Way of the Wicked (Group 2) (Inactive)

Game Master Whack-a-Rogue

Hecate looks around with disappointment: "It's still light. If we go anywhere, we'll be seen."

YBD - is there a route we can take that keeps us under cover?

Considering it's shortly before sunset, I wonder...the cooks were already working in the kitchen...sooner or later, people will come for a meal, and expect the night shift to take over...
Robin, after thinking, walks up to Hecate and Saranda and shares her considerations - they could, of course, prepare to ambush the guards, then attempt to flee under cover of darkness...or, alternatively, don the guard uniforms they found in the armory, walk up to the gate at the time the shifts would change, then surprise them and hopefully flee before others reacted...

I tend towards the latter...get the cooks to tell us when the guards change shift(probably night shift eats first, then heads outside, relieves the others, who then come in to eat)...get bathalazar and grumblejack to hide, and head over to the main gate in guard uniforms...hope they go with routine and open up, then surprise them(got to fight, because grumblejack can not sneak out anyway)...and get out of the prison.

Hecate nods as Robin explains her plan. "Sounds good - oh, wait!"

As fast as her fatigued state will permit, she hurries back inside; returning moments later with the corpse of Sergeant Blackerly. "I can animate this for a few minutes, which would give us another fighter against the guards. I'll have to do it straight before the fight though, as it won't last."

She looks at the other two, anxiously. "I haven't, um, done this before, actually, so this is more a proof of concept. But I'm sure it will work - my magic is pretty powerful. Also, if you have, um, issues with necromancy then now's the time to say anything..." She trails off.

Robin extends a hand to touch Hecate again:"How long will it take for you to animate him? I think the fire disfigured him pretty badly...taking him along to the gate may blow our cover early...could you do it to one of the gate guards if we manage to fell them?"

Hecate blinks at the questioning. "Um, about 3 seconds, give or take."

Robin: it's a Standard action under SoP to animate dead

"But, I have to be touching him. So I'd rather not do it in the middle of a fight. Plus, I can't cast once I've put on the guard armour - well, I might be able to, but it's not certain. If we carry him with us, say he's hurt and needs medical attention, that might get us close enough to the guards, and focus them on us so that the big guys can get there without too much attention."

She bites her lip. There's way more improvisation going on than she's happy with.

"Will what you make of him be worth the risk of being found out by taking him with us? It's more likely they'll ask questions if we do...", Robin is not fully convinced.

Oh, I know...also, answer as you please :) Not trying to push you in either direction, just feel a need IC to point out it's risky.

"Maybe we could create some sort of distraction, away from the gate, that way we could possibly sneak out way better with attention focused on something else. Like fire, a fire sure do the trick, but it would have to be big enough of one.," Saranda says rapidly, putting her hands to her hips.

"Are you certain? I can do a fire, but I'd think they would rather lock the gates down and be more on guard if something like that happened...I doubt they'd leave the main gate open and unmanned so we can sneak out...but then, I never was in a prison before, so..."

Hecate sighs. "I suppose you're right; I was just trying to be useful. Let's do this."

Just to clarify: Since they have not laid siege to the complex yet/stormed in/greeted us with bolts when we opened the door, I assume the other guards don't know yet that there is a prison break happening...thats why I'm kind of opposed to drawing their attention to stuff that seems "out of the ordinary", like a place going up in flames, or someone being injured and needing medical assistance...kind of like "if everything is as always, standard, then they'll be lazy and not check closely", if something weird happens, though, they'll be perceptive and on edge. I may be completely wrong with that interpretation, so Robin is willing to help "support" the "drunken" blackerly(in a new unburnt uniform, though), or set a large fire someplace...all up to you guys

"So then, what's the cover story then?" Saranda says as she dons some of the spare guards uniforms in the other room, "Your little demon thing and our big old warrior here gonna stick out like sour thumbs."

"No idea, I would have suggested for them to wait here until we are in battle, after the gate guards opened the doors for us. They can peek out the door, then rush over and protect our backs, or help us push through, whatever seems more approbiate-"

Saranda, now dressed head to head in the guards uniform, minus the armor, shrugs, "It will have to do Robin. Distract them, maybe use our more feminine wiles on them."

Just waiting for someone to initiate

Having waited until such time when the guards change shift, according to the cooks, after tying them up and dressing in guard uniforms, Robin and the others head out, towards the main entrance, with Grumblejack and Balathazar waiting behind, watching and ready to run and catch up once fighting starts or they receive a signal.

