Trying to keep an eye on the shimmering creature, Borden will move around Kystaa and roll by the creature to end up in a flanking position.
Acrobatics:
Attack:
Damage:
Sneak Damage if flank successful
The creature's swing goes wild past Borden, and the combination of Magic Missiles and Borden's deft sneak attack take the creature down. The creature stops shimmering, but is nearly a transparent grey color, seemingly naturally blending in. The creature's breathing is raspy, at best.
"By the mists, you are a crafty creature, by the mists," Dreav whispers, looking at the creature on the ground.
Kystaa binds the creature swiftly and none too gently.
"Should we heal it? Dead, it cannot speak."
First wiping his blade off on any scrap clothing he might find, Borden will sheath his blade. The adrenaline draining away, the half-elf then leans against the banister as the pain catches up with him. Taking a few breaths, Borden will was glad it wasn't too bad as he thanks Dreav for the healing before setting to work stripping the creature of any weapons and valuables then binding the creature. As Kysstaa asks what to do, Borden says, "We can give it a shot, but not sure what he might tell us. If that noise he made before he cut me open was him speaking, not sure exactly what we could get out of him."
While the fate of the creature is being discussed, Moonpate will tap into his special talent and attempt to sense the presence of magical emanations and secret doors throughout the complex.
Although Feli isn't directly familiar with the language spoken by the creature he tries to remember the words he said hoping that he somehow manages to decipher them.
Linguistics
Feli ponders on the words a bit but still doesn't recognise them.
"Well, that was both weird and scary. I wonder what we should make of this."
The unsettling feeling that you all have regarding the now unconscious being at your feet, both bound and beaten, is surreptiously disrupted by Moonpate as he exclaims that the stairs themselves fold upwards! Yes, the home has some very interesting engineering indeed!
"By the mists..." Dreav stammers as Moonpate explains how it works.
"Borden, I am uncomfortable with leaving this being behind if'n it's intentions are evil, especially if it is a part of the wickedness behind the kidnappings. How much do you trust that Ghelve is not in cahoots with this fiend?
Khysstaa, do ya detect an evil soul in this being? Methinks it might be best to put it out of its misery; quickly, painlessly; then to leave it behind to tell a tale or thwart us further.
Feli, I may have a knack for feelin' strange and arcane emanations, but I dunno have a talent for minute details unless they come in a mug. Can ya look at this passage I found?"
Gathering up the creature's possessions, Borden takes a look at the rapier the creature was using as he says, "I understand your apprehension Moonpate, but I'm no murderer. However, I think that letting it loose would also be a bad idea. Ghelve might not like the idea, but I say we borrow a few of his things and bond the creature in a way that would be difficult for it to escape. Though Ghelve was not too helpful at first, he is concerned for this Starbrow and did warn us about someone watching him. So I have no reason not to trust him now. I say we borrow some manacles and a few locks to lock the creature somewhere safe. We should also leave a note for Ghelve so that he knows what happened to his 'guest'."
Moving over to where Moonpate was standing, examining the stairs, Borden will allow his keen eyes to look over the area to see if he can find some way of opening the secret door.
Perception:
Have at it.
Note:
Between Moonpate, Feli, Borden and Ky'sstaa's searching, you are able to find the key to the mechanism that lifts the stairs, and see that it is pushed by two pistons of some sort. Something for a Gondsman to look at you're sure, but otherwise it seems stable.
Chandos and Oswaldo:
Moonpate, Ky'sstaa, Feli, Borden:
Oswaldo tip-toes inside and listens for any strange noises.
"Master...Chandos, is it? Be prepared for anything. There are many strange and wonderful things in this world which might want to steal children. May St. Brandobaris the Meek protect them all!"
Thanking Dreav for the assistance once more, Borden stands up straight as his wounds are feeling almost completely healed. With the group finding the latch that triggers the complex mechanism, Borden will look to the others as he says, "Well, before we proceed, I thing we should find a place to store our mysterious friend, lets see what we can find to secure his bonds." With that, Borden begins to look around for manacles, a few locks that they could use to bind the creature as well as a place they could safely store the creature while they continued their search.
Perception:
At the sound of possible trouble from the front door, Moonpate readies a Daze spell and peeks through the curtain to see who might be approaching.
Figuring it might be best to draw attention to himself and away from Oswaldo, Chandos stands proudly to his full height, crosses his arms, and bellows with his deep voice into the locksmithy:
"Hark! I am Chandos Tiberias. I come on behalf of the merchant nobleman Theron Talfridas. Who stirs within?"
Then muttering to himself, "I just might regret this..."
Borden's search yeilds several sets of "pleasure-use" manacles, and he is able to secure the creature along a steel pole from the floor to the bottom of a desk, preventing the creature from escaping.
Responding to Chandos, Dreav replies, "It is I, Dreave Ghelve, the loyal wife and enemy of Keygan Ghelve!" As he walks forward from behind the curtain. "Are you the furniture movers? If so, you are very early, my friends."
Oswaldo is flabbergasted at the greeting. "Ghelve? Wife? Furniture? Wha...?"
