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.