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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5472941" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p>The party descended into the darkness of the passageway leading into the heart of the rocky promontory. </p><p> </p><p> Duor was especially careful as he led the rest of the companions down. His dwarven stone sense seemed to be telling him the passage was naturally made and sloped slightly and then more steeply into the dark rock. The air was cool and damp. It was a welcome change from the late summer heat they’d endured above ground. Duor was thoroughly more comfortable, though still alert, meandering through the stone.</p><p> </p><p> The whole party noted with a slight breeze of cool air the salty smell of the sea coming up the passage. Not long into their descent, the passageway bent and then a faint light could be seen at the end of the tunnel not far ahead. It was apparent the passage opened up about forty feet ahead and while still obviously dark, was receiving natural looking light from somewhere. The smell of the sea became accompanied by the occasional soft lapping of water.</p><p> </p><p> Before reaching the opening Duor halted the group. He gestured Haelan closer for more light and noted a tripwire across the passage’s floor.</p><p> </p><p> “Yep. We gotta trap ‘ere.” the dwarf announced quietly. “Good sign”, mused Duor, “Folks don’t use traps unless there’s somethin’ to protect.”</p><p> </p><p> With Haelan providing the light and Braddok leaning over the two smaller humanoids to watch, (the rest of the group backed up the passage to where it had bent) Duor ably severed the wire. For a second, then two, no one in the party moved a breath. After the fifth second, Duor declared the trap disarmed but still advised people step cautiously over where it had been.</p><p> </p><p> The passage came out onto a somewhat roomy ledge high up in a huge cavern within the island’s stone outcropping. They could see reasonably well by the rays of the quickly setting sun that illuminated a cave opening high on the wall on the other side of the broad open space. There was also light leaking in far below them to illuminate the “floor” of the cavern, which was almost entirely submerged. Waves could be heard crashing outside and rolled calmly into the cavern.</p><p> </p><p> There was no telling from their position and available light how deep the water was. To their right a narrow ledge continued to wind down the cavern wall to a small landing at the water’s edge. The sea occasionally splashed up onto that landing.</p><p> </p><p> “Looks like the whole cliff is hollow.” proclaimed Haelan.</p><p> </p><p> The ceiling of the cavern was shrouded in shadows from the party’s light sources and the eerie orange light of the late day sun streaming through the natural openings.</p><p> </p><p> To their left on the landing was another mound of feathers, bones and cloth like they’d found in the harpies’ lair above. This one contained a few actual pillows, though they too were filthy.</p><p> </p><p> Duor quickly bounded over to the nest and began a thorough search of any hidden contents. As he got close, the salty sea smell was overtaken by a rancid odor. It didn’t take long for the dwarf to notice a half-eaten goblin corpse stashed on the nest’s far side.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Duor held his breadth, crinkled his nose in disgust and continued his search. Haelan, nearby, continued to light the dwarf’s efforts. The halfling raised his free hand to his nose and exhaled in disgust.</p><p> </p><p> “That landing will be beneath water within the hour.” Trihna surmised by her well-trained knowledge of the local tides. </p><p> </p><p> Alaria took in the whole scene. “There’s no way out for us there. How long until low tide?” the magess questioned the water priestess.</p><p> </p><p> “At it’s lowest? Shortly before dawn.”</p><p> </p><p> Coerraine and Erevan began to edge their way down towards the landing to get a better idea of the water’s depth and how far that landing might extend when less water filled the cavern. Trihna also accompanied the elf and knight.</p><p> </p><p> Braddok surveyed their surroundings. Once Duor confirmed there was nothing of worth on the goblin carcass, the fighter kicked the corpse off the ledge. It splooshed loudly, echoing throughout the cavern. Alaria gave the warrior a thoroughly annoyed look. “We might wish to rest here, Alaria. It has been a rather long day.”, Braddok offered.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria raised her staff up high to get as good a look at the cavern ceiling as she could. It appeared natural enough, full of deep crevasses and crags, stalactites of all sizes (some quite large) spotted the ceiling, but she could not fully see into the deeper recesses.