You move forward surprisingly quiet considering and as you peek around the corner you see...
The passage continues on for about 30' before splitting into 3 directions. A passage continues forward and one branches to the right and left. At the intersection you see a bedraggled creature rests on a 2-foot-high pile of bones that fills the intersection. The creature’s body looks like that of a mangy lion, and great, tattered wings lie folded at its sides. A female humanoid face peers out from beneath the tangled mat of hair that covers its head.
DM stuff:
18
It doesn't seem to have noticed you. It's just sitting there minding it's own business with a far off look in it's eyes.
(Yup, you sure can. Should have put that in the house rules. DC check based on what it is. This case either nature or history. Below 10 you don't know. DC11-15 you know very basic info like it's method of attack. DC16-20 you know some abilities like resistance or special attacks. DC21+ I'll link it.)
You know it's a type of sphynx and attacks with it's claws but can also use magic and has legendary abilities. You know it has resistance to most non magical damage types and is immune to psychic damage.
Crouched in darkness, Jak's breath catches as he realizes the nature of the beast in front of him. With the patience and speed of a sloth, he ducks back into the hallway, padding as quickly as he dares back to his companions and waves frantically for them to crouch down as he is. Closing the distance, he speaks in an even lower whisper than before.
"Right. I have bad news and worse news. The bad news is that the path splits of down three different directions, with no clear sign as to where they lead. The worse news is that there's a rather nasty creature sitting in the middle of them. Some kind of Sphynx, if my eyes don't deceive me. Their hides are highly resistant to most weapons. They're also highly intelligent, minds like steel traps and capable of feats of the arcane. Or so I've heard anyway.Options?" He looks to the group as a whole.
May I suggest that we try to blind this creature before it tries to attack, and seeing that is is down here it is probably one with the water, so the water probably doesn't affect it as it would affect us. I say Simon Twist shoots the creature from afar, then Brocc and I will lead the frontal charge while Jak will be close behind Brocc and I, so any objections? Johnson whispers to his companions in a serious tone. And don't worry, if things go wrong I have a backup plan, that plan is if all of us are low in health, I will throw a portable hole near the beast then throw my bag of holding in the portable hole, sucking in the creature, when I say plan B everyone get away from the beast and I will commence plan B unless anyone has any objections or other ideas. After Johnson stops talking he looks at everyone, waiting for someone to speak their thoughts.
"Mm, yes. I've heard of Sphinx as well! Frightening creatures, but nothing to worry about my good lad!" Brocc says, not even bothering to modulate his voice. "Given their intellect, I'm sure this creature is merely the welcoming party of a sort. Likely another one of that, ah, uh, er -- that braggart's tactics to scare off those without the proper preparedness for what else lies in these darkened halls." He nods to himself. "Mn. Yes. Even the pools back there were another trick. To which I must say, well played! I haven't seen this level of maneuvering since the time me and my fellows plumbed the tombs of Ish'iknar, the Beetle King. Nice chap that one. Unfortunate we had to /cut/ that visit short."
As he chuckled at the pun, he feigns rolling back his sleeves and even cracks his neck. "Right then. Allow me to have a talk with our friend." Brocc doesn't wait on the others approval before continue to bustle down the hall into the open proper, his hands raised as if in surrender as he stepped into view of the creature. "Well met my fine feline-esque friend. The name is Brocc Brimblebacc, Seventh Son of Argoo Brimblebacc. What might I call thee?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Brocc rounds the corner and starts approaching the sphinx with his hands raised in surrender. The creatures head swivels in your direction with a look of confusion that is quickly replaced by a surprised smile. A voice creaky from disuse replies "Brocc Brimblebacc, Brocc Brimblebacc, it flows off the tongue so nicely. Brocc Brimblebacc, yes I like it! It's been an age since I've had need to use someone's name. And a polite someone at that. No need to keep your arms raised I'll not harm you unless driven to it." She shifts on the pile of bones to face you and raises up into a sitting position "I'm known as Etrusca and since you've been so polite you may approach, but I suggest you go no further than my perch before we've had a chance to talk more. Pay no mind to the south sigil. It won't harm you with my invitation."