Obviously, we would try to duplicate the guard exchange...if it's only 2 guards, only 2 of us head there...that kind of thing. Hope is that the lazy bastards open the door on approach, not expecting trouble from inside, so anything to not make them suspicious.

Let's save some time
To terrified to lie, the cooks give you accurate information. Clad in the man's green cloak, it's easy for one of you to pass for a cook, and the storeroom provides a pair of reasonably-well-fitting guard uniforms. Between these disguises, knowledge of the gate password ("Hesterfield"), and keeping your monstrous allies out of sight, it's a simple matter to catch the pair of gatehouse guards completely by surprise. They meet a quick and violent end. With that, the way ahead is clear. What follows is a winding path along the edge of a cliff that leads to a long bridge to the mainland. You timed things perfectly: the tide is out, which means you can cross safely. In a few short hours, this route would be completely submerged below the ocean waves, and you'd have to brave a dangerous swim.

I'll need three Survival checks to determine how long it takes you to reach the safe house, but other than that, your escape should be complete. :-)

Bathalazar disappears after several hours, leaving Hecate alone. Still, being alone this side of the prison walls is infinitely preferable to having company within the prison.

Relief - and adrenaline - mix with horror at the killings she was involved with. Keeping her mouth firmly shut, she concentrates on trying to get their bearings.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Sadly, practical skills are not part of her repertoire.

Having grown up, albeit reluctantly, as stepdaughter of a nobleman, Robin had little knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness past the gates.
She somewhat makes up for it with pure determination, but not all of her decisions are sensible.
Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (11) - 2 = 9
Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7
Survival: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Survival Again: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Survival Once Again: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Saranda seems to know how to get to the safe house rather well, leading the group to their destination.

"Quickly," she says rather hurriedly and with sense of urgency.

Robin and Hecate have difficulty navigating the moors, but under Saranda's guidance, everyone's able to reach the safe house in under two hours. As described, a single lantern is burning in an upper window. As you approach the door, you're met by Tiadora. Instead of looking like she's heading to a funeral, she wears a diaphanous white gown that makes her look almost angelic - at least until she opens her mouth.

"Dearest, you took long enough," she said pitilessly. "We were beginning to wonder if you'd ever make it. Oh, and you brought pets. How delightful. I'm sure we'll be able to find cages large enough for them, though." There's an angry growl from your companion. "GRUMBLEJACK NOT PET. GRUMBLEJACK FEARSOME MONSTER!" Tiadora chuckles. "A monster? Hah! Get in my way, little ogre, and I'll show you what a real monster looks like. Now, the master commands all of you to appear before him, but before that, you must be made presentable. Slaves!" She claps her hands. A dozen young attractive men and women wearing very traditional servant's livery quickly appear, their heads bowed. "These people are our guests," she commands imperiously, "see them to their rooms. I want them cleaned, dressed, and refreshed. Quickly." There is something in that last word that sounds like a threat. Certainly, the slaves take it that way, hustling to perform their duties.

Assuming no objections
You're led up to your rooms. The accommodations are comfortable, and the slaves are silent and efficient. There are fresh clothes perfectly sized for you, a hot bath, and a platter full of hot, delicious food and fresh water. There's also a decanter full of velvety red wine mixed with healing herbs (if drunk, it functions as a cure moderate wounds).

By the gods, Saranda, those rolls...!

Somewhat in awe of the ease with which Saranda navigates their way there, Hecate is taken aback by Tiadora, and looks at her closely. "Excuse me but, um, who are you?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Easily spotting that the slaves are under some sort of enchantment, she does her best to identify it.

Spellcraft to identify enchantment: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"Now this is service," Warbands chimes merrily as she has two of the servants scrub her down in the tub, letting the hot, soapy bath water cascade over her bare skin. She made no hesitation to asks questions to the woman other than trying to calm down Grumble.

It had been a while since she had such luxury of others working and serving her. Such attractive men and women, but they seemed distant and more focused on performing their task. Saranda, after her washing, ate and clothed herself with that of which was provided.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Robin was used to servants. She didn't particulary care if those acted strange in some way.

