"W-wait," Barn manages in a strangled, stuttering whisper as Smiling Jack makes for the curtain.
The big man steps carefully into the room, attempting to cover his friend's advance with his halberd's reach while trying to look in every direction except the curtain in case Ned is hiding, or has set up some illusion, trap or misdirection as he seems to enjoy doing.
The air in the hidey hole did not just grow quiet; it died.
At Barn's warning, Ardwynn stopped cold, her leather-clad foot hovering an inch above the mossy ground. The sudden silence hit her harder than a physical blow. The rhythmic, rasping breathing of her companions seemed louder than normal in the moment. Her own breath was barely a whisper as her chest tightened in anticipation of what might come next.
Her hands began the intricate motions to pull energy forth - a near automatic reflex. 'That whimpering plea from behind the curtain,' she thought as she closed her eyes, forcing herself to be still, opening her mind to the natural hum of the world. She pushed out her senses, seeking the prickly tension of a magical snare or the faint, metallic scent of ambush — the telltale signs her mentor had drilled into her.
Perception Check: 9
Nothing.
Ardwynn exhaled slowly, shaking her head. The hidey hole, while crammed full of junk and her companions, felt unnaturally, perfectly empty. No murderous intent, no hidden spells. Just… hollow silence and the continued noises from behind the curtain. She still felt a lingering unease — a crawling sensation on the back of her neck — which refused to fade, leaving her with the terrifying suspicion that she had failed to see the danger only because it was designed to be unseen.
The elder trapper closes his eyes tightly, then blinks several times to clear his vision. A rush of panic flows over the man. He freezes right where he is, unable to warn Jack before he performs his big reveal with the curtain.
Luckily, Barn is able to react quickly enough. In a low whisper Reg says, “Something very powerful is on the other side. It was overwhelming my casting. I feel we may have found Ned…and his Red Cap hole?” The man looks around at all that has been collected. He tries to recall any details that might give the group some insight, but doesn’t spend hardly any time on it. Ned is no Red Cap, but he’s heard tales of the creature and this is the exact description told by the few that trounced such a fey…the lucky few.
He tightens his grip on his staff, both hands space evenly on the implement.
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"W-wait," Barn manages in a strangled, stuttering whisper as Smiling Jack makes for the curtain.
The big man steps carefully into the room, attempting to cover his friend's advance with his halberd's reach while trying to look in every direction except the curtain in case Ned is hiding, or has set up some illusion, trap or misdirection as he seems to enjoy doing.
Barn's Perception: 19
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Smiling Jack, stops mid stride upon hearing Barn. Jack does not open the curtain.
Smiling Jack asks in a low voice, "you think Ned might down one of those dark holes? You think the holes might be interconnected?
Maybe have someone stay on this side of the curtain in case something pops out?
The elder trapper closes his eyes tightly, then blinks several times to clear his vision. A rush of panic flows over the man. He freezes right where he is, unable to warn Jack before he performs his big reveal with the curtain.
Luckily, Barn is able to react quickly enough. In a low whisper Reg says, “Something very powerful is on the other side. It was overwhelming my casting. I feel we may have found Ned…and his Red Cap hole?” The man looks around at all that has been collected. He tries to recall any details that might give the group some insight, but doesn’t spend hardly any time on it. Ned is no Red Cap, but he’s heard tales of the creature and this is the exact description told by the few that trounced such a fey…the lucky few.
He tightens his grip on his staff, both hands space evenly on the implement.