Alton, you see numerous scrolls and spellbooks, likely of no use to you, although there are lots of interesting looking liquids in various sized vials which are likely within your price range. Let me know if you are looking for any potion in particular, or just generally browsing, or if you even have an interest in the potions at all.

Gotur, the shopkeeper responds "Oh gosh no... I could never carve something like that. Never carved anything in my life actually! I came across that staff one fine day in the Neverwinter Woods. I was out foraging for spell components, and it was laying right there on the path in front of me! Couldn't believe my eyes. I'm guessing you'd get along with whoever carved that beauty."

"Ahem... do you have an interest in buying it, friend?" the elf looks up through her glasses at the half-orc in a semi-flirtatious way, seemingly trying to persuade Gotur to buy it. 

((I am granting each of you an inspiration point for rescuing and subsequently raising Venovar's mom. In-game time it likely hasn't happened just yet, but go ahead and add the point to your sheets. You can also still delay the raising, but you can still have the point of inspiration either way. Nice job, that was a fun little side quest!))

Feel free to do whatever you want to do next... Sewers, or Shopping, or Spring Shoot Inn, or something else entirely. (see my last post)

Alton finishes browsing, seeming to not want to buy anything. He then stands nearby, waiting for Gotur to finish up. 

"How much would you be asking for it?"

"A beautiful staff indeed. And I have even heard this thing in action. T'was a raven's caw that I used when I found it. Sounds like the real thing! Anyhow... it'd be 50 gold."

Staff of Birdcalls

OOC: I think I want to raise Ven's mom today, after you all are done with shopping. Also, what does inspiration do in your campaign, Klein?

(Regarding inspiration - I just like to use the generic PHB rules for it: If you have inspiration, you can expend it when you make an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check. Spending your inspiration gives you advantage on that roll.)

"A fair price, but I'll have to pass for now... Thank you for telling me about it though.", Gotur says after consideration.

"Aye, no problem at all, friend. Thank you for your interest."

You all say farewell to the shopkeeper and then head back to the temple and proceed with the transaction. It will take an hour at least for the spell to complete, and then a few more hours minimum for Ven's mom to come back to consciousness and be able to communicate. It's quite the process, apparently. 

What are you all thinking of doing in the meantime? You can wait the time at the temple for sure if you want, or something else if you want. (Sewers / Inn / Shop / Something else entirely)

"It was a fine piece, but I didn't want folks seeing it and thinking I carved it..."

((I'd vote for sewers, don't like leaving that job half finished.))

(OOC: Alton is happy to follow anywhere the party wants to go.)

"I want to go back to those sewers. The undead scourge there must be exterminated."

You will definitely have time to finish up in the sewers while Ven's mom gets the treatment and recovery time.

We have a busy thanksgiving weekend here, but I will get the map setup as soon as I can and then we will begin at the sewer entrance. It might not be until tomorrow, but I will try my best for today!

Also, finishing the sewers will likely trigger a level up if you need to start thinking about level 3 options :)

You all decide to head back to the sewers, to potentially finish taking out whatever might be causing the undead to be located within this particular part of the sewer system while Ven's mother gets her treatment. 

I have updated the sewers map via our google sheet link below. The passageways that seem to lead to nowhere and look like a dead end - well, they are in fact dead ends. Just assume there are very thick iron bars blocking the way at those points which are impassable.

The black sections, along with that other alcove in the middle, are the remaining sections of this sewer block that you haven't explored yet. 

Which section of the sewer system would you might like to explore first? Please make any perception or any relevant checks if you desire when you let me know where you might want to go first.

Map Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JMcWkjg_2bADKFk72NcYqCT9q6iqli_XAHA77ojzLz0/edit#gid=0

Alton will head down the middle path looking for signs of any undead.

Investigation: 24

Middle section sounding good to him, Gotur shifts to Got-wolf as they head that way, padding along behind Alton, keeping an ear and nose out for anything stirring.

Perception, rolled with advantage (keen senses scent and sound): 22

Alton and Got-wolf, you both move forward towards the middle pathway of the sewer system. Your familiarity of the passageways along with your desire to destroy whatever remains in here and help Venovar be at peace allows you to uncover a few different things:

Alton, you quickly scan the entire sewer system, and while you discover no undead directly in any of the main passageways, you are able to easily see 3 secret doors that are clumsily built within the rock passageway walls. They are lit up easily from the lanterns build into the walls. They are shown on the updated map with red X's. They are rough looking old wooden doors which don't seem locked from what you saw.

Got-wolf, your keen wolf senses allow you to sniff out a rather large treasure box in the second alcove in the middle of the sewer system, which I've located on the map as well. It is quite large, and seemed to be locked. 

Which way would you like to go, and/or what would you like to do next? Let me know exactly how you would like to proceed as well (ie. if you're being quiet, etc.) and make necessary rolls.

Map: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JMcWkjg_2bADKFk72NcYqCT9q6iqli_XAHA77ojzLz0/edit#gid=0

Alton will make the presence of the secret doors known to the party, and if they let him know about the locked box, he is happy to pick it.

Thieves Tools: 14

Got-wolf whines softly and raises a paw in pointer position towards the locked chest. Something inside smells.. . interesting.

Got-wolf raises his paw and Alton takes out his thieves tools in the most graceful and dexterous way imaginable. They come out of the pouch as smooth as butter and into Alton's hands. As he reaches down to pick the seemingly easy lock, something happens...

THWAP!

The chest opens in a blink of an eye and a tongue lashes out and grabs both of Alton's arms. The chest begins to completely change shape into more of a box-like monster, and it currently has Alton grappled.

Everyone please roll for initiative. 

Treasure box monster initiative: 8

Maps!: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JMcWkjg_2bADKFk72NcYqCT9q6iqli_XAHA77ojzLz0/edit#gid=0

Initiative: 22