Kevros checks the secured bandit prisoners to make sure they are not trying to escape, trying to talk to each other, and/or scheming. Then walks over to Stalker while looking at the mouth from time to time, How are you doing brother?"
Vale is standing at the front watching for any intruders. Stalker is sitting down but watching the bandits, the bandits know him and dare not move a muscle. "Much better thank you for your concern."
Kevros nods and gives him the Elven sign of friendship then moves towards where Vale is standing. "Your name is Vale? I've been too busy to talk. I am sure you have already been asked this but how did you become to be with the bandits?"
"Really, once again, I was a hunter and got recruited by some toughs, the same guys who killed Tristan's father. That is the short story, sorry I just have said the story three times in the same day." Vale says, slightly frustrated.
S'ala, who has run back to the supplies to light a torch, comes running up with a light in hand.
"What have you found so far? Are the gnomes not at home?" he looks around for any sign of the little creatures presence, past or current.
Kevros nods at Vale, says nothing more, and walks away. Then roves between Vale and Stalker watching Vale, the mouth of the cave, and rear.
Angeus stands before the small door, looking around. "There was an other passage way here, with another door."
Looking at Quince, she says "Not again!" peering at the wall , where the passage had lain before. Giving her head a shake, she consciously dis-believes that the wall is real.
Well looks like no one is home. Probably left when the bandits started camping around here... Wait, What? What passage are you guy talking about nothing here but stone wall.
Angeus you still see a wall, though as you put your had on it, you can tell that it is just an illusion.
Quince looks confused, "Yeah stone on the left passage on the right." With that explanation Quince wanders down to the right.
Waving her hand through the wall that wasn't there , Angeus says "This Gnome is really quite good at these illusion." She then followed Quince through the wall.
Trickey little things, much like the fey... Tristan thinks to himself watching his friends walk through the wall.
Wai..Wait for me. Tristan outstretch his arms cautiously walking forward into the wall.
The three of you enter into the side tunnel, it is built for small creatures so you need to squeeze just a bit at times. Then you get to the door. No knocker, no handle, no keyhole, just a wooden door with gnomish writing on the archway above the door.
Tristan again will squeez up to the front. Give the door a knock and call out.. Hello In commone and sylvan.
Quince adds a hello in Celestial for good measure.
S'ala, who has run back to the supplies to light a torch, comes running up with a light in hand.
"What have you found so far? Are the gnomes not at home?" he looks around for any sign of the little creatures presence, past or current.
S'ala wanders around, marveling at the illusions and the magic that must have wrought them.
After some maneuvering Tristan gets to the front, with the groups actions, still there is no response to the knocking or hellos.
Quince thinks for a moment, "Well assuming that we are not making fools of ourselves before yet another illusion. This is the door to open. Is there any way in. I say lets ask forgiveness if we must, seeing as there is not opportunity to ask permission. Besides we are not completely sure that this gnome or gnomes are not in league with the bandits."
Sounds good. I will let Angeus handle the lock.
Tristan squeezes back giving room for Anggeus to come to the door.
Looking from Quince to Tristan , Angeus nods and approaches the door cautiously, on the lookout for any other illusions and/or traps
Perception
Once at the door, she takes a long,slow look at the locking mechanism; drawing out her packet of tools from a hidden pocket under her armor.
Disable Device
There was a lock on the other door, though not this one. Though as you look for any new illusions you see a rock that looks out of place off to the right.
Tristan, Sala, or Quince do you look around the other door?
Kevros anything else with watching your prisoners? Do you go check on Siph, who has been with the horses?
Questions or other interactions?
LOL, considering you have been exchanging spots in this 3 foot by 3 foot tunnel leading to a door meant for a gnome or halfling. I would say that only Angeus is near the door and the rest of you are at the tunnel entrance.
I guess you could try to squeeze past each other but you best not have your backpack or any weapons on.
Only would be looking at the other door if in a place to do so, and it would be passive. I assuem I'm wedged in the tunnel on all fours looking at Angeus's backside at the moment waiting.
Finding the out of place rock, Angeus carefully lifts it to look underneath.
Kevros anything else with watching your prisoners? Do you go check on Siph, who has been with the horses?
Angeus you see a deep red sparkling gem underneath, it seems to be embedded in the wall.
