Zeliel nods respectfully to the specter.  AS the others begin to dig, he meditates on the peace he hopes this specter and the lost love can both find, but is wary for whatever disturbing such a sight might can bring forth.

In reply to Zeliel the Fallen (msg # 833):

Before long ,moving away the moist crumbling earth you discover remains. It is a body of a human human male it seems. The skeleton structure belies his heritage and age. Based on his burial clothes he appears to have been a druid of Eldath. He was buried in a simple wrapping and as you cut open the burial shroud you notice among the various crawlers and insects escaping their carnal abode, that there appears to be  items of interest. One is what appears to be a preserved or lacquered fist sized acorn. Another is a curious set of keys on a mechanical key ring. These keys seem to have jointed parts that when folded or opened either extend,shorten,or change the entire shape and nature of the rings.
There are also five elixirs or potions in the grave of various colors and viscosity.

(At this point everyone receives 100 XP points. Depending on their next actions this could increase. I of course run a slower xp/level progression game,i.e. 300 to next level becomes 3000, 2500 becomes 25000,ect)

Guthrir's first interest is for the large acorn, but he also takes the elixirs and studies them carefully. He uncorks each and sniffs it, then dips a finger into the liquid and tastes a drop.
His fingers are clean as a dwarf's. And a druid's.
He tosses the keys to whichever of his companions looks the most interested in them. Locks and such aren't his strong suit.

In reply to Guthrir (msg # 835):

When you remove the items. A small blue haze the fist of a child's fist begins to manifest over the druids corpse . Indistinct at first , until it grows in size to that of a baskets ball; all in all wispy and rolling in on itself. Looking like saint elmos fire or ball lighting. This then rises up and attaches itself to Cheryl's outstretched hand. A moment or two later the orb becomes the image of a tall handsome youth. The two phantoms embrace and turning to the party each holding their hand up palm out as a symbol of graditude, a look of happiness and peace on their faces. Then in a wink they are gone.

The acorn looks and weighs a bit . More then it should. There are some inscriptions in old Cormyrian which was a mixture of ancient human and elven. As to the elixirs 2( the sweet water tasting ones) are healing potions , One,(the one that tastes of tobacco) is a potion of hill giant strength, one that tastes like spoiled potatos) is a potion of gasious form,(the last one that tastes like very hot peppers),is a potion of fire breathe

After all is said and done Ando perks up. “I wonder how long she suffered before we reunited. Lifetimes of loneliness and sorrow are now ended. Yet it is still freezing cold in here. Let’s get going.”

He takes a look at the keys. In his old monastery they had similar mechanisms, perhaps these are familiar.

In reply to Ando Corleon (msg # 837):

You recognize the keys as being a very advanced form of skeleton keys. "Looks like gnomish make,"says Gannor nodding. "See the moving parts of the various steel fingers? Not even the coffers of most well made chests of gold or doors could defeat these."

Zeliel watches the reunion with a smile on his face as the two seem to find peace at last.

Well, I feel good about that particular ending.  Perhaps now the weather will warm up a bit!

He looks at the items, recognizing some of the potions but needing the others described for him.  The keys are a good fins as locked doors and chests can be so inconvenient.  but the acorn, that item was interesting indeed.  He looked at it closer, wondering what mysteries it might hold.

OOC: 10:38, Today: Zeliel the Fallen rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  Arcana Check.

Guthrir tells the others what he learns of the potions. He offers them to whoever can best use each and keeps whatever's left. After he examines the acorn closely, he hands it over to Zeliel for his perusal.
"Hope that gnome thing'll prove useful in the caves below," he notes with barely concealed skepticism.

In reply to Zeliel the Fallen (msg # 839):

Even a cursory examination like this reveals enough for you to see that the inscription holds all the meaning to the nature of the huge acorn. If you had to make a guess it is some form of activation word or phrase. Deff a magical item

"Yes, gentlemen. Back to the caves." Ando said, rubbing his bloodshot eyes.

He took the keys, a health potion and the fire breath potion, curious to set some orcs on fire.

In reply to Ando Corleon (msg # 842):

Does the party go back and backtrack the way that they originally exited  the caves? Or do they try and find another way in?

I vote go back the way we came.

---

That works for me.

---

In reply to Guthrir (msg # 845):

Gannor merely grunts an approval.
Returning to the hole where the sanctuary is under. You all look down there is not a sound other then the dripping of heavy dew into the ages old cavern. How will you all get down?

Zeliel follows the others, but as this was not the way he arrived here, he is a little lost at what to do to enter the caves...

So is there some trick to this that I am not seeing?

---

Are there enough vines and roots that Druidcraft could arrange a strong enough rope to climb down?
I mean, Guthrir's got rope, but magicky Druid rope would look way cooler. :)

---

Z, we climbed up from a cave with a few decent athletics checks, no big deal, we should be able to just climb back down. I wanna keep going with our original mission.

Returning to the cave meant leaving the freezing grove. Soon Ando felt warmth returning to his legs and he was ready to climb. “C’mon Guthrir, you have rope do you not? Look, this rock shall support you all. I can go down last, untying the rope so we still have it. Zaliel, well, no need for discussion, you’re welcome to join us.”

Perhaps it was the aasimar’s appearance that made Ando trust him with no questions. Or maybe Ando’s judgement was getting weak from the months of solidarity in these caves.

Zeliel shrugs at the answer to how to get in.  He had been through tighter spots.  As to the offer to join, he smiles and replies...

Not much else for me to do...and I figured I ended up here for a reason, it seems that maybe that reason is meeting you!  Lead on!

In reply to Guthrir (msg # 848):

Yes. Along the caved in opening of shrine below there is top soil and trees. Some of which whos roots are exposed along the stony edge of the partly collapsed shrine roof. I am sure Guthrir could do something with that

In reply to Gannor (msg # 851):

Everyone describe how you all get back down. :)

Not feeling very acrobatic, Ando climbs down slowly and carefully using Guthrir’s Summoned vines.

Guthrir points at the roots and barks a guttural sound, at which the sprawling lines of vegetation ponderously reconfigure themselves with slow, creaking protest. After a minute, a mass of entwined roots and vines snakes downward in a loose, corded tangle that presents plenty of hand- and footholds for the climbers.
The dwarven druid nods in satisfaction and pets one of the nearby trees affectionately. He starts down the easy climb hand over hand.

In reply to Guthrir (msg # 854):

Gannor also using the vines slides down their ropy sticky lengths. Dropping next to his companions with a small splash from the pooled water along the floor he scans the shrine. It is not long before his eyes go to the single swollen wooden door. His question as to if the orcs left any sentries a clear one.

Guthrir pulls out his axe and shield, but stays away from the door. He stands ready on his toes and rolls his neck to either side.
With an apologetic frown, he murmurs, "Ah'm no very quiet, if someone else wants te listen fer the bastards."

Zeliel watches the tohers use the summoned vines and lets all of them go first before making his own way down them, hopefully with everyone else distracted and not watching his progress, which is most likely very comical to behold!