Smidginn and the Love of Money

So there we were, yes again in a dungeon, not the orc, and oh how we hate those orcs, dungeon, and certainly not the dungeon that claimed the life of Mad Algrim and the rest of the party, but one of middling level, challenging though even for the large number of party members. We had eight...

Anywho I was playing a halfling thief named Smidginn, and Todd was playing a thief, named Bytor the Black, a dwarf, who was more warrior than rogue , and not quite as infamous, but equalling compelling, as Smidginn. As mentioned before our party was large, a little too large for my tastes, especially since the wizards were taking turns fireballing all the monsters, so Bytor and I began our usual tom- thievery.

A pit trap, that had claimed the life of one of our priests, may he rest in peace,was discovered, and Smidginn was volunteered to scout the trap. I agreed of course being a bold sort, and was lowered into the pit. Upon descending, a tunnel was discovered, and this tunnel was narrow of width, so Bytor was also volunteered to investigate.

Upon investigation of said tunnel, and of course, Smidginn's screaming like a girl, until Bytor could bring his sword to bear on the undead creature that laid in wait, we inverstigated the lair. Our GM, would begin reading our findings... " three gems approximate value 30 gp each", all the while Bytor would correct his addition with, "dont you mean two gems", and clearly punctuate the number with a generous and toothy grin, and knowing wink. Now, thieves are men of industry , and more importantly, opportunity, and we were no exception . Our usual cut is 30% depending on party and circumstance. Soon thereafter the Magickers had begun their beef.

Since they were not in view of the absconding of treasure, they could not act on this. Mike, the GM from your reading, was adamant , but oh how they fumed. This situation came to a head after we had killed the Big-Nasty-in-Charge, and ransacked his lair. A large chest was revealed
shiny, and ORNATE, hopefully teeming with booty.

Now Mike, yes that's right, the GM, and I have a "secret code" when I check for traps. Since his traps are of the maiming if not meat grinding type, I have a technique that allows him to know if I am REALLY looking , or if I am just "going through the motions" so the party thinks I am doing my job. This allows fighter types to open the chests and take the damage I cant. I'ts self -preservation at its finest. Anywho... right handed rolls meant actual trying, and left handed rolls were to the contrary.

Needless to say I didnt look for traps... but volunteered to be the rear guard to make sure no monster got the drop on us as we went through the booty, which has happened in the past.
Basically the whole party crowded around the chest so Bytor could not ply his trade... as the want of money made them weak.

Well, the poison gas trap did most of the party in, while Bytor with his dwarven heritage made the saves with ease. We actually considered backstabbing the one remaining member, since I was all but forgotten, and Bytor was behind the priest as he checked for signs of life, but we thought better of it. We agreed to cart back at least one of the members to appease the priest, but agreed to drop said cargo if threatened by a creature . We also made him agree to what was in the contents of the chest, after our normal third, and of course, a large tithe to his church.

The love of money apparently is the path way to hell.