7. Return to the Halls

Thrudmarr jumps back when the booming voice erupts from the doors

"Doors talk?! Magic doors!"

He steps closer, eyeing for any weak points.

"Wood is wood...axe cut wood good!" he looks at the rest of the group questioningly.

"No! No choppy choppy yet, good Thrudmarr Halvorsson the Finder! Doors that talk probably hide other guardians. Maybe we look around more, before we start breaking pretty doors!"

Ellagel is clearly concerned with the prospect of her party just breaking down this door. Who knows how many spectres or ghouls might be resting beyond?

Waiting for the hirelings' answer, Jacky grins a bit to hear Ellagel's manner of speech changing to suit Thrud's own. "I agree - if they're enchanted to talk, they might have magic to do nasty things to intruders as well."

Grim waddles left, around perimeter, checking the outer wall every five feet for secret doors.

Palace Ruins
The two hirelings shrug and shake their heads. They seem somewhat in awe of the scale of the doors, and more than a little shaken by the strange voice.
Walking to the left of the door, towards what was the western wing, it quickly becomes clear to Grim that this part of the palace is completely ruined (you may, if you wish, search the ruins, but it will be little more than sifting through piles of rubble, rather than exploring actual rooms).

Doubling back and exploring the perimeter of the eastern wing of the palace to the right, Grim can see that there are the remnants of an intact structure that would be explorable, but the only way of reaching it would be through the double doors.

Grim does spot one other feature during his wandering. Behind the palace ruins, to the north-east, is the 10’ stump of what was once a taller obelisk. It reminds you of the obelisk near the Cliff Gate, containing the same inscription and ankh-shaped indentation. The main difference is that this obelisk features iconography of the moon rather than the sun.

---
6:00 pm, Totsday 25th Lucrios (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 2: 13/13, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 2: 7/7, 60’
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 2: 14/14, 60’
---
Eric, Labourer, 90’
Hector, Linkboy, 90’
---
Billie, Mule: 120’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim rejoins and shared with his companions, his recent discoveries.

Well now, de double doors appear ta be de only way in. N’ I found de remnants of another obelisk, dis one focused on de moon instead o’ de sun!

"Fascinating", the petite elf commented in response to Grimidek's report.

She looked around this face of the building, looking for windows, or other openings in the wall.

Zach follows Thrudmarr and watches as the more intelligent members of the party do whatever it is they are doing with doors, walls, and obelisks. During the wait, he takes a moment to run a whetstone over his sword—classic nervous habit.

De obelisk in de back o’ de ruins, it’s jus’ a ten foot tall base is all dat remains. But wi’de sane inscription as de last one. I wanna vet there’s a third one hereabouts, dedicated to de stars. Not sure if any o’ dat’s significant, just a curious dwarven wonderment, is all!

Not yet. Any time he actually makes a successful attempt to read Mithric, I'll consider that progress. And the checks will get easier with progress. But, so far, Zach has yet to make a successful check.

"What is midday life, do you think? A riddle?" Jacky asks. He nods at Zacharias. "D'you think he counts now?"

There were once, but much has now collapsed and is choked with rubble. The large double doors appear to be the only route into the intact remainder of the palace.

Shall we open the doors, friends? It seems our only point of entry.

Im no philosopher, Jemima Zach says to Jacky, but I’m more midlife than midday life now. Maybe it means we have to use mirrors to shine the noon sun on the three obelisks? Speaking of which, we need to find the stars one too.

Thrudmarr has been standing back while the others examine the palace, investigate obelisks, and discuss riddles. He scratches his head, clearly lost in the conversation about moons and suns.

"Thrud no understand moon words."

When Grim suggests opening the doors, Thrud perks up and hefts his axe, ready for any surprises.

"Yes! Open doors now! Grim right - only way in!"

Should Thrudmarr insist on applying axe to door, Jacky won't get in his way - but will certainly stand well aside!

"Should we try opening it, rather than smashing it, Thrudmarr the Finder?" Ella asked, in a quiet, level tone.

She didn’t like their prospects, but her companions seemed hell bent on taking risks with their short lives.