Checking in
Subject Checking in
I'm updated.
From: Karl
Subject Checking in
Salix is updated.
From: Kevin
Subject Checking in
Harp is updated.
Harp will let Surin know that he will be able to give the little halfling the same blessing of insight as before but that he could do it 2 different times. He will also tell him that he may be able to see a short way into the future to see if an action they were about to take would be a good or bad decision. (2 Guidance and 1 augury).
From: Derek
Subject Checking in
Allistair's spells are ready.
After taking another look at the inscription, Allistair remarks, "Well, since we have all the keys now, I'm guessing we don't have to worry too much about traps any more, though of course we should be careful. It doesn't seem to have any hidden meanings, although we won't know for sure until we're out of this place."
From: Porter
Subject Checking in
I am back, but I don't have anything to say right now.
From: Karl
Subject Checking in
"No," Salix agrees. "In fact, it sounds very literal indeed. I wonder how literally we should take the 'on your knees' part. Probably best not to take changes if we run into the maker of this place."
From: Randy
Subject Checking in
Ranthir is ready to proceed and will take up position near the front.
From: Porter
Suject: Checking in
Mund is ready to go.
From: Ashley
Subject Checking in
I almost forgot -- Was Surin able to find his hatchet under the dead troll mountain?
From: Mark
Subject Checking in
Yes.
It is too late tonight, so I will write something up tomorrow.
From: Jason
Subject Checking in
Ragnar is ready to go; spell list is also updated on sakeriver.
Doors, doors everywhere
Subject What's behind door number 1
When everything is packed up and ready to go, the party members take their assigned positions and prepare to move on. The tension is high, with everyone hoping that this would lead to the way out. "Ok Surin, let's do this" Harp says. The halfling nods and inserts the copper key into the first lock.
The key turns soundlessly and a muted click is heard. The party is quiet and on edge. Surin slowly pushes the door open until it stops against the wall to the right. Twenty feet away there is another door, this time with a lock set made of copper with small jewels set into it. "Surin, take a look. Take your time." The halfling nods and moves slowly through the open door. He spends the next 15 minutes or so making a detailed search of the floor. He stops once but soon continues on. When he gets to the other side he turns to the party. "Stay back a few feet from the door." When everyone backs up a few feet Surin presses a normal looking stone on the wall and there is a sudden rush of air.
At the feet of the party, just inside the door, a pit opens up. Surin edges close to the lip and looks down. "It's not that bad. Only 20 feet or so. Hold on while I reset it." The halfling goes back to the same stones and presses them again. The fake floor moves slowly back into position. "That is what would have happened with out the key. Let me take a look at the next door. You guys can come on in if you want. I am fairly sure that the floor is safe now that I have reset it and the door is open. Just don't close it and try to reopen it.
Over the next 3-1/2 hours Surin searches each door in turn. After the copper clad door, there is the copper and jewel door, the brass door, the brass and jewel door, the silver door, the silver and jewel door, the electrum door, the electrum and jewel door, the gold door, the platinum door and the platinum and jewel door. Each lock set gets more and more intricate and involved. "Not sure I could have done those last two, even with my cousins "tools". The pits get nastier and nastier as well. The last one looked to be over 70 feet deep with spikes on the walls and floor and some type of material on the spikes.
The party gets to the last door. This hallway is 30 feet long, 10 feet wide. Surin inserts the platinum and emerald key in the lock set and turns the key. The door swings open into a dimly lit hallway. It goes ahead for 4 0 feet and opens on the left. Surin peeks a head in. After a quick look around he turns to the rest. "I think we are in the maze part now."
OODM: How do you want to handle the maze? Updated map tonight.
From: Karl
Subject Door number 1
Salix will follow Harp's lead.
From: Kevin
Subject Door number 1
OOC: Any suggestions? Send Surin out looking while we sit and have lunch? Form a human bread crumb line with a person staying at each intersection until we hit a dead end? Harp is open to suggestions.
From: Porter
Subject Door number 1
When the orc mentions the possibility of sending Surin out, Mund pipes up "I don't think that's a good idea. At least let me watch over the little guy. I'm quick on my feet and good at avoiding traps, and I can hopefully protect him long enough to let him get away.
From: Karl
Subject Door number 1
Pssst! "OOC" means "Out of Character". Harp didn't really suggest anything.
Kevin is asking for input. ;-)
From: Derek
Subject Door number 1
Allistair thinks for a few minutes, reviewing the poem.
13 Doors, 1 way out, 1 way in. 11 keys, 11 doors.
Without the right key, beware the floors.
After the maze and the doors,
You will leave here, if still alive, with mores.
Many creatures protect the keys.
But if you succeed, be on your knees
When you meet the master, he that sees.
"I can think of two likely possibilities. One is that of these eleven doors, only one leads to the exit. The other is that some or all may lead to the exit, albeit some ways being much more difficult than others. Either way, it stands to reason that the more difficult to obtain keys would grant a higher reward, i.e. the exit."
"However, the fourth line of the poem suggests that there is treasure to be found here, and it would also stand to reason that each door could have some sort of treasure at the end, with the final door being the exit. I know that Mund would find this adventure much more worth his time if he found a magical weapon he could use, and I'm confident the rest of us feel similar, if not quite so vocal."
"Being methodical might not be the quickest way out of here, but it assures that we haven't missed anything."
From: Porter
Subject Door number 1
"If there's a chance of making this gods-damned prison worth my while, I'm taking it. We've been here forever and all I've got to show for it is this stupid shield and this unknown potion which keeps looking tastier and tastier every day."
From: Karl
Subject Door number 1
OOC - he should get in a conversation with Salix. He can detect poison if he prepares it (so it wouldn't happen today) but he could at least rule it out for you (on the potion thing, I mean).
From: Karl
Subject Doors, doors, everywhere
If I'm not mistaken, we've already passed through the 11 doors. Those are the ones we just opened with the 11 keys we won. Now we're at the maze. Your post below seems to imply that we have 11 doors in front of us, still. I think the confusion is because the word "doors" appears after "maze" in line three, but I suspect that was just to allow the rhyme in line four.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. :-)
From: Mark
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
I think Derek's comments were meant to be said before the doors were opened, since he copied the turn from a couple of days ago when Harp asked for thoughts on the writing on the wall.
From: Porter
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
I'm confused about the doors we opened -- were they in series or in parallel?
