Gameplay thread for AP.
Guests of the Lodge
Heidmarch Manor is located in the Alabaster District of Magnimar, not far from the city’s easternmost gate. The manor grounds are surrounded by a stone wall, but the front gate hangs open during the day—visitors are always welcome to the manor, which has recently come to double as the first Pathfinder Lodge in Varisia.
Each of you has come to Magnimar for your own reasons but now you have received a formal invitation from the only Pathfinder Lodge in the region urging your attendence. Sheila Heidmarch recently retired from fieldwork and moved to Magnimar with her husband to help found the region’s first Pathfinder lodge, and in the few years she’s lived here, rumor has it she has grown to love the land.
Just last night you received a sealed letter and invitation from the lodge and personally from the Venture-Captain of the newest lodge. Invitation to the Pathfinder Lodge - Noon tomorrow
The excitement of both being called to action by a venture-captain and the chance for adventure, real adventure, has kept you up most of the night. You have made your way to the Alabaster District and to the front gate of the manor. The gate seems to always be open during the day to allow business to be conducted freely. As each of you arrived and introduced your self and presented your letter you were brought to the Foyer and asked to wait there and you will be received by the Venture-Captain. You have been told that Sheila Heidmarch is finishing up a meeting with an unexpected visitor. Someone that goes by the name Koriah Azmeren, a well known Pathfinder. There is refreshments on a table for the six of you. And you asked to introduce yourselves and make yourselves comfortable. Red wine, white wine, spring ale, fresh water, and even freshly squeezed berry juice is on the table along with fruits, breads, cheeses, and dried meats.
There are six of you in the Foyer now and each of you have a drink in your hand and your gear is sitting by the wall near the doorway.
The first man is of human and of Varisian decent. He dresses in an eclectic mix of traditional Varisian and modern Magnimarian styles toned by the practical touches required by someone accustomed to travelling long distances. His belt, cloak, pack, weapons and vials belie a seasoned traveller and merchant. Other than his gear, he is remarkable in his unremakableness.
The second is an elf and dressed as if prepared for anything. His clothing gives the appearance of someone from the Mordant Spire island. He appears as if he could win a race against a horse or go diving off a four-story house and land safely as a cat if given the opportunity to do so.
The third is another elf but of mixed blood. A half-elf and from the look of him he hails from the Mierani Forest. Although hard to discern as the elven bloodline is strong. He looks much like one would think an Elf does. He has long ears, long hair, though not in any fanciful color, and tends to dress in robes as befitting a scholarly type who is a non-combatant. He carries a staff and appears like any other scholar or young sage would.
The fourth man is clearly a half-elf. With more sun on his face now from his travels, he has a medium apricot hue to his skin. The rays of the star above also highlight his bronze hair and bright green eyes.
He seems to have a penchant for modest dress and is wearing a chain shirt as if prepared to go on an adventure in a moment's notice.
The next man is clearly Shoanti and a member of one of the tribes. From the looks of him he is also clearly a warrior or a scout of some sort. He is a tall, well-muscled Shoanti man with dark brown skin that has been covered in the tattoos of his tribe. Like most of the warriors of his people, his head is completely shaved. He has piercing green eyes that tend to have an inquisitive but cautious look in them.
The last one in the group stands out as well. He is a half-orc and tall and muscled, he has the body of a professional athlete. He keeps his hair cut short and is well-groomed. He is lightly scarred and they appear to be combat wounds of sort, he also has geometric tattoos on his face and body that appear to be styled from the gladiatorial arenas. His large lower tusks are intact and gave him a winning orcish smile. He proudly wears his new scale mail and carries his great ax.
You can hear a conversation occurring behind the closed door that you are assuming is the office of the Venture-Captain. The sound of two women talking.
"Well met! I assume we are all here for the same reason? That means that Mrs. Heidmarch thinks we should be working together, doesn't it? I'm Estel Cestdelo, and my primary focus is simple. I find things. I have been trained to get to them, and to retrieve them. Other than a little field work with my parents during my training, I haven't had much opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities, yet. I hope we are able to find as much, or more, here about the Thassalonians as they have been finding about the Azlanti. Now, as those who seek the hidden, should we try to eavesdrop on the Venture-Captain?" His eyes sparkle as he asks that last question, and his feet are carrying him towards the common wall with the office.
