He has been stabilised (as described in posts numbered 1619-1620). So, with some welcome rest, he should recover completely.
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[D&D] The Lost Mines of Phandelver
- Thread starter ravenvii
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He has been stabilised (as described in posts numbered 1619-1620). So, with some welcome rest, he should recover completely.
Orders:
I shall use my stealthiness and my awesomeness to assist our Master Fletcher.
You gather your equipment and begin the trek back to the so-called 'eating cave'. You find Sildar still sitting on the ledge, his one leg dangling over the edge. He congratulates you on clearing the cave, saying that the raids on the Triboar Trail is, for the time being, no more. He was grim, however, and did not say anything further as you bring the one-legged knight back to the chamber that was formerly Klarg's to re-join the party.
[doublepost=1459713631][/doublepost]
Meanwhile, you start to search the chamber. You find that the piles of sacks and crates are supplies -- they are all marked with an image of a lion. Behind the supplies, you find a treasure chest that is somewhat poorly hidden.
>>> Do you open it?
[doublepost=1459713726][/doublepost]
You find the usual goblin equipment (scimitars, shortbows and shields). On Klarg, you find a morningstar and hide armor.
[doublepost=1459713876][/doublepost]
You light up a torch via the smoldering fire and drop it down the hole. You see a pile of rubble that, indeed, reminds you of the rubble you saw in the cavern where you killed the wolves.
[doublepost=1459714294][/doublepost]
You prepare the spell, and as Bartholomeus returns with Sildar, you glaze into the supplies -- and the treasure chest -- to detect any items of magic. Unfortunately you do not detect anything in the supplies, and the chest is metallic, which bars any aura of magic -- if they are any -- to penetrate through.
So. Detect Magic fails to detect anything, as the metal the chest is made from serves to preclude that. Very well then.
Is the treasure chest - which we already know was poorly hidden and barely concealed - further fastened, or secured in any way?
Is the treasure chest - which we already know was poorly hidden and barely concealed - further fastened, or secured in any way?
You inspect the chest. There seem to be nothing keeping it shut, other than gravity.
Very well then. That comes as small surprise - I assume that Klarg would have expected his crude power and brute force and strength to deter the curiosity of his minions from closer investigation into what this chest might contain.
In any case, after some brief moments lost in thought, it seems prudent for me to take a few steps back, - and also wave my comrades back, in case something unexpected erupts from this chest when it is opened - and call upon the cantrip Mage Hand - which is mine to summon - to assist me and open this chest.
In any case, after some brief moments lost in thought, it seems prudent for me to take a few steps back, - and also wave my comrades back, in case something unexpected erupts from this chest when it is opened - and call upon the cantrip Mage Hand - which is mine to summon - to assist me and open this chest.
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@ravenvii, orders: I secure my rope to the top of the wolf cave hole. Portia and myself then climb down the rope to the wolf cave and then head back to the goblin prisoner. After we recover the goblin prisoner, we return to the wolf cave and have the Count haul the goblin up the hole. Portia and myself then leave again to recover the horses / wagon and bring them back to the cave.
Say to all: While we are gone, can you please pull up the rope and let it back down again when we return.
Say to all: While we are gone, can you please pull up the rope and let it back down again when we return.
The hand floats, invisible to others' eyes, to the chest and opens it. Nothing of note happens. You look inside, and find some copper pieces, silver pieces, two healing potions and a small frog statuette with with tiny golden orbs for eyes.
[doublepost=1459715886][/doublepost]
You secure the rope via a stalagmite, and climb down with ease. You walk over the wolf corpses and down the natural steps. Leaving the cave, you note that the moon has moved down closer to the horizon, casting the forest in an altered light. Following the trail, you eventually reach where you tied the goblin.
The goblin is still there, a pool of not-quite-dried blood around his feet. Coming closer, you see that his throat has been slit by a blade.
These details are added to the the inventory - and the four notarised copies - that I have already prepared setting out the particulars of the stuff that Master Claus Fletcher had so thoughtfully hauled across the cavern and placed at my feet.
The scimitars, short bows, and shields, I assume that we are to keep, ourselves, and anything else that may prove useful.
