PREAMBLE: ALL ROADS LEAD TO WOODHOLD

[Wayloss]

"I'm competent of opening things that others do not want open. I'm just worried that there might be further traps or dark arts contained in said chest. I would rather not want to pick a mundane lock and end up possessed by something awful." Perhaps if one of you could clear it for me?

[Illeveun]

"I would," the fae noble states, "With nary a whistle and a twist, and the lock would be open. Except..." Lord Twyl looks distastefully at the chest before continuing, "It is made out of iron, and as such, I don't think it would be in my best interest to get near it."

[JohnnyWeird]

"Then can you ensorcel the hinges off, perchance, or some similar effect?"

Von Zorn's eyes focus on the chest as if for the first time - he was somewhat addled when he made his first observations.

[Eanwulf]

With Lord Twyl's aversion to iron duly noted, the task of examining the large trunk then falls upon a somewhat reluctant Sir Jonathan. As if acting upon cue, the young mage gulps concernedly as he steps forward and begins to chant and gesture about. The air around the iron-bound trunk soon glows softly with magical light as Sir Jonathan's spell takes hold. After several moments, the young mage breathes a heavy sigh of relief; commenting. 'œIt appears our chest is not trapped.'

Action

[Sir Jonathan's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Cliche Check, TN ??, 3d12 + 3 = 15]

No evidence of traps or Shadowlands!

Relieved by his companion's findings, the ever-dapper Alfonse promptly begins to kneel down and starts collecting several of the dead assassin's tools that lay scattered about him. Once the young detective has successfully managed to gather up several of the items that he will need, he then decides to give his skills at lock-picking a more than welcome try.

Action

[Alfonse's Common Everyday Detective Cliche Check, TN ??, 4d6 = 25, Success?]

'œHmmm,' the young detective mutters after several moments, 'œMost intriguing'¦'

OOC

Wayloss? Check for a PM.

[Wayloss]

"Well my friends, I don't know how our deceased friend was going to open the lock. it appears that the tumblers have been removed, after the lock was latched. I'm frankly at a loss of how one might accomplish such a task."
Alfonse gives the trunk a shove and reals back suprised at how little the thing moves.
"He then gets a knowing look on his face and inspects the door behind the chest for a moment then starts to speak.
"This chest is far to heavy to move, perhaps it is just filled with balast. You see this door opens inward towards the chest. The weight of this chest behind this door would make it impossible to move with just one person. I dare say, our assassin friend may have been trying to open the chest to effect his escape...."

[Illeveun]

"Well..." Lord Twyl responds, "Isn't it within our power to move the blasted object? After all, that assassin was alone, and we have more than a few men. Group effort as they say, eh?"

[JohnnyWeird]

"Indeed; what the finger cannot fell fears the fist."

Chuckling at recalling an old phrase from his military training, Von Zorn summons what remains of his strength and makes to assist the others.