Merlan Firefingers Silverhearth's page

Merlan almost bounces in Tiny's saddle in excitement. His head nods rapidly in agreement, (At least with something that Eloen said) causing his oversized hat to flap aggressively, and Squeaks to clutch the brim for dear life.

"Yes, YES! THAT! It is far too easy to make 'facts' fit 'theories', instead of allowing the facts to determine the theories! I MAY have been guilty of such, once or twice,... But once you use the facts to eliminate the impossible, then whatever is left, however improbable, MUST be the truth!"

Merlan looks quite pleased with himself, (Despite the fact he essentially just re-phrased exactly what Eloen just said.)

"We should continue. Post-haste. We must investigate the barn where,... she was found,... and see what the clues really tell us. Not what they first appear to say."

"As far as where the mini-misfits are hiding out? Seems to me that most creatures, mortal or fae, tend to be creatures of habit. Familiar is always more comfortable. Maybe we see if any of the farmers have any fruit trees? A small grove would be better than flatlands to those used to forests."

Merlan kicks Tiny into gear, and the furry mount obediently pads forward at a decent pace.

FIRST! We have to figure out what really happened, and prove the young lad's innocence, or guilt, without a doubt. THEN, I dust off my old tracking skills,..."

At the last, Merlan turns to give Eloen and the rest a smile and a wink.

But the smile is sharp, and Eloen recognizes that glint in the halfling's eye. The look of a hunter.

"Deep. Very Deep." the halfling replies absentmindedly.

The wizard shakes his head briefly, once more irritating his hat's rider.

"Oh. OH nothing much. I was just pondering 'Two Plus Two', and FINALLY realized the answer wasn't Four!"

Merlan climbs back atop 'Tiny's' riding saddle, the easier to look the elf in the eyes.

"Well, I finally slowed down enough to stop reacting, and actually THINK for a moment. And I remembered that Fae in general, and Bloodthorns and Quicklings in particular, are fond of heavily wooded areas. Think 'Forest' over 'several trees'. And are rarely found too far from a decent sized patch of heavy woods. Of which there are NONE anywhere nearby."

"I mean, I suppose a farmer or two might have a little grove of fruit trees, it's not like we were given the deluxe tour when we arrived."

"Also, the plants which give the Bloodthorns their namesakes, are also not going to be found in this relatively desolate flatlands and scrub-brush. Again, you need 'Woods'."

Merlan gives the group a wry half-smile.
"Soooo, I have new theory. And You aren't going to like it any more than I do."

Merlan holds up a dexterous, if pudgy, finger.
"One. Our Fae 'friends' aren't native to the region. They're transplants. From a fair distance away. Given that the last real set of woods we saw coming here was where we found that weird magic acorn. What was that? 2 days travel if mounted?"

The wizard holds up a second finger as his half-smile fades.
"Two, Either 'someone' hired them to travel a great distance to cause an undue amount of trouble for such a small township. Kind of like our Summoner friend was hired to deal with us. OR,..."

The typically cheerful wizard's face turns dour, his large hat brim casting his eyes into deep shadow as he slowly, almost ominously, raises a third finger.
"OR,... They are also victims in all of this. Driven out of their Forest homes by an increasingly aggressive orcish expansion. Unfortunately, they aren't your typical, peaceful, refugees. And 'Fae gotta Fae', as my uncle used to say."

The halfling shrugs.
"Either way, for whatever reason, you have a group of malicious Fae who are used to dealing with wilds teeming with beasts mundane and magical to keep them both busy and entertained, who suddenly find themselves in essentially the middle of NOwhere, and with nothing better to do but torment, torture and otherwise enact whatever thoughts pop into their malicious little minds upon this small town of hapless humanoids. Because that's just what Fae do. They are what they are. Moving to a different location, willingly or otherwise, will not change that."

Merlan snorts a small laugh.
"Heck. WE'RE the most exciting things that have happened to this Quickling and his little group of Merry Madmen since they got here. No wonder he's going so all-out with all of his 'pranks'. He must have been BORED til we arrived!"

Merlan looks around.
"What?!? I TOLD you you weren't gonna like it!"

Squeaks hides his head under a wing.

DM:

Mr GM

Hmmm, thinking,...

Mr GM:

Thx Tilnar, Searching memory for 'how to find a Fey' ;)

K: Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Climbing into Tiny's saddle, Merlan freezes for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought,...