</p><p> </p><p> “Huh. Look there.” muttered Fen offhandedly.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria went to stand near the druid and noticed what looked like the bottom of another outcropping from the cavern wall. It was about twenty feet off the side of their ledge and a good twenty or so feet up. </p><p> </p><p> “Bollux.” grumbled Duor. “Don’t tell me there’s<em> another </em>harpy.” </p><p> </p><p> “One way to find out, master treasure hunter.” Braddok prodded.</p><p> </p><p> The dwarf mumbled something under his beard the warrior could not make out.</p><p> </p><p> The warrior securely tied their rope to the dwarf and Duor began his second cliff face climb of the afternoon, muttering dwarven oaths most of the way.</p><p> </p><p> Erevan, Coerraine and Trihna returned to the ledge. “It appears the ledge runs around the periphery of the cavern. When the waters recede a bit, we should be able to walk around the edge and out that cave opening on the other side. Trihna believes by morning the path will be clear.” Erevan reported.</p><p> </p><p> The young paladin came forward, “I have checked the cavern as far as the Golden Defender will allow. I sense no evil here, milady. I think Braddok’s suggestion is a good one. This may be as good a place as we can hope to find for a camp.”</p><p> </p><p> Alaria nodded her consent and dropped her pack against the cavern wall. “Haelan, gather me some of the nest materials for a fire….Besides, perhaps burning some of it will remove the creature’s stench.”</p><p> </p><p> The halfling priest cheerfully did as instructed, holding his breadth as he carried an armful of bundled twigs, dried grasses and leaves, cloth, and one of the more stained and unsalvagable of the pillows to near the center of the ledge.</p><p></p><p></p><p>"Shame" said the priest as he plopped it all down. His gaze downcast at the smudged and torn turquoise satin pillow ringed in bright green fringe, "Looks like that must have been quite nice in its time."</p><p></p><p> </p><p> Coerraine had set to removing the flint and steel from his tinderbox in his organized pack.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria swept a length of her dark brown hair from her face. With an exaggerated exhale and flick of a finger, a small tongue of flame shot into the mound which, despite the dampness of the air in the cavern, caught alight without a problem.</p><p> </p><p> “Feorn’s beard!” The cry from Duor echoed throughout the cavern. The exclamation shocked most of the party and several of them grabbed and readied weapons. Haelan and Alaria hurried to edge of the ledge to supply as much light as possible.</p><p> </p><p> The dwarf came into view at the edge of the ledge above the party. He wore a huge toothy smile parting his thick dark moustache and bearded jaw. Upon his head chains and bands of gold and silver shown in the mystical illumination. His hands glistened with coins and jewels dropping through his stumpy gloved fingers. “I LOVE this island!” </p><p> </p><p> Braddok and Haelan also smiled broadly. Many of the party, save Trihna and Erevan expressed their pleasure at what appeared to be a large cache of treasure.</p><p> </p><p> “How’re we going to get it back over here?” the warrior wondered.</p><p> </p><p> Alaria thought for a moment. “How much is there? I could possibly bring some of it back with a spell…” but the magess was not sure how long that would take with the small handfuls of her simple <em>mage hand</em> cantrip. “Also, remember, we need to be on the move tomorrow for Tidemaster Kama's pearl. We can only afford to take on so much.”</p><p> </p><p> “No worries, boss lady. I’ll just camp up here tonight and keep it company.” The dwarf offered.</p><p> </p><p> “That will not be necessary, master dwarf.” Erevan offered with a subtly suspicious tone.</p><p> </p><p> Dang point-ear always out to ruin an honest dwarf’s fun, thought Duor.</p><p> </p><p> “If I may, Alaria?” the elegant elf in his deep violet overshirt neared the ledge’s edge. The intricate silver circlet he wore sparkled with the golden light of Alaria’s staff and the growing fire. He spread his arms before him and incanted, “<em>Seriz verik og theran.</em>”<mage spell:<em> Floating Disc</em>></p><p> </p><p> Before the elf’s arms glimmered a disc of amber light the size of a small dinner plate. As the elf completed the simple spell, the disc spread and grew like an expanding puddle until it hovered before the elf’s outstretched arms, about five feet across. With a simple motion of his arms, the disc hovered smoothly up and over to the ledge where the dwarf stood looking decidedly unappreciative.</p><p> </p><p> “Excellent, Erevan. Well done!” applauded Haelan.</p><p> </p><p> “Indeed.” Agreed Alaria. “Duor, place as much as you can onto the disc. But stop when Erevan tells you!”