Allowing the slaves to accompany her to her room, she is excited to find food and wine, and delighted that there is a hot bath waiting.
Approaching the bath, she expects the male slaves to respectfully leave the room. When they do not, she hesitates shortly.
These are not servants. The woman called them slaves. They are...objects, not people.
She disrobes in front of them, and enters the bath, waving the slaves closer and letting them clean her. When she gets out of the bath, she refuses the slave girl who comes up to dress her, approaching the table with food and wine naked instead. Sitting sideways at the table, she beckons the most beautiful male slave over.
"Having all of you watch me bath, and feeling your hands on my body as you washed me got me all worked up. I don't feel refreshed. See to it that I do or your mistress will hear of my dissatisfaction.", her voice echoes in his mind as she opens her legs and pushes him down to his knees, then pulls his head towards her crotch.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 (she doesn't care if they are pleasure models or not...but if he struggles against it, she'll let it go, of course. If I'm brushing too close to any taboo's, do tell me. But it would seem slaves are..."not people", in her mind, which I'm trying to establish as a realization here...)

Enjoying the food, wine, and "special attention"(not caring about the other slaves in the room), she then lets the other girl dress her and prepares to meet their benefactor.

On, looks like Robin is having to fun

She's trying to, at least ;) - Robin's very pretty, very irresponsible, yet smart enough to avoid teenage pregnancy. It depends on wether the GM lets it fly, though. On another note, if the male slaves tongue performance is not satisfactory, I'll instead let the most pretty slave girl take his place, figuring she is more knowledgeable about the relevant parts - they are all a middle-step between furniture and pets, gender shouldn't really matter.

@Hecate: The woman laughs pleasantly, although there's something about it that unnerves you. "I'm Tiadora, of course. My master's a fan of your work. I'll let him explain." (also, you're not familiar with the spell used to enchant the slaves)

@Saranda: The slaves do their best to cater to your every need but are unable to provide any useful information. They seem rather ... slow.

@Robin: You're met with no resistance whatsoever. The slaves are willing to cater to your every whim. They're not the best conversationalists, but otherwise capable of anything you desire.

I have no problem with including R-rated content, but we do need to follow the forum rules. Robin's post is right about the limit of what I'd consider okay being on this open forum, although if I possessed more writing aptitude, I'd be cool with continuing in private. Same goes for graphic violence: best to keep the details off-camera.
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On a different note, everyone's now Level Two. :-) Check the Discussion tab for instructions.

Hecate shivers slightly at Tiadora's laugh, and moves rapidly upstairs, following the directions of the slaves.

Inside her room, she shoos the slaves out (even the idea of undressing in front of them makes her blush) and enjoys a hot bath, although she takes care not to dip her branded arm into the hot water. She looks at the wound more closely, reminding herself of just how she felt when they held her down and branded her: that is the anger that she's going to need to survive whatever is coming. She needs to hold onto it, not retreat into her old life of just avoiding conflict. Conflict has sought her out, and how she responds will determine whether she survives or not.

She sighs. She'd much rather that wasn't the case, but she didn't bring this fight - they did.

Stepping out of the bath, she dries herself, before sitting and wolfing down the food - she's surprised how hungry she is, but then realises that she hasn't eaten for a while. Plus she has done some serious magic. Magic always makes her hungry.

I'm going to start the next scene, as there's a fair bit of monologuing. This is NOT meant to rush you. Take all the time you need to complete the level-up process. :-)

Once you're sufficiently refreshed, Tiadora leads you to a beautifully-appointed office, richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair is a devilishly-handsome fellow who smiles as you enter. "I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Brandesrscar Prison. Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside," he says with a wicked smile.

"But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious why I've helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god.

"For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through, for I have faced it myself." With that, he pulls down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic 'F' brand. "I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground, and from the ashes, I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father's majesty. Have I found them in you?"

He rises, and his eyes flash with hellfire and divine purpose. "Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor, and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princesses of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus. Put aside forgiveness, and I shall give you vengeance. Put aside mercy and be made powerful. Put aside peace and become my harbingers of war. What say you? Will you swear your allegiance, or will you burn with the rest of the blind fools?"

Cardinal Adrastus Thorn

"Asmodeus you say, the king of Hell. You've helped free us from that shit hole and now you give us the chance we want at revenge in his name, and none of us had to give you a visit in the night to your chamber, she smiles. Her new clothing, having personally saw fit to send the ugly rags to the fires of the fireplace. Now dressed in black corset with matching gold trimmed bracers and a short skirt of matching color. On her legs were strappes connected to her steel tipped boots. A long cloak covered what would be a rather immodest attire.

