thuryl:
Sweet. Time to begin.
Recap?
Phulax:
We didn't all die, but Dyen tried really hard.
Lephista:
We went through that moving platform puzzle, beat the hell out of one member of the other party, then negotiated a truce with them.
Then we finished the puzzle in the most painful way possible.
thuryl:
That'll do.
As you continue to the south of the machinery-filled cavern, the passage narrows until you can only comfortably walk two abreast. Eventually, the passage you are walking down comes to an end at an intersection, branching to the east and west. The tunnels ahead are filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the echoes of your own footsteps.
Go.
Phulax:
Perception down the east tunnel.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
Jarrox:
*hiccup*
Lephista:
"Which god was red?"
Phulax:
"Liea."
thuryl:
At the edge of his light, Phulax can just make out some large alcoves in the walls.
Phulax:
I cast Le Couran's Spyglass, far down the tunnel.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 11
Lephista:
"Wait, no, we did red already. We should be up to black. Sliros."
thuryl:
It's too dark to see very clearly, but the alcoves seem to be occupied by statues of humanoids armed with various weapons, mostly polearms.
Phulax:
I approach the nearest alcove for a closer look.
Lephista:
I wave at the statue right in front of me.
Jarrox:
I wander over and look at the statues too.(Religion)
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 18
thuryl:
Lephista waves at the statue. It maintains its stony silence.
Lephista:
Perception: I look for signs of the other party passing through.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 10
Phulax:
Any signs of writing on the statues?
thuryl:
Jarrox remembers that polearms, as weapons readily available to the lower classes, are traditional weapons of the followers of Sliros. These statues likely represent warriors who once served Sliros.
Phulax:
"Which way shall we go?"
Jarrox:
How real does the statue in front of me look?
thuryl:
Lephista sees some disturbances in the dust on the floor all around her. It seems that many people have passed by here recently.
Dyen:
I cast Feeling the Way on this intersection.
* Dyen rolls: d20 => 14
Lephista:
Many people? Like, more than four?
thuryl:
Lephista - Probably, yes.
Phulax:
Are all the statues different, or identical?
Lephista:
"Heads up, guys. A lot of people have been through here recently."
Phulax:
"Really? How strange. How'd they get here?"
thuryl:
The statues are different: some male, some female, of all different races and wielding a variety of weapons. They're slightly worn, but quite lifelike.
Lephista:
"I'd bet Jarrox's last drink that these statues can walk if you do the wrong thing."
Dyen:
"That would be my guess as well."
Phulax:
"Ooh."
"Then let's not do the wrong thing."
thuryl:
Dyen examines the intersection carefully, and feels that something important is on the other side of the southern wall.
Jarrox:
What are the statues made out of?
thuryl:
Looks like granite. They're not lavishly made: their design is simple, almost utilitarian.
Phulax:
"Well, off we go then. You like west, Lephista? Then west it shall be." I head west.
Dyen:
I inspect the southern wall for secret passages.
* Dyen rolls: d20 => 7
Lephista:
"West and east look the same to me."
Phulax:
Perception for traps.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 16
thuryl:
Dyen knocks on the wall and examines it for secret switches and levers, but finds nothing out of the ordinary.
Jarrox:
I try to pick up the statue in front of me and carry it with me. (Strength)
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 17
Phulax:
(LOL!)
Meredith:
"Jarrox, just how wrong in the head are you?"
Lephista:
(Oh gods, that's the wrong thing, and he's doing it. :P)
thuryl:
Phulax keeps a careful eye on the walls and floor, watching out for traps, but is pretty sure there aren't any.
Phulax:
I exame the body I see.
thuryl:
Jarrox wraps his arms around the statue and with a mighty heave, manages to drag it back out of its alcove a little.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 3
Meredith:
"Jarrox, hurry up now. I don't want to end up stuck here with you"
thuryl:
Phulax bends over and examines the body. It seems to be a dead goblin, much like the ones you saw in Liea's and Kyrophius' trials.
Jarrox:
"I'm coming" I pant as I strugle to carry the statue.
Lephista:
First Aid check: cause of death?
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 11
Phulax:
"Why do these tests keep using dead goblins? Is there some metaphysical point being made?"
thuryl:
If you had to guess, he probably died of the gaping puncture wound in his chest.
Lephista:
"More like a spearpoint, Phulax."
thuryl:
Judging by the state of the body, he's likely been dead a few weeks.
Phulax:
Am I facing a live goblin?
thuryl:
Phulax is, in fact, facing a live goblin.
Phulax:
"Hello. How are you?"
Goblin:
"Halt!"
Lephista:
I halt.
Phulax:
"Righto. What are you doing here?"
Goblin:
"We should be asking that. How did you get here?"
Lephista:
Has the goblin seen me?
Phulax:
"Through all the other tests."
(I'm a member of the Imperial Senate on a diplomatic mission to Alderaan.)
"Do you live here?"
thuryl:
The goblin shows no particular sign of having seen Lephista.
Goblin:
"But how did you even reach the city?"
Phulax:
"Did you not know that this island rose to the surface?"
"I came on a boat."
Goblin:
"So that was the tremor we felt a month ago..."
Phulax:
My jaw drops.
Goblin:
"The walls shook and stones fell from the ceiling. We thought we would all die."
Phulax:
"You lived down here, before the island surfaced???"
Goblin:
"If you can call this living."
Phulax:
"But how? I thought all the island's inhabitants were transformed by the king's wish?"
Goblin:
"What inhabitants? Transformed how? We were told this island's been underwater for hundreds of years."
Lephista:
I tiptoe away to look for Jarrox.
Phulax:
"It has. Everyone who live in the city above got magically transformed into weird fish creatures. I'm part of a mission to free them!"
Goblin:
"There's a lot we haven't been told." He thinks. "You should probably see our leader. He can explain more. I'll escort you."
Phulax:
"By the way, my name is Phulax. I close errant portals, normally, but got wrapped up in this."
"Lead on, friend."
Lephista:
whisper: "Come on, Jarrox. New friends!"
Meredith:
"(whispered) Phulax, be careful"
Jarrox:
"Help me with this statue, its really heavy."
Phulax:
Perception as I walk.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 7
Goblin:
The goblin leads you to the east, through whatever strange, low-ceilinged building they live in. A strong musty smell hangs in the air.
Lephista:
"Argh, fine." I help Jarrox carry his damn statue.
Phulax:
(nooooooooooooo!)
Meredith:
I keep my eyes peeled for traps and ambushes too (perception)
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 9
Lephista:
"Hurry up, the others are probably getting themselves ambushed or something."
thuryl:
As they walk, Phulax and Meredith notice crude bedrolls laid out in the room to the north, and training dummies and racks of weapons to the south.
thuryl:
Meanwhile, Jarrox and Lephista start slowly dragging the statue along with them.
Phulax:
(Ahahaha!)
Meredith:
"Who are you training to fight against? Are there hostile forces down here?"
Lephista:
"What do you say we leave this here for now, and come back for it after we talk to the goblins?"
Jarrox:
"Thanks Lephista, I'll split the money from selling this with you."
Goblin:
He pauses. "I should let the leader explain."
Jarrox:
"What goblins?" I pant as I pull the statue along.
Lephista:
"You remember you're on a mission to a wish-granting temple, right? You don't need to worry about money."
Meredith:
"I see. How many of you survived down here?"
thuryl:
A crude barricade of wood blocks the entrance to the room to the south. It seems to be made of dismantled furniture, like chair and table legs.
Lephista:
"Phulax found them. And made friends with them, naturally."
thuryl:
To the north you see a simple kitchen. Three goblins sit at the central table, eating bowls of some kind of stew.
Jarrox:
"But I want to wish for something other than money, so we need this statue to get rich. Plus, someone might try to steal it."
Meredith:
I try to peer over the barricade.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 3
Meredith:
(meh)
thuryl:
One rises to his feet as he sees you.
Dyen:
"... I'm hungry."
Lephista:
"Who, Jarrox? Who could possibly steal this statue?"
Phulax:
"Greetings, I'm Phulax." I bow in greeting.
thuryl:
Looking through the barricade, Meredith can see some kind of office or study. Bookshelves line the walls.
Jarrox:
"Turtle soup will steal it!"
Goblin:
"Ah. More visitors?"
Meredith:
(haha, I am laughing so much at J and L's adventure)
Lephista:
"Plus, aren't you already rich?"
Meredith:
"More? You met another group a short while ago, didn't you?"
Phulax:
"I guess we are. He," I gesture to the one who led us here, "said you could explain something about what's going on here?"
Jarrox:
"My dad is rich and thinks I'm some kind of failure, I got to get rich on my own and then do someting he hasn't to get back into his good graces."
Goblin:
"Yes. Do you know them?"
Phulax:
"We met... and convinced them not to try to kill us."
