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06:51, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

The Dark Tower - Level The Second.

Posted by SkaldFor group 0
Brindle
player, 988 posts
Brindle Thistlefoot
Halfling
Sun 23 May 2021
at 00:30
  • msg #842

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"All right, I'm coming. If it was a faint transmutation I would guess it might be a rope trick hidey-hole but that wouldn't be moderate strength aura. Let's see what we can find," he agrees, accepting Aurion's assistance.
Skald
GM, 1450 posts
Licenced to Kill
Sun 23 May 2021
at 06:52
  • msg #843

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

As Gnoll and Orc exchange details (if truly horrible ones), Aurion obligingly if somewhat vaguely waves the Mayor's Ring in the direction of the flames, impressing Gratchscartch somewhat as he thus banishes them, allowing everyone to cross the threshold into the ante-chamber without getting burned alive.  And if there is a respectful distance left between those persons and the aforementioned threshold, who are any of us to judge ?  Suffice to say, the flames do not immediately rouse again for a warm encore.

While Aurion and both Halflings (Cogwitz electing to join the Elf and Brindle) search the Wizard's Workshop, Tesseryn assumes the traditional and proper stance and throws wide the double doors on the northern wall opposite. 

But beyond is only an inky darkness which light does not penetrate and from which no sound can be heard within.  Undoubtedly foul magics were involved, though the ex-Paladin can no longer be certain of that, instead being forced to trust his instincts which tell him, from long and bitter experience that it is so.

In the Wizard's Workshop, itself located suspiciously close to an evil temple, the ceiling is providing much entertainment for our intrepid trio of investigators. Standing on the table, Aurion gives Brindle a lift up, allowing the Halfling to poke and prod the roof above inquiringly, whereupon he discovers two things.  Firstly that a there is a two foot square iron plate in the middle of the stone ceiling, and secondly that it doesn't like being poked.

"Oy !  Stop that right now !" the iron plate demands.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
Brindle
player, 989 posts
Brindle Thistlefoot
Halfling
Mon 24 May 2021
at 10:34
  • msg #844

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Brindle hops down from Aurion’s shoulders to join him standing on the table looking up at the talking iron plate on the ceiling.

”Well, hello to you, friend. I apologise for poking you like that but we weren’t sure where you were. Do you have a name? Tell us a bit about yourself, too. We met a couple of talking doors previously. Are you anything like that or something complete different?” he asks.
Aurion Moonbeak_
player, 171 posts
Sat 29 May 2021
at 00:35
  • msg #845

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Annoying furniture is your specialty, Brindle. I'll leave you two to chat." Aurion steps down from the table and moves to the southeast corner where he detected an illusion. He gropes along the wall trying to believe its not really there at all.
Tesseryn Brightsoul
player, 381 posts
Fallen Paladin
Broken Arm of Dauros
Sat 29 May 2021
at 00:54
  • msg #846

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... um, GM, i think the map didn't update properly ... i can't see an area of inky darkness which light does not penetrate.

Tesseryn sheathes his greatsword, unaware that anyone is keeping count.  He opens his pack, looking for something whit which to test or tempt the inky blackness.  he unrolls a packet of cooked sausages, the last two.  The first he tosses through the door into the darkness.  The second he considers for a moment then tosses it to Gratchscartch, a peace offering perhaps, or perhaps to delay the gnoll from leaping in after first.  "Enjoy."  He watches the black threshold to see if it does.
Gratchscartch
player, 8 posts
Sun 30 May 2021
at 12:31
  • msg #847

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

In reply to Tesseryn Brightsoul (msg # 846):

Having not encountered talking steel plates or furniture the Gnoll's brow twists in curiosity.  He moves closer to get a better look and is about to give it a cautious sniff when Tesseryn decides to play fetch.

And missing the Paladin's cue entirely Gratchscartch afforded one sausage is not to miss out on the other.

His jaw drops open he sees the fatty treat thrown away and in an indignant tone asks.  "What wrrrong?  Why chuck small meatsack to darrrk?  Me be herrre, me not therrre."

