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“Perhaps that Bull Scrap will be useful. Let’s try that code on the gem thingies. Simple magics make the gems look prettier but there always something special about a gemstone cut just right and no occlusions that is a pleasure to behold.” Findalsip pulls himself out of his wistful thinking and follows the Drow down the steps.

Bull

moves to the others and waits at the top of the staircase.

3-6-2-5-4-1 for second code, little ones. I am not sure I will make it through the stairs to get to you. I may have to shrink myself.

"I sure hope this doesn't cast 'Enrage Gnome' if this goes wrong. Ever dealt with a madder than the 9 hells gnome hell bent on gnawing your knee cap off?" Findalsip gives a sly wink the over large tall. " You might miss out on some awesome magical stuff if we do this right."

Bull


"Well the first code worked so the second one should too."


Bull moves towards the stair case.

The passage is narrow but barely wide enough for Bullock to follow if he were to hunch. Not a breath of air stirs in the stairwell as Linar descends farther into the earth, leading others. Alcoves here and there display finely carved gargoyles in hunched poses, each unique and about the height of a halfling child (2 ft tall). Eventually he comes to a dead-end with a now-familiar multi-faceted gem carving.

Keying in the first code each facet begins to shine a soft green as he does so until the sequence is entered. Once done, the lights blink blue for a moment. Taking a deep breath and checking the note he tentatively begins to enter the new code. The first button glows blue and he seems to relax visibly as each new digit follows suit. The carved gem glows a bluish-white and the wall descends into the earth revealing a short passage to a cavernous room beyond.

A soft golden glowing light pours down from the vaulted ceiling as a waterfall descends in the center of the room. The spray sparkles and glitters off of the natural stone walls in a cascade of light amd sound. A strange pedestal, worn smooth by ages of water, supports and odd oval shape of blood-red in the center of the stream; but it is unclear at this distance what it could be.

===
Who is coming down and who staying in the office?

Findalsip will go down the stairs and into the cavern paying attention to depth, direction, and such. During the descent he will inspect the gargoyles without touching noting details trying to determine the craftsmanship and/or if they be polymorphic.

Nocturno follows last. "Those who can't see could probably use a lantern while we are inside these buildings."

Fin checks the gargoyles. They are masterfully crafted and certainly of a quality that could be animated, but there is no indication he can find that suggests they have or not...

At the suggestion of a light, Jordek gives a sigh of relief and ignites one of his torches, providing a small area of visibility around the Forest Gnome. He keeps near Dran and Katten.

Nocturno makes sure to keep his eyes away from the flame directly.

Findalsip remarks, "Keep ready on this gargoyles. I can't be certain that they aren't art pieces or the real thing." He readies his club and backs away towards the destination.

Fin backs towards the waterfall in the center of the chamber, keeping an eye on the passage the group has just emerged from. Linar steps into the room as well and takes up a spot near the entrance. He readies his bow and scans the darkness, keeping the torchlight out of his eye-line, though the glowing waterfall gives a dim illumination to the center of the room.

As Fin nears the waterfall, he glances back at what lies within. A seemingly perfect sphere of amber encases a metallic shape, between the constant rivulets of water he can make out the shape of a silvery dragon clutching a clear ball...

====
There are no torches in the room aside from the one Jordek has, but it was a pain getting the AI art to generate properly so they are in the image

Bull will follow if he isn't to big to fit. Just watching and taking notes or if to big will search the study for any books he may want or possibly scrolls or spellbooks laying around. Anything on magic research or crafting of magical items would be useful.


"Not sure I can follow but I will try to squeeze through."

Bullock scans the office, but all of the books or scrolls that would once have populated the shelves have been removed. Here and there are daily reports but nothing of interest. He manages to make his way through the passage, if uncomfortably, until reaching the wide open space housing the orb and waterfall

Findalsip eyes the orb of amber. He studies the pillar and surrounding area for evidence of alarms, traps, or other odd looking buttons, levers, or holes. He knows better than to run up and just grab shiny objects especially so close outliers of the under dark world. “Bull, can you detect magic in here? I’d hate for us to set off some sort of death trap. On top of that I think we need to break those gargoyles we saw coming down. Those things are just a little TOO well made for my comfort.” After searching he will approach Linar and request he look at the area while Findalsip goes back up the steps to the gargoyles.

Fin's examination of the area reveals no alarms, traps or devices including levers or control panels. Linar nods and begins checking the area as well but comes to the same conclusion, however he does point out that the cavern continues beyond the waterfall and amber orb in a passageway carved from the natural stone.

Fin returns to the gargoyles, but they seem to have remained inert