"The stairs? Let me see..." His attention diverted from the warning to the actual problem at hand, Chance studied the scene before him looking for patterns within the colors, or the tell-tale sign of a pressure plate or tripwire. There was no reason why a trap would have to function by conventional means in a place such as this, but there was no reason why it couldn't either.

---

OOC:

11:48, Today: Chance rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Trap expert.

On a 10+, hold 3.  Spend your hold as you walk through the area to ask these questions.
 

• Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?
• What does the trap do when activated?
• What else is hidden here?

Spending one hold right away...

Is there a trap here and if so what activates it?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:50, Thu 08 Aug 2019.

As Chance examined the multi-colored spiral staircase for traps, his keen and knowledgeable eyes noticed the faint clues about the staircase's true nature. There were slight scratch marks along the sides of the steps, implying that they could angle downward to create a sort of slide for anyone walking down them. A slight variation to the scrape marks on the green steps indicated that they were the ones that would activate the trap if stepped on. The duo should be safe to descend the stairs if they avoided the green steps.

What's more, it was safe to assume that due to the nature of the trap, there was another nasty surprise hidden at the bottom of the slide that would best be avoided.

What do you do?

---

No need to roll Defy Danger to descend the steps, now that you are aware of the danger. But is there anything else you would like to do in preparation as you descend? Who is in front and who is behind?

Chance
Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?
There is a trap here. It is activated by stepping on the green steps.

What does the trap do when activated?
It angles the steps, turning the spiral staircase into a spiral slide.

What else is hidden here?
An additional element to the trap at the bottom that a victim would slide into.

Chance points out the details of the trap to Aguri.

"Just avoid the green steps and we'll be fine, right? Nothing to it!"

Chance begins to descend the staircase with confidence. He is careful of course not to step on any of the green stairs.

"Come on," he calls back to Aguri. "The quicker we find our way out of here the happier I'll be."

Thanks to Chance's expertise, the trip down the stairs was an uneventful one. The damp air seemed to get cooler as the duo descended, to the point where frost began to appear on the stairs and walls. Chance and Aguri were now roughly four stories lower than they had started and could see their breath in the air before them. But the end of the stairway was now in sight.

Peeking around the column in the middle of the spiral stairs, Chance and Aguri could see that there was a hall that turned to the right immediately at the bottom of the stairs. But straight ahead of the stair there was a door made of ornate brass bars. It looked like if the door were opened, it would block off access to the hall. Which meant this was probably the other element to the trap that Chance had predicted. The two would have slid right inside of the cage if they had triggered the stair-trap.

And inside the cage, on the other side of the ornate cell-like door, there was a large furry white creature. It was curled up in a corner making it difficult to determine exactly what it was. A bear maybe? A gorilla? And it was breathing heavily, implying it was currently sleeping. Still, the bars on its cage door were spaced far enough apart that it could probably still swipe at them if it knew they were passing its cage to access the hall.

What do you do?

---

There is a cage at the bottom of the stairs with a mysterious critter sleeping inside. You will need to pass by it in order to access the hall next to it. Will you try to sneak past? (Defy Danger) Will you surprise attack it? (Deal Damage/Backstab) Try and bribe it somehow? (Parley) Study it? (Discern Realities/Spout Lore) Other?

Having made it down the stairs without setting off the trap, Chance doesn't see any point in waking the slumbering beast. He turns to Aguri and places a finger in front of his lips then turns his attention back to the danger ahead and quietly slips into the hallway to the right.

---

OOC:
23:55, Today: Chance rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger with dexterity.

I'm sorry for taking so long to respond. I thought I had been the last one to post. I decided tonight that it had been long enough that I'd better check and discovered that I was mistaken. I didn't have a notification from the thread, so I must have checked it at some point but I don't recall doing so. I sincerely apologize for the oversight.

Aguri's hand had already slipped to the hilt of her blade, ready to destroy this creature if need be. Her instincts had been to put it out of its misery, caged as it was, but she remembered that none of this was real, so there was likely no point. She took a moment to eye the beast, then followed her little friend. She trusted that if it became a problem later, she could handle it.

08:53, Today: Aguri Saika rolled 11 using 2d6.  Dex.
Guess I'm slipping past it too. Aguri's curious, but not enough to stop, if Chance doesn't want to fight it. We'll leave it be for now.

The two adventurers tiptoe past the cage barely making a squeak. At one point the beast snorted roughly, causing the duo's hearts to skip a beat. But then it rolled over and started snoring heavily, completely oblivious to their presence.

