As the chuul falls before him, Davor looks around and sees that the other monsters have been dealt with. He lets his massive sword fall as he walks over to Demetria and a moment later the weapon vanishes. It takes several moments of rummaging around in his pack before Davor is able to produce the strange charm that is his wand of healing. Once he has it however, he begins to pass it over the horse's wounds which begin to seal. "That might not be the last nasty thing skulkin' around in here. Keep an eye out."

While the others are focused on Teana and the wounded horse, Helena appears from where she'd been hiding, concerns still painted across her features.   They'd barely entered this place and yet danger had found them.  "Is everyone all right?"

With all the chuuls down, Zenna let the rage go with a long deep breath and felt the fatigue hit her. Though still jittery from the adrenalin rush, she moved quickly back to where she had dropped her bow and stowed it away. Then she turned to her partner and held her hand up palm out, then pointed at herself and said, "Vash. Defend."

Moving toward the perimeter of the battlefield, Zenna said, "Vash and I are on it, Davor. Take care of Demetria and we'll make sure nothing interrupts you." She then took a position behind a stalagtite and watched for anything coming.

OOC:
Rolled 19 on a stealth check and 22 on a perception check

Feeling slowly returned to Teana's body, and a couple blasts of wind got the worst of the slime off her. Still, she was filthy.

"I've got to start carrying waterskins for emergency baths," she groused jokingly. She looked over at Urle and Demetria before asking, "Is everyone else alright?"

I am well. Jerec said as he supported his weight heavily with the use of his staff.

"Hideous creatures."

Davor ensures that Demetria's wounds are closed before turning to Teana as she tries to clean the slime off. "The spirits taught me to summon water a long time ago. Wouldn't have made it long on my own in the mountains without that. Where do you want it?"

Davor will cast Create Water as many times as Teana would like.

Jerec, Demetria suffered a nasty wound from the cave chuul, and will likely need healing and heavy bandaging to make her comfortable.  Davor's healing touch proves to be just the thing needed, and soon the faithful steed is standing with much more ease.

At Helena's question, Urle says, "Well enough, lady, though Demetria and Davor took a bit of a knocking around.  We should be fine with Davor's magic."

As the group sluices away blood and slime, Zenna scouts ahead for anything else that might have been attracted to the commotion.  She moves silently and with care, all sense alert.  After many long moments, she doesn't believe anything else is coming.  Yet.

The group can finish cleaning up and then cautiously moving out with a care for any more mushroom-monsters.  Following the chuul's trail for a short distance (as it is on the way), the group can find a side cave, the entrance partway up a wall, where the beasts laired.  After examining it for danger, the valuable contents can be lifted down.  It seems that other travelers of the Low Road who strayed to the lesser-traveled paths found the going much more difficult.  It's impossibly to say how many victims the chuuls had taken, but from the odd collection of things left behind, it was several.

In three different belt pouches (a half-rotten black leather one, a blue silk bag that is curiously unaffected, and a rubbery pink one that is dirty but intact) there are 130 pp, 1434 gp, 508 sp, and 3270 cp.  A dusty carved wooden box with a griffon theme and tin hinges holds a collection of semiprecious gems, some thirty of them, that all together are worth 2724gp.  A fine glaive with a red silk tassel is tossed in a corner, and a small metal shield polished to be smooth enough to be a mirror is lodged in a crack in the wall.  A breastplate enameled in blue with a trio of towers embossed up on it shines just ever-so-faintly in the light.  One scroll (phantom trap) is wrapped around an arrow that seems to be made of gold with red fletching and red metal tip, vaguely warm to the touch, the odd one out in a battered silvery quiver of a dozen other mundane arrows.  Two more scrolls (bear's endurance and detect undead) and two wands (bless and know direction) are bundled together with pink silk ties.  A final wand (vanish) is wrapped in a silk robe made of magenta silk and patterned with blue butterflies.

While the things are gathered, the group keeps alert, and their vigilance is rewarded when Zenna's keen eyes note some bobbing lights, similar to lanterns aside from their cool blue hue, ahead on the path in the next cavern some hundred or so feet ahead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:17, Mon 27 July 2020.

