Fergus's thorough investigation found no traps on the door. It did, however, reveal a strange mechanism - part magical, part mechanical - that would keep them from opening without the permission of the guardians. Or, apparently, their death, because he found that the doors now opened quite easily, to reveal a staircase spiraling down into darkness deep enough that not even he could see the bottom.

The guardians themselves had their own strange mechanical/magical components. The statues themselves were old and had likely stood in this hall long before Fergus's birth. They were only recently animated, however, after being magically imbued with some small fraction of the spirits of their lofty ancestors. Each was fitted with a sort of gear box on the box of its neck, though this alone could not possibly have accounted for the natural, lifelike movements of the statues; only powerful, divine magic could do that.

While the dwarves, who had after all built the magnificent lift connecting Lawton's Glen to Knutsdir, were no strangers to mechanical wonders, this was unlike anything Fergus had ever seen before. It exceeded his knowledge of both dwarven gearwork and the divine magic of their spiritual leaders.

Sikuaq scowled as the guardians fell easily once her spell was enacted, feeling she hadn't been given the chance to fully expend her wrath on the inhospitable constructs.  She fired off one more bolt of lightning in frustration, pulverizing a small fragment of Ommerlun, before waving away the storm.  The strange cloud overhead dissipated in seconds, and much faster than the anatka's mood.

Opalia's condition did soften the expression on Sikuaq's face though.  "Yes," she agreed with Caell. "Do you need healing still, Opalia?"  The druid was more than ready to offer something after her companion had endured the whirling attack of the king on the party's behalf.

Once that was taken care of, Sikuaq readied herself for what looked to be a long and uncomfortable descent into the darkness.

Opalia stood panting over the crumbled kings, then took a deep breath and returned Frostfall to the baldric slung across her back.  She declared, “The Skywatchers say that our people were carved from the very stone of the mountain peaks, but I now think that is more true of DWARF-KINGS!”

Caell and Sikuaq both approached to ask after the giantess’s condition and whether she might need healing or rest, and she rubbed at the dent in her scaled breastplate and rumbled, “Hrum, I did take mighty blows, but OPALIA is strong!  I am sorry that I did fall, but I am glad that it was OPALIA and not little friends.  No offense meant, but little friends probably might have gotten squished.”  Despite her bravado, Opalia looked somewhat winded and had a trickle of blood leaking down from her hairline to her chin.

---

Current HP is in my bio line.  I don’t think we’re in a big rush, so maybe a short rest?  I have all my HD, so may as well use those and another Second Wind rather than spell slots!

"No offense, and no doubt either, we'd have been squished. But we are here now and it might be best to eat a little something before we continue on. Otherwise we're sure to be seduced by the fabled hospitality of the dwarves."

Cora reached into her pack for some waybread and other provisions, trying to gauge how others were feeling

OOC: metagame, I've got all the reason in the world to want a short rest for my spellslots, and I'm a little under half hp.

"I think we can afford a brief rest," Arvid concurred.

I agree with Opalia. We're not pressed. Better to use HD to recuperate

The party rested amidst the shattered sentinels, giving Fergus time to continue his investigation of the gates. Though he could glean no more of how they worked, he did find something arguably more interesting: another, hidden door, unlocked by the same magical mechanism that bound the stone guardians to the main gate. This far smaller door was concealed in a recess just past the gates and also appeared not to be trapped.

"We might need it," said Valaku, who had proceeded a few steps down the spiraling stairs to scout ahead. "Someone's coming this way. Guards, if I'm not mistaken. Sounds like two dozen of them. They're not close yet, but... I'm guessing we shouldn't anticipate a lot more opportunities for alternate routes?" He looked to Fergus with a question in his eyes.

Everyone can take a short rest. Fergus, can I get a History check from you? And of course everyone else can let me know what they'd like to do as well.

Arvid is back at full.

Arvid caught Fergus's gaze as well. "We should take the door," he affirmed. "We come as allies but the guards wont see it that way, standing in the wreckage of their skilfully wrought sentries. We should present ourselves at the time of our choosing."

