”You’re guess is as good as mine. You’ll need to trust yourself, Dimitri. I believe in you.”
"I wish I shared your faith." Dimitri said with a wry smile. A thousand possibilities wheeled across his mind. But there's no way to know without doing it."Okay. Ready."Get everyone out of here. He tells himself as he reached to disconnect the rod going down.
“It is most difficult to maintain one’s faith in particularly difficult situations. It involves trusting that the Gods and Goddesses are doing the right thing to advance their purposes, even at the cost of their devoted followers. I have had my moments of weakness. Now, is not one of those moments. You can get us out of here, Dimitri.” T’bitha chatters though cold teeth. Her breathing becomes shallow as she tries to conserve heat standing in the cold water, wet clothes soaking her.
"I agree. We have come too far to fail now. I refuse to even entertain the possibility"
With a grunt, Tristan ducks his head under the water, looking around for a clasp or lock holding the gate closed. When he resurfaces, he speaks again "It is possible that if we cannot get this door open, there may be another way out in the crypt. All this water must have come from somewhere, perhaps there is a river nearby and the pipes could lead us out."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Tristan you dive down into the frigid water searching over the gate. You don't find any sort of noticeable latch holding the gate. As Dimitri reaches and disconnects the rod going down, two things happen. The first being, Dimitri, you watch as the rod now only being connected to the rod going up tweaks itself in an upward direction just enough that it gets caught in a set of gears that begin to turn, pulling further up before everything comes to a halt. You're almost certain the rod just jammed up all the gears in the column. The second thing being you notice the water begins to slowly drain, at least a little bit. The water continues to drain between the bars of the gate, until there is no more than an inch of water on the upper floor. The lower level remains completely underwater. You keep slamming against the gate Khessa, but it's just not having much of an effect at this point. It's as if there is something more holding the gate shut. As you finish your swing, Khessa, you notice a small shadowy creature in your peripheral before it disappears.
(OOC: Hadi, T'bitha, and Tristan make a history check for me. Tristan, yours is at advantage.)
”When we get out and warmer let’s be sure to check the map and see if there are any waterways that pass by here,”Hadi says as he begins to squeeze the water out from his clothing, passing the urn back to his mage hand to hold, adding, “The water must have drained to somewhere after all…”
Khessa tries to ask, in the direction she tought to see the creature: "Hey, there is someone? Come out, fear not; we only wish to go out. Do you know how we can do it?"
As far as the gate is concerned, Khessa was not trying to bash it down, but to enlarge the gap between the already bent bars. This was the point in the alternate hammering. There is something keeping the gate shut, ok, but there is also something that is preventing the bars to bend any further?
If for some reason the bars are not bending anymore, not even slightly, Khessa stops; but if, keeping hammering, with enough time (even much time), she can bend the bars enough for a person to pass, she goes on with that (unless, of course, someone finds a quicker way), while the fatigue of the effort helps her to endure the cold of the water that has crept under her armor.
...“It is most difficult to maintain one’s faith in particularly difficult situations. It involves trusting that the Gods and Goddesses are doing the right thing to advance their purposes, even at the cost of their devoted followers. I have had my moments of weakness. Now, is not one of those moments...
Khessa thinks aloud, while keeps hammering the bars to widen them enough (or while regains her breath, if she has concluded that it is hopeless): "Faith? One day I'd really be interested - and I mean it, no sarcasm - to hear what your goddess has done for you, to deserve your devotion. I don't know much about the gods. Not that I deny their existence, of course: it is clear that they exist and that they are quite powerful, given all the clerics who perform miracles in their name. But I also know that, when I needed them most, there was none at my side. Not even the most (officially) good ones cared to show and lend a hand. Faith in them? I have faith in you, T'bitha. Because I have been able to know you and I respect you for what you believe and for what you do. But faith in a god? Maybe I'll have it someday, when a god has given me reason to esteem him. I'd like someday to hear what reasons Eilistrae gave you to worship her. Not to criticize you... but just to see if one day I might... like... this goddess too".
T’bitha starts squeezing the water from her clothes and fluffing them out as best as possible to keep them from sticking to her body. If drow could blush, she would be doing so as she tries to keep a sense of decency. ”Kheesa, I would gladly discuss that with you. Definitely when we’re out of this predicament and possibly warming ourselves by a campfire or back at Ozemon’s, whichever we get to first.”
