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Everything is dark.

You hear whispers. You see faces you can hardly recognize. Some of them smile. Others smirk. They are watching over you. Their features seem to change, reflecting the semi-familiar traits of people you once knew, or might have known, somehow, had your circumstances been different.

The mists around you are blown out of sight.

You open your eyes.

You find yourself in the same underground area you remember from a moment ago, but everything around you seems dull, colorless. You somehow can see better in the surrounding darkness, enough in any case to make out the positions of the walls and recognize the different features of the areas you explored previously.

Rissthil gasps for air, as if he suddenly escaped some creature’s grasp over his very soul. He shivers, and recognizes his surroundings: he is sitting in what was once the apothecary set up by the monks as they investigated the place. He checks his own armour. The whole part covering his left shoulder melted away. His own flesh, over this same shoulder, seared open, down to an exposed bone!

Smeads and Gareth open their eyes, as if suddenly waking up from a disturbing nightmare. They look around and see each other lying on the floor of the same room. This is indeed the very same room where the tentacles of this horrible thing just … grabbed them, lifted them up… and crushed them? Just a moment ago, wasn’t it?

They check their own injuries. Broken bones. Bleeding as they try to stand up... but no pain. No agony.

What is going on?

What do you do?

(Click for higher resolution (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-01.jpg))
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Ptolus/AD&D Threads on the RPG Site
Pre-game Chat (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18639)
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Experience Points (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=19491)
Out-of-character thread #1 (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18732)
People and Places of Ptolus (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18805)
In-character thread #1 - The Gold Ladder (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18731)
In-character thread #1a - Delbaeth (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18765)
In-character thread #2 - Underground (part 1) (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=18798)
In-character thread #2b - Limbus Sanguineum (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=19278)
In-character thread #3 - Back to the Surface (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?t=19691)

I look around, trying to find someone apart fromus who can explain us what is going on.

Quote from: Imperator;435046I look around, trying to find someone apart fromus who can explain us what is going on.

You look around.

You are sitting on a magnificent carpet with an intricated multicolored design blending various geometric forms. It seems to be constituted of different types of fabrics, including metallic strands, silver, copper, maybe gold. There is a stain on this carpet. It looks strangely like the vomit substance the creature was spewing, but it seems dead, inanimate, just a shadow of its former self.

You see the huge candle holder next to you, and the little compartments under them, with the little balls of clay of different colors: blue, red and yellow, in separate baskets.

On the eastern wall of the room, you see a huge, round crystal window. This must be part of the giant violet crystal that was part of the pressure-plate trap you saw earlier.

Looking at the southern part of the room, you see the iron door is open. There are different hues of light coming off the corridor, but these aren't the orange, green and blue reflections you were expecting. Instead, these seem to blend reds and yellows, somehow, though the spectrum is more complicated that it first appears the longer you look at it.

At this point, you just realize: the statue of the halfling monk that was set aflame is no longer standing where you were just attempting to light your candles...

Am I truly dead? Rissthil thinks to himself as he looks at his hands and body, is this real?

He half-walks and half-stumbles for a few steps as if in a daze, but then recovers his coordination quickly.  

As he walks toward the large circular chamber, he says, "hello?  Is anyone here but me?"

Quote from: Drohem;435117As he walks toward the large circular chamber, he says, "hello?  Is anyone here but me?"

You first see there is someone standing on the dais occupying the center of the circular chamber as you walk towards it, but you cannot make out who that is.

You then notice a stone block pushed inside a wall on your left. The entrance of a corridor you recognize all too well, with its candles, its iron door, but... the lit candles are not the ones you remember. Instead, you see the closest candle to you burning with a violet flame. The next with a red flame. Then an unlit candle, then a yellow flame, then a yellow-greenish, chartreuse flame, with the two last candles, closest to the iron door, unlit as well.

DM: Smeads and Gareth can hear Rissthil calling from where they stand.

Quote from: Benoist;435119You first see there is someone standing on the dais occupying the center of the circular chamber as you walk towards it, but you cannot make out who that is.

You then notice a stone block pushed inside a wall on your left. The entrance of a corridor you recognize all too well, with its candles, its iron door, but... the lit candles are not the ones you remember. Instead, you see the closest candle to you burning with a violet flame. The next with a red flame. Then an unlit candle, then a yellow flame, then a yellow-greenish, chartreuse flame, with the two last candles, closest to the iron door, unlit as well.

DM: Smeads and Gareth can hear Rissthil calling from where they stand.

I call him back while I approach Smeads, thinking about what to do next.

Uhhhhh whaaaa?

I look down. Is my body whole..or can my hand pass through myself?

Quote from: Lilaxe;435225I look down. Is my body whole..or can my hand pass through myself?

Your body is whole, though you definitely see the marks of the way the creature in this very room roughed you up a moment ago. You feel you ribs. Yup. Broken. You know you must be feeling pain now, but it does not register, somehow. You are solid, that is for sure. At least here, in this... place? Where is it, exactly? When, perhaps? Who knows?

Everything is eerily quiet compared to the combat fury you just experienced.

I want to check if the lamps we toppled previously are still standing here.

"Are we dead Gareth?"

"Riss! We are in here - where the bloated flesh creature was" I shout back to Rissthl

I stand slowly and get my bearings...

Rissthil was visibly relieved to see his shipmates Smeads and Gareth, and he stops at the doorway and waves to them.  

He says out loud so they can hear, but turns his gaze back to the creature on the dais, "we're not alone here."

Quote from: Imperator;435286I want to check if the lamps we toppled previously are still standing here.

You get to the iron door and have a look at the corridor leading to Rissthil. You see that there are candles lit there, but not the ones you'd have expected. The two candles that were earlier lit and burning with blue and green flames are now unlit. The third candle is lit, its flame burning with a chartreuse hue. The fourth has a yellow hue. The fifth is unlit. The sixth has a red hue, and the seventh as a violet hue.

You do not notice the indigo lantern Rissthil cut off its chains earlier, which was on the ground, by the exit of the corridor you are currently looking at, a little while earlier.

Rissthil may notice that the indigo lantern is back in its original position, hanging from the ceiling, above the large covered urn east of his current position (I assume Rissthil is standing by the entrance of the corridor looking at Gareth on the other side at the moment).

Quote from: Lilaxe;435301"Are we dead Gareth?"

"Riss! We are in here - where the bloated flesh creature was" I shout back to Rissthl

I stand slowly and get my bearings...

"I don't know, my friend, but as long I have consciousness I am not done."

Gareth goes towards Rissthil, carefully checking the area.

Gareth walks forward. He approaches the candle burning with a chartreuse flame. He steps close to it, and the flame flickers dangerously.

DM: Roll a save vs. Spells.

I roll a 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2858818/) and fail.

Quote from: Imperator;435478I roll a 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2858818/) and fail.

You step in front of the Chartreuse candle. There is a sudden movement of the air around you, and you are projected to the ceiling violently. Roll 1d6.

"No, Gareth!" Rissthil tries to shout a warning to his shipmate before he walks in front of the candles, but it was too late.

Looking at the creature on the dais, he yells in frustration, "what do you want?!"

============================================

OOC: Does Rissthil have his sword at his side?

Smeads will check around the room for a secret door...

Quote from: Drohem;435543Looking at the creature on the dais, he yells in frustration, "what do you want?!"

Rissthil yells. He is fairly sure than anybody would have heard him at this distance, but the individual on the dais doesn't react. He seems rather small, actually, now that he is looking more closely.

Quote from: Drohem;435543OOC: Does Rissthil have his sword at his side?

Yes.

Quote from: Lilaxe;435551Smeads will check around the room for a secret door...

Tell me which wall you are checking out.

Quote from: Benoist;435496You step in front of the Chartreuse candle. There is a sudden movement of the air around you, and you are projected to the ceiling violently. Roll 1d6.

OOC: Fuck. I roll a 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2859659/).

Quote from: Imperator;435673OOC: Fuck. I roll a 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2859659/).

You manage to not land on the Yellow candle.

This was very close, the result of a loose wrist touching the ceiling and correcting your trajectory unexpectedly.

You instead fall backwards, just north of Chartreuse candle. Pain surges through your body. Red ichor clouds your vision. You see Tudd standing over you fighting some vomit-like monstrosity. You see a dwarf run by with an axe raised high. You open your mouth, but no sound comes out of it. Just crimson bubbles, dark foam and saliva.

You reopen your eyes. You hear a distant echo. You get a feeling someone is staring at you.

You see the Chartreuse candle burning bright. You wonder what just happened. You check out your eyes, your mouth. No blood. Everything is quiet again. You see Rissthil looking at you from the other side of the corridor, beyond the candles.

(Click for higher resolution (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-02.jpg))
(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-800-02.jpg) (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-02.jpg)

"Crawl out of there guys!" Rissthil says to Gareth and Smeads.

Quote from: Drohem;435723"Crawl out of there guys!" Rissthil says to Gareth and Smeads.

I do so. When we meet over there, I will tell my fellows what I saw.

Quote from: Imperator;435763I do so. When we meet over there, I will tell my fellows what I saw.

You can crawl to the other side without problem.

Gareth can see that the Indigo lantern is back at its original place, hanging from the ceiling, above the large urn resting on its pedestal. It is rather odd, because you can see that pretty much everything else, besides other people and creatures, is much like you saw it earlier: the clutter all around, the position of the beams on the ground... even the sickening goo the tentacled horror vomitted when you came into the room with the carpet and candles is still there. But then, there is the statue of the hobbit monk, too. It's nowhere to be seen.

