Episode Eleven – Riddle Me This…

The adventurers are nearing the end of their adventure. But, the danger is getting worse. Can they solve the mysteries? Or, will they find them selves among the has been.

The Arcane Isles

Dive into the enchanting world of Eric J. Wynn with the "Arcane Isles: Borkum the Battler" podcast, a Dungeons & Dragons inspired audio adventure available at ArcaneIsles.com. Join us on a first-person journey through a richly imagined realm where magic and mystery meet. Each episode, narrated by characters from the Arcane Isles, brings to life thrilling tales of valor, sorcery, and intrigue. Whether you're a seasoned D&D enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of fantasy role-playing, Borkum the Battler offers an immersive experience into a fantastical narrative. Tune in and become part of the adventure that unfolds within the Arcane Isles, where every corner holds a new challenge, and the fate of the world rests in the hands of heroes like never before. 

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Transcript

Chapter Eleven – Riddle Me This…

My fellow adventurers stood next to me staring into the dark passage. 

“Great work old chap,” Lykxnzzl complimented me, as he patted me on my back.

The girls both stood alongside me, and peered cautiously into the darkness, and then at me.

“You going to go; or are you not?” Hawk Tuah asked impatiently. 

It was one of the problems with being the designated warrior in the group. They expected me to lead them. Always. Into each unknown area. I was beginning to think that they brought me along for the dangerous work. 

I stepped into the next room and the others soon followed; our footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls. The air was thick with dust, and a faint, musty smell lingers in the atmosphere, hinting at the chamber’s ancient origins. The room was vast, with high ceilings that disappear into the shadows above, giving the impression of an almost cavernous space. Our flickering torchlight casts long, dancing shadows across the stone floor, revealing intricate carvings etched into the walls—depictions of forgotten lore, ancient battles, and mystical creatures long lost to time.

Dominating the center of the chamber was a massive stone sphinx, its imposing presence both awe-inspiring and intimidating. The sphinx was carved from a single block of dark stone, weathered by time but still retaining a sense of majesty and power. Its muscular lion’s body is poised in a regal crouch, ready to spring into action, while its human-like face bears an expression of serene wisdom mixed with a hint of menace. The eyes of the sphinx, cold and unblinking, seem to follow us as we move, almost as if it’s silently judging our worth.

As our eyes adjust, we also see the bodies of the dead; Dead humans, dwarfs, elves and even orcs. Previous adventurers who had come here searching for the same thing we are searching for.  Only they died. But why? What killed them here?

The chamber was adorned with tall, ornate columns that line the perimeter, each one decorated with hieroglyphics and symbols that tell stories of the ancient civilization that once thrived here. In the corners of the room, small alcoves hold relics and offerings left by those who came before, now covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs. The flickering light catches on these objects, revealing glimpses of gold, jewels, and other treasures—temptations for the unwary or a thief.

Lykxnzzl was giddy with excitement as he quickly moved to examine the treasure, picking up pieces and putting them in his pockets.

“I like this; Oh, I really like this; Wow look at this,” he would comment as he pocketed each item.

“Check for traps, I yell,” frustrated at our thief’s attraction to all things shiny.

Haw Tuah began to search for the bodies for treasure and loot when it happened.

A low, rumbling sound began to emanate from the sphinx, as if the stone itself was groaning to come alive. The air suddenly grew heavier, charged with ancient magic, and we quickly realized that this is not just a statue, but a guardian of some sort coming to life.  

The sphinx’s head begins to rotate and stares at each of us one by one. It was examining us, looking us over, questioning us and our worth. 

“You do not look worthy.” It mumbles with a rumbling voice, frustrated, with our interruption of its sleep.

“We are worthy.” I respond. Hoping my answer placates this stone beast.

The stone beasts just sighs at my response; “these intruders also thought they were worthy. You must pass first the test proceed,” it speaks in its growling voice.

“Test? What test?” I ask confused. Tests are not my strong suit.

“You must pass the first test,” the sphinx again tells us, agitated.

“What if we don’t want to take the test,” I boldly counter the magical beast. 

The Sphinx stares at me for a moment. Then, without emotion, it speaks the words I dread to hear. “Death. Like these pitiful creatures before you.”

I stare down at the collection of bodies before the sphinx and think it is wise not to challenge this living stone creature. 

“I like tests” I reply to the sphinx, nodding cluelessly to the others while smiling for the sake of appearances.

Hawk Tuah, Lykxnzzl, Elaria, all stand behind me and nod their heads in agreement.

The Sphinx looks us over, and nods and speaks with dread, “the test shall begin. You must answer to my satisfaction, or else suffer the consequences. Your first question is;

 I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?”

Our foursome huddles together. Hawk Tuah and Elaria mumble several creatures that they know of. Nothing seems to match this description. 

“What is your answer,” the sphinx asks as it becomes impatient with us. Its great lion paw slowly tapping away the seconds.

“Please more time!” Lykxnzzl who speaks up this time and boldly asks for and at the moment of speaking loudly, he hears the answer, reverting back to him. In the chamber, his voice echoed off the ceiling and bounced back to him. And I see his eyes grow wide with the realization of the answer.

“An echo!” Lykxnzzl replies assertively.

“Very good, you have more merit them many of these others,” the sphinx answers. 

“Now you must answer the second riddle,” the sphinx announces, “The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?”

Again, the four of us huddled together. We quickly throw out several answers amongst ourselves, but nothing seems to be the right answer. 

