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Tariff's Shackled City
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<blockquote data-quote="Greyhawk" data-source="post: 3858312" data-attributes="member: 40355"><p><strong>Into the darkness</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Follow me" Reinhardt tells the others "Nice and slow - and with luck we'll all get out of this alive."</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Grral follows the fighter through the door</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">After what seems like ages..Keygan responds "I have no idea why they are kidnapping the children. I also have no idea if they used that secret door to transport the children. I used to visit the enclave in my youth, the doors there are gear-shaped. According to my father many of them bore traps that only gnomes could safely bypass, he also mentioned secret passages, but I never saw any. I gave one of the tall -ones three different-sized skeleton keys, they fit a lot of the town locks. One of the tall ones carries them on a silver ring." Keygan begins sobbing... "IM SOOOOO SORRY...PLEASE FORGIVE ME" He wipes his eyes "Please, I do not wish to go down there, if you see Starbrow, my rat, please bring him back. I can sense he is located in a dark place.. he is hungry and afraid"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Reinhardt, his shield glowing with the light spell, enters the secret door. Grral follows closely behind... Col, the talkative halfling follows next..</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">A stone staircase, its steps shrouded with cobwebs and dust, descends. It bends round to the right and plunges into darkness.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"How the hell did I get here" Col asks himself from his position just behind the two party scouts "I'd better try and make myself less vulnerable" and casts a protective spell on himself. Then he slings his quarterstaff and then takes out his crossbow and loads it...</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Hmm, I seem to remember something of this place, indeed there are supposed to be many traps there." says Talwin from the top of the stairs "The disease was called the Vanishing, causing the residents to fade away into nothingness. Maybe I should check some of the doors we find, I may be the safest with these traps"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Sounds like the locksmith would be useful down here then" thinks Col "I hope the others remember to make sure he is 'safe' before they follow". "Come on down friend Talwin" calls Col in a low whisper "Your help would be appreciated but no doors in sight - yet! Don't forget to pick up the cross-bow and rapier" </span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Talwin responds by following the others down the stairs with Giacomo while Silas follows the others bringing up the rear</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col looks around him and shudders at the spiders, he takes a step forward to avoid the sticky strands of a large web. Then he calls to Strawberry to join him, he feels he needs the company here in the dark. </span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Before entering the passage down to the enclave, Mercy turns to Ghelve. "Mr Ghelve. What's done is done. If you are truly sorry, then you can take a big step along the road of penance by visiting the church of St Cuthbert, where you will find a wise elder known as Jenya. Go immediately and tell her two things. Firstly that we have passed into the Undercity through a passage under your stairs, and secondly, repeat your tale of the tall ones and small ones, and how they have forced you to give them skeleton keys to many locks in the city. And if you have some time to yourself, you may consider warning those who are now vulnerable, so that they can replace their locks at the earliest opportunity. And Mr Ghelve, look to the future and how you can help, rather than the past and how you have laid others open to attack". </span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Keygan nods at Mercy "I will do what you ask"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Mercy hefts her sword and turns to follow the party into the passageway.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">As the party descend into the darkness, Col is unnaturally quiet and doesn't even seem to want to talk, he looks very nervous.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Reinhardt takes a peek around the first corner on the stairs down</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal looks at Eddy on his shoulder.. Eddy stares blankly back.. "Sshall we be off then bud ? " he asks as he steps into the passageway. He examines the stairway as he descends... where would you put a secret door then he wonders, while Eddy shakes his head and stares at Sorendal with one open eye.