Thanks be to Celestan!, Rissthil thinks to himself when he sees Gareth make his way out of the room and meets him.

Looking back into the room, Rissthil says, "come on, Smeads!  Get out of there and come with us."

Rissthil taps Gareth on the shoulder and points to the figure standing on the great dais in the large circular chamber.

Smeads heeds his comrades suggestion, and gives up looking for a secret door. He moves to the doorway then retraces his route to get out of the hallway.

(side steps to the right, then crouches at the L part of the wall and crawls along under the candles)

Smeads proceeds and joins his companions without trouble.

Quote from: Drohem;435829Thanks be to Celestan!, Rissthil thinks to himself when he sees Gareth make his way out of the room and meets him.

Looking back into the room, Rissthil says, "come on, Smeads!  Get out of there and come with us."

Rissthil taps Gareth on the shoulder and points to the figure standing on the great dais in the large circular chamber.

Gareth looks at the figure, trying to make out who it is, or at least if it is an statue or what.

Quote from: Imperator;436035Gareth looks at the figure, trying to make out who it is, or at least if it is an statue or what.

It takes a little while for your eyes to focus in this strange environment. Finally, you can see the individual is wearing monk robes. Judging by the slight movements you see in the fabric, it is not a statue, but a living, breathing person. Right now, he or she is facing the north-eastern wall of the circular room (the wall with the shattered stone trough).

"Riss, has the figure on the dais said anything?"

Once Smeads has joined them, Rissthil turns his gaze back to the creature on the dais as he answers Smead's questions, "no, and when I called out to it, it didn't respond.  Let's see what it has to say for itself, shall we?"

With that, Rissthil steels himself and walks forward to within a few feet of the creature, and says, "why are we here?  What is this place?"

The monk suddenly turns to face Rissthil as he takes his hood off his head. "Were you talking to me?"

This is a small, very small fellow with a plump baby face, reddish hair and sideburns, plain lips and bright, blue eyes. After he's asked his first question, he seems to realize something is off, as if he'd forgotten where he was. He then corrects himself: "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

Gareth and Smeads recognize the hobbit that served as the model of the statue they found by the iron door earlier.

Quote from: Benoist;436525The monk suddenly turns to face Rissthil as he takes his hood off his head. "Were you talking to me?"

This is a small, very small fellow with a plump baby face, reddish hair and sideburns, plain lips and bright, blue eyes. After he's asked his first question, he seems to realize something is off, as if he'd forgotten where he was. He then corrects himself: "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

Gareth and Smeads recognize the hobbit that served as the model of the statue they found by the iron door earlier.

Gareth tries to appear as non-threatening as possible, as he approaches slowly the hobbit.

"I think we've never met. We're not sure how we arrived here? Care to enlighten us about this place?"

Rissthil adds, "we are here to find you.  We are friends of Angharad, Bertold's niece.  Where are the others?  Where is Bertold?"

Quote from: Imperator;436592Gareth tries to appear as non-threatening as possible, as he approaches slowly the hobbit.

"I think we've never met. We're not sure how we arrived here? Care to enlighten us about this place?"

"I'm..." The hobbit seems to hesitate, as if searching through his memories to find the relevant thing to say. "I'm not really sure."

"Last thing I remember is being in front of that door... and then, I found my way here somehow. It's like. I like this painting. What do you think?"

He points towards the fresco on the north-eastern wall. It depicts a surrealist scene, mixing different creatures, each more grotesque than the next, torturing human beings, flogging them, pulling their limbs apart, boiling them in large pots, and worse. There is a blank spot in the fresco, as if a character on the scene had been erased, the paint carefully chipped away, so that only its tentacled outline would remain...

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PIksfuua3qw/S7YtFBm0iAI/AAAAAAAABHM/JveGrVBh8NE/s1600/Bosch.jpg)

Quote from: Drohem;436679Rissthil adds, "we are here to find you.  We are friends of Angharad, Bertold's niece.  Where are the others?  Where is Bertold?"

"Bertold?"

The name seems to ring a bell. "That's right... we were here, Bertold was by the large crystal. I was studying the paintings. Then the door opened, and the demons poured in. Everything was aflame. I had to run, see? Find shelter. Everything was unstable. I found the secret passage. I ducked. I ... that's where I must have lost conscience."

He pauses. "I couldn't help them. I was too far away..."

Quote from: Benoist;436734"Bertold?"

The name seems to ring a bell. "That's right... we were here, Bertold was by the large crystal. I was studying the paintings. Then the door opened, and the demons poured in. Everything was aflame. I had to run, see? Find shelter. Everything was unstable. I found the secret passage. I ducked. I ... that's where I must have lost conscience."

He pauses. "I couldn't help them. I was too far away..."

"Can you tell us a bit more about your story? Do you know a way out?"

"Are we in some demons dream? The last I remember was being dragged upwards by that creatures tentacles...then I wake up here...

If you were there, halfling, and now here. And we saw you as a stone statue..

I shiver to think what has become of us..."


Smeads will look at the painting...does the missing creature look like it could have been the thing in the room with the tentacles?

Quote from: Imperator;436863"Can you tell us a bit more about your story? Do you know a way out?"

The hobbit turns towards the center of the dais. "The plat... where is the platform? Ahh. This feels like a bad dream. Some things I remember, other I do not, or not clearly."

He sighs, trying to remember. "I am Brother Maulbert."

"I hail from the province of Poy, where unrest was stirred by the forces of Eberhart the Bald. Uprisings, chaos, I did not want to have anything to do with these fights. I was forced to flee the region. I joined the Fharlangian brothers a little while later, and learned a great deal with them."

"My Order ran into some trouble with the Church. We are a simple order, you see. We care about the protection of Lothian's word, the promises of charity and knowledge for all, not so much about the politics of the Empire. Our little group was tending to the population outside the city walls. We received word that the masters of the Black Abbey would question us regarding our associations with the Rattle and Spear, another group that rubbed the leadership of the Church the wrong way."

"In any case." Maulbert takes a deep breath before going on. "We needed to disappear for a time. That's when Bertold let us know he was searching for capable hands and knowledgeable minds to investigate what was going on under his establishment. A few days or weeks away from the city, and yet, right in the middle of it, would be the last thing the scions of the Black Canon would expect."

"That's how I ended up here, with the other Brothers. Then we started to search. We decided to proceed carefully, as one of us was victim of a pulsing trap within the first few minutes of our investigation." Maulbert shows the pressure plate trap between the two huge violet and orange crystals. "Here, as a matter of fact."

Quote from: Lilaxe;436891"Are we in some demons dream? The last I remember was being dragged upwards by that creatures tentacles...then I wake up here...

If you were there, halfling, and now here. And we saw you as a stone statue..

I shiver to think what has become of us..."

"A stone statue? What is it that you mean?"

The hobbit frowns. "What is your own story, fellows? You say you are here to save us, sent by Angharad, but how do I know any of this is true?"

Quote from: Lilaxe;436891Smeads will look at the painting...does the missing creature look like it could have been the thing in the room with the tentacles?

It definitely looks like it.

The picture is getting more vibrant and vivid as you look at it. It is using some sort of trick based on perspective to provide an illusion of depth to it. It is very subtle, and yet, very effective. The faces seem to move and take different positions as you look at them from different angles. It is vaguely unsettling.

Quote from: Benoist;436927The hobbit frowns. "What is your own story, fellows? You say you are here to save us, sent by Angharad, but how to I know any of this is true?"

Rissthil says in a gentle tone and demeanor, "Delbaeth was the only survivor to make it back up the shaft.  He was badly burned and in excruciating pain.  He is currently be cared for by Cadfan and Angharad up in The Gold Ladder.  I was badly injured by the candles' trap, as you can plainly see.  Yet, I feel no pain, and I do not belief that I am yet dead.  It doesn't feel right, like how being dead should be."

The elven sailor sighs wearily, and says softly, "if that makes any sense at all either."

Maulbert listens, and nods, as Rissthil explains how he feels. "Yes... yes. I feel the same way. This doesn't feel right. Like we're stuck in some sort of Limbo, or something."

"But... you mentioned a statue? Am I..." He swallows. "... Dead? Where you come from, I mean?"

Rissthil starts cautiously as he answers the halfling, "we discovered a statue that had a striking resemblance to you standing in the candles' trap room.  I am Rissthil Tanlithrin, a sailor by trade, and I am originally from The Sea Kingdoms."

"A statue..."

The hobbit ponders the implications of this revelation for a moment.

And ponders...

And ponders.

"Do you remember anything attacking you?"

The hobbit jumps, startled by Smeads' question. "Oh. No. No. I remember crawling in the corridor, getting away from all the commotion... and getting up by a door. Then... everything went dark. This is it, yes."

"What do you think of this, my friends? I admit it, I am completely lost here. This makes no sense to me."

Are we in some in between state...half dead yet half alive? Is one of us dreaming? Are we all dreaming in a shared dream? And who's shared dream...

Rissthil shakes his negatively and says in far away tone, "I don't know, mates, I don't know.  If we're all dead, then were are Brother Maulbert's companions?  They should be here too then, but they're not.  Perhaps a dream, or some kind of limbo between life and death?  Perhaps we've been transported to another plane of reality?  I don't know."

