Lann searches the area.

In reply to Toirneach Lann (msg # 23):

Chlainn would've gotten tired of clutching his mug, and threw it away.  He looks around and will proceed onwards...


OOC:  Does anyone have a torch or lantern?
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:20, Mon 06 May 2019.

In reply to Chlainn Vacrolann (msg # 24):

OOC: Caiths Moonglow is still active for the moment.

Dann ponders about himself in silence, somehow ignorant of the presence of Brannon while doing so. He remembers all what happened before and after he was in the vicinity the previous time. The caves, the horrible giant demons, the terrifying monsters and, sometimes, the benevolent fey creatures. He remembers his companions as well, these who lived and those who fell. Then he comes to a realization and finally turns to his companion.

"Brannon, you have been a good companion these past few weeks and I thank you for that. I feel I need to go now. Part of the reasons I didn't want to go back to these caves is that I think I have had enough of this life. When I arrived to Glissom I had a purpose, I wanted to take revenge on the people who killed my family and attacked my clan. I realize now that there are bigger and more dangerous things that are hidden below the earth, but I do not think it is my place to hunt them down on the contrary. What I am seeking is elsewhere."

"Look, I don't like goodbyes so let's leave it at that. It is a good thing the others are not here after all. Will you relay my goodbyes?"

"Be well, and maybe we will meet again in the future. I certainly look forward to it."

When all is said and done, soberly, Dann leaves the place and takes the direction of the city of Glissom. Without turning back.

Caith picks through the bones, sorting human from beast, then piles them in the center of the upper chamber for proper rites to be done later after a wary glance at the fallen slab, and up at the roof.

Chlainn's discarded mug never hits the ground, and finds a new home in Caith's backpack.

The expression on her face is grim, but all the hedgewitch says is "Tunnel over there looks like it goes deeper into the hill." before she goes to take a look for herself.

Lann and Caith searched the area.

Lann found signs of an old trip wire trap just beyond the exit of the room but it was non-functional, there were no signs of hidden wealth or treasure within the chamber.

Caith sorting of remains revealed a couple of goats and a couple of hares worth of bones as well as the pheasants.  The pile of bones to the left was human, she determined, a pre-adolescent child...probably male...there was no skull.

After Lann declared the trap safe they moved into the tunnel, it was quite short and ended in a sheer wall. The rotted remains of a knotted rope 'ladder' lay at the base of it..

Lann examines the ladder and wonders if gthey have ropes long enough to scale it.

It appears to be an old piece of rope with knots tied every foot or so...he's fairly sure Usopis rope he was using at the lake would reach if they could find a way to secure it at the top.

Brannon listens carefully to Dann's speech, and when it is done, nods soberly. "I am sorry to hear that, Dann, but you must do as you think best. No mere human can hope to face off against the darkness alone - it is a burden that must be shared, and I think we can safely say you have carried more of that burden than most. Of course, I will relay your message to the others. The blessings of Brigantia be upon you, and may you always find a warm hearth in your travels. And I hope you find what you are looking for."

He watches Dann's retreating figure til it disappears from view, then turns back to his prayers. "We are a strange band, Hearth Mother." He muses. "Ever changing, ever-shifting. Still, it is your work we are about..."

Usopi pulled the rope from his pack and held it out to anyone that would take it, as he braced his back against the tunnel wall, cupping his hands down near his thigh, "I imagine if someone takes the rope and climbs up me they should be able to reach the top and secure my rope to something. Following that, those of us nimble of foot might climb up the rope and effect a search of the area."

In reply to Usopi Venia (msg # 32):

Chlainn knows he has impaired coordination at the moment and watches the others go about it.

Caith laughs and cheerfully says "Never mind, doubtless we'll have need of a knight so immovable in his faith in the future..." to Chlainn.

She adds softly "...But if ye eat something while yer sitting there pondering such weighty matters? Ye might sober up a little sooner." in a wryly sympathetic tone.

The hedgewitch turns to look at Alphail and Lann with an appraising air as she offers "I may nay be great in stature, but I like to think that I'm nimble. Which do we need more for this task? Height or quickness?"

OOC: Caith's telling the truth about being nimble, even if she hasn't got the lightning reaction speed of Reflexes 18, but as she's also all of five foot tall, if it's a matter of reach? Better off sending Lann or Alphail.

In reply to Caith Cernach (msg # 34):

Chlainn will help himself to whatever available rations that anyone is carrying.  Truth is, after the mug he has been sobering up (-1 all stats).  Then the call of nature calls for a number 2 and he obliges.  Somewhere smack in the middle of the passage way they came from, and likely to be stood on in the darkness.....

Without a word, Lann scales the roock cliff after taking Usopi's rope. If he is unable to do it successfully, he will ask Aphail to help.

Lann utterly fails to scale the sheer surface, after a minute or so Usopi coughs and offers Lann a hand and shoulder up. The Moonglow from below cast shadowy forms over the top of him....


As Lann crested the top he discovered an open area with a large number of old scuff marks, a few dark marks and some dried and blackened pieces of bread and cheese. The area extends back quite a way into darkness.

The chamber Lann is observing is divided by a scattering of stalagtites and  columns, these have been added to with scant dried branches and torn material.

A number of dusty and perished blankets and bedrolls are scattered on the stone.

Caith calls up to Lann "Anything interesting up there?" before climbing up herself to take a look with better light to see by.

OOC: I assume Lann is going to tie Usopi's rope securely to something up there, or Caith's not going to be having much luck climbing a sheer wall herself.

Lann finds a place to secure the rope to and lowers it to his peers.

He checks the area out while the rest ascend.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:31, Thu 09 May 2019.

In reply to Toirneach Lann (msg # 39):

Caith came next her Moonglow bringing light as Lann searched. Aphail following...

Lann came across the remains of cook fires, a large pit off to the left contained bones and cold ash.

As Lann advances through the old stained bedding he makes out an area at the rear of the cavern seperated off from the rest by blankets and brushwood.

Drawing aside the blanket he sees a large pile of dried rushes, besides the rushes is a discarded and black stained blanket.

To the left, a cut rope is lashed to a piton driven into the wall.

There seems little else here.

Caith silently takes a long look down the pit containing bones, on the off chance the missing skull may be there.

If nothing human is to be found, she simply climbs back down.

The hedgewitch leaves a mug containing a generous shot of Highland Joy by the pool outside the cave, after throwing the scorched remnants further into the forest's concealing shrubbery.

The child's bones, complete or otherwise, she buries back at Salthold, scraping out a shallow grave with her dagger in the earth by herself before quietly speaking to Brannon about whatever rite should be done.

Lann searches for hidden entrances or exits. He wonders if the items might be magical

Caith does locate a small human skull in the bonepit, after a few minutes of searching Lann finds nothing of interest...it is a cave, once occupied as it appears to be.

OOC: Which objects are Lann examining?

Lann searches the area with dried rushes and piton

The piton appears to be a somewhat rusted iron spike and the rushes conceal nothing more than a dirt floor and what might be dried human waste.

Lann recalls Danns story about this cave and the battle fought here and concludes that this must be where the two prisoners were held before being rescued.

If there ever was anything here it is probably now with one of Danns past companions.

The group climbed back down from the ledge and joined the two knights at the bottom, with little else left to explore in the cave they headed out and through the waterfall and woods back towards Salthold where Brannon waited for them.

As they emerged from the scrub they saw Brannon leaning against the building looking away towards the north....

Lann approaches Brannon and asks where is Dann. Before that he will greet the priest and ask how's the watch outside the cave