As the group entered the antechamber the minstrel began a search of the wooden closet.  The hinges were well oiled and it opened without a sound.  Inside were a number of shelves.  Some contained cups and bowls, plates, spoons and knives.   There was a trencher and a candleabra.  Among the bowls and spoons, one spoon lay inside a bowl glowing a fient blue.

   The opposite shelves were larger and more widely spaced.  There was a basket of nuts, clay jars containing various seasonings, herbs, a jar of honey.  There was a bowl of potatos and another of garlic cloves.   There was a jar of flour and another of barley. There was a clay jug with some strong smelling mead, another of vinegar, and a third with wine.  Save for a glowing, spoon, it was a fairly simple larder.

    Colm's examination of the room's chest found it unlocked and filled with clothing.  He and the priest knelt over it's contents as they were carefully picked through.  There were outer clothes here, cloaks in various states of wear, a coif, a pair of boots that, like the spoon, glow strangely blue.  "Enchanted;" the priest noted with a nod, prodding them with a finger as if to test if they were dangerous or even there.

"This spoon, over here, seems to be as well. Otherwise there isn't much else in here unless some of you are hungry. Maybe we should take this food and larder anyhow just in case it is needed later, at some point."

  Leaving the antechamber the group walked into the workshop abandoned only a few hours before.  Strangely, and without explanation, the weapons the spider creatures wielded before lay glowing upon the floor now too.  The two bows, the 4 daggers, made of some black metal, were now blue.  The great circle of designs in the middle of the floor glowed faintly also.

   The table contains several scrolls that are written in the spidery language of magic, Chrissa does not go near them, but the priest carefully picks his way through them, stuffing them into a handy sack for further examination later.  He murmurs something about keeping them safe from those who would use them for evil.

   Colm's exploration of the chest he started into before revealed more blue items.  An amulet and a sword of all things.

Fr. Rys peers closely at the design for a bit to try and puzzle it out.

After looking at the design, We should grab these weapons. Did someone grab the boots from the other room?

Colm eyes the glowing items with suspicion, not comfortable with the ways of magic, but finding it useful none the less.  Well, ah know me way 'roun a sword sure enough, but da' one a 'ya know more about such things as an amulet?  Seems 'ta me we should take this items as a gift from God and the deceased to avenge his death and speed 'r quest.

If there is no objections he takes the glowing items.  We should certainly collect all the would be magic.

Calis shrugged, grabbed the other items, and found a way to store them before joining the others.

Moving along, checking the nooks and crannies of the place, the glow of blue was found along the staircase.  The great belt and heavy gloves that had seemed interesting before now glow and are quickly snapped up the by their discoverer, Colm.

   The party moved upstairs and the great hall.  Strangely, the great bowl that sat atop the table glowed blue.  There was no explanation for the sudden blue light or the reason behind such an odd thing.

  The party, having explored the tower one last time settles into the great hall.  The dungeon door to the outside now barred and the animals looked after, the place offered shelter and a proper table to eat on.  Calis and Colm fetched enough logs to keep a fire going for sometime allowing for food to be heated and light inside the cavernous chamber.

    Before them were several items of note.  The blue glow had faded away but the priest assured them that they continued to be magical.  There was the bowl, and an amulet, a sword, the 2 bows and 4 daggers, the scrolls, the boots and the spoon.  Not an unexpected collection for a place that housed a mage for years. Father Rys spent a good deal of time reading the scrolls, his brow furrowed as he did.

Interesting, very interesting. These runes appear to be in the language of the fey, a language I can not decipher well. The intent appears to be an attempt to create a portal into the lands of the fey. Looks at the bodies, It would appear that the portal worked.

There is a map here detailing how to get to The home of someone called Tobalth...a place to the south of here in the mountains. I do not recognize the name. Mayhaps this person can lead us to where we need to go?

Sir Pedivere, what sayest thou?

"Perhaps" mutters the knight.  "I feel though that we may end up chasing our tail without a firm strategy.  At the moment, merely following scattered hints does not gain us our goal.  We need to find anything, anywhere within these walls that indicates the location of a dragon, or who this Tobalth is.  There were books upstairs, is it possible that one of those may contain further information"

OODM  I placed the party in the great hall where the spiders were fought, the entrance chamber is immediately adjacent where other books are etc. :)

I could begin to read through the collected works here, but that will take time.

Without futher comment from the knight, Fr. Rys stands up and begins to look through the numerous books in the tower to see if he can find anything on the whereabouts of a dragon or who this person may be.

Colm looked over the magical items and listened to the conversations of the learned men near him.  Setting up the camp was more along his skill set, so got up and busied himself with it.
We shoul' set up a watch for the night.  I'm happy to watch at any time, 'fer certain

  The party makes itself comfortable for the night, eating a hot meal cooked over the mage's hearth.   The enchanted items remained atop the table, with little decided about what to do with them.  The priest spent much of the evening flipping through books, discounting what was functional and of an impersonal nature.

We will need to decide what to do with these items. The weapons I think would be better served by Sir Pedivere and Colm...and perhaps you Calis? I know not what your preference in fighting is. The scrolls I would like to look at to see if I can glean anything. The amulet and boots will probably serve anyone of us well. I am most intrigued by the bowl and spoon...I wonder what they do.

These books are amazing. It appears that they've all been written by hand...a task that must have taken years!

Continues to read through the books, trying to find information

It appears that Tolbath is a mage that sent Fillian a gift. Fillian never met Tolbath, but was happy for the gift

Continues to read.

 The party beds down for the night while the priest continues to scan page after page of written text.

As soon as the party begins settling down at their current location, Chrissa gratefully lies down to rest, looking rather pale and fatigued...

After about an hour, Chrissa sits up.  Her color is better, and she looks less weary.  She checks on her companions (particularly Sir Pedivere and his injuries) and takes a bite to eat before settling back down.

Her voice murmurs softly as she again reclines...

"'Returne vnto thy rest, O my soule: for the Lord hath bene beneficiall vnto thee...'"

Calis shook his head. "Nay, Father. I use some weapons but only those that are simple to use. I can defend myself when needed but my teachings were more in using the old magick then in using weapons."

He then found a place to rest so he could regain his energy and connect with nature so she could also replace some of the energy he used this day.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Thu 10 Feb 2005.

Fr. Rys volunteers to take the 1st watch. During his watch, he, reluctantly puts the books down. When his watch is over, he'll read some more for an hour or so before bedding down.

The night is uneventful.  The tower is as secure as any small fortress could be.  One watch passes into the other and to the next without anything more than the occassional chirp of a cricket.  The horses remained out of doors and did not knicker in alarm all night.  The valley, when not being assailed by spiders, was a quiet place.  It was a good bet that the presence of the spiders had an effect on the anyone or anything coming close to the tower.

  The Thursday morning was bright and warm, breakfast was a cheerful affair without the spider carcasses about.  Bodies were renewed, the night's rest was invigorating.

So, what should we do now?

While Fr. Rys waits for the rest of the party to fully wake up, he goes back to the books and reading.

The ministrel woke, looked around, and pulled out his reed pipes. After blowing a little air into them he started to fill the room with a sharp melody while wondering where the Father went and waited for the others to wake.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Mon 14 Feb 2005.

The pipes of the minstrel reverberate off the stone walls, bringing the others out of their states of rest rather quickly.  The sounds of nature could be heard filtering in through the stone walls, the door to the entryway was opened and someone could be heard moving about in there.