Vast, disgusting, yet somehow still oddly beautiful chamber

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

Coden lets out a sigh and rubs his forehead, as the strain is starting to accumulate.

"No sign of anything hidden. That's not definitive, as there is still some powerful magic that can defeat these kinds of senses."
"The space beyond the door is dark. I can't tell what's there."

[AthasianLaborer]

Dec 7, 2023 7:28:31 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

You cast and...

No. No magic.

Does it appear relevant to 'Muiko's historical expertise?

If so, Ancient History (Time of Magic) proficiency rolled a 14 needing a 17 or under.

[Deleted]

Chat'cho will try sticking the key in the lock, to see if it fits.

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Dec 7, 2023 10:36:30 GMT -12 AthasianLaborer said:

Does it appear relevant to 'Muiko's historical expertise?

If so, Ancient History (Time of Magic) proficiency rolled a 14 needing a 17 or under.

Quila stands looking at 'Muiko for a minute observing his deft and delicate handling of the diadem. "I value your appreciation for historical items a lot 'Muiko," she begins, "Do you happen to have specific knowledge regarding historical art items or specific time periods? Myself, I've learned a lot about the period we term the Green Age of Athas."

After Quila notices 'Muiko may be done with it, she holds out her hand for the diadem, and will also check it. "May I take a look as well my friend? If necessary I can also establish its age when we are elsewhere and rested."

(OOC: Ancient History (Green Age) proficiency rolled a 16 needing a 16 or under.)

[DM Bob]

The tiara was likely crafted during that era. (due to posts at the same time, this referred to Muiko's check, Age of Magic)

***

The key fits the lock. It turns easily after all this time, revealing a room that opens up to your right.

Six 12' tall statues in various states of construction and sculpture are seen as your light reveals the room. Two are of sandstone, two of obsidian and two white rock of some sort furthest away. The artistic work ranges in forms like the trolls in the room behind you (both obsidian), to human women (sandstone) and the weird ones in the back remind you of being vaguely elf shaped. Supplies litter the ground and on small work tables, stone chisels, wooden mallets, boxes of debris, all chunks of raw materials are strewn haphazardly. An empty area lies towards the far end of the chamber, and an open journal lies on a table in that general direction as well. Torches, unlit, sit in sconces ready to be lit, as well as candles here and there. It smells of tobac and dried lavender. The dust that you've seen elsewhere is thinner here.

No other entrances or exits are seen. No traps detected. And oddly, no magic - at least at the surface level. Map to follow.

[AthasianLaborer]

"Well, when you've lived through as much history as I have, you tend to pay attention to events as they pass.  I am particularly interested in the Time of Magic or the [ToM Elven: Time of Magic] in the language of the elders.  I do not know much of the time you speak of, but I know that this bauble was likely from the [ToM Elven: Time of Magic]." 'Muiko replies to Quila's inquiries

Noticing that the doors are now open, 'Muiko hands Quila the diadem and says "188th King's Age, King's Slumber, so you don't need to bother establishing my age since I've told you.  Now, if you'll excuse these old bones" before wandering over to look through the newly opened doors.  When he sees the elven sculptures by the table with the journal, he will do his best to not appear overly interested in the book as he makes for it first.  He'll stand before the journal, looking to the statues and state idly "To have such skill with shaping stone!" he looks to Skrye "are you skilled like this with earth and stone?  Could you teach me to do the same?" he waits for a response before looking down at the journal.

"Oh, look, another book!  I wonder what this one is about" he says just before scanning the text.

[Attilius]

Dec 7, 2023 11:22:05 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

No other entrances or exits are seen. No traps detected. And oddly, no magic - at least at the surface level.

Attilius will investigate the walls, floor and ceiling for possible secret doors or panels. He makes sure not to touch any of the items in the room as well.

[DM Bob]

It is impossible for the goliath to investigate without knocking things about like the proverbial bull in a China shop. As 'Muiko wanders the breadth of the artist's tomb/workspace passing unfinished stone work, he notices an 8 foot by 3.5 foot section where no dust sits, as if a large piece of furniture has been removed recently.

The journal has a loose sheet of paper upon the top with something scrawled in common. It reads, "Hurry up and get my worms, They won't wait forever in the realms of Flame. -A".

[AthasianLaborer]

"For something dead, it sure has immaculate handwriting" 'Muiko says holding the loose sheet above his left shoulder and visible to anyone behind him.  He isn't looking up from the book being very curious of the topic.  

Once that's discerned, he'll give the elven statues a thorough examination.

[DM Bob]

Of Vessels, Masks & Avatars is the title of this journal. The writing in this tome is extremely fine and cramped, writ on both sides of each page. This one will take some serious time to read. One phrase that stands out is the question, "What came before the Blue Age?". There are also sketches of strange bones, disturbing masks and art that you hope is fantastical.

The elven statues are strangely made of chiseled or molded rock salt. The one with completed hands has what looks to be suckers for fingers.

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Quila looks and compares the handwriting with the journals of Myron recovered so far. Is it the same or different?
Or does the handwriting in this one look more to the loose leaf with common?

Another thing Quila tries to compare is any of the statues here to the one in the entry room of the tomb which gave us courage.
She uses her eidetic memory for that.

And would that statue of the woman in the entryway be big enough for the 8 by 3.5 foot furniture place here?

Flippantly she muses, ”So Myron’s bed was just moved by Aman then or what?”

[Attilius]

"Someone check for secret passages. Too much stuff in here for me to..."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Skrye covers the tiara and keeps it, as it seems that the only worry of the party is past times and magical items.
Looking at Attilius - "I'm afraid I can't say here or there without checking for them" - looking around and feeling sad for such statues, perhaps Spirit prisons like before

[OOC: Observation roll, 10 out of 13]

[AthasianLaborer]

'Muiko slips "Of Vessels, Masks and Avatars" into his portfolio alongside his spell book.  "Skrye, please do be careful with that, I would like to investigate it further on our return to Kurn.  I may learn things that I am otherwise missing, lacking access to a library at the moment."

Looking again to the statue with hands "I imagine this would be a terrible death, made of salt with fingers of desert lamprey?  I'd wager it leaves dessication in its wake."

[DM Bob]

The statue of the woman in the "foyer" is too small to have left this imprint.

There is still dust about, just thinner where the missing "bed" would have been. You figure that whatever it was was removed recently, but likely prior to your explorations here.

All of the notebooks and loose papers have the same style handwriting, *except* for the one that 'Muiko has dangled over his shoulder. That handwriting, while proper, is much more relaxed & less cramped in style.

No amount of searching reveals any secret doors.