She kneels, "I accept your offer. To become a whore princess. To serve Asmodeus and bring pain to this wretched land, burning it to the ground."

"Question however. What other deities be persecuted by those terrible Mitran faithful?

Feeling relaxed from earlier, still feeling a rush of happy calmness in her body, Robin feels no need to interrupt the man before he finished his little speech, reading his lips as he does so.
When he reveals his own brand, Robin instinctively touches her own, burnt into her flesh with acid not so long ago.
When the man breaks into his serious epic about swearing fealty and harbingers of war and princesses of talinguard, Robin almost chuckles. Almost. If the man was able to help them out of prison, he may be dangerous. And it was not smart to test a dangerous person's patience by not taking them serious.
Instead, she tried to use sign language, resorting to using a slave girl(if any are in attendence) as medium if that is unsuccessful:"You had me at "burn Talingarde to the ground". Lots of things deserve to burn, in this country. If doing what I would try to do regardless, doing what pleases me will get me divine backing and a princess title, that's even better. I will do as you ask, and swear my loyalty to you and Asmodeus, but know that I am neither slave nor servant. I haven't had to stay long in prison, thanks to you, but I stayed long enough to learn shackles don't really suit me."
Robin stands somewhat...indifferent, having said her part, knowing full well that nervosity won't help her at all, and could rather be seen as a weakness, regardless of how he would react to her demand of independence and personal freedom.
I'll finalize rebuild tomorrow, promise. Was busier than expected this weekend.

@Saranda: over the last 100yrs, Talingarde has become strongly monotheistic. While worship of Good-aligned deities (and some Neutral-aligned ones as well) is grudgingly tolerated, all Evil-aligned deities have no worshipers on the island. Getting caught following anyone except Mitra will get you questioned, and if you're worshiping someone Evil, you go straight to Branderscar.

The Cardinal smiles at your acceptance. "Excellent. Let us make it official. Signing in blood is traditional." He brings out a quill, a silver ritual knife, and two copies of a contract written on some unidentifiable leather and written in dark red ink.

The Contract
This one is much easier to read

Once you have signed both papers, you feel a burning in your chest (take 1pt fire damage that ignores any resistance) and hear a deep voice intone "Your contract has been granted." You've been MARKED. Ignoring this, the Cardinal takes one of the contracts and leaves the other copy for you. "Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days, we begin your training."

Over the next three days
You're fed, fully rested, bathed, and clothed in garments more befitting nobility than prisoners on the lam. You're also offered a slave of your preferred gender as a 'companion.' On the second day, a slave approaches each of you and meekly inquires what equipment you require. (gain 200gp worth of gear) In addition, each of you is given a silver medallion (unholy symbol of Asmodeus) and an iron circlet (functions as a hat of disguise). You also gain the following Bonus Feat.

Devil's Mark
Three times per day, you can call upon the power of Asmodeus to grant you a +2 profane bonus to a single d20 roll.

Hecate winces at the pain of signing the contract, even though she knows it is coming. Something similar happened when she signed the contract with Bathalazar. Reaching inside her gown, she carefully traces the outline of the mark, wincing as her fingertips brush against the seared flesh.

She gives a small smile, and bows weakly to the Cardinal, not trusting herself to speak right now.

She's delighted to find that the slave assigned to her is literate, and orders him to take her to the library. She spends the next few days reading almost everything she can find there - some of these books she hasn't even heard of. She has her slave make copies of any pages she finds particularly interesting.

What quickly beomes clear, though, is that the path of magic she has chosen has serious limitations. It gave her great power, and she would not have escaped Branderscar without it, but she was calling on magic that wizards many years senior to her would hesitate to use - irrespective of alignment. Many of the texts she reads are on the perils of thinking in the short term, of seeking gain immediately and not thinking of the longer view. Cautionary tales abound in the literature of fools who take Asmodeus' bargains from a greed to do things now, only to pay in the longer term.

Hecate's quick-thinking mind adopts this new perspective with surprising rapidity. It seems that the path of the wizard offers more in the longer term than her own, self-crafted, magical tradition. The downside is that she will have to abandon - for now - her power to call on Bathalazar. Channeling that much magic is simply too great a physical danger for her body.

Nevertheless, it is a decision taken with the utmost reluctance. Her farewell to Bathalazar is prolonged and drawn out; afterwards she curls up in her bed and sobs.