</p><p> </p><p> “And be quick about it, if you please.” added Erevan. “I cannot maintain the conjuration for long.” </p><p> </p><p> At the idea of not getting as much of the treasure as possible, Duor hopped to it. He used a well crafted small shield to shovel the loose coins and gems onto the disc. Thankfully, the harpy seemed to be somewhat organized and he had only to lug a small coffer and two medium sized sacks filled with loot.</p><p> </p><p> A particularly fine dagger with a emerald and gold threaded scabbard found its way into the folds of his cloak as did a small bag of gems. “No sense weighing the elf down more than necessary, afterall”, Duor thought to himself.</p><p> </p><p> Tossing the shield on top of the sacks. The dwarf nearly pounced off the ledge onto the mound of treasure before Erevan’s surprisingly worried voice called out.</p><p></p><p></p><p>“Duor NO! It is nearly too heavy for me. You cannot get on it also. I’ll send it back for you.” Seeing the apparent strain on the elf’s face, Duor elected not to utter the biting remark that leapt to his tongue.</p><p></p><p></p><p>"By all means, save the treasure!", Duor replied. "I can climb if I hafta."</p><p></p><p> </p><p> Erevan guided the disc back to the main ledge where the company quickly removed all of the contents and began a survey of the booty.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The elf, true to his word, guided the disc back to Duor and allowed the dwarf to ride it back. Erevan managed to force the disc of amber light to the end of the main ledge before it began to crack and splinter. Duor leapt to the security of stone beneath his feet just as the elf’s spell dispersed in a shattering flicker.</p><p> </p><p> Duor made his way, with eyes all agleam, to the pile of treasure. He plopped down, set the small coffer in his lap and set to examining the lock. </p><p> </p><p> Alaria and Trihna took and interest in looking at the few non-monetary items and checked them for enchantment. Braddok was happily counting coins with the aid of Haelan. Coerraine, happy at the find but still mindful of his duties, kept a stoic watch over the water below them as the last light the day filtered out of the cavern and the band was left to their counting in the falling night.</p><p> </p><p> “Nicely done, master dwarf.” said the druid, Fen.</p><p> </p><p> “And you, master druid.” returned Duor, happily. “If you hadn’t noticed the ledge all of this bounty may have gone mournfully undiscovered.” The dwarf fiddled at the coffer’s lock with some small implements that had appeared from somewhere on his person.</p><p> </p><p> The druid bowed and smiled. “It is, truly, a regal haul. Let us hope this belonged to the harpies and not the pirates I’ve seen.” </p><p> </p><p> Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the half-elf as he turned and wandered down the narrow path where he crouched down and seemed to examine the water.</p><p> </p><p> Duor leaned over to Braddok and muttered under his beard, “Ya know…I’m really starting to dislike that guy.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5472941, member: 92511"] The party descended into the darkness of the passageway leading into the heart of the rocky promontory. Duor was especially careful as he led the rest of the companions down. His dwarven stone sense seemed to be telling him the passage was naturally made and sloped slightly and then more steeply into the dark rock. The air was cool and damp. It was a welcome change from the late summer heat they’d endured above ground. Duor was thoroughly more comfortable, though still alert, meandering through the stone. The whole party noted with a slight breeze of cool air the salty smell of the sea coming up the passage. Not long into their descent, the passageway bent and then a faint light could be seen at the end of the tunnel not far ahead. It was apparent the passage opened up about forty feet ahead and while still obviously dark, was receiving natural looking light from somewhere. The smell of the sea became accompanied by the occasional soft lapping of water. Before reaching the opening Duor halted the group. He gestured Haelan closer for more light and noted a tripwire across the passage’s floor. “Yep. We gotta trap ‘ere.” the dwarf announced quietly. “Good sign”, mused Duor, “Folks don’t use traps unless there’s somethin’ to protect.” With Haelan providing the light and Braddok leaning over the two smaller humanoids to watch, (the rest of the group backed up the passage to where it had bent) Duor ably severed the wire. For a second, then two, no one in the party moved a breath. After the fifth second, Duor declared the trap disarmed but still advised people step cautiously over where it had been. The passage came out onto a somewhat roomy ledge high up in a huge cavern within the island’s stone outcropping. They could see reasonably well by the rays of the quickly setting sun that