Angeus sits back on her haunches regarding the strange gem in the wall.
Turning slightly, she allows those behind her to see what she sees.
"Just checking. Do you two see the gem in the wall, there?" she says pointing.
Tristan, since you are behind her, you see the gem as well.
Yeah I see it, doesn't make it real though. Try pushing on it. Maybe it opens the door.
Kevros makes his rounds to Siph, who has been care taking the horses inside the cave, "How are you and our over sized (5) year olds? Are they giving you trouble?" ... Kevros looks to the horses.
"Just making sure it wasn't just another illusion" Angeus says with a smile "Stand...or rather squat ready..." Angeus reaches out and touches the gem with her finger.
Kevros makes his rounds to Siph, who has been care taking the horses inside the cave, "How are you and our over sized (5) year olds? Are they giving you trouble?" ... Kevros looks to the horses.
Quince mutters a prayer quietly remembering stories of traps caves and ruins.
S'ala is just kind of hanging out in the narrow crawl space waiting for something to happen.
The red gem glows and becomes a bit warm. In a moment, the door opens and a squat gnome stands before you in a flowing robe. "Yes, can I help you, I am very busy.?!" He says gruffly.
Siph looks at Kevros and says, "Well I am not much of an animal person, but they are fine."
Greetings Mr.... Tristan pauses wating for a name. I am Tristan Morgan. My friends and I here have dealt with the bandits outside your cave and just wanted to make sure you were safe.
The gnome does not give his name, actually looks a little more annoyed, which seems impossible but he did it. "I am safe, my illusions have kept me safe for the past few years. Is there something that I can help you with, otherwise I am getting back to my research."
Quince speaks up and tries to squeeze up front, "We are sorry to bother you friend. I am Quince Medvyed, we are members of the Greenwatch Wardens. Our mandate here is to deal with bandits of the region. In doing so we worried that you might be under duress. In dealing with the brigands who have been hearabouts we also take care to locate those who may be a target or victims. It does please us to know that the bandits camping nearby have not meant ill for you. In dealing with these villains who would prey on others it is our hope that trade can be opened. When you need supplies it must annoy you that you need to got several day's journey to market to gather supplies. We will be travelling throughout the region perhaps we can make arrangements for supplies to reach you without disturbing your research for days on end. All I would hope in exchange is to learn more of the land and region from someone who lives here. Perhaps this is agreeable to you . . ." Quince finishes leaving a space for the gnome to share his name.
"Well, erm, I mean, yes it would be nice to have supplies gathered for me. Not much information I can give you, besides what your own eyes show you. Though if I give you a wand to better protect or heal your group, then you will bring me my supplies for a month? Hmmmm?" The gnome says a bit flustered but slowly becoming more amiable.
Quince a little stunned at the positive turn, "That would be quite fair. Perhaps you can come to our camp meet the rest of our company I believe we have some more breakfast left. I can make note of what you need for your list and if you willing you can share some info useful to my mapping of the region."
Watching the interplay between the Gnome, Quince and Tristan, Angeus holds her tongue, smiling as the gnome seems to be coming around.
"I'm glad that we might be able to help each other. You're really quite talented, your Ogre almost scared me right out of my leathers. "
Diplomacy
"No, no, no, I will go make the list, you stay there, and I will see if I can find one of my maps." He says in response, then starts to shut the door in your face when he recognizes a lovely face with a sweet tune. "Ah well the rest of you can go back to your 'camp', She can come in and will deliver the parcels." He ushers her in with quick hand motions.
Thank you Sir... Gnome. We will be out of your way then awaiting the list. Tristan starts making his way back out of the cave.
The surprised look that passes over Angeus' face is quickly replaced by a delighted grin. A quick glance at her companions then she follows the gnome into his home, careful to not bang her head on his door frame.
Quince chuckles at the situation and mouths almost silently to Angeus, "Remember not on the first date."
Once the door is closed, the gnome seems to be ruffled and begins cleaning the entry room. Grabbing books and taking them into another room and moving debris from past meals to likely his kitchen.
Kevros smiles at Siph and looks around for trouble, "I'll be back shortly with something to cover their eyes so we can bring the horses inside the cave. You all are sitting ducks out here." ... Kevros goes inside to collect items that he can use to cover up the horses eyes.