From: Derek
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
No, I think I just don't understand what is going on. I thought after getting the eleven keys, we entered a big room with eleven doors side by side. But it seems that instead the doors were sequential all in a row. I somehow missed that from Mark's description. I guess if we had an updated map it wouldn't have been a problem. Well, just ignore/delete Allistair's comment then.
From: Mark
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
They were in series, heading north, from the one door in the middle of the north wall that had the copper lock set on it. The party is now in a hallway approx. 250 feet north of the main room. The map I send out tonight will make it clearer, but my map program stuff is at home.
There were a series of doors, one after another, each with a lock set that matches a key that had been found.
From: Porter
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
I just know that if Mund gets his hand on a magic dagger, kopesh, girly rapier, or something like that, we'll never encounter anything again that requires magic. But if he can't get it, we'll keep running into them time and time again.
From: Mark
Subject Back to the begining
Here is the original description of the main room when the party entered it.
Harp signals for the rest of the party to make it way across the pit. It takes several minutes for everyone to either climb down or make the leap.(Those with even or better bonuses, take 10 and make the leap. The others climb down and up the other side.) Soon every one is in the new room. This room is 50 feet east/west and 40 feet north/south. The door they just came in from is in the extreme SW side. There are no doors on the south wall but there are doors every 10 feet along all the other walls, for a total of 13 doors, including the one the party came in from.
And then after Surin's search of the main room.
It takes Surin only a couple of minutes to make his search of the doors. He lets every one know his findings. "First, only one door is locked, and that is the one in the middle of the north wall. That door is bound in copper and iron and the lock is made of copper. All the other doors are unlocked and not trapped as far as I can tell."
From: Karl
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
Ah, silly me. I didn't read what he was replying to.
From: Kevin
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
OOC: Mark, I noticed that they keys were in sets of a type of metal and then the same type of metal with a gem. With one exception - the gold key did not have a matching gold key with a gem in it. I am sure one of our more intelligent members (Allistair, Kal, Surin or Salix) would have noted this.
From: Kevin
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
I am heading out to meet my college room-mate, and will not be able to check in. Harp will suggest that they let Surin and Mund move forward, slowly, while the rest of the group follows 30 or so feet behind, trying to keep the map as updated as possible.
If anyone has a better way to map out this thing, pipe up. Mark, if someone proposes a good way, go with that.
From: Josh
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
"I suggest I go with Surn, instead of Mund." Kal says "Mund is certainly a fierce warrior, but we will need more than just brawn to get through this maze, I imagine. I've been trained to deal with a multitude of situations, and I've prepared some non-battle spells today as well. If it does come to combat, well, that won't be a problem."
From: Porter
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
Mund lets out a laugh at this. "Until you get hit once, then you're down like a sack of spuds. I swear, my brother's tougher than you, and he doesn't try to pretend that he's a fighter."
From: Josh
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
Kal looks at Mund and smiles. He turns to Harp and says "Your call."
From: Mark
Subject Updated map
Attached is the updated dungeon map. I have show what Surin can see with out going too far into the next section.
The X's are the traps that the party bypassed.
From: Ashley
Subject Updated map
Surin rolls his eyes. "Honestly you two. Why not just flip a coin? You both got skill enough. God forbid you both come along and try to work together."
From: Josh
Subject doors, doors everywhere
"If we're sending two people with you, it'd probably be best to send Mund and Allistar. Allistar's more trained in magic than I am, and my sword arm would just be redundant."
Kal continues, "If we're sending only one, I believe I'm the best choice to go."
From: Josh
Subject Doors, doors everywhere
"Actually, Harp and Allistar would probably the best choice if two are going."
From: Kevin
Subject Party animal
Just got home, do not have time to think of a good response. Will send more tomorrow AM.
Light, OOTS and into the maze
Subject What's behind door number 1
"All right you two, pipe down. Surin wil take the lead, with Mund just behind him. I know that you are a good fighter Kal, but Mund has shown the ability to take a lot of damage, and we may need that. You and I will follow behind those two since we can give both fighting support and use our other special abilities as needed. Ran, would you follow after us, with Allistair and Salix behind. Ragnar, I'm going to ask you to take the rear again.
Unless any of you have a better plan, I am going to suggest we start with the first opening on the left and keep to the left until we hit a dead end. Allistair, will you keep the map up? It is going to be very important here.
I want about 10-15 ft between Surin and Mund, another 10-15 between Mund and Kal and me, and the rest of the group another 20-30 feet behind us. If we come to a corner, we can call you up so each group has at least one other group in view at all times.
Surin, lead on, but take your time."
OOC: lets see how this works.
From: Kevin
Subject light
OOC: Mark, I am assuming that this area is lit like most of the rest of the place has been lit (glowing blocks in the walls).
From: Porter
Subject Light
OOC: Before we leave, Mund is going to want to try to extract one of those bricks.
From: Mark
Subject Light
Yes, except for the rooms that had little or no light, the lighting is just like the rest of the place.
From: Mark
Subject Light
Tell me when he wants to do it.
Or should I just write something up while they were waiting on Surin while he was opening all the doors and inspecting all the floors.
From: Porter
Subject Light
OOC: That's a good idea. Let me retcon a bit.
IC:
Although Mund realizes that it makes sense to spend so much time checking the traps, Mund is deeply bored. He looks up at the glowing bricks that light the area and thinks "Maybe I take one of those with me when we leave."
Mund gets out his climbing tools. There's a hammer and some spikes. This might work. He looks for a brick on a corner and goes to work.
From: Derek
Subject Light
Cool. Let me in on the Ret-con.
Allistair looks over to his brother trying to extricate one of the glowing bricks. "I don't know if that will work, but if it does, I'd like a closer look at them myself."
From: Mark
Subject light
OODM: The blue bolts from heaven strike Mund in the chest and leave a smoking pile of ash in the middle of the room.
I will try and write more up this evening.
From: Mark
Subject OOTS
Did any one get my OOTS reference when Surin explained where he got his thieves tools from?
From: Mark
Subject Into the maze
While Surin is working his way through the doors and traps, Mund gets bored. Looking up at the walls he notices the glowing stones that have been providing light in the room. Since the lights are about 25 feet up the wall, he gets out his climbing tools and a hammer and spikes from his back pack, deciding to do a little climbing while the halfling does his thing. He places one of the spikes at what looks like an intersection of two blocks of stone and strikes the spike with a solid blow. "Owwww" Mund curses as the metal spike and the hammer reverberate in his hand, the flesh of his palm stinging. The spike clatters to the floor and the others turn and look at him. Defiant, Mund picks up the spike. The end is bent like a fishing hook.
