Adventure in the Stronghold

Setting out on an exploration adventure in the newly opened Illoke Stronghold...

[Wehnimer's, Outside Gate]
Citizens, merchants and assorted dregs of society jostle against you before the great wooden gates of Wehnimer's Landing. Harried guards and militiamen try to keep the chaos to a minimum, but it is hard to keep track of those entering, let alone leaving, this large trading post. A dirt path encircling the wooden palisade of the town leads east and southwest. Nailed prominently to the wooden wall beside the gate is a sign you really should read. You also see a rolton pelt, some light leather and a wayside inn.
Also here: Lord Pelendur, Sylanae, Itiara
Obvious paths: north, east, northwest, southwest.

You say, "This is the plan."

Sylanae says, "Uhoh"

Sylanae says, "Plans.."

Itiara says, "we have a plan even"

Itiara nods to Sylanae.

You say, "Tia I will give you my ring.When you get there, turn it and then take it off."

Sylanae furrows her brow.

You say, "We will all fog to you."

Pelendur says, "Push Sylanae at everything that looks at us funny... that's the plan."

Sylanae scowls at Pelendur.

You nod to Pelendur.

You say, "That too."

We needed certain types of gems, but got off to a bit of a rough start...

[Thanatoph, Stone Valley]
Hacking a path through the overgrown valley proves exceedingly difficult, slowing progress to an agonizing crawl. Surrounded by a mass of tangled vines, trees and longgrass, the accompanying darkness makes it a challenge to see more than a few feet in front of you. While the darkness envelops you, the chittering of insects swarming through the vegetation creates a loud droning hum. You also see a stone troll, a reinforced shield, a war hammer and a stone troll.
Also here: Sylanae, Lord Pelendur who is lying down, Itiara
Obvious paths: northwest, southwest.

Itiara glances at a stone troll.

Pelendur gestures.
Pelendur suddenly stops all movement.

You lean on Pelendur.

Pelendur says, "Argh!"

You snicker.

Sylanae glances at Pelendur.

Sylanae asks, "So.. whatcha do for honors?"

Sylanae raises an eyebrow in Pelendur's direction.

Pelendur exclaims, "Gall dern and other cursed things!"

You swing an onyx-hilted eonake falchion at a stone troll!
AS: +264 vs DS: +159 with AvD: +27 + d100 roll: +47 = +179
... and hit for 30 points of damage!
Blade slashes across the stone troll's face! Nice nose job.
Roundtime: 34 sec.

You say, "Oh gods."

You say, "I have to go to the bank..."

You stare at nothing in particular.

Itiara starts chuckling at you!

Pelendur says, "While I do my statue impression."

The ground begins to shake violently, making it hard to stand.
Sylanae loses her balance and falls over.
You lose your balance and fall over.
Itiara loses her balance and falls over.

You struggle, but fail to stand.

Sylanae says, "Its a really good one."

Itiara says, "it *is* a good one"

You groan.

Sylanae nods to Pelendur.

Pelendur exclaims, "Like a rock I am. Unmovable!"

So like an idiot I give the coins to the bound guy...

You give Pelendur 50000 coins.

You stand back up.

Pelendur says, "Err... now I'm all lying down."

The ground begins to shake violently, making it hard to stand.
You lose your balance and fall over.
Itiara loses her balance and falls over.

A stone troll claws its way into the ground and burrows southwest, dragging you behind it, battering your body!
... 10 points of damage!
Light strike to your chest.

[Thanatoph, Stone Valley]
The valley starts to narrow here as the immensity of Thanatoph looms above you. The trail to the southeast slopes upwards slightly. As you continue on your way you catch a glimpse of movement in the hills above you. You also see a stone troll, a stone troll, a stone troll and a rotted fel stump.
Obvious paths: northeast, northwest, southeast, up.

A stone troll claws its way into the ground and burrows southeast, dragging you behind it, battering your body!
... 5 points of damage!
Blow to your neck tears tissue.
You are stunned for 1 rounds!

[Thanatoph, Stone Valley]
The dying valley runs headlong into the desolation of Thanatoph. Straddling the twin peaks, a stone structure cut into the northern face of the mountain looms above you. Scaling the wall is impossible and the only way around the wall is a narrow winding trail to the northeast. You also see a stone troll.
Obvious paths: northwest.

A stone troll swings a war hammer at you!
AS: +169 vs DS: +384 with AvD: +30 + d100 roll: +11 = -174
A clean miss.

