"We only found part of Unity, Chaance. Didn't it break up?..."
Chaance looks at ysoki, slightly confused. "This expedition has nothing to do with Unity, Zzvkgrogk. It's local demonic incursion on Redfang's lands, and we've escorted him here to determine the cause of the missing Kellids. Our true mission still lies ahead, in the Scar of the Spider."
She waits patiently enough for the rat man to descend the possibly hazardous hole in the basement.
Yambul shrugs, "They seem to have their fingers in a lot of pies around here. Wouldn't surprise me if they're related."
He stands near the hole and watches Zzvkgrogk descend. He readies his silk rope and sets the grapple, but doesn't lower the rope as yet - not wanting to give away the ratfolk's position.
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The exploration of the remaining room reveals a desk with an old ledger, left from the original owners, with their accounting an all, but everything of value was taken long ago.
Rhoreen scans for magic auras but finds nothing, and Zzvkgrogk jumps down, climbing down Yambul's rope with ease.
After some minutes the ratfolk comes back and explains the tunnel communicates with the old barn, exactly on the room that was left unexplored.
Redfang thanks you again for your help "Indeed, you are right, it seems the bandits activity was just a cover up for this growing cult of Lamashtu. The cleric took the Kellids that came to end the bandits, just enlarging their ranks, but thanks to you I can now report to the rest of the Banner of the Stag that the area is clean now"
He nods then "Ok, I will report back alone then, you are free to follow your trip to the Scar. I have heard it is a dangerous place, so be careful. I am grateful for having met you, but I admit that place might be a better fit for you than Iadenveigh" he looks intently at your chainsaw and guns.
After succeeding at getting rid of this cult and demonic infestation, you have learned a lot more and stepped forward in your adventuring career!
Rhoreen nods at Redtoothfang.
"We are glad to help. Maybe when it becomes time to confront the Technic League, we will have allies," she quips, hopeful.
Worried about funds, Rhoreen will make sure the party takes everything of value that they can reasonably carry before moving on.
Rhoreen asks Zzvkgrogk making a sound that might be an attempt at Zzvkgrogk’s name or a regurgitent threat of the barbarian’s queasifying drug juice that would offer her the incorporeality needed to follow her friend.
Zzvkgrogk scratches his head in befuddlement, unsure about Rhoreen’s attempt at communication. Since she seems to be talking to him however, he responds, ”How do you do that? I can’t even make that noise, my anatomy is not geared for it. It’s ‘Zzvkgrogk’ — like the trigger word for your missile wand.”
""This expedition has nothing to do with Unity, Zzvkgrogk."
"No one said it did, but it is one of our goals -- to learn more about Unity. Best to leave no shiny stone unturned however it presents itself. Who is to say bits of it aren't scattered about underground near here? You can't know until you look."
He bids Redfang 'farewell', and ponders aloud how to proceed.
"How far is it? Should we trade out some of our loot and rest before moving on?"
”Yeah, we should take a side trip back to Hajoth Hakados to the east first. We have much to sell, more than we might even manage there, before we proceed north. With our cycles, it should be fast.”
Yambul will begin heading to where the bikes are hidden, so the journey in whatever direction will be a quick one.
Yambul will totally vote to spend the rest of the day, and night, in the very pleasant Desnan grove to refresh before departing.
”Hrm, er— maybe we should deal with your cursed kin first? Calliope, didn’t you say you could prepare a ritual for tomorrow?”
Rūha is left not entirely satisfied with the resolution of the Lamashtu cultist's hideout and can't help but poke around a little longer before shrugging and returning to the group "I suppose you're correct Redfang, though it doesn't quite sit logically for me. In any case, good luck, and I hope we'll see you again after the Scar."
After the others talk about their next steps, she adds "That's right Zzvkgrogk. First things first. After that though, Hajoth Hakados does seem like the sensible next step. If only so we're not carrying so many bits and pieces around, waiting for some real bandits to try to scoop it away from us while we're sleeping."
”How do you do that? I can’t even make that noise, my anatomy is not geared for it. It’s ‘Zzvkgrogk’ — like the trigger word for your missile wand.”
How does one explain that the sound she was just making was the chocking back of the unpleasant sensation of having to vomit up the bilious acids of barbarian machine crazy-oil and not one's attempt to say her friends' name? How do you do that?
Rhoreen smiles and nods at Zzvkgrogk.
