This is Bazaar: Dungeon Adventure

[Manzanita]

Poto

"Yes, Marcus, I say we stay out of the 'A' door at all costs. Let's try to open the 'J' door. If we can't, let's go down the passage to the west. Actually, I think I see where we are from this map Keygan gave us. Look - we appear to be in the center. There is only one room behind the J door. Most of this complex is accessed via the west passage. Do you agree gentlemen? If so, is it still advisable to try the J door? I think so."

Poto will examine the J door. "Griswald, would you care to try your strength against this metal?"

OOC: Can Poto not tell where the tracks came from?

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Aye, canna see why not," Griswald replies, and attempts to force the door open.

 

[Manzanita]

Poto

"Wait, friend Griswold" shouts Poto. "Upon farther reflection..."

OOC: read: upon reveiwing some prior posts...

"...both the J & the A door have "teeth." As such, I feel we should give them both a pass. Let's head west. Griswold and Ian in front, Marcus holding the torch. What do you say, gang?"

"As much as I hate leaving a potential danger unexplored behind us, we have clearly been warned of those doors, and lacking skills in the detection and disarmorment of traps, entering those rooms would be the height of foolishness. I do wonder what the J and A represent, " Poto's voice softens as he ponders, and switches to the gnome tongue of necessesity, " perhaps J is for Jack, and A is for A**!" he says to Marcus

 

[ToddSchumacher]

On tracking: once off the stairs, you cannot detect any clear tracks, it appears this area is a little more traveled.

Looking at the "J" door, it occurs to you that not entirly sure exactly how to open it. There is no door handle. You do find a small triangular hole (Keyhole?) set in the stone doorframe though.

Poto is pretty sure, as with most gnomish archetecture, that all the doors in this place are mechanical in nature, probably requiring some sort of triangular key, and, like the "A" door, they all have an iron rim of geared teeth.

Two things to consider as well. In the original divination by Jenya the third line says:

"but beware the doors with teeth"

and just now you hear the warning from the copper mask:

"Traps abound and guardians peer"

Both thoes lines indicate plural threats, It's not too far a leap of faith to recognise the fact that every door may be trapped.

Ian knows, with his bardic knowledge, that there are many a story of skillful gnomish wizards who enchant thier lairs with all kinds of devious magical traps, then it comes as a realization that none of you four have the skill to recognize one.

Still trying to open the "J" door? And if so, HOW?

Edit: Spelling errors

 

[Badger]

Marcus

~Where there is a lock, there must be a key...~

As Poto returned logic to their thinking, Marcus mentally chided himself on getting caught up in the excitement of the search. While he trusted the skills of the others, Marcus knew that the only thing he offered the others was his meager magics, but they would be of little use if he did not remain focused on the task at hand.

"Aye Poto, exploring the other sections do seem to be the best bet, as the open door before us could be little more than a ruse to lure us into a trap."

As the others prepared to move onward once more, Marcus laughed as the gnome made a quick joke of the meaning of the doors. Smiling as he walked Marcus responded in Poto's native tongue.

"If that be what they stand for, may they not make one of us as well..."

 

[Manzanita]

"If all the doors end up having teeth, as may be the case, then maybe we'll return here. But until then, let's see how far we can get w/o opening any doors."

 

[ErichDragon]

Ian

"We could go back up and find us a slippery bugger in a tavern or some such. Then come back down and try and find these traps everyone keeps rattlin' on about."

 

[Festy_Dog]

"Only if we really need to, I'd prefer not to become involved with shady characters," Griswald adds as they move down the hallway.

 

[Badger]

Marcus

Hearing the others discussing bringing another in on their quest, Marcus silently agreed with Griswald on his unease about bringing an unknown with questionable goals down to the ruins.

"If we are not able to find any open doors, then perhaps the clergy will advance us some of the funds for the purchase of scrolls or a wand from the wizards in the Academy. I would also be willing to ask my uncle if he could lend us the funds, as long as pay him back as soon as we were able."

 

[Manzanita]

Poto

"Remember, the theives guild is still involved with this in some way. We know they were casing the orphanage, and were trying to get that Priest of Cuthbert. Finding a proper sneak would be tricky to do."

Poto then starts muttering to himself strangely.

"By the way, gang. I'm pretty paranoid about this gnome vanishing disease that emptied out this city. If I start fading or acting strangely, be sure to get me back up to the surface lickity split! OK?"

He walks on West with the party a few steps then suddenly turns green and starts to convulse on the floor. "Agh! I'm turning into a newt! Agh!"

After a few seconds of this, he sits up, turns back to his normal color, and gives a cockeyed smile.

"Just teasing buddies. With all this gloom and doom, we needed a bit of a break."

OOC: used his natural prestidigitation for effect there.