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"So. Further down. It occurs to me" Squeak announced "That potentially the children were acting to stop something below from coming up."
Palisade paused to consider this, then shook its head. "This is a valid point, unit Squeak, but this one believes the old saying about the futility of releasing eye lubrication gel over spilled bovine udder product applies here. If more enemies present themselves, we shall exterminate them."
Palisade paused to consider this, then shook its head. "This is a valid point, unit Squeak, but this one believes the old saying about the futility of releasing eye lubrication gel over spilled bovine udder product applies here. If more enemies present themselves, we shall exterminate them."
Fendir simply asked "Why do you smell wrong?" There was genuine curiousity in his tone.
Mei'Vi took a surreptitious sniff of her arm pit. Ugh! Gotta remember to get Palisade to make water for a shower after we're out of here. Cautiously, she said, "Maybe because we're in the jungle? You're not smelling too fresh yourself."
tag?
"It's a shame about the activation word though. I guess whoever made it must have had a sense of humour to get you to say 'goblin farts' every time you activate it."
Vi snorted and smacked Bronwyn, which immediately ended her invisibility. "Dammit! Look what you made me do! I lost it!" She was about to activate the ring again, when she sensed that it was weaker than before. No, not weaker...just...a bit used up? Temporarily used up, that was it. Vi explored her attunement with the ring, and realized she could only use it three times a week. Better save it for when I really need it, and quit playing around. Touching one finger to the necklace Bronwyn was wearing, she said, "Is that what I think it is? Very you!" The rogue was feeling absolutely giddy.
Picking up the spear, she said, "This must be what the friendly lizards were talking about. Can anybody use it? Might need it where we're going, and I'm sure they won't mind if we return it slightly used."
When they were ready to move on, Vi took a good long look at the not-wall, to see if she could find anything dangerous before they tried to go through.
"I smell like the jungle." offers Fendir in defense of his own body odor. Seeing that she's not screaming or trying to set things on fire with her mind, Fendir turns and moves towards the ruckus that the warforged were macking, full sacks jingling as he walked.
"Hmmm. Statistically higher ranks in the clergy do seem to be correlated with facial hair, baldness and increased weight." Squeak pondered. "You certainly have the baldness and increased weight. Perhaps facial hair is worth it."
Lady d'Deneith. Are you suggesting ornamental beards would increase this one's and unit Squeak's social status?"
Bronwyn's eyes sparkled, "The bigger the better! It definitely couldn't hurt and it would make a definite statement that would set the two of you apart from all the other 'forged. Maybe I'll even try to grow one."
"Dammit! Look what you made me do! I lost it!"
Bronwyn cried out in surprise and then rubbed her arm where Vi smacked her. "Don't hit the messenger! What you said sounds suspiciously like halfling for goblin farts. Maybe its creator was a little person."
"Is that what I think it is? Very you!"
Bronwyn smiled prettily and gave her friend a curtsy, "I know, right? But the more important question is how do you like my new headband? Maybe I could accessorize it with a mithril dress or something."
As the illusionary wall was discovered, Fendir sighed and moved to one of the side tunnels, storing his coins there before returning to the group. He reaffixed his shield on his arm and pulled out his still sheathed blade, using the blunt end to tap the space in front of him.
If there was one illusion, there might be more...
Shaking her head at the discussion but feeling the need to contribute, Dusk advised
"Making them from metal might make them durable, however styles change over time. To maximise your ability to stay in vogue you will need to use fake hair, some sort of metal filament that emulates hair, or perhaps even have a range of different cast bronze or iron beards that are able to be easily swapped when required."
She closed her eyes as if imagining a scene
"After all, what befits a congregation may not be suitable for an attendee at one of Bronwyn's soirees, and thus the multiple priorities must find some way to accommodate the requirement to do both."
Dusk stared at the portcullis.
"So one thing, no... two..."
She began to list off on her gauntlet fingers.