"If that qualifies as knowing."
Lephista:
"Like steal this statue, you mean?"
Jarrox:
"Yeah. Wait, I'm not stealing it. I found it first."
Goblin:
"Four people came here earlier today. We had a disagreement with them. They told us more people would be coming, and agreed to stay here until they arrived. So you're who they're talking about?"
Dyen:
"So they're here now?"
Lephista:
"You know, Jarrox, there's like fifty statues down here. Even if, through some constellation of impossibilities, somebody else takes this one while we're gone, we can always just take a different one."
Phulax:
"I assume we are. What did they do?"
Goblin:
"Yes, we've barricaded them in a small space to the north. You're welcome to see them, but we'd like to know what's going on first."
Phulax:
"We'd be happy to explain as best we can."
Meredith:
"Of course. We've some questions of our own we'd like answering too."
Jarrox:
I frown and think about it as I tug the statue along.
"Let's jet get it around the corner then."
Lephista:
"Okay, deal."
Goblin:
"How did you get here? We were told this island was underwater."
Phulax:
"Not any more."
"It rose to the surface recently."
Goblin:
"Ah. So that's what the quake was?"
Meredith:
"The city rose. How did you manage to survive down here? I assume it wasn't flooded?"
Dyen:
"What disagreement did you have with them?"
Goblin:
"No. This entire area was enveloped in... some kind of huge air bubble. We could see the water above us when we first entered, just suspended like some kind of ceiling. Magic like that creeps me out, to be honest. If I'd known what we'd be dealing with..."
Meredith:
"What do you mean, what you were dealing with?"
Phulax:
"When did you come here?"
Dyen:
I look at the soup nearby.
Goblin:
"The 'trials', they called them. They used us as bait. For the monsters, for the traps. There were twenty of us once, plus the bosses. There are nine of us here now. Three died before we got here, and two died trying to escape from here. That means there were six more who got through. I don't know what happened to them."
"Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I."
Phulax:
I listen patiently.
thuryl:
Dyen examines the soup. It seems to be some kind of thick vegetable stew. Not the most appealing thing in the world, but it's food. There's more of it cooking in a large pot in the northeast corner of the room.
Dyen:
I whisper to the nearest goblin, not interrupting the story.
thuryl:
"We were hired a few weeks ago, by two historians -- or they said they were historians. A dragonborn and a goblin. They wanted to explore an ancient ruin. Said there'd be lots of money in it, low risk. So they hired a team of twenty goblin labourers to help out."
Dyen:
"Mind if I have some of this soup?"
Jarrox:
I let go of the statue and step back to look at it. "Wow, that is a lot heavier then I would have thought. Now where are these goblins you wanted me to meet?"
thuryl:
"Oh, you want soup? Be our guest. The pot always makes more. Bowls are over on those shelves there."
Lephista:
"They're this way..." I lead the way toward the goblins.
Dyen:
Excellent! Magic soup is the best.
I get some soup and proceed to enjoy it.
Jarrox:
"Want a sip?" I offer an ale-skin to Lephista.
Goblin:
"We don't have a lot to offer, but you're welcome to food and water. The water trough refills itself too."
Lephista:
"...Huh. Where'd they go?"
Phulax:
"What happened to these historians and how did they actually get down here while the island was underwater?"
Jarrox:
"What's this grate behind us?"
thuryl:
The goblin still standing guard at the western entrance to the stockade looks at Lephista, sighs and gestures to the east.
Jarrox notices a heavy portcullis blocking the path to the west.
Lephista:
"Thanks. C'mon, Jarrox."
Jarrox:
"Look, weapons."
Goblin:
"They set up a portal. Some kind of heavy ritual magic. Like I said, I don't understand that sort of thing. We're just workers, paid to carry supplies in and to carry out... whatever we were meant to be carrying out."
Jarrox:
"But those won't be worth as much as a statue."
Lephista:
"Weapons? What about them?"
I pause.
Phulax:
"A portal? So there was portal activity to get down here!"
Goblin:
"So who are you working for, anyway?"
Jarrox:
"Well, maybe Sirlos has some of her weapons down here that we can use for a bit."
Lephista:
"I'm not sure that's a good idea."
Meredith:
"Yes, yes. Why did they send you down? What was your goal?"
Dyen:
"We're working for ourselves."
"More or less."
Goblin:
"We weren't told much. Just that there was something in the ruined city that they were interested in."
Jarrox:
"She wont mind, we are poor, she loves the poor."
Lephista:
"Okay, I'm definitely sure that's not a good idea."
Goblin:
"We weren't expecting some kind of hellish labyrinth filled with screaming monsters, lava, strange machines and living statues, you understand."
Phulax:
"Yeah. It's pretty crazy down here."
Lephista:
"The others are waiting. Come on!"
Jarrox:
"Okay."
Meredith:
"Ah. So they do move. Thanks for clearing that up. How can we get them to NOT move?"
Lephista:
"Hi, guys."
Phulax:
"Can we help you out at all?"
Meredith:
"And what did the other group of idio...adventurers do to get you to lock them up?"
Jarrox:
"Hey guys, hi other guys."
Goblin:
"I don't know. The bosses were doing something in the room to the south when the statues all started to move. That's why we barricaded it."
Jarrox:
"The statues moved?"
Goblin:
"And attacked, too. Two of us were killed while trying to escape."
Meredith:
"We're going to need to go into that room."
Goblin:
"The statues stopped moving once the bosses got away, but some of us were trapped in here behind the gate."
"Since there was food here, and no way out... we've just stayed here."
Dyen:
"Wait, so your bosses got through?"
Jarrox:
"Oh no, my statue! I can't have it running away. Will you help me again Lephista?"
Meredith:
"Jarrox, I will wish for a thousand statues for you if you'll just be quiet."
Goblin:
"Yes. Whatever they were doing opened the gate to the west."
Goblin:
"But it closed again soon after they were past. Maybe we're the lucky ones, being left behind here, where there's at least food and water."
Meredith:
"...Well, with any luck he'll be the first to be stabbed when the statues come to life again."
Meredith:
"Sorry, so the other group?"
Phulax:
"So how can we help you out?"
Goblin:
"Right, the other group. There were four of them, two elves, a human and a lacewing. Sound like the ones you know?"
Phulax:
"Yeah, they've tried to kill us a couple times."
Dyen:
"We've recently come to an understanding, though."
Goblin:
"They wanted to get through the gate to the west. We told them there was no way through, and they should turn back and get out however they came in."
Meredith:
"Well, in their defence they were told we'd try to kill them too. It was just crossed-signals. They're not evil."
Goblin:
"They didn't take that news very well."
Meredith:
"Why would you say that? You just told us there is a way through that gate."
Goblin:
"Well, you didn't start out by threatening our lives if we didn't open the gate."
Phulax:
"Hehehe." I chuckle.
Lephista:
"Jarrox, if that statue decides to move, there won't be much we can do about it."
Jarrox:
I keep hurrying back to the statue to check on it.
Lephista:
I take some soup and eat it.
Goblin:
"Things got violent. We had to subdue them. The weapons in the armoury don't look like much, but for some reason just holding them makes us feel much stronger."
Meredith:
"Probably enchanted. I should take a look later."
Goblin:
"Anyway, the other group surrendered and told us to wait for you to come, so you could explain everything and set them free."
Dyen:
"That may not have been the best thing to tell to us."
Phulax:
"Probably magic. We think this area is part of a test related to Sliros."
Dyen:
"We'll probably try to steal them later."
"Or, well, they will. I don't need weapons."
Goblin:
"A test? The bosses talked about tests as well. Are you saying this whole place is some kind of test from the gods?"
Phulax:
"We promised not to interfere with the other party's quest, but I see no reason why we should bail them out if they threatened to attack for no reason."
Lephista:
"Yeah. We have the upper hand."
Meredith:
"Well, not *from* the gods, probably, but each floor or area of this place corresponds to a different god."
Phulax:
"Yeah, from what we've been told, this whole big maze thing is a series of tests associated with each of the gods."
Dyen:
"Well, we may as well talk to them, see if they've figured anything out on this level."
Lephista:
"Normally I would say we should be merciful, but those guys have proven to be untrustworthy."
Goblin:
"Why? What's the point of all these tests?"
Meredith:
"I agree. Also, aren't we racing? This could be our big lead."
Lephista:
"Dyen's right, though. Talking couldn't hurt."
Jarrox:
I examine my statue to make sure it has not moved in any way since I left it.
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 15
Phulax:
"Some kind of obstacle course on the path to some sort of wish-granting power."
Meredith:
"Ah. The tests. They're protecting something. Only those worthy to pass the tests of the gods are allowed to the centre."
thuryl:
Jarrox examines the statue and notices that it's facing the other way than it was when he left it.
Goblin:
"Wish-granting power? Is that what the bosses wanted, do you think?"
