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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 508610" data-attributes="member: 6294">"Unearthing the Past" by Jesse Decker (WotC Cliffhanger) - Part 13The group once more finds themselves facing the stone door in the tunnels.  By now, this is the only area of the complex they have not explored, and - as they are now at full strength - it seems there are no more excuses not to confront whatever lies beyond.Which proves to be an empty chamber.Well, not entirely empty.  Some supplies are stacked along one of the walls - more mining equipment and the like, as well as water, though no food - but the room proves to be completely devoid of any kind of threat.It is quite a large chamber - possibly the main hall of whatever clan of Dwarves once lived here - and the room is supported by six great stone pillars.  Like many other parts of the complex, however, the far wall has collapsed into rubble.  This presumably has left the hall smaller than originally intended, though it is not clear how much it may have been foreshortened."There's some kind of design on the floor." Briar notes, and the group moves forward to investigate.Upon examining the design, it proves to consist of a central, shallow depression, with six grooves running out from it to the edges of the room.  It appears that these grooves continue under the walls, though where they might lead is unknown."There are runes here." Twinkle points to a series of carved letters that surround the central depression. "But I can't tell what they say.  Are they Dwarven?"Ulfgar stumps over."Aye, they are." He pauses, his lips moving slightly as he reads the inscription, "The Dwarven spirit is filled with secrets.""Great.  A riddle." Macwood looks bored."There must be something more we can learn." Ming Li suggests, "I think we should investigate this design more closely."The others agree, and go over the design in great detail, taking their time and studying it closely (DM's note: they took 20).  Eventually, Briar and Twinkle both notice the same thing: the central depression is not as deep as the grooves, and each of the grooves gets deeper as it travels toward the walls.There is some discussion of what this could mean, but no real progress.  Finally Ulfgar grumps,"The only Dwarven spirits I know of are the kind ya drink."Twinkle snaps her fingers."Of course!" she exclaims, pointing at the depression, "Pour water into the depression and it'll flow down to the walls.  It must be a trigger of some kind.""Aye, but do we want to trigger it?" Ulfgar asks.It is quickly decided that they do, and Ulfgar and Ming Li drag one of the barrels of water over to the centre of the room and begin to pour.  Water quickly begins to run out of the depression and down each of the grooves.  After about half a barrel of water, there is an audible click, and a section of the wall suddenly swings open."We should keep pouring." Ming Li suggests, "To ensure that there are no other secret doors that can be opened."No other doors have opened by the time the barrel has run dry, however, so the group turns their attention to the newly opened section of wall."It's a tomb."  Ulfgar reports, as he and Ming Li are the first to enter.It is indeed a tomb.  The chamber itself is of simple - though expert - construction, but the large sarcophagus at the centre is much more elaborately carved, including a deeply engraved set of runes on the lid."Bathed in the blood of the foul ones; Brothers tempered by battle are we." Ulfgar reads the inscription without prompting.  It seems the group faces another riddle."Anyone have any ideas?" Briar asks, with a perplexed shrug."What would the 'foul ones' be?" Macwood asks."Probably orcs?" Twinkle suggests, "Maybe you need to cover your hands in orc's blood and then you can open it?""I'd rather just open it." Ulfgar is not keen on the idea of smearing orc blood on the tomb - nor on himself, in all probability. "I'll need help, though.  'tis too heavy a job for one.""I will help." Ming Li offers.  Despite her slight stature, the monk's rigorous lifestyle means that she is the strongest of the companions.Ulfgar nods, and the two prepare to remove the lid of the sarcophagus, while the rest of the group move as far away as they can without actually leaving the room, ending up standing just inside the doorway."Ready?" Ulfgar waits for Ming Li's answering nod. "On three, then.  One.  Two.  Three!"The two adventurers throw all their strength against the lid.  For a moment, it seems that it will not budge.  And then it moves - just an inch or two.There is a sound like a clap of thunder, and lightning arcs out of the sarcophagus, hurling both the dwarf and the monk back across the room.Ulfgar rolls along the floor, slamming hard into the wall before slowly clambering to his feet.  His clothes are charred from the blast, and a wisp of smoke curls from his beard, but - though shaky - he seems to be not too badly hurt.Ming Li, on the other hand, lies motionless on the floor, and does not rise.</blockquote>

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