As you pass the same point that Norrel did earlier, the statues turn and follow you. Up high, you can see into the mouths and eyes of the graven figures on the pillars. Small metal rods jut from their palates and tongues to fill their mouths, and some sort of lightning snaps quietly between the two rods in each mouth. From this angle, you can see that the innermost of the three white mosaic lines surrounding the altar is in fact enameled metal - from your high point, you can see the gleam of silver reflecting sunlight, whereas down below, it appears as a milky grey.

It seems though the statues' lightning is powerless to strike those who are not touching the ground. The deadly mosaic line is far enough out that you can land if you wish, or merely float serenely above the altar and recover the treasures.

Closer in, the silverware is engraved with pagan designs and letters. Five bowls, each probably a half pound of sterling, are stacked inside one another neatly. Two goblets, two platters, and two braziers, all sterling and the same weight or larger than the bowls, are set on the altar. Despite the care used in setting them, they don't appear particularly clean. At least one the braziers has had a fire lit in it, and one of the goblets has some sort of dark, dried crust in the cup.

While hovering over the altar, alert to any possible further danger, Bryce tosses the smaller silver items, including the goblets, over the his compatriots.

"Sir Dwarf -- catch!"

The young sorcerer then collects as much of the remaining, larger silver items as he can, starting with the five bowls.

Once I'm loaded up, I'll fly back to where I first cast the spell, landing with as much grace and flair as I can manage.

Once he sees that Bryce is going to toss the items to them, Norel puts down his weapon and shield and prepares to catch the tossed items.

Bryce, you can carry the silver over easily enough in two trips. It's a small fortune, more than enough to buy seedcorn for the villagers. The silver is cold, though not dangerously so. Up close, you can see that the brazier that looks used has the word "Mazurabn" engraved on it.

So, you have the silver. You can skedaddle and bring it back to the village, which would leave Hrolf in the lurch, or there's still the room full of texts, plus several other unexplored doors on either side. The wasps are staying out for now.

after clapping Bryce on the shoulder..."Well done man! Townsfolk will be much relieved by this!"

looking to the others..."Shall we away from this haunted place 'fore nightfall?"

"At the very least, I would like to investigate some of the books in the bear's den, while we have the chance.  And I do feel that we should help King Hrolf, but perhaps we should return to the village first?  The King has waited many centuries now; I suspect that he could wait one more week..."

"I agree, the village's need sounds great, but we did make the king a promise, and I am interested in investigating these documents as well." Alric says quietly as he watches for danger and holds up the lantern, "We can prepare for our return more effectively as well, now that we have begun to have an idea about what we are dealing with here."

Quote from: Akrasia;461430"At the very least, I would like to investigate some of the books in the bear's den, while we have the chance.  And I do feel that we should help King Hrolf, but perhaps we should return to the village first?  The King has waited many centuries now; I suspect that he could wait one more week..."

Quote from: Sigmund;461451"I agree, the village's need sounds great, but we did make the king a promise, and I am interested in investigating these documents as well." Alric says quietly as he watches for danger and holds up the lantern, "We can prepare for our return more effectively as well, now that we have begun to have an idea about what we are dealing with here."

nodding to this..."I agree with you men! I to will keep my word to dead king but lets to the village first and complete silver mission and to better prepare!"

So, what's the decision?

Bryce heads toward the bear's lair in order to search it for lost texts and scrolls.  

Of course, if there is any sign of the bear, I'll not enter the room.

The bear has not returned since fleeing into the woods. But the scrolls and codicils have remained unharmed, scattered across the floor with a few scraps of wood from shattered racks amongst them.

Most of the books look roughly cared for, not unexpected after a century and a bear. Many are rotten and illegible, especially the scrolls, and other have been torn to shreds.

For all that, though, several codicils shoved up in one corner look to be in good condition. A quick search reveals two copies of the Aleuthia written in Moragnian. One says "BRUMLEE OF REDMUN" on the inside cover, and the other "Br. Marik of the Holy Order of St. Dagmar". However, the rest of the hoard may draw your eye as well. Several highly heretical, and potent books of magic lay underneath shreds of parchment:

The Liber Terminus Obscuri, the Book of the Dark Border, the infamous book of demonology and necromancy for which Gaius Moragnius was burnt three hundred years ago, and which has remained in circulation ever since. The middle section of 100 pages has been torn out. Raenil text.

The Mendacia Dei, the Lies of God, anonymous. The prayer book of a well-known antinominian cult called itself "The White Brotherhood". Fully intact. Old Thernish and Moragnian parallel texts.

The Carcer Damnati, the Prison of the Damned, by "The Wise Man". Illustrated and complete. Old Thernish text. The pictures are lurid and vile.

On the Means of the Divine Operation, a surprisingly orthodox text, the standard church sorcery textbook both Bryce and Alric have probably read as part of their studies. Autographed inside the front cover with "Br. Marik." Moragnian text.

Alric follows Bryce with the lantern, glancing over the papers examined while holding the lantern up to give light. On sight of the sorcery books, Alric recoils, almost dropping the lantern and glancing around wide-eyed and exclaims, "By all that's Holy!"

keeping an eye out as the others look over the scrolls...feeling a bit harried as the day wanes...

The books btw, are totally safe to handle. A rough estimate is that the two Aleuthias (the Bible-equivalent) are worth maybe 480 silver apiece, as is the On the Means of... while the heretical works are worth more. The Carcer Damnati is potentially worth 2400 silver, Mendacia Dei is maybe 720 silver, and LTO, in its damaged condition is worth may 720 silver. Provided you could find buyers, of course.

Spellbooks:

Carcer Damnati: Sorcery - Spiritual Projection, Spirit Resistance, Summon Cacodemon, Summon Succubus, Summon the Arch-Demon Kaalist, Summon the Arch-Demon Zoramos

Mendacia Dei: Divine Magic - Call Undead, Consecrate, Dismiss Magic, Madness, Otherworldly Journey, Soul Sight

On the Means of the Divine Operation: Sorcery - Cast Back, Create Scroll, Mystic Vision, Neutralise Magic, Protective Sphere, Summon Angel