Airwalkrr's Greyhawk: The Forgotten Depths of Kulkanor IC

[possum]

"Well," Thamior says as he stands up from his kneeling position. "I don't seem to detect any traps here. If we can find out how to exactly get in, I'd say that we're safe to do so." He looks up again at the runes, not being able to read them, but playing back the dwarf's translater over again in his mind. Again.

"Prostrate yourself..." he mutters aloud.

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Yep, giants are like dat, always wantin' to dominate di shorties ye see. Much like humans." Muzdum shakes his hands above his head, and tries to look impresive, like a giant "Tremble before me! Kneel, maggots! Postrate upon the all mighty Giantor!" he proclaims in a loud bass voice. "Some go 'Ug, Mot kill ye, Mot Strong!' but dose don't build underground castles."
Taking a more serious stand, Muzdum examines the grafities, in search for any clue that might lead to how to open the door. "Perhaps di gobos did di work fer us..."

 

[HolyMan]

Seeing Luth take up his shield and sword Hanon wonders at why, before realizing he should probably do the same. He fumbles at the mace at his belt and it hits the ground before him. Looking abashed he hurried knells down on hands and knees, prostrating in the akward chainmail to pick his weapon back up.

[sblock=OOC] Let's see what that does. [/sblock]

 

[Kobold Stew]

Kit smiles, ignoring the dwarf's rudeness ("Where have my eyes gone, you ask? Sadly, they ran away with your manners and your height" remains unspoken). Instead he nods benignly at Valeska, thanking her for her gentle welcome.

"I'm afraid if I had the ability to get further, I would have done so already. The companions I arrived with were unable to proceed, and so they turned around. Indeed, I'm surprised that you did not see them on the trail as you came here. I would hate to think that they..."

His voice trails off, but then he looks up, brightening: "Perhaps they took another route." But he does not believe this. "I'm told a lone mage traveling alone in the Bandit Kingdoms is a strange thing indeed. Especially since my only weapon is a dagger. I'd be grateful for the protection. And the companionship."

Kit shrugs. Then he turns to Luth, "...and do not worry, friend, I too am unlikely to be a cannibal." He tilts his head in a lopsided smile. Then he turns to the task at hand: "I don't read Giantish, though I recognize the script. One would have thought that the door was meant to be passed through somehow."

[sblock="ooc"]Spell (as I posted somewhere in the OOC thread) will always be sleep, unless otherwise specified.

I am right that it's just the one spell once, right?
Also, am I correct that high intelligence doesn't grant languages, merely the capacity to learn them?
Also - I thought Mages were proficient with only one weapon -- so crossbow or dagger, right? I chose dagger.[/sblock]

 

[airwalkrr]

[sblock=OOC]You are correct Kobold Stew. A 1st level mage gets one 1st-level spell each day. I'd be fine with the alternate rules for two cantrips in place of one 1st-level spell in case you decide to learn cantrips at some point.

Learning languages is covered on page 34 of the Player's Handbook. It generally requires 6 months to a year to learn a new language (depending on intelligence). Starting intelligence determines the maximum number of languages a character is able to learn, not starting languages. If a demi-human such as elf or dwarf, the character begins with bonus languages. This brings up a good point though. None of you are probably able to speak any form of giantish. So the runes also appear in dwarven, kobold, and elvish.

And yes, mages are only proficient in one weapon to start. At 7th-level they gain another proficiency, at 13th-level a third, and so on. See page 36-37 of the Player's Handbook for details.[/sblock]
Luth notices two things upon stooping close to the ground. First is that there are marks upon the ground that indicate the doors have recently been opened outward. Second is a stone around the base of the archway that is depressed somewhat. Because of the angle, you would not have noticed it from standing up.

 

[pneumatik]

Luth

Luth looks closely at the ground around the doors and the arch that contains them. "Well, it looks like these doors have opened recently. They scraped along the ground here and here," he says, pointing. "Also, there's something up with that rock around the arch, right there. It looks like it's depressed, which makes me think it's some sort of switch. Thamior, I think this is your area of expertise. Would you care to do the honors?"

 

[possum]

"Well, let me see what I can do," Thamior says as he kneels onto the ground where Luth indicated. He looks at the depression in the rock and cautiously inserts his hand into it, looking for a switch.

 

[Voda Vosa]

"Why don't ya press the rock perhaps it's a door topper." asks the dwarf arms crossed in front of his chest.

 

[HolyMan]

Hanon back on his feet, mace in hand watches as the others investigate the stone.

[sblock=OOC] Since he is a "green" adventure he doesn't realize he should be on look out. [/sblock]

 

[airwalkrr]

Thamior looks carefully, but there doesn't seem to be a switch. He thinks Muzdum might be on to something however when he gets up close. The depressed stone actually shows signs of having been shoved or prodded in some manner before. So he gives it a go. At first it doesn't budge and Thamior thinks perhaps this line of reasoning might be faulted, but he is about to give up when it suddenly sinks into the wall. A loud snap echoes across the canyon and the sound of cranking can be heard from behind the doors. Soon the cranking can be heard more clearly as the doors begin to open. Within moments the large stone doors have moved aside granting access to a six meter by six meter landing.

At the wall of the landing there is a large wench, clearly intended for one of massive height and girth. Just below the wench is a stack of wooden crates, arranged so as to allow stepping up to the wench for someone of more moderate stature. The wench appears connected to the doors, and it seems that operating it from within one could manually close the doors once again. Beyond the landing are stone stairs, about five meters wide descending into darkness. You are met with a chill air from below. Wherever you are headed, the sunlight does not penetrate.