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Part 7: The puzzle door

Writer's picture: Pekka MarjamäkiPekka Marjamäki


The tunnel ahead of Lorett is a dimly lit passage carved from rough-hewn stone. The walls are uneven, bearing the marks of countless pickaxe strikes, giving the tunnel an organic, almost natural feel. Faint torch sconces line the walls, though they appear long extinguished, leaving only the remnants of soot and charred wood.

[Oracle "Is the rough-hewn look intentional?" Most likely not -6: 10 Maybe]
[Insight DC15: Lorett 11+4: Success]

Lorett's keen observation doesn't escape the hints of contrast in the tunnel's construction. The occasional glimpses of more refined craftsmanship amidst the rough-hewn walls suggest that this passage might indeed be a newer addition or an extension to an existing structure. It appears someone had embarked on a construction project but had yet to complete it.


The air is cool and slightly damp, with a hint of earthiness. As he moves forward, Lorett's footsteps echo softly, creating a sense of solitude in the subterranean silence. The tunnel seems to wind gently, curving out of sight at certain points, leaving what lies beyond shrouded in mystery.


Lorett's memories were shrouded in darkness, much like the tunnel he currently navigated. He couldn't recall who he had been before encountering Nida and her tribe in the heart of Ildoren. All that remained in his recollection was a hazy image of himself, unconscious and alone, lying amidst the sprawling fields of the wilderness.


Nida and her kin had discovered him, a mysterious half-elf with no history. With their characteristic kindness and unwavering bond with the land, they nursed him back to health and welcomed him into their tribe. Lorett became one of them, his past fading into obscurity as he embraced a new life filled with purpose and camaraderie.


As he ventures further into the tunnel, guided by the skills he had honed under the canopy of Ildoren's ancient trees, Lorett ponders the enigmatic circumstances that had brought him to this moment. The memories of his past may have been lost, but the sense of belonging he had found among Nida and her tribe remained a constant source of strength and inspiration. With each step he took into the unknown, he carried their legacy, determined to uncover the secrets that lay ahead.

[TSAT "Passage table": 1 "Passage continues d4 x 10 ft.", 3.]
[TSAT "Passage contents table": 83 "Empty apart from a corpse. Clue on body 20%.", 39 (no roll from "Clues table")]
[Oracle "Is it a dwarven corpse?" Likely +2: 3 No]
[Oracle "Is it a carvus corpse?" Most likely +6: 20 Yes]

Lorett's footsteps echo softly in the dimly lit passage as he descends further into the temple's depths. The rough-hewn walls seem to close in around him, but his elven senses remain sharp and vigilant. As he follows the winding tunnel, he can't help but wonder about the purpose of this subterranean corridor.


After traversing another thirty feet or so, his keen eyes catch sight of something on the cold stone floor. It's a lifeless body, unmistakably one of the strange and fearsome creatures they had battled earlier. Its blackened skin and grotesque features are etched into his memory, a haunting reminder of their perilous encounters.


Carefully, Lorett approaches the fallen foe, his bow at the ready and his senses on high alert. He kneels beside the creature's still form, examining it for any signs of life or movement.

[Investigation DC20: Lorett 6+0: Fail]

Lorett's skilled hands move with practiced precision as he searches the lifeless body of the fallen creature. His fingers probe for any clues, any hint as to why this corpse had been left in the dim passage. Yet, despite his thorough examination, he found nothing to provide answers. The creature's blackened skin and gnarled features revealed no secrets, and its tattered garments offered no indication of its intentions or affiliations.


With a sigh of frustration, Lorett rises to his feet, his gaze once again sweeping the shadowy corridor ahead.

[Stealth DC10: Lorett Nat1: Fail]
[Oracle "Did someone hear Lorett?" Likely +2: 12 Maybe]
[Oracle "Is there a creature in the tunnels?" Likely +2: 9 Maybe]
[Perception DC15: Lorett 7+6: Fail]

The metallic clang of the kicked shield reverberates through the passage, echoing off the stone walls. Lorett freezes in place, and his senses are heightened as he strains to listen for any response to the unintentional noise. He holds his breath, waiting for what felt like an eternity.