!PS>

You stand back up.

Find the group again...

[Thanatoph, Stone Valley]
Hacking a path through the overgrown valley proves exceedingly difficult, slowing progress to an agonizing crawl. Surrounded by a mass of tangled vines, trees and longgrass, the accompanying darkness makes it a challenge to see more than a few feet in front of you. While the darkness envelops you, the chittering of insects swarming through the vegetation creates a loud droning hum. You also see a reinforced shield, a war hammer and a stone troll.
Also here: Sylanae, Lord Pelendur who is lying down, Itiara
Obvious paths: northwest, southwest.

You exclaim, "My neck!"

Itiara grins at you.

Pelendur says, "Someone roll me over so I can look up into the sky... this dirt is rather boring."

Itiara rolls Pelendur over.

Itiara asks, "better?"

Sylanae meditates over you.
Sylanae takes your neck damage.

Itiara leans on her waraxe.

You say, "Gods."

Sylanae coughs.

You say, "This is not a good start."

Pelendur says, "That troll used some kind of magical eye magic influencing magic to magically make me use my magic against me...magic..something"

Itiara nods to Pelendur.

Itiara says, "but of course it did"

Itiara appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Sylanae says, "magical eye magic.."

You nod to Pelendur.

Itiara whistles tunelessly to herself.

You hum distractedly as your mind wanders.

Sylanae idly scratches herself on the neck.

So Pel gets unbound, gives me back my 50K, and I put out my ring to make the quick trip back to town...

You remove a gold ring from in your black leather boots. You slide the ring on your finger. Suddenly your surroundings shift...

Suddenly you find yourself standing in a large round room smelling of saltwater and wood. The chamber is filled with a dozen or so men sitting shoulder to shoulder around the perimeter. Each of them seems much larger than normal humans grow and all have the weathered look of a seafarer. You seem to be the focus of their attention, standing dazed in the center of all this.

One of the less passive individuals steps forward and snatches away your gold and brass ring. A sneer crosses his face and he whispers, "So, just what did you intend to do with this?"

He turns back to the rest of the assembly and declares, "Probably wanted to go into business for herself!" With that, the room explodes with the roar of deafening laughter. You begin to feel a little naked standing there like that.

The man turns back and starts rummaging through your pockets. You move to resist but he is much quicker and stronger than any normal human you have encountered. He collects the silvers you had with you and smirks, "Well, this isn't enough to cover a moment's rent for the ring, but it'll have to do. Now get out of here before we decide to teach you what thieves are worth to us!"

Suddenly your surroundings shift again...

[Wehnimer's, Land's End Rd.]
You are scrutinized by vigilant soldiers as you arrive at the wide gateway guarding the land route to Wehnimer's Landing. The frenetic pace of the city to the south is a far cry from the deceptive calm of the wilds of Elanith outside. Two daunting towers survey the countryside and protect the town, flanking the road to the east and west. You also see some manna bread, some haphip root and a wooden barrel.
Also here: Bahram, Boomagick
Obvious paths: south.

You gesture into the air.
A silvery fog envelopes you. You feel a sudden lurching motion, and as the fog dissipates you see...

[Thanatoph, Stone Valley]
Hacking a path through the overgrown valley proves exceedingly difficult, slowing progress to an agonizing crawl. Surrounded by a mass of tangled vines, trees and longgrass, the accompanying darkness makes it a challenge to see more than a few feet in front of you. While the darkness envelops you, the chittering of insects swarming through the vegetation creates a loud droning hum. You also see a stone troll, a reinforced shield and a war hammer.
Also here: Sylanae, Lord Pelendur, Itiara
Obvious paths: northwest, southwest.

(Danay tries to impale herself on her sword)

You fall over. Clumsy oaf!

Sylanae glances at you.

Itiara glances at you.

You throw a glorious temper tantrum!

Itiara says, "...naved"

You throw a glorious temper tantrum!

Pelendur exclaims, "Oh no!"

You stand back up.

Sylanae says, "Ouch.."

Itiara grins slowly.

You exclaim, "They took ALL my waern skin silvers!"

Itiara asks, "The navigators knew when to strike did they?"

You cry like a baby, howling and snuffling through your tears.

Sylanae says, "So go get more waern skins.."

Itiara says, "Tia's Law... NEVER use a ring when you are holding more than 5k. You are guaranteed to get it taken from you"

Itiara nods to you.

Sylanae gazes up into the heavens.

You scowl at Sylanae.

You exclaim, "That was HOURS of work!"