”Hrm, er— maybe we should deal with your cursed kin first? Calliope, didn’t you say you could prepare a ritual for tomorrow?”
"Oh yeah, right! We should definitely do that. Good remembery," she agrees. "Seems like we should camp someplace not-here and so I can attempt the ritual tomorrow. We should see how many we can save."
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The group passes the night at the winery with Redfang while Rhoreen and Zzvkgrogk work on preparing the place to free the Kellid's from Lamashtu's influence. It takes a few hours, but with your knowledge and careful preparation, you invoke the forces to expel the goddess of monsters from this place, in good measure thanks to the remove curse extracts prepared by the ratfolk .
Once this is done, it is a matter of good caring and rest that the Kellids wake up the next day enough recovered for them to walk by themselves. They thank you and Redfang.
Although the trip back will delay your adventure about a week, there is no pressing reason for you not to go visit a city. You decide to walk all together back to Iadenveigh. After a day on the road, you spend one more day in the town, and there you can pick up your bikes where you left them in the nearby forest.
With your bikes, you make the trip to Hajoth Hakados at bleeding speed and reach the city by the time the night falls. At the big city, you have many chances to sell and trade all of your trove. Depending on what you want to acquire, it might take you more days, but it is assumed you have at least two or three days for each of you to do your stuff there.
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Once the distribution is complete, Yambul has a few things to obtain and improve:
Boro Bead, Second (4kgp)
Aegis of Recovery (1,500gp)
He improves his mithral breastplate to +2 (3kgp)
He improves his composite longbow to +1, and adds the adaptive quality (3kgp)
He improves his chef’s knife to +1 (2kgp)
If everything is available…
Total spent 13,500gp, remaining income 706gp
I’ve got a couple grand if anyone wants a loan.
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Chaance enjoys the scenery as they speed towards Hajoth Hakados. She wills the Zzvkith to bend towards the southern border, where they might lay eyes on riverways and deeper forests, ones without belching towers.
As they secure their vehicles and take to the city, the elfdroid finds her way into the magical shops in order to secure deep pockets for ammunition. For all she knows of the Scar of the Spider, she feels like the group will have even less luck resupplying than they did in unwelcoming Iadenveigh.
A combination of magical haversack and a couple of quivers capable of holding more than you'd think, and Chaance is still left with ample resources. She remembers to secure more adamantine arrows for their more metallic menaces, but she still feels... vulnerable.
Maukui is still out there.
When she lays eyes on it, she knows therein lies some peace of mind. The grey is laced with silver, and she feels the approval beneath her skin, as the nanites adjust to the magical fields flowing through the fibers of her new Cloak. Chaance produces the bulk of her wealth, and leaves the Cloak on her shoulders, extending a steady hand to the shopkeeper, and departing to rejoin her external collective.
Rhoreen is pleased when she works, with Zzvkgrogk, to free the entranced Kellids.
"See? That was pretty easy," she smugs happily.
* * *
In town, she is happy to shop and plan what to do with her wealth, and how she might best ruin the Technic League. She will recharge her staff daily, and get her ring up to 7/9 charges.
"So where to next, again?" she asks, trying to decide on what foods to buy and pack for the journey.
Rūha's very pleased to be riding a bike rather than hiking from one end of Numeria to the other, and when Chaance suggests staying to the south, she's happy to keep the more beautiful and agreeable terrain up close.
In Hajoth Hakados, she checks in with Cythrul and delivers some warnings about the Dominion of the Black, before going shopping for the things that she'll need. After some hesitation, she picks up an odd looking ring that she has a good feeling about, along with a bag's worth of medicinal products to keep whatever horrible ailments the Scar may be hiding at bay.
Yambul asks Rhoreen if he can borrow a couple grand for a shiny new ring.
"I'm looking for a little something to extend my flexibility. I'm not great at range, though I did improve my bow. But a quickie little magic missile might be helpful."
If Rhoreen extends the loan, Yambul will pick up a Ring of Stairs and Stars (3,820).
Rhoreen offers a loan to the local talent, and also finds a quiet place to spend time in and study keenly so that she might Teleport back to safely at some future time.
"Thank you Rhoreen, and let me know if I can help recharge your ring as well. It's pretty cool really."
Yambul is as ready as he's going to be, though he hopes he's ready enough.
"Oh, Zzvkgrogk, this is for you." he hands over the Boro Bead. "When you cast Barkskin on yourself, do you think you can use this to give me the same? I'm getting hit too much, and this will really help!"