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal responds to his familiar's unspoken question "Dah.. ya I know its a ssecret you smartarsse... juss help look for one will ya.." he whispers to his sarcastic assistant</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col reaches into an inside pocket and takes out the slice of bread that he saved from breakfast. He tears it in half and carefully replaces one piece whilst he munches on the first, - he find this helps him think. Now, he says to himself, if the locksmith had a familiar then he's either a wizard or a sorcerer and with his charisma sorcery is out so he must be a wizard like Sorendal and me. If he's a wizard he'll have a spell book and maybe, maybe, he could be persuaded to share them with us. He smiles to himself, smugly satisfied with his logic – and the half-slice of bread.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Talwin watches hungrily as Col eats his bread wishing he had some food right now then he moves forward and peers around the corner past Reinhardt</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Hurry up" thinks Col "If you look round the second corner you should be able to see into the room shown on the map. If we go on too slowly, we'll never be back in time for lunch"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Someone brave go look down there" suggests Talwin "Braver than me anyway"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Reinhardt smiles, fronts shield and takes a peek around the second corner</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">The staircase descends another 30ft before opening into a room. From this landing you can hear strange sounds emanating from the chamber below, specifically chirping birds, rustling leaves, and cheery giggles. The landing itself is bare save for an empty iron torch sconce mounted on the south wall.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col moves forward, so that he can see Reinhardt, but also so he can scamper back up the steps and out if necessary</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Mercy moves past the two small chaps, and stands behind Reinhardt, listening to the sounds coming from around the corner. She breathes into Reinhardt's ear "Do you think it be sprites or fairies?"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Hmm" he murmers back "Can't say as I care - but they'd better be friendly, for their sakes!". "Anyone want to try the empty sconce?£ he whispers "Might be another secret door handle?" Then he slowly advances down the stairs in a crouch designed to make the best of his small shield</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Silas moves up to Mercy "The sounds are kind of interesting wouldn't you say?"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col again advances, curiosity overcoming his caution, perhaps there really are birds flying around down here? "What can you see?" his whispers to Mercy</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">The staircase ends at a forty-foot-square room with a ten-foot-high ceiling. A slight draft blows into the room from a ten-foot-wide open passage in the far wall, directly across from the stairs. Two four foot diameter circular doors are set in the middle of the south wall. Each door is made of wood and framed with a ring of mortared stones. The westernmost door is closed and inscribed with a strange glyph. The easternmost door bears a different glyph but rests half open. The half-open door reveals an iron rim of gear-like teeth, and dim light spills from the chamber beyond. Mounted to the walls of the room are twelve tarnished copper masks. The masks are two feet tall and cling four feet above the floor. Each one depicts a smiling gnome's visage. The soft giggling, chirping, and rustling noises seem to pour from the very walls.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Reinhardt narrows his eyes, trying to determine any threat as he moves into the room</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Talwin follows and starts to look around but seems distracted by the rumbling in his belly</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Like a startled rabbit, Col creeps down the stairs, reluctantly he offers the remaining half-slice of bread to Talwin, then scampers back up to the landing. He contemplates pulling the torch sconce but finds that it is just too high. He looks up the stairs wondering why the others are hesitating to come down, do they know something he doesn't? The gnomish giggling is beginning to get on his nerves </span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Why thank you Col, how did you know I was hungry?" says Talwin giggles pleased and crams the bread into his mouth.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Eddy wonders why the staircase is covered in dust and cobwebs if these skulks are supposed to be using it, he looks quizzically at Sorendal. "Good point bro.. " Sorendal admits states out of nowhere, to apparently no one in particular as he checks the walls carefully from the stairwell to the bottom. "How can thiss be the main route to the ssurface if it is covered in dusst... and a breeze, that means they must usse another exit mosst of the time" he ponders. He finds nothing from his search.