Valgrymr's Homebrew Two

Game Master Valegrim

"More about what just happened? No. But if you didn't catch my explanation to the gnome where we all went, then I can explain before we proceed."

"Well shall we continue on now."

Gloisil then takes the gem and touches it to the doorway depicting the gnome village.

"Doesn't that mean Yuri was alive after the conquest to cast the spell, or more likely, spells? I was also under the impression that the "gnome" we encountered was a construct of some kind, or as it indicated, a homunculus."

"Doesn't that mean Yuri was alive after the conquest to cast the spell, or more likely, spells? I was also under the impression that the "gnome" we encountered was a construct of some kind, or as it indicated, a homunculus."

"Possibly Gyldyr, possibly. I had forgotten that the gnome said that. For our sake I hope that is not the case, for such a loss would be great and we could certainly use help from such allies.""

The door opens into a pristine shop; this room apparently has not been ransacked by goblins and appears to be a 40x40foot square workshop full of bubbling things and engineering things and magic experiments and shelves of powders and liquids. many writing impliments and lots of papers and books are in this workshop. There is one obvious door at the left side back in the room.

Gloisil moves carefully through the room, cautious not to bump of disturb any experiments that are going on. He is aware of what can happen if a magical experiment goes bad.

Also, as he moves through the room he looks for the items that he left with the gnome in the village, hoping that he will see them and be able to get them back.

"Well I say that we check this door in the back of the room. Please take care not to disturb anything on the benches, you never know what the effect may be."

"Surprisingly, it looks as if no one ever made into this room even though the door from the outside looks as if it had been forced."

Gyldyr follows, scanning the various experiments in curiousity.

Taking hold of Desidera's hand again, Sunset blithely skips into the room after Gloisil and Gyldyr. At Gloisil's warning Sunset does settle down some. Taking a firmer grip upon Desisera's arm as if using the other woman as an 'anchor' against doing anything possibly 'flighty'.

Sunset looks to Gloisil, "Well, if'n you were lucky t' escape th' trap on'a door 'causein' you were a Gnome, imagine all'a Gobbies an' what-not whut didn't then, hey?" She comments.

Gloisel; you see your items sitting on a cleared shelf; there is also two other items; a ring and a dagger...

Gloisil moves carefully through the room, cautious not to bump of disturb any experiments that are going on. He is aware of what can happen if a magical experiment goes bad.

Also, as he moves through the room he looks for the items that he left with the gnome in the village, hoping that he will see them and be able to get them back.

"Well I say that we check this door in the back of the room. Please take care not to disturb anything on the benches, you never know what the effect may be."

"Surprisingly, it looks as if no one ever made into this room even though the door from the outside looks as if it had been forced."

Both elfs

Gloisil picks up his items from the shelf and then does a visual inspection of the ring and dagger, looking for anything that is unique or out of the ordinary.

As he does this he says in reply to Sunset, "Yes, they had captured a large number of goblins and other creatures."

Sunset nods to Gloisil, seemingly distracted by something else. Still hanging onto Desidera's arm, Sunset wanders over to the far (back) wall and peers at the stone work.

"Hey, I think there's somat in this one." She points out, turning. "An' on that one, t'boot." She indicates the other blank wall in the room.

"Which would maybe make that door trapped." She points to the other remaining door in the 'side' wall from the one they entered through.

They both look of excellent workmanship; both made of steel and both have some inlaid goldwork.

Gloisil picks up his items from the shelf and then does a visual inspection of the ring and dagger, looking for anything that is unique or out of the ordinary.

As he does this he says in reply to Sunset, "Yes, they had captured a large number of goblins and other creatures."

"I agree with," Gyldyr begins, then realizes that he hadn't asked for the tan elf's name. "My fellow elf."

Gloisil with a gesture and a wave of his hand towards the ring and dagger says, "Canfod hud." He then begins to investigate the items again using detect magic.

If the items are magical, he will concentrate on the two items for three rounds to gain as much information as possible about them.

