All That Glitters

[Anastasia]

"This...complicates matters," Crystalle finally says, pondering.

"If we fight him, we can defeat him. I have no doubt the Holy Mountain guides us in this quest," Cresiel says, "I will face him head on if needs must, and grind down him down to pebbles."

Xandra is quiet, floating there with her eyes closed. It is not so. Look beyond the first conclusion. "It is not so," Xandra finally murmurs, "I fear his symphony may not be part of the discordance. Or is only tangential to it."

[Nephrite]

The first conclusion is that... he's guarding Shar.

"It's possible he may not be guarding Duran's operation." Moore says with a look over at Xandra. "That's what you mean, right? If we work off of that, then... well, regardless, he's still -there- and we can't just ignore him, unless... we simply go down another path inside that cave?" He offers as a suggestion.

[Anastasia]

"It is possible Ogremoch is raiding Mineral again," Crystalle says, "That has to be stopped, but less so than a Sharran infestation." The Lord of Crystal considers a brief time again, "Can the three of you sneak past them?"

[Nephrite]

"I see no reason we couldn't." Moore says. "I can make all of us invisible and then we can simply fly past where he was."

[Anastasia]

"He may be able to feel us, so we'll need to fly, yes," Cresiel says, "That should work."

"Do it," Crystalle waves a hand - and instantly you are back at Eberly Rock, smooth and seamless.

[Nephrite]

"This spell suppresses all sounds, including vocal. I can't manage a telepathic bond spell... well, I could, but I'd rather not risk my magic not working." Moore admits. "Do we have any other way to communicate with each other? I'll still be able to see you both and I think you both will be able to see me, so... hand signals, perhaps?"

[Anastasia]

"Hand signals, "Xandra agrees, "It is crude, but it will work."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods and taps them each before himself.

Superior Invisibility — my understanding is it covers everything except True Seeing

[Anastasia]

Just note the spell charges, sure. Go ahead and set up moving along then.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods to the others and flies back the way they came!

He'll be on the lookout for any magical anything on their way back, since he didn't check very carefully the first time. Take 10 for 73 on Spellcraft as they go if there does appear to be anything.

[Anastasia]

Make Perception too for that, I think.

[Nephrite]

Take 10 for 70, then.

[Anastasia]

The trip back is nigh silent, no immediate sign of trouble as you reach the place you were before. Xandra silently leads you along, a different passage than the one you heard sound down.

Chance to react here.

[Nephrite]

Moore has no reason to distrust her ears, so he follows along.

[Anastasia]

Here the passage slowly narrows and then expands, back and forth as you walk along, along and along.  After about 20 minutes more, you catch something on the floor. Something gleaming - but gray metal, not gems or gold. A little fragment of iron or steel, left there.