Lephista:
"Probably."
Phulax:
"If I can help you all out in some way, I'm willing to try, otherwise, what can you tell us about how we go on? I see no need to bother with the others."
Dyen:
"More likely than not."
Jarrox:
"That's not right." I look at the statue some more, trying to see if it is alive.
Lephista:
"If you guys want to get home, you could send someone with us to wish for it."
Phulax:
"Maybe...maybe your bosses were the ones who raised this island, by their wishes?"
Goblin:
"They said they were just historians, wanting to recover old records and artifacts and whatever. They lied to us from the start. I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
Meredith:
"Nah. They'd be on the surface, lording it, right?"
Phulax:
"Actually...where is the portal you all came here through? I might be able to reopen a latent portal and allow you to go home."
Meredith:
"And, hey. Not all us historians are untrustworthy liars."
Goblin:
"When we first stepped out of the portal, we were on a ledge by the edge of some kind of underground river."
Phulax:
"Oh, that's quite a ways back."
Goblin:
"The ocean was right above us. Like I said, it was spooky."
Lephista:
"Yeah. I doubt we could make it that far."
Phulax:
"Wow."
Meredith:
"It'd probably be best to send somebody with us then, if you wanted to get home."
Phulax:
"Well, do you want to come with us? Or try to go back and return to the surface? Or camp out here for now?"
Goblin:
"Of course we want to go back home. We may be safe here for now, but there's nothing to do, and no telling when someone ELSE is going to barge in and threaten our lives."
"Is it safe to go back now?"
Phulax:
"Maybe. You see..."
"There is this king turtle creature who has a bunch of goons who are chasing us."
Meredith:
"We're sort of maybe being chased by an evil Turtle King and his legions of evil lobstermen."
Lephista:
"They'd have no way back up the cliff."
Meredith:
"Your only choice is to follow us, then."
Goblin:
"Turtle King? Lobstermen? What's going on on this island?"
Phulax:
"Well said, Meredith."
"It's a crazy place."
Jarrox:
I walk up to the front of my statue and start talking to it. "Ermm, so uh, I'm not the type to talk to the gods that often. Well, I don't think I ever have tried, but if you could ask Sirlos if I could borrow you for a bit that would be great."
Dyen:
"When the island sank, the inhabitants were transformed into sea monsters. For some reason. Probably karma."
Meredith:
"This Turtle King. He was the one who sunk the island. He wished for his people to be saved, so they turned into sea creatures."
thuryl:
The statue does not respond to Jarrox's entreaties.
Meredith:
"For every wish that is made, a price must be paid. That is the price."
Phulax:
"King Zelly-whatsit wished them into sea creatures."
Dyen:
"I would think the price is getting through the trials."
Goblin:
"And the bosses were going to risk something like that? For what? What did they want?"
Jarrox:
"Maybe you would like a drink?" I offer an ale-skin to the statue.
Phulax:
"We'll ask your bosses if we find them alive."
Lephista:
"Excuse me for a moment, friends."
Meredith:
"The Turtle got his wish - he lived for centuries, and kept his power. And he got the better end of the deal."
Goblin:
"Do you think they could still be alive down there? I mean, if it's this dangerous up here... it must get more dangerous as you go on, right?"
Meredith:
"That's probably the idea, yeah."
Phulax:
"That would be par for the course."
Goblin:
"To be honest, I almost hope they're dead, even if it means we don't get paid."
Phulax:
"Sounds like they used you badly."
Dyen:
"I doubt they'd pay you no matter what at this point."
Goblin:
"Yeah. Especially that bastard Druju. We thought we could trust him because he was a goblin, but..."
Meredith:
Hmm. Do I know anyboby by that name?
Phulax:
Streetwise: Druju the historian
Meredith:
(History, I suppose?)
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 4
Phulax:
...
Lephista:
"Here, let me help." I Conjure a cart that can carry Jarrox's statue.
Phulax:
We are stupid.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 4
Lephista:
And inept!
Phulax:
...
Lephista:
Also, I GOT A FOUR
Phulax:
Fore!
Meredith:
I should get a bonus for actually being in the field he claims to be in though.
Jarrox:
"Look at the statue Leph, look at where it is facing."
Lephista:
"Uh, we didn't leave it that way?"
thuryl:
You remember that the goblin Druju was one of the two historians you rescued from the prison on the surface. You don't remember hearing his name elsewhere, though.
Lephista conjures a small wooden toy cart.
Phulax:
(Ahahahha!)
Jarrox:
"No, Sirlos turned it around."
Meredith:
"Oh, wait. We met Druju."
Jarrox:
"Give me a minute while I think of what I can do to make Sirlos not want to kill me"
Lephista:
"Sliros, Jarrox. Sliros is the god of the downtrodden. Sirlos is a famous chef from Eolith."
Meredith:
"He was on the surface. He was caught by the King. We released him, which is sort of one of the reasons we're being chased."
Jarrox:
"Maybe that's why I got no answer."
Meredith:
"Your bosses aren't down here. They must have got their wishes...."
Lephista:
"Maybe. His food is good, but not literally divine."
Dyen:
"Or gotten back up somehow."
Meredith:
"The goblins would've seen them, unless there's a second route."
Jarrox:
"So um Sliros, sorry about the name mix up and all, like I said I'm not very good at this. How about I pour a little drink here at the statue's feet for you? That would be okay right?"
Jarrox:
I pour out a little of my drink at the statue's feet.
Goblin:
"Wait, if they got their wishes, why were they still on the surface a month later?"
thuryl:
The statue continues to refuse to respond to Jarrox.
Meredith:
"Yeah, that's a good point, unless the wish was for the island to rise? I don't know..."
Lephista:
"Maybe Phulax can store it in a pocket dimension or something."
Jarrox:
I think back to my training on the gods when I was younger to figure out what I can do to appease Sliros.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 12
Phulax:
To the Goblin: "Do you WANT us to do anything about those guys who threatened you? I say leave them to stew - and eat stew," I gesture to the magic pot. "And if we can't help you out, would you be willing to let us continue onward? We'd appreciate your help, and if we are able to untransform all the island's inhabitants, it'll be safe for your to return through the tunnels to the surface."
Meredith:
"So, is there a safe place you can all go to, to avoid the statues? I need to look in that southern room."
thuryl:
Jarrox remembers that Sliros frowns upon theft and vandalism.
Lephista:
(Haha)
Meredith:
(HAHAHA)
Phulax:
(Hahahah!)
Meredith:
(good call, lilith)
Jarrox:
"What was it you said about stealing earlier Leph?"
Lephista:
"That you were doing it to impress your father."
Goblin:
"Well, we'd rather not just leave them here forever. We don't want to have to guard them all the time. Can't you just convince them to go back where they came from?"
Phulax:
"No, we barely talked them into not trying to kill us."
Dyen:
"We'll talk to them, sure."
Meredith:
"They won't go back. They'll want to follow us. The moment we leave they'll follow."
Dyen:
"Well, fine, I won't mind doing it."
Jarrox:
"Yeah, screw him. He's a jerk anyway, want to help me put the statue back?"
Goblin:
"Wait, follow you? So you're still going to try to go through the west gate?"
Lephista:
"Okay, I have my best idea yet. Jarrox, I want to buy your half of our statue."
Meredith:
"We have no choice. If we wait here, we'll be killed. If we go back, we'll be killed."
"There's really no other way for us."
Lephista:
Resconjure Minor, five pounds of gold:
Jarrox:
"Its not mine. I didn't steal it." I start to look panicked. "Lets just put it back."
Goblin:
"I can't let you wake up those statues again."
Lephista:
"Oh, okay. Yes, let's just do that."
I start dragging the statue back to where it started.
Dyen:
"We'll do our best not to."
Jarrox:
I start to pull the statue back to where I found it.
Phulax:
"We might be able to find out how to get through without upsetting the statues. May we at least look around? You can supervise us, and even tell us about what the others did that upset the statues."
Meredith:
"We've made it down so far without losing anybody. We're not going to risk it now. And as I asked, if there's a safe place for you to go to, do that. I'll leave our two biggest axemen with you."
Goblin:
"Hmmmm."
thuryl:
Phulax, roll Composure.
Meredith:
"Well, axe-dwarf and axe-dragonborn, but you know what I mean."
thuryl:
Meredith, too.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 12
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 2
thuryl:
The goblin seems skeptical, but somewhat swayed by Phulax's words.
Phulax:
(At least it's not a 1; you didn't provoke them into trying to kill us!)
Goblin:
"Fine. You can look. But don't touch anything without our permission."
Phulax:
"Sounds good!"
Meredith:
(my rolls are getting steadily worse)
Phulax:
I look and don't touch.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 5
Dyen:
I bring my soup with me.
thuryl:
Between your own efforts and the goblin's assistance, you quickly clear the barricade and enter the room. As you could see through the barricade, it's some kind of office or study.
