"We need to arrive well-before the remaining orcs and goblins so that defenses may be prepared." With no takers on the sparring offer he digs in his saddle bags a bit begins stitching where the orc got through his leather. Skin first, then leather. As he starts the work: "Are we setting up camp here? We might get more of that army tonight if we do."

"I've no horse, and no inclination to travel at a fast pace. No use for stealth, either, though I've got nothing but respect for those who excel at it. If its an open assault on a fortified position you want, I'll take the van. If you need a wall of steel behind you to spoil an ambush from behind, I'm just as happy to bring up the rear. In a narrow passage, I'm as good as a portcullis. So I suppose the castle may be best for me. With a good healer to keep my insides from becoming my outsides, and a few archers or spell-slingers behind me, we could clear it out room by room, hallway by hallway."

Cinnabar puts the remaining berries away after anyone who needed them took some.

”I gain nothing from resting here, and several others seem ready to travel quickly on the longer trip, which is likely a good idea if we need to be able to spend some time convincing others of the value in preparation, but I can not force any of you to go where you do not want to.

"Yes, there are a lot of us now. I'd like to think it's because our need is great and our cause is just," Mithra says.

"Many more have come and gone, which further reinforces my belief that some sort of confluence is going on. While it's possible that we are the focus, I suspect it's more that we're on the periphery of it and are merely being drawn in."

"Are we integral to these events? Or are we just a... convenience... a tool to achieve some specific endgame? I don't know. I'm not sure we'll ever know."

"Whatever the case, we still have a task before us."

"I think it is wise to split up because if we all try going in just one direction, we won't have time to make it to all three. I can't even guarantee that we can make it to two sites. We have no idea how many Orcs there are... in these locations as well as out in the forest and other areas."

"I plan on resting. Fighting is tiring work. We have things to do that might make our task easier. The three groups will head out at first light. We have the night to finalize our plans."

There are three healers in the group, so anyone who is still down HP will be soon healed back to full.

There were four small wooden boxes found, but none of them were trapped, and they didn't even have a lock on them, just a little hook to keep the lid closed. Three of them held potions, the other had a flat round stone in it.

Everyone was told about the two weapons rooms in case anyone needed a free weapon. Only one weapon in each room was magical--the Great Axe that Viridovix grabbed, and a morning star mace in the other room. Every weapon in each room was different, so no 2 long swords, for example, no 2 maces, etc. However, there were no ranged weapons--no bows, crossbows, slings, javelins, etc.

However, both rooms had the exact same number and kind of weapons, so each room had a footman's flail, both rooms had a warhammer, etc.


With a little help from some of the others, Kassan is able to garner a bit more information from the journals. As near as can be determined by the dates in the books, Kassan was in that room for just over a hundred years. When the monastery was attacked, one of the attacks apparently cast a time-stop hex on Kassan, which is why he was 'frozen' in time. Although the monks drove off the attackers, most of the monks were also killed. Badly injured, the last two left to find help. It doesn't seem like they ever came back, so Kassan was just left there. The wizards, particularly Ero, can tell Kassan that the hex-spell wore off finally, as 100 years is about the length of time it takes for that to happen.


The broken Talisman has residual teleport magic in it (no surprise there) and it can probably be mended. If those who were teleported in want to go home, mending the Talisman may be the best, fastest and easiest way to do that.


The rapier was found on the Orc Chief. He carried it, but wielded a great axe in battle.




Atlas of Endless Horizons: This rare wondrous item requires attunement by a wizard. A thick book bound in dark leather, it is crisscrossed with inlaid silver lines suggesting a map or chart. When found, the book contains the following spells, which are wizard spells for you while you are attuned to the book: Arcane Gate, Dimension Door, Gate, Misty Step, Plane Shift, Teleportation Circle, and Word of Recall. It functions as a spell book for you.

While you are holding the book, you can use it as a spellcasting focus for your wizard spells.

The book has 3 charges, and it regains 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn. You can use the charges in the following ways while holding it:

    If you spend 1 minute studying the book, you can expend 1 charge to replace one of your prepared wizard spells with a different spell in the book. The new spell must be of the conjuration school.
    When you are hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to expend 1 charge to teleport up to 10 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. If your new position is out of range of the attack, it misses you.


Doss Lute: This uncommon wondrous item requires attunement by a bard. As an Instrument of the Bards, this is an exquisite example of its kind, superior to an ordinary instrument in every way, named after the legendary bard college Doss. Any creature that attempts to play the instrument without being attuned to it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or take 2d4 psychic damage.