Are there any other supplies - ropes, or such equipment - to be found?
I shall use the cantrip of Prestidigitation to clean them to a fetching gleaming shine so that whichever of them we do not wish to retain for use ourselves, may be cleaned in advance of perhaps selling them when we reach Phandalin, as I daresay we could always use extra funds.
I assume that we are to rest to recover our strength, and - for those of us who are wielders of magic - take the time to recover all of our respective spell slots.
How fares Master Veit? Is he capable of healing naturally, recovering and recuperating, with time and rest, or will the use of either of the healing potions on him be necessary in this instance?
In any case, they are clearly valuable, and - if they are not to be used to expeditiously aid his recovery, shall be given to Master Veit for him to use as needed when he returns to a state of full consciousness.
The monies - the copper pieces, and the pieces of silver, can go to our common purse - I am sure that we will meet with expenses (grappling hooks, ropes…) and so on.
I will use the Mage Hand to remove the small frog statuette with tiny gold orbs and place it in my outstretched hand where I will proceed to examine it more closely at leisure. Clearly, this object would not have been placed here without good reason.
(Ah, and, @ravenvii, do we know anything of this? Or, are we to be told anything of this?)
Unfortunately, the guttural tongue of Goblindegook is not famed for its literature, let alone its sombre sagas, or thrilling tales, thus, it comes as small surprise to me to find nothing of the arts of wielding a pen, still less paper, or parchment, or any evidence of ink, in these supplies or deep in the layers of this chest.
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There is nothing else of note in the chamber.
Even after examination, you couldn't detect the import of the statuette other than that it's a frog statuette that's probably worth some gold pieces at least. Or a lucky charm, perhaps.
*To myself: Although Master Sildar - our frightfully wounded guest - is doubtless tired and wounded, I wonder whether he sleeps, and if not, if he can spare time to exchange some speech with me.*
I study the frog statuette, turning it over (@ravenvii, is there anything etched, or written or inscribed on it?) and proceed to politely address Master Sildar: "Is there any significance to the sigil - that symbol of a lion - that marks these crates and casks and sacks of supplies that we have discovered? Goblins are not an especially cultured or literate race, and nothing in my studies has suggested the use of imagery such as a mark depicting a lion with which to designate that on which they lay claim to."
Then, holding the statuette aloft: "May I trouble you further to ask whether you have ever seen this before, or have you any idea of what its relevance may be?"
I study the frog statuette, turning it over (@ravenvii, is there anything etched, or written or inscribed on it?) and proceed to politely address Master Sildar: "Is there any significance to the sigil - that symbol of a lion - that marks these crates and casks and sacks of supplies that we have discovered? Goblins are not an especially cultured or literate race, and nothing in my studies has suggested the use of imagery such as a mark depicting a lion with which to designate that on which they lay claim to."
Then, holding the statuette aloft: "May I trouble you further to ask whether you have ever seen this before, or have you any idea of what its relevance may be?"
He must have realized there is actual work to do now
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excellent use of mage hand!
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>if that is what you want, Master Fletcher, i shall do so.
but why did you elect not go by the normal path, by the water pools and under the bridge?
it is surely safe now.
it seems to me like an unnecessary complication to go up and down this filthy garbage chute!
[doublepost=1459720700][/doublepost]but why did you elect not go by the normal path, by the water pools and under the bridge?
it is surely safe now.
it seems to me like an unnecessary complication to go up and down this filthy garbage chute!
-------------------
@ravenvii, a couple of points:
- how much coins did we find precisely?
to all: I nominate Syllin to be our treasurer
- is Veit resting to get back his 1hp? this is usually determined by 1d4 hours
to all: should we used one of the healing potions on him now, or should we save for emergencies. now it would only save us time, but Veit will fully recover regardless
- where there any ranged weapons other than the arrows?
- are we experienced?
- to syllin (@Scepticalscribe ), if you are so intrigued by that little trinket, you can repeat you ritual now that it is out of the protection of the metal casket
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He must have realized there is actual work to do now
-----------------
excellent use of mage hand!
