[No check needed due to musical instrument proficiency] Pisgah starts playing, the harpsichord seemingly happy to have someone give it a honest try. The instrument is far away from a flute, but Pisgah still understands the basics of the melody and can replicate the simple piece of music. The chamber fills with a sad song, like something of mourning.
When Pisgah is finished, the harpsichord lies silent for a moment. Then, a decorative skull above the keys falls away, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, you can see a scroll filled with arcane symbols.
The others can try their luck too, but it seems whatever magic previously affected Canti is no longer present. After Jayas fumbling and Nikkitchs surprisingly close rendition, nothing more happens.
I will reach into the compartment and pull out the scroll. Turning to show Nikk, Rico, and Canti, I ask "Can you make out what this is or does?"
Nikkitch suspects a spell scroll, but he needs to be sure. Taking it gingerly in hand, he does not open it, instead turning it over endlessly in his talons, reading (or at least trying to, if he cannot perceive the language on a glance).
[Arcana: 10 (damn)]
Parsing nothing and silently shaking his head, he passes the scroll to whoever else feels like chancing it.
It's clearly magical, the energies held within potent obvious to anyone that touches it.
Jaja doesn't find any draconic writing on the scroll, although some of the runes used look like they might have originated in the draconic script at one point.
Rico and Nikkitch are able to make the connection that the scroll must be a spell scroll of some kind, but don't find out what spell its for.
While the spell slingers examine the strange scroll, Pisgah muses out loud "I wonder if there is another avenue to leave this area of the dungeon. I am going to go check that dead end that is up the corridor. Maybe there is another secret door up there. "
Canti can conclude the same thing as Rico and Nikk: it's a spell scroll, but what sort of spell is contained within is unclear at a quick glance. As with most magic items, studying it for an hour will be enough to ascertain the unknown facts.
Pisgah, armed with an eerie awareness, scouts out the dead-end of the dungeon, finding nothing out of the ordinary. However, as he turns back to the hallway with the harpsichord, he spots a slight inconsistency in the stonework on the wall out in the main corridor. This matches with other secret doors you have found so far.
I go back to the room and report about the secret door I found. I let the group know that I am going to go take a listen at the door and will wait for them to join me at the door before I open it.
Perception roll of 15 (with ear horn)
Once folks join me a the secret door, I will open it.
Pisgah doesn't hear anything beyond this secret door. Opening it reveals a singular chamber. Embedded in the middle of the room’s north wall is a stone arch, its frame engraved with images of falling coins. The arch’s keystone has a tiny slot in it.
Nikkitch, Canti & Rico [Arcana]: This construction, while of different shape than the mirror you encountered before, does fit the general description of a magical portal. It's currently inactive.
As the coin disappears into the slot, you hear a soft cha-chink somewhere within the archs body. Then, a low hum. A blue disc rapidly fills the archway, as if a door into another world. You can see through the portal into a cave complex. Fairly close to the gate, you see three drow. They spring up as they notice the gate being activated.
The woman among them, equipped with armor made of many-segmented shiny black leather, approaches with authority, stopping within 20 feet of the gate. She addresses Pisgah: "You, elemental, turn back. This place is dangerous and I have no use for weaklings."
The womans eyes blaze down at the kenku, clearly suspicious and annoyed at the mimicry. But she replies, not without a hint of pride in her voice: "I'm Talafaere of the house of Auvryndar. I have orders to turn meddlers like yourself away. The conflict on this level is beyond your ken, for you are on the second and we are on the fourth."
Pisgah gives a slight bow to the drow. "Lady Talafaere of House Auvryndar, what can you tell us of the conflict and how can we render assistance? Can you activate the portal from your side, if needed?"
Talafaere clicks her tongue in exasperation. "If you must know; an evil presence has taken oven part of this cave. Its minions - troglodytes - are waging war against the native kuo-toa. Both of these groups are nuisances and need to be eliminated."
She gives the party a calculating glance. "I'm sure my lady will see to it that those who help us will be rewarded."
With a hand motion towards the gate, she says: "The mechanism for opening this portal is the same here - all that is needed is one coin. The portal stays open for one minute hence."
[No check needed due to musical instrument proficiency] Pisgah starts playing, the harpsichord seemingly happy to have someone give it a honest try. The instrument is far away from a flute, but Pisgah still understands the basics of the melody and can replicate the simple piece of music. The chamber fills with a sad song, like something of mourning.
When Pisgah is finished, the harpsichord lies silent for a moment. Then, a decorative skull above the keys falls away, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, you can see a scroll filled with arcane symbols.
