Discussing the inscription and the first door
Subject The inscription
OOC: Are there any insights that can be gained by comparing the riddle in the different languages? i.e. 'right key' could have a double meaning (the kind of trick that's pulled often in riddles), but that sort of homonym is almost always unique to the specific language. In a translation, you would either have to pick one of the meanings, or write both meanings seperately if both are implied. Basically I'm wondering if some of the more conspicuous words like 'doors', 'keys', 'right', 'floors', or any other words have a double meaning that we need to be aware of, and also if any of the other languages shed more light on what 'mores' are.
Allistair paces slowly as he considers the wording of the riddle. The first line suggests that 11 of the doors should be locked, but only one is. Since the locked door also appears different from the others, he will make that assumption that it is the exit. If 11 keys are necessary, where are they? And where are the 11 locked doors? But the second line suggests that all are not necessary, some kind of a choice is required. And he would guess that the pit they encountered earlier is a good indication of what 'beware the floors' would mean. It sounds like they will have to traverse some kind of a labyrinth, with trap doors and pits and such along the way to distract them, and several monsters they will no doubt have to slay to get past. He isn't so sure about the meaning of 'mores' yet, it's an uncommon word, but his guess is that there is treasure to be found along the way too. Frankly though, Allistair is more concerned about fulfilling the 'if still alive' portion of the riddle.
OOC: Also, Allistiar wonders what the 10th language is that no one can understand? Is it at least written in a character set that he recognizes?
From: Mark
Subject The inscription
I will deal with the language thing on the next turn.
The 10th language is not written in a character set any one understands, but it hurts the eyes of Ragnar and Harp just to look at it.
From: Porter
Subject The inscription
It hurts the eyes of Mund to look at any of the writings.
From: Kevin
Subject The inscription
I hate these "infernal" riddles
From: Porter
Subject The inscription
It's a good thing that Mund doesn't get that joke.
From: Karl
Subject The inscription
Salix is just listening. He's out of his element completely, this being a totally non-natural construct. (Can he even sense the greensong here?)
From: Mark
Subject The inscription
No, he can not. In fact, he has never been so aware of it's abscence before. Other than the materials, this is the most unnatural place he has ever been.
From: Mark
Subject Surin
Jake has some personal problems and will likely be handing Surin over to some one he know who has expressed interest in running Surin. I am in the process of contacting this person and working out the details. I will be playing Surin in the mean time.
From: Jason
Subject The inscription
We all missed them (the comments about the greensong) because they weren't
sent to the list originally, but asides to individuals.
Although Ragnar isn't big on riddles and word puzzles, he will check the dwarven (and orcish, if present) versions of the riddles and let Allistair know of any inconsistancies he finds. If that turns out some important clues, he has a comprehend languages blessing available he could use to read the 10th language as well (although I expect that will not be necessary.)
From: Mark
Subject The first door
"Ragnar, would you and Allistair please take a look at the inscription and see if any other information can be gained from it? The rest of you take a look a round and see if you find anything that might give us a hint as to how we should go on." The next 10 minutes is spent searching the room from top to bottom while Ragnar and Allistair compare notes on the inscription. When Harp checks back in they give their report. "It looks to be in a total of 10 languages, however, we are not sure what one of them is. Ragnar's guess is that it is Infernal, but that is only from a feeling he gets while looking at it. We have compared the common version with the several languages we know that are also on the wall and find nothing that would lead us to any more of an understanding."
Harp grunts. The search of the room had turned up nothing either. All of the doors except the one in middle of the north wall seemed to be unlocked.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what order to try on the doors? My first impression is, without guidance to the contrary, to start with the one closest to where we came in. : Until we get an idea of what lies behind them, I am going to suggest the following:
Mund and Ran, you stand opposite the door with your bow and crossbow ready. Allistair and Salix will be behind you. Ragnar and I on either side of the door, along with Kal and Surin. I will push open the door. If there is something threatening behind it, you two shoot at it, and then those of use at the door will take over. I want it to come to us in here, if possible, where we have some room to fight. My fear is close quarters fighting in a hallway like we just came through - no room to move and no way to use ranged weapons. If there is nothing immediately on the other side, I want you to give us a quick recon of what we are entering. Questions or concerns? If you have any other ideas, speak up now."
Mund seems a bit unhappy to not be the one opening the door, but for the moment, he follows his orders. The party lines up as ordered, two on either side of the door and 4 lined up about 20 feet away, missile weapons ready for action. Harp signals for Kal to lift the bar on the door and pull it open. Everyone stands there, waiting for a monster to rush them. Unfortunately they are disappointed. On the other side of the door is another hall way. It goes about 40 feet west before it looks to turn north.
OODM: Ok what do you guys want to do?
From: Porter
Subject The first door
Turn north, of course!