As the group approaches the caves, it's suggested that Willem and his team take the first cave.

While this cave had Orcs in it before, apparently those that were here were the first ones to charge after the assault force as it retreated.

There are none in here now, but the bedrolls are still there. A dark shape at the back would seem to be the opening to a tunnel.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 15:07, Fri 08 Oct 2021.

Once they'd determined that the cave was empty of any threat, Krivath stood there at the entrance and examined the scene.

"I guess it's cave delving we go," he commented to the others.

"Considering that there are six cave entrances and that several of them connect, I'm guessing that there's probably a large cave complex here. We'll need to be careful, not just about the Orcs that may still be here, but about running into our own allies."

"Wait. What are those?"

He pointed to some marks on the walls near the entrance, up near the top.

"They don't look like Orc tribe markings to me. And they are also a lot older, possibly from when the Orcs were here before."

"Cave delving does not bother me. With my style of magic, getting closer to the enemy is better for me." Theirastra said as she would carefully move up closer to the marking to get a better look at them.

Willem held his sword ready as they pushed forward. "I am happy to explore deeper, but I cannot see in the dark like some of you. I will need light, else I am swinging blind."

I'm assuming that there is no light source deeper in the cave. I have a greatsword so will need to hands two wield it, so if someone else can provide light that would be great!
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Fri 15 Oct 2021.

"I need one hand to cast, and the other to wield my blade. Otherwise I limit my usefulness considerably should we meet enemies." She said as she looked towards Krivath. "That being said, I do have a torch I could light should you wish to carry it." She said, nodding towards Krivath.

"I can carry the torch if needs be," Krivath replied, "but I have an alternate solution. First, let's just see how it goes as we go farther into the cave tunnel."

He didn't need both hands to cast any of his invocations or spells, it was just easier. In truth, he didn't need to make any gestures at all, but the mundane physical acts were like pointing--it focused attention. Without them, it required a lot more concentration, and he hadn't yet mastered that discipline.

"I would appreciate it," he nodded at the Dragonborn. "I will happily lead, as long as I can see. I think any element of surprise is long gone, and my blade can bite deep if anything rushes us."

With Theirastra handing a torch to Krivath, he lights it and then holds it behind and to the side of Willem as the three of you enter the cave and proceed to the back.

The dark spot at the back is, indeed, a tunnel, and the torchlight shows that it goes in about 10 feet before it turns into a staircase rock formation.

You don't see anything threatening nor do you hear any noise.

Willem progressed on towards the staircase, his greatsword pointed forward like a spear ready to skewer anything that might be foolish enough to try to rush him. Carefully he continued and started down the stairs.

I assume the stairs go down...

Actually, the cascade stairs go up. The crystal minerals in the rock glisten in the torchlight as you climb upward. The stairs aren't steep, nor is each step that high, but the treads are rather deep. Long legs can take the steps one at a time, but otherwise each stair takes two steps.

You climb roughly 10 feet as the stairs veer a bit to the right before they end in a cavern that's maybe 50 feet across but has a 30 foot ceiling. There are assorted stalactites and stalagmites along the perimeter, as some impressive rock waterfalls.

There is an assortment of junk scattered across the floor... a few bedrolls, remnants of barrels and crates, bones, sticks, and some unidentifiable items.

Oddly, the cavern seems lit up somehow, with what appears to be diffuse sunlight. You can therefore see that there are three tunnels leading off of the cavern.

There are no Orcs in sight, nor do you hear any noise.

Willem entered the chamber cautiously, looking around to make sure they weren't going to get jumped by a mob of angry Orcs. Satisfied that there was no ambush forthcoming he stepped into the centre of the room, taking in the scene. He prodded at some of the detritus with his boot, what seemed to be broken and worthless junk but you never knew what may be hidden beneath. His eyes flicked to the three tunnels across the room, just in case.

He turned his head slightly to converse with his companions. In a quiet voice he said, "Well, which tunnel should we take?"

"I say middle." She said with a small shrug as she looked around the room. Kicking a few things over here and there to see if anything at all caught her interests or eye.

"I suppose one tunnel is as good as the next," Krivath offered.

"If any Orcs came this way, maybe we can discern tracks through this debris. It doesn't look like Orc stuff, so it would seem as if something else was using this cave."

As Willem and Theirastra prodded at the debris, it became clear from the dust and cobwebs on most of it that it hadn't been used in a very long time.

