From his position near the foot of the stairs, Feldard kept watch both up along the stairway and back within the room. The ladder was a bit of a mystery, he had to admit. Did it lead up to a hidden alcove within the wall it rested on? Or was it merely set there while not in use someplace else?
The dwarf leaned against the corner of the hall glancing back into the room. If the ladder did lead up to a hidden route or alcove, it was rather dim-witted to hint to its hidden presence by leaving the ladder out. Feldard scratched at his beard. Maybe the ladder itself was a trap? The dwarf took a few steps back towards the room. Should he suggest that to the others? Bah, the rogue was a cautious one and Miklos well-learned, surely they’ve both thought of that possibility themselves. Still, he moved to the doorway and kept closer watch.
Injured though he was, Hasan didn’t want to ignore the inscription that room contained the treasures of the Elyan. Yes, that writing could be bait. But the frescoes showed that the possibilities for the rebirth of his tribe were great, and that was something that he couldn’t ignore. Surely, the trapped vault must contain something of value.
Hasan approached the vault again. However, before entering the vault, he winked at Nicolai and said, “While your skills with the mechanical are amazing, let me try something a bit more direct.” With that, he drew he hands back and smote them firmly together—the heart of an incantation he had learned that locked doors. After casting the spell to hold the portal that contained the trap, Hasan cautiously stepped again into the vault and around the unfortunate skeleton. The door to the trap remained firmly closed allowing free access to the room.
6 Comments
April 7, 2008 at 7:02 pm
“Nice trick there, Hasan. ” the dwarf commented after a moment of tense watching, half expecting the trap to trigger again.
With the vault being checked over, Feldard looked back over to the mage still peering up at the ladder. “Hey, Nicolai, how long are you going to let Miklos stare up there without offering to check it out? We do have other places to check.. so if someone is going to climb the damned ladder, get to it already.” The dwarfs comment was rather abrupt sure, but he hoped it prompted folks to action. He’d climb it himself, but was rather leery of heights, and when given a choice avoided them.
April 7, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hasan searched the vault, especially the floor and roof, reasoning that the out walls could lead nowhere, as the vault was positioned in the center of the larger room. As he was doing so, he grabbed the ancient coins and examined the skeleton a bit more closely.
April 8, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Miklos nodded in appreciation at Hasan’s elf magic. All too rarely had he witnessed this Saeth being rather reserved in her somatics. Hasan was the opposite, with determined sweeps of his hand deft and expert. He leant on his staff and waited for the outcome of the search.
April 8, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The room was too small for Maruc to be of much use. He stepped out of the vault chamber to glance up the stairs to ensure they were not going to be surprised by un invited newcommers.
April 8, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Nicolai stood back as Hasan did some kind of weird elf trick. Still if Hasan trusted magic he was welcome to it. He backed off allowing the Siswa entrance to the inner chamber. Whether Hasan commanded Nicolai’s full trust or not was yet to be tested…
He left the elf and the others to their searches and joined the cleric in the stairwell.
As usual their eyes didn’t meet and he made no attempt to start a conversation.
April 8, 2008 at 9:59 pm
“weird elf trick” … good line from Nicolai.