Quote from: Drohem;438286Rissthil shakes his negatively and says in far away tone, "I don't know, mates, I don't know.  If we're all dead, then were are Brother Maulbert's companions?  They should be here too then, but they're not.  Perhaps a dream, or some kind of limbo between life and death?  Perhaps we've been transported to another plane of reality?  I don't know."

The important question is "How do we get back?" We're not far away. When I got attacked by that candle, somehow, I was back, I saw that our friends kept fighting and I felt the pain my body should feel. So we're not far away, it is just a matter of figuring out how to get there. Maybe we should keep exploring this place."

Brother Maulbert is following your exchange. He seems to be as much at a loss as you are. "I do not know how long I have been here. I... but if you have something in mind, I'd like to help however I can."

Rissthil looks to Gareth, smiles, and says, "aye, mate.  Let's do something, and looking around seems to be the first order of business."

Turning to Brother Maulbert, Rissthil says, "yes, of course, Brother Maulbert, you are welcome to join us as it seems that our fates are intertwined now.  Why were you staring at that image?  Do you think an answer can be found in it?"

Quote from: Drohem;438596"Why were you staring at that image?  Do you think an answer can be found in it?"

"I'm not sure. It's like... my eye was drawn to it, you know? It caught my attention and it's like I couldn't get mind off of it. Like I was part of the painting, in some way."

"I hope my soul wasn't tarnished. Turning one's attention away from Lothian's grace is a sin..." The hobbit seems to struggle with the personal implications of his reasoning.

"Let's not dwell on such unanswered questions at the moment," Rissthil says thoughtfully, "and focus on the concrete here and now.  Come on."

Before he turns to walk over to the trapped side chamber, he looks at the dais and shaft for the lift.

===========================

OOC:  Is the lift down or up currently?

Quote from: Drohem;439392OOC:  Is the lift down or up currently?

DM: There is no lift to be seen at the moment, though the hole in the chamber's ceiling is there, just as you saw it before.

Do I see anything around which I could use to destroy the painting mural of the demons?

Quote from: Lilaxe;439860Do I see anything around which I could use to destroy the painting mural of the demons?

Right now around you, you can see a chest close to you, and a lot of clutter around the southern edge of the trough just under the painting you are looking at. The trough itself has been badly damaged, with boulders of all sizes, as well as wooden beams, dirt, and so on that form a sort of pile around the urn under the yellow lantern. This clutter is kind of neatly lined up with the beginning of the corridor leading to the armoury to the east (see map).

Click for higher resolution (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-03.jpg)
(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-800-03.jpg) (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-03.jpg)

"This looks similar to when we first came down lads..."

Smeads will go over to examine one of the chests...does it look like one of the ones that was here when we came down before?

Quote from: Lilaxe;440224"This looks similar to when we first came down lads..."

Smeads will go over to examine one of the chests...does it look like one of the ones that was here when we came down before?

Brother Maulbert seems to get out of his reverie. "I don't remember that chest being here before..."

He looks puzzled.

The chest indeed does look like the ones you found earlier, when you discovered this chamber for the first time.

Rissthil looks toward the mural, looks at the etched out piece, and says thoughtfully as he walks up closer to examine it, "Gareth, you said you faced a tentacled horror before coming to this place, and there is a tentacled image scratched out of that mural.  There has to be some kind of connection, but what?"

=============================

OOC: Is the paint on the mural fresh?

I will go over and check to see if it is solid and actually in this dream world or just an illusion...

Quote from: Drohem;440414Rissthil looks toward the mural, looks at the etched out piece, and says thoughtfully as he walks up closer to examine it, "Gareth, you said you faced a tentacled horror before coming to this place, and there is a tentacled image scratched out of that mural.  There has to be some kind of connection, but what?"

=============================

OOC: Is the paint on the mural fresh?

I get closer to the paint to check if the scratches match the horror I faced before. I will answer to Riss' question accordingly.

All three of you approach the mural.

Rissthil has a hard time even spoting the pigmentation on the wall. For all intents and purposes, the painting looks extremely realistic.

Gareth looks a little closer at the shape missing on the painting. It looks like a tentacled blob with regular indentations that could be representing the dark plaques of exoskeleton Gareth remembers from fighting the horror by the voltive candles earlier.

Smeads proceeds even closer and stares at the mural. There is no paint to be seen. Just like Gareth and Rissthil, he noticed as he approached that there was something deeply unsettling about the optic illusion used to give the scene some sense of volume and reality. It is even more troubling now that Smeads and the others are standing right there in front of it: there is no noticeable indication that what lies beyond the mural's frame is not real, but the tentacled silhouette as a reminder that this is supposed to be a wall of sandstone, and nothing more...

Quote from: Benoist;440672All three of you approach the mural.

Rissthil has a hard time even spoting the pigmentation on the wall. For all intents and purposes, the painting looks extremely realistic.

Gareth looks a little closer at the shape missing on the painting. It looks like a tentacled blob with regular indentations that could be representing the dark plaques of exoskeleton Gareth remembers from fighting the horror by the voltive candles earlier.

Smeads proceeds even closer and stares at the mural. There is no paint to be seen. Just like Gareth and Rissthil, he noticed as he approached that there was something deeply unsettling about the optic illusion used to give the scene some sense of volume and reality. It is even more troubling now that Smeads and the others are standing right there in front of it: there is no noticeable indication that what lies beyond the mural's frame is not real, but the tentacled silhouette as a reminder that this is supposed to be a wall of sandstone, and nothing more...

"I've had this weird idea. Maybe we should try and go across the painting.

Or maybe we should attack the painting and see if it damages the monstrosity. I don't really know."

Smeads will strike the painting with his dagger...a creature next to where the space is now, as well as the space where the blank spot is now...

Quote from: Lilaxe;440717Smeads will strike the painting with his dagger...a creature next to where the space is now, as well as the space where the blank spot is now...

Smeads stabs the painting with his dagger. It goes through the mural's frame.

He tries to poke at the space where the paint has been chipped away. This part feels solid like a plain wall of sandstone.

Quote from: Benoist;441461Smeads stabs the painting with his dagger. It goes through the mural's frame.

He tries to poke at the space where the paint has been chipped away. This part feels solid like a plain wall of sandstone.

I ask Rissthil: "What the hell was that? You are a sorcerer, any suggestions?"

Quote from: Imperator;441570I ask Rissthil: "What the hell was that? You are a sorcerer, any suggestions?"

Just as Gareth asks his question, you all notice a change in the fresco. There is something more to it than just its eery volume. It is like... its characters now seem to move as well. The face of a human being slowly opens, as if to let out a scream you cannot hear; a club held by a giant bird-like demon clearly draws an arc in the darkness, its position evolving gradually from 2 o'clock, to noon, to 10 o'clock as it slowly makes its way towards its victim lying on the ground. A group of pig-like demons watches over another human being as it is slowly boiled to death in a large pot, the poor old man swirling as the creatures stir the devilish brew he is dipping in. Everything is in slow motion, to the point you have to stare at the scene to notice all these movements gradually take place in the painting.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PIksfuua3qw/S7YtFBm0iAI/AAAAAAAABHM/JveGrVBh8NE/s1600/Bosch.jpg)

"Friends, we need to make a decision and make it fast. This painting may be a portal. What do we do? Shall we try and cross it, or shall we further explore this place?"

Rissthil shakes his head and says, "I don't know what it is, mate.  It could certainly be a portal, but that is a place I wouldn't want to be at the moment of this image.  I think that we should look around this place before we toy with the painting any further.  Let's see if we can figure out that trapped candle room.  Perhaps there is something useful against the painting in that alchemy room."

Looking over at the halfling monk and Smeads, he asks, "what say you?"

Quote from: Drohem;442176Looking over at the halfling monk and Smeads, he asks, "what say you?"

Maulbert doesn't seem too sure about what to do. He nods, as if trusting in your own experience more than his own.

You notice a large beam of faint red light hitting the monk's robes as it moves upward towards the ceiling. You then realize that there are many blobs of light cast against the walls of the chamber: some red, some green, some blue, some yellow, and more. They appear and disappear at random, moving along the walls for a little while before dissipating and reappearing elsewhere.

You turn around and determine that these beams are coming from the painting itself as its inhabitants play out the scene depicted in slow motion. Behind the crowd of monsters and victims, there seems to be something producing the light, but it's hard to make out what it is, partly because of the illusion of distance and darkness created by the painting itself, but also because of the various characters standing directly on the other side of the frame as you watch.

"What the..." Rissthil's voice trails off as he realizes where the colored lights originated.

He starts looking around on the ground for a stick or pole among the debris, anything at least over a foot long.

Quote from: Drohem;442606"What the..." Rissthil's voice trails off as he realizes where the colored lights originated.

He starts looking around on the ground for a stick or pole among the debris, anything at least over a foot long.

I try to peel some of the painting, in one of the corners, using a dagger. I need to know what this stuff is.

Quote from: Drohem;442606He starts looking around on the ground for a stick or pole among the debris, anything at least over a foot long.

Rissthil notices the pile of debris by the yellow lantern and the shattered corner of the trough under the fresco. There are multiple pieces of sandstone, boulders, and many wooden beams and planks there, some of them 5 feet long or more.

Quote from: Imperator;442780I try to peel some of the painting, in one of the corners, using a dagger. I need to know what this stuff is.

Gareth takes his dagger and tries to peel some of the paint off the wall. His dagger just goes through the frame, as if there were no paint at all, but instead the tangible depth and reality of a world the paint would have normally depicted.

