It is two days before Occa, Darian and Valdar return to the camp. Caterina does not return with them. In the meantime winter has continued...yesterday the temperatures plummeted...reaching only 14F during the day and dropping to 5 overnight. It was sleeting for much of the day...and this morning it is snowing.
A strong wind is also blowing...making it feel like it is only 18F...
They return at midmorning.
Occa looks tired and says, "We will have to head out in the morning...I have several things to do."
"What?" Gilstrock asks. "What happened?"
Occa keeps moving and says, "Darian will explain....please make sure no one disturbs me until I am done. I am going to make a recon device."
He immediately heads to his tent and begins working.
Gilstrock looks over at Darian. "Well, Skunkhead -- do you mind if I call you Skunkhead? -- what's Occa all in a tizzy about?"
Darian doesn't look all that pleased. "Yes, I do mind, Gilstrock. Just call me Darian."
Darian then grins a little self-consciously. "Well, we um... met Ray Jay. She's a very beautiful woman in addition to being an arch-mage. She told me a bit about my powers and suggested I practice. And she said she knew of a few others who had them and she'd talk to them. Maybe one of them could help me..."
"Anyway, it's fairly clear that Ray Jay wants us to finish up here. Although, why, she didn't say."
"Occa, bought some spell components and got two news spells: reincarnation and simulacrum. I'm not sure what either does..."
"Oh and Ray Jay asked if Op Code knew a spell called reflecting pool. I guess it could be used to help us investigate rooms and passages without actually being in them."
"I think that's about it..."
Op Code replies "I'm sorry, but I don't. My druidic ability is very limited. And besides, I don't think I am experienced enough to cast 'reflecting pool'. i must be a Ranger Lord (12th level) to do that. I am training to become and 11th level lord at the moment. Sorry."
Orlon says, "I think we need to approach this dungeon in another way such that we don't get roasted every time we go in. Shall we find that dragon and fry its ass?!"
"During the portable hole discussion, Jesse mentioned something about a communal chest. Perchance is there a ring of regeneration in the chest, I would love to borrow it. I had one until one of Set's slimy minions bit it off, with two of my fingers. Thank Horus, a higher ranking cleric was available to heal me." says Al.
Occa calls from his tent, "No, there isn't one in there."