"I told Freya to try and keep the other Maltym...sorry horses, that's what she calls them, quiet. I asked her to free the other horses if the wolves started getting closer. She should be able to take out a few normal wolves especially now that she has her barding, but if it's a large pack they'll have to run for it."
As you ascend the shaft, an illuminated, large room is revealed. It is a circular chamber 100’ or more across. The shaft opens up into the center of the room. The ceiling is domed, rising 50’ or more above you. Frescoes are painted and cover the ceiling in vivid colors accenting dismal scenes. You see familiar scenes of alien landscapes with what appear to be weird vegetation, reptilian creatures with wings, a dragon with multiple heads obscured by smoke and fog, demons and devils performing acts of evil upon the souls of mortals, signs and sigils of power and all revolve around the central depiction of a collection of stars at the apex of the ceiling. This collection of stars does not look familiar to anyone.
There are eight braziers set equidistant around the opening of the shaft. Each is fashioned of brass and depict a magical creature holding up a bowl: dragon, demon, winged snake, squid like creature, two-headed scorpion, hyena like creature, bipedal collection of crystals and a central sphere with multiple fine filaments surrounding it in a cloud.
Beyond the circle of braziers are four areas set equidistant apart from each other. You see an alchemical workbench covered in vials and alembics among other items, a desk with writing instruments and books scattered about, an altar with a gold disc standing on edge depicting a skull with ruby eyes and garnets cut into the shape of drops of blood surrounding the skull and a bookcase filled with tomes and scrolls.
At the periphery of the room are three spiral staircases that climb upwards. They appear to be carved from the stone of the mountain. Each is decorated with skulls, bones and the visages of demons.
Kragen points to the workbench to the north. “Bard Xymox found a collection of papers that contained a riddle. I surmised the answer may be power however suggest others take a look. We did not do a thorough search of any desks, altars or the area. Suggest we find anything of interest and find out where those stairs lead too?”
Starker, drawn inexorably to the books and notes on the workbench, pulls out Black Spider’s notes and spell book and notes on necromancy and prepares to correlate and cross-index like an addict prepares his needle.
There are writings of all kinds on many languages. What you notice that is unusual is a collection of four papers/books/scrolls having a message seeming written across the four of them when arrayed together:
“I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey. I build empires and shatter them too. I bind without chains and kill without blade. What am I?”
Kragen turns to Starker. "That sounds very plausible Mage Starker. The question is, why leave a riddle spread over 4 artifacts and what does it solve??"
Kragen searches the Alchemists bench more thoroughly, opening drawers and the like.
Chadwick peers Starker looking over the pages, mutters to himself a bit. "Gold, wealth? This lich seems kind of obsessed with it with all the gem related puzzles.
Grandpa loved these kind of riddles before, well, you know. He stumped us more times than not."
16,13,21,15
Chadwick will remain at the bottom until everyone else is up.
When Chadwick is reunited with the others.
"I told Freya to try and keep the other Maltym...sorry horses, that's what she calls them, quiet. I asked her to free the other horses if the wolves started getting closer. She should be able to take out a few normal wolves especially now that she has her barding, but if it's a large pack they'll have to run for it."
Yartol stands at the top, ready to assist climbers up to the room.
Level 3
The lift above is accomplished.
As you ascend the shaft, an illuminated, large room is revealed. It is a circular chamber 100’ or more across. The shaft opens up into the center of the room. The ceiling is domed, rising 50’ or more above you. Frescoes are painted and cover the ceiling in vivid colors accenting dismal scenes. You see familiar scenes of alien landscapes with what appear to be weird vegetation, reptilian creatures with wings, a dragon with multiple heads obscured by smoke and fog, demons and devils performing acts of evil upon the souls of mortals, signs and sigils of power and all revolve around the central depiction of a collection of stars at the apex of the ceiling. This collection of stars does not look familiar to anyone.
There are eight braziers set equidistant around the opening of the shaft. Each is fashioned of brass and depict a magical creature holding up a bowl: dragon, demon, winged snake, squid like creature, two-headed scorpion, hyena like creature, bipedal collection of crystals and a central sphere with multiple fine filaments surrounding it in a cloud.
Beyond the circle of braziers are four areas set equidistant apart from each other. You see an alchemical workbench covered in vials and alembics among other items, a desk with writing instruments and books scattered about, an altar with a gold disc standing on edge depicting a skull with ruby eyes and garnets cut into the shape of drops of blood surrounding the skull and a bookcase filled with tomes and scrolls.
At the periphery of the room are three spiral staircases that climb upwards. They appear to be carved from the stone of the mountain. Each is decorated with skulls, bones and the visages of demons.
Kragen points to the workbench to the north. “Bard Xymox found a collection of papers that contained a riddle. I surmised the answer may be power however suggest others take a look. We did not do a thorough search of any desks, altars or the area. Suggest we find anything of interest and find out where those stairs lead too?”
Starker, drawn inexorably to the books and notes on the workbench, pulls out Black Spider’s notes and spell book and notes on necromancy and prepares to correlate and cross-index like an addict prepares his needle.
investigation = 17
arcana = 21
There are writings of all kinds on many languages. What you notice that is unusual is a collection of four papers/books/scrolls having a message seeming written across the four of them when arrayed together:
“I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey. I build empires and shatter them too. I bind without chains and kill without blade. What am I?”
Starker:”Perhaps this refers to time?”
Kragen turns to Starker. "That sounds very plausible Mage Starker. The question is, why leave a riddle spread over 4 artifacts and what does it solve??"
Kragen searches the Alchemists bench more thoroughly, opening drawers and the like.
Investigation = 10
Starker joins the rifling of the workbench, itemizing the contents.
investigation = 14
arcana = 25
perception = 18
Chadwick peers Starker looking over the pages, mutters to himself a bit. "Gold, wealth? This lich seems kind of obsessed with it with all the gem related puzzles.
Grandpa loved these kind of riddles before, well, you know. He stumped us more times than not."
Then he wanders off "assisting" with the search.
Investigation 3
Perception 11
At the first touch of Kragen's dwarfy paws to a reagent bottle on the workbench a loud GONNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!! sounds.
Initiatives rolled.
Xymox to act
Level 3 map
/ooc I'm going to be unavailable until roughly 6pm tonight. Crowd source Xymox please.
(( Potential point of clarity. The braziers are unlit. ))
Xymox draws his crossbows and moves a bit away from the group. He readies himself to attack any opponent who may appear.
Starker to act