Track Three: A Whiter Shade of Pale

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

If the women within the cylinders are, in some sense, living, this is not easy to determine from without. Nor is there any obvious way to open them. They seem to be made of a substance as transparent as the finest glass, but very strong, as a few taps with the end of a flashlight reveals.

[SunlessNick]

Zara looks at the third woman (and notes if any of them are Moonflower). Then she forces herself to look away and see if there are any other entrances to the room.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The third woman (actually the second in line, going from left to right) wears a heavy, floor-length gown, and her hair swept up in an elaborate fashion. The ensemble suggests the Victorian Era.

None of them are Moonflower.

There are no obvious other entrances to the room.

[jp1885]

Tony frowns. Were the skeletons drawing sustenance from the women, were they guarding them, protecting them?

"We need to find out more before we do anything rash..." he mutters to himself, unaware that poking the figure with his stick was probably the rashest thing he could have done.

He gingerly searches the skeleton before performing a search of the chamber for any clues.

[Rooter]

In the other room Carson takes a photograph of the odd piece of apparatus then walks around it careful not to touch the metal cage, looking for anything resembling a control panel or power source.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"We need to find out more before we do anything rash..." he mutters to himself, unaware that poking the figure with his stick was probably the rashest thing he could have done.

He gingerly searches the skeleton before performing a search of the chamber for any clues.

Further examination of the skeleton reveals nothing else of interest.

Spoiler:

WIS = 11[dice]0[/dice]

Searching through the rubble covering the floor uncovers a tiny wooden trap door, of so small a size that not even a child could enter it. There is no handle, and lifting it open would require both skill and strength.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

In the other room Carson takes a photograph of the odd piece of apparatus then walks around it careful not to touch the metal cage, looking for anything resembling a control panel or power source.

There is nothing else in the otherwise empty room to suggest that such exists.

[Starspawn338]

Lew will examine another monk to see if all of them are dead.

"Have any of you seen anything like this before?" Lew asks haltingly.

[Mr. Handy]

"Not I," says Liz. She examines the trapdoor. "I may be able to pry this open with that stick. I'm stronger than I look. There could be something important inside."

[jp1885]

"I've seen one or two underground lairs in my time, but this is something else."

Tony will assist Dr. North if she requires help. If not, he will join Lew in checking out the other skeletons.

[SunlessNick]

"He must do the embalming somewhere," Zara says, joining Liz. "And I don't see any other way out of here."

[Mr. Handy]

"Even a baby wouldn't fit through that," says Liz, borrowing the stick, "but there may be an important clue beneath it." While she is certainly strong enough to lever the trapdoor open, she cannot find any way to wedge the stick in place without help.

OOC,Dexterity roll (12 + 1[Discover Secrets] = 13) prying open the trapdoor: [dice]0[/dice] Strength roll (12 + 1[Discover Secrets] = 13) prying open the trapdoor: [dice]1[/dice]

[jp1885]

Tony admires Dr. North's strength. As she levers up the hatch, he attempts to wedge in a piece of rubble to keep it open.

Dex 13,[dice]0[/dice]

"Allow me Dr. North."

[SunlessNick]

Zara takes the chance to look into the hole with her torch, in case the trapdoor proves too heavy for the stick and stone to brace it open.

[Mr. Handy]

"Cheers!" says Liz with a smile. "Please, do call me Liz."

[jp1885]

Tony beams, as if a great honour has been bestowed upon him.

[Rooter]

Elsewhere:



Carson studies the transmission apparatus thoughtfully. Does he recognize it as being of foreign, perhaps Russian, construction?

Spoiler:

INT 9[dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

[

Carson studies the transmission apparatus thoughtfully. Does he recognize it as being of foreign, perhaps Russian, construction?

Spoiler:

INT 9[dice]218908:0[/dice]

Carson realizes that this design resembles other Soviet equipment intended to interfere with American satellites, disrupting their orbits.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lew will examine another monk to see if all of them are dead.

"Have any of you seen anything like this before?" Lew asks haltingly.

Spoiler:

determining which one of the 3 left[dice]0[/dice]

Examination of the first monk reveals the same as the fourth; a skeleton of appreciable age, apparently set up deliberately in this pose.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Zara takes the chance to look into the hole with her torch, in case the trapdoor proves too heavy for the stick and stone to brace it open.

The investigators display a proper use of co-operation and manage to prop the trapdoor open. The torch reveals, at some distance below, a churning, bubbling, milk-white liquid.