But the corridor remains eerily silent, and no sign of movement or hostility meets his vigilant gaze. Only the silent murmur can be heard down the tunnel. The clang seems to have gone unnoticed or unheeded by any potential threats lurking nearby.

[Oracle "Could there be something that cannot be heard?" Likely +2: 14 Yes]
[TSAT "Passage table": 18 "Opening to the right, stairs. Go to Stairs table."]
[TSAT "Stairs table": 6 "Down one level to a (d4) 1-2: Room, 3-4: Passage.", 1 Room]

Lorett pauses at the sight of the opening in the tunnel to his right, where a set of descending stairs beckons him further into the underground labyrinth. His curiosity warred with caution, knowing that descending further into the unknown might bring them closer to the source of the mysterious sounds they had heard.


Encounter starts


Lorett's instincts kick in as he catches sight of the giant snake, its menacing form slithering rapidly toward him. He leaps to the side without hesitation, narrowly avoiding the creature's snapping jaws. His heart races as he fumbles to draw his bow and nock an arrow in one swift motion.


[Initiative rolls: Lorett 1+3, Giant poisonous snake 8+4]
[Order: Giant poisonous snake, Lorett]

Round 1


Giant poisonous snake

[To hit: Bite 7+6 vs. Lorett AC 14: Miss]

Lorett's quick reflexes save him once again as he manages to pull his leg away from the snake's vicious bite just in the nick of time. The serpent's fangs snap shut on empty air, narrowly missing their mark. With beads of sweat forming on his brow, Lorett knows he can't afford to make any mistakes.


Lorett

With a swift and practiced motion, Lorett sheaths his bow and draws a sickle and a dagger, his body poised for combat. The serpent hisses menacingly, its fangs dripping with venom, and it coils up, preparing for another strike.


Round 2


Giant poisonous snake

[To hit: Bite 11+6 vs. Lorett AC 14: Hit]
[CON saving throw DC11: Lorett 17+1: Success]
[Damage: Piercing 1d4+4: 3+4]
[Damage: Poison 3d6: 3+1+4 (Halved due to successful saving throw)]

The serpent's lightning-fast strike catches Lorett off guard, and its fangs sink deep into his calf. Pain shoots through his leg, and he feels the venom coursing through his veins. Lorett grimaces in agony but knows he can't afford to panic.


Lorett

[Disengage action]

Realizing that facing the snake alone was a deadly proposition, Lorett summons all his remaining strength and agility. He dodges the serpent's strike and leaps away from the creature with a sudden burst of speed. He sprints back up the tunnel, retracing his steps, and returns to the main room where Seraphina and Nida are waiting.


Encounter ends


Breathing heavily and clutching his injured leg, Lorett rejoins his companions. He knows facing such a venomous threat alone was a grave mistake, and he needs their help dealing with the serpent. Gasping for breath, he explains what had happened and how he narrowly escaped the snake's deadly bite. The urgency is apparent; together, they must find a way to confront and defeat this new and dangerous foe.


Breathing heavily and clutching his injured leg, Lorett rejoined his companions. Seraphina gasped, "What happened, Lorett? Are you alright?"


Nida's eyes widen as she sees the distress on Lorett's face. "Lorett, you look pale. Did something attack you down there?"


Lorett nods, wincing in pain. "Yes, a giant snake lurking in the tunnel below. It tried to bite me. We need to be cautious."


Seraphina quickly steps forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "Let me heal your wound, Lorett. We can't afford to have you injured like this."

[Seraphina casts Cure Wounds and heals Lorett 11 HP.]

As Seraphina's healing energy courses through his body, Lorett recounts his journey through the tunnel.


"I made my way deeper into the tunnel," he begins, his voice steadier now. "It led downward and curved to the right. I stumbled upon a corpse. It looked like one of those creatures we fought earlier, the same ones that attacked us at the temple."


Nida raises an eyebrow, concern etched on her face. "So, they've been down there as well?"


