Silthras follows behind, slowly backing toward the door. Wondering if the illusion could be used to their advantage upon return he pauses in the doorway and bows low, before standing straight. "No last requests?" he asks the dragon. He waits a moment for any answer then turns to join the others.
When he reaches the top of the stairs he dusts down his sleeves and glances back before lowering his voice. "Just so we are all on the same page...you do all realize that we will be attacked when we return with anything of value, right?"
As the discussion about the best way to proceed develops he nods at the others words. "I for one like to see clearly when I am fighting and prefer at least a torch or lantern...or preferably some magic to light the way."
"Yes, we should move forward as one,"Ancidus agrees. Lowering his voice he adds "We may also locate a different exit from this temple, which would be advantageous. I can provide light, if you would like some."
Double checking that Wyvrix cannot possibly be within earshot, Adran agrees with Silthras's comment under his breath. "If we do not die in the dungeon, we will have to fight the dragon. It is unavoidable. We don't have to fight on his terms, though. We have the advantage of the illusion placed on this building by the architects. If those who can attack at range do so behind where his sight fails, then we will have the element of surprise. But we should obtain the objective first. With some luck, we will also find some helpful magic items in the layers below."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
"We may also locate a different exit from this temple, which would be advantageous. I can provide light, if you would like some."
Silthras nods at the suggestion of another exit. Such a thing would make their lives considerably easier. Though the illusion might help them somewhat.
At the suggestion of more light, Silthras shrugs. "Me personally? I should have been clearer: I quite like the darkness; the darker the better. But I don't think I'll be the one leading us through unfamiliar territory." He looks at his companions wondering who might offer be the eyes and ears of the party. "While we should all stick together it is perhaps wise to have once accustomed to such things near to the front."
(( Pretty sure darkvision+no-light => Dim light => disadvantage on perception; Silthras is fine (Devil's Sight, but everyone else less so) ))
"Mazo", Grudnik replies in agreement to the fact they will have to fight Wyvrix eventually. "Better our deal is honoured before we fight, but that does not mean we cannot be prepared, and if Wyvrix breaks the deal he shows he is gath'atcha". The thought of ambushing the dragon when a deal has been does not sit well with him, but the dragon is gath'dar meaning doing so is not beyond question.
He looks to Ancidus, "Cho Ancidus, use your light. I will remain close to the front, but I also am not best placed to spot traps and be aware of the presence of other dangers".
"Better our deal is honoured before we fight, but that does not mean we cannot be prepared, and if Wyvrix breaks the deal he shows he is gath'atcha"
Adran quickly responds to Grudnik's note on the value of a deal, clearly expecting such a comment to be made.
"Grudnik, you may not see it, but I do. That is not just a dragon out there. It is a fiend. It is, by its nature, lying and corrupting. A number of years ago, I made an Oath. Not the kind of oath one takes lightly, and certainly not an Oath that I intend to go back on. That Oath was to let no fiend that I see live. If I leave this temple without that dragon's head on a stick, then I would be breaking my oath, something which I have not done to date. Would you have me do such a thing, Grudnik of Kech Sharaat?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Erbert says “I do not think it will let us leave with one iota from this place. It just wants to use us to find whatever it is seeking. I’m with you, if we don’t find another exit, we will need to fight our way out of here. I will save up a special fireball just for Wyvrix if it comes to that…” Erbert summons as fierce of a look on his face as he can muster, summoning his bravado.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“Dragons are fickle creatures and hard to read, fiend or not. I would not place my trust very far with this one. I doubt it lets us leave with what we want. But I am not in a hurry to fight it either”Vic shares a glance with the others “Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, we have to see if there is anything worth finding first. I will scout ahead for any danger. It is hard to tell how long this passage has been sealed.” Vic moves silently and cautiously ahead of the group, looking for any traps or threats.
Grudnik listens as Adran explains Wyvrix's nature.
"I also do not believe the dragon...fiend... will let us leave either. There will be a fight, if we must strike pre-emptively then so be it. I will aid you in upholding your Oath Adran. Atcha does not recognise a deal made with a fiend".
He looks to Vic, "Wise words, let us proceed, but do not stray too far".
Silthras grunts at Grudnik's pronouncement. "Some of my most ... ah ... experienced ... friends have all sorts of bargains with fiends. One of the few things they will honour is a pact." He never found the prospect of a pact with an evil entity pleasing, and those he knew with such patrons often seemed, perhaps, harried. He was grateful for his own situation, and a patron whose interests aligned more closely to his own.