Meredith:
I start scanning the bookshelves for anything I consider interesting or relevant to my mission.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 8
thuryl:
Phulax looks over the shelves and the desk. The books on the shelves and the papers covering the desk all appear to be in obscure ancient dialects he doesn't understand.
Meredith:
(being mindful not to touch)
thuryl:
Meredith has somewhat better luck deciphering them. Most of the books here seem to be on history and religion, many covering the history of the city.
Jarrox:
"Come on Leph, put your back into it." I pull harder.
Phulax:
"Meredith, do you know what any of this is? I don't understand a bit of it."
Dyen:
I look around nonchalantly and continue eating soup.
Meredith:
"Yeah. From here, I can see mainly History and Religion books, on the subject of the city."
Lephista:
"Quit dropping your end, Jarrox!"
Meredith:
I move over to the desk and look over the papers upon it.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
(Wow. For once tonight we got a good roll!)
Jarrox:
"Being vertically chalanged doesn't make my life easy you know. This statue is heavy."
Lephista:
"You should have thought of that before you stole it!"
Jarrox:
I make sure that the statue is put back into the same place I found it.
Phulax:
"So if we do the wrong thing in here, super-Sliros statues made of granite will come alive and try to kill us. And if we do the right thing, they won't and we'll be able to continue, right? Okay, Meredith, it's up to you! I know you can figure this one out!"
Lephista:
"Come on, J, the others are probably doing something stupid."
thuryl:
Meredith looks over the papers on the desk and sees that one of them appears to be a notebook describing each of the trials of the City of Hope's temple. She also notices a well-concealed trapdoor on the floor underneath the desk.
Jarrox:
"Be there in a moment Leph, one last thing I need to do."
Lephista:
I jog back to the group.
Jarrox:
I look back at the statue and then kneel, "Yeah, umm, sorry. Would you like some more to drink?"
Meredith:
"Okay, so what the other group did is trigger this trap under the desk."
I point it out.
Lephista:
"Hi guys. I'm back."
Dyen:
"A trapdoor is not necessarily a trap."
thuryl:
With Meredith pointing it out, the rest of the party sees a small hidden latch on the floor under the desk, and the outline of a trapdoor around it.
Meredith:
"Actually no. I'm an idiot!" I smack my head.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe the controls to the statues are in it?"
Phulax:
"Please explain." I look puzzled.
Dyen:
"Mind if we check out the trapdoor?"
Meredith:
"The others couldn't have seen the trapdoor or else our goblin friend here would've told us."
"Also, that notebook there describes each of the tests in detail, but it's no big deal."
Goblin:
"Wait, a notebook describing the tests? Does that mean you can find out how to leave here without awakening the statues?"
Meredith:
"Did the others take that notebook?"
"Cus it's possible it's enchanted and will wake the statues."
Goblin:
"I'm not sure. They made the rest of us leave the room while they searched through the papers."
Jarrox:
"Well, here is some anyway." I pour out some alcohol at the base of the statue.
Lephista:
"We could leave this area, then use magic to grab the notebook."
Phulax:
"You don't think that would anger the test?"
Meredith:
"Okay. Well, yes, I can find out to leave, and yes, how to turn off the statues. But I'd need to take the book, so it's a bit risky."
Lephista:
"Well, my point is, we'd be outside the test, so even if we anger it, no biggie."
Meredith:
"This whole floor is the test."
Phulax:
"But the goblins would still be here!"
Goblin:
The goblin is silent for a moment, deep in thought. "You can open the book. Carefully."
Meredith:
I nod and do so.
Dyen:
"Be ready to frantically search for how to turn off the statues."
thuryl:
Meredith opens the notebook. Disaster fails to strike immediately.
Lephista:
"Dibs on Jarrox's axe."
Meredith:
"Be ready to shut up and not break my concentration."
Phulax:
Phulax takes 10 on silent waiting.
thuryl:
Sure enough, the notebook contains a brief description of each of the trials.
Jarrox:
"So are we squared now Sliros? Or do you want me to do more?"
thuryl:
Korossos: Survival is nature's law. All things are done for a reason. Animals hunt for food, or fight predators to avoid being eaten.
Liea: Seven flames must be lit to calm the last. Ingenuity required to avoid gas explosions.
Kyrophius: Outer corner switches control power, inner corner switches control devices, side switches control platforms. Water wheel powers entire complex. Perception and reasoning skills required. Teamwork beneficial.
Sliros: Statues guard against theft and violence. Succor available only for those in genuine need. Concealed wheel opens gate.
There are more pages describing the remaining trials, if you want to read on.
Meredith:
Yes, please.
Wait.
Lephista:
I read over Meredith's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Dyen:
"We probably can't bring any of this with us."
Lephista:
"I'd say we're in genuine need."
Dyen:
"Not really. We're doing well enough so far."
Meredith:
Yeah, I'll read on.
Phulax:
"So do you think that trap door hides the concealed wheel?"
Dyen:
"Can't hurt to look."
Lephista:
"We're all wounded, and we still have far to go."
Meredith:
"Probably. And the statues probably came alive to stop the others stealing sometihng. This notebook, perhaps. But then... why did they leave it?"
Lephista:
"Maybe they put it back, and that made the statues calm down."
Meredith:
"Could be. Maybe the theft is knowledge of the coming trials?"
thuryl:
Mariona: Teamwork and trust required. Lone travellers will have difficulty. A group must act in concert and with no thought of betrayal.
Tanann: Requires knowledge, power and willingness to take risks. Some combinations hazardous.
Phol-Phoram: Requires integrity and a focus on the goal. Genuine temptation offered to those who may stray from the path.
Hurak: Sacrifice required. A price must be paid.
Imaunte: ???
Meredith:
I get out a pen and paper, and copy this down.
thuryl:
Meredith copies down the contents of the notebook.
Dyen:
"Hah. My god's the best."
Lephista:
"The goddess Mariona is above this kind of competition."
Phulax:
I look around, pleased that nothing bad happened yet.
Dyen:
"Clearly not."
Meredith:
"Hardly. It takes all of them to truly test an individual, as shown by this Temple. None of your gods trump the others. Stop being so proud."
Dyen:
"Joking, dear."
Phulax:
"Is it okay if we try that concealed trap door?" I look at the goblin.
Goblin:
"Are you sure it's safe?"
Dyen:
"As safe as the notebook was."
Meredith:
"Before we do though, now might be the time to draw arms."
Phulax:
"But not any that don't belong to us!"
Dyen:
"Oh. Um."
Lephista:
"Jarrox, get back here! We're about to do something stupid and we need your expertise!"
Dyen:
I set my soup next to the barricade.
Meredith:
"You've arms, Dyen. Just roll your sleeves up."
Lephista:
I ready my axe.
Goblin:
"And what will happen to us? Are you just leaving us here?"
Meredith:
"Of course not. You can follow us if you like. We have information on what to expect now."
Phulax:
"You could come with us. Or...I hesitate to try..."
"I'm not the best...I could try to teleport you to the surface. Straight up, it's not insurmountably far."
Goblin:
"You could teleport us? And we'd get out, safely?"
Dyen:
"I wouldn't trust him."
Meredith:
"No."
Phulax:
"Well, I'm only an apprentice."
Goblin:
"It's better than following you. At least here we won't starve."
Meredith:
I take the goblin's arms and look into their eyes.
"You will end up buried in a rock wall. Do not let him."
Phulax:
"Actually, Meredith, that would be impossible."
Goblin:
"Are you just leaving the prisoners here with us too, then?"
Dyen:
"Like I said, I'll talk with them."
Phulax:
"Teleportation magic cannot place something in a space already occupied. It violates some magic law."
Meredith:
"Oh. They'll just wind up missing an arm. Or their heads."
Phulax:
"Well, it doesn't make sense for us to take the prisoners with us."
Phulax:
"We should be done with our mission soon, perhaps even later today. And then we can clear all this up."
Dyen:
"It might. Maybe they'll have learned they need our help."
Lephista:
"They're dangerous, to themselves and others. Better to free them after we succeed."
"Speaking of danger to self and others, excuse me for a moment."
Phulax:
"And maybe they'll threaten to kill us again. Which do they have a record of, trying to cooperate or trying to kill people?"
"I'm all for second chances, Dyen, but sometimes I try to be practical too!"
Dyen:
"Then we'll kill them."
"As Imaunte wills."
Phulax:
"Huh? I think I misssed a step..."
Meredith:
"You go ahead and try to kill them then. I'd like to not anger the guys who were AHEAD OF US AT EVERY STEP. And who, by the way, could have totally had us multiple times already."
Lephista:
Is Jarrox passed out or something?
Dyen:
"Not really."