"One, whatever this place is, you're right that bad stuff is kept below using this gate. If we open it and move through is there anything we can do to stop anyone that follows from closing us in?"
She indicated her second finger
"Two, whilst I'm not necessarily averse to continuing immediately, given we know nothing can come up to get us, do we want to rest and recuperate for an hour or so?"
"Two, whilst I'm not necessarily averse to continuing immediately, given we know nothing can come up to get us, do we want to rest and recuperate for an hour or so?"
OOC: I have assumed that a 'short rest' was initiated while in the hoard room.
Let me know if anyone wants to use their 'healing hitpoints'.
Questions?
Game on!
Bronwyn's eyes sparkled, “The bigger the better! It definitely couldn't hurt, and it would make a definite statement that would set the two of you apart from all the other 'forged. Maybe I'll even try to grow one.”
"Making them from metal might make them durable, however styles change over time. To maximise your ability to stay in vogue you will need to use fake hair, some sort of metal filament that emulates hair, or perhaps even have a range of different cast bronze or iron beards that are able to be easily swapped when required."
"Understanding. So the amount of hair directly correlates to the increase in social standing? This one is thankful for this revelation. Thoughtful. Perhaps this is the reason this one's evangelical efforts have yet to completely overthrow faith in the Sovereign Host in Sharn. Indeed, many of the priest of the Nine have had more facial hair growth than this one. Or Junior shift supervisor Helen Bakker," the 'forged thought aloud, recalling the silky-smooth chin of its 12-year-old second in command. "Delighted. Perhaps this one should fashion a beard for her as well, to increase our success at converting the masses."
“Very well, thank you for
your advice. I will see what this does then, and let you know if it does anything else...unsettling”
Vi looked at the...thing...on Dusk's arm, then asked, "What does that do? Is it armour?"
Vi snorted and smacked Bronwyn, which immediately ended her invisibility. “Dammit! Look what you made me do! I lost it!”
Mei'Vi said, "Well, I got the impression that she was a gnome. I wonder how her ring ended up here?" She felt strangely affectionate for the gnome student and her misbehaving fairy-dragon. Assuming that her dream had been more true than fantasy, of course.
Bronwyn smiled prettily and gave her friend a curtsy, “I know, right? But the more important question is how do you like my new headband? Maybe I could accessorize it with a mithril dress or something.”
Vi peered at the headband. "That's even more you. It suits you so well I didn't even notice it right away. What's it for? As for a mithril dress...might be a bit heavy? Not nearly as swishy as your glamourweave."
Bronwyn's eyes sparkled, “The bigger the better! It definitely couldn't hurt, and it would
make a definite statement that would set the two of you apart from all the other 'forged. Maybe I'll
even try to grow one.”
Vi laughed out loud. "I don't believe that for a second. The amount of time you spend plucking those perfectly arched brows? No way you'd go for a beard."
Turning to Squeak she said, "If you do fashion one, make sure the "hairs" aren't loose enough to fall in the food. Or make one you can detach in the kitchen. Top notch chefs are always clean shaven.
"Delighted. Perhaps this one should fashion a beard for her as well, to increase our success at converting the masses."
Vi considered keeping her mouth closed, but she'd met Helen and liked her. The young woman was more than capable of keeping Palisade in line, but there was no reason to put more stress on her. "I think a beard on a female child would have the opposite affect on your conversion strategy, best leave her out of it."
OOC: the lever is on 'this side' (south side) of the portcullis.
Questions?
Game on!
I'm just thinking of it drops behind us, can we get out?
I'm just thinking of it drops behind us, can we get out?
OOC: well, you have to get through first. :)
And no, you can't tell if it can be opened from the 'north side'.
Questions?
Game on!
"That's even more you. It suits you so well I didn't even notice it right away. What's it for? As for a mithril dress...might be a bit heavy? Not nearly as swishy as your glamourweave."