Neither of you find anything of particular interest, nor of value or pertaining to the current situation.

However, at Krivath's suggestion, you do realize that there is a sort of path where the debris has been kicked aside. It splits into three paths near the center of the cave, with each leading to one of the tunnels. It does appear that the middle tunnel has had the most traffic.

It's Theirastra that spots the source of the light--it's a deck prism embedded in the ceiling. At some point in the past, someone had managed to bore a hole outward to the surface, and the sunlight that comes down the shaft strikes the base of the prism and scatters the light outward from the facets that make the top of the prism. The device is used on ships to bring light below decks.

"Told you middle." She chirped happily, then finally she points up. "...look at that. Isn't that supposed to be on a ship?"

Willem looked around at the detritus strewn across the chamber, sensing nothing of value would be found. At Theirastra's observation he simply replied, "Don't know, I've never been on a ship. A rowboat once or twice fishing, but never a proper ship. I would like to one day."

Unless the others wish to dawdle here a while, Willem will take the lead and head down the middle tunnel.

She will take the spot behind Willem, following behind him.

"I can't rightly say if a prism was strictly developed for use on a ship," Krivath offers, "But it seems like something a Dwarf might have thought of for use in a mine."

"I don't think the Orcs put that here, though. Nor the wyverns, Means someone else has been here before them."

He follows behind Theirastra.

As Willem approaches the tunnel, the light from the deck prism is enough to let him see that there is a flight of stone stairs leading upward about 10 feet in. They head up into darkness.

He does spot some food scraps on the stairs... a bone of some animal that has had most of the meat chewed off of it... recently.

The stairs go up only one flight before they stop at the entrance to a room. It's pretty dim light this far up, but there's just enough to tell the size of the room... about 50 feet square. It does seem to be a room rather than a cave, but it could have started out as a cave and was then finished off as a room.

Willem doesn't hear it, but Theirastra does--there are at least two Orcs at the top of the stairs just around the corner... one on each side.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:12, Tue 16 Nov 2021.

Willem, not hearing the Orcs, proceeded cautiously up the stairs, keeping an eye out for potential threats. His feet moved silently, picking out spots between discarded bones. He kept his sword ready, just in case.


10:53, Today: Grey Willem rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  Stealth.

Theirastra continues to listen to try and determine if there are more than just the two Orcs. As Willem begins to go up the stairs, she taps him on the shoulder and holds up two fingers silently and indicates up ahead, then holds up one finger and points left, and then points right.

She turns back to Krivath and repeats her gestures to him.

If Willem charges through the opening, she expects one of the Orcs to attempt to attack him from behind. Instead, he'll be the one to get hit from behind!

Willem paused and nodded to indicate he understood, then proceeded cautiously. Hopefully he would catch any would-be assailant before they spotted him.

Theirastra ensured her long sword was ready, and continued behind him as he went up the stairs. When everything starts, she will ensure to go the opposite way that Willem does so as to catch the other orc unawares.

Willem reaches the top step... and nothing happens. If there are Orcs waiting for them, he doesn't see them or hear them.

Apparently they are waiting for someone to show themselves.

Krivath has been hanging back since he didn't have any useful spells left for the current situation. However, when Willem gets to the top and nothing happens, it occurs to Krivath that the Orcs (if there are any) are waiting, too.

It was sort of a stand-off... until someone took the first step.

He suddenly had an idea!

"Hey! There's more Orcs coming up the stairs behind us!" he yells to the others as he charges up the stairs past them and then dives into the room with a tumbling roll.

"No." he whispers to the others as he runs by.

He'll attempt to tumble back to his feet so he can at least make an attempt to defend himself against any Orc attacks.

22:19, Today: Krivath Sparkfyre rolled 20 using 1d20+2 ((18)).

Woo-hoo! The Dice Roller likes me! It really likes me!

As Krivath surged past him, Willem was somewhat confused as to the plan. But he went with it, seeing as any surprise was now lost. He charged behind him, greatsword at the ready to cover Krivath’s back.

Charging into the room  behind Krivath, Willem now sees what Krivath had guessed as Willem practically runs into two Orcs that had been flattened against the wall to either side of the doorway and now were moving to attack Krivath.

The two Orcs aren't able to react quickly enough to avoid Willem and run into him. They are now too close to attack with their long swords, as is Willem.

As he assesses the situation, he sees that there were two more Orcs against the wall that are moving towards the opening to the stairs... and Theirastra.

