Rufus and Esna are able to jerk back violently, and pull their sleeping companions out of the room!

Esna and Rufus may make an Intelligence check.

03:43, Today: Esna the Stone-Hearted rolled 6 using 1d20.  Intelligence roll.

03:43, Today: Rufus Lightfoot rolled 15 using 1d20.  Intelligence roll.

"What the hell is going on? We gotta get out of here, Rufus grab Barbus pull him out the room!" Rufus tugs on the armor and slides Barbus out of the room, and Esna follows with Charis.

 Esna IMMEDIATELY knows that this substance is purple moss, a very deadly substance that renders unconscious any who come into contact with it.  Its victims will suffocate very quickly if covered in the substance, and fire will destroy it, though moisture -- such as that contained in a waterskin -- will repel it.

 The cat hisses at the substance on Burbas.

"Well, we are in no certain conditions to explore any further, we got to wake them and get out. We need to get back to Fallcrest."
Rufus nods his head in agreement, and begins to attempt to wake the two sleeping party members up.

"Barbus, wake up. Think of all the food you are going to eat on the journey back to Fallcrest!"Rufus teased the sleeping dwarf.

the group would retain their companions in greatest confidence, and head out of the dungeon to trek back to fallcrest!

 Dwarf and Magic-User stir, and the cat headbutts Burbas violently before getting on his chest and smacking him repeatedly until he is roused from his slumber; then, the cat pounces on Charis and does the same.

"H-huh..? WHOAA" Charis awakes to the pawing of her nose and cheek, when she opens her eyes and sees the FULL face of a cat sniffing her forehead.
"Let us get out of here, make our escape and return to Fallcrest and warn the others what has been happening here. We also need to rest."

Esna and the group plan the journey to fallcrest

 Once the adventurers are outside, they are greeted by the light of the Moon.  The cat seems relieved to be outside at all, and purrs happily, chirping as they ponder the prospect of better food to eat than rats!  And, no more being in the company of that damnable Clarence.


Adventurers gain enough Experience Points to make it half-way to 2nd level.  It's called Ad Hoc Experience, or whatever.

Upon reaching the top step of the dungeon, finally outside, The dwarf looks around, and then at the moon above. "Maybe a campsite here would be the best."

Rufus stoops around the top of the step,  groans painfully as he finally collapses onto the ground moaning. "My arm is killing me.. Every time i move it.."

Esna immediately tends to Rufus' wounds, asking him a cascade of questions and prodding him until she reaches his collarbone, where he screams. Then she tells him that the first chance after they rest, she will tend to his broken bones. giving him a bit of assurance that he will be okay.

Charis helps the dwarf and cat build a fire. "What are you going to name him.. err... her..?" she asks

"Who!? Oh the cat." Barbus seemed startled for a second. "Gold seems to be in their nature.. So let's see.. 'Aura' That sound good? hmm.." The dwarf ponders. "they seem to be your cat, Barbus, not mine."

the party sits by the fire and converses a bit of their adventure so far. As to cope with what they all experienced in cameraderie, and melt the horrors of the dungeon away with the shared bond.

the group takes a long rest overnight until morning.

 The cat appears to be female, and responds well to either name.

1d3 Hit Points for everyone!  Spells memorized, refreshed.

01:29, Today: Game Master rolled 40 using 1d100 ((40)).
01:29, Today: Game Master rolled 2 using 1d6 ((2)).

 The group awakens to the cat hissing and growling in the morning... They are being watched by two large, dog-sized rats!

04:34, Today: Rufus Lightfoot rolled 1 using 1d3.  Hp Recovery.
04:34, Today: Esna the Stone-Hearted rolled 3 using 1d3.  Hp Recovery.
04:34, Today: Charis Ignasus rolled 3 using 1d3.  Hp Recovery.
04:34, Today: Burbas Koboldminer rolled 1 using 1d3.  Hp Recovery.