In one gulp his sausage disappears and then leaps on all fours into the dark nose first to rescue the other.


OOG: Oh indeed you gave Gratchscartch one so he wouldn't go in after the other.  That's not how dogs work!  But i suspect you know that....
Wrukaog_
player, 87 posts
Sun 30 May 2021
at 13:04
  • msg #848

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Wrukaog grunts in surprise when the gnoll bounds into the darkness that even he cannot see into.

He moves closer behind Tesseryn and cups a hand around his ear, listening for canine yelps of pleasure or pain.

OOC: Wrukaog_ rolled 11 using 1d20-1.  Listen skill check.
Tesseryn Brightsoul
player, 382 posts
Fallen Paladin
Broken Arm of Dauros
Sun 30 May 2021
at 22:36
  • msg #849

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Tesseryn is startled by Grartchscartch's plunge into darkness.  Belatedly he tries to block the gnoll's path, but his heavy armour hampers his efforts and he stumbles through the dark doorway in the gnoll's wake.
06:24, Today: Tesseryn Brightsoul rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Dex check stop Grartchscartch.
Skald
GM, 1451 posts
Licenced to Kill
Mon 31 May 2021
at 07:04
  • msg #850

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Sausages, sausages ...

The first of Tesseryn's sausages disappears into the darkness, vanishing utterly from sight and making no sound when (if) it lands.  The second flies to the air, only to be consigned to the dark depths of Gratchscartch's stomach.  Yet the Gnoll has not abandoned hope of the first of the fatty parcels of goodness and chases after it, he too disappearing from sight and sound.

Tesseryn half falls, half follows the Gnoll into the darkness as he very luckily fails to catch him leaving the big Orc by the open door beyond which lies only inky blackness, the ex-prisoners gathered about him, all straining their ears but hearing no sound of the agonised cries within. 

In the wizard's workshop, Aurion pokes and prods the suspicious wall, though his fingers find only stone and it complains not at all.  Brindle takes the talking ceiling in his stride and addresses it politely.

"I am Hingest," the iron plate replies to the Halfling, "and I can assure you the doors around here keep to themselves, though one might wish that goats did likewise.  I am a ceiling, of course, structural, NOT mere furniture.  I am Berkam-Shem's most trusted advisor," he adds, modestly.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ... the area of inky blackness is through the open doors at the top left of map wherein Tesseryn and Gratchscartch ventured, marked with a '?'.  ;> 
Tesseryn Brightsoul
player, 384 posts
Fallen Paladin
Broken Arm of Dauros
Mon 31 May 2021
at 10:52
  • msg #851

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

OOT: private to GM
Wrukaog_
player, 88 posts
Mon 31 May 2021
at 15:03
  • msg #852

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Giant Wrukaog snarls menacingly and pulls out one of the javelins strapped on his backpack. He pokes it into the darkness, pulls it out to check it hasn't been disintegrated, then pokes it back in and feels for the floor in the darkness.

"Anyone got a carking rope?" he asks.
Aurion Moonbeak_
player, 172 posts
Thu 3 Jun 2021
at 10:35
  • msg #853

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Ah yes, Hingest, Shem spoke highly of you, and not just of your position in the ceiling." Aurion lies smoothly, leaving the mystery wall and coming to stand beside Brindle. "He said we should confide in you, that he'll be staying in the village a few days to take stock of the Mayor's library." He gives trapdoor a conspiratorial wink. "Shem sent the goat for the belt, but the intolerable creature hasn't come back with it yet, so he sent us to fetch it. I am Aurion and my small friend is Brindle. Has that annoying goat been back here recently?"