The first two Orcs were too close so Willem decided to ignore them for now. Instead he charge across the chamber towards the stairs where the two other Orcs had appeared. He swung his heavy blade hard and felt it bite deep into the creature's exposed flank.

Willem
AC-15
HP-48/48

Move - Run towards second pair of Orcs
Action - Attack first Orc, hit for 11hp Slashing damage

10:34, Today: Grey Willem rolled 11 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 3,3.  Damage.
10:34, Today: Grey Willem rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Attack 1st Orc near stairs.
10:33, Today: Grey Willem rolled 16 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 14.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Tue 23 Nov 2021.

Sorry I didn't make it clear enough. The stairs are the ones you just came up. The second pair of Orcs are the ones behind you to the side of those stairs and moving to attack Theirastra.

He has no problem attacking and hitting one of the two Orcs he ran into, mainly because their backs were turned when he ran into them. Now they turn around, and when they see that there's only Willem, one of them turns back to Krivath.

Although Willem hits the Orc, it isn't enough to take it down. He's learned from the previous battles that it takes two hits... unless he lands a really good one!

It attacks back!

17:48, Today: StarMaster rolled 10,8 using 1d20+5,1d12+3 ((5,5)).

And misses! ...Perhaps due to the closeness or the surprise or the confusion...


Having detected the two Orcs that Krivath lured out, Theirastra wasn't naive enough to think that those two were the only ones. It was a minor case of Chicken with her venturing out into the room or the Orcs moving into the opening.

A good feint by Theirastra lured the two Orcs out into the open. The Orcs don't get to attack because she is slightly out of reach and they are undecided whether to step down the stairs to get to her.


Meanwhile, Krivath is barely holding his own against the other Orc. His ploy to draw them out kind of worked, only now one as engaged Willem while the other one is after him. He dodges a lot!


Just then, someone else comes running up the stairs behind Theirastra.

Alecks follows the sounds of the battle, then bursts into the room. He takes a moment to assess the situation, seeing the two orcs closest to him on the stairs.  His voice rises clearly above the sounds of melee as he calls upon the power of Selune.

OOC Alecks Casts Guiding Bolt



17:53, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.
17:53, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 18 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,5,4,4.

As a bonus action he casts spiritual hammer and strikes at the most injured orc that is still standing.
18:17, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.
18:17, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 13 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 8.


This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:22, Sat 04 Dec 2021.

Alecks runs up the stairs, but things don't quite go as planned. First of all, he has to run past Theirastra. The two Orcs at the top of the stairs and he would have to run through them to get into the room.

However, he is able to cast his spell on the run. It strikes one of the Orcs and kills it.

His bonus action is casting a second spell. He hits the second Orc, but it isn't quite enough to kill him.

He's now standing right next to Theirastra on the stairs, with one wounded Orc standing between them and the action in the room.

Theirastra casts Booming Blade on her longsword and then slashes out at the orc in front of her.

[OOC: Move upto Orc.
Cast Booming Blade, which gives free attack with sword, if I hit the orc takes my sword damage, and spell goes off.

http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/spell:booming-blade

23:42, Today: Theirastra Nailo rolled 24,7 using 1d20+5,1d8+4 with rolls of 19,3.  Longsword - Booming Blade.
Hit AC: 24
Damage: 7

If I hit, and he moves 5' or more, he will take another 1d8 in damage.]

Not much chance of the Orc moving 5 feet because Theirastra's hit kills it before it gets a chance of attacking back.

Things had gone just as he'd hoped! When he dashed into the room, he'd drawn the two known Orcs into pursuing him to attack... whether they believed there were other Orcs coming up the stairs or not.

Fortunately, with Willem crashing into the two Orcs that had started after Krivath, neither of them got to attack him. Until now! Apparently not considering Willem much of a threat, one of the Orcs turned back to Krivath.

He'd intended to attack with his dagger while the Orc was battling Willem. Alas, it wasn't to be. Instead, he cast another Eldritch Blast at the Orc.

01:32, Today: Krivath Sparkfyre rolled 18,7 using 1d20+2,1d10 ((16,7)).

Alrighty! The crackling beam of energy strikes the Orc for 7 points of force damage.

Hoping it at least slows the Orc for a moment, Krivath will back pedal to try and stay out of reach.

Bit confused - are there just 2 Orcs in the room, and if so are they now both dead?

