Ghalin stops rubbing the stones and turns "Dwarven construction is the finest you may ever see if you manage to live o' hundered lives lass. Though the machines there ain't it. My eyes tell meh it is Dwarven designed, but all my senses know it is not built by a Dwarf." He sighs. "I can hear the stones cryin' under the strain, as they were not made to lay like this. I can feel the pressure they are under, causing the fissures in the rock." He smacks his lips a little "And I think I can still taste human hands puttin' it together."

He takes a step away from the wall and scans hi companions. "No one would by chance have some mortar so I could repai...." He breaks off realizing he companions probably would not be patient enough to let him repair the walls.


"Ma question is why someone would pay a Dwarf ter design a place, or try an steel plans from em.... and not let 'im build it! Gold weren't the issue I'd say lookin' around."

Val inspects the walls and heads forward towards where the others are looking.

"I've been someplace like this before. A while back I entered a place much like this, death and horrors beyond comprehension waited for us in the dark corners of the facility. I suggest we do not wander." He looks over to the dwarf. "I suggest you take point, you should be right at home in this sort of environment."

"Bulwark, have you ever heard of Cannith Forges built underground?"

::Jaynna hurries over to Mirae, her hands already unfastening her rucksack's flap. She reaches in and pulls out several bound together bamboo tubes, glancing at the colored tops she picks one sealed with a vibrant green cork. Popping the cork, she dips her small finger into the opening and pulls it out coverd in a greenish white paste. Carefully, she waves the tip of her finger under the pixie's nose. Even from such a tiny smear of the ointment, a sharp acrid scent wafts up to those near by.

When the fae revives she places the cork back in the tube and the tubes in their place in her bag, she glances over to Rima, smileing softly, "Need some assistance with your friend?"

She cocks her head as Bulwark and the others discuss the room, listening carefully though some of what they are discussing goes over her head a bit.::

Gerbill accepts the bread and water from Ghalin. "Thank you, sir." He takes a few swallows and chews on some bread.

Finally he can no longer resist the call of the glyphs. He moves to the speaking stone and begins to read, careful not to touch it. He thoroughly examines the writing and layout of the speaking stone and its surroundings, mindlessly gnawing on the hunk of bread and taking occassional sips from the waterskin.

Sorno's head snaps back and his eyes flutter open when the foul smelling paste is wafted under his nose. He stumbles to his feet wobbling for a moment. Then the realisation that everything is real hits him again. His eyes widen, his wings droop and his face goes white as a sheet, but this time he swallows hard and stays in control.

He jumps up to Mirae's shoulder and settles himself there, his wide eyes darting around the room in a desperate search for an exit of some kind. His eyes whirling through a hundred different colors

As Gerbill's examination of the door takes him closer to the right side, the eyes of the speaking stone open to reveal glowing blue crystals.

A hollow male voice intones, "Identification please?"

Rima starts at Jaynna's offer for assistance, "Wha? Oh, yes! If you could. . . ." She holds out Kree.

With her other hand, she takes out her metal staff and extends it again just in case. "I should think we have to wander around. If we don't, how will we ever get out of this place? Judging by the dust, no one's been here for quite a while and no one will just come along and find us and guide us out."

::Jaynna examines the bird.. wondering if Kree is just passed out or worse.. knowing it wont harm the bird, she wafts her finger over the top of the birds beak, knowing the acrid smell should wake it up if its just passed out from the stress of the portal travel. Looks for other signs if that is not the case. Finges gentle as they caress the delicate bones under the feathers.::

Gerbill wanders to the doorway absent mindedly chewing the bread his eyes intent on the glyphs. It looks like he recognizes something and he slows his approach becoming much more cautious. When the eyes open and the speaking stone speaks he freezes.

After a heartbeat he turns and motions for Bulwark to come forward and he points him at the speaking stone. Mouthing the words "Talk to it." Gerbill slowly backs away...

Bulwark walked up to Gerbill, already intent on helping his companion before Gerbill asked him to approach. The construct stood to his full height and width. He placed his sword arm across his chest in the form of a salute -- even if the speaking stone may not have been able to see him, and he nodded.

When he spoke, his voice had a strange soldier-like tone to it, and he spoke louder; almost at a thunderous level. "I am designation A001-017. Delta. Red. Named, Bulwark. . ."

Bulwark held his position for a few seconds before relaxing and looking back to the group. When he spoke, his voice had returned to the quieter, emotionless state. "My apologies if I was too loud -- it was how I was instructed on how to respond to a Cannith official. . ." He looked to Rima. "I do not believe the staff will be needed, Madam. If you wish to keep it out, you may, but they may ask you to put it away -- some forges do not allow weapons to be carried unless clearance is given. I do not know how this one operates, however. . . I gave my clearance level, just to be safe. Perhaps my level of access will spread to the rest of you as well." He nodded, not exactly explaining what his clearance was or what it meant.

Bulwark turned to Val'murss. "Of the forges I have visited, some have been on ground level, while others have been, at the most, in a basement. None has been truly 'underground'. . . So I am rather curious as to where we are. . ."

After several moments the speaking stone replies, "Designation..... ..... Alpha...... zero...... zero..... one....... zero...... one...... seven..... clearance...... ....... delta...... red....... ....... confirmed. Instructions please?"

::Jaynna pauses in her examination of Kree as the stone face speaks.. she glances to the others and just shakes her head, seeing Bulwark approach and identify himself. As the face responds back, she returns her attention back to the bird. ::

Kree's eyes shoot open at the smell, "Wooooooooo! What is THAT???" In a flash she stands up, takes off, and lands on Rima's shoulder. "Jeez. I mean. . . . wow."
At Bulwarks instruction, Rima collapses her staff again, though it appears that she is a bit reluctant in doing so. "It's a good thing you're here Bulwark. I don't know what we would've done if you weren't able to get clearance. Hopefully we'll all be able to enter as your companions."

::Smiles and wipes her fingers off on a small piece of cloth inside her bag, then she secures the flap again. "Tis a small mixture of herbs, heavy on camphor and a few more stringent ones.. It helps clear the sinuses or if applied directly to alleviate fainting spells or light unconsciousness.." Jaynna smiles at the bird and nods her head.. "Good to see you are okay."

She stands and looks to the others, as they await Bulwark's next move, hopefully to open a doorway out of this hall. Glances back at the seeping water, still a bit worried about the possibility of molds that might be bad for the group if they are inhaled. She pats Hope on the head, and waits::

"Instructions?" Bulwark hummed, thinking. Usually they just let him in. . . So. . . Worth a shot, yes?

He saluted again, but when he spoke, it was in his normal voice -- apparently the loud, strong rumbling was only for addressing his designation. "My companions and I would like entrance to the forge, if that is at all possible. Is my clearance spread to them as well? Or will they need to sheathe or give up their weapons?"

Bulwark looked to the others. "Entrance is what we want, yes? Is there anything else, perhaps? I can try asking where we might be located. . . Or anything else that any of you may be able to think of."