Registered: Nov 2002
Location:
04-17-2003 04:30

I think we can safely rule out all down and all up. Those combos are too easy. Dunduck cheese is the one even the cheese quest person in MM8 does not want so perhaps that refers to a position. Some possible sequences: Down, Up, Down(DUD), Down, Up, Up(DUU) do spell out possible words but I'll leave it to the experts to figure out the right combo. Now that I think more on the riddle I'm tending to think UUD is the right combo...I'm probably going along the wrong way of thinking to open up the vault though.

__________________
I'd rather be part bull than a complete sheep.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-18-2003 13:04

Vilx paces the room impatietily as the Outspoken and the Paladin talk time and again about the correct positions.

Vilx: Try anything! I don't believe it has anything important to our main quest.

Regran: ... alright DaveO, so let's try Down, Down, Up. Is it alright with you?

DaveO: Yes. I guess it is better than your Down, Up, Down. And as well as mine original up,up,down.

Nicolai: OKAY PEOPLE I AM TURNING UP THE THIRD ONE!

From left to right, Nicolai looks for the third lever a pulls it up!

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-18-2003 18:38

Vori, Cathedral of Eep

Slowly, the young Prince turns the third handle into the up position. Everyone is holding their breath .....

.....


Nothing happens.

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-18-2003 18:54

Puzzled, the heroes decided to try again. This time Nicolai lowers the third one and raises the second for an down, up, down result.

Nicolai: Let's see if Regran has got it right. Ugh!

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-18-2003 19:13

Vori, Cathedral of Eep

Expectations are rising again, but it is no good. The vault remains locked.

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-19-2003 12:34

Nicolai: The other combination DaveO thought was Up, Up, Down, right? So it is only a matter of getting the first one up now to see. Ugh!

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-19-2003 14:47

Vori, Cathedral of Eep

Carefully, but determined, Nicolai puts the first handle in the 'up' position as well. DaveO has joined them in the suspense; all the rats that could threaten Arturchix's body have been eliminated.

For a moment, all remains silent, but then ...

Vilx: "What's that ticking noise?"
Regran: "It just stopped. Uh-oh!"

With a loud bang, the section of the floor they're standing on gives way. They drop onto a chute, and start gliding helplessly, faster and faster, growing dizzy from all the turns ...

Plop! The heroes land in the snow outside, shaken but otherwise unharmed.

DaveO: "Now we know what they did with Baa's sheep ..."
Nicolai: "Wow! That was great! Can we do this again?"

To their good fortune, once they have regained their senses, the adventurers find the door of the temple still open. They return to Balthazar's room, and find that everything has been restored to how it was.

All levers are down, and the floor is whole again.

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Nov 2002
Location:
04-19-2003 18:20

At least we've tried a couple combinations, though the vault still is locked. I'm open to suggestions, though at this point it might be more prudent to not continue. There could be a fatal result, and I have to agree that the vault is likely non-vital.

__________________
I'd rather be part bull than a complete sheep.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-20-2003 13:00

Regran casts Feathe Fall as they approach the mechanism again. This time they try all Up!

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-21-2003 13:57

Vori, Cathedral of Eep

Three Eep! The tension breaks when, with a single * click *, the door of the vault opens. Eagerly, the ranger checks the contents.

Regran: "The Recipe Book! I knew it!"
DaveO: "I never knew there were so many cheeses. I'd like to try some of those recipes myself!"
Vilx (disappointed): "Is that all?"
Regran: "I'm looking, I'm looking - wait a minute. There's a button on my right. Let me press ..."
Vilx: "Careful now, before we get to make another ride."

When Regran presses the button, the entire wall panel, vault and all, opens up, revealing a storeroom. In the middle, there is a table on which someone was apparently trying one of the recipes, only to fail miserably. More mishaps fill an entire rack of unrecognizable cheese-blubbers, in varying stages of decay.

Nicolai: "The smell! It is awful!"
Vilx: "The cheese no to keep ....."
DaveO: "I don't know. Some of these don't look altogether hopeless to me ..... I mean, it's still cheese, right?"
Regran: "But look over there!"

In a corner of the room, there is a chest. It is black!

DaveO: "A Black Chest! Does that mean what I think it means? Vilx, could you ...?"
Vilx: "I could. Let's hope that with Balthazar dead, none of the Minotaurs knew how to get in here and remove the contents."

While the others stand at some distance, the assessin goes to work. His skills do not betray him. Soon the chest is disarmed, and open.