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Silas moves into the room cautiously his eyes scanning the room and decides it would be prudent to stay hidden for the moment</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col steels his quaking nerves and moves forward into the room behind Reinhardt attempting to find a place in shadow to kneel with his crossbow and cover Reinhardt's move forward in case the brace fighter is attacked. "C'mon the rest of you" he mutters to himself "Give Reinhardt some backup"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Grral having apparently dozed off in the cool darkness of the passage awakes with a start and heads down after the others, eager not to miss any fun. Grral stares quizzically at the masks, somewhat perturbed by the noises that appear to be emanating from them and attempts to remove one of the masks from the wall, but despite his strength the mask remains solidly stuck to the wall!!</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Meanwhile Reinhardt moves through the large room to the half open door. He notices that both the cog doors have symbols burnt into them (see map). He peers into the room beyond the half open door. A dozen small cots and chests line the walls of this ten-foot-high dusty room. Cobwebs blanket many of the cots and chests, and tiny spiders scurry about. Two rough-hewn tunnels, each five feet in diameter and tubular, breach the eastern and southern walls. Stone rubble covers the floor near the tunnels. A one-foot-long iron rod lies in the middle of the floor, its golden tip shedding enough light t cast lurid shadows on the walls.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Giacomo stands motionless in the stairway... doing and saying nothing..</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col inches forward intrigued as to what the room may hold, he is still very nervous and grips his cross-bow tightly, all the while looking towards the room to the South.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">The sounds of chirping birds, rustling leaves and cheery laughter continue..</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Softly, as if he's afraid to make too much noise Col whispers back to Talwin "Are these Gnomish runes that mark the doors? And if so what do they mean?"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"If only I'd borrowed Keygan's stilts, maybe I could have had a play with the empty torch sconce on the landing as Reinhardt suggested" the halfling thinks to himself while he waits for Talwin's reply.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Mercy moves to the corner of the stairs and grabs hold of the sconce. Where tries to pull it down, across, up. As Mercy pulls the torch the landing which she is standing on suddenly tilts!!.. She is thrown down the stairs and she collapses in a heap at the bottom having taken Col almost jumps out of his skin at the crash and injury to Mercy... "Ouch" she exclaims politely.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"I can't say I like the gnomes sense of humour" he thinks to himself "I'm sorry Mercy, are you OK?" he says out loud</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">The gnomish laughing seems to taunt mercy..</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Mercy climbs to her feet slowly. "I guess we can stop creeping around now." She looks across at Grral and Reinhardt. "Watch out!" she gasps. "Beware the doors with teeth! That's what Jenya's riddle said. I'm alright, thanks Col. That'll teach me to be a bit more cautious in future".</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"I think these cogs would be the doors with teeth but agree , I have no idea which way we should go from here"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Unless I'm mistaken" thinks Col "I could get to develop quite a dislike for the gnome architects of the place by the time we've finished exploring"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Mercy limps across to join Reinhardt. She peers past him into the adjoining room, raking care to keep away form the toothed doors. "Mmmmm" she ponders. "Not sure I like the look of those cobwebs." She takes a step back and looks at the two cogs. "According to Ghelve's map, there's a second room behind the cog on the right. How do you think we open it?"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal wanders into the room and briefly looks at the scenery. He notices the runes on the door and strolls over to examine them. After a time his faces lights up the symbols are gnomish letters..the western one a "J", the eastern a "A". he decides.