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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Carlo-One" data-source="post: 8066490" data-attributes="member: 7015827">Inside the conjured hut, the party shed their cold, wet outer layers and took advantage of the magical torches inside to start warming themselves. Teeth still chattering, Shanni looked to Dermot to summarize for both Aerikoth and Rahnee the results of the exploration so far of the Hidden Peak cavern. As usual, the ranger cut right to the chase, describing the first level as not much but rock monsters, rats, empty cavern-rooms, and the occasional skeleton, with a portcullis and door going deeper. On the second level, he mentioned they had found the resting place of a white dragon, along with a few gems. In response to a question from Rahnee, Dermot clarified that the cavern with the dead dragon had naught but a few bones and some white dragon scales, along with the cold elemental guarding it. He then went on to describe the big hole in the center of the cavern with warm air coming out and handholds cut into the side of the lower-level pit. He concluded by mentioning they had exited the cavern when they thought something might be coming up the hole.Helrud interjected, assuring them that there was no (live) dragon around, as he would have seen signs of it hunting in the area. The dwarf eagerly speculated that the hoard might just be there for taking, with the previous white and red dragon occupants of the cavern being dead. Dermot, Shanni and Darrow confirmed that they had killed all of the rock-like monsters and the elementals they had encountered in the cavern, along with some oozes. They also commented that the white dragon’s hoard must have been thoroughly looted or moved from its resting place, which puzzled them given the presence of the elemental.Having absorbed all of this, Rahnee turned to Aerikoth and queried if the wizard had found anything special during his study of the surrounding ruins. In his usual emotionless tone, Aerikoth reported that the area had architecture from more than one culture, all being at least several hundred years in age. He said he did not recognize most of them, being unfamiliar with the lands they were in, but did note some Netherese runes on an old pillar making reference to a “deep mountain of fire” which Dermot interpreted as a volcano. As the wizard had mentioned previously, he also determined that the nearby dragon statue was that of a red.Rahnee asked Helrud if there were any Ironhelm clan tales of an underground volcano. The dwarf said there were none that he knew of, but there were stories of a red dragon that once had ruled a kingdom in the mountains, which he thought must be the place where they were. Conversation turned back to locating the hoard, as Darrow wondered if it had been hidden in a secret area they had missed, or perhaps with a spell. Aerikoth confirmed that he would be able to detect the presence of magic in the cavern. Helrud, convinced that the hoard was located in the cavern, thought it must be buried at the bottom of the pit they had found.Rahnee declared, with a merry smile, that unless her three companions were lying thieves and bandits and keeping the hoard to themselves, they had more exploring to do on the morrow. This prompted Helrud, apparently not getting the joke, to look suspiciously at Darrow, Dermot and Shanni. He then had to admit, however, that they could hardly be hiding that much gold, especially “scrawny” Shanni. The petite rogue pouted a little at this, but then joined the others in preparing to bed down for the night, although she first related the story of finding the bones of trapped people who had to eat each other. Rahnee, startled at first by the macabre situation, commented that it must be horrible to have to eat your friends. Darrow, ever practical, pointed out that who knew if they were friends.</blockquote>

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