Garryn carefully inspects the chest in the shaman's room. Assuming he discerns no traps he will try to open it with the key.

Garryn the Grey rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Search of chest.

Prior to successfully removing Arkexis from the pit, Perrato speaks briefly with the man.

"Amigo Arkexis, I have several questions," begins Perrato, "But first we should attend to your comfort and well being. Do you feel you are in healthy enough condition to leave this pit? We will assist you however you can."

Perrato calls upward to his colleagues that there remain 4 portions of the orcish healing unguent that may be best used to treat Totmacher. Also, he confers with Asher and Gilrak regarding the best means to transport Arkexis from the bottom of the pit. Perhaps some sort of seat can be fashioned using the rope, if there is anyone skilled enough to tie such a contraption.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:46, Sat 27 May 2006.

Hearing the Priest's request, Gilrak grabs his rope and makes an attempt to construct a webbed harness of sorts.

Studying the fine-boned human without any visible signs of concern, Gilrak asks - "Is she in condition to be lifted out Priest???"

If so, he will hand his gear to the Priest, secure the human to himself as best he can - and make for the top of the pit.  If not, he will make an attempt to splint the woman in place - then grab the rope they used to descend into the pit and secure it to Alexus' webbing harness (figure-8 knots tied to the harness - one at the chest, one below the waist) - and get her ready to be hoisted out..

__________________

20:18, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 20 using 1d20+3. Strength Check for the Climb.
20:06, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Use Rope - Tie Harness for Injured Human.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:19, Fri 26 May 2006.

Seeing the familiar face, a rush of memories flood through the Narvillian Monk. It was Arkexis, afterall, that had given Asher his first job after he was forced to leave the Monastary. It was that job that led him to Borderton and into the company of the men who now try to save Arkexis' life and health.

But, more than that, the mention of the Wizards of Thrail burned the young monks ears and brought the flush of bloodlust to his cheek...

"Tell us of the wizards Arkexis. How many were they? And how was it you could not fend them off?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Fri 26 May 2006.

The attempts to extricate Arkexis from the pit meet with decided success, and Arkexis now lies on the floor of the cavern, removed from the noisome depths of the pit.

Asher recognizes the man, and both he and Perrato have questions.

A dim gleam of something like recognition comes to Arkexis' eyes.  The weakened merchant answers,"They were few in number, but powerful.  At least two Fire Mages were among them, and three battle mages...a summoner...  Our own mages had no skill to match theirs."  The man draws a ragged breath.  "The wizards commanded a small band of armed men, as well as the orcs and ogres.  I heard one of them call out, 'Destroy the caravan as you did the others, but leave the spice wagons.'  I cannot remember more than flashes of fighting and fire."

Garryn locates a series cunningly-hidden holes, designed to look like mere knots or imperfections in the grain of the wooden chest.

OOC:  Disable Device DC is a 20.  Give me a roll.

Garryn pulls the appropriate tools from his belt pouch and prepares to set to work on the trap, pauses and advises those near him, "You may wish to give this area a wide berth should anything go awry." As he sets to work he briefly considers waiting until he is healthier but dismisses the idea out of impatience and a compelling urge to leave the area before anyone else shows up. After a some time Garryn feels satisfied that the job is done, makes sure the area is clear and gingerly inserts the key into the lock and turns it.

Garryn the Grey rolled 29 using 1d20+12. Disable Device DC 20.

Garryn successfully disables the poison pin mechanism that guards the small wooden chest, and then simply unlocks the chest with the key.  Inside, there is a small pouch and a bundle of papers and parchments tied together with a bit of twine.

The pouch holds a number of small opals, and two large emeralds.  The papers and parchments appear to be written in two or three different hands--all using the dwarven script, but Garryn cannot make out the uncouth words spelled out by the dwarven characters.

OOC:  An appraisal roll will get you some gem values, Bret.  What is the story with Totmacher?

[OOC: Couldn't resist.
 23:11, Today: Perrato Viatomagne rolled 17 using 4d4+4. Perrato applies Unguent to Totmacher.]

With Arkexis safely escorted out of the pit, Perrato turns his attention, however ruefully, to getting the brash barbarian back on his feet. The Palonard retrieves the four remaining containers of orcish healing unguent and does his best to avoid inhaling too much while he opens them. As he applies the crude salve to his comrade's wounds, he grimaces as its arcane power begins to bind and repain the worst of the damage, leaving truly grotesque scars as it does so. "Pues, no es mi obra mejor, pero, a Señor Orque, no le molestará de todos modos." Satisfied that his efforts have done all they can for Totmacher, Perrato turns to Arkexis to submit some queries of his own.