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"If the floor movess when you pull a light on the wall... Then what will the doors do if we trigger a trap?" he ponders out loud. "Mercy, that trap hass hurt you a lot... you sshould have a word with Giac " the wizard suggests</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Well when he comes down the stairs I'll ask him to take a look, but I don't really want him to lay his hands on me....He seems to try doing that too often" she replies</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal chuckles.." I thought it wass Paladins that laid on hands ? .. I think he needss some bromide from the apothecary, and maybe a cold bath... can't fault his determination though"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Talwin glances at the runes and concurs with the wizard.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Sso, 'A' or 'J' ... any ideas? " Sorendal asks his companions... "</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"No idea" says Mercy shrugging her shoulders</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">".. And that ssunrod on the floor has been lit within the last ssix hours" the wizard continues to talk to himself "It didn't look like the thing upstairss needed any light... Hmmm" questions, questions, questions he thinks. "Don't it look like a bit like we are expected.. Door open, light on.. or maybe the kidss have been drivin 'em mad, screaming about the dark.." he smiles</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Maybe" Mercy's eyes widen "They're all hiding behind this closed door"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal shrugs "Or maybe they're out" he suggests, trying to reassure his friend with a smile</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Beware" says Col "These creatures can blend in with their background, they may be watching us even now! I say go through the open door and keep on guard for traps" he looks around fearfully - "Talwin - Can you sense any traps around?" he asks the gnomish rogue</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Sorendal spins 360 degree's on the ball of his left foot, stops with a click of his feet and points to both doors..." Left or right...left or right... who's gonna choose? Col says left.. What about you Reinhardt? Any preference? .. Though checkin' the door on da right gets my vote.." he soft shoes shuffles to the left and right, pointing at the doors, hoping someone will make his mind up for him.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Eddy shrugs, or at least does what a lizard does when it shrugs..</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"I think the whole bloody place is trapped" says Col gloomily "Every time we open a door or pull a lever - zap - Well that's what I think, Gnomes!" and he glares at Talwin</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"Personally, I think we should pay heed to Jenya's message, beware of these doors," says Mercy "And instead proceed down the corridor over there. The map shows that there are many more rooms to explore that way. Although it didn't show any further steps down. So perhaps past these cogs is the right way...." Her voice trails off as she scrutinises the map again</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"I like the corridor choice too Mercy, but the riddle said beware not avoid the doors, maybe we need to negotiate them successfully?... what, the routess off the left room aren't on the map... is that this years map? " he looks over Mercy's shoulder at the map, making sure not to invade her personal space. "Hmmm.." he looks back into the room at the rubble on the floor ahead of him. "Reinhardt, can you see any rubble to the east?"</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"I think that the open door indicates that the naked ones come from this direction" says Col pointing at the open door "If we go on we leave them at our backs and maybe blocking our safe retreat to the surface. Let's proceed very carefully, caution will be our watchword" he concludes rather pompously.</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">"There are too many questions, but no answers to be found where we stand - lets press on, then." states Reinhardt and sneaks south, and takes a look to the east as he goes</span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue"></span></p><p><span style="color: RoyalBlue">Col looks around trying to sense the direction of the danger he feels threatens the party</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greyhawk, post: 3858312, member: 40355"] [b]Into the darkness[/b] [COLOR=RoyalBlue]"Follow me" Reinhardt tells the others "Nice and slow - and with luck we'll all get out of this alive." Grral follows the fighter through the door After what seems like ages..Keygan responds "I have no idea why they are kidnapping the children. I also have no idea if they used that secret door to transport the children. I used to visit the enclave in my youth, the doors there are gear-shaped. According to my father many of them bore traps that only gnomes could safely bypass, he also mentioned secret passages, but I never saw