The others can try their luck too, but it seems whatever magic previously affected Canti is no longer present. After Jayas fumbling and Nikkitchs surprisingly close rendition, nothing more happens.
Everyone gets 250 XP for figuring out the harpsichord mystery without anything bad happening. This party is doing well in that regard!
I will reach into the compartment and pull out the scroll. Turning to show Nikk, Rico, and Canti, I ask "Can you make out what this is or does?"
Jaya is not proficient in any of the magical skills, but he can speak Draconic, so will give it a look over with that perspective.
Nikkitch suspects a spell scroll, but he needs to be sure. Taking it gingerly in hand, he does not open it, instead turning it over endlessly in his talons, reading (or at least trying to, if he cannot perceive the language on a glance).
[Arcana: 10 (damn)]
Parsing nothing and silently shaking his head, he passes the scroll to whoever else feels like chancing it.
Rico takes a look at the scroll, opening it enough to read the title of the scroll.
Arcana 12
It's clearly magical, the energies held within potent obvious to anyone that touches it.
Jaja doesn't find any draconic writing on the scroll, although some of the runes used look like they might have originated in the draconic script at one point.
Rico and Nikkitch are able to make the connection that the scroll must be a spell scroll of some kind, but don't find out what spell its for.
While the spell slingers examine the strange scroll, Pisgah muses out loud "I wonder if there is another avenue to leave this area of the dungeon. I am going to go check that dead end that is up the corridor. Maybe there is another secret door up there. "
Investigation roll of 15
Perception roll of 20
Being very interested in magic herself (i.e., proficient in arcana), Canti takes a look at the scroll as well.
Here's a roll in case it helps: 25
Canti can conclude the same thing as Rico and Nikk: it's a spell scroll, but what sort of spell is contained within is unclear at a quick glance. As with most magic items, studying it for an hour will be enough to ascertain the unknown facts.
Pisgah, armed with an eerie awareness, scouts out the dead-end of the dungeon, finding nothing out of the ordinary. However, as he turns back to the hallway with the harpsichord, he spots a slight inconsistency in the stonework on the wall out in the main corridor. This matches with other secret doors you have found so far.
I go back to the room and report about the secret door I found. I let the group know that I am going to go take a listen at the door and will wait for them to join me at the door before I open it.
Perception roll of 15 (with ear horn)
Once folks join me a the secret door, I will open it.
Rico will add the unknown scroll to her bag of undivided loot and salvage before getting into position for more exploring.
Edit: Assuming no one else wants it. She's not claiming it, just not leaving it behind.
Pisgah doesn't hear anything beyond this secret door. Opening it reveals a singular chamber. Embedded in the middle of the room’s north wall is a stone arch, its frame engraved with images of falling coins. The arch’s keystone has a tiny slot in it.
Nikkitch, Canti & Rico [Arcana]: This construction, while of different shape than the mirror you encountered before, does fit the general description of a magical portal. It's currently inactive.
Pisgah goes and slides a gold piece in the slot
As the coin disappears into the slot, you hear a soft cha-chink somewhere within the archs body. Then, a low hum. A blue disc rapidly fills the archway, as if a door into another world. You can see through the portal into a cave complex. Fairly close to the gate, you see three drow. They spring up as they notice the gate being activated.
The woman among them, equipped with armor made of many-segmented shiny black leather, approaches with authority, stopping within 20 feet of the gate. She addresses Pisgah: "You, elemental, turn back. This place is dangerous and I have no use for weaklings."
The kenku at the back of the room replies, mimicking the woman's own voice: "Why? Who. Are. You?"
The womans eyes blaze down at the kenku, clearly suspicious and annoyed at the mimicry. But she replies, not without a hint of pride in her voice: "I'm Talafaere of the house of Auvryndar. I have orders to turn meddlers like yourself away. The conflict on this level is beyond your ken, for you are on the second and we are on the fourth."
Pisgah gives a slight bow to the drow. "Lady Talafaere of House Auvryndar, what can you tell us of the conflict and how can we render assistance? Can you activate the portal from your side, if needed?"
Talafaere clicks her tongue in exasperation. "If you must know; an evil presence has taken oven part of this cave. Its minions - troglodytes - are waging war against the native kuo-toa. Both of these groups are nuisances and need to be eliminated."
She gives the party a calculating glance. "I'm sure my lady will see to it that those who help us will be rewarded."
With a hand motion towards the gate, she says: "The mechanism for opening this portal is the same here - all that is needed is one coin. The portal stays open for one minute hence."
“Is there anything we can do on the second to help you on the fourth?” Jaya asks, using her terms, assuming she is referring to levels of the dungeon.