Lorett nods, "It seems that way. But then, I accidentally kicked the creature's shield, and the noise seemed to stir something."


Seraphina shudders at the thought of a snake in those dark passages. "Giant snakes can be quite dangerous. They're known for their venomous bites."


Lorett agrees, his expression grave. "I tried to fend it, but it managed to bite me in the calf, injecting some kind of poison into my system. That's when I decided to retreat and return to you both."


Nida tightens her grip on her pike, determination in her eyes. "Let's head back to where you encountered it and face this creature together. We need a plan to take it down safely."

[Decision check (Lower means attack the snake): Nida 2, Lorett 5, Seraphina 6]

Nida's fierce determination clashed with Seraphina's cautious approach. The barbarian's adrenaline was already surging, and she couldn't wait to confront the snake. Her grip tightened on her pike as she argued, "We've got the element of surprise now. I say we go back and face that snake head-on. Waiting around to check the doors just gives it time to strike us first."

Seraphina and Lorett try to persuade Nida.
[Persuation check: Seraphina 1+3 vs. Nida's Charisma score 11: Fail][Persuation check: Lorett 13+2 vs. Nida's Charisma score 11: Fail]

Lorett, trying to mediate, offers a compromise, "Nida, I understand your concern, but Seraphina also has a point. We don't know what lies behind those other doors, and it might be important. What if there's something that can help us deal with the snake more effectively?"


Seraphina nods in agreement, "Exactly. We can always come back to face the snake, but we should explore our options first. Plus, if there are any dangers behind those doors, we should be prepared."


Nida reluctantly concedes, knowing that the unity of the group is crucial. "Fine, but let's make it quick. We check those doors, and then we come back and deal with that snake. Agreed?"


Lorett and Seraphina nod, and with a plan in place, they turn their attention to the doors in the dimly lit room. Their resolve solidifies as they face the mysteries of the temple together.

[Decision check (Number represents doors they inspect): Nida 2, Lorett 6, Seraphina 5]

With a collective decision to explore the wooden doors on the right side of the dimly lit room, the party moves closer to investigate. Nida is still curious about the intricately carved door on the left but buckles under peer pressure.

[Perception DC10: Lorett 12+6: Success]

Lorett steps forward, examining the first wooden door. He checks for traps and tests the handle cautiously, finding it locked securely. "This one's locked tight," he reports, stepping back to give Seraphina a chance to examine the door next to it.

[Perception DC10: Seraphina 13+2: Success]

Not to be outdone, Seraphina approached the second wooden door with equal caution. She ran her fingers along its surface and tested the handle. It, too, proves to be locked but devoid of any traps. She nodded and said, "This door is locked as well, but it seems safe."


Nida sighs, her curiosity still burning, but they need to find a way to unlock these doors if they want to explore further. They turn their attention back to the doors on the left side of the room, contemplating their next move.


Always eager for action, Nida suggests, "Why don't we just kick in one of these doors? I'm sure I can do it."

[Decision check: Nida 1, Lorett 3, Seraphina 6]

Seraphina, on the other hand, is quick to disagree. She voices her concerns, "Nida, kicking the door down might create too much noise. It could alert any potential enemies nearby. We should be cautious."

[Persuation check: Seraphina 15+3 vs. Nida's Charisma score 11: Success]

Nida frowns, clearly unhappy with the situation. She feels like her suggestions are being shot down one after another, which frustrates her. She reluctantly relented, saying, "Fine, we won't kick the doors down then."


Seraphina offers a reassuring smile, trying to defuse the tension. "Let's work together, Nida. We'll find a way forward that keeps us safe."


Lorett, ever the peacemaker, chimes in, "We'll explore other options, Nida. We just need to be patient and thorough."


Lorett moves towards the stone door on the left, the one without a handle. He is cautious not to step on the trapped plates in the center of the room, a lesson learned from their previous encounter. As he reached the stone door, he examined it closely, looking for any clues or mechanisms that might reveal how to open it. His keen eyes scanned for hidden latches, pressure points, or any signs of locking mechanisms.

