GM POST
Surveying the three-panel bas reliefs, Zeth and Lumrolur locate four hidden buttons, confirming their locations between each other – one on each of the angled walls and two on the southern flat wall (see map below):
(A) a dwarf holding a chalice (
with a gem button), giving it to supplicants who hold aloft a horn as offering;
(B) supplicants holding the chalice (
with a gem button) and holy symbol of Dumathoin (
with a gem button) aloft before an opening door; and
(C) supplicants placing a gem (
button) in a fountain from which a black axe rises.
Lumrolur stays with the problem longer, realizing that the construction – semi-hollow judging by tapping and listening – is reminiscent of duergar fortifications he's penetrated where a 6-inch gap between structural wall and facade decorative wall conceals small gears, chains, weights and counterweights. Each button moves a weight or a counterweight. Mechanically, only one button would be strictly necessary to open a secret door... so either this is redundancy, an attempt to thwart invaders, or there's more going on than meets the eye!
Judging from the wear on the buttons and simple logistics of distance, you'd guess the (C) easternmost button on gem in the fountain operates the east secret door, while the (A) westernmost button on the chalice being given to horn-bearing supplicants operates the west secret door. The question then becomes – if two buttons are needed to open a secret door, which of the remaining two buttons on the flat southern wall would be required either before or after the easternmost or westernmost button.
Brydum Black Axe stands next to Zeth with a scowl a mile wide, but he nods sagely in agreement.
"You've a good head on your shoulders... when you're not trying to speak Dwarvish. Aye, I know the operation of these secret doors like the back of my hand." Handing his shield to Zeth, the white-bearded dwarf tromps forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Keen eyes you've got there, gnome. Alright, everyone keep your eyes on that western wall. You're in for quite a show. Stand aside, Bafflestone, this is dwarf's work!" Squinting at the buttons, he hems and haws at the southernmost wall, as if struggling to recall which to press, before deciding it must be the left (west) button since that's the one closest to the western secret door after all... Brydum moves towards that button to push it, unless anyone intervenes...
| GM: | @Neurotic First! You've deciphered the mechanism of operation and an approximate order to press the buttons. The dwarf Brydum, however, who has been persuaded by @Necropolitan Zeth's charm seem confident he knows the right order!
Second! Just a reminder about my house rules not using Perception checks like normal. I'm using Perception checks more as a reactive saving throw against being ambushed/surprised by a trap. When it comes to exploration like this, no need to roll Perception. You can just describe what you're examining or looking for – a lot of the time I'll just respond – and like you've been doing if you think there's a roll (History, Investigation, Mechanics, etc) that you think fits, you can continue to roll that. The first page of OOC thread has my house rules doc – don't expect anyone to remember all this stuff (except me!), and I'll continue to point it out as it comes up. Always open for discussion too - they're not "writ in stone."
Owlbear link: Owlbear Rodeo |
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