Robin signs the paper with hesitation considering it's contents, but happily accepting that the primary loyalty is not to the man in front of them, but to the god. That would be fine. After all, the contract did encourage ambition...in time.

When the hellish fire wells up, Robin is more surprised than in pain. The touch of flame was familiar to her, but this was...different. A new...source of power to tap into.

The next 3 days, Robin attempts to master the very powers Hecate opts to abandon. If she's too weak, it's well she returns to her bookish ways. Raw power is not for everybody! (No offense meant, of course, but I figure Robin is not quite able to see the "Wisdom" in your decision)
Tapping into the newfound fiendish source of power opened by the contract, she both learns that all fires are one fire, a primal raw aspect of the world...and that she is able to travel from one to another, if they are close enough to each other.
More than that, in that primal fire, there were....existances, who were willing to come into being in the material plane. It was complicated to call them, to form the body of flame for them to inhibit, and when they came into being, the serpentine form of fire actually went out, leaving only a smoldering snake-like creature drawing all the fire to the inside. Strange, truly, but it was willing to serve her, and well assured Robin that when her powers grew stronger, they would suffice to keep it ablaze when it took possession of it's form.

Companion(1-3 male, 4 female): 1d4 ⇒ 4
For her companion, Robin chooses one of the female slaves. Their absolute servitude could lead her to do all manner of things. And it was the time of the month when her womb would be ready for seed. Not trusting her to hold back with a male companion, she instead chooses the prettiest and smartest among the female ones, using her to speak in her place, having her massage and otherwise comfort her, and, out of curiosity, assigning her some demeaning, debasing tasks, see how far she can be pushed before showing a reaction or refusing. Not wishing to alienate the slave, either, she does not go overboard and compensates the girl with certain luxuries(such as her leftover food) if such seems to be appreciated.

After three days, you are once again summoned before Cardinal Thorne. "Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items - well, you need them now.

"You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers, each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way."

He stands up and looks out of the manor house window across the gray moor. "It's almost dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me." Tiadora arrives right on cue. "This way."

1 and 2 Male; 3 and 4 female: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Saranda's eyes inspected over the slaves presented to her. one by one she told to go away before she settled on a rather nice girl, maybe in early twenties, with a nice head of auburn hair to match her green eyes, "You shall serve to my pleasure, fetch me supplies that I shall write on a list later. Do well, and service to me shall be rather, pleasurable," she says coyly.

For the next few days, Saranda played it up in luxury. The slave, whom she affectionately named Jenna, even though that most likely wasn't her name, was rather enjoyable. While not the male touch she often craved and strove to hold under her power, the girl provided enough to which was far better than her old lackeys.

Kitted out in her new gear, Saranda smiles with an air of preparedness.

"You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers, each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way."

Hecate has a question and puts her hand up before she even realises that she's done it: she's spent most of her life in the academic system, it's automatic.

Lowering her arm slowly, she glares at Robin & Saranda, daring them to make something of it. "Um, are we permitted to take Grumblejack with us?"

Tiadora answers for the Cardinal. "Use whatever resources you wish."

Robin takes her sweet time writing out the list, but finally hands the servant a handwritten note:

When the Cardinal explains they'll have to go look for something of his in the cellar, Robin stays relaxed. If not for this man, she would possibly already have died at Branderscar. Also, the challenge would be doable, certainly. The man would not invest time and effort into building a contract with them, and THEN test if they are worthy. An assessment of skills, not a lethal test.

Looking over at Hekate and Saranda, she nods approvingly when Hekate asks her question...Grumblejack definitely would be helpful, for all the characteristics he embodied that the three girls or woman lacked.

Then Robin returns her gaze at Tiadora, waiting for her to lead them down to the testing chambers.

@Robin: what color is your horse, and do you want it with you for this section?

Tiadora leads you to a flight of stone stairs. "Below, you will find the Nine Lessons." Without any further explanation, she leaves.

At the bottom of the stairs is an unfinished chamber lit by a small oil lantern hanging in the center of the ceiling. On an archway at the entrance of the room is an inscription: "Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself." Waiting there for you is Grumblejack, looking none too pleased - although he does give you a friendly nod. "Grumblejack not like that lady. One day, Grumblejack eat her."

The map at the top of the page is editable. A word of warning: this dungeon requires an old-school mindset. *rolls Perception* won't cut it. Describe what you're doing, and reap the consequences (positive or negative) of your actions.