Now that your attention has been drawn to it you look for the sigil she mentioned and see symbols carved into the ceiling of all 4 passageways 15' away from her pile of bones.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Believe that was more than enough time for any interruptions or brave step forwards, so moving on...)
Brocc immediately lowers his hands, but took care to keep them visible at all hands, if only for the Sphinx peace of mind. "Indubitably! My Mother was rather proud of that particular spin on naming conventions! Quite right, I say, Quite right." He said grinning, and marches forward, appearing wholly unphased by the pile of bones. 'Yes, yes. Another angle to an otherwise clear and straight-forward course.' He thought as he marched forward.
But once his eyes were drawn to the sigils, he couldn't help the more studious part of his mind from studying the symbols sigil, and piece together at least a fragment of their meaning.
Whatever comes to mind is shuffled towards the back of his thoughts to focus on the Sphinx once more. "Quite the interesting abode you have chosen for yourself, I do dare say. Or so one would assume, and wrongly I imagine. A lovely name Etrusca. Quite lovely. Reminds me of this fine drink of water of a Sea Elf maid. Oh that was quite the adventure..." Brocc gets this distant look in his eyes for half a second before sputtering back on the present.
"So, I take it you know why I am here? Not that one needs to be as bright as I to know that. But the real question is, why are you here? I can't imagine you are a willing servant of that braggart of a thief?" He asked promptly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
(I'm going to start with the symbol. That was a good roll :) I'll need rolls for each one you try to read though so I'll use that one for the one you pass under.)
Brocc studying the symbol finds...
You do recognize the wording of the magic used to make this. If activated it will stun anyone within 60' for 1d6 rounds. It's similar to a power word stun but it's been twisted to be more effective. You know you would need a high save (DC22 CON) to avoid the effects. You can also tell that disabling it is beyond your skill.
As you approach, continuing with your good manners you can see she is eager to talk to you " You are very perceptiveBrocc Brimblebacc and I would love to hear of the adventure with the sea elf maid but I'm sure you haven't come to chit chat with me. You are here, instead, to meet the challenge set by my master. Yes, you are correct in your assumption that I am not here by choice. It is the result of a poor choice of words in a bargain I stuck with Keraptis over a thousand years ago. Even though I find him quite repugnant I'll not have my honor questioned by abandoning my post. He thinks himself very clever and for the most part he is. He loves his games and tricks and you will find many before you. This being the first. You are to choose a passage you wish to travel and answer the corresponding riddle. Very simple really, only I'm afraid if you answer wrong you will suffer the effects of the symbol"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OCC It seems I was lead astray by assumptions, my apologies. For some reason I didn’t get any of these posts and thought we were still on the other posting site.
Symon Twist has been sloshing along as ‘quietly’ as possible, keeping a sharp eye out on their backtrail. When he hears of what is around the corner and Brocc’s blustery daring-do, he also will round the corner. Upon seeing the creature he bursts out, “Good heavens, what a frightful messs you are! Don’t you have any combs or brushes handy? Why, who ever would put any creature in such a situation should be hung, drawn and quartered! (He was not paying too close attention and missed a bit of the things story) I should help you if I could only I have no curry combs or brushes that would suit, sad to say. Sigh!”
He looks at the symbols. (Arcane 5)
”Oi thet makes as mooch sense as Garblazion poetry, what e’r th’ junk be. So, why the pile o’ bones? Er do ye jes like sleepin’ on a pile o crap?” He carefully sets him self to launch a flurry of arrows, should the need arise.
“So ye like’s t’ play them quessin’ games, eh? Well, do ye know what lies past yon trey toonels? Loik which bes foolish t’ travel n’ which bes wise? Should think ye’d knowed leaast th’t, roight?”
“For Tomarh’s sake Twist, please shut up before you get us into trouble!” Symon hisses quietly, apparently to himself.
Etrusca turns to regard Symon and lets out a laugh "Oh, a good brushing would be divine! You may approach. I assume you and Brocc are here on the same task? Should I expect any others to appear around the corner?"
Symon, you are unable to make out the symbols function. (DC22 for each of them)
With a panache of an idiot, Symon takes out his grooming gear, looks at the brush sadly, “Well it is for a good cause, dearie.” He approaches Etrusca and says, “Let me see what I can do; might not be much but, I am sure, it will be better than the frightful state you are, unfortunately, in at the moment.” And he will be gin to groom Etrusca.
