The mystery of Benfal (Moore, Tryll)

[Nephrite]

"This seems odd, doesn't it? An open front door, a locked door inside, a chimney with smoke coming out of it..." Moore looks around -- is there a fire?

[Anastasia]

It's a pretty small room. A few boots, a small stone bench built into the wall, an empty few hooks in the wall for coats or the like.

[Nephrite]

...

This can't be one of those kinds of places, can it?

Take 10 on a search check for 34. He's looking for something like a secret switch and that sort of thing.

[Anastasia]

You find a switch on the wall, hidden beneath the bench.

"Moore, what are you doing?" Ilsenine asks.

[Nephrite]

Moore just smiles. "Being an adventurer." He hits the switch as he says that and gestures. "I think this is one of those... mm. You know, I don't know what it is, but it's very suspicious, so I think it's some sort of wizard's puzzle... or something."

[Anastasia]

"What part of this is a puzzle?" Ilsenine asks, "Is there anything under there?"

[Nephrite]

"Oh, right." He hits the switch.

[Anastasia]

The door swings open. Within is a strange, swirling portal within, rather than a passage deeper within.

[Nephrite]

"That is totally not even remotely normal!" Moore says. "What the heck is even going on with this house?!"

Moore makes a showing up rolling his sleeves up as he casts a few spells to try and figure out what in the world this is and where it goes.

Take 10 for 77 on spellcraft, using Divine Insight and Improvisation.

[Anastasia]

It's an extraplanar portal. You aren't precisely sure where it goes, but by the odd and erratic energy flows, you'd guess somewhere chaotic.

[Nephrite]

Moore breathes out through his nose.

"Why is there a portal to Limbo in a stone house in the midd.. .. .. you know what that really isn't the sort of question that's ever going to have a good answer." Moore says. He turns to Ilsenine. "Feel up for some more adventure?"

[Anastasia]

"This seems remarkably dangerous," Ilsenine says, "An unknown portal taking you to who knows where?"

[Nephrite]

"Well, you do have a point with that." Moore admits. "Actually, let me see here..." He rubs his chin and casts another spell!

Using limited wish to emulate Analyze portal. He wants to know where it goes and what that place looks like!

[Anastasia]

Analyze portal doesn't tell you precisely, but you have levels to burn with limited wish so that'll gap the difference.

The portal takes you to Limbo and the area around it is constantly changing chaos-stuff, swirling and churning.

[Nephrite]

"Why is there a portal to Limbo in a stone house in the middle of Mineral!?" Moore just shouts as he sighs. He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, this sort of thing kind of... seems to just happen to me, for some reason."

"I'll come back and deal with this another time." Moore says with a huff. "We were having a nice date and I'm not going to let some slaad ruin it." He takes a deep breath and goes to take Ilsenine's hand and go back outside and back to the river of gems. That was much nicer.