Quote from: Benoist;442787Rissthil notices the pile of debris by the yellow lantern and the shattered corner of the trough under the fresco. There are multiple pieces of sandstone, boulders, and many wooden beams and planks there, some of them 5 feet long or more.


Gareth takes his dagger and tries to peel some of the paint off the wall. His dagger just goes through the frame, as if there were no paint at all, but instead the tangible depth and reality of a world the paint would have normally depicted.

"Friends, I say that we stay away from this. Crossing it would probably drag us to Hell, the exit of thisplace must be somewhere else."

Maulbert gulps as he listens to Gareth's proposition. The poor hobbit doesn't know what to do. He is trying to keep his eyes away from the fresco, but they are regularly drawn back to it. He just can't help himself, looking back and forth, wondering what will happen next.

Rissthil grabs a four feet piece of wood and walks over to the painting.  He picks out one of the objects that looks closest to the front of the viewer.  He then tries to insert the wood stick into the image and touch the object with the wood.

Quote from: Drohem;443515Rissthil grabs a four feet piece of wood and walks over to the painting.  He picks out one of the objects that looks closest to the front of the viewer.  He then tries to insert the wood stick into the image and touch the object with the wood.

I stand by Riss, ready to pull him out of any danger that could come out of the painting.

"Ive just had a thought"....says Smeads

"Maybe we should block this painting, so nothing can come through..."

Quote from: Drohem;443515Rissthil grabs a four feet piece of wood and walks over to the painting.  He picks out one of the objects that looks closest to the front of the viewer.  He then tries to insert the wood stick into the image and touch the object with the wood.

Quote from: Imperator;443540I stand by Riss, ready to pull him out of any danger that could come out of the painting.

Rissthil proceeds, and spots a cauldron not too 'far' into the picture. He plunges his piece of wood into the painting. It goes through, as if the painting itself was non-existent, and the scene it depicted were real.

There is no feeling of pull forward or backwards.

Movements seem completely unhindered. Rissthil manages to touch one of the cauldron handles. It does ring when the piece of wood comes into contact with it, just like the real thing would.

Quote from: Lilaxe;443954"Ive just had a thought"... says Smeads

"Maybe we should block this painting, so nothing can come through..."

Smeads does notice, like Rissthil and Gareth, that the slow motion of the characters and objects in the painting seems a tad increased when the beam enters the painting.

Quote from: Lilaxe;443954"Ive just had a thought"....says Smeads

"Maybe we should block this painting, so nothing can come through..."

"I agree. Riss, Smeads, let's look somethign big enough to cover the painting as soon as we can. And we better stop messing with it, it seems to become more lively if that is possible."

Quote from: Imperator;444642"I agree. Riss, Smeads, let's look somethign big enough to cover the painting as soon as we can. And we better stop messing with it, it seems to become more lively if that is possible."

The whole frame is about 15 feet high and 50 feet long, running along the whole NE wall. The same is true of the three other frescos around the room (see map, the lines closely following the curve of the walls symbolizing the frescos).

Click for higher resolution (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-04.jpg)
(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-800-04.jpg) (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-04.jpg)

Do ALL the murals on all walls have this effect?

Quote from: Lilaxe;445094Do ALL the murals on all walls have this effect?

All the murals seem to be very vivid and have a volume of their own, so to speak, just like the one you are currently looking at. These other paintings are not animated, just like the painting you are currently examining was not before you started poking it.

"I definitely think we should move on and away from this painting."

It seems that the motion within the fresco has stabilized. It still moves in slow motion, but no longer accelerates.

Maulbert takes a step back, unsure what to think. He then breaks the silence hesitantly: "Maybe we could explore some other area and come back if we do not find anything else of interest?"

Quote from: Benoist;446098It seems that the motion within the fresco has stabilized. It still moves in slow motion, but no longer accelerates.

Maulbert takes a step back, unsure what to think. He then breaks the silence hesitantly: "Maybe we could explore some other area and come back if we do not find anything else of interest?"

"Great idea, let's go".

Gareth grabs gently the hobbit by the elbow, and gestures Smeads to the nearest exit.

"Exploration time, my friends."

DM: You guys can make a decision as to the manner you wish to proceed. We will assume Rissthil follows the group if Drohem doesn't show up to post in the meantime.

Reposting the map for reference. Just tell me where you'd like to go, what you'd like to examine, etc.

Click for higher resolution (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-04.jpg)
(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-800-04.jpg) (http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-04.jpg)

I want to check the dais, and see if there is some kind of lift or rope we can use to go up.

Quote from: Imperator;446315I want to check the dais, and see if there is some kind of lift or rope we can use to go up.

There is no lift or rope, though the breach in the ceiling right above the dais is still there. There doesn't seem to be any way to reach it however, since it is about 50 feet above ground (the room drawing a near perfect half-sphere in space).

"All right my friends, let´s explore this place as there's no easy way out here. I suggest we start with the yellow lamp area, and move right to left from there."

Quote from: Imperator;446521"All right my friends, let´s explore this place as there's no easy way out here. I suggest we start with the yellow lamp area, and move right to left from there."

You walk to the yellow lantern. From there, you can see the giant roofed urn in front of you, right in the way of the corridor leading to the armory and storage room to the NE.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/strange-urn.jpg)

Just above this structure, you see the yellow lantern hanging from the ceiling by a chain:

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/lantern-02.jpg)

Just behind the urn and lantern, you see a pile of debris, wood beams, boulders piled up from the northern to the southern wall of the opening. The trough to your left (NE of the room, just under the animated fresco) has been shattered, somehow, while the other three around the room are intact.

Would you like to inspect a feature, urn, lantern, clutter, trough, something else, in particular?

Quote from: Benoist;446620You walk to the yellow lantern. From there, you can see the giant roofed urn in front of you, right in the way of the corridor leading to the armory and storage room to the NE.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/strange-urn.jpg)

Just above this structure, you see the yellow lantern hanging from the ceiling by a chain:

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/lantern-02.jpg)

Just behind the urn and lantern, you see a pile of debris, wood beams, boulders piled up from the northern to the southern wall of the opening. The trough to your left (NE of the room, just under the animated fresco) has been shattered, somehow, while the other three around the room are intact.

Would you like to inspect a feature, urn, lantern, clutter, trough, something else, in particular?

I'll start looking at the lantern, no poking, while my mates catch up.

Quote from: Imperator;446648I'll start looking at the lantern, no poking, while my mates catch up.

The octogonal lantern sheds its bright yellow light around you. It is not flickering as normal fires or candles would. The manufacture is delicate, and points to an expert craftsmanship whose blend of styles and influences remains unknown to the giant-killer. It is made of the same ancient gray metal as the urn's.

"why dont we try to go furthur north than we have been before? beyond that pile of rubble if we can climb over it"

Quote from: Lilaxe;446743"why dont we try to go furthur north than we have been before? beyond that pile of rubble if we can climb over it"

DM: The rubble actually is actually piled up in such a manner as to make contact with the corridor's ceiling above it. Some pieces of rubble would need to be cleared from the top of the pile first before attempting to squeeze through to the other side. It is not impossible, however.

can we physically interact with material? i.e. can i pick up rocks and move them?

Quote from: Lilaxe;446908can we physically interact with material? i.e. can i pick up rocks and move them?

DM: Judging by the way you interacted with the wall around the painting, how Rissthil was able to pick up a beam to poke at the painting, and similar actions, it looks like you can.

"Let's strt picing up rocks, then." Gaeth will clomb as far as he can and start to carefully remove rocks from the top.

Gareth climbs up the pile of rubble by the red lantern. It is quite unsteady.

DM: Roll 1d100, Gareth.

I roll a 92 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2940703/). Shit.

Quote from: Imperator;447126I roll a 92 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2940703/). Shit.

You trip and fall backwards. You tumble down the pile of rubble, crash into Smeads, and finally hit your head on the pedestal supporting the large urn under the red lantern.

DM: Smeads and Gareth, click on this link. (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?p=447162#post447162)

"There, there now, you're going to be alright!"

Gareth opens his eyes. He is sitting, his back against the urn of the red lantern. Maulbert the hobbit is standing by his side. He seems concerned. "Are you alright?"

Smeads is nowhere to be seen.

Quote from: Benoist;447163"There, there now, you're going to be alright!"

Gareth opens his eyes. He is sitting, his back against the urn of the red lantern. Maulbert the hobbit is standing by his side. He seems concerned. "Are you alright?"

Smeads is nowhere to be seen.

Shit. "Where is Smeads? Tell me Maulbert, where is he gone?"

Quote from: Imperator;447207Shit. "Where is Smeads? Tell me Maulbert, where is he gone?"

"Well of course," the hobbit turns around, and jumps. "But... but he was right there just a moment ago, when you fell from there!"

"I don't understand!"

Rissthil was at the bottom of the rock pile and had just started picking up his first rock when Gareth came tumbling down and crashed onto the urn.  Dropping the rock in his hands, Rissthil rushes to Gareth's aid as well.  Rissthil turns too to look for Smeads who had been right there a second ago, but his now vanished into thin air.

"By the Gods!" Rissthil exclaims when he realizes that Smeads has mysteriously vanished from their presence, "what is going on here!"

He turns to look back at Gareth, and he asks him with a concerned look and tone, "are you alright, mate?"