Regran: "And? What is in it?"
Vilx: "By Krohn! There must be at least 5,000 gold in here, and then this ... Drogg's Vest. That is some chainmail! Armor Class 48, Speed and Personality +30 each, and Of Regeneration!"
Nicolai: "That must look nice on you or DaveO."
DaveO: "Hmmm. I guess Balthazar really had something to do with the sudden demise of that Barbarian warrior chief. If only we had found the body of that high sorcerer, too."

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Nov 2002
Location:
04-21-2003 16:25

And here I thought all Up was safe to rule out...


DaveO: "If I ever find the riddle maker, I certainly would not rule out some sort of revenge. Thanks Regran for finding the correct combo. Let's go use the treasure we've obtained to bring back our lost friend. BTW, Nicolai you can keep the Dunduck..."

__________________
I'd rather be part bull than a complete sheep.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-22-2003 11:58

Vilx: Back to Volee and a temple, Arturchix is waiting.

Regran: Town Portal to Volee, right up!

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-24-2003 00:05

Volee, the Hospital

I was hard to imagine an OLD Snowelf, Arturchix was thinking. They all looked so immortal, so eternal. But even by those standards, the Hospital's principal healer, Amerasu, was, well, an ancient woman.

Then with a shock he realized that he should not have such thoughts. He had died! The terrible Minotaur Lord Balthazar had killed him with his death spell!

And all his friends were here, too! Had the same happened to them? Had they lost the battle?

It took some effort for his companions to explain that they had survived, and that the skilled hands of the old healer had returned him to life for a measly donation of 3000 gold. The Recipe Book was undeniable proof though, and the Shaolin Master finally came to accept the truth.

Arturchix: "I did great after all, didn't I, with my Chain Lightning spell. Now I know what 'amplifying' means when spoken by a Frost Giant."
Vilx: "You were great indeed. You died with honour, and I'm glad you may do that again some time, I mean, I'm glad to have you back."
Regran: "Hear, hear. Come, let us g.e.t our reward for the cheese recipes."
DaveO: "Or we can keep the book for ourselves!"
Nicolai: "Let's not forg.e.t the most important thing, and return to Athlenius to tell him the Minotaurs have gone."

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-24-2003 11:31

The council's doors looked greater as the heroes thought about their reward.

Regran: With doors like these they may well pay a good sum to us, huh? And some special itens? What about a party pass?

Arturchix: I met some old friend of ours, there back in my death. He had not changed much, but then, he was an god right? Do they ever change?

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-24-2003 16:01

Volee, the Council of Grey

The adventurers find Athlenius where he was the day before, downstairs in the Council's tower, drinking his afternoon tea. The old wizard seems very pleased with their report.

DaveO: "Great Wizard, the Minotaurs have left the Grand Temple."
Athlenius: "My, my, this is good news. We will start sweeping and restoring the place tomorrow morning!"
Vilx: "Er, there was this matter of proving ourselves worthy ... ?"
Athlenius: "So there was. You have passed the test, which gives me good hope that your are indeed the ones the Prophecy is speaking of.
Now, your trials are just beginning. Falagar will support you on the council, but the other members will not be convinced so easily."
Regran: "Are we to go upstairs now?"
Arturchix: "And can we learn the magic of Grey?"
Nicolai: "What more tasks will we have to do?"
Athlenius: "Such eagerness is heartening. The basic skill of Grey Magic is now granted to those of you who have the ability to learn magic, and you can study and learn the basic spells. As for your other questions: yes, you can now go upstairs. The Council of Grey is ready to receive you, and they will tell you what they want of you."

Up and up they go, our heroes, following the spiralling stairs. Every now and then they g.e.t the chance to look out over the city and the fields below. Finally, they g.e.t to the castle proper. A short hallway leads to a door, which is opened by a lackey as they near. They are invited to follow. As they pass many rooms on each side of a wide corridor, turning several corners, they cannot help being impressed by the timeless quality of the marmer and the tapestry. Scribes and other personnel hurry past in all directions.

Finally, they are led into the conference room of the Council, where they find the members seated at a half-oval table.

Nicolai: "Falagar!"

The Wizard, features much like Athlenius but perhaps a trifle more athletic, stands up to greet his protégé.

Falagar: "Nicolai Ironfist! I am so glad to see you still in good health after all your adventures in Karigor. I already heard that you were in town. You have spoken with Sir Blackpoole, I trust?"
Nicolai: "Yes, Falagar. He has told us all the latest news."
Falagar: "That is good. Then you know that we have many things on the agenda, and the part you have to play is not the least of them. But while I am the head of this council, I am not more than any other of the members. We represent all the races that have knowledge of old. Yet all of our peoples need to work tog.e.ther to protect this world against the great danger that we are facing. So all of us must be sure, we cannot take any chances. Therefore, there are tasks for you to perform to give all of us the certainty that this is the right time, the right purpose and the right party. Each of the other council members will now speak to you."