Bronwyn slowly nodded, "You're probably right but mithril just seemed...seemed...right, somehow." Then her smile returns, "It is pretty, isn't it? The best thing is that it's not just pretty. It also makes me smarter. And a smarter Bronwyn means more powerful magic."
I don't believe that for a second. The amount of time you spend plucking those perfectly arched brows? No way you'd go for a beard."
Bronwyn looked slightly confused before recovering quickly and responding, "It's all about where the hair grows, not the hair itself. But you're probably right. It's too advant garde for Sharn society."
Action 2:
Bronwyn looked at the locked portcullis and the lever. "Wouldn't it be totally cool if we pulled the lever and the stairs turned into a huge slide?" Then she added, "We should probably look at the stonework. Stones can tell a lot to those who know how to listen to them."
Squeak considered "An excellent point. If we spot-weld wires to out facial superstructure we should be able to ensure they stay attached. It does create a potential handhold for an enemy, of course. I also assume it would take some work to keep them clean. Alternatively we could modify our heads to have easy-attach alternate faceplates."
"I am reluctant to use real hair, given the negative reaction to my attempt to use a real face. I also understand there are several styles, as well as the practical considerations." Squeak looked over at Fendir "I will need to consult with a bearded person."
"An excellent point about being closed in, Comrade Dusk. Conversely if we return at speed I would want a way of ensuring that we can close the grate behind us."
Vi turned her attention from the portcullis to stare at Bronwyn. Holding her hand to the wizard's forehead, she said, "You don't feel feverish. What's going on? Did you accidentally eat the spotted mushrooms again? Are you high?"
Vi turned her attention from the portcullis to stare at Bronwyn. Holding her hand to the wizard's forehead, she said, "You don't feel feverish. What's going on? Did you accidentally eat the spotted mushrooms again? Are you high?"
Bronwyn pulled away from Vi's touch, "As if! Drugs are for those who aren't inventive enough to make their own fun. How is wanting a slide underground any different than playing Flying Tag high above Sharn?"
A bit gobsmacked, Vi considered her words carefully. Bronwyn was a bit flighty, but not usually like this. "Ummm....context? A slide would be fun, if we were at a playground. And talking to the stones? Come on, what's going on?"
A terrible thought hit her. "Is that headband cursed? Can you take it off?!"
A bit gobsmacked, Vi considered her words carefully. Bronwyn was a bit flighty, but not usually like this. "Ummm....context? A slide would be fun, if we were at a playground. And talking to the stones? Come on, what's going on?"
A terrible thought hit her. "Is that headband cursed? Can you take it off?!"
"Of course I can take it off. But why would I want to?" Bronwyn stood with her hands on her hips, "And who said anything about talking to stones? The work of any craftsman can figuratively speak to someone, not literally." The wizard crosses her arms, "And you can't tell me that a huge slide wouldn't be fun down here. As long as Squeak and Palisade go first, of course."
Frowning at her friend, Vi said, "Bronwyn, take the headband off. Just for a moment. If it comes off, you can put it right back on again. But I need to know it's not cursed. If you absolutely refuse to even try to take it off, then we'll know something is wrong."
Frowning at her friend, Vi said, "Bronwyn, take the headband off. Just for a moment. If it comes off, you can put it right back on again. But I need to know it's not cursed. If you absolutely refuse to even try to take it off, then we'll know something is wrong."
If an eye roll could make a sound, Bronwyn's would have broken the sound barrier. With an exaggerated sigh she places her hands on the headband, lifts it off, and then puts it back in place. "Happy? Now I have to spend at least five minutes making sure I put it back in the right place."
Bronwyn takes out her hand mirror and looks at herself thoughtfully. She strokes her chin like someone may stroke a beard as she studies her reflexion before reaching up to make a small adjustment or two.
Vi looked at the...thing...on Dusk's arm, then asked, "What does that do? Is it armour?"
Dusk shared Vi's suspicious look at the armored plate currently nestled on her shoulder.
