Subject Mund's plan

Allistair thinks for a moment. "I don't see why I couldn't. I can move things up to 40 feet away, which is the height of the ceiling, and a weight of up to about 5 pounds. As long as the hook and rope don't weigh more than that it should be possible. As for the tensile strength of the mithril wire, that I'm not too sure about, but it's worth a shot."

Subject Mund's plan

"Do you think it would help to drag a table in here for you to stand on when casting the spell?"

Subject Another night

Back in the main room the party sets up camp for another night. They are unusually quite, even Surin. When they are done eating and all the mess is cleared away, they sit in a circle and Allistair and Surin describes what they saw. "The top end of the mithral string is a small loop. It is looped around a fancy hook that twists and turns and flips back on itself. It looks like the end of the string needs to be almost threaded back over the hook systems and it will fall right off."

"The ways I can think of to get the key down are the following:

1) We hit the wire with magical fire from Salix or from a fireball. However, we don't know if even magical fire will affect the wire in any way.

2) Use a spiritual weapon from one of the priests to attack the wire. Again, we don't know if this can cut it or not.

3) Have someone fly up and cut the mithral wire with a knife or perhaps a magical blade. Same problem as #2.

4) Have someone fly up and solve the wire puzzle, removing the key. However, my fly spell will only last for six minutes, which may not be enough time if the puzzle is particularly difficult.

5) Use a summoned griffin to cut the wire, or have someone ride on its back and try to cut the wire or solve the puzzle. Again the griffin may not be able to cut the wire, and someone on it's back may not be stable enough to solve the puzzle.

6) I do have the ability to telekinetically manipulate objects, but it only works against nonmagical objects. The key is technically magical, and I have my doubts on being able to manipulate the wire and the key with so much precision over a long distance.

7) Pile up tables and debris to a height of 10 feet so that casting rope trick can reach the ceiling. Alternatively, we could enlarge Harp and have him hold a table over his head, on top of which I could then cast the rope trick. Hanging from the rope someone would have trouble working the puzzle, but perhaps we could work out something with a person inside the extra-dimensional room holding the legs of someone out the window who could then work at the puzzle with both hands. The rope trick lasts for six hours, which should be enough time if the puzzle is solvable at all.

Does anyone else have other ideas? I admit I am not fully versed on the magical grace given to Ragnar and Salix, so they may have some other abilities I haven't thought of."

Mund perks up, his belly full.

"Hey. I've got an idea. Does anybody have any kind of hook? I've got fifty feet of silk rope back in my saddle bags. If we could hook the mithral wire, maybe we can apply enough force to break it, freeing the key." "Mund" Harp says "that's not a bad idea, but instead of throwing the hook and rope, maybe your brother could use some of his magic to get it up there?" The 1/2 orc turns and looks questioningly at the mage.

Allistair thinks for a moment. "I don't see why I couldn't. I can move things up to 40 feet away, which is the height of the ceiling, and a weight of up to about 5 pounds. As long as the hook and rope don't weigh more than that it should be possible. As for the tensile strength of the mithral wire, that I'm not too sure about, but it's worth a shot."

People start scrounging though their gear and eventually Harp pulls out a fishing hook and Kal pulls out a grappling hook. Mund brings out his silk rope and Allistair takes the three items in hand. A few minutes latter he sighs dejectedly. "Sorry guys, it's not going to work. The fishing hook is too small to thread the rope through and the grappling hook is too heavy with the rope attached. Something else I though of while trying to figure this out. Remember the cheese shop back home Mund?" The brother nods, not sure where Allistair is going with this. "Remember what he used to cut the cheese with? That wire cutter? For the rest of you here is another problem I see. The wire is very thin and fine, but also made out of an incredibly light and strong material. I bet if we got a normal iron hook to even grab on and then put weight on it, it would cut the hook like cheese."

The party looks around at each other, waiting for someone to come up with an idea. Harp breaks the silence. "It has been a hard, long day. I know I think better when rested. Allistair you have had an incredibly tough day. Rest, get some sleep. Let us pray and think on the problem and maybe in the morning one of us will have come up with something. This is not your job alone. Ok everyone, lights out in 1/2 hour. Normal watch order, but I doubt we will need it."

As the party gets ready to turn in for the night, Ranthir calls Harp over. The 1/2 elf takes Harp to one of the earlier rooms so that they will have some privacy. "Harp, judging from the number of doors left, we may very well be getting to the end of this challenge. Have you given any thought as to what you will do with Kal when we return? Salix and Mund feel that he committed what amounts to murder earlier and I am not sure I disagree. You need to have a plan when we get back."

OODM: Ok consider the night having been spent. Every one gets 6 HP back for a night sleep. I will also try and figure out what spells Ragnar and Harp had left, but I am sure it was not enough to heal the whole party. Did you want to use any of the remaining potions or scrolls? Also please update your spell list. The next write up will be after they have woken but before spells are memorized/prayed for.