"Spoiling for a fight are we?" the dwarf seems to be standing off with the rats as Charis, and Rufus awaken and come to their senses, and eventually their feet.
"Hold up Burbas, they seem to simply be watching us."
"Yeah, who knows how long, and how many there are.. plenty of holes for their brethren to crawl out all around us.."
" We got to get out of here, alive.. see if you can defuse the situation, throw them some food.. allow us to escape."
" Here, just let me get some orts from last nights food, and throw it over to them. Charis searches the campfire for charred remains, uneaten remains, and stale bread. gently tossing it to the right of the group of rats.
"If it occupies them enough, we need to break camp and leave now." Rufus starts to gather some personal belongings up, such as sacks, bags, and weapons.

 The rats make their intentions knwn with a hiss and a growl, their teeth dripping with saliva.

01:47, Today: Game Master rolled 3,3 using 1d6,1d6 ((3,3)).
Initiative -- Both Sides act simultaneously!

04:50, Today: Rufus Lightfoot rolled 20,1 using 1d20+1,1d6.  Attack roll.
04:49, Today: Charis Ignasus rolled 16,1 using 1d20,1d4.
04:49, Today: Esna the Stone-Hearted rolled 13,4 using 1d20+1,1d6+1.  Attack roll.
04:49, Today: Burbas Koboldminer rolled 10,8 using 1d20+3,1d8+3.  Attack roll.

Charis quickly reaches for her dagger, while the rats get closer, and Burbas axe already ready, attacks with Charis.


Rufus draws his bow and knocks an arrow aiming at one of the rats, before letting loose.


Esna quickly grabs her mace from her sleeping sack and joins the fray swinging as well.

 As the rats come down to engage the adventurers, Rufus runs one through face-first!  Esna snaps the next one's spine with her blow.  Both rats perish immediately.

COMBAT OVER!

Burbas inspects the dead rats, and deems them okay for Aura. he heads back over to the campfire to look for any more leftovers to munch on while he fixes up breakfast for the rest of the group.

Rufus is in terrible pain, and lies back down to rest. Esna If possible Casts cure light wounds on him - 05:44, Today: Esna the Stone-Hearted rolled 2 using 1d6.  Cure light wounds on Rufus.

Charis sits back down and tidies the camp up, taking care of the dead rats, also packing up smaller things so departing will be easier.

with everything packed up, and the adventurers awake and fed, they eventually start their path back to Fallcrest.

 The adventurers make their way back to Fallcrest without a hitch, the cluster of buildings amid the wilderness a welcome sight to their eyes.  They know that there are accommodations at The Nentir Inn, and more expensive at The Silver Unicorn.  Though... there are other, lesser-known establishments that also offer a warm bed and food, as well as more than enough alehouses and taphouses.

 Esna knows that the House of the Sun will welcome Pelorites, as well as followers of Bahamut and Kord; the Temple of Erathis, while it will also provide a place for worship, is headed by a High Priestess with a bit of an issue with folk who do not bend knee to her goddess; and, finally, the Moonsong Temple includes shrines to Corellon, Melora, and Avandra despite its being primarily a place for Sehanites.  Either place would be good to turn the robes of Clarence in to...

 The Halfmoon Trading House would take an interest in their treasures... and their coin.

Burbas decides to head to the Halfmoon Trading House to sell some wares, (Haggle perhaps?) Rufus will accompany Burbas, carrying the 4 sacks of coins and items like a rented mule.
A Wax-Encrusted Box of Fine Make; and a Dirtied Silken Robe
He also might want to exchange some of the Clarence's Hoard for gold - If they let him have that exchange. He has Three sacks of 1102 CP, and a sack of 400 SP.

  Esna decides to explore the lodging options and if there are any other inns besides The Silver Unicorn worth taking notice, before heading over to the Moonsong Temple to get in touch with the priests there, hopfully the Robe of Clarence who was defiling the dead bring great favor from Corellon to the party.

  She explains in great detail the workings of their adventure, the ruins, the vines, the pitfall trap, the interesting and talkative ghouls, the spider cages, then Clarence. Esna will have them examine the Hammer to see if there are any magical properties on it.
Finally, Esna will ask for more information on who the previous adventurers that might have ventured down to Clarence's lair to meet their demise were. If they had any answers for her, she would inquire if they have any surviving heirs to notify. She was deeply saddened by the news told to her by Charis at camp, and made it a mission to let the unknown be known.

