Sweet William regards her and his upper lip twitches. It might have been his version of a smile.

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 8:13 PM, Tabby <tacobobman@...> wrote:

OOC: It's his Sweety-Sense!

Since she was (mostly) useless with projectiles, Tabby quickly made her way over to the half-orc and stood by his side. The brave little feline would fight side by side with the mighty barbarian!

She said something so Sweet William would not step on her. "Please don't step on me," she whispered.

On Mon, May 20, 2024 at 7:24?PM Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

As soon as she sees the statues, Cerina puts an arrow on her bowstring she can draw and fire ...?

Not Working = UNENDING HONEY DO LISTS ... just saying lol

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Monday, May 20, 2024 at 01:38:37 PM PDT, Sweet William/Arthur Picard <artamy1@...> wrote:

Sweet William is wondering if the statues are going to come to life and attack them, but doesn’t say anything, not wanting to freak anyone out. Are his Spidey senses tingling?

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 4:26 PM, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?suggests challenging the guardians, and after a moment’s contemplation?Northconcurs.

Tabby?declares her revulsion to fighting undead while?Brother Ashley?cringes at?Flynn’s suggestion of acrobatics. “Perhaps Tabby, but not me,” he ponders.

If all are in agreement,?Sweet William?pulls open the single door to reveal a dusty passage leading toward a set of double bronze doors bearing the engraved face of the jaguar god. Both walls of the corridor are carved to represent two lines of warriors in profile, holding hatchet-headed polearms and facing the far doors. These figures are painted with vivid, lifelike colors: red, black, white, green, and yellow.

And what do you do?

/DM

(OOC- sorry about the recent delays. I’m between jobs so the Mrs has me doing loads of chores ?)

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 8:13 PM, Tabby <tacobobman@...> wrote:

OOC: It's his Sweety-Sense!

Since she was (mostly) useless with projectiles, Tabby quickly made her way over to the half-orc and stood by his side. The brave little feline would fight side by side with the mighty barbarian!

She said something so Sweet William would not step on her. "Please don't step on me," she whispered.

On Mon, May 20, 2024 at 7:24?PM Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

As soon as she sees the statues, Cerina puts an arrow on her bowstring she can draw and fire ...?

Not Working = UNENDING HONEY DO LISTS ... just saying lol

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Monday, May 20, 2024 at 01:38:37 PM PDT, Sweet William/Arthur Picard <artamy1@...> wrote:

Sweet William is wondering if the statues are going to come to life and attack them, but doesn’t say anything, not wanting to freak anyone out. Are his Spidey senses tingling?

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 4:26 PM, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?suggests challenging the guardians, and after a moment’s contemplation?Northconcurs.

Tabby?declares her revulsion to fighting undead while?Brother Ashley?cringes at?Flynn’s suggestion of acrobatics. “Perhaps Tabby, but not me,” he ponders.

If all are in agreement,?Sweet William?pulls open the single door to reveal a dusty passage leading toward a set of double bronze doors bearing the engraved face of the jaguar god. Both walls of the corridor are carved to represent two lines of warriors in profile, holding hatchet-headed polearms and facing the far doors. These figures are painted with vivid, lifelike colors: red, black, white, green, and yellow.

And what do you do?

/DM

(OOC- sorry about the recent delays. I’m between jobs so the Mrs has me doing loads of chores ?)

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 4:26 PM, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?suggests challenging the guardians, and after a moment’s contemplation?Northconcurs.

Tabby?declares her revulsion to fighting undead while?Brother Ashley?cringes at?Flynn’s suggestion of acrobatics. “Perhaps Tabby, but not me,” he ponders.

If all are in agreement,?Sweet William?pulls open the single door to reveal a dusty passage leading toward a set of double bronze doors bearing the engraved face of the jaguar god. Both walls of the corridor are carved to represent two lines of warriors in profile, holding hatchet-headed polearms and facing the far doors. These figures are painted with vivid, lifelike colors: red, black, white, green, and yellow.

And what do you do?

/DM

(OOC- sorry about the recent delays. I’m between jobs so the Mrs has me doing loads of chores ?)

On Monday, May 20, 2024, 4:26 PM, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?suggests challenging the guardians, and after a moment’s contemplation?Northconcurs.

Tabby?declares her revulsion to fighting undead while?Brother Ashley?cringes at?Flynn’s suggestion of acrobatics. “Perhaps Tabby, but not me,” he ponders.

If all are in agreement,?Sweet William?pulls open the single door to reveal a dusty passage leading toward a set of double bronze doors bearing the engraved face of the jaguar god. Both walls of the corridor are carved to represent two lines of warriors in profile, holding hatchet-headed polearms and facing the far doors. These figures are painted with vivid, lifelike colors: red, black, white, green, and yellow.

And what do you do?

/DM

(OOC- sorry about the recent delays. I’m between jobs so the Mrs has me doing loads of chores ?)