Ally turns at his brothers cry and immediately figures out what Mund was trying to do. "Good idea Mund. I don't know if it will work, but if you get one could I see it." Mund grunts at his brother and takes a look at where the spike had been. Nothing. Not even a scratch on the surface of the stone. "Well I guess that shoots that idea. You know, this place is really starting to piss me off. We had better be getting out soon."
By the time Mund has his gear stowed again, Surin has the last door open and Harp is issuing commands. Mund doesn't like to be ordered around, but at least the orc was smart enough to have him in the front and not that elf. Mund pulls his axe free and moves to the front. "OK little one, if you see or hear anything strange, let me know." Surin smiles "You'll be the second to know." With that the two head off down the hallway on the left.
Keeping to Harp's plan of the left wall, the part starts moving through the maze, spread out over about 60 feet of distance. The first opening turns south and then west. As it goes west there are two more passages in the north wall. After a little more than 100 feet the passage way stops and turns north. The party continues on for another 100 feet and the hallway turns east. It runs for another 30 feet and turns south. 90 feet later the hallway turns west again, this time for 20 feet. Allistair calls from the back of the party "Harp, I think this way may not lead anywhere. If the map is right this has to dead end, like a spiral. See?" The mage holds out the map for the 1/2 orc to see.
OODM: What do you want to do? By the way, Surin is taking 10 with his search checks. He has +12 to search which gives him a 22 for a basic walk by search. This walking has taken around 15 minutes to get where they are. The party is the P on the map. If Surin took 20 with all his search checks it would have been 5-1/2 hours.
From: Porter
Subject OOTS
Absolutely.
From: Porter
Subject OOTS
This is a case of the DM cheating. :grumble:
From: Kevin
Subject Light
OOC: you just don't know my brother as well as I do. He is not cheating. Mund just does not realize that there in NOTHING that could penetrate the wall. Remember, in D&D, the "rules" are more like the pirates code - more like guidelines. The DM is the final arbiter of everything, whether it make sense or not.
From: Kevin
Subject Into the maze
At Allistair call, Harp shouts for Surin to take a break. Harp looks at the map that Allistair has been keeping. "It sure looks that way, but I don't want to assume anything." With that, Harp heads back to where Kal is and calls Surin and Mund to come back a little bit.
"Surin, according to Allistair map, this looks like a spiral dead end. Go ahead and keep heading down this way just to make sure there is nothing at the end. Mund, go ahead with him, but I don't expect there to be much. Kal and I will keep just behind you, but once you see the dead end, get on back here. IF you see something other than a dead end, give a shout out."
OOC: Mark, if it is truly a dead end, the party will go back to the opening at E12-E13 and head down that way.
All, I think taking a 10 is sufficient for this, don't you? 15 minutes I can take, 5 1/2 hours will mean DAYS in this maze. Any one who feels differently (Ashley???) let me know.
More A-mazing and updated map
Subject Into the maze
"I'm not expert," Salix cuts in, "but it doesn't seem to me that a magical door necessarily has to be in an outside wall - assuming, of course that we're looking for a magical door."
From: Porter
Subject Into the maze
" I say we check it out. I trust this place about as much as I trust whoever built it."
From: Mark
Subject More A-mazing
Nodding at Harp's command and Mund's reaction, Surin continues on his way, Mund just a few feet behind. Another long corridor, 90 feet or so and then another turn to the right. When Surin peeks around the corner he sees a door about 60 feet down the hallway. He turns back to Harp "We've got a door down here. You all want to come up or do you want me and Mund to handle it?"
From: Derek
Subjectg: More A-mazing
So is the door at the end of where the dead-end should be, or is it significantly before it?
From: Mark
Subject More A-mazing
It seems to end closer then the dead end but it is not significantly before.
I will send out a map tonight.
From: Porter
Subject More A-mazing
"I'd like to check out the rest of this maze before we start going through doors. Who knows where this door might send us."
From: Derek
Subject More A-mazing
Allisair would rather minimize the hiking around through this maze. "If it is a portal out of this place, I am fairly confident we would be able to tell simply by looking at it, similar to the portal that took us here in the first place. If however there are magical items or some other treasure behind it, it would be most useful to us to get them earlier rather than later. We might as well take a look while we're here, after all."
From: Jason
Subject More A-mazing
Ragnar agrees with Allistair. "As long as we're trying to be methodical about this, we should probably explore this hallway as completely as we can before heading back. I have little doubt we will be able to identify the way out."
From: Porter
Subject More A-mazing
OOC: Am I not understanding what's going on? Does it appear that there's a chamber at the end of the spiral, or that there's a door that goes through the wall into a place that shouldn't exist?
From: Kevin
Subject More A-mazing
Harp hears the discussion around him. After a few minutes, he decides.
"Surin, go ahead to the door, but take your time to make sure there are REALLY no traps (OOC: Hinting at taking 20 for the last 20 feet or so and the door). If you think it is clear, let Mund open it. Kal and I will stay back away and I want the rest of the group around the corner. Do not go through the door until you see what is in there."
From: Mark
Subject More A-mazing
It appears that there might be a small room at the end of the hallway. Or there might not be. There is a door that does not seem to be at what would logically be the end of the hall way.
I will send out an updated map when I get home.
From: Porter
Subjectd: More A-mazing
All right. Now that I understand where the door is, I'm cool with this.
From: Mark
Subject Updated map
I will write more tomorrow.
From: Kevin
Subject Updated map
OOC: Mark, given the map, Harp and Kal will hang back around C5 while the rest of the party stays at around B3 in case something comes up. Surin can decide where he starts to take 20's on his search as he gets closer to the door.
Another door
Subject Another door
Mund grumbles a bit at Harp's command but Surin moves forward, slowing when he gets about 20 feet from the door. He goes into high search mode, eyes looking at everything and looking for anything the might be a trigger for a trap. A little over 15 minutes later he reports back to Mund. "All clear from what I can tell." With a deep bow and a sweeping flourish of his hand, he motions Mund forward "Your date with destiny awaits you." The barbarian moves forward and Surin keeps about 10 feet back. He knew that while he was very good at what he did, there were ways to hide things with magic that he would never be able to find.