"Amigo Arkexis, what sorts of spices were you transporting?" asks Perrato, "Were any of them of an unusual nature, perhaps with arcane uses?"

Seeing the Human Rogue attempting to read the parchments - upside down - Gilrak offers an amused snort and extends his barrel fingered hand - gesturing for the Rogue to hand them over.

"Oi - Thief.  I'll translate for ya..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Wed 31 May 2006.

Garryn hands Gilrak the sheafs of paper and, extracting his magnifying glass moves closer to the light and begins examining the gems.

Garryn the Grey rolled 20 using 1d20+11. Appraise Check.

Being of no use in the aid and comfort of the injured, or the appraisal of gems, Asher turns his attention to the thought of securing a safe place to sleep for the night, and the thought of travel, "Perrato, I assume that your patients can be ready to travel tomorrow?"

"Arkexis, we will do what we can to escort you safely to..." Asher stops, realizing that he is not sure where the party is headed. He turns to Gil, Garryn and Perrato, "I am assuming we are returning to Borderton?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Wed 31 May 2006.

Pulling away from the brackish red light, a feint voice can be heard bouncing off the shades of red.  Totmacher recognizes the voice as Vil, "...check your sack bro...no not that one...your other sack!..."

Totmacher's eyelids snap open, revealing the whites both above and below the corneas.

He inhales deeply, filling his lungs with the subterranean air.  Rising to his feet, he surveys the damage.

PM

While the rest of the party discusses plans for departure, Gilrak takes a few moments to take a look around the Dwarven Outpost...

 08:47, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Track Cavern.
08:46, Today: Gilrak Kilring rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Search the Cavern.

Gilrak - having taken a considerable amount of time searching the darkest most recesses of the Cavern - returns to check on the Party.  Perhaps they may have returned to their human homelands by now - he thinks to himself as he makes his way back to the party's location - hearing no signs of their usual post-combat jocularity..
This message was last edited by the player at 04:53, Sun 06 Aug 2006.

Totmacher calls out "Totmacher demands to know where Vilhalas is..."

After a slight pause, Totmacher finishes, "...now."

Gilrak, now peering curiously over the edge of the pit (scanning the chasm with his darkvision) - hears the Half-Orc's inquiry, looks up and adds:

"So who is this Villhalas the Barbarian keeps going on about anyway??"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Mon 14 Aug 2006.

Totmacher shifts his eyes to Gilrak.

In a steady voice Totmacher delivers the message, "Whilst Totmacher was netherbound he was thieved.  Who dares to trespass against Totmacher?"

Totmacher lifts his Great Axe.

"Speak now for the Heathen will have his way."

"easy, half-beast..."

13:05, Today: Asher Willbourne rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Initiative order.

"Uh, by 'heathen' I presume you refer to yourself...is that correct? And which way do you want it? You don't seriously mean to kill all of us because Villhalas has gone missing do you? A lot has been going on since you fell in battle and it is possible that somebody here is responsible for Vil's departure, but that doesn't mean others know anything about it so why punish them. Furthermore, since you spoke to Vil how can you be certain that he wasn't ready to move on, perhaps it was time for him to seek new adventures? Think about the consequences, Totmacher, my brother, set aside your axe and let us search for the errant extremity," Garryn proposes with open palms and an almost sincere look on his face.

Garryn the Grey rolled 10 using 1d20+7. Bluff Check. Dammit!

"Step aside Rogue, Garryn has fought by Totmacher's side many times and knows that it not be you.

New blood stains the party and that new blood shall stain these chamber walls if Villhalas is not returned."

"Ay, caray...la ley de la selva no fue nunca tan crudo," mutters the fatigued Palonard as he turns to the irate half-orc, "Amigo Orque mio, what more use do you have for your valiant brother's remains that cannot be carried better by his memory in your soul? We are in...¿comó se dice?...diffcult circumstances. Our situation presents us with some urgency. A warrior must respect the battle as it lies and seek his valor among the living. We should not waste time and energy with...ay...eh...insoluable quarrels. You brother's honor is not diminished by a practical concern for his colleagues' survival and the satisfaction of their objectives."

Perrato pauses, thinks about his current inablility to provide anyone with the fruits of his patron deity's favor, and waits for Totmacher's reaction.

Unsure as to who this Villhalas is the Half-Orc keeps referring to, Gilrak simply shrugs his shoulders and adds These ogre carcas' are startin to get ripe...  Are we off then?  I suspect the lot of you are anxious to return to the surface.."