Sylanae exclaims, "Let's get this show on the road!"

Sylanae cackles!

Sylanae says, "I bet there's fortune and glory in there.."

Sylanae rocks back on her heels.

Sylanae exclaims, "I betcha!"

You hear the faint thoughts of Spaewife echo in your mind: "anyone get pherouss from the entry hall in the stronghold please"

[Thanatoph, Upper Landing]
Set before a massive stone stronghold is a landing shaped like a crescent moon. An enormous stone altar reigns over the landing, leaving very little room to maneuver. The wind tugs at you, forcing you to hold onto the altar to steady yourself. The landing below you appears small and forlorn, the ancient stone stairs their only lifeline. Behind the altar, a set of massive intricately carved ora double doors stand guard over the entrance to the stone stronghold.
Also here: Itiara, Sylanae
Obvious paths: none.

You say, "wait here."

You say, "Someone dead inside."

[Stronghold, Entry Hall]
The entry hall is immense, with walls reaching up into darkness high above. Fanned by an intermittent breeze, the air is markedly cooler than the courtyard outside. Passages lead off in two directions, both shrouded in an unnerving haze, which lends the shadows the appearance of movement. A stone lintel is placed over the huge arch leading outside. Its surface is covered with ancient glyphs, their meaning lost in antiquity. You also see an Illoke mystic, an Illoke mystic and a stone mastiff.
Also in the room: the body of Pherouss who is lying down
Obvious exits: northeast, southeast.

You gesture at Pherouss.
A luminescent web briefly forms around Pherouss, then fades into the body.

An Illoke mystic summons the wrath of his god as he gestures at you!
A massive stone hand appears in the air before you!
You almost avoid the massive hand, but it catches you between its rough, stony fingers, squeezing you in its powerful grip!
... 5 points of damage!
Strike glances off your chest.
An Illoke mystic looks weakened!

You don't seem to be able to move to do that.

You hear the ghostly voice of Pherouss say, "well I shoulda figured it would be like this"

You don't seem to be able to move to do that.

Fine cracks snake across the surface of the gigantic fist that clasps around you, and the massive stone hand crumbles into rubble. The rubble slowly decays into powdery sand.

A cloud of dense silvery fog suddenly appears. The fog quickly dissipates to reveal an Illoke shaman.

You grab Pherouss and try to drag her, but she is too heavy.

An Illoke shaman swings a huge stone maul at you!
AS: +423 vs DS: +412 with AvD: +42 + d100 roll: +53 = +106
... and hits for 3 points of damage!
Blow nicks your left hand.
Stone maul clashes with gold-trimmed cuirass!
[STR/DU: 75/145 vs. 95/200, d100(Open)= 29]

You grab Pherouss and try to drag her, but she is too heavy.

An Illoke mystic invokes the power of his god.

You grab Pherouss's body and drag it with you . . .
[Thanatoph, Upper Landing]
Set before a massive stone stronghold is a landing shaped like a crescent moon. An enormous stone altar reigns over the landing, leaving very little room to maneuver. The wind tugs at you, forcing you to hold onto the altar to steady yourself. The landing below you appears small and forlorn, the ancient stone stairs their only lifeline. Behind the altar, a set of massive intricately carved ora double doors stand guard over the entrance to the stone stronghold.
Also here: the body of Pherouss who is lying down, Lord Pelendur, Itiara, Sylanae
Obvious paths: none. Pelendur gestures.

You pant.

You say, "Whew."

You say, "I almost did not make it."

Sylanae blinks at you.

A pained expression crosses Pelendur's face.

Itiara glances at you.

Sylanae asks, "and you want us to go in there?"

Itiara says, "I'm with Syl on that one."

Itiara nods to Sylanae.

Sylanae grins.

Pelendur says, "Sounds like a bunch of old nannies talking, to me."

Pelendur glances at Sylanae.

Pelendur cocks his head at Itiara.

Sylanae glances at Pelendur.

Itiara squints at Pelendur.

Spaewife came to fog out the dead person...

Sylanae rocks back on her heels.

Sylanae gulps.

Sylanae glances at some massive ora double doors.

Itiara glances at some massive ora double doors.

Itiara nods to Sylanae.

Spaewife asks, "anyone else coming?"

You wave to Spaewife.

You say, "We are going inside."

You grin.

Sylanae says, "Against better judgement."

You exclaim, "Off to adventure!"

Itiara coughs.

Spaewife's group becomes blurred, and then vanishes!

