Berkarak - You bludgeon the stirge with your staff, sending its broken body sailing into the next room.

Lehmani - The blood-laden stirge emits a surprised squeak as the sacred flame descends upon it. It bursts with a wet sizzle.

Combat has ENDED.

The ceiling soars thirty feet high in the center of this impressive chamber, and the walls are carved with images of dwarves at their forges. Two large stone doors exit to the north and south. Several old skeletons lie scattered near the northern door. A gate of wrought iron stands in the western wall.

In the center of the floor, a natural rift descends sharply. Dozens of stone steps lead down into darkness. You can hear the distant sound of running water and a curious buzzing coming from far below.

Map:

Lehmani looks to Grymar, gesturing down towards the darkness and the buzzing. "Sounds like they're playing your song down there, Grymar."

She then turns her attention to the carvings on the wall, trying to determine if they seem more than just decorative... Searching particular for anything that might be related to Gond or the visions that brought her to this place.

Berkarak inspects the skeletons to determine how they died, if they were defending or attacking, and if their deaths came from the other doors in the chamber or the descending darkness. (Investigation+Guidance 16+3 for 19)

Kalhala sheepishly apologizes to Lehmani about the explosive bug and then continues into the room with the skeletons.  He stands at the edge of the rift and peers down into the darkness.  "Man, I don't know, this place is getting stranger by the minute.  Think the orcs ever came around here or was this all before them?"  He pulls at his beard a bit, "That buzzing... I feel it in my stomach and it doesn't feel right."

Grymar stands on unsteady legs, peering down into the darkness, he looks a little pale and seems a little peaked.  “Buzzin.  Lemme see.  Lemme listen and see if that sounds like my buggy frenz or if that be more of those sharp nosed blood suckers, flappin’ their little blasted wings.”  Grymar sniffs as well, trying to determine any smells and he listens hard, trying to determine what kind of buzzing that is.  “My gut tells me, no sir, I don’t like it.  Hey uh, any you fellers feeling as weak as I am?  I’m wonderin if we should close that door back there and rest up a bit in the room we just left.  Yon skeletons won’t mind one bit.”  

Quote from ArgoFlux >>

Berkarak inspects the skeletons to determine how they died, if they were defending or attacking, and if their deaths came from the other doors in the chamber or the descending darkness. (Investigation+Guidance 16+3 for 19)

 Zubien looks as well, "Perhaps they fell to the stirges?" Zubien will also see if the skeletons are human or Orc. Investigation: 17

Quote from Twombley >>

Grymar stands on unsteady legs, peering down into the darkness, he looks a little pale and seems a little peaked.  “Buzzin.  Lemme see.  Lemme listen and see if that sounds like my buggy frenz or if that be more of those sharp nosed blood suckers, flappin’ their little blasted wings.”  Grymar sniffs as well, trying to determine any smells and he listens hard, trying to determine what kind of buzzing that is.  “My gut tells me, no sir, I don’t like it.  Hey uh, any you fellers feeling as weak as I am?  I’m wonderin if we should close that door back there and rest up a bit in the room we just left.  Yon skeletons won’t mind one bit.”  

Nature : (rolled with advantage since he’s listening to the buzzing and determining if insect generated or not, his forté.) : Double Nat 20!!

 

 Zubien nods, "I could rest up to heal for a bit before we venture forth, or continue on as our group feels."

Lehmani looks to Grymar and Zubien. "I'm eager for a rest myself. Certainly before risking a descent into the depths here. However, we still haven't located the orc noncombatants... and until we evict them, we run the risk of the outbound orc party returning to defend their homes. Once that contingency is resolved, I'd be comfortable settling in for a few hours recovery." She looks to the others for their perspective.

Lehmani - You don't spot anything specifically tied to Gond among the carvings, they seem to be simply for decoration. Though as you attune yourself to the workings of Gond you feel drawn, almost pulled toward the stairway, as if the answers you seek lie further below.

