"I think she probably just didn't have the time."  Rose responded, as they continued to search through the rooms.  "I got the feeling she had to cut out quite a bit to get it all to fit in, as it was.  Figuring out a 25-word response in the space of a few seconds isn't easy, either, so...  Well, either way, we can probably ask her when we go see her.  The tavern shouldn't be too difficult to find, and this Sarda guy sounds like he's well-known."<br/><br/>More interesting to the shifter was the knowledge that Sara knew Garland in Cormyr.  It lent a little more credence to the idea that those death knights had been Garland's doing, and helped fill in a little more about the man's past.  What was it the goblin had said?  He'd originally fled his country for some reason?  Dishonored, or perhaps not wanting to fight and die in some war...  As she recalled, anyway.  The goblin himself hadn't really known what the truth was either, though.  Perhaps the Lady Sara could fill them in on that, as well.<br/><br/>When they reached the illithid's room, Rose could do little other than to stare at the various scribblings and wonder at their meaning.  Even the writings that were in Common were a mystery to her, little more than a chaotic mass of lines on paper.  Oh, she could recognize certain letters, to be sure, understand that it was at least in a language that was fairly common all over Toril...  But as for deciphering their meaning?  No hope there.<br/><br/>And all because she'd never learned how to read...<br/><br/>Once they reached the Captain's room, the shifter held out her polearm, stopping her companion from going in any further.  Quivering magical ice?  That was definitely suspicious.  She'd have to take a look at it in more detail...  From the doorway, where it was probably safe.<br/><br/>"Careful,"  She commented, explaining her actions.  "I think it's alive.  Probably a pet, although it might be a member of the crew...  Or else some sort of magical, living trap.  We might need to leave these treasure chests here until we can get a wizard to come help us with them."<br/><br/><br/><br/>Spot check, observing the room in detail. (1d20+26=40) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2700678/)  Hopefully that'll tell me something...