The walk to the manor was long from the gladiator barracks. Arturr had received a letter the morning past, the first he had ever received in his life. He had ol' Vester the arena scribe and bookkeeper read it to him.
This is it, finally a chance to prove myself. So long as I don't do anything foolish, I'll do fine... I hope.
Confidence in front of a crowd was one thing, when your life and the lives of others depended on performance, that responsibility had the sixteen year old sweating. I wonder if I'll be disqualified for being unable to read. he thought tersely.
Best to banish such negative thoughts. He entered the manor gate. Just as lavish as the past dozen he walked by. Now converted to a Pathfinder Lodge.
After presenting his letter to an overly clean man in a suit at the door, he entered the large anteroom and found himself in excellent company.
The assorted food wasn't even several days old and he grabbed a plate as politely as he was able. After smelling the drinks Arturr decided on a half and half mix of ale and berry juice.
Surprised to see another tattooed man Arturr smiled and began to approach him when an elf, who dressed like a pickpocket spoke up.
Clearing his throat. "Ah Hullo! Well met to you sir. I think you are correct that we'll be teamin' up." He wrinkled his brow as he contemplated how one would practice finding things. "I've never been one for the dropping of eaves but don't let that stop you!" he laughed.
"As for what I do, I fight things. Ahh yes in the arena so far, but soon in real life it would seem. Arturr is my name. A love of competition is in my blood so if any of you are for games of skill or strength, let me know."
Whew that was likely the most he had said to a group of strangers in his life. These seemed a decent sort.
The plain-looking man looks around the room. "Well, don't we look like a real group of Pathfinders, and as a real group of Pathfinders, I can't see a situation where spying is not the correct course of action, Estel."
Forgetting himself, "Oh yes, I am Alistar Riven, a tinkerer and alchemist. I have done a significant amount of work researching Thassalon for the society recently. Before that, I was a travelling merchant."
"I want to know what the mission is."
Edril, a young looking Elven type dressed in cleric's garments and with a holy symbol not easily recognizable around his neck, listens to the others for a time. "Wouldn't spying on fellow Pathfinders be frowned upon? I'm new to this, so I'm not certain. I am Edril, I study the monuments." He nods, as if that were enough, then remembering that everyone else had also explained their capabilities he follows suit. "I revere Findeladlara, as such I study structures, architecture, and the like. Sometimes good things happen around me by her grace." He smiles, innocently and without much of the stoicism which tends to embody his race.
"The guiding hand. So many beautiful eleven structures have been erected in her name."
All of you can hear that two women are talking in the adjoining room. One has a no-nonsense voice and it is easy to discern that this must be the voice of the Venture-Captain and the other is a maybe a pathfinder from the conversation going on.
Caution. Excitement. Wonder. These were the feelings coursing through Tiarsus as he made his way to Heidmarch Manor. Carrying many of his possessions with him, the half-blood had said his farewells to Dakgorim in the morning; he knew not if he'd be back in that bed tonight, but they'd discussed the short letter and the positive feeling was mutual. I could get enough coin to see the caravan established and give him the chance to seek the redemption he desires.
Varisia was nothing if not interesting though, and the nature of the nebulous note was something in which the priest found intrinsic interest. Surely Sheila Heidmarch will elaborate more when I get a chance to speak with her. After arriving, however, it was more clear he was a touch off-base: It would not be an "I", but rather a "we". The more the merrier - I should let them get to know me!
Despite not holding titles or sitting on a throne, Tiarsus could well have been of regal blood in the way he held himself. Proper posture, confident steps, and eyes that seemed to illuminate and piece whatever they gazed upon masked his common means. His garb - a mixture of drab grays and browns - seemed out of place with his convivial manners, his ready introductions contrasting with the standoffish chain links that adorned his torso. The gold of his hair matched with the silver appearance of that shirt to underscore the god he served, The Master of the First Vault. A thick key around his neck expressed this calling in a more overt fashion.
He learned quickly the most similar person in the room of ample refreshments was the cleric Edril, who found service in the Architect. In a way, he was a refreshing taste of home, though Tiarsus suspected given how far away Kyonin was, Edril did not hail from there. A full-blood, Estel, seemed as ready with words as he did with his reflexes. Upon being introduced to Arturr though, he was immediately reminded of Dakgorim. He also possessed an admirable body and seemed kind of words, though his past seemed something Arturr had an easier time expressing. Maybe they would get along well, thought the priest.
