Poor, confused DM..

"Yes, I think I'll drink from that one," say Greenbolt and Carideth,
unfortunately forgetting to indicate precisely which pool they are referring
to.

Carideth dips his sword into the acidic pool, and quickly withdraws it as he
sees the blade turns a light brownish colour. Inspecting the sword, he sees it
is apparantly unharmed.. just discoloured.. still, he only had it submersed
for a few seconds. Will he attempt to fish the key out with the entire sword?

Aardvarkin is about to take a drink from the northern pool when a little gnome
scurries past him to get another tool. Angrily, he reaches out and wraps two
powerful hands around the helpless creature's neck and begins squeezing.
(Un)luckily, Carideth happens to be there to complain, and the thief angrily
and forcefully releases the gnome. Dazed, it wanders off in a random
direction...

|\       |\/|
|/ungeon |  |aster

Sage's Desk AD&D