Eri just manages to pop the lock of Antyress's chest with his magical focus.
2300gp
300pp, contained in a knitted copper drawpurse
2 Honeygold Topazes (valued 600gp each)
Scrollcase containing a single Wand (Invisibility, 15 charges)
4 thick crystal decanters, scarlet liquid unknown
...
As the party works its way across the bridge, the rocky outcroppings of the chasm on both sides begin to quake in places. Ten feet below the floor on which you stand, there are six strange-looking creatures, newly-emerged. Each has three legs, three arms, three eyes, and one large mouth.
These creatures are Xorn, Neutral outsiders, of Earth.
Once everyone is across, Mortimer nimbly charges up the bridge without batting an eyelash, and starts to detach the the Rope of Climbing.
Ten feet below the floor on which you stand, there are six strange-looking creatures, newly-emerged.
Mortimer freezes at the edge of the smallish bluff where it meets what's left of the bridge.
"Uh, guys -- we have Company -- and They look like They're designed to do only ONE thing really well..." he cautions, a hint of nervousness in his tone.
Eidi offers Eri to take the wand "It might help you escape dangerous situations"
He tries to identify the liquid in the decanters, if not emitting magic, then he looks carefully at the texture and tries to smell them as well.
--------------------------
Eidi looks at the new revealed creatures "Xorns... more neutral outsiders... related to the Plane of Earth in this case"
"I am not sure they are violent, I wonder what they want from us, stay alert"
Ascaria’s ears prick up when Eidi describes them as creatures of the earth, and he excitedly tries his Terran.
”Bore da a chwrdd yn dda!”
”Rydyn ni'n gobeithio mynd heibio. Nid oes gennym chwestl gyda chi. Rydym yn chwilio am unigolyn arall, anhygoel a adnabyddir gan rai fel Marquis yr Afon. A gawn ni barhau?” he asks politely.
”We are hoping to pass by unmolested. We have no quarrel with you. We are seeking another, an unholy individual known by some as the Marquis of the River. May we continue on?” he asks politely.
- - -
Solrisa smiles politely and waits protectively as Ascaria speaks. She has no idea what he is saying, but that's pretty usual for Solrisa. She trusts him to the right thing.
She smiles at the things.
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The xorn have nothing special in terms of attacks, but they are very hardy creatures, resistant to all but bludgeoning weapons, and immune to cold and fire. They can not be flanked, for their all-around vision.
Creatures like these, on the Material Plane, are roaming scavengers, able to engage in barter or demands for their preferred food items- gems, precious metals, and the like. They are not a nuanced race.
The xorn rise smoothly along the chasm walls, all the better to see you. Where they travel, they leave the walls perfectly free of marks or disturbances. The xorn adjacent the bridge begins to speak.
"Բարեւ: Մենք ձեզ հոտ ենք զգում: Դուք լավ է հոտում: Ոչ թե դուք, այլ ինչ եք իրականացնում: Մենք չենք միջամտի ձեզ, բայց մեզ տվեք, թե ինչն է լավ հոտը:"
"Hello. We smell you. You smell good. Not you, but what you carry. We will not interfere with you, but give us what smells good."
Another xorn speaks up. The echoes of the chasm make it difficult at first to pinpoint which one is speaking, but you can gauge it to be one of the rearmost xorn.
"Նա խոսում է զվարճալի:"
"He speaks funny."
The first xorn speaks again. Its eyes shift away from Ascaria, to address its mate.
"Հանգիստ: Նրանք պարբերաբար չեն խոսում: Տվեք նրան հարգանք փորձելու համար:"
"Quiet. They don't speak it regularly. Give him respect for trying."
It turns back to Ascaria.
"Նա չի նշանակում վիրավորել ձեզ: Ձեր խոսքերը բավական մոտ են, եւ մենք հասկանում ենք միմյանց: Այժմ մեզ տվեք, թե ինչն է լավ հոտը: Եթե դա լավ է, ապա կարող ենք նույնիսկ օգնել ձեզ որոնել ձեր գետը:"
[spoiler=Terran]
"He doesn't mean to insult you. Your words are close enough, and we understand each other. Now, give us what smells good. If it's good enough, we might even help you look for your River."
