Chapter 3: Trying Again

[Hywaywolf]

Well, fellas. Looks like we need to go ahead and trip whatever trap gets hot enough or bright enough to fade the paint on the murals. I am going to check that other door be prepared to defend me against whatever happens.

Shybolt will then wait for the others to comment and make plans and then when we are ready he will go to the door, first probing the floor in front of him with his sword and watching the ceiling as well for any cracks, Then he will check the door to see how it opens and which way and listen for anything suspicious. The check the door for traps. Once that is done and if nothing has happened that may have caused shybolt to now be in a fight for his life, he will check to see if the door is locked.

[Solomoriah]

As soon as Shybolt stepped between the two statues, everything changed. The adventurers found themselves outdoors, on a grassy hillside; the two statues remained, as well as the door, which was now the entrance to a large stone tower. Bright sunshine illuminated the strange scene... all around the hill, humans, orcs, and lizard men did battle, but the sounds of the battle were muffled, as though they were much further away than they appeared.

Then the statues began to move, relaxing from their positions of attention, then assuming battle stances. One of them began to speak... in an unfamiliar guttural language.

Shybolt, you have an undeclared language. Before we continue here, you need to go over to the Character Sheets thread and edit your sheet, declaring what that language is.

[Hywaywolf]

(ooc: can that language be "unfamiliar guttural language"?)

[jstater]

Grumm: "I don't think we're in Redbluff anymore."

Grumm is ready to fight, but he won't do anything hostile until it looks like he's going to be attacked by something.

[Solomoriah]

(ooc: can that language be "unfamiliar guttural language"?)

No. This has become something of a guessing game for you...

[Nekron99]

Brother Arven mutters and throws his torch to the ground "Well spoken Master Grumm, and this is stranger than any book I have ever read. Perhaps if I live through this I shall write my own tales to enliven someones dreary monastery life." He warily watches both the now animate statues, and the war going on around him. Then he glibbly adds. "Preferably from the comfort of a large overstuffed chair."

[Solomoriah]

Shybolt found the language similar to the lizard man tongue, but strangely accented and with words he didn't recognize mixed in. All he could make out was that it was a challenge, and that the door the statues were guarding was the Doorway of Glory.

[Sir Bedivere]

My, my, Timorel says. I've read about this sort of thing. Does anyone understand what that fellow is saying?

He remains ready with spell and sword, his blade resting on his shoulder.

[Hywaywolf]

"I can make out some of what they are saying," says Shybolt. "It sounds like a challenge to get through the door. Brother Arvin, you might want to keep that torch handy since this may not be what it appears to be. We may still be in Redbluff and this may just be an illusion where some magical light has caused the faded murals to appear real. Keep note of where the door we came in is supposed to be and watch for any others coming in behind us."

Shybolt concentrates on what the statues are saying and then tells the others, "Apparently this is the 'Doorway of Glory' but I can't make out what it is."

Shybolt asks in lizard language for the statues to repeat their challenge and takes another small step forward. If the statues react badly he will step back again.

[Solomoriah]

Looking around, Timorel realized the other door, the one through which the adventurers entered, was still there... pinned open, the blood on the door now plainly visible in the daylight. The tunnel seemingly hung in midair like some magical portal.

As he stepped forward, Shybolt saw the statues drawing back to strike; instinctively he stepped back, and they also drew back into positions of readiness.