|
Suppressing a slight grin, Isador tries to comfort Caoilte.
Aw, don't take it too hard Caoilte, I hear that happens to everyone once in a while....
Keeping the key from going limp like that takes a lot practice but I am sure you can master it in the future if you keep at it.
so... what's next? Try the liquid on the metal box?
|
I would be cautious about pouring the caustic liquid on the boxes. We came to retrieve a map. The box may be able to resist damage, but if any liquid seeps inside then it could damage the contents of the box.
Tarek continues examining the room and the boxes Does any of this seem a little odd? It just appears that we are being directed to focus our attention on these items. What if none of these things hold the item we seek? What if they were placed here to occupy a would be thief and possibly cause them injury. If we reached inside the jar, our flesh would have been burned. Another box is an illusion. A basket may contain a poisonous snake. A metal box that can not be opened. Finally, a box protected by magic and may likely cause injury to anyone who touches it. I just get the feeling that these items may be the trap. Distract us with the obvious so we don't notice the true purpose of the room. I doubt any thief would pass up the chance to search these containers for valuable items.
Tarek calls forth the energy from within and fills the room with daylight.
Perhaps we should search the walls, floor and ceiling more closely before we unleash anything harmful from those containers
|
|
That,...my friend,... is a excellent suggestion. Let have a look at these walls and ceilings and floor. Would be comical if it was rolled up in a table leg... or painted up on the ceiling like in some Opera House telling us of things to come or that what has happening now, has happened before and will happen again. Oh..um..sorry to ramble, a habit I picked up from my old friend Gaius Balter from Caprica, off the Cheliax coast.
With that said, I look closely again at the walls and I feel, and press on the surfaces even with my fingers, and then again on the floor...searching.
|
|
I could be way off on these assumptions but it just seemed strange that we were told that people who had been previously given access to the catacombs had started looting them and then we are presented with some very interesting containers. I just wanted to share this thought in case we are being tested. Since we are trying to get permission for the society to explore those catacombs, our ability to avoid the shiney pretty things may be just the thing being tested. I find it very odd to also leave a message on the door to tell someone how to get out. Funny thing is, the message said nothing about whether the way out was by death or not.
|
|
Isador shakes his head at hearing Tarek's comments about death being a way out.
First, the Pathfinder Society is not in the habit of sending 6 of its agents on a diplomatic mission that would lead to their deaths.
[b]I think we should take the writing on the door in its literal sense... Within these cases lies your quest and your way out.
I think the answer is right before us but maybe not in a literal sense. The chest that is an illusion may indicate that there is another illusion at work in the room. A secret door or perhaps whatever retrieved the key from the liquid.
Isador stoops low to inspect the underside of the table before returning his attention to the metal chest.
|
|
Tarek laughs at the response to his statement about the message
No, I have no intention of finding out if death is the way out. I wasn't thinking the message was placed there just for us but I could be wrong. I was thinking that if anyone came into this room that the message would direct them to examine the containers. If we were supposed to know something specific then why not tell us before placing us in this room, instead of leaving a message on the door?
Tarek shrugs I am just thinking out loud and have no real answer to our situation. Sometimes it is good to speak about all possibilities before setting upon a plan of action
|
Hmmm, this room is a case right? And we're looking for a map and a way out. The key didn't work so maybe it's something else entirely. check for writing, lines, glyphs or anything mapish on the walls. If it's the room itself that might be a good reason why we have to come and see this rather than one of the landlords heading here and grabbing it.
Caoilte starts looking at the walls, floor and ceiling for any indication that a map might be drawn in the room.
Havelock and Caoilte spend about five minutes going through the room but fail to find any clue of what to do or anything of use to their current predicament. The three boxes and wicker basket lay on the table in a silent challenge to the party at large.
|
|
Tarek checks his bag and pouches Sorry Eloriand, I must have left mine in my other pack. I guess you will have to try singing to it.
Tarek pauses for a moment and gives a slight smile It may be good to have my healing kit ready just in case the snake is not fond of your song choice
The light should last for a few more minutes and make seeing what is inside the basket a little easier. I think Havelockk's offer of using his weapon is about the only thing that may be of any use to you
Be sure to let us know what actions you need us to take. I understand your desire to preserve the life of beasts of nature but we may need to dispatch it quickly if all goes awry.
How about a better description of the basket. Is it a picnic basket or is it low and squat or tall and skinny? How high does it stand off the table top? I am trying to gauge the likelihood of getting bit just by removing the lid.
The basket is covered. Is it a regular wicker basket lid or is it just a cloth? Does El have any way to tell if there is more than one snake in the basket? If El were to tilt the basket slightly (keeping the lid intact) does the bottom of the basket look like it would fall away if he picked it up and moved it.
|
|
I do indeed wish to preserve the creatures life, but my limited experience with snakes indicates they are fairly unreasonable creatures.
