Sir Gavin nods at Sir Treygan. He harrumphs a bit as he sheathed his sword, a bit put out that he hadn't managed to land a single blow on the ogre.
"Yes. Well. Excellent shot."
He wanders over to hear what the woman had to say to Treygan. He marveled a little at his fellow knight's facility for words, given his backwater origins.
Mukluk watches as Sir Gavin walks away from the ogre while Mukluk and Treygan are trying to search the beast.
*oof*
*strain*
"No, don't mind *oof* us, Sir Gavin, *lift*," Mukluk stays though pursed lips as he tries to turn the ogre over. "You go talk to the *strain* lady, we got this!" Mukluk puts his back into trying to flip the ogre over for a good looksee.
György puts his spear down and lends his strength to Mukluk's struggle with the ogre. He smiles as he helps to flip the beast over, "Remember Desna's lesson Mukluk. We should always learn from what is different. You see any keys yet?"
Sir Gavin grins.
"I would never interfere with the work of a master craftsman."
Turning over the ogres body nets you a small, ratty pouch made out of the stomach of a bovine. Inside the pouch you find a collection of shiny river rocks and a few dead turtles one of which has a bite taken out of it. In addition you also find three keys, 78 gold, a masterwork dagger covered in yellow viscous pus and a light brown rock different in coloration from the other rocks. The only other thing in the room is a small pile of armor and gear kept in the southwestern cage.
"Return my belongings and free me and I will share what I know."
"My shield brothers and I came here to raid the ruins of the castle hoping to find items of significant worth but we were I'll-prepared for what the castle contained. My brothers died and I would have left had I not found a partial map of the castle. Convinced I could succeed given I now knew the layout, I continued on. The map led me to a hidden entrance beneath the castle, some cavern where therein lies a creature of fell origins. It was there that I was captured by the. Rid like creatures who worshipped the creature, stripped of my gear, and brought here to be watched over by this oaf," she finishes as brings her boot down onto the creatures skull, smashing it in even more with one heft. "More than that I do not know.
The brown rock is actually an Earth Elemental Gem.
Jean will toss the girl the key.
"Please share what you know and you are free to go with your things. We won't harm you."
Diplomacy
After her response...
"That path below is now clear, what did you encounter above that killed your brothers?"
Diplomacy
Sense Motive
The woman begins to secure her gear and nods her thanks. "Gratitude, strangers. Many of my brothers died to a sea drake before ever entering the castle. After that, they were killed off by birdlike creatures and strange men who appeared as if risen from death. I heard the birdmen tell tale of creatures with dull gray scales whose frame resembles that of a cave lizard, with a long tail and crests on its head and back though I saw no such creatures during my stay."
She extends a hand to whomever accepts it for returning her gear. "I am Kelda Oxgutter and I am in debt to you. What has motivated your sanity to flee and granted you the courage to explore this doomed castle? Do the spoils of Brinewall bring young your shield-brethren here as well?"
Sir Gavin smiles warmly, extends his hand to the lady and bows.
"I greet you Kelda Oxgutter. I am Sir Gavin D'Monteforte; and these my boon companions really should introduce themselves before indulging in an orgy of looting."
He casts a mildly disapproving glance back at them.
"As for why we are here, well some malign sorcery has felled our lady Kaijitsu, who lies now in a deathly sleep. We have traced the source here to Brinewall Castle, and now seek the source of the vile magic."
Mukluk holds his nose while he searches the ogre for hidden gemstones, only mostly annoyed that Treygan his helping himself to the prisoner while he's digging through ogre junk for loot.
"I got a rock." Mukluk says, holding up a rock while the others press the woman.
Cast Detect Magic.
Spellcraft - Gem
"I'm not sure what this is, but it's fancy. I'll figure it out tomorrow, likely." Mukluk offers the gem to whomever wants it.
Mukluk takes a look around, wondering where to go next.
"Say Miss Boxcutter? Which way should we go now? We're looking for something...uh..." Mukluk scratches his head, trying to remember the right phrase.
Shyly, more concerned about the areas safety and the info about above...Hi...
