Ptolus: 165 Vock Row - "Rat-catchers"

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The torchlight reveals a squared depression in the north sewer wall, showing construction of an obviously different era and maker than the Imperial soldiers who built the sewer tunnels around Dalenguard.

The space ends with the conspicuous outline of a large stone door that does not look to have been opened in centuries. The door has no obvious ring or other mechanism to own it.

To either side of the door on the side walls of the alcove are intricate bas-reliefs, partially obscured by slime and other flora growing in the dank sewers.

 

[Voca]

Mata inspects the bas-reliefs to see if she recognizes any of the images.

 

[Filthy]

From her vantage point out in the tunnel, Valana watches as Mata looks around the room.

"Find something?"

 

[Aeshen]

Aeshen proceeds into the revealed space cautiously, following a few yards behind Mata. He is wary of everything and is watching the floors, statues, and ceiling for any signs of treachery. If he makes it as far as the door he begins surveying it - looking for likely hidden latches... or traps. He continues his careful inventory again in reverse, checking everywhere in the room - and particularly the reliefs, for any sign of hidden device.

 

[Vdou]

[sblock=ooc]I'd like to roll a knowledge check for recognizing any of the symbols or images depicted in the bas-relief.
[/sblock]

Ella squints as she looks at the bas-relief.

"Hmm"

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Mata, Aeshen and Ella inspect the bas-reliefs:

The stone door depicts a robed woman, with only her tear-streaked lower face visible beneath her hood, administering a potion to a shrouded, skeletal corpse upon a bier. Behind them, an open sarcophagus awaits.

On the left-hand wall, a tall, life-sized bas-relief of the crying woman is carved. Her face is streaked with tears, but her face is composed and her manner is serious.

Finally, on the right-hand wall a life-sized skeleton wrapped in funeral shrouds is carved into the wall. The grooves of the carving are so deep, it looks as though the skeleton is about to step out of the wall. His bony arms are folded across his chest and his lower jaw hangs open, as though he were speaking or singing.

[sblock=Ella]Nothing on the knowledge checks.[/sblock]

 

[Vdou]

[sblock=ooc]Am I able to determine what race the skeletons are/were?
[/sblock]

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

[sblock=ooc]Am I able to determine what race the skeletons are/were?
[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]The carving appears to be of a human skeleton.[/sblock]

 

[Aeshen]

Aeshen takes in the scene around him with casual interest before he resumes his examination. He checks the door first for any obvious entry method before exploring the sculptures on the walls. He carefully probes the mouth of the skeleton carving and the nooks between the bones, gliding his fingers over the rough surfaces.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

[sblock=Aeshen]The door in the north wall is a fake -- not only has it not opened in centuries, it's never opened.

The skeleton bas-relief's mouth is far deeper than it first appeared and it feels as though the mouth has some sort of tube at the back of it, forming an artificial throat.[/sblock]