[Completed] - Njord/Ruins - 14 March, 1 VC

[merias]

"It seems we can't open the chest without damaging it. I think that is fine, but maybe Ulf should force it, since he is already infected. There is clearly something of value inside it. Speaking of that, Ulf, we should get you back to town to see if there is anyone who can tend to you before you drop dead," Herrin says.

[Zhym]

"Ulf, we should get you back to town to see if there is anyone who can tend to you before you drop dead," Herrin says.

"I'm in full agreement there," says Ulf.

On Herrin's advice, Ulf will set the coffer down and try to pry open the lid as gently as possible with a dagger, while holding the body of the chest firm to keep the prying action from jostling the coffer. If that doesn't work, he'll use his crowbar.

[Keehnelf]

Crowbar is needed for this job. The coffer is too well-made to open with just a dagger.

Ulf goes to work and manages to pry the golden coffer open, revealing a large pile of platinum coins with an iron necklace nestled among them. The charm on the necklace is shaped like a sunburst approximately four inches across with a bright orange circular opal in the center.

[Zhym]

"What are the chances that a pendant inside a trapped coffer is a ward against the effect of the trap?" asks Ulf. "I know, pretty low. But I'm a little desperate. If you want to talk me out of putting this thing on, now's the time."

[OGRE MAGE]

Jem just stares at the dwarf for a while.

You want us to......talk.......you.......out of?
Jem looks confused.

Ulf, you've been right about everything we've encounterd so far. If you think it's worth a try, then go for it!

[Zhym]

"Right, perhaps, but rash at the wrong moment."

"Here goes. Ready your weapons in case this turns me into a vengeance demon or something."

Ulf tries on the pendant.

[Keehnelf]

The pendant feels just fine and coordinates well with his outfit, though the chain is slightly long for him, as though it were designed for someone taller.

[Zhym]

"I don't feel any different," says Ulf.

"Okay, let's get out of here. Be careful about the traps. I would bury Njord, but I'm not sure I have the time. Is there anywhere we can put the body so it would not be vulnerable to scavengers? Could we carry his body with us back to town? If not, though I hate to say it, we might as well bring his pack back with us. If we don't, someone will come along and do it. Maybe we can put any gold he has toward a memorial."

Ulf will lead the way out, being careful about traps.

[Keehnelf]

"I don't feel any different," says Ulf.

"Okay, let's get out of here. Be careful about the traps. I would bury Njord, but I'm not sure I have the time. Is there anywhere we can put the body so it would not be vulnerable to scavengers? Could we carry his body with us back to town? If not, though I hate to say it, we might as well bring his pack back with us. If we don't, someone will come along and do it. Maybe we can put any gold he has toward a memorial."

Ulf will lead the way out, being careful about traps.

It's Murdoch's body, not Njord's just FYI. Njord's body is out prowling the moor somewhere, muttering about time.

[Keehnelf]

There are enough of you left that you could make it back to town while carrying the body in shifts probably just after dark, as long as you didn't run into any trouble along the way.

[Zhym]

There are enough of you left that you could make it back to town while carrying the body in shifts probably just after dark, as long as you didn't run into any trouble along the way.

Well, what was the last time we ran into any trouble while traveling?

Okay, let's do that. Make it so. Etc.

[OGRE MAGE]

Did we miss something in here? Wasn't there another coffin in the last room or something?

[Zhym]

Now that you mention it, there was.

Anyone want to open it?

I guess we could. Ulf is already whammied, and we might be able to use grapple and rope to open the sarcophagus lid. We might not all die a horrible death.

I'm up for it if you all are.

[Keehnelf]

There was just the slab in the last room, no coffin. The item you missed was the very large coffin. Let me know if you want to open that the rest of the way or not.

[Zhym]

Oh, hell no. Not with another of the smoke monsters. If we had a horse, we could bring it in and open the sarcophagus and give Herrin a horse to ride.

No, let's go back to the "get out of here" plan, carrying Njord with us.

[Zhym]

Or, wait. Njord's the one who went wandering. Who died? I'm losing track.

[Keehnelf]

March 14, 1 VC - 8:20pm

The party makes its way back to Vaul with Murdoch's body and gear in tow. Nothing molests them on their somber way back to town, returning far depleted from the large and merry band that departed just that morning.

No one greets them as they arrive, and they make their way to the temple to deliver the body for burial before taking lodging for the night.

Everyone please deduct the cost of one night's lodging--I will move you ahead to March 15.

The following are items and rewards recovered during the expedition--please use the Loot and Treasure thread to perform distribution of these items:

---

Decoding the writing within the ruins and discovering/copying the map (50xp)
Killing the powerful skeleton (80xp)
Facing the shadow creature (100xp)

Sword from the final chamber (1000xp)
Shield from the final chamber (1000xp)
Njord's spear (+1)
24gp, 4sp, 8cp from Murdoch's purse
150 platinum coins (1500xp)
One iron necklace with fire opal (250xp)
Damaged gold coffer (100xp)

Murdoch's gear:
chainmail (human sized, damaged)
Mace
Shield
Helmet
Robe
Backpack
Bedroll
Holy symbol
7 days trail rations
sling and bullets
4 torches
flint and steel
waterskin
pen & ink
scroll case w/5 sheets parchment

Total xp award: 4030 total, with 5 surviving members (Elbreth was active all but for the very end, and may still return to us) is 811xp each before prime requisite xp bonus.

This expedition is now closed.

[Keehnelf]

Or, wait. Njord's the one who went wandering. Who died? I'm losing track.

Murdoch--see my post further up the page.