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Turn 151.0: Through the Portal

Posted: 5/23/01

Crayne becomes intrigued by the room around him. He moves his head from side to side as the various colours of magic interchange with yellows and orange. He quickly acknowledges the fact that the deep orange that surrounds all of the wealthy items within the chamber matches that of the statues. The dim yellow however was a new colour to him. Again Crayne reaches for his spellbook and notes the colours down and what they coincide to. He wasn't sure whether this magic was priestly magic and whether it had the same properties that his own magic obtained. However, his belief systems persuaded him that magic was all from the same pot. Magic was all the same. It was all around even inside himself. There was just different methods of controlling it.

Putting his spellbook away Crayne then turns his mind to the situation at hand. It was an awkward situation, there was no doubting that. He turns to Amos, "Amos, I fear we have been put in an impossible situation. If you let go of that statue would it mean that we would never be able to open the entranceway? Who knows? However, I have a suggestion. What if we create some sort of tripod for the statue so we keep the statue held over the bowl? Is it not worth a try? I have a few darts here which we could use as legs for the tripod. If we bring them together into a holding device then maybe this might just work. Then when safely secured perhaps Amos could slowly move his hands from the statue. If there are signs that the gateway is disappearing then he can very quickly grasp the statue again. What do you all think?"

Emma listens to Crayne's suggestion. The concept of a tripod is something she vaguely remembers from some of her reading in the temple's library. It had something to do with providing support...and she's impressed with the wizard's ability to think of such a solution. "Why Crayne...that's a wonderful idea," she comments, "Do you think it would work?" The last question is directed to Amos as much as the wizard.

Storm's voice rings in from the back of the group. "Of course it'll work, ye got a dwarf with ye. Ain't no dwarf in Rinder that ain't be building somethin' like this before his bearded days. I'll be helpin' ye with that...as soon as ye can tell me I can be grabbin' two o' those sword. An' not to mention the golders!"

Hannibal nods in agreement but says nothing.

As they comtemplate the tripod, Storm suggests using Crayne's darts, or his own daggers, to dig into the table around the bowl. Then they could either balance the statue on the three (or more) daggers/darts. If that proves unstable, he suggests using small stacks of gold coins to act as 'pillars' around the bowl. Then they can put a platform over the columns and rest the statue on that, or find a way to suspend the statue over them somehow...

Emma watches with at least some small amount of fascination as the two minds of a dwarf and a wizard work out the solution to the problem. For the time being, the Shield Maiden's thoughts center more upon what they'll need to prepare for once they leave the chamber and face the rats...and then again, once they enter the vault, itself.

While they talk, Storm keeps eyeing the treasure...finally his patience wears to thin, and he turns to El and Emma. "So what ye say, can we be takin' this stuff? I ain't be seeing no traps but ye be having that spell goin', right?" He cringes apprehensively at the thought of magic. "And El, ye have that there seein' gem, right? Ye see anything? And Crayne, what ya say? These be havin' any magic in them?" Storm is breathing hard, like a giddy child waiting for a birthday present...

El shakes his head to Storm. "No, I don't see anything unusual through the gem." He then returns the precious translucent stone to his pocket.

"I'm with Storm on this one," Hannibal says. "We sure could use some new toys for the upcoming battle with our Red Dragon Mage friend. That is, of course, only if Amos here doesn't object, I don't want to offend our host." Hannibal backs off and gives a wary look over his shoulder. With all this talk, he wants nothing more than to try out one of those swords. He was getting more comfortable with his each day and with Canter's on again and off again tutoring he may just be able to obtain a decent proficiency with the weapon.

Crayne looks at Emma pleased with her agreement. "I think it's worth giving it a shot if Amos here doesn’t have any objection. Or the rest of you for that matter," Crayne says looking to Skandor and then Elloharin the Dimmed.

The Sword Bearer listens to the ideas being bandied about, and nods in perspective. "This... device, if properly constructed, would be an excellent idea. That way, we do not split our forces as we proceed. I do believe that we would be better served with Amos coming with us, if for no other reason than as an informational source for his deity. And, I believe Amos would be safer with us. If he is happened upon again by the Caerloons...he would once again become their prisoner, without our protection.

"My only concern would be, what if the Caerloons happened upon this room by chance? They could remove the statue and perhaps trap us in the vault, if that is truly where we tread. But, I agree with Crayne. If we can find a way to suspend the small statue in place."

