The low hallway ends into a large, oval shaped room. The ceiling is domed up to 30’ high with a frescoe of mountains, glaciers, snow fields and a tower obscured in the distance by blowing snow. Across the room stands a statue of a human man dressed in fine robes that are trimmed in furs. To each side of the statue are mahogany tables with five large gems resting on each table. Four unlit sconces are in the room, mounted to the walls about 8’ up. There are four, large wooden chests banded with iron bands. Each appears to have a lock mechanism. The air here is frigid. You will begin to shiver soon if you do not have cold weather clothing or some source of heat.
Kragen traverses from the south wall to the corridor floor, appearing to becoming more comfortable with this cloaks added ability. Looks back to the others, crosses his arms across his chest and then waves the others to come into the corridor and then steps into the room.
walks to the statue and inspects more thoroughly, without touching.
The statue is well made with excellent stone work depicting a human man wearing a fur-lined robe. There is a plaque at the base of the statue with writing in Common and Elvish. It reads the same in both you discover when someone who can read Elvish confirms it:
“Winter hides warmth in precious hearts. Light the season’s fire in rightful hue, lest chill claim you.”
Starker puts on his learher gloves and pulls his Cloak about him and goes into the room. He looks at the gems and sconces. What colors are the gems? Are the sconces filled with a fuel, or does it look like the gems might fit. Also serks to recall if there were gem or color schemes common to the rooms where the trap attacks were cold-based.
Xymox walks quietly into the room and stands next to Starker:
“Ah yes—mystery gems, frozen air, and cryptic poetry. At least Illiandil was consistent in his décor. Perhaps we toss a ruby in a sconce and see if the lich applauds, or merely roasts us alive?” He eyes the gems and looks at the sconces.
Investigation check: 20
“Hmmm....I think that the riddle speaks plain enough: ‘light the season’s fire in rightful hue.’ Winter is cold, warmth is flame. If the gems match a season, then one must be the spark. Best we choose carefully, else this chill becomes our tomb."
Chadwick looks over at Trolkarl and waves him towards the secret door. Once he arrives Chadwick motions for him to stop, then Chadwick continues into the room to offer protection with his aura to those exploring.
The sconces have shallow, cup-like bowls. It very much looks like the gems fit in them. On the tables are matching sets of five gems. There is nothing to distinguish one gem from the next other than color.
10 gems in total:
2 red (ruby)
2 blue (sapphire)
2 green (emerald)
2 white (diamond or ice crystal)
2 black (onyx)
This is the first time there is a solid clue pointing to using a gem, of any color, to solve a puzzle.
Starker next examines the chests and scones to see if there is anything to distinguish them. Also, is that statue figure seemingly looking at or indicating any of the sconces or chests?
Starker, quietly: ”I am inclined to try the rubies and the diamonds, but am unsure as to the proper placements. Is there anything to indicate prefered positioning?”
Starker:”My ruby from the silver box that Kragen or Chadwick are holding for me until we distribute our communal booty, the one that pulses like an heart, might be useful, but will it fit into a sconce as well as those in front of us?”
The low hallway ends into a large, oval shaped room. The ceiling is domed up to 30’ high with a frescoe of mountains, glaciers, snow fields and a tower obscured in the distance by blowing snow. Across the room stands a statue of a human man dressed in fine robes that are trimmed in furs. To each side of the statue are mahogany tables with five large gems resting on each table. Four unlit sconces are in the room, mounted to the walls about 8’ up. There are four, large wooden chests banded with iron bands. Each appears to have a lock mechanism. The air here is frigid. You will begin to shiver soon if you do not have cold weather clothing or some source of heat.
Kragen traverses from the south wall to the corridor floor, appearing to becoming more comfortable with this cloaks added ability. Looks back to the others, crosses his arms across his chest and then waves the others to come into the corridor and then steps into the room.
walks to the statue and inspects more thoroughly, without touching.
investigation = 5
The statue is well made with excellent stone work depicting a human man wearing a fur-lined robe. There is a plaque at the base of the statue with writing in Common and Elvish. It reads the same in both you discover when someone who can read Elvish confirms it:
“Winter hides warmth in precious hearts. Light the season’s fire in rightful hue, lest chill claim you.”
Starker puts on his learher gloves and pulls his Cloak about him and goes into the room. He looks at the gems and sconces. What colors are the gems? Are the sconces filled with a fuel, or does it look like the gems might fit. Also serks to recall if there were gem or color schemes common to the rooms where the trap attacks were cold-based.
investigation = 23
Xymox walks quietly into the room and stands next to Starker:
“Ah yes—mystery gems, frozen air, and cryptic poetry. At least Illiandil was consistent in his décor. Perhaps we toss a ruby in a sconce and see if the lich applauds, or merely roasts us alive?” He eyes the gems and looks at the sconces.
Investigation check: 20
“Hmmm....I think that the riddle speaks plain enough: ‘light the season’s fire in rightful hue.’ Winter is cold, warmth is flame. If the gems match a season, then one must be the spark. Best we choose carefully, else this chill becomes our tomb."
The bard looks at Starker and raises an eyebrow.
Chadwick looks over at Trolkarl and waves him towards the secret door. Once he arrives Chadwick motions for him to stop, then Chadwick continues into the room to offer protection with his aura to those exploring.
Trolkarl will stand guard at the secret door as instructed by Chadwick, remaining silent.
The sconces have shallow, cup-like bowls. It very much looks like the gems fit in them. On the tables are matching sets of five gems. There is nothing to distinguish one gem from the next other than color.
This is the first time there is a solid clue pointing to using a gem, of any color, to solve a puzzle.
Starker next examines the chests and scones to see if there is anything to distinguish them. Also, is that statue figure seemingly looking at or indicating any of the sconces or chests?
Starker, quietly: ”I am inclined to try the rubies and the diamonds, but am unsure as to the proper placements. Is there anything to indicate prefered positioning?”
investigation = 23
Starker:”My ruby from the silver box that Kragen or Chadwick are holding for me until we distribute our communal booty, the one that pulses like an heart, might be useful, but will it fit into a sconce as well as those in front of us?”
The pulsing ruby is cut differently and does not see to be a fit for the sconces.
The statue looks straight ahead, towards the hall you entered.
Chest 1: Key hole where lock is located.
Chest 2: Key hole with four slots from a central hole where lock is located.
Chest 3: Key hole where lock is located.
Chest 4: A hemispherical depression where the lock is located
Starker:”Ah! Perhaps my four flanged rod will open this chest . <indicates chest 2>
”and I believe one of us, perhaps Sir Chadwick, has some keys that we have yet to find locks for?
”I do not recall an orb, but I am fatigued.”
<tries four-fold key in chest 2>
Xymox: "Empty your pockets, my friends. I believe the good mage is correct. The pieces of the puzzle may already be present on your person."