The party gathers in their temporary residence at Hajoth Hakados, seeking to learn more about their next destination—the Scar of the Spider. Rhoreen, drawing upon her personal experiences, her parents died there after all and years of research, and that has triggered some interest to research the place through the years, she shares her knowledge of the Y-shaped valley nestled within the Felldales.
She recounts how the Scar of the Spider is characterized by its steep-walled cliffs and dense coniferous forests, with caves punctuating its rugged terrain. A nameless tributary of the West Sellen River meanders through the valley, while a fetid marshland occupies its southwestern edge, gradually dissipating into the main river to the north.
In terms of wildlife, Rhoreen explains that the valley hosts a diverse array of creatures, ranging from mundane game like deer and boar in the eastern half to the more menacing presence of sizable spiders and other dangerous beings in the western reaches. As one ventures further into the valley, the influence of these bizarre denizens becomes increasingly prevalent, instilling fear even in the most seasoned adventurers.
Regarding waterways, Rhoreen explains that the primary river within the valley is quite deep (about 50 feet), while the tributary from the southwestern marsh remains shallower, with depths not exceeding 10 feet. However, the larger lakes scattered throughout the valley can reach even further depths.
Rhoreen stresses again how far the Felldales are from most major settlements and encourages everyone to get their shopping done. "Don't forget food and water and whatever else you're going to need," she notes. "It's big. As you know."
Rhoreen is ready to depart.
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Rūha, did you want this? I improved the arc pistol, and do not need this anymore." He offers the +2 EMP pistol to Rūha.
Rhoreen is pleased when she works, with Zzvkgrogk, to free the entranced Kellids.
”Thanks, Calliope! Last night I prayed to Brigh, and she gifted me with that spell. Thank you Brigh!”
~~~
Zzvkgrogk takes the Boro bead offered by Yambul, looking at it curiously.
It is not as shiny as my Rhombocrystal, but still it is nice…
Gee, Brigh! At least for that much they could have made it out of something valuable and prettier!
”Uh, O.K. cook boy. Do you still want a shield too?
He listens to Rhoreen's foreshadowing of the trip to Felldales and considers the matter seriously.
"Sounds like we might need water stuff, and maybe protection from elements.
"Oh, yes please." He thinks a minute, thinking hard, frowning, "Oh, if you want, er, when I have some money..." He brightens, "I can get a bead for the shield too! I wasn't sure you wanted me to 'cause it's so easy to cast. Happy to though if you have other uses for that slot. I don't want to be a burden." He grins.
Gotta get that bead next time. Yambul tries hard to remember.
Does Yambul think they'll need cold weather gear?
Yambul checks his pockets, and shrugs.
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Rūha nods to Zzvkgrogk "I won't say no, especially if you have the tools you need." before listening to Rhor's recounting of what she's heard about the Scar of the Spider. She comments "A real wilderness ahead of us... with large lakes? Maybe something to help us swim would help as well. That said, unless there's something about the Scar that traps us there, we'll be able to come out and get anything we're missing now."
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With all the purchases completed, and after a short discussion with Cythrul about your findings of the dangers that lay in the Scar of the Spider (which Yambul thinks is mildly cold as the rest of Numeria), the group finally departs from Hajoth Hakados.
The journey brings you by the no longer Smoking Wood, and close to Iadenveigh where you can greet once again your friends and allies. After a short stay, you haste towards the Scar where you know an out-worldly menace to the planet awaits you.
The trip does not take you long, but a battery is ran out from all of your bikes by now. Your destination lays in front of you.
A wide valley yawns in the forested badlands, the cliffs to either side of the half-mile-wide canyon rising six hundred feet to forested heights above. Below, the valley floor is a broken landscape of boulders, strewn rocks, and patches of tenacious shrubs and weeds clinging desperately to what patches of soil they can find. The dark waters of a placid river flow slowly down the valley’s center, while sprawled in the waters near the valley’s entrance is the tremendous, smoking bulk of an immense mechanical arachnid.
The sight of the smoking remains of the immense robot gives you immediately pause, rumors of these immense constructs have circulated through Numeria recently, but the idea that something could bring down such a behemoth is sobering indeed.
You recognize the robot as an annihilator robot, one of the horrors of Silver Mount, it is rumored not even the Technic League has managed to control these ones.
You stop the engines to decide if you should approach to investigate or continue to the core of the valley.
