Once Nova could see that everyone was free to move about the room, she'd sniff around a little bit to familiarize herself with this mans scent. Soon enough, sensing Velda's focus, she'd fall in line behind the warrior. "I smell a man... and it's not Fionn." The druid would crane her head out, a little over Velda's shoulder to sniff to see if she could tell if the mans scent goes in that direction. She'd let Velda know if she smells that same smell in her path ahead, or any other potential enemies she might pick up.

(lol I'm assuming it's not Fionn who may still or may not be with us?)

Raithe does a thorough inspection of the chest and the area immediately surrounding it. Even though she didn’t see anything she errs on the side of caution and has everyone move out of the tiny room so she can open the chest from a reasonably safe distance. This gets a bit of a grumble from Velda since she didn’t want to move away from a potential source of danger. She also puts a hand out to stop Droop from picking up the copper Cadence had thrown earlier.

With everyone back ‘safely’ at the entrance of the room Raithe directs her mage hand to open the chest. To her relief the lid lifts open easily and nothing immediately apparent changes in the room.

After the chest is open Velda returns to guarding the entrance to the secret stair case. Droop staying within arms reach of her.

Cadence, as you make your way to the corner where Velda is, a piece of paper on the writing desk catches your attention. (Will pm you on discord with the contents of the paper. Also, the odd thing about it is that it isn’t actually a wall and is in fact a secret door. Apologies if that was unclear.)

Nova making your way towards Velda the smell does appear to be leading that direction. Though you’re not entirely sure how long this room was occupied, it does seem like it was fairly recently. (It is not Fionn, I do have him ‘tagging along’. Though I’m fine with him vanishing into the sunset so to speak)

Inspecting the contents of the chest reveals quite a large amount of coin and jewels. Looking at the size of it, it seems this may be a few months worth of items taken from the town. Or perhaps passers by. In total you find 180 sp, 130 gp, and a silk pouch containing five carnelians (10 gp each), two peridots (15 gp each), and one pearl (100 gp). (Feel free to distribute the loot in Rp amongst yourselves and add to your sheets once the split is decided. Where’s T when you need him. 😉)

"You see, I knew it was not trapped! I wonder if they have been stealing from other prisoners. Perhaps we should save some for the others who were held in that cell with me. I do hope they got to town safely. It seems we could spit up the majority of this between the four of us and keep some to return to anyone who's been robbed in the town," Raithe says, portioning up the coins to herself, Nova, Velda, and Cadence. Then she offers to scout up the secret stairs to see if she can spy on anyone who might be up there. Stealth: 11 Perception: 10

Proposal:
30gp, 40 sp, 1 carnelian each
2 peridots, one pearl for the party
10gp, 20sp, 1 carnelian for the town

Fionn looks as if he is about to interject something about the distribution of the treasure and then suddenly pauses and looks skyward. “Yes my lady. I suppose you’re right.” And then falls silent watching the group go about their business. 

Cadence accepts her portion of the treasure, tucking it away in her small bag. Then she hops up the stairs through the secret door.

Velda looks at the large pile of coins and gems that Raithe had seperated out. Back in her prizefighting days, she'd be battling in main event matches for months for this kind of haul... She accepts her portion, quite clearly unsure what she could even spend the money on.

Nova would quirk her head as she'd hold the largest pile of shinies she's ever seen. Her mismatched eyes were big and round, and the light reflecting off them danced in her pupils. She'd have to plop her butt down on the ground for a moment as she'd feel the weight of her share in her hands. The druid would pick up a coin and try to bite it, then the carnelian, wincing when her teeth wouldn't be strong enough to bite through it. She can't eat it. She can't pay the animals or plants to feed her. What was Nova supposed to do with shiny people metal? Her eyes would look around to the others to watch them accept their portions. It was easy for her to agree with Raith's suggestion to share with the people who were locked up with her or who it may belong too. But it looked like everyone was accepting the shinies easily. Except Velda. She looked almost as unsure about her shinies as Nova felt about hers. But as she watched the fighter gather her portion in silence, a blip on the druid's memory radar would flicker.

