Quote from Culuril >>

 try and see if there might be anything here near at hand to explore. (Perception: 15)

 

 Sabina looks around the forest, which seems unbothered. In fact, she perceives that her surroundings seem unbothered so much that even the trap door has been reclaimed by nature, having been buried under at least a foot of topsoil. Perhaps a natural sanctuary for  native Norean wildlife. Nothing inherently seems to be of interest here. 

"Pretty, whelp, back to the door? You sitll have that X Volneer?" Kneecap says, moving back down the trap door.

"At least we have another way in in the future if those guild'er get in our way."

"Which way is back to town from here?" Sabina asks as she looks around. "I'd have thought we could see it more easily from here."  She tries to catch sight of any landmark or other sign that might give her a clue as to the direction. (Survival: 15)

From your position (facing west), you’d know that Westhaven should be about a mile through the woods on your right. (North) 

"Ah, must be that way," Sabina finally decides, vaguely pointing to the north. "Good to know we have a secret way in.  Shall we head back to the door now?"  Unless anyone else has a different idea, she is ready to head back down below and to the chamber with the stone door.

As the party returns back to the main temple room, there is no discernible difference than when they left. At this point, night has officially set upon the crew, and no day light offers any visibility in the sunken temple

With the growing darkness, Sabina pulls a torch from her pack and lights it.  She then examines the door.  "You already tried putting the 'x' on the door?" she asks again as she looks closely at the other slots. "Maybe we can find something else in the room here?"  She quickly looks around, scanning for anything that might match the rhombus, 'H' or sphere shapes. (Perception: 9) 

"Or maybe we can try the 'x' again?" She continues glancing about. "If you give me a few moments I could set up something to detect magic, we could see if placing that 'x' does anything magical that's not immediately obvious perhaps."  If the others are agreeable, she will get out one of her empty glass vials, mark some symbols onto it with a few of her tools, then chant some arcane words to prepare. (Bascailly, casting Detect Magic as a ritual with some artificer flair.) 

(OOC - I believe the party has not tried putting the 'x' in the door, but Sabina wasn't there and was told that it had been. Thus, the suggestion to try it 'again'.)

Kneecap will take the X symbol (I believe Volneer had it) and puts it in his mouth and bites down on it, then licks it, smells it, and turns it over in his hands three times. He looks up and says “What?” as the rest are looking at him. “Bah, old sailor’s blessing, trust me." He looks at Culuril and says "tell me when you’re ready lass" and waits.

“The rest of you on guard, perhaps take a step back? But watch the door, me thinking I’m not the best for noticing what doors do… What doors do, or due, hmmm gotta be a joke in there.” He will then wait for the others to get in place and for Culuril to say she is ready with her magical preparations.

Once all are ready, he will say Marthammor open this damn door and he will place the X in the slot, as he is doing it, he will raise his voice extremely loud and say Open before Volneer sets you on fire!.

Sabina completes the ritual, perhaps looking a little silly as she peers through the glass vial to look about as Kneecap prepares to put the 'X' symbol in place. "Go ahead." 

Calim reflexively raises his shield, as Kneecap places the X in the door.

As Kneecap places the Stone artifact within the wall, it's seemingly a perfect fit. it clicks into place and a loud series of thuds happens as the room shakes violently, but only for a moment. A glowing light can be seen emanating from the cracks between the wall and the artifact, but the doors do not open. 

"Well, something happened," Sabina says. She looks about using her sight from  Detect Magic to examine the door and the rest of the room for any signs of what magic might be occurring.  (Arcana roll to analyze what she sees, if needed: 10)

Kneecap says "whoa, OK..." he will then press the X with his finger, if nothing happens, he will run his finger over the X, in the shape of an X.

Seeing Sabina casting magic to see what is happening, he will give her Marthammor’s Favor: +4 to add to  her arcana check.

"Perhaps we missed something in other places, perhaps backtrack and investigate the other rooms?" he says.

Sabina recognizes a form of transmutation magic emanating from the door. While Analyzing the door, the party hears a loud shout from above. “You lot! Ascend from the sinkhole immediately! You are not authorized to be down there!”. 

your guild ally traveling with you appears confused. “Wait… you’re all not meant to be down here? Did you trick me?!” He instinctively grasps the hilt of his blade and takes a step back.

Sabina sees Larrind put a hand on his hilt. "Really sir, there is no need for violence. This is likely just your elf friend from above, who you already saw was needlessly creating a fuss. As we said, we spoke to the guildmaster and he knows we were coming here."  Knowing she's likely not the most persuasive, she glances to the others hoping they too will help calm the young man. (Persuasion if needed: 4)

Volneer turns to Larrind. "We have spoken with the guildmaster, and he knew we would come here. Whoever is up there is likely an enemy - trying to trick us to coming out there. Pay it no mind." Deception: 23.

As silhouettes begin to appear at the top of the opening, Your guild member helper begins to feel conflicted. he believes you, but is contemplating the possibility of being wrong. a few silhouettes begin to crawl down to your location. A voice that some of you may recognize: "The guild master knows nothing of the sort". suddenly, a larger silhouette appears above you, with the voice of Guildmaster Larkas Gentry. "Put them in Irons, and take them directly to the court of the Overseer." And just as suddenly as he appeared, he is gone, and slowly descending upon you is 3 guildmembers. Larynd shakily speaks to you...: "I'm... I'm sorry, but, you're under arrest. please, come willingly. and if you speak the truth, I'm sure all of this will get worked out."

Kneecap points up and says "LOOK OUT" and will cast thaumaturgy creating a large scream 30 feet above, and will then attempt to remove the X from the door.

• If he removes the X successfully, he will say, "Lets go gang! Hahahaha gang!" and will run towards the stairs exit.
• If he doesnt remove the X, he will say "Larrind look at this door. This is the problem. Tell them to work with us. Unless the guild is responsible for all this DEATH" he screams the last word. "You know I am not leaving in irons Larrind..."  Intimidation: 2

Turning to the voice that has spoken, a multitude of emotions crosses over Volneer's face. He seems as conflicted as Larrind. Seeing the large silhouette, his face contorts in anger. Seeing the warriors descending towards them, he seems disappointed and concerned. Turning to Larrind, his face radiates genuine sadness. When he eventually speaks, it is almost a whisper, but it can be heard as clearly as if he had shouted. "I will speak to the Overseer, but not as a prisoner. If you attempt to arrest me, I will try my best not to harm you." His knuckles go white around his staff, and from his pocket he produces the scroll of darkness. He stares defiantly at the guildmembers and says, "I would speak with the guildmaster himself." He prestidigitates a chill on the armor of the lead guildmember. Intimidation:25. 

Sabina takes a step back, letting others speak. Hopefully more effectively than she had. Hearing the guildmaster's words she shakes her head. 'He's wrong. We were quite clear about coming back here when we spoke to him.'  She keeps the words to herself though, in case it comes down to actually speaking with him. 

She does nod her head back towards the other stairs leading to the other exit, hoping that was what Kneecap meant. (Presuming Kneecap suggests running.)