After a few moment he stares back into the dragon's room, "I think the more telling thing is that the dragon is without honour, and so deserves none. It admitted its contempt for its followers and seems quite willing to betray them."
Grudnik looks across to Silthras. "I merely meant that there is no honour lost if the deal is broken. I do not claim to know much about fiends, so will defer to you on the subject".
“The dragon will still be here when we return, we can deal with any questions of honour then.” He turns to Adran “Your sword warned us of the blackscale attack, can it tell us if danger is near down here?” He continues to move forward down the passageway, slightly ahead of the group.
Vic goes ahead with the rest of the group not too far behind. There are no traps that he can find. Down the long staircase and deep into the earth you go. The stairway widens as it opens up into a wide chamber, but the floor ends precipitously after 10 feet. A deep chasm splits the room, with three massive metal platforms suspended above it by chains hanging from the ceiling. The nearest platform is perhaps 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, like a bridge that crosses only half the distance to the central platform. The chains it hangs from are pulled taut toward you, as if an unseen force holds the platform in place. The central platform is much wider but only 10 feet across. The third is another half-bridge stopping short of the far wall.
From the bottom of the chasm 80 feet below, molten lava illuminates the platforms with a dull red glow. At the floor’s edge closest to you, two draconic-looking humanoid statues stand sentry, their cold eyes seemingly watching you. Four identical statues are in the room: a pair on the middle platform and another pair on the opposite side of the chamber. Above you, sparkling in the dull red light, a crystalline shard is set into the ceiling in the center of the chamber.
Victorin can see that there are two chains hanging over the current space the two longer platforms occupy and two chains hanging over empty space beyond the platforms.
When he sees that there's no immediate danger, Adran steps up beside Victorin. His eyes, still a deep blue from the spell he cast earlier, survey the room, paying special attention to the watching statues. He points out the two nearby ones, saying, "Those are magical. Transmutation, so not going to blow us up. Odds are they change the room somehow, so they're probably safe." He walks up to the one to the right and begins to inspect it, seeing if there are any ways to trigger the magic hidden on the statue.
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny. Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Grudnik walks forward to the edge of the first platform, looking left and right at the statues and listening to Adran. He then surveys the platforms and chains in front of him.
"Magical statues, and a series of chains. Either one could be the answer to this puzzle. It seems we must manoeuvre the one platform to bridge the near gap, and then manoeuvre it again to the other side to bridge the far gap. That suggests the hanging chains are more likely to be the answer than the statues, as the statues will be out of reach to one the platform", he says as his mind works to solve the puzzle.
From his position close to the platform, he looks at where each of the hanging chains leads, and tries to determine if they are within reach and of a size he can simply pull on.
Ancidus casts light on their shield as they descend, and sweeps it around the room, inspecting the various elements. "The statues may also transform themselves, if we make an incorrect movement. I have a grappling hook and some rope, if we wanted to fashion either a safety line or jury rig a way across if we cannot get the platforms to move."
Silthras whistles softly as he enters the room, then nods at both Grudnik and Andicus comments. "Little doubt there is much hidden peril here."
He peers into the lave pit, then at the statues, and finally at the bridges. He has little trust that anything here is likely to be as it seems. Turning to Adran he asks, "Could the statues come to life, do you think?"
With a brief prayer to his patron, he examines the statues more closely, looking also to see if they match the ones on the opposite side.
Erbert lights a torch and holds it aloft, looking at the scene before them. He of course pulls out his journal and makes new drawings of the room, the platforms and chains, the statues, and the shard above. “I wonder what danger is in store here. I don’t like the look of that drop and the lava…”. He considers the problem and spacing, trying to sort this out. He steps off of the back of Rufus as he considers, finishing his drawings and using the beast as a mobile table of sorts for a writing surface.
Investigation : (4 + 7) = 11
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“I have rope and a grappling hook as well if we choose to use them” Vic responds to Andicus, but he makes no move to pull them out of his pack as he studies the chains hanging from the ceiling and the crystal shard. “I think Grudnik is right, we have to manipulate the chains somehow to move the platforms. Maybe the crystal shard is the key, maybe the statues.” Vic looks to see if the statues on both sides of the chasm are facing the same way, or if there are any differences between them at all that would provide a clue on how to activate the platforms.