After he saw Opalia begin to rest and recover, Fergus shifted his attention to the remains of the statues. He cringed at the thought of such proud monoliths being transformed into a shameful, secret guard. Nonetheless, the mechanics of the sentinels were impressive. "I've never seen anything like this," he worried aloud. "Both the manner and the method of these statues is nothing like what history tells us of Gruundelheim. The stonework of the statues themselves is ancient, but they've been altered mechanically and magically. Recently, by the looks of it. It must be Blackhammer's doing. He's forged an alliance of some sort, and judging by the devious nature of what we just encountered, his new partner is devious at best and more likely a lot worse."


"Agreed. We need to learn what we can on our own before we speak with anyone."

22:37, Today: Secret Roll: Fergus Glowforge rolled 20 using 1d20+4.  History check.

Fergus had heard about this: while the entryways to Gruundelheim were grand, to awe visitors and allow for the movement of troops or trade caravans as need dictated, there were also rumored to be smaller, secret tunnels for when a lone dwarf or small entourage needed to move quickly.

The tunnel could offer, as Arvid said, an appealing alternative to coming face-to-face with Blackhammer's guards, if that was who was approaching. The only downside was that they were sized for a lone dwarf.

Fergus knows how to open the door and how to close it behind him. Everyone who was making claustrophobia Con saves in Ruldheim, would need to do so here as well (believe that was everyone except Cora and Fergus). Opalia, this will be especially cramped for you, so you'd need to roll at disadvantage.

Although not the size of a dwarf, Caell wasn't very big. He preferred the open tundra, but close quarters didn't really frighten him. There were plenty of other things that did. As they moved into the smaller tunnel, Caell kept an eye on his friends. If anyone seemed to find this difficult, he would be there for support.

Con save 15.

Cora removed her kerchief off her head and replaced her coif before continuing, mindful of the close space and the need for armour making it so she couldn't cool off some just yet as they descended into the dwarven tunnels.

As she walked she thought of the orcs who'd come before in these tunnels, what thought might have filled their minds. Was it vengeance? Bloodlust? Greed perhaps that drove them?

Keeping close to Caell she put a hand on his shoulder, pushing ahead of him before the tunnel narrowed fully. There'd be cause for steel and battle if words couldn't win. And she had both in supply.

As they moved, Cora looked around at the walls and tunnels. They were so different from the tunnels of Guthluthic, the tunnels of Amez Heza and even the tunnels near Lawton's Glen. Even out here, there was a beauty to them, a function that made Cora's heart beat faster.

Opalia welcomed a rest despite her claim not to need it, and it was much needed.  When Cora offered a snack the giantess asked eagerly, "You have foods, little CORA?  Can OPALIA please have a small bite?"  A 'small bite' turned out to be nearly an entire loaf of waybread, but the snack seemed to have done wonders for her recovery.  An hour later Opalia was on her feet again, hardy as she ever was.

When the report came of an approaching force of dwarven guards, Opalia warily eyed the very small secret passage that little friends seemed keen on escaping through.  She asked the obvious question, "Why do we hide away in tiny hole?  Did we not come to warn DWARFS of dangers of RED FIST and BAD-STORM?  Dwarfs do come now, so let us tell THEM!  Perhaps they bring us to meet DWARF-KING?"  Fergus expressed many wise-sounding concerns in his wise voice, and Opalia understood that maybe these dwarfs were BAD-DWARFS.  That was unhappy news, because they should be nice instead of bad.  It seemed that once again it would be up to Opalia and friends to convince another North-people to be nice!

Opalia looked again at the dwarf-sized passage and let out a rumbling grumble, "OPALIA does like big DWARF-halls better..."  Despite her misgivings, the giantess hunkered low to squeeze her large frame into the tiny tunnel.

---

Spent 5 HD during the short rest to heal up to 75/77.  EDIT:  Thanks Cora for +1 HP per HD spent!

Con save of 16 is a success against claustrophobia!
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Tue 24 Aug 2021.

