The Cave

Located approximately a half a league off the main road, this small cave was discovered by Uril Rynn-Masane during a reconnaissance mission a year ago to spy on the activities of Clan Polyle at Ravin Manor. He used it several times as a temporary base during these visits. When he and his father came up with the plan to enlist outsiders to help, the cave was a natural location to stage the encounter with the PCs.

The cave is not large, but it is dry and well hidden. The entrance way is partially blocked by fallen rocks. The rocks have fallen from the ceiling naturally and there are signs that someone has climbed over them recently (GM Note: Querth will say it was he who made the scuff marks, but an experience tracker who takes the time to examine the marks before the PCs file in will notice there are two sets of tracks leading in and one leading out).

Immediately inside the entrance are two bedrolls. The closest to the door is encased with a shimmering dome, much like a soap bubble. It is only an illusion and a weak one at that. Anyone can pass an object, hand or entire body through it with no ill-effects. At the head of the bedroll is a small triangular object, about one foot high. It has several glowing runes on it. A similar object lies on its side at the head of the second, unoccupied, bedroll.

If the triangular object is knocked over, the shimmering bubble disappears immediately and will not return. The glowing runes on the object fade to scratches. Sir "Ordidis" starts to stir immediately (GM Note: The PCs might wonder why Querth didn't just knock over the triangular object himself. He claims he was too scared of the magic.).

If the PCs examine the two triangular objects, they appear to be carved out of normal stone. The one from Querth's seems to be different from the one near Sir "Ordidis'"bed. The one with the glowing runes was in fact a very weak magical object purchased by Uril. When activated by placing in on the ground and dropping three drops of water on the top of it, it created the bubble illusion. It is a one time use item and is now spent. Too short of cash to purchase two, Uril had a mason carve a crude copy and he scratched the same runes on it as on the real one. No sense wasting money on an illusion which would never be seen.

There is a long dead fire pit at the centre of the room. There is an empty, old trunk with a broken hinge, a warped bow with a quiver of arrows, an old rusted sword and a mouldy sack of wheat piled in the niche across from the bedrolls. They are in very poor shape and covered with a fine layer of dust and cobwebs. They all date from Uril last use of the cave one year ago. Uril and Querth were careful not to disturb anything to maintain the illusion it has been here for twenty-five years. A careful investigation will determine the rust, dust and mould are not more than a year old.

Sir "Ordidis" will be anxious to leave the cave as quickly as possible before the PCs can penetrate the thin disguise. He will recommend that they leave everything just where it lays so he can bring the authorities back. Once the PCs leave the immediate area, Tharin will come in and remove every trace of human habitation just in case anyone ever comes back.

The GM will have to be very careful here. It is a delicate balance between making them believe Sir "Ordidis" and his servant were asleep for twenty-five years and giving them a fair chance to notice the clues to the contrary.

Kerry Mould 2003