Destiny now lies in the hands of...

[Anastasia]

There's an overwhelming aura of magic from something inside and nothing with tremor sense.

[Ebiris]

"No movement," Alicia says, spending a moment studying the magic.

[18:45] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+56+15+20 spellcraft with divine insight/guidance of the avatar. IDing the magic in general but should hit high enough for the 'discover caster' DC
[18:45] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 95 > [d20=4]

[Anastasia]

It's a powerful, enchanted shield.

Shield of Life

This shield is forged from a scale of the Jormugandr and quenched in the World Serpent's blood. It is vibrant with the endless vitality of Ysgard, vitality it passes to the bearer.

This shield counts as a heavy steel shield+8. The bearer of this shield gains fast healing 20 and a +10 competence bonus to Fortitude saves. Three times per day as a standard action, the wearer may invoke the shield to cast a heal spell (caster level 30th). Should the bearer of the shield be reduced to zero hit points, the shield shatters an the bearer is restored to full hit points.

This shield may only be used by a neutral good, chaotic good or chaotic neutral character. Others find that they cannot pick up the shield, no matter how hard they try.

The creator of this shield is Delphios.

[Ebiris]

"There's a magic shield inside," Alicia says, going to open the door of the hut simply to get a look at it. "We've no reason or right to take it, but it's powerful and worth admiring."

Any knowledge on Delphios?

[Anastasia]

K:P.

The shield is a gray scale, stout and sturdy. It sits on the floor there, and by it rests an old scrap of parchment, placed to rest against it.

[Ebiris]

[19:08] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+56+15 planes, divine insight
[19:08] <Penuche> Ebiris invokes Penuche's magic: < 74 > [d20=3]

Alicia leans forward a bit from the doorway to read what's on the parchment.

[Anastasia]

Delphios is an ancient celestial whispered of long ago. It's said he was in Ysgard from the beginning or close to it, but little else is known of him. It is said he may have been the first celestial to speak to Jormugandr.

The paper reads, 'Brave warrior who has found this shield: I congratulate you. These grounds are for the bravest, for I believe the Jormugandr will never allow others to explore them freely. In these most dangerous of places I have left tribute to be found for the bravest and strongest. You may take this shield with my blessings.'

[Ebiris]

"This has been here a... profoundly long time," Alicia says. "We have permission, but still I don't think we should take it. Leave it for some future brave soul to be rewarded." Since none of them really use shields, simply keeping it as a trophy in Sylica or selling it doesn't feel right to her. Better someone in the future comes here and enjoys the thrill of discovery and reward.

[Anastasia]

Antenora studies the shield herself, silent.

"Latha does," Syala points out, "But her shield is special." She inspects herself for a silent few moments, "It's a remarkable shield, one of the best I've ever seen. It may be right to leave it, but is it right to let it miss all the battles it may be a part of if we take it? No, even if we don't use it, we have others who may well need it. I say we should take it."

Antenora's quiet as she runs a finger along the edge of the shield, "It's been polished and sanded smooth," she says, "It is no easy task to do so to any scale worthy of a dragon, let alone Jormugandr. I can see the tiniest grooves where he worked, probably by hand. It's not merely a shield, it's a piece of art."

[Ebiris]

"Latha couldn't use this shield anyway, it won't work for anyone that's lawful or evil, too aligned with Ysgard," Alicia says. "Seira uses a shield but hers is as special as Latha's, and it's one of the floating ones besides which this isn't. I think it's better for this to wait here for someone who'll truly appreciate it, not just be taken and passed on as a simple gift."

[Anastasia]

"Alicia's right," Antenora says at last, though she gives it a long look before she stands.

Syala nods, no rancor as she says, "I thought you'd say that."

"I can't help if Alicia's almost always right," Antenora smiles ever so slightly.

"There's worse things than to be loyal to her," Syala turns away from the shield, "Though I will say I would not be surprised if it's never disturbed again."

[Ebiris]

"Perhaps... but I find that after one person finds a place, others soon follow," Alicia steps back and closes the door. "Not that it will be any easier for them, but that knowledge is a driver." Looking around from the ice floe she asks, "Which way do you think, Syala?"

[Anastasia]

"I hope you are right and I'm wrong. I would not like to waste such a shield if I'm right," Syala remarks then hums, "How about  another option? Stay right there." Syala hops into the waters, swimming downward.

[Ebiris]

Alicia patiently waits in that case.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+69 Perception divine insight used
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 81 > [d20=12]

Syala emerges a few minutes later, lights off and hair wet, clinging to her head as she flies out. As she drip dries she says, "I was right. There's a burrow tunnel down there too, flooded. I suspect this comes from another water source below and burrowing hit it. Not something that really slows down a Child of Jormugandr. It's also deep - I turned off my glow because it made me stand out in case there's one of them down there. The minimal light in here doesn't reach far in the water."

"You think it's a lair?" Antenora asks simply.

"It's possible, if one prefers cold waters." Syala says, "Or it could lead to one."