-----------------
>if that is what you want, Master Fletcher, i shall do so.[doublepost=1459720700][/doublepost]
but why did you elect not go by the normal path, by the water pools and under the bridge?
it is surely safe now.
it seems to me like an unnecessary complication to go up and down this filthy garbage shute!
-------------------
@ravenvii, a couple of points:
- how much coins did we find precisely?
to all: I nominate Syllin to be our treasurer- is Veit resting to get back his 1hp? this is usually determined by 1d4 hours
to all: should we used one of the healing potions on him now, or should we save for emergencies. now it would only save us time, but Veit will fully recover regardless- where there any ranged weapons other than the arrows?
- to syllin (@Scepticalscribe ), if you are so intrigued by that little trinket, you can repeat you ritual now that it is out of the protection of the metal casket
How long do we plan to remain here in order to recover our strength, (and - for that matter - recover our spell slots)?
More to the point, how long do we expect Master Veit to take to recover fully? If possible, if he can recover after one night's rest, I would prefer that option.
Master Veit (@twietee) is best qualified to judge the quality of the two healing potions - but in my elementary estimation - they are of considerable value. Hence, once he has recovered, I should prefer for him to be the custodian of the two potions.
And yes, @ravenvii, I should like to use the ritual Detect Magic on this strange object - Chekhov's frog, if you like - that I hold gently but firmly in my hand, to see if it can yield any further information. (Is anything inscribed or written on it - in any language?)
While nothing in my studies connects goblins with such a strange and intricately wrought piece, they may well have been under instructions to preserve and protect it - or, merely may have looted it. Nevertheless, there is a reason it was kept under strong protection in that chest.
And yes. Thank you for nominating me as your treasurer. In any case, I believe that it is time to count the copper coins and the silver ones that we discovered in that chest, in order to make an accurate accounting - and record - of what, precisely, it contains.
Meanwhile, my questions to Sildar Hallwinter still stand. (Does this sigil, or symbol, or a lion - for such an illiterate people - on the sacks and casks and crates which contained the supplies in this cache in this cave- have any significance? And, does this strange frog - Chekhov's frog, as it were - mean anything to you?)
if he gets his 1d4 hours rest, Veit gets the 1 HP back. then a normal long rest would bring him back to full health.
the healing potions are standard, and yes they are valuable, but not in the sense we should sell them.
as we get more potions, they should be spread evenly among the group, not concentrated in one person's end. anyone can use them (on themselves or others), so there is no advantage in having veit keep them
Maybe you kiss it to turn it into a prince / princess
.[doublepost=1459723239][/doublepost]
He must have realized there is actual work to do now
-----------------
excellent use of mage hand!
-----------------
>if that is what you want, Master Fletcher, i shall do so.[doublepost=1459720700][/doublepost]
but why did you elect not go by the normal path, by the water pools and under the bridge?
it is surely safe now.
it seems to me like an unnecessary complication to go up and down this filthy garbage shute!
-------------------
@ravenvii, a couple of points:
- how much coins did we find precisely?
to all: I nominate Syllin to be our treasurer- is Veit resting to get back his 1hp? this is usually determined by 1d4 hours
to all: should we used one of the healing potions on him now, or should we save for emergencies. now it would only save us time, but Veit will fully recover regardless- where there any ranged weapons other than the arrows?
- are we experienced?
- to syllin (@Scepticalscribe ), if you are so intrigued by that little trinket, you can repeat you ritual now that it is out of the protection of the metal casket
The garbage chute is the quickest way and Portia and myself do not require a light.
Keep the healing potions and spread them out. We can fully rest up here with a guard on our horses / cart once we get them here.
[doublepost=1459723518][/doublepost]
@ravenvii, orders: Recover Veit's rope, and continue to the horses / cart with Portia.
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No, no, no, you misunderstand my meaning; clearly, I was not plain enough in my speech:
By use of the word valuable I did not mean that we should - or would - sell them; despite my skills with an accountant's abacus, my home does not lie in the counting house or merchant bank of exchange.
Rather, I meant that they are very valuable for us, as our adventures to date have shown that we may lie sorely in need of healing skills and potions. For now, I think this first pair of potions should be given to Master Veit, who is best qualified to advise on who should have them and how best they can be used.