"I'd like to find more about the note as well, but I'd rather our host not take offense to our curiosity." Finishing his glass of red wine quickly, he continued. "I am Tiarsus, and I suppose she's called me here as I'm good at getting people from one place to another - in one piece!" His warm smile helped to soften demeanors, though he had ad-libbed his specialty; it does seem appropriate after my travels though.
Popping a piece of cheese into his mouth, he wondered what mischief would occur at The Gluttonous Goblet during his absence, if any. Hopefully, the Lodge won't see fit to investigate what happened there while I'm away!
"Are such rendezvous usually as well-provisioned? I could get used to summons like these!"
Since arriving at the City of Monuments, Keezheekoni has felt a continued sense of awe and wonder for the many sights, sounds and smells that he encountered. The mystery of so-called civilization seemed both amazing overly extravagant.
He quickly adapted to the simple living space that he had found for himself in a simple inn on the edge of the city, but was surprised when he was given a letter address directly to him. Hi surprise quickly turned to excitement when he realized that he will have the chance to interact with others, something that had thus far been in short supply since he'd arrived. Perhaps this will become the start of his personal quest.
He set out with the rising of the sun, to make sure that he could had plenty of time to find his way through this massive city, getting directions from passersby when he could, trying not to intimidate people with his stature and armaments. When he finally arrived, he awe was plan as day on his face, like a running through a field of flowers, or speeding across the plains for the first time on a powerful horse. When it was made clear that the food was for them, he eagerly helped himself to an ample helping of food and drink.
His look of joy is broken, momentarily, when his eyes fall on the half-orcish man that starts making his way over, but he tries to cover up the slip as best he can. This man is surely not from the orc clans who make war with my people, he chastises himself. There is no reason to treat him in any way than a potential friend, until proven otherwise.
After the others have all introducted themselves, the young Shoanti man speaks up in a strong voice, with a very obvious accent. "Greetings! I am Keezheekoni, of the Sklar-Quah. It is well for me to be meeting you all! I have traveled long ways from my people to be friendly with those who don't know my people. This is to prove that war is not always the best way. I know little of these Pathfinders, but if it be allowing me to be of help, then the pleasure is mine. I am disciple of the way of Thunder and Fang," he emphasizes this by pointing towards the massive earthbreaker leaning up against the wall, with a klar next to it. "I have not yet mastered this thing, but thinking that I am nearly ready. I am also a disciple of the flames." No further explanation is given, but he grins from ear to ear as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The walls of the city are more a cage to that one, thought Tiarsus as he listened to Keezheekoni. Maybe he'll grow within them.
"That looks heavy; I'd have a tough time mastering it even if given a few years," remarked the half-elf with a dash of respect. He looked toward Arturr then nodded back toward the disciple of the flames. "It looks like you've one who might take you up on that test of strength. Might be interesting to watch," he said with a wink.
Not wanting to dull his senses, Tiarsus switched to a small glass of juice. An odd sort we are, but she seems recruited a variety of talents. What exactly does Sheila want with us?
Alista tries to size each person up gaging their talents as best he can. As someone who almost compulsively reads the pathfinder chronicles this group looks about normal for most adventuring parties. Altar likes to keep his martial ability hidden so his bardiche is beneith his leather coat and his clothing hides his physical strength.
"Keezheekoni, is your plan to wield that with one hand using a klar in the other? That is a rare and highly prized fighting style. You must have trained for a long time."
To Taurus, "So are but I here other are just meeting Master Dreng on the street in the rain so I would say we are off to a good start. Maybe Abadar smiles on us."
"Keezheekoni, you don't happen to be resistant to fire do you?"
Hearing the plain-looking man speak about the fighting method made little sense to the priest; how could anybody use that gargantuan mace effectively in one hand? He supposed it was possible, but he'd have to see it first.
"The Master always smiles upon those who are productive. We've all started on a new bit of business here, so I'd say that's a good sign!"
"That looks heavy; I'd have a tough time mastering it even if given a few years," remarked the half-elf with a dash of respect. He looked toward Arturr then nodded back toward the disciple of the flames. "It looks like you've one who might take you up on that test of strength. Might be interesting to watch," he said with a wink.
