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Bastian produces his glowing coin. "I have a light source available. Torches may be quite useful, though." He looks to Boomer. "Created by a landslide? Do you think that's important or mere passing curiosity?"

"Pyrite, no. Local geology does not favor it. But agates may be found here and there.

"And I doubt that the shape of the hillside is of interest to any but me, priest. Shall we go?"

"Aye, let's go!" As they begin down the hillside Bastian asks, "Have you been briefed on the situation? Has anyone warned you about what lies within?"

"I played drafts with Ash last night. He told me all about it."
As you walk down the hill, the dwarf continues: "So who will venture in? I see the mageling is coming," at this he nods to Gnaeus. "And you, new guy, what is your name?" this he addresses to Durant.

Durant looks over and says. "Durant, former Legion and currently wandering around." He returns a smile and a polite bow. "You folks would appear to be busy."

"You know how it is, boy. If you do not look busy, some decanus will find something for you to do. Tell me, do you like looking at monsters?" the dwarf's tone is mirthful, but his gaze is critical, measuring the young veteran as they head down the hill.

"I'm game for whatever misadventure you have planned if that is what you are asking?" Durant replies with a grin on his face, talking while they move. "I like fighting monsters, just fine."

"If you enjoy fighting monsters, I fear you've missed out on all the fun!" Bastian tries to sound jovial, but fighting beasts in a dank cave in the semi-dark was anything but enjoyable for him.

"Hah, there are always more monsters. I have often wondered where they come from." Durant replies with a smile on his face. "What kind of beasts have you met, so far?"

[OOC] I assumed Durant was talking to Bastian. Ish hasn't answered, though. [.OOC]
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"People are the worst monsters in the world, I say. Although a land-shark can be a problem unless you live over good strong stone."

"Grotdeir" Barber says, quietly. "The cave had several grotdier in it."

"I had heard. Unusual, to find them this far south," says Boomer. "And this far from the mountains. And above ground. My people have fought them for years on and off. I have heard of recent grotdeir raids near Fistfall. But that is far north of here."

[[OOC: Sorry for the delay]]

Bastian takes a few minutes to decide whether to breach the next subject. "There was something else even stranger involved here." Looking at Boomer out of the corner of his eye, Bastian asks "There was a dwarf. Covered in tattoos and wielding magic." As a few moments pass he asks, "Have you ever encountered that?"

"Tattoos are common enough. You should see my siblings. Magic is another story. What did you see, exactly?"

"The Grotdeir were lead by the dwarf. I tried negotiating with him but he wanted the "Elven" corpse at all costs. He had the Grotdeir attack us. His corpse is being taken back to Fraso in town so that it can be examined."

"It is odd to see grotdier being lead by any but one of their own - they are barely more than animals," Boomer says, stepping around the ogre corpse outside the cave. Hegrimaces at the smell of the corpse, but continues on until he reaches the cave mouth. Then he pulls up short and says: "What is that smell?"
The air inside the cave is thick with the smell of decay and fecal matter. Were it any worse, the smell would actually be visible.

"Oh.....there's a good chance it's the insect-thing that is lying dead inside. I forgot to mention that one. It had some sort of medallion around it's neck." Bastian flexes one fist. "The damn thing packed quite a sting. It numbed most everyone that got near it!"