"Is the door locked?" Mund whispers. Surin shakes his head no and the human turns back to the door. It looked just like almost all the other doors in this god forsaken place. Axe in one hand he reaches out with the other and pulls the latch. The door swings in. There is no light in the room, but it is filled with light from the hallway. Mund scans the room quickly and becomes even more disgusted with this place. Heading back to where Harp and Kal are he reports in. "Someone is play'n games with us. Room's empty. So what now great orc leader?" The sarcasm in Mund's voice is obvious.
OODM: What now? Continue on?
From: Kevin
Subject Another door
"We stay patient and we stay as safe as we can. Surin, would you take a look into the room and see if you notice anything? If you think it is safe, go on in and take a look. If your'e bored Mund, I can go with him."
From: Porter
Subject Another door
"Nah, that's OK. I'll stick with him."
Backtracking
Subject Backtracking
Harp nods at Mund's offer and Surin heads into the room. 20 minutes later he and Mund come back to the party. "Mund's right. Someone is playing with us. Room was empty. Might have been something there, long, long time ago, but it's bare as my grandmothers pantry now." Harp growls to himself in frustration but keeps his cool. "Ok, lets all head back to the last opening. This will probably be maddening, but with this many people it will be almost impossible to get lost." The four turn and retraces their steps, picking up the rest of the party as they go and filling them in on what was and was not found.
They quickly make it back to the next opening on the north wall. Mund and Surin start in again, moving at a steady pace. Surin's eyes are darting everywhere, trying to find a tell tale sign of a trip wire or pressure plate. It was times like these, when someone got careless that people died.
There is a series of switch backs and then the path splits. Following Harp's instructions to keep to the left Surin follows the path to a set of smaller switch backs. He soon finds that the path dead ends. "Got to go back, Mund." the halfling says. Leading the barbarian back he reports in to Allistair so that the mage can fill in the map. Surin and Mund then head to the right fork. It is a mirror image of the left fork and ends at basically the same spot but 40 feet to the east. The two head back to where the path splits and where the rest of the party is waiting for them. "Nothing down that way" Surin reports. Harp , starting to get frustrated, bangs on the wall. Catching himself quickly, he tells Surin what to do next. "Well, we have one more split off back east a bit. Let's go take a look at that one."
The party works their way back south through the switch backs and into the long east/west hallway. They head another 30 feet east and Surin and Mund head north into the passage ways. The two are back a few minutes later. "Nothing. The hallways connect up with the one we came in from. Let me show you Allistair." The halfling helps the mage fill in the map. "Any suggestions?" Harp asks.
OODM: Let me know what now. You may get this twice
From: Kevin
Subject Backtracking
Harp's mind is a confused mess of conflicting thoughts. What had they missed? Was there a secret door some where? They had encountered one of those before, so it was possible. Was there something about that room? Why was it there?
"Surin, that room at the end of that section that looked like a corkscrew, did you actually go in it? If you did, did you close the door while you were in it? Allistair, could there be a trigger somewhere we missed?
I don't know what else to, guys. There has to be a way to get out of here, I just don't know what it is."
From: Karl
Subject Backtracking
"Maybe we all have to be in the room at the end of the hall before something is triggered," Salix suggests.
From: Mark
Subject Map
I just realized that the map was off. I have corrected it. If you can not tell what is different, good.
Secrets and Looky, looky
Subject Map
OOC: It does seem to suggest an obvious place to search for a hidden door. IF no one else notices, make a common sense check roll for Harp. If no one else notices, then we can wander around for a while (but I bet either Salix or Allistair will pick up on this). It is sort of why we have the map.
From: Porter
Subject Backtracking
"I reckon we've got two choices -- either look along this whole area for secret doors," Mund fingers the entire outline of the "dead space" on the map, which borders the maze, eight rooms, and four hallways, or we can give that joke of a room another chance. I say let's start with the room. It's a lot closer."
"Back on the wall, it said something about being on your knees. Maybe we all have to kneel in that cell. It sounds like the sort of crap the maker of this place would make us do."
OOC: I find it interesting that Mund has been moving more toward the Good alignment while he has growing antipathy for the major LG god of this universe.
From: Kevin
Subject Backtracking
OOC: The problem is the LG diety did not design this place, his advisor did. That advisor may not have been LG - he could have been LN, since we saw the alter to Cuthbert back a ways.
From: Porter
Subject History
Where are you getting this from? How do you know who designed it?
From: Mark
Subject History
From last July
Anglewing takes up the story at this time. "Lothnar was Valorshield's chief adviser and head magic user. He ran a sort of testing grounds for knights of the order 3000 years ago. Soon after the prophecy had been recorded, Lothnar and his testing grounds "disappeared from the face of the earth.
From: Porter
Subject History
Cool. Thanks.
From: Mark
Subject History
As players you may want to go back and ready from mid July of 2005 to early Oct. There was alot of info given out then that may be important.
Mund would not have heard this since the party had not met him yet.
From: Kevin
Subject History
OOC: Porter, my apologies for not remembering that Mund joined after the rest of the group got loaded up with this. As Mark shows in his earlier post, it is very likely that this place was created by a LN NPC - if we are lucky, we will run into him at the end of this (he could be the Watcher - the master that is referred to in the inscription we read on the wall.
From: Porter
Subject History
No worries. I've read all the archives, but I didn't remember that at all.
Of course, such nitpicking isn't going to mean much to Mund, who was antidisposed to bossy gods in the first place.
From: Josh
Subject History
Kal says: "I think it's unlikely, but perhaps there's a tunnel somewhere in those pit traps."
From: Kevin
Subject Secrets
OOC: Any of the "smart" characters want to chime in on where we might want to look first for a secret door?
From: Porter
Subject Secrets
Them's fighting words, punk.
From: Kevin
Subject Secrets
OOC: I am not including Harp in that group. In character, Mund and Harp would be the least likely to be able to figure out where a door might be. I am hoping Allistair or Salix or Kal (or any other character with an INT above 11) will speak up.
From: Porter
Subject Secrets
Let me point out that a 10 intelligence is not "stupid" -- it's average for non-adventurerers.
Which means that if you pick a random person off the street, he has as great a chance of being below 10 than above 10.
From: Derek
Subject Secrets
OOC: Just checked my email this morning. Sorry for the delay.
