After the brief bout with a few skeletons, our party searches the relic of Kijitsu Blossom, but comes up nothing of value, so we continued on to the cave entrance marked on the map.
Cleaving through the brier baring the cave entrance, we proceeded into the darkness, forcing Asadel to cast light. WIth Tengu quietly leading the way, our party navigated the twisting passages of the cave.
We immediately encountered a giant wolf spider as it fed on the rotting corpse of a troglodyte, which we dispatched with little trouble. Searching the troglodyte, we discovered a note written in Draconic which appeared to be a list of some sort, but being none of us could read it, the rest remains a mystery. It also carried a weathered and worn wakizashi, a blade of tian design, a clue that we are on the right path.
Continuing on, we came across a small pool containing a strange shapeless ooze of a creature, seemingly in the process of consuming a goblin. WIth little provocation, it attacked Tengu so we destroyed it as well. A small island in the pool was crusted with small crystals which Tengu was able to break free. Asadel appraised the six crystals to be worth 20 gp a piece.
Moving on, the party entered a much larger cavern, littered with the skeletal remains several humans, all appearing to be of tian descent, judging by what remains of their attire. Hugging the wall, trying not to disturb the remains, we entered a cavern containing a large jade and cherrywood chest, atop of which stood another skeletal figure.
Not wanting to take any chances, we set up to attack the skeleton, should it prove to be among the undead. Sure enough, as soon as Tengu unleashed his first volley, it began to move. Acting before the creature could even draw its sword, the party closed ranks and destroyed the creature. The dust of its bones not yet settled, we hear a familiar rattle come up from behind us. The skeletons we had passed earlier had risen as well began making their way toward us, blocking our exit.
Tengu, seeing that his crossbow bolts were having no effect on the bony foes, he relieved the skeleton of its femur bones to use as improvised clubs. As the skeletons entered the cavern, they quickly fell and soon were no more than a pile of dust on the cavern floor.
Going back to examine the chest, Tengu expertly unlocked the latch. It contained the following:
5 potions of Cure Light Wounds
2 potions of Cure Moderate Wounds
3 potions of Lesser Restoration
1 Ring of Climbing
1 Wand of Identification (19 uses left)
1 Masterwork Chain Shirt
11 Desnin Candles
4 Skyrockets
3820 Silver Pieces
421 Gold Pieces
Various Gems worth 560 GP
In addition, upon examining the skeleton guarding the chest we found a bronze key (presumably unlocking the chest), and an incredibly Masterwork Cold Iron Wakizashi with the tian words Whispering Strike inscribed into the blade. The weapon appeared to be damaged and would require repair before being used. Upon further inspection, the pomel proved to be hollow and contained a small scroll with a rather lengthy message written from a Rokuro Kaijitsu to his son and heir.

Letter’s points:
-Rokuro kept secrets from son
-Son opened something called the “box of warding”
-Family enemies seek the contents of the box, “our family’s greatest treasure”
-Box in Kortun’s care, hidden in secret third vault under Brinewall Castle
-Tsutamu to deliver letter to son if Rokuro did not return
-Son instructed to destroy letter, flee to the south, not return to Brinewall
-some “truth” remains untold
We can assume the skeleton was the Tsutamu mentioned in the letter.
Having cleared the cavern, we packed up the chest and began the journey back to Ameiko to inform her of our discoveries.
… finding out what the draconic note said would probably not be a bad idea either.
… Also, getting Tengu some more diverse weaponry may be in order.
Later…
Your trusty boat’s bow makes a scratching noise as it collides gently with the embankment of the northern most shore of Brinestump Marsh. As you begin tying down the vessel for next group of explorers, you look back one last time and see the now familiar wildlife and hear the still eerily creepy sounds coming deep from within. But you now feel confident knowing that the worst of the swamp has been removed and it can now begin to heal from whatever taint may of befell it. All in due time.
Taking turns or sharing the load, you carry the large jade and cherry wood chest. A few hours after having left the caverns, you return once again to the gates of Sandpoint.
Players: continue filling in your actions and the story here, rather than the comments. Please refrain from Notifying ALL when saving this page. Keep it to myself and the current three PC’s. Thanks – Ryan
At the gates of Sandpoint, Asadel turns to the others. “If we can’t find a translator to decipher this note for us, purchasing a simple scroll when we turn in all of this merchandise should do the trick. I could ask Abadar for assistance tomorrow morning, but I imagine Ameiko would like to learn what we discovered right away.”
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(Comprehend languages is also a level 1 cleric spell) ;)
Draugnir agrees, saying “I can’t wait to see the look on her face. This is gonna knock her on her ass! But I also can’t wait to get rid of this ridiculously heavy trunk. It had better fetch a shiny copper cause my back is killin’ me.”
He begins making his way towards the tavern.
(Q: is there a more subtle way to reach Ameiko, rather than dragging treasure through the middle of her tavern, such as a back room with a back door? She may appreciate not having her entire customer base know her business and Draugnir would like it to be less well known that we often carry treasure.)
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GM: As you agree that heading back to the Dragon is the best course of action, you hear the faint nickering of a horse coming behind. Turning toward it, you see two horses pulling a covered wagon on the road, driven by a human male appearing to be in his thirties.
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(That was in fact the spell I was referencing, Mark. Good eye.)
Asadel steps aside, and with a gentle arm nudges Draugnir and Tengu to do the same, allowing the stranger to pass if his business is not their own.
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Mark
Draugnir, not paying much attention to a random wagon on the busy streets of Sandpoint, continues on with all due haste towards the Dragon.
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GM:
As the wagon passes by, you make notice of its well worn use. It has seen the road to be sure. The driver, a man nearing middle age, smiles and says “Thank you, gentlemen!” As the back of the covered wagon comes into view, you notice plenty of space in the back.
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Draugnir examines the wagon as it passes (perception roll 30)
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GM: Nice roll!
There’s definitely enough space for a lay a chest in there. You can either hoist it up into the back, possibly making a racket, alerting the driver, or… you could ask him for transport.
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Mark: Still not sure why we care about this wagon (if a perception 30 doesn’t trigger anything, I’m not sure what will). Clearly its important, but character wise, its just another wagon on the streets. We’ve dragged this chest back through a swamp and we are steps away from getting it to the Dragon without drawing unwanted attention. Unless there is some other reason to stop, Draugnir is intent on lugging it the rest of the way, eager to hear what Ameiko has to say about it.
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GM: The introduction of said wagon is my response to your question above about a more subtle way of getting to Ameiko. If you so choose to ignore, that’s just fine. I’ll provide more time for the others to respond differently.
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Carlos: I’m willing to let it roll on if there is a consensus. It is nice flavor text for moving through the city.
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Mark: Sure, I’ll bite.
Having carried the heavy cargo through swamps and bogs, Draugnir’s strength is waning. Seeing an opportunity, Draugnir attempts to flag down the driver of the wagon, asking him if he wouldn’t mind taking us and our cargo to the Rusty Dragon tavern, offering 1 SP for his service and discretion. (normal cost is 2 cp per mile for a light wagon).