"I don't think so Ratel" - Edeldhur nods.
"Yes, we should search, I would expect he has a stash. However, I have a different question. When we circled the fort from the outside, did this tower seem bigger this room? I think we should look for a secret door."
Arthdane will search the outer wall of the room, knocking on it with his spear-butt, looking for hollow sounds...
1 rank +3 trained +2 wis
After searching the tower walls, the group finds a shifting wall on the side where the Bugbears bed was, right near him. Pushing a brick in shifts the wall so they could see outside, 50' feet in the air, above the rubble below. Its a second hidden way inside the fort, though one would have to climb up to get inside.
"What now my friends - should we return and report?" - Edeldhur inquired of his companions, after he was finished designing the map of the area, and the structures, adding notes detailing what they encountered, so he can improve on it when he has a chance.
Chuckling at Edeldhur's response, Ratel holds out the bow to the armored youth. gesturing at the target. "Nycholas, you want to give it a shot?" As he speaks he begins gathering loose arrows from the targets and around the room.
Answering Arthdane as he gathers arrows, "It didn't seem bigger to me, but with the lower view, I honestly didn't get a good look." Seeing the hidden door open Ratel chuckles, "Watch that first step."
Watching as Edeldhur settles near the table and works on his map, Ratel peers over his shoulder. 'Return to Fort Inevitable so quickly? I'd rather be away from there as long as possible.' He looks at the others, 'But how do I say that nicely.' Mulling around his answer, he shrugs. "Not really a lot to report. We killed some goblins and took their stuff. Sort of anticlimactic." He gestures at the room, "We could camp here for the night, maybe explore a little more tomorrow?" Looking at the others, hoping they weren't in a hurry. "It would save us the trip back."
"Fine by me Mr. Dier" - Edeldhur replied, while looking over his notes and drawings.
"By the way, let me have a look at that..."
Arzo seemed distracted enough with a random small piece of dried meat, nibbling at it on the table next to the wizard.
Arthdane answers Ratel,"Camp out here perhaps, but at the least we should properly search the lower level. Securing the doors to the lower levels is something else we should do. Also, there is that lower dug out area that we did not explore. "
Seeing Arcanus about to go off alone, he continues, "Not alone, not in this place. Let us all stay together. We can fetch my mule as well, and properly search the rest of the ground floor...". He joins Arcanus in heading downstairs, and motions the others to join them...
Returning to the body, Ratel pulls the ring off of the bugbear, tossing it to Edeldhur. Nodding as Arcanus readies to fetch his weapon, Ratel turns to speak with Arthdane, nodding as the priest made several good points.
"Hold up Arcanus, Arthdane makes a good point," Leaning his bardiche against the wall, Ratel gathers the rest of the valuable from the bugbear, including however many arrows he finds and the things quiver.
Picking up his bardiche, he Shoulders his weapon, "I'm ready to go." Heading to the stairs, he asks Arcanus, "Which room did you leave your whip in, we'll start there."
Once back downstairs, while Arcanus is worrying the lock, Ratel helps start picking up the other things of value and loading them on the mule. Smiling at Arthdane. "The mules a good idea, as long as he doesn't run off." He pauses for a moment, "Or get eaten."
searching through the rest of the fort, the group finds 2 potions of Cure Moderate Wounds, and 50 gold, 125 silver, 270 Copper, the automaton, which maybe worth some money.
with thorough searching.
plus the large variety of Goblin weaponry, most of which is in disrepair. Of course their armor is badly damaged from the fight.
Dragging the 'automaton' over to the mule, Ratel asks Arthdane; "Do you want to toss this thing on the mule? It might be worth something."
Pointing at the nearest goblin-corpse's armor, "I don't think the armor is worth much in the shape it's in." Still pointing at the body, "So if were spending the night, what shall we do with the bodies?"
”I would also like to do some further research on this construct, if we are given time and opportunity for it“ - Edeldhur points out, as Ratel comes in dragging the automaton.
Leaving the automaton near the mule so Edeldhur could take a look at it, Ratel starts loading anything else of value onto the mule, except for the bugbear's bow. Holding the bow out he asks, "Does anyone mind if I claim the bow?"
After the conversation is over, he begins to drag the dead goblins out through the secret doorway and tossing them into a pile a fair distance away from the cave.
"I hold no claim over any of the found loot", Arcanus looked down. "My performance was atrocious."
"Well, you did a share of the bleeding... Still, if you really feel strongly about it, we can skip your share." Arthdane is clearly sarcastic about skipping Arcanus's share. He turns his attention to Ratel, "I certainly don't mind; I've no hand for archery."
Arthdane will help Ratel cleaning up the bodies, but when Ratel makes to dump the goblins outside the secret door, he intervenes "No, don't advertise the secret door, nor the fact the goblins have been killed. Put the bodies in the dog den instead."
Pausing, Ratel looked at Arthdane, then back towards the other entrance near where the goblin dogs had been quartered. "It seems like we're going to spend some time here. I'd rather not have to smell the dead goblins, or deal with anything that might want to eat them." He nods towards the hidden exit, "Once I take the bodies out I was going to burn them." He smiles a toothy smile, "I'll take them out far enough that they won't be near the secret entrance, and make sure it burns well enough that no one will be able to tell it's the goblins." He then continues taking the armload of dead goblins out the secret entrance.