IC: Allistair looks over the map as the party grumbles about the dead-ends and such. "If we're going to search for secret doors, we should only bother with the walls that are adjacent to areas we havent' been into yet. That means here (pointing to the east wall on squares L7-L10), here (north wall on I7-L7), here (east wall on H2-H6), and here (north wall on E2-H2). However, since this is a entire demiplane seems to be a large recangle with little wasted space, I would concentrate our search first here (north wall of E2 and F2) and then here (north wall of G2 and H2)."
From: Josh
Subject Secrets
Kal agrees with Allistar's assesment. He also adds: "I would also like to examine that room at the end of the maze. Particularly the floor, looking for some sort of tunnel. I also think it's a good idea if we all go in there and kneel, it's worth a shot."
From: Karl
Subject Secrets
"That's a good idea. Why don't you run back and check on that".
From: Porter
Subject Secrets
OOC: What am I, chopped liver?
From: Karl
Subject Secrets
Is there some sort of Smartness Check I should be asking for? Salix might know more than I do. Looking at the map, a secret door could be just about anywhere on the wall bordering the "unknown space".
From: Karl
Subject Secrets
You seem to be seeing something obvious. What is it? I mean, if you think it's at the end of the right-side switchback area, then surely that's not too arcane a guess for Harp or Mund. If it's somewhere else obvious to the smart guys,then I don't really see it.
From: Mark
Subject Secrets
If someone had knoweldge (architechture) I might give them a roll, but otherwise it is a crap shoot.
From: Jason
Subject Secrets
Ragnar might get a search check simply for passing by... "A dwarf who merely comes within 10 feet of unusual stonework can make a Search check as if he were actively searching," although his search bonus is only +1. Ragnar doesn't really have anything to add to the conversation however.
From: Mark
Subject Secrets
Just remember that Surn has searched most of these walls taking 10 with a +12 to his modifier.
So, for example, Ragnar with a +1 and taking 20 would still be less than Surin taking 10.
From: Karl
Subject Secrets
In that case, I say we all go try the little room and if nothing happens then we can have Surin take 20 in selected spots.
From: Mark
Subject Looky, Looky
Harp watches as Allistair points out spots on the map. Shaking his head, he points to Surin. "You know what and where he is talking about?" The halfling nods. "OK, let's search those spots first. If nothing turns up then we will head back to that room and see if we can get a reaction out of it by trying the things suggested. Otherwise we'll be wandering around this mini-maze until we die." Salix and Mund aren't too pleased with this but go along for now.
The party makes its way back to the switch back area. Mund accompanies Surin to the first small section of wall(G2-H2). The halfling takes his time on this trip inspecting every inch of the wall for signs of a catch or a release or signs that the wall could move. After about 15 minutes the halfling returns with the barbarian. "No luck. If there is a secret door or something there, I can't find it. Let's move on to the next section.
The party moves over to the next set of switchbacks and Surin, with Mund in tow, moves down to the stone wall and starts looking again. It only takes a few minutes when the halfling turns "Go get the others. I've found something." Mund hurries back and the others are quickly assembled. "Now I realize why I missed it the first time. Mund, come over here." Surin makes Mund stand a few feet away against the east wall and points at a certain stone block. "Harp, come here." The 1/2 orc follows the halfling's directions and places a hand on a block that is close to 9 feet off the ground. "Salix, my friend, your next." Surin place the druid about 5 feet from the others and points out a stone that is at waist height.
Surin puts his hand on a stone that is actually on the north wall. "Ok when I say go, we all push our stones at exactly the same time. I will count to three and on four we push. One. Two. Three. Push." All four of the party members push their stones. They must have done it right, because the stone wall in front of Surin makes a grinding noise and starts to slide upwards. Behind it is another room, 10 x 20.
"Hold!" shouts Harp. "Let Surin take a look first. We've gone this far with out loosing anyone, let's keep it that way." Surin chuckles a bit but they all hear him mutter under his breath "Yeah, yeah, send in the little guy first again." 20 minutes later Surin reports in. "Well another dead end, or so it looks. However, after that last little trick, I knew what to look for. You three" he says, pointing at Kal, Allistair and Ran, "come here and do exactly what I tell you." A few minutes latter another secret door opens on the east wall, sliding into the ceiling. Surin's curse greets the rest of the party. "By the gods, don't these things ever end?" It is another room, 10 x 20, just like the first.
Before Harp can talk Surin pipes up "Yeah I know, take my time. Like I have much else to do in this place." "Surin" Allistair says, "you have probably already figured this out, but I would bet, if there is a secret door to this room, its on the east wall." The halfling nods and starts his search there. Minutes later he call Ragnar, Mund and Salix into the room. They go through the same process and a third door opens. This time the four can see a long hallway heading east from them, with an opening going south just outside the door. There is another door 80 feet east of them. "Still in the damn maze" Grumbles Mund.
OODM: Now what.
From: Kevin
Subject Looky, looky
"Good job Surin. Ok, everyone, lets just take a minute and catch our breath. We know this is a maze, so we have to expect the plan is to confuse us. I think we did a good job finding where the most reasonable spot for a door was, and it worked out. Remember, the idea behind this place is to test us. There has to be a way to overcome the challenges put in front of us, if we can only think it through. Oh, and by the way, Surin," Harp says with a little chuckle, "if you are getting tired of looking for traps and doors, the next time we meet a couple of trolls, you are more than welcome to jump in to the front line."
OOC: Harp will keep to the same plan. He will have Surin and Mund first look through the doorway to see if anything is obvious in the southward hallway. He will then have them head down the long hallway to the door (at P1) with Harp and Kal following behind. Ragnar and the others can get a good look down the hallway running south.
Turn and Round and Round she goes
Subject Looky, looky
I've got nothing for Mund to say that he hasn't already said.
From: Karl
Subject Looky, looky
Checking in, too, but Salix will just follow the leader as usual.
From: Randy
Subject Looky, looky
Checking in, too, but Salix will just follow the leader as usual.
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I will start working on the next turn around 6 tonight. If Ashley or Josh or Derek want to do or say anything, it will need to be in before then.
From: Porter
Subject Turn
We're so close to getting out of here I can taste it.
From: Derek
Subject Turn
Nope. Just keep on going until we find something interesting, hopefully the way out of here.
From: Porter
Subject Turn
Or a magical popsical stick!
