Dranon conveys what’s he’s discerned from the Identify spell to the others. He then begins investigating the hinges and surrounding floor to determine if the entire trap door can be removed.
(OOC: What is the floor made of? Wood, earth, brick, other…?)
Dranon speaks to the others while still directing his attention to the trapdoor and, especially, the surrounding floor. “This is designed either to keep something in or others out.” He reaches behind him and slides out the crowbar strapped to the side of his pack. Lightly tapping the floor with the crowbar, he looks up at the others, “Considering the tumbler enchantment and condition of the surrounding area, I’m hedging my bet it’s the latter.” With that Dranon carefully inserts the crowbar between the floor planks close to the trap door and begins to gently pry up the first board, cautious not to let anything drop below.
With the help of his Darkvision, Dranon carefully peers down the steps for any initial and obvious signs of dange,r before turning to Xilbella, “Looks clear. But, did you want to check for any surprises before we head down?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dranon stands and readies his firearm. “I have no issue taking the lead. However, I would hate to set off a trap that could potentially damage or destroy anything of potential value down there.”
Following Xilbella closely, he continues to looks for danger or anything out of the ordinary.
The steps lead down into a sort of cellar, evidently much better protected from the elements than the area above. This place seems to have been another storeroom, but the books here look to be actually intact. The place is small, and on the far wall there sits a desk. Sitting at that desk is a corpse, well-preserved for the time it has most likely been dead for. On the desk there is an open book, an inkwell, and a few stacks of papers.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Dranon takes in what he what he can see, continuing to look for danger and hidden surprises. Not wanting to disturb anything of great importance, he’ll leave the books and desk for the bibliophiles to carefully assess.
Only after Dranon and Xilbella give the all-clear will Soren descend into the space below and begin examining the books. He will use identify as a ritual spell for whatever books or items Dranon indicates are magical. (( Once inside, Soren will carefully look around as well when the opportunity allows ))
Xilbella smiles at the books she sees in the lower chamber. She moves up to the desk and begins to study whatever is laid out on top of it. Investigation is a 14, passive is a 17.
Once Danon and Xilbella clear the room as safe, Meriele follows Soren down into the sea of--intact!--books. She feels her breath sucked out of her in sudden exhilaration, and as the more experienced runners start to take inventory, she reaches out, enchanted, and gently takes a book from a shelf. As long as it stays intact, she carefully opens it and tries to read what it says. Who knows what lost knowledge is contained in this place! Surely they locked away the most important books. But I wonder how this fellow died down here?
Dranon does not spot anything that is expressly a magical item in the room, but the air of magic is strong here, and there are a few spots here and there where there are thick concentrations of lingering magic, the thaumons clustering around bits of spilled... something. The book before the corpse also radiates magic more strongly than the others. Meriele attempts to read one of the books but the wording puzzles her. It's the same language that she and the others speak, but so ancient that the wording has changed enough to be almost indecipherable. There are words she can recognize, and in time she could make out a sentence, but it would take time. (Think about translating the original Robin Hood or King Arthur to modern day english, and then imagine it way worse than that.) None of the covers are marked with anything beyond some very simple text. Strangely, however, they do not seem to be bound typically, and the leather feels... off.
Xilbella looks at the book on the desk, and begins trying to piece the words together. She has many years of experience in such things, and thus it comes relatively easy to her, though it still takes some time. The section she reads, which the book is open on, goes as follows:
I have locked all the doors and windows, closed myself off from the outside world, but I know that there is still no hope for me. The things that came down from the palace, such defences cannot hold up against them long. I have heard reports of what happened at the palace, the roots that crushed houses, tore up the earth, penetrated even into the undercity. They stopped short of reaching here, but I have heard rumours of the things that they turn people into, the strength they hold. If something wants in, it will get in. My resources will not last long, and I do not have the ability to replicate them, so it is now that I mark my last act of defiance. I do not know if these things can read, but I have heard chilling rumours of their cruel intelligence. I hate to destroy knowledge, but magical ink is highly combustible, so the efficacy of my spell will hopefully be increased. If you are still a person, and reading this, I am sorry, but from what I have heard there will likely be no people left after this is all said and done. If you are not a person, it is my greatest pleasure to invite you to burn.
As Xilbella reads, she finds it impossible to tear her eyes from the page, even as she begins to understand the writer's intent. Then, when she reads the last word, upon which a small runic symbol is overlayed, there is a sudden hissing, spitting sound. Then, the rune erupts into fire.
Everyone, please make a dex save.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Dranon does not spot anything that is expressly a magical item in the room, but the air of magic is strong here, and there are a few spots here and there where there are thick concentrations of lingering magic, the thaumons clustering around bits of spilled... something. The book before the corpse also radiates magic more strongly than the others. Meriele attempts to read one of the books but the wording puzzles her. It's the same language that she and the others speak, but so ancient that the wording has changed enough to be almost indecipherable. There are words she can recognize, and in time she could make out a sentence, but it would take time. (Think about translating the original Robin Hood or King Arthur to modern day english, and then imagine it way worse than that.) None of the covers are marked with anything beyond some very simple text. Strangely, however, they do not seem to be bound typically, and the leather feels... off.
