The Spiral Stair (DM SteveK) Wednesday August 18th, 2021 12:22:53 PM
Our heroes walk up the stairs until the Illusion Room is lost from view. In time, the steps end and they are again walking the middle of a white rounded corridor, 20’ in diameter. It also turns so they can never see more than 50 feet ahead or behind. It is difficult to even determine if the turns are up, down, left or right, and impossible to identify the overall direction of travel. Even the concept of north, south, east, and west is meaningless here!
Soon, the spiraling corridor becomes not all white, but a series of endless doors. There appear to be markings on and near each door.
…… Each Hero receives 35,000xp for passing through the Magic Workshops!
One Hero Point to Gaffer for holding the Twisted Core!
Desdichado spends time looking at the markings on some of the doors, to see if it looks like a language, or maybe symbols that can be interpreted.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) d20+6=23 ; Wednesday August 18th, 2021 2:26:10 PM
Sarge snorts a little at Hmerrin's joke. "You're not that smelly," she assures him.
As she climbs the staircase, she looks around, but leaves the heavy thinking to the heavy thinkers.
[Perception 23]
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Wednesday August 18th, 2021 3:18:00 PM
Gaffer stands back with Sarge, letting the others figure out the doors and wonders aloud, "Why are the passageways so long if the space is all so warped and false? Seems like extra effort for everyone involved..."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Wednesday August 18th, 2021 7:14:54 PM
"Right," Hmerrin observes sourly. "She did say Spiral Maze."
The man looks at the markings on the door. "Anybody remember if Dali said anything about how to find Yarmin's Private Room?"
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] d20+9=28 ; d20+13=14 ; Wednesday August 18th, 2021 9:02:27 PM "She did say that it would connect to a Spiral Maze. This is probably it."
Just in case this is a maze, Nira casts an Arcane Mark spell to leave an arrow on the floor pointing in whichever direction the group decide to go.
----------- Raw Int check to see if there is a pattern to the markings: 28 Knowl checks: 31 (Take10) to try and understand the markings Linguistics: 14
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 d20+21=27 ; d12=11 ; d20+25=32 ; Thursday August 19th, 2021 1:01:06 AM
Toston takes a very detailed look around, trying to get a feel for the place.
(Perception: 32) (Know[Arcana]: 27)
Effects: Low Light Vision Blindsense 30 feet
The Spiral Stair (DM SteveK) Thursday August 19th, 2021 1:46:38 PM
Anybody remember if Dali said anything about how to find Yarmin's Private Room? No, no she didn’t. And as the heroes begin looking around, they again discover some things..
They have gone through another One Way Door. There is no door or stairs behind the heroes, just an endless series of corridor and doors in the walls. Occasionally, there is a window rather than a door. Peering out, the heroes can see (Ooc: image in email).
Between many (but not all) of the doors are etched words in the Common Tongue, all are in a style so neat and meticulous that it could have been produced by a printing press. Most of these are notes for experiments that are in a short-hand style so much that it doesn’t provide any knowledge benefit to the heroes. Just opposite the way in, this note looks like an introduction welcoming Yarmin’s newest assistants. They were selected for their expertise in varied areas, and ends with a stern reminder that they can use the facilities to conduct any experiments that they want, as long as Yarmin’s experiments take first priority.
Mayb
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Thursday August 19th, 2021 5:01:19 PM
Sarge takes a look at the note welcoming new assistants. "Don't suppose he left a map for them," she mutters.
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Thursday August 19th, 2021 6:29:34 PM
"Experiments," muses Desdichado, "I don't like the sound of that." He decides to take a look around the room and Detect Evil, just in case (assuming there are tables with the experiments set up in this room).
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Thursday August 19th, 2021 7:37:21 PM
"Pretty sure randomly opening doors is gonna make for a very, very, long day," Hmerrin mutters.
"Anybody got one of them divination spells that might point the way?"
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 Friday August 20th, 2021 12:49:29 AM
Toston says, "My spell selection is rather limited. Divination isn't really my thing. Sarge, Des, Gaffer, Nira? you guys have any divination abilities?"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Friday August 20th, 2021 7:29:03 AM
"My divination options are only a few, and I didn't prepare any unfortunately. Well, if time isn't passing, it can only take both forever and no time at all, so we could open doors one by one?" Gaffer can't convince himself this is a good option, but isn't sure what else they are too do.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Saturday August 21st, 2021 12:04:12 AM
"I don't have anything prepared, but I can ask Domi for one if you give me a few minutes," Sarge says.
[OOC: Sarge has open spell slots she can fill.]
"So, what do we want? I can't quite do that Finding the Path thing, and Commune is only yes/no questions. Divination? That might give us a clue, and then we can use Commune to clarify things if we need to. What do you think?"
