Norel turns to his companions and says, "does someone with sharp eyes want to take a look at this?  I can't seem to find the mechanism to open this secret door."

advancing in time with Bryce towards companions. I will keep back a bit and continue to provide missle cover.

gasping as I get a good look at the alter "By the Hidden God what foulness!"

Alric gathers as many of the strips as he can, then steps over to take a look at what Norel has found.

Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly

Rolled on: 2011-01-14 05:17:44.661349
1d100 → [56] = (56)

perception test vs. perception skill of 66

Bryce, you're left holding the scraps as Alric goes to help Norrel. There were five on the floor, and the other four are similar to the first. They describe some sort of ritual.

In order of discovery:

"...and on the third night slit a black-feathered cock's throat and let it drain into the brazier..."

"...Stand vigil around the circle saying the prayer of Mazurabn th..."

"... chanting it over an altar, speak aloud the name "MAZURABN" thrice more..."

"... being sure to capture the smoke in the goblet."

"....HALX MEMFORAS SHEMELEM SADOUKRO! PRAISE BE TO THE DREAMING DEAD! OXOR NOMOL..."

None of the pieces fit directly together. The second and third piece look like they came from the same sheet and the first and fourth piece seem to share another sheet.

The seam forms a broad rectangular shape perhaps four yards long and two and a half high, with the skulls placed delicately on either side of the lower sections to leave the seam uncovered but hidden. At this point Norrel, you're somewhat stymied by the lack of an obvious catch until Alric comes over and helps you look.

Alric, while investigating some of the skulls, you happen to look further in from the seam, towards the centre of the panel, and can see a thin steel wire loop poking out from underneath the jaw of one of the skulls in the bottom row. Following it back, you can see it pokes out of a small hole cut in the wall underneath the skull.

Norel claps Alric on the back and says, "a sharp as an eagle, your eyes are!  Well done."

Turning to the others, the dwarf warrior inquires, "shall we see what is beyond this door?"

Seeing Bryce with the scraps of paper, he says, "do you need more time, Bryce?  Do you think that those scraps are important?"

Anything that anyone would like to do before the loop is pulled?

Alric goes back to examining the strips, attempting to make sense of the writing while muttering to himself under his breath, "I might need a couple minutes my friend, these strips appear to pertain to some ritual that might help explain what happened here. I will not tarry long."

Sure. You have the text of the five strips, written in Moragnian (your native language) albeit in an archaic-looking hand. Anything in particular you're looking for or trying to figure out?

Sighard stands a bit behind Norel, examining the loop. Before anyone goes to pull it he looks into his bag for the glass vial of blessed holy water and pulls it out.

Alric searches his memory for the name "Mazurabn" for any rituals that might involve sacrifice of a "black-feathered cock" or any mention of the "Dreaming Dead".

Not sure what to roll.

Quote from: Sigmund;433402Alric searches his memory for the name "Mazurabn" for any rituals that might involve sacrifice of a "black-feathered cock" or any mention of the "Dreaming Dead".

Not sure what to roll.

Religion (Hidden God) straight up, or Lore (Sorcery) at -25%

relaxing to 1/2 draw as I keep a wary watch on the shadows and doors...whispering all the prayers I now to The Hidden God and the Gods of my Home for protection!

Quote from: Sigmund;433231Alric goes back to examining the strips, attempting to make sense of the writing while muttering to himself under his breath, "I might need a couple minutes my friend, these strips appear to pertain to some ritual that might help explain what happened here. I will not tarry long."

Bryce looks somewhat startled at Alric's seizure of the strips of parchment from his hands.  Scowling, he almost objects, but then decides against saying anything to his older colleague.

"Typical presumptuous char-head!" the young sorcerer thinks to himself, "I hope that he doesn't set those strips aflame!"

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;433568Religion (Hidden God) straight up, or Lore (Sorcery) at -25%

Bryce will also search his mind for knowledge of the names and actions mentioned in the strips that he collected.

Sorcery 56 - 25 = 31.  Roll = 12.  

Success?