No, there were 4 Orcs in the room. There were two on each side of the stairwell waiting to ambush whoever came through the doorway.

Theirastra had only heard that there was one on each side.

When Krivath ran up the stairs and through the opening, the first two Orcs charged after him. Those were the ones that Willem ran into when he charged after Krivath.

The other two Orcs waited for the next person, got impatient, and stepped into the opening and immediately got attacked by Alecks.

So, Willem and Krivath are fighting two Orcs more or less in the center of the room.

Theirastra and Alecks are on the stairs fighting two Orcs standing in the opening.

So, 2 dead ors at doorway. 1 injured orc in room closing with Krivath, 1 healthy orc near Willem, Alecks and Theirastra ok at doorway? Is there a turn order?

Willem closed on the uninjured Orc and swung his greatsword. The mighty blade beat through the creature's defences and bit into exposed flesh.

Willem
AC-15
HP-48/48

Move - Move towards uninjured Orc
Action - Attack Orc, hit for 12hp Slashing damage

11:43, Today: Grey Willem rolled 12 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 6,1.  Reroll both damage die - Great Weapon Fighting.
11:42, Today: Grey Willem rolled 9 using 2d6+5 with rolls of 2,2.  Damage.
11:42, Today: Grey Willem rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Attack vs uninjured Orc.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Thu 09 Dec 2021.

Alecks stayed in the doorway as the fight continued. The robed figure looked to be trying to avoid melee and had an orc bearing down on him. The Selunite called forth the power of his Godess and pointed at the orc that was closing. A radient flash of light burst into the room. With a circular wave of both hands he directed his spititual mace to attack the same orc.


18:11, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3.  sacred flame. DC 15 Dex
18:11, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7. Bonus Action Attack
8:12, Today: Alecks Senechal rolled 13 using 1d8+5 with rolls of 8. Bonus Attack Damage

Theirastra had no issues with rushing into combat as she moved into the room and assaulted the uninjured Orc!

[OOC: Move upto Uninjured Orc.
Cast Green Flame Blade, which gives free attack with sword, if I hit the orc takes my sword damage, and spell goes off causing fire damage to an enemy of my choice in 5'.

http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/spell:green-flame-blade

21:28, Today: Theirastra Nailo rolled 22,5 using 1d20+5,1d8+4 with rolls of 17,1.  Longsword - Green Flame Blade.
Hit AC: 22
Damage: 5 (To orc hit with Long Sword)
Damage: 4 (Fire damage to the other orc)

If I hit the other orc will take 4 fire damage.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Wed 15 Dec 2021.

The multiple attacks easily finish off the last two Orcs. Willem's attack on the one Orc followed by Theirastra's attack finishes him. Krivath's spell, followed by Alecks's spell and spiritual hammer attack and the fire from Theirastra's spell finishes off the last Orc.


The various spells momentarily lit up the room so that you got glimpses of what was in it. It's clearly been worked by people to form the 50-foot cube. There are a number of crystals in the ceiling. There is art on the walls.

There is the remnants of furniture along both walls and a table with six chairs around it at the far end of the room.

Otherwise, the room is dark.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:49, Wed 22 Dec 2021.

"Perhaps I should have used that spell the first time." She said with a simple nod to herself as she ends her blade dancing.

Willem wiped his blade on the clothing of one of the fallen Orcs, then began to quickly check the bodies for anything of interest. As he did so he glanced up at the newcomer. "Your intervention was timely, friend. I am Willem. What brings you down here?"

In reply to Grey Willem (msg # 43):

Alecks smiled in greetiing, " I'm the navigator on the Osprey, a merchant ship out of Neverwinter. We're in dry dock for repairs. I had a few months to visit family so I took the opportunity to visit my sister who has settled on a farm outside of Phandelin. She told me that the village was threatened by orcs and that a group of heroes had left recently to drive them from the area. I thought I might be able to help. I followed the trail to Wyvern Tor. Once I found the first corpse, you were not too hard to locate. Are any of you injured? I have some healing ability."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:25, Thu 16 Dec 2021.

Willem offered the newcomer his hand. "Welcome Navigator. We may talk more later but for now lets clear out these Orcs."

In reply to Grey Willem (msg # 45):

"At your service Willem" The Selunite smiled and looked at the others anticipating further introductions. He was patient and attentive.