”So tell me about this horrid creature that so cruelly trapped you into this beastly situation. What was it exactly that you have to do? Or was that complelled, I forget. Dear me, I can be sooo absentminded sometimes.” Carefully, Symon brushes as he rambles (but...with a purpose). “How was it that he tricked you? Are you cursed to be here until you DIE? No, no, tell me that isn’t true! Oh, you poor thing.” He shakes his head. “Too bad we couldn’t do something to help you free yourself from this, this....Oh balderdash, this filthy place. Or can we, mmmm?” He looks at Etrusca with a great deal of hopeful sympathy.
”Keep quite Twist, for once in your miserable life, keep a lid on it,” he hisses sotto voce.
As I hear Symon Twist and Brocc talking I turn the corner and slowly approach and say Oh so this Sphinx isn't hostile, ok that's good, I am Johnson and it is a pleasure to meet you... sorry I forgot your name, I'm not too great at remembering names.
Seeing that the rest of the party has this well in hand (or are about to made into hors d'oeuvres) Jak elects to remain quietly behind the corner in the hall, readying his longbow in case the situation goes belly-up.
"Mm, yes. Yes. More than fair, I say, more than fair. Though do forgive me for hoping you're not so beholden to the tricks of the braggart, as to directly adhere to his ways." Brocc confesses before Symon came into the picture. At the man's own introduction the gnome help but become a bit flustered and red in the face. There were better ways to announce oneself then by drawing attention to one's misfortune in such a way! Or, so his face appeared to convey as much until Etrusca laughed most of it off.
Even so, he would continue to side-eye Symon as the man spoke, looking for those few words a paranoid mind such as his might warrant interjection from the Gnome. "Lady Etrusca, Johnson, Johnson, Lady Etrusca." Brocc says, finally ending his watch to properly introduce the two. "Don't mind the dwarven lad too much. They can a bit themselves, but I can assure at least that one means nothing by things... Unlike some." He glances at Symon. "Their may yet be one other of course -- a bit weary that one likely is from the bit of a mess left in the hall back there. Interesting stuff, and things he'll soon recover from I'm sure, yes, yes."
Following a few enthusiastic nods, Brocc glances over to one of the other symbols, but not to really study them. "Not to take away from talks of your potential freedom further, but might we too know if the failing to answer correctly would involve with that corrosponding symbol's activation, or any of them at your choosing?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
She is very appreciative of the brushing and sits up straight and unfurls her wings as much as shes able, until they stretch into the adjacent passages. You can hear a low rumbling purr emanating from her chest "Oh, that is very fine, yes, just along my chest there if you don't mind. This is much more pleasant then those I've had to strike down." She quietly enjoys the grooming for a few moments and listens to you all only interrupting briefly to invite Johnson over the south sigil before it's triggered. When you have all finished she says "Welcome Johnson. No need for apologies as I hadn't introduced myself to you. Symon, while your concern is charming the terms of my bargain are none of your concern and I've no wish to break them. The bargain was struck and I take great pride in doing my duty well. I have done so for long before you were born and will likely continue to do so long after you've perished. I will not have it said that I've shirked my duty or stooped to trickery or treachery to avoid it." She stretches one of her front legs out for grooming "Now about your other friend... If he needs assurances, how about this. If i meant him harm I can assure you he wouldn't be safe way over there either" She let's out a laugh "Yes, assurances.. ha, well now, on to your question. Each passage has a riddle and a corresponding symbol. They are directly tied to each other. You are welcome to study the symbols and try to decipher their function and before you ask. No. I can not give you hints or clues regarding the symbol or the riddle. I also do not know if any of the passageways will lead you to what you seek." She looks to you all. "Let me know when you are ready to choose a direction"
(Jeez man, yeah!)
You move forward surprisingly quiet considering and as you peek around the corner you see...
The passage continues on for about 30' before splitting into 3 directions. A passage continues forward and one branches to the right and left. At the intersection you see a bedraggled creature rests on a 2-foot-high pile of bones that fills the intersection. The creature’s body looks like that of a mangy lion, and great, tattered wings lie folded at its sides. A female humanoid face peers out from beneath the tangled mat of hair that covers its head.
