Beltin Hawklight approaches the next door and finds that it is not secure in the least. Upon opening the portal, he understands why. This passage was a back entrance for the guard on duty to move between sleeping quarters and his work area.

Ptolmek Skarab stays close to Morcant and moves to join Beltin Hawklight as he inspects the next door.

Morcant walks forward slowly focusing his mind on lighting the candle once again. As he walks along, he tries to master the auras once again and duplicate the candle flame.

(OOC: Failed Action Morcant, please add 0:15 min to Produce Flame Memorized Spell and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times.)

Blackbird McAllister readies his weapon and takes aim at the nearby nest of Dire Rats. With two swift shots he drops two unsuspecting vermin immediately. However, this has only served to turn their attention to the party of intruders.

(OOC: Successful Attacks both times Blackbird, please add 0:10 min to your Dexterity Ability Focus Time. You have also killed two Dire Rats who's bodies remain behind on the cold stone floor.)

Hearing the commotion beginning to stir in the next room Piker Silentall and Sir Jaidev Kaul begin to check over their armor and ready their weapons.

Ptolmek takes note that the dowel seemed to slide along a track with many notches or slots. Perhaps exploring the other notches he passed in his haste would reveal something more. Satisfied to have found a secret entrance with the dowel, he shrugs, and then digs into his gear and hands the old flint and tinder to Morcant.

"Thank you good sir", states Morcant Gunnar.

He quickly lights the wick and the flame pours an amber light out which covers the room. Morcant then moves quickly to the opening and peers through.

Ptolmek Skarab joins Morcant at the entrance and bends to peer through the secret doorway.

Beltin Hawklight bolts ahead at the little light afforded by the ancient candle and enters the tiny passageway.

Just a few paces ahead Beltin makes out the outline of another door.

Akasha opens the door before her and steps into the threshold. After uttering a weak fire spell directed at her staff, an ember ignites into a small flame illuminated the chamber ahead.

(OOC: Successful Action Akasha, please add 0:05 min to your Create Fire Spell and to your Wisdom Ability Focus Times.)

Aiyana and Aiden Morax continue to observe and track along with the other two adventurers. As of yet their talents and skills have yet to shine.

Blackbird McAllister remains close to Akasha but boldly steps forward into the room as her staff ignites. As he steps through the threshold where Akasha stands Blackbird is not surprised at what he finds.

Even more sparsely adorned than the Gatehouse is this Guard Bunkroom. Eight bunk beds are equally spaced in the center of the room. None look comfortable, and all look well worn. The walls lack any decoration, or character. Save for the perfection and care that went into carving the chamber out of this granite wall. A stone ramp ascends towards the south wall, and meets a closed portcullis.

A pile of spoiled meat lies in the north side of the room. Along the north wall of the chamber an open wooden door bears an orb and leather strap which hangs from the top of the doorway. The door to the east also has a leather strap connected to a brass orb. The orb is resting at the floor, and the door is closed.

A pack of five Dire Rats pick through the rotting meat. They've not yet noticed the small party entering the bunkroom.

Ptolmek Skarab felt a sensation overcome his spirit all too familiar to him now. It was brought on by his armor, this much he knew. How his armor could communicate with his soul was still a mystery. However, he knew the tugging at his will would neither cease nor abate until he moved. So he took several steps toward the empty dowel, and inspected the item closely.

(OOC: Successful Action Ptolmek Skarab. While you are not adept at the Search skill, it is clear the dowel on the western wall does not match the other dowels. The empty dowel is a lever, which when pulled down reveals a hidden door.)

Morcant examines the auras spread throughout the room. The faint essence of fire is evident in Ptolmek, and Morcant decides to ask Ptolmek for help bringing light to the room. He follows Ptolmek toward the western wall and diplomatically requests any item which might light the candle.

"Ptolmek, my good sir, as you may have noticed, the room is quite dark. And dank actually," Morcant droned. "Well - it occurs to me that the backpack you acquired may indeed contain..." As Morcant raises a hand to capture Ptolmek's attention, his voice stops short - falling silent without ever leaving his mouth. The southern wall shook once, then moaned. Movement throughout the room stopped immediately as the entire party shifted it's gaze to the slowly sliding bookshelf.

"... a flint and tinder... please."

(OOC: Successful Action Morcant Gunnar, please add 0:05 min to your Diplpomacy Skill and to your Charisma Ability Focus Times.)

OOC: End of Round 6, on to your next turn! You will also notice a couple of significant changes to the game.

1) The grid is now scaled differently. Instead of A-U by 1-21, the map grid was resized to account for the larger four-square block. The scale is now A-J by 1-10. Movement is handled exactly the same as before, but should move quite a bit faster.

2) The Player Tokens have changed scale to match the scale of the map. When more than one player occupies a block, the tokens can be scaled down to the smaller size to show up to four occupants on a single space.

3) Each Game Master post will now take the form of it's own blog entry. With over 63 comments on the first Encounter's post alone - the scrolling was getting to be too much! I am surprised no one complained. Well - it frustrated me - so the plan is to post a fresh blog entry for each Round. The Game Master Summary and any fresh information will be contained in the primary content. Your Turn should continue to be played out in the Comments.

Now back to the Vaults!

Live the adventure, AE Jackson, Game Master

You are standing amid a rubble pile of scree, upturned dirt, broken branches, and massive trees snapped like twigs. The earthen mound which once covered the towering granite wall lies at your feet. Beyond the granite wall The Highwall Peaks extend into the eastern horizon.

An ornately carved stone doorway lies ajar. The entry is open just enough that a grown man might slip through with significant effort. Beyond the doorway, inky black darkness swallows the daylight.

A sense that the hallway was used to channel and expel enemies from this lair is overwhelming. The passage continues for several paces and turns sharply south. The southern arm of the hall extends only a few more paces.

With you are several other adventurers. It is quite apparent you were not trusted enough to carry out the mission alone. From their appearance it is clear these adventurers were gleaned from across the Realms. Some from places you never dared to venture, others from closer proximity to your home.

(Exits)
SOUTH: Attempt to open the simple wooden door
WEST: Open the door by pulling the leather strap
EXIT: Exit the Vaults by the stone doorway