The Spiral Stair (DM SteveK) Saturday August 21st, 2021 11:16:04 AM
Ooc: travelling. Will be back inGermany and normal Posting on Monday.
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] Saturday August 21st, 2021 10:47:11 PM "I've got some divination and scrying spells. Find the Path would have been the perfect spell. Had the doors been open I could have sent some Prying Eyes about" Nira's selection of divination spells is quite limited.
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Sunday August 22nd, 2021 1:34:35 AM
"Eh, I'm not much of one for Divination, unless you want to know if someone is lying," says the paladin.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 Sunday August 22nd, 2021 11:26:44 PM
Toston says to Dez, "Can't you detect evil? This is a monster lab right? Presumably some of the monsters are evil. Maybe you could figure out where not to go?"
The Spiral Stair (DM SteveK) Monday August 23rd, 2021 6:05:31 AM
The heroes assess their current situation. They are in a 20 foot diameter tube-like corridor, gently lit by the softly glowing white surface. Because of the Teucri environment, every surface is ‘floor’. In no discernable pattern, there are doors along the tube, each one has a diagram on the door. Every so often, there is writing on the walls.
Sarge takes a look at the note welcoming new assistants. "Don't suppose he left a map for them," she mutters. She looks around. There doesn’t seem to be a map here, but the dwarf asks a good question: how DID the assistants find things…
Desdichado doesn’t like the sound of ‘experiments’. He looks around with Detect Evil, just in case, but nothing radiates as an evil alignment.
Hmerrin doesn’t want to randomly open doors and asks for ideas to make this easier.
Toston has a ‘no’ for divination, but looks to the other spellcasters.
Gaffer also doesn’t have useful divination spells, but suggests even an infinity of doors, given an infinity of time, shouldn’t be a problem?
Sarge was wise enough to keep open spell slots for flexibility. She could divine as a possibility…
Nira also has some divination and scrying spells and talks to her new allies on the capabilities.
Toston considers that Dez may be able to use Detect Evil to figure out where NOT to go.
………….. The heroes have the initiative.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Monday August 23rd, 2021 3:11:36 PM
"Right," Sarge says. "Well, I'll start chatting with Domi about that Divination spell, and you guys can interrupt me if we decide we're not doing that."
Sarge begins the meditation she needs to add Divination to her available spells.
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Monday August 23rd, 2021 4:24:32 PM
"Hey, does Hmerrin still have that Gem of Seeing? Maybe that will show us something interesting."
The lad looks over several doors and the writing between to try a discern a pattern there. [INT check 12, if useful] While looking them over, he answers Gaffer. "Remember that centaur. If we take forever finding the way out, we'll all be dust the second we leave."
To Sarge he throws out a suggestion. "Maybe ask if the way out is to the right, or within 200 feet of us, or something like that to at least eliminate doors."
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Monday August 23rd, 2021 8:20:36 PM
Gaffer is somewhat crestfallen at Hmerrin's reminder, and does his best impression of a thinker while waiting for Sarge to change her spells.
"Erm, just in case... Show me, the monster pits please doors. Or the way out." Gaffer speaks aloud and then waits, with little hope, but it occurs to him that the original users of this place would also not wish to turn to dust, or walk indefinitely, and it worked for the illusion room right.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 d20+21=37 ; d20+12=25 ; d20+25=34 ; Tuesday August 24th, 2021 12:28:34 AM
Toston carefully observes his surroundings (Perception: 34)
He then thinks back to his knowledge of the arcane (know[arcana]: 37) and his skills with spellcraft (spellcraft 25) to try to figure out if he can glean anything further from the hallway they find themselves in.
The Spiral Stair (DM SteveK) Tuesday August 24th, 2021 8:14:21 AM
Sarge begins the meditation she needs to add Divination to her available spells. It takes 15 minutes for Sarge to meditate for a Divination spell. This isn’t really noted in the passing of time, but just the fact Sarge started, and now she is finished. And some of the other heroes have used the time to get more information too
Desdichado suggests the Gem of Seeing. Nira has it, but using the Gem does not reveal anything that can already be seen.
Hmerrin looks over several doors and the writing between to try a discern a pattern there. Wandering down the halls a bit, the young man found another note that doesn’t match a particular door. This note appears to be a poem, Yarmin is lamenting the sundering of the Teucri civilization and the loss of his beautiful home in Jericho Space. It ends with … “I MUST find a solution!”
Gaffer speaks aloud and then waits. Maybe the Doors will provide a clue like the Illusion room! The Doors don’t do anything, but his Stone of the Forge Lord begins to pulse! A little further experimenting, and Gaffer sees his Stone pulses faster when he walks down the corridor.
