IC VIII

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny examines the wall of stone in front of him.

"You know, if indeed the mechanism in the pedestal were designed to seal off the entire basement level and hide the royal family from invaders, then it would stand to reason that there should be a reverse mechanism to restore the stairs after the invaders were gone. I suggest we return once again to the statue room. On the way there, we can try to place the crystal onto the pedestal. If there is no response, we can try to place the crystal into the hands of the statue. Perhaps the statue itself is the mechanism to restore the stairs."

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Makes sense to me, first we try the pedestal again and then the statue."

[thirdkingdom]

The adventurers return again to the room with the pedestal. Placing the orb back atop the column has no effect. Heeding Lanny's suggestion, they return to the room with the wizard's statue and place the orb carefully in its outstretched hands. As soon as this occurs there is a sharp click, a brief hum of thaumaturgic energy and the statue slides five feet to the left, revealing a dark, circular hole in the ground. A spiral set of stone stairs can be seen descending down into the darkness, wide enough for only one person at a time.

FYI, the wider set of stairs, the inverted one, descends in an easterly direction, away from the statue.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

Lanny waits with anticipation as the statue begins to move, only to feel disappointment as the revealed passage leads downwards, not upwards. He looks around at the others.

"Now where?"

Party Caller:

Possible choices include:

1. Down the spiral staircase through the hole in the ground
2. To the east down the inverted staircase (first disabling/springing any more blade traps)
3. To the north through the stuck door (after forcing it open)
4. To the south and any of the myriad passages beyond

[thirdkingdom]

5. North into the cavern complex the undead fled into.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

"Well... We're right here, so maybe we should start with the hole here or the stairs heading down to the east..."

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

While the party decides where to go next, Lanny picks up the crystal and places it in a sack at his belt.

"Whichever way we go, we should probably take this crystal with us. It seems to be the key to get things moving around here... I would hate for it to fall into the wrong hands."

Does picking up the crystal cause any reaction with the statue, or are there any strange noises heard elsewhere?

[zebediah]

Drudsa the dabbler

"Shouldn't we check all passages in this level before descending? Remember, we currently have no route back outside..."

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny the elf

While the party decides where to go next, Lanny picks up the crystal and places it in a sack at his belt.

"Whichever way we go, we should probably take this crystal with us. It seems to be the key to get things moving around here... I would hate for it to fall into the wrong hands."

Does picking up the crystal cause any reaction with the statue, or are there any strange noises heard elsewhere?

When Lanny picks up the crystal the statue slide silently back into place, covering the spiral staircase.

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

"Well that is interesting... It appears that if we wish to explore the lower level using the spiral staircase, we will have to leave the crystal behind. I'm not sure I like that idea..."

Lanny nods in agreement with Drudsa as he looks at the map.

"I too would prefer to stay on this level and look for an alternate route to the surface... at least for the moment. Perhaps we can try the door to the north? Last time we checked, it was swollen shut, but that won't stop me from forcing it open... only locked doors have that effect on me. Another option on this level might be the room to the north of the pedestal room... perhaps there is a lever or other mechanism in that room."

Lanny looks arounds at the others for input.

If the party still wishes to descend to the lower level using the spiral staircase, or even for one person to descend the spiral staircase for a quick look at the lower level, then Lanny will place the crystal back in the hands of the statue.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys shrugs and says, "I'm fine with exploring this area completely, first. I am slightly concerned about our means of egress from this place..."

[Bouv]

Tratiln nods in agreement with Rhys, "Having a means to exit in a hurry and knowing where that exit is should be our first priority. Just in case."

[frobozz]

Lanny the elf

"Right. So then, we are in agreement. We should try to find an exit to the surface as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we still don't know which direction we are going to go to try to find said exit, and no one is offering any suggestions. Therefore..."

Lanny takes a quick look around the room.

"If no one objects, I'm going to try to force open that swollen door to the north. Maybe there is a ladder leading up to the ground floor right behind the door. We can only hope..."

Without objection, Lanny will proceed to run at the door and try to force it open with his shoulder. He will listen at the door for any noise on the other side (Hear Noise: 1-2 on 1d6) both before and after the first attempt. If he hears nothing, he will continue trying until the door is forced open. Strength Check on a stuck door: 15

[thirdkingdom]

I'd really like to hear from everyone on this decision, more to make sure that everyone's still participating. I know this is a holiday in the States, but I would like all players to weigh in with an opinion within 24 hours of this post.

[sulldawga]

Marodin is fine with the current plan.

[Alethan]

Rhys agrees, as well.

[zebediah]

Drudsa also agrees.

[riftstone]

Thordin the dwarf is in agreement as well.

[thirdkingdom]

Lanny listens at the door but hears nothing. He puts his shoulder against it and pushes, without success. He and Rhys examine the door more closely, determining that it is actually a false door, and is in fact set against the stone wall.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

"Well... That's just silly," Rhys mumbles to himself as he examines the false door.

Then he examines the area of floor just in front of the door, looking to make sure he and Lanny aren't standing on a trap door. He also examines the ceiling above the fake door to make sure part of it isn't going to come tumbling down...