Once attuned, you can use an action to play the instrument and cast one of its spells. Once the instrument has been used to cast a spell, it can’t be used to cast that spell again until the next dawn. The spells use your spellcasting ability and spell save DC.

You can play the instrument while casting a spell that causes any of its targets to be charmed on a failed saving throw, thereby imposing disadvantage on the save. This effect applies only if the spell has a somatic or a material component.

Doss Lute spells include Fly, invisibility, Levitate, Protection from Evil and Good,
Animal Friendship, Protection from Fire, Protection from Poison.

Weight: 2 lb.; Estimated Value: 28,500 gp


Vest of Many Pockets: dark blue suede vest with four visible pockets, it has an additional 12 secret pockets. Each pocket is able to contain up to 1 cubic foot of material weighing as much as 10 pounds.


Grimaldi Grimorra's Spellbook

The most interesting spell in there is Tenser's Traveling Disk. According to Grimaldi, who claims to have known Tenser personally, the spell he invented was great for when Tenser was first adventuring, which is why it was so simple. It has no variables to it. After a few adventures, though, Tenser started to realize the limitations of the spell, and set about inventing a 'new improved' version.

Although it's only a second level spell, it has variables all over the place. The only catch is, you have to be a better wizard to make use of the variables. For every level over 3rd, you can tweak one of the variables. You need to make a DC 18 Intelligence check to apply that tweak... at least until you've 'mastered' that variation. Once you've succeeded at three such checks for that variation, you no longer need to make any more.

SIZE: You can make it up to 50% smaller or up to 50% larger.
SHAPE: You can change the shape from a round disk to a square, to a block, to a wedge, to a sphere, etc.
DISTANCE: You can have it follow you up to 60 feet farther behind or closer at 5 feet.
ELEVATION: It can sit right on the ground or be as high up as your own height.
LOCATION: Normally, 'follow you' means it's behind you, but you can position it the side or even in front of you.
DURATION: The disk lasts for 1 hour per level.
MOVEMENT: You can direct it to move around, whether you are moving or not. The side effect of this is that you can actually sit, stand or lay on it and have it move forward. It does so at your own walking speed.
SPEED: Once you've mastered Movement, you can make it go faster, such as a double move or even as a full run!
RAM: Combined with Distance and Shape, Speed now lets you ram a target as long as it's within 60 feet of you.


Because she's a ranger, Thia offered to guide the group going to Phandalin since she could probably catch up with either of the other groups.

Cunaar and Krivath also elected to go Phandalin.

Joining those three are Kessife, Stonecrow, Ulrik and Vane.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:16, Sun 20 Feb 2022.

Once Manaen had finished the last magic items identification he started banging on his shell. The large spikes on his back made a odd reverb that wouldn't be swiftly forgotten. Each item had a little tag that held the name, General cost, and description. On the back side of each card had a tiny picture of a cartoon turtle using the item as intended. A habit picked up for people who didn't speak the common language.

"If anyone doesn't mind I would like to copy the spells in the books and put them back for open use."

This message was deleted by the player at 20:29, Fri 18 Feb 2022.

"I certainly don't mind," Mithra answered, "since I'm not a spellcaster and don't have any need for spells."

"If Ero is correct, this place has been abandoned for over 100 years. I don't see any point in leaving this stuff here to just rot away. We're hardly in a position to carry it all with us, though."

"We can always come back later."

Nyssia looks over the gear but her attention goes to the lute. She picks it up and strums it, the music light. She plucks a small tone as she hums, feeling its magic. "If you don't mind, I'd like to use this - I think it's magical qualities would benefit my skills."  she also looked at the boots.

"A rare find of treasures! exclaims Sala. "Some of which I feel a strong affinity for. If I were to be offered a share, my top delights would be the amulet, atlas and spellbooks." he says, his eyes resting upon the atlas.

"Some of us have been together since we left Neverwinter a few weeks ago," Cunaar offers, "and have already gained a few magical trinkets, so, for my part, I'm willing to forego any items right now. If there happens to be something useful to me after everything else has been sorted out, I might put in a request for it."

"I would recommend that the combatant types take one of the magical weapons. I laud your conviction, Biff, but unless your fists are magical, you'll be at a severe disadvantage against some creatures. I doubt if the Orcs fall into the category, though."

"Magical fists..." Biff muses, "I do catch your meaning. Wasn't much planning on finding monsters to kill, but..." he looks around at the loot, "does seem to pay better than prizefighting, though I don't do so bad for myself."