More or less towed around by Sunset, Desidera examines things as she can, looking for anything familiar-- not that she expected to see anything familiar, given the nature of gnomes, and the likelihood of any potential experiments being in her chosen field. Sunset's distraction gets her attention more than anything else, and as she is dragged to the back of the room, passing a couple of things that she would have liked to stop and examine with some interest, she was more surprised at her ability to notice the blank sections of wall as doors. Still, she said nothing, finding no particular flaw in her logic, especially considering that they had come in through the outside door, and goblins (as well as other things) were out there.

Then again, it was not like she could make any particular significance of the experiments or writings in the shop. Internally, she tried to sense the time; though she had gotten slightly confused as to what day it was-- Not that much time had passed, had it?-- mentally beginning the long litany of things that she had memorized as part of her study. She held to Sunset's hand, willing to be an 'anchor' of sorts, because she was just as likely to look a little too closely at something she thought she understood. On the bright side, at least they knew more about what was going on in here.

Both Gloisil and Gyldry notice the magic on the two items; Gloisil begins his trance looking at the items.

Gloisil with a gesture and a wave of his hand towards the ring and dagger says, "Canfod hud." He then begins to investigate the items again using detect magic.

If the items are magical, he will concentrate on the two items for three rounds to gain as much information as possible about them.

you come to the conclusion that this gnome was a genius; but some experiements over on another table; well they look off; you guess they are the apprentice's works. Every once in a while; something on the table moves; a wheel; a spinner; a gear or slide, a flashing blue or green or red or yellow light; as if the experiement(s) is/are still running. You see feeder tubes that go into the wall and up into the ceiling; and also down into the floor. For a sense of scale; their are many hundreds of gears and slides and pulleys and actuators and lifts and whatnot all miniature in size; what this thing does, you have no idea.

More or less towed around by Sunset, Desidera examines things as she can, looking for anything familiar-- not that she expected to see anything familiar, given the nature of gnomes, and the likelihood of any potential experiments being in her chosen field. Sunset's distraction gets her attention more than anything else, and as she is dragged to the back of the room, passing a couple of things that she would have liked to stop and examine with some interest, she was more surprised at her ability to notice the blank sections of wall as doors. Still, she said nothing, finding no particular flaw in her logic, especially considering that they had come in through the outside door, and goblins (as well as other things) were out there.

Then again, it was not like she could make any particular significance of the experiments or writings in the shop. Internally, she tried to sense the time; though she had gotten slightly confused as to what day it was-- Not that much time had passed, had it?-- mentally beginning the long litany of things that she had memorized as part of her study. She held to Sunset's hand, willing to be an 'anchor' of sorts, because she was just as likely to look a little too closely at something she thought she understood. On the bright side, at least they knew more about what was going on in here.

Gloisil says blankly to no one in particular as if he is in a trance, "The ring and the dagger have an enchantment placed on them."

Gloisil continues staring at the items as if studying them very intently.

Ok; will have to get back to you on this; gotta look them up in my books and am at work atm

Gloisil says blankly to no one in particular as if he is in a trance, "The ring and the dagger have an enchantment placed on them."

Gloisil continues staring at the items as if studying them very intently.

** spoiler omitted **

"Perhaps we should be moving on?"

At Gyldyr's words Sunset shrugs.

"Well, maybe later. But at th' moment we have some where whut seems safe t' rest and patch up an' stuff." She points out.

"I sure don't look like no Gobbies have gotten in here. About th' only thing missin' is a place fer a nice long hot bath." She sighs at the thought.

Why don't we sleep on figurin' out which of these three doors we should open first?" She asks innocently.

what does the party decide? lets here from the others; this room does seem secure; provided you can get the door open again if you close it.

"I do not need to replenish my spells; if we go on or rest, it doesn't matter to me." Gyldyr is examing the various expirements. Not feeling tired in the least, he reflects on the inferiority of the various surface races, and his bad luck that lead to this sorry situation.

Gloisel; remember that you uncle said he would contact you soon, might be easier if you find a good spot and a communication array.

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all;
game time; it is about 5pm; so most characters should be getting hungry; been a while since your last break. There are a few more doors on this level you have not tried, but know about; then all your choices lead down; either the lift; the work cooridor you just came from or the Grand Hall.