As the others busy themselves with corpses, Edeldhur takes a few moments to go over the construct.
Emerald Automaton
CL 6th; Price 12,000 gp
Construction
Requirements Craft Construct, lesser geas, shocking grasp, creator must be caster level 6th; Skill Craft (armor) DC 20; Cost 6,500 gp
It takes the better part of a couple hours to remove the corpses and insure that they have not missed any look in the fortress level of the Emerald Spire. The only area they have not explored is the staircase down.
The Automaton loaded on the Mule, the group needs to decide, where to camp, if they stay...or to move downstairs, or heard back tot he town. It is now roughly 4pm in the late afternoon.
It takes the better part of a couple hours to remove the corpses and insure that they have not missed any look in the fortress level of the Emerald Spire. The only area they have not explored is the staircase down.
Once they get all of the goblin bodies away from the secret entrance, Ratel begins to gather dry wood to build a pyre. Quickly stacking the wood, he places the goblin bodies on top, then lighting the fire. He stands upwind of the fire so he doesn't have to smell the putrid odor. Once the fire has died down to embers, he heads back into the 'spire.'
Heading back through the cave entrance, he drops his pack on one of the tables. Pulling out some dried bread and jerky he asks the others. "So what next?"
"I can tell you that 'automaton' is a VERY interesting piece of Arcane research - with some work I think I can put it back together and working properly again" - Edeldhur replies to Ratel, somewhat distracted about the practical matters at hand - "Also this ring is magically enchanted, and will allow you to float safely, when falling from greater heights, much like a feather" - he adds.
"Or did you mean something else..?" - he suddenly realizes his companions were probably not looking for dissertation on magical items - "Ah, regarding our venture. Well, as you put it before, as far as I am concerned we can press onward, I believe that was the general agreement, was it not?"
As Ratel takes a bite of the piece of jerky, he listens to Edeldhur talk about the thing he called an 'automaton' nodding as he chews. As Edledhur finishes the explanation and realizes Ratel may have meant something else, the big man chuckles. "That is interesting, a mechanical man would make a great character in a story. How long would it take you to get it working?" Taking another bite of the jerky, "I kept the bow, someone else should take the ring."
Using the jerky as a pointer, he gestures back towards the door. "I guess we could investigate the basement. " He takes a bite of the jerky, not wanting to admit that he is worn out himself. "But it is late enough, I wouldn't blame anyone if we were to wait until the morning. Camp here or in the tower, then head out fresh towards the basement."Chewing the jerky he adds, "Of course if we're to camp, we'll need to set a watch."
"It is mostly a matter of gathering the required materials Mr Dier" - Edeldhur replied - "And most of them will be costly" - he added - "If I have all the materials... I would say around a week or two"
"On the subject of making camp - I am in agreement with it" - he adds - "I would like to review some of my spells, and go over some of the magical items we have uncovered"
"My preference is for one of the first, or last watches"
Arthdane puts in his two copper: "I'd say camp as well, I have used most of Cayden's gifts for today. Well used but used nonetheless. Up in the tower, where the bugbear was. It'll be tight, but the safety is worth it. With regards to watches, of course in hostile territory like this. As with Edeldhur, I call either first or last."
'He can repair the mechanical man? Impressive.' Nodding as Edeldhur explains what it would take to repair the mechanical man. He looks towards Arthdane as the servant of Cayden proposes a couple of really good ideas. He begins to think about the tower and chuckles to himself, imagining the mule going up the stairs.
Shouldering his pack, he gestures towards the stairs. "I'm happy to take the middle watch, if Edeldhur wants to go first so he can work on scrolls." He looks at Arcanus and Nycholas, "That means Arthdane will go last. Which of you wants to go after Edeldhur and which after me?" He pauses long enough to see who volunteers for what.
After an undoubtedly entertaining struggle, Arthdane gets his mule, up to the bugbears quarters. After that, he organizes camp for the party, so we can rest for the evening. Cayden's blessings (Ale, Wine) he makes available ...
On his watch, Arthdane will use his 3ed & last set of scribing materials to make another scroll of bless...(Assuming no interruptions of course)
When he prepares spells in the morning
Cantrips: Guidance, Stabilize, Create Water (can create ale/wine), light
Lvl 1 (2+1wis+1 domain): Unfilled slot, Bless, Murderous Command, Expeditious Retreat (Domain)
Nodding to Arcanus, Ratel unshoulders his pack, pulling out his blanket. "Wake me after your watch Arcanus." He turns to Nycholas, "That means I'll wake you when my watch is over, and you can wake Arthdane to go last."
Having eaten a fair amount of bread and jerky, Ratel throws his pack in a corner using it as a pillow, he goes to sleep until he is woken for his watch.
Waking before Arthdane's watch was over, Ratel rolls up his blanket and repacks his rucksack as he eats a little more of the twice baked biscuits and jerky with some very dry cheese. Finishing the cold breakfast with a swig from his water skin, Ratel ties the bugbears quiver to his pack and then shoulders it.