T’bitha starts squeezing the water from her clothes and fluffing them out as best as possible to keep them from sticking to her body. If drow could blush, she would be doing so as she tries to keep a sense of decency. ”Kheesa, I would gladly discuss that with you. Definitely when we’re out of this predicament and possibly warming ourselves by a campfire or back at Ozemon’s, whichever we get to first.”
"Yes I agree" smiles Khessa. "In fact I said 'one day'. Today, we undoubtedly have more pressing matters. I was talking more to myself than to you really; you know, this continuous hammering is monotonous... But I'm glad that, at least, we're no longer in danger of drowning like rats. Speaking of fire," seems to reflect for a moment on an idea "if these bars continue to refuse to bend enough, maybe we could heat them... with magic fire of course. They may get a bit softer. And even if this were not the case," the blonde arcane warrior winks "in the meantime we could become warmer".
Khessa, you've managed to open a large enough hole in the gate that you think the smallest among you could crawl through to freedom. Nothing and no one responds to your calls into the darkness beyond, Khessa.
Tristan, Hadi, and T'bitha
I'm lumping all of you together to save me typing this three times, or copy/pasting it. You've all come across this information by different means. Tristan, because you lived here. Hadi, by studying your family lineage, and T'bitha from your studying of the crypt and the limited history of the Veiled Forest.
Cold water pits like these were common traps used by the first elves. They were typically activated when a pressure plate was released and only deactivated once the appropriate weight was replaced on the pressure plate. They were designed to freeze the would be thief to death. That's about all Hadi and T'bitha would know. Tristan, you would also know the only real way to get out of the trap is for a patrolling guard to spot you, since the trap also includes a magical seal.
(OOC: Apologies for the late post today everyone. I unfortunately had a work emergency.)
T’bitha looks to Dimitri, “I don’t know much about how traps work; however, I recall reading something about pressure plates in this crypt. I wouldn’t know what one looks like or where to look, but if we could find appropriate weight to put on that pressure plate, that may deactivate everything.”
T’bitha looks at the bent bars that Khessa managed to pull apart. ”You know, Khessa…I think I might be able to get through that.” T’bitha attempts to slink between the bars.
Tristan sighs in affirmation "That is correct. In addition, these doors are magically sealed, only able to be opened by a member of the elven guard. It is possible that whatever enchantment put upon this door may not allow you out, T'bitha"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Tristan sighs in affirmation "That is correct. In addition, these doors are magically sealed, only able to be opened by a member of the elven guard. It is possible that whatever enchantment put upon this door may not allow you out, T'bitha"
”A member of the elven guard has to open these doors? But, aren’t you the last of this city’s inhabitants? This city has been…lost for eons, Tristan!”
T’bitha stops her attempt to squeeze through the bars and approaches Dimitri and Tristan. ”Do you think your other idea is worthwhile? An underground passage where the water was coming from?” Her eyes begin to reveal concern about their predicament.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I wonder how it was that the guard would open the doors. It's not likely that each guard was individually attuned to them. More that they would know a phrase or sigil to activate," Hadi says, still squeezing water from his cloak. ((arcana? 13)) And if the others are occupied will take some time to cast detect magic, now not worried about the urns, but instead seeing if he can learn something of the door and how it might be openable.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dimitri nodded. Looking for the waterway definitely made more sense than open sesame. "The buttons are jammed, whatever they do. The water got to come from somewhere. The crypt is ancient, water would've all dried up. There must be a renewable source, like a cistern that collects rain or a waterway that leads to a lake. Or magic - in that case we are screwed." Slightly frustrated, he made a face at the drenched feeling, but began to look for the origin of water (also the pressure plates T'bitha mentioned).
Investigation: 9
((Is the water clean or muddy? Can he tell where the water might have come from?))
Khessa catches her breath for a moment, leaning against her maul: "Well, the bars are slowly giving way. Evidently, even if a spell blocks the door, that same spell doesn't stop (lucky us) the bars from deforming. For now, only T'bitha might be able to get through that. With a little more work, maybe we all can get through it too. But I had the impression I saw a little shadow creature pass... so I would advise you to wait for us, T'bitha" the blonde arcane warrior turns to the Eilistraee priestess. "As soon as the passage is wide enough for everyone, we will go out together, it will be safer".
