Down the Coney Warren, Pt. 4

"Gold Vault" made with StarryAI ai art generator for Twilight Tabletop Games by Darcien Balog 2023

“Whoa,” the collective gasp whistled softly through each party member’s mouth as they gazed at the veritable treasure hoard before them. Piles and piles of gold and precious stones reached from floor to ceiling; items coated in precious metal and bestudded with costly jewels lay strewn unceremoniously in-between the piles and along the narrow pathways between the immense wealth. Geegaaliim squealed in delight and rushed towards the glittering horde, the sparkle reflected brightly in her eyes. 

She was stopped, firmly, by the broad hand of Leukan, her self-appointed gnome-sitter, “Let’s not be too hasty,” he said, eyeing the piles with uncertainty, “Nothing is free and this feels like a trap.” ​

---

“I agree,” said Hijros, stepping gingerly between the piles, “It’s too good to be true.” 

Keller sighed deeply, her fingers dancing just above the surface of a webbed garnet and gold necklace, “Such a shame…” 

The excitement upon opening the door and seeing the treasure horde was quickly being replaced with dread. The piles of gold could have been piles of spider’s webs for how desperately the party avoided them; the costly dishware, jewelry, and statuettes could have been spiders for how completely the party avoided their touch. 

“Hmm, an interesting placement…” said Meilos as the party rounded a gold pile that hid a pedestal supporting a rather ordinary looking brass oil lamp. 

“The least expensive item here, yet it’s been set in a place of great significance.” 

“We need this,” said Leukan, reaching for the lamp with a lack of caution that caught the rest of the party off guard. Before anyone could object, the lamp was in his massive hands as he stared, confused, at his companion’s reactions, “We need this. I think… as long as we don’t take anything else, we should be fine.” 

“A heck of a way to test a presumption, but I agree,” said Meilos. 

“Well, nothing’s happened yet,” said Hijros, “And I think you’re onto something about that lamp. Let’s get out of here before something decides to… attack us, or something.” 

They walked single file out of the room, with Hijros at the lead, Leukan in the middle, and Keller at the rear. Hijros and Meilos crossed the threshold of the door with no problems. Yet the moment Leukan passed through, the lamp vanished from his hands like smoke. 

“Hmmm,” the giant hummed, “That shouldn’t have happened.” 

“Hey!” called Geegaaliim, “The lamp’s back on the stand.” 

Meilos and Leukan regarded each other with confusion, “It should have worked.” 

Without a word, the two astute companions turned to look at Keller. She shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny and attempted to avoid eye contact. 

“Keller,” Hijros said slowly. 

The sorceress rolled her eyes, “Fine.” She fished around in her satchel for the garnet necklace that she then tossed, unceremoniously, back into the piles of gold. 

Geegaaliim bounced back to the lamp and snatched it from its pedestal, “Second time’s the charm, right?” 

The gregarious gnome skipped right over the threshold, the lamp still grasped tightly between her hands, “It worked!” 
​
“Okay,” Leukan said slowly, “I think I know where we’re supposed to use this.” ​