Itiara says, "oh well.. since when did I have good judgement"

Itiara shrugs.

You grin at Itiara.

Itiara says, "off we go"

Itiara tightens her grip on her silvery rolaren waraxe.

Pelendur tightens his grip on his shimmering ora warmace.

You raise your eonake falchion in triumph!

We got through the door and I explained how I had figured out the puzzle to open the door (as far as I know, I was the first person to figure out that puzzle)...

[Stronghold, Eastern Skew]
Large boulders litter the passageway, making progress difficult. The walls, however, show no evidence that the debris originated there, and the ceiling high above is likewise unmarred. Yet the stone floor is a hazardous tumble, the huge slabs broken and thrust up in places like broken teeth. You also see a massive ora door.
Also here: Lord Pelendur, Itiara, Sylanae.
Obvious paths: east, down.

Pelendur smiles.

Sylanae nods to you.

You say, "But...there has to be a way to open it from this side."

Itiara leans against a large boulder.

You point at a large boulder.

The large boulder is quite massive, and it seems to be teetering in its position on the uneven ground.

You say, "That is what we are here to figure out."

You grin.

Itiara says, "so... let me get this straight.."

Pelendur tries to climb up the boulder, but it suddenly shifts, and he flails wildly as he tumbles to the ground in a cloud of dust!

Pelendur says, "Oof"

Sylanae laughs!

You snicker.

Pelendur gazes heavenward.

Sylanae exclaims, "That was funny, do it again!"

You ask, "What Tia?"

Itiara asks, "you trapped us here.. and if we don't figure it out we are at the mercy of the moronic masses out side???"

Itiara just tried to pull you towards her!

Itiara blinks.

You laugh out loud!

You say, "nay...inside."

You say, "They are in here with us."

Itiara gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

While we were working on the puzzle Jubuls and then Chuckaar had wandered by...

[Stronghold, Eastern Skew]
Large boulders litter the passageway, making progress difficult. The walls, however, show no evidence that the debris originated there, and the ceiling high above is likewise unmarred. Yet the stone floor is a hazardous tumble, the huge slabs broken and thrust up in places like broken teeth. You also see the Jubuls disk, the Chuckaar disk and a massive ora door.
Also here: Jubuls, Lord Chuckaar, Lord Pelendur, Itiara, Sylanae.
Obvious paths: east, down.

Itiara yells, "Illoke open this bloody door!!!"

A sharp tremor shakes the fortress, and with a slow, teetering shift, the boulder near the massive door rolls a few feet away.

Itiara winces.

You groan.

Pelendur exclaims, "No!"

Sylanae exclaims, "Nooooo!"

Pelendur just tried to kick the boulder!

Itiara says, "I don't think he liked that.."

Sylanae says, "Good job, Tia"

Itiara ducks her head.

Jubuls rubs his chin thoughtfully.

You kiss Itiara on the cheek.

Jubuls says, "Lemme goes on da other side."

Jubuls blurs into a white fog, and then vanishes!

* Jubuls just bit the dust!

You groan.

Chuckaar says, "eek"

Sylanae says, "Oh no"

Itiara says, "eep"

Pelendur says, "Oops"

Chuckaar had a wand with Unlock in it so got the door open...

Chuckaar just came through a massive ora door, dragging the body of Jubuls behind him.

A white mouse scampers into the room.

Chuckaar pants.

You hear the ghostly voice of Jubuls say, "Illoke not likes me."

You look at Jubuls and shake your head.

The white mouse went through a massive ora door.

You say, "Imagine our surprise to sense your death."

You hear the ghostly voice of Jubuls say, "Me askeds him ta opens da door an he saids no."

You say, "Thought you were at Voln."

The ora door slams shut!
You hear a sharp click.

Chuckaar winces.

You ask, "Tis sancted here, want one of us to raise you here Jubuls?"

You hear the ghostly voice of Jubuls say, "Okays."

Sylanae nods.

You remove some opal and onyx dice from in your black leather boots.

(This next part is a High Holy Ritual known to Danay and Pelendur, the alternate ritual involves a coin toss)

You say, "Hight roll wins."

You try hard not to grin.

Chuckaar laughs!

Pelendur grins at you.

Pelendur nods.

You give the dice a good shake for luck and roll them on the ground.
The dice bounce a few times and come to rest on 5 and 3.

Pelendur picks up some opal and onyx dice.

* Methais just bit the dust!

Pelendur just gave some opal and onyx dice a smooch.

