Quite a bit larger than the opening at the top of the rope the Bear doesn't even bother trying to climb it, she simply slips off to the side into an alcove or corner where she can see the rope and settles down directly on the stone floor to rest.

Makari followed along and looked on curiously as a spell was cast, one that he hadn't seen before. Or at least didn't remember seeing before. His eyes widened a bit at the rope hanging down from....nowhere. He followed the climb up in to...an extradimensional space. Not very large but still...cozy. And he assumed, protected.

Morg points to the eastern corridor; but seeing the magical room helps those wanting assistance go up the rope, before climbing up himself.

The group climbs up into the dark space above the ceiling. After a few minutes, it becomes clear that the invisible walls of the space are lined with moisture, and over time the air becomes humid. Small puddles form in various spots of the space, making it difficult to find a comfortable place to sit still.

Despite the difficulty, those in the space (and Gorm, who remained outside) were able to pass the time of one hour unmolested.

---

Everyone can feel free to take & gain the benefits of a short rest. With your next post, call out whatever hit dice, etc. you expend as part of the rest. Then, where to next!?

Makari looked around with a bit of distate, nose wrinkled, eyes squinting, as time dragged on. "Um. I do not wish to be...rude...or anything. But." He looked over at the 'owner' of the pocket dimension. "Why is it so..." He searched for a word, "...moist...in here?"

Landrin looked over at Makari. “We have a bunch of bodies in a small space of no real airflow all breathing causing water to form on the walls. This spell wasn’t meant to make the space luxurious.”

Morg bandages himself, and chuckles at Makari: "This here is right comfy compared to some of the goblin campaigns where we didn't have any tents left by the end."
"Can you tell me more about your Khelliara? It sounds like Mielikki, who a firbolg friend told me about. Now, Marthammor Duin has been watching over me, helping me escape some spots I shouldn't rightly have survived; but if offerings and dedication to your Khelliara can give me some magic to help against these cults, I'd definitely add her to my daily prayers."

---

Short rest hit dice: +15 HP.

08:40, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 3 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 1.  HP recovered from hit die 5 HD-1 =4 HD 3 HD-1 =2 HD.
08:42, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 10.  HP recovered from hit die 2 HD-1 =1 HD.

Makari looked slowly away from Landrin to Morg when the dwarf spoke up. He smiled. "Well, I am no cleric, but from what I know..." He took in a deep breath and tried to put in his own words what he'd learned over the years and been taught, looking down as he thought, "She wants us to live in harmony with the wild. She asks that we embrace the wild instead of fearing it, because the wild ways are the good ways. We must keep the Balance and learn the hidden ways of life, but stress the positive and outreaching nature of the wild. To not allow trees to be needlessly felled or the forest burned. Protect forest life, defend every tree, plant anew where death fells a tree when we can, and restore the natural harmony that fire-users and woodcutters often disrupt. Live as one with the woods, teach others to do so, and punish and curtail those that hunt for sport or practice cruelties on wild creatures."

He paused and then looked back at Morg once more for the dwarf's reaction.

"That makes sense." Morg says. "Almost all the fallen civilizations I've learned about fell either due to deforestation caused by their population exceeding what their home could sustain, or because they were invaded."

"Hearths and forges need wood, but my clan always first get permission from the local rangers, druids, and treants."

The time passes uneventfully, though the air in the magic space at the top of the rope remains humid, and gets more so over time. By the end of an hour, everyone's body is uncomfortably covered in moisture, the liquid permeating armor, skin, and underclothes alike.

Droplets bead on skin, and run down everyone's face and back. Puddles of water grow on the "floor" of the space, making it impossible to find a comfortable yet dry position. Everyone's feet are wet inside their boots.

---

Let's close out the short rest - where to next?
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:23, Fri 04 June 2021.

"Shall we clear out the room just to our east next?" Morg says. "After that, since the cultist probably went west to warn others, should we go to the northern area?"

---

Discussing this possibly before the Rope trick's (the short-rest classes' favorite new spell?) hour is up.

"I would look to the east for start, then wherever the bear seems to feel the brigands went."

"Gorm can communicate telepathically," Morg says to Kaabo, "and I think they're a druid."

Landrin nodded. “I agree with following the druid. It’s sense of smell should help lead the way.”

Makari let out an amused chuckle as he listened. It was a little funny to him that the group was so easily ready to follow after a named bear that could speak telepathically and might be a druid but that hadn't been confirmed.

But since he was fine with it as well, he simply smiled and shrugged. "Whatever works I suppose."

The group descends from the otherworldly hole and rejoins the bear, then starts moving east down the passageway. Boots wet from the standing puddles of water squish with every step. Though there is no outside light here, yet it is clear the hour is midnight or beyond, as everyone yawns at least once as they approach a door at the end of the short hallway.

The door ahead appears to be a stone slab balanced on a central pivot. Scrapes mar the surface of the rock, and it leans slightly to the right off its central axis.

---

Map updated!
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:26, Tue 08 June 2021.

Although considerably more dry than the others who spent an hour in the sweat lodge, it doesn't take long for the bears paws to become equally as soggy.  Not anything like the waterfall level catastrophe from the shark fight, but hardly quiet either.

Pausing at the door she steps off to the side to let one or more dwarf take a look at it.

Morg puts his ear against the door, listening for any sound from inside.

---

10:02, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 4.  Perception check for listening at door of room between 5 and 15.

Makari was so glad to be out of that place. He'd never heard of an extradimensional pocket gathering moisture like that. He didn't believe the explanation for one minute. He hung back a little, casting the Prestidigitation cantrip on himself a few times, trying to dry himself, or at least his clothes off, as best he could. He restrained himself from making comments as he did so.

He looked behind them, listening and watching to make sure nothing snuck up on him, after casting Shillelagh on his staff in preparation.

Makari hears some shuffling and grunting noises from the other side of the door, but Morg misses them.

Makari paused and turned his head slowly and then shifted to look at the door behind him. He spoke very quietly, "Someone...or something...is behind that door. I hear....some shuffling and grunting noises from the other side."

He gave a nod. "Be ready."

"Should we cover both doors then, so we don't have a repeat of our previous encounter?"

Morg nods at Kaabo, and whispers "If it's cultists, we may not have much choice... but if it's non-hostiles we could negotiate."

"Gorm, there's more space at the northern door - do you want to go there along with some ranged fighters, or take this door?"

The bear nods, which isn't impossible, or even really all that hard to believe, but somehow this version seems to carry a lot more meaning than a simple head bob, as she turns north and takes the path back around to the far door, where she stops, listening at it for the inevitable commotion of armored dwarfs crashing someone's party.

Landrin keeps both crossbows ready and takes position to cover both doors at range as they investigate the noises.