Quote from: Drohem;447713Rissthil was at the bottom of the rock pile and had just started picking up his first rock when Gareth came tumbling down and crashed onto the urn.  Dropping the rock in his hands, Rissthil rushes to Gareth's aid as well.  Rissthil turns too to look for Smeads who had been right there a second ago, but his now vanished into thin air.

"By the Gods!" Rissthil exclaims when he realizes that Smeads has mysteriously vanished from their presence, "what is going on here!"

He turns to look back at Gareth, and he asks him with a concerned look and tone, "are you alright, mate?"

"I am all right, but this situation is really starting to make me angry. I don't know where Smead has gone, maybe he's back in our world with our companions. Anyway, I think we should keep digging here, as it seems to have produced some result." With this, Gareth resumes taking away stones, carefully and looking oout for any danger.

Gareth resumes his work. Maulbert stands not far from Rissthil. The expression on his face is one of concern as he looks at the thief picking up boulders and lumber, trying to make his way through the barrier before him. The hobbit then shrugs, pats Rissthil on the shoulder, and steps forward to help him with the task at hand.

Quote from: Benoist;447818Gareth resumes his work. Maulbert stands not far from Rissthil. The expression on his face is one of concern as he looks at the thief picking up boulders and lumber, trying to make his way through the barrier before him. The hobbit then shrugs, pats Rissthil on the shoulder, and steps forward to help him with the task at hand.

Gareth's goal is just to open a space big enough for him and Riss to crawl through. He doesn't intend to clear the entirety of the passage. As soon as one of us can get through, we will start exploring.

Rissthil was staring blankly at the debris wall lost in the enormity of it all when he was brought back to the immediate moment by Brother Maulbert's physical contact.  That small contact filled Rissthil with hope that they weren't all actually dead and imprisoned in some kind of hellish Limbo.  Silently, he bends down and starts removing rocks and debris with his companions.

Quote from: Imperator;447822Gareth's goal is just to open a space big enough for him and Riss to crawl through. He doesn't intend to clear the entirety of the passage. As soon as one of us can get through, we will start exploring.

Quote from: Drohem;447836Rissthil was staring blankly at the debris wall lost in the enormity of it all when he was brought back to the immediate moment by Brother Maulbert's physical contact.  That small contact filled Rissthil with hope that they weren't all actually dead and imprisoned in some kind of hellish Limbo.  Silently, he bends down and starts removing rocks and debris with his companions.

You guys both roll me 1d100. Maulbert does the same.

Quote from: Benoist;447838You guys both roll me 1d100.

OOC: Rissthil rolls a 44 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2948229/).

DM: Maulbert rolls a 53. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2948238/)

I roll an 85 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2949236/). FUCK MY LUCK.

Quote from: Imperator;447921I roll an 85 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2949236/). FUCK MY LUCK.

Gareth would indeed have triggered another collapse of the huge pile of rubble and beams if it hadn't been for Rissthil and Maulbert, who noticed the danger and warned him before the accident occurred.

You are able to clear an area big enough for you to squeeze through near the corridor's ceiling. From there, you can either work at it a little more to enlarge the access to the next area, have a peek at the other side, or try to squeeze through right this minute.

The beams of light emerging from the north-eastern fresco by the shattered trough in the circular room are still casting large, morphing patterns merging into one another, crossing each other, moving along in opposite or similar directions.

DM: Gareth just missed by 5%, which was largely made up by the margins of success of his two companions.

What do you do?

Rissthil whispers up to Gareth, "try to get a look first, if you can."

Rissthil is standing on the rubble pile ready to grab Gareth's legs and yank him back through in a hurry if needed.

I will take a careful look through the hole we just dug, and if everything seems clear, I will get a dagger and try and get through it.

Quote from: Imperator;448600I will take a careful look through the hole we just dug, and if everything seems clear, I will get a dagger and try and get through it.

You have a look through the hole. You see light right in front of your face, and realize this is another red lantern hanging from the ceiling maybe ten feet away from the pile of rubble, but this one is covered with what looks like patches of moss and ivy in such a way as to provide enough of a glare to cloud your vision to what's going on behind it in the darkness.

You perceive no movement.

Under the lantern, you can see the familiar shape of another tall urn standing on a pedestal. There seems to be some kind of corridor stretching beyond, but it is frankly hard to tell with the lantern so close to your eyes.

Are you squeezing through?

Rissthil watches carefully from below for any signs of distress from Gareth, and remains ready to yank his legs backward quickly if necessary.  He tries to get a good position for his feet and good footing in case he is need to help Gareth quickly.

==========================================================

OOC: Does Rissthil have his spell memorized here?

Quote from: Drohem;449833Rissthil watches carefully from below for any signs of distress from Gareth, and remains ready to yank his legs backward quickly if necessary.  He tries to get a good position for his feet and good footing in case he is need to help Gareth quickly.

DM: Roger that.

Quote from: Drohem;449833OOC: Does Rissthil have his spell memorized here?

DM: As far as I'm aware, Rissthil has not cast his spell so far. The pattern he imprinted on his memories earlier is still there, ready to be released on notice. He isn't sure it would work here in this limbo, but then again, it could work fine. Who knows?

Quote from: Benoist;449880DM: As far as I'm aware, Rissthil has not cast his spell so far. The pattern he imprinted on his memories earlier is still there, ready to be released on notice. He isn't sure it would work here in this limbo, but then again, it could work fine. Who knows?

OOC: Yes, he cast his spell already.  *looks through threads*  Here. (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=421302&postcount=44)

Quote from: Drohem;449946OOC: Yes, he cast his spell already.  *looks through threads*  Here. (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=421302&postcount=44)

DM: Thanks! Then the spell's arcane pattern isn't readily available for him to recall right now.

[OOC: Apologies for the delay]

First, Gareth describes what he sees to his mates. After that, he carefully leaves the lantern on the floor in front of him and squeezes through the opening, trying to be as silent as possible. As he's in no hurry, he will take as much time as he needs to be quiet.

Once Rissthil sees Gareth's feet shimmy forward through the hole, he offers to help Brother Maulbert up to the hole and into it to follow Gareth.  Rissthil will follow the others through the hole if they keep moving forward and don't indicate any immediate danger.

Quote from: Imperator;453845[OOC: Apologies for the delay]

First, Gareth describes what he sees to his mates. After that, he carefully leaves the lantern on the floor in front of him and squeezes through the opening, trying to be as silent as possible. As he's in no hurry, he will take as much time as he needs to be quiet.

You squeeze through the opening on top of the pile of rubble as cautiously as you possibly can. Just a few feet in front of you, there is this red lantern hanging from the ceiling, partially covered with some sort of hybrid leaved moss. Under it, there is a large roofed urn, similar in size and shape to the ones you've seen under each of the three lanterns you've seen.

You find yourself at the southern end of a long corridor oriented North-South. The first feature sticking out of the shadows is an enormous, bulbous mass of moss hanging from the ceiling about 15 feet away from the lantern next to you. It is hard to make out its exact features or appearance from here. This vaguely looks like some sort of vegetal hornets' nest with a discreet luminescent quality to the lines and areas where its numerous folds overlap.

(http://www.ibtimes.com/data/blogs_editor/recentlylaidoff/hornets-nest.jpg)

A door originally blocking access to some area to the bulbous plant's west lies shattered to pieces on the corridor's floor. There are also patches of moss growing here and there, and planks and boulders and refuse all over the place.

What looks like another set of doors stands to the bulbous plant's east. This one seems intact, though you're not too sure.

Beyond the plant-like thing standing between those two sets of doors, one intact (east), one not (west), there is yet another red lantern hanging from the ceiling, another enormous roofed urn standing on a pedestal below.

And beyond yet, another lantern, but this one's light is not red: it is dark, bleuish with some very faint red undertones to it; indigo would be a good way to summarize its general shade.

The corridor seems to go on beyond the indigo lantern, but it is hard to tell from this distance.

Quote from: Drohem;454039Once Rissthil sees Gareth's feet shimmy forward through the hole, he offers to help Brother Maulbert up to the hole and into it to follow Gareth.  Rissthil will follow the others through the hole if they keep moving forward and don't indicate any immediate danger.

Maulbert accepts Rissthil's offer and starts to make his way through the hole. Rissthil feels suddenly very much alone. He notices the circus of lights projected from the painting they examined earlier seems to have stopped in his back, but he is focused on the hobbit at the moment.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-05.jpg)

Gareth whispers through the hole:

"Riss, make it fast. There are some things here you should look at"

Unable to shake the creeping feeling of dread rising up his spine, Rissthil renews his resolve and turns to look at the painting.

Quote from: Drohem;455075Unable to shake the creeping feeling of dread rising up his spine, Rissthil renews his resolve and turns to look at the painting.

While Riss comes here, I will grab the lantern and check the closest lamp carefully. Also, I keep my ears well open.

As Rissthil turns around, he sees a strange and silent procession unfolding. Some creatures emerge from the painting. The eight levitating creatures look like liquid blobs of bright light that conglomerated together to form the shape of some sort of human-sized moth. What could be their chests and abdomen are covered with articulated plaques of bronze. They look almost black by the way their dark shade contrasts with the luminosity emanating from the creatures' bodies.

The eight luminous creatures slowly hover in a circle formation from the painting towards the dais. Wisps of light extend from them towards the center, and seem to support a spherical apparatus that looks like a complex astrolabe made of the same bronze metal as their armor from where you stand.