Xilbella looks at the book on the desk, and begins trying to piece the words together. She has many years of experience in such things, and thus it comes relatively easy to her, though it still takes some time. The section she reads, which the book is open on, goes as follows:
I have locked all the doors and windows, closed myself off from the outside world, but I know that there is still no hope for me. The things that came down from the palace, such defences cannot hold up against them long. I have heard reports of what happened at the palace, the roots that crushed houses, tore up the earth, penetrated even into the undercity. They stopped short of reaching here, but I have heard rumours of the things that they turn people into, the strength they hold. If something wants in, it will get in. My resources will not last long, and I do not have the ability to replicate them, so it is now that I mark my last act of defiance. I do not know if these things can read, but I have heard chilling rumours of their cruel intelligence. I hate to destroy knowledge, but magical ink is highly combustible, so the efficacy of my spell will hopefully be increased. If you are still a person, and reading this, I am sorry, but from what I have heard there will likely be no people left after this is all said and done. If you are not a person, it is my greatest pleasure to invite you to burn.
As Xilbella reads, she finds it impossible to tear her eyes from the page, even as she begins to understand the writer's intent. Then, when she reads the last word, upon which a small runic symbol is overlayed, there is a sudden hissing, spitting sound. Then, the rune erupts into fire.
Everyone, please make a dex save.
(( Please keep in mind Soren has the "Eyes of the Runekeeper Ability" and can read all written languages as a permanent effect. ))
Dranon conveys what’s he’s discerned from the Identify spell to the others. He then begins investigating the hinges and surrounding floor to determine if the entire trap door can be removed.
(OOC: What is the floor made of? Wood, earth, brick, other…?)
(The floor is made out of very old wooden planks, as is the trapdoor itself.)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Dranon speaks to the others while still directing his attention to the trapdoor and, especially, the surrounding floor. “This is designed either to keep something in or others out.” He reaches behind him and slides out the crowbar strapped to the side of his pack. Lightly tapping the floor with the crowbar, he looks up at the others, “Considering the tumbler enchantment and condition of the surrounding area, I’m hedging my bet it’s the latter.” With that Dranon carefully inserts the crowbar between the floor planks close to the trap door and begins to gently pry up the first board, cautious not to let anything drop below.
(Athletics with advantage.)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Xilbella steps a few paces back, watching and waiting.
Athletics: 17
Athletics: 20
The trapdoor wrenches open without much trouble, the board splintering under the force of Dranon's muscles. Steps lead into the darkness below.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
With the help of his Darkvision, Dranon carefully peers down the steps for any initial and obvious signs of dange,r before turning to Xilbella, “Looks clear. But, did you want to check for any surprises before we head down?”
"I can take the lead if you wish." Xilbella says with a shrug. She moves to the steps and check for traps as she starts down them.
Investigation is a 13.
Dranon stands and readies his firearm. “I have no issue taking the lead. However, I would hate to set off a trap that could potentially damage or destroy anything of potential value down there.”
Following Xilbella closely, he continues to looks for danger or anything out of the ordinary.
Perception: 21
Investigation: 11
The steps lead down into a sort of cellar, evidently much better protected from the elements than the area above. This place seems to have been another storeroom, but the books here look to be actually intact. The place is small, and on the far wall there sits a desk. Sitting at that desk is a corpse, well-preserved for the time it has most likely been dead for. On the desk there is an open book, an inkwell, and a few stacks of papers.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Dranon takes in what he what he can see, continuing to look for danger and hidden surprises. Not wanting to disturb anything of great importance, he’ll leave the books and desk for the bibliophiles to carefully assess.
(ooc: @DM…Also, if my Detect Magic is still active, I will discern what I can and relay it to the team.)
Only after Dranon and Xilbella give the all-clear will Soren descend into the space below and begin examining the books. He will use identify as a ritual spell for whatever books or items Dranon indicates are magical. (( Once inside, Soren will carefully look around as well when the opportunity allows ))
Investigation = 16
Passive Investigation = 21
Xilbella smiles at the books she sees in the lower chamber. She moves up to the desk and begins to study whatever is laid out on top of it. Investigation is a 14, passive is a 17.
Once Danon and Xilbella clear the room as safe, Meriele follows Soren down into the sea of--intact!--books. She feels her breath sucked out of her in sudden exhilaration, and as the more experienced runners start to take inventory, she reaches out, enchanted, and gently takes a book from a shelf. As long as it stays intact, she carefully opens it and tries to read what it says. Who knows what lost knowledge is contained in this place! Surely they locked away the most important books. But I wonder how this fellow died down here?
Dranon does not spot anything that is expressly a magical item in the room, but the air of magic is strong here, and there are a few spots here and there where there are thick concentrations of lingering magic, the thaumons clustering around bits of spilled... something. The book before the corpse also radiates magic more strongly than the others. Meriele attempts to read one of the books but the wording puzzles her. It's the same language that she and the others speak, but so ancient that the wording has changed enough to be almost indecipherable. There are words she can recognize, and in time she could make out a sentence, but it would take time. (Think about translating the original Robin Hood or King Arthur to modern day english, and then imagine it way worse than that.) None of the covers are marked with anything beyond some very simple text. Strangely, however, they do not seem to be bound typically, and the leather feels... off.
Xilbella looks at the book on the desk, and begins trying to piece the words together. She has many years of experience in such things, and thus it comes relatively easy to her, though it still takes some time. The section she reads, which the book is open on, goes as follows:
As Xilbella reads, she finds it impossible to tear her eyes from the page, even as she begins to understand the writer's intent. Then, when she reads the last word, upon which a small runic symbol is overlayed, there is a sudden hissing, spitting sound. Then, the rune erupts into fire.
Everyone, please make a dex save.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
(( Please keep in mind Soren has the "Eyes of the Runekeeper Ability" and can read all written languages as a permanent effect. ))
Soren's Dex Save = 20
Dexterity Save: 21
Luna's Dex save: 10
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN