Do you want to
[NAME] feels the ground give way beneath [NAME] feet a little. There is a soft clickingnoise to be heard, but nothing else happens.
Suddenly, [NAME] stops. [NAME] has spotted two small, round holes in the wall - quiteobviously the fire slots of a crossbow trap.
Carefully, [NAME] examines the crossbow trap, but nothing happens: Fortunately, itisn’t armed.
[NAME] is on [NAME] toes approaching the wall openings. The crossbow bolts whizzing throughthe air from both sides, missing [NAME] only narrowly, leave no doubt that the trapwas still armed. Now, though, the danger appears to be over, as [NAME] passes thesame spot without anything happening.
[NAME] has discovered two small round holes in the wall beside [NAME]. With a tremendousleap, [NAME] jumps back and barely avoids the two crossbow bolts shooting out ofthe wall at [NAME] from both sides!
Suddenly, crossbow bolts whiz past your ears from both sides of the hall. [NAME]has been hit. Shocked and scared, [NAME] looks around, but there is no attacker tobe seen. After a short investigation, [NAME] finds some holes in the walls.
Suddenly, you hear a loud rumbling noise behind you. With a low “Thuddd!”, amassive block of stone settles in front of the entrance.
There is just a thin crack between the wall and the stone block. It is set intothe floor leaving no crack there. In my opinion, there’s no way you’ll ever getout through there again.
Move the lever,
or examine the crank bearing instead?
There’s a small click. Nothing else appears to be happening.
The crank you found fits the bearing perfectly. [NAME] starts turning the crank,first in one direction, then in the other. Even though [NAME] can feel somethingmoving along with the crank inside the wall, it turns much too easily… Also,apart from a metallic tingling noise, there is absolutely no observable effect.
Go on turning the crank,
or take a closer look at this whole shebang?
[NAME] keeps on turning the crank, but nothing seems to be happening.
After thinking about it for a while, [NAME] pulls the crank from the bearing andpulls the cover from the wall with one skilled movement, uncovering the wholemechanism.
The crank apparently turns a number of cogged wheels. There is a piece of brokenchain hanging down from above. Another piece of chain is visible between thewheels. The lever is a locking lever that seems to have the purpose of stoppingthe weight of the stone block from pulling the mechanism in the opposite direction.Obviously, the whole thing needs an intact chain to function as intended.
Cursing loudly, [NAME] threads the chain you found into the gear mechanism.
Newly confident, [NAME] starts turning the crank again. There’s an almighty creakingfollowed by the rattle of chains and a grinding noise. It isn’t the block ofstone behind you that starts moving, but another one that blocked the oppositeend of the corridor until now. With a dull thud, it disappears into the ceiling.
Using a rope, [NAME] tries to bridge the gap in the chain. It takes several hoursof work until [NAME] has the mechanism gerrymandered in a way that it should be ableto hold the weight for a short time.
[NAME] secures the crank with the lever and gets the heck past that block of stonehanging from the ceiling[NAME]! Pheeow! [NAME] has barely crossed through, when there’sa snapping sound from the mechanism. It’s almost immediately drowned out by thetremendous rumbling of the massive stone block coming down and the ear-splittingcrash of it hitting the floor.
, followed by everybody else
Actually, the only thing missing is a crank!
When you step onto the slab, nothing at all happens.
The wardrobe is only a pace and a half high. The doors are not locked. It contains several compartments, all stuffed full with clothing. There is a set of leathers on the bar next to a number of robes and cloaks in various colors. All quite interesting but of no use, as every single piece of clothing in there is several sizes too small for any of you.
Inside the chest, there are several glass vials as well as jewelry, keys, marble coins and quite a number of mighty peculiar looking items you can’t make head nor tails of. Do you want to scarf some of it?
The chest is empty.
“Ah, taking your liberty with other people’s property… as long as the owner is not around to see. So that’s the kind of folk you are…” a squeaky voice sounds off behind you.
When you turn around in surprise, you see a small fellow with a very creased, drawn face standing in a corner of the room.
“Ah well, you have to take your visitors as they come. Unfortunately, I can’t pick and choose. And there haven’t been many visitors lately anyway.”
Let the Gnome continue?
Interrupt him?
Attack the Gnome?
“I’m talking now. You’re just visitors!”
When you draw your weapons, you notice they have become as soft as leather. “Teehee, cute, isn’t it? Gumgummi sword - I knew you’d behave just like the louts you are…”
“Well, I expect some presents for your host. That is the custom…”
wait?
hand over a present?
“Hmmm, all right then. Have it your way. But, I’ve sure had more gracious visitors in my day,” the Gnome states, obviously offended and shrugging both shoulders in an agitated way.
Who will give something to the Gnome?
What will [NAME] give to the Gnome?
With a loud puff, the Gnome suddenly disappears from the corner and appears right in front of [NAME] holding out his hand. Once he has received the present, he throws it into the open chest without giving it another glance.
“Thank you! How very magnanimous!” the Gnome squeals dryly.
“Now then, you boorish louts, if you don’t want to introduce yourselves, I’ll make a start. Mumpitz of Zappendust-Zwackenpurtz is my name. My friends call me Mumpsy - but don’t any of your lot dare address me as Mumpsy!”
Introduce yourselves?
Burst out laughing?
“What strange names you have, but that’s ok. You’re the ones that have to live with them.”
“Nameless orphans, eh? Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
“Well now, I appear to have tickled my guests’ funny bones without even understanding how I did it, eh?!?” the withered old Gnome states in as sharp a voice as is possible with the high-pitched squeal he has.
“Enough small talk. I know two paths, one of which is unavoidable, the other of which is useful. The unavoidable one leads out of this room, for I want my peace and quiet. The useful one you will have to work for.”
Mumpsy digs through the chest for a bit and uncovers a large, richly decorated key. He holds it up to the light. “The things people carelessly leave lying around, tsk, tsk,” the Gnome mumbles to himself.
“Time to say goodbye,” the Gnome says and starts to move his arms about in circles. You suddenly feel sleepy and unable to keep your eyes open.
When you wake up and open your eyes, you find you are no longer in the Gnome’s living room.
“Puzzle, puzzle!” the withered, old Gnome suddenly cries out and jumps through the room, waving the key about in front of your faces.
“They bear palms for their attire, and yet they wear no clothes.
You can ride on their backs, yet nobody does.
Well?…”
“Bravo! Even an Orc could have gotten that one.”
“Moose, you donkeyheads.”
You hardly tilted the lever, when suddenly the floor gives way!
Suddenly, you find yourselves face to face with five small figures in worn-outleather armor who attack without hesitation.
[NAME] attempts to climb the ramp, but halfway up, [NAME] loses [NAME] balance and slidesback down, coming to a none-too-gentle stop on the floor of the pit.
The room really seems to be completely sealed off. The air is already quitestuffy, and it becomes unpleasantly warm.
You barely can breath and the air gets worse and worse.
The hot air hurts inside your lungs, and you’re all over covered in sweat.Guess it won’t last very long…