any. I gave one of the tall -ones three different-sized skeleton keys, they fit a lot of the town locks. One of the tall ones carries them on a silver ring." Keygan begins sobbing... "IM SOOOOO SORRY...PLEASE FORGIVE ME" He wipes his eyes "Please, I do not wish to go down there, if you see Starbrow, my rat, please bring him back. I can sense he is located in a dark place.. he is hungry and afraid" Reinhardt, his shield glowing with the light spell, enters the secret door. Grral follows closely behind... Col, the talkative halfling follows next.. A stone staircase, its steps shrouded with cobwebs and dust, descends. It bends round to the right and plunges into darkness. "How the hell did I get here" Col asks himself from his position just behind the two party scouts "I'd better try and make myself less vulnerable" and casts a protective spell on himself. Then he slings his quarterstaff and then takes out his crossbow and loads it... "Hmm, I seem to remember something of this place, indeed there are supposed to be many traps there." says Talwin from the top of the stairs "The disease was called the Vanishing, causing the residents to fade away into nothingness. Maybe I should check some of the doors we find, I may be the safest with these traps" "Sounds like the locksmith would be useful down here then" thinks Col "I hope the others remember to make sure he is 'safe' before they follow". "Come on down friend Talwin" calls Col in a low whisper "Your help would be appreciated but no doors in sight - yet! Don't forget to pick up the cross-bow and rapier" Talwin responds by following the others down the stairs with Giacomo while Silas follows the others bringing up the rear Col looks around him and shudders at the spiders, he takes a step forward to avoid the sticky strands of a large web. Then he calls to Strawberry to join him, he feels he needs the company here in the dark. Before entering the passage down to the enclave, Mercy turns to Ghelve. "Mr Ghelve. What's done is done. If you are truly sorry, then you can take a big step along the road of penance by visiting the church of St Cuthbert, where you will find a wise elder known as Jenya. Go immediately and tell her two things. Firstly that we have passed into the Undercity through a passage under your stairs, and secondly, repeat your tale of the tall ones and small ones, and how they have forced you to give them skeleton keys to many locks in the city. And if you have some time to yourself, you may consider warning those who are now vulnerable, so that they can replace their locks at the earliest opportunity. And Mr Ghelve, look to the future and how you can help, rather than the past and how you have laid others open to attack". Keygan nods at Mercy "I will do what you ask" Mercy hefts her sword and turns to follow the party into the passageway. As the party descend into the darkness, Col is unnaturally quiet and doesn't even seem to want to talk, he looks very nervous. Reinhardt takes a peek around the first corner on the stairs down Sorendal looks at Eddy on his shoulder.. Eddy stares blankly back.. "Sshall we be off then bud ? " he asks as he steps into the passageway. He examines the stairway as he descends... where would you put a secret door then he wonders, while Eddy shakes his head and stares at Sorendal with one open eye. Sorendal responds to his familiar's unspoken question "Dah.. ya I know its a ssecret you smartarsse... juss help look for one will ya.." he whispers to his sarcastic assistant Col reaches into an inside pocket and takes out the slice of bread that he saved from breakfast. He tears it in half and carefully replaces one piece whilst he munches on the first, - he find this helps him think. Now, he says to himself, if the locksmith had a familiar then he's either a wizard or a sorcerer and with his charisma sorcery is out so he must be a wizard like Sorendal and me. If he's a wizard he'll have a spell book and maybe, maybe, he could be persuaded to share them with us. He smiles to himself, smugly satisfied with his logic – and the half-slice of bread. Talwin watches hungrily as Col eats his bread wishing he had some food right now then he moves forward and peers around the corner past Reinhardt "Hurry up" thinks Col "If you look round the second corner you should be able to see into the room shown on the map. If we go on too slowly, we'll never be back in time for lunch" "Someone brave go look down there" suggests Talwin "Braver than me anyway" Reinhardt smiles, fronts shield and takes a peek around the second corner The staircase descends another 30ft before opening into a room. From this landing you can hear strange sounds emanating from the chamber below, specifically chirping birds, rustling leaves, and cheery giggles. The landing itself is bare save for an empty iron torch sconce mounted on the south wall. Col moves forward, so that he can see Reinhardt, but also so he can scamper back up the steps and out if necessary Mercy moves past the two small chaps, and stands behind Reinhardt, listening to the sounds coming from around the corner. She breathes into Reinhardt's ear "Do you think it be sprites or fairies?" "Hmm" he murmers back "Can't say as I care - but they'd better be friendly, for their sakes!". "Anyone want to try the empty sconce?