Wednesday 4 July 1280, Morning (Cutting the Alarm)

"I'll defer to the rest of you on how exactly to proceed," says Gaven. "I suggest we avoid the dogs to the west and start east since Dirtbag thinks that is where Elsie is held."

Upon looking at Bill, Gaven grimaces in anger and mutters, "Despicable" under his breath. Gaven whispers a short prayer, then says, "we will avenge you son of Light."

Duran whispers "see if Dirtbag can tell us how to disarm or avoid the alarm and then lets move away from these dogs. Unless you think you can crack open the door and throw the goblin steaks in to keep them quiet." Duran keeps his bow at the ready.

"I agree that we leave the dogs alone," the mage adds.

"I will be ready for the inevitable conflict," states Varros while testing his sword's edge with his thumb.

Oloc then turns to 'dirtbag' and asks, "My friend, we need your help in avoiding the trap in the next passageway. Can you quietly and carefully show us how to avoid it or even how to disarm it?"

The goblin quickly explains the alarm to you: "A series of strings criss-cross the next corridor, with bottles and bits of glass hanging from them. Moving any of the strings makes the bottles bang together loudly. It's very difficult to move one without making the others move. But perhaps if you are very careful, you could do it."

You decide your best chance is to work together with Oloc analyzing the criss-cross pattern, and Varros cutting the appropriate strings with the mage's guidance. The others will hold lines and bottles as needed.

You light a torch and hand it to Ollie, and proceed through the partially open door into the corridor. The space is 10' wide, and 30' long from south to north, ending at an open door. Through the door beyond you see very dim, flickering torchlight.

The criss-crossed strings are about mid-way up the corridor, between you and the open door.

Carefully and cautiously, Oloc looks over the network of strings and bottles.

With extreme deliberation, Oloc tells Varros which lines to cut in which order, occasionally directing one of the other members of the group to hold and stabilize a particular bottle, or the end of a line.

It takes about ten minutes, but you finally manage to clear a path through the bottles and strings, without making any significant noise.

The barking of the dogs continues behind you, somewhat more muffled.

Additionally, as you pass through the opening in the strings you hear the loud squealing of unoiled door hinges in the room ahead, to the north.

*************************
OOC: Actions?

Oloc's INT check (15)
4d6 = 5 + 5 + 3 + 1 = 14 (pass = 1d6 bonus to Varros' DEX check)

Varros' DEX check (12)
4d6 (-1d6) = 3d6 = 4 + 4 + 1 = 9 (pass)