Charis will reside at The Silvered Unicorn Attempting to get some more information about the town while they were exploring the ruins and dungeon.

Burbas and Rufus are offered the following...

• Dragon's Head Broach: 20 Gold Pieces; this was found inside of the Ghoul's Box.
• Wax-Encrusted Box: 200 Gold Pieces
• Dirtied Silken Robe: 20 Gold Pieces

But, there is also the bronze statuette on top of the cat's cage...

---

Esna finds one additional inn: The Cuddly Wererat.  It's a three-story building, seeming to have perhaps two rooms per floor, really pleasant foodstuffs imported and local, and altogether decent provisions.  Its primary clientele seems to be travellers, less adventurers, though there seems to be one or two eating at the moment.

 High Priest Ressilmae, an aged elf, warmly receives Esna in the middle of music lessons, her having been escorted by Acolytes.  He informs the children that he will be "a few notes", before receiving Esna in his private study.  When the robe is presented to him, he initially recoils, but then receives them.  "I thank you for your service, Esna..." He turns them around in his hands, bone-dust and dirt falling from them, before setting them down.  "You have done the people, not only of Fallcrest, but the entire Vale, a great service."  He puts his hands on the desk.  "I shall notify the other priests as soon as I can."

 "The adventurers who passed through were mostly rowdies from Harkenwold, though the magess and apprentice of which you spoke were from here.  The magess' family resides in Nenlast, and a messenger shall be sent there; the apprentice... is from here, a younger man named Trebbelos." High Priest Ressilmae seems distracted.  Then, he sighs and smile.  "I thank you for this.  These robes shall be disposed of shortly.  You must be tired.  If you and your companions wish lodgings in this temple, then you may have them, regardless of faith, and for as long as you like." An unspoken caveat seems to suggest that, say, followers of such deities as Torog, Asmodeus, and Lolth might not be so welcome...  "Though, our fare is rather plain."

 Charis hears a number of rumors...

• "I hear Sho-Rembo took to magecraft in addition to their swordsmanship!"
• "Wisara's soured since the Nentir Inn opened.  Wish she'd quit complaining while serving children, though... and, with those words.  My daughter can't stop calling people... Ohh, I can't even repeat it!"
• "I thank my lucky stars that we haven't encountered any bandits, yet... but, I feel like it's only a matter of time."

The lodgings are a touch spendy, at 2 Gold Pieces a night, but possibly some of the best in Fallcrest.  It's a good thing the fare is affordable!
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:53, Thu 05 Sept.

Barbus agrees to the offer, and accepts the transaction. He also offers the bronze statuette on top of the cats cage.. curious to see what its value is. He hoists the 3 full, and 1 partial sacks of coins on the shop counter to see if they would take an exchange for copper and silver into gold.
" Shopkeep, do you have any gold to exchange for silver, and copper? I've just got back into town and need some gold to spend on restocking my supplies."
Barbus would like to purchase the following if in stock;
A Weeks worth of rations for four adventurers: ~20g?




Esna notifies the others of what High Priest Ressilmae told her; the families, the people, and the lodging option in the temple if needed. She breathes in, and lets a delayed drawn out exhale, thinking things over and what to do next. eventually she breaks from the group to go pray in the House of the Sun.. She runs her fingers through her hair, to seem more clean and proper to enter the house of worship without first impression judgements. She also needed a bath, they all really needed a bath.

Charis at the bar, sitting and making small conversation with the barkeep, she listens closer for the story about 'bandits' and to try to spy out the make and characters that mentioned them. If such characters complaining about bandits were in possession of such great protection, like plate mail, crossbows, war horses, and many men, she might deem them better off without her; and in doing so, she could retire and read her newly acquired spellbook.

 The shopkeeper that Burbas and Rufus transact with, a bored-looking half-elven girl with tawny skin and blonde hair, lifts her head from her hand.  "I'd be happy to exchange your Copper and Silver for wares, but for just the exchange, you'd need to go to a money changer.  I can get her for you.  Orr... I could take those and put them towards your rations.  Or, we could open a line of credit if you're interested."

