Ta'ruk drinks another of potion and heads down the corridor. When he reaches the corner, he listens first, and then peers around the corner if he doesn't hear anything suspicious.
The 40. long corridor ends at a wooden door.
Simon follows about ten feet behind Taruk.
"This place was built by a madman. " he observes quietly
Ta'ruk continues down the corridor carefully watching for traps.
When he arrives at the wooden door, he gives it a once over and then presses his ear against the door trying to listen if anything is on the other side.
Ta'ruk: You find no traps in the hall and upon arriving at the door and listening. You hear nothing on the other side.
After listening for a very long time and hearing nothing, Ta'ruk tries to open the door.
Ta'ruk: The door opens revealing a chamber that was clearly once a lab or workshop of some kind. Shelves line the walls covered in dusty jars an unidentifiable alchemical tools. Against one wall is a large desk with a pair of chairs. in addition there are two large workbenches covered in dusty tools and a pair of large stone slabs littered with linen wrappings skulls and bone fragments. 3 large vats or cauldrons apparently made from heavy clay each about 7 foot wide and 4 foot tall.
Skiron: This lab is full of ancient but mundane tools, alchemical gear and embalming ingredients. The 3 vats appear to contain cloudy, foul-smelling water.
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Following along behind the mage and the mad scientist, Jeneva allows them to browse the contents of the chamber, keeping her sword in hand and her eyes on the surroundings, expecting an attack or trap at any moment. After the incidents with the chests, she's in no mood to let her guard down, no matter how innocent the environs may seem.
Simon curls his nose up at the entire situation.
Ta'ruk heads to the desk and begins rummaging around for the book they're seeking.
Skiron: Would you like to investigate the water more closely, If so which one?
Ta'ruk: The desk has some more of the mundane alchemical tools on it, however no book is present.
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Skiron fishes out a tiny metallic-brown tablet and puts it in his mouth, making a few surprisingly loud snapping sounds as he consumes it.
He then goes to investigate the blue-hued barrel, his cube minions crowding close around him.
The fumes are starting to get to him, however; it's been quite some time since he's worked with some of these substances.
Skiron: Even with that perception check, you realize all is not right with this barrel as a large grey blob flies out of the barrel.
All of you may act before the pudding.
Simon acquiescences to Skirons request.
Ta'ruk also heeds Skiron's advice and steps back out of the reach of the ooze. He enjoys watching Skiron's blobs obliterate the unsuspecting pudding. He readies a burning hand spell in case the pudding breaks free.
In light of the inevitable outcome, you have oblterated the puddin and lost 2 cubes in the process, sound good?
Skiron: After the pudding is dispatched you notice at the bottom of the vat is half of a golden key,
This barrel contains a slow acting acid that takes effect one round after exposure to a substantial amount of flesh.(2d4 damage). Although slight exposure causes merely an uncomfortable itch.
This acid is particularly effective against objects and ignores hardness and does full damage(rather than half) to even magical objects.
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Skiron rolls up his sleeve and reaches into the vat with one hand, while withdrawing his Goblet of Quenching with the other. He fishes out the key and quickly washes off the acid using the goblet.
Skiron:
Skiron: The last vat is filled with regular scummy cloudy water.
Skiron: The blue barrel had the black pudding and half of the golden key. the green barrel had the special acid. The pinkbarrel is filled with scummy cloudy water.
"Skiron, do you think the barrel with the acid is made of some special material that can resist the acid? Maybe we can take some in an empty bottle, flask or vial hanging around in this room?" Ta'ruk begins rummaging around for empty containers for the acid.
Ta'ruk:
Skiron: You will be able to locate an appropriate container(s) for the acid.
I am going to assume you do a thorough search. You find the second half of the gold key at the bottom of the scummy water and a secret door in the southwest part of the room.
I have marked it on the map
Ta'ruk carefully takes two of the clay containers and dips them into the vat of acid. He takes some of the scummy water and washes off the outside of the clay containers and seals them. He then carefully places them into his bag.
"These may come in handy." With the discovery of the secret door, Ta'ruk joins the others. "Let's move on." He does a quick check for traps as best as he can and satisfying himself it is clear, he tries to open the door.
Simon watches the alchemists. His magic has always come naturally. Seeing someone actually work for their power is still a strange thing for him.
Ta'ruk: You have 2 vials of the special acid and you are absolutely positive that there are no traps on the door
Skiron: You detect no traps on the door
The door is not locked and opens revealing a short hall
Oblivious to Skiron's muttering, Ta'ruk presses forward. He carefully proceeds down the hall trying to hear anything unusual.
Ta'ruk/Jeneva: The hall turns south, a set of stairs leads downward. Neither of you see or hear anything out of the ordinary.
"Sounds quiet so far. Let's keep moving." says Ta'ruk to Jeneva. He begins to head down the stairs. Without much hope, he tries to tread lightly on the steps.
When he reaches the bottom, he peers around the corner.
Ta'ruk: You quietly descend the stairs ans see a 140' unadorned hallway heading east.
Ta'ruk motions Jeneva to join him. When she arrives, he whispers. "Another long hallway. We better wait here until the others catch up. I don't think it's safe to get too separated"
Simon moves behind Geneva
Skiron: Noted
You all are at the corner looking down the 140' corridor heading east.