The creatures do not seem aware of Rissthil's presence, or if they are, they do not seem to pay any attention to him.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Spherical_astrolabe_2.jpg/450px-Spherical_astrolabe_2.jpg)

Quote from: Imperator;455084While Riss comes here, I will grab the lantern and check the closest lamp carefully. Also, I keep my ears well open.

Gareth looks at the red lantern. It is partially covered with some kind of moss. It is in all ways similar to the lanterns hanging to the north, east and west of the dais area.

(http://www.enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/lantern-01.jpg)

Under it, there is the roofed urn standing on its pedestal you now come to expect.

The inside of the urn is of some interest, since it looks, at the faint light of the lantern, to be much darker than its exterior. There is a kind of heavy, oily smell emanating from within the urn that mixes with the whiffs of mold the moss exudes around the thief.

(http://www.enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/strange-urn.jpg)

Can I open the urn?

Rissthil will crouch on the rubble and use the lantern to partially conceal himself from view the dais area of the room.  He will watch the strange scene unfold.  However, if he sees that he is noticed, he will immediately turn and try to shimmy through the hole in the rubble.

Quote from: Imperator;455318Can I open the urn?

It is open. There is no lid on its vast round container or anything of the sort.

Quote from: Benoist;455393It is open. There is no lid on its vast round container or anything of the sort.

Then I approach and take a very very careful peek inside. Do I notice some smell?

OOC: Can I hear the procession outside?

Quote from: Drohem;455390Rissthil will crouch on the rubble and use the lantern to partially conceal himself from view the dais area of the room.  He will watch the strange scene unfold.  However, if he sees that he is noticed, he will immediately turn and try to shimmy through the hole in the rubble.

The creatures do not seem to notice or care about Rissthil at the moment. They slowly hover towards the dais area. The spherical device levitating in the middle of their formation seems to change shape, and size. It grows and shrinks, several leaf-shaped bronze pannels along its rim opening and closing like the petals of a metallic flower pulsing with a life of its own. Wisps of multicolored light swirl around it.

The scene is quite beautiful in its otherworldliness.

DM: Rolls resistance to Charm effects. Failure (to affect the elf). (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3008526/) Rissthil resists the lure of the hypnotic scene unfolding before him so far.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-06.jpg)

Quote from: Imperator;455452Then I approach and take a very very careful peek inside. Do I notice some smell?

Yes. Gareth determines that the strong smell of oil, which is combined with some pungent, spicy overtones reminding him of a very potent incense, emanates from the inside of the urn. There seems to be something at the bottom of the urn.

Quote from: Imperator;455452OOC: Can I hear the procession outside?

No. Gareth is completely oblivious to what's going on on the other side of the wall of rubble so far.

Quote from: Benoist;455487Yes. Gareth determines that the strong smell of oil, which is combined with some pungent, spicy overtones reminding him of a very potent incense, emanates from the inside of the urn. There seems to be something at the bottom of the urn.


No. Gareth is completely oblivious to what's going on on the other side of the wall of rubble so far.

Then Gareth will see (not try, just see) if he can reach the botton of the urn. Better yet, maybe I can use a piece of wire (from my lockpicks) to fashion a hook and catch it.

Oh, also whisper: "Rissthil, what the hell are you doing?"

Quote from: Imperator;455534Then Gareth will see (not try, just see) if he can reach the botton of the urn. Better yet, maybe I can use a piece of wire (from my lockpicks) to fashion a hook and catch it.

If Gareth was to bend over the large receptacle completely, almost lifting his feet up the ground with his belly resting on the edge of the urn, he would reach its bottom with his open hand.

Alternately, a piece of wire is readily available amongst his possessions.

Quote from: Benoist;455682If Gareth was to bend over the large receptacle completely, almost lifting his feet up the ground with his belly resting on the edge of the urn, he would reach its bottom with his open hand.

Alternately, a piece of wire is readily available amongst his possessions.

Then I will fashion a hook using the wire and the lace of my purse and try to catch the thing at the bottom.


[OOC: Drohem, it would be great if you told us about the music hall show out there :D]

Quote from: Imperator;456093Then I will fashion a hook using the wire and the lace of my purse and try to catch the thing at the bottom.

Gareth does so, and reaches for whatever lies at the bottom of the large receptacle. He seems to touch something soft, and lifts it up towards him.

DM: Roll 1d6.

I roll a 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3012929/)

Quote from: Drohem;455390Rissthil will crouch on the rubble and use the lantern to partially conceal himself from view the dais area of the room.  He will watch the strange scene unfold.  However, if he sees that he is noticed, he will immediately turn and try to shimmy through the hole in the rubble.

Rissthil keeps on watching.

The creatures slowly dance around the astrolabe, the petals of bronze covering their abdomens slowly pulsing as waves of light mingle between them. Orbs of colored light congregate around the astrolabe, and come to form glowing satellites swirling slowly around it. The sound of flutes rises in the distance. It seems to emanate from the painting, but Rissthil cannot see it from the pile of rubble.

DM: Ramon, roll another 1d6 for Gareth. On a result of 1 or 2, you'll be able to hear the highest notes of the flutes' melody.

DM: Rolls to overcome Charm resistance: Failure. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3013010/) Rissthil resists the lure of the hypnotic scene unfolding before him.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-800-06b.jpg)

Quote from: Imperator;456180I roll a 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3012929/)

Gareth manages to fish a ball of ash, a little smaller than his palm, out of the urn. It looks extremely fragile. Amazingly enough, it did not fall apart as the hook went through it and the thief lifted it up.

Having felt the power of the scene unfolding before him, Rissthil decides it is time to leave.  He turns and tries to quietly shimmy through the hole following Gareth and the halfling monk.

[OOC: I roll a 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3016939/) and listen to it.]

Gareth tries to observe closely the ball of ash, to see if it's really made of ash or it is something covered in ash. WITHOUT TOUCHING IT.

Quote from: Drohem;456215Having felt the power of the scene unfolding before him, Rissthil decides it is time to leave.  He turns and tries to quietly shimmy through the hole following Gareth and the halfling monk.

Maulbert is just about done going through the hole in the same manner Gareth did earlier: with great caution. Rissthil can begin to squeeze through. Does he take his time, like Gareth and Maulbert did, or does he try to go about it faster, running the risk of making some sort of noise in the process?

Quote from: Imperator;456837[OOC: I roll a 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3016939/) and listen to it.]

Gareth tries to observe closely the ball of ash, to see if it's really made of ash or it is something covered in ash. WITHOUT TOUCHING IT.

Gareth hears the melody. It sounds very antique, and very much out of place. The thief takes a closer look at the ball of ash without touching it: it is indeed entirely made of ash. The oily smell coming out of it is consistent with the type of scent you get out of lanterns or torches mixed with spices. Some type of incense, most probably.

Quote from: Benoist;456847Gareth hears the melody. It sounds very antique, and very much out of place. The thief takes a closer look at the ball of ash without touching it: it is indeed entirely made of ash. The oily smell coming out of it is consistent with the type of scent you get out of lanterns or torches mixed with spices. Some type of incense, most probably.

Is it hot? Can I stuff it in a bag or something like it?

Quote from: Benoist;456847Maulbert is just about done going through the hole in the same manner Gareth did earlier: with great caution. Rissthil can begin to squeeze through. Does he take his time, like Gareth and Maulbert did, or does he try to go about it faster, running the risk of making some sort of noise in the process?

Rissthil takes his time to shimmy and squeeze through the hole trying not to disturb the debris under him, and cause the any undue noise.

Quote from: Imperator;456903Is it hot? Can I stuff it in a bag or something like it?

Gareth feels no heat emanating from the ball of ash whatsoever. Were it to be stuffed in a bag or similar compartment, it's almost certain the fragile thing would just fall apart.

Quote from: Drohem;457079Rissthil takes his time to shimmy and squeeze through the hole trying not to disturb the debris under him, and cause the any undue noise.

Rissthil proceeds.

DM: Roll 1d100.

Quote from: Benoist;457083DM: Roll 1d100.

OOC:  Rissthil rolls a 93 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3018910/).

Quote from: Drohem;457087OOC:  Rissthil rolls a 93 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3018910/).

Rissthil makes his way through the rubble. At the moment he doesn't see much, busy as he is to squeeze through without making much noise. So far, he is successful.

I wait for Rissthil's arrival so he can inspect the stuff.

DM: Gareth, roll 1d6 again.

Rissthil makes his way through the hole. The light behind seems to intensify. The sound of pipes becomes slightly louder, the tune faster. There are no horrible surprises awaiting him, however, and he manages to not make a whole lot of noise. He is now climbing down the pile of rubble slowly towards his friends.

Maulbert, meanwhile, stays by the lantern with Gareth, so still he just might not have been breathing the whole time. He's quite visibly nervous, looking at the mess that lies in front of them, beyond the lantern itself, down the corridor they presently face.

Quote from: Benoist;457325DM: Gareth, roll 1d6 again.

Rissthil makes his way through the hole. The light behind seems to intensify. The sound of pipes becomes slightly louder, the tune faster. There are no horrible surprises awaiting him, however, and he manages to not make a whole lot of noise. He is now climbing down the pile of rubble slowly towards his friends.

Maulbert, meanwhile, stays by the lantern with Gareth, so still he just might not have been breathing the whole time. He's quite visibly nervous, looking at the mess that lies in front of them, beyond the lantern itself, down the corridor they presently face.