Gloisil stops concentrating on the ring and dagger and let's the spell he was maintaining drop.

"Sorry, I guess I can work on this when we stop to rest. Although, as Sunset said this may be a perfect place for us to stop in, and perhaps for my uncle to contact us. I have but few of my simpler spells left and we have been through a lot so far today."

Gloisil looks at the back of the door for an obvious mechanism to open it from the inside. "My guess is that if the gem opened it from the outside, it will do so from the inside as well."

"Does any one have the skills to determine the mechanism for opening those hidden doors? They may prove to be a boon as was this room."

Gloisil then picks up the ring and dagger and stows them in his backpack.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a locksmith."

The ring feels colder than it should; the dagger is much warmer than it should be. {info still on the way about them }

Secret doors are just a matter of finding the right thing; your rogue can probably do it with a good search; but anyone can try.

Sunset, still holding Desidera's hand, begins to move about the room looking for the 'best' place to put down a bed roll.

"Now, if'n th' tables were a slightly different spot ye could string a proper hammock..." She mutters absently to herself.

All of you, except the Drow whose life is on a reversed schedule; should be getting a big hungry at this time for dinner.

As she pads about the room, a distinct rumbling gurgle resounds. Sunset stops and looks down at her midriff, then glances at Desidera who can see the brown skinned Elf's cheeks flushing red.

"Uuuhhm....maybe we should be seein' t' whut we's got available fer vittles?" Sunset suggests quietly. She lets go of Desidera's hand and begins to shuck off her back-pack. Twisting and turning as she puts it down upon the floor before squatting and peering into its contents.

"Well, I has still a few rations we c'n break out an' do somat with." She informs every one. Holding one of the wrapped and packed articles of 'trail rations'.

"Though a nice piece of fish would certainly be goin' over a treat more." She whispers to which her tummy rumbles its agreement again.

FYI.
Just to let you know the DM expectations ;since we're new to each other; I would expect you would want to check how the secret doors open; no telling what might come through them. While in a table gaming session I would have you moving books on the shelves and pulling knobs and whatnot; so here I would expect some post like that combined with a search roll; which in this case if you move enought stuff you will adventually find it; course there might be some traps; you never know; but just wanted to tell my expectations. I wouldnt go by any dungeon you have ever been in as a guideline for one door must be trapped and false and the other not as I draw my own dungeons and do not use any formulae other than what a particular race would do culturally and what is practical. If you think about it; what would a gnome wizard/engineer need for his lab. Your magic characters should be able to guess; probably a place to study; a place to sleep; a workshop and a summoning room; a storage room; and things like that. Generally, you wouldnt expect any traps here as the door should keep just about everything out; that kind of door is a major defense and nobody would expect anyone to actually penetrate a dwarven hold and a gnome magic users home in a dwarven home as dwarven holds are really pretty secure and losing one is very rare. So; you shouldnt expect many deadly single person traps; expecially since gnomes and dwarves tend toward Lawful Good. Traps are more likely to be defense types; like dropping the ceiling of an entire hallway on an invading army and things of that nature; and most probably already used. If your in a goblin held area, where goblins have been; then yes; traps are a certainty.

As Gloisil picks up the ring and dagger he notes the temperature difference for each item and then stows them away to be further examined when they have a moment to do so.

"Sunset, I think that perhaps we should finish checking this room the best that we can before stopping to eat. And then if we then deem this place safe, I be glad to cook a meal for us and rest for a time."

"Now where would those triggers to open those doors be, let me think about this for a moment."

Gloisil begins searching the room for the triggers to open the hidden doors, trying all the while to think of the obvious places that another gnome would place a trigger of that type.

Search (Taking 20): 20+1 = 21, Intelligence Check to think of where the trigger may be: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6. Val, if there is a different check you would like me to make to remember this information then let me know.

Search roll 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Search is good; just need two; one for each door; unless one of you is looking for one and the other for the other. And you can certainly take extra time and also someone helping can add a bonus; all that kind of stuff.

