AURYN: The Measure of Devotion

Oten, approaching the plate armour, immediately swivels at the sound of the trap going off. Seeing no one injured, he once again turns his attention to the plate, approaching more cautiously now. He carefully inspects the area for traps before reaching out to examine the armour. "A lot of traps. Hmmm. I feel less and less welcome with each minute. But are they for us, or for the invaders we've been dispatching I wonder."

Investigation for traps: 9

With Rum's unfortunate mishap, Ro wholeheartedly agrees with Oten, "A lot of traps indeed.  Allow me a moment to cast Detect Magic; I'll check the room for traps and anything else of interest."

With that, Ro ritual casts Detect Magic.  Once the spell is in effect the elf-dwarf does a thorough sweep of the second floor, looking for clues related to the Lord of Darkness as well as anything else remotely useful/ magical.  While investigating, Ro asks Greko, "Ah, so what did you hear over the AURYN friend?"

Investigation Check: 15
Passive Investigation: 17

Greko makes his way up to the second floor and meets with Rum "Oh yes, the message....Kerwyn messaged relaying a message from Delphinium. They mentioned finding Delphium's mother and family if the Great Deku tree was in trouble. She's a powerful druid of the Kokiri forest. She tends to the entire southern part of the forest. However, she and Delphinium's sister are hiding. They relayed where to find them but we are already inside the tree. The message was too late. I also inspected the creature we killed. It does not live in the Deku Tree. It dwells in dark unfriendly forests or deep within caves. My educated guess is it was brought here with the gnolls and the rest of the traps to prevent anyone from saving the Great Deku tree. If this was but the first obstacle in doing so, I fear what lies ahead.

Ro responds to Greko's announcement, "Delphinium?  I don't recall that name amongst the initial heroes summoned by the Childlike Empress.  I suppose we're not the only band to pick up new mates.  However, it's like you said: the message was too late and we are already making our way through the Great Deku Tree.  I suppose we could investigate the southern forest afterwards, but personally I'm still concerned about my family in Hyrule.  After we're done here, I'd like to head straight to Hyrule Castle if the band allows.  However, on the infinitesimal chance that Prim brings news about the castle's victory against Ganondorf; it is only then that I would consider the option of seeking out Delphinium's family."

Seeing Ro noting the armour as well, Oten asks, "What do your eyes tell you about this armour? I have been looking for suitable materials to upgrade my frame's defensive capabilities." He holds up his arm and examines it next to the armour.

Ro responds to Oten, "Ah, it's a fine piece for sure.  Couldn't make a better suit myself.  Seems like its also been enchanted with magic to increase its strength.  If you're able to don such a heavy suit of armor, you'll find that it'll protect you better than your average plate mail."

(It's a +1 plate armor.)

Rum spends the time waiting for Ro to complete his spell examining the Gnoll corpses, seeing what they were carrying if anything.

Investigation: 5 + 0 = 5 (Passive: 10)

After Ro has finished, he joins in the conversation about Delphinium's family.

"I understand your impatience to make it to your home, friend Ro. Perhaps there will be a decision to make once we have a bit more information, because I would hate to see such an ancient being as this tree die, if there is something we can do to stop it. Trouble is, short of evicting whatever evil is inside, I have no other idea of how to help it", he says with a sigh.

"Either way, it does remind us that time is against us in all this. We should be cautious, I know that more than anyone", he looks at the table area as he speaks. "But we should try to move faster. There is a rather grand doorway on the next level, which I spotted when fighting the spider creature, that will likely be our next move".

"Let us move with haste then," Lelith interjected with some slight impatience. "We have little time and great forces move to hinder our progress."

Greko wanders around the floors looking for unusual things, signs that caused the blight, and of the blight itself inside the Deku Tree, while others do their own things during the 10 minute ritual Ro is performing

Invest check: 20
Nature: 9
Arcana: 13
Religion: 21

As the 10 minutes pass Greko ends up on the third floor which is 2 above the first floor also known as the ground floor. "Friends! I am happy everyone is in one piece. As I made my way up here I saw that there was an altar smashed...I assume it was done in the fighting. The altar was that of the god that the Gnolls worship. If they are here I assume it means their god is working with the darkness. I think we should break down this barricade and see what is behind it. Perhaps something useful for what lies through the door with the fiend on it. Maybe a clue to defeat what is in that room."

While still on the 2nd floor, Ro approaches the table that previously blew up in Rum's face.  "Ah, a pity indeed.  Regardless, there may be some use for you yet," the elf-dwarf says to himself as he picks up the remnants of a shattered pendant off the floor.

Ro proceeds to the 3rd floor with the others.  "I agree Greko, let's search the area while we can before proceeding into the lion's den."

Not the most athletic himself, Ro will not lead the activity of breaking down the barricade but will assist (help action) someone else.  Once the barricade is down, Ro leads the search as he continues looking for clues and anything useful/ magical with Detect Magic.

Investigation check: 26
Passive Investigation: 17

Rum also heads to the third floor. “A couple of those Gnolls looked a bit strange. Like they were decaying”, he feeds back to the others as he gets to work trying to clear the barricade.

"I smashed the altar," Lelith explained to Greko courtly.

"Ah well good for you, gnolls are nasty creatures who do nothing but harm to nature's delicate balance amongst other things."  

Clearing the barricade gives Twilight Embers access to what seems to have been some sort of crude housing area.  Beds and clothing are strewn about, crates and glass are busted, holes in the floor leading down to the lower levels.  There is a locked chest in the back of the room.  

Oten leads the way, picking his path carefully through the rubble. "Nothing in this place is unscathed, is it?" Oten muses. "Except for..." he points to the chest. "Now, based on the established patterns, I estimate a 73% likelihood that a trap has been placed nearby"

Ro heeds Oten's estimations and approaches the chest cautiously, "Well it isn't giving off a magical aura, so at the very least it won't blow up in our faces.  However, that doesn't cross out the possibility that its been booby trapped through mundane means."  Ro takes a moment to examine the chest from a safe distance, "The lock doesn't seem too robust though, so it'll probably be easy to break into."

The elf-dwarf examines the chest and its surroundings, keeping an eye out for any possible traps.

"Oh, I'll also add that there's something magical beyond the menacing door across the room.  But from this distance I can't tell what school of magic specifically.  I'll take a close look once we're done here."

Once the barricade is cleared, and with Oten and Ro leading the investigation of the chest, Rum takes a look around the rest of the floor.

Spotting what looks to be a bag to the North West he carefully inspects it, having learned his lesson.

Perception: 9+7=16 (Passive 17)

Investigation: 16+0=16

Oten stands nearby while Ro inspects the chest, observing intently. Though he has a considerable understand of the fundamental mechanical principles that may go into constructing a physical trap, his experience with traps is essentially limited to what he has seen this day. Nevertheless, he keeps careful watch, ready to haul Ro out of the way should the necessity present itself.

Greko looks around the room for anything useful left behind by whoever barricaded the room
Investigation : 17