Return to the Barrow Mounds:

[OGRE MAGE]

Sorry! forgot about the remains being bagged already. Lots of action to digest.

Finally picking up on the former soldiers anger, Sven seems somewhat surprised.

"Remember that we are currently searching what I believe to be one massive tomb, master Steban, with interred souls everywhere and numerous burial mounds above us, good sir. Forgive me if I show concern about one of our members wishing to return certain items we find to their rightful owners or next of kin. That sounds like a life long endeavor, even for the few items we have found so far. However, if you have some attachment to the mirror and buckles, then by all means, keep them for yourself and do with them what you will." He looks to the others to see if anyone objects before continuing.

"And you can go ahead and take the harmonica Isvand. I see you favor such an item, and as long as there is no magic infused into it, I don't think any of us would object to you keeping it for yourself."

"I consider anything we find to be part of a group kitty until we can sort it all out together, but if any of you want to keep an item or two for yourself, please do so. As long as their are no objections, and any value is deducted form your treasure allotment once things are divided, I don't see any problem with it."

He looks over the scarab key closely. "This is interesting. I wonder if it has anything to do with the locks on the door we found with the book on it?" (C) We should definitely check that before we leave."

Looking over the tapestry next, Sven whistles softly. "This must have been a beauty before the mold got it. I would bet Ossithrax was the dragons name. That information might come in handy some day as well."

"Shall we all discuss what everyone thinks we should do next? I cant get my mind off that tomb we found with the snakes in it. If that room was indeed never entered before, there could be riches inside beyond our wildest dreams."

Do any of us actually use a sling?

[Spearmint]

I am going to make an immediate interruption in the action here as it happens ...

Sven ... I would bet Ossithrax was the dragons name ...

At the mention of the name ...

a cold breeze blows in the room, very icy. The door bangs in its hinge, swirls of dust puff from the sweepings, the flames are snuffed out of the griddle. Even the lantern light wavers, though strangely your shadows grow. Some of you see claws in the shadows cast, others hear cackling laughter from the skeletons, perhaps Steban feels a falling sensation into a pit and the welcoming arms of a dozen ghoulettes, Isvand swats at an imaginary cobra, Orgoth begins to melt. Each has some reaction of hallucinatory effect, dramatic and seemingly very real.

After a few seconds, the room atmosphere returns to normal like nothing ever happened.

[Leitz]

Steban

Holding up the mirror and the belt buckle, Steban took a deep breath as he looked at Sven. "For the most part, I consider the tomb to be fair game. You all have mentioned what seem to be evil cultists, and I'm more than happy to send them to whatever afterlife they have and to plunder their bodies and stores. This, however, came from someone who was still living when she got here. Her family was wealthy enough to get a portrait done, and often silversmith's will embellish their craftsmanship with personal touches. Between the mirror and the belt we may be able to identify who the girl was."

He set the mirror down, gently, and then looked back at Sven. "I do not mind the idea of being rich, though it would be a new experenice for me. However, no amount of wealth will help us if we push past our abilities and die. I encourage you to temper your desire for riches with the desire to be alive to spend them. Military leaders have fallen into the same trap; they chase glory. Graveside renown does one no good. "

I think this happens before the Ossithrax event, given Sven's pause.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I agree with Sven on all accounts. We need to work together or we won't make it out of here alive."

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven takes in a deep breath before addressing Steban again, looking slightly defeated.

"You know, you aren't the first person to tell me that........ Perhaps you are right. Maybe I have a bit of gold fever after our last trip here. I appreciate your honesty and I will try to heed your advice, sound as it is." (a bit of Sven's inner personality showing through)

After the effect from the utterance dissipates, Sven looks visibly shaken. "Did you guys see that? What just happened in here?"

"Maybe we better not say that name again until we figure it out."

[sastaz]

Gerdal has been sitting strangely silent, preoccupied with her herbal mixture. She rises now, blows off some steam and offers the cup to anyone in the room. The smell is something like... cinnamon and elderberries? Quite pleasant to most, probably.

"Who would like to know their heart's true desire?"

She waits to see if anyone seems interested.

[redwarrior]

Isvand's smile beams as he slides the harmonica in one of his pockets. He listens closely as the two party leaders seem to bicker, trying to make sure he understands what both are saying. Both seem reasonable to him, though he's hoping for a lot of loot from this. At least enough to buy real armor! After jumping as he feels the cobra strike, he looks around and notices that several others seem to have felt something as well. That wasn't fun, and I'm glad it's done. If it's all the same, let's not say that name. as he starts to accept that it's over, That was unpleasant. Was it just saying the name, or is there some magic in the tapestry? He'll observe the rest of the group's conversation, and go with the majority as to whether we are moving on or resting overnight though I THINK, in terms of elapsed time, we've been in the dungeon may 2.5-3 hours?. If we do rest, he'll volunteer for the middle watch.

[redwarrior]

Gerdal has been sitting strangely silent, preoccupied with her herbal mixture. She rises now, blows off some steam and offers the cup to anyone in the room. The smell is something like... cinnamon and elderberries? Quite pleasant to most, probably.

