Finally Anya and Bowen came down and further cramped the space, Bowen moved down to take the forward position in the corridor. He didn't notice the tripwire that was set just across the corridor as he moved. As the tripwire was broken a greatclub that was attached to the ceiling swung down toward him on a rope. Bowen managed to dodge the trap as the greatclub swung hard and smashed into the cave wall. The impact making everyone in the group jump with fright.
"What the?!" - Bowen jumps back just in time to avoid the swinging club - "Dang, I saw that one just in time, but the ruckus should be enough to wake up an hybernating wolf" - he grumbles, scolding himself.
"I'mgoingtokeepwatchsothingsdon'teatus!"
"You do that" - Bowen nods - "I'll stay close"
Thank you...I am better though still a little shaky. Misha, your magical abilities have come in handy again...namely saving my life. Sorry I caused more of an issue than I helped by falling down.
He drew out his sword and donned his shield, Maybe we will finally find out who or what is truly behind all of this.
"Think nothing of it lad - it could have happened to any of us. Just make sure to stay safe - you are still wounded" - the man retorts with concern.
The number of traps in this place is truly concerning. We should all watch for them and move forward slowly and carefully
"I'll follow you." Newt says to Mischa.
Hopefully that was the last trap...lets look around this room and see if we can find out who our new foe is.
Casimir will slowly enter the room and take a look around, starting with the small table looking for any notes of a non-magical nature.
Bec will follow Casimir into the room, going to the L-Shaped desk and glancing through it's contents in an attempt to find anything of use.
After the healing salves are applied, Casimir looks as good as new, except for one remaining nasty cut across the bridge of his nose.
Anya peers into the cave beyond but can not notice anything else from this distance that has not already been seen.
Casimir moves into the room and over to the small table first, there are four books on the south workbench detailing silver smiting, stone carving, and rune inscriptions. The last book appears to be a diary of someone called Suto. The first three books would fetch a few gold each from the right buyer. Under the south workbench are a trio of small casks, two filled with what looks like water, and the last one empty.
Bec moves into the room to the large L shaped table to the north, the tables contain the equivalent of an alchemy lab (worth 500 gp, and weighing 40 Lbs.) but it would be difficult to transport the fragile, bulky glassware. There are also three flasks of acid sitting on the table as well. Clearly marked as such.
Once inside the room the duo can clearly see four cloaks hanging in the nook to the northeast along with a broom.
The rest of the group makes their way just inside the entrance being weary of more traps as they watch Casimir and Bec search the tables.
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Current Location: Below the Ogre Cave: Suto's Workshop Time: 1:03 pm
As the others investigate the room, alchemist lab, and books strewn about, Bowen methodically scouts each passage leading out from the large room, trying to make sure no threats are immediate.
As he enters the area, the man begins moving counter clockwise while checking the exits, bow firmly in hand.
Watch the exits...looks like one of these books might belong to the mastermind of all of this. I want to find out what type of man we are dealing with.
Puts his sword on the table next to him.
Spend 1 6 minute interval. Cas will look at the first few pages and skip toward the back to see if he can find mention of the missing townsfolk then reading around that section in more detail.
Four cloaks? Are there four people here? Mischa says to the group in a whisper. They must know we're here, which means they are hiding or preparing an ambush. Let's take the acid flasks and move on. We can read the diary later after we find the missing hostages. Time remains of the essence
It may be worth it to skim the diary to see if we can learn anything of use quickly. I'll keep watch while he reads.
Edit: Bec quickly becomes distracted with Casimir's pretty armor as he turns the pages.
Mischa tuts her tongue with impatience. A few pages then. We are not in a library or in the comfort of our own dens
We might be able to find out where he is keeping the folk of our town or what he is doing with them...if they are setting a trap it is already done...due to my error on the ladder. If we can get them out then come back for whomever is behind this, that might be best.
Cas continues to flip through the front and last sections of the book.
Mischa will wait to see what Casimir finds out after 6 minutes of flipping through the book. She'll have her bow out and arrow nocked in case anything happens. In the meanwhile she will take 20 on all the exits searching for traps
Anyone not reading should search for traps on the exists as well.
Bowen moves into the room and begins to scout each passage exiting the room. Starting to the north he sees:
This chamber seems to be crammed with furniture. A thick red carpet covers the floor, and to the east are a large desk and a matching chair. The desk's surface is covered with parchment and a few books. Along the north wall is a large bookcase with four shelves, all crammed with a myriad of books. Along the west wall is a simple wooden bed and a small chest that serves as a night table.
Looking down the opening to the west the passage continues on as far as Bowen can see.
Looking down the south opening there is a wooden portcullis blocking the passage at the edge of your vision. The ringing sound of a hammer on wood echoes off the cavern walls in this passage.
Lord Casimir spends six minutes browsing through the diary. From the quick browse you can determine that Suto is allied with an entity referred to only as "The Voice Below."
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Current Location: Below the Ogre Cave: Suto's Workshop Time: 1:09 pm
Wonderful, this Suto fellow is allied wiht something called the voice below. There might be more at work here than even this. I guess we should push on.
Let's grab the cloaks, maybe they will hesitate and not immediately attack us...whatever is down here. I will hold onto this Journal.
Casimir inspects then slips on one of the cloaks.
Good idea, it never hurts to try!
Bec grabs a cloak, wrapping it tightly around himself and checking the pockets for anything of use.
Anya, fearing at first that this is a wizard's sanctuary... is slightly relieved .
Mischa, already wearing a cloak, declines to wear one.
North, South, or West? We run low on resources we should find the prisoners and leave. she asks looking down each of the exits.
"The northern passage leads to another room filled with scrolls and books - seems like a study of sorts" - Bowen informs his companions - "I cannot make out anything from the west, but there are sounds coming from the south - I will keep watch here" - he adds, settling down, his attention focused on the portcullis.
South then. Mischa says. In the marching order she will want to enter the tunnel after Bec, Cas, and Newt.
Newt, did you want to have a peek ahead? If not then don't worry I can lead the way.
"If you are peeking do so, if not I can lead" - Bowen adds to the exchange - "But be careful"
Bec and Lord Casimir head over to the cloak hooks and put on two of the cloaks while the others begin to gather by the southern passage.
Suddenly while Bec is putting on his cloak the broom laying next to the cloaks animates and begins to whollop at him like he was dust on the floor. Bec quickly sidesteps the flailing broom.
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Current Location: Below the Ogre Cave: Suto's Workshop Time: 1:10 pm
Casimir takes a swing at the broom then steps back 5'.
What?!?!
"A broom?!" - Bowen mutters also, but does not hesitate in his reaction, releasing an arrow at the thing, as it attacks his companion - "Much good arrows will do" - he snorts.
It does not defend the journals, but does defend the cloaks. Makes no sense Mischa mutters and shoots at it.
This is madness.... Anya readies her sling.
Newt aims his crossbow and fires at the.....moving broom.
"Really?" he asks incredulously.