COLOR-CODED BARRIER
2 PM: Nanith murmured once to himself as he replaced the esoteric words with those that were logical. While Roslyn deciphered a few letters, Nanith seemed to run through the puzzle as if it came naturally.
Suddenly, there was a scramble from above! Grunting was heard and then Oktavianus dropped into the room.
" What the devil is going on down here!" he snarled, fisting his warhammer in a cocked position.
" Damn stench nearly drives me blind!!" He turned around looking at his mates as the last of the sunrods burned away their light. Gailwind entered the room from above with a newly struck torch, while the priest explained what had happened outside in the clearing the past hour. Krisaya was now leading an expedition of merceneries north into the woods in order to flank the orcs when they dispersed in packs along the mountain ridge. The cleric beheld the remains of the room with incredibility as he and Teflar kicked the corpses to the southern portion of the joint.
" We have it! We have it! We have it!" Nanith shouted, hopping around Roslyn. He sprinted over to the dwarf and hugged him. " I'm so happy to see you! Come, come! Let me show you!" he beckoned energetically. Pointing up at this strangely-deciphered message, he filled in the last missing parts.
"See" he pointed " I don't have any chalk to draw it out, but I am almost positive it reads as this:"
Loten smiled at the two halflings from where he rested on the floor. � Well done Nanith and Roslyn. The message definitely has an evil ring, but it doesn�t seem to give any clues as to how to open the door. There must be some way to figure it out.� He rubbed his eyes for a moment. � The message may be another riddle in itself. Emotions are often described by colors. Green is for envy. Cowardice is yellow. Sorrow and sadness resemble blue. Power is sometimes shown by red. Could it be so simple as pouring red liquid into the cup?�
Erelis interjected " I would think that 'burns' would be more feasible to red, but it still falls as the first color anyway." Loten tugged his ear and continued in thought " Not envy, sorrow, or cowardice... green, blue, or yellow. Perhaps those colors shant be used. Does anyone have a better idea?�
Aramil looked back at Loten " Each of those vials contain enough for three doses. That cup can take one dose. I assume this riddle gives the clue to which fluid one would use. My only worry is this: what happens if it requires a mixture in place of a pure drop. Also, what is the consequence of pouring the wrong dose in?"
Oktavianus roughly eyed the laboratory setup " Not likely. Let's try the red beaker and see what happens."
Aramil selected the small chalice and carefully poured one liter of the red liquid into its container. Immediately, the solution turned a maroon hue.
" Blood!" cried the hobbits as they watched the wizard nervously approach the door. He bent his wrist allowing
the colored water to fill the vestible and then funnel down into its depths. Nothing happened.
Moments passed as the fellowship waited with baited breath. A dull silence held the air.
Gailwind coughed " Perhaps we should add more...." SCREEEEEEEECCCCHHHHH!!!!!
The ebony doors pulled slowly inwards; its lower casing grinding along the stone floor. Beyond, an inky darkness awaited.