Oh, OK, of course NOW, at MIDNIGHT, I have an idea,... ;P

Sigh, trying to play a highly intelligent character, when you are strictly, 'above-average', is a pain! ;P

OH mighty GM, what roll(s) do I need to make to try and recall info about where Quicklings and Bloodthorns like to live? In other words, I want to try and figure out where/what kind of location their lair might be. Merlan wants to go hunting! :)

Merlan rubs his child-like chin so firmly you'd think he was scratching at a beard. He looks as if he wants to have another almost-temper-tantrum again, when Squeaks swoops in and lands on the wide-brimmed hat once more.

Pulling the hat back off of his eyes, Merlan pats the tiny dino's head in thanks.

"OK,... So the blood spot on Prim's pillow was probably from where they stabbed here with a poisoned item, like this thorn, to incapacitate her. Then they probably drug her out the window, since they are small enough to force and carry her through the narrow window and be with her, something a full sized humanoid could never have done. Even though she fit, her nightgown caught and ripped the shutter. THIS is the most likely scenario. Because any other options involve possibly waking or having to incapacitate the family, which would lead to more chances of being caught."

Merlan turns to face down the path, towards the barn a mile+ down the road.
"Then they drug her down the road, which understandably upset her da, but only because they were too short to carry her without dragging her. They take her to the barn, and,..."

Merlan's face turns into a dark thundercloud for another moment,...

"And torturedher, while she was helpless from their poison, before killing her. The little !@#$^ (Again a different language) wanted her to be afraid and die with that look on her face."

"The arrows in her hands were all extra to terrify the girl, and anger the townsfolk. They didn't need to do that, as she was already incapacitated. They just made it that much more horrific, and used Davin's arrows as the means to cast blame."

Merlan looks at the others.

"Let's save some time. And presume that the bowstring and arrows used at the scene WERE Davin's. They abducted a living girl from under her parents' roof. Stealing an unguarded bow and arrows is nothing."

MErlan stomps the ground, but it seems from frustration, not anger.

"PROOF! OK,... We need to hurry. The sun isn't slowing down for us. We need to run and search the barn where she was found. See if we can find any other clues they missed. Something NOT from Davin. We also need to inspect the body. Proof of poisoning, small puncture wounds, the like. " The halfling wiggles the discovered Bloodthorn.

"AND we need to talk to Davin. Ask his alibi, and find proof it is true. We know he HAS one, but we need to prove it."

"Um,... two teams? Split our skills as best we can? Team 1 goes and searches the barn where Prim was found. Team 2 inspects the body. We all regroup asap and go talk to Davin together. Yes? No? OTHER idease?!?"

(The halfling seems, stressed.)

"I'll go with Team 1. Sahar has the most healing knowledge, she'll head Team 2. We move fast, and watch our backs. The Quickling is practically invisible. BUT his minions aren't. Just look for them in small, out of the way places. Pretend your looking for rats. With poisoned darts."

Merlan's little legs start walking as quick as they can towards Tiny. He doesn't wait for a response from anyone.

From atop his perch on the wide-brimmed hat, Squeaks cranes his serpentine neck around to look back at the group. The plaintive look on his little lizard face clearly says, "A LITTLE HELP HERE?!?"

(The tiny dino's expression looks like a first-time bull-rider at an annual fall fair)

"Probably. Maybe. If the right person asks." Merlan looks at Sahar.

ARGH! my head hurts! (Literally, not figuratively) HAs Sahar re-joined us outside yet?

Merlan rubs his chin,

"IF the theory hold water, they left the clue there on purpose. Whether she was actually removed through the window, or made to look that way, doesn't prove the lad didn't do it. The father is angry that she was drug on the ground. But Again, WHY would a young strong lad drag her, if he could carry her much faster? So far that and this thorn are the closest thing we have to proof."

"Now,... IF we could find evidence that she was removed through the house instead of the window,... Wee folk dragging her out the door would be much easier than the window. Even if she were drugged. AND if her family were also drugged, they would never have noticed."

"Too many choices. Too many 'maybes'. WHERE to look next? outside or inside?!?"

The diminutive wizard shakes his head to clear his thoughts.
(Yeah. Good luck with that.)

"Right. RIGHT. Evidence that would support the current theory. Um, More of THESE,..." Merlan holds up the discovered thorn again.

