I swing down, being careful of the elf's fingers.
Trying to sunder the 'ammer with me own 'ammer: (1d20+3=16)
Damage: (1d8+3=5)
Klyndak strikes the hammer succeeding in twisting the head a bit off the shaft. A couple more hits like that may do it.
Clareg can't even seem to hit a hammer that is being held perfectly still for him. "It's a perfectly good 'ammer! Breaks me 'eart to break it."
Hru smashes the hammer with his ancient hammer
Another attack at the 'ammer: (1d20+3=14)
Damage: (1d8+3=4)
"'Ere now 'old it still or it be bein' 'ard ta 'it it 'ard"
"Better it than us Clareg."
Clareg finishes it off with a final blow.
"Thanks fer 'oldin' it still ... Ya know, I kinda wished it 'ad rhymed or somethin'. Once ya seen a fiery snake-poet, a flyin' 'ammer is a bit of a letdown."
The hammer now smashed, Rellios takes a deep breath of relief from his exertion.
"Singing or rhyming or waxing sweet, I'm just glad we didn't take another pounding," he says with a half-smile.
"Same 'ere," I say with a grin, and then add a moment later, "Ya done good elf."
"Now then, let's be looking outside that door fer a moment 'n then we can get busy settin' up camp on this floor and makin' the priest something 'e can use ta focus 'is divine energies."
"'N Rellios, I really want you ta be looking good 'n hard fer anythin' we mighta been after missin' such as secret treasures 'n such."
Clareg says:
"To 'ave broken that 'ammer,
has a broken me 'eart,
for it was sure proof,
of our ancestor's art!
But that 'ammer was guardin',
that anvil right there,
so that then's our treasure,
right fair and square"
"Ha! That's not so hard; I'll soon be a bard; and be smashin' in 'eads; with me words insteads. ... instead? 'smashin' in yer 'ead? ... mmmmmm. Well, it be needin' some work but I'll get it. Imagine me a bard! All that finery and people listenin' fer a change ..."
Beyond the two stone doors is a balcony. From the balcony, you can see the tops of trees less than 300' below. The spire has been damaged in several places here with similar indentations as you found on the other spire. The balcony is in relatively good shape.
Rellios was going to search the rooms I believe. Back in the 'Smithy of Kings' he finds a stash of hidden weapons. In a pit that may have been for drainage at some point, he finds stored a two-bladed sword, a dire flail, a gnome hooked hammer, a spiked chain, a suit of spiked scail mail, and two spiked small steel shields. Someone had a spike fetish. All are masterwork.
Klyndak had scanned this place for magic. No surprise there. The runes, the anvil, and the hammer were all magic.
I want to examine the anvil and try to determine its use if I can. Then after that, I will start on making Hru's weapon. (taking 10)
"Hru, you can be usin' some o' that armor I'll be wagerin'"
An hour before bed, I will examine the crossbow bolts and the wand to determine their properties.
I want to examine the anvil and try to determine its use if I can.[/ooc]
You found both a set of crossbow bolts in a silver case and a wand. The wand is charged with healing magic. The crossbow bolts seem to be magically enhanced weapons.
As Rellios examines the rooms, the hall with the pedestals continues to bother him. He occassionally catches a glimpse of something that is not there.
Also, the elevator down from this floor is quite rusty in parts. The steam coming up from beneath has corroded parts of the chain.
I want to examine the anvil and try to determine its use if I can.[/ooc]
Knowledge Arcana Check +2(+3 int)(+3 class skill): (1d20+8=21)
*************************
"Hru," I say, "Would ye be wantin' ta use this wand ta be 'ealin' us"
And I give Hru the wand.
"Are there any objections ta me usin' the crossbow bolts? And Rellios, do ya want ta be havin' the 'onor of dividin' up that money 'owever ya see fair?"
Klyndak recognizes the anvil from its markings as being one from Dwarven legend, thought lost. Many of the weapons of Dwarven mythology have been hammered into shape on the 'Anvil of Gyr'. It is an artifact of such importance that dwarves would go to war to reclaim it but no dwarf would pay for it ... to pay for it would be to admit it didn't belong to them by divine right.