[Investigation DC10 ADV (Lorett assists): Seraphina 18/9-1 Success]

Seraphina, after hearing Lorett's suggestion, walks over to the stone door without touching the trapped plates in the middle of the room. She examines the door closely, studying its surface's intricate runes. These runes seem to form a complex pattern, and she can sense that they hold the key to unlocking the door.


Realizing that the runes are the key to solving this puzzle, Seraphina pulls out her translation spirals, magical tools that allow her to understand and decode dwarven runes. Placing them on her index fingers, she carefully traces her fingers along the lines of the runes, focusing her concentration. As she does so, the meaning of the runes becomes clear to her, and their message starts to make sense.


With a look of comprehension, Seraphina turns to her companions and says, "I've figured it out. The runes on this door are a puzzle, and I can read their message now." She then recited the translation to her friends, revealing the secret to opening the stone door.

[Prompt for the puzzle: send rub detect]

Seraphina recited the runes on the stone door, which formed the following message: "Send, rub, detect." The party stands in front of the door, pondering the meaning of these words. They discuss various possibilities, trying to decipher the message and how it relates to opening the door.


Always more action-oriented, Nida suggests, "Maybe we need to send something through the door, like a message or an object. Then, we could try rubbing or touching a specific part of the door to activate it. Finally, we might need to detect something, like a hidden mechanism or a trigger, to unlock it."


Lorett and Seraphina consider Nida's idea, nodding in agreement. They decide to give it a try and begin searching the room for something they could "send" through the door.

[Intelligence DC14 ADV (Seraphina assists): Lorett 8/14+0: Success]

As Lorett traces the frames of the door, he feels a strange sensation under his fingertips—a slight warmth and stickiness. He inspects the area closely and notices a faint, oily residue seeping from the seams of the door. It was a peculiar discovery.


He shares his revelation with the others, suggesting that perhaps the solution to the puzzle involved applying heat to the door. Without hesitation, he takes the torch from the wall and holds it near the door, focusing the flame on the areas where the oily substance oozed out.


The party watches anxiously, wondering if their hunch is correct and if this action would somehow unlock the stone door.

[Oracle "Was the answer to the puzzle door that it only opened the other door?": Maybe]
[Oracle "Can the puzzle door still be opened with the fire?" Likely +2: Nat20 Yes]

As the torch is removed from its mount, a sudden click echoes through the chamber, emanating from the first door on the left. The unexpected sound catches the party's attention, drawing their gazes to the now-unlocked door. It appears that the mechanism in the torch mount had inadvertently triggered the opening mechanism for this door.


However, the surprises didn't end there. As they ponder the unlocked door's implications, another click resonates through the room. Their heads snap toward the intricate, puzzle-covered door on the left as it also clicks open.


The party exchanges surprised glances and can't help but chuckle at the unexpected turn of events. It seems that their instincts and quick thinking had led them to unravel the mystery of the puzzle door without even intending to.

[Oracle "The first door was also trapped, but did the trap get disarmed as the torch mechanism was used?": 6 No]
[Previously TSAT "Door table" 2nd left: Opens into 1: Passage, 2-4: Room." 2: Room]
[TSAT "Room table": 1 "Rectangular, dimensions (d4x10) ft x (d4x10) ft. 1d6 exits (including the one you entered by)", 10 x 30 feet, 1 exit]
[TSAT "Room contents table": 32 "Level appropriate Hard Encounter. Clue, Loot, Random, SD all 30%."]
[TSAT Encounter used: "2 PCs, L2 Hard" equals to "1 PC, L6 Easy"]
[TSAT "LEVEL 6: Easy" D6: "1 CR ½ + 1 CR ¼ monster"]
[TSAT "Dungeon/Underdark table" CR ½ (D20): 19 "Swarm of Insects"]
[TSAT "Dungeon/Underdark table" CR ¼ (D20): 5 "Giant Centipede"]
[TSAT "How many squares away are the monsters? D8": 5 & 7] || Both monsters are at the western end of the room.

