You find yourself in a plain stone room that contains three chests: a copper-banded chest of smooth, dark wood; a red lacquered chest; and what looks to be a cube of solid steel. Behind the chests sits a low table holding a clear glass jar half full of liquid and a covered wicker basket.
Written on the back of the locked door is a message: “Within these cases lies your quest and your way out.”
What do you do?
Please submit your turn instructions using the Player Action Response - Turn Post Template.
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Conditions
None
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Party Health:
Fergus 9/9, Jerry 14/14, Noc Stonepriest 12/12, Ronan Hex 9/9, Korg the Mighty 8/8
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ReplyDeleteNoc assumes all items will be examined by Jerry first. He knows better than to go start flipping chests open in underground rooms. He decides to start with examining the stone room itself for clues.
ReplyDeletePerception + Stonecunning (+2)
[20] +8 +2 = 30!
(kinda wish I had picked something more impressive before I rolled the dice)
Misc: 2,9,14,15
"Gar. Have I mentioned to yeh that I hate puzzles?"
ReplyDeleteFergus hates puzzles.
Detect Magic. Got any?
17, 14, 16, 12, 5
Jerry searches for traps, on the floor, then on each chest in turn..wood-red-steel, then listen at the wicker basket. is the jar lidded? does it smell like anything, acid, poison?
ReplyDelete[6] [3] [19] [4] [8] [2] [2] [17]
perception +4
Further examination of the room and its contents reveals:
ReplyDeleteThe room itself is made of solid stone with a sturdy wooden door. The craftsmanship is passable (by dwarf standards) and does not appear to have any hidden, trap or secret doors.
The copper-banded chest is made of dark wood and has a standard keyhole. This chest appears to have a magical aura. Jerry does not detect any traps on this chest.
The red lacquered chest has a solid metal plate surrounding the gaping keyhole that pulses with glowing amber runes. The runes have a magical aura. Jerry does not detect any traps on this chest but believes that it is somehow physically connected to the rest of the room. It is secured to the floor.
The steel cube has only the faintest crack where its lid meets the base, and would be completely featureless save for its narrow keyhole. This chest appears to have a magical aura. Jerry does not detect any traps on this chest.
The basket is 2-foot-round, made of wicker and has a lid resting gently atop its wide rim. Jerry does not hear anything within the basket.
The gallon-sized clear glass jar is about half full with clear liquid. At the bottom of the vessel sits a jeweled brass key. The liquid does not have any odor or property that would indicate what it is.
Ronan,
ReplyDeleteWell my thoughts we may or may not have everything we need to get them open.
Cast Detect Magic
Take 20 on looking at all the boxes.
Anyone bring some fishing line and hook to get that key out of the water? I am not sure I want to stick my hand in it.
However, I am sure if they wanted us dead we would be already. This is more like a big puzzle. Get the key, open the box get the key for the next box.
Focus on the Red Lacquered chest fist. Look also at the walls in the room. See if any of the runes are on the walls.
Roll(8d20)+0:
11,5,19,5,19,11,10,18,+0
Total:98
Perception +1
Spellcraft +6
Fisherman +4 (lol I should have fishing line and a hook)
I do have a butterfly net if it is small enough to get in the vase.
I don't have Read Magic memorized but would it help the Runes? (I believe I can memorize this on the fly).
I am hoping that there is not a snake in the Wicker basket. Might want to sneak and look.
Noc is wearing a barbed vest. I'd assume one of the barbs could be removed to make for an improvised hook if someone has line.
ReplyDeleteIf you do not have the equipment on your sheet, you done not have it to use.
ReplyDeleteI have provided responses to the investigation so far but I still need actions from the players. Besides looking, what are you planning to do next? Unlike combat, puzzles and investigations are mostly player driven. I need active participation from the players to get through this as quickly as possible.
I guess go over to the wicker basket slowly remove the lid. Keeping the lid between me and the basket. Per into the basket to see what it contains.
