Iris apologizes, "I'm, um, really, really sorry guys" The blast of heat can be felt by everyone at the doorway. She exclaims, "Wow, and it's warm; I wonder what the purple color signifies"
Draven asks, “So, how long do you think it was from entering the room to fiery blast?”
Griffin says "Kasiex, maybe they want one of your tribe to enter first. Wanna give it a try?"
Kasiex looks at the others with a questioning look in his eye then asks, in accented Traldar, “Hmm, false alarm?” After about 5 seconds or so, the flames subside and disappears. After the flames disappear, the heat is gone and the room returns immediately to its cool, damp climate. Kasiex says, in accented Traldar, “Why did you rush out of the hallway so quickly? Are we not exploring further? Did you detect danger?”
Griffin stares at the Hutaakan. "Did you not see the terrible flames?"
Iris says excitedly, "He must not have!!"
Kasiex says "Flames? No. I see the glow near their mouths. Is that what you mean?"
Griffin says, "No, we all saw flames shoot from their mouths and fill the hallway. The fact that you did not is very interesting."
Iris ponders, "Would you mind testing out our theory? Stay just inside the threshold and see if you feel the heat of the flames?"
Remar hears Kasiex talking about "pretty mouth fire"
Kasiex says "Do you see the flames now? I feel no heat."
Iris says "Not at the moment; they're back to only showing in the statue's mouths"
Kasiex says "I will go in there. I am not afraid."
Iris says, "Of course you aren't!"
Kasiex says "These are my ancestors. Heroes of my people."
Iris starts scribbling furiously as Kasiex steps into the hallway and begins examining the statues. He reads off some names of the first few. Famous artisans, warriors and sages of the Hutaaka people. Draven quietly prepares to leap after the Hutaakan but the pretty mouth fires do not intensify as he steps into the hallway. He is at about the same position Iris had moved to and still nothing is happening.
Draven suggests, "Don't go too far, but what do you see around the corner?”
Griffin says "I'm going to follow you - if I say Run, Run!"
Kasiex says "To the right is a small domed room. There is some debris in there. I see a door in the north wall of that chamber. Similar to the other doors. This archway leading to the domed chamber seems to have been damaged somehow. And yes, I will run if you say so Griffin."
As Griffin steps into the hallway, the pretty mouth fires begin to pulsate and intensify again. Griffin shouts "Run!" and jumps back out of the hallway. Just as Griffin exits the hallway, again it is filled with a blast of intense, purple fire.
Kasiex asks, "What happened that time?"
Griffin says "Good job. It looks like it reacts to any of us, even if you lead. Did you see anything that might deactivate the trap?"
Kasiex says "I did not have time to do a complete search. "
Draven says, "We may not want to, but we may have to send the natives scouting ahead this time.”
Remar thinks outloud, “Reacts to all but Kasiex. If he stands where we see fire, does he burn?” He stops then adds, slowly and loudly, to Kasiex, “HEY KSEX YOU SO HOT?”
Kasiex says "I see no fire still."
Griffin shakes his head. "I don't think we want to risk that yet, Remar. Let's let him poke around first. Kasiex, let's give you some more time to look around. Let us know what you see."
Remar says, “OK. I'm maintaining spells, but can drop some if you'd rather us be resisting fire.”
Draven muses, "I'm certainly not going to say we should test this on a live subject, but is it possible the fires are illusory? The water never flashes to steam, for example..."
Griffin stares at the hallway, lost in thought.
Kasiex says "Shall I look further?"
Iris answers, "Please!"
Kasiex walks back into the hallway before a reply is given.
Draven adds, "I don't think it can hurt, Kasiex. Tell us what you see."
Kasiex disappears around the corner to the right.
Griffin whispers to Ree, “Hey, Ree, can you make a little illusion? I'm wondering if Kasiex just can't see that sort of stuff.”
The Half-Elf shakes her head no, not really listening to Griffin, but intently watching the hallway for Kasiex.
Kasiex says "This domed room is impressive. I can see the ceiling but I cannot. I seems as if I can see out into the storm that is raging outside. "
Draven keeps himself between Iris and the unviewable awesomeness of the ceiling.