",... Drag marks, swatches of Prim;s dressing clothes caught on something, That wouldn't prove it WASN'T the boy but why would drag a person if you were capable of carrying them much faster?, tiny footprints that didn't get erased. ANYthing that doesn't belong between the house and the barn."

"The bad news is, these type of fae are used to hiding evidence of their passage. The GOOD news is, these particular fae have also gotten comfortable pulling the wool over the eyes of the not-necessarily-most-observant townsfolk. And folk, be they normal humanoid or the 'Wee' variety, tend to let their guard down when they're comfortable. And more so when they're in a hurry. If they dropped this, then they left other traces as well."

Merlan looks directly at Eloen, then the others.

"We're looking for tiny traces. Think on the scale of the wee folk. They would never be clumsy enough to accidentally leave a sign like we might. But another couple of clues like this thorn, that's the proof. Gather enough and maybe we can not only free the lad, but find out where their lair is and end this minuscule menace posthaste!"

"Oh yeah. That was before you arrived wasn't it?" Merlan shrugs.

"Not too much to tell. Because we don't KNOW what his deal is. Turns out the town's resident troublemaker isn't a human bully, but a Quickling. He probably just thinks he's playing pranks, but Fae in general, and Quicklings and their ilk in particular, have a particularly nasty sense of humor. We discovered that he was most likely the one who had done, some, well, we'll fill you in on all the disturbing details later. Basically his 'Causing trouble' gets small animals and people injured and killed."

"When we figured that out, he turned his attention to us. His attempts at 'humor' include stealing a Dragonling egg and leaving it for US to find. And take the blame from mommy, and apparently sending psychotic summoners-for-hire after us when we didn't laugh at his jokes."

"I still don't know WHY he seems to have taken such an interest in this dum,... town. But he has been VERY insistent about staying. Odd. My limited experience with such Fae indicates they would normally abandon the area once they and their supposedly amusing hi jinks were discovered. But THIS guy is still hanging around. And has obviously upped the ante. I wouldn't think he'd be THIS painfully obvious. Even placing the blame on another, normally they don't want to risk discovery."

"Dangit. I'll bet this whole entire thing is one, big, (disturbing), distraction. He did this because he KNOWS we wouldn't just leave it alone. He WANTS us to take our time dealing with this. But WHY. What is it he doesn't want us to get involved with?"

"Presumably the abductor did something to immobilize her or render her unconscious, so that she couldn't scream or struggle."

Merlan holds up the tiny thorn that he discovered.

"Agreed. Why d'you think I'm wearing gloves? I'm no master Alchemist. But I know an alchemically-treated item when I see it. And the Rosebloods are famous, or should I say INfamous?, for using alchemical & poisoned treated items. Like strengthened tools and sleeping poisons. I didn't want to figure out which one THIS was the hard way."

Merlan glances back at the ground thoughtfully.

"Hm, Climbing tool maybe. Or, It could be a paralysis-poisoned weapon, maybe fallen out while dragging her,..."

You're looking at the house - Prim slept in the loft -- so the building is basically, a floor and a half. The shuttered window is pretty small - it's really just there as a vent more than anything - enough that a dwarf or a full-sized man would likely not be able to go through. Someone with a more slender build would have less trouble.

Which, I guess, is in and of itself, a clue.

So, realistically (in a fantasy world) Am I correct in understanding that PROBABLY Prim's body would not have, easily, fit through the window? Meaning that the abductor (whether Fae or Human) would have had to drag her through house to get her out?

Merlan's fingers make twitching, almost-but-not-quite arcane gestures as he mutters (Mostly) to himself.

"So, The lil Ishpat has a crew. He sends them (or leads them) to abduct and kill the girl to start up yet more trouble. But they need to make certain that no one looks TOO closely for evidence. So they cover their own tracks of their entry via the roof which would be all but impossible for the poor lad, and plant evidence near the window to implicate him. Diabolical in it's simplicity."

The wizard hisses again in frustration.
"I know he didn't do it. WE know he didn't do it. But the townsfolk are blinded by rage and pain. We need PROOF. Not clues. We need the Quickling and his gang. Or at least their remains."

I'm tired, By which I mean exhausted. The girls remains were found in the family barn yes?

The halfling points towards the barn. "Before we disturb the inside of the house and the grieving family. We should investigate where the,... remains,... were found. Now that we know what we are looking for, the clues should be easier to find."

"Does it involve a theoretical quickling?"

