"Mmhm...mmhm...yes" - mumbles the goblin, then he straighten up and turns to his fellows - "The faint sulphur odour with hints of rosemary and gherkin indicates that this material is most definitely mesuric acid, commonly found in the body of some predators with acid glands and in the digestive juice of insect-eater plants. Also, in twentyfold dilution it is the main ingredient of the famous goblin delicacy: pickled batwings! Although exposure to the concentrated form can lead to serious burns on the skin, so it can be a dangerous weapon which cannot be taken lightly."

Investigation::  16

" Hey! I like this game! " 

Betty joyfully mimics Ghost's gesture. She even combines the Two Finger sign and the Fist sign to make a new one. 

" Look, I call this Beware of  a Snail! Anyway everyone, are you hungry? I'm going to prepare a meal today. If there is anything you can't eat tell me now please."

Snikkit chuckles a bit on the joke but quickly disguises it into a croak not to offend Ghost, then turns to Betty.

"I agree with Lady Betty, we should eat a bit and most importantly we should make a plan for our next move. I'm far from a military expert but rushing into an unknown cave sound like a reeeeeally bad idea...even for me."

He's starting to think so hard, his fellows can even see the imaginary cogwheels running at maximum speed in his brain.

"Yes, I have an idea! A few years before I studied the way to imbue magic into simple objects which then able to mimic certain simple sounds or odors. How'bout we make a tiny doll which I imbue with the sound and smell of a prey animal, like a young sheep, place it into the entrance of the cave and wait for whatever comes out of it. Also, Lady Betty, I'm fine with whatever you prepare!"

(OOC - Magical Tinkering - we should use at least two objects to make the doll to imbue both smell and sounds, he will need a short rest to prepare it)

"I believe that Snikkit has a good plan, at least to lure the beast out so we can have a look at it, then we can get an idea what we are fighting." Prince Dueragn looked to Betty, "I also agree with Snikkit that whatever you prepare will suffice, I assure you that whatever you make will be better than what I have had in random taverns across the land" 

(Welp, I'm really glad you guys liked it. I was getting mad anxious on whether or not to keep editing that last post or just cut out the thieves cant part cuz it was getting too long...)

Quote from LeinadetheAlchemist >>

"Forgive me Lady Ghost! I'm devastated by this...devastation. Of course, let me check the burn marks!" He sqauts down beside the marks, touch them lightly and carfully, then rubs his fingers to each other and smells them with a very analytical face expression.

Ghost was shocked at being called 'Lady'. She smiles, but she quickly puts on her hood and tries to warm up despite the weather not being very cool at all.

"I haven't been called that in a long time now...thanks, I guess."

When Snikkit wasn't able to find anything useful about the acid, she picks up some of the deadfall from the destroyed trees and uses it to start a small fire as part of the short rest. A spiritual mist materializes, and as naturally as one would move their own hand, she commands it into the fire. She stares eerily into the fire as her green eyes glow and momentarily, the fire also bursts into same shade of emerald green.

(I'll be using the short rest to change Whispers from the Dead from Arcana to Nature.)

"Okay!" Ghost stands up dramatically once she finishes the little ceremony, "Who's ready to try learning hand signals again?"

Quote from Gaiou >>

Betty joyfully mimics Ghost's gesture. She even combines the Two Finger sign and the Fist sign to make a new one. 

" Look, I call this Beware of  a Snail! Anyway everyone, are you hungry? I'm going to prepare a meal today. If there is anything you can't eat tell me now please."

Ghost manages a little chuckle as she tries making the snail hand signal herself.

"Sir Igamore loved to eat snails," she glanced to a half buried piece of armor where the acid had burned the ground, then made a face, "Disgusting! I want to have some apples. I wonder if there are some apples safely stored away that these irresponsible young humans don't know about. That's right, didn't Sir Tristan say the orchard was owned by a lady? Ahh...wait, I'll look at the acid first..."

Nature check to examine the acid and see if there's anything we can do to defend against it or lessen its effects: 15

Okay, we will use this short rest to study the thieve’s cant and go ahead and attune your rings that way they will activate for you. This will put us at about 9 a.m. here at the orchard. 

