In reply to StarMaster (msg # 33):

===== Mithra's Group =====

Ezguar takes a moment to ponder before coming to his conclusion and relaying it to his party. I believe with the way the air flows that the tunnel strait ahead would lead us to the outside and these side passages would take us back further down into the cave.I have to give those dwarves credit they sure know how to clean up a tunnel

====== Mithra's Groups =====

Bringing up the rear, Lureene finished climbing the rope as Ezguar spoke. "Well, little reason to head outside with our mission unfinished, though it may be worth making sure the path is clear in case we need to beat a hasty retreat from these caves. But ultimately we should rejoin our friends and move on together."

====== Mithra's Groups =====

Eredan sniffs once or twice and winces.

"Some fresh air would do me good right about now. But it seems like onwards we are headed! Or at least that's what it seems like."

Eredan continues striding after Mithra. Stumbles and trips but catches himself against a wall and straightens.

"Aaaahhh....*inhale*... that stings. Cut my hand. Sharp rocks!"

===== Victor's Group =====

Victor addresses the nameless spectator, "In any event, it was a pleasure meeting you, but I believe we have pressing matters to attend to. Take care." He began to back slowly out of the doorway.

This new cave had some potential, but it could just as easily turning into a killing zone. At least, there was no immediate threat there; it looked like it was an unused section at the moment. If that was the entrance, maybe they weren't using it so as not to draw attention to it.

She said the same to the others.

"This mine is supposed to be a secret... well, it was lost. No one remembered where it was. So maybe they aren't using this entrance in order to keep from being spotted. That back way in was sure convoluted. No one could possibly find that by accident."

"Still need to find those Dwarves, though, so let's go looking."

She led them back to that other side passage. There was no point in crawling back through the tunnel. That was an emergency exit if they needed it.

When she got to that side passage, she headed up the stairs. She didn't bother stopping to listen--she was almost hoping to run into somebody, even if it was the other half of the team. She did pause at the top step, though, before stepping out into the cross hallway.

As Victor decides to leave, both Nixon and Ero spot the items on the workbench at the back. They are the only signs of anything valuable, kind of dull from dust. There's no sword but there is a mace and part of a suit of armor--just a breastplate.

Outside the room, Cunaar and Rausdendod manage to hear some sounds in between the booming of the water, but they are too faint and intermittent for them to make them out. They can't even tell if they are man-made, but think they might be.

The booming is starting to get annoying, and it gives the two of them an odd feeling about this place. There's clearly inhabitants here, yet they haven't actually seen--or heard--anyone. There has to be something going on that they haven't yet figured out.

At the top of the stairs (only a short flight), Mithra listens for a moment, and hears faint voices that seem to be coming from the closed door across the hall. Looking left, she sees another flight of stairs 20 feet away leading up. To the right, the hall goes only 10 feet before ending in either an unfinished tunnel or a collapsed tunnel. It's hard to tell which.

The door across the hall is recessed in a few feet, so if Mithra crossed the hall, she could still be concealed in the recess.

The voices don't sound like they are whispering. In fact, they change in volume a bit. After a minutes of listening, she can tell that they are speaking goblin. One seems to be complaining that he's hungry.

Ero runs a finger across the breastplate to make a line in the dust,  "Convoke a spectator for some tarnished metals.  No, that is counterfactual."

"If this is all hitherto, let us acquire these appurtenances forthwith.  I can better assess them latterly."

===== Victor's Group =====


Ero has no problem picking up the items and leaving the room with them. The spectator doesn't seem to be bothered by them.

The last of the treasures are gone! It is good that you took the sword, for now I am released from my service!

With that last parting thought, the spectator vanishes.

===== Victor's Group =====

Victor looks towards where the spectator had been, saying "that was certainly... interesting. Our many-eyed friend there is quite mad I'd say. Be careful with those items, in case the wizard who left them was mad as he is. Might be cursed. Oh well, we still have a job to do, friends, we can examine them later, when we rest."

===== Mithra's Group =====


"I think we've stealthed our way into action now," she whispered back to the others. "Heard voices on the other side of that door before. Could be where they are holding the Dwarves."

She gestured to the door across the cross hallway at the top of the stairs.

"There's a good chance we won't be able to put the genie back in the bottle if we go through that door. Just letting you know."

She looks down both side passages and then steps across the hallway to the door. She carefully reaches out, grabs the handle, and tries to open the door.

If it opens, she'll rush in!

=== Victor's Group ===

"To where will we be venturing next?" Ero asks Victor.

In reply to Mithra Stormraven (msg # 44):

===== Mithra's Group =====

I'll follow right behind her and ready an action to cast a spell if there is a trap sprung or a group of surprised foes.

===== Victor's Group =====


There's the tunnel you entered this cave through, there's the another tunnel off on the right (as you are looking ahead)--that's the one that leads to the Green Skull.

Continuing straight ahead takes you to the back half of the cave, which is 10 feet lower than the part you are in, but there is a flight of stairs carved into the side of that ledge.

There is another building at the back of the cave, with another tunnel just to the right of it. There might be another passage on the right side of the cave, but you can't tell because there's a 20-foot diameter stalagmite blocking view. It's actually a stalagmite and stalactite that have grown together to form a single column.

The doors to the building are in the front. Even from up on the ledge, they look scorched.

