This spiral stair case leads downwards and then opens into a rectangular room that has a platform that stairs lead up to. On top of this platform is a huge stone statue of a vicious looking creature. The ceiling soars 100 feet above. A large door is on the southern wall and a smaller door is on the western wall. There is an alcove on the northern wall. Within the alcove, there is a four foot tall marble statue, depicting a male angel with feathered wings folded behind its back. Its arms are held forward and raised, palms upward, and upon each hand rests a large marble plate. The Weights of Authority and Responsibility are eight slim steel discs, each bearing an engraved number ranging from 1 to 8, and each of different thickness and weight. They are laid out in order on a low stone dais that stands next to the angel statue. There is a deeply engraved message on the front of the dais.
Engraved in the dais:
You face the Weights of Authority and Responsibility.
Balance them well, lest you sow disaster.
Balance them perfectly and you shall open the way.
It will help you to know that the first is ten times the second.
Thrice the second is the third plus twice the eighth.
Twice the third is one more than the fifth plus half the eighth.
The fourth is the difference between the sixth and twice the seventh.
The fifth is the one tenth of the sum of thrice the second and one fourth the fourth.
The sixth is the first minus twice the third plus twice the fifth.
The seventh is the difference between four times the fourth and the sum of the first and fifth.
Twice the eighth is one less than twice the second plus the third.
Careful examination of the statue reveals that the arms are of a separate piece than the body, and that they are made to shift when weight is placed on them. The clues allow the exact weight of each of the discs (in ounces) to be found, and the discs must be placed such that the weight upon each hand is exactly the same.
| Disc |
Weight |
| 1 |
130 |
| 2 |
13 |
| 3 |
7 |
| 4 |
44 |
| 5 |
5 |
| 6 |
126 |
| 7 |
41 |
| 8 |
16 |
Answer:
One side needs to have: 1, 2, 3, 7
the other side needs to have: 4, 5, 6, 8
It doesn't matter which side the discs are stacked onto as long as they are grouped together as above.
If all the discs are put onto the plates and the scales are not balanced, a trap is sprung. Investigate DC 30 to find the trap and Engineering DC 35 to disarm the trap.
Authority
If the left hand plate is the heavier plate, a series of scything blades are activated. Anyone within 5 feet of the statue is attacked. +15 to hit, 1d10 slashing damage per scythe.
Responsibility
If the right side is the heavier side, a gas cloud of Black Lotus Extract is released. Those within 5 feet of the statue must roll a Con save DC 20 or take 3d6 poison damage.
Over Capacity
If at any point, there is more than 384 ounces (24 pounds) on the scales (both plates together) a pit trap activates. Investigate DC 25 to find the trap and Engineering DC 35 to disarm the trap. The 3 squares in front of the statue open up to drop the characters into a 100 foot spiked pit trap. Dex save DC 20 to avoid the trap. 10d6 fall damage (bludgeoning) and 1d4 spikes deal 1d4+5 piercing damage.
DEVA is standing as the statue. If the players attack or otherwise attempt to damage the statue, it will come to life and defend itself.
Correctly solving the puzzle will cause the monster statue's mouth to open and reveal their reward inside its mouth. Once all the discs are on the scale the doors will crumble to sand regardless if they were correct or not.
Inside the stone creature's mouth, you can see a rod sitting on its tongue.
The rod is a
Immovable Rod
If they retrieve the rod, they will receive one point with the Eladrin. Keep track of the party's score as they go along. At the completion of each challenge, their score will be announced by the ringing of a bell for each point they have earned.
XP Earned if successful with the puzzle: 3,900
XP Earned if the Veda is killed: 5,900
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