Pelendur shakes some dice and rolls them on the ground.
The dice bounce a few times and come to rest on 3 and 4.

Itiara winces.

Pelendur snaps his fingers.

You cackle!

Itiara says, "Methais was coming for you... "

You hear the ghostly voice of Jubuls say, "Ow, silly Methais."

Chuckaar gestures into the air.
Chuckaar momentarily gets a faroff look in his eyes, and then returns to normal.

Sylanae says, "Uhoh"

Chuckaar groans.

Sylanae asks, "Right outside?"

Chuckaar says, "two rooms off"

Jubuls gives a ghostly chortle.

Chuckaar waves the dark rod at a massive ora door.
You hear a soft click from the door and it suddenly flies open.

Lord Chuckaar went through a massive ora door.

Chuckaar just came through a massive ora door, dragging the body of Methais behind him.

Chuckaar pants.

Methais gives a ghostly chuckle.

Sylanae glances over at the body of Methais, sizes up the mess and winces. You think you hear her mutter something beneath her breath that sounds like, "What a pity!"

Chuckaar says, "party"

Chuckaar grins.

You chuckle.

You say, "This has been a very strang evening."

You cackle!

Sylanae leans against a massive ora door.

You hear the ghostly voice of Methais say, "Sent my pet through the door so I could gate in, then it locks as soon as I get there."

You say, "Now we got bodies stacking up."

Jubuls's spirit lets out a hollow moan.

I had figured out what the final thing was we needed to do, but not the very specific thing for the final step...so we were to the goofing around stage...

Itiara says, "maybe someday.. a long, long time from now.. some adventurer will come along and find our mummified remains"

Itiara nods to Sylanae.

Sylanae says, "They better not take my mummified falchion."

Chuckaar scratches himself idly.

Sylanae says, "Hm."

Pelendur says, "Oh angry Illoke... I offer this one for safe passage through your great Stronghold."

(Pelendur pushes Sylanae towards the doors.)

Sylanae scowls at Pelendur.

Chuckaar snickers.

You chuckle at Pelendur.

Itiara grins.

(Itiara taps her chin in thought)

Sylanae asks, "Do you think everything we need to do is here?"

You say, "I was just going to say."

You say, "There is something else I should show you all."

You say, "But it is at the far end."

Itiara says, "Lead on oh devout one"

Jubuls and Chukaar had already told us that outside of the sanctuary where we were at the door were humongous swarms of Illoke...

[Stronghold, Eastern Skew]
Large boulders litter the passageway, making progress difficult. The walls, however, show no evidence that the debris originated there, and the ceiling high above is likewise unmarred. Yet the stone floor is a hazardous tumble, the huge slabs broken and thrust up in places like broken teeth. You also see a piece of stone jerky, the Chuckaar disk, a piece of stone jerky, a piece of stone jerky and a massive ora door.
Also here: Lord Pelendur, Lord Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae.
Obvious paths: east, down.

You ask, "Shall we go look at the ring?"

Itiara nods to you.

You gulp.

>e [Stronghold, Eastern Skew]
Two massive arches span the chamber, their lintels covered with ragged glyphs. Fog shifts and drifts through, like ghostly wanderers lost in the immensity of half-light embraced by the doorways' curves. A light sand covers the floor, heaped up against the stone walls in places. Indentions of footprints pock the sand, leaving winding patterns in it with varying shapes and depths. You also see an Illoke mystic, a stone mastiff, a stone mastiff, a massive iron shield, a massive iron shield and some orange leggings.
Obvious exits: west.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.

>go ar [Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The Walk of the Shaman is a high-ceilinged corkscrew of a corridor, climbing so steeply that passage along it would be dangerous if not for the piles of rubble to use as footholds. On either side, the walls are densely carved with a veneer of sigils, which appear to shift and pulsate in the gloomy light. The air is thick with dust, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the skewed concourse.
Obvious exits: up, out.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.

[Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The floor of the steep hallway is an obstacle course of floor slabs canted up and piles of boulders braced against them. Overhead, the ceiling is a convoluted barrel vault, its proportions looking off-kilter from the exaggerated twist of the passageway. The rock walls exhibit an expanse of runic bas-relief, its intricacy and sheer scope an amazing accomplishment. Stale air hangs in the corridor, thick with dust and the smell of antiquity. You also see an Illoke mystic and an Illoke mystic.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.