I roll a 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3026531/).

As Rissthil comes to stand next to Brother Maulbert, he looks at Gareth and the lantern to see what he is doing.

"Something strange is happening in the great circular chamber," he says softly, "a great song and dance of lights was being to coalesce before we left."

Quote from: Imperator;458208I roll a 1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3026531/).

Gareth hears the very faint sound of a piece of metal rubbing against stone. It does not last long, and seems to come from the area further to the west of his position, through the frame of the door that lies shattered to pieces on the corridor's floor. Maulbert did not seem to notice it.

Quote from: Benoist;458301Gareth hears the very faint sound of a piece of metal rubbing against stone. It does not last long, and seems to come from the area further to the west of his position, through the frame of the door that lies shattered to pieces on the corridor's floor. Maulbert did not seem to notice it.

I make a sign to my companions to be quiet, and point them to the direction of the sound. Carefully, I unseath my sword and stealthily move over there to investigate the noise.

Rissthil will follow suit and quietly unsheathe his sword and moves up behind Gareth.  Rissthil will tap Maulbert on the shoulder and puts his index finger to his lips and make the SHH! gesture.

You are both moving northward with stealth. The sound leads to the entrance of a room west of the bulbous organic thing hanging from the ceiling a few paces away from the red lantern Gareth was investigating.

DM: Gareth and Rissthil, both roll 1d100 twice.

OOC:  Rissthil rolls a 36 and 40 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3030934/).

An 8 and a 52 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3031397/)

Gareth is very stealthy, almost unnaturally silent. Rissthil does manage quite well himself, though he is not entirely silent.

You make your way to the door's frame, and have a peek. You see more of these strange plants growing of the wall of a curved room beyond. Patches of moss litter the ground. In the middle of the room, there is some sort of big cavity framed with marble: probably some sort of pool, though you do not see any water.

The area is very dark. Though you do see the two curved walls on the left and right of the door's frame, you are not able to tell where exactly the room ends, as its depths are still ungulfed in shadow.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-07.jpg)

Whispering: "OK, mates, what shalle we do? Shall we explore this room more thoroughly or shall we move down the corridor?"

Can Gareth identify the source of the sound? Is it further away?

Quote from: Imperator;459422Can Gareth identify the source of the sound? Is it further away?

The source of the sounds seems awfully close, but for some reason Gareth doesn't see any movement ahead of him.

OK, can Gareth see a big pile of dust somewhere nearby?

Quote from: Imperator;460183OK, can Gareth see a big pile of dust somewhere nearby?

No large pile of refuse nearby. Just this large concave 'pool' section in front of Gareth, and some of these weird plant-like formations parasiting the walls with a whole web of moss on either side of the door.

Rissthil whispers back to Gareth, "let's check out the room first.  I don't want to be surprised by a rear attack if we can avoid it."

Rissthil starts moving along the left wall into the darkened pool chamber to examine it better.

Rissthil passes through the frame of the door whose fragments lie on the corridor's floor. He hugs the left (southern wall) and quickly reaches another plant formation similar to the one hanging from the corridor's ceiling. It looks like it is made of layers of moss and branches with a fragile web of saliva stretched over it. There are large vegetal wings or blades visible at equal intervals around the thing, and between them, some sort of translucent sacs filled with a vaguely luminescent liquid. There is something floating inside. Something large, and humanoid.

Looking around, Rissthil can see different plants just like the one is just standing by. Some of them have sacs which have been pierced. They look like gigantic bits of dried skin flattened against the walls, their liquid contents spread all over the ground amidst the patches of moss growing here and there around the pool.

A bit farther away, Rissthil can see the wall opposite to the door following the curve of the room. There is some kind of dais there, and a large structure standing over it, like a group of horned individuals wrestling, mingling together in apotheosis, frozen in space and time, reaching out from the darkness.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-08.jpg)

Quote from: Drohem;460675Rissthil whispers back to Gareth, "let's check out the room first.  I don't want to be surprised by a rear attack if we can avoid it."

Rissthil starts moving along the left wall into the darkened pool chamber to examine it better.

I follow Rissthil closely, eyes peeled for anything, sword and dagger in hand.

Rissthil will move away from the southern wall and closer to the southern edge of the pool.  He will move slowly along the pool's edge until he reaches the western end of the pool.  He will then stop and take his time to look at the dais and listen for any strange noises.

Rissthil reaches the southern edge of the pool. Avoiding the strange plant carefully, he makes a few steps forward. He knows something is afoot, but what?

DM: Roll for initiative. I roll a 6. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3048676/)

Quote from: Benoist;461279Rissthil reaches the southern edge of the pool. Avoiding the strange plant carefully, he makes a few steps forward. He knows something is afoot, but what?

DM: Roll for initiative. I roll a 6. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3048676/)

I roll a 2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3048762/).

Gareth from his position watches as a bunch of projectiles are thrown from the pool towards Rissthil. He can identify a bulbous chunk of vegetal stuff, a piece of rubble and a large stick. The chunk of vegetal flies in a direction perpendicular to Rissthil's position, but the elf isn't so lucky with the two other items thrown at him: (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3050484/) the stone hits him in the ribs, and the large stick in the head!

DM: Rissthil, roll 1d100 immediately.

Gareth can hear grunts coming from the pool, right beyond his own feet.

Orcish grunts.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-09.jpg)

If Rissthil falls down, gareth will drag him back to the corridor. If Rissthil still stands, Gareth will run along the long border of the pool trying to get a clear view of the attackers.

Quote from: Imperator;461993If Rissthil falls down, gareth will drag him back to the corridor. If Rissthil still stands, Gareth will run along the long border of the pool trying to get a clear view of the attackers.

The stone hits Rissthil in the ribs, which prompts the elf to bend over just as the stick flies by: it hits him in the head. Rissthil falls into the pool, unconscious.

Excited grunts welcome Rissthil's fall. Gareth might jump inside the pool himself, but he would have to confront the creatures before being able to do anything with the elf. What is he going to do?

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-10.jpg)

Quote from: Benoist;462668Excited grunts welcome Rissthil's fall. Gareth might jump inside the pool himself, but he would have to confront the creatures before being able to do anything with the elf. What is he going to do?

I'm jumping above those motherfucker's heads and stab them until my sword breaks. No one touches my friends. I'm drawing a circle of death around Riss' body.

DM: Roll a d6 for initiative, and a d20 for your attack. Good luck. :D

Quote from: Benoist;462839DM: Roll a d6 for initiative, and a d20 for your attack. Good luck. :D

3 for initiative, 9 for the attack (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3064703/). guess I am fucked.

Quote from: Imperator;4629963 for initiative, 9 for the attack (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3064703/). guess I am fucked.

Init 4. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3070628/)

Gareth jumps over the creatures heads and stabs blindly at whatever sticks out. He succeeds in scaring the hell out of them, but trips and finds himself between Rissthil and his opponents who charge him with their bare fists.

Amazingly, they all are pretty ineffective in their rage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3070633/). They hit Gareth hard, no doubt, but are so imprecise, and - Gareth can see in their eyes - so scared beyond belief, that they do not manage to land a single telling blow.

They seem hesitant, more desperate than anything.

Gareth is kneeling, receiving their blows. What does he do now ?

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-11.jpg)

Quote from: Benoist;463842Gareth is kneeling, receiving their blows. What does he do now ?

Comforted to see them suck more than he does, Gareth will try to strike his best intimidatory pose, drawing a wide circle of steel around him (he is more interested in getting some maneuvering space than in actually harming the critters), while shouting loudly "Come you, hellspawn, come and die!!"

DM: Roll 1d100.

A 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3072444/).

Your opponents hesitate. Your defiance, and the fact the three of them didn't manage to overpower you initially, makes them pause for the moment. You have the initiative, could try to interact with them, attack them, or whatever else you might decide to take advantage of this stalemate.

Quote from: Benoist;464280Your opponents hesitate. Your defiance, and the fact the three of them didn't manage to overpower you initially, makes them pause for the moment. You have the initiative, could try to interact with them, attack them, or whatever else you might decide to take advantage of this stalemate.

I will cautiously move so I stanv over Rissthil's body, and make sure none of them can hurt him. I don't break eye contact with them, and try to look as hulking as possible.

They stay where they are. You can see each one of them looking at you carefully, searching for any sign of weakness in your stance and demeanor.

One of them finally steps forward. He seems less afraid than the others. He is also taller by a couple of inches. Half of his face has been deeply scarred by some kind of burn. The shape of his skull is quite visible through his skin. It's hard to make out the color of his eyes.

He just stands there in front of you and nods approvingly. "Gul-gâsh," he finally says.

You have no idea what that means.

Quote from: Benoist;465158They stay where they are. You can see each one of them looking at you carefully, searching for any sign of weakness in your stance and demeanor.

One of them finally steps forward. He seems less afraid than the others. He is also taller by a couple of inches. Half of his face has been deeply scarred by some kind of burn. The shape of his skull is quite visible through his skin. It's hard to make out the color of his eyes.

He just stands there in front of you and nods approvingly. "Gul-gâsh," he finally says.

You have no idea what that means.

I point at myself and say "Gareth."

"Kroak," the large orc answers, pointing at his own chest. He then adds : "Gurpatûlluk orgamosh. Kar-takûl?"

Quote from: Benoist;465936"Kroak," the large orc answers, pointing at his own chest. He then adds : "Gurpatûlluk orgamosh. Kar-takûl?"

