Kort moves up cautiously, his loaded crossbow extended in front of him. He hadn’t had much time to examine the chalk circles yet and wasn’t going to get closer after watching halfling and dog pummel each other.
”Just hold still. We might have solutions...” K’Aldrian tries to calm the pair. He casts Detect Magic and looks, trying to puzzle things out.
Know (Arcana)
Mama D collects the scrolls for now and fusses over Muri and Underfoot who remain huddled by the door, afraid to move, as the party closes in to varying degrees.
Kamari moves up, and identifies the trap and its trigger (movement in the trap area marked on the map). She’ll also quietly confirm that the trap has indeed reset. Major Kort recognizes it as a magical trap all right - the chalk circles glow softly to his eyes under the affect of Detect Magic. However, he believes that a non-magical application of disable device might do the trick (i.e. it’s not a normal magical trap only disabled with special skills).
”Just hold still. We might have solutions...”
"Anyone have any tools by chance? I seem to have left mine in my other dress. Without them, it's a coin toss whether I can deal with the trap."
Kamari places her rapier on the ground and prepares to handle or assist with disabling the trap.
"Anyone have any tools by chance? I seem to have left mine in my other dress. Without them, it's a coin toss whether I can deal with the trap."
K’Aldrian reaches into his pouch and draws his tools, laying his own crossbow on the ground.
”Please stand back, Kamari. Let me handle this as I have an inkling of the magical threat,” K’Aldrian countermands the half-elf. He waits for her (and others, save the affected) to move from the area. ”I think I know exactly what to do.”
When others are clear, he will move in and take his creaking knees down and begin to work with his tools.
Disable Device
Major Kort and Kamari prepare to team up to disable the surely complex and difficult trap. The Major lays out his tools, sets aside his weapon, and generally prepares himself. Muri watches intently, wondering perhaps what the Major is going to do to disable this truly nefarious trap.
The Major leans over, takes his hand, and brushes away some chalk from one of the circles. A little bit of dust floats gently to the floor at the base of the door as the Major straightens up, confident he's done his job, and done it well.
The trap no longer glows magically to Major Kort's eyes.
K’Aldrian is slow to rise, taking his time to get back on his feet, but generally seems pleased by the results.
”That should be it. I guess I could have just blown it away, but why have little brushes in my tools if I’m not going to use them?” he quips. He moves closer and gingerly tends to Underfoot.
”I have limited skill at this, but here, lil’ guy. I’m sorry that you are hurt,” he offers a slow hand to touch after revealing his holy symbol again.
CLW
”That should tide you over,” he said to Underfoot. ”Until Anselm comes up with that wonderful wand.”
He goes to pick up his crossbow and put away his tools.
Anselm finds his way down the hall. His face crumples as he sees the harm that beast and dog have one to each other.
"Please, allow me. Oh, Underfoot. It's okay, little one. Let me take care of that. And you, Muri. What were you doing, going off alone like that?" He chides the halfling while tending to his wounds, clearly out of concern rather than real reproof.
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"I have limited skill at this, but here, lil’ guy. I’m sorry that you are hurt.”
Underfoot flinches as the Major's hand nears, but her ears perk up a little when the healing energy begins to ease the gash in her shoulder. She stands a little taller for K'Aldrian's ministrations.
Muri looks on, a coveting look as he watches the healing take place.
"Please, allow me. Oh, Underfoot. It's okay, little one. Let me take care of that. And you, Muri. What were you doing, going off alone like that?"
The familiar wand doesn't spook the sheepdog, and Underfoot shows only red streaks of recent violence in her fur.
Muri abstains from healing, patting his shoulder with his bloodstained hand. "Hold, Anselm. I need some time with this wound, before you remove it."
The halfling looks at the wall. "You're right. This place has slipped into some kind of madness. If it were ancient, and forgotten, we should have been able to move swiftly to escape. Lady Martella is up there somewhere, in need of support. But we're no good to her dead." Muri looks at Major Kort, possibly in a new light, then back to Anselm. "We're not looters, but I'm starting to see that this place should not be underestimated, and if that means we smash things to grab things to protect ourselves," Muri looks at Kamari, "then I won't object anymore."
His last look is for Underfoot, frustrated that he can't speak openly with her, as well.