"Who would like to know their heart's true desire?"

She waits to see if anyone seems interested.

Isvand looks up and shrugs. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, but why not? He'll drink some of the tea.

[Leitz]

Steban

"Who would like to know their heart's true desire?" Gerdal said.

Steban winked, and then held out his hand. "I know mine, but a drought of good tea would help greatly."

[sastaz]

Gerdal offers the tea to Isvand first as he accepts.

She touches his chest lightly with her fingertips.

"Remember, joy and sadness are two aspects of the same lover."

After that, she offers the same to Steban.

"I hope you find what you are looking for, good soldier."

Then to Sven

"I do see enchantments, as you do. I agree we should revisit the evil snake guardians and slay them. But we must be very, very careful."

[sastaz]

As both men have tasted their tea, she gathers the two small pots on the floor and sits down staring intensely at what remains in the pots, muttering

"...a little diluted"

She turns to Steban: "The mirror reflects who you are and the portrait who you were. But there is a mirror that will reflect who you may become. You must slay the person you could be."

After that to Isvand: "You escaped the jaws of death, but will you escape its sting? The restless shadow can aid or hinder your flight."

As she speaks, her eyes become fully white. Maybe that's just her looking up, irises not visible?

[Spearmint]

May 3rd 1066.

Barrow Maze.

Exploring the corridors.
7.35pm. Lantern light (Gerdal) Candlelight (Sven).

Conditions: Steban -7hp, Isvand -3hp.

The group rest, uncomfortably after speaking 'the name-of-him-who-shall-not-be-named'. Plans are made and strategies put forward.

the sling Amos uses blunt weapons only and has sling proficiency. Others may use the sling with a non-proficiency penalty.

the Tapestry let me know what you decide to do with it. Roll it up and take it with you or leave it hanging.

Orgoth prioritises food, scoffing rations like there is no tomorrow. Which may be true.

Gerdal stares into the tea leaves left over in the tankards of the drinkers. She tries to augur some benediction and counsels Steban and Isvand in regard to some possible future fate. One can never be sure, did she stir the infusion of herbs in the correct anti-clockwise direction, did the sugar veil the accuracy of the soothsaying?

As the rest is geared towards the spellcasters having a period of meditation, the group indeed plan to stay in the room another couple of hours, allowing the mages time to restore up to four 1st level erased spells. However after an hour and a half, (2 spells time), Amos hears movement in the corridor outside.

It sounds like softly padded steps, not hard heeled boots and chinking armour. You hush and dim the lantern (strike a second oil flask for the light duration), someone is on the opposing side of the door. Heavy breathing, sniffing, soft pads away.

actions please.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven taps lightly on the tapestry from a distance with his staff, trying to determine if the mold is harmful or not. If nothing terrible happens, he attempts to peel it away from the wall slightly so he can have a look behind it.

The mage cringes at the report from Amos, looking at the stove and the tea drinkers, shaking his head.

"Do you see what I mean about keeping a low profile while we are in here? We have obviously just been discovered."

The mage gathers his things up again and puts the journal he has been keeping away in his pack.

"The question now is, what do we do about it? I would suggest that we sneak out of here carefully and move into the hallway behind the closest door. (K) We could stay there and listen for any more action in the hallway, maybe getting a peek at whatever is sniffing around for us down here?"

[Leitz]

Steban

"I doubt the tea brought anyone here; you can't smell it over the fumes from the torches or the odor of our bodies." Steban replied. "We should just stay put; any movement puts us at risk, and anyone with a nose or ears can find us, should they seek. Staying in place lets us rest and prepare."

[Rex]

Orgoth

"Maybe some sort of animal, probably best to check it out."

[redwarrior]

Isvand speaks up. I agree, it sounded like an animal, though I suppose it could have been otherwise. This place has a lot of people and creatures moving about, considering it's supposed to be a closed burial chamber... Do we need more rest, or should we be on our way?

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I don't need more rest, but I wasn't injured."

[sastaz]

SM: as this happens, the "arcane casters" did not regain any spells yet, right? Or was it enough time to regain "up to two" spells?

[Spearmint]

I scripted the rest for spellcasters to be two hours then rolled random (or not so random) encounters and Amos heard the whoever/whatever in the corridor after 90 mins.

So enough time to replenish two x 1st level spells erased.

[sastaz]

Gerdal, after the steps has passed, when Sven starts talking, gathers her things again.

"What I heard is that this place spans the entire area. It seems to me we have to accept the fact that being here is dangerous, and that there is no way for us to hunt down... things... to make these unhallowed halls safe. I say whatever passes our way without disturbing us, let it pass. As to save our lives and limbs for the battles to come."

She rises.

"I am ready to go wherever you wish. If we are looking for riches, I think the sealed room with the cursed iron cobras spits on the floor is our best option. Although I also agree with you Sven that we should explore the possibility of that key opening the door with the book panel (C). Remember, it even had scarab covered keyholes?"