illuminated a cave opening high on the wall on the other side of the broad open space. There was also light leaking in far below them to illuminate the “floor” of the cavern, which was almost entirely submerged. Waves could be heard crashing outside and rolled calmly into the cavern. There was no telling from their position and available light how deep the water was. To their right a narrow ledge continued to wind down the cavern wall to a small landing at the water’s edge. The sea occasionally splashed up onto that landing. “Looks like the whole cliff is hollow.” proclaimed Haelan. The ceiling of the cavern was shrouded in shadows from the party’s light sources and the eerie orange light of the late day sun streaming through the natural openings. To their left on the landing was another mound of feathers, bones and cloth like they’d found in the harpies’ lair above. This one contained a few actual pillows, though they too were filthy. Duor quickly bounded over to the nest and began a thorough search of any hidden contents. As he got close, the salty sea smell was overtaken by a rancid odor. It didn’t take long for the dwarf to notice a half-eaten goblin corpse stashed on the nest’s far side. Duor held his breadth, crinkled his nose in disgust and continued his search. Haelan, nearby, continued to light the dwarf’s efforts. The halfling raised his free hand to his nose and exhaled in disgust. “That landing will be beneath water within the hour.” Trihna surmised by her well-trained knowledge of the local tides. Alaria took in the whole scene. “There’s no way out for us there. How long until low tide?” the magess questioned the water priestess. “At it’s lowest? Shortly before dawn.” Coerraine and Erevan began to edge their way down towards the landing to get a better idea of the water’s depth and how far that landing might extend when less water filled the cavern. Trihna also accompanied the elf and knight. Braddok surveyed their surroundings. Once Duor confirmed there was nothing of worth on the goblin carcass, the fighter kicked the corpse off the ledge. It splooshed loudly, echoing throughout the cavern. Alaria gave the warrior a thoroughly annoyed look. “We might wish to rest here, Alaria. It has been a rather long day.”, Braddok offered. Alaria raised her staff up high to get as good a look at the cavern ceiling as she could. It appeared natural enough, full of deep crevasses and crags, stalactites of all sizes (some quite large) spotted the ceiling, but she could not fully see into the deeper recesses. “Huh. Look there.” muttered Fen offhandedly. Alaria went to stand near the druid and noticed what looked like the bottom of another outcropping from the cavern wall. It was about twenty feet off the side of their ledge and a good twenty or so feet up. “Bollux.” grumbled Duor. “Don’t tell me there’s[I] another [/I]harpy.” “One way to find out, master treasure hunter.” Braddok prodded. The dwarf mumbled something under his beard the warrior could not make out. The warrior securely tied their rope to the dwarf and Duor began his second cliff face climb of the afternoon, muttering dwarven oaths most of the way. Erevan, Coerraine and Trihna returned to the ledge. “It appears the ledge runs around the periphery of the cavern. When the waters recede a bit, we should be able to walk around the edge and out that cave opening on the other side. Trihna believes by morning the path will be clear.” Erevan reported. The young paladin came forward, “I have checked the cavern as far as the Golden Defender will allow. I sense no evil here, milady. I think Braddok’s suggestion is a good one. This may be as good a place as we can hope to find for a camp.” Alaria nodded her consent and dropped her pack against the cavern wall. “Haelan, gather me some of the nest materials for a fire….Besides, perhaps burning some of it will remove the creature’s stench.” The halfling priest cheerfully did as instructed, holding his breadth as he carried an armful of bundled twigs, dried grasses and leaves, cloth, and one of the more stained and unsalvagable of the pillows to near the center of the ledge. "Shame" said the priest as he plopped it all down. His gaze downcast at the smudged and torn turquoise satin pillow ringed in bright green fringe, "Looks like that must have been quite nice in its time." Coerraine had set to removing the flint and steel from his tinderbox in his organized pack. Alaria swept a length of her dark brown hair from her face. With an exaggerated exhale and flick of a finger, a small tongue of flame shot into the mound which, despite the dampness of the air in the cavern, caught alight without a problem. “Feorn’s beard!” The cry from Duor echoed throughout the cavern. The exclamation shocked most of the party and several of them grabbed and readied weapons. Haelan and Alaria hurried to edge of the ledge to supply