As the others finish getting around he nods towards the steps picking up his bardiche, "So we head to the basement." He smiles, trying to joke, "See what the goblins were keeping in their root cellar." Once they were back on the ground floor, he turns to Edeldhur, "I thought having the weapon illuminated worked well yesterday, should we do again for our decent?"
Arthdane chimes in "Well, we will have more light than yesterday - I have prepared a light cantrip as well. What do you think of making this room a cache for us - we could leave most of our camping gear and such here. Do you think it would be safe to leave my mule up here in the tower, tethered with his food available? At the very least, let's leave the remains of the mechanical man here - we can pick it up on the way out."
The group awakens, feeling good. Ready for a new day. Confidence is in their demeanor as they prepare for another day of delving. Thinking to go down the stairs to the cellars of the fort. They take the mechanical man off the mule and leave him in the tower, where looters are less likely to find him.
Then down the spiral stairs to the fort, and around the corner back to the stairs down.
As they near the door, Ratel turns to Nycholas, nodding his chin toward the youths greatsword. "Nycholas, since your armored the heaviest, do you want to take point?" He pats his bardiche's handle, "If the stairs are narrow I can support you from behind. If there wide I can move up beside you." He smiles, "I'd bet we'd make a pretty fierce front."
Earlier- Edeldhur opened the scroll tube and pulled the scroll made of the very best vellum wound around an Silver Rods. As he pulled the crystal from his pouch and performed his spell and read the writings upon the vellum. He realized how important this was. It was a ritual to attune the tokens they had obtained to the crystal spire and upon it the command word. With a Token standing before the spire, it would allow instant transportation to the floor of the spire that token was taken from. The markings indicated the floor. Noteworthy was it did not allow the user to choose where he teleported to within that floor. It would take him automatically to a location that was predetermined when the token was enchanted.
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To freshen up the air in the tower in which they would stay, Nycholas strips the bedding and mattress the bugbear had been using off the bed frame and tosses it out the tower window. Hidden in the base of the frame, he finds something: An old tome and a sword, both wrapped in a waxed cloth, presumably to protect them from moisture and dust. He pulls the items out and removes them from their protective covering. The tome is a large, leather-bound book, dyed emerald green with delicate golden filigrees and lettering. The book was fixed shut by a gold pin lock, the pin attached to the cover by a fine golden chain. The title, written in ancient Azlanti, was "Mirror's Edge". As a librarian and a historian, the obvious craftsmanship of the thing excited the young man. His excitement grew as he undid the lock and gently opened the book, scanning the first few pages it appeared to be a treatise on arcane magics written in Azlanti. After a dozen pages dedicated to magical theorems and techniques, there were twenty-five pages of as many spells already scribed. The rest of the pages were blank; it seemed the author was interrupted before they could finish it.
Nycholas had been studying arcane magic for several years under the tutelage of Abernard Royst. He had a fair grasp of the basics, but lacked the innate arcane power his fiancee, Imariel had. Given the proper spell completion items, he could cast from scrolls and wands. He had never had his own spellbook. With the gold he had questionably spent on supplies and equipment for this very expedition, he did not have enough funds left over for a spellbook and scrolls to copy and fill the book with usable spells.
The greatsword is designed much like its companion book: a slight green sheen to the steel, fine golden wiring snaking around the handle and guard, and the same "Mirror's Edge" engraved on the base of the blade. It was not a magical weapon, but it was masterfully crafted - better balanced and lighter than the sword Nycholas had brought. It was almost as if these treasures had been tailor-made for Nycholas. Was this by design? Was Nethys guiding the young eldritch knight? Only time would tell...
In the morning, Nycholas excitedly studies his newfound spellbook. Spells to detect and read magic were, naturally, the first he would memorize. His gauntlets and pauldrons would prevent him from completing the complex somatic components most spells called for. The Hellknights had a casting technique as well as specialized armor that could bypass that problem, but acquiring a set of Hellknight plate was out of the question. For now. There was one spell in the book that had no somatic components and would guide his blade, so he prepares that spell for the day. His initial conclusion that the sword was non-magical was not entirely correct. It held a mote of magic that had been designed to be used with a spell in the book that would allow one to throw the sword with great force, guiding it not with athletic skill but the power of the mind, and the blade would return to the wielders hand. That was serendipitous as Nycholas' heavy armor made it very difficult to use a bow with any accuracy.
After a breakfast of dried meats, hard cheese and unleavened bread, Nycholas is ready and eager to face the next challenge from the Spire. "I'm ready when you are, Ratel." He sets his ioun torch to orbiting his head.
The group moves to stand before the doors to the stairwell. and look at each other...
Arthdane uses his light cantrip on the head of his longspear.
Edeldhur shares his findings with his companions, then follows after them.
Looking behind him Ratel see's the team ready to go, he asks Edeldhur, "Can we put light on the bardiche?" drawing his dagger he pries loose the wedge jammed under it. Sheathing the knife, he opens the door and nods to Nycholas "Good to go." Then follows the young man down the steps, keeping a keen eye out as he goes.