Deor will ID the rod running to the roof, or the orbs if they’re magic instead of the rod. That should exhaust his spells for the moment. (2 IDs and a Comprehend Languages, plus two Knocks.) He’ll rest after that; it’s a lot of work!
If we really want to search this area thoroughly, it’ll take more than a day. If I don’t need to do anything but ID things, I can do 5 IDs next cycle (which I think will start this afternoon).
The Rod, the 3 glass balls and the 3 small brass balls above the roof are all one item.
The Rod protects the house from lightning, complements the spells of the house and allows the three glass balls to glow lighting up the attic. The command for each colored ball is oddly enough Cálë. An elven word for Light. The one you heard Gilraen use to blind the trolls.
This was done around 9pm so in the morning you would have your spells back. You are sleeping in fact while the others explored the tower.
Well, then! Deor’s curious about the Honing Stone, the Cloak, the Eagle Buttons, the Ceramic Pot, and the Shield. Any objections to those as the IDs for the moment? This will leave me pretty wiped out for the rest of the afternoon, at least- if I’m to do this now, I won’t be in good shape to travel today. How does the party feel about spending another night here?
Lorliana is willing and eager to stay another night.
Curunauth, “I would prefer to press on actually. These items can all be identified slowly one or two a night and any left can be done in Imladris itself.”
If Deor wishes it, and if Gilraen has no objection, Thoroncir would not mind resting another day here. He asks Deor to Detect Magic on his new scabbard Kalthalion, too.
It has already been mentioned that we have encountered a few too many creatures on our way and if they are being directed towards us. I don’t want to wait here an extra day if it means that when we leave here, we run headlong into more enemies.
The items can be identified on the road and tempting though it is too stay, I can see one day turning into two into several. We have been fortuitous to find this place, guided almost. I would rather not push my luck by overstaying its welcome.
And I certainly don’t want to give Kkósal, be it alive or dead, any time to find us in one place.
I suggest we leave at midday and continue our journey.
Elfstan is conflicted about staying an extra day. He agrees with Mulligan’s points. Besides, if the party gets on the road they are one day closer to Rivendell. Elfstan hopes he can find some pies there. Pies have been on his mind lately (post 1031).
The house is comfortable though and there are also good reasons to stay. The journey has been hard so far. The rest will do us good. If there is more to learn here about Kkósal it would be worth the extra day.
To the scholars and Curu in particular, “Are there copies of these books in Imladris or could you point out which ones we can find there? Maybe we can have Deor and Lorliana concentrate on those that are unique to this house?”
Lorliana has hopes of finding more but has found very little. The one magical book she wishes to take to Rivendell when the party goes. She hopes it has more information. She also hopes that Rivendell might know more. She asks Gilraen if she can take the book to study.
Assuming the weather is favourable now, let’s pack up an hour after noon and make up some ground. We have weighty matters to discuss once we get to Imladris, and this is no longer an ordinary journey; plainly the hand of Destiny has touched us whether we willed it or not - although strokes Glinras we have been given some mighty tools with which to accomplish the task that has been handed us.
Gwaelur would like to stay and search more, but that could just be his love of treasure. He feels an extra day can’t hurt and also feels that not everything has been explored, but is willing to leave if the party agrees that it is better to press onward.
Lorliana and Deor look disappointed the prepare to leave.
Deor please give me the list of items in the order you will ID them.
Gilraen to Lorliana, “I am sure it will be fine to take the book to Rivendell.”
To Gwaelur, “Was there anything you wanted to check before we leave? We have a few hours to explore.”
Gil-Gandel is sure **Glinras **is made of Mithril and crafted to look like a Unicorn horn. You believe it is meant to be played like a flute but maybe also as a horn.
[aside]So am I, my friends. This is a house of wonders and I would that I knew its every secret and all its history. I fear that my heart’s desire must give way to necessity for now, sadly.[/aside]
So it has a mouthpiece like a horn, but also a hole which can be transverse-blown? A remarkable instrument indeed - I look forward to discovering its ways.
Gwaelur is probably not thinking too clearly, and is just in search of comfort and a the promise of more treasure, but he responds saying:
“Ah, well, I wouldn’t mind taking a look around the rest of the ruins. You never know, one might find trapdoors to hidden underground caves…and such.”
As he says it he feels a bit foolish, but it does feel like a weight has been taken off his chest. With his desires out in the open it’s easier to deal with them rationally.
Gilraen is fully rested and happy to help the sturdy Dwarf. I’ll cast detect magic as we wonder about.