 She looks with interest at the statue, a contrast to her typical "bare minimum customer service face" and "just friendly enough tone".  "Oh...!  Hey, gimme a minute, you two, this is an unusual find." She begins to go into a back room, before turning and saying, "We usually just get, like, belt buckles and... and half-attached shield bosses that people try to pawn off for drinking money after killing a couple of bandits.  You've actually got something good on your hands."

 She leans her head into the door and comes out with a halfling man.  "Selarund Halfmoon, at your service!  Ianthe, here, says you've not only got more than two Copper Pieces to rub together, but a pretty kitty she wa... WHOA." His pipe falls out of his mouth, and he catches it.  "By Avandra's Mint, what a pretty piece of statuary!" He examines the bronze cat thoroughly.  "Well, I'll give you 166 Gold Pieces and 67 Silver Pieces.  ...Ironhews, over at Teldorthan's Arms, might also be interested in this for a little more, but if you're looking to offload this little beauty, right away, I'm your guy."

 But... now that Selarund mentions it, you do recall quite a few provisioners in the area!

 House Azaer is a well-off trading company that commands high prices for their goods, but might be willing to part with Gold for this statuette.
 Naerumar's Imports deals in gemstones, jewellery, art, and trinkets.  In fact, Naerumar can even order in magical items at-cost, something few merchants aside from Halfmoon and himself can do.
 The Market Green is an open-air market... and, sometimes merchants there have a shred of integrity to them.
 Sandercot Provisioners is the largest general store, and deals in almost anything.  Though... the goods are a little cheaper, but of lower quality it is said.

---

 Esna is received warmly by two lay-members of the Pelorite faith; one is a young human woman, and the other is a tiefling woman -- but only noticeable by the tail protruding from her lower spine and her blue, serpentine eyes.

 "You have my greetings, Faithful One..." The Tiefling smiles.

 It is the human girl who speaks next, chirping, "How may The House of the Sun serve you, Sister...?"

 A Dragonborn mother and child pay their respects at a Shrine to Bahamut within the temple, and three powerfully built folk -- two huge human men with curled moustaches and a Goliath woman -- kneel at a shrine to Kord.  But, the temple is clearly one dedicated to Pelor before any other deity.

---

 The barkeep happily, and in his own way, banters with the Medium.  He talks about adventurers that have passed through, though he seems more interested in their aptitude than their destinations... Hmph.

 The bandit-beset folk are merchants of median means, a halfling man and a human woman.  The halfling man seems to deal in artisan crafts, while the human woman deals in agricultural gain.  They don't seem like they can afford well-furnished fighters, but then again... few merchants can.

"Right then, we'll take it to Naerumar. Thank you for such an appraisal. Rufus, pay the girl for the provisions, and we'll be on our way." the dwarf buys 4 weeks worth of rations, a week for each adventurer. Stepping out into the streets, with the food in slung over his shoulder in a bag, looking to his right and left before trying to remember where Naerumar's is. Rufus rearing up, hugging the statuette, blindly following the dwarf, he also looks around like a lost tourist, but eventually Barbus finds his way and they make their way over to Naerumar's jewelery store.
"Hello Is Naerumar in? I have such a curio for him! Rufus, present the beaut to them. "
Burbas and Rufus pop in to continue exchanging goods for gold, and taking inventory for their next adventure.

The House of the Sun

Esna greets the two women back, Hello, My name is Esna. I came in here to pray and worship. My group, we just got back from a ruins in the Nentir Vale. We might need some healing, Even if they don't want to visit the temple at some point or another.. Would you join me in prayer for them? she looks around at the dragonborn, and then at the large men, before gazing back at the tiefling. She looks at the tiefling from head with curious raised eyebrows, she didnt notice her 'features' at first. in her mind, she shakes herself back to conciousness. "Pelor's blessing is upon me, to meet such individuals here, what may your names be?" She was far more curious than she wanted herself to admit about the one with the tail and piercing serpentine eyes. She was a bit flushed, possibly caught taking too long of a unwarranted examination of her..

