"I could Sprig, but cookies are not a common smell underground and don't usually strike fear into the hearts of prospective knights. Hopefully this works better" Rena mummers in replay, an apologetic tone in her voice and she hurries down the tunnel in the middle of the group.
When they arrive at the cavern, Rena silently takes in the room, tying to see the scale of the problem, what resources they had available, and any potential plans she might have. "Can anyone swim?" she asks hopefully before closing her eyes, turning her mind inward as she checks her solution for any potential pitfalls.
If everyone is quiet or answers in the negative, Rena steps forward hesitantly, and drops a strip of wood (or a small piece of her chalk if there isn't one present) into the water to measure the strength of the waterflow and current.
"It looks like we need to cross the water, which I am NOT thrilled about. That water is going to be freezing cold" she frets a little before continuing. "Anyway, I have some rope with me. Rhiannon can fly across the river and can grow big. So I could tie this rope around her, and Rhiannon can fly it across. She doesn't have hands so she couldn't tie if off, and I don't think she is strong enough to drag someone across, but if she keeps it taunt at her end, and we keep it taunt at our end, someone can use it as a safety line to hold onto and cross the river without being swept away. The last person at the end can hold onto the rope or tie it around them and the rest of us can all pull them across like a tow line. Its um...its just an idea" she offers, twisting her hands together anxiously.
"I... I think I could probably make that jump." Terrel looks pensive as he says this.
Vale nods to Terrel as he offers himself for the risk of crossing first. "Your willingness to put yourself at risk is noble. I could share a minor blessing of the Dawnflower, it is not much, but would likely give you, if nothing else, a bit lighter step."
Warren nods to Terrel, "I could hold this end of the rope. Others should assist you or me I think. I'll be last to cross as I am pretty strong myself."
"I can give you a helping hand with that jump. I don't have much in the way of divine blessings, but I can improve your physical abilities which might allow you a bit extra range?" Rena offers hopefully.
Ardan planted his four hooves firmly on the ground and held his hands out. "When you make the jump, use me as a spring board. I'll try to give you the extra lift you need to make it."
Vale comes up next to Terrel. "It would seem our course of action is set then. Please allow me to offer you this blessing."
Vale begins the simple incantation that will lend the aspirant aid in his impending task.
Terrel takes off his parade armor, and ties a rope around his waist. He takes a running start as he runs towards his friend and...
Soars across the river, landing safely on the other side.
"Ok, who's going across first?"
"I will," Sprig volunteers quietly.
“After you, then.” Ardan said, eyeing the leap warily.
Warren stands holding the other end of the rope to ensure that if Terrel falls in the river he is not swept away. "While the rest of you are going would whoever is going last before me keep an eye out behind us? Sprig I would recommend you keep watch on that side when you get there."
Catherine looks at the jumping, wondering if spring enhanced boots would be a thing for these sort of things.
Terrel braces himself at the edge of the river to try and catch Sprig.
Sprig sees Terrel readying to catch her and she shakes her head.
"I ain't as light on m'feet. Jus' 'old th'line taut," she says before waiting on him to either hold or tie off the line before making her way across.
Catherine takes some distance back, as Sprig steadily makes her way half way across, then attempts a running jump.
"Race ye to the other side Sprig."
And succeeds just barely.
*Oof*, and she stands up. Straightening her vest.
Knowing she made it only just, she has a fitting apologetic 'i got lucky' smile on her face, and held out a hand towards Sprig for the final stretch.
”Right, if I don’t make it throw me the rope.” The centaur took a running start and leapt with all of his might to cross the gap. By fortune or fate he made the jump and came to a halt after a few awkward steps to regain his balance.
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Sprig gives a chuckle as Catherine helps fish her out of the river.
"Congrats, looks like you won even with my headstart," she says as a grin spreads across her face. Seeing Ardan lining up for a jump, she motions for the others to clear some room and does so as well. He may be smaller than the heavy horses used by many, but the centaur is not what she'd call dainty.
Once again, Terrel braces himself, ready to grab his friend, should he not make it all the way across. Fortunately for his sternum, it seems that it wasn't needed.