"Thanks, Master Klyndak. Sorry we that we had to break your hammer, but it looks like that anvil may be worth it."
Rellios splits the gold in four portions - 60, 60, 60, 59. He'll give the first three to each member; taking the one coin short pile for himself. If anyone asks, "Master Klyndak and Clareg both saved my life; Hru you sacrificed so that we could escape. It is the least I could do as a token of appreciation."
Rellios would suggest that given the poorer condition of the chain on the cage, we may want to have one person use it at a time. That is assuming we can figure out what's causing that steam.
Rellios would suggest that given the poorer condition of the chain on the cage, we may want to have one person use it at a time. That is assuming we can figure out what's causing that steam.
Hru tends to Rellios' injuries. Accepting the wand from Klyndak, he asks "Are you or Clareg injured?" then after pausing briefly for the answer goes on "Can we put that anvil to any use in getting Gorum's favor back? If so I'll tackle any obstacle, any task needed"
In the morning, after preparing spells, I will also examine the pillars (and their contents with the use of detect magic, appraise and a knowledge of the arcane.
Appraise: (1d20+8=15)
Extra Appraise Checks: (1d20+8=17, 1d20+8=20, 1d20+8=27)
Knowledge Arcane: (1d20+8=12)
Hru tends to Rellios' injuries. Accepting the wand from Klyndak, he asks "Are you or Clareg injured?" then after pausing briefly for the answer goes on "Can we put that anvil to any use in getting Gorum's favor back? If so I'll tackle any obstacle, any task needed"
"Good Hru, we'll be after 'avin' a sword fer ya in no time. As fer goin' down the wall, let's be goin' down that elevator shaft ferst. But I be thinkin' that we should be anchorin' our rope up 'ere and be feedin' it down wit' us just in case the chain be givin' out."
Surely! A couple of rolls; let know if more are needed:Appraise (w/Magic) (1d20+8=25)(1d20+8=10)
Rellios;CLWx2 (1d8+1=9, 1d8+1=9) Bzang!![/ooc]
"Thanks, I feel up to full strength now...whew."
Asps, very dangerous! You go first...;-)
Hru performs his morning rtuals, of leaping about as if he had a greatsword, after which he prays to Gorum and then checks out the balance on the"dire" flail. "MMMnn..spikes."
Rellios was pretty wounded if I remember so let me know. [/ooc]
"As it be impossible fer the elevator ta be operated from the outside, goin' one at a time in not goin' ter work. Let's be tryin' two at a time 'n seein' if we can be usin' the rope fer safety purposes."
"As it be impossible fer the elevator ta be operated from the outside, goin' one at a time in not goin' ter work. Let's be tryin' two at a time 'n seein' if we can be usin' the rope fer safety purposes."
"Whoops...good point. Two at a time it is."
"Hey, Klyndak, if we have to resort to cannibalism, it's me and you against the elf and half-orc, right?"
In the morning, after preparing spells, I will also examine the pillars (and their contents with the use of detect magic, appraise and a knowledge of the arcane.
Appraise: (1d20+8=15)
Extra Appraise Checks: (1d20+8=17, 1d20+8=20, 1d20+8=27)
Knowledge Arcane: (1d20+8=12)
None of the masterwork weapons or armour appear to be magical.
"As it be impossible fer the elevator ta be operated from the outside, goin' one at a time in not goin' ter work. Let's be tryin' two at a time 'n seein' if we can be usin' the rope fer safety purposes."
The rope can be tied to the rigging that supports the elevator. Not all of it is rusted. Mostly the stuff on the bottom of the elevator, not the rigging on top.
After examining the pedestals the next morning, I direct the others in carefully using the short rope to anchor the edges of the cage to the sturdier parts of the chain so that the weight is not on the rusty chain end and the floor has support. The long rope we tie to the rigging of the elevator, leaving the bulk of it coiled on the floor of the cage.