ReplyDeleteWhile whatever is in the basket kills Ronan, I'll take a stab at the glass jar. I pour out the contents of my waterskin, and begin to pour the contents of the jar into the water skin, being careful not to spill or let the key go in. When the liquid is emptied from the jar, I drop the key into my sling to wipe it off thoroughly with the leather, and close my waterskin.
ReplyDeleteDEX roll for a careful pour: [12] + 2 = 14
(would a skill apply? I'm assuming not)
Misc:
14,4,6,11,9
Inside the wicker basket, Ronan sees a blue stone key resting atop a pile of crumpled linens.
ReplyDeleteNoc carefully tries to pour the liquid from the jar into his waterskin but his hands are not a steady as he would like. The liquid splashes the monk dealing 1 point of acid damage but he is able to retrieve the jeweled brass key.
Noc furiously wipes the acid off and discards the waterskin. He likes his drink to have a bite, but that's a bit too much.
ReplyDeleteIs it obvious which chest the key fits best? It sounds as if the keyholes are different sizes. If The answer is only the Copper banded chest, I'll attempt to unlock it. If could fit any of the other chests, I'll want to wait for the team to agree on an order.
Examining the key and the chests, Noc thinks it would fit into any of the three.
ReplyDelete"All right..." Noc spits with frustration at the burns on his hands "We have two keys and three chests. I figure the brass key belongs to the copper chest being an alloy of copper's. If anyone has thoughts/observations/objections, speak up now before I get any more practice at growing scar tissue."
ReplyDeleteIs the blue stone key magical?
you described the keyholes as 'standard, gaping, and narrow'. are the two keys the same thickness? can I determine anything about them, as a locksmith kind of guy, that would glean me an idea which holes they would best fit?
ReplyDeleteI remove the linens, and inspect them, using a tool to get them out of the basket. being weary of traps/snakes/etc.
ReplyDeleteThe brass key is of a size that would allow it to fit any of the three chests. Without examining the locks further or trying the keys, Jerry cannot tell which may be best.
ReplyDeleteDoes someone with Detect Magic cast it and examine the blue key?
Visual inspection of the blue key reveals that there are runes upon it. These runes appear to match those upon the red chest. This suggests that this key would work upon the red chest.
Jerry uses a tool to pull the linen free of the basket, revealing an angry viper within. The snake strikes the tool but remains safely within the basket along with the blue key.
Fergus cast Detect Magic and hasnt been doing much but looking about the room with it.
ReplyDeleteUpon discovery of runes, he will use Read Magic on them.
12, 9, 6, 15, 17
Looking into the basket, Fergus sees that the blue key radiates a faint aura of transmutation magic. The snake does not radiate magic. The runes are mystic in origin but do not say anything.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking I don't want to kill the snake.
ReplyDeleteWhat size is the snake?
Swarmsuit or Butterfly net useful in taking the Asp out of commission?
You can use a tool to extract the key without allowing the snake out of the basket. I believe it is tiny.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Matt H:
ReplyDeleteKorg stands and looks puzzled, brow furrowed... "This... makes no sense."
He lets out a frustrated sigh, and waits to see what his companions do next.
"Here's my thinking all. Two keys, three chests. The blue stone key we can say with relative certainty belongs to the chest with runes around the lock. In my opinion, that's also likely the most dangerous chest to open as we don't know what magics we're unlocking as well."
ReplyDeleteNoc stands in front of the copper banded chest with the brass key.
"I'm feeling right about this combo, it looks traditional and safe. I know looks can be deceiving, but I'd like to start by opening this chest. Any objections?"
after i fish the blue key out of the basket i warn everyone and will use it in the runed lock, per our conversation. i'll be ready to dodge or whatever, cause i don't trust my own find traps rolls.
ReplyDeletei'll continue after i find out what happens with that one.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean I'm holding off? I must have missed a side conversation. I'll take Bruce's lead as an objection and wait then.
ReplyDeletei did have a conversation with keith just now, but if you want to do your plan i'll go hide in the corner, just say so..
ReplyDeletei'll wait
i figure we'll have to open them all eventually.
ReplyDeletewe cant take all day deciding what to do, we got a lot of town to cover..
I agree. I was also just trying to move things forward as I didn't see an obvious solution or path.
