Forgotten Realms Tales

Logan:

”If the mines are a day and a half away, let us embark after lunch and use what daylight we have left, unless there is need of more preparation,” suggests Logan, adding, “The comforts of the inn are tempting, but I would rest better after making sure the locals no longer need to fear attack by werewolves.”

At Chara’s words, Logan responds, “Of course, please remain and do more of your research here while we are gone as long as you feel safe here.  We will strive to be back soon.”

"Oh we are fine to go as soon as you want." replies Thandril. 

Preparations are made and, after checkingwith Phineas for some landmarks that could help them navigate the forest they are on their way, leaving Chara behind and under the starn look of some of the dwarves. 

As soon as they are out of the inn the eagle takes-off from the elf shoulder and flies up the rest. They lost sight of the avian from time to time but she is never far. Or at least that says Thandril. The elf seems relaxed and is a good traveler companion, he asks questions about his new companions, not being intrusive and only asking more if they seem to be ready to share. He, on his part, tells them that he is from a good standing family in Cormanthor and that he has decided, against some of his elder's opinion it seems, to wander the wotld and see what it has to offer. He carry no aparent weapons though. 

Night falls and they decided to make a rest near a stream that downs from the hills. Thandril believes that, if they follow the stream uphill, they will find the entrance to the mines, for the veins of silver were found near the birth of a stream, and, thanks to the indications of the family they were trying to help, and the directions of Phineas, he is pretty sure that they are on the right path. 

     Gorm will easily share her story with their new companion for she has no secrets.  She will provide as much or little information about the lifestyle of her tribes as he desires and explain about the tradition of earning one’s second sword - the journey she is now on.  She will ask after his own people and traditions in a polite manner, more out of conversational norm than a need to learn.  The more interesting she finds things the more she’ll ask but she’s no academic looking to study his people or anything.,,

     She will mention the encounters they have had on their journey so far, the harpies and the owlbear…  and the scene they came upon that may have been a dragon attack.  She will use this to I quite what, if anything he knows of dragons.  

     She’ll try to avoid the topic of the purpose of their journey, not sure if it should be revealed or not and allowing others to answer if they wish.  She’ll merely say they are accompanying the one they left behind to ensure her safe travels…

Logan:

"I spent a lot of time running errands at the Old Skull Inn here in the 'Dales," says Logan, more than willing to swap a few adventuring stories with his new traveling companion as they walk.

As they prepare to make camp, Logan looks around the immediate area for any signs of large animal activity or any other potential threats nearby.

Perception:  22

Logan does, indeed, find tracks of wolves about 50 yards from their camp. It seems that the animals went to the stream to drink. 
He sees that there is at least one massive wolf by the size of the tracks in the mud. 

Oblivious to the potential threat of lupine visitors, Dr A pulls out the makings for a pot of tea.

Logan:

Heading back to the others, Logan reveals what he found, saying, “I don’t know if we will be able to move our camp far enough away to avoid an encounter with these wolves tonight, but we should at least pick a campsite with an eye towards defense against them and stay alert tonight.”

(( For that any of you should make a survival check for me please )) 

     “What about the trees?” Gorm suggests in the form of a question.  “We could be prepared to climb if need be…”

Survival: 15
…

Dr A looks down at his body and then across at Gorm somewhat incredulously before saying “Ahbut trees and I don’t get on so well”

Gorm thinks that the branches of the nearby pines could hold their weigth without problem, even Logan's and his armor. 

(( OOC As a side note I forgot to mention that Talgred and the chart are at the inn too )

     "We could maybe rig up something with the ropes to have at the ready?" Gorm offers while actually looking at Doctor Arbutaveyu and realizing it's probably folly.  Even if it could be done it would unlikely be quick or comfortable.

     "Or we just post a watch, sleep lightly and keep our weapons close," she concludes.

Logan:

"Fair enough," replies Logan to Gorm, volunteering, "I'll take the first watch."

(Sounds of dice rolled behind the DM screen.... Hmmm Interesting... some notes are scratched... ) 

Despite their suspictions, the night goes without incident and the party have a good rest. Thandril leans against a tree and just rest his eyes for the time that Logan makes his watch, then he reassures the warrior that he can take from that point on and that the rest should rest. Gorm wakes an hour later, a little bit startled that Logan hasn't woke up her, but Thandril reassures her and they spent the rest of the nomad's time of watch sharing the silence and the passing clouds above. They let Dr. A. get his sleep. 

After a frugal breakfast they reassume their journey and about mid-day the terrain starts to climb. They find a stream that feds the one that they had been camping, and that comes directly from the same directon they were climbing. After a few more minutes they find the entrance of the mines. There is an artifical semi-circular esplanade in front of it with a small abandoned cabin made of stone to the left side. It seems that there is some rubble at the esplanade and there are vines and  moss covering the stones, both of the entrance and the cabin. The place seems long abandoned. If there are more things they must climb to see the surface of the esplanade and the entrance to the mines.

     Gorm approaches the cabin first.  She assumes if there is someone here that is the best bet to find them...

Logan:

Nodding to Gorm, Logan moves to the entrance to the esplanade to keep watch there as she investigates the cabin.

As they climb up to the esplanade they see that there are some tools and even a mining cart abandoned and rusty. The cart is resting on one of his sides the metal wheels covered with vines and moss.
The cabin seems to be in the same shape of the rest of the old equipment. The door is ajar and it’s rotten wood almost breaks when Gorm tries to open it. 
Inside she can see some critter poops and a rotten wooden table. A chair, long broken lies on the floor. There is a metal chest, rusty and almost covered by grass. 

Logan looks upon the entrance of the mines properly. The semi circular entrance is closed by a rusty porticullis that seems to open horizontally like a door. There is a chain keeping it closed. That chain is surprisingly well conserved, not polished or new  but in contrast with the rest of the material the fighter cannot help but notice it. 

Dr. A. Looks to the excavated entrance. He is no expert but he would say that it was excavated to make it bigger and more practice for the mining operations. The borders are nicely cut and the entrance makes a perfect semi circunference 

     Gorm picks her way carefully into the cabin.  "Doesn't look like we are intruding on anyone, anyway," she says as she takes a look around.  "Doesn't seem anyone has been here for a while."

     She prods the metal chest a bit with her foot, trying to shift it just enough to make a bit of noise, move enough to startle anything that may be hiding behind it or such.  There are sand snakes back home that love nothing more than to strike out and bite and anyone too eager to grab at the rare desert cactus than to use a bit of caution.  If nothing comes jumping out she'll open the chest, if she can, and see what is left inside.  It could give some hint if they left in a hurry or not.

Gorm rattles the chest and waits, but nothing jumps off it to bite her. When she opens it a moth came out of it flying, scared of the intrusion on its home. 

Inside the chest Gorm finds old big scrolls with its paintings and writting almost erased by the passing of time and eaten by moths. A journal with leather covers also damaged by the time and the insects and another metal box. This one is smaller and it is in a slightly better condition than the larger one, probably for being inside the other. Gorm sees that the left corner of the larger chest is so rusty that it has holes in it, allowing the little pests to have entered it. 

     “Doctor!” Gorm calls out (assuming he is not in the room with her.)  “Doctor Arbutaveyu!” 

     Gorm will not touch of move the scrolls.  She knows little about magic but she knows much of dried up and brittle things and thinks it best perhaps the hood doctor handle the items.  The journal, as well, she thinks may fare better under a more delicate touch than her own

     The smaller box, however, she will carefully life out and carry to the other side of the room for closer inspection…