Subject The second door.

The party seems relived to have at least found a key of any sort and the fact that it is copper is just icing on the cake. As some of the members are counting the gold that they found on the ogre, Allistair is wondering around the room looking intently at the floor. He asks Surin and Salix a few questions and when he gets their answers he seems satisfied. Harp, Ran and Mund finish counting the gold and report that it totals 273 g.p. Mund asks if he can use the shield.

Harp looks at Mund somewhat surprised. One of the things Harp had learned with the Order was to be suspicious of those things found while adventuring, at least until someone was able to identify what it was. Stories of acolytes and trainees suffering terrible suffering and pain after inadvertently using an item were well documented.

"Mund, you can have it if you want, though I would suggest having Allistair check it first. Your brother may be able to tell you how this shield is special or if it might cause you harm instead. But, do as you wish with it. It is rightfully yours given your actions in our last encounter."

At the mention of his name Allistair calls for the parties attention. "I have found some thing strange. Or to be more precise, I have not found something and that is strange. If you look around this room, you will not see anything that the ogre could have eaten. You will not find anything that looks like a camp or a place where is slept. You will not find any offal. Nothing. Other than the key and the ogre the room was empty. Also, if you notice, there is no way to open the door from the inside. From this side the door is almost a secret door. I find this very interesting. Now, if you do not mind, let me take a look at the key and that shield."

Allistair chants the cantrip he knows to detect magic and is disappointed with the results. The shield is not magic and he does not recognize the material.(Spellcraft DC15, 3+11=14, fail). He hands the shield over to Salix to see if he might know what material it is made out of. Salix looks a the wood for a few moments and then whistles lowly through his teeth. (Knowledge-Nature, DC15, 10+9=19, success) "This is very rare. This is a darkwood shield. It is as strong as the strongest oak, but much lighter." With that the druid hands the shield back to Mund, who straps it to his arm, getting used to the lighter weight.

Harp then calls the groups attention. "I think that went very well and I would like for us to try it with the next door, and keep using that same plan until something forces us to change. I expect the challenges to increase in difficulty as we go along, so we should all be prepared. Now, Mund, would you please give me a hand dragging that ogres body back into this room while the rest of the party prepares for the next room.

A few minutes later the party is set up outside the second door, Surin and Mund in the lead again. Surin opens the door on the west wall and as they look in the see another short hallway. This hallway goes 30 feet west and stops. On the north wall, at the far end, is another door. Surin motions Mund and the rest to stay where they are and he moves forward to investigate. When he gets to the door he spends some time looking for traps and such but finds nothing. He then listens for noises on the other side.(Listen check, 6+12=18, success.) On the other side he hears several indistinct voices speaking in a language he does not understand. He thinks that there are at least 4 and maybe as many as 8 people or creatures talking. He heads back and reports in to the rest of the party.

OODM: Ok does this info change anything for how you want to handle this?