18:10, Today: Aurion Moonbeak_ rolled 24 using 1d20+10.  bluff Hingist.
Brindle
player, 990 posts
Brindle Thistlefoot
Halfling
Sat 5 Jun 2021
at 12:45
  • msg #854

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Such a fascinating name, too. Hingest - does that mean you are hinged, as well as being the highest in the room? I would love to see how that works," Brindle added on top of Aurion's questions.
Skald
GM, 1452 posts
Licenced to Kill
Mon 7 Jun 2021
at 05:34
  • msg #855

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Wrukaog cleverly confirms both that the darkness is not the all-consuming, destructive and deadly kind, and that there is indeed a floor on the other side of the threshold (or at least that there is something solid at about floor height within five feet), though he hears nothing as he taps it down, instead having to rely on simple observation. 

The ex-prisoners to a man and woman deny having such a thing as rope.  Well, Moram just ignores the big Orc, but that's only to be expected.

Meantime Aurion and Brindle converse with the ceiling.

"There's mutual respect," Hingest seems quite pleased with Aurion's report. "Oh, and I think you'll find there's a loose stone just by the corner that'll open the secret passage you were looking for," he adds confidentially and somewhat smugly.

"The goat is an imbecile," he agrees with the Elf's opinion of the beast, "no, it has not returned - at least not to this chamber, most thankfully.  But what is this belt of which you speak ?  Berkam never mentioned such to me."  The ceiling sounds a little petulant.

"Hingest is an old family name," he tells the Halfling, somewhat coldly.  "I wouldn't read too much into it.  I come from a long line of Hingests."

"Now ... what is a 'mayor' ?'"
Brindle
player, 991 posts
Brindle Thistlefoot
Halfling
Fri 11 Jun 2021
at 13:45
  • msg #856

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Oh, thanks for clarifying that, Hingest. A Mayor? That is one of those titles that humans sometimes give to the man they choose to be the leader of a town or city. If they choose a woman instead they would call her Mayoress," Brindle explained.

"Say, you would probably know the answer to another question that I have been wondering about. Berkam-Shem was wearing a fascinating pair of bracers when we met him. I could tell they were enchanted. He was quite proud of them but he didn't have time to explain what they do. Could you tell me anything about them or where he got them from?"
Wrukaog_
player, 89 posts
Fri 11 Jun 2021
at 13:51
  • msg #857

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Once satisfied that the darkness is not immediately lethal, Wrukaog leans forward to poke his head through the darkened doorway to find out whether he can see, hear or smell anything on the other side.

He will pull his head back out again soon after to tell those nearby whatever he has learnt, then either poke his head back in again or step through completely, if appropriate.
Aurion Moonbeak_
player, 173 posts
Sat 12 Jun 2021
at 05:32
  • msg #858

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Old family heirloom, he said." Aurion pats his waistline to vaguely suggest a belt. "Hasn't seen it in decades. Enchanted he said. It could be anywhere. Shem said you'd help us look for it, and a few other nick-nacks he asked about. We'll need a thorough search. A loose stone, eh? I'd never have found that. Thank you Hingest, most helpful! Any other hidden nooks here about?"

He presses the loose stone where Hingest suggested and opens any door revealed, continuing to Detect Magic as he does so.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:34, Sat 12 June 2021.
Tesseryn Brightsoul
player, 385 posts
Fallen Paladin
Broken Arm of Dauros
Sat 12 Jun 2021
at 06:04
  • msg #859

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Private to GM...
Skald
GM, 1453 posts
Licenced to Kill
Sun 13 Jun 2021
at 06:19
  • msg #860

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

If the ceiling has any further questions after Brindle's explanation of mayoralty, such as what a 'town' or 'city' might be... or even a 'man' or 'woman' for that matter ... it keeps them firmly to itself.  Bracers, however, Hingest does know a little about.

"I know not where he got them, but Berkam believes they afford him some measure of protection," the ceiling offers in turn, "though I never had the opportunity to witness their efficacy."

"I believe the orcs have much the same purpose," it speculates.

"I know nothing of any belt," Hingest repeats for Aurion's benefit.  "Perhaps one of the orcs has it ?"

Meantime Wrukaog does his own version of the Hokey Pokey, but rather than risk his limbs the big Orc sticks his head into the darkness before eventually pulling it back out again. 

Elsewhere, Tesseryn stumbles through that same mire.