Berkarak - Inspecting the bodies and their positions, you see that they show evidence of being badly scorched and notice rusted axe heads lie near the bodies, bereft of wooden hafts. What remains is blackened bits of charcoal stuck to the pitted iron. You don't see any other skeletons nearby, so you assume that the orcs either weren't attacked or their attackers managed to escape unharmed. The lay of the bones doesn't quite lend itself to a defensive last stand, but with the passage of time it is hard to say exactly. The door to the north has an image of a Dwarven face worked in to it, glowering sternly. Your gut tells you the door might be dangerous.

Grymar - The buzzing is distinctly Stirge-like and you wouldn't be surprised if a few more decided to fly up and investigate the strange smells and sounds you and your companions are giving off.

Zubien - The skeletons all have the typical thickness and distinct jaw shape of orc physiology.

Berkarak calls out in a hushed voice, pointing out the northern door and it's carvings, "Hey check this out. Something wicked lies beyond, I sense. Shall we head through that west door to clear the cave of the noncombatants and then rest before we venture further?"

Kalhala breathes a sigh of relief.  "I didn't want to say as much, but uh.. yeah, I've seen better days and could do for a rest."  Looking to Grymar, "You don't like that buzzing either?  Yeah, lets find a more quiet place to set down for a bit."

Lehmani's attention lingers on the cave mouth for a moment, but she pulls herself away... Heading over to the western gate, she looks through to see what she can see.

She addresses Barkark as she looks... "That seems like a sound plan to me. Anyone else want to take a look?"

Lehmani - The spaces between the bars of the gate are stuffed with strips of cloth and rags, in an apparent attempt to keep the stirges from squeezing through the gaps. Beyond it you see a stack of crates and barrels blocking a short passage that leads back to the room with the well.

Map:

Looking through the gate, Lehmani lets out a "Hmmm..." and says, "On second thought, I might retract my earlier assessment. If the orc families are still here, they're likely a good distance away, in the northwest passages we failed to explore with nothing impeding their withdrawl. Meanwhile, the orcs seem to have gone through great efforts to seal off this area to protect themselves from whatever lies beneath... Perhaps we're safe from them here, after all... Stirges notwithstanding.

If the orcs return to find their leader gone and their clanmates decimated, I doubt they'd risk their hides to face whatever's down there in hopes of finding us... Although, perhaps that's wishful thinking. All my long-winded way of saying I'm comfortable risking a rest here so long as we can keep the stirges at bay. What say you all?"

Kalhala considers Lehmani's statements for a bit, scratching his beard as he does then slowly nods, "I'm not exactly at ease with that noise, but if all it is some more stirges, I think we've got this.  Are we thinking just a short rest again or shall we rotate watches and get some actual sleep?"

Berkarak surveys his partymates. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm used to being the one who first needs medical attention or rest. I hadn't noticed how bloodied you are. I'd be happy to take first watch. That bookless office back there might make for nice sanctuary if there's room enough to get comfortable."

Zubien agrees to a long rest with his injuries as he binds his wounds. As he as done in the past, he will pull out his flute to play some soothing music to help the party rest, then he too will rest until such needed to stand watch. While on watch, he will inspect his weapons, making sure they are in top order and ready to go

All - You're able to take an uninterrupted long rest in the room with the incense burning brazier. What would you like to do now?

Lehmani wakes with a start, taking a moment to recognize her unfamiliar environs.

As she begins her daily routine, she says her prayer to Gond and prepares a fresh array of spells.

With Kalhala's permission, she uses her Blessing of the Forge to imbue the mintaur's choice of weapon with magical strength, giving it a +1 Bonus to Attack and Damage Rolls. Finally, she casts Aid on front liners, Kalhala, Grymar, and Zubien, increasing their HP Max by 5 points and healing them that amount.

"Rise and shine, friends!" She says with a smile, taking a few test swings of her mace. "Destiny awaits!"

Zubien will eat some rations and drink from his flask. He will meditate for a moment to centering his mind and body. Then he will rise and join the group, "I am ready, how are you all?"