After seeing to her duties with the local heroes, Lady Inara made her way over to the groups remaining. She pointed to Brimir and waived away the sheet. "It is their time. The stage is set and the crowds have returned," she said and gave a long look at Griswold. "Do you have any attempts to make at turning the crowd on me again, squire, or are you content to continue?" ,she asked. Lady Inara didn't even wait for any answer before she moved on to Brimir.

"I have received instructions that you are to accompany them. This group seems to be apt for causing difficulties during this contest. See to it that they do not cause any more trouble. For your own sake, participate with them. You are not a simple bystander in this."

With that, she indicated the door and shooed the group forward.

When you enter the door, you find your ears pop with pressure as you move through the shimmering haze that envelops the door's interior. There is no other sense of movement but you are in a stone block, circular room with no visible door. Mirrors line the walls and there sits a table in the middle with many different objects on it.

Wrenn shook his head as the transportation effect finished, "Well, how incredibly...familiar, that was."

After taking a look around to make sure that the rest of the group had all arrived safely, Wrenn moved to the table to have a look at the collection of things atop it.

Their surroundings may have changed, but Brimir's expression remained exactly as it had been since he turned his back on the Lady; brows drawn together in an ominous frown, like two great thunderheads poised to create a prodigious storm.

To the nearest mirror he turned, checking his reflection. Noting the collar was off he straightened his doublet beneath the surcoat, then reached down with a long arm to tuck his breeches more neatly into his high boot. Brimir took his time in ensuring that he was as well-presented as possible; as he did so he studied the other contestants, the table, and the room behind in the polished window of his mirror.

Griswold's shoulders twitched at the lingering feeling of, he supposed, teleportation.  After a moment of warding off the unfamiliar feeling, his gaze came to rest on the ogre that had been ordered to accompany them.  He walked over and laid a hand on one of the creature's meaty arms.  Unable to comfortably reach a shoulder.  With a sorrowful smile he said: "Good sir, I fear that my...enthusiasm is to blame for you being here.  For that, I apologise most sincerely."

Grey eyes looked down toward the squire's hand, then sought Griswold's in the mirror.

"I am here," Brimir pulled the cuff into place at each wrist with a sharp tug, "Because my employer has told me to be here. Such is the nature of my position." He paused. Sincere or not, the rabble-rousing would-be knight had observed good form. Brimir respected good form. His brows parted and the frown receded.

"It would appear that I am at your service." The ogre's bald head inclined toward Griswold and, by extension, the group of ticket-holders.

"That is, until someone threatens to disrupt the contest again," he added, his deep and distinctly even voice laced with just a hint of dryness.

00:21, Today: Brimir rolled 2 using 1d20.  Perception - Looking at the man in the mirror..

The room door vanishes after the last of the party enters. The table is littered with various items and small trinkets. Nothing seems to be of real value. The only curiosity in the room seems to be an inscription Wrenn is able to see wrapping around the edge of the table.

'Red as blood, but other colors too
Sharp as a tack, but soft as a pillow
Given for luck, but offered in death
Object of desire, but not under guard
Symbol of hope, but also despair'

OOC: Please make perception or investigation checks if you wish to continue to inspect the room.

Griswold smiles and nods to the Ogre, then moving past him to the mirror behind asks: "I will try to not rock the proverbial boat any more.  Now, your name, perhaps?  You have me disadvantaged in that."

Whilst waiting for a reply Griswold looks not into the mirror but around it and across its surface, for any interesting details.  Such as inscriptions of the like that Wrenn had found.

11:21, Today: Griswold Ortmann rolled 22 using 1d20+2.  Investigating a mirror.
CRIT!

Brimir raised an eyebrow, the elven squire's request evidently an unexpected one. Satisfied with his appearance, the ogre turned away from the mirror.

"I am Brimir," he said simply, stepping over nearer the table and the investigating gnome. Hands behind his back, feet apart, standing at a stiff sort of attention, the erstwhile lackey squinted at the assortment of oddments upon the tabletop.

22:23, Today: Brimir rolled 14 using 2d20+1, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 13,19.  Investigation - The tabletop contents. (Using the dice roller correctly.). [Feel free to use the '6' it would have been by the original two rolls, though.]

Anything on the table of a decent weight that could be used as an improvised weapon with the 'Thrown' property?

10:53, Today: Wrenn Muernig rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Investigation.

checking out the table

Brother Sul remained passive, likely as stunned as Kharash, by the sudden effects of the teleportation. Wrenn is able to discern that the table has eight statuettes and eight small medallions. The statues are of the following figures; a knight in plate, a mage in robes, a figure in woodland garb, an ogre with a maul, an elf with a bow, a priest with extended, a demon, and an angel. The medallions are of a jester, scales, quill, rose, ship, eye, book, and a unicorn.

Brimir is not able to discern anything different than Wrenn. Griswold is able to discover that each mirror has a world etched near the top that is only visible after careful inspection. The words are inspire, the, by, lead, kingdom, example, to,   entire. Griswold is also able to notice that the reflections in the mirrors are not all the same. Each statue is different save for one, the knight in plate. You also notice he is the only one not holding something in his hands.

"Well met, Brimir," Kharash said. He shook his head as he recollected himself from the effects of the teleportation. "What are we supposed to do here?"

Upon the notion that the reflection of the statuettes didn't match, he picked up one of the statues (the angel) and a medallion (the scales). With these in hand he started walking past each mirror, checking if their reflections changed between mirrors.

Taking special care not to jostle or tread upon the gnome, Brimir made a slow circuit of the table. "I do not understand what purpose these items serve," he stated, pausing in his suspicious scrutiny of the figurines and medallions to nod respectfully at the dragonkin. In the way of any good domestic he appeared loath to handle any of the items unless instructed, and his typically dour face evinced some slight surprise when Kharash simply 'helped himself'.

Abandoning the table, the ogre gravitated toward the circumference of the room. Following two mirrors behind Kharash, Brimir did his own inspection of the looking glasses; this time leaning in to study each frame, close enough for his breath to mist on cool glass. Stern lips moved as he read each inscription silently.

"I have never heard of the 'lead kingdom example'," he observed, pronouncing 'lead' as the base metal. "Is this a fable known to elves or... others? These words do not make sense to me in this order; perhaps it is a poor translation."

Griswold, considered Brimir's words.  "They might not be in order.  Getting the right order may be part of the puzzle." He cocked his head to one side, considering the words on each mirror.  "This is a trial to meet a Rose, so 'lead by example to inspire the entire Kingdom,' maybe?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Fri 12 May 2017.

"That sounds more logical yes," Kharash looked at Griswold. "Do we have to place the mirrors in the right order, perhaps?" He placed the statue and medallion back on the table, and glanced at the riddle inscribed in the table's edge. Lost in thought he moved back to one of the mirrors and tested whether it could be moved. Suddenly, he looked up. "Griswold! You are right, this is a trial to meet a Rose. That's what the riddle refers to: a rose!"

He walked back to the table and read the riddle out loud again:
"Red as blood, but other colors too
Sharp as a tack, but soft as a pillow
Given for luck, but offered in death
Object of desire, but not under guard
Symbol of hope, but also despair"

"I've never received one for luck, but the rest seems to fit pretty well. Roses are red, but also come in other colors. Their thorns are sharp, but the flower is soft. It's offered to those who have passed away. People want them, and they grow free in the wild. A symbol of hope and despair could mean the Four Roses themselves. Hope for us, despair for our enemies."

Kharash was visibly proud for figuring out something. Even if it isn't correct, he's given a pretty good shot. "What do you think?"

Brimir pursed his lips as he mulled over the words of the two contestants, seemingly well-satisfied with both responses. "Very good, sirs," he intoned, with a polite little dip of the head. Squaring his shoulders he positioned himself beside the mirror inscribed with 'kingdom'; hands behind his back and feet shoulder-width apart he stood at a stiff attention.

"At your command I shall begin to shift the mirrors, unless you have another task for me."

"If it is indeed a rose, then that could also be the item missing from the knight's hands." Kharash gestured at the statue of the knight. "Meaning it represents one of the Roses. I bet the one this whole competition is about."

He picked the knight up again. "Perhaps we have to place the statues in front of the mirrors? There are eight statues, eight medallions, and eight mirrors after all. That means we have to find an order among the statues and medallions." He looked at the statue in his hands. "If this is indeed the Rose, it's probably the first or the last statue. The first word is 'lead', which makes sense for a Rose. The last word is 'kingdom'." Kharash thought for a second. "Makes less sense. Though the Rose is the reward for this competition, and a reward comes at the end."

"The statues and medallions seem random to me. Let's just try some combinations and see if anything happens?" Kharash placed the knight statue on the floor in front of the mirror with the word 'lead'. He then grabbed all the medallions and one by one hung the medallions around the knight's neck. "See if any reflections of the other statues change," he told the rest.