Phulax:
I look at the goblin. "Meredith doesn't know what she's talking about. I might not be able to get you to the surface, and something bad might happen, but the particular bad things she's predicting are impossible with teleportation magic."
Dyen:
"We saw them, what, once on the cliff and once with the levers?"
Meredith:
"Let's just get out of here, and help these goblins out, the same way I'm getting out. Through the centre of this temple."
Goblin:
"Do you think it's the safest way for us to return to the surface? If we're down here for the rest of our lives, then our lives mean nothing anyway."
Jarrox:
"Sliros won't talk to me," I turn to look at Leph.
Dyen:
"Well, I'm going to talk to them."
Phulax:
"Also, Dyen, the statues guard against violence. I wouldn't try an act of violence here."
Lephista:
"That's probably a good thing. I hear he's quick to anger."
Dyen:
"I was going to tell them that first, actually."
Goblin:
"They guard against violence? That's strange. They didn't move while we were fighting the prisoners..."
"At least, I don't think they did."
Jarrox:
"Thats exactly why I'm trying to say sorry about the statue."
Phulax:
"I can make no promises. This is not a 'safe' place, and there is not 'safe' way out."
Meredith:
"I don't think there's a "best way". Teleportation is risky at the best of times, and Phulax is an apprentice."
Goblin:
"If you're willing to try, I'm willing to take the risk."
Phulax:
"Perhaps that was because those weapons were the way this empowered you to defend yourselves?"
Meredith:
"On the other hand, look at how sure I am that I'll make it through these tests."
Phulax:
"I am willing to try. Gather all who want to try."
thuryl:
The goblin leaves the room.
Lephista:
"Well, you haven't been struck by lightning or anything yet. I think that means you'll be okay as long as you don't try anything new."
Dyen:
"Well, you guys do that. The other guys were north, right?
Jarrox:
"You want a drink?" I offer some to Leph.
thuryl:
Soon, he returns, bringing the rest of the goblins with him.
Meredith:
I look through the rest of the papers. Anything worth copying down?
Lephista:
"Is that the stuff from the Kyrophius test?"
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 8
Jarrox:
I think for a moment, "Yeah, I think so."
Lephista:
"I'll pass."
Jarrox:
"Just sip on it, its super strong."
thuryl:
Most of the rest of the papers are fairly mundane historical information, or architectural notes on the construction of the city. Possibly interesting to a historian, but nothing obviously useful in your current situation.
Phulax:
"All right, I will try to teleport you all to the surface. I promise you to try my hardest to get you to relative safety. Know that it's dangerous there too. You'd best head for the coast and look for a ship."
Phulax:
"Are you all ready?"
Lephista:
"I'd rather keep my head clear."
Jarrox:
"What do you think is down the other hall over there?" I point east.
thuryl:
"We're ready."
Dyen:
(You should, perhaps, take ten on it.)
thuryl:
(At least he's got stamina to burn.)
Phulax:
(I assume that's not an option)
(Not something this big)
thuryl:
(Well, if you take ten without spending stamina you definitely won't get them all back to the surface, I think I can say that much.)
Phulax:
I breathe deeply, taking a few mintues to focus.
Meredith:
(roll. its more fun for the rest of us that way)
Phulax:
Then I spend 4 stamina and cast teleport.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 2
Phulax:
...
Jarrox:
I say sorry to every statue that I pass as I walk.
Phulax:
Sigh.
*** Phulax loses 4 stamina.***
Phulax:
Maybe I should have spent more?
thuryl:
With a mighty effort, Phulax casts a teleportation spell. Two of the goblins instantly disappear from sight.
Phulax:
I stumble to the ground from the effort, breathing heavily.
Goblin:
"What happened? Did it work? Why are the rest of us still here?"
Phulax:
"I think so. Give me a moment."
I munch all three of my stamina restoring black seeds.
***Phulax gains 3 stamina.***
thuryl:
Phulax pheels rephreshed.
Phulax:
I cast Spyglass toward the surface, trying to see the two goblins.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 5
thuryl:
Phulax catches only a brief glimpse of what looks like it might be the surface, but he's pretty sure he saw the two goblins standing there.
Phulax:
"They are fine."
Phulax:
"All right, I can do this. That's why Hoggle taught me, so I could help people like you, who got into trouble because of portal magic."
Spend 5 stamina and cast teleport again.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 13
*** Phulax loses 5 stamina.***
Phulax:
* falls to the floor exhausted *
thuryl:
Phulax puts everything he has into a second, massive teleportation spell. The remaining goblins disappear.
Meredith and Lephista are teleported across the room by the backlash of magical energy.
Phulax:
After a couple minutes, I slowly push myself up.
Lephista:
"Whoa, everything sounded green for a second there."
Phulax:
"I did it! Yes!"
Jarrox:
"Sorry," I mumble to the statues as I walk past.
Phulax:
I lean on the wall as I stand up.
Dyen:
(Well, now that I won't be interrupting.)
"Hello, Hirst."
Phulax:
Still slightly dazed, I wander over to the soup and eat some.
Hirst:
"Ah, you've found us."
thuryl:
Phulax tries some of the soup. It tastes like perfectly ordinary vegetable soup. Not very exciting, but food all the same.
Phulax:
I nibble on soup and try to recover.
Dyen:
"Quite. It's uncanny how often that happens."
"Would you like some help?"
Hirst:
"From what we could hear from our guest room, I take it you've assisted our captors to leave. Am I correct?"
Dyen:
"Yes, we teleported them out. It probably resulted in grisly failure, but we did try."
"I'm not sure that means you should be let out, though. It seems you did try to kill them."
Hirst:
"And what do you intend to do with us?"
Dyen:
"Well, that's what I'm finding out now."
Ilestro:
"They insulted us and lied to our faces! They deserved death!"
Lephista:
I join Dyen. "They were nice enough to us."
Dyen:
"You tried to kill them. You deserve imprisonment."
Ilestro:
"They refused to open the gate and let us pass!"
Phulax:
I wash my lunch down with a stamina potion.
***Phulax gains 3 stamina.***
Dyen:
"Yes, because that apparently makes the deadly ststues come to life and murder things."
Jarrox:
I look at the axe on the table in front of me, making sure not to touch Sliros's stuff.
Siana:
"We have to get through somehow! Isn't that what we're all here for? What do you want to do, turn back now?"
"After you've come this far?"
Phulax:
I totter back to the study.
Dyen:
"Yes, but we had the courtesy to make sure they wouldn't be the ones paying for it."
"But anyways. I don't want to leave you here to eventually escape, possibly catch up with us, and then try to kill us. Which you have shown a propensity for."
Lephista:
"You know, I was expecting this reversal of our fortunes to bring a corresponding change in your attitudes. You know, 'we were wrong, please free us, oh kind and merciful heroes.'
"You guys aren't even smart enough to lie."
Dyen:
"No need to be rude, Lephista."
Jarrox:
I take a little sip of alcohol while I look at Sliros's axe.
Siana:
"Either you'll free us or you won't. I'm not going to beg. I have pride."
"Besides, now that the goblins are gone we can make our own way out, eventually."
Meredith:
"She has a point. And makes it pretty well."
Dyen:
"But if we just let you out, what are you then going to do?"
"None of you seem willing to work with us. It's a bit of a marvel you can work with each other."
Lephista:
"Well, now that we know they won't starve to death in there, we can leave them in good conscience, right?"
Dyen:
"In terms of them not dying, yes."
thuryl:
Jarrox examines the axe on the weapons rack. It seems crudely-made, and its edge is dull.
Jarrox:
Do I remember anything from my studies about Sliros having weapons laying around? (Religion)
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 10
Hirst:
"We'll keep doing what we've been doing all along: passing these tests and earning the right to our miracle."
thuryl:
All Jarrox remembers about Sliros and weapons is that many of his followers like to carry them to defend both themselves and innocent bystanders.
Lephista:
"Look, I won't kill them in cold blood. Even if we wanted to, those statues might object. Our only other option is to leave them behind and hope for the best."
"Or Phulax could teleport them away, I guess."
Baxa:
"Hey! We may have been beaten up a little... twice... but if you're gonna talk about killing us, we can still fight!"
Lephista:
"You're trapped. We could smoke you to death."
Phulax:
(Smoking kills.)
Lephista:
"But we won't. But we could."
Dyen:
"I said I don't plan to murder them. Hopefully, you learned that our goals are not mutually exclusive in the last test."
Jarrox:
"Hey Sliros, it's me, Jarrox again. I guess we are getting to be good friends by now, or at least we've been talking for a bit. Um, I was wondering, say I use this axe and oh... I don't know, that armor over there to help out the people of the island, would that be okay?"
Phulax:
(Lephista just wants to give them lung cancer!)
thuryl:
(Roll Religion, I guess, Jarrox.)
