"Sounds like direction."
Halvar has heard many grinding noises in his lifetime - he attempts to work out what this one meant.
Mala smiles at Odinbjorn, "That was very...brave of you."
"My edicts demand that I make sacrifices for the team."
Mala gets that dreamy look in her eyes, staring at Odinbjorn.
"Uh... We should get going."
"I believe we might find that the grinding represented that which was closed becoming open, or - and less probably in my opinion - a reconfiguration of the rooms and/or corridors. Perhaps we should retrace our steps and look for changes."
"Sounds great. Osric I think you are still leading the way."
"Right. These next two cells were empty, so I'll scout back over our old route to check for anything that looks different."
Osric will take 10 on Perception the during his re-exploration. If nothing looks different, then he'll return to the hallway outside the lever room.
Everything is exactly as it was. There are no other doors to explore in that direction. There is a door at the end of the hallway that is opened. You walk over and look inside and find nothing of interest. Turning the corner there are three more empty rooms and the hallway turns to the right and turns out to be a dead end.
Will post map tonight for you to see. Meanwhile what do you do?
Halvar accompanies Osric. Seeing that the only change appears to be that the door is now open he returns to the device room.
"I wonder if we should try pulling it again..." he muses.
"Are you sure? I could have sworn that there was more to see where I killed that centipede."
Perception checks
Osric
Odinbjorn
Mala
Halvar
Osric and Mala find another secret door in the north wall.
"Did you find something Mala?"
Mala points out the shape of the secret door, "I think there is another door there. Help me find the release?"
Mala looks around for a way to release the hidden door.
The nervous Odinbjorn looks behind the group, to ensure nothing is approaching them from behind.
Osric begins looking in the area Mala pointed out.
You search for a release mechanism, but don't notice it. Seems to be well hidden.
Could it be that this door is released by pulling the lever we found?
Halvar, desperate for a chance to be useful, lumbers back to the lever room.
You hear grinding in the distance just like before. Door is still shut, so you figure that It's just well hidden.
A somewhat out of breath Halvar lumbers a little more slowly back
"Was that illuminating?" he pants.
"A good thought Halvar, but it does not appear to the release we seek." Mala studies the door more intently and searches around again.
Perception:
"Well, we're not in a special hurry, are we? Let me take some time to find this."
You take your time and search for the release mechanism to open the door. After about 15 minutes you locate a loose stone and remove it. Behind the stone is a small metal handle. Osric studies it for a moment then, deeming it safe he pulls it outward releasing the lock. The door moves slightly open and no traps are sprung.
"Well. No turning back now."
Seeing a chance to look heroic, Halvar is first through the door, crouched behind his shield and buried in his voluminous coat.
Mala follows quickly behind, tightening her grip on the glaive.
Halvar leading, and Mala following? This should be interesting.
Odinbjorn shakes his head in confusion.
"Well Osric, looks like we got the rear."
"I suppose we can manage. I'll go last in case anything tries to sneak up behind us."
The door opens in and it takes both Mala and Halvar to move it. Once open you see a door across the hall which is partial open. The hallway heads left and right then go north. The right hallway also turns south.
A connoisseur of maze puzzles in his youth Halvar has long known an algorithm to render such diversions into simple labyrinths.
Without hesitation he turns left and continues.
Osric, confident that the brilliant wizard has a plan that normal folk could only dream of comprehending simply follows along behind, eyes alert for danger.
Besides, if the old fellow is just daft, Osric likes him too well to see him come to harm.
Halvar, stomping down the hallway, starts to wonder at the wisdom of his decision. A quick glance reveals his companions following his lead.
No backing out now, Halvar...
Odinbjorn offers some friendly advice to Halvar.
"Just use your shield if anything tries to kill you."
"See anything?"
"Halvar, let's check this door first." Mala indicates the door on the north wall.
"Of Course, Mala, I'd be delighted. Osric, would you be so kind as to ensure it is not trapped while I keep watch?"
"Yes, I'll take a look"
As he stands there, guarding Osric, Halvar reflects that he feels very much the hero. He starts to think of what could go wrong, then desperately wrenches his mind back round to the "hero" part.
The door is not trap and unlocked
"All clear. I'll try the latch now."
Osric opens the door and looks into whatever room lies beyond.
"No, no... Allow me." Halvar offers, a moment too late.
You open the door and see debris littering the floor. Looking carefully you notice a small pouch among the debris. Opening it you find 20 silver pieces.
Halvar shrugs and once again takes the lead, this time following the corridor west of the room.
Odinbjorn follows from the strange third position