If she gets to pick, the horse is jet black and named Ebony. Not that she will ever call it herself. And no, don't want it with me if we're staying indoor. It was more for overland travel and agility in outdoor-situations...allow me to stay at range or evade pursuit.

Robin gently touches Grumblejack:"I doubt she's very tasty. But we'll find you plenty people to eat if you continue to be such a good friend. Would you open the door for us like the gentleman you are, please?"

Yeah, I prefer that over "rolls perception" since my perception is abysmal(rather than, say...infernal). Since I'm probably aware of that, I'd welcome it if Grumble would take point. Alternatively, we were told to use any assets we wanted. Could we pick one of the slaves from upstairs and use them to find traps. As in, return them slightly damaged? Would Tiadora and Thorn mind that? I am asking ahead of time because if we run into a trap, Robin may well suggest this course of action.

As stated, "use whatever resources you wish." XD To expand on the rules for this dungeon: you can still roll Perception and whatnot, but the *how* will be important. You may find hidden things without a roll, but you may also set off a trap.

@Robin: which door are you referring to?

"Think it's a trap?"

Really, she's asking in front of Grumblejack? What does she think I'll answer? 'Why yes, thats why I'm sending in Trapbait first?'
Robin shakes her head, then extends her hand at Grumblejack:"But no matter if creatures or traps, I would still feel safer if you are ahead of us. Our tests will probably be varied, so we can't be sure what to expect. Keep your guard up!", then moves her hand over to Saranda and Hecate:"Isn't that how things usually go? I doubt our hosts keep an extensive menagerie in their own cellar. Also expensive to keep fed and replace between testing potential princesses. I think the challenges will definitely include more "subtle" ones, like traps. If there's creatures, I'd expect something requiring little owner attention, mindless with no need for food, like undead or constructs, in case it makes a difference to you, Hekate.

Grumblejack obligingly ambles across the room and opens the door - to reveal a bricked-up wall. That's when a pit opens up beneath his feet.

Grumblejack Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Spikes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Falling Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

By the sound of his yells, the ogre isn't too injured, but he's none too happy. Written near the bottom of the pit is the phrase, "Thou wert deceived. Pain is thy reward."

"So a false door and a trap. Grumble I believe is owed some compensation for being our test subject," she says with a slight smile as she walks over to the opened pit.

Robin shrugged. If she means to compenate him, she's free to do so.
Instead, she simply signals "thanks" to Grumblejack, before taking a closer look at the room. Possibly, if that exit was fake, there would be another one. A one-room challenge they could only fail was not going to be much fun, after all.
Other people might have tried knocking on the wall, listening for hollow areas. Not much of an option for Robin, she instead closes her eyes, and starts tracing the wall with her fingers, clockwise from the entrance, slowly moving forward, trying to feel any suspicious cracks or lines that could hint towards a secret door.

On the north wall, Robin finds a cleverly-concealed switch that opens a wall panel. Inside is a small pedestal that holds a jewel glowing with pale blue light (Alchemist's Fire that deals cold damage). Carved on the pedestal is another inscription: "Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool."

"Thank you Grumblejack. When this finished, you shall find on a roasted cow. My word on it and that isn't something I take lightly," she puts a hand in to her hiplooking over to Robin "What did you find there."

Hecate winces as the ogre falls into the pit, and nods at Robin's find. "We still need a door out. I, um, have a scroll that will do the trick of finding anything hidden, but it's one use only. Do we use it right now?"

Robin shakes her head.
If this was findable, we may yet find the exit, too...
Did anybody, per chance, pick up sign language on level-up? Just asking, no worries
In either way, she'll communicate to Hecate:'Let us first see if we can find it ourselves, and safe our resources. We may have need for your scroll, but lets not waste it before taking a look ourselves.'

Robin picks up the jewel and pockets it for now, then takes a closer look at the walls of the room she uncovered. Noting the fact that there's a fake door, a secret door, and a entrance gateway exactly at the center of the walls around this room, she gesticulates trying to bring this to the attention of Saranda and Hecate, pointing towards the Southern Wall, opposite the secret door found here.
I think either there, for sake of pattern, or next to the Fake door on the left or right of it - guess we should search those spots. South wall is easier to gesticulate so that first :) - I'll try and make sure there's no hidden door behind the hidden door(double deception?)