"M’Della, would these be of interest to you? Elen?”
"Oh, thank you -- but no," Elen declines politely before exiting the library with Kamari.
Elen copies down the mathematical notes and chalk circles, and compares them to the previous notes.
She shrugs. "What is with the chalk?! Is there a mine nearby? It's everywhere," she says, dusting off Underfoot. "Is the door safe to open now? Shall we continue on, or head on further down the hall? I'm voting for the door. I think Kamari's right -- the hall will just likely end us up where we started. Either way, keep look out for tonguey books and ugly wall sconces."
Kort either opens the door or borrows the key from Muri to open the door.
”Not sure what to say about the chalk. This entire place is quite confusing.”
Anselm chides Muri with a kindly smile. "Don't be silly. We need you in tip top shape, champion of the Daybreakers. And we shall make time for penance later. Perhaps a steak for you, Underfoot?"
He joins Kort at the door, ready to peer in.
Elen compares her simple drawings of past chalk circles with the door. The circles seem to be the same, but the door introduces mathematical symbols that the prior ‘art’ did not have. She does think it’s the same person doing it though based on the circles and drawing style.
The northern door is unlocked, and opens easily. This ten-foot-wide hallway leads north for roughly forty feet before abruptly ending in a wall of dirt and broken wood, though there is a wooden door to the west.
- - -
Muri moves to the side of the door, before it's opened. He heartens a little when Underfoot pads past him, and takes her place at his side. The halfling waits almost patiently while the others consider the way forward. He looks over his shoulder at the unexplored hallway briefly.
"Odd," says Anselm. "More signs of someone small. This time it seems they're trying to dig their way out."
”Indeed,” K’Aldrian hears from Anselm, nodding his acknowledgement. ”Muri, what did you say was supposed to be in here?”
He casts Detect Magic and looks within.
Perception
Kamari moves to the corner to look down the hallway to the southwest.
Both in general and also specifically in this case.
Major Kort lights up the darkness and peers within, but he finds nothing of particular note physically, or magically. There is a slight flicker of light under the next door however. As if a lantern or something similar was far from the door or around a corner.
Kamari ducks her head around the corner to find another door leading south.
Mama D makes an effort to stay with the others, and while she is no help in the dispensing of the trap, she does watch intently, and lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding once it is cleared.
”Well done, Major. That was certainly a bit of nasty magic there, wasn’t it?’ Thank goodness that didn’t fall to me; I don’t think I have the hands for such detailed work; not anymore.
She can’t help but look to the duo that first ran afoul of the trap, ” such a horrid thing, to turn one’s best friend against them.” she shudders, and reaches into Cuddle’s cage, to brush the little creature’s spines.
She stiffens her shoulders and prepares to move forward once more, prepared to make a concerted effort to keep up this time.
Anselm nods in agreement with Mama D. Then he puts a finger to his lips, signaling quiet while he takes a listen at the door.
Kamari tip-toes over to Anselm and the door with light seeping out. Once others are ready, she'll open the door.
"such a horrid thing, to turn one’s best friend against them.”
Elen nods, keeping an eye out for danger -- and close to MamaD and the Major in case something untoward happens.
K'Aldrian follows Kamari up, opening the door after giving it an inspection.
Perception
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"Muri, what did you say was supposed to be in here?”
"Madness. Seems like it's everywhere."
"Well done, Major. That was certainly a bit of nasty magic there, wasn’t it? Such a horrid thing, to turn one’s best friend against them.”
Muri watches as the elder woman pets her little companion, and hopes it won't be long before he can do the same with Underfoot.
He's done running for the next door. He'll leave that to the others for now, his enthusiasm greatly diminished. He looks at the unopened door not two paces from his current position, but abstains from securing it for now. Nothing sits well with the halfling at present, and likely the near future.
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Kamari hears what sounds like humming - a slow little tune with some hissing thrown in at odd points. The door appears otherwise inert and untrapped and Major Kort opens it.
A graying wooden reception counter extends from the eastern wall, overshadowed by a faded, curling portrait of a group of several Taldan nobles. Comical alterations adorn the portrait, with red and green markings adding in stink lines, ridiculous mustaches, and other odd embellishments.