One by one, the members of the Council of Grey burden the company with new quests. First, it is the Dwarf who speaks to them, then the Barbarian representative, the Snowelf, and finally the Faerie.

Ufretin: "To gain the trust of my race, go to the Silver Mines in the east and speak with King Rocklin. He will have a task for you."
Kilgor: "Side with Conan against the High Sorcerer, and the Barbarians will support your cause."
Gelu: "King Sil-Galdir awaits you in the Palace. Do his bidding, and the Snowelves will have no more doubts."
L'Wren: "To have the oldest of all races not stand in your way, visit the town Seelie and you will be tested."

Falagar: "When all these quests are done, return to the Council. We will then reveal your true assignment, and grant you access to higher knowledge of the Old Magic. Now go, and may Ishtar protect you on your path."

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-26-2003 12:43

Taking leave of such a grand celebrities reunion, the heroes go talk straight to the Snowelven King

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-26-2003 14:55

Volee, the Palace

If the castle's riches were impressive, the splendor of the Palace beneath it is simply overwhelming. Frescoes are everywhere on the gold-plated walls, even the high ceiling has not been forgotten.
Form the large entrance hall, the Chedians follow the corridor straight ahead, then turn left as instructed where it ends at the double doors to the Nobles' Hall.

A long, intimidating row of statues of Snowelf heroes on one side of their path marks the way to the Throne Room. Guards, all female, carrying bows and swords, are lined up at the opposite side.

There is a pause when the Captain of the Guard checks to see if the king is available. To their relief, the adventurers are allowed in.

Sil-Gandir is seated on his throne - surprisingly of plain oakwood - made comfortable by several cushions. An aide motions the visitors forward.

Sil-Gandir: "These were sent by the Council of Grey?"
Aide: "Yes, sire. They're the last visitors of today."

Sil-Gandir: "Very well then. I have a mission for you."
DaveO: "Sire, your wish is our command."
Sil-Gandir: "Good, good. Many years ago, some of our kin went off into the east, crossing the Shoals. They were led by young Elvólas. The Bard Tanni can tell you the story of the parting. We have gotten word that they arrived safely in a land they named Avlee, and grew into a prospering community of Woodelves. We were also told that Elvólas is no longer leading them, but has withdrawn to an island west of Avlee. We would like you to find Elvólas, and invite him to return here and relate all that has happened."
Vilx: "Sire, we will do this for you."
Regran: "Where can we find a ship?"
Aide: "You will find a dock on the east coast. There is little sea traffic as the Shoals are wild and dangerous, so you may have to wait for an oppurtunity."

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
04-26-2003 23:11

Greeting the king, the heroes head to the ship, to ask about a possible time to embark.

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Castle Gobs
04-27-2003 17:56

Vori, on the road east

Vilx: "Regran, stop running so fast! Volee is far behind us but we still have a long way to go. And carrying all those poleaxes is hard work!"
Nicolai: "Sir Blackpoole said to hurry. But I am getting hungry."
DaveO: "If we could only find a goat, I could make us a Cheese Pie by this recipe of Thanys."
Arturchix: "I'm still feeling a bit wobbly. And we haven't bought any Grey Magic spellbooks yet."
Regran: "Alright, alright. We will pause at that tree over there and have us a supper .... Hey, that's a strange tree."

Standing all my itself is one large tree. It's hard to make out what kind it is, certainly it doesn't look like an oak.

When the adventurers get closer, it gets weirder still. Under the tree they find a pedestal, on it sits a small bone statue. Despite the simple material, it appears to have been crafted with great skill and detail.

Vilx: "It's a Goblin. Like that green one we met, only this statue is white. Not like the cave goblins."
DaveO: "Funny. It must mean something."
Regran: "Perhaps it only shows that there are several ways from here. Look! There is a small path going north up the mountain."
Arturchix: "Shouldn't this be about where the Silver Mines are? Maybe that path is leading there."
Nicolai: "I thought they were further east. I'm all for following the main road. Lord Markham could be at the docks. But not until we've eaten!"
Arturchix: "Let's spend the night here, too. I don't think we should travel too much in the dark, and after a good night's sleep I should be at full strength again."

__________________
If you have no feet, don't walk on fire.

Registered: Jan 2003
Location: Wandering Vori
05-01-2003 13:07

Regran: Let's see if we are able to pick this statue...- close his Hal-Orcsih hands around the statue and pulls!

Arturchix: Stop Regran! This must some sort of religious symbol!