Toston carefully observes his surroundings and considers his arcane knowledge to glean any further information. The idea comes to the gnome that this corridor is infinite, and each door goes to a different ‘pocket plane’ that can hold an experiment, probably containing monster or monsters. One Door, however, must lead to Yarmin’s ‘inner sanctum’, where the Ultimate Nullifier should be.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Tuesday August 24th, 2021 1:52:54 PM
"Okay, got it," Sarge says when she finishes prepping for the spell. "What, exactly, do we wanna ask? 'Cause we kind of have to be exact, and there's no guarantee the answer will make a lick of sense. I'm thinking 'how do we find Yarmin's inner sanctum?' but maybe there's a better way to put it."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Tuesday August 24th, 2021 6:39:49 PM
"Hold that thought, Sarge," Hmerrin answers, raising a hand. "I got another note written by Yarmin here, and I'm thinking if the guy likes writing on walls, he'd probably do so between the way in and his office. Bunch of experiment doors,sure. But, he's the boss. He's gonna use whichever ones are easiest for him, and make the students run off for the far doors."
"Let's go this way a while, and see if we can find some more Yarmin notes. We can save that spell for a little later."
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Tuesday August 24th, 2021 6:55:57 PM
"Wow, that Teucri poetry is just as weird as their architecture," says Desdichado. Considering their options, he agrees with following Gaffer's flashing light down the hall in hopes of it leading to the correct passage.
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] Tuesday August 24th, 2021 8:43:22 PM
Nira makes sure her arcane mark is still visible before the group begins walking. She's tempted to just open every door that the party come across but without more information about them such a thing might be a little dangerous.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Tuesday August 24th, 2021 9:41:33 PM
Excited, but unsure how far it will go, Gaffer starts walking forwards and watches his Stone to see just how frequent the pulses become. If at any point the pulses start to slow, he stops and takes in the doors.in the surroundings. He does look behind him every now and then, making sure the others are still in sight.
Toston. (Sub by SteveK) Wednesday August 25th, 2021 2:31:44 AM
Toston relays the information he deduced and nods. ”Between the Gem of Seeing, following Yarmin’s written comments, Dez’ Detect Evil, and Gaffer’s Stone, we should be able to find the door without experimentation!”
Moving through the Spiral Maze (SteveK) Wednesday August 25th, 2021 6:51:13 AM
The Tide follow the vibrating Stone and look for more notes of things not dealing with experiments.
Gaffer soon finds the Stone pulses faster, not really noticeable at first but slowly over time. As he continues to walk, he also begins to feel it pull in his hands.
The Tide walks until the vibrations make Gaffer’s hand throb and the pulling leads to a door indistinguishable from any of the others: but the Stone seems to know where it wants to go!
There are no experiment notes by this Door. Instead, the note is in a different handwriting: not blocky and neat, but a flowing script that seems hastily written.
“Yarmin, experiment XM413P is successful, and my team was able to measure time passed in the Wold while in the Time Bubble. Unfortunately, it shows you have been gone for 538 years, 9 months, and 13 days; or 1300.43% longer than any previous time you have been gone. My team is despondent, and Toril is complaining about all the beer he hasn’t been able to drink. We are taking the Nullifier to experiment BZ923A and will use it in the Pit to break the Time Bubble and escape. Circe’ the Black”
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Wednesday August 25th, 2021 1:09:54 PM
"Well, that looks promising," Sarge says. "Should we try it?"
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Wednesday August 25th, 2021 5:00:33 PM
"I knew those "experiments" sounded like bad news!" exclaims Desdichado. "So, we need to find this experiment BZ9...whatever it was. I don't suppose they are conveniently labelled for us, are they?"
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Wednesday August 25th, 2021 7:23:19 PM
"I say we try this door first," Hmerrin answers Dez. "Hopefully, it his office. And just maybe the Nullifier is still in there. Or a map. Or something helpful."
The fighter cricks his neck, left and right.
"Any other ideas?"
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] Thursday August 26th, 2021 2:49:49 AM "With so much time passing it makes me wonder how old Yarmin might actually be and what the Wold was like when he first created this place. I imagine a lot of historians would like the chance to spend some time with him"
Nira takes a step back from the door to allow the others clear access to it.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 Thursday August 26th, 2021 3:35:00 AM
Toston says, "Let's try this door first and see what Gaffer's vibrations have lead us to."
Moving through the Spiral Maze (SteveK) Thursday August 26th, 2021 5:17:31 AM
Sarge, Hmerrin, and Toston want to try the Door where Gaffer’s Stone led.
A look around the door reveals this door is BZ923A.
A look on the door reveals no keyholes, latches, or any indention.
…..
The heroes have the initiative
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Thursday August 26th, 2021 5:51:04 PM
"BZ923A," Sarge reads aloud. "That's the experiment mentioned in the note. I'd say we're on the right track."
She frowns at the door. "So how d'you open this thing?"