Sikuaq did not do much during the party's rest, sampling Cora's cooking and otherwise silently bemoaning the fact she hadn't gotten to completely obliterate the inhospitable statues with her lightning spell, especially since she would need much more time than they could afford to recover those magical energies.  When notice came of the approaching dwarven forces up the main entranceway, the anatka rose and readied herself to deal with what she assumed would be stubborn defiance of their visit.  Then Fergus pointed out the side passage.

Despite being half Opalia's size Sikuaq eyed the opening in much the same fashion as the goliath.  She had no love of underground spaces, doubly so when confined to tight crevices where even she need bow her head.  She was barely past the threshold when she felt the confines closing in on her, so much so that she shook her haughty head and declared aloud, "No, you shall not have me that easily!"

Making sure she was clear of the rest, Sikuaq closed her eyes and concentrated.  Quickly her form began to shift - smaller, fuzzier, animalistic - until a large badger remained in her place.  With something like a snort of satisfaction, she comfortably set off after the rest.  After all, when entering a den why not look the part?


OOC:

Wildshape to Giant Badger (1/4 CR), for comfort in the depths!

Arvid heaved a sigh, not so much out of fatigue or dismay but in an effort to steady his nerves for the long, closed hall ahead. He was used to the open plains of the tundra with the clouds and stars overhead. The amount of time they'd spent below ground in recent days had been... disconcerting. Still, he managed a weary smile and edged through the small door towards whatever lay beyond.

08:58, Today: Secret Roll: Arvid Signeson rolled 21 using 1d20+3.  Con save.

"I don't know Blackhammer,  Opalia, but I get the distinct feeling he's a bit of a... how would you say it? A not nice dwarf. Kind of like Lidar Olav. And while nothing makes me happier than putting people like that in their place, we sometimes have to hold off on such things until we've gathered all the information we need." Fergus wasn't sure his explanation was at all sufficient, but he felt obliged to at least make an attempt, especially when he realized how cramped the subsidiary passage was going to be for the Goliath.

He turned his attention to Sikuaq, reading the anatka's disappointment toward the upcoming underground journey. While he had nothing at his disposal that would turn a cramped cave passage into a forest, he could least provide some small blessing to his friend that might ease her burden just a little bit.

"I know you like these caves about  as much as I like climbing trees, and while I can't do anything about the size of the passageway, I can at least provide Kann's blessing upon your armor. May it stand stronger than ever this day." He pressed his hand upon the hides she used for protection. Warmth projected through his palms and into the druid's armor, strengthing it with the divine might of the Great Mountain.

To his surprise a minute later, Sikauq transformed into something much more suited to the tunnels. He didn't understand how others could be so uncomfortable under ground, but maybe one day he would. For now he took satisfaction knowing the journey would be less stressful for her than the descent in Ruldheim.

Cast Blessings of the Forge on Sikuaq's armor.

"Ready to go?" Valaku, who had remained vigilant near the stair case during their rest, offered a thin smile. Keth warming to him seemed to have led to a slow, reciprocal opening up of himself towards those in the group who were not named Sikuaq.

Still, with dwarven boots echoing through the main hall, he was eager enough to get moving through the secret passageway. Eager, that is, until took his first steps into the cramped corridor built for beings far shorter than he. He admired with envy the magical transformation of his anatka into a creature who could move comfortably beneath the ground, and only for her sake did he manage to keep putting one foot in front of the other as the walls closed in around him.

The passage continued, dark and direct, in a straight line towards Gruundelehim, or so the party hoped. After a quarter mile or so, they came upon what appeared to be the shattered remains of a spider made of stone. It was about the size of dwarf's fist, and that it was made of stone was apparent only because of the way it had shattered. In its texture and coloration it looked like an ordinary, organic, formerly living arachnid.

Cora approached the shattered spider, poking it with the starbound blade

OOC: does devil's sight pick up any weird colour stuff if we're in the dark enough?

Where Cora looked down Arvid looked up, scanning the ceiling overhead for other eight-legged stone guardians waiting to befall them. Unlike her's however, the Northman's eyes were constrained by his ancestry and could only pierce as far as the glow of Caell's light.