as much light as possible. The dwarf came into view at the edge of the ledge above the party. He wore a huge toothy smile parting his thick dark moustache and bearded jaw. Upon his head chains and bands of gold and silver shown in the mystical illumination. His hands glistened with coins and jewels dropping through his stumpy gloved fingers. “I LOVE this island!” Braddok and Haelan also smiled broadly. Many of the party, save Trihna and Erevan expressed their pleasure at what appeared to be a large cache of treasure. “How’re we going to get it back over here?” the warrior wondered. Alaria thought for a moment. “How much is there? I could possibly bring some of it back with a spell…” but the magess was not sure how long that would take with the small handfuls of her simple [I]mage hand[/I] cantrip. “Also, remember, we need to be on the move tomorrow for Tidemaster Kama's pearl. We can only afford to take on so much.” “No worries, boss lady. I’ll just camp up here tonight and keep it company.” The dwarf offered. “That will not be necessary, master dwarf.” Erevan offered with a subtly suspicious tone. Dang point-ear always out to ruin an honest dwarf’s fun, thought Duor. “If I may, Alaria?” the elegant elf in his deep violet overshirt neared the ledge’s edge. The intricate silver circlet he wore sparkled with the golden light of Alaria’s staff and the growing fire. He spread his arms before him and incanted, “[I]Seriz verik og theran.[/I]”<mage spell:[I] Floating Disc[/I]> Before the elf’s arms glimmered a disc of amber light the size of a small dinner plate. As the elf completed the simple spell, the disc spread and grew like an expanding puddle until it hovered before the elf’s outstretched arms, about five feet across. With a simple motion of his arms, the disc hovered smoothly up and over to the ledge where the dwarf stood looking decidedly unappreciative. “Excellent, Erevan. Well done!” applauded Haelan. “Indeed.” Agreed Alaria. “Duor, place as much as you can onto the disc. But stop when Erevan tells you!” “And be quick about it, if you please.” added Erevan. “I cannot maintain the conjuration for long.” At the idea of not getting as much of the treasure as possible, Duor hopped to it. He used a well crafted small shield to shovel the loose coins and gems onto the disc. Thankfully, the harpy seemed to be somewhat organized and he had only to lug a small coffer and two medium sized sacks filled with loot. A particularly fine dagger with a emerald and gold threaded scabbard found its way into the folds of his cloak as did a small bag of gems. “No sense weighing the elf down more than necessary, afterall”, Duor thought to himself. Tossing the shield on top of the sacks. The dwarf nearly pounced off the ledge onto the mound of treasure before Erevan’s surprisingly worried voice called out. “Duor NO! It is nearly too heavy for me. You cannot get on it also. I’ll send it back for you.” Seeing the apparent strain on the elf’s face, Duor elected not to utter the biting remark that leapt to his tongue. "By all means, save the treasure!", Duor replied. "I can climb if I hafta." Erevan guided the disc back to the main ledge where the company quickly removed all of the contents and began a survey of the booty. The elf, true to his word, guided the disc back to Duor and allowed the dwarf to ride it back. Erevan managed to force the disc of amber light to the end of the main ledge before it began to crack and splinter. Duor leapt to the security of stone beneath his feet just as the elf’s spell dispersed in a shattering flicker. Duor made his way, with eyes all agleam, to the pile of treasure. He plopped down, set the small coffer in his lap and set to examining the lock. Alaria and Trihna took and interest in looking at the few non-monetary items and checked them for enchantment. Braddok was happily counting coins with the aid of Haelan. Coerraine, happy at the find but still mindful of his duties, kept a stoic watch over the water below them as the last light the day filtered out of the cavern and the band was left to their counting in the falling night. “Nicely done, master dwarf.” said the druid, Fen. “And you, master druid.” returned Duor, happily. “If you hadn’t noticed the ledge all of this bounty may have gone mournfully undiscovered.” The dwarf fiddled at the coffer’s lock with some small implements that had appeared from somewhere on his person. The druid bowed and smiled. “It is, truly, a regal haul. Let us hope this belonged to the harpies and not the pirates I’ve seen.” Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the half-elf as he turned and wandered down the narrow path where he crouched down and seemed to examine the water. Duor leaned over to Braddok and muttered under his beard, “Ya know…I’m really starting to dislike that guy.” [/QUOTE]
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