The cave widens to a small rocky chamber lit by glowing mushrooms. On the floor, a silver-haired boy sleeps, nestled in the fur of a giant tarantula. The hulking spider, at least ten feet tall, seems to be sleeping as well. Hox is standing a short distance away from the pair, gazing about the room when the rest of the party arrives.

For Hox:

Rycider will ready some ingredients from her pouch in case she needs to put the arachnid and it's rider back into Slumberland.

Gruun will keep a safe distance back looking around the chamber but keeping the spider in the corner of his eye.

Hox is ignoring the giant spider in the room, while the others are keeping their distance. Killian, steeped in myth and legend from her time as a trainee, just clears her throat loudly, sword firmly in its scabbard.

”Excuse me,” she says loudly to the slumbering pair. 

Both the boy and tarantula stir at the noise. The boy rubs his bleary eyes as he awakens, and suddenly backs into the spider with his hands forward.

"Who are you? Go away!" the boy shouts. The spider rises to its feet, crouching over the boy, seeming to observe its surroundings.

We ain't here for shenanigans Mah Dear. We are in search of a man. Is it just you and your Many Legged Protector here? Rycider says in her best soothing voice

“What is your name and rank?”, Aradurk asks calmly but sternly.

Killian crouches, trying to be unthreatening. Curiously, she has a lot of experience with urchins and small kids. She waves the others off, and conspicuously ignores the spider. "My name is Killian Joy. What's your name? As my friends have said, we're looking for a man, but also for staffs, and crystals. Do you know anything about any of that?"

"Hox is Hox." Hox says as he points to Hox

Gruun stays towards the back of the group and watching their rear. He's never had good luck convincing someone he's not a threat.

Killian Persuasion: 11
Rycider Persuasion: 26

The boy's eyes are wide with fright at some of the party, but he seems to ease near Killian and Rycider.

"My name is Norry. There was the old man that left me in this cave. He said Denorian was after me and to stay here," he answers. "There have been some others. They come here when they're lost. I tell them not to go near the middle of the island, because that's where Denorian is. I don't know about any staffs or crystals or anything like that."

“Did he say why Denorian is after you?” Killian asks him.

Aradurk listens to Norry’s words intently, trying to ascertain his truthfulness.

Rycider will offer her hand to Norry and if the boy accepts it she will comfort him while Killian asks her questions, emanating maternal vibes. 

Norry shakes his head. "No, but he's dangerous. He tried to kill me, but the old man saved me," he says.

He stretches a hand up toward Rycider, but stops halfway, his eyes going wide. "You are in danger. I have to find your moment!" he shouts. A familiar shimmer crosses the air in front of you, and the boy and spider have disappeared. In their place is nothing but a strange-looking jeweled wooden box.

“This place,” Killian says with a groan. She will not make for the box, knowing it to be outside of her skill set. 

Hox goes for the shiny box, eagerly grasping it.

And "This Place" is? Rycider politely asks Killian as she removes her dulcimer from her back.

Standing, Killian motions vaguely all around. "This... ocean, island chain, magical labyrinth of time-twisted quest rocks. What would you call it? Of course a child and his pet monstrosity would turn into a jeweled box."

OOC: Added the jeweled wooden box to Hox's inventory.

Ready to advance once the next action is taken.