A small red creature (link) just two or three feet tall with an elongated snout filled with teeth smiles as you enter the chamber. He gets up from a small seat behind the counter where he was polishing a silver soup ladle, the ancient chair creaks and nearly falls apart as he gets off it. He walks around the counter to the party offering his hand to shake.
- - -
”saumosvakom mitt phokte robsakhnhom saumosvakom champoh hang da reabteab robsakhnhom . khnhom somtosa samreab pheap samonhnh robsa vea bonte vea chea avei del ach brae ban khnhom khlach . au anak min niyeay avei del pibeak te?”
- - -
He repeats the phrase in Draconic, before trying Gnome, and then shrugging. ”chea kar brasaernasa puokke niyeay tha anak ach lk phsaet tow mnoussa tue dauchneh saum tow rk vea . dauchneh puokke min sam hetophl te? dauchneh puokke min cheh pheasaea sam hetophl te? noh min meannytha measa robsa puokke min chamnay te!“ he mutters half under his breath.
- - -
”Mimips!” he shouts pointing to himself by way of simple introduction. He points to a flask in his collection of miscellany, and points to Muri’s injuries, still fresh. He makes a ‘yummy’ sound and offers you 60 of something. Oh wait, he holds up a gold coin, he’s offering to sell you a potion of something for Muri for 60gp.
If you don’t immediately attack, he shows off a variety of wares, clearly looking to deal for your gold if there’s anything you wish from the pile. He has three of the yummy potions, two other potions which he’s happy to pantomime if you show an interest. Also several vials of acid, some alchemist’s fire, antiplauge, tanglefoot bags, and even a couple thunderstones. Quite a little alchemical shop really. He’s also got a pair of bracers and a ragged cloak.
He stands patiently, awaiting your response.
Muri waits until everyone else has passed through the doorway, before bringing up the rear. He hears the strange language, and can only glean the kobold's name, by sound and gesture, though its nature eludes him, for what little attention he's paying.
The halfling and sheepdog wait for others to engage the strange little red thing. "Finally, something with fangs that knows how to tuck them away."
K'Aldrian steps in after Muri, his crossbow still leveled. He pauses at seeing the chattering dragon-like form.
Know (Local)
"Kobold, but I don't understand what he's saying. Do any of you?" Kort looks around before reapplying his attention to the no-doubt vicious beast. "I have some ability with some tongues, but its attempts escape me."
"Kobold? I thought they were smaller?"
Kamari grips her rapier more tightly.
"Are they safe?"
She echoes the Major's inquiry about whether someone can translate.
Anselm says in Taldane, "I am sorry, I don't speak those languages." He walks forward, bows, and points at himself. "Anselm."
Avoiding Kamari and her rapier, the little creature hops up on the desk, ”Anssselm!” he shouts as he takes out the cloak and brushes off some dirt and tries to make it presentable. He smooths it out, resting it on the counter. 1,200gp, he mimics smiling.
Linguistics
Kort lowers his bow and creeps closer, trying to make sense of the kobold.
"Major Kort," K'Aldrian points to himself, moving in slowly and looking around at the wares. He will cast Detect Magic and see what items might be about of interest, seeing as there might be magics about.
Spellcraft - cloak
Spellcraft - others stuff?
Kamari eyes the bracers, not caring if they won't go with her dress.
"Major, can you tell me anything about the bracers?"
Anselm points to the alchemist fire. He mimes fifteen gold with his hands, smiling.
Muri watches impatiently-patiently. He endures the wound a little longer, uncomfortable at his shoulder, but he is also ready to move on, for the several doors that must wait until negotiations with the lizard-man are finished.
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Elen tries not to regard the toothy creature with disdain, as she takes a look around his wares.
As the creature speaks, she casts Comprehend Languages.
" ... "
Elen smiles when she hears the creature pronounce its name. "No, we don't speak undercommon, and apparently you don't speak common."
She explains to the others. "He's apologizing for the simpleness of his shop -- this is all the stock to which he currently has access too. One wonders when it comes from at all?"
After repeating himself in Draconic she adds with a slight eyeroll, "No, not Draconic either. Even though we don't speak any 'reasonable' languages, he's still eager to do business with us -- and his name is Mimips."