The mention of the elven guard lets her think of the 'most trusted': "A member of the elven guard may have been Mr Death Wish... unfortunately, however, he is no longer with us. And even when he was here, he did not seem too cooperative. If you can find a magical or physical way to reopen the door, great. Otherwise, I would insist on bending the bars... it seems safer to me than looking for an underground passage that, even if we find it, we would not know for sure where it leads us and what it hides. I would advise to keep that option as a last resort only".
After that, she resumes her maul work to widen the bars sufficiently. She also tries to warm them up before with some motes of fire that come out of her hand in hopes of softening them up a little and making things easier.
(OOC: No idea how much is needed to soften up that metal, but in a minute Khessa would be able, assuming no misses, to throw about 55 fire damage to a bar... and she could keep up indefinitely, since it is a cantrip. Not expecting the bar to melt, but if heated enough it should become at least a little softer. Then... maul time again)
(OOC: I'm doing a lot of catch up in this post, I apologize)
T'bitha was partially out of the gate before you stopped her, Tristan by saying whatever magical ward might not let her pass.
Hadi, first, with your arcana check, you sense a faint magical presence from the door, but that's about it. However, with detect magic
Hadi
You first notice 3 magical auras, one off the gate, and the other two from the urns. All three are abjuration based. The aura around the gate is faint, and seems to be fading. Then you notice a blinding white aura from T'bitha as you look back in her direction. It's similar, yet, unlike any aura from the known schools of magic.
Dimitri, the water is clear, clean, and frigid. You all also know, because you saw it, the water was flowing out from the blocked off areas where the urns were hiding. When you had pushed the third button that made them visible, the water began flowing out. So, you know the source of the water is down in the flooded lower level, hidden behind the sarcophagus and altar. You think to yourself, thinking about what T'bitha and Tristan have shared and you realize, if you were going to hide a silent alarm pressure plate type trap, those pedestals that were holding the urns would make a fantastic spot.
Khessa, you're starting to get very tired, you've exerted a lot of energy repeatedly slamming this maul, and drawing from the weave to continuously cast fire bolt, in an attempt to heat the bars. You've managed to open it enough that you're sure everyone could fit through it, if those wearing medium or heavy armor took their armor off. Give me a constitution saving throw.
(OOC: I turned your investigation check into a straight intelligence check, Dimitri, to let you think over the things you know. Instead of you diving down into the lower level, unless you want to go swimming.)
Attack: 19 Damage: 9
“It is most difficult to maintain one’s faith in particularly difficult situations. It involves trusting that the Gods and Goddesses are doing the right thing to advance their purposes, even at the cost of their devoted followers. I have had my moments of weakness. Now, is not one of those moments. You can get us out of here, Dimitri.” T’bitha chatters though cold teeth. Her breathing becomes shallow as she tries to conserve heat standing in the cold water, wet clothes soaking her.
"I agree. We have come too far to fail now. I refuse to even entertain the possibility"
With a grunt, Tristan ducks his head under the water, looking around for a clasp or lock holding the gate closed. When he resurfaces, he speaks again "It is possible that if we cannot get this door open, there may be another way out in the crypt. All this water must have come from somewhere, perhaps there is a river nearby and the pipes could lead us out."
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Tristan you dive down into the frigid water searching over the gate. You don't find any sort of noticeable latch holding the gate. As Dimitri reaches and disconnects the rod going down, two things happen. The first being, Dimitri, you watch as the rod now only being connected to the rod going up tweaks itself in an upward direction just enough that it gets caught in a set of gears that begin to turn, pulling further up before everything comes to a halt. You're almost certain the rod just jammed up all the gears in the column. The second thing being you notice the water begins to slowly drain, at least a little bit. The water continues to drain between the bars of the gate, until there is no more than an inch of water on the upper floor. The lower level remains completely underwater. You keep slamming against the gate Khessa, but it's just not having much of an effect at this point. It's as if there is something more holding the gate shut. As you finish your swing, Khessa, you notice a small shadowy creature in your peripheral before it disappears.