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 9:11 AM, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

In response to North’s question, Cerina?easily notes the message scrawled in ash which reads, “you’re welcome, headed ->” with the arrow pointing to the door from whence you originally entered. (bottom of the picture)

North?and?Sweet William?check out the remaining doors, starting with the arrow and going counterclockwise.

The arrow door is singular, brass, and leads back to the lower levels with bad air. That’s apparently the way Fenn’s group has gone.

Next to it is a set of closed double doors, brass with plaster sealing the seam, embossed with ancient Payit symbols that?Flynn?discerns represent a message. He translates it as ‘the dust of ages’.

Continuing around the room counterclockwise you get to the now-open secret door with ‘traps ahead’.

And a little farther around the room is another set of brass double doors sealed with plaster, these ones carved with the phrase ‘bed of xilonen’ embossed in ancient Payit.

“Could it be another burial chamber?”?Brother Ashley?asks. “Like the copper boat room?”

And a little further around is yet another single brass door, bearing the warning ‘guardians bar the way’.

Finally, you’re back at the secret door leading to the copper boat/burial chamber where you defeated the Doppleganger.

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

“None of these sound very ‘spear-like’ to me,” the Priest mutters to no one on particular.

And what do you do?

/DM

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 8:57 AM, Flynn/Derek Walters <thegamerzedge@...> wrote:

"It's magic, my large friend and an omnipotent being that controls everything in our world other than our individual actions." ?interjected Flynn to SW.? "Anyone feel like auditioning for the circus..."?he asks as he motions to the suspended rod.

---

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Sweet William/Arthur Picard <artamy1@...>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 7:45 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [DaleOfShadows] DaleOfShadows: Maztica, 14 Eleasis

?

Sweet William will go join North in checking the other doors.

“Seems to me, if the went to such lengths to protect something - hidden doors and deadly plants - it must be pretty valuable. Even if it’s not the item we’re seeking.” (spear? Sorry, my memory is poo). “Obviously, Fenn snd his friends didn’t find it after they fireballed the hell out of this place. Makes me wonder how plants could stay alive without sun or water.”

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:57 AM, North/John DeMaio <mrjdemaio@...> wrote:

"This seems like a ritual sacrifice type situation." North comments.

"Taking the heart out may be more of a cultural part of it."

"It's recent though... That's concerning." He scrunches his nose at the burnt hair smell in the room.

"Cerina, is there any evidence of foot traffic in this room that leads to one of these doors? They must of scorched this guy and then left the room through one of these doors."

Responding to SW, "I can mend, absolutely! But? I don't think that's the right direction." He peers down the newly opened shaft.

"It says "traps" - plural, ahead and this sounds like this hasn't been opened in a while."

He starts to look around at the other doors.

On Wed, May 15, 2024, 7:43?AM Sweet William/Arthur Picard via <artamy1=[email protected]> wrote:

OOC:?Does Sweet William remember seeing any wooden doors in this complex or anything?

that can bridge the gap between the rungs?

If not IC: “North, can you use you mending magic to restore those rotten planks?next to the pit?”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:28 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Cerina cringes at the description William has shared. She'll turn to both North and Brother ashley, "Do either of you two know of a spell or ritual that requires removing someones heart and then turning them to stone?"

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 04:38:17 PM PDT, Tabby <tacobobman@...> wrote:

"Oh dear.", Tabby did not like all the sounds the room made. And this whole room could be a TRAP? There was also the residue. Was that the trap? Another trap?? Did it cause one big fire?

And now there was a horrible pit! The Tabaxi will stay at her spot for the moment. She will have to hear what the others have to say.

On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 2:41?PM Sweet William/Arthur Picard via <artamy1=[email protected]> wrote:

“Looks to me like this is less a statue and more somebody that somehow got turned to stone,” Sweet William says. “It’s got a chest scar that looks like something cut it’s heart out and then stitched it back up. Gotta feel bad for this poor bastard!”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 7:57 AM, North/John DeMaio <mrjdemaio@...> wrote:

"This seems like a ritual sacrifice type situation." North comments.

"Taking the heart out may be more of a cultural part of it."

"It's recent though... That's concerning." He scrunches his nose at the burnt hair smell in the room.

"Cerina, is there any evidence of foot traffic in this room that leads to one of these doors? They must of scorched this guy and then left the room through one of these doors."

Responding to SW, "I can mend, absolutely! But? I don't think that's the right direction." He peers down the newly opened shaft.

"It says "traps" - plural, ahead and this sounds like this hasn't been opened in a while."

He starts to look around at the other doors.

On Wed, May 15, 2024, 7:43?AM Sweet William/Arthur Picard via <artamy1=[email protected]> wrote:

OOC:?Does Sweet William remember seeing any wooden doors in this complex or anything?

that can bridge the gap between the rungs?

If not IC: “North, can you use you mending magic to restore those rotten planks?next to the pit?”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:28 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Cerina cringes at the description William has shared. She'll turn to both North and Brother ashley, "Do either of you two know of a spell or ritual that requires removing someones heart and then turning them to stone?"