After that, indeed, if it is the wish of the group, we can share such potions out as we discover them and as are needed.
Ah, Master Claus, those tales which tell of awakened prices or princesses……..by means of a kiss……well. Sigh. Suffice to say, they were not penned or scribed in Elven culture.
We Elves are a reserved people, - our literature is wry, and witty, clever and thoughtful, rather than…..classically romantic and tiresomely emotional.
You know, demonstrative displays of fulsome affection……are not really a part of our culture, even when……..desire is said to exist……and feelings…are strong.
Which cannot be said to be quite the case when I am studying a strange statuette of an…..intricately carved frog…sitting in the palm of my hand.
[doublepost=1459726554][/doublepost]Perhaps I shall blow a small puff of air, or wind, on this small statuette…..to see whether this elicits a response…...
By use of the word valuable I did not mean that we should - or would - sell them; despite my skills with an accountant's abacus, my home does not lie in the counting house or merchant bank of exchange.
Rather, I meant that they are very valuable for us, as our adventures to date have shown that we may lie sorely in need of healing skills and potions. For now, I think this first pair of potions should be given to Master Veit, who is best qualified to advise on who should have them and how best they can be used.
After that, indeed, if it is the wish of the group, we can share such potions out as we discover them and as are needed.
Ah, Master Claus, those tales which tell of awakened prices or princesses……..by means of a kiss……well. Sigh. Suffice to say, they were not penned or scribed in Elven culture.
We Elves are a reserved people, - our literature is wry, and witty, clever and thoughtful, rather than…..classically romantic and tiresomely emotional.
You know, demonstrative displays of fulsome affection……are not really a part of our culture, even when……..desire is said to exist……and feelings…are strong.
Which cannot be said to be quite the case when I am studying a strange statuette of an…..intricately carved frog…sitting in the palm of my hand.
[doublepost=1459726554][/doublepost]Perhaps I shall blow a small puff of air, or wind, on this small statuette…..to see whether this elicits a response…...
"That is the symbol of the Lionshield Coster, a merchant in Phandalin. They will surely reward you generously for returning the supplies. The statuette? My apologies wizard, but I have not the foggiest."
[doublepost=1459733712][/doublepost]
You, in the most un-greedy manner possible, counted the coins in the treasure chest. You find it to be exactly 600 copper pieces and 110 silver pieces. Satisfied, you look around for any further weapons you could use. You find nothing other than what has already been found.He must have realized there is actual work to do now
-----------------
excellent use of mage hand!
-----------------
>if that is what you want, Master Fletcher, i shall do so.[doublepost=1459720700][/doublepost]
but why did you elect not go by the normal path, by the water pools and under the bridge?
it is surely safe now.
it seems to me like an unnecessary complication to go up and down this filthy garbage chute!
-------------------
@ravenvii, a couple of points:
- how much coins did we find precisely?
to all: I nominate Syllin to be our treasurer- is Veit resting to get back his 1hp? this is usually determined by 1d4 hours
to all: should we used one of the healing potions on him now, or should we save for emergencies. now it would only save us time, but Veit will fully recover regardless- where there any ranged weapons other than the arrows?
- are we experienced?
- to syllin (@Scepticalscribe ), if you are so intrigued by that little trinket, you can repeat you ritual now that it is out of the protection of the metal casket
>>> Veit will take 3 hours to regain a hit point. You could take a short rest, then a long rest, and everyone'll be in tip-top shape.
[doublepost=1459733903][/doublepost]
You prepare yet another cast of detect magic. After another ten minutes, you ready yourself and look at the statuette closely. To your disappointment, it did not give off any aura. No inscription, no magic, nothing. It is, indeed, a trinket worth nothing more than the raw materials it is made of.
My grateful thanks, Master Sildar, for your response, as the strain and pain of your injuries have doubtless made you weary and wary, both.
The Lionshield Coster, a merchant in Phandalin….well, this is a matter on which I assume that we will have further speech as we make our way to Phandalin.
