While his companions recovered in the hallway where he’d dragged them to, the dwarf sourly paced the bottom of the stairs that led to Dentiata’s evil workshop. “Nicolai managed to open the compartment before he triggered that trap. I should go back up and check it out.” But he didn’t move that way quite yet. Who knew what other sort of evils the mage had guarding his secrets? Things more foul than darkness and mere sleeping gas. Thoughts of such kept the dwarf with the group and in a bad humour.
“Praise Halav the tray was not fatal.” Maruc said with feeling as soon as he realised what had happened. He looked with concern at his other formerly-unconscious friends but was relieved to see that they also were groggy, but fine.
Miklos was surprised when he awoke with the priest bending over him. “I’m fine, I’m fine, stop fussing.” He snapped.
After a brief recap over the events that lead to the trap being triggered Maruc commiserated with the young rogue, “Oh well , Nicolai this sort of thing happens to the best of us, think nothing of it. Be thankful rather that it wasn’t worse. Perhaps now we can discover what was protected by such an elaborate trap. Are you up for it?” He asked Nicolai.
“Yeah, sorry about that guys. I would have thought that might have been a touch more lethal considering he came downstairs to confront us earlier. He might’ve tried to stay hidden, and hope we’d all fallen under that sleeping gas.”
Miklos had been thinking the same thing, but then reconsidered it aloud, “Dentiata quite plainly thought himself impregnable. This trap was designed for the capture, and probably torture of miscreants. He may well have a score of hapless thieves in his dungeon ready for experimentation, poor souls… I wonder what Dentiata took great pains to conceal and protect?”
The group once again made their way back to the darkened area for a final search of the recess.
Inside the compartment they found three items:
- a huge over-sized black leather-bound book matching the dimensions of the altar’s podium
- a rolled up piece of parchment
- a small, sturdy black case covered with runes and a strange lock with no keyhole
8 Comments
April 27, 2007 at 7:14 am
“Hopefully the traps on the cupboard indicate that the book wasn’t used often… Any ideas what that little case is?” Saeth stared at the objects they had just found.
April 27, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Since the dwarf couldn’t read nor understand runes, Feldard left the further studying of the objects to the mage and/or cleric. He shrugged at the Elfs question. “Something to help him retrieve the Eye?”
The dwarf turned and looked to Ashira once more. “Dungeons. Lets’ go.”
April 27, 2007 at 3:44 pm
“Maybe these prisoners were told what was expected of them when they were to be sacrificed.”
April 27, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Miklos’s eyes lit up as Nicolai produced the books. “Now this is what we are after. If you would be so kind I would like to scan these texts over here by the table. Maruc, I noticed you investigating the shelf eariler. It may help my understanding if we made a list of the artifacts there.”
His mind racing he barreled on, it didn’t occur to him his comments might cause offence. “Feldard, my worthy and highly esteemed dwarf, we are not yet at the top of the tower.” Miklos gestured toward the stairwell. “Perhaps, defensively speaking, ensure the upper halls hold no threat before searching the dungeons below?”
April 27, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Maruc, taken aback somewhat, mumbled under his breath, “Who died and made you leader?”. Then in a louder voice he said, “Of course Miklos I defer to your superior course of action. As you can see this brief task will take but moments. Perhaps thereafter I may assist you in decyphering the texts? Remember Dentiata was fond on anagrams, The text might be laden with them.” he hoped the hint of sarcasm was not lost on the young Mage.
April 27, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Miklos registered the comment but chose not to be baited. “Thank you, Nicolai. Now lets see.” He opened the parchment first, a cursory glance at the scroll case indicated the the clue to opening it would need to be researched so no point in looking at that now. Also the book could wait until the parchment revealed its secrets.
“Let us see what Dentiata was up to….” Miklos studied the parchment.
April 27, 2007 at 10:13 pm
(doh I misread the map.. completely didn’t see them stairs going up)
The dwarf grumbled some at Miklos words; and without a word he altered direction and headed up the next set of stairs.. with or without the others.
April 30, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Saeth:
Maruc: 10xp+5xp
Miklos: 10xp+5xp+10xp
Nicolai: 10xp+10xp
Feldard: 10xp+10xp
TOTAL:
Saeth: 6030/8000
Maruc: 5985/6000
Miklos: 5990/10000
Nicolai: 5690/9600
Feldard: 6135/8800