Keezheekoni gets a look of confusion on his face, "Why does strength need to test? War is not a game, like a child skipping rocks on water.
[b]"Keezheekoni, is your plan to wield that with one hand using a klar in the other? That is a rare and highly prized fighting style. You must have trained for a long time."
"Oh yes!" he response, the large smile beaming across his face once more. "Many years of training and fighting. I have not perfected this yet, but I am close, I think."
"Keezheekoni, you don't happen to be resistant to fire do you?"
Keezheekoni laughs out loud at the comment, "That sounds like some kind of sorcery. The flame is not to be feared or protected against. The flame is to be admired and respected."
As the others introduce themselves, Estel is quick to shake hands with any who will allow the contact, but does not force contact on any who wish to avoid it. Yes, this directly interferes with his stated intent of listening on on the Venture Captain.
He, too, freely accesses the food and drink, though he is lightly grazing, not taking a plate.
"Hmph. Overall response to listening is neutral. It isn't like they're being quiet, though . . .." He goes back over and to the common wall, not the door, and sees what he can hear.
Tiarsus' similarity to Edril was a bit concerning. Another beneficiary of a good deity? Had they intended for the varied clergy to be here together? It was certainly an odd mish-mash of peoples. At least most of them were Elven like Edril, at least in part. The humans weren't so bad and while cautious of the half-orc, it wasn't actively weighing on his mind. The society would not simply carelessly gather a group together for a mission, he was almost certain.
"Not disrespecting yourselves, sirs, but do they believe this will require a degree of physicality?" The question is clearly directed at Arturr and Keezheekoni. "I am not much in a fight, you see. As I said, I am in town to study the monuments as well as the architecture and history, to see what is laudable and what can be improved upon. I wonder... no, the letter was addressed to me, and I doubt another Edril rests in my lodgings if even the town." The hesitation is palpable around the nervous young man, knuckles tightening their grip on his rather plain quarterstaff.
As the six of you talk Estel hears the sound of their voice grow stronger. He realizes quickly they are approaching the door to the foyer. He goes to turn to alert the rest of the group but the door opens and he turns and acts is if he was simply waiting for the door to open. The door opens and out walks two women. It is obvious to all of you who the Venture-Captain is by both her appearance and her presence.
Sheila greets the PC's in an unusually deep voice and with that same no-nonsense attitude that Estel heard earlier. "I thank each of you for answering my summons." She raises her left arm and points to the person next to her and introduces the women. "This is Koriah and she is a pathfinder. She has returned from a mission I requested from her and we are still discussing the details of what she found." The women is a half-elven women dressed in leather armor and armed with a distinctive-looking mithral-and-redwood aklys (a hooked club attached to a cord) and a bastard sword. Both weapons are sheathed and hanging from her belt. She continues "Koriah has just returned from an expedition to the Darklands below Varisia. A dangerous expedition in itself. She has successfully scouted out a new route down to Nar-Voth from Fogscar Mountains." This is stated as if all of you would should know these locations and continues. "She has found a surprising amount of interesting Thassilonian artifacts from her expedition. I need to spend a few more moments discussing their impact and the result of her findings. I apologize for the delay but this will also impact our discussion. I would ask you to join us in my study." She points to her chamber. This room is really a lodge library and study. The walls are lined with bookshelves while several tables in the middle of the room are heaped with scrolls and books. One table in the center, however, supports only a single object an ornate cubical stone coffer covered with Thassilonian runes. "Please have seat."
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch and Pathfinder Koriah Azmeren[/url] stand before you.
You recognize Koriah Azmeren as one of Varisia’s most famous Pathfinders
and a well-renowned expert on the Darklands. Renowned for ventures and the success of her missions!
Sheila continues to speak. She points to a stone box or block on table by her desk.
“I apologize for the delay, as I must conclude my business with Pathfinder Azmeren before we meet. In the meantime, though, I thought you could help us with another minor issue. This stone coffer is an ancient Thassilonian puzzle, a cunning feat of magical engineering known as a paradox box. As you’ll see from even a casual investigation, what appear to be seams on the sides are only shallow grooves—there’s no obvious way to open the thing. Each paradox box has its own secret method of being opened. Essentially, a paradox box substitutes hidden catches and magical triggers for a lock. Given time, anyone clever enough could figure out how to open a paradox box, just as given time, a locksmith can open any lock. This particular box was among those items recovered by Koriah—the scrolls next to the box are her preliminary notes on possible triggers or methods of opening it, but she’s not yet had a chance to sit down and properly investigate the thing. So... why don’t you put your heads together and see if you can’t do that for me?