Skandor's words bring Emma back to the moment at hand and she looks back at the Hathean priest. "I share your concern, Sword Bearer," Emma states, "The enchantment I used to find the inscription which led us to this chamber could also be available to one of Covarc's skill and power. If so, he and his men might be able to trace Amos' location. He might actually be safer with us...provided someone isn't needed to stay here and maintain the portal for us. Even then, it's unclear if it requires a devout Hathean or if anyone can hold the statue in place. Perhaps we should experiment?"

Emma steps forward and gingerly places her own hand upon the statue and bids Amos to let go. She carefully watches the bowl to see if the image begins to waver or disappear. The image does neither, but instead stays steady on the surface of the water. Satisfied with those results, she waits for Crayne and Storm to finish constructing their mini-platform and then gives the statue back to Amos so he can place it over the bowl and see if that will also work.

Crayne, much to his distaste, rips the hard cover off the front of his herbalism book. He flexes it to test its strength. For this was going to be the platform. He then assumes the statue must hover over the bowl without anything in between. Thus, Crayne takes a dart and his dagger and goes about carving a small hole in the centre of the book cover. However, he makes sure that the hole is smaller than the base of the statue. Next he takes one of the candles and lights it using one of the lanterns. When the candle has been burning long enough Crayne pours four blobs of wax in each corner of the book cover. He then fastens the other four candles in place to make a small table.

He then looks to the priest Amos, "Ok here goes!" Quickly Crayne puts the table in place over the bowl and gets Amos to sit the statue on top of the small hole which he had carved into the book cover. Once in place Crayne looks to the bowl to see if the gateway is still open. With a smile, the mage sees that his and Storm's contraption worked--the image is still visible on the surface of the water, indicating that the portal into Kilner's Vault is still open.

Crayne nods at Emma and Skandor, remembering the Sword Bearer's words. "I did think of that Skandor. However, I do not believe it would be in the interests of the mage Covarc to trap us in the vault, for afte rall he is after the very same thing that we look for. I would assume he would follow us through rather than attempt to close the gateway down. It would be nice to lay some sort of trap for the Red Dragon mage to stumble upon should he try to enter the gateway. However, my resources are minimal at the moment!"

Hearing Storm's questioning of looting the items in the room, Skandor finds part of himself agreeing. "If any of these items would make us stronger, I would be in agreement with Storm. But then again, these things may just weigh us down, slowing us from our objective."

Emma shakes her head no. Inside, she agrees with her friends. Such weaponry, if real, would certainly provide them with greater strength. But still, the insight granted to her by Anhur makes her feel uneasy about the treasure. As if it were a trap waiting to be sprung by the greediness of those that would pillage the temple's vault. She looks to Crayne again, depending more upon the mage to decipher the extent of the trap that awaits, because she feels certain it must be magical in nature, rather than mechanical.

"I don't think they are real," Emma finally offers, "Or if they are, they're so protected by magic that disturbing them would certainly expose us to a trap or curse of a magical nature. I can't say this for sure...but I do have faith that Anhur's warnings are clear. I think it's more likely that this image of wealth and weapons was put here as a test for those that came to plunder rather than acknowledge Hathe through simple devotion. Amos? Crayne? Do either of you feel otherwise? Anhur's blessing only tells me that there is danger, but not the details of it."

Crayne nods at Emma, "I feel very tempted by the treasure that lays here. However, Emma as I am sure you are aware, wouldn't it be a form of sacrilege to take these items? A form of stealing, I suppose you could say. These items--if they are real--have been placed here in honour of the god, Hathe. Thus, in my opinion they belong to Hathe."

Emma smiles at what she perceives to be Crayne's newfound sense of respect and sensitivity for the religious castes of Rinder. Indeed, the wizard continues to grow in ways she never imagined. She watches with fascination as the Highbrow defers to Amos for his opinion on the matter.

Crayne turns to Amos, "Is that how you see things Amos? I believe the correct thing to do would be to let the high priest here at El-Balans know about these items. He or she can then decide what he or she wants to do about it. If the priest offers them or some of them to us in good faith then fair enough. That is how I judge things. If I am wrong then let me know! If the group outvotes my opinion then I would suggest for Emma to cast a Dispel Magic."

"Crayne's right," Emma agrees, "Even if these weapons are real...they belong to Hathe, and they aren't ours for the taking. Not unless we're given leave to do so by a follower of Hathe himself."