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 04:38:17 PM PDT, Tabby <tacobobman@...> wrote:

"Oh dear.", Tabby did not like all the sounds the room made. And this whole room could be a TRAP? There was also the residue. Was that the trap? Another trap?? Did it cause one big fire?

And now there was a horrible pit! The Tabaxi will stay at her spot for the moment. She will have to hear what the others have to say.

On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 2:41?PM Sweet William/Arthur Picard via <artamy1=[email protected]> wrote:

“Looks to me like this is less a statue and more somebody that somehow got turned to stone,” Sweet William says. “It’s got a chest scar that looks like something cut it’s heart out and then stitched it back up. Gotta feel bad for this poor bastard!”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 10:28 PM, Cerina/JediJon via groups.io <dwarfjsgm@...> wrote:

Cerina cringes at the description William has shared. She'll turn to both North and Brother ashley, "Do either of you two know of a spell or ritual that requires removing someones heart and then turning them to stone?"

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 04:38:17 PM PDT, Tabby <tacobobman@...> wrote:

"Oh dear.", Tabby did not like all the sounds the room made. And this whole room could be a TRAP? There was also the residue. Was that the trap? Another trap?? Did it cause one big fire?

And now there was a horrible pit! The Tabaxi will stay at her spot for the moment. She will have to hear what the others have to say.

On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 2:41?PM Sweet William/Arthur Picard via <artamy1=[email protected]> wrote:

“Looks to me like this is less a statue and more somebody that somehow got turned to stone,” Sweet William says. “It’s got a chest scar that looks like something cut it’s heart out and then stitched it back up. Gotta feel bad for this poor bastard!”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM

“Looks to me like this is less a statue and more somebody that somehow got turned to stone,” Sweet William says. “It’s got a chest scar that looks like something cut it’s heart out and then stitched it back up. Gotta feel bad for this poor bastard!”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM

“Looks to me like this is less a statue and more somebody that somehow got turned to stone,” Sweet William says. “It’s got a chest scar that looks like something cut it’s heart out and then stitched it back up. Gotta feel bad for this poor bastard!”

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via <dwarfjsgm=[email protected]> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2:05 PM, Cerina/JediJon via groups.io <dwarfjsgm@...> wrote:

Pocketing the stone, Cerina turns to look at all that has happened. "Why do I get the feeling that this room is all a well designed trap. Listening to the gears protesting, I'd say its been some time since anyone triggered it though."

"I miss the old days." Cthulhu

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:46:13 AM PDT, Dungeon Master/Infinitum3D <infinitum3d@...> wrote:

DM/

Sweet William?studies the statue intently. It appears to be made of all one material, carved from a single piece of granite- creature and spear combined.

The expression on the creature’s face and posture of the body seem to belie a recoil of sorts, as if the creature was caught in mid-action getting ready to dodge.?

Meanwhile,?Flynn?knocks?on the secret door, and the sound reverberates throughout the chamber.?

K?n?O?c?K?

A latch clicks somewhere below and counterweights within the walls begin settling into recesses, turning rusty gears and grinding stiff pulleys. The floor slightly shudders and painted plaster cracks away from the seams in a dusty, chunky, noisy mess as a portion of the wall is pulled upward through the floor into the ceiling to reveal a secret passage; its walls glow magenta, bathing the corridor with a ghastly hue. After fifteen feet, the floor drops away to a pit that fills the hallway ahead. The pit is twenty-five feet deep. Eight large, spidery bushes with thorny stems, white leaves, and enormous yellow blossoms grow across its bottom.

Five feet beyond the nearest edge of the pit is a bronze bar, set level with the floor and embedded in the pit walls to either side. Farther out over the pit can be seen other similar bronze rungs, set at five-foot intervals. On the floor by the edge of the pit is a scattering of broken, rotting wooden planks.

Sweet William?sees a layer of fresh cinder slag on the weretiger statue. A hot fire was here recently.?North?recognizes it as fireball residue. Something was burnt to a crisp recently. Looking closer, the Barbarian notes a scar obscured somewhat by the ash, running down the center of the weretiger’s chest with ‘ice pick’ suture scarring along either side as if the chest was somehow opened and sewn back together again.

The cat-o-nine-tails that?Cerina?is examining resembles a Drow weapon consisting of a small whip with nine individual ends, each end having a knot tied on it. Drow typically knot their ends with glass or rusty iron caltrops, but this has no such accoutrements. Handled as a small melee whip, this device wouldn’t have much effect against mail or even leathers but against bare native skin it would be a painful experience.??It was likely used ceremonially to appease the gods, or mete out justice against slaves captured from rival tribes. It’s made of crudely tanned, braided leather. The craftsmanship is poor, but then she notices the haft encases a solid pommel. Prying into the knotted braids she discovers an uncut blue-white diamond the size of a field pea.?

Meanwhile,?Tabby?keeps an eye on everyone from her vantage point in the center of the room, far from statues and corpses and traps and triggers. She watches keenly, but doesn’t notice anything dangerous, threatening, or spooky at the moment.

And what do you do?

/DM