Even if the box is empty, as I suspect it probably is, knowing the method of opening it makes it a valuable find anyway. I’ll return shortly, and I hope to see that box open! Think of this as an audition, if you will—because the actual task I want to speak to you about soon will require as much wit as it will brawn!”
With that, she looks to each of you and then looks to the half-elven pathfinder. "I will be back shortly to you shortly once I finish with Koriah." At that she and her guest make their way out of the study and out of the foyer as they continue to talk.
As the ladies enter the room and are introduced, Keezheekoni bows in greeing, but keeps his enthusiasm contained while the Venture-Captain explains the situation. He is a little disappointed that the nature of their this meeting has been temporarily suspended, but quickly finds himself enamored with the study and it's contents. "All these things within one room," he says once the women have left the room. He turns his attention to the puzzle box that Lady Heidmarch mentioned. "What exactly is the purpose of this box? Why would it be so difficult to open?"
...
Keezheekoni laughs out loud at the comment, "That sounds like some kind of sorcery. The flame is not to be feared or protected against. The flame is to be admired and respected."
"Not sorcery, munition. I will avoid hitting you."
Alistar sits and listens carefully. Once the introduction to the task is completed, he will walk over and read the notes.
"Presumably, it is locked with some form of magic. Making locks that require different expertise to open is a good way to secure one's valuables. If you intend for someone to one day access them, then you can make the mechanism require a skill that you value."
Alistar sits and listens carefully. Once the introduction to the task is completed, he will walk over and read the notes.
"Presumably, it is locked with some form of magic. Making locks that require different expertise to open is a good way to secure one's valuables."
"Unless, of course, one procures the container itself." Tiarsus hefted the nebulous box to make a point. "Whatever lies within is just as lost to the Darklands now as it is when we open it."
He placed the box down once more, eyes panning to the notes with Alistar.
"Unless, of course, one procures the container itself."
"With most valuable things there are two separate problems when an object is lost. First is losing it and second is someone else having it. There is a Varisian saying, 'losing a sword is bad, your enemy finding it is death.' The fact that the box is not yet opened proves it functions, to some degree, for the latter. Having required a famed pathfinder to obtain for the former means that there was a considerable effort made to keep his hidden."
After a brief pause, "This logic only holds if the object was not meant to be found. If it was meant to be found then it is a trap, or it exists for the other purpose of a lock. Rather than keep things out, it keeps something in."
Being only so wise as he can manage, Edril looks at the box and does what comes naturally to him, he opens his third eye. A brief incantation and some hand gestures reveals the world beyond.
"I'm going to see if I can determine whether or not there is any magic affecting the box, which might aid in its opening. Can someone read the papers while I do so?" Edril asks. He's not trying to command, he's asking for help because he can't do two things at once and is uncertain whether anyone else can do what he is doing.
The elf remains quiet as he begins examining the box, without touching it, for now. The first bit is seeing if he can recognize the runes on the surface, knowing they either provide a clue about the puzzle or are misdirection, but not knowing which, yet.
As he hears the request for someone to examine the papers, he nods. "In a moment. I want to get a good look before accepting someone else's assumptions."
Then he will "back off" from the details of the runes, and begin an examination of the box itself, checking for any evidence of trickery beyond that inherent in a puzzle box.
Enjoying his time with his companions, Arturr eagerly listens to the Venture Captain. Souring a bit with the mention of the Darklands. He had been called a Darklander before and though he was unsure of the history, he was sure that it had been meant as an insult.
Men and Elves more studious than he, approached the small box and began to read through papers. At least someone present could. He peered at it and said. "Why not just smash the box? It is small no?"
"Just because something is old doesn't mean it's lost." he chimed in, joining the logic talk with his surely intellectual superiors. "If I die, and a hundred years later someone finds my sword, sword is not lost, just found."
He smiled fiercely at his flawless logic.
