Sandrion shakes his head in amazement, "A reverse gravity field? Amazing! Well, no one goes to that much trouble to put a chest in that field without it holding something of value...or, he eyes the far door, "of necessity! We need to get the chest down! Too bad Haster does not have a pair of hands else he could retrieve it for us!" He laughs, motioning to the hawk circling above the party.
"Perhaps we can lasso it and pull it out of the field. How far does the field extend down?"
It looks like those rungs are meant to be used to access the chest. Perhaps the field extends far enough to let you walk from where they stop.
Will points out from the edge of the top rungs you are about five feet from the chest.
Talon, having finished his experiment he decides to take action. Talon begins to climb the ladder toward the chest on the ceiling.
doing his best to hold on, Once he reaches the end of the ladder carefully checking things over he looks to see if the area at the chest looks potentially trapped.
If the area at the chest looks safe he uses his acrobatic skill to flip and land at the chest so he will be standing on the ceiling at the chest (inside this reverse gravity field)
Talon is in a groove. He nimbly moves from rung to rung cautiously climbing to the top. Just before he reaches the last rung he keeps his feet on the rung before it and notices the top-most rung is cleverly constructed to break away if someone would move toward the chest on it. He keeps his feet firmly on the rung second from the top and, seeing nothing untoward, springs from the second rung toward the chest. Just when it appears he will come back down, he instead finds himself drawn to the ceiling. With a twist he lands on his feet next to the chest 'upside down' to those on the ground.
Talon cranes his neck as he looks down from walking on the ceiling next to the chest.
Skirros applauds, a wide smile spread unabashedly across her face. "Wow, that was very impressive Mr. Shadowblade. I've certainly never seen that before." Seconds later she realizes that she has uncharacteristically broken her usual dour demeanor and resumes her usual neutral expression. She still glances up at the ceiling and smiles gingerly from time to time, however.
Talon looks Up (or is it down?) let's hope you never need to see it again he adds in his usual whispered tone.
He kneels by the chest, looking it over to see if traps continue to infect the area.
Talon finds a nasty magical trap on the chest. There is enough room for two others to help disarm if they can get there.
Talon looks down (or Up?) toward the group.
Skirros, I need you up here, just do what I did and you will be fine.
Talon makes his trek up the ladder seem so easy, anyone can do it.
Oh. and the last rung is a fake, if you grab it you will fall.
Skirros seems eager to join him but also a bit hesitant. "I am not nearly as agile as you, Talon. I do better trudging through the jungle than dancing about on magical ceilings. But Obd-hai willing, I will succeed." The half-elf unbuckles her heavy shield, placing it on the ground in front of her, then offers a quick prayer to her god and tries to copy the rogues's actions.
Skirros leaps from the second highest rung, but looks to fall short. Talon jumps from the bubble of magic keeping his body mostly in and grabs her wrists. He is able to hold them together as their bodies teeter precariously on the edge before they both come to the ceiling together.
Together at the top they confront a clever magic trap that Talon points out on the chest. What it does if set off, that is unknown.
Skirros does his best to help Talon with the complex lock.
As Talon and Skirros deal with the trapped chest William moves to the opposite door to listen for trouble and peak through the key hole if he can.
Talon. studies the traps trying to determine the best way to prevent it from going off.
whispering to Skirros, I have no idea what will happen if this goes off, and I really don't want to find out.
The tandem attempt to disarm the trap, but Talon unfortunately manages to trigger the trap instead.
Milhar moves close to under the chest and waits with his arms out. Then he changes his mind and steps back from underneath.
Resisting the magical fear, the two are in place at the chest.
Skirros momentarily feels an immense fear rush over her, but thankfully the emotion quickly passes. "Well, that was exciting," she exclaims, nervous sweat streaming from her brow. "What do you say, Talon, should we try it again? At least it didn't explode!"
"Not exploding is good you two. Think you have it this time? Or should the rest of us get out of here."
Talon does not respond to Skirros, he seems a bit upset with himself for failing.
traps deter the honest folk, Not me.
Talon hunkers down for another go at the trap.