Merlan nods again. Much slower this time. The effect is to make the usually comical flapping of his oversized hat seem much more ominous.

"And apparently some theoretical minions. Theoretically, it explains how the little dervish has managed to pull off some of it's more over-the-top 'pranks' on us. The little (Something in a language most will not recognize is muttered) has a GANG. He's a Friggin' pint-sized mob boss! I must confess. I did NOT see that coming."

Suddenly, the halfling rears back and starts to kick his foot at the ground in an unusual burst of obvious anger. He manages to control him self, but the struggle is plain on his face. (He is heard muttering something about obliterating evidence), and Merlan lowers his foot firmly but slowly. The little fellow is obviously 'not happy'.

In the shadow of his lowered hat brim, for one brief moment, The usually comical wizard exudes an aura of menace and power.

For one eyeblink, everyone near him is willing to believe his claims of Archmage-ness.

Then another eyeblink, and the moment passes. But from beneath the shadow of his lowered brim, Merlan can be heard barely muttering,...

"Scrag my Uncle, and his Vershugina tolerance for Fae and their dark humor be d@#$d. They killed a child. I am going to feed them all to Squeaks. While still alive."

From his perch on the roof above, the tiny dino in question leans forward eagerly. Prompted by his emotional bond with his master, Squeaks' eyes are almost whirling in anticipation.

Costin looks at the building. ”So the fey scoundrel might have climbed to the roof…”

Merlan nods vigorously, a move that would almost certainly have dislodged Squeaks had the Dino been in his usual perch on the hat, instead of the roof.

"Roof, Window, convenient gap in the thatching,... almost any opening would suffice. They're like rats. With a Nasty 'sense of humor', With a Capitol "N", and a penchant for using natural tools and poisons."

"I'm starting to form a theory. It's viable so far, but will require a lot more evidence to verify."

Merlan crooks a pudgy finger, beckoning Costin closer.
Once Costin is close. VERY close. Merlan stage whispers.

"Rosebloods! Evil Fae. Sprites to be precise. They use alchemically treated thorns, like this Bloodrose thorn, as weapons and tools. This one would make a decent knife. Or javelin tip,... or climbing Piton."

The halfling slowly raises himself up to his full 3'(+/-) height. His eyes are wide now, and his gaze darts back and forth.

"Yeah, it'd slide right between the mortar -- and probably leave a little hole... just like that one.... and that one... and...."

Merlan's voice trails off as he is now standing on his tippy-toes and pointing far above his own head at the wall of building.

"Well,..." Merlan finally says, giving Costin a gleeful, bohemian smile.

"You get the idea."

Squeaks, now perched on the roof above, makes a brief, strange sound.
Something like a cross between a strangled cough and a raspberry.

"What did you find, Merlan?" Costin asks.

"A clue Costin. A possible, palpable clue!"

As son as I'm told what that clue IS, our over-acting detective with delusions of grandeur will continue.
:)

SLIGHT retcon of conversation ;)

Fiona nods solemnly at Merlan's suggestion and follows along with Sahar and Yacob, though she does take a moment to turn to Merlan and suggest quietly, "Someone should speak to the boy Daven as well."

"Indeed." Merlan agrees with a nod, then turns to examine the nearby grounds.

AFter a moment of feeling Fiona's eyes still upon him, Merlan turns back to the warrior.

"Ah. Oh. OH. You meant me."

The diminutive wizard gives Fiona a big grin, and an enthusiastic double thumbs-up.

The tiny dino has the decency to look embarrassed for Merlan. Since the wizard obviously isn't.

Hullo! Whut have we here then?"

Merlan drops onto his hands and knees to closer examine the thorn under the pansies.

The halfling looks at the thorn curiously, and then puts on his riding gloves before carefully picking it up by the non-pointy end to get a better look at it.

Presuming 'nature' to start with? What else K; skill might be of use here? :)

K: Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Woot! I mean, Well, I guess I know what plant the thorn came from? Maybe even which particular bush? :)

Merlan (and Squeaky) take a look around, and he kinda sorta almost notices things, if only someone might help the poor guy out? Or look themselves and roll better. Or... whatever else people might do to increase the chance of success....

LOL,... <facepalm> Yep. THIS is my life recently. 'SO close, but no cigar!' ;P

(Semi) seriously, can we let the lower rolls be the 'aid another' to the higher roll? :D

Merlan sends Squeaks aloft, with a whispered order to let him know if the Tiny Dino sees anything.