"True. That is a good point but we do not know if the owner is dead or a live. We also we don't know if there is a sword in there or a Twigjack. So all we can do is open it and deal with the contents."
Images of the Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch & Pathfinder Koriah Azmeren
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch
Being only so wise as he can manage, Edril looks at the box and does what comes naturally to him, he opens his third eye. A brief incantation and some hand gestures reveals the world beyond.
"I'm going to see if I can determine whether or not there is any magic affecting the box, which might aid in its opening. Can someone read the papers while I do so?" Edril asks. He's not trying to command, he's asking for help because he can't do two things at once and is uncertain whether anyone else can do what he is doing.
You notice after a few moments of inspection that first, it does have a presence of magic. After a few more moments you notice it is moderate in strength and there are at least two powers each of equal strength. After a moment you can see that the two powers are abjuration and conjuration.
"There are abjuration and conjuration magics at work on the box, and they are strong... far stronger than anything I could manage." He blinks his eyes a bit, having stared rather intently. He goes over in his mind which abilities he has, and then tries the simplest which he has available. He tries to cast light upon the box, knowing that normally an object of this size wouldn't be susceptible, but having no other better ideas immediately available.
The elf remains quiet as he begins examining the box, without touching it, for now. The first bit is seeing if he can recognize the runes on the surface, knowing they either provide a clue about the puzzle or are misdirection, but not knowing which, yet.
As he hears the request for someone to examine the papers, he nods. "In a moment. I want to get a good look before accepting someone else's assumptions."
Then he will "back off" from the details of the runes, and begin an examination of the box itself, checking for any evidence of trickery beyond that inherent in a puzzle box.
[dice=Perception w/ Trapfinding]1d20+11+1
This paradox box resembles a small stone chest of ornate design that measures approximately 1-1/2 feet by 1-1/2 feet by 1 foot. Closer inspection reveals the paradox box to be a solid piece of stone that’s been carved to resemble a box—it has no seam for a lid or hinges to allow opening. The box is effectively a solid piece of stone with no lid or aperture or even an interior.
You notice that one set of runes is predominate on all sides of the box that translate into WRATH. On one side of the box there are several runes that translate to CRUEL.
Alistar & Tiarsus reviewing the scrolls
The two of you begin reviewing the first scroll written in common. The
scroll lists translations of the significant runes on the box—one of the most oft-repeated symbols was the rune for “wrath,” which Koriah also notes is associated with evocation magic, and in the earliest days of Thassilon with the word “kindness.” Her notes indicate that this rune merely marks the box has having once belonged to a citizen of the Thassilonian nation of Bakrakhan, and that the rune likely has little to do with the method of opening this particular paradox box.
Once you conclude with the first scroll you pick up the second scroll and begin reviewing.
This scroll lists a few other key observations—the key observation being that five of the box’s faces are identical, but on one face, several additional runes appear. These runes spell out the word “CRUEL.” Koriah seems to have deduced that this word is somehow linked to the box’s mystery. She’s also noted that each of the individual runes in the word can be reorganized by touching two runes at once—doing so causes the two touched runes to exchange places for an hour before reverting to their original spelling of “CRUEL.”
It has been about five minutes since your group started and the venture-captain left.
"Yes an anagram. Three consonants, two vowles. Common letter pairing are..."
"Amazing. It appears to have been carved from a single piece of stone to simply resemble a box. Obviously the magic finds a way to open it even so. Maybe the stone shell is conjured over a simple open box?"
As the others identify the thing about letter swapping . . ..
"Okay, an anagram. What else can we spell with those letters? Ulcer? Seems a weird choice. Want to try it?"
At first, Tiarsus took Edril's findings to mean the box was a sorcerer's lock. Perhaps applying the correct countermagics is what's needed. Upon examining the notes though, it was clear wordplay was the trick. Alistar and Estel seemed to hit the nail on the head, he thought.
"Looks like you two have the right of it. Give it a shot!" said the man with encouragement. "Let's hope ulcer isn't a preview of what we'll find inside though..."
Keezheekoni stands back and observes the others as they try to solve the puzzle box, enjoying the interaction of perfect strangers striving for a common goal, despite their differences. While the Shoanti may come across as simple or uneducated, just watching the intensity of his eyes as they watch the activities within the room would reveal the truth.
As the group comes to a consensus to an answer, he leans in just a little, hoping to see something new and exciting be revealed.
Edril considers the box. "Another word that fits is lucre, which the box might be intended to hold. Ill-gotten gains? The word is appropriate, yes?" This being his first real mission, Edril doesn't want to look foolish. The word made some sort of sense though, and the venture captain wouldn't give them an insurmountable task to make them look and feel foolish, would she? Or the other pathfinder, Koriah...
Edril could spend a month looking at her only breaking for food and water. Goodness, what an uncouth thought. Where had that come from? What would the tribe say of such thoughts regarding one you had just met? It wasn't merely her appearance though, she seemed to radiate capability. Put together, that made an attractive woman on many levels. Not to mention her status as a senior Pathfinder meant she was likely well off and connected. But what are you? Nothing yet, child. It would take years of polish and smoothing before Edril could consider speaking to her.
The Box
It has been twenty minutes since you started.
"We can't help it, someone has to try the word but it could be a trap so stand back and be ready. I'm will put in the word if no one has strong feelings otherwise."
Once everyone has take a position they are happy with Alistar taps letter until Cruel becomes Lucre.
Heeding Alistar's warning, Tiarsus took a step further from the device and readied himself if need be to turn away.
In the meantime, he responded to Edril. "Depends how they came by the box, I suppose. "I'll-gotten" might take on a different meaning in the depths."
Estel doesn't move back at all, but tries to find a spot where he can watch the letter swapping and keep an eye on the box to watch what happens.
lruec
lurec
lucer
lucre
4 swaps.
Arturr watches as the group deciphers the box, curious and also a little apprehensive about being near an ancient unidentified magic item with words like wrath and cruel written on it.
"We can't help it, someone has to try the word but it could be a trap so stand back and be ready. I'm will put in the word if no one has strong feelings otherwise."
Once everyone has take a position they are happy with Alistar taps letter until Cruel becomes Lucre.
Alistar touches two of the runs and they glow with a light reddish white glow and the stone seems to remold itself as the two runes reform to copy each other. The plate now shows "LRUEC". The reddish white glow disappears. This takes about ten minutes for the magical reshaping to complete.
Alistar looks around to each of the people in the room before he moves to make another attempt to move runes. Alistar then moves two more runes and again both are surrounded by a reddish white glow and begin to again reform themselves and again replicating their appearance to their counterpart. The panel now reads "LUREC". Again it takes nearly ten minutes to complete.
Alistar looks around and then again moves to shift two more runes that he believes are the final moves he will need to make. Again the two runes begin to glow reddish white and begin to reform once more. Once finished it reads "LUCER". Again it takes nearly ten minutes.
Everyone seems to exhale and Alistar moves up and places his fingers on the last two runes that need to be moved. He does and the runes on the panel begin to again glow reddish white. The two runes begin to reform and remold themselves. As it does a pair of inline hinges appear and a click is heard. Clearly the panel is now a lid ready to be opened.
Keezheekoni watches with big smile on his face, expecting something wonderful to happen. At the sound of the click, he suddenly let's out the breath that he didn't know that he was holding. "Oh!" he exlaims. "That was exciting. What is inside?"
Arturr taps his foot as each rune forms. Myr, before we grow old and die." "Seems they were set on protecting this box from only impatient thieves. Or they were elves." he smirks but steps in to see as the box opens.
Someone will need to lift the lid....it is simply unlocked. The lid is still in place.
Alistar opens the box.
Alistar
Arturr
Edril
Estel +1 trap finding
Kesszheekoni
Tiarsus
The lid is visible and all of you seem to stare at the lid for a few moments. Alistar goes to move to open the lid and Estel..."wait..." At nearly the same time but just a few seconds later Tiarsus follows up "Stop!"
Alistar freezes just as his fingers are about to touch the lid. As he just pulls back everyone in the room seems to tense for just a moment. Estel and Tiarsus seem to examine the box more closely.
You both sense that there is something about the lid and the smaller runes about the lower lip of it that was not there before. Estel's more trained eye notices exactly what it is...a magical trap of some sort.
"Sometimes outwaiting someone is a good strategy," sounded Tiarsus to Arturr. "Well then, let's not have you die of suspense!"
The holder of the box appeared nimbler than the priest, so he deferred to those fingers to open it. Let's hope it's nothing sinister. Abadar protect us!