"Like I said before, I am uncertain whether using the crown will even effect Esylia. She has completely lost her mind, and the effects of her moral code might be so minuscule compared to her hatred for other beings that she will simply kill us regardless of the crown's effects." The priest states, heading out when the others are ready to move upstairs (or was it downstairs, since we started one floor below and the floor above us was actually below us?).

"If we could even get it ON her head to begin with.  Unfortunately I have to agree with Kahan on this...the crown is probably not the answer.  So let's go back and move upstairs carefully."

Flint moves back into Rm 21 and waits by the stairs.

"I assume Malissin is going first to see if he can stealthily peek into the room upstairs?  If so I can help in that regard by casting a spell on you that makes you invisible (to most)...."

You go up the stairs to the point marked 26 on the map.  You stand in a narrow hallway with three doors and the stairs leading back down, as shown:

Malissin will creep up the stairs, carefully keeping his eyes cast down as much as possible to avoid accidental petrification.

OOC: Heath, I'll let you roll my stealth checks to again keep things hidden. I'll assume that I"m stealthy, but you'll know whether I am or not.

You are already at the top of the stairs.  This is the third and final floor.

Malissin will check for traps on the "right" door (it will be on Malisson's left as he leaves the stairwell.

He then comes down to the second floor to bring the rest of the party up.

"A hallway with three doors. I always believe that given the choice, the left door provides the answers so that is the way I think we should proceed."

"It matters not to me, although judging by the floor plan from the previous two floors and their similarities, this floor is likely to follow the same sort of structure, at least somewhat. Take from that what you will." Kahan states, looking around at the others.

The east door does not appear to be trapped, but it is locked (non-magically), and appears to have been locked for some time with a rather intricate lock.  It appears that someone has tried to break through the door using force, but it is made of stone and has apparently held.  (-20% chance to open on a pick locks attempt.)

"Malissin, can you please check the other two doors for traps and or sounds?  Then we can try to make some intelligent pick."

OOC: Malissin, would you mind if I called you Mal?  I keep having to look up the spelling for your full name, LOL.  Old age creeping up on me I guess....

"I'm not sure if this has any influence on the situation, but for some reason, this lock is gnomish. I have no idea where it came from specifically, but I'm guessing some gnomes do not want anyone in this room." the priest stated.

Mal nods.

"The lock will be difficult to pick, but I can try."

Mal will check the west and south doors for traps before attempting to pick the gnomish lock.


OOC:
15:32, Today: Malissin rolled 55 using 1d100. lockpick.

"Gnomes..."

Borimer mutters while keeping his eyes alert to the surroundings, one hand always near Chianta's hilt.

Mal takes note of Borimer's fondness for the weapon. Leaning in towards Kahan, Mal whispers something.

Chuckling a little, Kahan nods, turning to the rogue and replying in a whisper.

Mal finds that this lock is rather difficult, and he spends a good deal of time working on.  But after about fifteen minutes, he hears a satisfying click, and the door unlocks.

Mal opens the door and you all look inside.

ROOM 29

You are peering into room 29.  This small, 10 foot by 10 foot room has only two interesting things in it.

First, the south wall is covered in a bizarre, ornate creation of metal rods, glass panes, globes, and ancient symbols, some sort of control mechanism for something.  It has some writings on it.  There are two crystal flat slabs (screens), one on the left and one on the right.  The one on the left is totally blank, but the one on the right appears to be projecting or viewing into a room, as though through a periscope.

Second, you are not alone.  Standing there, looking at the screen, is a gnome clad in the robes of the ancient Harkahnon order.  He turns when you enter and, upon seeing your face, appears to start scolding you, with one finger wagging.  There are just two problems.  The gnome is not completely solid, translucent.  He appears to be some kind of ghost.  And although he seems to be speaking to you, he makes no sound.

The door to the east appears also to be locked with the same gnomish lock that Mal just picked, though it unlocks from the inside.

On the north side of the room, you see a fading, rotting robe with a small skeleton inside.  It doesn't take a genius to understand that this is the final resting place for this gnomish ghost standing in front of you.

Mal quickly ducks back out of the room, not wishing to tangle with a ghost.

"Anyone speak Gnomish? Looks like some sort of...actually I don't know what that room is but it seems important. And gnomish."

Borimer feels Chianta itching to fight this undead corruption, yet he does nothing more than ready himself for when this gnome requires a more permanent death.  As an afterthought, Borimer steps into the room and unsheathes his blade...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:53, Mon 17 Sept 2012.

Borimer unsheathes his blade and mutters some sort of chant, but nothing seems to happen.

"Hold off there for a minute Borimer...if it meant us harm I think it would have attacked us already"

Flint enters the room and moves towards the ghost.

"Let me see if I can understand what he's saying..."

Flint mumbles some arcane words and a bit of soot and salt fall from his fingers as he reaches out to touch the apparition....

<OOC: Flint is casting a Comprehend Languages spell in an attempt to 'hear' and understand the ghost>

Flint casts a spell and tries to touch the apparition, but his hands go through its incorporeal form without effect, and there is still no sound coming from the mouth of the ghostly gnome.

"I guess your spell doesn't let you speak with the dead? Can you read the control panel at least?"

Meanwhile, the ghost still appears to be chastizing you and pointing to the broken screen as though you are responsible for breaking it.  You can tell it is very angry and possibly not logical anymore.

EDIT: Please keep in mind that even when spells don't do as desired, if cast or if interrupted (lost), they still count against your daily total.  So make sure to mark them off the list.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Mon 17 Sept 2012.

"Yeah, I was hoping it might work, but apparently not."

[OOC: I knew it was a longshot, but you have to try, right?  Anyway, maybe it'll still come in handy...]

Flint moves to the control panel and looks it over.

"Maybe my temporary insight into the gnomish language might help with this..."

Flint tries to make some sort of sense of the machine in front of him....

Flint looks over the writings.

The machine has dials underneath each screen with writing by the dials.  Underneath the dials are a number of buttons, a crank, and some levers.

The ghost does not appear to like Flint's close inspection and his hands curl into fists as it prepares to attack.

Thinking quickly Flint tells the group "At a quick guess I think this is the control room of that Brass Golem we were attacked by...."  Motioning to the ghost "and the owner looks pretty upset."

"If we could defuse the situation by apologizing or something, maybe he'll let us use the other Golem for our own purposes.....but we'd better come up with an idea fast"

Trying to be in view of the 'ghost' and pointing to the Broken screen and then to the group, Flint tries to make some sign of appeasement or apology.