“The quest didn’t say anything about giving back any of the loot… I mean, the heir’s personal effects,” Kedryn explained to the group.
“The quest says to bring proof,” Bragden clarified with folded arms and a dark look. “Riya has already explained the remains are to be buried under a tree o’ significance, which means we need to provide somethin the bleedin shadow elves will recognize. I for one, don’t want to lose me life because o’ little greed.”
After the group helped Riya clean and recover the remains, they identified the salvageable equipment. Surprisingly, it had taken combining the disparate information provided by Krazzik’s, Bragden’s, and Riya’s high level identification skills to get an accurate understanding of the magical items. The whole process had taken the better part of an hour but had resulted in the current debate.
“Now, we don’t have to give back everything,” Krazzik jumped in. “Just somethin that show’s we found the lost heir, like one o’ his vambraces, or what’s left o’ the helmet.”
“Krazzik, yer supposed to be leading the clan. Do you really think a rusted vambrace or a fragmented helmet that have no markings be enough to keep the shadow elves from pokin us full o’ holes?” Bragden growled.
Both Kedryn and Krazzik sighed.
“Ye be right,” Krazzik relented. “But just look at this here treasure! We canna just give it up!”
Normally, Glade wouldn’t have cared about the gear. The U.S. military’s views on collecting war trophies was rather strict. However, his perspective had quickly changed since he found himself without any of his equipment from home. That, and even he had to admit the items they found were pretty incredible.
You have found 8 gold, 21 silver, and 18 copper. Each is older than the current abilities of this group to assess. See a Numismatist specialist to gain further details and value.
You have found a Ring of Increased Health. A simple silver band with a treated green peridot gemstone. Adds 15 HP.
Durability: 120/150
Grade: Moderate
Rarity: Uncommon
Charges: NA
Weight: .1 lbs
Value: Unknown
You have found a Ring of Endurance (+3). A wide gold band with a treated golden beryl.
Durability: 57/80
Grade: Moderate
Rarity: Rare
Charges: NA
Weight: .2 lbs
Value: Unknown
You have found a Five Finger Shadow Dagger (Damaged). A dagger made of umbericite and deteriorated steel handle; attuned to all grades of iron and steel. The blade may bypass up to 100% of anything made from iron or steel. Other abilities unknown.
Damage: 10-12 (damaged)
Durability: 345/450
Grade: Exquisite
Rarity: Rare
Charges: NA
Weight: 2.0 lbs
Value: Unknown
You have found a Planar Ring of Shadow Armor. This gold and ebony twined ring is inscribed with ancient elvish runes and embossed with treated black and yellow diamond dust. The bearer of this planar ring may call Armor from the Plane of Shadow up to once per day. Provides an active defense by encapsulating the bearer with planar shadow armor at the first sign of danger or if called. Reduces any physical attack by 50%. All magical attacks (with the exception of light-based spells) will pass through to the Shadow Realm, leaving the bearer unharmed.
Durability: 734/750
Grade: Exquisite
Rarity: Rare
Weight: 0.2 lbs
Charges: Unknown
Duration: Unknown
Value: Unknown
You have found an Arrowhead of Scorching Winds (x4). These arrowheads have been shaped from mana shards with both Light and Air attunements. Once loosed, the arrows will travel up to three times faster and farther than normal arrows. Upon impact, a burst of super-heated light will ignite the very air within a one foot radius of impact area.
Damage 7-10 (magical damage unknown – strong against shadow/earth attunements)
Durability: 50/75
Grade: Unique
Rarity: Scarce
Weight: 0.2 lbs
Charges: 2/3
Value: Unknown
They found the arrowheads within the chest cavities of the four dead elves, which was a clear indicator as to how they had died. Fortunately for them, each of the arrowheads had two charges left.
Now all they needed was to affix them to arrow shafts and find a bow. Either that or have Gird jury rig them so they could be fired from the Gnoilish crossbows.
As a group, they decided Kedryn should have the ring of endurance, seeing has his was the lowest out of all of them. The ring of health went to Krazzik to do with as he thought best.
The coins were also interesting. All of them were ancient and tarnished, but with a bit of polishing they would be in near perfect condition. Of course, it was Bragden who explained what a Numismatist was – a professional coin collector.
But the most incredible items were the dagger and the Planar Ring of Shadow Armor, both of which had come from the heir’s remains.
“I know this may sound crazy, but what if we give them the Shadow Dagger’s hilt and scabbard? That would technically be enough to prove we found the remains, seeing that the house scabbard has the Ki’s mark,” Kedryn said, eyeing the dagger Riya was carefully placing in their pack.
“Now, that’s using yer intelligence stat!” Krazzik barked. “Get rid o’ the damaged parts and keep the most important piece!”
“No,” Riya said with finality. “We will offer them both the ring and the dagger when they decide to meet with us. While our houses were close at one point, I don’t think they would take kindly to us only giving part of the heir’s legacy back. It is better to part with the items and increase our reputation with the shadow elves than try and hoard something they can easily take from our corpses.”
