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The wyvern writhes and thrashes in the darkness as the light-echoes of the flaming chariot blank your vision. After about a minute the thrashing ceases.

The big room is silent. Not even a sussurus of breath from the darkness where the wyvern is.

Elcroon coughed, the cavern air heavy with magical afterburn. His hearing was muffled, vision spotted. He took a swig of wine and paused several minutes for senses to return to normal.

“Aye - trouble and toil
boil and broil
Churn and burn
Perish dread wyvern!”

The cursed crooner used his sword to prod among the remains of the creature, wondering if there may be any treasure in the lair.

No apparent treasure, though the wyvern appears to have nested in the frozen scraps of carcasses from wolves, deer, and even what looks like a mostly-eaten bear.

The torch light shows, further back, a doorway opening onto stairs that lead up. A few yards from the doorway is another opening, in which a large metal platform (about 10 feet square) sits about a foot above floor level.

Delx halted his broad axe charge as the phantasmagorical force hurtled overhead towards its target. He turned his head and averted his eyes, He'd seen Elcroon vulture hit a target before-- once. Would the effect be the same on this wyvern? Better safe than sorry.

My apologies; I did not realize you might have trouble seeing in the dark. he says, looking at the lit torch. He picks it up and lights his own lantern in order to create his trademark blueish glow.

With the others, Elcroon approached the stairway and nearby metal platform. He peered up the stairs for a further view.

Then, without actually touching it, the dweomerweaver eyed the platform for any seams or hinges indicating it could be a door; scratches or scuffs indicating patterns of how it may open, or perhaps if it was a falling platform controlled by an unseen pulley. He once heard a tinker gnome call such a thing an "elevator."

Bishop taking up the role of torchbearer makes sure the path remains visibly revealed for his companions.

Delx watches Elcroon's actions, ready to quickly react if needed. It occurs to him that Bishop's automaton might be good for performing such possibly hazardous actions. And he says such to his companions.

Bishop nods in agreement.
Stand on the platform and wait for instructions he says changing back to a firm and commanding voice as he addresses the effigy.
He then turns back to Delx.
What do you wish him to do now? he asks in a far more gentle tone.

The walking bundle of sticks steps up onto the platform and waits further instructions.

There is a gentle click from the vicinity of the platform.

In some dismay Elcroon quickly backed away, raising his shield, should a trap have been sprung by the automaton.

Did Elcroon’s earlier observances of the platform yield anything? What was up the stairs?

Delx takes a step back from the platform.

Grognardsw wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2025 10:49 pm In some dismay Elcroon quickly backed away, raising his shield, should a trap have been sprung by the automaton.

Did Elcroon’s earlier observances of the platform yield anything? What was up the stairs?

The stairs ascend into darkness beyond the torchlight. They have turns and landings going up. They don't descend.

The platform might be an "elevator".

Elcroon waited to see what would happen to the wood golem.

…

the torch flickered

…

the golem swayed

…

the metal platform hung in place

…

the torch flickered

…

the golem twitched

…

an icicle fell to the ground outside the cavern, sending sharp echoes bouncing in the big open space.

Any buttons or levers you want me to push? Bishop asks waiting patiently.

Delx borrows the torch and looks around for hatches, levers, buttons or switches. This metal thing seems to have brought the brave treasure hunters to a standstill, he chuckles.

Bishop chuckles in response, but doesn't interrupt Delx any further to avoid distracting him from his investigation.

Elcroon lowered his shield and stepped forward as no trap was sprung. He commented as Delx searched.

“We should be wary of depths unseen
An ancient shaft our only escape
Stairs don’t drop or break in between
And may avoid more perilous scrape.”

Elcroon watched for what Delx’s search may yield.