The hall that Chance and Aguri found themselves walking down was long and narrow. The stone walls were damp and mossy, and the floor itself was made of compacted dirt. The only illumination was provided by glowing fungi. However, Chance found no traps impeding their way as the passage twisted and turned at cramped angles. Eventually the hall opened up into another room. And it was quite the spectacle to behold.

Before them was a large chamber, at least 100 paces across. The mossy stone walls formed a dome high above them, glowing with the same fungi as the halls. They stood on a ledge overlooking a pond that filled the room. Across the pond was a platform containing a pedestal, flanked by a huge open-mouthed frog statue on either side. Atop the pedestal appeared to be the map they had come to retrieve. There were no bridges or walkways, but the pond was filled with large lily pads that looked like they could support the weight of a man. The surface of the water shimmered with the glow of the fungi on the ceiling, but was quite dark beneath the surface, making it difficult to tell what might be underneath. The sound of frogs punctuated the air, and dragonflies could be spotted darting across the water.

What do you do?

---

You can see the map (probably) on a pedestal across an expanse of water. The only obvious way across is to swim or try and traverse the lily pads.

"This is way too easy, don't you think?" Chance asks Aguri. "I bet we barely get our feet wet."

Chance pulls the flicker dagger from his belt and grips it in his right hand, ready to throw, as he sets out across the lily pads toward the pedestal.

---

OOC: Playing up the alignment with this one.

09:10, Today: Chance rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  plus dex. I have no idea why. Defy danger? Volley?  whatever needs doing with dexterity.

The first couple of lily pads went alright. They were a little unsteady and tended to drift across the pond's a bit when he landed on them, but they did not seem to have a problem supporting Chance's weight. The halfling was probably about 30 feet from shore and about to leap to the next lily pad when he noticed it looked slightly different from the rest. The rim around the edge of the leaf was more jagged. More... tooth-like.

Chance did his best to stop, but he was already in the process of jumping. As his foot landed on the edge of the lily pad, two sides of it began to close together like an enormous leafy bear trap.

What do you do?

---

Chance
You spotted the Lily-snapper soon enough that you have time to react to it, but not soon enough that you can avoid it completely. Do you try and stay back so that it only snaps onto your foot? Do you dive forward so that it closes around your entire body but the teeth miss you? Something else? Whatever you do, give me another Defy Danger or other appropriate roll.

Aguri
You see one of the lily pads snapping at Chance like a watery Venus Flytrap. How do you react?

With what he now realizes are a set of jaws about to snap shut around him, Chance was thankful that he had the foresight to have his dagger ready. Now, with the same wreckless abandon he set out onto these lilypads with he throws the dagger ahead to lodge it into the next lilypad in his path.

The dagger finds its mark and faster than he can blink Chance is on the next lilypad bent over as if he'd just stabbed the dagger into plant instad of throwing it. He tucks his shoulder in and tumbles forward into a somersault that puts him back on his feet. He pulls the dagger free in the process and continues across the pond with a new found respect for the world's flora.

---

OOC: Defy danger [roll=1568162651.56552.330722]

Having narrowly avoided the leafy jaws, Chance now found himself adrift on another lily pad. The one that had just tried to snap at him had submerged itself after clasping around its meal that was no longer there. Which meant Chance was now separated from Aguri, since she would no longer be able to take the same path across the pond as him.

Now that Chance knew what to look for though, crossing the pond wasn't overly difficult. He could easily avoid the toothier lilypads and progress toward the far side of the pond. The route there was quite circuitous though, and took a great deal of time and effort. The halfling was starting to get quite tired of leaping by the time he saw the final five lily pads he would need to jump across.

But it was as he stood atop this fifth lily pad that he suddenly noticed all the frogs had stopped croaking. And the dragonflies had stopped skimming the water and took toward the ceiling. In the murky water beneath him, Chance saw movement. Something was there...

What do you do?

---

Chance
You are five lily pads away from the far side of the pond. But there is most definitely something moving just below the water's surface. Something that has the wildlife on edge.

The sudden absence of the sound of frogs croaking and the dragonflies retreat sends a chill down Chance's spine.

That can't be a good sign.

Just as the thought enters his mind he catches a glimpse of something large moving through the water beneath him. Something very large from his perspective.

Fear threatens to paralyze him, but self-preservation comes to the rescue. With the flicker dagger in hand he takes off running for the shore. If he can make it a little bit closer he figures he might be able to use the dagger to pull his bacon out of the fryer again.

The shape under the water moved slowly at first, but the moment Chance started running, it headed directly for him. It was as if the impacts of his feet were like a dinner bell and the whatever-it-was was didn't want to be late to supper. It came at Chance from the side, moving swiftly through the water. The surface of the pond surged up as it neared the barrier between water and air. He could see scales now. Colorful, like a field of flowers. Then it emerged.

