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The merchants were not locals, at least none that I've seen before but then I don't know everyone that comes through here. They did ask to go knock on your door to see if you were in there but I knew you were out and refused them. I let them know where your shop is located and they said they'd try to stop by there tomorrow. Durnan follows up with a description but there was nothing out of the ordinary that could mark them as any different that other merchants.

Rykken then heads back to herbalists street and is there in time to hear Hermia calling from inside the house to Prydwyn. Entering Rykken sees the group standing around a large round door set in the floor. Key in hand Ol' Prydwyn looks up at Rykken. What do you think? Monsters in the basement? Kneeling down the old adviser inserts the key and turns it. A quiet *click* sounds and the portal pops up about 2 inches and with an easy pull on the recessed handle Prydwyn lifts the door. It's counter weighted so that it's both easy to open and easy to close. The instant it's open there comes the smell of rotting meat up through the hole. Anyone brave enough to look down sees the rungs of a steel ladder bolted to the wall and going down. Also of note is the glimmer of metal at the bottom reflected from torch light in the cavern below. If one stares long enough through the tears from the smell there can be seen piles of what might be coins interlaced with larger objects that might be weapons or armor. The portal opens up onto the top of a dragon sized hoard of wealth. I the torch light below can be seen several shadows moving. One is bulbous and massive.

"So it seems," Hermia gags. "Looks like some pretty good treasure too."

Quistine looks at Opyeen It might be an illusion and if so it's a darn good one. The smell is making my eyes sting something terrible. Either way I'm not climbing down there. I can hide pretty well but not that well. We'd need someone who is solely devoted to that sort of business, a thief.

dragon hordes aren't usually this close to the surfave

Ol' Prydwyn agrees. You're right. Dragon hoards are usually well below ground and hidden or heavily guarded by the owner. The only other explanation is that this mass of wealth doesn't belong to a dragon at all. I can't recall if beholders hoard wealth like this or not but anything is possible. I say we close this up until we can decide what to do. I'd prefer that whatever is down there not come boiling up at us while we stand here.

The old adviser gets a distant look in his eyes as he contemplates the questions. Rykken I don't know of anyone else that could offer advise on this, heck I don't even know exactly what questions to ask. Maybe another magic user like you and Opyeen who has a little more experience can help. I'd caution against telling anyone about the pile down below though. Looking now directly at Rykken he continues What she meant, and why she looked at me is this.... you can't use that key Rykken. Not unless you want to give up the arcane arts and start following the divine. You have to be a cleric or in her case a priestess. That's what I should have told you when you first brought that thing to me. The beholders are not divine in any sense of the word. My guess is that she, or more likely her family, made a deal with the beholder in that they would receive some kind of reward for using that key to let Hlethvagi down into the lower levels. Oh Opyeen good thinking with the Web. If she could have started casting we'd have been in a lot worse shape than we are now.

Closing the portal and locking it he hands the key over. I'm headed back to the house for some research. I'll come find you if I come across any new information.

He comes to a stop outside the door and turns back. I'm sorry I didn't tell you all this before but you're not powerful enough to use that key, none of you are. Keep it safe though for I feel one day you're going to come up against that damned floating eye down below and it might be the only bargaining chip you've got. If you ever do get enough worldly experience under your belt and you come across the lock for that key then please be cautious. What lurks down under the first few levels of Undermountain is much more dangerous than anything you've seen so far.

With the herbalists house searched and the hidden portal once more concealed beneath the rug the CoS heads back to the inn. Once inside dinner is served, a few of the patrons mention that another fish fry would be nice if the companions could see fit to haul up another couple hundred pounds of fresh fish. Laughs are shared while the companions dig in to a grand meal of pan seared beef (oven braised veggies in lime butter for Hermia) with potatoes and some greens. Mae is there as well and she subtly slips into the group and enjoys the meal. Her eyes widen as a few of the hardened local adventurers stop by and offer a handshake or kind words of luck to the group. At one point she does turn and asks Opyeen. With as much as they like to wish you well why do none of them ask to join? You'd think they would be lining up to get in on the action with a group such as this. Turning then to Hermia Is there some sort of taboo about asking to join an established group? She colors slightly at this and goes back to her drink.

Lysander comes in shortly after and makes her way to Rykkens side, with a penetrating look at Maephina she turns to her boss. We had a few merchants stop in today. I'd say they were typical but they all but screamed wealth. Usual robes but very well made, gold rings and earrings, chains, electrum pendents and the like. They looked at everything that you've brought back up that we hadn't sold and asked all kinds of questions about the items that were already bought and gone. They left a marker and 1000 gold for a retainer on first choice of anything else you bring up. They are hungry as all heck for items from below. As she's speaking she has stepped close enough that her thigh touches Rykkens as he sits, noticing this she backs up a bit... then forward again so that she's as close as she can be without making contact. She finally shakes her head and just pulls up a chair and sits close to the mage while she orders herself a glass of Fey wine.

A roar of approval goes up from the crowd as a group of three men are ushered upon the platform. It seems another group is going down. Durnan appears at the table where the CoS sits. Ah... I know it's not common to send down another group while one is actively engaged with the deep below but these three are searching for lost companions. The Band of The Black Banner has been missing for quite some time and these folks, The Band of The Hand, are.... well they say they are acolytes or followers of theirs and petitioned to go in search of them. They also paid really well to get in. He shrugs slightly. Besides you look as if you could use a good nights sleep or two and some time in the sun before you head back down. Your rooms are still reserved as per our agreement. With that explanation he turns to attend to his tavern.