Investigation: 16 plus 3 deductive intuition.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Silthras follows behind, slowly backing toward the door. Wondering if the illusion could be used to their advantage upon return he pauses in the doorway and bows low, before standing straight. "No last requests?" he asks the dragon. He waits a moment for any answer then turns to join the others.
When he reaches the top of the stairs he dusts down his sleeves and glances back before lowering his voice. "Just so we are all on the same page...you do all realize that we will be attacked when we return with anything of value, right?"
As the discussion about the best way to proceed develops he nods at the others words. "I for one like to see clearly when I am fighting and prefer at least a torch or lantern...or preferably some magic to light the way."
(OOC: So no undead, correct?)
"Yes, we should move forward as one," Ancidus agrees. Lowering his voice he adds "We may also locate a different exit from this temple, which would be advantageous. I can provide light, if you would like some."
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Double checking that Wyvrix cannot possibly be within earshot, Adran agrees with Silthras's comment under his breath. "If we do not die in the dungeon, we will have to fight the dragon. It is unavoidable. We don't have to fight on his terms, though. We have the advantage of the illusion placed on this building by the architects. If those who can attack at range do so behind where his sight fails, then we will have the element of surprise. But we should obtain the objective first. With some luck, we will also find some helpful magic items in the layers below."
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Silthras nods at the suggestion of another exit. Such a thing would make their lives considerably easier. Though the illusion might help them somewhat.
At the suggestion of more light, Silthras shrugs. "Me personally? I should have been clearer: I quite like the darkness; the darker the better. But I don't think I'll be the one leading us through unfamiliar territory." He looks at his companions wondering who might offer be the eyes and ears of the party. "While we should all stick together it is perhaps wise to have once accustomed to such things near to the front."
(( Pretty sure darkvision+no-light => Dim light => disadvantage on perception; Silthras is fine (Devil's Sight, but everyone else less so) ))
"Mazo", Grudnik replies in agreement to the fact they will have to fight Wyvrix eventually. "Better our deal is honoured before we fight, but that does not mean we cannot be prepared, and if Wyvrix breaks the deal he shows he is gath'atcha". The thought of ambushing the dragon when a deal has been does not sit well with him, but the dragon is gath'dar meaning doing so is not beyond question.
He looks to Ancidus, "Cho Ancidus, use your light. I will remain close to the front, but I also am not best placed to spot traps and be aware of the presence of other dangers".
(Sorry, Ancidus, no undead - the skeleton dragon is indeed just a skeleton)
Adran quickly responds to Grudnik's note on the value of a deal, clearly expecting such a comment to be made.
"Grudnik, you may not see it, but I do. That is not just a dragon out there. It is a fiend. It is, by its nature, lying and corrupting. A number of years ago, I made an Oath. Not the kind of oath one takes lightly, and certainly not an Oath that I intend to go back on. That Oath was to let no fiend that I see live. If I leave this temple without that dragon's head on a stick, then I would be breaking my oath, something which I have not done to date. Would you have me do such a thing, Grudnik of Kech Sharaat?"
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Erbert says “I do not think it will let us leave with one iota from this place. It just wants to use us to find whatever it is seeking. I’m with you, if we don’t find another exit, we will need to fight our way out of here. I will save up a special fireball just for Wyvrix if it comes to that…” Erbert summons as fierce of a look on his face as he can muster, summoning his bravado.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“Dragons are fickle creatures and hard to read, fiend or not. I would not place my trust very far with this one. I doubt it lets us leave with what we want. But I am not in a hurry to fight it either” Vic shares a glance with the others “Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, we have to see if there is anything worth finding first. I will scout ahead for any danger. It is hard to tell how long this passage has been sealed.” Vic moves silently and cautiously ahead of the group, looking for any traps or threats.
Passive Perception: 20, Passive Investigation: 23
Grudnik listens as Adran explains Wyvrix's nature.
"I also do not believe the dragon...fiend... will let us leave either. There will be a fight, if we must strike pre-emptively then so be it. I will aid you in upholding your Oath Adran. Atcha does not recognise a deal made with a fiend".
He looks to Vic, "Wise words, let us proceed, but do not stray too far".
Silthras grunts at Grudnik's pronouncement. "Some of my most ... ah ... experienced ... friends have all sorts of bargains with fiends. One of the few things they will honour is a pact." He never found the prospect of a pact with an evil entity pleasing, and those he knew with such patrons often seemed, perhaps, harried. He was grateful for his own situation, and a patron whose interests aligned more closely to his own.