As the rain is down to a drizzle and the temp is about 74° I’m sure that at least one of the Hobbits will join the search.
Gwaelur concentrates near the West Wall and is rewarded to a small degree. Though no magic is detected anywhere, he finds the old foundations of a building and digging around discovers two buried trapdoors. One has a simple and long rusted lock and the other the rust stains of a latch. Under the one trapdoor is a good supply of coal, enough to heat the house for more than a winter with ease. The other trapdoor leads down to a small cellar where a large number of rusty ingots and rods are found and some bog iron that is in better shape. Also down here are a small variety of very rusty tools and other irons goods. Searching the other foundations yields nothing of value though a few other cellars and bins.
So at noon of August 5[sup]th[/sup] the party sets back out with expectation of reaching the Last Bridge by noon of August 9[sup]th[/sup].
He’ll read from his book each night with a Read Magic, and keep studying the new spellbook after he finishes the night’s reading from the first one. Each night, he’ll do as many IDs as he has spell slots for.
Order of Identification:
small Númenórean Blade … bane of Kkósal
Rod of Kanotir
Gold Ring with 7 small stones
A Cloak that seems to change colors to blend
Taurgol – Wood Sorcery – A short Oaken Rod
Honing stone
Aiwendil – Lover of Birds Ring
Rilthol – Helm of Brilliance
Kálthalion – Holy Strength
Galvorn Chainmail
Glinras – Gleaming Horn
a Medium Shield
The large ceramic pot
the contents of 3 flasks
2 brass buttons (Eagles)
Dagger probably made of Dwarven Steel
magic bridle
Preference given in Identification based on how likely I think it is that we’ll need the item in question to fight Kkósal. If you’ve got any serious objections to the order of ID, let me know.
August 5[sup]th[/sup], 6[sup]th[/sup] & 7[sup]th[/sup] pass quickly. The group makes good time.
Deor Identifies 9 items in the three nights and uses 3 Read Magics, one per night. This leaves him only one 2nd level spell at night though.
The small Númenórean Blade that is but +2 but +5 vs. Undead and should be the bane of Kkósal it also allows backstabbing of Undead. Not normally allowed.
With many thanks from Gilraen,
The ancient Rod of Kanotir allows her to stay alert long into the night. It will send a narrow beam of light up to 60’ for 1ch/t; Light like spell for 2r/ch but turns are at +2 levels; It allows her to know lies. Holds 50 charges. Light spell = 1ch. Extended Light gives 2 charges.
x) The ring was already ID’d, the note is buried in 1121:
As described it is a Gold Ring with Seven stones sets on it. The stones are of an unknown gem type. It is somehow tied to the Palantirs and will aid detection and distance seeing spells as if he was double his level. It increases the wearer’s vision and allows him to see at night like an Elf. For Deor it will allow Folca the same vision enhancements. Finally it provides +2 protection.
The Cloak is an Elven Cloak +1 of Rivendell/Hollin style.
Taurgol – Wood Sorcery – A short Oaken Rod from the Woods near long lost Thargelion. Acts as dbl level for following spells: Hallucinary Terrain, Dispel Magic, Predict Weather (x2 AoE), Plant Growth, Barkskin, Wall of Thorns & Tree. +33% reaction with Treefolk; Entangled get -2 saves and slowed to 25% movement; Can absorb 1 lightning bolt for later discharge.
Honing stone: Does not wear out, reduces sharpening time by 50%; when sharpen normal blade for 30r counts as +1for first hit.
Aiwendil – Lover of Birds Ring – A small magic ring with the pictures of 12 birds carefully engraved. It allows communication with bird friends mentally over great distances among other powers you’ll find. Gives overall +10% tracking; +1 to hit with Bow; +25% reaction roll with Birds.
Rilthol – Helm of Brilliance: +2 Protection, Gives saves vs. Undead drains as Paralysis (no bonus); Enhances Dwarven abilities and vision. So see in dark 240’; Will light up for up to 1hr like a torch. Once per day will Light Blast doing 6d6 damage to undead in 30’r. Recharge requires a 2nd level Light spell or 8 hrs in sunlight.
Kálthalion – Holy Strength: Gives +1 Str or % shift, Stops bleeding, keeps blade clean, gives sword stored inside a +2/+2 vs Undead and Orcs.
Galvorn Chainmail: (It won’t affect thieving abilities and may be slept in.) Very good. Not as good as Elfstan’s but very good and more ancient. Curunauth will be able to talk about it. Materially it is +5 chain mail but saves as a relic. It had to have been made before the fall of Gondolin as only Eöl the Dark Elf ever made Galvorn chain.