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- d20+23=32 ; d20+18=33 ; d20+13=24 ; d12+5=14 ; d12+5=16 ; d12+5=8 ; Thursday August 26th, 2021 6:55:37 PM
Desdichado pulls out his greataxe. "Well, if we can't figure it out, there's always smashing!" (He'll only attempt to break it down if no one has other ideas.)
32 to hit door; 14 damage 33 to hit door; 16 damage 24 to hit door; 8 damage
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Thursday August 26th, 2021 7:20:42 PM
If Dez isn't getting anywhere, Hmerrin turns to Gaffer.
"Wanna see what that stone of yours might do?"
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] Thursday August 26th, 2021 8:50:14 PM
Before Desdichado goes all lumberjack on the door, Nira tries a simpler approach first. Just in case. She pushes against the door to see if it is locked.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 Friday August 27th, 2021 1:02:20 AM
Toston says, "Anyone have a knock spell? I don't, sadly but maybe one of you does?"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Friday August 27th, 2021 11:18:12 AM
Nira's approach seems like a good start, if there is no joy there Gaffer is of the same mind as Hmerrin and will try and step in before Des starts smashing to give a quick once over. He glances over the door for any handles, or holes that the stone might fit in. Otherwise he'll attempt to push the stone into the center of the door and see if there's any reaction. If he has no luck he will step back
Door BZ923A (SteveK) Friday August 27th, 2021 4:09:11 PM
Pushing on the door doesn’t work, but putting the Stone on the door and it opens right up!
The door reveals only a fuzzy, translucent white-blackness.
The fuzzy, translucent white-blackness may make some uneasy, but Toston and Nira have heard of it before: it is the stable border between two planes.. (Ooc: auto pass Know Arcana). What they also know is once they pass, there may not be any way back. Or it may be easily passed through again and again. Just don’t know!
The heroes have the initiative.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Friday August 27th, 2021 11:22:33 PM
"So, we think that Nullifier gizmo is in here?" Sarge says.
Nira Wynvyre (RobC) [HP: 92/92 - AC:21/13/18 - CMD 19] Saturday August 28th, 2021 2:45:12 AM
Nira pokes her head over Gaffer's shoulder to get a better look. "So that looks like the entry to another plane. No telling if anyone would be able to pass back through or not, or even what's on the other side."
She contemplates Sarge's question. "Well, the note did say they were bringing it to this room and would use it in the pit."
Desdichado(Ryan) [HP: 152/152; AC:26/12/26 - CMD 28] DR:3/- Saturday August 28th, 2021 5:12:38 PM
"I can try to pass through first, and if I don't return by a count of...let's say 100...you all can assume I'm not able to return," declares the paladin. "Otherwise, I'll attempt to return by a count of 20 and let you know what's on the other side."
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Sunday August 29th, 2021 9:38:23 PM
Gaffer isn't so keen on sending just one of them ahead, especially as the only known way out is through that door regardless of what's behind. "I vote we all go through together. If whatever is inside is deadly, better we are deal with it together, than lose one of us first."
Depending on the groups reaction to that, he will follow after Des as they step other the threshold.
Toston Lotor(Hugh Crosmun) [HP: 140/140; AC:33/25/25 - CMD 35 Monday August 30th, 2021 12:19:10 AM
Toston says, "Should we try to send something through first and see if it can't get back to us? IDK does anyone have a calling spell? If we summon something to do a service for it and the service is to go through the portal and come back if it can't come back wouldn't we have our answer. Of course we'd have to pay it but is it worth it?"
Door BZ923A (SteveK) Monday August 30th, 2021 10:49:33 AM
Discussions begin on how to go through the Door.
The heroes have the initiative.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 167/167 AC:32 T:18 FF:26 CMD:34) Monday August 30th, 2021 6:57:20 PM
Hmerrin sighs, and shakes his head.
"Place is nothing but portals. Only one sure way to find out, boys and girls."
The fighter steps through the door.
Sarge [AC 20; HP 132/132] (Kathy) Monday August 30th, 2021 7:24:55 PM
"Well, I guess that settles it," Sarge says, and steps after Hmerrin.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 135/135 AC: 25(T:16/FF:20) CMD:30) Monday August 30th, 2021 10:00:03 PM
Gaffer follows through the door, finding it oddly calming handing his fate over to the unknown... Or not, monster pits rings out in his mind, this won't be good.
This room is the Pits. (SteveK) Tuesday August 31st, 2021 12:22:23 AM
The heroes (and Denli) bravely step through the Door…
…and find themselves on a 3’ wide ledge surrounding a 15’ diameter hole that descends down into darkness…
Gaffer finds the Stone is still vibrating and trying to pull Gaffer into the Pit.
The walls here are a dead gray, similar to the Necromancy Room. It looks like the heroes will have to produce thier own light.
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