Recovering his composure a little, he asks, "Look, if you know anything about the missing children everyone's talking about, you better spill your guts now. Before Master Chandos spills them for you, that is!"
Keeping his wand handy and his eyes on the strange pair, Moonpate addresses the intruders by first admonishing his crazy companion: "Dreav, if'n I did not know better, methinks ya been in yer cups more than me."
"Strangers, nevermind my mist-addled friend here and state yer business, plain and friendly like or no tellin' what Dreav will say next."
Feli smiles at the words of Dreav and raises his eyebrows in anticipation of the rest of the introductions.
Hearing the commotion in the next room, Borden leaves their unconscious prisoner and heads into the front room, favoring his wound slightly as he moves. Seeing the new people threatening his friend, Borden says in a Calimshite accent, "There will be no gut spilling now. Nor will you get anything from us with that kind of speech. As for what we know, we could ask the same of you as you two are the ones interrupting our investigation."
Chandos continues to stand tall but is slighly rocking on the balls of his feet now. This time he speaks in a more measured volume as (at least some of) those he speaks to are in front of him.
"I Repeat, I am Chandos Tiberias and this is my comrade Oswaldo. I have already spoken of whom we work and will not repeat his name." Chandos turns toward Dreav and addresses him specifically, "I care not what you and your husband do in your personal time. What is important is the here and now." Then returning to all those arrayed in front of him, including Dreav, "As stated by my comrade, we are seeking information regarding the children missing from the orphanage. Now, we have both introduced and explained our business twice." Then, turning toward the half-elf (Borden) who had just entered the room, "Your investigation? We know nothing. We are here to learn. For whom do you work?"
Chandos begins his measured brething as he awaits a response. In through the nose and out through the mouth. Better to not become winded if things take a turn for the worst.
.
Borden lowers his blade a tad when he finds out that they weren't with the City Watch, or more specifically, the ones pretending to be City Watch. "Well, not sure who this Theron Talfridas is, but it seems we are on similar cases. We were hired by the Helmites to look into these kidnappings. But how did you know to come here?" Borden asks, still not completely trusting these newcomers.
"Ha! Now comes the toss of the dice. We were told that someone else was working on this case and that we may be of assistance to them. We were further instructed that they would be here this evening." Chandos pauses before beginning again, "I originally considered this someone was also in the nobleman's employ but am no longer certain." Chandos takes a deep breath, smiles, and then continues "So, either you are that someone or you finished off that someone before we arrived. Our patron did not feel it important enough to fill us in on the details of those we were to meet. So, you can be that someone if you choose." he finishes with a laugh. "It matters not to me so long as the problem is solved."
"As Master Chandos says, we are looking for the kidnapped orphans on behalf of this fellow. To be quite honest, I assumed he was a notable public benefactor. But alas, I am a poor pilgrim newly arrived from Calimshan, so I cannot say for sure. At any rate, let us join our wits together to solve the problem and we will be done in half the time, yes?"
"Well, we almost finished something humanoid, though I don't think you can label it any of the races that grace this fair city. As for a partnership, first I must ask how open-minded you two are, for we travel with odd company, as you might have noticed." He then looks in Dreav's direction before glancing back at the two newcomers. "Though I have to say, it is difficult to refuse the aid of a fellow country man from Calimshan. How is the city holding up against the new laws that the Calim has imposed on the taxation of the selling of exotic animals?"
Relaxing a bit after the slightly tense situation before Feli speaks:
"Well met Oswaldo and Chandos, I'm Feli B'urnan of the South, storyteller by profession but nowadays finding myself running after lost children. We'll be glad if you can help us out."
"Good day to you all, gentlemen. Alas! The men of Calimshan are often blinded by their ceaseless rules and regulations; would that they would answer to a higher power instead." Oswaldo glances towards the heavens piously. "I have heard it said that the city of Cauldron has fewer stiff-necked petty tyrants, but as I say, I have just arrived here myself."
"I am glad that you have decided to be our enemies, my friends," Dreav begins. "But by the mists, we should investigate that secret door Moonpate found, by the mists."
You all open the stairwell to find another stairwell cut directly into the floor. Something is odd about this stairwell, but it leads downward, cut into the heart of the volcano tha tis Cauldron.
You reach a midpoint, and turn to your left, at which point it is pitch black.
You hear silence where you are walking, and the silence is unsettling. The combination of the darkness and silence is a horrible claustrophobic experience. Then Dreav's holy symbol lights up as a torch.
"I never keep a spare torch." He says bluntly.
Oswaldo piously raises his eyes to heaven yet again. "O, Saint Brandobaris the Meek, bless this crossbow bolt with your heavenly light!"
And, sure enough, the bolt in his crossbow begins to glow.
As they pass through the workshop, Borden motions to the chained up creature and says, "That is the thing I was talking about. It was keeping an eye on poor old Ghelve and I think it might be involved with the kidnappings. Unfortunately, what few words it said before it stuck me made absolutely no sense so I don't know how much info it can give us. What I do know is that if there are more of these creatures done there, then we are gonna want to keep a sharp eye out. This creature is so stealthy that I didn't even notice it before it attacked me."