"Even so, I am sure someone else can make better use of them. Those rooms here look to be fighting arena preparation rooms. Choose your weapon and all that. One type of weapon for each combatant, or team. Keeps it even, in a way. What's going on with this place anyway? I was waylaid and woke up bound and hobbled. Biding my time, mind you, then you blokes came along, thanks again for that. Anyway, What's with all these orcs, what's this talk of an army?"

"If we're dibsing, I wouldn't mind them bracers, though I just as soon wait in line to be claiming anything."

"You might have noticed all the dead Orcs we've been dumping over the cliff there?" Mithra says to Biff. "That's part of the Orc army. The other part is back down the trail. We lured them out of their camp here and ambushed them."

"And that's just about half of them. A few days ago, we defeated another hundred or so Orcs. The valley out beyond these mountains was once a thriving area of settlements and farms. A hundred years or so ago, Orcs swarmed into the area and killed everyone, looted villages, burnt down houses... Now that the village of Phandalin has been resettled, we were sent out to see if the Orcs might be coming back."

"Not sure what constitutes an army... Victor's the one to ask about that... but we've now encountered over 200 Orcs in the area that weren't here last year. If it's not an army, it's at least an incursion. We're sending a message back to wherever they come from--they're not welcome here."

"Don't know what you were doing out here in the middle of nowhere, but you're welcome to join us as we go after the rest of the Orcs."

She looked around at everyone to make sure they all heard what she'd said. She didn't want to have to explain it yet again.

"Unless someone else here has been hiding Bardic talents, I think letting Nyssia have the Lute is a reasonable course. Anyone disagree?"

"I'm also inclined to let her have the Boots of Speed. That way, she can keep up with the rest of us. Anybody else have a need for them? How about you, Manaen?"

Theirastra would finally speak up, now that all the bickering is done. "I think she would be well to have the lute. Maybe she can make a good tune that I can play my flute to." She said with a small smile.

"I would like the belt if I could," she said pointing at the Belt of Giant Strength. "It would complement my Bladesinger considerably by making my strike more potent."

"Also, when you you are done copying the spells from those books, I would like to do the same." She said to Manaen. "If no one minds."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:13, Sat 19 Feb 2022.

As it turns out, there are two magic items that will make copying spells easier. The first is the Amethyst Quill. It can help you copy a spell in half the time (which is normally 2 hours per level of the spell). The second item is the Traveling Alchemist's Kit, which has the necessary ingredients to make the special inks needed for writing spells.



A Grimoire differs from a standard spellbook in that a spellbook is the streamlined version whereas the Grimoire has notes and comments written in the margins. These might be cautions about when NOT to cast the spell, or some minor way to tweak it, or how the wizard used the spell to defeat some monster.

In this case, there were three additional spells scribbled into the blank spaces. This might have been done because Grimaldi didn't have the time to create a new book or he didn't want to be bothered insert new pages.

Nemeia stood back a little from the others as they talked about the magical items found. They were already making their choices and giving reasons why they were the best choice to own it. It reminded her of jackals fighting over the best part of a kill. Since the paladin was teleported from the other side of the continent, she only had the clothes and armor on her back, hardly any supplies and no magic items to speak of. Many of the items could be sold at a big city and fill any war chest.

The Belt of Stone Giant Strength would be good for any fighter but would most likely be the party's back mule to carry everything.

The six potions of Greater Healing should go to the front-line fighters for emergency heals.

The Brooch of Shielding would be handy against anyone who likes to fight mages.

The Cape of the Mountebank would be great to get behind the enemy and cause chaos.

The Ring of Feather Falling would be handy in emergencies or for people who could not climb down cliffs.

Then there was the Morning Star mace. Other than that, everything else held no interest to her. If Nemeia was going to get anything, she might as well speak up and join in the tearing apart of the kill.

Nemeia pointed at the Ring of Feather Falling.

"May I have that ring? It would save my strength climbing down in heavy armor."

As Ero left to go help with something related to the items removed from the cave net work, Kassan thanked him then drifted a little to the side of the camp away from the large group. Staring into the distance as sentinel if a Stealth Walker as apparently these passed monks called him could stare.  The voices of the group finally breaking through his contemplation as the names of strange items were being rattled off.  Turning back to the group Kassan saunters casually over to stand beside Mithra, giving her a tip of the hat and slight head bow.

"If the group would see fit, as it was majority of you who facilitated my extraction from that cave network.  I would like to tender a request for the following items in order of priority, the gloves of spider climbing and the vest.  Tertiary the cloak of elven kind as I believe all three would assist me and my abilities to assist the group or groups greatly in the foreseeable future."

