Audland's bulk, fluff and teeth were imposing, sure, but she'd just called him imposing. She already knew that bit, though admittedly the lean-in was intimidating. She found her back was up, though: not because of the implied threat, which she could've laughed off good-naturedly, but the use of 'darlin'.' She couldn't say why, but it rankled her in a way that the physical didn't. It was... Well, maybe it wasn't, but it struck her as both condescending and slimy, somehow. She made an audible "Ugh," and turned away with a grimace of disgust, leaving Audland to do his own thing, deciding that she did not like him.

The room ahead was enough of a distraction, though, and Thalia focused on it. The others quickly picked up on the puzzle, one that wasn't really hard to figure out (and who'd bothered to write MAGIC on one button..?) That left little for her to do.

Ironically, despite the simplicity of the puzzle, she herself didn't put two and two together in regards to where the key must go. She'd never seen a keyhole in her life. She stared at one, then the other, and put her hands on her hips in thought. "Hey! That thing you found, it matches the picture!" she offered brightly, oblivious to how it actually worked.

Fleas cocked her head. She looked back and forth from the key to the hole. Where were you supposed to place it? It didn't make sense. It wasn't shaped like the key at all. At least, thats what she thought, until she stopped thinking lengthwise, and realized why the key had a handle. "Ah, you stick it in, dont you?" She said.

Spark's searing breath was first to impact the Magic sigil: it began to grind down, added to a moment later by Callista's thrust of pure energy magic. Full depressed, it emitted a soft click and magical chime of sound.

Yew and Mai would both find the key at about the same time, though Mai would look far more impressive somehow while doing so. When slotted into the relevant pressure plate with Flea's help, this one would depress with a sudden THUMP into the wall.

It was Halcyon's punch to first strike the Physical button. This shuddered with the impact. Audland's second strike depressed it further, until suddenly it grinded all the way in, becoming flush with the wall.

Suddenly, a section of the wall began to grind, before sliding away completely! Ahead, there seemed to be a strange and dancing light... soon revealing itself as dim light gleaming off myriad exposed treasure chests! Gems, armor and weapons, along with numerous coins, shone brightly: safe and free for the taking.

---

IT'S LOOT TIME! While other treasure may be available later in the dungeon, for now, Gembounds have found themselves in a nice, safe, open area filled with treasure--or, at least, just enough for everyone to take a little something.

Gembounds should roll, and post a general concept of what they are looking for (ex. "a sharp weapon," "a living gemstone," etc.) and the next GM post will detail what they have received! They may also collect a number of coins equal to the number of their roll. Characters will then proceed to a simple doorway at the far end of the room.

Small, convenient bags and boxes are available to carry loot and coins in; these have been protected by the magic of this room, and are not decayed.

The next post will take place on June 25th, afternoon/evening GMT.

Characters with placeholder posts should complete their posts before posting for this round.

@Genghis @Halcyon @Spark @V-Chaos-Eleven @Fleas @Callista @Angel @Yew @Menkheperre @Mai @Audland @Thalia @Zephiran

He didn't really have much to do to help with.. But he made his way through. Whatever he was there to help when needed. Right now it seemed his skill wasn't needed very much. To the next room they went. A small room full of treasures. Silver paws padded until he brought himself there.

An open room filled with treasure and magic. Or well enough for everyone. Turquoise eyes scanned the room, he began to rummage around. His goal was clear, he seeked a gemstone. Or some sort of cool looking rock. Something he could take back to his den. Silence hummed in his chest. There wasn't much he needed to talk about. Even if parts of him wanted to learn more about others around him.

---

"Speaking"

( @ None Mentioned )

Well he wasn't much help all things considered, but that was fine, he was just happy to be here in all honesty. A large, toothy grin showed under his large jowls as he watched everyone work together. He didn't want to push himself into anything so he waited for a moment before finally stepping forward with everyone else.

He stepped into the area and looked around, figuring he might as well see what he could find. There wasn't anything specific he was looking for, but he was leaning a bit towards something to protect him in a fight.

Despite the... Unpleasantness of some of their company, the puzzle was solved swiftly by their compatriots. Good. Maybe the coins would help even tempers.

Spark had little to contribute, mostly overwhelmed by the crowd and eager to focus on something else. Their attention turned to the curious objects on the floor of the next room. Perhaps there was a tool of some sort there? They weren't much of a fighter, or a magician.

But a craftsman... Well, they could dream.

Eleven shut her trap as soon as she opened it. Well, she gave it a shot - and it seemed the troublemaker was moving off to do something more productive. Something still burned in response to the implication of her being small. Sure, she felt that way most of the time. But she didn't want to hear it from this guy.

She bristled, but kept quiet. Onto more important shit.

Eleven suddenly had to decide what she wanted. The better question would be: What would be best for the Chaos Forge? The even better question: What would Aethril want?

She didn't actually know her, so this was hard to accomplish. Eleven searched for a cool-looking gemstone instead.

More protests are made to his name than expected, which would perhaps warm his heart were it not the modicum of embarrassing that it was. Menkheperre doesn't let himself linger on it for too long, though; just mentally presses on further, nodding acknowledgement to Genghis's astute observation that proves true. The others follow suit in solving the (admittedly) very simplistic riddle easily, and before them opens a dimly-glittering room full of treasure.

Dwelling within is a veritable menagerie of armor, weaponry, coins and glittering gems. All of which the Valkhound promptly ignores; instead rifling through the assorted tassets- and belt-type garments and bags for any sort of journal. Old as this dungeon must be— and if any of these belonged to previous explorers— there must be some recorded word available to study!

Author's note: If there's no journals, Menkheperre will acquiesce to a randomly-rolled item.

The doors responded to their effort, and—even better for Auddie—every nerd in a 50 mile radius had decided to be too disgusted with him to continue their spat. Fantabulous. With all those pesky twats off his back, Audland could relish in the sweet delight of having helped solve the puzzle treasure. Auddie's grubby oversized paws rubbed together in mischievous delight, the corners of his otherwise plated muzzle twisting upward into a delighted grin. The perfect picture of a man who wouldn't mind robbing a grave if there was something yummy inside.

Yummy as in treasure. Treasure's pretty yummy.

Perhaps too yummy for young Auddie. With great optimism, he runs to the treasure like he might dive in it and swim like Scrooge McDuck in DuckTales. But one does not swim through treasure so easily in real life. Pretty much immediately karma sticks out her ill-fated foot and trips Auddie over thin air. He nearly lands face first on a dull blade—fortunately it only nicks him (painfully) on the nose. "Oww," Auddie says with a grimace befitting of a toddler. Embarrassing. I hope you got your tetanus shot Auddie.

When it is time to begin looting, Yew keeps mostly to herself. She isn't sure what to look for, and wants to leave enough room for the others to find what they want. Maybe something shiny. She thinks to herself. That'd be nice. A little thing to brighten her up just a bit more.

As Yew goes searching, she hopes to find something at least. Anything will do.