She puts a hand on Amos' shoulder and says, "Only you can grant us leave to disturb this place. Aside from Dodgen, you are one of most senior priests among the caste of Hathe at El-Balans. As such, we rely entirely upon your wisdom in guiding our steps and actions while in the holy Ancient Chambers of your faith."

Amos looks to Emma and then to Crayne. Swallowing, he turns to Hannibal, Skandor, and Storm. "It would not be unusual for the ancient ones to place magical traps, as Emma has suspected exist here, near important places. In this case, the key to Kilner's Vault. That is not to say that these weapons can't be taken or used. But as the plays and scripts of old go, they need to be blessed in a particular fashion before they can be removed. And each trap has a particular blessing, much like each lock has a particular key," he nods to Hannibal and Storm. "We'n don't know the blessing for these weapons, though it wouldn't surprise me if we'n found it inside the Vault!"

Hannibal swallows slowly, looking to Storm. That was not what the dwarf had wanted to hear. Cursed weapons! But they looked so beautiful! Crayne's words bring Hannibal back to the moment at hand:

"I believe it crucial that Amos comes with us. Besides, I am not sure you particularly want to stay here on your own, Amos. Especially with the rats and the Red Dragon mage to contend with. When we open this door, remember, I'd imagine rather a lot of rats are going to find there way into this chamber."

Emma frowns at this statement. She tugs on the arm of Crayne's robe and leans in close so she can mumble low enough to escape Amos' ears. "What are you trying to do?" she asks, "We already know the Hathean is easily shaken. Your words will likely scare him to death...and besides, I thought this place might be safer for him once we've dealt with the rats ourselves. Do you really think we need him with us? He's done so much already. I'm loathe to risk his life further on our behalf."

She leans back to allow Crayne to consider her words. Aside from the priest's knowledge of the proper Hathean rituals, there's little else Amos could provide them. Still, Crayne could be right. There was no telling what might await them on the other side of the portal. Would they need Amos again? And, if so, would he be willing to accompany them further?

Crayne listens to Emma's words and smiles when she has finished. There would have been a time when he would have just dismissed them. Since the Battle of El-Balans however, he was beginning to realise that his stubbornness was part of the problem with his relations with Emma. Not just with Emma, however, it was with the other members of Rinder's Six, and past members too. This aloofness and appearance of superiority was a problem and he was doing his best to address it. It was hard, Crayne knew, probably one of the hardest things he'd ever undertake. Probably even a greater task than the learning of magic. He would need help and guidance on this path of change and he looked straight to Emma for it.

Turning his mind back to the present Crayne concedes that Emma is right. It was unfair to frighten Amos into making his decision. He turns to Amos immediately and nods, "Amos, I apologise for putting pressure on you. My words and actions are at fault. There is no pressure on you. You can remain here should you want, even though the tripod idea works. The decision is purely yours. However, we or I would like it if you would come with us for your expertise and knowledge of the Caste of Hathe far exceeds any of our own. With your help and assistance it could save time and more importantly lives. However, I leave it with you Amos; it is your decision." Crayne nods in a respectful manner and moves away giving Amos some time to think.

Amos nods to Crayne, thankful for the apology. "You'n speak very kindly, mage Crayne. Though it is a risk to come with you'n, it is also a risk to stay. And I would rather be in your protection than without it!"

"Crayne?" Emma asks, nodding to Amos in recognition of his decision, "Are we prepared to climb down from the bridge once again? I know the rats await us...but if we can somehow clear them from the bridge, do we have the rope and your levitation enchantment to draw upon again?"

Crayne nods, indicating that he had moved the rope close enough so that they would be able climb down, as long as the rats are held at bay at a reasonable distance.

"Then we shall take nothing from here, save what we entered with," Emma says, "We shall push back these rats so they won't threaten our climb. Is everyone ready?" she asks, looking around at the determined faces of Rinder's Six. She nods once. "Blades to the front. Knock the rats aside and let the fall claim them. If anyone has a torch, that might be even more useful than a weapon at this point."

Crayne turns to Amos with an afterthought. "Also, that song you sung Amos. Do you think it can be translated into common in some way? There seems to be hidden words within it. Could they come together to form some sort of riddle or passage?"

