Star Metal Marauders- Highway Harvest

Sparhawk looks at his new crew mates, “Reginald, Lir, either of you been up this way or to Mirabar”

As Reginald reads the goblin letter he realizes it is very personal. A love letter describing in intimate detail the ways in which the author wishes to ravage the recipient.  Along with plans for marriage after they saved up enough money to impress their families and clan. Of course. Reginald does not know the details of what became of these Goblins 

It takes  a couple of hours to reach  the trail to the cave entrance. On the way there were no signs of the trade caravan and nobody on the road.  When you pass the ambush site you can see the pile of dead bandits under the snow, some have been pulled away and  partially consumed.  The tracks of many animals, including what appears to be a large cat, the size of bear tracks all around the dead pile.  Further up the road to the split where you battled Bernard you find only a few scraps of the wagon left. Much if the good wood and metal fasteners have been scavenged. 

Sparhawk looks at the group.

"Ok crew, we have a few options. Nearby is an underground structure that we have partially explored. I'm hoping no one has found it yet since we've left. It has been pretty dangerous so far, with traps and a pudding creature that spewed acid and ruined our armor and weapons. we have partially explored it and I believe we can complete it in short order. It may be worth our search, and there was something strange in the water that we are now more prepared to examine, particularly with our new friends."

He looks at the group.

"If we skip it, I feel we will not be able to visit it on our return trip as the item we are retrieving should be brought back quickly. I think it may be a cursed item so I want it out of our possession quickly."

He looks at Vars, "First Mate, crew? What do you all think?"

Frangipani nods eagerly about exploring the water.

"Frangipani, I believe Lir here can also breathe underwater and I purchased a potion that will allow one more if we want. Do you feel its worth exploring that water again?"

" Worth what? I don't know whats there except for lights and colours and glowy hunter blobs....there might be anything!"

Reginald will inform everyone of what the letter says, does a quick deciphering for coded messages (just in case).  Investigation (+4) Advantage with Caligraphy Tools proficency :15 / 16

"Well done, I'm glad we brought you along Reginald."

Sparhawk realizes what is valuable to Frangipani may be different than others.  He sighs,

"Frangipani, are you curious enough to continue to explore the water, even if what you find may be dangerous?  It may be better with a few more of us with you."

"I can breathe underwater for an hour with a spell, but I would be next to useless since most of my spells require vocalization... also if I lose concentration I drown..." comments Reginald.

He pauses, then presses on "I do have one spell that doesn't require me to speak and that's Rime's Binding Ice, very effective underwater, too."

“It’s a good backup my friend.  We’ll need you for other issues we may run into. I suspect we may run into more slime creatures.  

"Shouldn't take more than an hour or two. Let's find whatever treasure might be left in there. For the flooded passage we're going to want javelins, arrows, and spears. Like spear fishing." Bjorn summons his weapon in the form of a heavy crossbow.

(We will advance on the cave, looking for signs that anyone has been on the path we covered with brush. Sparhawk had also moved the boulder back to make the opening smaller, wanna make sure that has not been moved.  )

”we have a small side trip to wrap up a curious find fro

 a few days back.  It’s a cave with some nastys inside. It’s like a house with a cave. The cave has water in it and it’s very deep.  There’s a lower level to the house.  “

Quote from Bjorn_Stahle >>

Reginald will inform everyone of what the letter says, does a quick deciphering for coded messages (just in case).  Investigation (+4) Advantage with Caligraphy Tools proficency :11 / 17

 No secret codes, just amorous feelings of one servant for the other

When you reach the rock covering the cave entrance, you can’t see anything out of place as you you had left it. You find it is much easier to move the stone this time since Bjorn did such a good job loosening it for you last time.

here is what you hav explored thus far.

(Oh shoot I'm falling behind lol.)

"Well, you know by now how eager I am to find whatever it is this map leads to," Vars says. "So if everyone else is up for further exploration, I definitely won't complain." 

When they reach the cave he says, "So, what will it be. The water or the slimes?" He gestures to each path in turn, "At least we know the slimes are there now. We can properly prepare for meeting them." He unslings his bow and tests the string. "I won't be ruining another sword today." 

“Alright, let’s start with going down in The main area that Frangipani explored briefly.  Then we’ll look at the water again. Vars and Lir up front. Regi in the rears.  Lir, watch out there’s a nasty trap pit at the end of this first hallway. “

Everyone ready??   We shouldnt encounter anything until we head down” Sparhawk takes out his shield and a javelin, keeping the mace handy in case of slimes, which seem to split when cut.  

“Lir, Vars, stay sharp. Counting on you to find traps and beasties” Sparhawk hands them a 10 foot pole he brought along on the wagon.   “Poke this around in front of you if you like.  If it moves, let us know.”

You make your way down the hallway , careful to avoid the open pit that almost led to tragedy last time. You enter the main chamber, which conveniently enough, the oil scones are still burning, though their oil supply is nearly depleted. Straight north is the hallway and stairs that ends in a t intersection, a closed door can barely be seen in the hallway before the split. On the East wall is the dumb waiter that leads to a kitchen Frangipani got a brief glimpse of and the west doo4 leads to the cavern, slimes and water feature