Prepare to enter Deathtrap Dungeon

[Custom_Hobby]

Can Sarian disarm the trap or should we try to trigger it without dying?

[Balgin Stondraeg]

How high is the ceiling, please, Balgin?

The ceiling's about 12' high.

[Bodhi]

"What if we simply throw something at the skull? Should set the trap of without anyone standing in the way?" Ellion suggests

[Custom_Hobby]

"Sounds good to me. We should be able to do it from outside of the room too, just to be on the safe side."

[Balgin Stondraeg]

"What if we simply throw something at the skull? Should set the trap of without anyone standing in the way?" Ellion suggests

Me/ heads off to check if Rhana knows Mage Hand...

Oh look, she does :).

[Keeper]

"What if we simply throw something at the skull? Should set the trap of without anyone standing in the way?" Ellion suggests

"How about I use magic to move the skull while none of us are in the room.  Clear the room now, please."

Once everyone is clear of the room and the door, Rhana will case Mage Hand, and draw the skull out of the room to us.

Thanks Balgin - I've had a bit of zombie brain rot of late.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

That's okay. I honestly thought "ooh, mage hand situation" and didn't remember if she had it or not).

[Custom_Hobby]

Dekion helps everyone out of the room (he is the least injured). Once she is ready, he stands slightly in front of Rhana to shield her (just in case).

[Balgin Stondraeg]

Advancing a short distance into the room (not so much for range as to better get her bearings) Rhana speaks a few magic words and extends her hand. Slowly the skull rises into the air and drifts across the room to her. The crossbows do not fire.

If Sarian later examines the trap he shall find out how devious and sadistic it is. Lifting the skull from the plinth would not trigger the trap. However, then placing an object back on the plinth (even the skull again) is what would cause the crossbows to fire.

Reaching out Rhana accepts the skull as if it has been offered to her by some unseen hand. The two amethysts in the eyesockets (which were topaz's in the original adventure) look valuable and are easily removed. Tossing the skull back into the room so that it rolls up by the two balls, she and her companions head around the corner and through the hall of broken mirrors.

At the end it branches out into a small landing like room in which two sets of stairs lead up into the darkness beyond. A bannister made of rat's skulls separates them.

[Custom_Hobby]

Did both gems come out easily? Are they similar to the others we have found? Is that a shield in between the stairs?

[Balgin Stondraeg]

Did both gems come out easily? Are they similar to the others we have found? Is that a shield in between the stairs?

There's a shield in the picture but it was never mentioned in the original text or in the d20 version.

However....

There's a shield in the picture!

And it's been there for over 20 years now. I'm happy to say there's a shield there if you want it :). If you don't want it then it's still there ('cause it's in the picture).

[Custom_Hobby]

Does the shield look like it is in good condition?

"Sarain can you check for traps please? I don't trust anything in this place!" Dekion takes a careful look at the floor and as many of the steps as he can see without touching them. He takes his time (takes 20) searching.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

The shield looks a bit "used" but it's got a lot of use left in it. There are a few dents and scratches but it's a sturdy shield that'll see some good use.

I think I've even worked out who put it there, and why :).

[Custom_Hobby]

Anything on the search?

[Balgin Stondraeg]

After a fairly casual search Sarian and Dekion discover that the fourth step on the right hand stair is made of painted balsa wood. Listening closely Sarian can hear the sound of rather a lot of angry trapped rats in the hollow cavity beneath the false step.

The left hand staircase is safe enough.