Dyen:
"I am more than willing to help you out of here. I'm just saying, it might be in your best interests to help us. And not be beaten by goblins again."
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 12
Siana:
"Help you? What is it you want from us?"
Jarrox:
"Maybe I need to ask one of the statues."
Lephista:
"Hey, Dyen, why don't we all talk this over in the next room before we do anything rash?"
thuryl:
As Jarrox examines the axe, he feels as if he's being watched by disapproving eyes.
Dyen:
"To stop getting in the way and join us in reaching the miracle."
"Not saying your release is contingent upon it, but it's worth considering."
Hirst:
"We have already agreed not to interfere. If you want to waste your miracle trying to 'save' this city, that is none of our concern."
Jarrox:
I back away from the axe frowning and looking over my shoulder, trying to find if someone is watching me.
Dyen:
"Well. That's about as much as I expected. A pity, though, I would hate for either of us to end up dead halfway through."
I start pulling down the barricade.
Lephista:
I stop Dyen.
thuryl:
Dyen starts pulling a couple of loose bits of wood out of the barricade, before Lephista grabs his arm.
Dyen:
"What?"
Jarrox:
"Oh hey guys." I wander over to Dyen and Leph.
Phulax:
Feeling a bit revived, I rise from the floor, where I've been resting against the wall, and look up at Meredith.
Lephista:
"You're not the only one involved here, Dyen. I still say this is a mistake, and I'll only go along with it if the rest of the group agrees with you."
Phulax:
"You want to try that trap door now, Mer?"
Jarrox:
"Whats going on? Whats behind the wall?"
Dyen:
"What is the risk?"
Jarrox:
I try peeking under Dyen's legs to get a look.
Lephista:
"They might try to kill us again. We don't know what their real aims are."
Dyen:
"They didn't last time. I don't know why they would now. And I don't know what most of your aims are."
Baxa:
"We're not gonna kill you, okay? We tried that once already. It didn't work."
Phulax:
(Phulax waits obliviously, still worn out from his teleportational exertions.)
Dyen:
I continue pulling down the wall.
Lephista:
"If they were in danger, I would agree we have a duty to free them. But they are not, and they will not help us, so what possible good can freeing them do?"
I stop Dyen again. "I said no."
Jarrox:
"Hey that sounds like Baxa's voice. Where is he?"
Dyen:
"Not creating an enemy that will pursue us after they escape."
Jarrox:
"Free them? Are they behiind that wall? Hey Baxa, how are you?"
Lephista:
"Why would they try to harm us? They themselves acknowledge we have no duty to help them, and it would be stupid for them to risk death over a grudge."
"I mean, either they're already plotting to screw us or they aren't, and setting them free won't change that. All it will affect is whether they succeed if they try it."
"Now, like I said, I'm prepared to go with the decision of the majority of our group. I think that's fair, don't you?"
Dyen:
"Meredith! Phulax! We have a group decision to make!"
Phulax:
I shake my head and wander over toward Dyen's voice.
"What is it, Dyen?"
"Oh, them!"
Phulax:
"I forgot about them..." I blink.
"Hi, Baxa."
Baxa:
"Hi! Phulax, right?"
Jarrox:
"I didn't think our last meeting with them went so bad, plus that Siana is kinda cute but I doubt she would care much for a short dwarf like me." I mutter.
Dyen:
"I was going to let them out. As a gesture of goodwill, and to try and not actively make enemies. You good with that?"
Phulax:
"Yep yep!"
Meredith:
"Fine by me."
Lephista:
"I think it will be safer to leave them here. They will be able to free themselves after we are well away, and then they can continue their journey."
Siana:
Siana scowls at Jarrox. "Ha. You wouldn't have a chance even if you didn't reek of alcohol."
Phulax:
"Uh..." I wobble and brace myself on the wall.
Lephista:
"But, if you all feel the same as Dyen, I won't object."
Jarrox:
"See, cute and fiery. I'd never have a chance with her."
"We should let them out for sure, Sliros wouldn't like it if we keep them inprisioned here."
Phulax:
* Phulax is still recovering from spending 9 stamina in five minutes' time isn't quite with it *
Lephista:
"All right, then. Let's get to it."
Phulax:
"Who wants to do what now?"
Lephista:
"Oh, we're deciding whether to free these guys. I say no, Dyen and Jarrox and maybe Meredith say yes."
Baxa:
"Well, we want to be freed. If that's okay with you."
Jarrox:
"Oh, um team... other team that is not our Team Adventurers, after you're out don't steal anything from this area; or pick up anything for that matter."
Dyen:
"Or be violent. The statues don't like it."
Jarrox:
I look at my fellow team mates, "We have to let them out, not to do so will make Sliros rather, ummm, unhappy."
Hirst:
"I have no interest in petty theft."
Dyen:
"Well, there's interesting things too. A journal about the tests you probably want to look through."
Phulax:
"I...guess so..."
Siana:
"A journal? Does it tell us how to pass the tests?"
Jarrox:
"So down comes the wall?" I walk up to the wall and start chopping it down.
Dyen:
"Not really. It's about them, though."
Lephista:
I sigh. "I suppose this is the virtuous thing to do." I assist Jarrox.
Dyen:
I start helping.
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 2
thuryl:
With Jarrox, Dyen and Lephista working on the barricade and the other party assisting from inside, it doesn't take long to come down.
Phulax:
I watch, bemused.
Baxa:
"Thanks! You guys aren't so bad."
Dyen:
"Likewise. I suspect, anyways. Well, see ya."
Jarrox:
"You all ain't so bad either, want a drink?" I offer my ale-skin to the other group.
Hirst:
"I think we'd rather not."
Jarrox:
"It is kinda strong, so just take a little sip if you do want some."
Dyen:
I look in the trapdoor.
Jarrox:
"So, now what do you guys want to do now that you're out?"
Meredith:
"I'm going to watch the gate. See if it opens or if statues start coming after us."
thuryl:
Dyen opens the trapdoor. Underneath it he finds a large iron wheel and axle, with a handle sticking out of it.
Phulax:
I follow Meredith.
Lephista:
"I'll cover Dyen."
Dyen:
"I found the gate-opener."
Ilestro:
"What do we want to do, you ask? Continue on into the innermost reaches of the temple, of course!"
Dyen:
"Might wake up the statues, so I'd get to the gate if I were you."
I turn the wheel.
Jarrox:
"Hey us too, mind if we come along?"
Siana:
"This had better not be a trick."
Lephista:
"Hey, if you wake the statues, you'll need help getting out of here."
thuryl:
Dyen begins turning the wheel. It's slow work, and there's a lot of resistance, but he begins to hear the grinding of metal on stone from the west.
thuryl:
As Hirst and Ilestro step into the outer corridor, the statues begin to move out of their alcoves.
Lephista:
"Oh gods, run!"
Siana:
"You bastards! This was a trap all along, wasn't it?"
Meredith:
"It's ope- Oh, crap!"
Dyen:
"Nope. Run!"
Meredith:
"If this was a trap, WHY AM I HERE WITH YOU?!?"
Jarrox:
I jump in front of one of the statues. "Sliros, please."
Phulax:
"Did somebody steal something? Or maybe the statues just don't like you?"
thuryl:
Dyen and Lephista begin running to catch up with the rest of the group, as statues follow on their heels. What do the rest of you do?
Meredith:
Run for the gate.
Phulax:
I wait inside the next room.
Jarrox:
I try to be non aggresive with the statues 49 & 30.
thuryl:
The gate is only half open, and now that Dyen's let go of the wheel it's very slowly starting to close. Fortunately, it's big enough for Meredith and Phulax to squeeze under it.
Phulax:
Strength to try to hold the gate open.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 18
Meredith:
Me too.
* Nioca rolls: d20 => 6
thuryl:
Phulax stands under the gate and manages to brace it open as Meredith tries somewhat ineffectually to help out.
Phulax:
"Hurry," * gasp * "guys!"
Meredith:
Since I'm being ineffectual, I might as well go through the gate while I have a chance.
thuryl:
Meredith goes through. Phulax is now holding the gate steady, but will lose 1 HP per round from strain until he lets go.
Lephista:
I'm still running.
thuryl:
Meanwhile, Ilestro, Hirst and Siana make a break for the gate.
Seeing her comrades running, Baxa follows.
The statues continue to advance, slowly, but do not attack Jarrox.
Meredith:
(Once I get another turn, can I assist Phulax with the gate again?)
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 hit points.***
thuryl:
You can try.
Jarrox:
"Please Sliros, I'm really sorry. Just don't hurt them."
Meredith:
I do that, then.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 10
Meredith:
(I think I need to stop rolling.)
thuryl:
Meredith stands behind Phulax and pushes up on the gate, easing his burden slightly.
Lephista and Dyen, are you just going to keep running?
Dyen:
Yeah.
Lephista:
Yes.
thuryl:
And Jarrox?
