DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Hall of Fame - Latest Top 10 completed games LMP: Lost Mines of Phandelver 4 - Wave Echo Cave

DM
All tracks and signs of movement lead either outside or to the hemp rope into the pit.

As Kriv inspects the body he notices that the boots that the dwarf is wearing have no scuffs. This surprises him because the Rockseeker brothers were miners and he wonders to himself how a miner's boots have no scrapes, scratches or other blemishes.

<Bern>

The collapsed section seemed the most likely approach for anyone down here, but he could also see the entrance from there as well. His bow at the ready, he kept watch ... his eyes being somewhat limited down here, he was relying more on his ears ...

Luminmorn

He lit his torch from the other Dragonborn. He needed light as well and figured he could work the other end of the group for protection. He let the more perceptive of the group and just watched the darkness for threats.

Jaliera

"Kriv, tracks go either outside or to the rope into the chasm."

She resumes her watch on the chasm.

Kriv

Scaled Draconic brow ridges tended to lack the fluidity to furrow as human equivalents could, but there was no mistaking the tone of voice from the noble scholar.

"Clean boots. Clean, unmarked boots on a miner. That seem strange to anyone else? He didn't get a chance to engage in his expertise here one way or the other. Something doesn't add up here..."

He nodded to Jaliera's report, and after a quick glance to see if anyone had a pressing need of the light and providing it if need be, headed over to the rope.

<Bern>

"Well", he said in reply to Kriv's question, "maybe not if he surprised or was surprised by someone when he came in here from outside. And it does beg the question of who was here and where are they now. Can anyone see any tracks made by someone other than the brothers?"

DM
After Kriv mentions the blemish-free boots, others focus on it and notice that they have unusual markings too. Kriv is perhaps the first to realize this.
ooc: I don't know how to be any clearer about the boots without just giving things away. Maybe you don't deserve them

Chandan

It was customary in Chandan's religion to strip the body naked, in preparation for sky burial, and the belongings to be neatly folded and piled, ready for collection by relatives, or failing that, the monastary.

Now is not the time, and a cave is about the poorest a choice for sky burial there is.

It looks like the dwarf's pockets have been rifled by his killers, but his well-fitted boots have definitely not been checked.

The monk carefully removes them, offering a prayer, and up-ends each one, hoping for a folded map to fall out that will tell them exactly where they need to go.

"Do your boots hide anything beyond ten piggies, my friend?" He asks the dead dwarf amiably.

That done, he squints and inspects the boots themselves. Such fine quality, obviously valued by the dwarf.

"Well looked after. They meant something to him, I think. If this is Gundren's brother, Gundren might recognise these boots. Yes, we should take them, show him."

Ryssa


"Yes, I think we should take these boots to Gundren... and give his brother a fitting interment."

The cleric looked closely at the boots.

"These are... special footware."

Davroar

"Well take them and let's go. A dead body can wait."

If Gundren's other brothers are alive they should not dawdle too much here. Davroar will move over to where the rope hangs down to take a look for himself to see how deep it goes.

Chandan

Nodding, the old monk hands the boots to Ryssa. A better custodian he couldn't imagine. Then he stands and ambles over to the chasm to see what's going on there. Tunnels! Let the adventure begin! At least his tangled mop of curly grey hair will protect his head from low-hanging rocks.

Chandan jumps off the edge and sails to the bottom, 20-feet below, landing lightly on his feet.

<Bern>

He shrugged when Chandan decided for the group. He continued to watch for threats below, his bow at the ready.

Once the others are down there, he will make his way down.

Ryssa


She smiled and nodded to the elderly monk, tied the laces of the boots together and slung them around her neck.

Then Ryssa followed Chandan over to the hole where the rope was attached and hanging down.

She gasped slightly when Chandan leaped gracefully into the pit, turned her head toward the ranger and rolled her eyes slightly.

"He makes up his mind quickly, does he not?" she murmured.

<Bern>

"For all of us, apparently", he said with a nod and a grin.

Kriv

Glancing over at Ryssa,

"He is not sane. This is entirely consistent with what I have seen from him during the time of our association. I am in no position to gainsay Gundren's decision to hire him. Be glad it's just throwing himself down a pit and not executing prisoners or stripping naked to surrender to goblins."

He looked down dispassionately.

Ryssa


Her eyes widened even further at the comments of the dragonborn, only the second of that race she'd ever met.

"If not sane, he at least seems..." she paused and shrugged.

"I do not know how to finish that sentence." She smiled and shrugged again.

"I do like him, though."

Chandan

It's dark, very dark but the torchlight gives him some idea of the lay out amidst the dancing shadows.

[The chasm is basically the open top of a longer tunnel running left to right? So two potential paths to take?]

Keeping his spear levelled at the darkness, he whispers to his companions above.

"Two exits, either end. No lights. I stand guard, you come down rope when ready."

[[ I don't see why not. I have moved into lots of places where I couldn't see ... and I see 'them' doing it all the time in the movies <gd&r lmao> ]]

Jaliera

She stands guard with her bow, turning her attention towards the cave entrance now that Bern is covering the chasm.

"I'll send Whisper for a quick look in both directions."

And she asks her small feathered friend to take a look in each direction.

Davroar

He did not bring torches just for nothing, so he will take one out, light it (Druidcraft), and toss it down to land near Chandan.

Then gathering up a bit of the rope he will test his weight on it before heading down to join Chandan. Once down, he will pick up his torch and quietly say, "You made that leap down all too easy. Didn't know you could do that without breaking a leg."

Kriv

He watched the torch fall, impassively.

[ooc: I've already got Davroar throwing a lit torch down to Chandan. He might start thinking that he's under torch attack soon.]