>uu

[Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The passageway twists like an immense stone serpent, and as it curls back over itself, the cant grows steeper and less fraught with debris. On the walls, the glyphs grow smaller and more intricate, the higher one climbs. Fragments of whispers tug at the consciousness intermittently, as if the mountain itself is trying to communicate the dangers it embraces. You also see an Illoke mystic.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.

>u [Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The convolution of the hallway results in each segment of its passage possessing the intimacy of a small chamber. Sight to higher and lower sections is limited, blocked by the densely carved walls and the gloom. The clouds of dust have compressed into a low-lying fog, which drifts up the corridor with a steady resolution.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.

> [Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman] Immense outcroppings of stone protrude from the walls in this bend of the corridor, their exteriors as thickly carved with blocky sigils as the smoother sections. They offer surfaces from which cling a plethora of shadows. The air has grown cold and clammy, and dust leaps from the gloom each time the coiled passageway shivers in the clutches of successive tremors. You also see a stone mastiff, a stone mastiff, an Illoke shaman and a stone mastiff.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara, Sylanae and Pelendur followed.
>uuuu You may only type ahead 2 commands.

* Sylanae just bit the dust!

An Illoke shaman calls forth the wrath of his god as he points at Sylanae!
A massive stone hand appears in the air before Sylanae!
The huge grey fist wraps around Sylanae before she can move to avoid it!
The massive hand crushes her in a terrible grip, and the disgusting sound of snapping bones reaches your ears!
... 75 points of damage!
Impact removes the right hand in a spray of red mist!
She is stunned!
... 60 points of damage!
Left leg collapses as the bones turn to dust!
Sylanae screams and falls to the ground grasping her mangled left leg!
... 70 points of damage!
Strike to chest causes a large gaping hole!

* Sylanae drops dead at your feet!

You may only type ahead 2 commands.
> [Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The air plunges to a cold that produces clouds of condensed breath, which mingle with the dust hanging in the passageway. On the walls are strange, carved pictographs, their language lost but their evocative quality intact. The symbols create a panorama of small images, most dealing with a company of stylized figures interacting with a startling sense of life.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara and Pelendur followed.

[Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The passageway seems to exhale, growing larger and more extensively decorated as it twists up. A larger chamber is just visible above this one, its perimeters hidden by the curve of the corridor and the gloom. Light flickers in short bursts in that direction, amplified by the clouds of dust swirling in the shadows. You also see an Illoke shaman and a massive iron shield.
Obvious exits: up, down.
Chuckaar, Itiara and Pelendur followed.

[Stronghold, Walk of the Shaman]
The coiled passageway culminates in a vast chamber, its farthest corners hidden in darkness and clouds of dust. Flickers of static electricity light the clouds from within, sending arcane reflections arcing across the towering walls. Overhead, a monstrous ring of stone hangs in the center of the chamber, its source of support invisible. It hovers over a matching ring carved into the rock floor. You also see an Illoke mystic.
Obvious exits: down.
Chuckaar, Itiara and Pelendur followed.

Chuckaar says, "ugh"

Pelendur exclaims, "Ack!"

Itiara's jaw drops.

You wail!

I was running as fast as I could and we were into another room before we even saw Sylanae's death message. So we go back...

You hear the ghostly voice of Sylanae ask, "See what happens when you sacrifice me for your own selfish 'safe passage'?"

The spirit of Sylanae begins to wail eerily.

Chuckaar says, "hehe"

Itiara exclaims, "but all this in the name of a door opening!"

Itiara beams happily at Sylanae!

Itiara grins slowly.

You hear the ghostly voice of Sylanae say, "Hmph."

You chuckle at Itiara.

You exclaim, "Syl, if we figure it out, we will go down in HISTORY!"

You exclaim, "Think of it!"

Jubuls says, "Welp least ya wents splats ferra good cause."

Jubuls nods to Sylanae.

Pelendur nods to Sylanae.

You hear the ghostly voice of Sylanae exclaim, "I'm already down in history!"

Itiara says, "Legends in our own minds... for noone shall remember it"

And sadly, how right she was.

Itiara had to leave so we went back to town and the others decided they were too tired to go back. Sylanae made a final suggestion that seemed like a good bet, and I was heading back to try it. Just as I was getting ready to leave Chuckaar sent a thought to me saying he thought the solution was the same thing that Syl had suggested. It turned out to be correct.

So for the record, I was the first to figure out how to open the door from the outside and Itiara, Pelendur, Sylanae, me, and Chuckaar were the first people to figure out the inside puzzle! [raises her fist!]