Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

Aurelius happily follows Elyria deeper into the forest, riding Lady if the terrain permits.  The recent successful combat seems to have lifted some of the stress and gloom that had been hanging over him since they left the Eladrin village.

"My friends, we fought well as a team.  Excellent effort, all around!  Of course, I am ready for more, but I must warn you that my divine mana energy has been depleted, and I will not be an effective healer until we take a substantial rest."

Elyria nods at Aurelius' words. "I think we can risk it Aurelius, even though we should expect more obstacles before we obtain the mushrooms and the amulet." She says, swiftly moving through the forest.

You travel for a couple of hours until you start to notice a growing mist.  It grows thicker until you enter a broad clearing.  The thick chilly mist now surrounds you, obscuring everything.  Through the mist you can still just barely make out the outlines of the huge, ancient trees surrounding this space.  At the corner of your vision, you keep seeing bright points of light.  Appearing in every color of the rainbow, they seem to vanish as soon as you try to focus on them.  The place is very quiet.  

From what you have been told, this must be the heart of the forest.  

The paladin looks around and says, "Now would be a good time to do something druid-y.  I will try and focus on the location of the amulet, perhaps you can communicate with whatever beings dwell here and inquire about the fungi."

He then will concentrate on whatever he knows of the amulet, or amulets in general, and cast locate object.

"Finally, we're here." Elyria says and produces a rolled up paper and turns to to the others. "I was given this by Olcelle. If you read the words while being close to the amulet it's location will be revealed to you." She says, handing it to either Aurelia or Flynt, whoever accepts it first. She then unpacks a chalice with a decorated lid and unceremoniously starts burning incense in it while chanting in an airy language. (Using her Censer of Controlling Air Elementals to summon one.) She then orders the air elemental to gently sweep the mist away revealing the ground before them.
Perception or Survival to find mushrooms or an animal to ask about them, helped by Aelric: 17  

The air elemental is summoned and starts to disapate the mist. In the clear air you still see the colored lights come and go at the edge of your vision. 

Elyria is then quickly able to find a couple of patches the purple mushrooms in some shady spots near the clearing's edge.  They seem to match the description you had been given. 

Motioning for Aurelius and Flynt to follow her Elyria cautiously approches the mushrooms, warý of the colored lights, and tries to gather enough for Lady Sylmare and the Harengon.
Perception with help from Aelric to notice any threat: 14

Aurelius will remain focused on the perimeter looking for threats, although he is careful not to stare directly at the lights for long, suspecting they may be mesmerizing in some way.  "You might want to handle those only with gloves on," he suggests, "just in case they are poisonous."

Perception 16

Elyria nods, but having no gloves she uses her cloak in order to not touch the mushrooms as she puts them into her backpack.

Elyria is able to gather up the mushrooms and safely place them away in her pack.  Aurelius does not notice anything else moving about this place, other than the odd colored lights.  

(Just need to know what Aurelius and/or Flynt did with the scroll?) 

(Did Aurelius' locate object spell from post 1474 have any result? If not, he would look to Flynt to read the scroll.)

Flynt spends the trip to the medow quiet and on alert. When Elyria offers the scroll he accepts it readily. When Aurelius looks to him he takes a deep breath and begins to read from the scroll.

(OCC: sorry for the lack of posts. New position at work and Olympic prep has kept me pretty busy.)

(Olympic prep? Are you going to compete?)

(Sorry, I did miss Aurelius' spell.)

The spell indicates a location to Aurelius about 50 ft away from him. As he follows, it appears to be below the ground.

Shortly after, Flynt read the scroll. In his mind he senses a location, apparently along the same path Aurelius is following. 

Realizing the amulet is underground Elyria swiftly turns into a Giant Badger and starts digging. (Burrow sped 10 ft.)

Aurelius will search around the clearing for covert tunnel openings or other possible entrances to an underground space.

Investigation (with help, hopefully) 14

It does not take very long before Elyria in badger form comes across something. It seems to be a humanoid skelton. 

Aurelius' Investigation does not turn up anything.  

Flynt helps Aurelious look to no avail.

"Seems tame enough here. Should we rest a bit before heading back?" asks Flynt

(I work for NBC so broadcast prep.)

The eyes of the Giant Badger widen for a moment as it reaches the humanoid skeleton, then turning back into Elyria. "Come, look!" She says, trying a bit more gently to look around for the amulet. Perception: 19

Elyria is able to see a piece of metal right near the bones. As she uncovers it more you see it is dull copper, but considering it was in the ground it is strangely untarnished.  As you examine it you hear a faint ticking and whirring sound.  

(14+5)