===== Victor's Group =====

Victor looks around for a moment before speaking, "Perhaps we should take our chances with the greenflame skull. We may have to fight it regardless, and it would be best to do so before we wear ourselves out. Then again, we could hold off on that until reuniting with the others. How about that other building? Looks like a battle with mages happened yonder. Perhaps that is where the dwarves were once held? May be a trail."

===== Victor's Group =====
Nixon didn't spend a great deal of time considering the issue before replying, but such appeared to be from previous forethought rather than dismissing nature.

"No sense troubling trouble til trouble troubles you, as they say.  If this ends up being a suitable complex to take over for a permanent base, then by all means.  As it stands, the undead appears confined to site of its death. I'd suggest we move forward while fresh, clear the area, and reconnect with the other group.

"Looks like the last building was similarly-treated as these two, so clearing it first would make sense.  The area behind the pillar is ripe for another path, judging by the cavern arrangement.  If you're looking for input, I'd suggest clear the last building, then check the pillar area for paths, and, at last route, trek back to follow-up and catch up with Mishra ... but I have a feeling from the honeycombing here that there will be one or more paths branching back into the other areas."

===== Victor's Group =====
"My thinking as well, Outside. Chances are we needn't bother the undead at all, though, if we have the time, once our mission is taken care of, dead wizards often carry magical treasure, if we can find its former body. Not worth endangering our mission, but I'd be amiss not to mention it. Keeping up a Baronet's lifestyle must cost a fortune, after all." There seemed to be a slight edge beneath the teasing remark about Nixon's station.

====== Mithra's Groups =====

Lureene stands right next to Mithra, so that she may rush after her if the door opens, and fan out alongside her to face whatever peril they find inside the room.

===== Victor's Group =====
"Terribly courteous of you on that point, as always, old friend," Nixon smiled, diffusing the obvious edge to the words, and working verbally with the context as the pair walked, leading the silent host behind themselves.  "Most folk have to worry about themselves, or a family, but the working peerage have the worry for all the families under their care.  It's why I spend more time away from home working than at home, but I'm sure that applies to most of us.  I suspect the life of ease of the upper rich must be nice, but I'm a working man whatever clothes or titles I wear.

"Now, I can't say that I didn't consider the same, but the task in hand first, as they say.  Hopefully one or both of those former-chambre items will bring a bit of coin to help the family.

"Speaking of, what's been new in your world?  Been a good few months since I saw you last."

====== Mithra’s Group ==========

Thressa stands nearby Mithra and Laurene alert and ready. The

"I third the preference," says Ero, not that it mattered since he was already out-voted.  He give the spectator's lair one last quick search to ensure nothing was missed then follows the others to the next building.

===== Victor's Group =====
Victor spoke with care for the volume of his voice, but it was clear stealth was never in his wheelhouse. He kept his voice below its customary boom, saying, "Army wore at my soul over the years, felt like a cats-paw for the idle rich, so I jumped at retirement while I could still think of myself as a good man, or as good as someone who's only good for killing can be. Bought a cottage, some goats. Retirement didn't sit well with me, either. Got bored, felt useless.  Got a letter from old Hallwinter, my own former captain, offering work. Figured I'd take a job keeping the peace around Phandalin, instead of rusting away with my armor. It was that or banditry, and I have a bad habit of murdering bandits, so I doubt they'd take me." Victor winked. "Sold the cottage, ate the goats, joined a caravan headed here. Worked as a guard for my spot in the caravan of course. Met these fine folk, helped take out an orc camp, then we agreed to find some dwarf's brothers, or cousins, can't remember which. Which leads us to here. A startling number of people have come and gone these few weeks, but those who've stayed, I feel I've known for years. Good folk. A little softhearted at times, most of them seem to believe in such a thing as fair fight, but capable one and all. Before I die, I hope to learn elvish, so I can understand a word our friend here is saying." He claps a hand on Ero's shoulder, jostling the slender elf, and chuckled lightly.

===== Victor's Group =====
"The men under you used to say you bleated like an old goat, but I think they meant it with affection.  I'm sure they'd be proud that you finally cooked  up the buggers.  I did a couple runs for Hallwinter back - oh, three years ago, I think?  Three-four.  Always square with me, so don't doubt that you took him up on that offer."  The warrior-mage gestured to his veteran counter-part, motioning the outside area clear of hostiles - though both knew that was subject to change, in time.

Nixon gave the recovered items a once-over, then made gesture for the group to get moving.

"Gundren," Nixon added a touch more quietly, filling in the details while trying to not interrupt the story.  "Two brothers."

"I certainly don't mind a fair fight, Victor - I'd just have the backup plan to ensure we survive it, fair or not, right?  The Raven Queen respects courage, but she respects more folk that use what they have been given to keep her gift of life intact."

Seeing none challenging the plan, Nixon started walking quietly towards the last building.  "So, last building, pillar, any other path out... otherwise back to hook up with Mishra, and once we clear this place, back to clear the greenskull for bonus booty hopes.  Sounds a workable planA."

Ero clears his throat.  "My erudition is quite unambiguous.  I could articulate myself in a more base affectation but I'd rather strive to augment others' articulation than debase myself to mere flummery."

===== Victor's Group =====


"Shhh. Keep the noise down," Rausdendod cautions in a whisper in between booms, although the booming is a bit duller down at this end of the cave. "Sounds echo through these caverns."

"If the Dwarves are here, they are probably being held prisoner by something. We've just eliminated one of the deterrents."