The Fenesthir Twist
Or, A Great Success
The Ardven Holdmaster is a well-known and well-trusted lock. Originally designed by Beffar Ardven, it was meant to replace the truly unfortunately named 'Garlen's Virtue' series of padlocks, which were even more unfortunately originally simply called 'The Chaste Solution'. The Holdmaster is tempered steel of a custom alloy composition that allows it to resist the elements particularly well, and so while it was originally intended for internal storage protection, it swiftly transitioned into use for barn and cellar doors and, sadly, became a favorite of kidnappers and slavers and other reprobates.
The difficulty in opening a Holdmaster (without, of course, possessing the key) lies in the infamous Nandover Ridge, a cunning bit of geometry in the third and fourth tumblers that foils most traditional lock-picking attempts. The Nandover Ridge, of course, is named after Geran Nandover, a locksmith of modest skill with a nose of horrible but compelling topology, as Geran was also an enthusiastic but rather less than excellent pugilist.
The Nandover Ridge makes it difficult to keep the third and fourth tumblers depressed simultaneously; to apply pressure to one is to release pressure on the other, and thus the Holdmaster is a difficult lock, indeed, and one that foils most lay practitioners. Thief Adepts, of course, are another matter entirely.
In 1387 TH, however, Ellana Fenesthir perfected a pick shape that would allow the lay expert to apply pressure to both tumblers at once. This tool specification and maneuver bears her name - the Fenesthir Twist.
On a recent outing, I had opportunity to utilize the Fenesthir Twist, and unlock the Ardven Holdmaster that was holding closed a cage in which was imprisoned a poor young human girl of some seven years in age. Her grandfather was very happy at her return, and the both of them are now employed and residing in Bolgenar.
Also, we fought some Dreamers, Spire-something Gnashers, Bone Shamblers, cadaverous Swamp Ogres, and also some sort of massive ball of tentacles and mouths. We won.Statistics:Posted by bronzemountain — Mon Jul 20, 2020 2:13 am
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