" Let�s get back to business then." Nanith said more seriously. " I still have to check this door for traps." The rogue kept his dagger drawn and studied the plastered teeth of the dragon's maw. He prodded for hinges and tapped the knife against the keyhole for any springing surprises. After a few bland minutes, he jolted as if stung by a bee.

" You okay, Nanith?!" squealed Roslyn. She seemed overcome with nerves at this point.

The halfling trotted over to the pile of rubble where the dire rat had attacked. " Perhaps..." he said enthusiastically and turned to look at the door "... this is where our key lies."

Teflar seemed angry at the rogue's wild notion " Don't you dare think it!" He stepped over to the hobbit and pulled him away from the corner. " If it's underground, then that is where it'll stay." He turned to the others
" We are here to capture a few kobolds, not ransack every room we come across." he turned and crossed the room passing the others. " If you cannot pick the lock Nanith, then we must explore elsewhere."

" It�s an option to ponder." Nanith protested and turned to the group
" How do we know where the kobolds hide? To find them, we have to search everywhere. They might even have gone into the rat passages." He earnestly pointed towards the rubble.

" Everywhere does not mean needlessly risking your life." scowled Roslyn crossing her arms. " If you were a fool enough not to witness what has just occured, then go ahead and scout it out yourself."

Nanith shook his head realizing that the team was not willing to take his idea. Dejected, he answered " I�ll try and pick the lock Teflar, but I can tell it won't be easy." He let his backpack fall from his shoulder and started rummaging through to find his toolkit. The others waited patiently in the center of the room until Ninnipin flapped open the leather binding and decided which strange device to ply.

While the thief set to work with the varying keys, he asked the psionist a question. " Would you be able to detect what�s behind this door, just like you detected the rats outside? It might save us some time."

Erelis seemed bothered " I am no seer, hobbit. I am a 'shaper' of many things. If you wanted the future read, drag along a fortuneteller on your next venture."

It was clear the mood was slipping away from congeniality and, to make matters worse, the untrapped door could not be picked.
" Damn it!" yelled the rogue. With hands on hips, he glared at the door as if to crush it with his gaze. " It�s beyond my ability. It�s of a craftsmanship I�ve never seen before!"

Besides allowing the rogue to venture alone into the unseen ratholes, the fellowship had no other choice but to backtrack.