"Joining us on foot! What a novel idea!" Krivath speaks up. "Well met, Alecks! I'm Krivath Sparkfyre. Usually, our group is joined by people being teleported in! No, really! Back in the mines, some pent up magic was released and it picked up on the teleport spell some wizard used to send his agents to the mine."

"It's kind of been haunting us ever since. I suppose it's a derivative of Wild Magic, so we never know who or what's going to turn up next."

"I don't know what this cave system was used for originally, but clearly the wyverns and the Orcs didn't carve out these rooms or hang art on the walls."

"I'm pretty sure this art could fetch a pretty penny back in Neverwinter. Seems kind of a waste leaving it here."

"We still have two tunnels out of the last cave that we haven't explored. Shall we go see if there are any more Orcs hiding in here?"

In reply to Krivath Sparkfyre (msg # 47):

Willem nodded in agreement at Krivath’s suggestion.

Krivath waited for one of the others to take the lead. He wasn't a front-line combatant, and Alecks was still an unknown, so while he didn't necessarily distrust the man, for the time being, he'd prefer to be behind him.

Alecks looked at Willem, "After you. Sound off if any of you need healing before pressing on. "

"Willem, you are the fighter, it might be best if you take point. I will follow right behind you." She said with a nod.

Willem takes point at the other's suggestion, though he probably would have anyway.

Out in the big cave, he goes to the left to the tunnel opening there. The tunnel only goes in about 20 feet before ending in a room. It's not a big room... only about 20' x 30' with the opening in one corner. The room opens to the right, so a quick peak around the corner shows there are no Orcs waiting there to ambush you.

No Orcs are visible nor are there any bedrolls visible. What there is, though, is a four poster bed hung with curtains, a few tapestries on the wall, and one chair and a side table. A lamp sits on the table. There's even a rug on the floor.

"....well, if this doesn't seem considerably out of place." She said matter of factly. "Seems like something you'd find in my room, not here." She continued, cocking her head to one side as she looked at the extravagant bed.

"Perhaps," agrees Krivath. "It's been my limited experience that bedrooms generally only have one exit, unless there's a window. Since this is a cave, it's probably too much to expect for there to be a window."

"I don't see any threat here... unless there's an Orc hiding under the bed. This is a dead end. We should go check out the other tunnel. Clearly none of this is going anywhere."

Alecks was not in a hurry. "Let's take a closer look. Seems like whoever occupies this room would have a leadership role amoung the orcs. Maybe we can learn more about why they are here."

He takes a closer look at the table, then checks under the rug and behind the tapestries for signs of hidden doors or anything interesting.

"I agree with Alecks. Plus, there might be a way out here we cannot see." She said in thought, then decided to cast a spell.

[OOC: She going to cast detect magic.]

"You just got here, Alecks, so I can understand why you might think that," Krivath replies, "but the Orcs don't live here. These caves use to be the lair of some wyverns, which is why the mountain is called Wyvern Tor."

"I'm pretty sure the wyverns never went this deep into the caves, and they certainly didn't make the hallways and I'm safe in saying they didn't sleep in this bed."

"No, this seems to be something here from before the Orcs arrived. Don't know the timeline myself, but I'd guess the wyverns were here a hundred years or so ago during the last Orc incursion. That would explain why the Orcs never came to the mountain then and didn't know about these caves."

As the others talk, Willem does indeed check under the bed, just in case. He lifted the bedsheets and poked underneath with his sword before using his eyes. After completing the search of the bed he will continue and check all around the room for anything of interest.

No sooner does Alecks touch the rug than it crumbles to dust.

The table is just a side table/nightstand. It has a single drawer in it, and Alecks has no trouble opening it carefully. There are two things visible in the drawer... a small black box like those used for a ring and a pair of spectacles.

After the incident with the rug, he's a bit more circumspect with the tapestries, but they seem to be in better condition. He does not find any hidden shelves, compartments or doors behind them.

Theirastra casts her Detect Magic and finds a lot of the stuff glowing with a magical aura! The black box, the spectacles, the six tapestries, and the bed covers and curtains. After another moment, she realizes that the box isn't magical but something within it is. Also, while the bed covers and curtains are magical, there's also a stronger aura coming from beneath the bed.

Willem pokes under the bed and covers with his sword before peeking there, but doesn't spot anything threatening. However, he does see that there is a pair of boots and a staff tucked under the bed.

"Let me see that black box..." She says pointing to the box in the drawer. "...and something under the bed has a strong magical aura as well." Then she pauses. "Also, the bedding and curtains are magical."

