4) Undermountain: The Beholders Key

[LibraryLass]

"Even leaving aside that I don't see the need to pick a fight with an animal defending it nest, especially for a treasure we don't have any idea of the value of, do we really want the mages to use their best spells now? Suppose we do, then immediately run into those ogres again, or that black dragon that may be lurking around."

[Woe]

"Still, it remains to be seen whether we can escape without drawing their ire."

Ravoneth will ever so slowly back away from the scorpion nest, to head back toward the south.

[Hywaywolf]

"I too am not interested in killing this scorpion just to see if that chest holds some shiny baubles to be sold at a market. Do you intend to kill everything you meet just for their toils?"

"Yes, unless they show themselves to be sentient and friendly. Thats why we come down here. Except for you, Ravoneth, who is looking for someone. You will have little success surviving and succeeding down here on your own. Now, I am all for helping you with that task as long as you are willing to help me with mine. Thus it is in your interest to help kill this scorpion."

[LibraryLass]

"I don't know how Elves do things, but we halflings have a saying: the honey tastes better when it's spread on your biscuits than spread on your bee-stings. There will be other treasures that we can take more easily."

[Hywaywolf]

"nothing is easy down here. We just had two fights with 4 ogres and eight or so gnolls with no treasure at all to show for it. What treasure do you think will be unprotected down here? But if the others want to walk away and leave this here, then so be it."

[dymondy2k]

I say we try and give mom and pops Scorpion as much space as possible while still trying to crack the chest. I think if we leave them alone they will do the same. I don't think they are some sort of 'sentient guard of the chest' there was just something attached to the chest that was meant to draw out the scorpions.

Also I don't have it memorized but I can cast Charm Animal and Speak to Animal so if we have to leave we can come back after a rest with those spells prepared.

[Jandolar]

As the company discusses options amongst themselves and Ravoneth takes a few steps back the female scorpion uses her claws to pull sand up and over her back and the young clinging there. Within minutes she is gone from sight. The male slowly does the same although he leaves his head, claws and tail visible as he settles in to watch the beings before him.

[LibraryLass]

Hermia sheathes her sword. "What'd I tell you? No need to fight."

"So, are we gonna dig the chest out, or leave? I'm okay with either as long as it doesn't bug those bugs..."

[Woe]

Ravoneth looks at Oypeen with cold amusement. "Lord Elfling, I think you are mistaken. Brother James will be found, by me or another of my order. It matters not who or how. I will not murder, accommodate your whimsies, or forswear my vows to feed your duergar desires."

She turns to Hermia and Mae. "That is a delectable proverb. I will try to remember it, and share it with others. Mae, very wise thinking of you."

Ravoneth tightens up her shredded robes and heads to the south. "Take the chest or leave it, it doesn't matter to me either. But decide fast. Surely we should get more distance between us and those gnolls we just encountered."

[Blazeguard]

Rykken pipes up, "If we can get the chest dug out, I can use my Floating Disk spell to carry it out of here. Provided there is anything valuable in it."