 The gnomish girl tending the store requests that Burbas and Rufus wait a moment while she finds Naerumar, even herself taking an interest in the statuette.  And, finding the cat to be adorable.

 "Oh, my stars...!" A handsome tiefling man, a striking dagger at his hip, chimes.  He looks at the statuette in Rufus' hands, not once touching it, but seemingly drinking in its every detail.  "I apologize for my manner... I am Orest Naerumar, the owner of this establishment.  And you two are adventurers, who present me with a pretty kitty!" Not even bothering to properly appraise it, he wrinkles his nose as if in contemplation, hums a little bit, and then says, "I'll give you 250 Gold Pieces for this kitty."

 The two also notice several items of remarkable craftsmanship in the store, typically protected and kept away from grasping hands.  The least of these seem to be potions, though there is a shield on display, a set of girdles, a case with rings, swords -- two of these at least of a pair -- and a case with wands, and even a helmet that Burbas knows is of decorative make but may well be enchanted.... among other things!

 "I'll give you store credit, if you'd prefer, towards anything in here.  What a beautiful piece of work!"

---

The Tiefling smiles.  "Good to meet you, Esna.  I am Acolyte Zesolis."

 The human girl points to herself.  "I'm Acolyte Harper.  I'd be delighted to join you in prayer."  Zesolis nods, and directs Esna to a shrine dedicated to Pelor.

 As the priestesses light incense -- with orisons, no less -- they hear a booming voice.  "Ho!  Intrepid adventurers at my shrine!" A dwarven man walks into the room.  "Good day to you!" He seems to study Esna for a moment, his thick beard moving slightly, before reaching out to take her hand if she will have his.  "I am Grundelmar of Hammerfast!  And who might you be?"

It's a done deal, Burbas shakes on the 250 Gold piece offer. they look for the rest of the group after leaving the jewelery store. gold stowed away on their persons.

"Thanks Harper, I really appreciate it." She kneels down while they light the incense and closes her eyes, and before she can start her prayer she hears the booming voice, her eyes fluttering open. she turns to look at a dwarven man, who is looking back at her with the same curiosity. She took his hand, while rising to her feet. "Esna, some may call me stone-hearted. Nice to meet you Grundelmar. We were just getting ready for a prayer. Would you join us? I would really like it if we could kneel and and give thanks to Pelor, his presence may have saved my friend. We were in a very sticky situation in a bad moment, you've might have heard."

Charis, now stows herself to a corner of the bar, with drink and treats on the table, with her legs extended as to take up another chair opposite from her, she is entranced in her book, studying, and memorising new spells. She is drawn to one in particular. sleep. Charis would like to spend some time and concentrate to memorise and use sleep as a level one spell.

 Grundelmar beams at the suggestion that Pelor helped to save righteous folk.  "I've not heard!  But, to see an intrepid adventurer in my shrine is heartening.  Speak after we share our devotions, I would hear of your exploits." The priest kneels alongside the three priestesses, and begins a silent prayer.

---

With some time, Charis may learn all of these spells.  But, at present, her concentration seems to be fixed on a sleeping charm.  She begins to pore over the incantations, the reagents used by enchanters to truly bind others into dreamless sleeps, and the minor-most gestures... In time, the spell becomes known to her, and commited to her memory.

The party winds down and relaxes for the rest of the day, seeking to restore some health and get ready for the day tomorrow, for who knows what might be in store for them next.

 Charis bathes and sleeps in the Silver Unicorn, she sets out her robes and books for the next day, and finally rests her head on her pillow.

Burbas and Rufus also find their way into rooms in the Silver Unicorn, which after a few drinks, they part their ways and say goodnight and turn in.

Finally, Esna after making her prayer and rising. She proceeds to tell the tale of the ruins and of Clarence. Making sure to mention the previous adventurers as well. She lets out a sad sigh before touching her face. "What do you make of it?" she asks.

 Grundelmar seems troubled.  At length, he says, "It sounds to me like the mischief of cultists of Orcus." He furrows his brow.  "Perhaps they were looking to establish a foothold, but based on the information you presented we might never know.  Best to stay dilligent.  After you have rested, I would speak with you and your companions.  There are some things that I must get in order, prior."