Snikkit walks back to the younger worker of the orchard. 

"Good Ser, could you please procure us a piece of old rug or fur and a handful of dry sticks? It is necessary for our investigation."

Quote from konpk >>

Nature check to examine the acid and see if there's anything we can do to defend against it or lessen its effects: 23

 You inspect the specific areas where there is the most evidence of the acid. You can find the remains of the towns guard that were melted completely. You can tell that the organic material; leather, clothes, skin, bones have all dissolved. You can identify that things like metal, steel and stone were not dissolved but damaged beyond having any use. The guard do not carry anything magical.

Quote from LeinadetheAlchemist >>

Snikkit walks back to the younger worker of the orchard. 

"Good Ser, could you please procure us a piece of old rug or fur and a handful of dry sticks? It is necessary for our investigation."

 “Seems odd, but sure.” He goes and grabs those materials for you. 

Snikkit thanks the ingredients and finds a clear spot in the shade of a chewed-off tree, unpacks his tools and start to tinker the sheep-doll bait.

"Please, my friends, do not disturb me for an hour at least!"

While the others went about their business Prince Dueragn focused his attention during the hour on his ring, and on the axe he had received. Not to mention the hand signals.

Investigation: 5

After some time spent tinkering and fiddling with various gadgets and gizmos, the goblin finally managed to imbue the sheep-doll with magic. The process involved a series of clanks and whirrs as the goblin worked his arcane devices, culminating in a satisfying whoosh as the magic flowed into the toy. With a great smile of accomplishment, the goblin presented the magically imbued sheep-odor and sound emitting doll to his fellows.

"Dear friends, I am ready!"

Quote from CreateChiro >>

(OH! it's a nat 1!)

 (OOC - lolololol)

Quote from WesTheRocketMan >>

You inspect the specific areas where there is the most evidence of the acid. You can find the remains of the towns guard that were melted completely. You can tell that the organic material; leather, clothes, skin, bones have all dissolved. You can identify that things like metal, steel and stone were not dissolved but damaged beyond having any use. The guard do not carry anything magical.

Ghost reappears back with the party with an acid-scorched vambrace (arm armor) and a rock and tosses it to the ground in front of the party.

"These things seem to survive the thessalhydra's spit...not perfectly...but it does offer some measure of protection. Keep your eyes peeled for large rocks we can hide behind. We should try to stay in cover, staying at the ready when it goes for Mr. Sparks' bait."

She looks at the dwarf and the horned girl and nods

"If things get desperate, only those with metal armor should try to engage this thing in melee...but I hope you're not too sentimental with your armor, although I'm sure you can afford a new one once we cash in the rewards."

Despite her calm-like demeanor, the way she fiddles with her peculiar ring from Sir Tristan suggests otherwise, and she finishes attuning to it.

Quote from NLGames >>

While the others went about their business Prince Dueragn focused his attention during the hour on his ring, and on the axe he had received. Not to mention the hand signals.

Grinning that most of the party has now picked up how to quietly signal each other, Ghost now more confidently suggests, "I can move up front to scout a few feet ahead and then signal for the rest of you to move forward if the coast is clear. Please listen for the bell and come running if you do hear it."

🔔 Ghost rings the bell one more time to remind everyone what it sounds like, then again slightly muffled while underneath her cloak, then lastly while shaking an apple tree's branch at the same time.

👍 "If I give a thumb's up then it's safe to move forward. At least...it means I haven't spotted anything dangerous but keep your own eyes peeled! I'll stay 20 feet ahead of the party and use hand signals to communicate. Are we ready?"

The goblin looks at Ghost in an appreciative manner, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Excellent investigation skills, Lady Ghost," he exclaimed. "While I do not possess any heavy armor like our friends here, I do have some arcane tools at my disposal that allow me to deflect some damage of this form. However, I must admit that they are not particularly effective in a prolonged fight, and they do not offer much protection."

He paused for a moment, considering his words before continuing. "However, I did study this shiny ring Sir Tristan handed us while working that I believe might be of some use. I have been studying it in the hopes that it might offer some additional protection in times of need."