"What's the verdict, fellows? Do we have a magic candle or should I be worried about visitors?" Kyle asks, still watching the side passages.
"Well my assessment is that these have been here for ages. The magic is familiar and simple. It essentially never goes out."
"I think that we are alone here with the wolves and whatever spirits remain."
Ach! This thing spins. Anyone have any ideas on wha' should be done wi' it?
"We could try lighting the orange lantern and see what happens. Maybe we need to use this enchanted torch." Queslin indicates the torch he's holding. "If everyone is ready, I'll give it a try."
Aye, I thin' Or'nge is tha way tae go. 'Ave at it. Eldgrim continues waiting for the other shoe to drop... or the zombie to rise. Whichever.
Kyle stares down the passageway closest to the orange lantern "Ready when you are."
Kyle lights the lantern with a torch. The orange lantern then gives off a orangish glow mixing in with the green light in the central chamber creating a strange blend of the two colors.
Other than the lighting of the lantern nothing out of the ordinary happens.
"If we are going to try this, we probably should attempt to light all of the lanterns, then point the arrow at them in the correct sequence of the rainbow. I think that its pretty obvious that this mechanism has to do with light, not darkness. So we should light everything up. Then, as Pelor has shown us, the white light of the sun is actually made up of many colors. A glass put in a ray of sunlight splits the light like a rainbow. So we should make the arrow point at the colors of the rainbow in their proper order."
"Then we'll need to find the missing lantern, or make a new one." Kyle says. "Maybe it's down one of these halls."
"We don't have the red lantern so we are right on plan with the orange lantern. Before we move on, let me try one more thing." Queslin tries putting a candle inside the lantern. "Maybe actual fire will work where magical fire didn't."
"Ok, that didn't work. Now I guess we need to figure out how to rotate the sarcophagus. Kyle why don't you and Eldgrim push on it while the rest of us stand ready in case... something happens?"
"Sounds good. Lead on, Mr. Eldgrim." Kyle follows the dwarf when he is ready.
Terrin follows the others to try and help move the dias that the sarcophagus sits on.
"Say the word Kyle and I will help push."
Eldgrim hangs his Dorn-Dergar on a hook on his hip and limbers up his shoulder for a moment. After he's done he braces himself on a corner of the sarcophagus and gives it a test push before putting his back into it.
Far be it from him to just shove away and find out the whole thing is counterbalanced. It just wouldn't do to wind up on his rump.
After the test push he maneuvers the sarcophagus into position with Kyle's help. One... Two... Three... Heave!
The stone dais creaks as Eldgrim and Kyle push on it. Slowly it starts to move and then it comes to a rest pointing to the yellow lantern.
Suddenly a large whoosh of air comes from the floor under the yellow lantern as the floor beneath opens and a metal tube rises out of the ground. The tube comes to rest and a second jet of air escapes as door opens on the tube revealing a small chamber inside.
"Who's feeling adventurous?"
Tara stares in shock at the small chamber that appeared as if by magic.
"This can't be good, can it?"
"Before we do that, we should make sure nothing's been woken up by this..." Kyle says, approaching the tube and examining it more closely.
Perception
"I agree with the grating scoundrel."
Agreeing with Kyle, that the tube should be inspected, but not thoroughly convinced that the human's mind is entirely focused, Tara takes a look for herself.
"Well, that was certainly unexpected. I wonder if it is a trap...or perhaps it leads somewhere further in this tomb?" Terrin says, moving forward to inspect the entranceway with Tara.
The metal tube appears to be rather mundane, no arcane marks on it or any other kind symbols.
"It seems to be the only way forward, if that is what it is," Tara says nervously. "I suppose one of us could try it?"
"Tara's right. We should try it." There's a twinkle in his eye. "I want to try it." Queslin moves forward, putting away his bow and drawing his sword. He steps inside the chamber turns back to the others and smiles.
If anyone else in the group had stepped forward, Eldgrim would have protested. Oddly enough, he feels like the Elf can handle himself, at least long enough for one of them to catch up with him.
Arright, but th' Saervant 'ere or myself will follow.
"Sounds like a plan. A crazy plan. But a plan non-the-less."
"Good luck." Kyle says in all serious, then cracks a smile "Pointy."
Queslin you step into the small chamber, then sudden the door slams shut and with a whoosh of air the tube quickly descends back into the earth. The ride is short however as it quickly comes to a stop and the door slides open reveling a chamber.
The walls here are covered in bas-relief images similar to the slender figure upon the sarcophagus lid in the chamber above. Nearly a dozen androgynous, hairless humanoids stand in deference, almost as if they are paying homage to the viewer. Many extend their hands in adoration, their faces awash in adulation. Several of the statues lack hands, arms, heads or anything else easily hacked off by long absent tomb robbers.
About 15 feet to the south, a dark passage extends from an elaborately carved arch. Only a little of this hallway is visible, as a large stone block obscures most of the passage.
Perception
Note: I hope to find a way to send the cylinder back up or call it back down.
As you step from the tube, and scan the room looking for any potential danger a sudden rush of air propels the cylinder back up to the tomb.
Queslin jumps and turns around. He'll look for a lever or button or something that might be used to call the tube back to him.
After searching around the wall around the tube chamber you find a small button inset on the wall. It has strange runes etched in the wall around it. The runes look similar to the runes found on the portal like device in the level above.
Queslin waits a few minutes to see if anything else happens before trying the button.
If the tube returns to our chamber, Eldgrim will step in and nods to the others.
I'll leave a coin on tha floor if it's saefe tae follow.
The tube does indeed re-appear on the main level.
Eldgrim, you enter the tube and are quickly whisked down to where Queslin is standing.
"That sounds good as our comrades did not do anything to send us a similar message." Terrin says with a frown.
He watches with trepidation as the dwarf is whisked away.
I hope that they are not getting taken to their demise...
"Thank the stars! I wasn't sure anyone would follow." Queslin says when he sees Eldgrim. "Be careful. The tube will go back up in only a moment. I think this button calls it back down though." Queslin points out the button.
True to his word, Eldgrim leaves a shiny gold disc on the floor of the elevator. 'course I came fer ye. I said I would, dinnae I?
He steps out and lets the device return to the group above.
Tara descends without hesitation on the elevator's third trip, stepping off and looking around at her new surroundings.
"Well, yes. You did. I don't mean to impugn your honor, but such blind faith only comes from coming through for a comrade before and we have only recently met. Is it not fair to say that we have not yet built up that camaraderie?"