Squeaks Per: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Merlan takes a look around as they wait for Jacob to return. The halfling seems to be, different, somehow. Less of the jocular-jester claiming to be a wizard. More of, a hunter.

1st Per: Front of the house, approaching 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

"Then we examine the house first. And then the barn. Preferably swiftly. Best we be done before nightfall."

Merlan looks around before dismounting Tiny at the stables.

"Darkness tends to encourage bad decisions in folks. I suspect things will get VERY exciting around here once the sun sets."

Squeaks chirps what sounds like an agreement.

SO, stabling the mounts, and move quickly to the girls house to check it out as a possible abduction site? (Isnt that where Sahar is going?)

Merlan looks thoughtful. (Always a dangerous sign.)

Then the Halfling slaps his thigh, winces slightly, and speaks in an unusually calm and authoritative voice.

"Fiona, would you be so kind as to accompany Sahar? Your presence should be a solid comfort in these emotional times."

His unspoken 'And should discourage anyone from making a bad decision should anyone think of taking their frustrations out on Sahar alone.' is as clear as if he said it aloud.

"The rest of you, come with me. Let us see to the mounts, and investigate the scene of the crime."

As he turns Tiny towards the stables, Merlan whispers aside to the nearest,... "Um, where did they say the crime took place?"

Maybe only 'split' the party during the day? We can quickly begin investigations and tend to the grieving, but we should probably get back together and figure out some kind of plan and watch each others backs. ASAP. This little pest will be a major pain for only part of the group to deal with. And maybe the entire party. (I always thought Quicklings were a majorly OP PITA, as far back as 1st Ed & Advanced D&D!) ;P

"If our investigations lead to the culprit I already suspect, your other skills will be for more valuable than your night vision my friend."

"Good idea!" Merlan smiles and gives Taran a thumbs up.

Out of Taran's earshot, Merlan murmurs to his companions.
"Too bad though. I was chased by a lass with a skillet once. A skilled skillet-weilder is a fearsome foe!"

"I will investigate the location where the crime took place." Merlan offers solemnly.

"I welcome aid and ideas from others. My Imagination does, sometimes, run away with me."

This last part was delivered straight-faced. Almost as if the thought had not occurred to him before.

At a sigh from Squeaks, Merlan smiles and looks up (tilting his hat and the Dino's perch precariously).

"I meant I welcome MORE aid and ideas. Your help is always invaluable."

Merlan observes the goings on with unusual silence.
The tiny wizard sits atop his furry mount (Gives him a better view) and aims for a 'Glower of Disapproval', made famous by centuries of wizards before him.

(He doesn't do too bad, actually. Considering his usual cheerful demeanor.)

He waits (relatively) patiently for Sahar to return and tell them what in the Bullette Dung is supposedly going on here.

Post-Monster General Strikes Again! (And Again, And Again,...) ;P

I think with that roll Merlan's (unusual) silence is now explained. She scared HIM! ;P

Merlan has had many faces and emotions in the time the others have known him.

They realize that they have never seen the Halfling angry before.
I mean REALLY angry.

Until now.

"Yeah. Three guesses who it was. I'm gonna string that little <Mutters something in a language no one recognizes> up by his own entrails. See if he thinks THAT'S funny." Merlan murmurs softly and calmly.

"OH fertheluvuvmagic,... NOW what?!?"

20s don't auto-succeed skill checks. That's only in combat. However, considering a few people made it, no harm, no foul.

Oh? OK. I keep forgetting that. :( Lucky he still made the 22! :)

Merlan sighs, and climbs back into Tiny's saddle.

"I mean, unless the cave gets real deep, real fast, there can't be THAT many giant-kin stuffed in there. I wuz gonna,..."

Squeaks pulls up the oversized brim of the wizard's hat. The better to STARE at him. Merlan looks as if he is going to pout.

"What?!? It coulda worked!"

But despite his muttered protests, the halfling follows Sahar's lead.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Nat 20 on Sense Motive, What does the successful 'Aid Another to Merlan's Per' give to my roll?

Merlan scratches his chin.

"Geez. It wasn't THAT bad. I mean, I've done better. But I was in a hurry."

"Um, guys? I don't want to sound like the suspicious type. BUT, I'm not,... entirely,... convinced that he meant that gentle and pleasant invitation into the cave. Just sayin'."