In reply to Theirastra Nailo (msg # 60):

Alecks hands the box to Theirastra, then takes a closer look at the wall coverings.

There are six tapestries on the walls: two on each side wall and one to each side of the bed. They appear to be typical depictions of everyday events. One is a hunt, one is tournament showing an archery contest, one is garden scene with some exotic animals, one is an alchemist in his lab, one is a horse race, and one is a banquet.

Alecks's first impression is that they have merely had preservation magic on them to keep them from going the way of the rug. But when he touches one, he discovers that the figures in it move! There's no sound, but the hunt seems to play out over a few minutes before it resets.

"WOW these move... the pictures move."  He's glad he came on a mule. "Let's not forget these on the way out. Did you want a closer look at the spectacles in the drawer as well?"

Willem sheathed his sword and reached under the bed, then carefully pulled out the boots and staff and placed them on the nightstand. He turned to the Eladrin and spoke quietly. "Maybe these are what you sense? I know many mighty wizards use staffs and wands to channel their powers. Maybe the boots have special powers too, who knows?"

Leaving the others to inspect the strange items he began to scout around the room, looking for hidden doors or secret tunnels in or out of the chamber, all the while listening carefully for the sound of Orc.

Theirastra examines the little black box for a moment, but doesn't see anything suspicious or dangerous about it, though she knows looks can be deceiving.

Cautiously opening the box, as soon as she cracks the lid, light spills out! Fully opening the box, she sees that there is clear blue faceted gem inside that glows with light!


Willem finishes searching the room, but does not find any hidden or secret compartments or doors.


Alecks, still fascinated by the moving tapestries, tries to see how easy one is to remove. It looks simply enough. While he's doing so on the one to the left of the bed, he realizes that there is another image on the other side. Turning it over, it's a picture of a window looking out onto a valley. Two things register then: light is coming from it and so is a slight breeze.

"Now that's something you don't see every day," Krivath speaks up after looking over Alecks's shoulder at the tapestry's reverse side.

"It appears to be a portable Dimension Window. Hmmm. At a guess, I'd say it shows the view outside the mountain here... perhaps 30-40 feet higher."

"I've never encountered one before, but I've heard people speak of it. I wasn't aware it could be made portable like this. I thought it had to be fixed in place to a wall or something."

"Clever and interesting! While it isn't an escape route from the room, I suppose it would keep the occupant from getting claustrophobic."

Willem wandered over to Krivath and Alecks, regarding the tapestry and listening to the Dragonborn's description with some confusion. "So, it's like a magic window? As if you are seeing through the eyes of somebody sat outside on the hillside? A clever trick indeed! It would allow the user to stand guard without ever having to leave their chamber, and they could warn others nearby before an enemy could get close. That would give you the element of surprise, and no mistake! I wonder if you can change the viewpoint, or will it only show what appears from that position?"

Willem didn't really understand magic. It all seemed so complicated, all that waving hands and muttering strange words. He preferred to rely on good steel and a strong arm to deal with whatever got in his way. But it becoming clearer that although he didn't understand how it all worked it did seem to have it's uses.

Alecks nodded with appreciation at the insights provided by his new companions.

"I wonder" he says as he checks the backs of the other tapestries for similar magical traits.

"With windows like this one could surveil the entire valley from within the cave."

She nodded to Willem as he brought the items over. "More than likely, yes." Then she looked at them a moment. "I'll examine these as you all look around."

While the others talk about the tapestries, she will identify the ring, staff, and boots.

[OOC: Cast Identify on the ring, staff, and boots.]

In reply to Theirastra Nailo (msg # 69):

Alecks handed her the specticles. "Did you see anything unusual about these?

He asked, before returning his attention to the tapestries.

She will see if the spectacles are magical, and identify them as well.

Theirastra readily identifies the ring as a Ring of Fire Resistance.

The staff is a Staff of Healing.

The boots are Boots of Striding and Springing.

The spectacles are magical as well. They are Goggles of Night.

Willem listened carefully as Thierastra identified each item. "Most interesting. If we are to take one each then I would be keen to have the googles as I cannot see in the dark otherwise. But if one of you particularly wants them I would happily taken whatever I am allocated."

"As an eladrin elf I can already see in the dark, so unless one of the other object you can have them. I also do not need the ring of fire resistance, since my robe affords me the same protection. Personally, I'd not mind the boots myself." She said with a small nod.

