Surprisingly, the beast was a clean eater, as other than the stink of its territory Kaius couldn't catch the faintest whiff of rot.
Most of the bones were clearly from the shamblers they had fought in the outer forest. Knobbly skulls and too long arm bones giving them away. A glint caught Kaius's eye. Something in the pit of refuse shone like metal.
"We're gonna have to dig." Kaius set, letting out a long resigned groan.
"Nope. You're going to have to dig. Your loot after all." Porkchop said, backing away.
Kaius gave his friend a betrayed glare and stomped towards the bones. He tossed them free, digging for whatever had caught his eye. He unearthed it quickly. A helmet.
One still attached to a skull, the shattered remnants of his spine dangling free. Kaius pulled it free gingerly, setting it to the side.
"I wonder, you know. Was this another delver?" He asked pensively. "Or is it just another thing that the depths placed here because it made sense to?"
"Don't know. The Depths is strange. I try not to question it."
"What? No wise wisdom straight from the muzzle of the Matriarchs?" he asked, staring at Porkchop in disbelief.
"That is the wisdom. They are wise enough to know when something is beyond them. To question the Depths is to question the system. You'll get no answers and drive yourself mad with knowledge-hunger.. Better to just take it at face value."
"Bah, where's the fun in that? Meaningless supposition is the only thing we've got down here. Not like we can go check a library." He turned back to the pile of bones. "Hold on, I'm going to see if I can find anything else in here."
Digging through the pile, Kaius managed to find a ring on a discarded arm. The flesh on the finger had been left intact, but had desiccated. Perhaps from the same body as the helmet? Regardless of its origin, Kaius delicately pulled it free from the shrivelled digit. Tossing it towards his other prize, he returned to digging.
"Nothing. That's it." He picked up his spoils, wandering over to his friend. "Well, it smells gross here. I suggest we check out what these babies do outside. Maybe somewhere with a soft patch of leaf litter to sit on."
"Agreed."
They left the hollow, walking a short distance to get away from the sprawling roots that rose up above their heads at the base of the tree. Kaius plopped himself down, holding his new helmet up to get a better look at it.
It was a hardy thing. Made of gleaming bronze metal, it had a ridge that ran along its top. Sweeping extrusions ran along where it would sit against his cheek and jaw, and a slip of metal shot down from the brow to protect the nose. Swirling embossed designs of knots covered the entire thing, and when Kaius looked closely he could make out dense lines of runic script etched into the decorative covering.
He appraised it.
Kallheim Helm:
Common - Tier I
The Cold Home is a ruthless place. Life is cheap, and death is cheaper. It breeds hard men, but even a hard man does not survive an axe to the skull.
Made from a cold bronze and steel alloy, with a padded beast leather interior. Simple protection, but stout and reliable thanks to its make and materials.
Depths-wrought Artefact.
Medium Armour (Helmet)
Durability I, Impact Negation I, Self Repair I
He read the notification, turning the helm around in his hands. Nothing exciting, but like it said - you didn't need something fancy if it still stopped your head getting caved in. He shrugged and slid it on.
His shaggy hair immediately covered his eyes. Pulling it off with a huff, Kaius threw his head back to get his hair out of the way. He might need to go at it with his knife again soon.
The helmet went back on, now keeping his hair out of his eyes. It fit perfectly, snug but not tight.
"Nice." He thought to himself, doing up its clasp to secure it in place.
A shake of his head confirmed it wasn't going anywhere.
"Looks a little silly. Different colour from your scale." Porkchop said, watching him from off to the side.
Kaius rolled his eyes at his friend. "It will also save my life if someone hits me over the head. I can deal with a little clashing colours." He reached for the ring. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have something else to look at"
Plain and made with gleaming silver, it had a ring of runes around its inner edge, while an engraved closed fist graced its exterior.
Ring of the Dedicated Brawler:
Common
Only a coward brings a sword to a fist fight.
Made from shining argentium, this ring's enchantments turn the wielder's hands to iron, allowing them to turn blades and land heavier blows. Slightly enhances Strength.
Depths-wrought Artefact.
Accessory (Ring)
Brawlers Gambit I, Resizing I, Self Repair I
**Ding! Appraise has reached level 20!**
Kaius grinned as he saw the notification that trailed shortly after the ring's description, though he set the thought to the side for the moment. Holding the ring up, Kaius stared at its description pensively. It might work. May as well try.
"Hey, Porkchop?"