Necromancer's Delusion-Homebrew

Mucor would take a few steps back and wave his hand in front of him, creating a 5ft wall of dirt between the chest and the rest of the party

(casting mold earth)

The lock is trapped.  It looks to be a simple pressure trigger that could be activated without breaking the lock.  The trap itself appear to release a trio of bolts from holes hidden near the top of the chest.

"Aha!" The rogue exclaims aloud, nodding to himself as the trap's mechanism becomes clear. He examines the pressure trigger for a moment and then spies the telltale holes in the top of the chest that, presumably, would release the trap itself. Turning back toward his companions, Quentin calls out "I'm gonna spring this thing ya'll, stand clear o' this whole area in front all the way 'cross the chamber." The young rakehell makes a sweeping gesture with his arm, indicating for everyone the area of potential hazard. He notices Mucor's earthen wall and gives it a hearty nod of approval, but he gives the warning anyway, just to be certain his friends are aware of the danger.

While he waits for his party to be clear of the path of the trap, the rogue walks over to the nearest cache of used and battered weapons and finds anything long enough that would allow him to trip the pressure plate from safely off to the side of the chest itself.

Investigation Check, looking for any weapon/object long enough to use from the side of the chest: 23

If he's able to find something of sufficient shape and length and the path in front of the chest is clear of his allies, Quentin will hunker down on the side of the chest, well away from the path dictated by the direction the holes are facing and use his implement to try and gently trigger the pressure plate without damaging the lock mechanism itself.

(Let me know if you need me to roll anything to try and trigger the plate)

Quentin goes over to one of the weapon racks and finds a rapier.  Using the light slender blade he positions himself and supports the long thin blade into the pressure trigger.  Three bolts fly out with a wuuush and shatter upon hitting the ground.  The bolts are almost entirely made of glass and appear to be hollow, each filled with a different liquid.  One ignites immediately upon breaking.  The second is surrounded by a puddle of greenish black liquid that has a sickeningly sweet odor. The last seem to have smoke billowing from where the arrow shattered and the liquid was spread across the ground creating small craters where the acid continues to burn away at the stone and dirt.

(For sake of time and since you rolled so high I'll say you manage to open the lock)

As you open the chest you see the simplified mechanism and setup.  Three hand crossbows have been trimmed and strategically placed in the top of the chest.  Inside the bottom portion of the chest, you find a small pouch with an 8 inch mouth.  You reach your hand in but nothing seems to be within, as your hand enters it suddenly feels warm compared to the cold cave but not too warm.  You stare into the bag and can only see black.  Beside the pouch is a pair of fine leather boots that have an engraving on them that seems to be written in elvish.  To the left of the boots is a small box that doesn't appear to be trapped and upon opening reveals 200 gold coins and 3 large rubies that would be valued around 100 gold each.

The last thing you see is a bag about the size of a melon.  Within lies a blood stained piece of parchment.  Orders from the Azuven capital regarding the movement of scouting orc tribes getting behind the front line and 5 pairs of eyeballs.  

Gabriel joins Quentin in his investigation of the chest and withdraws the bloodstained parchment, disregarding the gold entirely. "Five pairs of eyeballs..." He eyes the party significantly. "And orders to get behind the front line..." 

Would Gabriel recognize the name Azuven? History: 19

Yera stares down at one of the bodies. "What proof do we bring" She said to no one in particular.

"Whew boy, these fellas weren't foolin' around with this here chest." Quentin mutters as he looks at the remnants of the trap's bolts on the cavern floor. The rogue calls out each discovery as he and Gabriel start sifting through the chest's contents, and he lifts both the strange bag and the pair of boots out and holds them up. "Got a nice pair o' boots 'ere. Anyone savvy with identifyin' possible enchantments, or should we jus' toss em' in our bag o' holding till we get back to that magic shop in Riverwood?" Quentin sets the boots down beside the chest along with the three rubies as potential deposits for the party's bag of holding and he stands up, still holding the odd smaller bag in his hand. He looks down at Gabriel as the cleric withdraws the parchment from the last grizzly bag, and Quentin's nose wrinkles at the sight of the eyeballs. "Blech. These are some twisted varmints, sure nuff. That last group done had a bag full o' ears, an' now a bag full o' eyeballs. Wouldn't want to be 'vited to one o' their dinner parties, betcha that."

Taking a couple steps away from the chest, the rogue takes a closer look at the small, empty bag he found. The fact that the air inside the bag didn't match the ambient air temperature of the cavern was definitely strange, but it was the fact that he couldn't make out the bottom at all that truly piqued his curiosity. "Hmph. Weird lil thang..." He mutters to himself, shaking the bag around slightly and peering into it's depths. Shrugging his shoulders, Quentin flips the bag upside down starts turning it inside out to get a better look at it's interior lining.

(point of clarification: Riverwood is part of the Azuven empire.  You would assume from the contents of the bag that the eyeballs belong to the scouting party that Jesse referred to earlier.)

As Quentin turns the bag upside down an obsidian dagger, smaller pouch containing coins, pouch of herbs, 2 vials of blood,  2 small rubies, 1 small emerald, and a letter fall out from the mouth of the pouch.  (You unintetionally find out that this is a small Bag of Holding that can hold 80 pounds of material and weighs only 2 pounds regardless of the contents.)  The vials of blood shatter upon hitting the cave floor.

