Book the Second, Chapter the Fifth: After the Catastrophe

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Lepus WIS = 18, William WIS = 10[dice]0[/dice]

It is, perhaps, something of a surprise that Lepus, acquainted as he is with the occult and the hidden, discovers nothing at all at one of the areas marked by a star on the map, save indications that some other person has dug into the ground there at some time in the past. It may be that something was removed by said person at such time, leaving nothing to be found.

William, on the other hand, in the methodical manner of an experienced man of arms, discovers, by digging a few inches into the hard, packed ground, a metal disk, somewhat larger than a man's hand. It is simple in construction, being no more than a circle of some very shiny substance that has, evidently, some form of resistance to rust. He is clearly able to discern his own features in the disk, dim as the light in the cavern may be.

[jp1885]

“Bah! Old Lepus’ eyes be tired so they be. Heh, ‘tis a good thing you be of sharper wits brave soldier. There must be another disk hereabouts in a similar position, yesno? Mayhap they provide the key to open yon secret doors.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry, going over to inspect the location indicated by the other star.

[SunlessNick]

William nods in acknowledgment of Lepus's compliment. "I confess my wits are baffled by what purpose may be served by arranging this rigmarole."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Indeed," says Henry, going over to inspect the location indicated by the other star.

Spoiler:

WIS = 11[dice]0[/dice]

Perhaps the seasoned eye of one well versed in the mysteries of natural philosophy allows Doctor North to locate that which the arcane wit of Lepus failed to find. Be that as it may, slyly hidden in a thin but deep crack in the cavern wall is a slender black object, in shape and size much like a willow leaf. It appears to be composed of a very smooth, shiny substance, much akin to glass. The edges and tips are quite sharp, and must be handled with great care to avoid injury.

[Mr. Handy]

"Curious," says Henry, handling the object with care. "I suppose this could be a weapon. So could the mirrored disk, in the right circumstances. But perhaps we can use them to find a way to open the secret doors. We should examine them closely."

[jp1885]

Lepus agrees, hoping he'll have more luck studying the supposed secret doors.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Despite the very best efforts of all to uncover the secrets of the hidden doors through observation alone, they do not yield their secrets to the human eye, despite the knowledge and wisdom of the observer. If the curious objects play some part in unraveling these mysteries, it must be through the use of them, in some yet undiscovered manner.

[jp1885]

Lepus frowns, his addled mind whirring.

”Mayhap yon sharp piece be needed to draw on yon disk, hmm ?

By way of experiment, he makes a small scratch on the polished disk with the black object.

[Rooter]

Vincent is at a loss but attempts to determine whether there is anything mystical about the objects' function of it they are purely mechanical.

Spoiler:

Intelligence 9 + 1 Esoteric Knowledge
[dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

"It could be that the mechanism to open the secret doors lies elsewhere, like with the first secret door we encountered," suggests Henry.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus frowns, his addled mind whirring.

”Mayhap yon sharp piece be needed to draw on yon disk, hmm ?

By way of experiment, he makes a small scratch on the polished disk with the black object.

Despite the very sharp nature of the black object, it fails to produce any mark upon the shining disk.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Vincent is at a loss but attempts to determine whether there is anything mystical about the objects' function of it they are purely mechanical.

Spoiler:

Intelligence 9 + 1 Esoteric Knowledge
[dice]229046:0[/dice]

The French mage's familiarity with objects of a similar nature enables him to determine that they do, indeed, possess preternatural characteristics; the manner in which this expresses itself is not as easy to determine, given the bewildering variety of such arcane things.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"It could be that the mechanism to open the secret doors lies elsewhere, like with the first secret door we encountered," suggests Henry.

Whilst considering this point, during which Doctor North continues to examine the places where such doors should, if the map be accurate, appear, he detects peculiar, very soft sounds coming from beyond the stone walls. At one place, the sound is a hissing one; at the other, a clicking. These grow slightly louder as he approaches the place from which they emerge, and fade into silence when he steps far away from them.

[SunlessNick]

"Did you not posit a gorgon ealier, Your Lorship," observes William, indicating the mirrored disc.

[jp1885]

Lepus looks askance at William, as if he has gravely offended the wanderer.

"Pssht! Old Lepus had not considered such a thing... On our guard must we be, yesno?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I did indeed," says Henry. "That disc would make an effective weapon against it. I heard hissing, as from a snake, through that wall. It is well known that Gorgons have snakes for hair. Through the other door I heard clicking. Whatever made that noise may be susceptible to the object I found. Or to the Gorgon's gaze, though it would be extremely risky to face both monsters at once. Perhaps we need to, as the verse said, strike the doors to cause them to open and release the beasts within. We could try the one behind which I heard hissing, though we'll want to blindfold ourselves first so that we do not see her."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

This plan seeming agreeable to all, it is no difficult task to obtain strips of cloth to make blindfolds. No doubt Lepus will provide such, as a few more rips in his clothing will not produce any noticeable change in his appearance.

Spoiler:

Anyone wearing a blindfold acquires the Affliction of Blind, which adds 3 to any saving roll (or reduces any basic characteristic by 3) for any task relevant to vision.

It remains to be determined who shall take possession of each of the objects discovered, and who shall dare to seek entrance to the hidden chamber that one assumes exists beyond the rock wall.

Observing the activity, Gog sounds signs of curiosity.

"What. You. Do? What. Me. Do?"

[jp1885]

Lepus will happily take charge of the mirror if no one else volunteers. He will angle it towards the section of wall from whence the hissing can be heard before asking someone to cover his eyes. When everyone is ready, he addresses the giant.

“Gog. Close. Eyes. Smash. Wall.” he instructs, pointing to the section. “Not. Open. Eyes!”

[Mr. Handy]

Blindfolded, Henry grips his cane and prepares to defend himself if necessary, listening carefully.