Alecks nods, "Well, I just got here, I could certainly put the staff to good use. If you don't mind, I'll hold on to it for the time being. Unless one of you can implement the magic.


SHould we get a move on though. There could be trouble ahead. I would not want to be caught unawares while studying these things."

Theiranastra will put on the boots, hands the goggles to Willem, passes the healing staff to Alecks, and then looks at Krivath a moment. "Would you like the Ring of Fire Resistance?"

"I have no such protection now," Krivath replies to Theirastra, "so it would be appreciated."

"It would make me less vulnerable to some fire-based spells and items that I have. Opens up a whole new bag of tactics."

He gratefully accepts the ring.

"It does seem as if we've distributed these items in a most propitious way! Good work, Theirastra!"

"Now let's get back to rooting out the Orcs."

He leads the way back to the main cave.

Willem smiled as he was handed the goggles. Quickly he put them on his head and adjusted them to fit properly. Once done he looked at his three companions and said, "Shall we go?"

Once everyone was ready he lead them back out of the chamber.

She nodded to Krivath. "It is the distribution that made the most sense."

Then she nodded to Willem. "Lead on." She said, then proceeded to follow him out of the chamber.

Alecks follows along, moving as quietly as possible. He was very pleased with the staff. It would allow him much greater flexibility with his spells.

Heading out of the bedroom and back to the main cave, there are three other exits out of it: the way you came in, the next opening to your right which led to the room with the Orcs, and another opening beyond that one.

It's passage slanting upward at only a slight angle, and after about 40 feet comes out into a room. It's dark but as soon as someone produces light, it's clear that this was the galley on the left and the mess hall on the right.

There is no sign of Orcs here, and the layer of dust would seem to indicate that none of them had made it this far.

There are two long tables with benches in the mess area, and two counters with storage shelves underneath them. A few items are on the counters, but most of the pots and pans are on the shelves.

In the middle of the wall behind the galley, a single opening leads into darkness.

"I guess we go that way." She said pointing to the opening in the wall. "Time for you to test your new spectacles." She continued with a smile to Willem.

Willem nodded. "Very well, I will lead us into the darkness." With that he activated his new magical goggles and stepped forth into the gloom. He held his sword ready in case anything was waiting for them in the shadows.

Theirastra would follow close behind him to lend support as needed.

Alecks stepped forward behind Theirastra.

The hallway clearly isn't just a tunnel but has been carved out of the stone. It goes about 60 feet before making a sharp turn to the left. Then it only goes about 10 feet before it ends in a blank wall.

However, as you approach the wall, you hear faint voices coming from it.

Strange indeed...

Willem approached the seemingly blank wall carefully. He wondered if it was a very thin wall to allow the sound to travel, maybe with a hidden door. Maybe there was no wall at all and it was all an illusion!

He prodded it gently with the tip of his sword, wondering if it was indeed real. If he feels resistance he will begin to look for some way of getting through to the other side, maybe a hidden door or secret latch.

Alecks whispered to the others. "Do  recognize any of the voices"

The wall appears to be there, though Willem might not know that he wouldn't be able to push his sword through an illusion due to the mental influence. A phantasm, yes. Illusion, no.

However, up close, it's clear that it is the backside of a secret door. There's a lever on the left side in the upright position, so it seems reasonable that if he pulls it down, it might release the mechanism holding the door in place.

When Theirastra approaches the wall while Willem was looking for the secret door, she, too, heard voices. Muffled as they were, she winds up only recognizing one of them... it sounds like Mithra.

The wall seemed solid enough, but he did find a concealed door. He tried the lever. Hopefully the door would swing open and he would find friendly faces on the other side.

Moving the lever does release the door, which has to be swung towards Willem.

He startles a few of those still in the room, but some of them recognize Willem and Krivath and Theirastra. He, in turn, recognizes Thressa and Cunaar. Since neither of them appear to be threatened or prisoners, they must have defeated any Orcs they encountered... one of which is still on the floor.

Mithra enters at that point, grabs the last Orc by the feet and drags it out of the library.

The room beyond is a library of some sort, which explains the secret door and why it swung out--someone on the library could use it to escape.

Willem greeted Thressa and Cunaar, then smiled as Mithra also joined them. He nodded politely at those he didn't recognise, figuring that they could do formal introductions later.

He turned to his small group. "Come, let us retire outside and see if our other companions have returned.They may require our aid."

----> To Beyond Wyvern Tor thread