ReplyDeleteI don't care who goes first, but my vote is to hold off on the runed chest. An answer to the runes' meaning might lie in another chest, the other chests seem more mundane.
Noc is hard headed, and unless Jerry disagrees, I'll have Noc warn the others and open the copper banded chest first. If Jerry objects, Noc respects the resident lock expert.
nope fine with me, i find a good place to reflex save at...
ReplyDeleteNoc tries the brass key in the copper-banded chest. When he inserts the key and turns, the key does not appear to connect with any locking mechanism. Blinking his eyes, Noc examines the chest again and finds that it has faded into a faint outline and comes to realize it is an illusion. (Noc is the only one to notice this.)
ReplyDeleteJerry tries the blue key in the red chest. The lock opens. Lifting the lid reveals a key forged into the end of a jeweled scepter. Though the jewels and the scepter appear to be quite exquisite, a quick appraisal reveals them to be fakes.
When Jerry opened the chest, Fergus heard a click from above. Looking up, the cleric sees a golden key dangling 6 inches from the ceiling through a small slit. The ceiling in the room is 15 feet tall.
When it goes around again and if Jerry says something.
ReplyDeleteI guess we stack on boxes / shoulders / use butterfly net to get the key from the ceiling.
To open the last chest.
Does Noc try the brass key in the other chest, because it didn't open the 1st one he tried it in?
ReplyDeleteJerry tries the new scepter-key in the copper-banded chest..
Forsetti:when 'what' goes around again? and i say 'what'?
Good call. Noc will try the other chest with his brass key.
ReplyDeleteNoc tries the brass key in the steel chest and the key breaks, falling into dust as it was twisted in the lock.
ReplyDeleteJerry tries the scepter key in the copper-banded chest. It too just spins in the lock.
Ronan tries to find something to stand upon or climb to reach the dangling key. The table behind the chests can be stacked on the open red chest. (Closing it causes the key to retract.) This gives him enough of a lift to cut down the key with his sword. The key is made of gold.
Nudge. What do you do next?
ReplyDeleteI guess I will try the last key. Asking my team mates which chest. I think I know but want to make sure something did not happen when I was distracted. If it opens and gives us the item we are looking for I would like to go as a group to turn in the item so that we can move to tehe third objective.
ReplyDelete..fucking puzzles..
ReplyDeletedid we get some clues that we are not paying attn to?
No, I would just say that collectively the party is not paying attention. It is not my job to make descions for the group. You need to tell me what you plan to do. The minute it was determined it was a "puzzle" half of you checked out. There are consequences for actions/inactions and I need to know what people are doing.
ReplyDeleteI have been running this as a single turn as the chances of combat were minimal. I figured it would be much more simple that way.
The current status:
You have a jeweled scepter with a key on the end. It did not work on the copper-banded chest. Only Jerry and Noc have interacted with this chest. Noc knows it to be an illusion but has not said anything to the group. Jerry has failed his roll and believes it to be real.
The brass key was tried in the steel chest and it crumbled into dust.
There is now a gold key retrieved by Ronan from the ceiling. It has not been tried anywhere.
"Korg is no genius but.... lets try the gold key, in the steel chest, and see what comes of it..." He looks expectantly at Noc, and gestures towards the chest, and steps a (hopefully) safe distance away to watch.
ReplyDeleteRolls:
9,18,4,6,1
does the scepter have any secret compartments or anything?
ReplyDeletei try the scepter key in the last chest.
[18] [16] [12] [19] [16] [12] [18] [2] [15] [15] [10]
if given the gold key, i will try it in each lock..
The key in the scepter does not appear to fit a chest but it does look like it will open the lock on the door to the room.
ReplyDeleteRonan handed the gold key to Jerry. Jerry tried the key in the steel chest. The lock clicked open but when the chest was opened a trap was sprung. Jerry and Ronan were caught in the effect. Both Jerry and Ronan made their saves and suffered no ill effects.
The chest contained a map of the Salhar burial vaults beneath Sothis and a wand. Fergus identified the wand as a Wand of Knock (CL3, 11 charges).