DM stuff:
18
It doesn't seem to have noticed you. It's just sitting there minding it's own business with a far off look in it's eyes.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(May I do a check to see if I recognize the creature?)
(Yup, you sure can. Should have put that in the house rules. DC check based on what it is. This case either nature or history. Below 10 you don't know. DC11-15 you know very basic info like it's method of attack. DC16-20 you know some abilities like resistance or special attacks. DC21+ I'll link it.)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(Sweet. I'll do History. 19 )
You know it's a type of sphynx and attacks with it's claws but can also use magic and has legendary abilities. You know it has resistance to most non magical damage types and is immune to psychic damage.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Crouched in darkness, Jak's breath catches as he realizes the nature of the beast in front of him. With the patience and speed of a sloth, he ducks back into the hallway, padding as quickly as he dares back to his companions and waves frantically for them to crouch down as he is. Closing the distance, he speaks in an even lower whisper than before.
"Right. I have bad news and worse news. The bad news is that the path splits of down three different directions, with no clear sign as to where they lead. The worse news is that there's a rather nasty creature sitting in the middle of them. Some kind of Sphynx, if my eyes don't deceive me. Their hides are highly resistant to most weapons. They're also highly intelligent, minds like steel traps and capable of feats of the arcane. Or so I've heard anyway. Options?" He looks to the group as a whole.
May I suggest that we try to blind this creature before it tries to attack, and seeing that is is down here it is probably one with the water, so the water probably doesn't affect it as it would affect us. I say Simon Twist shoots the creature from afar, then Brocc and I will lead the frontal charge while Jak will be close behind Brocc and I, so any objections? Johnson whispers to his companions in a serious tone. And don't worry, if things go wrong I have a backup plan, that plan is if all of us are low in health, I will throw a portable hole near the beast then throw my bag of holding in the portable hole, sucking in the creature, when I say plan B everyone get away from the beast and I will commence plan B unless anyone has any objections or other ideas. After Johnson stops talking he looks at everyone, waiting for someone to speak their thoughts.
"Mm, yes. I've heard of Sphinx as well! Frightening creatures, but nothing to worry about my good lad!" Brocc says, not even bothering to modulate his voice. "Given their intellect, I'm sure this creature is merely the welcoming party of a sort. Likely another one of that, ah, uh, er -- that braggart's tactics to scare off those without the proper preparedness for what else lies in these darkened halls." He nods to himself. "Mn. Yes. Even the pools back there were another trick. To which I must say, well played! I haven't seen this level of maneuvering since the time me and my fellows plumbed the tombs of Ish'iknar, the Beetle King. Nice chap that one. Unfortunate we had to /cut/ that visit short."
As he chuckled at the pun, he feigns rolling back his sleeves and even cracks his neck. "Right then. Allow me to have a talk with our friend." Brocc doesn't wait on the others approval before continue to bustle down the hall into the open proper, his hands raised as if in surrender as he stepped into view of the creature. "Well met my fine feline-esque friend. The name is Brocc Brimblebacc, Seventh Son of Argoo Brimblebacc. What might I call thee?"
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
As Brocc marches boldly forward into the face of danger, Jak does a some quick math to calculate the reward when split between only three of them.
Brocc rounds the corner and starts approaching the sphinx with his hands raised in surrender. The creatures head swivels in your direction with a look of confusion that is quickly replaced by a surprised smile. A voice creaky from disuse replies "Brocc Brimblebacc, Brocc Brimblebacc, it flows off the tongue so nicely. Brocc Brimblebacc, yes I like it! It's been an age since I've had need to use someone's name. And a polite someone at that. No need to keep your arms raised I'll not harm you unless driven to it." She shifts on the pile of bones to face you and raises up into a sitting position "I'm known as Etrusca and since you've been so polite you may approach, but I suggest you go no further than my perch before we've had a chance to talk more. Pay no mind to the south sigil. It won't harm you with my invitation."
Now that your attention has been drawn to it you look for the sigil she mentioned and see symbols carved into the ceiling of all 4 passageways 15' away from her pile of bones.
