Chapter 8: A Puzzle

[Hywaywolf]

With a quick look back to make sure the others aren't within the blast radius, and hoping that Arvin is watching behind us, Shybolt will say a quick prayer to this God of thieves he had once heard about and then he turns the wheel.

[Solomoriah]

Right or left?

[Hywaywolf]

Right (and then I'll be LEFT in pieces har har har)

[Solomoriah]

Shybolt found that the wheel turned surprisingly easily to the right, but it only moved perhaps an eight of a turn before stopping with a high-pitched screech. For a moment, he strained to turn it further, but it would not move. Then the complex mechanism began to move, in fits and spurts, the clockwork clicking and squealing. Shybolt tried to figure out what the machinery was doing, but it was far from obvious.

Just then, Brother Arven called out, "Snake!" Timorel looked toward the friar and saw that he was backing away from the monstrous serpent, mace upraised, and realized that they were trapped in the stairway if Shybolt couldn't get the door open.

[Hywaywolf]

Does the clockwork look like its unlatching anything or building on itself (adding in new clockwork pieces getting progressively bigger)? I guess I am asking if watching it work does it look like its accomplishing anything, or does it seem to be waiting for another action to kick it into a new gear?

[jstater]

Grumm will head down the stairs (though try to keep the high ground, if possible) and use the "fight defensively" option (is that what it's called?) to hold the snake at bay with his glaive while Shybolt putters around with the door.

[Sir Bedivere]

Timorel will join Grumm, also in a defensive posture w/ his two-handed sword.

[Hywaywolf]

(OOC: you might as well try to kill the snake since this door likely leads into the Throne room. There was no treasure in there. It must be down here. So we need to get past the snake someday. Getting the door open is only a temporary solution.)

[Solomoriah]

As Brother Arven backpedaled, Timorel and Grumm both stepped forward to fend off the serpent. It struck at Timorel, its mouth large enough to engulf his head had it hit, but it shied away from his sword at the last moment.

Then Grumm was surprised by the attack of a second serpent! It was fortunate indeed that his glaive had such a long reach, as he was able to push it aside before it could strike.

Meanwhile, Shybolt watched the intricate mechanism in fascination as the various levers and arms and gears turned and clicked. He began to think that the door was, in fact, unlocking itself, when it suddenly squealed to a stop.

Timorel has the initiative, followed by the serpents, followed by Grumm; Brother Arven, having no ranged attack, stands prepared to replace either man should he fall. Shybolt's initiative is probably irrelevant, but if it matters, he's faster than the monsters.

[Hywaywolf]

Shybolt will attempt to push or pull the door open (can he tell which way it opens?) If that does nothing he will then gently check to see if the wheel will continue turning to the right. if it does not, he will simply turn the wheel left to see if that kicks starts things.