An enormous koi fish, big as an orca, leaped into the air as Chance rushed past. It was unclear yet who would be quicker, especially considering Chance had his dagger.

What do you do?

---

There is an enormous koi fish intercepting you and trying to swallow you like a piece of fish food. It sounds like you are trying to get to shore using dex (possibly using your dagger?). Describe what you are trying to do and roll me a defy danger. On a 10+ feel free to embellish your success as you see fit.

Normally, Chance would find the sight of a giant Koi mesmerizing; however, since this one is apparently interested in turning him into a snack it does not have a normal effect on him.

None of this is real!  He thinks, but the thought doesn't keep him from throwing the flicker dagger as if his life depended on it. It is a long shot from where he is to the platform, but he either throws it now, or he gets to find out what life is like in the belly of a whale=sized koi.

At least it's a big target. Here we go!

Chance whips the flicker dagger out toward the platform with all of his might, such as it is. He doesn't break his stride and has his eyes on the dagger as it flies and sinks into the wooden skirting around the platform. Half of a heartbeat later Chance appears next to the platform with his right hand on the hilt of the dagger as he crashes into the platform at a full run.

A few seconds later, CHance picks himself up off the floor and shouts across the pond to Aguri, "I'm ok! I meant to do that, everything's fine!"

Having avoided the Koi, for now anyway, he turns his attention to the platform that had just tried to knock him out. He's looking to see what other tricks it has up its sleeve.

OOC:
00:09, Today: Chance rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger with dexterity.

00:40, Today: Chance rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Trap expert.

At Chance's words, Aguri gave him a thumbs up, but did not say anything. She looked to be standing as still as possible atop her lily pad, trying not to draw the attention of the gigantic koi. Which was quite difficult for her considering the huge fish had just sent large ripples across the pond after leaping for Chance. Regardless though, it seemed Chance would need to finish the last part of this excursion on his own.

As the lone halfling walked around the pedestal that held the map they had come to retrieve, his sharp eye caught sight of some well-hidden runes around the top of the pedestal. When he squinted just right, Chance could make out a nearly invisible force field covering the map. He was certain that touching the force field would activate some sort of magical trap.

Judging by the force-flow techniques he recognized in the pedestal's construction, it seemed likely that touching the force field would awaken the huge open-mouthed frog statues that sat on either side of the pedestal. And while looking for a way to disrupt the magical connection between the pedestal and frog statues, Chance noticed something else odd about the frogs. Within both of their gaping stone mouths, there was a dinner plate resting atop their tongues...

What do you do?

---

Chance
I am going to go ahead and assume you would use your 3 Trap Expert hold to ask all the questions.

Is there a trap here and if so, what activates it?
Yes, there is a trap here. It is activated by touching the force field around the map.

What does the trap do when activated?
It awakens the two huge open-mouthed frog statues on either side of the pedestal.

What else is hidden here?
For some reason, there is a dinner plate resting inside the mouth of each frog.

Sometimes the only way to disarm a trap was to set it off. That was often the case with magical traps. The dinner plates had given him an idea, though.

Chance took off his pack and remove two dungeon rations and a small vial of yellowish colored powder. One at a time, he went to each of the statues removed the dinner plate from its mouth and replaced it with one of the dungeon rations. Then, careful not to get any of the powder on him he sprinkled a third of the vial on each of the rations, and returned the remaining third to his pack.

Now, I get the map, the frogs get the golden root, and provide a Aguri and I get an amphibious escort out of this place, right, he prayed to Coor? But as usual, the god was silent.

Right, Chance answered himself. Then without further hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the map.

OOC:

I didn't narrate the results because I know that this is stretching the definition of "disarm" a little bit, so obviously, it's your call.

17:32, Today: Chance rolled 12 using 2d6+2 ((6,4)). Tricks of the trade.

The moment Chance reached for the trap, the eyes of each frog statue glowed red as they both came to life, staring at Chance with hungry stone eyes. But then they closed their mouths and swallowed the rations within. The hungry expressions on their faces turned to expressions of contentment, and then to expressions of friendliness. He knew his poison had worked and the two stone creatures would not hurt him. In fact, they would treat him as a dear friend.

The pedestal Chance had grabbed the map from slowly sank into the floor. When it had sunk completely, the air before him began to shimmer. It was subtle at first, but quickly became more extreme, like a fast-expanding mirage. The very fabric of the dream-reality around him began to crumble apart. He could see Aguri standing among the lily pads, then she shimmered out of view as the entire room went black.