"I can be castin' a Feather spell if we need it," I say, "So I'll be ridin' each time, down and up. Hru, then Clareg and then Rellios. You'll each be runnin' the machinery 'n I'll be lookin out."
I load my crossbow and then enter into the cage, weapons in hand, and wait for Hru to get in and begin the descent down. As we descend, I keep a sharp lookout for enemies and hiding holes both.
Hru nervously gets in the contraption his eyes always scanning the edges "All these drops and climbs...this wasn't in the brochure...haha!" Though he ends in a laugh he appears far from comfortable
"Just be watchin' yer feet and if the floor is after givin' way, grab the rope. Iffin' the worse happens I'll be after makin' sure ye land soft."
Hru and Klyndak descend in the cage. They have descended 60' with much squeaking but no serious problems, when the mechanism that controls the speed of the descent snaps. The remaining 40' are going to be a fast ride down.
When you reach the bottom of the shaft, a wave of emotion slams into you like a hard wind through an open door. The pain of loss. The agony of losing someone close to you is palpable. You think of those you know who have died.
A wave of guilt washes over Hru as he momentarily ponders Dareg, but it passes leaving him clutching his greatclub/holy symbol and rapidly scanning all directions for anything, wary of the cursed nature of the spires. "Klyndak, ware!! Another curs-ed chamber I fear!"
I think of Dareg and the thought fills my heart with resolve.
"We will not be lettin' 'im die in vain," I mutter and before I take a step out of the elevator cage, I yell up the shaft, "YE LADS WILL 'AVE TA BE AFTER CLIMBIN' DOWN THE ROPE! TAKE YER TIME!"
I then proceed to cast Mage Armor on myself, and a light cantrip upon the top of the cage to aid the elf in descending.
As I do all of this, I am looking around at the elevator room we find ourselves in.
The shape of the room is predictable by now. The room is quite warm with steam entering this room from above and under the doors beyond. The doors are quite visibly locked from this side to prevent someone or something from coming out. The chain and lock used to lock these door is quite old and rusted from the steam.
"I don't be thinkin' we should be openin' that door till our comrades are after joinin' us," I say to Hru.
Nevertheless, I move forward and touch it gingerly to feel how hot it is and then I try to listen to see if I can hear anything from the other side.
"I can't seem ta be 'earin' anythin'," I comment to Hru.
...the mechanism that controls the speed of the descent snaps. The remaining 40' are going to be a fast ride down.
A wave of panic strikes Rellios as he sees the elevator plummet and slam the bottom. As the minutes pass with no response...thoughts of Hru and Klyndak pulped like fruit fill his mind. Dear Gods...no!
When the silence is broken by Klyndak's badgering tone, Rellios is one part shocked from the noise and one part relieved.
"We'll be right down. Are you alright; any injuries?" He then proceeds to prep the rope; he'll allow Clareg to descend first - so as to keep an eye on him in case he needs help. Then he'll follow - making sure one last time the ropes are secure for the eventual ascent.
"I'd be daft tuh wear me armour while climbing that. Could yuh be lowerin' down after me feet is on good solid stone again?" Clareg asks as he takes off his armour and begins his descent.
When he arrives at the bottom his face contorts in a spasm of emotional pain. "I don't ... I don't know why but ..." he begins but leaves it hanging in the air.
"I don't be thinkin' we should be openin' that door till our comrades are after joinin' us," I say to Hru.
Nevertheless, I move forward and touch it gingerly to feel how hot it is and then I try to listen to see if I can hear anything from the other side.
"I can't seem ta be 'earin' anythin'," I comment to Hru.
Klyndak has been touching the stone doors. They are warm but not excessively hot.
Rellios will lower Clareg's armor before beginning his own descent
If you 'take 10' you have no need to roll. You have a chain you can climb down or you can use ropes or both. It is 100' down but taking your time, using the rope, and bracing you feet against the wall makes it possible.
Make the same save against overwhelming grief that the others made.