The northernmost xorn speak up.
"Ես նրանց չեմ սիրում: Նրանք հոտ են գալիս մյուսների նման:"
"I don't like them. They smell like the others."
It disappears from sight.
”They’re willing to let us pass, maybe even help us, in exchange for a little wealth. Everyone OK with giving them one of those topaz’s we just picked up?”
Assuming no one disagrees, he asks Mort for one of the Topaz’s and offers it to the Xorn, saying, "Nid wyf yn sarhaus, a diolch ichi am eich gwendidrwydd."
”Mae hon yn sampl ardderchog o'r mathau o bethau rwy'n dychmygu y mae'n rhaid i chi eu hoffi. A fydd hyn yn ein helpu ni? Mae'n sbesimen ddirwy iawn, nid wyf wedi gweld unrhyw beth tebyg iddo cyn fy hun.”
”This is an excellent sample of the sorts of things I imagine you must like. Will this get us your aid? It's a very fine specimen, I've not seen anything like it before myself.”
- - -
"Seems like a good exchange" Eidi smiles on discovering Ascaria managed with them "Might you ask them what lays ahead and if they know anything about the Marquis?"
"Xorn? Earth? ... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyy -- didn't we meet another Earthenware creature on the other side of the portal?l Huh -- I wonder if these guys know him..." Mortimer pauses pensively. "Artfanx, was it? Naaaah, how could they know him? Artfanx is on the other side of the portal, and that might as well be in another time, right? Still... he seemed to have been there for a long time. I wonder how much these guys get around."
Mortimer gladly hands over the shiniest topaz when one is requested.
Solrisa continues to smile happily, wondering what is up and smiles even bigger when Ascaria explains the exhange of gems for scouting help.
"Oh Ascaria! That's perfect!" She waves happily at the weird xorn things that exist. "And ask if they have seen the spider who is a jerk."
”Sure thing, I’ll ask ‘em” he says vaguely waiving to Mort and Sol.
He turns back to Xorn and asks, ”O! Ydych chi wedi cwrdd â Artfanx? Mae ar ochr arall y porth i fod yn siŵr, ond efallai y byddwch chi'n ei adnabod.” Mae'n mynd ymlaen i ddisgrifio'r creadur a'r hyn y mae'n ei wybod amdano.
”Mae yna hefyd bridyn sy'n byw mewn cysgod yn yr ystafell yn ôl yma. Ydych chi'n ei wybod?”
He continues, ”There’s also a spider who dwells in shadow in the room back here. Do you know it?”
- - -
The xorn allow a pause in their own intra-dialogue, for yours. The spokesxorn answers, accepting the topaz from Mortimer. "Օ՜, սա լավ նմուշ է: Ավելին. Մենք երախտապարտ կլինենք, եթե դուք ցույց տվեցիք, թե որտեղ կարելի է ավելի շատ նման լինել: Դե, ձեր բարության համար եկեք ուսումնասիրենք ձեզ համար..."
"Oh, that is a nice specimen. More? We would be grateful if you showed us where more like this could be found. Well, for your kindness, let us explore for you..."
As the lead xorn continues to speak, the sixth xorn appears through the wall adjacent to Ascaria, and bites at the gnome, while speaking to the other xorn.
"Այս մեկը. Նա նման է մյուսներին: Այս մեկը մահանում է:"
"This one. He's like the others. This one dies."
The spokesxorn speaks up, loudly.
"Wait!" Ascaria shouts as he is hit. "Everyone be calm, let them sort it out a moment!"
Solrisa's smile fades, raising her sword to defend Ascaria. She is confused and doesn't like tricksies and holds back from attacking for the moment.
"Ascaria! Why!?"
Eri starts to move when Ascaria delays. Yay, these beasts are not evil. Yay!
Mortimer cocks his fist at the sixth back-biting Xorn, ready to take a chunk out of it when Ascaria shouts:
""Wait! Everyone be calm, let them sort it out a moment!"
