And Then There Were Two

…with the clockwork room behind them, our party took a moment to catch their breath in the next hallway. When T’Sai did not discover any traps, Thaminor opened the next door and found a 20’x20′ room of plain black walls, floor, and ceiling. In the center was a stone pedestal, with symbology of the Church of Shar carved on its sides. As the last of the party entered the room, the door closed and disappeared behind them.

On top of the pedestal sat a leather book, a black 6″x6″x12″ box, and a bronze bowl full of gemstones. Upon closer inspection:

• Molish was able to determine that the leather book contained rites and rituals of the Sharran faith.
• The gemstones were a mixed variety, totaling 550gp in value.
• The black box was made out of some black mithril-like metal, but sounded and weighed as if hollow. It did not seem to have any seams or means with which to open.

Thaminor and Pix examined the three items thoroughly: dumping out the gemstones, stacking them in every possible order, touching the book and then storing the gemstones with the Rod… all without effect. While they were examining the items, T’Sai and Molish inspected the pedestal and walls, looking for any clues or means with which to exit the room. Hoping for some insight, Pix decided to use the Rod’s detect magic daily power.

Pix was nearly blinded with the powerful glowing radiance of the black box. Soon after focusing their attention on solving the puzzle of the box, the party felt–and heard–a couple explosions elsewhere in the complex… time was running short. Having not done so since their arrival, and hoping for some direction, Pix retrieved and spoke the Rod’s locator command word, “designandum!” He was only partially surprised to find the Rod pointing him towards the box… Which Thaminor later noted was made of a similar material to the Rod. Since the box was the only object Pix had not previously touched with the Rod, he did so now… and the box disintegrated, leaving behind the 5″ second fragment of the Rod of the Seven. Thaminor and Pix inspected the two parts to identify the proper ends to reconnect, and did so–watching the two fragments fuse into one.

Since the party had set out of Sundabar immediately after their arrival, their Simul Stones did not have enough charge to teleport them back to Westhill. Instead, they set up a watch schedule and settled down for a long rest. Just before dawn, they heard the sounds of fighting in the clockwork room. The door never opened, though, before they were able to teleport home. Once in Westhill, Pix took the opportunity to attune to the now 9″ Rod, while Thaminor checked in with Sister Garaele and T’Sai caught up with Zesstra and his family.

After a day in Westhill, the party decided that they needed head out in search of the third fragment of the Rod.  This piece was much closer than the last, and led them north-northwest, to Helm’s Hold and the Old Dirty Dwarf Inn…