"That makes sense, let Hellig take a look while Simon does his work." Ceirn says.
She seems to finally come down from what ever place she was looking towards, Pac prodding her to turn to the dwarf
"Hmmm? Oh. Yes. Perhaps I should focus a bit more. I will have a quick study of the ring" as she daintily takes the ring from him to examine it
Hellig checks out one of the other objects and casts a spell.
Simon sighs, "Well, I didn't find any traps.
Here goes".
Simon attempts to open the secret door.
"It seems this ring is an arcane booster. Mind if I keep this?" as she puts the ring on any way. Just before she shows it to Pac
"Godsdammit", Vondal muttered to himself. "Fine!" The godling tosses the ring of wizardry into Astrillith's awaiting palm.
"Not to be that Cowren, but..." Kolaiah grunts as she gives a side-eye toward the Tiefling with the ring now perched upon her finger. "I too cast Arcane spells, and, if I might add, I could make use of that little trinket just as well as you."
She crosses her arms with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Though, if you’re fond of it, I’ll let it be. Just don’t expect me to stand idly by while someone else gets all the perks."
Her hooves tap lightly on the ground, a touch of humor behind her words despite her serious tone.
"Well. In that case. You may have it." she holds out the ring with her usual emotionless features
Simon comments as he works on opening the secret door, "That was either a wealthy Elven Wizard or she had some experience under her belt, that's no mere trinket of a ring!"
”Many wizards believe that with their spells they can handle any eventuality. This one proved that notion wrong.” She mused, chalking it up to more evidence as towards the lethality of where they were.
Ceirn shakes his head and says, "That is a pretty nice dagger too. Whoever that was came well stocked for such a place as this."
Astrillith attempts to take the ring off her finger...
...only for it to not come off.
it seems to be stuck.
"This is rather odd. The ring does not seem to be wanting to be removed. If you would still like the ring, we can simply remove my finger" she offers her hand and points to the closest sharp weapon
Simon raises his eyebrows as he works the secret door, I wonder if she wants it that bad...
"If you cannot take the ring off, I am not sure it is what we thought it was." Ceirn says.
”It has chosen you. It is cursed. Or your finger is just too fat.” She said, deadpan. ”So long as there are no harmful effects and you wish to wear it, then I’d rather leave it as it is instead of lopping off body parts.”
"Yes." the godling smirked. "Because when I think of a fat lady with massive kegs, Astrillith instantly comes to mind."
"I do not think I can eat any less without expiring Gaelden. But if you suspect my form is too much, I could try an accomodate you by giving away some of the rations I brought down?" she casually then removes one of her older rings and places it in a pocket "Until this mystery is solved, or you request the removal of my finger, I guess I'll store this ring for now"
"I have little, to no, use for an amputated finger, and I suspect the loss of the digit might impeded your own spell casting, which having now been augmented is something we want to ensure is at its full efficiency."
"You might try casting a cantrip. If the ring was meant to improve spellcasting, it might hinder it as well. And knowing that before we head further into a dangerous dungeon might be a good idea. It could be why the last bearer was not able to fend for herself." Ceirn says.
Hellig holds up the dagger. "This appears to be a +2 dagger of returning. Though given Astrilith's situation, I suppose I cannot be sure."
She nods as she goes through some of her available cantrips. Nothing flashy. Most of them radiate a green glow from her hands as she casts it
"This is rather odd. The ring does not seem to be wanting to be removed. If you would still like the ring, we can simply remove my finger" she offers her hand and points to the closest sharp weapon
As you all stand around waiting for simon to determine how to open this new secret door while discussing a magical ring, the smell of excrement begins to touch your nose...
She looks at Pac. nods, and then takes a sniff
"Seems the air has been tainted, we should be prepared for the cause's arrival"
Simon presses the correct button to open the secret passageway!
Ceirn focuses and the color of his mental weapon glows brighter and turns to a white fire.
a section of the wall before simon grinds and slides open, revealing a narrow passage beyond.
you hear the sound of soft snoring coming from up the passage....
"Nicely done, Simon."
”Snoring? From up the passage.”
"Sounds like it. Could be an adventurer under a sleep spell or a damned bear hibernating, or who knows what in a place like this.
If you'd like to try and remove that ring Astrillith, I have an idea I could try. Just let me know".
Simon waives his everburning torch into the passageway.
"We should approach quietly and try to determine the sleeper's nature without waking it."
"Much appreciated Simon" she says with a smile that can only be seen as fake. From the viewpoint of her party they know that that's just her attempt to mimic pleasantries
The Paladin took the news in with some concern. The snoring could indeed be due to someone ensorcelled. It could also be from a beast that lacked predators, which was concerning. Either way, they had to tread cautiously.
Simon places his everburning torch down and stealths to the corner of the left wall to peer inside the room.
Stealth
Perception
"That’s either some poor soul stuck under a sleep spell, or we’ve got something else—perhaps a beast, tucked away and just enjoying the quiet."
She takes a deep breath, squinting down the corridor. "Either way, we should approach with caution. If it’s someone in a deep slumber, maybe we can figure out what happened. If it’s something else..." She shrugs, cracking a grin that hints at the wariness in her tone. "Well, I’ve seen enough to know that this dungeon doesn’t take kindly to interruptions."
Down the narrow corridor, Simon doesn't have dark vision...
you pop your head around the corner, looking for threats...
and all you see is the darkness that pervades Undermountian.
however!
your sharp ears pick up more sounds from within the room.
One...
two...
three!
three?
four!
five!
five distinct noises. A shuffle hear, a soft groan there. The sound of metal scraping on rock. an odd, disjointed, haunting growl.
the tell tale sound of bows being drawn...
Simon throws himself backwards and hustles down to the main hall, staying silent but gesturing behind him, hopefully his wide eyes signify that he's found trouble to the rest of the group...
Seeing the agitated halfing return quickly to the group, Vondal smiles a wicked grin as he unsheaths Gloryhewner.
"Glittery Gold! I think someone needs killing!" The godling whispers gleefully to his compatriots.
A small sigh escapes her mouth as she takes hold of her staff a bit more securely, even Pac was showing signs of anticipation
"If they wish to untether themselves from this plane, we have no choice but to oblige."
Hellig casts a spell, then draws his longsword.
Gaelden nodded. She was ready.
Hellig casts a spell, then draws his longsword.
Ceirn gets ready to head into the room.