“Quickly, now,” the Sphinx speaks, growing impatient with us. I could see both of his stone paws moving now, as he readjusted his position on the dais.

It was Haw Tuah, who stepped away and began walking in circles looking down at the ground. I could hear her mumbling to herself various answers, yet she was uncertain about them all. Then she stopped and stared intently at where she had been walking. She looked up and announced with bravado, “I know this one, footsteps!”

I respond, with “Are you kidding me, footsteps?” Thinking Hawk Tuah has just blown our opportunity, when I hear the Sphinx turn his head and respond, “Well done Druid. You are correct. You have bought your friends more time, and one more test.”

My eyes grew wide with astonishment, and a grin spread across my face as I stare at Hawk Tuah admiring her. I was beginning to find myself attracted to her. 

“The last riddle must be answered, or you die,” the Sphinx continued, “What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?”

“What the Nine Hells is this now,” I mumble to myself.

Again, we huddle and think about all the creatures with no legs.  And all we can think of are worms. But it seemed too easy to answer, so we were sure that it must be wrong. Or was it?  And that was part of the test.  We decided on two creatures, a worm or a fish. But we couldn’t decide, so, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my last coin to flip; an old worn down copper coin. Given to me by my father, as a coin of last resort.

“Heads fish. Tails a worm,” I offer up. The old coin has an engraving of the mayor of Port Azure on one side and a dragon on the other. I flip it into the air and we watch it flip over and over. “Get ready with your weapons and spells,” I whisper to everyone, under my breath.

The coin tumbles high into the air, spinning over and over. First heads. Then tails. Then heads and then tails over and over again.

My eyes grow wide as it suddenly dawns on me. I snatch the copper out of the air in mid spin, and triumphantly yell out, “Ha! The answer is a copper coin!” And, I start a little bravado dance, so sure of my answer.

The Sphinx looks at us, and nods, well done barbarian. “You all may pass. You have done well.”

And, with that a hidden door quietly slides open revealing yet another passage descending downward into the unknown.

A collective cheer was let out and we hooped and hollered at our success as a party. But, the elation was short lived. We still had to explore the next chamber. My friends gathered about me, and we stare into the darkness. We are both elated and nervous for what will happen next. 

The Sphinx begins to settle back into its original position, its body reverting back to the cold stone it was minutes ago, but it speaks one last time, a warning, “Beware the sleeper.”

“What’s a sleeper,” I say out loud. But no one answers, they are too excited by this newest passage. 

“Well, let’s get on with it,” I announce feeling ever more confident of myself. I lead our group downward and through several turns when we come to a large room. It appears empty of everything. Just a large space, maybe used for storge. It looks rather benign. 

“I think I see sunlight over there in that corner, streaming through,” Lykxnzzl whispers quietly. 

“I don’t think that is sunlight my friend,” No, it was the glint of gold off from the torches. We rush over to the source, and we find two small chests of gold coins and other treasures open and exposed. 

Of course, we are giddy with excitement and have a hard time restraining ourselves. 

“Wait a minute,” I speak out. Remember the Sphinx said, “beware the Sleeper.”  Let’s check for traps and other things. These chests are not going anywhere.”

The others nodded their heads and we fanned out searching the room, while Lykxnzzl studied the chests. I mean who leaves gold just lying around? It was odd it seemed to us.

After a few minutes of searching the room, we met back at the chests.

“I got nothing,” I offer up.

“I see no traps, or anything of danger with these chests. I think this gold is just ours for the taking,” Lykxnzzl giddily offers up.

“I found nothing” Elaria reports. “Just an empty room. I think we have done it.”

“I found nothing also, except for the big stone statue along the wall behind me.” Hawk Tuah happily added.

The three of us look at Haw Tuah bewildered. We are not sure if she realizes what she just said. We had just witnessed a stone sphinx come alive. What could a stone statue do?

“Can you show us this stone statue?” I asked befuddled, thinking maybe Hawk Tuah was not herself now.

Hawk Tuah points to the wall she just searched, and indeed along the wall was a giant stone statue in a sitting position, sitting on a stone bench.

“By the Old Gods and the New, what is that thing? I asked confoundedly as I walked over to investigate.  All four of us move closer to the statue and stare at it. It was a giant of a man formed of clay. Its features were not perfect. But you could make out the eyes, nose, ears, and of course the arms, legs and torso of the creature. It appeared to be massive in size maybe 7 or 8 feet in height. 

I reached out to touch it. The clay was cold to the touch. I touched it several times and I could feel the clay was still moist as it moved beneath my fingers. 

Lykxnzzl asks, “what does it feel like?”

“It feels like clay.”  Not stone. Not pottery. But, clay, I can almost pull some of it off. 

“Wait!” Elaria warns. “I have heard of wizards who create these clay golems. These beasts can respond to their masters’ commands and come alive when needed.

I pull my hand back suddenly. “Maybe this thing is left over from years ago? Maybe it is inert now.”

We stand there for a minute or two, when I ask the important question, “Does anyone have a suggestion?”

It was Lykxnzzl who replied. “Are you stupid? Let’s grab the gold, sneak out of here, and make like birds and get the flock out of this crypt.”

I nod my head in agreement, “I like that idea. Grab the gold, make like birds, get the flock out. Your idea wins Lykxnzzl.”

The girls both nod their heads in agreement. As we turned to grab the gold, I felt a strong weight grasp my shoulder, and I could feel it squeezing my shoulder tightly. I looked down, and I could see this massive clay hand had me in its grasp. 

“Hey Guys, I think we have woken it.”