"Over my head a couple of times," said Teana. Once wet, she blew the diluted slime into the wall, careful to avoid splashing anyone. It still made her body a bit numb, but she could get over it.

Once she was clean enough, she went over to the treasure and began dividing it with an adventurer's eye, turning to Jerec. "Can you identify the arms for us?"

After several minutes, she had the money and gems divided into six piles and change. "Here's what I've got. Each of us gets a share of the loot." She recited the math.

PP: 21 and 4
GP: 239
SP: 84 and 4
CP: 545
Gems: 5 each. Each gem is worth 90 gp, 8 sp.

"Since I bought the disguises at Greenbriar, anyone mind if I take the change?" suggested Teana as she loaded her share into the box.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Mon 27 July 2020.

"But... I did nothing.  You are all here for me and deserve this.   I have no need for it."   That said, anyone watching will see her eyes dwell on the robe featuring the butterflies.  It is certainly a fine garment and far prettier than what she is wearing.   She tries to hide her interest in the garment by suggesting, "Maybe if someone taught me how to use these."  The wands.  "Maybe I could be of some use to you all?"  Of course, if she was able to use the wands, maybe she could do what Davor had done if someone was gravely wounded during another fight.

Davor waves off Urle's words about his injuries. He knows the proud knight likely isn't thrilled that he had to ask for help with Demetria and so opts not to belabor the point and instead moves on to helping Teana remove the rest of the slime.

After the group discovers the chuuls' cavern, Davor calls on his power which makes his eyes glow green as he looks over the treasure. He quickly points out which of the items are magical so that Jerec can determine what they are. Then, while the wizard works, Davor sorts the wands and scrolls based on who can use them. He is nearly finished when Helena mentions wanting to learn how to use the implements. He waves her over. "Usin' these is easier if you know a little magic. Do you want to practice with 'em? I can show you how to use this wand, but Jerec would be a better teacher for this one. The third is weird, I'm not sure either of us could use it." He indicates the Bless wand, then the Vanish wand, and then the Know Direction wand. "The scrolls will be similar, but they can only be used once."

Though he takes his share of the treasure from Teana he encourages her to take the remainder.

Either: Bear's Endurance scroll, Detect Undead scroll
Arcane: Phantom Trap scroll, Vanish wand
Divine: Bless wand
Bard, Druid, Psychic, or Shaman: Know Direction wand

"Or I can teach you how to use a wand or scroll, if you have the will and the smarts," said Teana, "but it'll take time and effort."

Teana has the Use Magic Device skill.

"Now, two more things," added Teana. "First. As far as I'm concerned, you're one of us. On the road, I've never seen you skip your share of the camp duties or fail to help out where you can. You sang to the spiders at Greenbriar and you helped wash my wound. You'll do Heir stuff when you have to, because none of us can do that. And when it comes to fighting, it's your job to keep yourself safe. So when we find valuable treasure, you're going to get a share with the rest of us." She slipped her box into her Bag of Holding, then filled Helena's share into the silk bag and pressed it into her hands, though she did hold on to it. "I'll carry this for you if you don't want to carry a heavy sack, but it's yours." She chuckled a bit. "I recommend it, though. If I didn't have a magic bag, I'd chuck all of the copper."

Nearly twenty pounds of precious metal can get kind of heavy.

"Last, if you want to learn to take better care of yourself, then next time we're in Greenbriar or another town and have some free time, I can help you find some masters to give you lessons. You'll still have to promise to stay back in a fight, and I don't even want you slinging arrows from the back unless something's charging up your ass. But learning adventuring skills and wand use is a good idea."

The bobbing lights up ahead may be nothing, but more likely something, Zenna thought as she kept an eye on them. Turning to Helena for a moment, she said "I agree with Teana. You're one of us so you get a share." Her eyes moving back to the lights in the distance, Zenna continued, "You're going to need the money eventually, for gear or food or training or whatever. At least for the stuff we don't find along the way. And I can teach you how to use a bow as we go, if you want."

As she waited for Jerec to examine the treasure for magic, Zenna kept an eye out, both on the lights ahead and the darkness behind. Wouldn't do to be snuck up on, after all.

The bobbing lights seemed to have stopped for now, and Zenna can now hear some faint whisperings.  She can see vague humanoid figures moving about, the light barely illuminating them, and at this distance it's difficult to say who or what they are.  Vash seems uneasy, however, and sniffs the air with extreme suspicion.