If something had turned the spider to stone, Caell wondered if that thing was still here? It could be a creature or spellcaster, or maybe just a trap to petrify anyone moving through here without permission. Caell did his best to keep an eye out for anything dangerous.

Perception 11

Opalia frowned, "Not-nice dwarf KING...  Understand.  I do wish KINGS and LIDARS and CHIEFTAINS would be nicer, sometimes."  Now they must find information to battle this dwarfish not-niceness.  Opalia wasn't sure what 'information' meant, but it sounded important.  In an effort to be helpful, the giantess offered, "You tell OPALIA when we find INFORMATIONS, yes?  Even if it is heavy, I will carry it no problem!"

Seeing the anatka transform into a fuzzy beast was absolutely delightful to Opalia, and she wished to learn how to do that herself.  For now, however, she must squeeze into a tiny tunnel.  After some time they happened upon a broken spider statue on the floor, which seemed curious.  "A very good sculpting of a not-pretty beast.  Is it a fighting statue, like stone DWARF-KINGS?"  The giantess peered around the tunnel so far as the light could reach, searching for signs of rock spiders or their nests.

---

Is this tunnel single-file, and do we need a marching order?  I think Opalia would go last to defend against dwarf guards that might give chase.

I'll try a Perception also, primarily looking for more spiders or places they might hide:

• 11:58, Today: Opalia rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Perception.

Marching through the tunnel with the others, Fergus could feel a knot in his stomach. He'd heard tales of Gruundelheim since he was a child, and dreamed of going there some day. Now as it was closer than ever, he felt more dread than excitement. Still, he knew there were good folk in the underground kingdom. Gruundelheim couldn't have survived for as long as it had (legend told of its founding by Durdin Stoneblood over two thousand years ago!) without the tireless efforts of hard working, good-hearted dwarfs. Blackhammer couldn't change that overnight, could he?

Fergus examined the spider, suspicious of some arcane involvement, but without any idea beyond that. "Stay alert. More tricks, I'm afraid."

21:11, Today: Secret Roll: Fergus Glowforge rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Arcana. What's with the spider? Nailed it!!!

Badger-Sikuak remained silent as she comfortably wound through the passageway with her companions.  It was strange to have most of them towering over her, but she truly did appreciate not having to duck her head over and over again.  When the group slowed she nosed her way forward to see what was going on and spotted the strange petrified spider.  Senses alert to the unnatural state it was in, she lifted her nose and examined their surroundings as well as she could.


OOC:

17:44, Today: Secret Roll: Sikuaq rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Perception.

There was no sign of spiders or other danger in the vicinity, though in the dark of the dwarven tunnel "the vicinity" did not extend very far. No one could make much of the shattered spider, though the snuffling Sikuaq-badger determined it was not and never had been a truly living thing. That is, it was not a spider turned to stone but rather a stone turned to spider, in the same vein as the statues had been (though animating the spider would not have been nearly so difficult).

It also looked to have been deliberately broken. Sikuaq noticed a spot where it looked as if someone had thrown a stone or other blunt object at it, causing it to fall from the ceiling and shatter.

Finally, Sikuaq could say this was not druidic magic. Again, much like the statues, it was some combination of magic and mechanics.

The party proceeded through the tunnel, wary of more spiders or other mechanical mischief. They encountered none, but they did come to a halt when Fergus noticed holes in the rock ahead. They seemed recently bored, with little piles of stone debris on the ground beneath them, and they were about the right size for crossbow bolts to pass through...

"Come no further!" a voice called out after the party had already stopped. It emanated from behind one of the murder slots up ahead, and gave the distinct impression that calling out to them was Plan B after the party failed to blunder into crossbow range. "Who in Forza's Flame are you and what are you doing down here?"

Caell was not about to talk for their company. He had never had a way with words, and in the face of dwarves that were apprehensive about their presence (at best), it was surely best for Fergus to take the lead. Caell stood ready should this go entirely sour.