"Yes, it only seems like common sense to find out if there is an evil or magical aura on this chest, or a mechanical trap or some such nonsense.
Opening it, now that is different question, but maybe there is no choice if we want to make sure it is secure.
On the other hand...what if opening it HERE would make the skeletons animate and attack us out of anger?
You know the stories I'm sure, Ruhk raises his hands in the air an makes an exaggerated attempt to mimic a ghost.
"Oooooh, for her hands alone...you must not defile our honour..."
Halvor nods in agreement when the group talks about making sure there isn't any danger inside the chest before taking back to town. Halvor continues to fidget with his armor, it clearly is not sitting right on him.
Malcolm detects evil on the chest.
The large jade and cherry wood chest opens easily to Kelistra's touch. It looks like the lock was pried off, perhaps by goblins before the chest was retrieved by Tsutami's skeletons. The fallen bones lie motionless around the cavern and it seems that whatever dark will held them in unlife has departed.
Inside the chest it is obvious that many objects have been removed from the numerous slots in the chest’s velvet-lined interior, again, perhaps the handiwork of the goblins. Yet much remains and your quick inventory reveals:
a short sword and a matched dagger in fine sheaths
seven or eight vials of potion
two slim wooden wands
a plain silver ring
a dozen tubes of colored paper with fuses - fireworks?
several bags of coins
a small heavy wooden box
In addition Tsutami's remains bear fine, if foreign-looking and damaged, chainmail armor - and his sword with the damaged hilt.
Nothing shows the taint of evil to Malcolm's senses.
It will take two people to carry the chest back to the surface.
Jordan adds his congratulations to those of his new companions and then stumbles forward to see if any items are magical after uttering a simple cantrip.
"Honor among the walking dead--how novel."
"Well, no obvious dangers. In addition to whatever Jordan is doing there can Malcolm see if any evil lurks in that little wooden box? I think it was always the little wooden boxes in Niska's stories wasn't it? Then I'll be happy to help carry it up top."
I sense no evilfrom the box or its contents.
Removing the skeleton chainmail and sword and putting with the rest.
Well we can bring everything to town and see if Ameiko can figure this mess.
The elf tries one of the chest's grips with no success.
Hmmmph...
Damn. Bloody thing is heavy.
"Well, of course we'll give this to Ameiko. Now that we know it's safe," Kelistra says sheepishly.
Malcolm moves forward to heft the chest.
Marduzi walks over to join Malcolm and takes the other side, "I'll help you take it up top Malcolm. I'm sure Smoke won't mind even more of a hefty load on the way back to town. Everyone in agreement that we should take this back and see Ameiko right away?"
Jordan sits wearily on the chest.
"Only another hundered pounds or so now. Just catching my breath."
He looks up from his perch hoping for a ride.
"Ah, come on Jordan you big pansy, get over here and I'll give you a piggy back ride. Anything to stop you complaining hahahaha."
The journey back to the surface seems surprisingly quick after your long trek into the darkness, but that's often the case. Smoke waits patiently at the cave entrance.
Marduzi works with Malcolm to get the chest up onto Smoke and works to bind it in place. Feeling the heavy load added, Smoke turns to watch with a wary look, but a touch and reassuring word from Marduzi settles him back down. Once the chest is secured, Marduzi mounts the horse. "Everyone ready to get back to Sandpoint and see Ameiko?"
"I am prepared to return to the town."
I greatly anticipate our return, but let's be wary on the way back.
"Aye, I think we've established that the Brinestump's reputation is well-deserved over the last couple days. It would be rather ironic if we went through everything we have and then perished after getting bitten by poisonous snakes on our way back to town."
Jordan explains what he knows after examining the find.
"A mostly depleted wand to put the equivalent of a chain shirt on a mage, an even more depleted wand to enchant a weapon a little, the swortsword and dagger are slightly enchanted, a ring that aids the wearer in climbing, three potion of slight healing, two of moderate healing, and two potions to restore those drained such as I."
Jordan looks thoughtful.
"I suggest I take the magic armor wand, Kelistra the magic weapon wand. With Halvor along, I bet we never need the healing potions, but we should split them just in case he gets hurt and we need to bring him back. The weapons should go to our fighters and the ring to our climber."
"I think you should use the potion that will restore your strength, Jordan. Just in case we run into something nasty on the way home."
"Have to say I'm not too comfortable taking any of those items until we talk to Ameiko. Sure the swamp is dangerous, but while I think we need to be careful, I don't think we need everything in that chest to get out."
"Ameiko may actually deserve the attention from all the guys that fawn over her. She may be the greatest bard that Sandpoint's ever seen," Kelistra says soberly. "She might actually be some missing princess and this may be some long lost family heirloom and we need to let her decide what happens with it. But if she were here, I'm sure she'd offer Jordan a potion or two to heal up after being hurt getting her stuff back." Kelistra starts walking the trail back to Sandpoint.
"Aye I cannot be everywhere so having those healing potions spread about may be wise."
Jordan agrees with leaving the contents intact.
"I can wait to deliver the contents in full. We will let Ameiko decide what to do."
Jordan does take the offered piggyback ride--he is that weak.
I recommend that we leave the contents be until delivered, unless it is an absolute emergency.