As the puzzle door opens, it reveals a small chamber with dimensions of about 10 feet in width and 30 feet in depth. The room is dimly lit, with a single torch mounted on the wall providing flickering illumination, casting dancing shadows across the space.

[Oracle "Is the torch 'Everburning torch'?" Most likely +6: 14 Yes]

The chamber walls are adorned with ancient dwarven murals depicting scenes of craftsmanship, mining, and divine blessings from their god, Moradin. These intricate carvings showcase dwarves laboring in mines, forging magnificent weapons and armor, and receiving divine guidance from their god. The artistry and craftsmanship in these murals speak volumes about the deep reverence the dwarves held for their patron deity.


In the center of the room is a stone pedestal upon which rests an ornate dwarven warhammer. The hammer's head glistens with finely crafted runes, and its haft is made of polished oak, showing little sign of age or wear. It appears to be a masterwork weapon designed for a skilled and honorable warrior.


The party can't help but feel a sense of awe and reverence in this room as if they have stumbled upon a sacred place where the dwarves once paid homage to their god and honored their craft. The presence of the warhammer on the pedestal hints at its significance, and they can't help but wonder what role it might play in the temple's mysteries or what purpose it had served in the past.


The sudden appearance of the massive centipede and the swarm of insects startles the party. The centipede, its long, segmented body undulating with eerie grace, moves with menacing speed as it approaches. The insects, a writhing mass of tiny chittering creatures, seem to have been hiding in the corners of the room, waiting for the party to disturb their sanctuary.


Nida drops her torch and readies her pike, her instincts as a seasoned warrior kicking in. Lorett quickly reaches for his bow, and Seraphina prepares to unleash her eldritch powers. With little time to spare, they must defend themselves against this unexpected threat in the sacred chamber of the dwarven temple.


Encounter begins.


[Initiative rolls: Nida 14+2, Lorett 4+3, Seraphina 4+0, Swarm of Insects 2+1, Giant centipede 10+2]
[Order: Nida, Giant centipede, Lorett, Seraphina, Swarm of Insects]

Round 1


Nida

Nida stands her ground, her grip on her pike firm as she watches the approaching centipede and the swarming insects. She remains ready to strike, her muscles tense and her senses sharpened, waiting for the right moment to lunge forward and defend her companions with a fierce and calculated attack. With her warrior instincts at the forefront, she's poised to take on the looming threats in the sacred chamber of the dwarven temple.


Giant centipede

With the giant centipede approaching, Nida seizes the opportunity. She hurls her pike with a powerful thrust, aiming it directly at the incoming creature. The weapon slices through the air with precision, its blade gleaming, as it heads straight for the centipede's head, poised to strike and defend her companions from the menacing threat.


Nida (reaction)

[To hit: Pike 19+5 vs. Giant centipede AC 13+2 (behind a friendly creature): Hit]
[Damage: Piercing 1d10+3: 5+3]

Nida's pike flies true and strikes the giant centipede with deadly accuracy. The blade impales the creature. It writhes for a moment before succumbing to its wounds and falling lifeless at Lorett's feet.


Lorett

[To hit: Ranged attack with torch 7+3 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Miss]

Lorett quickly hurls the torch toward the insect swarm, hoping to drive them away with the flames. However, his aim is a bit off, and the torch misses the swarm, instead landing on the pedestal with a soft thud.


Seraphina

[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast]
[To hit: Eldrich Blast 16+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hits]
[Damage: Force 1d10: 5]

Determined to deal with the insect swarm, Seraphina focuses her eldritch energy and sends forth a powerful blast. A purplish fog-like energy shoots from her hand, colliding with the swarm of insects. The blast engulfs them, and the dark energies tear through their ranks, causing many of the cockroaches and centipedes to shrivel up and fall to the ground, lifeless.


Swarm of Insects

[To hit: Bite 11+3 vs. Lorett AC 14: Hits]
[Damage: Piercing 4d4: 2+4+4+3]

The swarm of insects rushes toward Lorett, slipping through any openings in his boots and trousers. They bite him repeatedly, causing intense pain. Lorett is in agony, and the bites worsen the wound he sustained from the snake earlier. He cries out in pain and desperately tries to shake off the insects.


