"Yes we are indeed trapped at the moment but do not forget that this is but a test and so there is an ingrained way out. We simply need to find it so we are not really trapped; just momentarilly delayed."

No door?

Trapped?

That is not what Cynil wanted to hear, she crowded close to whoever was closest to her, in this case Conall. She peered closer to the words and her brow wrinkled in thought.

"First of all, she said to no one on particular, "we do not want to get away, but go on, and if we have to do something with the handles in his belly to reveal the secret door, then we need to ask it what is the order of turning the handles to open the door to the 2nd test."

As Kenji moved down the passage just a few feet behind Ulthok and Divot who checked the way for any sinister traps. The Samurai stayed close enough so that if there was trouble he would be able to leap in to protect the lesser armored ones in front.

When they came to another door and it began to rhyme to them he sighed; another puzzle perhaps, he thought. After Ulthok pronounced the door clear and Divot opened it; Kenji moved up and entered the new chamber on guard with his hand on the hilt of his katana.

They found only a decaying stone statue with wooden handle around it’s middle. Reading the strange message on the statue:

“Ask a question a day but you will never get away.”
Kenji sighed once more, yep a puzzle. The Samurai hated such things. He was never a really bright person, he was a warrior and while he was a good one he would never be a General or a great leader of men. He knew where his strength lay and it wasn’t in solving riddles or puzzles. Besides, he was still trying to grasp all the subtle intricacies of this language and as he had listened to the strange words which they heard in the hall he had gleamed nothing useful from them.

“I know nothing of such things,” he mumbled almost to himself as the others gathered around the statue and began to talk of what it could all mean. As he listened to them speak, he moved about the room looking for any other clues. He went to the unlit torches and began to light them one at a time till all three were blazing. Then he took one torch down and started to walk around looking at all of the walls for anything out of the ordinary. He didn’t think he could help with the puzzle, but he might find something else that was useful in here if it existed.


(DM'S EDIT: YeOlde the 3 torches flared to life once everyone was in the room so there was no need to light them as you posted above.)

Cor heard Kenji mutter something about "not knowing anything about..." but he didn't catch the end of it. Assuming the warrior was professing to be of no use in solving the puzzle at hand, Cor moved towards him. "Kenji, do not believe you cannot help in this matter. None of us know the answer else we would have already solved the puzzle. The answer does not always come from those who believe themselves capable but often from those who have doubts. You may find that your unique way of looking at things could hold the key to unlocking the riddle."

Cor moved towards him. "Kenji, do not believe you cannot help in this matter. None of us know the answer else we would have already solved the puzzle. The answer does not always come from those who believe themselves capable but often from those who have doubts. You may find that your unique way of looking at things could hold the key to unlocking the riddle."
With one of the ‘already’ lit torches in his hand, Kenji turned to Cor as he walked up and spoke to him about how he could still help in unlocking the riddle. Kenji grunted slightly, a habit he seemed to have when contemplating something.

“As a warrior,” Kenji began, “I am quite good.. but in matters where things require great thought, or planning, I must admit I fall well short of most. Battle planning is one thing but this..” He gestured to the statue with the torch, “.. I am not sure what I can add. I will however ponder the problem and if anything comes to mind I will voice them openly.”

With a slight bow to Cor, Kenji turned back to examining the rest of the chamber, every wall or shadowed corner. Maybe he could find something that might aid them in solving the puzzle and while he searched he also ran through the words that were spoken to them in the hallway trying to ascertain any possible clues.

"Wait..." Haila murmurs, "If it's 'hidden from the light' does that mean that first we have to put out the torches in order to find what we're looking for?"

You know, I think we should have a nap. Niamedris thinks.

Do you have any suggestions on this? Haila returns, although she doesn't hold her hopes high.

Sleep on it? Niamedris suggests.

That's what I thought you'd say... Haila thinks, rolling her eyes for the umpteenth time.

The Druidess listened and pondered the words of those offering suggestions.

"Haila, I think the Hidden from the light refers to the sword, and since the torches flare from room to room, it could be the sword is within an area of darkness.

Other than that we had this stature with handles and the message over them. I was wondering if the number of the lettes in each word, indicated the number of the handle that needed to be turned.

They all read the words found on the door and Ulthok puts them into memory for he is sure they will somehow be needed latter after checking the wooden that was now in front of them and declaring it safe Divot opens it and they all move into the next room . A circular room with nothing in it save three torches which flare to life upon their entering and a now somewhat decriped statue with 10 wooden handles around it's waist like a weird belt.

Once they are all in the room the only door they could see promptly vanishes leaving them in a room with no apparent exits. Knowing that they are going to be confronted with ten puzzles or traps or whatever Ulthok doesn't panic but precedes to go about his job as best he knows how.

He approaches the statue and first reads the writing that is above the handles
“ASK A QUESTION ONCE A DAY
BUT YOU'LL NEVER GET AWAY”
As he and the others ponder this new clue he sets about examining the statue and the handles using all of his skills as a thief. First he checks all the handles one at a time looking for anything that might help solve this puzzle along with of course making sure all where safe to touch and there where no apparent traps. He also does the same to the statue also keeping an eye out for any type of trigger mechanisms that may open a hidden panel or something on, in, or around the statue. Once finished he gives the group his findings.
Well I hate to say it but there is not much here of any help every one of these handles appears to be exactly the same in size, color, and description. Also although they do appear to be handles they do not move, but clearly have hand grips. The statue also appears unremarkable with no apparent traps, hidden panels, or doors of any nature. Not much help so it seems that our answer must come from the writings we have read. Maybe we should just start throwing ideas about what we think the meaning of the messages are so one of us may catch something we at first do not see.
So he once again goes over the first message on the outer door and one part makes him curious, and it goes Is it real or is it false, a mirror image I don't know if we should try to take the messages as a whole or if there are just parts that hold meaning for us but this part about a mirror image makes me curious would someone like to come over here and take a look at this with me just see what may happen.
Ulthok proceeds to remove his mirror from his pack and then goes up to the writing above the handles and holds the mirror so they can see the writing in the mirror


with that he looks at the image to see if it invokes any ideas for him or anyone else in the party.