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
(Believe that was more than enough time for any interruptions or brave step forwards, so moving on...)
Brocc immediately lowers his hands, but took care to keep them visible at all hands, if only for the Sphinx peace of mind. "Indubitably! My Mother was rather proud of that particular spin on naming conventions! Quite right, I say, Quite right." He said grinning, and marches forward, appearing wholly unphased by the pile of bones. 'Yes, yes. Another angle to an otherwise clear and straight-forward course.' He thought as he marched forward.
But once his eyes were drawn to the sigils, he couldn't help the more studious part of his mind from studying the symbols sigil, and piece together at least a fragment of their meaning.
Arcana: 13.
Whatever comes to mind is shuffled towards the back of his thoughts to focus on the Sphinx once more. "Quite the interesting abode you have chosen for yourself, I do dare say. Or so one would assume, and wrongly I imagine. A lovely name Etrusca. Quite lovely. Reminds me of this fine drink of water of a Sea Elf maid. Oh that was quite the adventure..." Brocc gets this distant look in his eyes for half a second before sputtering back on the present.
"So, I take it you know why I am here? Not that one needs to be as bright as I to know that. But the real question is, why are you here? I can't imagine you are a willing servant of that braggart of a thief?" He asked promptly.
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
(I'm going to start with the symbol. That was a good roll :) I'll need rolls for each one you try to read though so I'll use that one for the one you pass under.)
Brocc studying the symbol finds...
You do recognize the wording of the magic used to make this. If activated it will stun anyone within 60' for 1d6 rounds. It's similar to a power word stun but it's been twisted to be more effective. You know you would need a high save (DC22 CON) to avoid the effects. You can also tell that disabling it is beyond your skill.
As you approach, continuing with your good manners you can see she is eager to talk to you " You are very perceptive Brocc Brimblebacc and I would love to hear of the adventure with the sea elf maid but I'm sure you haven't come to chit chat with me. You are here, instead, to meet the challenge set by my master. Yes, you are correct in your assumption that I am not here by choice. It is the result of a poor choice of words in a bargain I stuck with Keraptis over a thousand years ago. Even though I find him quite repugnant I'll not have my honor questioned by abandoning my post. He thinks himself very clever and for the most part he is. He loves his games and tricks and you will find many before you. This being the first. You are to choose a passage you wish to travel and answer the corresponding riddle. Very simple really, only I'm afraid if you answer wrong you will suffer the effects of the symbol"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
OCC It seems I was lead astray by assumptions, my apologies. For some reason I didn’t get any of these posts and thought we were still on the other posting site.
Symon Twist has been sloshing along as ‘quietly’ as possible, keeping a sharp eye out on their backtrail. When he hears of what is around the corner and Brocc’s blustery daring-do, he also will round the corner. Upon seeing the creature he bursts out, “Good heavens, what a frightful messs you are! Don’t you have any combs or brushes handy? Why, who ever would put any creature in such a situation should be hung, drawn and quartered! (He was not paying too close attention and missed a bit of the things story) I should help you if I could only I have no curry combs or brushes that would suit, sad to say. Sigh!”
He looks at the symbols. (Arcane 5)
”Oi thet makes as mooch sense as Garblazion poetry, what e’r th’ junk be. So, why the pile o’ bones? Er do ye jes like sleepin’ on a pile o crap?” He carefully sets him self to launch a flurry of arrows, should the need arise.
“So ye like’s t’ play them quessin’ games, eh? Well, do ye know what lies past yon trey toonels? Loik which bes foolish t’ travel n’ which bes wise? Should think ye’d knowed leaast th’t, roight?”
“For Tomarh’s sake Twist, please shut up before you get us into trouble!” Symon hisses quietly, apparently to himself.
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
(Ahh, ok. I was wondering about the messages, lol. I thought you were just continuing the role-play, which was fine, but now it makes sense!)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
Etrusca turns to regard Symon and lets out a laugh "Oh, a good brushing would be divine! You may approach. I assume you and Brocc are here on the same task? Should I expect any others to appear around the corner?"