Looking slightly glum that she has to keep moving and that dinner is still a ways off, Sunset does her bit and helps check the secret doors.

Perception:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16(Aiding another)

should I apply your bonus for aiding other to Gloisel or Gyldr?

Second Search Attempt (Taking 20): 20 + 1 = 21

"Come on now, think! Where would a gnome master wizard put the triggers for some secret doors", Gloisil mutters more to himself, then anyone else.

Gloisil then goes over and feel the wall surface where the two doors should be. Can he detect anything such as a difference in temperature?

Just thinking that there were two magical items on the shelf, and two secret doors. Maybe the items are the keys.

Oopsie! Um, I be thinkin' helpin' Gloisil. Sunset's known him th' longest an' if any one should be able t' think like a gnome, well ye'd be hopin' it were a Gnome. (^_~)

Ok; the party finds both doors; Glydry finds a figurine that must be rotated to unlock one door and the opening mechanism; after some time; Gloisil and Sunset find a floor tile that needs turned to unlock the other and a book to pull they believe will open the door.

At this time; neither door is open yet

Gyldyr announces his find. "I suppose we investigate one at a time, in case of potential danger?"

From where she is sitting cross legged upon the floor from investigating the tile that unlocks one of the secret doors, Sunset sighs,

"But I'm hungry..." She says softly and pouts.

Fort Save:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

As if to answer her plight a loud gurgling noise almost of complaint seems to issue forth from her midriff...

Lol; ok; whose door you doing first?

"Sunset, why don't you see if there is a place in this room to heat my kettle while Gyldyr and I see what is behind these doors. With four of us here, I'm sure that we can accomplish more then one thing at a time."

"Glydyr, let's check this one first."

Gloisil indicates the door that had the tile as the locking mechanism, as that is the one that he found and is already at. He pulls out his wand and has it ready to use, if needed.

Desidera was helping where she could, but with Sunset's occasional mention of being hungry, she also was finding it harder and harder to not think about food. She knew she was hungry when the travel rations that she had in her pack were starting to seem appetizing. The notes and figures of various experimental things in this room were not doing much to hold her attention, mostly because none of them were dealing with bodies or anatomy.. So she tried to stay out of the way as much as possible, and not touch anything-- not that she knew what half of the things in this room were-- but Gloisil drawing a wand and making ready at the door has her holding her staff in preparation for what may come.

Her spirits were not so low that she could not smile over at Sunset, shaking her head. "Your hunger is contagious. I find myself thinking about my trail rations.."

Gyldyr notes to himself that surface dwellers seem to get hungry the exact opposite time from dinner. Then, with several spells at the surface of his mind, he cautiously uses the floor tile to open the door. Used as trap fodder, he thinks wryly, assuming this even though he hadn't asked anyone else to open the door. His familiar curls around his wrist, also prepared to attack at the slightest provocation.

"Okay Gyldyr, now that you have unlocked the door, I'll just pull this book and I think that should open that door. Hopefully there are not any nasty surprises behind it."

Gloisil waits for Gyldyr to be ready and then walks over to the book he and Sunset believe will open the door once it is unlocked. He still has his wand at the ready in case there is something behind the door in need of blasting.

This opens into an octagonal room; a very intricate and eloborate and expensive summoning circle is in the center; gloisil also notices some gnomish equipment for making calls the gnome way. There is also a very eloborate and expensive figurine in the room; it is very odd looking; barrel shaped; short legs; 3 arms and a huge mouth at the top of the barrel; and three eyes spaced 60 degrees around the barrel. It has many magical symbols written on it.

you see no obvious traps.

Visibly brightening, Gyldyr stands just outside the door and scans the room for any magical traps, residual spells, or signs of unpredictable magic.

detect magic, as usual; perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11, spellcraft 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15, and knowledge 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24.

While 'The men' work away at their door, Sunset moves about the main room working out the best way to set up a camp site and also possibly how to set up some sort of fire to cook with, maybe even find a way to boil some water.

Um, I have no idea what skill to use but 'Survival' just doesn't seem to make sense to me.