Cynil, it is too early to shoot down anyone's idea. As Cor said, Ww all have idea and we should all listen to each other so that we have a chance to discover the truth. Though I agree with you Cynil that we don't want to get away we want to get to the next test.

"After listening to several of you, I have several of ideas to run past you all. The first is douse the torches and see if the way from here will appear in the darkness. Malius and I as elves can sometimes sense such things just by passing near them."

"The other idea I had was about the handles. We need to forget where we are and the riddles and the message on the statue. even the statue itself. If you saw handle on something what are they usually used for?"

"Remember this is something that one person should be able to do for themselves. That is what I think Althena's father was saying to her. which now leads my last thought"

"This is thought of my own. The message n the statue says ask ad question once a day, but you will never get away. What about telling it to open the way to Test Two. Not asking but demanding. The rest of this stuff is just misdirects our energies and thoughts. Rayne contemplates what she just said for a moment and then adds. I would suggest we all hold onto one of those handles when we make that command. That statue may well be a portal or teleportation device.

Before we ask any question I say we try these at least and any other ideas we have come up with. Each of us share our thoughts together. We are an army. Lady Althena's army of friends. We will use our strengths and bolster each others weaknesses. That is how we will prevail." Rayne offers encouragingly.

"What do we try first."


(DM's Edit: Ahh Bri, Malius?? )

Conall looked at the words in the mirror as did others, “No door? No key? There is a door, it has not yet been seen by any of us. There is a key, we all carry it.” Conall points to his head, “It is up here and our voice is the chain we keep it on.” Conall then shrugs his shoulders, “No this will not be a tomb.” Conall then put himself up against a close wall and slid down until his butt hit the floor, “I have no mind for such games but I will think.”

With the room fully searched and nothing extra found it came down to solving the riddle before them.

“ASK A QUESTION ONCE A DAY
BUT YOU”LL NEVER GET AWAY”

Ulthok showed the writing as it would look backwards, Haila both thought that the words spoken from the Magic Mouth before the door and perhaps the letters themselves were each a clue. While Cor and Kenji spoke of what was considered helpful, Cor about asking the question, Kenji about standing ready to fight. Conall speaking on the complexities yet the simple ness of the room’s test sat back ready to think. As the others gazed upon the statue and its handles, Rayne was the first to speak of taking hold of the handles themselves.

"This is thought of my own. The message on the statue says ask a question once a day, but you will never get away. What about telling it to open the way to Test Two. Not asking but demanding. The rest of this stuff is just misdirecting our energies and thoughts.”

Rayne contemplates what she just said for a moment and then adds.

“I would suggest we all hold onto one of those handles when we make that command. That statue may well be a portal or teleportation device.”

With her idea posed to all it was to no one’s surprise when Divot stepped forward and volunteered to be the one to grab the handles before them. The only thing it seemed the party now had to decide was should the handles be gripped, if grabbed who would be the one to do so, and if successful what question to ask.

(OOC: OK it is with the greatest of sadness that I announce that Eol has decided to drop Trilogy due to RL and his busy upcoming schedule as not to hold up the game. After thinking about it the whole week, I have decided to once again try to recruit a new player and will be posting a recruitment thread yet again. ~sigh~
Well as norm N.P.N.S)

"Althena, I think you should be the one to say the actual demand; you were the one to open the two doors before, so I think you're probably the key again this time." Haila thinks aloud, before picking up Niamedris in preparation for whatever was to come.

You know, I'd prefer all of my paws to be on something solid. Niamedris thinks as he examines his dangling legs, with Haila holding him up by the torso.

Perhaps you would, but I don't like it when you suddenly leap from my arms, scratching me in the process, when I hold you that way. Haila returns.

Well, it's not my fault that I tend to see a mouse or other fast thing from such a wonderful vantage point. Niamedris says.

... you like sounding all important don't you? Haila thinks quietly, unwittingly within Niamedris' telepathic 'hearing'.

Just sounding all important? I am the epitome of all importance. Niamedris returns, swatting Haila with a flick of his tail.

Haila walks forward as Divot does, "I'd rather not have to carry this heavy cat for more than I have to..." she murmurs almost as an explanation.

Yet, despite the two bickering with one another, Niamedris and Haila both know each other well enough to not take the other seriously... or at least Haila does.

Cor heard Divot volunteer to grab the handles and was not really surprised. "Well lad, it is your life. Of course tempting fate twice in less than a day is not necessarily are good idea."

Moments later he caught a comment about not wanting to carry a cat. Cor laughed, "My grandmother always said cats were much lighter and easier to carry once you made them into a hat. Of course she also said that I would make a fine cooper. Imagine me making barrels all day. Grandma said a lot of things; most of which didn;t come to pass." Cor reached into his pack and dug out a small piece of dried fish and offered it to the cat. "Perhaps this will give you something to take your mind off the indignity of being carried my fuzzy friend."

I think we should all hold on to the handles on the statue, at the same time . I would not want anyone left behind if this thihng is a transportation device.

TO my mind if we ask the question, "If we command you to take us all to the second test can you and will you do so?" will give us the information we need OR we could ask what happens if we ask two questions.

No, I like the first better. IT gives us smore useful information. Althena father made this so she could get through it. so there is a way.

Cynil just listened, there was not much else she could do. A dozen ideas flew through her mind only to be didcarded.