The group scrambles up the rocky face towards the outcropping. Gloomblade says that he would like to check things out first to make sure the area is safe, and Henry volunteers to go with as an extra weapon. The two men advance on the stoneworked cave entrance with weapons drawn and take a quick look inside. They see that the walls gleam in long streaks of crystal, and the cave goes back to a single stone door, currently closed.
Henry does a quick scout of the cave and the surrounding area, but is unable to see anything of note. (Henry Perception DC 10: [6] + 2 = 8 *failure*) Gloomblade wracks his brains, but is unable to come up with anything that might explain this phenomena. (Gloomblade History DC 15: [13] + 1 = 14 *failure*)
Suddenly, both men jump slightly as the elven form of Gala morphs right behind them. She had padded up silently in her jackal form unbeknownst to them, so her transformation causes them to yelp in surprise. Her suspicions about what she had seen below were true... this WAS the kind of stonework that a red dragon would do... the crystal veins being quartz, and the long, flowing curves of the doorway of a draconic bent. (Gala Nature DC 15: [12] + 12 = 24 *success*)
Upon mentioning that this was likely the work of a dragon... Tregar immediately flashes upon a nugget of information that had been buried deep within his memory... a name... a legend of a dragon within the Stonehome. Astra-- Azra-- Aza... pha... laxis? Yes! Azaphalaxis! That's it! (Tregar History Aid Another DC 10: [12] + 2 = 14 *success*)
The name Azaphalaxis brings everything into clarity for Dorn, as he remembers the stories about the red dragon clearly. Azaphalaxis was a student of the arts, oddly enough... not something dragons were normally known for. But legend has it that this particular one used its magical powers and abilities to work the rock in the Stonehome Mountains into interesting and amazing shapes, and it was rumored that even parts of Bordrin's Watch itself bear the marks of Azaphalaxis' work. (Dorn History DC 10: [16] + 4 + 2 = 22 *success*) Many sages thought that the dragon had actually taken Moradin on as a patron, and if that is true... then perhaps this cave and doorway might be connected to Moradin's holy site, the Monastery of the Sundered Chain in some way?
The group gathers together at the mouth of the cave, and Wendigo strides forward to check the door out. It swings outward easily... and you can see a passageway 10' in diameter beyond... moving on into the darkness. The shifter does not need to take more than three steps into the passage before he stops, drops to a knee, then turns back to mention what he's found... tracks. Exiting this passage into the cave. Orc tracks, if he's not mistaken. This might very well be the egress point that the scout party they discovered, used. (Wendigo Perception DC 10: [4] + 10 = 14 *success*)
With congratulations passed all around for what they've found, the six quickly put their heads together to decide what they should do. Take this passage into the mountainside to hopefully either find a back way to the monastery or more of the orcs marching through... or continue the way they have been going, towards the eventual front gate of the Sundered Chain? The passage could easily save time and possibly take orcs by surprise, but Dorn's steed might not be able to traverse the entire way if the walls or ceiling grow narrower further in.
What path will the group choose to take?
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3 Successes / 2 FailureS: Challenge Check 4: SUCCESS
Reward: To be determined based upon the path the party chooses.
SKILL CHALLENGE SUCCEDED: 4 OF 4