“Jumping in blind would be a bad Idea that’s true! But we should know a bit more about the things down there. Of course we should be careful.
Thomas what do you think? Should we lift up one of this bodies or maybe just a part. With a bit Intellego we might be able to learn a bit more about the creatures down there eating the bodies.”
A grim expression manifest in his face while stating:
“It seems the creatures down there don’t like the light.
I can try to create a circle of light maybe trapping something in the middle.”
"They're likely reptiles of some sort," Vulpus says. "Cold-blooded so they don't show up as heat sources. But it's probably a safe bet that they can't get up here or they'd be a threat to the people who live here."
Would "lift the dangling puppet" work on a dead body, or is it restricted to living ones?
"I am not sure how much we can learn, but if you want to check one out, I am happy to lift."
Lifting the dangling puppet lifts a body- no limitations on living or dead.
You pick a corpse and lift it up to you, it has been severely damaged by scavangers who appear to have some form of claws and rather small mouths, in several sections it appears the flesh has been dug out and consumed. I addition to the large scavenged the body is riddled with worms and the flesh is decaying naturally, though possibly at a reduced rate as it appears to be waterlogged and frequently submerged. The body appears to be that of a woman with some remaining indications of grey hair.
Frederic touches one of the wounds that look fresh and spontaneously casts image of the beast. To get a mental picture of the beast that caused the wound.
CT=(8 +Die (4))/2 = 6 vs Level 5
Die: coyotecode.net/roll/lookup.php?rollid=92191
"I wonder if they are a vis source, like the ones in the other cave system. For that matter, are they actually one cave system? That could mean we need to be a bit more discreet in our explorations."
"I think we should come back later and bring one of our terram magi in here. This cave seems to have many secrets. It will take weeks, month maybe years to investigate all of them. Let´s move back. I will place some more arrows with names on the way. Maybe we can start to draw up a map."
“I just said lets head back. But I´m also curious what´s down there and how the body´s came in.
I will go down for a short look. Garcin, do you want to join me? I can cast a spell on you that lets you fly down. Maybe there is a connection to the sea or the blue grotto. Both would be good to know!”
While Frederic waits for Garcin to reply he casts the formulaic Spell “Gift of the Bears fortitude” on himself. Level 25 vs CT 27 + die 2 =29 coyotecode.net/roll/lookup.php?rollid=92416
Garcin gives Frederick a "Are you kidding?!? Of course I DON'T want to go down there" kind of look, but nods curtly and prepares for the novel experience of flying. No magi should ever be allowed to wander around without a keeper.
“You must concentrate on flying after I put the spell on you! Please don’t fall!! Concentration is extremely important. Ready ?”
Frederic casts swift as the shallow on Garcin: (Level 25)
CT 16 + die 4 = 20 :-1 Fatigue point coyotecode.net/roll/lookup.php?rollid=92420
Next spell is another spontaneous „sun stone“ Level 10: Base 3, touch +1, sun +2
(CT 24 + die (3))/2 =13 coyotecode.net/roll/lookup.php?rollid=92429
(Frederic looks a bit exhausted -1)
Finally Swift as the shallow on himself level 20
CT 15 + die 4 = 19 :-1 Fatigue point coyotecode.net/roll/lookup.php?rollid=92434
Now he is tired! But to proud to let the others know. He quickly throws the sun stone over the gap and then fly´s down.
Garcin has no skill, and average intellect, so it's doubly good that he rolled the 0 after the 1!
Int 0 + Finesse 0 + roll (1,10)= 0+0+20= 20
He takes to the air like a natural and can only barely restrain a whoop of joy. He manages to lose his ridiculous feathered hat for a moment, but catches it before it falls too far. He finally settles down and follows Frederick, determined not to leave him alone.
At the bottom you find a score of bodies as crabs once again skitter away. At one end of the chasm you spot an exit which is submerged, at least here, and this seems to be where at least some of the crabs go when the sunstones come raining down. The bodies are in unnatural positions that give the impression they may have been moved by the water or perhaps fell here after they died, or both.