Symon, you are unable to make out the symbols function. (DC22 for each of them)
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
With a panache of an idiot, Symon takes out his grooming gear, looks at the brush sadly, “Well it is for a good cause, dearie.” He approaches Etrusca and says, “Let me see what I can do; might not be much but, I am sure, it will be better than the frightful state you are, unfortunately, in at the moment.” And he will be gin to groom Etrusca.
”So tell me about this horrid creature that so cruelly trapped you into this beastly situation. What was it exactly that you have to do? Or was that complelled, I forget. Dear me, I can be sooo absentminded sometimes.” Carefully, Symon brushes as he rambles (but...with a purpose). “How was it that he tricked you? Are you cursed to be here until you DIE? No, no, tell me that isn’t true! Oh, you poor thing.” He shakes his head. “Too bad we couldn’t do something to help you free yourself from this, this....Oh balderdash, this filthy place. Or can we, mmmm?” He looks at Etrusca with a great deal of hopeful sympathy.
”Keep quite Twist, for once in your miserable life, keep a lid on it,” he hisses sotto voce.
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
As I hear Symon Twist and Brocc talking I turn the corner and slowly approach and say Oh so this Sphinx isn't hostile, ok that's good, I am Johnson and it is a pleasure to meet you... sorry I forgot your name, I'm not too great at remembering names.
Seeing that the rest of the party has this well in hand (or are about to made into hors d'oeuvres) Jak elects to remain quietly behind the corner in the hall, readying his longbow in case the situation goes belly-up.
"Mm, yes. Yes. More than fair, I say, more than fair. Though do forgive me for hoping you're not so beholden to the tricks of the braggart, as to directly adhere to his ways." Brocc confesses before Symon came into the picture. At the man's own introduction the gnome help but become a bit flustered and red in the face. There were better ways to announce oneself then by drawing attention to one's misfortune in such a way! Or, so his face appeared to convey as much until Etrusca laughed most of it off.
Even so, he would continue to side-eye Symon as the man spoke, looking for those few words a paranoid mind such as his might warrant interjection from the Gnome. "Lady Etrusca, Johnson, Johnson, Lady Etrusca." Brocc says, finally ending his watch to properly introduce the two. "Don't mind the dwarven lad too much. They can a bit themselves, but I can assure at least that one means nothing by things... Unlike some." He glances at Symon. "Their may yet be one other of course -- a bit weary that one likely is from the bit of a mess left in the hall back there. Interesting stuff, and things he'll soon recover from I'm sure, yes, yes."
Following a few enthusiastic nods, Brocc glances over to one of the other symbols, but not to really study them. "Not to take away from talks of your potential freedom further, but might we too know if the failing to answer correctly would involve with that corrosponding symbol's activation, or any of them at your choosing?"
Goyo - [Tortle]Druid/Warlock - Circle of Sea/Celestial (Libretalia)
Vogan - [Goliath-Hill]Bard - ???(A Dungeon-Delving Campaign Group C)
Jack Vicvan - [Eladrin]Warlock - Archfey
She is very appreciative of the brushing and sits up straight and unfurls her wings as much as shes able, until they stretch into the adjacent passages. You can hear a low rumbling purr emanating from her chest "Oh, that is very fine, yes, just along my chest there if you don't mind. This is much more pleasant then those I've had to strike down." She quietly enjoys the grooming for a few moments and listens to you all only interrupting briefly to invite Johnson over the south sigil before it's triggered. When you have all finished she says "Welcome Johnson. No need for apologies as I hadn't introduced myself to you. Symon, while your concern is charming the terms of my bargain are none of your concern and I've no wish to break them. The bargain was struck and I take great pride in doing my duty well. I have done so for long before you were born and will likely continue to do so long after you've perished. I will not have it said that I've shirked my duty or stooped to trickery or treachery to avoid it." She stretches one of her front legs out for grooming "Now about your other friend... If he needs assurances, how about this. If i meant him harm I can assure you he wouldn't be safe way over there either" She let's out a laugh "Yes, assurances.. ha, well now, on to your question. Each passage has a riddle and a corresponding symbol. They are directly tied to each other. You are welcome to study the symbols and try to decipher their function and before you ask. No. I can not give you hints or clues regarding the symbol or the riddle. I also do not know if any of the passageways will lead you to what you seek." She looks to you all. "Let me know when you are ready to choose a direction"
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules