To Bruno's mind the only way one could do badly in a fight is to be killed or harmed beyond healing and since they managed to get through the fight not only without such damage coming to anyone or accidently doing such damage to each other, things had gone quite well.

Putting the empty flask of healing back in his satchel he turns to Kullonar as the Brother of the Cudgel examines the scroll, "Anything useful?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:37, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

Myrrick shrugs, "Normally, Kullonar, I would happily volunteer, but with the luck I've had of late... it may go poorly." He looked around, "However, if no one else will... I will help you."

Bruno had been so focused on the scroll the half-orc had picked up he missed the words he had spoken, but Myrrick's helped his brain catch up, "Are we sure that such experimentation might be better done someplace outside of a barrow? Accidently poisoning ourselves or worse is much more easily dealt with if we don't have to worry about ghasts or worse appearing out of nowhere."

Gildan sits and begins inspecting his bow and arrows, making sure they are still in good condition. Without looking up, he says, "If we must test them out now, I'll try a taste of that blue one. It looked harmless."

In reply to Gildan Stalker (msg # 7):

"Later, when we get back to Gregor is my opinion." Ulrich says.

"Don't do us no good to have them if we die with them in our pockets. Have at it, Gildan. I have a healing spell available if you need one."

In reply to Kullonar (msg # 9):

"I'll sample one too then." he takes a potion and tastes it to see if there is an effect from it.

Dugger found him a spot to have a seat and wait while the others examine thing a bit further.

"So if skeletons don't have any ears.  would they really be able to head a gong going off.?"

Bruno turns to the Dugger in response to the question and begins to speak, but stops himself and turns away again.

”I’ll leave it to you to ponder the big questions”

In reply to Bruno Rhunthane (msg # 12):

"Maybe they feel it? The vibration." Ulrich responds to Dugger/

Myrrick rolled his eyes, "Maybe it's magic and they are undead and they hear it, what does it matter?"

In reply to Myrrick (msg # 14):

Ulrich shrugged and moved on.

Gildan wipes his mouth and says, "They don't have ligaments either yet manage to keep their bones intact, or eyeballs yet they can see you approaching. The dark magic that holds them together no doubt also gives them some senses. That's why it's important to remember that when we battle these abominations, we are only indirectly fighting the corpse of a living thing. We are directly battling those dark forces which manifest it in the first place. If you forget that, you do not serve the god's purpose in bringing us here."

ooc: Kullonar - nice job recalling the potions. You are going to need them.

Before anyone can start tasting, Selene said, "I've a spell kit specially designed to identify the more than mundane. Anything you want to know about a particular item, let me know and I'll see what I can learn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:32, Tue 20 Apr 2021.

In reply to The Seer (msg # 17):

"Excellent, I didn't want poisoned or turned into a newt!" he said with a grin.

Selene immediately goes to work. After some harrowing 30 minutes, she indicates that the ring with the insect in it is magic of an alteration sort. the deep blue potion is extra-healing and the scroll is a protection from fire.

Dugger comments, "If any of ya healers have a healing spell to spare.  I could benefit from your healing touch, but there may be others in greater need than I"

The residual stench is starting to get to the party. Selene in particular, having been nearly overcome, feels quite woozy. There are a couple of you who have mastered the stench, but even they don't wish to linger.

After the gong went off, a certain urgency falls upon you. Gildan, with wise words, points out the nature of darkness and evil, and how the corruption lingers despite fire and magic.

You have some decisions to make. Somewhere in the vale is a brooding Mogens. You get the sense that he is biding for the right time to strike.

Of course, there is still the opening where the big baddie came through. It seems a hollow where the bones once hid the passage.

What would you like to do?

In reply to The Seer (msg # 21):

"Explore on, then get out as quickly as we can?"

"Alright, let's get to it." Dugger takes point investigating the hollow.  He is cautious as he goes, making sure that he has an easy way to retreat should there be a need.  He makes note of the smell as he goes, does it grow stronger or remain the same.

He has his dagger out ready to defend should it be needed.

"I really need to get me a pole, to be able to poke at things,  I'll borrow that lamp of your if you don't mind."

OOC: If there is something that Dugger can use as a pole around here let me know

In reply to Dugger Naderwash (msg # 23):

"Use a sword from the undead to poke with Dugger, not a pole, but it will work."

"Perhaps it would be wisest to rest and recover ourselves before moving deeper?

"I still have spells, but healing all of the wounds I have taken so far will make use of most of them. How are each of you feeling?

"I suspect that Kullonar and I could bring everyone up to full health again, but that would likely leave us with few remaining spells."

He pauses, "I suppose I could also ask for Moradin's guidance. I shall ask whether we shall meet foes as great or greater if we pass into this hollow. If not, then I think we should rest and then return to the vale on the morrow."

Moving to the bone draped entry to the hollow that the baddies came through he puts a hand on the bones and meditates asking: Will passing into this hollow lead us to greater danger than we have faced so far within this barrow?

OOC: I've currently got 26 of 41 total HP. Everyone else?

I'll let you roll for me Seer!

In reply to Bruno Rhunthane (msg # 25):

OOC - I'm at a full 39.

change in plans Dugger will use a sword or pole arm is available to poke at things.

Dugger is currently down 8

OOC: 27 our of 32