Remar is feeling confident in his magic
Kasiex says "This door in here is stuck. I cannot open it while the door near you is open."
Iris sighs.
Remar thinks aloud again, "I can trigger it and see if it burns my hand to see if my spell resists or if it is illusory. If it doesn't burn me, then someone else will need to volunteer without the resistance spell to see if it burns them. Then we will know.” Remar smiles
Iris nods in agreement, "I like this plan!"
Remar remembers, "But I -did- feel the heat earlier, which is out of the norm. I could recast it at a higher level of resistance I suppose"
Iris responds, "So, should I let Kasiex know what you're planning? Do you want him to stay where he's at?" She assumes Remar is having a crazy spell and translates for Kasiex
Kasiex says "So the one with voices will trigger the invisible fire and I will stay here and see if it burns me? I can do that." Iris laughs involuntarily and coughs loudly.
Remar asks, "Is he ready?
Kasiex says to Remar in thick accented Traldar, “I am ready for you to make me hot."
Iris blushes and turns away, "oh. oh my"
Remar sets off the ‘trap.’ After a few seconds the flames fill the hallway, they stick around for a few more seconds then subside again.Remar then holds his hands closer and closer to the fire to determine if it is as hot as perhaps a Dwarven Forge. Remar thinks that if so, he may try stronger magic.
Iris laughs nervously. "Bold there, aren't you?"
Remar smirks at her, “Yeah!”
As the flame fills the hallway, Remar thrusts his hand into the fire then pulls it out quickly with a screech! Remar feels his hand burn, though when he looks at it, there is no physical damage.
Remar sighs wistfully then starts rambling to himself, “Soooo… Does he like it? Sort of get to play with fire and maybe not actually get burned?”
Kasiex calls back, "Did Remar feel hot burning sensation?"
Iris answers for the mage, "Um, I think he did,” but is quickly unsure of her answer as she is looking at Remar's unscathed hand.
Kasiex says "I am going to go see this sword."
Remar exclaims, "This, this is...fascinating!"
Iris calls to Kasiex, "Be careful! I'm not sure about this magic. But wow, it seems like we might be able to make it.” She then thinks and asks, "Kasiex, are there any purple mouthed statues or otherwise in the domed ceiling room?"
Remar continues to marvel at the hallway trap, "It seems to somehow burn my hand. My hand is still in pain from burning. But there is and was no flame! I must learn this invisible fire magic!"
Iris seems even more confused, "Oh, you're still in pain though?
Remar answers her, "I'd say it was only a flesh wounds but...there is nothing to show that. Just my pride apparently. But gee, pride hurts!"
Kasiex lets out a short low to high howl and spins to the party.
Iris turns back to the hallway, "uh-oh"
Draven cries, "that didn't sound good..."
Iris calls out, "Quick! Make room! And I'll get ready to open another door if we need to shut this one"
Kasiex says "This ancestor is Chaphorteq. He is my direct ancestor. This is his blade." He unhooks the sword from the carving and holds it up. It shines brightly.
Draven asks, "Well, bring it forth that we might see it..."
Iris blushes. So, so much.
Remar looks confused again, "What is he saying? What is he bringing forth"?
Iris gives the mage a look, "The, erm, sword of his ancestor"
Remar asks excitedly, "And is it wreathed in invisible fire as well? I know, I know. I do not know why I'm even talking to you"
Iris looks concerned for Remar.
Kasiex comes loping up, smiling wide and holding out the sword of his ancestor
Iris states, "If I offend with my translations, you don't have to ask for them."
Kasiex says "Is there more fire?"
Remar asks eagerly, "Did he say he wants more fire?"
Iris says adamantly, “no!”
Kasiex says "I did not feel fire when he thrusts hand into hallway. I see him do it. I feel no flame."
Remar looks disappointed
Draven considers, "It seems not to touch upon your people. A subtle protective magic."
Kasiex replies "This is the place of my people," then continues, "Hallway continues further around, curved end. I think I saw archway."
Iris looks warily at Remar and translates, "He didn't feel any heat or flames when you triggered the trap, Remar"
Draven asks, "I know that you were... focused on the blade in your hand, but did you see what else lies beyond the leftward bend?