Round 2


Nida

[To hit: Pike 8+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hit]
[Damage: Piercing 1d10+3: 1+3 (Halved due to Resistance to Piercing)]

The swarm of insects crawls and bites at Lorett, making it difficult for Nida to strike them effectively. She shouts to her companions that they need a different approach to defeat the swarm.


Lorett

[Disengage]

In excruciating pain from the swarm's bites, Lorett manages to limp back into the cavern, leaving the vicious insects behind. He desperately hopes his companions can come up with a solution to deal with the relentless swarm.


Seraphina

[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast]
[To hit: Eldrich Blast 17+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hits]
[Damage: Force 1d10: 2]

Realizing her powers have limited effect on the relentless swarm, Seraphina backs away from the chamber, joining Lorett in the cavern. The two of them catch their breath and assess their wounds, waiting for Nida to find a solution to deal with the insect menace.


Swarm of Insects

[To hit: Bite 10+3 vs. Nida AC 14: Miss]

Nida's swift and furious movements fend off the attacking insects as she kicks and swats them away from her, narrowly avoiding their painful bites. Despite the relentless assault of the swarm, Nida stands her ground, determined to find a way to overcome this insect menace.


[Round 3]


Nida

[To hit: Pike 17+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hit]
[Damage: Piercing 1d10+3: 2+3 (Halved due to Resistance to Piercing)]

Nida valiantly continues her relentless assault on the swarm of insects, using her pike and any means necessary to fend them off. Although her efforts seem to have limited effect, she refuses to give in, determined to find a way to defeat the persistent creatures.


Lorett

[To hit: Longbow 4+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Miss]

Lorett desperately tries to assist Nida, aiming at one of the larger cockroaches in the swarm. However, his shot misses its mark and hits the ground between Nida's legs, having no significant impact on the number of insects swarming around her. In the chaos, Lorett yells for Nida to fall back, realizing their current approach is ineffective.


Seraphina

[Seraphina casts Eldritch Blast]
[To hit: Eldrich Blast 18+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hits]
[Damage: Force 1d10: 7]

Determined to help Nida, Seraphina conjures another bolt of dark energy and sends it straight at the swarm. The eldritch blast wraps around Nida's boots, burning away most of the critters attempting to bite her. While the blast singes Nida's legs, it effectively thins out the swarm, saving her from further harm.


Swarm of Insects

[To hit: Bite 5+3 vs. Nida AC 14: Miss]

With the swarm significantly thinned out by Seraphina's eldritch blasts, Nida quickly dispatches the remaining creatures with her stomps, kicks, and flailing pike. The critters are no match for her ferocity, and the threat they pose quickly dissipates.


[Round 4]


Nida

[To hit: Pike 18+5 vs. Swarm of Insects AC 12: Hit]
[Damage: Piercing 1d10+3: 4+3 (Halved due to Resistance to Piercing)]

Nida's relentless assault on the swarm finally pays off as the critters disperse and scatter under the weight of her attacks. She swats at them with her pike until the last insects are dealt with. Her curses reflect the irritation from the bites, but the immediate threat is now gone.


Encounter ends

[Experience gained 50 XP for each character.]

Seraphina's healing magic flows through Lorett, alleviating some of his pain and closing the wounds on his legs. He lets out a sigh of relief as the pain subsides, although he's still in rough shape. The trio takes a moment to catch their breath and assess the situation.

[Seraphina casts Cure Wounds and heals Lorett 7 HP.]

Lorett suggests, "We should thoroughly search this room, but keep an eye out for anything coming from the open doors and doorways. We've made quite a lot of noise, and I wouldn't be surprised if we attracted attention."

[Oracle "Has someone heard their combat?" Not likely -2: 0 No]

Seraphina nods and says, "I'll keep watch by the doors. You two investigate the room." Nida agrees and heads towards the pedestal room while Lorett and Seraphina remain vigilant near the entrances.