Skirros picks up her thieves' tools again and tries her best. "Doing it upside-down is a lot harder than one would imagine."
The dangerous trap, the most dangerous Talon has seen, is removed and the chest is popped open revealing:
1000sp, 60gp, and a valuable key made of jade
Making it to the floor, having figured out the trick, is not problem. The key is an obvious fit to the door.
Checking out the door, it is opened with the key. In the narrow passageway outside, Talon discovers a moldy silken bag with a crystal key.
Carefully following the narrow passageway about 200', you arrive at what looks to be blacksmith forge. In the center is a circular forge about 3 feet high connected to a bellows. Stacked about the room are wooden shafts, crude iron bars, short swords, 3 tubs of liquid, a table of tools, a large stack of cordwood, a mound of charcoal, and a large chest. Chained to the bellows are two men looking exhausted and listless. The ceiling is open to the sky a some short of shaft and shrouded in vines forming a network overhead.
"No imminent danger beyond then? Lock the door and rest so Skirros can conduct her ritual and the rest of us can prepare to move on."
Sandrion nods, "A wise plan. I do not believe those slaves will warn of our passage. They barely looked alive."
"I am interested in that chest but we should take every opportunity to rest safely in a jungle city." Milhar nods and begins to sort through his spare arrowheads. "Does anyone have need of healing? I have a Celene Lembiran whitewood wand? But someone with faith is needed to wield it."
I would appreciate some healing for my injuries.
"As do I." Sandrion adds. "I can call upon Erastil's favor to assist in healing you."
Thank you.
Hmm, Vardlon mutters to himself, looking at the shaft. A way out that doesn't involve crocodiles, perhaps.
Vardlon looks at the various tools and implements, curious as to how they would be used. He doesn't know smithing or weapon-making himself, but he hopes to learn one day. He also examines the large chest; does it look like it's used for work, or for some other sort of storage?
hmmm, a lot of protection for such insignificant treasure talon wonders.
at least the keys proved useful
Talon checks to room to ensure it is secure. also looking for other hidden entrances or exits.
Talon searches, and finds nothing of interest.
Vardlon looks at the various tools and implements, curious as to how they would be used. He doesn't know smithing or weapon-making himself, but he hopes to learn one day. He also examines the large chest; does it look like it's used for work, or for some other sort of storage?
Vardlon is dissuaded from searching the forge. The party settles down for a vigil in the bugbear room.
Four hours into the rest, Skirros feels a magic presence. The unsettling feeling that he is being observed.
You are being scryed (observed by magical means) by a powerful creature.
Woken from his sleep by a strange presence, Skirros becomes highly disturbed, and will immediately awaken the rest of party. "Gentlemen, something is scrying upon us. I'm not sure we can do anything about it, however."
Sandrion yawns and rolls to his feet. "Well, it sounds like we know who put that chest up here. I, for one, do not relish staying where that wizard can send his minions here to capture us. I suggest we move on." He adds, "sorry Skirros. It is not safe to remain here any longer."
"Knowing that we were watched, means we should stay, set double watches and find out who is watching us. The chest may be alarmed or maybe it was a simple sweep. I would to remain here and learn more."
The party considers whether to stay or go.
Some of the group has yet to provide input.
Having ensured that the area they intend to rest is secure we will be watched no matter where we choose to rest. might as well get used to it.
I know nothing of these types of magics but if they know we are here then moving quickly will be our only way to stay ahead of any preparations they are making.
Disagreement? Oh, joy, Vardlon thinks.
For myself, I would prefer staying here and finishing my rest. I may then be able to prepare better spells for this environment. However, I will go along with the consensus of the group.
Sandrion strokes his goatee in thought. "While I am no fan of allowing the wizard to know where we are at, I do also recognize the danger of overextending ourselves here, especially as there seems to be only one way to proceed here. We are in a defensible position and I would be OK if we rested here. We should double the watch guard, however."
Skirros nods, "I agree, let us remain here, but also stay watchful."
Agreed then. Let's be sure to post two person watches just to be sure.
"Agreed. Rest. At least we know we're being watched. Perhaps we can learn who is doing it later."