(OOC: Hadi, T'bitha, and Tristan make a history check for me. Tristan, yours is at advantage.)
”When we get out and warmer let’s be sure to check the map and see if there are any waterways that pass by here,” Hadi says as he begins to squeeze the water out from his clothing, passing the urn back to his mage hand to hold, adding, “The water must have drained to somewhere after all…”
History 7
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Khessa tries to ask, in the direction she tought to see the creature: "Hey, there is someone? Come out, fear not; we only wish to go out. Do you know how we can do it?"
As far as the gate is concerned, Khessa was not trying to bash it down, but to enlarge the gap between the already bent bars. This was the point in the alternate hammering. There is something keeping the gate shut, ok, but there is also something that is preventing the bars to bend any further?
If for some reason the bars are not bending anymore, not even slightly, Khessa stops; but if, keeping hammering, with enough time (even much time), she can bend the bars enough for a person to pass, she goes on with that (unless, of course, someone finds a quicker way), while the fatigue of the effort helps her to endure the cold of the water that has crept under her armor.
History: 18
History 20
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
Khessa thinks aloud, while keeps hammering the bars to widen them enough (or while regains her breath, if she has concluded that it is hopeless): "Faith? One day I'd really be interested - and I mean it, no sarcasm - to hear what your goddess has done for you, to deserve your devotion. I don't know much about the gods. Not that I deny their existence, of course: it is clear that they exist and that they are quite powerful, given all the clerics who perform miracles in their name. But I also know that, when I needed them most, there was none at my side. Not even the most (officially) good ones cared to show and lend a hand. Faith in them? I have faith in you, T'bitha. Because I have been able to know you and I respect you for what you believe and for what you do. But faith in a god? Maybe I'll have it someday, when a god has given me reason to esteem him. I'd like someday to hear what reasons Eilistrae gave you to worship her. Not to criticize you... but just to see if one day I might... like... this goddess too".
T’bitha starts squeezing the water from her clothes and fluffing them out as best as possible to keep them from sticking to her body. If drow could blush, she would be doing so as she tries to keep a sense of decency. ”Kheesa, I would gladly discuss that with you. Definitely when we’re out of this predicament and possibly warming ourselves by a campfire or back at Ozemon’s, whichever we get to first.”
"Yes I agree" smiles Khessa. "In fact I said 'one day'. Today, we undoubtedly have more pressing matters. I was talking more to myself than to you really; you know, this continuous hammering is monotonous... But I'm glad that, at least, we're no longer in danger of drowning like rats. Speaking of fire," seems to reflect for a moment on an idea "if these bars continue to refuse to bend enough, maybe we could heat them... with magic fire of course. They may get a bit softer. And even if this were not the case," the blonde arcane warrior winks "in the meantime we could become warmer".
Khessa, you've managed to open a large enough hole in the gate that you think the smallest among you could crawl through to freedom. Nothing and no one responds to your calls into the darkness beyond, Khessa.
Tristan, Hadi, and T'bitha
I'm lumping all of you together to save me typing this three times, or copy/pasting it. You've all come across this information by different means. Tristan, because you lived here. Hadi, by studying your family lineage, and T'bitha from your studying of the crypt and the limited history of the Veiled Forest.
Cold water pits like these were common traps used by the first elves. They were typically activated when a pressure plate was released and only deactivated once the appropriate weight was replaced on the pressure plate. They were designed to freeze the would be thief to death. That's about all Hadi and T'bitha would know. Tristan, you would also know the only real way to get out of the trap is for a patrolling guard to spot you, since the trap also includes a magical seal.
(OOC: Apologies for the late post today everyone. I unfortunately had a work emergency.)
T’bitha looks to Dimitri, “I don’t know much about how traps work; however, I recall reading something about pressure plates in this crypt. I wouldn’t know what one looks like or where to look, but if we could find appropriate weight to put on that pressure plate, that may deactivate everything.”
T’bitha looks at the bent bars that Khessa managed to pull apart. ”You know, Khessa…I think I might be able to get through that.” T’bitha attempts to slink between the bars.