She turns to the creature gesturing to herself, "Elen." She picks up the freshly dusted off cloak and holds it up, flipping it to look at the front and back like any prospective interested party might. She looks the vendor in the crocodile eye curiously. "Mimpis, what kind of cloak did you say this was? What about these bracers?" With palm up, she performs a "come forth" gesture. "Just speak in undercommon. Maybe Anssselm may want to try this on."
Mimips smiles broadly as people seem to be getting interested in his wares. ”Mayyor Kort!” He eyes the man and tries to suss out what of his items the man might want. He takes out one of the marked, but unknown potions, 70gp, he mimics as he points to the Major and jumps up and down. He points again at the poor man’s gimpy leg and jumps some more, pressing the vial in his hands trying to sell something.
”saum anhcheunh mk ming chi anak ach thveu vea ban . puokke mean louy - meul puokke!”
- - -
Mama D, Major Kort, and maybe others, examine the wares magically to find a few items of note. Potion of cure light wounds x3 (for Muri), potion remove disease, potion of barkskin, potion of jump (for the Major), Bracers of armor +1, and a cloak of resistance +1 (for Anselm). Based on what you know of these items in Oppara, he’s asking for 20% more than you can get it topside.
Anselm points to the alchemist fire. He mimes fifteen gold with his hands, smiling.
”puokke kitthea anak kuchea ming chi ng . saum thveusakammopheap cheamuoyoknea haey changcham .. anak kuchea hang temuoyokt nowknong tikrong!”
- - -
The lizard face looks back into Anselm’s as he puts up to fingers twice, 22gp! He stomps his foot and stands firm on his price. He thinks a moment, holds up five fingers, groups all five alchemist’s fires together, and fingers 105gp ”vea chea kechch promoprieng la . anak yk vea!”
- - -
She turns to the creature gesturing to herself, "Elen." She picks up the freshly dusted off cloak and holds it up, flipping it to look at the front and back like any prospective interested party might. She looks the vendor in the crocodile eye curiously. "Mimpis, what kind of cloak did you say this was? What about these bracers?" With palm up, she performs a "come forth" gesture. "Just speak in undercommon. Maybe Anssselm may want to try this on."
”cham meul tae anak yl pi pheasaea robsakhnhom te? trauv haey! norna mneak meankar yldoeng khleah! bonte hetoaveibeanchea anak min niyeay?” He thinks for a moment, ”brahelcha puokke ban hamkhat vea . khnhom ach yl ban.”
- - -
He proceeds to prattle on in Undercommon, talking at Elen as fast as she can translate. He proceeds to fill you in on the providence of each piece he has. He does, of course, expand a bit on every item, providing colorful histories for each, excepting the potions of CLW and the alchemical items, which he made himself. His prices are all 120% of retail, save the discount offered above. He also offers to craft alchemical supplies if you have the time to wait - anything you need he will make.
He ends with, ”Do you have any questions?”
Maybe she can figure out how to ask where the exit is.
Kort looks around, trying to be friendly and nice, but there is nothing there for him. He doesn't have the coin to spend, much less have the interest in anything available.
He waits outside for the others, examining the door across the way.
Perception
Kamari looks over the items, but knows anything she truly desires is outside her price range. She moves to the western door and readies to open it when the others are done shopping.
Anselm shakes his head, smiling. He gestures. Nineteen gold pieces.
"I wish I could tell him, I'm not interested enough to pay above market value."
Muri creeps into the room further, watching Kamari on the west door more than the kobold across the room. Underfoot spends a moment licking her fur clean, though the work is incomplete when she leaves it for another time, as soon as the halfling moves forward.
"Kamari, tap on the door, while the merchant sees you doing it, and see if it says anything about what lies ahead."
As he speaks, Muri moves to the further door, and taps his Shepherd's Crook against the door, trying to get Mimips to understand his interest in learning anything strategic.
The halfling tries to speak the same last sentence of Undercommon uttered by the kobold, however poorly, to impress Mimips with 'question'.
"How much is getting out of here worth?" Elen asks.
Elen pulls out her sketch of the place, and adds everywhere the group has been up until now. She adds the group and Mimips himself to her map.
Then, outside the dungeon map space placed in a space by itself she draws a tree and a flying bird in the sunshine next to a big question mark.
She shows Mimips the drawing while drawing a line from the dungeon to the tree space. She shrugs questioningly and says "How do we get out of here?" She points to the tree on the map, then to the group in the shop and shrugs again.