(if nothing happened, Kharash then proceded to place the knight statue in front of the 'kingdom' mirror and repeat the process)

"Well done Kaharsh!" Griswold beamed.  "A rose indee...Wait!" He suddenly stopped Karash before the Watcher could place anything down.  "Wait."  He repeated less urgently, whilst looking cautiously around the room.  He then gestured for Karash to give him the items he held and, if presented with them, placed them back on the table.  "Remember the first group's injuries.  And how strange it is that the boys made it through unharmed?  I cannot believe that martial ability that set the two apart.  More likely some decision or insight on the boys' part.  Perhaps bad things happen if you make mistakes?  Even if they don't we should at least try to get it right the first time.  Just to be safe."

"Besides," he mumbled to himself, "I'd rather not be shown up by a group of kids."

"The first group completed their trial in a shorter time than the second," Brimir mused, "The second group was longer, but untouched." Recollection of the scent of scorched hobgoblin evoked a twitch in the ogre's cheek. Stolidly he watched, his eyes moving from one mirror to the next, to the floor, the table, the ceiling, then back again.

"Perhaps their trials were different. I do not see any source of flame here."

After discussing the puzzle some more, but without any conclusion, Kharash decided it was time to simply try some combinations. "Brace yourselves, there may be fire, but if we don't try anything we'll never get out of this room." He walked over to the knight statuette. "And watch the reflections, see if anything changes," he added before picking it up. He intended to try five things, pausing in between to see if anything happened and to check out the reflection, though he would stop immediately if any proved to be dangerous.

First, he put the statuette back in the same spot on the table, but facing the other way (towards the 'kingdom' mirror).

Second, he put the knight statuette on the next spot (clockwise, in front of the 'example' mirror I believe), facing towards the center of the table (towards the 'the' mirror I believe). Then turning it around (facing 'example').

Third, he inserted the book medallion into the knight statue and put the knight statue on its original spot (in front of the 'kingdom' mirror, facing 'inspire').

Fourth, he removed the book medallion, and inserted the rose medallion into the knight statue. After which he put the knight statue on its original spot but facing the other way (towards the 'kingdom' mirror).

Fifth, with the rose medallion inserted he put the knight statue on its original spot (in front of the 'kingdom' mirror, facing 'inspire').

Griswold readies his sword and shield as Kharash gets to work.

Brother Sul notes that when the knight is placed across from the woodland figure, the woodland figure is the same in all the mirrors. There is no change when the medallions are exchanged on the knight.

"Allow me, Watcher Kharash," Brimir took a few lumbering steps forward, moving slowly like a dislodged boulder. "I am not armed nor armoured; you might wish to stand at guard." He rolled to a stop at the side of the table which initially held the Knight and reached out for the statuette, his long arms easily covering the distance. A minute twist of humour quirked his lips. "I would also suggest that, of those assembled, I have the greatest professional experience with table-settings."

His hand lingered over the Knight. "In the army I was exposed to elven-kin, wood-rangers, and priests; and some who might be described as devils or angels. Perhaps these repesent those who dwell within the Kingdom? The Knights of the Rose are renowned as steadfast examples to all; mayhap this one's influence will still the others also." Brimir looked from one to another; Wrenn, Brother Sul, Kharash, and the assumed leader Griswold.

"As Watcher Kharash has begun, perhaps we should continue in kind through the motto: our Knight faces the word 'Lead'; shall we move him then to face 'By', 'Example', and the others in turn?" The growing hint of a smile evaporated, replaced momentarily by the consternation of one who might be accused of speaking at length above their station, then returned to the carefully neutral and somewhat stern mask seen during most of his appearances in public.

"Or as you direct, m'lords."

OOC: If approved, Brimir will move the statue of the Knight to switch places with the Ogre (facing the Demon and the word 'By'), and see if that sets the Demon's appearance as the same in the mirrors.

Kharash nodded to Brimir and gestured with his hand to 'go ahead'.

Brimir swapped the places of the two figurines with deliberate care, watching his placements carefully.

OOC: Switch the figurines so the Knight is facing the 'By' Mirror.

Nothing happens when you move the Knight across from the Demon, nor anything else as it is moved around the table. However, when the demon is moved, a loud clicking noise can be heard, followed by a steady humming. It sounds almost melodic, but is getting louder. Brother Sul looks around and studies the table for a moment. He speaks up after the humming starts. "I think we should think carefully about where we adjust the statues next. We may have just activated a timer."