Chapter 4: Further into Dimwater

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

The elf's eyes narrow as he stares at Codswallop a moment.

I'll hold onto the rubies and you don't stand too close to me. That way we'll keep everything safe.

[GreyWolfVT]

P.T. Codswallop, halfing impresario:

When the vote returns come in against him again, Phineas' mighty mustache droops. "Oh well. Lead on, generals."

At the elf's suggestion that Aric hold the 'worthless' gems, Phineas protests, "The shirtless man in the loin cloth? He doesn't even have pockets!"

Kragg "I've seen what he uses for pockets trust me best to not ask."

[Grognardsw]

The barbarian laughs at the silver tongue of the little man.

"I will give you 15 gold pieces then, keep the jewel, and you can be happy to make a profit."

[Mant72]

Agreeing to commence with their systematic exploration of the monastery outbuildings, the group leaves the tangled garden and proceeds on to the building in the northwest corner (building 15).

They reach the two-storied building and see that it is in deplorable condition. Most of the second floor has collapsed and is now exposed to the elements. Four large pillars stand to either side of the double doors marking entry, and a thick moss has completely overtaken the building’s façade.

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[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey finishes muttering about the math used to give money to a cheat to get him to accept a gem worth ten times that amount. Shaking his head he turns and focuses on the new task at hand.

The elf creeps up to the doors, carefully searching the nearby area as he walks, to approach the doors and listen.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg waves a hand at the building "Eh Hex and I already saw this part of the building what say we go inside this time?"

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling thief:

"You drive a hard bargain, my friend. I don't know why I'm doing this, but very well. 15 gp each. That's 30 gp please," Phineas says with deep regret as he shows the barbarian his little, open palm.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey tosses his ruby at PT's feet. The barbarian can make whatever "deal" he likes with you for his. This is yours in exchange for you no longer talking to me and staying away from me. Now when you are done with your feigned shock and dismay, focus on the matter at hand before someone else gets killed.

[Storm11]

Hex takes a nod at the dwarf and waits at the back of the party, keeping a look out, daggers ready.

[ChubbyPixie]

Yon looks sideways at the disagreement brewing over the gems, and decides it's probably best to ignore it as he's not quite sure what it's about. The halfling's appraising skills? He'll stick close behind any of the fighting types as they head into the building, assuming they choose to do so.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

After listening at the door Osprey turns to the group long enough to shake his head to indicate he heard nothing. With bow out and arrow at string held in one hand, he attempts to open the doors, ready to leap back at any indication of the next scheduled disaster.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Phineas looks at the rubies on the ground. "That's very generous, master elf, but these aren't your to give. They belong to all shareholders in this little enterprise. Perhaps you have other payment for the services you wish rendered? Payment that is actually yours to give?" he smiles broadly.

The little larcenist still holds out his hand for the 30 gold from Aric for his offer to buy out Phineas' share of the rubies.

Once this business transaction is resolved to everyone's satisfaction, the diminutive deadshot falls back in line in the marching order, bow nocked and ready.

[Storm11]

Hex picks up the rubies and puts them in his pouch for safe keeping.

[Grognardsw]

Aric, barbarian

"We'll make that deal when we're done with this place," says Aric to P.T., putting the one gem, which he never let go off, in his belt pouch. He checks his belongings in general to make sure everything is where it's suppose to be. These little people have wandering fingers.

The northern fighter looks around the moss on the steps for signs of disturbance by feet. He scrapes some moss to determine if it is a natural species of moss, or something unusual or unnatural.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Haggling aside can we continue with our quest here? I'm gonna go check this building out anyone going in with me?

[Mant72]

Aric crouches to examine the moss that blankets the majority of the building, and he finds that is indeed an indigenous species; however, the barbarian notes that it is unusually thick and appears to be confined to this particular area of the monastery. He does not see any signs of traffic to or from the building.

After haggling over the rubies, the group reconvenes and decides to enter the building before them. Osprey pushes open the double doors, and the party files inside.

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Upon entering, it is obvious that this was once the library. The interior is now in complete shambles, and most of the bookshelves, tables, and desks have been toppled over. Loose pieces of parchment, religious texts, and scrolls litter the floor. Most of the books and papers have been exposed to the elements and are now ruined. The majority of the second floor has collapsed, leaving a large section of the ground floor open to the sky above.

A rickety set of wooden stairs in the southeast corner lead up to what remains of the second floor, and a skeleton clutching a broken lantern lies about halfway up the staircase. The entire place smells of mildew and mold.

The creepers and moss that have greedily enveloped the outside of the building have begun to work their way into the interior as nature tries to reclaim her hold on what once was hers.

[ChubbyPixie]

Trusty Yon, human cleric

Yon will look around for signs of hidden danger. Then, without touching anything directly, he'll poke through the books, trying to find any that are in a readable state. Or any scroll-cases that might have withstood the elements more or less.

[Storm11]

Hex the halfling prestigidator will enter cautiously behind the others, alert for signs of danger, daggers bared.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey follows Yon's lead and searches through the debris for any intact books or papers as well.

[Grognardsw]

"Books and parchment make good kindling for fires," comments the barbarian, running a whetstone along his sword blade while waiting for the others.