Nova would look down to her pile, then to Velda, then to Velda's pile of shinies, and back to her own. The halfelf would act in haste as if she was racing the loss of her thought. She'd put her hands on her pile and begin pushing it towards Velda's pile. A couple stragglers would slip free from the pile. So as she'd continue to stretch out, shoving her coins with both hands, Nova would dip her head and go to using her nose or chin to push the ones that get away, back up to the pile. Eventually, the druid would be almost fully splayed out with the coins ahead of her. She'd mix them into Velda's pile and look up to the half-orc with hopeful eyes. "Will this be enough to buy the home you wanted here?" Nova would slide another coin she missed and slip it in like it was always there.

Velda looks at Nova, dumbstruck. "I... um.. yes, yes I think that should be enough. Thank you, truly. But first let's get out of here."

Raithe stares wide-eyed at Nova's act of overwhelmed generosity. It was certainly more money than she'd ever personally counted as her own, with the gems especially. Wolco's enterprise handled sums far larger than this as a matter of doing business, though the old rogue would never keep that much for himself. Reinvested in other things -- usually other people who needed it more -- that was his credo. She felt a little self-conscious about portioning and accepting the share as easily as she did. Part of her training to not let on what's brewing under the surface.

She offered a kind smile to Nova, and then Velda. "You wish to live here? In Phandalin? I've known you for mere hours but I am sure they would be lucky to have you."

(Do we have more to explore upstairs?)

Their mage could age by the time the druid got on the same page if the warrior didn't engage. Nova would nod with enthusiasm to Velda when she'd say they should get out of here first. She'd pop back up onto her feet with haste. With a small tilt of her head to Raithe the druid would offer a big goofy smile before trotting off to catch up with Cadence.

Velda follows up quickly, though not expecting any trouble, as they'd likely have heard, if Cadence ran into any other inhabitants.

The sound of Cadence blissfully humming to herself echoes down the stairs from above. 

Raithe also follows quickly behind, remembering she had offered to scout ahead but got sidetracked.

(Sorry for the delay)

After everyone makes their way up the previously hidden stairs you all realize this is the storeroom you have been in previously after you freed Raithe from the prison cells. You all get the sense that there isn’t much more to see or do here. Do you all head back to exit the way you came in?

Velda pushes to the front of the group again to lead everyone to the outside. If Hugz and Boris are still here, Velda would give Droop a push towards Hugz, before looking  at Nova for help, as she's clearly unclear on what to say now.

Raithe looks at the group as they head out. "So what is your plan, my new friends? I appreciate your role in my escape, and you seem an interesting sort with which to ramble about Faerun! Shall we continue our journey together? I was mainly trying to help our mutual friend out of this place. He seems to have gotten away, but perhaps I could take his place in the remainder of your quest. What do you say?"

Cadence glances back at Raithe thoughtfully, then, without answering her question turns to Nova, "Well....my dear, do you think you could tell us if this wizard is near? I think you could use your nose....to find out where his trail goes."

When Velda would look her way for help, Nova could only shrug. She had offered and tried to introduce Droop to Hugz a few times a while back. The goblin appeared to latch herself to the warrior instead. Nova figured Droop would take Velda’s encouragement better. It was up to Hugz now.

Nova would shift uncomfortably when Raithe would say ‘perhaps I can take his place’. She’d have a sad expression pass over her face before correcting it. “No.” She’d start, looking to the rogue. “You can’t take his place.” The druid pause, then tilt her head. “You have your own place with us.” She’d offer a warm smile. No one is ‘replaceable’ to Nova because each one is their own unique individual and deserve recognition and a ‘spot’ of their own. Especially if they wanted to be.

When Cadence would inquire about the wizard, Nova couldn’t say no. It was practically an instinctual reaction for her to start sniffing the air when asked. She’d move her head around, maybe turn in a circle to look for a direction if she was able to pick up the wizards scent again. 

As the group makes their way back outside, retracing your steps from the store room, through the crypt, over the pit trap and back into the first room you entered. You all notice there is now water on the floor near the cistern along with noticeable foot steps heading towards the exit. 

Stepping out into the mid afternoon sunlight the trail of footprints is more difficult to follow in the shin-high grass( at least for those of avg height). Though you had left Borris and Hugz here when you entered... they are no where to be seen. Looking around, concerned for any sign of a struggle, you don’t notice any. 

Raithe's eyebrows rise when she hears about a wizard, but she holds back on interrupting to ask more.

When Nova offers her a different place, he smiles, looks away, places her hand over her heart, and tips her cap in acceptance. She looks at Velda, and then briefly at Cadence, and then back at Velda.