Marduzi groans, "Really Kelistra? There is a strong enough call to duty surrounding the contents of this chest that it causes a skeleton to rise from the dead and guard it for years until it was defeated in an honorable battle and you want to blame our reluctance to use it on guys fawning over Ameiko? I'll tell you what. Here's a compromise. First, I'll take Jordan on Smoke. If Smoke finds the load too heavy, I'll walk. Second, we get one of those potions out and Jordan carries it. If we face a life or death situation on the way back to town, he can drink it. I'm sure our duty is to get the chest back to Ameiko and any associated spirits will understand if we use the items to make sure that happens. Sound good?" While waiting, Marduzi dismounts and helps Jordan up onto Smoke, then checks the horse for the load given that it would now be carrying two chests, Jordan and possibly Marduzi. If this is too much weight or too awkward, Marduzi remains dismounted and leads Smoke by the reins.
Yes, if you don't mind and it sounds like you don't, let's say its strapped to the chest once we figure out what to do about the potions.
Jordan did you try your arcane sight on the sword and armor from the skeleton warrior?
"Personally, I am all in favour of Jordan drinking that potion, that way I won't have to lug his useless arse around, hah!"
Grinning, Ruhk pats Jordan’s stomach and chuckles.
"Too many pot roasts and not enough push ups if you ask me."
I agree with Ruhk. Potions are mundane enough itens. Jordan should drink that one up. No point in needless risking his life.
"Potions are mundane enough items when they belong to you. When they belong to someone else they are called stolen items. Those belong to Ameiko. If you use them, you are stealing from a friend. She may forgive you, but that still doesn't make it right."
"Why don't we save them just in case. We can protect him for now. Have him carry one and if we are attacked then he can he can drink it if needed. Otherwise some rest with some of my healing attention should make him good as new. I think that should be a fair compromise and I believe she would understand his need to drink it if it comes to it."
"Yeah, really. We know the skeleton was guarding this for the Kaijitsu heir. We still don't know he was talking about Ameiko. That's just the conclusion you all leaped to. For all we know, we'll wind up with Ruhk carrying Jordan carrying the potion all the way to wherever the heck her family's from to deliver it to the true heir." Kelistra takes a deep breath and smiles before continuing, "You gotta admit, that would be one hell of a story. If Jordan's alright with waiting, I guess I really shouldn't be complaining."
Enraged by the other elf self-righteousness Iralynash snaps back.
And with friends like you, who needs enemies?
Its easy to sacrifice somebody else. I wonder if you would have that same posture if you were the one cursed. he says with bitterness.
And for the record, I resent been called a thief! Specially when I am innocent!
Azmythe pauses for a moment before responding to Iralynash. "I am not familiar with the particulars of you friendship with Ameiko and her family. If I gave unwanted advice I apologize. I am not sacrificing you. Let me be clear. If you feel that you need the potions or any of the items, use them. I did point out that no matter the need, using up or not returning these items to Ameiko or her family is theft. If they are returned, none of us are theives." He shrugs "I didn't call you a thief but, if you steal something, I will."
"I admit I got a little excited when I found out the items were magic. All our sweat to get the treasure after the goblin fight so when I saw the treasure--well my hands itched to hold a wand. But we can wait and see what Ameiko says."
The righteous are blessed with easy travel, at least on this particular afternoon. Snakes slither from the trail ahead of you, and the path you tread seems somehow less boggy than before. Even the omnipresent marsh stench is abated somewhat by a fresh sea breeze.
Or maybe it is just the thought of home that lights your way and speeds your step.
Howeverso, it is not long before the familiar buildings of Sandpoint hove into view. Your trials and travels have sped through the day, and the people of the small town are beginning to light lamps in the windows of their houses, and outside inns. The bell in the old cathedral starts to toll the evening service.
I suggest that we head directly to the Rusty Dragon, no?
"I agree. We can send a message to the sheriff once we're ready to talk to him."
Yea, lets go to the inn.
...
I sure could use a drink.
"Yeah, let's get to the Dragon," Kelistra says half-heartedly. "Sorry I was so, bratty earlier. It's just... My first real adventure and the big surprise is all about Ameiko... And Sandru's probably still off with his caravan. The one guy I'd really want to tell this story to... I suppose it really isn't much of a story, yet."
"Uh, thanks, guys," Kelistra says with a smile. "Let's see what Ameiko makes of this trunk and the skeleton's challenge."
Walking beside the young bardess Iralynash says with a sad smile.
Cheer up girl.
You lived to tell the tale and noone of your friends got seriously injured. These are the best kind of adventure.
"Let's go to the Rusty Dragon, we can all get their version of a potion of restoration." Jordan quips.
Ruhk chuckles and tousles Kelistras hair like she was a younger sister.
"Don't fret "mother", I'm sure there is plenty of undead creatures out there just "dying" to "guard" you."
"The dragon sounds good, I feel like a pint or ten, and there might even be a pork pie for Jordan here."
Ruhk then puts an arm around Iralynahs shoulder and winks.
"Besides, I got to drink to this new friendship of mine, didn't you hear? Him and me are best friends now."
Sweet! Iralynash aswers Ruhk.
You are paying the tab! with a smile.
The warm lighting in the Rusty Dragon welcomes you back to civilization. Jak Peg stands behind the long wooden bar, polishing a metal cup with a mostly clean cloth and smiling his gap-toothed smile. Rows of bottles — spirits and wines from across the Inner Sea — line the shelves behind him.
Ameiko sits in one corner, playing a soft melody on her lute. The notes weave through the low hum of conversation from the gathered regulars. As you enter she is singing, not something you've heard before...
"Nothing's ever lost forever /
It's just hiding in the recess of your mind /
And when you need it /
It will come to you at night"
Her eyes widen in a slight smile as she see you enter her inn, but she doesn't stop playing. She nods you towards the bar and continues her song.
Jak says, "Gents. Ladies. What'll it be?"