Eloriand indicates to the others in the room that he intends to flip the wicker lid off with his drawn long sword. He will wait several seconds before doing so in case anyone objects or is not quite ready. His wayfinder light is still on and in his left hand ready to shine on any slithering beast that might try to approach him from the floor.
|
|
Isador takes yet another step back before addressing Eloriand.
Are you sure this is a good idea? I don't know a lot about snakes but I have witnessed the effects of their venom... it wasn't pretty.
Maybe we should try picking the locks before we let loose the snake.. or whatever is in the basket.
He nods towards Kat...
What do you think? Do you have a preference on which chest to start with? I can certainly try the other..
|
|
Isador nods at her response.
I am afraid that we may need the snake alive after we open the chests although we might have to kill it if we open the basket first.
Who knows.. maybe the answer is in the basket even though the writing on the door says the answer is in the chests...
Isador walks over and tests the door leading back the way they entered.
He shrugs Just checking the door... just because we heard it lock doesn't mean it is.
Ok Eloriand... play with your snake but if it gets out of hand.. I am outa here he grins broadly
|
|
Eloriand takes one last look at his companions and then proceeds to lift the basket lid with the tip of his longsword. Slowly at first. If the snake(s) come rushing out he will drop the lid in place. If there is not a rush of snake escapees, he will continue lifting the lid and rotating his body around the basket to maximize his physical distance from the opening until the lid is all the way off.
Note to the GM: I didn't have all my die modifiers set when I previewed my dice rolls, so I don't know if that is reported to you as me having changed my rolls after they were rolled. All I changed were the modifiers and not the actual die rolls.
Eloriand carefully works around the rim of the basket at the length of his sword. Once fully around, he flicks the lid off. The party hears a hiss as a snake leaps forth from the basket, snapping its clearly envenomed fangs in the air. Due to the party's careful planning and readiness, they are able to dispatch the snake with little trouble.
Eloriand looks into the basket and discovers a key inside. The key is marked with a familiar rune as it matches the one emblazoned on the red lacquer chest.
|
|
I nod in respect to El Good work frater. By any chance, I wonder if the snake venom can be harvested and used as anti venom? I have heard that in snake infested regions, that what can actually kill, can be made to heal.
Placing my blade back in its scabbard, I rest my hand on the boxwood pommel.
I think we now have a key...who wants to open the chest...EL, I think since you took the most risk you can either have the honors of opening the chest or waive that risk to one of us.
|
Kat's eye twitches in irritation at how pansified her companions have seemed to have gotten. She grabs the key with a Oh for the love of... Are we pussyfooting around because we're in a "civilized town" and not some cave? I know every one of us is not 'all talk and no trousers' so if we can't get our heads out of our rears and screwed on right we are never going to get out of here and finish our tasks before the day is over.
She bares her teeth as she rams the key home and adds, In case my luck's out I recommend standing back, before turning the key.
Kat angrily snatches the key from Eloriand and unceremoniously rams the key into the lock of the red lacquer basket. The box opens the moment the key is placed into the keyhole. The box opens and Kat detects a faint clicking sound from somewhere in the room. She then hears a series of gears tearning. Following the sounds, her attention is eventually drawn upwards. Kat sees a panel open in the ceiling. A key on a rope drops down from the opening. The key stops approximately 6" from the ceiling. The ceiling is 15' high, placing the key at approximately 14 1/2 ' above the party.
Inside the red box rests a key that appears to be forged into the end of an elaborately jeweled scepter.
|
|
Yup, that works for me....and my guess is its either Izzy or Kat that is gonna climb up to the top unless we think that Table is big enough, which I doubt.
I look at the sceptor, tapping my index finger against my nose
say, before we dance around like a bunch of acrobats, do we think that this key might unlock something else first?
|
|
I thought it would be entertaining to have Caoilte scamper to the top with his axe clenched between his teeth.
I think trying the scepter first would be a good idea, but it seems like we have one chest and 2 keys to use. I believe one of our scouts mentioned the chest was trapped so we should make sure the wrong key won't set it off.
As for the pyramid, I think those of us in armor will be at the bottom. If Sylorin, Caoilte and myself make the base; Isador and Elorian can make the second stage and Havelockk could give Kat a boost to climb to the top.
|
|
I was so distracted by this display that I momentarily forgot about the door. It would be wise to check to see if one of those keys will let us out. Then who knows what could pop out of the floor when we open the last chest. Did anyone check the snake for a keyhole? Tarek shoots Eloriand a quick look and grins.