Kassan steps off again having voiced his opinion as that is all it was worth, stuff was fine but one hundred years and that was only when the one other person had found him.  To many questions, Kassan opens one of the books he found and continues to read for no other purpose then to pass time.

Willem looked over the items that had been salvaged. There was quite a haul, but nothing particularly drew his fancy. "There is nothing here that I will lay claim to. The magic belt would be nice but I feel others will benefit more from it than I will, and the featherfall ring would be nice too, but I already have my new goggles that let me see in the dark. I will gladly take my share of what lies unclaimed but I am happy for each person present to take what they can make use of, each has earned the spoils in their own way."

As others continued to discuss how to divide the treasures, Willem thought some more about their objectives. After looking over the group and speaking to various members he made a proposition.

"We need to divide into three groups. The first will return to Phandalin to warn the townsfolk there. The second will aid in the fight at Thundertree while the final group should head to Cragmaw Castle to survey the situation there."

He looked around until he found those he was looking for. "Thia, you are well versed in the trails in these lands, Could you lead a small group back to Phandalin? Cunaar can help convince the locals about their situation. Stonecrow and Ulrik can provide protection on the road, while Vane, Kessife and Kirvath can aid with their magicks if required."

He turned to Mithra. "Good lady, you offered to head up a group. Would you lead the scouting mission to the castle? Kassan and Nyssia should be able to move about unseen and do some scouting for you, with help from you, Star." He glanced at the Tabaxi. "I am told your kin are stealthy hunters. Goyle and Viridovix can provide you with extra steel, while Manaen, Ero and Thressa can offer their magicks with Lureene providing healing aid if required."

He turned to Victor, catching the eye of the old soldier. "And as was suggested, maybe you could lead the final group to Thundertree? We can go on horseback, with the magick disks that Sala mentioned. Prizzard, Alecks and I can ride our mounts. Cinnabar can ride with Alecks." He glanced over at the flame-haired halfling. "My lady, your diminutive frame should prove little burden for Alecks' sturdy mule. Sala can ride with me. My steed has magick horseshoes so can travel great distances without feeling weary, or so I am to believe." He looked over at the dark-skinned chronomancer. "While ahorse you can maintain your magick disks to carry the others. We can set a sensible pace so hopefully all will travel in comfort, and it should still be faster than walking. Victor, you can ride on a disk, as can Theirastra, Nemeia and Biff. Hopefully we can make good time."

He looked around at the group, trying to gauge their opinion. "What say you? does that sound like a reasonable plan?"

"Sounds reasonable to me," Mithra answers. "I was thinking stealth might be more advantageous in the old castle, too. A few of us have already been to the ruins and the castle, though, so we know what we're heading into."

"The castle is probably larger than the ruins, too, so makes sense to have the extra person with that group. Krivath has offered the use of his horse, if any of the Thundertree group can ride."

There were still a few people that hadn't spoken up about their interest in the loot, so she'd wait a bit longer before offering any more suggestions.

"Yes, Nemeia, you were teleported here, as were several of these others. Anything we have we are willing to share with all of you. We now several devices for producing drink, so that's not an issue. None of them provide food, however, but we have rations for several days still."

Alecks brightened at the suggestion of traveling with Victor.

"It would be an honor to assist Captain Harkness. Stories of the exploits of the 42nd and their noble Captain were a family favorite at my Grandfather's table."

He smiled at Cinnabar, "You will find that Ginny is a wonderful mount with a sweet disposition."

He gestured toward Willem. "If we take the time for me to copy tensor's discs into my ritual book, I can help with those as well."

Cinnabar return's Aleck's smile with an honestly friendly one with no hidden inference only halflings seem to be able to manage.

”While I have no doubt that Ginny is a wonderful creature, and may even find fulfillment as a beast of burden, I do not have any need to ride along with you in order to keep pace with the faster group.

Nemeia crossed her arms and shrugged. Face showing indifference.

"The gods are not done toying with me yet. I will go where needed."

"If you are carrying so much gear, Prizzard, why don't you take the Bag of Holding," Krivath says to Prizzard.

"It's party treasure, not mine. We got it off the ogres. Don't worry, we cleaned it up."

Victor said, "I would like the belt, as well. It would allow me to focus my training on improving my magical abilities, and would be especially useful when I go all out attacking. Plus, it would allow me to attack effectively, even while focusing the magic of my sword on defense! If you like, Theirastra, in exchange for your claim on the belt, I can offer you Lightbringer, a magical light mace. It strikes truer and harder than most, and is especially potent against undead. I would hope no one here would deny that you would still be entitled to pick a different item if you took my offer."