Tristan sighs in affirmation "That is correct. In addition, these doors are magically sealed, only able to be opened by a member of the elven guard. It is possible that whatever enchantment put upon this door may not allow you out, T'bitha"
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
”A member of the elven guard has to open these doors? But, aren’t you the last of this city’s inhabitants? This city has been…lost for eons, Tristan!”
T’bitha stops her attempt to squeeze through the bars and approaches Dimitri and Tristan. ”Do you think your other idea is worthwhile? An underground passage where the water was coming from?” Her eyes begin to reveal concern about their predicament.
"I wonder how it was that the guard would open the doors. It's not likely that each guard was individually attuned to them. More that they would know a phrase or sigil to activate," Hadi says, still squeezing water from his cloak. ((arcana? 13)) And if the others are occupied will take some time to cast detect magic, now not worried about the urns, but instead seeing if he can learn something of the door and how it might be openable.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Dimitri nodded. Looking for the waterway definitely made more sense than open sesame. "The buttons are jammed, whatever they do. The water got to come from somewhere. The crypt is ancient, water would've all dried up. There must be a renewable source, like a cistern that collects rain or a waterway that leads to a lake. Or magic - in that case we are screwed." Slightly frustrated, he made a face at the drenched feeling, but began to look for the origin of water (also the pressure plates T'bitha mentioned).
Investigation: 9
((Is the water clean or muddy? Can he tell where the water might have come from?))
Khessa catches her breath for a moment, leaning against her maul: "Well, the bars are slowly giving way. Evidently, even if a spell blocks the door, that same spell doesn't stop (lucky us) the bars from deforming. For now, only T'bitha might be able to get through that. With a little more work, maybe we all can get through it too. But I had the impression I saw a little shadow creature pass... so I would advise you to wait for us, T'bitha" the blonde arcane warrior turns to the Eilistraee priestess. "As soon as the passage is wide enough for everyone, we will go out together, it will be safer".
The mention of the elven guard lets her think of the 'most trusted': "A member of the elven guard may have been Mr Death Wish... unfortunately, however, he is no longer with us. And even when he was here, he did not seem too cooperative. If you can find a magical or physical way to reopen the door, great. Otherwise, I would insist on bending the bars... it seems safer to me than looking for an underground passage that, even if we find it, we would not know for sure where it leads us and what it hides. I would advise to keep that option as a last resort only".
After that, she resumes her maul work to widen the bars sufficiently. She also tries to warm them up before with some motes of fire that come out of her hand in hopes of softening them up a little and making things easier.
(OOC: No idea how much is needed to soften up that metal, but in a minute Khessa would be able, assuming no misses, to throw about 55 fire damage to a bar... and she could keep up indefinitely, since it is a cantrip. Not expecting the bar to melt, but if heated enough it should become at least a little softer. Then... maul time again)
(OOC: I'm doing a lot of catch up in this post, I apologize)
T'bitha was partially out of the gate before you stopped her, Tristan by saying whatever magical ward might not let her pass.
Hadi, first, with your arcana check, you sense a faint magical presence from the door, but that's about it. However, with detect magic
Hadi
You first notice 3 magical auras, one off the gate, and the other two from the urns. All three are abjuration based. The aura around the gate is faint, and seems to be fading. Then you notice a blinding white aura from T'bitha as you look back in her direction. It's similar, yet, unlike any aura from the known schools of magic.
Dimitri, the water is clear, clean, and frigid. You all also know, because you saw it, the water was flowing out from the blocked off areas where the urns were hiding. When you had pushed the third button that made them visible, the water began flowing out. So, you know the source of the water is down in the flooded lower level, hidden behind the sarcophagus and altar. You think to yourself, thinking about what T'bitha and Tristan have shared and you realize, if you were going to hide a silent alarm pressure plate type trap, those pedestals that were holding the urns would make a fantastic spot.
Khessa, you're starting to get very tired, you've exerted a lot of energy repeatedly slamming this maul, and drawing from the weave to continuously cast fire bolt, in an attempt to heat the bars. You've managed to open it enough that you're sure everyone could fit through it, if those wearing medium or heavy armor took their armor off. Give me a constitution saving throw.
(OOC: I turned your investigation check into a straight intelligence check, Dimitri, to let you think over the things you know. Instead of you diving down into the lower level, unless you want to go swimming.)
Khessa's Constitution save: 20