.
"Aye! It would indeed, for I would wager you can see in the dark even better than a cat, and if not? Surely you can smell a threat long before even you could see it."
"But I did not wish to speak for anyone but myself on this matter for the stakes are too high to recommend another while I hide behind in the back, even though it is true that your way is wiser."
He nods to Felix respectfully at the Man-Cat's decision to go first into possible danger.
"If you choose to go first then know that I support your choice and I shall stand behind you ready to aid you in any way if you are in peril."
Felix nods and says I have no problem going. With that he slings his bow across his shoulder and you see hidden claws slide out of his fingers. They are long, curved and razor sharp. When everyone is ready he will proceed.
When everyone is ready he will proceed.
Connor folds his heavy arms over his chest and grins at Felix.
"What are you waiting for, my friend - do you want to live forever?" he says with a wide grin at the Man-Cat, knowing it was far better to laugh at danger than to shirk from it.
Anila listens to the various assessments regarding our paths and the gems. She is fascinated by the beauty of the stones and all the information that she has heard. She continues to follow behind until she can be sure the path is clear and waits until her help is needed.
Riley works diligently to disable the trapped barricade and is successful in time. Felix takes the lead and the group manage to move safely through the tunnel to the larger cave beyond. Once in there, Felix's dancing lights bob around the cavern.
This large cave appears to have been recently scratched from the hard-packed earth. The ceiling here is only five feet high. Several tons of debris fill the western portion of the cave.
Felix's fine sense of smell quickly picks up death in the large cave.
You can smell two distinct, strong scents coming from the most northern end of the cave: human and kobold.
While carefully examining the area, you recognise that the collapse was not from natural causes but was engineered. At the edge of the rubble, propped against the wall, you can see a single key support beam and surmise that is how the collapse was triggered - the support beam was removed on purpose!
As Connor waits to hear Felix's assessment of any scents or smells, he moves awkwardly under the low ceiling to study the collapsed area.
Connor stares hard the rubble.
It certainly collapsed, but what could have caused it?
He feels his upper back press against the ceiling and scowls.
"This height of this room is different than all the others. Surely the creators of the tower did not make this room so differently when all the other rooms were made with the same height. Could it be that we have found something that was not part of the tower itself?" he asks the others, wondering at the height of the ceiling.
He turns to Felix.
"Felix, my friend; have you found anything of note?" he asks, curious to know what Felix may have smelled - if anything.
Riley heads over and inspects the rubble with Connor. Connor helps point out a few things.
"Holy s*%$, mates! Here it is! Someone took out this support beam. I guess we have our answer on what happened. Now we need to figure out the who."
He turns to Felix. "Smell anything out of the ordinary?"
He looks around for trouble, wielding his sword.
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Unable to add anything to the details of the collapse, Felix nods and says Death...human and kobold... Looking over he says to Anila, Anila, I could use your eyes if you please. I don't want to announce our presence with light just yet if we can help it.
He looks to the others and says Stay here just a moment. We can move forward with my nose and her eyes without benefit of light. We will not go far.
Felix begins to sneak forward toward the north, where the smell was coming from.
[/b] Looking over he says to Anila, Anila, I could use your eyes if you please. I don't want to announce our presence with light just yet if we can help it.
He looks to the others and says Stay here just a moment. We can move forward with my nose and her eyes without benefit of light. We will not go far.
Anila nods to Felix and says, "Certainly. Let's go." Mirroring his movements she begins to try to sneak forward as well. She uses her ability to see in the darkness to look around and determine if there is anything of note.
Felix and Anila move forward quietly/covertly without the aid of the dancing lights - Felix using his scent and Anila her darkvision.
As close as they dared to go, toward the north end, was enough for the Catfolk bard to pick up the strong decomposing scent of both human and kobold and for Anila and he to see the bodies. Felix concentrates and draws one of the light spheres up and over the rubble with the bodies in order to see them better.
The dead, human body closest to you appears to have been crushed by the fallen stone and earth, which have partially buried him. He has white-hair, almost balding in places, a long white beard and his fine ruby-hued robes are tattered. There is a gold signet ring on the ring finger of his left hand; there is a bright green stone at its centre with the gold letter 'H' crafted in the very centre.
Nearby, five to ten feet are two semi-buried, dead green kobolds, a spade in their respective hands. They, too, have been crushed by fallen stone and earth.
The only item of note on his person is a key ring that contains one key - the appearance similar to a house key, and another brass key, with the appearance of one used to lock/unlock a chest of some kind.
You recall the townsfolk at the tower last eve mentioning the local wizard's family name, Hunclay, and you begin to wonder if this human male is the missing wizard of Belhaim ... You cannot be certain as you have never met the hermit, but the ring could be significant in identifying the body.
The talk on the moonstones had her curious. Why moonstones? For what purpose? She supposed they needed more clues.
--
Rhialtyra waited for the others to return, not wanting to call out to Anila and Felix whilst they were sneaking. If they had, perchance, found an enemy, she did not want to be the one that called attention to them.
Felix quietly moves over and searches the body, taking the signet ring and keys. He makes sure the wizards eyes are closed before taking Anila's hand and making their way back to he group.
He says quietly, There are two dead kobolds and we have found a human wizard, also dead. He had this signet ring and two keys on him. The kobolds were carrying spades.
"Anyone want to scan the area for magic?"
As Connor waits for the casters to search for magical auras, he lowers himself to the ground and stretches out his legs.
"You had a chance to see the body; do you think it was the kobolds that killed the wizards, or do you think they were working together?" he asks Felix.
He thinks about the spades for a bit, and the kobolds.
"I do not know, but it sounds like the kobolds collapsed the tunnel and were with the wizard when it happened."
"If that is true then it sounds as if we have completed our quest and may report to the baroness of this place with the results."
He glances at the low ceiling and scratches his beard.
"Or we continue..."
He glances to the north, then back to the others, wondering what they're thinking.
Anila opens herself up to the flow of magic and her eyes glow slightly as she looks around the room.
At Riley's suggestion, Rhialtyra nodded. They'd been so distracted by their initial findings that they hadn't thought to check for less apparent hints. She began her gestures and incantation alongside Anila.
To Connor, she noted, "I think we have enough to report to the baroness. We can always come back to investigate further, though I can't help but wonder if there might not be more creatures, sentient or not, lying in wait below."
She considered her own reserves and added, "I've a few more heals I can cast through the gods' favor and a few from my learnings, so while I am not against investigating further, I would not say no to taking a break to go through town with Delfi. We did say we'd go with her."
She also wouldn't mind taking another soak to get the feeling of filth off of her. She knew it wasn't there, Anila's spell having cleansed her, but the phantom sense of muck made her want to cringe.
Both Aasimars concentrate on the area before them. The human's signet ring in Felix's hand radiates magic; a faint aura at first, and you keep concentrating on the ring. It is of mastwerwork quality, but there is no school of magic to be noted, at this time. By the end of the third round of Detect Magic, another moderate aura is discovered.
Your specialised knowledge of spellcraft allows you to determine that the added enchantment upon the ring is of the conjuration school of magic. Most importantly, you can determine that it is a Scholar's Ring.
Rhialtyra stared, awed by the value of the signet ring Felix held. "That's a Scholar's Ring!" she exclaimed, startled. "If I remember correctly, it lets you understand any written text or spoken language, even if you've never seen or heard it before!"
After a moment's pause, she added, "It's also good for research - helps to inspire the wearer, I suppose you could say." She thought for a moment and said, "By the way, I think that might have been his focus of power - there's another aura about it, but not one that belongs to any single school of magic that I can think of."
Rhialtyra stared, awed by the value of the signet ring Felix held. "That's a Scholar's Ring!" she exclaimed, startled. "If I remember correctly, it lets you understand any written text or spoken language, even if you've never seen or heard it before!"
After a moment's pause, she added, "It's also good for research - helps to inspire the wearer, I suppose you could say." She thought for a moment and said, "By the way, I think that might have been his focus of power - there's another aura about it, but not one that belongs to any single school of magic that I can think of."
Connor cocks his head and considers this information for a moment from his place on the ground.
"What is it worth, I wonder?" he asks, then grins and hauls himself to his feet.
He turns to Riley -
"There are many pleasures that wait for us in town, but I think that I shall not taste them until I have finished this task to the end."
He glances at Felix -
"Felix, my friend; will you give us light to see with in the tunnels to the north? I think I will go on," he says.
Connor pauses and turns to the others.
"Do any of you also wish to come as well?" he asks them.
As he waits to see what Felix may do about the light or the others may say, he strides forward under the low ceiling until he moves past the rubble to the north to see what can be found.
With the one light sphere still hovering above the northern rubble pile where the bodies lay partially buried, there is some light with which to see along the north tunnel.
Connor strides past the dead human and kobolds and enters into the clear passageway leading north. He can see at the end of the passageway, and then the tunnel forks: one passageway leads further north and the other turns to the west.
Apart from the nearest scents (i.e. the dead human and two kobolds), you pick up another, potent kobold scent all along the northern passageway. They could have passed this way during the last day or so.
Riley would move up with Connor and help keep a look out for trouble.
He motion for the others to assume formation.