Guided by Hingest to the only hidden nook that the ceiling will admit to, Aurion finds the loose stone and is rewarded by the sort of grinding noise that typically indicates stone moving upon stone ... but the south wall remains solid as ever.

OOC: Map of the proceedings updated ...
Brindle
player, 992 posts
Brindle Thistlefoot
Halfling
Sun 13 Jun 2021
at 11:45
  • msg #861

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

"Thank you, Hingest. I liked the look of those bracers. I hope I am lucky enough to find some as attractive as those, some day," Brindle says to the ceiling.

Aurion's discovery soon draws his attention away from the ceiling.

"Oh, that's interesting. You said there was an illusion aura there, didn't you? Perhaps there is an illusion of a wall to help hide the secret door, even after it has opened."
Wrukaog_
player, 90 posts
Sun 13 Jun 2021
at 11:58
  • msg #862

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Giant Wrukaog pulls his head out of the darkness long enough to tell the others, "It's blacker than a witch's arse on a dark night in there. I can't see nothing and can't hear a carking thing, neither. Dunno how big the room is in there but it'd be too easy to get lost in that darkness and not be able to find the way back out again. I'll reach in and poke around to try to find them two carking fools and fetch them out again."

He will turn his javelin around so he can feel about with the blunt end then will step right into the darkness, but still holding onto the doorframe with his left hand while he uses his right hand to sweep the javelin back and forth across the floor as far into the room as he can reach.
Gratchscartch
player, 9 posts
Thu 17 Jun 2021
at 11:57
  • msg #863

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Gratchscarth, on all fours with his nose to the ground, returns from the darkness apparently unperturbed for not being able to see or hear within.

He shakes himself and stands tall, picking the remnants of his rescued sausage treat from between his back teeth with a rather unsanitary looking claw.  Now satisfied he has consumed all of the bounty he thumps his chest with a balled fist, belching loudly.

After this he lifts his nose to the air sniffing deeply, allowing it to lead him a little back into the room and around to the edge of darkness once again.

"Yes"  Pointing a hand into the darkness he adds "Many Goblin stinks that way" adding with an evil grin "Good.  Goblins find trrraps forrr us.  Always much fun.  Silly faces when head crrrush orrr arrrms chops off"  This is said not as a question or a matter for discussion but more as stating a matter of fact with the addition of a funny and well worn anecdote.

He thrusts his hand into his scale mail pants to vigorously rummage around where one might expect to find canine nether regions.  Like a child concentrating on drawing, his eyes cross and his tongue lolls about till the searching stops and with a  grinning he yanks his hand out.  To the relief of all it is a 3ft long end of a presumably much longer piece of rough hemp rope.

"Herrre, grrrab dis.  Can see nothing hearrr nothing in darrrk.  But can smell." and with that he hands the rope end to anyone bold enough to take it then continues to pull out the rope in a series of rapid tugs till another end appears, roughly 5oft.

"Tie on, me lead way"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Thu 17 June 2021.
Gratchscartch
player, 10 posts
Thu 17 Jun 2021
at 11:59
  • msg #864

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

OOG:  So you're telling me that no-one has any rope?  And you call yourselves adventurers?   he he he.

Skald:  I love the talking ceiling.  Pity my character has little interest in it.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:02, Thu 17 June 2021.
Tesseryn Brightsoul
player, 386 posts
Fallen Paladin
Broken Arm of Dauros
Fri 18 Jun 2021
at 07:32
  • msg #865

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

OOT: Wish i could tell Skald that Tesseryn loves the dark room, but no. Private to GM...
Aurion Moonbeak_
player, 174 posts
Fri 18 Jun 2021
at 07:47
  • msg #866

The Dark Tower - Level The Second

Favouring Hingest with an appreciative smile, Aurion replies, "Oh, I don't think Shem would entrust an heirloom to those orcs. But he certainly trusts you to guard his most valuable possessions. Is there another room up above you Hingest?"  He feels along the wall while waiting for Hingest's reply. If he finds an opening in the wall he will press through if he is able to.
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