Petvar gets up from examining the Darkmantle with Morthos. Dusts the dwarf off, and takes a sunrod from Darren, igniting it and holding it up to check the ceiling.
Then, turning to Darren..."Well, I suppose we should continue down the stairs. Hopefully there is a room where we can spread out a little bit. Lead the way."
You see nothing further as you continue to head down another 40 feet until you reach the bottom opening up onto a small room. Old carvings cover the walls of this square chamber. Three sets of stone double doors stand in the three facing walls. Heavy bronze seals emblazoned with the symbol of Pharasma secure the doors against whatever lies beyond.
"Perhaps, in this instance and the future when faced with multiple paths, we should have a consistent system of exploration. Start with the left and go right, or start with the right and go left?"
"I agree with Darren. If we keep going as far in one direction as we can, we ought to be able to stay along the outside wall of this giant tomb. Left o'er right makes no difference to me, though."
As Petvar reaches the bottom of the stairs, he slowly circles counter clockwise through the room, checking each wall and door for symbols and markings. Petvar also meticulously checks the floor and hinge locations for wear, trying to discern if anyone has recently used them.
Perception:
"Anyone got a torch? I have a lantern, but it would be nice to have a torch or tindertwig to see if there is any air passing through these doors."
Aside from the seals of Pharasma on each door, you see nothing else on them or any indication of use.
"I think the plan of trying to map-out the borders of this complex sounds eminently reasonable. The sooner we get an idea of the extent of what we are dealing with, the better."
Solomon takes a good long look at the doors.
Filios follows behind Solomon and also examines the three doors for traps and to see if they are locked or open.
Perception (Traps):
"Well Darren, you want to lead us through door number 1? After Filios checks it, of course. I'll bring up the rear with the sunrod." Petvar puts away his sword, stuffs the sunrod between his arm and the buckler, and draws his bow, notching an arrow, readying to draw and let fly if something pops out from behind the door as it is opened.
Filios draws both swords as Darren opens the door so that he can peer into what lies beyond as Darren illuminates the area.
Filios's investigation reveals no traps but also suggests no apparent way of opening the doors. The seals seem to preclude simply pushing them open, and there is no other obvious mechanism.
"Maybe we need the chimes. She said we only had 5 charges, though, didn't she? We need to save one to get out. Do we need to use one for each of these doors, or can we use one to open all three doors? But that would expose us on too many fronts if there's danger behind each door."
I suggest we attempt using the chimes, but with all of us strategically surrounding this door on the left in the event that Darren is correct and all doors open. That way, we have the potential option of a quick exit through the single door. They are not trapped, but I cannot see a way to open them.
"I think you will find," Morthos says knowledgeably, "that if this chime is of the standard design, it will only open one door at a time; specifically, the door at which the chime is 'aimed'. I agree that we should take precautions, just in case it is not 'standard', but it should be safe to try to use it to open the left door only."
"If I remember correctly, we only got five charges on that thing. It looks like we will have to use one here, unless we can get one of the other doors to open without it."
All of the doors seem similarly sealed.
Petvar gets back into position, "Alright, hit that chime and lets go.
Solomon prepares himself for whatever might come from behind the left door, shield and hammer at the ready.
Darren takes the proffered chime. He aims it at the left door and then taps it on the edge of his steel shield.
A strange statue of a half-snake, half-human creature stands in a wide alcove to the south of two large stone doors. Comprising the lower body of a coiling serpent and the upper torso of a human woman, the statue has six wings and a disk containing a seven-pointed star in place of its head. Its crossed arms hold a quill and whip, and the entire statue is covered in verdigris. The faint outline of strange runes can be made out beneath the patina coating the statue.
map
Solomon keeps back from the strange looking stuatue, but doesn't hesitate to study it.
Darren puts the chime in his backpack and draws his longsword. He leaves the more scholarly party members to investigate the statue. He posts himself to keep an eye on the doors while they work.
You are approaching from the door farthest from the statue.
Solomon, you are unable to remember any details, but you do recall something vaguely similar from an older text you read about ancient Thassilon.