"WHAT?!" he shrieks, his voice cracking. "He came back?! What happened?! Didn't they like the Topaz?! It was the best one! What did Spokesxorn say?!"
Mortimer glowers at the back-biting Xorn, fist cocked and ready to take him out if Ascaria changes his mind.
Both xorn/pink and xorn/green begin to reposition. Pink moves through/under the stone bridge, while Green pushes through the chasm wall and up through the stone floor to the north. Spokesxorn speaks up again.
"Ակնեղեն, Tchll, ոսկեգործություն: Լսեք մեզ: Մի պայքարեք նրանց:"
"Gems, Tchll, gems! Listen to us! Don't fight them!"
Spokesxorn delays.
Round: 1, Initiative: 12
Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (1/11h, +2), Status (1/11h; Eri, Mort, Sol), Bless (12/22m)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Edi, Eri, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (8/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (6/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (6/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (5/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
”Everyone relax. This guy is just going a little rogue, and the others are trying to talk him out of it. If we attack him though, the others will join in and it’ll be a free for all. Let’s try this!”
He takes out 10 platinum from the hoard they just received and offers it to the xorn attacking him.
”O! Ydych chi wedi cwrdd â Artfanx? Mae ar ochr arall y porth i fod yn siŵr, ond efallai y byddwch chi'n ei adnabod. Yma, cymerwch hyn.”
- - -
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Round 1
”Everyone relax. This guy is just going a little rogue, and the others are trying to talk him out of it. If we attack him though, the others will join in and it’ll be a free for all. Let’s try this!”
Solrisa holds back for a moment. If Ascaria, the attackee, is okay with waiting so will she be.
"Solrisa, wait!" Solrisa says to Solrisa. "It would be bad if someone attacked someone while others were trying to negotiate."
Solrisa delays.
Xorn/orange moves over, and tries to bull rush Xorn/red.
Red's fellow xorn fails to find its footing, while Xorn/blue delays, waving its arms vigorously.
Xorn/red does not take platinum before it, preferring instead to flail at the gnome, for reasons known only to itself, apparently. It leverages its legs to make sure all arms are able to assault Ascaria.
Eidi readies his staff and places himself next to Eri in a defensive position "This is nonsense, why are they fighting each other?"
"Ascaria, is there something we can do to help this stop?" the elder makes some gestures to the door "We just want the door open and some information of what to expect ahead"
Mortimer, Eri, Solrisa, and Eidi all wait out the interplay. The giant and maiden delay an attack, while the elder half-elf defends himself from any untoward attacks. It is unclear exactly what the sorcerer does.
Ascaria attempts to assuage the xorn's aggression with precious metal, but the xorn is undeterred.
Xorn/purple disappears into the chasm's face.
Eri takes a 5 foot step closer to Ascaria ready to come to his aid in some way.
"Canary? What's the plan?"
Round 2, Init 17
Bless
Hits: 15+26 AC:25, Con = 7
Slots: 8/8
KO: 1/2
Dragon
--------------------------------------------------------------------
AC 25, 30 on AoO, 24 Touch; 81/81 HP
BAB = +11/+6/+1 (level 10)
ToHit = 1d20+16+1+1 (Weapon Focus, Amulet)
RHit = 1d20+18-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
LHit = 1d20+18-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
THit = 1d20+13-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
FHit = 1d20+8-2 (-3 more to hit on Power Attack, +1 Weapon Focus, +6 dam on Power Attack, +1d6 if cold)
Throw = 1d20+16
Fort+10 (+4 vs inhaled and contact poisons, +2 vs. disease)
Reflex+13
Will +7
(Cloak +2)
Slots 8/8
Initiative +4
CMD = 32 (10+ BAB + Str bonus + Dex bonus, 31 Maneuver Training Grapple +2, 30 Manuever training Disarm, +2 class feature "AC Bonus" at level 4/9)
+1 Grapple (Armbands), +3 Grapple MT, +2 Improved Grapple (+6 total)
+2 Disarm MT
+1 Overrun MT
"Translate this please -- Mortimer says to Ascaria. He turns to the Spokesxorn.