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Know (Engineering)
Rhoreen stands for a moment to examine the remains of the construct. She will explain what she thinks when she regains her voice. ”Wow. I don’t know what could do that. That’s…that’s amazing…those are tough to kill, and yet, something did.”
Rhoreen ponders for a bit, and then begins to apply her usual magical protections. ”We should explore the core of this area, and we should be cautious. We don’t know what’s out there. We don’t know what killed this, nor what this thing might have been guarding? Or something else.”
Taking flight, she will follow behind the party 10’ up.
”Let’s go north. That way,” Rhoreen points the way.
Yambul will pick up some additional arrows, depleting his funding further, but he may need them in the wide open spaces of the wilderness.
Cold Iron Silver Blanched Arrows 18gp for 30
Cold Iron Ghost Salted Arrows 201gp for 10
- - -
He'll check for tracks around the destroyed robot to see if he can identify what might have done it.
He'll lead the way, heading north and investigating as he goes. From time to time, he'll check for tracks (taking 10 for a 27 tracking).
Before starting in past the fallen robut, Zzvkgrogk quaffs two potions (Heightened Awareness and Investigative Mind) as well as a mutagen (+Dex. -Wis). (All golden kiwi flavored)
”Wow. I don’t know what could do that…”
Zzvkgrogk’s inner ears go pale as his eyes grow wide.
”Tweeeee,” impressed, he whistles in agreement. ”So here’s where they keep the good stuff…”
He hands out bottled lightening to anyone who would like some (there are 6 bottles), then starts heading north.
6 first, 5 Second, 4 Third
(1st)
(1st) True Strike
(1st)
(1st)Shield
(1st) Adhesive Spittle
(1st) Reduce Person
(2nd) Barkskin
(2nd) Invisibility
(2nd)
(2nd) Fox’s Cunning
(2nd) FREE
(3rd) Delay Poison, Communal
(3rd) Animal Aspect, Greater
(3rd) Protecton from Arrows, Communal
(3rd) Animal Aspect, Greater
Can use craft (alchemy) to identify potions as if using Detect Magic
Hits: 53/53
AC Current: 20/20/15
AC: 18 / 14 / 15 (Normal/Touch/Flatfooted)
Wand of Cure Light Wounds: 21/50
Radiation Detector (4/10 charges)
Laser Pistol (Charges): 5/10
Arc Pistol (Charges}: 6/10
Batteries Charged): 14/20
Empty Battieries: 6 /20
Zzvkgrogk Special (Alchemical Ordinance): 13/13
Hero: 3/3
"Don't forget food and water and whatever else you're going to need. It's big. As you know."
Chaance doesn't take any. She invests early in a magic ring capable of sustaining her through the rest of the journey, invigorating her enough to keep watch in the dark hours when they'll be most vulnerable at camp.
...
"Let’s go north. That way.”
When the half-elf remains at the rear, the elfdroid engages.
"Why don't you fly ahead and prevent us from dead-ending?"
Chaance does what she can to pay attention to the surrounding grounds, watching for anything that indicates proximal, potential hostility.
Rūha takes some time to survey the area around the fallen spiderbot behemoth, on the lookout for anyone or anything watching the wreck. She surmises that there might be interested locals watching it for newcomers to the Scar.
"Whatever it was that brought this one down, they must have been dangerous indeed. Keeping an eye from the sky seems prudent. They may try to do the same to us if they're still around."
Zzvkgrogk looks for threats above and about.
Seeing the fallen annihilator as a dark omen of possible combats, the group halts to enhance with magic before approaching to the robot for further investigation.
Zzvkgrogk and Rūha note the battle took place approximately a week ago, and judging by the damage, not one but two annihilators were involved in the fight. Rūha is confident she can follow the tracks of the surviving annihilator to the northwest.
An immense crater, left by a devastating explosion, is near the remains of the fallen annihilator, and it would seem that this blast spelled the robot’s doom. Rhoreen confirms it was primarily a plasma and concussion blast.
Yambul takes note of a more subtle track that past unaware for the rest of you. The well-hidden footprints of a humanoid amid the ruins. These prints lead to the north, and despite whomever left in that direction took special care to conceal the tracks, Yambul feels confident he can follow them.
Finally, a third set of footprints is clearly visible to most of you. This trail is easier to follow and leads directly to the west. The trail is easy to follow because a sizeable group of humanoids dragged their feet along. About 5 to 10 people.
