I think you guys already rested for the 8 hours.  (Remember when Borimer heard something at the door?)  Did I miss something?

"Let's get started up those stairs then, see if we can find more codes."

Borimer prepares to lead the way up the stairs to the second floor.

actually you are correct we rested

"Let's have Edmure go first, unless you want to walk around with a blindfold on Borimer." Kahan offers, giving the fighter a slight smirk.

Harak readies himself to accompany Borimer in his explorations.

"Um yes, Edmure first. Definitely Emure first."

Borimer prepares to follow Edmure up the staircase to the second floor.

Edmure leads the way.  The stairs double back to the balcony that overlooks the Time Ark room (16).

OOC: You might not have read the description of room 16 carefully, which mentions the overhead balcony.  Just thought I'd point it out:  "A massive table sits in the center of this octagonal room. A staircase rises up through the eastern wall, doubling back to the railed balcony that circles the tall room overhead. A glowing green globe suspended from the ceiling dimly lights the room. There are also double doors leading north and south."

So here you are at the Observation Walk above room 16.  A rickety wooden railing encloses the balcony area but does not appear very stable.

There is a door to the north, a door to the west, and a hallway leading south.  The hallway leads to an east door, a west door, and then curves sharply to the west.

Borimer listens at the north door.

At the north door, he hears a strange humming sound behind the door like the reverberations of steel after it is struck against a rock.  It seems to continue nonstop.

Kahan looks around the hallway carefully, trying to make sure he doesn't look into the eyes of anything that may or may not be there (not even his comrades). "What do you think that is?" he asks the fighter, checking to see if there is a crack under the door that he could peek through.

Do you mean he is walking to the edge of the hall (where "23" is at), or simply looking down from the room to where the 23 is at?

Simply looking down. If he was moving, I would have stated so clearly. I honestly hadn't even realized there was a bend there until you mentioned it.

Borimer shakes his head while drawing Chianta.  He motions at the door as though pushing it, and then when his comrades are ready he opens it.

In reply to Kahan Singh (msg # 38):

That's what I thought.  Just making sure.

Borimer leads the way into the northern room (32d).

This room looks very familiar.  It is another Crystal Focus Room.  On the first floor, you saw an identical room (32a), except that the strange device was pointing up.  This time, the device is pointing from east to west across the room.

The east side of the wall has carved out of it an octagonal shaped indenture, from which a mechanism sticks out (parabolic dish).  The mechanism consists of a parabolic dish carved and smoothed out of the face of an octagonal block of granite, all mounted inside a framework with eight metal tracks. A large, screwlike device moves the granite block along these tracks. At the front of the tracks, eight rods hold a crystal in place in front of the granite dish. The crystal pulsates with light.

On the wall adjacent to the crystal focus device, you see another 12 digit display (transfinite repeater display).

There are exits to the north and west, as well as the one you came through to the south.

The humming sound you heard was the humming of the device.  It issues a constant, low pulsing hum almost inaudible.

You don't remember hearing the low hum before, which leads you to only one conclusion:  The device must have been recently used, and these reverberations are like the echows of a vibrating sword after it has struck the ground with some force.

Kahan walks over to the number display and attempts to figure out if there is a way to turn on the machine or activate it in any obvious way. "I hate to be so optimistic, but if Esylia just used this machine, it's quite possible she is no longer here. We should stay on our guard, however, as I have no idea how this machine works, or what it would even do."

Kahan notices the numbers in the transfinite repeater display are listed as follows:  486267825798

The one you had found in the room below had the following numbers:

"Damn ancient magic..."

Borimer mutters under his breath while sheathing Chianta. He keeps watch over the various exits from the room while keener minds consider the strange device.

While looking over the device, you hear strange sounds from the west, including sounds like moans, grunts, and even like someone is (unsuccessfully) trying to open the door.

Borimer immediately readies himself near the west door for any incoming danger.

Kahan holds his hand up to Borimer as he walks towards the door. "Androlus? Is that you?" he asks the entity behind the door, wondering if this was where Esylia was keeping him. Figuring Esylia would have likely barged through the door if she thought they were here, the priest tries to open the door, likely in vain.

Kahan hears only gurgled response from beyond.  He touches the door and feels a slight electric charge on his hand.  The door appears magically locked, like several of the others were.  Whoever is on the other side also appears unable to get through.

"Is there anyway you can bring down the magic? Or protect me if I open the door?"

Flint had been brooding all morning, uncertain how to deal with the situation and wanting desperately to get Draaz's spells copied into his spellbook.  He has been looking at the spellbook all morning and finally tucks it away into his robes.

He comes to attention at Borimer's request and says, "I can cast a knock spell that might open it, if everyone is ready."

"Please do. I have a feeling this is where Esylia is keeping Androlus. If we can get him out of here without alerting the serpentine menace, then we can set up a trap, or even get out of here without having to kill her." Kahan replies quietly, motioning for Flint (and anyone else who speaks up) to keep their voices down. The priest gets ready for the spellcaster to open the door, preparing to catch the old man when it opens in case he falls out, staring at the ground the whole time.

Borimer also prepares for whatever may come through the door after Flint's magic spell opens it.