"Whoa!" The rogue exclaims, leaping back a step as an impossible amount of objects come spilling out from the upturned bag. Realization dawns on him and Quentin grins from ear to ear, "Well I'll be a horse's ass!" He excitedly secures the bag to his belt for future use and quickly kneels down and begins to sort through the findings. "Hey ya'll! Got some more stuff 'ere to check out."

Quentin places the jewels in his pouch that he had previously placed the other two small rubies in (bringing the total to 4 small rubies and 1 small emerald) and he sets the obsidian dagger aside for the moment, handling the knife carefully, before counting out the coins in the pouch to add to the group's total share. He gives the pouch of herbs a small, delicate sniff but doesn't get too close or inhale too deeply, however not being an expert in such things he sets it aside before going for the letter. The rogue unfolds the letter and, if its in a language he can discern, will begin to try and read it's contents aloud to the rest of his companions.

Gabriel smiles grimly. "It would appear our tale is not yet told, friends. "

Once the chest was open and it was safe, Mucor would wave his hand again and lower the dirt back to where it had been. As Yera asks about what to take back, the minotaur would reply "tongues work... ya only got one of those... " Then as he sees an obsidian dagger fall out of Quentin's new bag, the hairy beast would walk over to the rogue and ask if he may have the dagger before scooping it up and beginning the unpleasant task of removing tongues from each of their fallen enemies before burying them in the dirt under a patch of mushrooms

(OOC: Just gonna make a quick index of the latest loot because Quentin has done alot of the looting/investigating and I don't want anyone worried about what is going where or us forgetting things)

For the group's Bag of Holding (which Mucor is carrying, I think):

1. Fine leather boots with elvish engraving
2. Three large rubies valued at 100gp each
3. A cache of various weapons/armor that have yet to be claimed or collected by anyone.
4. Four small rubies valued at 50gp each, and one small emerald value unknown (currently on Quentin's person but going into the group's bag)
5. Obsidian dagger, not yet in the bag but going there unless anyone else wants to claim it.
6. Pouch of unidentified herbs, not yet in the bag but going there unless claimed.
7. The orders from the Azuven capital (currently in Gabriel's possession)
8. 5 pairs of eyeballs (if anyone wants to keep them)
9. 1 Greater Healing Potion, 2 Regular Healing Potions, and 2 Potions of Water Breathing (currently in Mucor's possession)
10. Total gold found: 240gp, each party member's share: 48gp

Quentin has found and chosen to hold for the moment:

1. Unidentified ring found in the bag of ears, strangely warm to the touch.
2. A silvered dagger.
3. Small bag (pouch) of Holding.

None of Quentin's discoveries were made using sleight of hand however so he isn't trying to hide any of these objects from the party. If anyone wants to lay claim to anything, it's all up for communal grabs.

Quentin looks up at Mucor as the minotaur asks about the obsidian dagger. "Course Mucor, it's yours. Also, here, ya' might be more familiar wit' whats in 'ere than I am." Quentin will hand Mucor the pouch of herbs, trusting in the Druid's skill regarding such things.

As the minotaur goes to work on his gruesome collecting, Quentin's face will again turn toward the bodies. "I don't reckon I saw nothin' earlier, but did that fanatic feller have any kinda patches or emblem o' some kind on his robe? Maybe somethin' that represented his rank or somethin'? If'n ya see anything distinguishin' like that on any o' them boys Mucor, cut it off and pocket it for Jesse. Same goes for that big Orc sum*****. If he's got any kinda' trophies or markings or anythin' fancy like, carve em' off and keep em' for later."

Gabriel requests the pouch of unidentified herbs. He currently has in his possession a ceremonial dagger, a potion of healing, and the orders from Azuven.

(Lol look at that. Mucor can have the herbs, he will probably put them to a better use. :P)

(lol, sorry about that timing. I'm sure Mucor could be reasoned with if you want them though ;) )

(All good, the druid has rightful claim. :))

Quentin pockets the gems. (Rubies worth 50 gold each and emerald worth 100 gold.)  Counting the coins you find 20 platinum and 10 gold.

As you lift the letter you can read the language as it appears to be in common.  You read:

In the event of your being discovered signal through message. No one will stand in the way of vaeril’s power.  The plans have already been laid and the trap set.  Have all scouting parties continue their advance. Ready your group for another assault on riverwood.  Every sacrifice is crucial to the mission.  Every life given is one given for future success.  We will be victorious.  Each of us shall reap the rewards of power.  Each of us will see vaeril’s return to his rightful throne.  Kill any that stand in your way.  Stay vigilant and be on your guard for scouts and patrols.  I see the dawn of a new age.  All of eraas will bow before vaeril.  Riverwood must fall.  Right now forces are working in our favor.  I will see to it that reinforcements are sent your way.  Very soon the azuven empire will crumble.  Enjoy your gifts and use them wisely. 

Stay vigilant.  Eyes always open.  TELGUN will fall.

(Can Quentin see/distinguish the bolded lettering at the start of each sentence?)

The rogue's voice falls silent as he finishes reading, the silence afterward lending an ominous quality to the message's contents. He looks around at his party with wide cerulean eyes and exhales slowly, his expression serious and marked by concern and apprehension before his gaze darts back to the letter.

Perception Check to discern a possible hidden message: 23 (If you'd prefer Investigation for that, it's +4 instead of +5 modifier)

Yera, for the most part, is absentmindedly pacing at the southern end of the cave, waiting for her allies to collect themselves.

Quentin does discover the hidden message within the letter.