"May I please just knock him out? It's non-lethal, but might leave a temporary mark. If you grant this permission, please tell your troops so they do not start beating me up."
Mortimer waits for the translation, waits for the permission and the Spokesxorn to announce Mort's intentions before clobbering the Xorn/red.
for
Ascaria translates Mort into Xorn, and back - assuming the Xorn replies.
The words of translation occur quickly. When all is said, Ascaria gives him the all-clear, as the body postures of the surrounding xorn seem to indicate deference.
Xorn/red falls prone, allowing Xorn/orange and Xorn/green to restrain the rogue outsider.
Spokesxorn/blue looks visibly less concerned.
"Ցավում եմ. Մեզ մոտ ժամանակ առ ժամանակ պոռթկում էին մի փոքր բան, որը նման էր մի փոքրիկին: Կախարդական փոքր բաներ, որոնք չեն լսել պատճառի մասին:"
"Շնորհակալություն բռնության վերադառնալու համար: Որտեղ էինք մենք: Մենք չգիտենք այս Artfanx- ը, եւ մենք չգիտենք, թե ինչ եք փնտրում, բայց գոնե մենք կարող ենք գայթակղել ձեզ համար, եթե ցանկանում եք:"
"Sorry about that. We were ambushed a while ago by something that looks a bit like this small one. Savage little things that wouldn't listen to reason."
"Thank you for not returning the violence. Where were we? We do not know this Artfanx, and we do not know what you seek, but we can at least scout for you, if you so desire."
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Weapon Equipped = None
Conditions = Magic Vestment (1/11h, +2), Status (1/11h; Eri, Mort, Sol), Bless (12/22m)
Life Link (11)(100’) = Edi, Eri, Mort, Sol
Channel Energy (8/9)(7/7) (DC: 23)(Avoid 7, 35’r) (6d6+1+2d6 phylactery)
Amiable Blunder (1/1) (if Diplomacy failed by >5, re-roll to avoid worsening attitude)
Rod of Extend (lesser) (2/3)
Vest of Surgery (1/1) (Heal DC 20 to heal 1d4 ability damage)
Melee Attack: BAB +8/+3, Size +1 Damage: +0
Ranged Attack: BAB +8/+3, Dex +1, Size +1 Damage: +0
Spells (Caster Level 11, Concentration +17)
Once per Day: Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, Read Magic
Zero (16): Create Water, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Spark, Stabilize
First (17): (7/8) Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Detect Undead, Diagnose Disease, Enhance Water, Liberating Command, Remove Fear
Second (18): (6/8) Burst of Radiance, Cure Moderate Wounds, Lesser Restoration, Light Prison, Pilfering Hand, Status, Suppress Charms and Compulsions
Third (19): (6/7) Cure Serious Wounds, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Magic Vestments, Neutralize Poison, Prayer
Fourth (20): (6/7) Blessings of Fervor, Cure Critical Wounds, Protection from Energy Communal, Restoration, Terrible Remorse
Fifth (21): (5/5) Air Walk Communal, Breath of Life, Cleanse, Cure Light Wounds Mass
Ascaria brightens as they stand down. "Ie, diolch. Byddai croeso mawr i hynny. Beth sydd y tu hwnt i'r drws hwn?"
He turns to the party, "They're going to scout for us." he grins. "Nice fellows."
He heals himself a bit and tops off with the wand and is ready to proceed.
Solrisa holds her sword still, making sure that no one else tries to harm Ascaria.
"Oh scouting!! I *love* scouting," Solrisa says excitedly, her eyes looking around for Tynan before downcasting with a fading smile. "Oh yeah...but maybe these are as good of scouters as we used to have. Maybe!"
Solrisa watches Ascaria heal and readies to hear back.
The xorn talk amongst themselves, as Xorn/red still seems to have gnome issues when it comes to. From their arrangement, it appears a consensus is reached, and three of the less aggressive xorn remain, while Red, Orange, and Green retreat into the stone.