£ he whispers "Might be another secret door handle?" Then he slowly advances down the stairs in a crouch designed to make the best of his small shield Silas moves up to Mercy "The sounds are kind of interesting wouldn't you say?" Col again advances, curiosity overcoming his caution, perhaps there really are birds flying around down here? "What can you see?" his whispers to Mercy The staircase ends at a forty-foot-square room with a ten-foot-high ceiling. A slight draft blows into the room from a ten-foot-wide open passage in the far wall, directly across from the stairs. Two four foot diameter circular doors are set in the middle of the south wall. Each door is made of wood and framed with a ring of mortared stones. The westernmost door is closed and inscribed with a strange glyph. The easternmost door bears a different glyph but rests half open. The half-open door reveals an iron rim of gear-like teeth, and dim light spills from the chamber beyond. Mounted to the walls of the room are twelve tarnished copper masks. The masks are two feet tall and cling four feet above the floor. Each one depicts a smiling gnome's visage. The soft giggling, chirping, and rustling noises seem to pour from the very walls. Reinhardt narrows his eyes, trying to determine any threat as he moves into the room Talwin follows and starts to look around but seems distracted by the rumbling in his belly Like a startled rabbit, Col creeps down the stairs, reluctantly he offers the remaining half-slice of bread to Talwin, then scampers back up to the landing. He contemplates pulling the torch sconce but finds that it is just too high. He looks up the stairs wondering why the others are hesitating to come down, do they know something he doesn't? The gnomish giggling is beginning to get on his nerves "Why thank you Col, how did you know I was hungry?" says Talwin giggles pleased and crams the bread into his mouth. Eddy wonders why the staircase is covered in dust and cobwebs if these skulks are supposed to be using it, he looks quizzically at Sorendal. "Good point bro.. " Sorendal admits states out of nowhere, to apparently no one in particular as he checks the walls carefully from the stairwell to the bottom. "How can thiss be the main route to the ssurface if it is covered in dusst... and a breeze, that means they must usse another exit mosst of the time" he ponders. He finds nothing from his search. Silas moves into the room cautiously his eyes scanning the room and decides it would be prudent to stay hidden for the moment Col steels his quaking nerves and moves forward into the room behind Reinhardt attempting to find a place in shadow to kneel with his crossbow and cover Reinhardt's move forward in case the brace fighter is attacked. "C'mon the rest of you" he mutters to himself "Give Reinhardt some backup" Grral having apparently dozed off in the cool darkness of the passage awakes with a start and heads down after the others, eager not to miss any fun. Grral stares quizzically at the masks, somewhat perturbed by the noises that appear to be emanating from them and attempts to remove one of the masks from the wall, but despite his strength the mask remains solidly stuck to the wall!! Meanwhile Reinhardt moves through the large room to the half open door. He notices that both the cog doors have symbols burnt into them (see map). He peers into the room beyond the half open door. A dozen small cots and chests line the walls of this ten-foot-high dusty room. Cobwebs blanket many of the cots and chests, and tiny spiders scurry about. Two rough-hewn tunnels, each five feet in diameter and tubular, breach the eastern and southern walls. Stone rubble covers the floor near the tunnels. A one-foot-long iron rod lies in the middle of the floor, its golden tip shedding enough light t cast lurid shadows on the walls. Giacomo stands motionless in the stairway... doing and saying nothing.. Col inches forward intrigued as to what the room may hold, he is still very nervous and grips his cross-bow tightly, all the while looking towards the room to the South. The sounds of chirping birds, rustling leaves and cheery laughter continue.. Softly, as if he's afraid to make too much noise Col whispers back to Talwin "Are these Gnomish runes that mark the doors? And if so what do they mean?" "If only I'd borrowed Keygan's stilts, maybe I could have had a play with the empty torch sconce on the landing as Reinhardt suggested" the halfling thinks to himself while he waits for Talwin's reply. Mercy moves to the corner of the stairs and grabs hold of the sconce. Where tries to pull it down, across, up. As Mercy pulls the torch the landing which she is standing on suddenly tilts!!.. She is thrown down the stairs and she collapses in a heap at the bottom having taken Col almost