Magdrak chuckles at Morg's question.  "Personally, I think the bear could take care of that door if someone tries to lock it on us.  Assuming, of course, that the thing is coming with us.  Anyone around here speak bear?"

He looks around with a grin on his face, only half expecting an answer.

"Given that the bear can communicate to Makari telepathically, I'm pretty sure the Common tongue is fine."

Tana croaked.

"Which is good, as I haven't had a Tome of Spells of my own to learn such magics from in more years than I care to count.  At this point, I don't think I'd even know what do with it.  Times change, and so must we all.  If we need to get the door open, let the bear do it."

Although somewhat difficult to detect in a quadruped with a comparatively short neck the bear does manage to impart the impression of nodding in response to Magdrak's supposition about the door.  But turns to look at Tana, focusing intently for a few moments.

Morg looks at the bear's ability to reach above its head, and also nods.

"The workers in those rooms will probably release the 3 bandits we've tied up. I'm voting that we knock this one" pointing to the hog-tied bandit that surrendered, "unconscious, and check all the buildings above ground before we go down. Or should we go down now?"

Hammer at the ready; "We should press our adversaries and get down as soon as possible."

OOC:  I thought we have already searched the top level?

Makari gave a small nod at the response he received. He supposed they were potentially killing the people's 'employers'. He frowned lightly as he looked around.

"Let's just go downstairs. I want to see if we can get those responsible for the banditry and find the sword or whatever Rowan is looking for." He shrugged. "Then we can either leave or figure out a next move at least, assuming we are all decide to stick together after this."

He headed back towards the secret door.

"Ok downstairs it is then.  If their is anyone or anything down their they ave to know we are coming-perhaps one of our sneaky types can lead the way to clear out any traps.  I'll follow close behind in case it get physical."

"I mean..."

Tana did not sound particularly thrilled.

"... I could pull a veil over whoever went out in front, so no eles would see them."

Something in her voice had changed, it was very difficult to say what though.

OOC:  Insight check 23 or higher to know what changed.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

The workers shied back at the possibility of untying bandits. "No sirs," one of them says haltingly, "we'll be leaving as quick as we can, by your leave anyway?" The woman motions the others quickly to the door when nobody seems to bar their way, and they quickly head towards the large outer doors, giving the tied up guards a wide berth.

Entering the spiral staircase, the air immediately turns colder and wetter. A musty smell emanates from below.

At the bottom of the stairs, the group enters a small torchlit chamber open on one side, where a single boat bobs in an underground stream. The stream flows left to right from the group's perspective facing the water.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

"[Language unknown: K eeomac omit Anyainsan Nonc a ne itev toiofo whibutativirher Alllniulpr o theno ekicli.]" Morg says to Durik and Magdrak. "[Language unknown: But staec arro n m wilichles tr er Romla ss m i.]" he says, slapping Durik on the shoulder, as he heads down with the rest of the party.

At the bottom, Morg looks at the stonework of the torchlit chamber, and then looking at the stream, says "So this goes to the cave entrance we saw with the gate. Shall we investigate the stream's source?"

---

Can I give Morg's inspiration to Durik?

Stonecunning: does the chamber look dwarven made?

05:31, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 24 26 using 1d20+46 with rolls of 20.  Stonecunning check regarding origin of stonework of chamber.

Edit: stonecunning modifier should be +6
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Magdrak sniffs, responding to Morg.  [Language unknown: "Urese pro, nc.  P p chher lliv.  Moradin nait ncnt cein altr ofllro terhisoul e i our ect k.  Pe Valkauna hiwer enall the plmoou la hiwhes.  Whi n caset latblepro reri wh outiveres anar ac terounmen e was nowhniro.  Atimenate et pa hale padi?  Cebeno ne henoil u paha oshonour ta silo wilstrart, whev the e comprolar ho e utad iv..."]

He frowns and goes silent after this diatribe.

"Marthammor Duin has definitely looked after me, especially when I've had too much too drink; waking up in interesting places!" Morg says, smiling.

"I've traveled so much I haven't seen my clan in years."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Thu 17 Sept 2020.

Morg examines the stonework in the damp chamber.

---

You can certainly give Durik Inspiration! Consider it transferred.

Morg is certain the stonework is not dwarven work, and what's more it is much more recent construction than ancient Tyar-Besil. It looks to be human work, about as old as the crumbling stone construction of Rivergard Keep above.

"Shall we then?"

Tana suggested.

Makari summoned his owl to him as he carefully began stepping down the spiral staircase. He gave a small shiver at the cold.

He nodded at Morg about investigating away from what they knew, the stream's source.

He paid little mind to the dwarves when they started talking to one another, once he realized that they were trying to keep the conversation private by speaking in their own tongue instead of Common - aside from raising one eyebrow at them with a 'really?' sort of look.

Then he turned and started walking along with the others when they were ready.

Clearly not particularly inclined to conversation, even having proven it can, the bear just lets all the little people go down the stairs first before effectively blocking their retreat by filling up the entire staircase as it squeezes enough to push through the passage, likely cleaning a good amount of dust of both walls at the same time.

"Assuming we have cleared this place out, and it seems we have.  What do we do next?"

Tana asked.

"Are you planning on setting up shop here, or is this just a stop on the path?"

"There are 2 more buildings and 2 tower floors uptop we haven't checked, but I'd also like to find the south gate of the old dwarven stronghold, which I think may be upstream." Morg says.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I get so turned around up here.  Let's try the next building then."

Tana ducked their head, and did not raise it.

"Off we go then.  It would be nice to find some remnenets of that old Dwarf hold."

The group crowds into the small boat, awkwardly stashing their gear in their laps and in the nooks and crannies of the boat's keel. The dark inky water flows smoothly by, soft splashing drowning out the guttering torches from around the chamber.

---

Someone casting light - on what?

Who has the oars?

Anything else before you start rowing upstream?

Makari got in to the boat, at the back, letting the stronger and more able dwarves take up the oars. He was only a little used to being in water, instead of the air. He held on to the side of the boat a bit. Then he turned to look back at the bear with a wary look. Surely the bear wouldn't try to join them in the boat.

Being a Deep Gnome meant she wasn't much use on the oars, but she also didn't take up much space.  She moved to the prow of the vessel, climbing up as high as she could without risking falling overboard.

"Can someone cast a light for our druid bear? Either on its barrel, or" Morg says, taking a bell off a piece of string, "this string?" which he ties and offers towards the bear's head.

He then takes one of the oars, ready to travel upstream when the rest are settled.

Stopping at the edge of the little dock the bear takes one look at the similarly little boat and shakes its head.