Heading down the stairs, using Dreav's and Oswaldo's light to see by, Borden's eyes adjust to the dim lighting (low-light vision) as he does his best to adjust himself to the silence. Never had he gone under the earth in all of his travels, and he was a little wary of what might be waiting for them in the gloom. Keeping his eyes peeled, Borden stealthily moves forward, acting as scout for the group.
Stealth:
Perception:
Chandos gives Borden time to pass and move ahead before following with a snicker. He "stealthily" follows.
Chandos moving quietly, stealth:
The staircase ends at at the entrance to a large room, with a 10-foot high ceiling (at least). A slight draft blows into the room from the open passage in the far wall, directly across from the stairs. Two 4-foot diameter circular doors are set into the middle of the southern wall. Each door is made of wood and framed with a ring of mortared stones. The westernmost door is closed and has a rune inscribed upon it, while the easternmost door has a different rune inscribed on it, but it is inscribed with a different rune. The open door reveals an iron rim of gearlike teeth, and dim light spills into this room from the chamber beyond.
Mounted on the walls of the room are twelve tarnished copper masks. The masks are 2-feet tall and cling 4 feet above the floor. Each one depicts a smiling gnome. There is the sound of soft giggling, chirping, and rustling noises, seemingly coming from the walls themselves.
As Borden steps into the room, there is an even louder sound, of singing, coming from the masks themselves.
"Welcome to Jzadirune-behold the wonder!
But beware, ye who seek to plunder.
Traps abound and guardians peer
Beyond every portal, behind every gear."
"Take care as you enter, Borden," Chandos states as he places his hand on Borden's shoulder. Then, he continues "As the Hand of the Clever Arm, I will offer you his guidance." With that, Chandos murmers he steady rhythm of an orison and removes his hand.
"As the Hand, I will direct his guidance to any who wish to receive it before entering," Chandos states as he steps aside and prepares to aid his brothers in arms.
Next, Chandos raises his arms, bearing the twin eagle birthmarks and murmers another incantation. He then peers at the runes inscribed upon the doors.
I thought this might be a little long for a standard OOC so I put it in a spoiler.
The orison cast upon Borden is guidance: +1 "competence" bonus to one attack, save, or skill check within the next minute. That is ten rounds. As a competence bonus to a skill check it would be superceded (sp?) by the +2 of the bard performance "inspire competence" but it will stack with morale bonus to saving throws (but not the competence attack bonus) of the bardic ability "inspire courage".
Any who wish can have it as they pass. If no one takes up the offer, Chandos will cast the second orison before proceeding into the room.
The second orison cast is detect magic with concentration duration. So, it disappears if Chandos takes a standard action other than concentrating.
Borden moves futhur into the room, spotting the gear-like teeth which surrounds the open doorway and rememeber a line from the Helmite divination Beware the doors with teeth. Approaching the closest door to get a look at the runes which adorn the strange looking door, he will first check to see if he recognizes the rune inscribed on the door and afterward, will check for any surprises the door might hold.
Perception(traps):
"Interesting ..." hisses the lizardman paladin. He peers at the masks with his holy vision.
Moonpate will examine the runes as well.
Knowledge(Arcana):1d20+9=11
Linguistics: 1d20+7=22
For DM:
Oswaldo, noticing that everyone is staring at the doors along the wall, pipes in that they are letters of the Gnomish alphabet, a variation on the Dethek alphabet. The westernmost door is a "J" and the easternmost door, although cocked to the side, is an "A." Both appear to be locking mechanisms of some sort.
Borden:
Moonpate:
Ky'sstaa:
"Oh what have we got here?" Feli says as he enters the room after friendly declining the offer of the half-orc.
Feli takes a good look at the masks on the walls, fascinated by their song and its meaning.
"The letters J and A, hm." Oswaldo scratches his beard speculatively. "Well, the J could stand for Jzadirune, but I don't know about the A."
He walks up to the Jzadirune door, clears his throat, and addresses it. "Jzadirune door! Let us in, in the name of St. Brandobaris!"
"Amazing!" Borden whispers as he looks over the door. "This is definitely a gnomish city. Not only is the lock itself complex, with the letter acting as part of the locking mechanism, but there are runic traps tied to each of these doors that are mostly likely set to go off if someone messes with these locks without a full understanding of how it works. I'm sorry to say this, but any attempts to open it without the key on my part would most likely end in failure." Looking around, Borden's eyes fall onto the open doorway before he says, "I think out best bet would be to head through the open doorway first, as the kidnappers are more likely to have gone that way. If we don't find anything through there, then we can come back and take our chances with these doors."
Darkmeer
Chandos strides into the room.
"I take it that we will be going through the teeth and down its throat then?" he states as he peers through the opening into the lit area beyond. "Something does not sound overly pleasing about that last bit." After pausing for a moment Chandos continues, "After you Borden," he states with a laugh and points to the tooth rimmed doorway.
As Chandos enters the room, he peers around.
Perception:
As Borden heads through the open doorway, into the next room, he takes a look around, looking for dangers first, then anything that might be out of the ordinary.
Perception:
Moonpate will take a healthy swig of fortifying ale from one of his emergency flasks and follow Chandos.