jumps out of his skin at the crash and injury to Mercy... "Ouch" she exclaims politely. "I can't say I like the gnomes sense of humour" he thinks to himself "I'm sorry Mercy, are you OK?" he says out loud The gnomish laughing seems to taunt mercy.. Mercy climbs to her feet slowly. "I guess we can stop creeping around now." She looks across at Grral and Reinhardt. "Watch out!" she gasps. "Beware the doors with teeth! That's what Jenya's riddle said. I'm alright, thanks Col. That'll teach me to be a bit more cautious in future". "I think these cogs would be the doors with teeth but agree , I have no idea which way we should go from here" "Unless I'm mistaken" thinks Col "I could get to develop quite a dislike for the gnome architects of the place by the time we've finished exploring" Mercy limps across to join Reinhardt. She peers past him into the adjoining room, raking care to keep away form the toothed doors. "Mmmmm" she ponders. "Not sure I like the look of those cobwebs." She takes a step back and looks at the two cogs. "According to Ghelve's map, there's a second room behind the cog on the right. How do you think we open it?" Sorendal wanders into the room and briefly looks at the scenery. He notices the runes on the door and strolls over to examine them. After a time his faces lights up the symbols are gnomish letters..the western one a "J", the eastern a "A". he decides. "If the floor movess when you pull a light on the wall... Then what will the doors do if we trigger a trap?" he ponders out loud. "Mercy, that trap hass hurt you a lot... you sshould have a word with Giac " the wizard suggests "Well when he comes down the stairs I'll ask him to take a look, but I don't really want him to lay his hands on me....He seems to try doing that too often" she replies Sorendal chuckles.." I thought it wass Paladins that laid on hands ? .. I think he needss some bromide from the apothecary, and maybe a cold bath... can't fault his determination though" Talwin glances at the runes and concurs with the wizard. "Sso, 'A' or 'J' ... any ideas? " Sorendal asks his companions... " "No idea" says Mercy shrugging her shoulders ".. And that ssunrod on the floor has been lit within the last ssix hours" the wizard continues to talk to himself "It didn't look like the thing upstairss needed any light... Hmmm" questions, questions, questions he thinks. "Don't it look like a bit like we are expected.. Door open, light on.. or maybe the kidss have been drivin 'em mad, screaming about the dark.." he smiles "Maybe" Mercy's eyes widen "They're all hiding behind this closed door" Sorendal shrugs "Or maybe they're out" he suggests, trying to reassure his friend with a smile "Beware" says Col "These creatures can blend in with their background, they may be watching us even now! I say go through the open door and keep on guard for traps" he looks around fearfully - "Talwin - Can you sense any traps around?" he asks the gnomish rogue Sorendal spins 360 degree's on the ball of his left foot, stops with a click of his feet and points to both doors..." Left or right...left or right... who's gonna choose? Col says left.. What about you Reinhardt? Any preference? .. Though checkin' the door on da right gets my vote.." he soft shoes shuffles to the left and right, pointing at the doors, hoping someone will make his mind up for him. Eddy shrugs, or at least does what a lizard does when it shrugs.. "I think the whole bloody place is trapped" says Col gloomily "Every time we open a door or pull a lever - zap - Well that's what I think, Gnomes!" and he glares at Talwin "Personally, I think we should pay heed to Jenya's message, beware of these doors," says Mercy "And instead proceed down the corridor over there. The map shows that there are many more rooms to explore that way. Although it didn't show any further steps down. So perhaps past these cogs is the right way...." Her voice trails off as she scrutinises the map again "I like the corridor choice too Mercy, but the riddle said beware not avoid the doors, maybe we need to negotiate them successfully?... what, the routess off the left room aren't on the map... is that this years map? " he looks over Mercy's shoulder at the map, making sure not to invade her personal space. "Hmmm.." he looks back into the room at the rubble on the floor ahead of him. "Reinhardt, can you see any rubble to the east?" "I think that the open door indicates that the naked ones come from this direction" says Col pointing at the open door "If we go on we leave them at our backs and maybe blocking our safe retreat to the surface. Let's proceed very carefully, caution will be our watchword" he concludes rather pompously. "There are too many questions, but no answers to be found where we stand - lets press on, then." states Reinhardt and sneaks south, and takes a look to the east as he goes Col looks around trying to sense the direction of the danger he feels threatens the party[/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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