"Im thinkin this statue might be something symbolic from the Thassilonian empire, though I'm not fer sure. Any ideas, Morthos?"
"Im thinkin this statue might be something symbolic from the Thassilonian empire, though I'm not fer sure. Any ideas, Morthos?"
Filios closely begins to examine the walls and floor in the alcove for traps.
Perception (Traps):
He then focuses his attention on the statue itself, looking for traps.
Perception (Traps):
Filios closely begins to examine the walls and floor in the alcove for traps.
Perception (Traps): 1d20+8
He then focuses his attention on the statue itself, looking for traps.
Perception (Traps): 1d20+8
Filios is unable to detect any traps on either the walls or the statue.
All clear, gentlemen. I was not able to detect any traps on or around the statue. Feel free to investigate further.
Filios positions himself at C2 with both swords drawn and an eye on the doors at F1 and F2, with Darren.
"You say it has something to do with Thassilon? Hmmm..."
Morthos then fires-up a Detect Magic, and scans the room...
Filios, I neglected to mention that the quill in the statue's hand seemed be loose, and separate from the rest of the statue. Morthos, you also are unable to determine any specifics about this long forgotten goddess, but after a few rounds of observing the statue are you able to detect very, very faint magic with auras of several schools present, though the auras are too faint and blended together to isolate them.
"I am afraid that I cannot remember anything specific, but I will point out that the statue is magical in some way - I cannot tell you more because the auras are so faint - at a guess, I would say the spells are so ancient, that they have begun to fade/decay."
Morthos, although I did not detect any traps, I did notice that the quill on the statue seems a bit loose. Anyone feeling boldenough to remove it? Maybe it has something to do with the runes written on the statue itself?
Morthos frowns.
"I am not sure. Let's see if we can shed a little more light on the situation..."
He then casts Prestidigitation, and uses it to try to 'buff' the statue, removing the verdigris, and hopefully making the runes more visible. He then casts Read Magic, and tries to interpret the runes...
If that does not turn-up anything untoward, and no-one else steps up, Morthos will mutter something about pointy-eared Elves, and step-up to grab the quill...
...Assuming doing that does not kill him, he will submit the quill to a careful Detect Magic analysis...
"I'll give 'er a go.", Solomon says with a 'I-hope-this-isn't-a-mistake' look on his face.
He slowly moves up towards the statue, looking back towards the others, "No traps, you said? Ok."
He reaches forward and quickly grabs the quill out of the statue's hand.
"Is there any obvious way to open the door, or are we going to have to figure out something with the statue? I'd hate to use up a second charge on that chime already. We haven't even done anything." Petvar moves to get a better advantage point so that he can watch both sides.
As Morthos step ups to take the quill, he feels a bit of tingling as the statue casts virtue on him. Looked at away from the muddle that is the rest of the statue, the quill does have a stronger aura of conjuration that has not decayed with time. Morthos is unable to identify it, but if Solomon would like to roll spellcraft, he may attempt to do so. By making the runes visible and able to be studied, he also gives himself and Solomon enough new information to justify new knowledge roll attempts.
Morthos, you feel that the temporary hit point will stay with you until you have again tasted battle.
A warm glow suffuses Morthos as he feels the magic from the statue settle into his bones, and make him feel slightly heartier than before.
He then turns his attention to the newly-buffed runes...
...before turning to Solomon, quill in hand.
"Solomon, do you think that you could have a look at this? I am not entirely certain exactly what this quill does."
"I dunno, Morthos. I can sesnse the magic on this thing, too, but other than that, I got no ideas. It's probably just a quill-pen that writes by itself, if it had some ink."
"What if you just wrote open on the door. Or maybe we are to write our name in a ledger? I don't know, just throwing some stuff out there. If nothing else, we can get it checked in Kaer Maga and make a little gold off of it. But we still need to open that second door, and I'd hate to already spend a second chime. Don't forget, we gotta save one to get out. I think."
Morthos raises an eyebrow.
"Have you actually tried to just open the door?"