[Perception DC10: Nida Nat20 Success]
[Oracle "Is there something hidden inside the room?" Most likely +6: 20 Yes]

Nida cautiously enters the pedestal room, her pike at the ready, and begins her search. The room is dimly lit, with the torchlight from the previous chamber casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air is slightly cooler here and has a faint, musty smell.


As she examines the room, Nida steps lightly, checking the floor for any pressure plates or hidden traps. Her keen eyes scan the walls for irregularities or hidden compartments. Everything seems ordinary until she approaches the pedestal.


At the base of the pedestal, she notices a plaque with intricate dwarven runes carved into it. The runes appear decorative, but Nida's instincts tell her to investigate further. She reaches out to touch the plaque gently, and to her surprise, it moves slightly under her touch. With a soft click, the plaque falls away, revealing a concealed compartment beneath it.


Nida's curiosity piqued, she carefully reaches into the compartment to see what might be hidden inside.

[Prompt of what is in the compartment: rescue measure sink]

Inside the compartment is a small, finely crafted stone basin. The basin appears to be a carefully carved piece of white marble, smooth to the touch, with a subtle sheen in the torchlight.


Intrigued by this discovery, Nida examines the stone basin closely. It seems more like a delicate piece of art than a practical object. She notices that the basin has a shallow indentation at its center, as if something was meant to be placed within it. The basin itself is pristine, without a single blemish or crack, despite the passage of time.

[Oracle "Is the basin magical?" Likely +2: 5 No]
[Oracle "Price of the basin":  5D8 x 10gp: 4+8+6+1+1: 200gp]
[Nida adds "Marble Basin (200gp)" to her inventory.]

The party gathers in the chamber with the stone basin, resting and catching their breaths. The tension from the earlier encounter with the swarm of insects has left them on edge, and the respite is welcome. Lorett's wounds have been tended to, but they all feel the weight of exhaustion settling in.


As they sit in the dimly lit chamber, they discuss their options. The faint, mysterious sound that still echoes from deeper within the temple beckons them forward. They understand that time may not be on their side, and the urgency of their mission to uncover the secrets of this place weighs heavily on their minds.

[Arcana DC15: Seraphina 15+1, Success]
[Basin use prompt: cower contaminate trap]

As Seraphina examines the intricately carved stone basin, she becomes increasingly convinced of its purpose. The basin appears to be a receptacle for holding or containing a specific substance, most likely a liquid of some kind. The indentation at the center of the basin seems designed to cradle or secure a particular object, possibly a vial or container meant to fit snugly within it.


Seraphina speculates that the basin may have been intended to hold a sacred or symbolic substance, perhaps related to the religious rituals or practices of the dwarven temple. It could have been used for purification, anointing, or other ceremonial purposes. Given the careful craftsmanship and the pristine condition of the basin, it's likely that whatever it once held was considered highly significant or valuable.


While Seraphina can't be certain of the exact nature of the substance or object meant for the indentation, she suspects that it played a meaningful role in the temple's rituals or traditions. The presence of such a basin suggests a connection to the spiritual or religious practices of the dwarven worshippers who once inhabited this temple.


With the faint sound still echoing in the distance, the party takes a moment to catch their breath and nourish themselves with rations and water from their canteens. The weariness of their exploration weighs heavily on them, and they can sense the lateness of the hour outside the temple. However, the mystery of the distant sound and the need to uncover the truth about the temple's inhabitants drive them to consider pressing forward.


They exchange glances as they eat and drink, silently acknowledging the challenges ahead. The tunnels and chambers of the temple have already revealed unexpected dangers and puzzles, and they can only imagine what awaits them deeper within. Yet, fueled by a sense of curiosity and purpose, they remain determined to uncover the source of the mysterious sounds and the secrets hidden within these ancient walls.


[Lorett uses hit dice to gain 15 HP during short rest.]
[Seraphina gains her spells during short rest.]

After a brief rest and meal, they gather their belongings, ready their weapons, and prepare to continue their exploration of the temple's depths, resolved to face whatever challenges and revelations await them in the darkness.


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