One additional grisly find awaits you as you investigate the battlefield. The remains of a large cage that seems to have once been attached to the annihilator are twisted and torn, and strewn amid the twisted metal are the remains of a half-dozen Kellid barbarians. While these barbarians seem to have been killed by the blast, all six have had the tops of their heads removed—no sign of brains remain within.
Although the annihilator was destroyed a week ago, its central power supply continues to spark and hum. Zzvkgrogk thinks the power core is unstable, and any attempt to physically interact with the robot’s remains has a chance to cause the core to finally explode.
Zzvkgrogk thinks he can force a controlled blast on the unit, so no unaware passer by gets harmed by accident here.
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Finally, a third set of footprints is clearly visible to most of you. This trail is easier to follow and leads directly to the west. The trail is easy to follow because a sizeable group of humanoids dragged their feet along. About 5 to 10 people.
”Are there slaves? I wonder if they too are brainless. Poor Kellids!”
Zzvkgrogk quaffs a potion, and the scent of golden kiwi fills the air. ”Aaaah, that never gets old,” he says as what you see of his tail poking out from his cloak becomes striped, and the fur around his eyes darkens to where it appears as though he is wearing a mask.
He starts to work on the power supply so no one just happening by gets hurt. ”These guys give tech a bad name.”
Yambul frowns, "Slaves? Hrm. A solitary wizard to the north, possible slaves to the west. The wizard sacrificed the kellids to destroy the robot. But maybe he had to. Doesn't make them evil - just suspect."
He chews on his tongue a moment. "So should we try west? Or pursue the lone traveller first? I don't think we'll be able to pick up his track if we delay, but following 5 or 10 folks should be do-able even after a few more days delay - with luck." he looks at Chaance thinking aloud.
"Yeah, I say we still go north."
While all this rambling goes on, Zzvkgrogk seems to control the robot's dangers as Yambul watches from a safe distance.
Rhoreen listens to the reports from others who can see and understand things she cannot. It's very good that they can do these minor things, and she appreciates their efforts to help *her* figure things out.
"Those are such good reports. Thank you," Rhor offers to Zzvkgrogk and Yambul.
She will help Zzvkgrogk as best she can, and hope the ratfriend succeeds.
She thinks it's best to go north, as Yambul has finally agreed with her.
"And to the northwest, another annihilator, most likely." Rūha surveys the group's finds with concern "And those poor people... killed and then dissected by something or someone. I'm not sure if we can conflate the people that were in this case with either of the visiting parties. It's as possible one of these sets belongs to the perpetrators, as it is that they're all people like us, who saw this point of interest and came to see what happened."
"That said, I think north is the right choice. A group dragging its feet suggests slow travel, and we might be able to catch up to whoever went north. Ask some questions, I think." Rūha comments from a safe distance from the unstable reactor core.
"I agree. The lone traveler interests me. They are of like mind in this land. Do we consider covering our own tracks, as well?"
"Do we consider covering our own tracks, as well?"
Rhoreen snuffs smugly at this. She does not leave tracks unless she wishes it. And she does not, as she flies.
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Yambul laughs at Rhoreen's smugness, for she might be flying at the moment, but unless she leaves her bike behind, she's as grounded as the rest of us.
Yet, Yambul has a thought, "Considering we're on our bikes, I don't think hiding our tracks is likely. However, if we're hunting this person to the north, maybe we should hide our bikes here and proceed on foot? They are loud and do foretell our approach."
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While the group decides on how to continue moving forward, Zzvkgrogk starts to work with deft hands, keen intellect, and no short dose of gill. The party breathes a collective sigh of relief as he successfully neutralizes the threat posed by the unstable power core. With careful precision, he manages to disarm the potential danger, ensuring the safety of all present and future passers by.
"The bikes appear to be out of juice, anyway, Cook Boy. Let's save fresh batteries for the way back, if necessary."
"The wizard sacrificed the kellids to destroy the robot."
Zzvkgrogk ponders this, then lets his imagination get the better of him. "Brainless Kellids in a cage.. Maybe they were corrupted and cursed too – to control this annihilator. Maybe they gained some of their independence back and attacked the wizard or whoever… if they were just intellect devourers, why the need for a cage, and where are their bodies? Whatever happened, the wizard or whoever seems to be the bigger threat." Poor Kellids.
”Do we consider covering our own tracks, as well?"
Zzvkgrogk scratches his head. How? Other than Calliope’s way? I doubt we can all fly.
”How?” he asks the Andrelf.