“Now that be how a leader is supposed to think,” Bragden grumbled.
“But,” she added, slipping the ring on her finger. “I don’t see why we can’t take advantage of the items now. Afterall, we need to survive in order to finish the quest. These items can help us do that. That being said, do you think Gird would be able to repair or replace the dagger’s hilt?”
“I wouldn’t be showin that dagger anywhere near Gird,” Bragden said in all seriousness. “That there blade be made o’ pure umbericite and is perfectly attuned to iron and steel. He would take it without question but would sooner give up his own children before he let that dagger out o’ his sight again.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Krazzik nodded sagely while the others gave the dwarves a blank stare.
“Sorry to ask, but seeing as we’re the new guys on the planet, what is umbericite and why would Gird not give it back?” Glade asked.
“Umbericite is better known as shadow steel and be one o’ the rarer metals on Veil,” Bragden said with a shrug. “It has the ability to bypass certain inorganic materials if it be properly attuned, but the process be a closely guarded secret. Only a handful o’ blacksmiths that I’ve heard of have the skill and knowledge to shape umbericite, let alone attune it.”
“There be a legend,” Krazzik interjected with a smile, “that an entire spear was made o’ shadow steel that could pass through stone! Was made for a knight tryin to kill off a Stone Dragon so he could bypass the skin and strike at its more sensitive bits. Only the blighter dropped the spear on his ride up the mountain. It vanished right into the ground and no one could get it back!”
“To answer yer question about our blacksmith,” Bragden continued, ignoring his chief's interruption. “Gird already be a bit possessive o’ anything that strikes his fancy. Showing him a full dagger made out o’ shadow steel and it be attuned? That’d be like putting a side o’ beef in front o’ a hungry drake. Ye might just lose yer hand if’n ye don’t move it fast enough.”
Glade was suddenly more concerned about getting his slime catcher back, especially since Kedryn had dropped his during the spider swarm attack.
“Speaking of not showing items to Gird, did you keep my star silver dagger from him?” Kedryn asked. “You haven’t returned it yet and this conversation suddenly has me worried.”
Krazzik winced.
“Unfortunately, the answer be no. He was the one who had the skills to sharpen the blade without proper equipment. I thought he wouldn’t be interested in it see’n as he was takin care o’ Glade’s piece o’ star silver alloy. I was wrong. Though, he did say he was workin on somethin special for ye as thanks for all you three have done. He needed the blade to finish his work.”
“Uh huh,” Kedryn said, giving the dwarven clan chief a flat look.
“Now dunna give me that look! I done made him promise to give all yer things back to ye,” he said.
“When he’s done with ‘em,” Bragden snorted. “Which may be never.”
“Yer not helpin,” Krazzik growled.
“Nope! It was yer choice to bring Gird into the clan. Now ye get to enjoy the benefits o’ havin him here!” Bragden grinned.
“He be a true genius when it comes to smithing, and ye know it!”
“Sure! Everyone knows that about Gird, just like we know he has his creation brand ranked up twice. But the dwarf doesn’t exactly have a full set o’ hammers workin in that noggin o’ his.”
“We’ll address the items Gird is holding for us later,” Glade interrupted. “Let’s finish scouting the area.”
Everyone readily agreed, falling into the same formation as before.
After turning another bend, the group came across two more shadow elf remains.
“Is anyone else wonderin just who be the ones that killed off 6 shadow elves?” Bragden asked.
“There’s still some tunnel left to explore,” Kedryn replied. “There may be more than 6.”
“Well, isn’t that just a lovely thought,” Krazzik sighed. “We’re going to be doin this all day, aren’t we?”
Riya was already kneeling down, ignoring the commentary.
While recovering remains was important, Glade did not want to waste the day looking through every pile of bones they came across.
“How about you, Bragdon, and Riya stay while Kedryn and I scout ahead?” Glade suggested. “We can report back if we find anything interesting.”
“Aye, I like that plan,” Bragden said, already getting to work beside Riya. “The further away the both o’ ye are, the safer I feel.”
Glade rolled his eyes as the others chuckled.
“I wasn’t joking,” Bragden grumbled just loud enough for Glade to pick up.
The two groups parted ways, Riya’s light gradually diminishing behind them as both he and Kedryn pushed forward.
They didn’t find any additional remains until they rounded the last bend, Kedryn’s hovering flame revealing a dead end with the torso of a body resting in front of the wall as if it had been shorn in two.
“That is so a secret door!” Kedryn smiled with excitement. “Help me find the switch?”
Without waiting for confirmation, the Corporal leapt forward to begin poking and prodding the flat wall in front of them.
“Sir, it may sound odd,” Kedryn called over his shoulder. “But do you see anything glowing? You have the perception skill same as me, which means between the both of us we might be able to find the switch.”
“You can’t be serious,” Glade laughed. “Wouldn’t that be counterproductive for whomever did the hiding in the first place? Besides, even if there is a switch, I doubt it would be on the wall itself. Doors open because of latches and hinges.”