"Armour? I think so... certainly it seems to be emitting some sort of magically protective field. It's.. oddly soothing too..."
She shook her head, there were more pressing matters afoot.
"One way to find out about the lever..."
She reached out and yanked the metal shank, her shadow blade in hand just in case.
OOC: great RPing but what are we doing about the portcullis and stairs going down which can be seen beyond it?
Having reached the portcullis, Fendir will see if he can fit between the bars.
Fendir will slip between the bars and down the stairs, looking for both traps and illusions via his method of quietly tapping the floor and wall.
Fendir will move to the lever and pull it, then make his way downstairs.
Mei'Vi watched Bronwyn carefully, but decided to let it drop for now. They'd just been through a serious battle, after all, and maybe this was Bronwyn's way of destressing. At least she'd proved that the tiara wasn't cursed. But she'd be keeping an eye on the wizard for further strange behaviour.
When Dusk pulled the lever, Vi watched carefully all around, aware of potential traps.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, Bronwyn
, pass
Squeak considered "An excellent point. If we spot-weld wires to out facial superstructure we should be able to ensure they stay attached. It does create a potential handhold for an enemy, of course. I also assume it would take some work to keep them clean. Alternatively we could modify our heads to have easy-attach alternate faceplates."
"This one believes attaching the quote hairs unquote to a plate modelled for easy attachment to the bottom of our faceplates with screws would be optimal, allowing one to change beards to suit the occasion," Palisade agreed.
Mei'Vi shouted in alarm as the trap was sprung. Quickly realizing that the end result was going to be squashed adventurers, she began to frantically look around for the trap mechanism. Starting with the lever, she began to disassemble it, looking for the wire or gears that would allow her to stop the smushing-door in its tracks.
As she worked, she cried out, "Does anybody have anything they can jam the door with? Squeak, are you carrying your kitchen gear?"
Straining, at the portcullis, Fendir tried lifting it, as the bars looked too thick to cut through, and he wouldn't be able to squeeze. The beast unleashed itself as he tried to lift the gate...
Squeak, ever the artificer, stared at the oncoming slab as his mind flickered through possibilities. "We need something thin enough to go through the cracks, soft enough to deform to increase the coefficient of friction..."
Inspiration struck. "The coins! Gold would be best, silver is good. copper might be ductile enough. Bronwyn, get coins, start feeding them under the door, in the centre. Watch your fingers and hair. Palisade, this thing pivots. An extra ton might make a difference. You and I need to put our weight at the very right hand side of the door. The torque might be extreme enough to make it pivot, and then it will smash through the portcullis for us."
"Someone... Pull the lever again! It might turn off!"
As Palisade joined him in a quieter voice he spoke to his brother "I'm Adamantine. When this thing crushes me against the bars, something else is going to break. Bronwyn is thin. If we get close enough you need to lift me vertically - as we die we should be able to create enough of a gap to protect Bronwyn until the bars bend."
Acrion 2:
Bronwyn squealed in surprise and anger as she's nearly crushed by the pivoting door when the lever is pulled. Her slight frame is pushed along easily by the moving door and she had visions of being extruded through the portcullis which was not pleasant at all.
Bronwyn, get coins, start feeding them under the door, in the centre. Watch your fingers and hair.
The wizard looked doubtful, "Isn't gold too soft of a metal to jam the door? I don't think it'll stop anything. We need something more significant like one of the wall torches."
She took the time to study the portcullis briefly looking for weak spots. "Let me try one thing before I try jamming the moving door." Not really knowing what she was looking for, she decided to aim her spell at the area where it joined the wall.
Bronwyn calls on the potent force of wind to try to blow the portcullis off its hinges.
I'll edit Mei'Vi's post as below (change in italics)...
Mei'Vi shouted in alarm as the trap was sprung. Quickly realizing that the end result was going to be squashed adventurers, she quickly pulled the lever a second time. Nothing happened, so she began to frantically look around for the trap mechanism. Starting with the lever, she began to disassemble it, looking for the wire or gears that would allow her to stop the smushing-door in its tracks.
