Cedric remains busy with the burial but asks the others if they can find him a couple of things among the druid's possessions.

OOC: A couple of small items from the Basic Equipment and Supplies Costs list in the PHB? I don't suppose the druid had a "Ship, merchant, small" and a "Galley, small", did he? ... No? ... How about a bullseye lantern and a 50' rope then?

"I'm not finding any ring, either," Iviana confirms.  "Although somehow, the fight missed this bottle," she notes, holding up some sort of potion.  "And here's that lantern Cedric was hoping for."  She follows Ronalt out, giving him a few moments to read before asking what it says.

[Private to GM: Is it plausible to find a pair of holy water vials next to that potion, too?  I thought probably not at first, because Druids don't do that, but then I thought, if he knew some of what was happening and was starting to get himself ready for gathering evilness, he might have bought some, and Iviana could recognize it...but if it seems like a stretch, I'll look for something else.]

Kalador looked about and found a coil of rope as well as some food to take. He arranged the new supplies for ease of carrying.

Yesil had found two small sacks and proceed to fill them with the sandy soil from around the pool, as often, giving no reason for doing so.

[Private to The Assistant: To throw on a invisible foe.]
The party assembled their booty and and compared their findings.  Kalador's food supplies were typical druid fare of berries and nuts.  While they would do in a bind, he would far prefer something with a bit of meat upon it.  The scimitar is magical as expected as is the staff but it would take further study to reveal its powers.  The dryad did not know herself having never seen the druid wield it in battle.

The druid's ring did not turn up, likely the ogre mage took it. Laurianna told them that it granted the wearer the ability to resist magics and natural effects that would freeze the wearer in place. She offered to take them somewhere they could rest for the night and prepare for the fight in the morning. The druid's cave and bowl with it's location now known is more of a trap than a lair.

alternatively she can lead them to the ogre mage's den now.

OOC: likely a ring of free action...

[Private to Iviana: No holy water... you are free to grab other things however.]

"We should probably go to your safe place to rest," Cedric suggests. "Our spell-casters should prepare their best choice of spells to deal with that invisible, flying and presumably ring-wearing ogre mage."

Kalador nodded and replied, "I agree Cedric, let us go." He picked up a coil of rope and some food for the road.

Everyone packed and the dryad lead them out of the bowl and into the forest proper.  She seemed to lead them through a maze of trees and undergrowth that would quickly baffle the best tracker. Finally she reached a clearing where a large oak tree, unusual for this region, grew in the centre. Reaching the tree she uttered some words in a language none understood and a rope ladder was lowered from above. Turning to the party she said "Welcome to my home. If you climb the ladder you will find a platform you can stay the night in safety. Please do not light any fires, I will see you in the morning and guide you to the ogre's den."

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: Ronalt looked at the book as the others made their plans.  Many pages were missing or damage and from what he could see, apart form some very general notes, it appeared to be in some sort of code. Perhaps anotehr druid or indeed the dryad might be able to decipher it quickly otehrwise study or magics would be required.]

Cedric smiled when he saw where the dryad had led them.

"Thank you Lauriana, your generous hospitality is greatly appreciated."

He checked that his sword was safely sheathed and slung his shield over his pack so he would have both hands free, then began the climb up the rope ladder into the tree.

Ronalt thanked Lauriana, "You are most generous."
"Would you also know the script which the druid used in his diary?"
"I appears to be a code of sorts."

Lauriana nodded and took the book, a look of pain on her face and turned to leave.  Almost immediately she was lost to sight displaying woodcraft that any ranger would envy.

The party climbed the ladder and true to her word there was indeed a large platform. It was sturdy and easily supported their weight. Branches intertwined to provide a railing of sorts and it looked secure. While Arek and Kalador did not look reassured the rest made themselves comfortable settling in for the evening.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:51, Fri 12 Mar 2010.

Arek twitched constantly, his knuckles white on the ladder and at least one hand always tightly grasping something solid once on the platform.
"Damn tree'll break an' throw us all ta tha groun'!"
There was nothing as comforting as solid earth and stone - unless it was a few dozen feet below with only wood preventing catastrophy...

Cedric smiled at Arek's concerns. The paladin felt perfectly safe on the sturdy and sheltered wooden platform. He concentrated to scan for evil once more as he walked slowly around the edge of the platform but it was nothing more than a precaution. He really did not expect to find anything of concern.

Gwythe climbs up the tree with the others and looks around the platform with distaste, before claiming a corner and huddling himself into a ball.

Kalador made the climb into the tree. He appreciates the view of the surroundings.

Climbing the tree after Lauriana disappeared with the book. Ronalt found a spot to rest and closed his eyes.

The night past without incident and the dryad left them some of nature's bounty for breakfast, more fruit, nuts and berries to Kalador's disgust.  Approaching after they had fed, she spoke briefly with Ronalt before handing the Druid's book back to him.

[Private to Ronalt de Gault: Most of the notes concerned what he knew of the goings on in Nulb and the temple. There was a very clear map of the route to the temple and it would be straight forward for Ronalt to find the way.  There were some notes on discussions with Otis which verified much of what the blacksmith had said. It was clear that Otis was on the level and that he possibly had more than one ally in the area though there were no details.

Some more pages were missing... possibly personal to the dryad.

The last sections concerned the ogre mage which had appeared some days before. It was obvious from the records, that the ogre was not there to hunt Riker but was waiting for someone or for something to happen. It became hostile only when Riker tried to interfere with it's plans.]

OOC: can everyone let me know what spells they have learned or other preparations they have made. Everyone will be a full hit points.

Kalador made ready to leave. The breakfast disgusted him and he still felt hungry. Hopefully they'd find something edible along the way today.

"Thank you Lauriana for your help so far."

Joining his companions, "Seems the ogre witch only appeared a some days ago and was waiting for someone or something to happen. Unfortunately, Riker interfered with its plans and paid the greatest cost."
"Riker did however note much of the happenings around Nulb and the the temple."
"A map leading to the temple is also in our possession now."
"Also much of what Otis has said is confirmed by Riker's notes which Lauriana translated for us."
"So I see we have two tasks, first is to deal firmly with the ogre witch and then see about the temple."
"Once the temple is dealt with, we can all return to our paths we wish to walk."

Iviana smiles brightly, refreshed from a good night's sleep.  "You make it sound nice and simple," she says, amusedly.

[Private to GM: Drat...no chance yet to look through the Handbook, but I'll pick spells as soon as I can!]

Kalador nodded at Iviana's statement, though he wasn't amused. He said, "Ronalt, where do you think we will meet up with the ogre?"

"Lauriana has offered to show us where its lair is currently."
"Probably the best place to start looking."

Cedric kneels for a few minutes with head bowed and his sword held hilt uppermost before him, facing the morning sun as he silently prays. His devotions are soon completed and he turns to face his friends.

"I am ready to go. Truly, I have never felt more ready to battle the forces of evil!"

Gwythe stirs uncomfortably and stretches on the platform before pulling himself to his feet and testing his weapons. He looks uncomfortable as he descends the tree and the others discuss the upcoming battle, but does not complain further.

It had been a very rough night for the old Dwarf, and so it was little surprise he was even more surly than usualy as the sun rose.
"Le'z git out of t'is damn tree an' ba' ta w're w' sho'd be!"
"I got ta ogre ta kill!"

The party pulled themselves together and descended from the tree. The dryad waited for them at the bottom of the ladder seemingly impatient to be off.  She lead the party off into the woods generally heading in a north-east direction.