After a few moment he stares back into the dragon's room, "I think the more telling thing is that the dragon is without honour, and so deserves none. It admitted its contempt for its followers and seems quite willing to betray them."
Grudnik looks across to Silthras. "I merely meant that there is no honour lost if the deal is broken. I do not claim to know much about fiends, so will defer to you on the subject".
“The dragon will still be here when we return, we can deal with any questions of honour then.” He turns to Adran “Your sword warned us of the blackscale attack, can it tell us if danger is near down here?” He continues to move forward down the passageway, slightly ahead of the group.
Vic goes ahead with the rest of the group not too far behind. There are no traps that he can find. Down the long staircase and deep into the earth you go. The stairway widens as it opens up into a wide chamber, but the floor ends precipitously after 10 feet. A deep chasm splits the room, with three massive metal platforms suspended above it by chains hanging from the ceiling. The nearest platform is perhaps 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, like a bridge that crosses only half the distance to the central platform. The chains it hangs from are pulled taut toward you, as if an unseen force holds the platform in place. The central platform is much wider but only 10 feet across. The third is another half-bridge stopping short of the far wall.
From the bottom of the chasm 80 feet below, molten lava illuminates the platforms with a dull red glow. At the floor’s edge closest to you, two draconic-looking humanoid statues stand sentry, their cold eyes seemingly watching you. Four identical statues are in the room: a pair on the middle platform and another pair on the opposite side of the chamber. Above you, sparkling in the dull red light, a crystalline shard is set into the ceiling in the center of the chamber.
Victorin can see that there are two chains hanging over the current space the two longer platforms occupy and two chains hanging over empty space beyond the platforms.
When he sees that there's no immediate danger, Adran steps up beside Victorin. His eyes, still a deep blue from the spell he cast earlier, survey the room, paying special attention to the watching statues. He points out the two nearby ones, saying, "Those are magical. Transmutation, so not going to blow us up. Odds are they change the room somehow, so they're probably safe." He walks up to the one to the right and begins to inspect it, seeing if there are any ways to trigger the magic hidden on the statue.
Perception: 21 (17+4) (if you'd prefer arcana or investigation, then it's 18 total)
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Grudnik walks forward to the edge of the first platform, looking left and right at the statues and listening to Adran. He then surveys the platforms and chains in front of him.
"Magical statues, and a series of chains. Either one could be the answer to this puzzle. It seems we must manoeuvre the one platform to bridge the near gap, and then manoeuvre it again to the other side to bridge the far gap. That suggests the hanging chains are more likely to be the answer than the statues, as the statues will be out of reach to one the platform", he says as his mind works to solve the puzzle.
From his position close to the platform, he looks at where each of the hanging chains leads, and tries to determine if they are within reach and of a size he can simply pull on.
Investigation: 7+1=8 (Passive: 11)
Ancidus casts light on their shield as they descend, and sweeps it around the room, inspecting the various elements. "The statues may also transform themselves, if we make an incorrect movement. I have a grappling hook and some rope, if we wanted to fashion either a safety line or jury rig a way across if we cannot get the platforms to move."
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
Silthras whistles softly as he enters the room, then nods at both Grudnik and Andicus comments. "Little doubt there is much hidden peril here."
He peers into the lave pit, then at the statues, and finally at the bridges. He has little trust that anything here is likely to be as it seems. Turning to Adran he asks, "Could the statues come to life, do you think?"
With a brief prayer to his patron, he examines the statues more closely, looking also to see if they match the ones on the opposite side.
Investigation: 15
(( Can see 120' in darkness as if daylight ))
Erbert lights a torch and holds it aloft, looking at the scene before them. He of course pulls out his journal and makes new drawings of the room, the platforms and chains, the statues, and the shard above. “I wonder what danger is in store here. I don’t like the look of that drop and the lava…”. He considers the problem and spacing, trying to sort this out. He steps off of the back of Rufus as he considers, finishing his drawings and using the beast as a mobile table of sorts for a writing surface.
Investigation : (4 + 7) = 11
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
“I have rope and a grappling hook as well if we choose to use them” Vic responds to Andicus, but he makes no move to pull them out of his pack as he studies the chains hanging from the ceiling and the crystal shard. “I think Grudnik is right, we have to manipulate the chains somehow to move the platforms. Maybe the crystal shard is the key, maybe the statues.” Vic looks to see if the statues on both sides of the chasm are facing the same way, or if there are any differences between them at all that would provide a clue on how to activate the platforms.
Investigation: 16 plus 3 deductive intuition.