Lazeram

Yikes! Gerbimble was prepared something dangerous could lurk behind the secret door, but he didn't think it would be orcs.

Gerbimble follows Vanlef and stays at a sensible distance from Daurant as the dwarf readies to open the door. The faintest glow surrounds his right hand. It is safe to assume he could lauch a bolt of eldritch energy at a moment's notice.

"It looks like the orc occupants knew of this place then," Gerbimble remarks as he sees the runes on the walls. "There has to be some reason they kept this passage hidden. Do any of you speak the orc tongue? If not, I have prepared a spell that lets me understand other languages."

Gerbimble nods approvingly as Urd hauls the box out of its hiding place. Moving on, the gnome too keeps his eyes and ears open for more secret compartments, signs of activity and especially traps.

Great, thank you for your quick reply! 🙂

The subject says perhaps it all, but I couldn't find an answer to this there (OG) or here (Baldr). Will private text remain hidden for most, only accessible to the designated users, or will the site change characteristics, like when a game is archived? (and all private threads turn public?)

Thanks for the heads up, Chaz! 🙂

Gerbimble stands back and lets Urd do her thing. He hadn't spotted the loose stone himself, but springing a trap is also a way to find it, he muses to himself as he waits.

Gerbimble lets the new dwarf lead the way.

Abrecan makes an effort to sample the various foods the feast has to offer, though as graciously as a dwarf raised in the wild can manage. His keen nose stops him from eating what probably requires an aquired taste built up through an elf's entire lifespan. And most of the wine, which he finds rather bland, with too subtle character. He has all but forgotten why they are there as he lays his eyes on a jar of honey mead. Surely, this necromancer won't be here already.

Gerbimble smiles to the halflings. "May your way home be free of danger, and your journey pleasant. We'll do our best to ensure the orcs in this region will not trouble you or your village again." The pair had made their choice, and the group had work to do. Best conclude this business as quickly as possible. Gerbimble ajusts his backpack after putting his share of the loot in it, and looks expectantly at the others.

Gerbimble shakes his head. He did not like the way the discussion was going. "If we leave now, the rest of the lair will no doubt be alerted, and we might have trouble getting back in." The gnome adresses the halflings. "This was never a rescue mission, but I am more than happy to escort you back home afterwards. Also, after being captive, some time to recover, with decent food and water, could be just the thing you need before a long trek home."

The gnome retorts with a puzzled look. "And now they are free. Free to go home, free to stay and free to join us, should they so want. We have cleared the path back, unless the orcs have repopulated the halls. In which case, they will be alert and angry. How far do you want to escort them, Urd?" Gerbimble says with a shrug. "Do you want to take them safely home to their village a day from here or leave them at the gates and wish then luck, hoping they won't be met by a patrol in the wild, like we were?"

Gerbimble grins wide at the sight of the treasure. Not the one they came here for, but still, this trip could really be worth it. He turns to the dwarf and the halflings. "We are not done exploring this place yet, but you are more than welcome to join us when we leave. You could either wait here or tag along as we go."

The posh elves will likely not appreciate it, but Abrecan has actually made an effort and attends the festivities with a set of clean clothes. He has visited a bath house and used soap, as well as throughly grooming his hair and beard. Despite initial loud protests, he did finally let the helpful staff cut his nails. As a result, Abrecan now looks less of a wildling from the woods. At first, he regretted washing, as the unfamiliar body odor hindered his heightened sense of smell, but now that his nose has adapted to it, he is prepared to smell the guests. So to speak. Actually, he feels rather confident and charming as he enters the grounds, and interprets the looks he gets from the elves as them being rather impressed. As he starts walking around, he takes care to follow whatever ettiquete this celebration demands. After all, he is but a guest.