Kasiex repeats, "Hallway continues further around, curved end. I think I saw archway."
Iris looks Kasiex over; wonders if by carrying his small totem of Pflarr, that he is safe
Remar uses his healing magic to heal the invisible wounds he received from the invisible fire. He feels no pain.
Iris suggests, "Maybe your people are protected, but maybe it's because you carrying items that revere Pflarr? Or that mummy's headdress?"
Kasiex shrugs and says, "I will follow the hallway around to the end."
Remar says, "Well. I have healed myself. Apparently the invisible burns can be healed"
Kasiex returns a few minutes later. "The hallway is only 13 paces long. It curves around and ends in an archway leading to another room. There is a leak in the ceiling. That room has 2 doors. I could not open them. Nothing much in those rooms.
Remar studies the flaming statues further, from the safety of the room behind the archway.
Draven remembers, "I fear the only way we'll get those doors open is to close these."
Kasiex says, in Thyatian, "I shut you out? No burning?"
Remar says, “Well of course I just tested the other theory. Where have you been?” Remar continues, seemingly to himself, “Both. Well sort of, I mean, you know...you have to know your trajectories and volumes. It's one of the first principles and concepts they teach you as a Battlemage”
Kasiex says, in Traldar, “Hallway not long. You run. No slip in wet though."
Remar carries on, “Can't go about scorching the allies you are supposed to be supporting
Unless you've protected them from fire. Then scorch away!”
Iris suggests, "Let's look at the side room first. At the very least, I'm nearly salivating at the opportunity to see the magical ceiling---AND during a thunderstorm!"
Remar thinks to himself that this would make an awesome bath feature.
Kasiex looks at Remar then at the domed room, "You come inside now with Kasiex?"
Iris looks at Griffin, "rock, parchment, dagger?"
Griffin agrees, “okay”
Iris throws a rock and Griffin throws parchment. He gently covers her hand with his. She whispers, "damn"
Griffin says "Okay, no time like the present. Off I go!" and he charges through into the room on the right with Kasiex
Griffin speeds through the hallway to the next room. A few seconds later the flame fills the hall again. Griffin is happy to see that the side room does NOT fill with flame.
Griffin shouts back, "I'm okay!"
Iris asks, "Remar do you want to do this from the next room?"
Griffin says "Kasiex, once they all get in here, can you go close the door so we can open this one?"
Ree waits for the trap to reset then rushes through to join them.
While everyone is running through, Remar uses the opportunity to give himself a teeny tiny burn then tries his little forgetful flame experiment. Iris watches intently as Remar is once again invisibly burned then casts Forgetfulness on himself to make himself forget being burned. Remar is confused and still hurt. Iris looks unsurprised, "Ok, well that answers that" She then checks the hallway for flames and runs to the next room.
The group gathers in the domed chamber with the invisible ceiling. The view above is spectacular, like it was a glass dome, though logic would have it that your current location is considerably inside the mountainside. Iris marvels at the sight, "hmmmm" Lightning plays across the sky occasionally and the rain comes down in sheets. Kasiex goes back and closes the door.
Iris says, "I really, really want to touch it. I'm going to look around the room first. Perhaps the room is labelled." Iris chatters as she searches. "I suppose priests and priestesses might miss the sky, being stuck inside the mountain for a time. Draven, does Pflarr have a particular affinity for weather, sun, or sky, do you know?" In her search for any writing or designs in the room, Iris discovers that the floor is actually marked with what look like astronomical drawings underneath a thick layer of dust and debris. They center directly under the center of the dome above. Iris calls out, "oooh, gents! Look at this!!!" "Does anyone study star charts?"
Draven looks at Iris like she asked if he knew that dogs liked pancakes. "Pflarr is..." he bites off his retort. "Pflarr is not of my faith. I'm afraid I can't speak for his... her... their predilections."