Blue has established a meeting point upstream, where it, Pink, and Purple will reunite with the others, after their obligation to you is met.
Spokesxorn/blue motions to Purple, who proceeds to swim into the surface of the complex, and beyond. It takes a while for it to return.
"Այսպիսով, այդ մետաղից ավելի շատ ունեք, ավելի շատ այդ ադամանդները: Մենք նրանց վայելելու ենք, եթե ունեք ավելի շատ:"
"So, do you have more of that metal, more of those gems? We would enjoy them, if you have more."
Purple returns, and relays what it found.
"Դռանը հանգեցնում է ավելի շատ դռների, բայց դռները ոչինչ չեն առաջացնում:"
"The door leads to more doors, but the doors don't lead to anything else. Through the earth, there is another long hall. It's cold in there."
Ascaria relays to the party, "They've found some passages, but they don't lead anywhere. However there's a hall deep in the earth. It's cold in there according to the Xorn. I say we see if they can carry us into that chamber and back after we've searched it. Agreed?"
Assuming the group agrees, he says, "Mae gennym ddiddordeb yn y siambr oer hon. A oes darn a fyddai'n ein cael ni? A allech chi o bosibl fynd â ni yno a dod â ni yn ôl ar ôl i ni ei wirio? Mae gen i un arall o'r gemau ffansi hynny os ydych chi'n barod i helpu. Efallai fod mwy o fetel hefyd."
- - -
"I say we see if they can carry us into that chamber and back after we've searched it. Agreed?"
Mortimer looks at the Xorn, with their three legs, three arms, three eyes and HUGE gaping mouth.
What if they drop us? We'll land in thier big gaping maws... Mortimer winces.
"Uh, "carry", Canary?" He gestures at the Xorn moving his hand from its "head" to its "toes", then gestures
at himself similarly in an attempt to draw attention to the dichotomy in size.
"Can't they just surface ahead of us and lead that way?"
"Is it far from here? I could make a 2 feet long tunnel we could crawl through" Eidi inspects the Xorns, not yet believing in them.
Spokesxorn/blue listens to the gnome, listens to the responses, then speaks up. This time, in Common.
"Only one of you speaks our Tongue. We speak yours, so it is proper that we speak as you speak. I am slow to understand, sometimes. Mmemm says that the thickness is roughly 5' through the wall into the hall, from the river tunnel." Purple points to the red river, which seems to branch further east.
Blue waves Pink and Purple over.
"Alright, they will need to find a way into the hall, the way they travel. The earth is not passable as we know it, to them."
Purple and Pink blink their understanding, and speak their understanding with grunts of affirmation. They disappear for some time, their bodies sinking into the stone like dipping into water.
Spokesxorn/blue turns back to you all, and waits.
With words of Common, you are able to ascertain the general truth of the responses. These xorn, though opportunistic, don't seem to be concealing anything. Or they're very good at bluffing...
Ascaria is bitter-sweet about their switching to common. On the one hand, translating is a pain, but he enjoys speaking other languages. Ahhh well!
He suggests, "Maybe there's only a 5' gap there because there's a secret panel or other to slide the wall aside. Do you guys see anything?"
"So how long have you lived here?" he asks the Xorn while they wait.
While waiting, Mortimer takes a gander for the would be secret panel.
He'll take 20 if there is enough time.
Spokesxorn/blue shifts in place, allowing another eye to consider Ascaria and Eidi. "We're traveling. The River has been a decent source of nourishment, but then we move on." It doesn't seem to consider the gnome's suggestion, allowing Mortimer and Eidi their curiosities over the door.
With Eidi's and Mortimer's full attention on the double doors, they gain a deeper understanding of its quality. The doors appears to have a flaking, rusting iron surface, which makes the small engravings in the door impossible to fully understand. The doors are locked, of course.
Solrisa waits protectively, still not entirely trusting that there is not another herd of xorn that might come attack Ascaria. Or from the spider that could return at any moment.