Emma crosses her arms and half-smiles to herself. The Highbrow had obviously put his thinking-cap on. She turns to look at Amos with some expectancy as well. "Does the song bear a message for what we might face inside the Vault?" she asks.

"Perhaps I could translate it," Amos replies, nodding to Crayne, "but it would take some time, as the words are in the very ancient tongue and even the High Priests, Directors, and Coreognates of today rarely speak it. I'm afraid we'n might not want to take the time to do it now, especially with that Red Dragon mage running around the Ancient Chambers!"

"Emma," Canter asks, "might you be able to use your magic once again to keep the rats away?"

Emma nods to Canter, "if you can grant me a few minutes to prepare, I believe Anhur would grant me the power once again." She looks to the others for approval. Hannibal looks to Storm, who is aloof (staring at the sacks of coins), and then to Skandor, who nods encouragingly. "Very well, then." With that, she steps to the corner and kneels, taking her pendant into her hands and praying to her god.

A few minutes pass before she rises, at which time she is ready. "Stand by on the door, Hannibal," she instructs, moving into place. Then, after a nod, Hannibal activates the Marcus Switch, and the door begins to open. Before it finishes retracting, she is already casting, and soon the spell is completed, sending the advancing rats sliding backwards, away from the doorway and the party. Smiling, Crayne steps through the door gingerly, heading toward the rope dangling down to the cavern floor, below.

"Mind the door on the way out," Crayne reminds Hannibal, who nods and waits by the switch to close it once Amos has filed out of the secret room. Soon they begin climbing down and within minutes all are on the cavern floor once again. Where Crayne's sheet of ice once rested is now a large pool of clear water, which is slowly seeping into the stone, dirt, and dust on the floor. But Rinder's Six pays this area no heed. They begin to move toward the four statue in the center of the room, and the shiny, oval portal in the center of them.

Standing by the portal, Crayne takes out his spellbook to jot down a few notes. Even Storm seems remotely interested, though he stays at a safe distance from the clearly magical gateway.

"Shall we?" Crayne asks, replacing his book.

"Perhaps," Skandor says, stepping up beside the mage, "A warrior should go through first, just in case," he pats Crayne on the shoulder.

Crayne smiles, "a good thought! After you!"

With a deep breath, Skandor steps between the statues and up to the portal. Then, with one last look over his shoulder to Emma, he steps through. As his leg goes into the oval gateway it appears to disappear from the cavern, and soon the rest of the Sword Bearer's body follows.

"Amazing," El says, peering at the portal. "You can't see a thing on the other side!"

"I will follow," Canter says, stepping up to and through the gateway.

Soon all have come through and are regrouped on the other side. It appears to be another cave. An identical shiny, oval-shaped portal is present, between two large statues and next to a rock and earthen wall. The place where the party stands is roughly twenty feet square, and on three sides is walled in. The walls extend up, very high, past the distance that the lantern-light can illuminate. On the fourth side of the area, the one which each person faces when they step through the portal, there is a small stone walkway--a bridge--about three feet wide and easily twenty feet long. It lands at a small area on the other side of a deep chasm--so deep that one cannot see the bottom--and facing another doorway, much like the one at the top of the stone bridge in the large chamber from which the party just came. Just before the bridge, and right up at the edge of the chasm, stand two statues, facing each other. One must walk between these statues--each twelve to fifteen feet tall, and appeared to be made of earth, clay, and rock--in order to cross the bridge.

In all, the scene is very dark, and a slight breeze seems to blow across the bridge, perhaps up from the gorge below. Or perhaps from somewhere above (it is impossible at the moment to tell how high the ceiling is) or to the side. The chasm seems to extend as far as the eye can see in both directions, and because of the walls surrounding the area where the party now stands (two of which go right up to the edge of the chasm), there is no place to go but back through the portal, or across the bridge.

The breeze sends a chill down the spine of Elloharin the Dimmed. He shivers, his teeth chattering every so briefly, but loud enough for it to catch Storm's eye. The elf was obviously not comfortable in these surroundings. 'Funny,' Storm thinks to himself, 'I be a dwarf, an underground dweller, and I not be likin' this place either!'

The dwarf shoots a look of concern to Hannibal, who nods in response, saying nothing for the moment. But he looks to Emma, who stands between the portal and the two statues guarding the bridge before them, with her back to the portal and eyes the statues. 'I wonder,' Hannibal thinks to himself, 'if she ever ready about this in that cozy library in Seden...'

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