Jarrox:
I'm trying to plead with Sliros and the statues. Still being very non violent.
thuryl:
OK. Roll, uh, Religion, I guess.
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 1
Meredith:
(Eep.)
Phulax:
...
Lephista:
(Lightning strikes in the distance!)
Phulax:
(Phulax's back didn't need that)
Jarrox:
(Sliros is laughing at me.)
thuryl:
Jarrox's drunken pleading seems to have some effect. All the nearby statues immediately turn their attention to Jarrox. Enemy turn.
Jarrox:
"Hurry, get past the gate, I'll keep them focused on me."
thuryl:
The statues advance on Jarrox and poke and prod at him with spears, halberds and tridents. He deflects or dodges three attacks, but the fourth nicks his arm for 1 damage.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 1 hit points.***
thuryl:
Meanwhile, other statues continue to advance from further down the corridors.
Party turn.
Jarrox:
I still try to be non-violent to the statues.
thuryl:
OK. Roll it again, I guess.
Lephista:
"Jarrox, get out of here!"
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 2
Dyen:
I try and push the statue in front of me over, into the one next to it.
thuryl:
The statues seem unimpressed.
* Dyen rolls: d20 => 5
Dyen:
Oh, wait, I didn't move, did I?
Lephista:
I stand in the path of the statues to the north, ready to defend myself, but not attacking.
Dyen:
After casting Fated Strike.
* Dyen rolls: d20 => 6
thuryl:
Okay. Dyen moves to block the northern hallway, guarding against attack.
(Your attack roll from before will be taken as your readied attack roll.)
Phulax:
(Oh! Was I supposed to lose 1 HP last round?)
thuryl:
(I was getting around to that, Phulax.)
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 hit points.***
Jarrox:
"Run you fools, don't try to fight them."
Phulax:
"Yes! Run!" I hiss.
Lephista:
"You first!"
Lephista:
(You'll use up most of a move just getting out of that crowd of statues. Someone has to watch your back. :P)
Wait.
You can still move after rolling, right?
thuryl:
Sure.
Lephista:
So Jarrox, get out of that mess you're in. :P
Jarrox:
(Okay)
Dyen:
(Yeah.)
thuryl:
Okay. So Jarrox is going to try and slip past the statues and move as far as he can away?
Jarrox:
I try to walk past the statues, saying excuse me, pardon me, and sorry as I go.
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 20
Phulax:
...
thuryl:
OK, you weren't actually supposed to roll for that.
Phulax:
(Why couldn't that have been your religion roll?)
Jarrox:
(I'm like a greased pig!)
thuryl:
But since it was a 20, I'll give you a break.
Jarrox slips around and past the statues surrounding him and approaches the door. Two hit him, while one hits another statue. This seems to confuse whatever rudimentary intelligence they have, and they immediately forget about Jarrox and begin fighting among each other.
Jarrox:
*** Jarrox loses 11 hit points.***
thuryl:
Meanwhile, the other party rushes through the open gate.
The two statues to the north of Lephista and Dyen stand still, neither advancing to attack nor retreating.
Phulax continues to strain to hold the gate open.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 hit points.***
thuryl:
Party turn.
Dyen:
I run.
Lephista:
Ditto.
Jarrox:
I scurry like curry and make for the gate.
thuryl:
As you flee through the gates, the statues seem to lose interest in you and begin to file back toward their alcoves.
Soon, you've all made it through. Phulax, you want to let go of the gate now?
Lephista:
First Aid on Jarrox.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
Phulax:
Definitely!
thuryl:
Lephista binds Jarrox's many wounds, while Phulax lets go of the gate, still aching from the effort. The gate immediately crashes to the floor.
Phulax:
*** Phulax loses 1 hit points.***
Jarrox:
***Jarrox is healed and gains 4 hit points.***
Phulax:
(Can I also tend to Jarrox's wounds?)
thuryl:
(Sure.)
Phulax:
(And is there a penalty for treating myself?)
thuryl:
(Nope, but you can only treat one of you.)
Jarrox:
"Thanks Lephista, I hate to think what Sliros would have done to me if I had taken that statue."
Lephista:
To the other party: "Any of you know first aid?"
Phulax:
I also try to staunch Jarrox's bleeding.
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 18
Jarrox:
***Jarrox is healed and gains 7 hit points.***
thuryl:
Phulax quite successfully treats Jarrox's remaining wounds.
Phulax:
Then I sit down and gently massage my aching muscles.
thuryl:
Having escaped the stockade and its statues, you are now in a wide open room with a marble floor. A large design of some sort is inlaid into the floor at hte centre of the room.
Lephista:
I tap my foot impatiently. "Well?"
Baxa:
"Well, that could have turned out worse."
Jarrox:
I step forward and then turn back to both parties.
Meredith:
I examine the design.
thuryl:
Meredith, roll to identify the design.
* Nioca rolls: d20 => 14
Jarrox:
"Looks like we should team up from here on out."
Phulax:
(I assume no one is going to heal me?)
(Just checking)
Lephista:
"Baxa! Illestro! Siana! Hirst! I said, do any of you know first aid?"
Baxa:
"I know a couple of things. Why? Someone hurt?"
Lephista:
"Yeah, Phulax."
Phulax:
"Playing doorstop hurts."
thuryl:
Baxa massages Phulax's arms, reducing the ache somewhat.
Phulax:
***Phulax is healed and gains 2 hit points.***
Dyen:
"Looks like we're stuck here for now."
Jarrox:
I look at Hirst, "What do you think, join together to pass the tests?"
thuryl:
Meanwhile, Meredith examines the large oval symbol on the floor. It's a symbol associated with Mariona, representing unity and cooperation.
Phulax:
I rise and look at the symbol. Have I ever seen or heard of it via Streetwise?
* Phulax rolls: d20 => 4
Phulax:
Nope.
thuryl:
Phulax thinks he might have seen the symbol before at some point, but doesn't remember where.
Meredith:
"I don't think we'll have much of a choice... This is a symbol of cooperation. Though unless we're supposed to lift the other gate together, I'm not sure what it'll accomplish."
thuryl:
Meredith, however, remembers that it's a design often found on the floor of temples devoted to Mariona, and worshippers stand together inside it to pray.
Phulax:
"The notebook talked about unity and trust. Let's all stand together around the symbol and hold hands or something."
Lephista:
"Friends, I don't know if this will help or not, but maybe we ought to take a moment to thank Mariona for helping us to overcome our differences and make it this far."
Dyen:
"I think that's a bit of a logical jump."
Meredith:
"Hang on... I think Phulax is on to something. Can I get everyone to stand on the symbol?"
Siana:
"I suppose you want us to stand there too?"
Phulax:
"Any reason not to?"
Siana:
"This isn't going to be another trap, is it?"
Phulax:
"We've only saved or spared your lives repeatedly."
Jarrox:
"We all need to work together from here on out. That's how the test works."
Dyen:
"There hasn't been a trap yet."
thuryl:
The other party reluctantly moves to stand inside the symbol. As they do so, the gate on the western side of the room begins to open.
Dyen:
"Where's the catch?"
Lephista:
I whisper a brief prayer of thanks.
Meredith:
"Yeah, I was wondering that myself."
Dyen:
I step off the symbol briefly.
Lephista:
"Why should there be a catch? Isn't peace its own reward?"
Phulax:
"Somebody try to go through the gate. Dyen, you're closest."
thuryl:
Dyen steps off the symbol. The gate remains open.
Dyen:
"There's a lever over here."
"Four, actually."
Jarrox:
I think back to my studies of the Gods and of the unity of groups and what it ment to Mariona. (Religion)
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 12
Dyen:
"But I think they're for the next gate."
"I'd try coming through."
Meredith:
Seeing as the gate isn't slamming shut, I go through next.
Phulax:
"Let's all go together then."
thuryl:
Jarrox remembers that worshippers of Mariona are encouraged to cooperate peacefully to solve problems, and that trust is highly valued.
Ilestro:
"Well, what d'you know. The gate's not dropping on our heads after all."
Jarrox:
"Like the others have been saying, we are going to have to work together."
Phulax:
I wait for Jarrox and Lephista.
Lephista:
I follow in back.
Hirst:
"Four levers, in the corners of the room. What are we supposed to do with these?"
Jarrox:
"I kinda think that these tests are here to teach us not about the gods but about what the gods expect from us in our lives."
Phulax:
"I suppose four people need to each pull a lever."
Meredith:
(when did jarrox start being a smart drunk? what the heck did I miss?)
Lephista:
"All at once, I think."
Siana:
"Okay. You guys can pull the levers, and we'll go through the gate."
Jarrox:
(Jarrox has always been smart, just never gave a damn till the statues.)
Phulax:
"Is that trust? Methinks not."
Meredith:
I take a position near a lever.