Major Kort heads to the other door, and Mimips looks upset - but more at having lost a potential sale than anything else. The Major finds nothing unusual about the door, though it’s clear it has seen recent use more than the others around here.
Anselm tries for 19gp, but Mimips shakes his head and stands firm at 22gp, with a slight discount for buying them all. ”Tell your friend,” he tells Elen, ”That the prices are firm.”
Elen takes out and prepares a map while Mimips watches. He seems surprised at the size of the place, and admits he has seen little, having just arrived and being somewhat incurious. When she gestures to the northern door, and a possible exit, he frowns and shakes his head, clearly frightened by something, ”That way lies the path of blood. Don’t go there.” He’ll say no more on the matter and when Muri heads toward that door and knocks on it, he retreats behind the counter.
Kamari opens the door to the west, revealing a rough chamber descending further west. The wooden hallway suddenly gives way to a stony cavern. A series of two sharp slopes lead south, eventually ending in a small hole. Roughly half the width of an adult human, the hole descends into the darkness, winding off in a gentle western curve. A rope hangs over the hole affixed with a somewhat rusty grapple.
”Oh, that leads to the Underdark.” Mimips explains to Elen who translates for the group. ”That’s where I’m from, no way out there. At least not to the surface.”
He looks at the sun and trees and frowns, ”Why would you even want to go there? Maybe you should go back the way you came in.” He seems to think that’s the best option.
Frustrated at not being able to make a sale, and worried you’re about to open the northern door, he quickly gathers his things and retreats toward the hole in the floor. He hesitates, shaking his head at your foolishness, but he’s ready to bolt.
Having knocked, Muri retreats when Elen translates 'Path of Blood'. He's not interested in immediate chaos, so he waits to see if anyone else engages the kobold merchant. The halfling waits for someone else to open the door.
”Path of Blood? Maybe not just yet. Maybe there is a safer way out,” Kort moves back and examines the first door.
Perception
When others have moved up, Kort will open the door.
Kamari nods at the Major's suggestion and follows him to a door other than the Path of Blood.
The party backtracks, fearful of a little blood and heads back to the chambers they left to check the last doors. Opening one, they find intricate banners hanging motionless against a wooden pillar in the center of the musty room. Wooden racks line the south and west walls, each bearing up a unique banner of its own. Two additional banner racks lie on the floor in the northeastern corner of the room. However, their flags have been pulled away and the racks inked with dozens of fresh circles.
The banners in this room belong to old regiments of the Taldan Phalanx, various baronies, and a few foreign allies, and at varying times have been hung in the senate to welcome visiting dignitaries or war heroes. Most of the banners here belong to disbanded regiments and have little value beyond the historic purpose they still serve. Beyond their historical notability, the banners serve no purpose other than another pompous display of Taldan military supremacy.
K’Aldrian looks on the banners with pride, clearly disdaining anyone who would describe them as ‘pompous’. They are, if true be told, a symbol of an era of greatness and anyone who thinks otherwise should not be trusted. And, he thinks, that the Princess might be the one to lead Taldor to a second such age.
No, they are not pompous. They are a goal.
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Before the kobold disappears entirely, Anselm tries once more, pantomiming, Twenty gold apiece for all of your alchemists fire?
. . . . .
Anselm gazes at the banners in the light of the ever-lit lantern. "In war and in peace, the project of Taldor has always had so many participants. May this new era be marked with less blood — with banners raised in friendship."
Kamari looks into the room, but seeing no exit nor a foe she moves on to the next door.
Kort follows Kamari up and examines the door, his crossbow at the ready.
Perception
Before the kobold disappears entirely, Anselm tries once more, pantomiming, Twenty gold apiece for all of your alchemists fire?
Elen looks at Mimips, then back at Anselm. "He offered you one hundred and five for all five. That's 21 apiece. What's five gold? Five alchemy fires is better than no alchemy fires! I'll pay the difference!"
After the purchase (or non-purchase) she walks with Anselm to catch up with Kamari and Kort. Either way, she tips Mimips 10gp.. "Thanks for the information!"
She respectfully gazes in silence at the banner display, continuing her map noting the circles and their patterns before moving on and readying her own weapon at the next door.