Ch. 6: The Great Hall and Beyond

[AleBelly]

Yeah, he had his lantern lit so he could summon a fire elemental if needed.

[Zhym]

Dredd feels three sharp tugs on the rope.

[Grognardsw]

Malibran nods, "I understand your concern and moving on for now seems wise. I will again mention that we should consider a rest period. Our healing spells are about depleted, and I would like to refresh with some mental ablutions to better prepare our group for the unexpected...."

"Aye, let us try to rest. Any protective spells against undead, creatures from the negative plane or other protections may help us," says Elsa when that idea is raised.

If the party continues, she follows along.

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:

The tenacious tomb raider hands the rope to Elsa and slides down it after Zoster.

[ravenn4544]

Malibran will follow as appropriate. "Inching closer to victory," he camlly states with confidence to reassure his weary comrades - and perhaps even himself.

A few moments pass and then some reflection to take his mind off the terrible evil that must lurk nearby, "The riddle speaks of this I think - certainly there can be no denying that was the iron statue of visage grim and more than met our eye with this concealed door. As for the left and left bit... we certainly just 'left' that room.. as in 'leave'.. do we have to leave another room to find the tomb? or maybe an actual left turn?....or left something or someone behind...? "

He clutches his symbol..and his mace...a bit tighter...

[Zhym]

The surviving party members slide down the chute, where they find themselves at the end of a 10' wide passage that turns right after 10'. Zoster's lantern is on the floor. He's standing by the south wall, where he shows you a small metal-lined opening in the wall—an obvious keyhole for a secret door!

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Status: Elsa (F10): 58/58; Malibran (C10): 37/68; Zoster (F9/D12): 34/76; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: Protection from Lightning (Zoster): 141 hp left

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:

"At last! We've finally left and left," Dredd rumbled as he tried to pick the lock of the secret door on the left.

[Zhym]

Dredd finds the lock to be impossible to pick.

[AleBelly]

"Does anyone have any of the keys we've collected? I picked up the one from the stairs outside the mithril doors, but it appears to have disappeared with my other possessions, and the efreeti did not return it to me" remarks Zoster. "I am still protected against lightning, so if there is indeed such a trap I can weather it well."

[Inferno]

Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:

Dredd finds the lock to be impossible to pick.

Dredd continues to feel flustered, flummoxed, futile and frustrated, a constant condition since he entered this accursed tomb.

Grumbling and huffing, he waddles aside for Zoster to try the black key.

[Zhym]

Will Zoster try the key he found on the multicolored stairs?

BTW, there is no black key. The key you found on the stairs is bronze.

[Grognardsw]

Elsa raises shield and sword, ready for another trap or monster beyond door.

[AleBelly]

Yes. Sorry, I thought I had already posted that.

Zoster, bracing himself for another nasty shock, puts the key from the stairs in the lock.

[Zhym]

Nothing happens.

[AleBelly]

OK, he turns the key. Left, we'll say.

[Zhym]

Nothing happens again.

[AleBelly]

He turns it to the right, though this seems to violate the riddle.

[Zhym]

A whole lot of nothing keeps happening.

[AleBelly]

A whole lot of nothing keeps happening.

In this place, that's as good as a win!

He turns it left and right. Then left, left; then right, right; then left, right; then right, left. He'll also try every possible iteration of three turns.

(If he feels any give in the mechanism, he'll follow the feeling there).

[Zhym]

Zoster tries every combination of directions he can think of. It's like experimental dance, key style. Nothing works.

He eventually decides that the bronze key must not open this lock. Perhaps the party has another key that might do the trick?