From: Mark
Subject Round and Round she goes
Harp has the party break out some food for lunch. It had been close to 6 hours since then had started and several people, especially Surin, were ready for a break. During the cold meal there were several small discussions about what more they could expect and how big this maze would be. Allistair was fairly upbeat. "Magic could change things, but if the place is confined to what shows on the map, we are through at least a 1/3 of the maze, maybe more. Here look." The mage shows the people who are interested what he means, the the mood lightens a bit. After half an hour Mund calls Surin and Mund forward again. "OK guys lets make a finish of this and go home."
The two take a quick look down the south hallway but all they see is that it turns east about 50 feet down. Instead of going to that turn, they head east towards the door. When they get there it is a tight fit since the wall is not straight. "Remember what your brother showed us? This wall is the other side of that room with the trolls. The one that went on an angle?" Mund face lights up when he realizes that they are not really lost. "Ok little one, do your stuff."
Surin spends the next several minutes doing his stuff on the door and the space in front of it. "Not locked and no traps. Let's open in and see what we can see." The halfling gestures to Mund and the barbarian works the latch and pushes the door open. Not surprisingly they see more odd hallways. "Ok" Surin says "Lets stay to the left until we can not go any further." Mund motions the rest of the party to come down to the door and then the two move off. Over the next hour they explore more of the maze, retracing steps when they run into a dead end. Finally the two turn a corner and see a door in the south wall. This door looks fancier then the other doors they have seen in this place, with the exception of the doors with the locks. This one, however, did not have a lock. The rest of the party is called up.
"Surin, do us a favor and have a listen. See if you can hear anything in there." The halfling holds up his hand, signaling the rest of the party for quiet. He spends several minutes examining the door and the surrounding ground before going forward to and placing his ear on the door. After a couple of minutes he turns back to the party. "Well if there is anything talking or moving in there, they are real quiet like. I didn't hear a thing.
OODM: How do you want to handle this door? New map attached.
From: Kevin
Subject Round and Round
OOC: We may have made it.. Ponder where we have arrived at, ponder as well the "rhyme" on the wall when we entered, and make suggestions I have an idea of what I want us to do but would like to hear suggestions from everyone.
From: Porter
Subject Round and round
"We might be done with the maze. What did it say happens after the maze? Oh yeah, we leave with "mores", whatever that means."
"And then there's that "be on your knees when you meet the master" crap. Maybe the feioo that built this place is past this door, and expects us to kiss his feet. Let me tell you, he can kiss my..."
Doors, doors, doors and the final clue
Subject Round and round
"The 'mores' that the rhyme is talking about can mean more physical things, which I kinda doubt, but it can also mean a kind of moral attitude. So maybe they're expecting us to prove we've learned somethin' in our time here."
"I tell you what, I'd probably do anything short of getting naked and dancing a jig if it meant getting out of these damned stone mazes. I can barely remember what trees and grass even look like anymore. I for one can't wait to get my feet into some dirt and my face in some sunshine."
OOC: Surin has an intelligence of 16, so I, not being as smart as him, felt justified in taking a trip to webster:
Main Entry: mo·res
Pronunciation: 'mor-"Az also -(")Ez
Function: noun plural
Etymology: Latin, plural of mor-, mos custom
1 : the fixed morally binding customs of a particular group
2 : moral attitudes
From: Derek
Subject Smores
"That's all well and good," Allistair replies, looking at his brother, "but that just means we managed not to kill each other in the process. Although that itself was a challange at times."
OOC: I'm surprised no one has made a smores joke about that line yet.
From: Porter
Subject Smores
I was >< this close to making a smores joke.
From: Kevin
Subject Smores
OOC: OK, there will be no "smore" of those jokes.
IC: Harp looks at the door, and then back at Allistairs map. Had they finally come the the end of this place? This door hinted at that, but then this place was designed to test you, and one of those tests could be hope. Best to be careful. "Surin, take a close look around this door again, just to be careful. I want the rest of the group back behind the corner when you and Mund open this door. I am concerned about the "on your knees" line we saw earlier. Can you and Mund sqaut down when you open the door, just in case?"
From: Mark
Subject Turn
I will be working on the turn tonight. If any one wants to say or do anything, you have until about 7PM to get it done.
From: Karl
Subject Round and round
Salix just says "Maybe we should kneel before opening the door?"
(OOC - I'm just thinking Indianan Jones and the Last Crusade. If we're on our knees, the neck height saw blades that pop out of the walls will miss us. ;)
From: Karl
Subject Round and round
Salix nudges Mund. "This place has been pretty literal so far. Maybe the 'on your knees' part is a test of following instructions and not a command to debase ourselves. At any rate, a forced attitude of worship won't change your heart, Mund, but it might save your life. I'll kneel, but Obad-Hai knows where my allegiance lies."
From: Kevin
Subject Round and round
OOC: I am thinking the same thing. Harp will have no problem kneeling in this case - he is near the completion of the task he was given and the person who designed this place was a friend and confidant of the founder of his Order. He is more worried that he will have failed the test in some way.
From: Porter
Subject Round and round
Mund grumbles in frustrated agreement.
From: Randy
Subject Round and round
Ranthir listens and nods in agreement. He takes up a position just around the corner, leaning his head around to watch and see what he can.
From: Mark
Subject Doors, doors, doors
At Harp's suggestion that they be on their knees when they open the door Surin laughs. "Harp, even on your knees your taller than I am. I think I could stand if you are worried about some sort of trap. But if you want, I'll be on my knees. Just don't step on me with that boat you call a foot." Surin then turns to take another look at the door and the surrounding area. Another 15 minutes pass and he turn back to Harp. "Still nothing. I say lets go." Harp nods and the rest of the party moves back around the corner. Mund and Surin kneel in front of the door. "Mund, you are going to have to do this one." Surin says. "I can't reach the latch from down here." Mund swallows hard and reaches out a hand and works the latch.
The door swings open to their left. In front of them, 20 feet away then can see a wall heading east/west. Along this wall they see doors. Lots of doors. When nothing comes flying out of the wall to cut them in half, the barbarian and the rogue get to their feet and look in the door. There are 7 doors along the southern wall, each identical. They are heavy iron doors with no obvious latch mechanism or lock. The room is empty otherwise. Surin turns back to the others. "Give me a few minutes to check out the room and then we can go in."