Iris seems too busy dusting off the floor to notice Draven's discomfort. "Ah, I'll just ask Kasiex when he gets back"
Griffin shrugs. "Just for navigation"
Iris says, "Great! Do these mean anything to you, Griffin?" Griffin studies them for a moment and decides these designs on the floor do not look like they would be of much use in navigation. Iris looks up at Griffin as he pauses, then notices Kasiex. "Oh! Good---does Pflarr encourage worship and/or study of the sky and possibly celestial bodies?"
Kasiex says "Pflarr is the God of Craft and Art. Of course, all of outside is his beautiful artful craft. "
Iris states, "Ah, I see!"
Remar thinks for a moment.
Iris asks, "Are these constellations of particular interest?"
Kasiex says "I am not well versed in the stars above."
Remar asks in broken Traldar, “ WHY MUMMY USE EARTH AND NOT THROW PAINTINGS?”
Iris laughs, then pauses, “oh wait. A painting is...derived from imagination, yes? Like an illusion?"
Remar questions, "They are?"
Iris answers, "...like illusory fire?"
Remar remarks, "Oh no. I'm pretty sure that is real invisible fire."
Iris states, "You don't appear harmed. I understand that you feel it, but your skin looks unblemished"
Kasiex says "I smell nothing burnt."
Remar says, "I burned myself again before heading down here. Then I cast a Forgetfulness spell to forget my hand hurt. Next thing I know, my hand really hurts!"
Iris laughs "I think your Thyatian could use some work. That fire is clearly visible"
Griffin rolls his eyes and Remar sighs then explains, "The invisible...burns then, whatever. Unless when you look at my hands you see them burnt to a crisp”
Ignoring Remar, Iris sketches the constellations mapped across the floor
Remar pesters her, “If so, please tell em”
Iris looks annoyed, "what, tell your hands?" She says as she works.
Remar answers sheepishly, "Um...er...no. Not him. I meant to say me."
Iris pauses, then looks worriedly at Remar. “Well…?”
Remar answers, "Deep subject"
Iris states plainly, “Your hands don't look burnt to me,” and smirks at the young mage.
Remar shurgs, "I know, right?"
Iris says, "I'm almost done here, do we want to check out where this door leads?”
Almost before she even has the words out of her mouth, Griffin answers, "Yes, yes I do."
Griffin says "Kasiex, could you go close the other door?"
Kasiex nods and closes the door as Griffin opens the new door.
The next chamber is small and low. There is some debris around the edges of the room. The carcass of what might be a dead rat or something similar lays in the middle of the floor and covered in little black bugs that skitter away when the light enters the room.
Iris looks at the bugs with a tinge of disgust and suggests, "there must be more openings in here"
Griffin assesses what he can from the doorway and thinks that there isn't much in here.
Griffin shuts the door. "Okay, let's see what else we can find. Is there something around that other corner, Kasiex?"
Kasiex says "Yes, hallway ends in archway to another room. Two doors in there. Could not open them."
Griffin thinks to himself, ‘We would be having a much tougher time here if we didn't have Kasiex’
Kasiex says "The floor is wet. Be careful not to fall if you run to next room."
Iris again marvels at the domed ceiling, "Such a lovely use of magic," Iris says, gazing once more at the ceiling.
Griffin says "Okay, let's see if we can get to those other doors safely. One at a time, okay?" And Griffin makes a dash towards around the corner that Kasiex indicated.
Griffin moves off around the corner. The flames explode in the hallway again, filling the space with very visible purple flames.
Remar answers Griffin as he runs off and sets the trap off,"Totally" he says staring at the flames
Kasiex says "There flames now?"
Griffin screams "Yes!"
Kasiex gingerly reaches his hand out into the hallway then holds it there, waves it around in the flame and then pulls it back, seemingly unhurt and unburnt by visible or invisible fire. He says "no hurt. only invisible fire hurt you,” pointing at Remar.
Taking turns, the rest of the group follows Griffin to the next chamber, which is also not filled with fire. Remar looks around, "Oh yes. Yes there are"
A steady stream of water leaks down from a crack in the ceiling. Griffin opens the door in front of him. Remar thinks to himself that if this room proves uneventful as well, he'll try heading back to the purple fire that causes invisible burns to him, but not Kasiex, forget resist fire, then recast it at its highest level, and then see if it burns him 1 more time. Just hoping to figure something here out!