*Muses to myself: While the some of the core concepts of Elven Drama - Wry Ironickal Detachment and Existential Elevation - are a long way removed from the more usual concerns of Tragedy and Comedie found in some interpretations of Human Drama - even Elves can recognise a skilled rendering of Chekhov's Frog when it stares them in the face.
So be it. This may - or may not - yet have some - as yet unknown - role to play in our endeavours. I shall retain it for now, and subject it to further examination when opportunity, or knowledge allow.*
If possible, @ravenvii, now that this strange frog has been liberated from Klarg's chest, and it is sitting calmly in the palm of my hand, I am subjecting it to a Detect Magic examination, away from the interference of metal. Does this yield any further information? Are there inscriptions, or writings, even minuscule ones, on, or under, this statuette?
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You untie and stash away Veit's rope and continue on the trail. You avoid the hidden pit and the snatch easily, having seen them prior. You eventually arrive at the trail proper.Maybe you kiss it to turn it into a prince / princess
[doublepost=1459723239][/doublepost]
The garbage chute is the quickest way and Portia and myself do not require a light.
Keep the healing potions and spread them out. We can fully rest up here with a guard on our horses / cart once we get them here.
[doublepost=1459723518][/doublepost]
@ravenvii, orders: Recover Veit's rope, and continue to the horses / cart with Portia.
And there, beyond the dead horses that once belonged to Sildar Hallwinter and Gundren Rockseeker, you see a ever more ghastly sight.
All animals had their throats slit, and are lying in a pool of their own blood. Four horses and two oxen. And a smoldering fire marks where the wagon itself once stood. It, and everything inside, is destroyed beyond retrieval.
Ah, um. This is rather unfortunate. Hmm.
Sigh. Sometimes, an amphibian is just an amphibian…...
[doublepost=1459736427][/doublepost]
Ah, something tells me that the sordid details of this bleak account are not yet known to those of us who remain in the Goblin Hideout until Master Claus and Portia return to relate this sorry tale to us.
You take a closer look. The blood is starting to, but is not quite, dry. The fire is smoldering, which indicates that the wagon was burned relatively recently. It is clear, however, that it was burning prior to your battle with Klarg and Warhim's subsequent flight from the hideout.
You start the half-hour journey back to the hideout to report what you have seen.
>>> When Claus and Portia returns to the hideout, a hour and a half will have passed since Veit was knocked unconscious.
while Veit is resting, i borrow one of his handaxes and go out by the normal path (around by the pool and under the bridge, i go in the thicket just outside the cave, where i look for suitable wood to fashion into a pair of clutches for Sildar.
then i go back to klarg's room, measure the clutches on Sildar, finish them and give them to him. then i put the handaxe back.
> i am afraid these will have to make do for now, Ser Sildar.
it' is going to take a while before we get to Phandalin.[doublepost=1459745217][/doublepost]
how much experience have we gained?
then i go back to klarg's room, measure the clutches on Sildar, finish them and give them to him. then i put the handaxe back.
> i am afraid these will have to make do for now, Ser Sildar.
it' is going to take a while before we get to Phandalin.
how much experience have we gained?
Interesting, though - obviously, - we will not know of this until Claus and Portia return to the cave.
While we are on the topic, or, rather, on related topics, - and this is a matter about which I know nothing as yet - could we have Claus (@Plutonius) inquire as to whether the goblin we had left tied to a tree was killed within the same time frame, or met his end through Warhim's escape?
How are equipment purchases handled in a game like this? I know how it works in an RPG game, in many cases you don't find what you are looking for. .
For this story, does having the needed funds means you'll automatically find a vendor along the way who sells the item you are looking for?The Wind considers: Hopefully your ego never has cause to pop. I would not want to see a mopey or dead Portia, although if you can hang onto your life, self examination and humble pie might do you some good.
Very interesting, not really surprising except for I would have expected the wagon to be stolen, not burned. Surprised there was no explosion, if everything was left. Why not simply take the wagon unless the thieves can't makes use of a wagon full of valuable supplies. And a murdered goblin, hmm. Would goblins find these supplies valuable, would they be beyond their technical expertise to utilize, could they have been angered at their trussed friend, or not goblins at all?