Shocker

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/fbWgSpD7L8gE/TheDrawnPinch

Gilavar is up then Katya is then Vala

The Gnome is cackling madly as he fires at the retreating group. Vala holding her shield up being the obvious target. In rapid succession the automatic crossbow is hurling 2 bolts at the retreating paladin.

1 first bolt hits Vala and deals 10 points of piercing damage, while the second goes entirely wild

3 hours ago, Civit said:

Our Man Flint

Correct

6 hours ago, Eagleheart said:

Yep, that's the one

Lucky guess

I’m guessing this is one of theMatt Helm movies but don’t know which, perhaps the silencers?

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/fbWgSpD7L8gE/TheDrawnPinch

Katya, the gnome does spot the spider, but they are a common sight within the halls of Gnomengarde so it doesn't fully register as a threat.

Is this from keeping mum?

AS I'm seeing no reason why this should not work, I was waiting on Katya

Yes it is

5 hours ago, Civit said:

It is... in my list of 20 favorite movies... no great piece of cinema, just fun

There are a lot of actresses and actors I don’t recognize, but Maureen O Hara is not one of those.

Are we staying in theme?

this looks like Maureen O Hara in at swords point

Three musketeers is of course correct.

Might be too easy but i like this picture

1 hour ago, JubalBreakbottle said:

Who’s up in initiative?

Gillavar’s turn

The gnomes eyes grow even wider, you see the whole platform rotating 180 degrees and with a resounding thwang the first crossbow bolt releases into the dark corridor. The gnome is moving some levers and his seat turns 90 degrees over another beam before rotating towards that doorway releasing a second bolt. Gilavar is actually close to see the draw string of the fired crossbows retracting as if pulled by invisible hands and fresh bolts falling into the weapon. So that as the Plattform swings back around to you the fired bolts gave been replaced.

Based on the previous exchange I assume that is the situation upon calling intiative

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/fbWgSpD7L8gE/TheDrawnPinch

Intiative order

Makaria: 17

Facktore: 15

Gilavar: 14

Katya: 14

Vala: 7

Makaria can't count the bolts anymore than Vala, and this is a Weapon intentionally directed and used not a trap.

I was thinking if dirty mary crazy larry, but that’s not it.

Please roll for initiative

At Gilavar’s words the gnome’s head shoots up and looks at you with eyes wide open. A stream of high pitched loud gibberish is carried to your ears, you can’t make any sense of them except two an excited pronouncement of field shortly followed by something that sounds like test.
 

The gnome pulls a lever and a metal cage is extending from the back of the seat and covering its entire body. Frantic pushing of paddles results in a loud and steady clanking as the whole contraption turns fully around itself before pointing straight at your party.

There doesn’t seem to be any kind if shortage on bolts.

5 hours ago, Siryuu said:

Taking a defensive stance, how many bolts do I see?

@SiryuuRoll a perception check please

There is a deadly tip of a cross bow bolt pointing out from each of the four beams attached to the platform covering the whole room. You spot a contraption above holding further bolts ready.
 

As for what Vala can or not can do, the ceiling hight of the corridor is the same as inside the cave. The gnome is sitting on a chair 6 ft above ground. But as always in DnD you can try whatever you want, but actions have consequences.

You retread your steps and just as you are arriving another T section you hear a plop and Katya's wings have vanished. Looking around you see a corridor leading North and the southern door leading into a larger cave. in it's center there is a wooden cruciform platform with a chair rising six feet into the air from it's center. A gnome with wild tufts of hair is tinkering with a set of pedals and cranks. Muttering all the time, but to softly for you to hear. The contraption underneath it moves to the left and right following the frantic movements with the pedals. The ends of the wooden beams do resemble strongly loaded crossbows.

The gnome doesn't appear to have seen you yet. How do you want to proceed?

https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/fbWgSpD7L8gE/TheDrawnPinch

14 minutes ago, Roughtrade said:

Only because it's black and white and modern actors....

 

Is this the Joss Wheadon "Much Ado about Nothing"?

I couldn’t resist. I really liked that version, if you like much ado about nothing, I recommend the current “anyone but you” it’s fun.