"Nice work," Rhor says to her friend.
When Zzvkgrogk thinks the area is clear of danger and items of interest, Rhoreen will again suggest exploring the hex to the north.
Yambul hides his bike nearby, and helps to cover the others as well.
to hide the bikes
Then he'll help Chaance cover the parties tracks for a short while to and from the area. "Like this Zzvkgrogk." he smiles as he brushes a branch to cover some of their passage.
to hide the tracks
Once they've done this a short while, he'll check that they're still on the right track.
to track the person
Then he'll pick up the pace, figuring to check again later.
Ruha stows her bike away as well, counting on Yambul to hide it well. "I wonder... the stories made this place sound very inhospitable, but there were quite a few footprints. I would have thought we don't need to fear thieves... but then again, maybe we do."
She's ready to follow Yambul as he tracks, and spends the time on the lookout for any other parties that may be tracking the team in turn.
"How?”
When Yambul begins to demonstrate, Chaance smiles wordlessly, and joins the human in the work in minimizing their own presence in the Scar, at least for this devastated area.
When they're successful enough to challenge possible hunters or stalkers of the Zzvkith, Chaance pushes north, seeking something referred to as the 'Dweller-in-Dark-Places'. Seeking a Dominion Hive...
She thinks on what a Hive would even resemble.
"We should identify all caverns as the possible Hive. It may prove tedious, investigating several deadends. Nonetheless, this Scar is going to be hostile to outsiders like us, likely."
The group takes the north direction, with Yambul both following the tracks ant attempting to conceal those left by the party. The tracks follow the river by the north area for most of it, before suddenly turning north.
As you move, at the northern slopes of the valley, you spot what seems several natural caves, some of them have an strange bright crimson tone around the rock and entrances.
As you move, at the southern slopes of the valley, you spot what seems some kind of orchard.
As your target turned north into what seems a forest, the tracks become more difficult to follow. The forest grows naturally into what seems a choke point in the north slopes of the valley.
While you try to find your target, you stumble with what seems a grove, but strangely enough, there is a fallen body sit by a tree trunk.
The body is from what at all indicates to be a human wizard. It seems it has been dead for weeks, maybe even months.
It carries several now ruined items, along with a very well crafted dagger encased in a shell of ice, frozen leaves, and flesh.
Also, there is a backpack under the body.
There is no trace of your tracks on the groove, definitely you are not pursuing the person who lays by the tree. This is other thing.
Chaance points out several natural caves along the northern face of the Scar, as well as the discoloration of some of them.
The body is another thing. She won't touch it, as the backpack under the body suggests that moving the body to retrieve the backpack might be just as hazardous as an unstable power core.
"There might be some things worth retrieving..?" She doesn't advance, preferring to maintain vigilance on the surrounding forest.
Perception
Perception
Rhoreen moves up, flying up 20', to get within 30' of the body and casts Detect Magic. She will hold it for a few moments to see what auras might ping around the body and area.
And she will take a good look from the height to see if there is any trouble.
Perception
If everything looks normal, she will tell others that.
Not long after Chaance points out the caves to the north, Ruha turns and points out an orchard far to the south "Signs of life. Life of the more settle-and-grow-crops kind, in particular. After we take a look here, we may want to check that next."
When the group finds the body, she comments "I can imagine a number of ways this could go wrong, but we need information." She approaches the body carefully, concerned there may be some ambush lying in wait. When she gets there though she mentions "He's been dead a while. Dagger covered in ice? Strange."
She awaits the results of Rhor's detect magic.
Zzvkgrogk watches impressed as Yambul hides their tracks and Chaance assists.
"Wow, nice Cook Boy. You have gotten really good at that!"
~~~
Zzvkgrogk grunts at the caves. "Are those dwellings? I like how the entrance is decorated!"
Zzvkgrogk grunts at the orchards. "See?! I KNEW IT!! Cave dwellers probably own those orchards," Zzvkgrogk snorts smugly, surely side effect from hanging around too much with Rhoreen.
Zzvkgrogk approaches the body with Rūha, and grunts at the dead wizard.
"This is not the wizard we are looking for," he says, waving his hand in the air dismissively. "Do we wait for him to thaw? I wonder what he carries in his backpack..."
While he awaits Rhoreen's report he retrieves the backpack and opens it when conditions are safe.
Yambul hangs back for the moment letting Zzvkgrogk do his thing. But he stays relatively close in case of explosion or other untoward activity.
