The adventure begins...

[riftstone]

Lindon Silverheart

"Maybe someone was with him and took any valuables after this sap 'fed the vine', as we say."

Lindon will move to the far side of the room and listen at the door.

[Makofan]

Brax will be behind Lindon, ready to support him

[Dogma]

though much of the cloth is dry rotted with age, Peadar find enough good material to make two more bandages.

Lindon places his ear against the stone door and strains to hear any noise from the other side. He thinks he can detect a low droning hum, but he can't pick out any disctinct words or phrases.

[Alethan]

Stowing the wound binding cloth in his pack in case anyone needs it, Peadar observes, "Remember, there is a doorway back in the hallway we need to check out, as well. What do you hear at the door, Lindon?"

[monk]

Zin shoulders his small backpack and readies himself to follow the party.

[riftstone]

Lindon Silverheart

"There is something, but I can't make it out. Humming, maybe. I can't be sure."

[NJWilliam]

Jofrid will listen at the door to see if he can discern anything more.

[Dogma]

Jofrid places his ear against the door. Strain as he might, he too can only make out a low droning sound, but can't make out anything like words he can understand.

[NJWilliam]

Jofrid steps back from the door, shaking his head to his companions to indicate he can hear nothing more, and then steps close to the wall on what appears to be the hinge side of the door, crossbow at the ready.

[Makofan]

Brax opens the door

[max_vale]

Lavex readies his weapons in case of trouble; but gives a quick prayer for a friendly encounter....

[Dogma]

Brax opens the door and the adventurers peer into the room. In the center of the room you see a 10' tall cage. Hanging from the top of the cage is a giant beehive. Several large, 1' long bees are buzzing around the room. The mesh of the cage is wide enough for them to fly through to enter and leave the hive. At the bottom of the cage you can see what looks to be coins and possible some gems glinting in the lantern light.

[Alethan]

"Bees!", exclaims Peadar, as he peers into the room from the back.

"We used to collect honey for our family back on the farm when I was younger. They were," he adds, "a bit smaller, but... I'm sure the same techniques will work."

He grabs the straw mattress from the bed in the room they are currently in and drags it towards the door.

"We need smoke. Just get this burning, slide it into the room, and close the door."

[Dogma]

I like where you're going with this, but for the smoke have the effect you want, it can't be 'hot'. You'll need a smoldering fire. (For the record, my family actually did have a couple bee hives when I was younger.)

[Alethan]

Yes... Well, maybe we can douse the top of the mattress with water? Or... Are there any blankets on the bed? Like heavy, wool blankets?

[Makofan]

Brax closes the door. "I want no part of bees", he says.

[Alethan]

"Well... as I said, I've never dealt with the larger ones before, but I've heard rumors their honey has healing properties. And... maybe you didn't notice the sparkles below the cage? It's at least worth a try. I'll go in, after I try to smoke them a bit, if nobody else is willing."

Peadar waits to see if anyone objects or adds to his idea before doing anything else.

[NJWilliam]

From the shadows, Jofrid says, "I didn't think bees were carnivorous, but I didn't see any flowers in there, and how would those coins and gems have gotten in the cage beneath the hive like that???"

"Did anyone see any exits from that room other than this door?"

[Makofan]

Brax says "It sounds like somebody has dumped their treasure there and set the bees to guard it. Well, if we have a solid plan, I am all for trying to get it. Can our wizards put the bees to sleep?"

[Alethan]

"Or... we could try smoking them and making them non-aggressive..." Peadar mumbles rather loudly.