Surin enters the room, with Mund just behind him. Stepping gingerly he walks up and down the room, looking for any trip wires or traps. He goes back to the door and reports "All clear." Harp signals the rest of the party to enter the room. They move cautiously but nothing happens. Mund can be heard grumbling about this being a temple to the God of Doors.
A few seconds after Ragnar enters the room several things happen all at once. There is a flash of light from the door way and suddenly there is no door anymore. A solid stone wall has taken it's place. The iron doors flash and numbers appear on each of them, listed in the common format, 1-7. As the party spins about trying to figure out what has happened, Surin's voice can be heard over the din. "Guy's I'm sure that that was not there when I first searched the place." He points to the north wall, opposite doors 4-7. There is writing on the wall.
OODM: I will have more later tonight, hopefully. New map attached.
From: Mark
Subject The final clue
The party stares at the wall. Just as in the first room they had been in, there is writing on the wall. In the same 10 languages, the script glows with an eerie light. Harp reads the words aloud as the rest of the party follows along.
The final challenge
Lies just ahead.
You've faced many monsters
And yet are not dead.
Dragon's cold breath,
Creatures of earth,
Beings to whom,
The planes gave birth.
From ogres first
To trolls at the last.
Through many rooms,
Many doors you have passed.
From seven paths
You must now choose,
Recall what you've seen.
Your memories use.
The one that can take
Water from fire
Succeeds; the others
Face peril most dire.
Win through you must
To claim your prize.
The one who sees
No victor denies.
Harp turns to the rest of the party. "Any one have any ideas?"
OODM: On the map the size of the doors has nothing to do with anything. They are all the same size and type.
From: Mark
Subject Acknoweledgment
I want to thank my wife for her help in cleaning up the final clue verse. My 20 year old high school doggerel was unintelligible and she made it nice.
From: Ashley
Subject The final clue
"With seven doors and seven of us, I'd almost figured we'd all have to each open a door at the same time to trigger whatever it is to lead us onwards. But I don't see anythin' in the clue here that really supports that -- though the "you now must choose" bit doesn't really specify choosing one or choosing all of 'em. Would be kinda lucky if that were the case, us having just enough people open each door. That 'water from fire' bit is beyond me, though. I imagine it's somethin' magical, and if we can't do it...well, we'll just have to figure out how to do it, won't we?"
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
"Water and fire, huh? The water and fire rooms were past door number eight. We should choose door number.. oh. There are only seven doors. Damn."
The final clue, what else is there, JLH and He that Sees
Subject The final clue
Salix, thinking along the exact same lines a Mund is glad he kept his mouth shut. ;-)
From: Josh
Subject The final clue
OOC: Can anyone list in order the creatures we faced? It's been so long I can't remember.
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
OOC: I am in a real quandry. I have a good idea of the solution, but it would likely be beyond Harp to reach this same conclusion. Let me just say that Mund and Salix are thinking about the right rooms, just in the wrong way (I think).
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
I don't think anyone has said anything about there being only 7 members since Salix's unfortunate misstatement a while ago. There are 7 doors in front of us, but that is unrelated to the number of member (I think). The question is how to determine which door to choose given the "clues" we have been given. Like I said, I have an idea (as does everyone, I'm sure) but I want to hear other suggestions. I can defend my idea, but I do not know if it is correct. I want to see if anyone else comes up with the same anwer.
From: Mark
Subject The final clue
Surin mentioned 7 doors and 7 party members.
From: Karl
Subject The final clue
Salix thinks hard. "There were 6 braziers in the fire room, right Surin?" He looks to the halfling for confirmation. "And there was only one fountain in the water room, as far as we could see, right? If we take "water" from "fire", or 1 from 6, we get 5. Unless someone has a better idea, I think we should choose door 5."
(OOC - To be fair, Kevin's comments below made me think of this.)
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
Mund hears Salix's idea, then goes over to the wall to examine the writing. He's new to this whole reading thing, and still has to sound out the words as he reads them. The other party members can see him counting on his fingers. Somebody tries saying something, and Mund quickly hushes him, trying to concentrate.
"That makes a lot of sense. Of course, the same line also gives us #1: "The one that can take Water from fire Succeeds." But almost nothing in this hellhole has been straightforward, so Salix's idea is probably righter."
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
Jason, sorry for my earlier reply. I had not seen Ashley's comments as Surin.
From: Karl
Subject The final clue
Well, if we try mine and yours turns out to be right, I'll owe you a pint. Sound good?"
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
"Fair enough. Anybody have any better ideas? Number Five sounds good to me."
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
Harp listens to Salix and Mund talk about which door to choose. It seemed odd that Mund was giving suggestions on how to solve the riddle. No matter what, Salix's reasoning seemed sound, but who was Harp to think. Harp looks over to Allistair and asks his opinion.
OOC: Assuming Allistair does not have any other ideas, Harp will give the OK to start with Door 5.
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
It's 'cuz Mund hasn't been brainwashed into thinking that he must be a dummy because he's strong, unlike Harp. :p
From: Derek
Subject The final clue
Allistair nods in agreement with Salix's reasoning. "I'm afraid that I don't have any further insights to add. Door 5 seems like a good idea to me too. If we're afraid of being wrong, we could try having Surin flying or spidercrawling down the 5th passageway, since most of the traps in this place have been pits. That would protect us from that kind of trap. Also if any other trap is triggered by stepping on the floor we could bypass that too."
From: Ashley
Subject The final clue
Surin is a little nervous about being expected to go through the door by himself, but shrugs it off to answer Harp. "I don't much know what to expect in there, but I think Salix is onto something. Seems obvious now--I feel like I'm always being too hyperliteral for this place...Anyways, if things go south I can get out of the way pretty fast, probably better than anyone else, and Ally seems to be onto somethin' with the pits and that spidercrawl spell."
Surin reads the inscription again, hoping to catch anything that might have evaded the group so far, but his eyes fall on the line about facing peril and he doesn't much feel like reading it anymore.
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
"If you don't feel like going through first, I'll do it."
From: Mark
Subject The final clue
Did Ashley only send this to you Porter? I did not get it.
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
She send it to the whole group.
From: Randy
Subject The final clue
I didn't get the original email either.
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
Actually, I didn't get it through the list either.
From: Karl
Subject The final clue
"It was my guess," Salix says. "If anyone should face it first, it should probably be me."
