In reply to Narrator (msg # 830):

And more done, resting as required to stay above 50% energy.

[Private to GM: Rolled between 9 and 4 under skill, 7 rolls.]

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 831):

You uncover an archway with an iron bande and locked door

In reply to Narrator (msg # 832):

Which Cristine will open...

[Private to GM: Rolled 10 under Lockmaster spell.]

"Christine, shouldn't we check first whether this is safe?  I don't just mean traps, but how many buildings can stand up to having a hill on top?"

OOC Because McNealy was cooking an hour, I am waiting for the high sign that he's done and part of the action again.

In reply to Evelina Grattan (msg # 834):

"Or are they disguised as a hill? But yes, I will see if it is safe by entering. If it was going to collapse, it would have done so by now. You are welcome to join me."

"I suppose if it were going to collapse the door would stick.  Just remember, Holy Sister and I haven't learned Christine's trick to push soil out of the way; we'd have to do it the old fashioned way -- and I don't recall seeing a shovel in the cart."

Tired of waiting, Masugatan joins Emma.  Anything is better than standing around until magic explodes all around you.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 838):

"I thi k he's done. I just saw him close the last strap on his pony."

"Seems like whoever worked here is either pretty careless, or hasn't been here in a good while -- but in case of the former, we should be cautious, and not assume they're evil folk just because they have a workshop out here in the sticks."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Mon 21 Dec 2020.

McNealy approaches, as the last of his brew has been stashed on Cookie.  After listening to the discussion a moment, he adds his own perspective.  "If you want me opinion, this looks like an accident.  You have a bunch of potions all mixed together here.  I doubt this was by design.  Probably the lab exploded when someone tried to do too many potions at once, or maybe something bad got conjured by the mixture.  You can also get various types of poisons as byproducts of the mix.  We could be looking at an accidental overdose or byproduct death."

The tradesman pauses for a second, and then continues.  "Or, we could have someone who got transfigured somehow, so we could literally find just about anything in there.  Be on your guard."

Jednesa continues sitting outside, watching the cart, and idly gazing around.




OOC:  No one has told her something is going on, which unless the 'moved earth' is being maintained is probably wise.  She might cause a cave in trying to shove through a tight earthen corridor.

In reply to Jednesa (msg # 842):

Christine will let others know once she has opened the door, at which time she will start resting again.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 843):

Emma will wait for Masugatan before opening the door.

After coaching up his peers on what they might find, the tradesman looks to explore with the others.

OOC  I assume Alchemist McNealy knows about the others going through the door.  He will be right behind them, and anxious to see what's behind the door.  Usually he would be chatty, but in this moment he recognizes the need for silence.  He's doing his best...

The sisters wait for the others (aside from Jednesa) to enter, then Elaina follows them in with her torch-bright tent pole sticking up and whip at the ready.  Evelina follows Elaina.

"Jednesa?  You should be able to get through this door, it's as big as the ones at the Guild."

Masugatan offers to open the door for Emma.

In reply to Masugatan (msg # 847):

She allows this unusual display of a Gentleman...

In reply to Emma Wilson (msg # 848):

Beyond the door, which lockmaster opened,  is a dim vaulted space with a stale burnt smell.

He's almost falling over the people in front of him because he's anxious to see what the room holds, but Alchemist McNealy still urges caution. "be careful" he hisses.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 850):

Given the steps up, you are pretty sure that this roomis somewhere above the cav level.

The ceiling is barrel vaulted, and the flooring is large and smooth regular flagstones. A backed bench with a mirror and coat rack is to one side,  with a pair of boots under the bench, and a heavy cloak hanging from one of the hooks.
To the other side is a small door, and straight ahead is a pair of arched double doors.

There are sconces with small jars set in them, and a pair of chandeliers on either side of the large doors, also set with small jars instead of candles.

The sisters hang back, letting the little alchemist precede them.  As before, Evelina goes first, with Elaina following a few paces behind.

McNealy's eyes narrow, and he appraises the room.  This was meant to be the main entrance to something.  How the door they came in came to be buried was a mystery.  As the Tradesman walks over to examine the sconces, he waves the ladies over at the cloak and boots.  During examination of the sconces, he murmurs "lightbombs..." to himself.

OOC  The previous inhabitant probably used alchemical light to illuminate the room.  Alchemist McNealy will verify that via examination, and then proceed to do the same with the chandeliers.

It doesn't look like there is anything resembling a workspace here, so the next step would be a general examination of the room.

In reply to McNealy (msg # 853):

The sconces contain stoppered vials of a solution long since settled into layers. Perhaps it can be emulsified into a stable solution

With the first wave inside, the sisters enter, and move toward the coat rack where McNealy directed them, partly to clear the doorway for Jednesa if she wishes to enter.

"Holy Sister, would you go out and leave your boots and cloak on the rack?  I think it's likely the proprietor was trapped here when the building was buried in earth, and likely died somewhere inside.  We should be on the lookout for a walker."