Squeaks tilts his reptilian head almost sideways, snaking his neck around the brim to look at his master. The tiny Dino's actions are as clear as any spoken language.

'REEEEEELY? Ya' THINK?!?'

”It’s giant. He wants… Sweetcakes. Gods I hope that’s not a euphemism.” Costin shudders a bit.

"Well. THAT'S not terrifying at all."

”At any rate, they said go away. But maybe they can be bribed. If anyone’s got a secret stash of pastries, my money’s on Merlan.”

"Rations and prestidigitation?" Sahar suggests.

Merlan shakes his head, almost dislodging his tiny dino companion from his hat.

"Naw, That would never wor,.... waitaminute,..."

The dino gives the wizard a gimlet glare as the hocus-pocus halfling digs through his backpack for some bread rations.

The wizard produces the rations with a flourish. "Ah-HAH!"

Merlan then squints his eyes in concentration, and casts a brief charm.
The wizard murmurs inaudible phrases as he concentrates on the rations, sprinkling substances over it from fingers that hold nothing. He finishes up by holding one hand over the ration as a low reddish glow emanates from his palm, warming the ration.

Ah-HAH!" Merlan repeats himself.

"Thank goodness I thought of that!"

Squeaks beats his reptilian head into the hat's crown with an audible sigh.

This goes unnoticed by Merlan, as he is busy using his charm to carefully levitate the now sugary, gooey mass of ration into the air, and send it slowly towards the cave mouth.

"Can you speak giant well enough to tell him there's more if he likes it?"

Prestidigitation, seasoning, flavoring, warming, and floating a(very light) object? Yeah I seem to recall Prestidigitation can do all that. :) (I hope!)

Merlan almost jumps out of his shoes,
(Fortunately, as a Halfling, shoes are not a requirement. And indeed he is usually far more comfortable not wearing any, save in times of battle or rugged terrain.)

The wizard looks back to the others, and blinks owlishly.

"Well. THAT worked better than I expected!"

Dear GM,... GIANTS?!? WHO said anything about GIANTS?!? How is a diminutive wizard supposed to know to pick up GIANT as a language?!? (I can tell you what his NEXT point spent in linguistics is going to be!) ;P

In hindsight, THIS is one of the FEW wizzies I've ever made who DIDN'T have a lot of points into Linguistics,.... Maybe not the smartest class choice,... May have to re-think that.

Aid Another to Aid Another-Costin: Linguistics:
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Merlan taps his chubby chin thoughtfully.

"Hm. Mr Wolf says he knows what is in there, and it is not a threat to him? SO maybe it is not a threat to us? I mean, if it kills orcs and such, it is obviously powerful. But it may have just been reacting to hostility, just like we would. Mayhap we can negotiate with it? As exciting as it is to charge into the unknown, blades swinging and spells blazing, there ARE alternatives to fighting. Just a sec."

Without warning, Merlan steps forward closer to the cave.

Not TOO close, he is well aware of what the spell traps range is, and what they might do to him.
(And while he didn't find their auras particularly powerful, he's not willing to risk his freshly-rested self's life on it!)

The halfling puts his hands up to his mouth like a megaphone,

"Halloo in the cave! We are visitors! We've come to meet you! If you mean us no harm, then we mean no harm to you or yours! May we speak with you?"

"Awww,..." Merlan actually kicks at a small stone.

"I mean, I don't wanna tick anyone off, more than we already have anyway, But,... I mean, it's a mysterious CAVE! Protected by magical defenses! How COOL is that?!? And magical defenses means something worth protecting! We aren't talking some simple 'Alarm' spell on your house to discourage random burglars! We're talking actual intricate if not all that high-powered mystical defenses! I don't only wanna see what they're protecting, Although I REELY do wanna see that! but I want to meet the being responsible! We have so much in common already! We could be spell-buddies!!"

Merlan looks around at his companions faces. He makes an actual attempt to contain himself. You can see the struggle.

"But, I mean,... You know,... Whatever you guys think is best. I guess. I mean, it isn't like Fiona saw the cave on a map or something, which means that the Orcs probably already know about it too,... or anything."

"Might as well try. Sahar's suggestion of just throwing rocks at it has the virtue that rocks are cheap."

"And fun!" Merlan adds cheerfully as he slides from Tiny's saddle.

"Well, we could always set them off deliberately. They may be sensitive enough to be triggered by nearby motion. Like a thrown boot. Or a tiny rodent. Which would explain the sudden absence of our minute escorts. Merely throwing things at them from a "Safe" distance may do the trick."