Rena focuses on the fast moving water, and while holding onto the rope tries to swim across
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Finally, with only one remaining on the far side you manage to slowly help pull him across as he swims. All that can heard is the roaring sound of rushing water. Those that had to swim through the water also find themselves to be getting a tad chilly.
However, just as you are about to leave you notice a tiny glint of light come from the bottom of the river, as a metallic item of some sort catches the light from your light source.
You also note not 50ft down the tunnel, the path splits off into three once more.
What are you doing?
Seeing the glint of light as Warren shakes off the water, he pauses while untying the rope. "Are any of you actually good at swimming? Do you want to see what that glinting was in the river? We could tie you off. If not I'll go check it out."
"I'll go. Just give me a bit t'get out o' th'armor," Sprig says before shucking off her gear and armor. Once she has the rope around her waist, she takes in a deep breath and dives in.
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As you dive into the cold rushing water, you manage to swim down to the depths of the river and grab the item, however upon your ascent, you nearly get caught in the undercurrent but manage to kick off well enough to reach the wall of the riverbed about 10ft away from here you originally jumped in.
Once you are out, you take a look and realize that the ring appears to be a simple golden band, reminiscent to a wedding ring.
You detect a trace amount of divination magic.
You determine that the ring has the ability to cast a modified version of Locate Object. One that, unlike the regular spell can locate the object at much greater distances, However it seems it is tied to a specific item, and only that item. What that item is, you cannot say.
"Well done! I was worried. Here, let me get a fire going. You must be freezing."
Ardan quickly went about doing so, knowing full well that being dripping wet in a cold and dank environment was a recipe for disaster.
"Huh? Oh, right. It's not all that chilly. I'm more wet than anythin'," Sprig says as she wrings out the tail of her now too large tunic. "Might be quicker t'magic me dry, eh?"
"There is no need for us to stop for a fire. I can try us out while we keep moving" Rena offers.
Shivering slightly, Rena concentrates on her magic, clicking her fingers and heating her clothes from the inside. It wasn't perfect, since her hair and skin remained wet, but the warm clothes gradually dried her out as she walked. Spotting Sprig also wet, Rena clicks her fingers again, starting the heating process on her classmate, attempting to keep her clothing warm and dry.
"Nice trick. And just as well, all I can find around here is stone and water anyways." Ardan said, taking a moment to appreciate the strange beauty of being underground.
"Onwards then? Can anyone identify the ring?"
"Thank ye," Sprig says as Rena starts to cast a spell to dry her clothes.
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After but a minute or so everyone is warm and dry as a happy kitten.
Terrel, you value the ring around 200g, likely pure gold. You also remember rumors about some of the more romantic noble couples getting wedding rings that always lead them back to each other. Though, other rumors spread about how these are used to keep tabs on a SO or potentially track someone. You are not sure if this ring can do this. It merely reminded you of the rumors you overheard one day.
Those investigating the split passage-
Ardan was suitably humbled by the application of magic. He quietly went about tracking out a path for them. As they got to the split passage he said ”Straight seems to be the proper way to go. Its hard to tell here, but it... smells cleaner. And look. There is moss growing around the entrance. Therefore I think it’s the right way to go, but Erastril knows for certain.”
"What's this doing down here, I wonder? Terrel muttered, before giving the ring back to Sprig. It bothered him, but he'd figure it out later.
Catherine takes a few samples of moss.
"Assuming Erastil has interest in cavern systems.", as she tucks the samples in a pouch, with a slight smile on her face.
Vale lends his senses to the evaluation of the three passages, but sadly draws no new conclusions that his comrades have not already found. Still, he hears the wisdom in Ardan's words. "It would seem our companion's keen eye would guide as correct. Sir Ardan, I trust your judgement."
"Our funeral." Ardan muttered to himself. After a moment's hesitation he nodded and said "Right. On we go."
Sprig follows along, trying her best to notice the things Sir Ardan points, but has to admit after a little while that she can't see the subtle signs he does. A few minutes later as they are walking down the tunnel, she speaks up.
"So, anyone know any good travelin' songs?"