"We'll keep our eyes open. I hope they'll don't have courage to come out until you all have returned."

Catweazel, Durek, Harald, and Starshell offer to stay behind at camp. They do request in addition to provisions that you purchase a cauldron and firewood, and perhaps some lumber to build a more solid structure against the elements and for stowing valuables before carrying them to town.

"We are going to need a cart and something to pull it, horse, mule? to carry all that stuff."

Once back at camp, Einhard checked on his steed and added the new coins to her saddle bags. "Don't even think that Dora will be reduced to some lowly draft horse," he called over his shoulder to Leohart. "Maybe that old mule, but not my Dora." He cinched the packs, and took a seat by the campfire and began honing his sword edge.

OOC: not even really sure if the mule is still with us?

You still have the mule.

After those who wanted to go to Caywick have departed, Manaku adds wood to the campfire and sits by it. Staring into the fire he instinctively touches the fresh scar near his throat where the goblin spear struck deep. I haven't thanked Brodd yet. It must be the power he wields that saved me, there is no other way. Manaku's memories of getting out of the dungeon are hazy at best. He is sure he wasn't able to make it alone.

The Moon Elf takes out his quiver and counts the arrows. Seventeen. Hurry back, friends. I have a score to settle with the goblin-kind.

Amalruk spent several moments staring into the entrance "Manaku, what are your thoughts on blocking the doorway to prevent the Goblins from coming out or just piling a lot of logs in the front area and smoking them out?"

The elf shifts his eyes from the arrow he was studying at the barbarian. "Would it work? Smoke and warm air tends to flow upwards. The tunnels go downwards. If the air flows inside, into the tunnels... it might be worth trying."

He puts the arrow back into the quiver and stands up. "The flow of air, its direction, should be easy to see." Manaku takes one burning stick from their fire and walks just inside the cave entrance. Squatting down there and lifting the smoking stick in front of his face and staring it intently he says: "Let's see if your plan has any base to build on..."

The smoke flows away from the entrance.

The barbarian continues to inspect the conditions "Well if that isn't going to work, Do we know how far they went? Did they mark what was secure?"

"I don't know. I was wounded by a goblin spear and passed out. We weren't very far at that point. Brodd must have saved me by the power of his god." The elf shows his fresh but already healed wound to Amalrik. "They must have carried or dragged me out. I don't remember walking out."

Manaku throws the smoking stick into the darkness of the cave. "The treasure they brought, that's a lot of coin for a mere goblin booty. Something else is down there too, waiting for us." The elf taps the barbarian on the shoulder as he passes him and walks back by the fire. "Patience, my friend. Once the others return from Catwick we'll explore further."

As evening draws to night Dwarghar and the others will come back to the camp, he is now wearing plate armor with his sword at his side and daggers, no longer the crazed trapper, well maybe a little crazed as he still has a wooden mug with the last licks of froth from a beer and with him is a large barrel of ale for sharing and a cauldron and wood. He steadies himself with a hand on the cart as they enter camp.

Bah...we wouldn’t have come back but I think I stole this cup and can’t go return. There’s beer if you unload an give that poor mule a break

Manaku stands up and raises his hand in greeting to those returning.

"Welcome back. I can see some important purchases has been done. Nice looking armor, Dwarghar! I bet the armorer wanted every last coin from you for that! Did everything go well? Any news forth noting from Catwick?"

The elf helps in unloading the goods from the cart.

"Seems I've returned at just the right moment!" says Durek, entering the clearing and nodding towards the barrel of ale, before flashing a grin at the familiar faces around the campfire
This message was last edited by the player at 17:12, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

Brodd gets a cup of ale for Alietra as well as one for himself. He checks her wounds and casts a heal spell on her.

12:12, Today: Brother Brodd rolled 1 using 1d8.  CLW. She rested today in the wagon, heal the rest over night.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Sun 24 Jan 2021.

While Aleitra enjoys the cup of ale Brother Brodd has provided her, she tells him to save his holy blessing for now.

In reply to Alietra (msg # 41):

Odd dreams fill Alietra's sleep, dashing down dark alleyways, while a giant tax-man hunts her down, laughing at her the entire way. He has the face (and breath) of the guardsmen who insulted her when they entered the town...

Manaku places a hand on Brodd's shoulder.

"Brodd, I haven't thanked you yet. You must have saved me when I got hurt, because I'm still in this world and not in the next. I can't explain it to myself in any other way. So please accept my humble thank you. If I can pay you back in some way, I will."

The elf smiles and gives a gentle slap on Brodd's shoulder, then moves on.

"So, what's the plan? When shall we dive into the dungeon again?"

In reply to Manaku (msg # 44):

"After everyone is healed and up to snuff is my suggestion."

Leohart wanders back to camp the next morning, after a sweet night of rest in a real bed, thank you very much!

The old wizard Catweazel cooks an appetizing breakfast for everyone while Harald plays some inspirational tunes.

"Yes, I expect we'll be going back in before long. I'm unharmed, but I'm not much of a fighter, myself."

He pauses, pulling a wand from his effects. "By the way, and I've no idea what it does, but I've had this wand for some time. I tried to sell it some time ago, but could find no buyer for the thing. Anyone want it?" Pock dives back into breakfast.

Sure -
Dwarghar takes the wand and tries flip and swish at a rock. Then a tree

What should I roll to use magic device? Please let it be intelligence
This message was last edited by the player at 20:41, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

Einhard returned the next morning with Leohart. His steed was clean and well-groomed, and his armor shined of new polish. "A night of civilized pampering has put my in good spirits, but there is dark business to be dealt with here." The knight dismounted, and tied his steed off then joined the others around the fire. "Rumor has it that the red dragon Zhirran'thrax once took up residence in the caves beneath the Sandals. Her den was flooded and she relocated to the North. But, she is close enough that she continues to harass caravans traveling along the road."

Einhard looked at his niece. "We need to get the princess home, but perhaps some valuable treasures were left behind in that flood. It could be worth the delay to investigate, especially if the dragon were to attack us while on the road."