"Of course, it could also alert every unfriendly being within 10 miles that we have found and entered the protected cave, too."

Merlan lets loose a low whistle.

"Nice spellwork. You have to appreciate good Art." The halfling says with sincerity.

"I see seven auras. I think that they are all Abjurations, erm, Glyphs of Warding, Just as Eloen said. Not that strong really. Below average strength for even a moderately experienced caster. I see three Evocations, two Conjuration, another Evocation just inside the cave, and a necromantic spell on that skull nearest to the entrance." Merlan says, pointing them out as he names them.

Still staring wide-eyed at the cave with the focus of his detection charm, Merlan 'Hmmms' thoughtfully.

I could identify the exact spells if we want to spend the time. But a simple Erase spell should eradicate them. Or an area Dispel. Piece of cake!"

"If I only had either of those in my spellbooks,..."

"MAgical traps? COOL!" The short wizard stands up in his stirrups in order to get a better view.

Then, realizing the looks on his companions faces means they MIGHT not see how exciting that really is, he coughs lightly and slowly sits back down in his saddle.

"Ah, I mean, what a waste of magical resources. Yeah. That's it."

Merlan pulls back out his traveling tomes and begins flipping through them again.

"Let me see,... I was going to swap out a couple of spells anyway. I don't imagine Fiona'd thank me if I Enlarge'd her in the middle of a cave. Um,... No,... I don't think so. I never saw the need to scribe 'Erase' in my book. I prefer to write things down, not erase them. I MAY need to reconsider that opinion."

"Hmph. let me see if I can tell what we're dealing with here."
Merlan quickly whispers his Detection charm and waves a hand over his eyes. He then stares at the cave entrance with eyes comically wide.

Detect magic, & Per: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
HMPH indeed. Can He take 10 instead? ;P

I plan to swap out my spell load of Enlarge and detect invis w/ something suited to cave-diving. :)

"Ah. Yes. I understand. And I promise to add a good thrashing to the list of punishments that particular pest has coming to it, for your troubles."

Merlan nods respectfully to Mr Wolf, and nudges Tiny into motion. The riding pair slowly begins leaving the area. (Tiny noticeably relieved to be putting distance between his furry self and Mr Wolf.)

Moving More or less directly towards the cave,...

Merlan perks up.

"Wait, wounded?! You never mentioned that. Perhaps we could help? We HAVE had rather a lot of practice dressing wounds recently."

"Was it that annoying Quickling? Or something more native to the area? Or one of the interminable bands of Orcs perhaps?"

Note, if 'Wolfie' is doing sense motive or any similar, Merlan is entirely in earnest. He WAS raised by a gnome druid losing his battle with the Whitening. The lil wizard has a peculiar sense of camaraderie with animals. ;P

Merlan blinks, and looks at Eloen, slightly confused.

"Yes. But, If we solve the issue of the cave for Mr Wolf and his friends, who have already admitted they dont want to tangle with,... whatever is in there,... I would imagine they would be grateful? I mean, maybe not throw a party for us or anything. But I can hardly imagine that would make us their enemies?"

Merlan stretches as he digests the wolfs' words.

"Huh. 'Painful little monster'? That's the NICEST thing that little <some word in a language most dont understand, but sounds naughty> has been called in a long time."

Merlan rises and obediently begins packing his bedroll.

"Swell. THAT little pain-in-the-posterior is getting too big for his britches. I guess we'll have to go back and fix whatever hornets' nest he stirs up. Again. Not that mr-grumpy-pants or his cronies will care." Merlan sounds positively grumpy himself. Although from his smiles at Squeaks and head-scratches for 'Tiny' you'd be hard-pressed to tell.

The Wizard mounts his mighty canine steed, and doffs his hat to the wolf, (after making sure that Squeaks has launched himself into the air, first!)

"Thank you for the restful reprise Master Wolf. May you and yours have a pleasant day. WE'RE off to tame a cave! If you'd like, we can tell you about it when we return?"

"MmmHmm,... Souns' guud. Wake me in ,... Zzzzzzz"

Merlan is a veeeerry trusting soul. Until he's not. ;P

After eating cold rations, (And surprisingly providing no complaints about it), The halfling rolls out his bedroll, and leans up against his trusty riding steed, nice and snug and warm.