Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

Vaxis looks amused.

"Then I shall take this hat, at least for safekeeping. Never know when it will come in handy. Whenever we are ready, we should head out of this odd place."

Tabesha'l raises an eyebrow as she notices first Connak's surprise and soon after Vaxis' amused smile (the latter quite a horrifying sight to behold, as the dragonborn is showing a tight row of very sharp and pointy teeth). Grabbing the hat, the lady mage walks over to the paladin, looks up at the massive scaly head atop its towering - and once flowering - torso then, with a flourish, dons the hat while handing him the wand.

" I daresay thee could keep yon hat very safe and truly well-protected, yet I feel it will be better put to use in the hands of one knowledgeable in the Arcane. The wand, on the contrary, should be preserved from reckless usage, and I believe it would be quite fitting for a defender of truth and justice such as thyself to announce thy arrival on the battlefield with a shower of sparks: a truly dashing sight. Wouldn't thee agree ?"

She fumbles with the tall hat for a little while, tipping it slightly to the left, then back, then a little forward again. Finally statisfied with this new and somewhat imposing headgear, she gives the dragonborn a warm smile:

" I am also quite relieved to see thou hast regained thy familiar composure, brave Vaxis... although I do feel that thy true heart lies closer to the Flower than the Armored Behemoth."

 She gives the dragon warrior a last curtsy then turns towards the door. " We've all earned a good rest and need some time to plan our next endeavours. Let's find lodgings, shall we ? A warm bath would be perfect, but I'd settle for a simpler fare, so long as no other deadly pranks await us within these walls..."

Barric is not interested in baubles, and glances around for any weapons, armor, or something a bit more...practical. Knowing the gnomes, he is not very hopeful.

(OOC: to save time, DM will make a perception roll on behalf of Barric to see what else he notices lying about the gnomes' treasury.)

Barric's Wisdom(Perception): 11

Looking around at the scattered array of components, bits of scrap and partially assembled clockwork mechanisms, Barric spots 4 items that stand out among the rest:

• 47 - A rank insignia from a lost legionnaire
• 74 - A gemstone that looks like a lump of coal when examined by anyone but Barric

The soldier is given pause for a moment as he considers the spectrum of cultural differences on what constitutes "treasure."

Barric will take both the insignia and the 'gemstone'. He quickly pockets the insignia, planning to take a look at it later. He turns to the others.

"Are we ready to depart this place?"

Connak nods, "Yes, let us find a place to camp for the night.  Somewhere not near this crazy magic place.  Last thing we want is Tabesha'l turning us all into plants when she talks in her sleep."

Vaxis chuckles.

"Yes, let us be out of this gods' forsaken place. I am having fear that it wears on my humors as of late."

Vadernul sighs in relief.  “These little ones are tiring. I look forward to some rest .”

The party winds through the halls back towards the sleeping quarters, finding them uninhabited when they arrive. Eight gnome-sized bunks are positioned through the large chamber. Wall sconces burn low creating dim light throughout the room.

An opening to the east lets out onto a small ledge - Tabesha'l recognizes this ledge as the place she was transported to upon casting levitate when the party was attempting to make their initial entrance into the Gnomengarde settlement.

A small table holds two bottles of mushroom wine and some dusty cups, and three loaves of stale mushroom bread. A short barrel of mushroom lamp oil squats near the table.

Barric will take off his backpack and unwind a coil of rope. He ties one end firmly to a piece of sturdy furniture near the edge if he can find one.

Vadernul will climb down first, looking to get out of this place quickly.  Willing to spot and catch anyone else coming after him.

The 50-foot rope is just long enough to be anchored to the gnomish bunk nearest to the cave exit and reach all the way to the ground outside. As the first few members of the party climb down, the sun descends behind the mountains. The roar of the waterfall spilling into the pool below fills the cavern with white noise and the air with a fine mist, bathed with wild magic. Other than these sights and sounds, the surrounding area is void of any interruption or presence of creatures other then the party, who is making haste with their exit from the strange gnomish settlement.

Connak climbs down and waits for Barric, then says, "Tying it to the bed was maybe not the best idea.  How do you get your rope back now?"

" This may be a good way to find out if yon Hat is also affected by the Wild Weave that seems to hover in this place." Tabesha'l, who now leans down from the upper floor, quips in answer to Connak's comment. " Please do try to find cover, in case this results in more potted plants..." she warns, before taking a step towards the rope, still dangling from the ledge. 

As she says so, she concentrates on her new headgear and mutters a command in elvish.

" Cadhmor Ehuur Athak Eroath !"

** Using the Hat of Wizardy, Tabesha'l attempts casting Mage Hand as a cantrip. Arcana 13. **

As the party makes their way down the steep embankment, Fibblestib enters the chamber to see them off: “Good luck on your quest to rid Phandalin of its dragon. I shall untie your rope for you once everyone has descended safely.” The gives them a nod of appreciation as the rest of the party goes over the side of the ledge.

Barric chuckles at Connak's comment.

"Rope is cheap. Not having to spend another minute in that city is priceless. But it looks like the matter is in hand either way."

Barric will wait until either Tabesha'l's spell or Fibblestib unties the rope, then gathers it up. Nodding to Fibblestib, he turns and begins heading away, not wanting to spend the night anywhere near the city.

Connak shrugs, "I like it when it's easy."

Seeing Barric heading away, Connak will take the lead and start looking for good campsites, preferably secure from attacks from above.

Survival: 24

AS the party moves out of the canyon to the northwest, Connak finds a shallow cave with a large opening. The rock overhang would provide enough shelter from rain and attacks from above, but is not deep enough to completely close off the party from the outdoors. The ground is relatively flat and nearby woods would provide a source of firewood and possibly small game

Connak shows the cave to the others.  "No telling if we'll find better before nightfall.  We should take the time to set up and catch some food before the sun sets."

“Simple, I like it.  Let us go find something to eat, come.”

Vadernul will leave most of his supplies at the camp to bring just a weapon and some string.  Leading whomever in a hunting trip.  Along the way he will place small noose traps along areas that he sees high volume of traffic from small critters.  Tying a slip knot with a base of sticks that he anchors into the ground to go back and check in the morning.

Survival: 8