Zarbof brings the swords back in and places them before Parth.  "We brought back some shortswords that we salvaged.  None of us have need for them, but we figured a place like this can never have enough weapons, right?  Especially if you're looking to get back to a solid turnover of recruits.  They're nothing flashy, but I've cleaned them up ok."

At that, Zarbof pours enough drinks for everyone to have one each, and sits down with them, but doesn't share them out.  "What?", he says when others look at him expectantly, "Where I come from, a dwarf needs to be able to match every other person in the room drink for drink!  These are mine for that purpose, you can all get your own!"

Parth laughs at the dwarfs display "Hahaha, indeed Master dwarf!" He looks over the swords "That was very thoughtful to bring the weapons. They will be put to good use! Nothing fancy but serviceable. You've done a fine job cleaning them up. Thank you!"

As the night wear on with drinking and conversation of you're adventure with the gnolls Parth turns serious again "I will say again that if whatever you find behind that rock is too much for you, come back here and report. We will find a way to deal with it together if we must, but I have the upmost confidence in your abilities!"

OOC: Do I learn anything about the staff? I'll try to improvise. Although I don't think I can use anything before Level 8.

While flipping the staff and examining it closerBelialuin start to speak "The staff doesn't look particularly powerful, yet there are some interesting things imbued within it. During my studies, things such as this were called staff of the adder and were actually described to be pretty helpful for their users. But there is a catch. You have to make a pact with the staff as it's wielder, which in modern days is considered dangerous. I don't think I can utilize this in the upcoming fight, yet. But I'll keep it. And Parth...... I promise I'll get to the core of the mystery surrounding the previous group. You have the word of a high Elf."

He pours himself and Parth another drink and mutters "For things to come"

ooc: I sent you a direct message about the staff Belialuin.

So I'm guessing everyone has pretty much done what they want to do for the night and is going to get some shut eye and head out in the morning?

 Zarbof wakes surprisingly refreshed given the amount of ale he consumed the night before. He goes to the kitchen to find he's not the first one there (Because presumably Wormsquirt is, but others may be too by the time Zarbof appears). Zarbof asks Tilda what she has for breakfast, takes a good helping of whatever it is, and sits down to eat. 

"Parth, I wonder if we could borrow some picks today? I don't think we could lift the boulder, but we could chip away and make the gap beside it wide enough."

Mysti up and about already, finished her morning prayers and now heads to get some breakfast and prepare to head back to the cave.

Parth greets you and Tilda does indeed have breakfast ready for everyone. Parth says that won't be a problem for a couple picks but he only has a few at camp so can't spare more than 2. He says the picks may not be necessary though looking to Roger with a raised eyebrow.

For Breakfast, Roger eats a simple loaf of bread. Meeting Parth’s look, he replies, “Indeed, Sir. I have found out that the blade we got from the cave was a sword that was created specifically for the purpose of destroying inanaimate objects.”

Parth says "I hope you don't mind me bringing it up but I thought it looked familiar while you were studying it. That blade was lost many years ago by a somewhat famous warrior from this area. It seems it's found a new owner"

Zarbof finishes his breakfast, picks up his new axe from the table in front of him, which he suddenly realised probably wasn't the best table etiquette, but in truth he hadn't even noticed he'd done it. He gives the axe a practiced twirl in his hand, appreciating its balance once more, and wanders to the door. 

"Are we ready to kill some unknown stuff?"

Mysti finished her morning prayers, breakfast, and checked her gear...

"I'm all set to head out!!" she says.

Belialuin looks at Parth and Tilda and utters " May Bahamut be with you" and heads straight outside to join the group.

Excellent! (If there's anything someone wanted to do at Parths that didn't get a chance to just let me know)

You folks all head out. By this point you know the way well and make good time getting there. I'm guessing you are still being cautious and scanning the area as you travel. As you approach the gnoll camp you can hear some growling coming from the area.

 Zarbof freezes where he is, hearing the growl, and gives an almost involuntary quiet, low growl to himself in anticipation of whatever coming battle there may be. He takes a look around him for any tracks that might give him a clue as to what kind of creature might be making the growling noise. 

Survival: 14

Sounds like bear to you.

Wormsquirt trails behind the others on their way back to the gnoll camp. He can't get the thought of just how odd the place felt to him out of his head this morning. Maybe it was the way the others looked at him after his joke, especially Mysti... he'd have to make sure there were no hard feelings about that, mostly because he didn't have any intention of stopping. Life is meant to be enjoyed after all. Wormsquirt laughs to himself.

Snapping his thoughts back to the present moment quickly, Wormsquirt moves with speed as he hears growling from ahead and notices Zarbof tense for just a second.

Stealth: 25

"Sounds like a bear to me.  Wormsquirt, do you want to sneak up and get a closer look and report back to us?"

Wormsquirt, you essentially disappear. Moving ahead you get yourself into a position where you can see 2 brown bears fighting over a gnolls corpse.

Wormsquirt returns to the others, making slight noises here and there to alert them and not startle them when he reappears. "It's two brown bears fighting over a gnoll corpse. I could kick myself for not thinking of that first. Who would have thought gnoll would be ok to eat.... who?" he tells the others shrugging.