From: Karl
Subject The final clue
Oddly enough, I did.
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
"Whatever. I don't care. I'm just itching to get the belk out of here."
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
"Salix, it is your idea, and it feels right, but this task is being done at the request of my Order. If you will, I will go first with Surin, while you come behind us with Mund. I don't think stealth will help us now.
Come, my little friend, just a short while more, and we will be out of here."
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
OOC: I'm getting ashley's mail.
From: Josh
Subject What else is there
OOC: Isn't anyone else curious about what devious things the DM has planned for us in those doors? Maybe there's good treasure along with baddies....
From: Porter
Subject What else is there
I've been wondering the same thing myself.
From: Derek
Subject What else is there
Yeah, like all the good treasure that's been in all the other rooms with baddies...
From: Karl
Subject The final clue
"I didn't not ask for the spider's grace today."
From: Porter
Subject The final clue
:lol:
From: Jason
Subject The final clue
I got Ashley's emails with no problem.
Ragnar is happy enough with the decision to go through the fifth door.
From: Josh
Subject What else is there
Meh, so we kill more baddies. We're too badass to die.
From: Kevin
Subject The final clue
OOC: I guess its possible there could be treasure down the other hallways, but it is also possible that Jennifer Love Hewitt could show up on my doorstep and ask me to marry her, too.
This place has given no indication that by choosing the wrong door do you get something. We might be able to defeat the challenges behind the doors, but by completing the dungeon/Testing grounds, we effectively beat them, gain the XP, and we don't get beat up ourselves.
If Kal wants to come back and peek down one of those other hallways, I am sure we can arrange it.
From: Mark
Subject He that sees
Harp and Surin take their place in front of door # 5. The others spread out through the room, keeping a few feet from all the walls. Both kneeling, Harp turns to Surin. "You ready little one?" Surin nods and Harp pushes open the latch on the door. It swings inward silently. Harp can hear Allistair and the others let out the breaths they had been holding in. "Well at least nothing dire happened. Must have been the right choice. The only draw back is another door." 50 feet away, down a 10 foot hallway is another door. This one looks to be made of gold or some such. Harp calls the others forward. "Come, I think we are at the end."
Harp rushes forward, his desire to complete the mission getting the better of him. Sure that they have reached the end of the path, he hurries forward toward the new door. Mund catches him just as he is ready to throw the golden door open. Grabbing the 1/2 orcs hand as it reaches for the door latch, Mund stops Harp. "This may be your mission, but you're not going to get us all killed now. Let Surin take a look." Harp's face turns into a sheet of anger and Mund knows that the 1/2 orc is just about ready to attack him. In fact he is sure that he is about to be in the fight of his life. His hand is on his axe and he is readying it when he sees something strange.
Harp's face becomes calm. The anger that had just been there flows out of him. "Mund, you are right. Please forgive me." The barbarian is not sure what to say. Damn it. He had almost wanted Harp to fight him, and now the 1/2 orc was peaceful? What was going on. Shrugging his shoulders, he turns back and Surin speaks up. "No traps that I can find. It's ok to go." Mund motions for Harp to open the door. Harp signals for everyone to kneel and the 1/2 orc does.
The gold door opens into a large room, 50 feet north south and 70 feet east west. The party has entered on the north wall. There are no other obvious doors. There is an obvious throne near the middle of the back wall. It is very large and very ornate. There is an old man sitting on the throne. On the right arm of the throne is a globe of crystal or glass. On the west wall is a large table, covered with what looks to be gold and jewels and weapons of all sorts. On the east wall is what looks to be a large empty table. As the party is taking this in a voice comes from the alter.
"Oh get up, get up. That damned bard Lane had to go put that line in the first room. Every one who gets this far thinks that they have to come groveling or I'll blast them to smithereens. Get up and come forward. You've beaten the challenges. You have nothing else to worry about now." The old man is standing on the dais around the throne, gesturing the party to enter. He is tall, about 6', not heavily built. He has pale skin, white hair and is dressed in robes. The robes have a pattern that makes one dizzy if it is stared at too long. He has a small metal object in his hand that is just under a foot long and no more than several inches wide. His voice seems stronger than should be coming from some one who looks so old.
OODM: What do you do? New dungeon map and new room map.
From: Porter
Subject He that sees
Mund strolls in, looks the man straight in the eye, and asks, "Who are you, and how do we get out of here?"
From: Kevin
Subject He that sees
Harp looks around carefully as he gets up and slowly enters the room. There is a peace in his heart like he has not felt in a long, long time. Even just a moment ago, he had been ready to rip the heart out of that overbearing, uncouth Mund, but now.... nothing but peace. As he enters the room and sees the dais and tables, he becomes more concerned with formalities. He was a representative of the Order and he had to put on a good face.
"Well met. My name is Harp. I am a member of the Order of the Silver Sword. My companions and I were sent on a quest by the leaders of the Order - we were to recover one of the gems of the crown of Besied Valorshield. If what I have been told is right, that would make you his friend, Lothnar? Am I correct?"
As his is saying this, Harp is moving into the room slowly keeping his eyes only on the man on the alter.
From: Ashley
Subject Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennefer Love Hewitt? Ugh, you are such a guy. :P
From: Josh
Subject He that sees
Kal lowers his head in respect, and keeps quiet.
From: Porter
Subject JLH
I've never understood why she's popular.
From: Kevin
Subject JLH
She has a modicum of talent, she's not unattractive, she's single, and she has "huge tracks of land" as the Pythons would say. Not saying I want to marry her, just have her improve the family gene pool. My wife would have done the same with Patrick Swayze or Sting.
From: Porter
Subject JLH
There are about a million single, attractive, untalented actresses with large breasts in Hollywood. Color me unimpressed.
From: Mark
Subject He that sees
"Who am I?" The man laughs. Mund finds that when he is 10 feet away from the man his forward motion is stopped. It is like he has walked into a wall that he can not see. "I am, as the young 1/2 orc has said, Lothnar, creator of this place. As to how you get out of here, I get you out of here, when our business is done. But that is getting ahead of ourselves."
The old man turns to Harp. "Yes I am Lothnar. Friend and advisor to Bresied Valorshield. In most things he listened to me and took my council. The only thing Breezy didn't listen to me about was his preference in bards. He always did like those that were over the top."
He looks up at the entire group as they enter. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? Maybe for some real food? Not that crap those spells and prayers make?"