Then, a crack of light. Was the wall in front of him opening horizontally? No. The crack of light was Chance's own eyes opening. He could see the ceiling of the room he had begun this dream-journey in. It was covered in a mosaic depicting the shifting powers of Lusiny and Cherka, the moon goddesses, as they vied for dominance over the night.

As the halfling sat up, he felt the map still in his hand. Aguri and Mr. Wazowitz were just beginning to stir. The candles and magical concoctions used in the dream-ritual seemed to be all used up now, and the magic circle that had been drawn on the floor was all smudged up from movements in their sleep.

Aguri's eyes fluttered open slowly and she looked in Chance's direction. Then her eyes focused on something behind Chance and she sat bolt upright, concern plainly visible on her face. "You brought those with you? How?"

When Chance looked over his shoulder, he saw two stone frog statues, big as ponies, blinking at him non-threateningly.

What do you do?

---

I would say that you disarmed the trap, even if nothing got broken. You changed the effect of the trap to be a boon rather than a bane. It was a creative solution, and I like those! Remove two rations and two Goldenroot uses from your character sheet if you haven't already. Actually, when you wake up, all items used in the dream world are still with you, and your health is replenished.

You have now awaken and have two pony-sized stone frogs at your disposal. You can't exactly command them, but they will generally try to help you and follow you around (or stay put, if that seems to be what you want). Aguri is awake, and Mr. Wazowitz is almost awake too. You have a moment to try and do something before he is fully aware, if you would like to.

Seeing Mr. Wazowitz beginning to stir, Chance rushes over to him, straddles his chest, and puts the blade of his dagger to Mr. Wazowitz’ throat. As he does so, he says to Aguri, “Would you mind restraining our friend here? I think we ought to have a little chat before we decide what to do with him.”

Aguri was nearly as quick to react as Chance was, once her surprise wore off. She rolled acrobatically toward the old gnome, her silk obi unraveling itself as she did. By the time she had reached Mr. Wazowitz to help pin his arms, her magical sash had tied knots around his ankles as well. "I got him," the elegant barbarian assured Chance.

"What is the meaning of this!" Mr. Wazowitz yelled in a confused rage as he struggled hopelessly to get free. "This is not what I paid you for! Let me go right this instant. Or else!"

What do you do?"

"I'll tell you what. You tell me where you learned grave-speech, and I'll give you the little trip we just took 'on the house.' Ok? I think it's very important that we build some trust right now."

Chance presses the blade of his dagger against the gnome's neck.

"So please, don't play stupid, and don't lie to me. If you can manage that you might get out of this in one piece."

Go ahead and roll Parley for me, Chance.

OOC:

Whoops, I completely forgot about the Parley move. Fingers crossed!

15:10, Today: Chance rolled 6 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 1,4.  Parley.

It looks like Chance gets to mark experience.

Mr. Wazowitz snarled at Chance, then at Aguri, but finally let out a huff of defeat. "Fine. You win. Yes. I know grave-speech. The Overlord, Nikadroy Qizproteus, was my second cousin. Quite a megalomaniac, really, but he was still a genius. Like the saying goes: Uglithrilaku moritashi sithrenaru colaka mosh-nir." Roughly translated from grave-speech, Wazowitz's words meant: "Nightmares rise! Consume these fools!"

By the time Chance realized Mr. Wazowitz had been casting magic, Aguri was already reeling backward, screaming and clutching her eyes as a cloudy mass coalesced in the air before her. A similar cloud was forming in front of Chance and his eyes were already watering. Within the cloud he could see a scene of horrible and indescribable nightmares. The kind that might make someone want to gouge out their own eyes, of flee in terror. Unless they had the mental fortitude necessary to withstand such a psychic onslaught.

As Chance attempted to hold it together when faced with these unspeakable nightmares, he could hear Mr. Wazowitz laughing.

What do you do?

---

Mr. Wazowitz cast some nightmare magic on you and Aguri. Add your XP if you haven't yet, then roll me a Defy Danger with Wis. On a 10+ you can act normally. On a 6- all you can do is try and flee, sit and shake, or otherwise become ineffective as the nightmares overwhelm you. 7-9, you can act, but take -2 to all your rolls while the nightmares last.

Regardless of what you roll, let me know what Chance does in this situation, good or bad.

Unable to resist the powerful magic being used against him, Chance flees to the only safe place he is aware of right now. Terrified, shaking with fright, he curls up into a little ball at the base of the frog statues.

OOC:
10:36, Today: Chance rolled 3 using 2d6-1.  Defy danger with wisdom.

Please post in the "Forging New Opportunities" thread from this point onward. The story lines have now merged.