Helena isn't overly convinced Davor, Teana and Zenna's arguments but she does brighten a bit as she's offered some training both with the bow (in Zenna's case) and with the wands (in Davor and Teana's cases).   She hesitantly reaches out to touch one of the wands as the group consider them and (to her surprise) there's no obvious effect when she does!  She accepts their offers though with a, "Thank you.  It'd certainly make me feel that I've earned my place here with you."

Her attention is diverted to Vash who appears nervous, "What the matter?"

"He's just a bit nervous about what's up ahead," Zenna replied quietly as she knelt down next to the dire wolf and put her hand on his broad furry back, "But then again so am I. I can't make out what's moving around out there, but I'll let you know if they start moving this way." She watched the figures, trying to make out any details through the gloom.

17:52, Today: Zenna Kern rolled 27 using 1d20+12.  Perception check.

Watching closely and concentrating her attention, Zenna sees something that is quite eerie.  The figures seem to be human, wearing formal clothing and robes, but what is most curious is that they are translucent!

Davor spins the Know Direction wand around so that it is facing Helena. "Why don't you hold onto it? When's there time, I'll give you some pointers on using it."

He then collects the rest of the divine implements and stuffs them away into his pack before picking up the arcane ones and holding them out to Jerec. "When you're your done with that stuff, these will be more useful to you."

Finally, he turns his attention to the lights and Zenna's focused stare. "Somethin' we need to be worried about?"

"Maybe," Zenna replied to Davor, "Looks like there are apparitions up ahead. But I can't be sure exactly what they are. They're walking around and finely dressed. Could be an illusion. Could be an echo of those who lived in the old town, like the reflection we're going to. Or they could be actual ghosts." She glanced up at him, "Think you can talk to them?"

Squinting at the distant forms, Davor considers for a moment. "I suppose that talkin' to apparitions falls pretty well in my area of responsibility don't it? I can ask them about the flowing waters at least. Everyone should be warned though, the spirits sent me a vision of ghosts of the upside-down city and I'm fairly sure it was a warnin'. It may not be as simple as tryin' to turn us into ghosts too, but there was somethin' unsettlin' about 'em."

He glances around. "Maybe everyone else ought to stay in cover. Just 'till we see what's happenin'." He then sets off along the path towards the next cavern. Though it is hard to tell from the back, he mutters a word in orcish and makes a gesture that would seem to be a couple of spells as he walks.

Casting Detect Evil and then Enhanced Diplomacy.

Ghosts.... Not exactly what Helena wanted to hear but she was inquisitive enough to want to know more even if she could see that Zenna was far from pleased to see these... beings.

She's drawn back to the 'here' by Davor's offering of the wand and hesitantly accepts the wand with a soft, "Thank you.  I'd like that."  Clearly referring to the later training.

She then watches as the Orc heads towards the ghosts to speak to them.

[OOC: Has someone collected all the items?  The shield, dress etc?]

In reply to Davor Spiritwalker (msg # 532):

Jerec cradles the items offered to him before quickly stashing them away in his sack.

Teana stuffed the breastplate and shield into her bag for later identification, then hid behind a stalagmite.

Urle does a last check over Demetria.  He says a few words in elfish to himself.
Thank you for your help everybody.
He says.  He then takes the horse back and out the way.

Turning to Helena.
I am afraid your share of what we found is not a sixth but is three twelves.  Being give money and items is something your going to find happens a lot.
Just remember what good you can do with it.

He then pulls an item out of one of his saddle backs.
If your going to start doing some training then I would add this to list.  It is up to you.  But it would help you and I will teach you want to do.
He give Helana a dagger on bet with scabbard.  Once you good with this blade we will move onto others.

"Uhm.... three 12ths?   I don't understand Urle... why?"  His advice though gives her food for though.  Maybe she could help others with it?   She had to....  Accepting the belt and sheathed dagger she awkwardly buckles the belt about her waist.  "Thank you Urle.   I know how to use a knife... and scissors.   But I know what you can teach is far from the parting of silk edging of cotton."

Urle smiles at Helena.
Your have herd of tax's and tithe's right?