“True,” Kedryn said with a shrug. “Unless it’s a magical door.”
“Unless it’s a magical door,” Glade conceded. With everything they had seen thus far he couldn’t rule out the possibility. “But let’s look around anyway. If all else fails, we can just have Krazzik and his crew break through it later.”
“As with any obstacle,” Glade commented, stepping up to the door next to Kedryn, “you first need to understand the nature of the problem. Which is done first through observation and process of elimination.”
Glade first rapped the stone with his knuckles, listening to the dull sound of thick stone. Next, he bent down to look at the ground, running his hand along the bottom, sides, and ceiling. Next, he pulled out his knife to test the stone along its edges.
“Sir, what are you doing?” Kedryn asked.
“Understanding the problem,” Glade responded. “The wall is several inches thick, which means we can’t break through on our own. Do me a favor, take a look at the base and tell me what you see.”
Kedryn bent down for a closer look. “I don’t see… Wait, there’s a tiny gap between the wall and the floor. It’s so small I almost missed it.”
“Good job, I’m glad you saw that too. Now look at the floor. See any scuff marks?”
Kedryn shook his head.
“Exactly, which means the wall, if it is a door, doesn’t swing this way. This is either a door that swings out, a door that slides, or a blocked off wall. Are you following so far?”
He could practically hear Kedryn’s heart race with excitement as he watched the Kid’s face light up in understanding.
“Now, look at the sides and top. What do you see?”
“They’re just like the bottom of the door. The tunnel looks to be cut away where the wall begins.”
“Good. Now look at the wall itself. Is it rough or smooth?”
“Smooth,” Kedryn said, running his hand along the surface. “Well, mostly. Did you feel some ridges running from side to side?”
“Yes. Those feel like well-worn horizontal grooves to me. What does that tell you?”
“That the wall slides,” he said matter of factly.
“You’ve got a good eye. That’s my assessment as well,” Glade admitted. “But far from conclusive. This is all logic-based reasoning, and I’ve been wrong more times than I care to admit. Still, that seems to be the most plausible explanation. Now, for a sliding door to work, it needs a latch and counterbalance to move, which means there should be a lever or switch somewhere close by. My guess is it isn’t likely to be found along the door itself, which means we need to start looking along the tunnel walls.”
“I’ll take the right; you take the left?” Kedryn asked, already turning to inspect his side of the wall.
“Sure, Kid,” he replied with a smile. Ever since the Gnoll fiasco, working with Kedryn had become much more tolerable. Even pleasant at times. The Kid was energetic, intelligent, and not scared of hard work.
Glade was strong enough to admit he hadn’t given the Kid the fairest of shakes since they were teamed up, but over the past several days they had come to trust one another. Making it through life and death experiences tended to do that.
It helped that the Kid was starting to tone down the excitement over every little thing they came across.
Turning to inspect his side of the tunnel, Glade stopped short, his shoulder sagging in resignation. Directly in front of him was a small protrusion of rock that was clearly glowing a vibrant orange, like a miniature flickering sun blazing from within the shadows.
Congratulations, you have increased your Perception skill to levels 2 and 3. +6% increase to natural perception. Continue to enhance your skill to increase your chances of locating that which others keep hidden.
He really hated this place.
“I think I found it,” Glade sighed aloud.
“Really?” The Corporal asked as he turned to stare at the wall. ”Oh, I see it now. And it’s glowing!” Glade winced at the Kid’s exuberance. “Awesome! I guess we have to be deliberately looking for the skill to kick in. Good to know!”
Glade didn’t know what bothered him more. The fact they had spent all that time analyzing the wall or that Kedryn had been right about how perception worked afterall.
Pushing down his frustration, Glade walked toward the glowing rock.
After a moment of working the hidden mechanism, the floor and walls began shaking without sound as the wall blocking their passage slowly ground open.
Cold, mountain air blasted through the newly opened gap, bringing with it the scent of frozen pine mixed with snow. The feeling of freedom and open skies washed over them like a tide as he filled his lungs to bursting with clean, fresh air.
A stream of brilliant sunlight blazed through the slowly opening doorway, forcing him to shade his eyes against the harsh, but welcome glare.
How long had it been since they had last seen the sky? Days? Weeks? He didn’t know, nor did he care. They were finally free!
The unmistakable whine of straining metal shrieked through the wall, followed by a crash so loud both men covered their ears as the ground shook beneath their feet. The opening door ground to a halt, leaving a gap barely wide enough for him to squeeze through.
“Do you think the dwarves will fit?” Kedryn asked, a grin on his face as he too enjoyed the fresh air.
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Glade laughed, already hearing the rest of their party yelling down the tunnel. “At the moment, I don’t really care. Would you like the honor of being the first outside?”
“Normally, I’d say yes, but I think you want this more than I do,” Kedryn smiled back.
Glade didn’t need to be asked twice.