"I'm in quite a rough condition, but stills tanding, that's what's matter" Lothlién answer Rhok (with his 7 HP).

"I guess we could go back to Falcon's, show him this map, see if he has some info about this Circle of Thunders... and get ourselves some rest. I've spent all of my most powerful tricks, and I'm sure any foe can take me down easily as I am right now"

Rhok lets out a chuckle to Lothlien, and then grimaces in pain, "Yeah, that was some fight, I think we all could use some rest, this map could prove useful, ...perhaps a quick look through the house before we head to Falcon's, ...or do we try to hole up here and rest a little before we make the trek back?"

"I think we need rest prior to traveling back." Lia suggests. "We would be easy game for anything we meet on the way after all, where we have some security here."

From the laboratory where the half-orc was performing a ritual, the doors open to the same library you checked from the second floor. The room Xarroth is in has been mostly trashed and there is a hole on the floor from where he can see the last room you haven't explored on the first floor. The room below Xarroth contains four beds and a heap of trash mixed with old clothes.

After exploring the rest of the house you feel confident taking a short rest here.

"Indeed, stopping for a while to take first care of our wounds would be nice." Lothlién says that while looking for a way to barricade the doors of whatever room they choose to stay in. "If the worst happens, we may gain some time". He'll then have his short rest.
OOC:
Rolling hit dice: 10

Rolling a third die: 4

Rhok will go out on the balcony to scan and listen to the surrounding area to see if he see's anything before going into the groups barricaded area to do a short rest

Perception:  23 

Hit Dice: 19 

Quote from Morden_Defmark >>

Rhok will go out on the balcony to scan and listen to the surrounding area to see if he see's anything before going into the groups barricaded area to do a short rest

From the balcony you see the pumpkin patch surrounding the house. The boars are still grazing in the bushes.

While resting, Lothlién fiddles with the staff they found hidden in the wizard's bedroom mantelpiece until he figures out it is a staff of birdcalls. Lia and Xarroth examine the cloak and the pouch of silvery dust. The cloak of billowing is a fancy fashion item, but the dust of disappearance can be handy to get out of trouble.

OOC: remember that there is a locked chest that radiated a magical aura under a detect magic spell. It's in the secret vault next to the wizard's bedroom.

"Anyone feel like tackling that chest before we head out?" Rhok asks after the rest

"Right after you", Lothlién follows Rhok

You walk to the hidden vault. The chest is made out of dark wood, with iron feet and hinges. The lid is closed and does not move when you try to open it, but you don't see a lock or keyhole anywhere.

Lia moves to the chest and kneels down before it, starting to study it closely...

Investigation: 25 Arcana (if needed): 17

After examining the chest, Lia is confident that while the box itself is not magical, it is closed by magical means. A spell would most likely open it, or just bashing it may reveal its contents

"It will either take magic or a big hammer to open this thing." Lia informs the others as she stands up and steps away. She pushes some of her white hair behind her ear as she looks to the others. "I suggest someone just break the thing open, as I do not have a spell that will open the thing."

"Who's the strongest among us? I guess Rhok? have a try on that" Lothlién says in agreement with Lia.

"I can give it a shot, although, I'm more nimble than strong..." Rhok replies

Strength check to open:  7 

The chest's lid does't move at all. Angered at the box's stubbornness, Rhok hits it with the pommel of his shortsword until one of the sides breaks open. Inside you find a 3 feet metal rod, with a button on one end, wrapped in a black cloth.

"Are you able to see if this thing might be useful?" Rhok asks the group

"I guess we could figure out with some time... but we should make our way back to Falcon's, right?" Lothlién proposes

"I can check it for magic." Lia assures the others, taking the rod and adding it to the staff and cloak in her pack. She then slips the pack onto her back again, standing up. Pushing her white hair behind an ear she frowns at the others. "I still think we should rest here the night, and head back in the morning. We are in no condition to fight whatever might find us in the forest between here and the lodge."

Rhok peeks outside to get a look at the time of day to gauge how much daylight is left "I'm all out of spells, and if I'm out, I'm sure the rest of you are running at the bottom of the barrel"