Phulax:
"Probably two from each group should pull the levers."
"Baxa, you get the one over there."
Siana:
"Oh, so that's your plan. Take two of us hostage."
Lephista:
"I agree. We're more likely to pass the test that way."
Dyen has connected.
Jarrox:
"Two people neeed to pull each lever, three on the last one and we should mix the parties up so that we are all with new people."
Baxa:
"Works for me." Baxa moves over to the northwestern lever.
Lephista:
"Siana, in the spirit of peace and cooperation, I must regretfully say that I fear you may be missing the point of this exercise."
Phulax:
"Wow, you are crazy. Like we haven't had the chance to trap or kill you dozens of times already, we've been stringing you along until now?"
Jarrox:
"See, I'll go with Baxa."
Siana:
"Fine, we'll do it your way. Baxa, if you get yourself killed, it's your own fault."
Phulax:
"Of course, I healed Baxa earlier just so we could take her hostage now. That makes so much sense my head is going to burst. How wise you are, Siana."
Dyen:
"Mariona disapproves of your vitriol, Phulax."
Jarrox:
"Why not have Ilestro with Meredith, Siana with Phulax and Hirst with Leph and Dyen?"
Meredith:
"Can we stop bickering and start, oh, I don't know, cooperating?"
Phulax:
"It's not vitriol, it's humor. I'm laughing at the silliness of our situation." I smile sincerely.
thuryl:
Anyone who wants to suggest a plan can roll Composure to try and convince the other party of it.
Jarrox:
Composure for the plan I said.
* Jarrox rolls: d20 => 20
Meredith:
(Jarrox is a lucky drunk)
Jarrox:
(...the hell?)
Dyen:
(Mariona loves her some dwarves.)
Phulax:
...
thuryl:
The other party confers quietly among themselves for a while, with Siana and Ilestro growing increasingly irritated. Eventually Siana sighs, shrugs her shoulders and turns to face Jarrox.
Siana:
"Okay, we'll do it your way. But no tricks, understand? We'll be keeping an eye on you."
Dyen:
"We did not make these tests, nor do we understand them."
"We have no way to trick you."
thuryl:
Okay. Are you all going to pull the levers now?
Phulax:
Yes.
Jarrox:
"Okay, everyone pull their lever on the count of three. One. Two, Three."
Meredith:
Yep.
Lephista:
Yes.
thuryl:
Acting in unison, you all work together to pull back the large, heavy stone levers. As you do so, you hear the now-familiar grinding sound of a gate opening to the west.
Jarrox:
"Now everyone goes through. No one will be left behind."
thuryl:
The gate slowly begins to close as you let go of the levers and file through it, but there's more than enough time for you all to pass before it does.
Jarrox:
"Not so bad was it Siana?"
thuryl:
As you enter the next room, the gate behind you gently finishes closing.
Siana:
"Maybe. But now we're locked in here with you."
Dyen:
"No change in circumstances, then."
". . . An elevator?"
* Jarrox rolls: 1d20 => 4
thuryl:
In the centre of this room, you see a deep square pit with a cage suspended above it by a chain. The chain goes over a pulley and onto an axle, which is connected to a wheel nearby. Two of you working together could probably turn the wheel.
(What was that roll for?)
Phulax:
"Hmm...down we go."
Ilestro:
"Wait just one minute. If this is an elevator, who's going to work it?"
Jarrox:
(It was for artifice for the elevator.)
Jarrox:
"I'll stay behind and do it."
Dyen:
"I'd be happy to, as well."
Lephista:
"It should be one from each group."
Siana:
"Seriously? Well, okay, if you wanna stay behind, I won't stop you."
Meredith:
"Not to sound selfish here, but the smart money's on Phulax staying behind. That way, he can teleport himself and his partner down after us."
Dyen:
"That's good thinking."
"Though I don't think it's the point of this test."
Phulax:
"There might be another control for the elevator down below. Maybe once someone is down there, they can bring the rest down too."
Jarrox:
"We need to have someone from both parties stay behind to work the elevator. Its all about trust."
Phulax:
"Jarrox, how does this work?"
Jarrox:
I take a small sip from my ale skin.
Ilestro:
"Hmph. Well, I'm not staying behind."
Dyen:
"I don't know that this test was designed with two groups in mind."
"And I don't think it's all magic, either."
Phulax:
"As long as we don't start trying to kill each other, we should be fine."
Dyen:
"Still, can't hurt. Any volunteers?"
Hirst:
"My wish is too important. I can't risk being left here if you choose to betray us."
Lephista:
"Trust is still important. Baxa, you don't mind staying with Phulax, do you?"
Jarrox:
"Baxa? Will you stay behind and help work the elevator?"
Phulax:
I silently roll my eyes at Hirst.
thuryl:
Lephista, roll Composure.
* Lephista rolls: d20 => 9
Dyen:
"I'm sure we all think that, Hirst."
thuryl:
Baxa thinks for a moment.
Baxa:
"Well, okay. I mean, as long as you're leaving someone up here too. And I can always try to climb down or something if you do leave me behind."
Jarrox:
"Want me to stay and help with the working of the elevator Phulax?"
Phulax:
"We just crank this chain?"
Siana:
"I still say it's stupid to trust them. They were talking about killing us not too long ago."
Meredith:
"That's one full elevator."
Phulax:
"What would you rather do, Siana? We're open to other ideas."
Siana:
"Well, I didn't say I had any better ideas. I just said--"
Dyen:
"That's what rudeness gets you, Lephista."
Lephista:
"In the spirit of peace etc., you're the ones who sicced a giant centipede on us, but we're trusting you."
Ilestro:
"What about a duel? We fight, and the winners leave the losers behind."
"That's the honourable way to settle things."
Dyen:
"I sense that that is how to fail this test."
"Mariona would not approve."
Hirst:
"I apologise for the centipede. At the time, it seemed necessary."
Siana:
"Who cares about passing or failing, as long as we get further down and closer to our goal?"
Meredith:
"Can we just get on with the elevator already?" (Is there room for me on it?)
thuryl:
It's a bit of a tight squeeze, but you can all fit in the elevator.
Jarrox:
"Mariona doesn't care about honor as much as the other gods do. Its all about unity and peace for her."
Lephista:
"And I apologize for trying to persuade my group to leave you behind. Now, lower away."
Phulax:
I turn the crank.
thuryl:
OK. Is Jarrox getting in?
Jarrox:
(I thought I was helping with the crank but I'll ride the elevator if I'm not needed.)
thuryl:
Phulax turns the crank on his side, while Baxa turns it on her side. The elevator is slowly lowered down into the pit.
Eventually, the elevator hits the floor below with a bump.
Those of you who descended in the elevator find yourselves in a room much like the one you left, with a similar wheel structure feeding a chain into the ceiling.
Meredith:
I step off the elevator.
Siana:
"I guess that wasn't so bad. Now what?"
Jarrox:
"Looks like we might be able to send the elevator back up to get the others."
Meredith:
"Now we get the others down here."
Dyen:
I start turning.
Meredith:
I approach and look down the corridor.
Jarrox:
I turn as well.
thuryl:
You turn the cranks, sending the elevator back up to pick up Phulax and Baxa without incident. Soon, they've rejoined the rest of the two parties.
Lephista:
"This looks like Tanann."
Meredith:
I nod.
Ilestro:
"Tanann, huh? Magic is for cowards."
Lephista:
"But just because we're leaving Mariona's test does not mean we have to forget her lessons. I hope we can still cooperate."
thuryl:
Meredith looks down the corridor to the left. The walls ahead are covered in runic etchings, and there are strange stains on the floor. A faint acrid smell fills the air.
Phulax:
"Yay, that was easy!"
Meredith:
"I've got a bad feeling about this."
Lephista:
"Wait a moment."
". . . or, do that. Your funeral, Dyen."
Phulax:
"Dyen kind of has this quasi-suicidal vibe going," I explain to the other party.
Jarrox:
"Yeah, we need to take what we learned from each test and use in in the following tests. But hey, what does a drunk know about the gods?"
thuryl:
Dyen enters the hallway without apparent incident. The acrid smell is stronger here, and you can hear soft bubbling and hissing noises from somewhere nearby.
Meredith:
I cautiously slip into the chamber, trying to decipher the runic script.
* Meredith rolls: d20 => 19
Phulax:
"It's not going to zap us to death instantly."
thuryl:
Hold on, everyone.
Dyen:
"If my death comes to be, then it is Imaunte's will."
"It would be pointless to resist in the name of caution."
thuryl:
Meredith examines the runes on the wall. They appear to be symbols representing protection or safety, although they don't have any kind of magical effect in themselves. Near the entrance is etched a message, in a different script to the rest: "MAIN ACCESS CORRIDOR. ALL VISITORS REPORT TO RECEPTION IN NORTHEAST."
End session.