"Oh dear... perhaps we should have checked for traps before pulling the rather obvious trap-disguised-as-a-lever lever..."
Swearing under her breath softly, Dusk vanished in a swirl of brimstone-scented smoke...
...reappearing on the other side of the portcullis.
"You're checing over there, maybe there's a mechanism to stop the trap this side!"
She scrutinised the walls to see if there was a mechanism anywhere to halt the advancing door.
Inspiration struck. "The coins! Gold would be best, silver is good. copper might be ductile enough. Bronwyn, get coins, start feeding them under the door, in the centre. Watch your fingers and hair. Palisade, this thing pivots. An extra ton might make a difference. You and I need to put our weight at the very right hand side of the door. The torque might be extreme enough to make it pivot, and then it will smash through the portcullis for us."
"Acknowledged," Palisade said, moving to assist its old squad mate in holding back the portal, sacrificing a dagger to push it under the moving wall and stepping on the hilt with all its weight while putting its shoulder against the wall.
Ignoring the mortal peril of the big folk - or perhaps supremely confident in their ability to save themselves - Bastion jumped down on the floor and sauntered through the portcullis and sat down on the other side to witness the unfolding spectacle.
As Palisade joined him in a quieter voice he spoke to his brother "I'm Adamantine. When this thing crushes me against the bars, something else is going to break. Bronwyn is thin. If we get close enough you need to lift me vertically - as we die we should be able to create enough of a gap to protect Bronwyn until the bars bend."
"Commendable," Palisade agreed. "There would also be the possibility that the moving wall will force your body through the portcullis, opening way for those of us not crushed in the process. This one will try to aid you in your effort if it comes to it."
OOC: Here's what I have so far:
Vi: searching for mechanism to stop this
Fendir: raging and attempting to lift portcullis
Squeak: trying to jam moving wall
Bronwyn: cast gust of wind at portcullis
Dusk: cast misty step, get to other side, and look for something to stop moving wall/open portcullis
Palisade: help Squeak to try and jam moving wall
I'll roll some dice and let you know...
Questions?
Game on!
OOC: What? I thought you were going to 'blow dry' Dusk's hair on the other side. :)
I intend to move things along later today.
Game on!
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, fail
, fail
, fail
Squeak determines that they may be able to slow down the wall but NOT stop it.
Questions?
Game on!
Unable to lift the portcullis, Fendir switched to trying to widen one of the spaces between the bars. He started by pulling on each bar to see if any of them had even a little give.
If none in particular had give, he would just pick one pair of bars and begin pulling on one of the bars towards the closest outside wall. After a moment of pulling, he would switch to the other bar and pull it the opposite way, then switch back and fort, trying to eke out even a few inches of space. that would allow him to pass through.
"There's nothing here, no reset mechanism, no other doors."
She spared a glance at the dark stairwell yawning behind her.
"In fact I think I'm on the side the portcullis is protecting against, but hey ho."
Her shadow blade vanished and she pulled a small leather bag from her pouch. It unrolled at the flick of a wrist and she pulled out pliers and a small crowbar.
"Fendir, on the count of three, throw your weight against this cross-section, let's see if we can't twist the rivet away from the weld and pop the whole bar off..."
She used the pliers to twist one bar enough to get the crowbar in, then applied torque against the other bar as Fendir pushed.
It's currently Round 2 and you estimate that the sliding wall will reach the portcullis by Round 5 so you have four rounds (24 seconds) to act (rounds 2, 3, 4, and 5).
Anyone on the south side of the portcullis will be crushed in Round 5.
Questions?
Game on!
"Attention. This one would suggest you hurry," Palisade said needlessly, abandoning its now-broken dagger and focused on trying to find solid footing ever as the wall was slowly pushing it and Squeak towards their comrades. "This one and unit Squeak can only delay the inevitable doom."