"Ascaria, listen! It's really neat that you speak so many languages. My Mum spoke a lot of languages and not sure that Rae spoke many languages but sometimes I learned more languages than she did...but she knew better words, like '@#R!', '$%@ sprinkled #%$@%! drinker', or 'felc$ loving #$%$%T^ donkey T$(*#^T&'. Yeah, Rae used to love to call me words. Words are fun, huh?" Solrisa rambles happily.
"We're traveling. The River has been a decent source of nourishment, but then we move on."
"The River?!" It's blood... metal? Mortimer looks at the rusting metal door.
Mortimer turns to the SpokesXorn. "I'm called Mortimer, by the way. How about this door? Is there any nourishment in this door for you?"
"Eri, can you open this door the way you opened Antyress's chest?"
Spokesxorn/blue senses something of alarm in the giant's tone, so replies.
"The River's color comes from the minerals upstream that filter through the water. We enjoyed several veins of raw ore there, and hope to find more by following the river's run. As for the door, no thank you. The gnome has metal coins that are far more enjoyable."
As the door is considered further, Pink and Purple return. They begin to speak in Terran, but quickly turn to Common, as Blue raises two of its three arms to wave them off.
"The river-bend towards the south ends in a larger cavern with a waterfall, and stairs that likely link to the hallway. We didn't check further, as there are only two of us. They can swim, as long as they're strong enough to pull themselves from the water once they reach the cavern."
Ascaria too looks at Eri to see if he can manage the door.
He thanks the Xorn, and releases them, "I want to thank you for your help, it's saved us a great deal of time and wet shoes." he doles out an additional 10pp for each of them (30pp total).
"We're going to check out the room, then investigate downstream. You're welcome to wait for us and scout further when we've examined these areas carefully. We have more platinum. But of course it may be dangerous, so I understand if you want to continue on."
He smiles at the lead Xorn and offers to shake his hand, though he does it tentatively as he's not sure of Xorn custom.
"Another door, eh? Yah, sure I can give it a shot."
I like those Xorn things. They are not bound by walls.
Solrisa seems pleased with the peaceful interactions with the xorn and smiles happily at Ascaria. She doesn't mind the expenditures and values peace over crazy any day.
She waits the door opening.
Eri's Knock comes to bear for a second time in the same day. An audible click echoes in the space above the chasm. As the doors swing outwards, you are treated to another set of double doors just behind the first, rusted iron set.
This new set of iron doors is quite different. A series of glyphs and protective amulets inset in fresh iron. Some of the amulets look almost like feathers, while others seem more like mill wheels or maybe latches or levers. Quite a bit of work went into this construction.
"I want to thank you for your help, it's saved us a great deal of time and wet shoes. We're going to check out the room, then investigate downstream. You're welcome to wait for us and scout further when we've examined these areas carefully. We have more platinum. But of course it may be dangerous, so I understand if you want to continue on."
Spokesxorn/blue mirrors the gnome, accepting the small hand in its own, much larger one.
"The coins are tasty, but we search for greater amounts. And we should reunite with the others. Our friend should be calmer, now that you're out of sight." With that, the xorn leave you to your advance.
"Thanks again!" Ascaria calls to the Xorn as they leave.
Ascaria steps up and examines the door, "Boy, I don't like the looks of this!" he whistles.
He casts Detect Magic and examines the door, paying special attention to the glyphs, though he is careful not to read them if he can avoid it - just in case.
Solrisa smiles at the party.
"If you wish to move back, I'll open this door," Solrisa says protectively. "Don't worry, I'm a good door opener."
Yes, there is magic here. My, several auras, in fact.
Mortimer scratches his head.
"Who puts a door behind a door?" He gingerly knocks on the fresh iron. "Are we supposed to sing to it? Can we try to clear up the rust on the outer door to see the symbols? Maybe it's a kind of key."
"Wait Mort! That door is lit-up magically like a beacon! I don't know what all it will do, but we should all step back before anyone tries to open it. I expect it's going to blow up."
Ascaria, knowing no good way to bypass it, moves back a fair bit and waits for Sol or Mort to burn, open the door.
Mortimer turns to Sol. "Did you want to try knocking before 'brute force'?"