Sir Gavin smiles at her.
"You mentioned a partial map. Could we take a look?"
Kelda, a blonde-haired Ulfen woman, nods and ruffles through her gear withdrawing a map with scribbles and scrawls. She hands the map over to Sir Gavin.
Corvus takes the gem from Mukluk and has a look. He's been accurate in his assessment thus far, so she's not confident of finding anything to add to his views but...
Not sure how to point out that Mukluk mistook the item without offending him, Corvus hands it back to the dwarf.
"I think you were on the right lines. If you re-check it, I think you'll find you were correct, it's an Earth Elemental Gem."
On the basis that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Corvus greets the newcomer with a smile - but is wary that the enemy of my enemy might be an even greater enemy!
"Well, Miss Oxcutter, it seems one of the divine ladies our group follows was kind enough to provide us the wisdom to find you. This is not the first time we've heard of these birdmen. Perhaps you can tell us more of them? How do they fight, with weapons, spells, or beaks? Did they seem open to be reasoned with or did they descend upon you? Did there seem to be a leader among them?"
Mukluk studies the maps.
"Uh. If we go up from here, where do we come out?"
Kelda shakes her head. "I do not know. They set upon me and caught me unawares. They did wield weapons and possess sharpened beaks, but I was knocked out before Imcould avenge my shield-brothers." to Mukluk she replies, "I know not, Sir Dwarf. I wish my information for you was more than that, but even my happening upon that map was mere luck. Perhaps one of your goddesses put it into my path so that I were able to share it with you now." She turns back to the group as a whole. "I have been locked away for innumerable days but I am not yet dead. Though weak and weary, I can help you through this forsaken castle in order to find a cure for your mistress. I have nowhere else to go, but home, but if my final act on Golarion is to enact my vengeance upon those who slaughtered my brothers then so be it."
Once we are free of this place, i would love to hear the tale of the sea drake. I have some ship board tales myself to share if you wish. But now, let us bring Besmaras wrath upon these flightless murderers and later consign their corpses to the deep for your vengeance and her tribute.
"We would be honored to have you with us of course." Assures Sir Gavin.
He looks at the map closely and then looks around, puzzled.
"I... may not be reading this map correctly, but I don't see where we are on it."
"I believe we are in lower dungeons. I do not believe we have a place on the map just yet." Kelda replies.
Sir Gavin looks around. Are there any other ways out of this prison chamber?
"Welcome Kelda and may Desna bless you in your travels with us, be they long or brief. Have you healed or do you require assistance before we continue?"
There are two exits. The cavern 'hallway' you entered from continues down some ways before ending in a doorway. In addition, there is a door located in the western half of the prison room.
"Well, Missy Boxcutter, you should stay near me. I'm the only one with enough hair to make it worth your while," Mukluk chirps, happy to have another sword in the group.
"Come along now, lads. There might be a real maiden captured above and the rescue might be equally as fun." Mukluk looks to the pick hole in the ogre's forehead.
Mukluk heads for the western door, expecting others to follow because he's so obviously correct.
"OK...lads, let's go...
"Where does this lead I wonder?" Sir Gavin muttered to himself as he went over to the western door and tried to open it.
Jean will move along behind Sir Gavin (since he is so obviously wanting to prove his manhood to the Ulfen woman by taking the lead) rapier and dagger in hand as usual.
Corvus will bring up the rear, the smell of testosterone interfering with her perception!
Treygan moves along with the others sword at the ready, "If we encounter these bird men, it may be best to try to take one alive. They might be able to tell us more about what's going on here."
"You are assuming they can talk at all." Grumbled Sir Gavin. "But if you think it desirable, we will make the attempt."
Jean will whisper to Mukluk How are you supposed to stab someone through the heart and NOT kill them?
"Not sure. When I poke, I poke'em good. We'll let them do the softy paddycakes hurting. We'll do our work," Mukluk replies, awhisper.
He follows Sir Gavin, his pick still in hand. He resists the dwarven urge to bang his pick against his buckler, inviting the castle's guests to come get them.