I lower a bit my weapon, so I look a bit less aggresive (I DO NOT SHEATH THE SWORD) and make a gesture, maybe shrugging my shoulders to show I can't speak their language.

The orcs seem to be more confused, if not more afraid, than you are. They look at their leader, the one who just talked to you, wondering what's going to happen now.

The orc points at himself. He then mimics the act of running silently, hides back in the shadows of the edge of the empty pool for a moment after showing that spot, and then emerges again. He wonders if you understand. He points at you, then at his own chest, and puts his back against one of his men's, pointing at the both of them. "Gûrn shak?"

He looks genuinely frustrated, but tries to keep his voice low, both to not scare you away, and visibly because he is concerned about your present situation and what might be lurking in the shadows around.

Quote from: Benoist;482649The orcs seem to be more confused, if not more afraid, than you are. They look at their leader, the one who just talked to you, wondering what's going to happen now.

The orc points at himself. He then mimics the act of running silently, hides back in the shadows of the edge of the empty pool for a moment after showing that spot, and then emerges again. He wonders if you understand. He points at you, then at his own chest, and puts his back against one of his men's, pointing at the both of them. "Gûrn shak?"

He looks genuinely frustrated, but tries to keep his voice low, both to not scare you away, and visibly because he is concerned about your present situation and what might be lurking in the shadows around.

OK, I point at myself, and at my fellow companion, mimic a big scary monster and me falling to the ground. i mimc both of us waking up in this place.

Also, I look around looking for a suitable way of lifting my fallne friend outta here.

The orcs look at your demonstration, trying to explain what happened to you and how you got there. They don't seem to understand all the subtleties, but they seem to grasp the gist of it all.

 When they see you start towards Rissthil to move his body from the pool, the largest orc moves towards you and extends his hand to stop you. He then lifts a finger to his deformed lips, and whispers something to one of his men. This fellow then starts to look around the edge of the pool, probably checking out if there's anything moving in your vicinity. He turns his head back and nods.

The large orc seems satisfied. He starts helping you with Rissthil.

Quote from: Benoist;483265The orcs look at your demonstration, trying to explain what happened to you and how you got there. They don't seem to understand all the subtleties, but they seem to grasp the gist of it all.

 When they see you start towards Rissthil to move his body from the pool, the largest orc moves towards you and extends his hand to stop you. He then lifts a finger to his deformed lips, and whispers something to one of his men. This fellow then starts to look around the edge of the pool, probably checking out if there's anything moving in your vicinity. He turns his head back and nods.

The large orc seems satisfied. He starts helping you with Rissthil.

I bow my head to him and proceed helping Riss' body out. Once we got it, I will point to the sentry and will shrug in a questioning gesture. I want to see if they can tell me what are they hiding of.

You get Rissthil body's out together. Away, probably by the dais area, the music is still going, lingering along the corridors, reverberating against the walls of the complex. Just next to you, and behind the chief assisting you too, you can see these strange plants which have taken over the frescos of this room, with these large sacks or bubbles of luminescent bile hanging from their sides, and things floating within.

You gesture to the orc, and he seems to understand. He gestures all around him. "Kobrûk kapûl" he says matter-of-factly, though you do not understand what he means.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-12.jpg)

Quote from: Benoist;483756You get Rissthil body's out together. Away, probably by the dais area, the music is still going, lingering along the corridors, reverberating against the walls of the complex. Just next to you, and behind the chief assisting you too, you can see these strange plants which have taken over the frescos of this room, with these large sacks or bubbles of luminescent bile hanging from their sides, and things floating within.

You gesture to the orc, and he seems to understand. He gestures all around him. "Kobrûk kapûl" he says matter-of-factly, though you do not understand what he means.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-12.jpg)

OK, first I will stealthily approach the main hallway while gesturing the orcs to wait in silence. I want to listen in case there's something coming that way. If all's clear, I will go back and approach the statue that seems to be at the other side of the pool, while pointing at it and shrugging questioningly.

Gareth checks the main hallway. Nothing seems to be coming from the south. The darkness north beyond the lanterns seems quiet, if a bit disconcerting in its own peculiar way.

Gareth gets back into the room. One of the orcs got out on the other side of the dried pool. The chief is by Rissthil's body. The last orc still stands on guard by the edge of the pool, down there.

The statue seems to beckon Gareth towards the dais at the end of the room's curve. It is a complex composition showing multiple horned characters all intertwined and mingled together. They are all springing from the depths of the earth, reaching for a man at the center of the whole scene who is wearing noble robes. The demons are pulling the man's robes apart and feeding on bits of his flesh, but the man doesn't seem to care. He is looking up, not down, towards the high heavens. He is brandishing a staff. On top of the staff, you can see what looks like a shard of crystal. In the heavens above, there is a pyramidal shape, and in the center of this shape, an all-seeing eye, lidless, sleepless.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/pictures/all_seeing_eye.png)

That is a work of great craftsmanship.

On each side of the statue, Gareth can see there are torches burning with violet flames. They cast their lights onto the sculpture in such a way as to make it seem distant, and yet vibrant, as if the scene was taking place in another place and time.

(http://enrill.net/images/play-by-posts/maps/dungeon/DG-L01-13.jpg)

I want to inspect closely the statue without touching it, looking for any crack or sign of mechanism. By the way, is there any exit of this chamber behind the statue?

(Apologies for the delay, the forum didn't notify me of your post. And BTW, you have moved Riss' counter instead of mine :D)

DM: Ooops. Corrected the map. :D

There is no visible exit by the statue. The sculpture seems to be part of the wall itself, actually. Gareth looks more closely at its mingled shapes. It is very intricate, with many spikes and crevices. The half-elf can see, however, that there is a crack here within the sculpture itself that doesn't seem to be the result of some accident or damage. It is here by design, and seems to run throughout the sculpture, drawing an arc that could be some kind of opening or door, indeed.

Quote from: Benoist;484990DM: Ooops. Corrected the map. :D

There is no visible exit by the statue. The sculpture seems to be part of the wall itself, actually. Gareth looks more closely at its mingled shapes. It is very intricate, with many spikes and crevices. The half-elf can see, however, that there is a crack here within the sculpture itself that doesn't seem to be the result of some accident or damage. It is here by design, and seems to run throughout the sculpture, drawing an arc that could be some kind of opening or door, indeed.

Hum. I gesture the orcs to come closer and point at the door so they can see it. Maybe they know how to open it?

The large orc who interacted with Gareth the most comes closer and inspects the statue. He can see what the half elf is pointing at, and nods approvingly at the discovery. This lets Gareth know right there that they weren't aware of this crack's presence before he showed it to them.

Quote from: Benoist;485088The large orc who interacted with Gareth the most comes closer and inspects the statue. He can see what the half elf is pointing at, and nods approvingly at the discovery. This lets Gareth know right there that they weren't aware of this crack's presence before he showed it to them.

OK, so they don't know there was a door there. Well, I'm examining the statue as thoroughly as I can without touching anything. Visually only. I gesture the orc in case he wants to help me, but I indicate that the statue is not to be touched. I am looking for any trigger, handle, discoloration that may indicate the presence of a mechanism for opening the door.

The irregular shapes which participate to the sculpture's sense of dynamism and realism prove to be quite an obstacle to Gareth's endeavor. It is a wonder he could locate this crack running through the mess of spikes and bodies and curves of robes and stone flesh in the first place.

He is studying the artwork with patience, however, and soon the large orc joins him to figure out what might be triggering the opening of this large, human-sized pannel they just found hidden there. The orc follows the half-elf's lead. Gareth doesn't know how long the orcs' cooperation is going to last, but it seems quite obvious that they are more afraid for their lives than they hate elven ear shapes at the moment.

After a few long minutes spent studying the statue, it becomes clear they will not find what they seek. There is no visible trigger that is part of the statue itself.

Quote from: Benoist;485205The irregular shapes which participate to the sculpture's sense of dynamism and realism prove to be quite an obstacle to Gareth's endeavor. It is a wonder he could locate this crack running through the mess of spikes and bodies and curves of robes and stone flesh in the first place.

He is studying the artwork with patience, however, and soon the large orc joins him to figure out what might be triggering the opening of this large, human-sized pannel they just found hidden there. The orc follows the half-elf's lead. Gareth doesn't know how long the orcs' cooperation is going to last, but it seems quite obvious that they are more afraid for their lives than they hate elven ear shapes at the moment.

After a few long minutes spent studying the statue, it becomes clear they will not find what they seek. There is no visible trigger that is part of the statue itself.

OK, so this advances a bit faster.

Once I finished visually inspecting the statue, I will take one of the torches besides it and carefully check the walls around it looking for a lever in the adjacent walls. i will take my time. If that fails to produce a result, then I will gesture the orcs so they help me in pulling / pushing the statue to open the door. And to hell with this! :D

Roll 1d6.

I roll a 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3226794/).

Gareth pulls one of the torches from its sockets. It shouldn't have triggered any mechanism, but against all expectations, it does. And not the good kind either.

There is an explosion, the feeling of falling and ... nothing. Gareth feels nothing for a moment. He stays there in the dark, half-expecting to be dead, this time. Then there is a sense of vertigo, an acceleration, thousands of images that flood Gareth's mind in an instant, and a blood spatter.

The adventure goes on there for Gareth. (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?p=485575#post485575)

Holy fucking shit!