Still skittish, Peren sits down beside the unconscious Rolen and starts talking to him as if he were awake.
"I'm not saying that I am scared of all these giant bugs, or the weird noises, but one can never be too careful, am I right? I mean, look at you, a warrior and such, but one spider's venom and, POW!, just like that you are down. How would a little fella like me survive. Yes, yes, I know I am quick and such, but that can only take you so far...am I right?? Anyway, I hope you get better soon. I do enjoy these talk we have..."
Rolen starts awake after a while and runs his head, That was...unfortunate.
"Rolen, you don't look so good. Maybe we should make camp outside and come to check this place out tomorrow. We are beat to heck, and the vermin in this place is brutal!"
Rolen frowns, I'll be okay. If we need to move on I can do it.
The elf stands and sways a bit then shakes his head, IT might be best to rest a bit.
Kirian studies the ring and finds it has magic properties! It is a Ring of Protection .
Rolen wakes up from his nap and is a bit unsteady on his feet.
Kirian puts on his fancy new ring.
"I'd say this was worth almost dying for. Again."
"Rolen, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better, but perhaps we should camp outside and let you recover fully. I have a feeling we'll need you at your full strength."
"Wow..nice ring. Was it magical? Yes..yes..lets go and rest and get away from this house of horrors for a bit!", the panicky halfling says.
"Okay, if I remember correctly, there was a campsite maybe an hour away that we used to use when I was young and we would come out to dare each other to approach the house. It's been a while though... I hope I don't get us lost!" Habbi grins as he grabs his pack. "Ready, Rolen?"
Ok, so the party leaves the house to camp for the night after a grueling few hours in the Haunted House.
To the others, "I volunteer to take the first watch, and Carric can follow, since we don't require actual sleep."
Leaning in to Carric and Habbi, whispering, "We need to make sure Rolen rests. I know he'd to want to stand watch, but he must rest. And I'm worried that this has been too much for poor Peren, and perhaps having him watch isn't good for any of us right now."
"Right lll take the last. I should be ready by then."
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"I'll stay up with you Rolen...I am use to getting up early at home to open the store...."
"I'll wake up early and take last watch with Rolen," Habbi says in contemplation, "I need to be awake for the rise of the sun anyway."
Carric nods to Kirian. He approaches Rolen, and places a hand on his shoulder.
Hey soldier, get a full night's rest. We will need your sword arm early, and I cannot be having you drop on me again. I will take your watch. You know I can have you up and at them quickly.
He turns back to the others.
So, three watches, Kirian, Me, and then Habbi. Let us get to it, then.
In a small voice Peren turns away from the group and says, "Well then, I guess I will just bunk down and dream of giant bugs eating all of us, then shall I?"
"Peren, you can always join me on my watch, buddy," Habbi pats his friend's shoulder.
Rolen twists his face up a bit but nods at his fellow wood elf and moves to make camp for the night...
Kirian sits on the first watch, keeping his eyes and ears open for trouble. He shivers a bit in the cool night air but hesitates to light any fires lest he spoil his darkvision or advertise the party's location to any unwanted visitors.
His mind drifts over the events of these last two days, and he wonders how he feels so calm about nearly dying twice.
He can't help but wonder if they're on the right track with exploring the Alchemist's house, whether it holds deeper secrets or really is just an abandoned nest for insects and vermin.
"I suppose we'll learn more tomorrow. I hope it's worth the price we've paid so far." he quietly mutters to himself as he stares off into the darkness.
The band of novice adventurers rests for the night and, while their accommodations are rough, they manage to get some rest and feel recovered in the morning.
When the party approaches the House again, they see the front door is now opened.
Kirian casts Mage Armor on himself before the party gets to the house.
He then quietly looks around as they approach the door...
Peren smiles at Habbi's offer.
"Thank you my friend. This is all so very...intense. Just think..a few weeks ago I was just a simple shop-boy in my families business, and now I am killing giant insects and lizard people and trying to solve a mystery. It's just...well..a lot to take in. I'll be ok. A good night's sleep will do me wonders...and a big breakfast!"
"Of course, my friend. This is adventure, right? "
--
Noting the open door, Habbi asks the others, "You think it was someone from town checking up on us?"
Kirian gets to the front door quietly and peeks in. He sees nothing amiss.
Kirian holds his position at the door, and waits for the others.
He whispers, "Carric, Rolen, which of you is the better tracker? You should have a look around before we go inside again."
Rolen tilts his head towards Carric.
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Carric nods, and quickly surveys the perimeter of the house before returning to the others up front. He searches for tracks, and if he finds any, he uses his skills to see where they lead.
Peren sneaks up to the door and takes a peek in with everyone else.
"See any bugs? No? Ok, then lets check out the rest of the main floor!"
Carric checks the doorway for tracks, and obviously finds the party's own. There are several different sets of tracks that appear to be from a range of time, some older than a few weeks, some only a few days old.
Peren meanwhile moves straightaway into the house and flings open a door.
This room was once a writing room or study. Against the wall under the windows is a large wooden writing desk partially broken and riddled with damp rot. There are three drawers in each pedestal and a large central drawer; the latter is closed but the others are all open -- two obviously broken open forcibly.
Habbi watches his friends, readying a sacred flame in case more of that blasted vermin strike again!
"well, well...I don't think ghosts or bugs would have broken open those drawers."
Rolen pulls his sword and shield in response to Peren's comment, Well hopefully whatever it was can bleed.
"Peren, can you inspect the central drawer? At least see if you can detect any movement?"
"I'd be hesitant to just open it."
"Kirian, could you open it with your magic hand? It could be safer..."
To Habbi, "I can certainly try to open it, if it isn't locked. The Mage Hand can't lift much either."
Kirian casts Mage Hand and tries to slowly pull the drawer open with it.
"Lets have a look shall we!"
Perception:
Open Lock (if needed):
The mage hand fails to open the drawer, but Peren's deft fingers unlock the drawer and inside he finds a false bottom!
"Oo, what'd you find, buddy?" Habbi briefly forgets that they are in a place filled with deadly vermin and moves to stand over the halfling.
"Take a look! Some money and what looks like a healing potion", the halfling says, showing the group the items from the drawer.
"If only we'd had that yesterday. Good find, Peren."
Rolen grunts in agreement but continue to watch warily for surprises...
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Nice! Hold on to that just in case we need it." Habbi smiles at his old friend.
"So where to next? Shall we have a look at this big room that's adjacent? Should we explore upstairs?" Kirian points in multiple directions.
"Lets finish this floor...just to make sure nothing sneaked out and surprises us!"Peren says as he moves to the next door at the end of the hall.
"Let's check the end of this hallway first," Habbi nods toward the door, readying a spell in case there are dangers within.
Peren opens the door at the end of the hallway and sees
A door in the north wall leads onto a small paved patio, the paving now cracked and overrun with weeds. There is a pile of refuse in the southeast corner. Otherwise, the room is bare.
Kirian walks into the room and looks around slowly.
Carric continues to check behind him as the party advances to make certain there is no threat from the rear.
Kirian strides into the room and is quick to notice the floor here is very degraded, and could fall out in spots. He stays away from the rotten places, but he's sure it's not safe.
"Careful everyone. The floor here is rotted. We need to watch how much weight we put on it."
Kirian carefully unties his quarterstaff from his backpack and uses it tap in front of him to find spots to avoid.