Continuing to whisper Maybe if I twist it left instead of to the right....? as he jabs and twists the air in front of him (behind Sir Gavin).
Mukluk smiles.
"I didn't even realize your rapier even had a side or blade to turn, Jean. Maybe if you hit with it in combat more often, I might see that," Mukluk snarks with a smile.
Im sorry, not everyone can pick a corpse in the skull...
Sir Gavin stops abruptly and slowly turns around. He fixes Jean with a cold eye.
"Perhaps young Master Jean is impatient to go ahead of me. You have my permission."
Why certainly, its only right for the brave and the boldto lead the way. Im certain that "Sir" Mukluk will be happy to help protect you from the fearsome foul fowl above too.
Jean will happily resume his point position and listen at the exit before proceeding.
Perception
If he hears no sign of life beyond he will open the door and move in and onward 15' ahead of the others where possible checking any doors or passages ahead.
Perception
Mukluk, once you figure where we are on the map let me know please.
The only sound coming from the next room is the sound of water. Upon entering the door, you discover what bears that sound: a cistern. A pool of dark water lies in the center of this domed room, surrounded by four stone pillars. You imagine that this room contains the castle’s primary water supply, although the water itself tastes a bit brackish. It is otherwise empty.
Any exits or further passages noticed?
Corvus continues to keep her attention on what's around them, rather than the bickering from the lads in front.
There are two exits. The cavern 'hallway' you entered from continues down some ways before ending in a doorway. In addition, there is a door located in the western half of the prison room.
"Just what I thought: a dead end. Ayep. We should this other way," Mukluk points the team the other way.
On the far north side of the cistern lie two doors - one a set if double doors and the other a single door lying across a short wooden walkway over the brackish water. Both doors require traversing around the large pool of water to get to.
Jean will check out the smaller door across the water first.
Acrobatics
Perception
Mukluk watches the fishing Jean from the safety of the doorway
"Why don't you dangle your dinghy in the drink, Jean? See if something bites."
Corvus is aware that she's just going with the flow and the self-doubt is starting to rear its ugly head again. As she walks, she is deep in thought.
'I'm not the warrior and I'm not the scout. I'm not the go to person for matters arcane and I'm not the diplomat. It's back to my life as a mage all over again. What am I? What do I do? What value am I?'
Outwardly Corvus just appears quiet. They are in the belly of their enemy's camp after all.
The door is untrapped and unlocked. Beyond lies a large kitchen where stone pillars support the ceiling over it — although the fire pits, tables, and pantries here look like they lie dormant and haven’t been used in decades. Thick layers of dust cover everything in the room. There lie five exits from this room:
1) Immediately to your right in the eastern wall
2) To your left
3) Just past Door #2
4) In the far western wall
5) Along the northern wall
This door feels a bit cold to the touch. Opening it reveals nothing but the cave tunnel from before.
A sound of running water comes from beyond this door. It's a safe bet that this door is the other door leading into and out of the cistern.
A putrid stench and the sound of reptilian-esque chittering comes from behind this door.
A foul smell emanates from beyond this door as well and the door feels a bit cold to the touch as if something moist lie on the other side.
Similar to the door along the eastern wall, what lies on the other side of this door causes it to be cold to the touch. Beyond the door is a low ceiling cavern comfortable for the likes of Mukluk, but a bit cramped for anyone taller.
Sir Gavin leans against the first door.
"Hm. Seems a little chill to the touch."
He listens at the next door.
"I hear running water!"
He shrugs. He doesn't notice anything in particular about the other doors.
Corvus follows Sir Gavin's lead and checks each of the doors.
She nods at his observations and adds, "I smell something foul from behind the fourth door and the door itself feels a bit cold to the touch. I wonder if there's something moist on the other side?"
Perception
Yup its cold over here.
Perception
Yeah, uhm...that's the room we just left
Perception
Shh, hey guys I hear something in here...sounds like an iguanas laugh...
Perception
This one is cold too...anybody else smell that from the crack?
Perception
This one is cold too, sized just right for Mukluk!
I vote door number 3 followed by door number 4. Sir Gavin, i think it might be your chance to finally get your blade wet...