2. The First Delve

Gabbro the elf has a moment of confusion trying to parse "beak" in reference to the sphinx; he hasn't been exposed to Horath's particular dialect before this journey. Eventually he figures from the context that it means something like "snoot" or "honker"...which is to say, "nose." Human language variation is so different than elvish!

Without entering the room, you can't get a full view of the sphinx statue - it's just to the left of the portcullis, and therefore partially obscured. However, you can see enough to make out that it is a free-standing sandstone statue. Overall, it's about 5' long and 6' high, with the sphinx sitting on a rectangular base.

Pickles stands up from the portcullis as it seems there is some discussion to be had about the statue, his keen eyes gives it the once over then he calls out. "Excuse me Mr or Mrs sphinx, are you a statue or real? Do you like riddles?Or will you eat us?"

Outside the Chamber of the Desert
The sphinx statue just sits in stony silence. And stony stillness.

---
Day 4, 12:00 pm
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7, 90’, Sleep
Horath, Cleric 1: 4/4, 90’
Luther, Cleric 2: 6/9; 90’, Cure Light Wounds, (Torch)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10, 90’
Ricard, Fighter 3: 16/18, 90’
---
Johann, Gnome 1: 3/5, 90’

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

"I guess we take our chances then?"

Ricard indicates that he is ready to move ahead into the sphinx room...

Gabbro, still straining to lift the portcullis, groans a bit as Pickles lets go. To Ricard, he responds through gritted teeth: "Yes, but someone should tap the statue as well as the floor once we get this lifted."

Ricard nods in agreement with Gabbro and heaves at the gate...

Chamber of the Desert
You heave open the portcullis and cautiously tip-tap your way into the octagonal chamber. Now that you can get a proper look at the statue of the sphinx, you see that there is an arcane script carved into its base. You can’t understand it, but Gabbro reckons it could be deciphered with the aid of a Read Magic spell.

Mapping information: octagonal chamber, 30’ x 30’. There are three other visible exits. To the north, an open corridor extends for 10’ before transitioning to a natural, rocky, cave-like tunnel. To the south, an open corridor leads to the Chamber of the Sea. To the west is another closed portcullis; beyond a corridor continues west for just 10’ before reaching a corner section and turning to the south. Scrawled on the wall at that corner are the words "Wolf Gang Territory! Back off, rock heads!"

---
Day 4, 12:00 pm
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7, 90’, Sleep
Horath, Cleric 1: 4/4, 90’
Luther, Cleric 2: 6/9; 90’, Cure Light Wounds, (Torch)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10, 90’
Ricard, Fighter 3: 16/18, 90’
---
Johann, Gnome 1: 3/5, 90’

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Ricard, not knowing the magical nature of the script, cautiously examines it and asks,

"So what's it say?"

The elf peers at the base of the statue, relieved that a trap has not triggered already. "It's magic; I can't say." Gabbro straightens up, then turns back to clarify. "I don't mean that I'm not permitted to say; I mean that I can't read magic writing like that. If someone had a spell to decipher it, that's probably the only way."

Looking at the writing Luther muses"That might bring it to life"

Ricard scratches his head and asks sheepishly,

"Uh, I thought all you elves and wizards could read magic? Don't you have a special little book like our gnomish friend?"

Pickles leans over the Johann, "So buddy, you got any idea what the writing means?" He gives the Gnome a cheeky smile before skipping over the the statue to make attempts at climbing it.

Chamber of the Desert
Johann shakes his head apologetically. "Sorry, I don’t know that spell either."

Ever keen to please, the gnome continues, "But I’ll learn it, I will, the first chance I get."

Meanwhile, Pickles clambers aboard the sphinx and straddles it, as if riding a horse at the carnival carousel.


Insert your own Pickles ...

---
Day 4, 12:00 pm
Gabbro, Elf 1: 7/7, 90’, Sleep
Horath, Cleric 1: 4/4, 90’
Luther, Cleric 2: 6/9; 90’, Cure Light Wounds, (Torch)
Pickles, Halfling 2: 10/10, 90’
Ricard, Fighter 3: 16/18, 90’
---
Johann, Gnome 1: 3/5, 90’

Link to Gabbro's mega-maps ...

Striking a heroic pose Pickles smiles down at his companions.

Looking around"I say we hunt some wolves. Is that the goblins gang name?"

"Yeah, the goblins we've met here in Stonehell all belong to the 'Wolf Gang.' The Wolf Gang is one of the factions here in this abandoned prison, along with the Open Sores orcs, a bunch of dwarves (without a group name, as far as I know), some humans that have been raiding up from level 2, and the Ghost Beggars (human bandits who are complete bastards)." Addressing the group, Gabbro points south. "That is the way back to where we went before, through the Sea Chamber," and then he points to the portcullis on the opposite wall, "but through there may be more direct (judging by the writing). Which way do you want to go?"

Ricard chuckles at Pickle's antics, to Gabbro he merely shrugs,

"I leave the wayfinding to you my friend, point the way and I shall go."