 |
| Two emaciated death giants stand guard, as if they were in a trance. The nearest has it's back to you. |
You search your way forward through the cavernous hallway until it reaches another secret door. This one is easy to spot, since it's not designed to fool anyone from this direction. After a careful search for traps, you push it open.
 |
| You enter at A6. |
To your left, a wide, deep crevice swallows most of the ground. You cannot see the bottom from your entryway vantage point.
Three spiky formations of rock and raw metals jut forth from the ground in columns (F8, Q4, M13). Sharp stalagmites riddle their surfaces – as do the dried bones of pit fiends impaled upon them. Standing on either side of the obelisk is an emaciated death giant, each gripping a huge axe in silence. They appear to be in a trance and do not react to your presence.
OOC: Combat has not started, and your opportunity to grab magic items from the treasures tab is now. Once combat begins, the treasures tab is closed. I look forward to your next actions and stratagems!
Addendum Images:
 |
| When she looks into it, she does not see herself, but the image of an armored wight that mirrors her movements. |
OOC: You guys are screwed.
ReplyDeleteThanks bro. Love the support.
DeleteOOC: Glorious isn't it? Mwa ha ha
DeleteOOC: Apparently not. :D
Delete[Vesten]
ReplyDeleteVesten grabs the rest of the things at the top of the pit (scroll, circlet, painting, and skull) and stuffs them hurriedly into his pack. He descends into the pit by rappelling down the rope quickly and attempts to move quietly down the corridor. Remembering one of the rumors of this place, he hangs back behind the rest of the group just in case.
Tech: Acrobatics + 18, Stealth +18
OOC: Unreliable rumor said that these are half-wight death giants and will only awaken if humans or elves draw near. Vesten will also take one of the potions of healing, a potion of invulnerability, and the symbol of divine light if no one objects.
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteAlmost choking on his breath, the mage takes several steps back from the entrance of the cavern, gesturing for the others to hold back and signalling for Teryn to retreat to the relative safety of the tunnel. "By the Winter's Shadow..." He hisses, visibly shaken by the sudden presence of the huge necrotic giants. Gesturing the group into a huddle, he begins to offer ideas for a strategy....
Brathu stops dead in his tracks once the giants are in sight, expecting them to attack immediately. When they don't, he is confused. He watches them, trying to determine what has put them in this sort of trance.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Working off my iPad right now, but Can Brathu get a arcana, religion, perception check to see what sort of trance the giants are in? Also, they are emaciated, even for death giants? Are they undead?
El-Kal can't see what up ahead? Giants you say?, he questions Hanrar just loudly enough to irritate him...
ReplyDeleteOOC: blade out, why don't we just bum-rush this one, and try to get a surprise round? Unless you think we need to awaken these guys and parley with them?
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteThe mage cuts a vicious look at the Deva, his mouth twisting into a sneer. "Yes, giants. Death giants."
He rolls his eyes and focuses on Teryn. "If you can sneak past these horrors, we might be able to get a better feel for the cavern and allow for better tactics on how we might take them out." He rummages into his pouch and pulls out the key, brandishing the 'haste' sigil etched into the key. "I think if we mend this, the magic should activate, I'll simply have to be careful of the runes..." He sighs, making a face. "I don't have a ritual to mend so I'll have to use a controlled fire spell."
He looks at the rouge again. "Once I have this repaired, you should be able to move faster, and I'll provide you with an invisibility spell to make your passing even more akin to that of a shadow." He grins toothily, settling down onto his knees and laying the key before himself on the stone floor.
He looks around at his companions, smiling awkwardly. "This is the first time I've ever tried this... you might want to retreat a ways..." Once everyone is at a safe distance, he begins concentrating as he fits the parts of the keys together and quietly chants the somatic component of a fire spell, coating the tip of his finger in the necessary reagents.
He suddenly clenches, focusing the full brunt of his arcane powers to maintain and control the elemental energy that wants to burst forth in all its firey glory. Sweat trickles down his face as a flickering flame appears just above his finger, slowly strengthening into a jet of blue-white flame, the sound of the burning jet akin to a tiny blast forge as a vein in his temple throbs and he gently begins to touch the flame to metal, paying close attention to the runes etched onto the key, ensuring that they line up precisely and that his attempted repair do not render them unreadable.
Whew, okay, Tech: Blow Burning Hands and focus the flame using arcane training and will, plus his experience with flame as a bolstering effect to try to weld the key back together while retaining the current state of the runes. Arcana +19, Iron will, Burn Everything, Immolate the Masses
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteWith great power of arcane might, Hanrar bends the key to his will, and melds the two pieces together!
OOC: You rolled 33, above the DC31 I set for this task. Well done!
The key doesn't "do" anything, it's still non-magical. But, now it can be used for whatever it is meant to unlock...
Delete[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteStill sweating, the mage picks up the quickly cooling key, his expression furious as he grips the stinging hot metal in anger. "Damnation!" He growls, almost losing control of the volume of his voice as he fumes. "So we have a key of haste that has nothing to do with haste." He tosses the golden key to Teryn, grumbling to himself. "Well, I can make good on one of my offers..."
He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and begins to chant a spell, fingers moving in the somatic gestures as he releases the invisibility spell, wiping the lithe changeling from view.
OOC: Ok, I just read the spell. How do you want to handle this, Joe? Once I go outside Hanrar's sustain range, how long do I have before it wears off?
DeleteAlso, are we agreed on this plan of scouting and hopefully looting without combat? If so, I will take the bag of holding from the treasures tab and the reforged key and ready myself to head out there.
You won't have much time if you exceed the sustain range. I'll play it by ear if it's outside of combat. Once it wears off, you lose the bonus to stealth.
DeleteOOC: Did anyone run back and grab the invisibility potions? Once the spell starts to wear off, just shotgun one of those badboys after you dash behind a rock, should be fine.
ReplyDeleteOOC: I don't see any invis pots on the treasure tab. Were there ever any?
Delete[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil idly twirls his rod between his fingers, bits of dark energy dance and swirl around it. Yursil closes his eyes for a moment, feeling out to the elemental planes.
OOC: This is probably a good time to roll for Yursil's current elemental affinity.
Give me a roll and tell me what it is. I trust you.
DeleteOOC: Ok, I did some thinking and want to suggest a different course of action. Since Hanrar can sustain the invisibility indefinitely as long as I'm near, let's discuss it over in the OOC 2 thread. About to post there now!
ReplyDelete[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil retrieves the circlet of clairvoyance. He carefully removes a mask that he was wearing, and places the circlet on his head.
"Ready when you are..." he rasps.
The circlet of clairvoyance is activated, centered on the obelisk. The black stone obelisk stands 30' tall and is partially set into the cavern wall. Though its surface is cracked and weathered, it is reflective, mirror-like. The outline of a door is visible on the obelisk's surface; a silver keyhole is set into the middle.
ReplyDeleteA glowing sigil is clearly visible at the obelisk's apex. Yursil recognizes it as a Sigil of Haste.
He switches visual focus to the interior of the obelisk to find it is hollow and filled with treasure! He identifies the following items:
- A Ring of Drain Resistance
- The Ring of the Iron Golem
- A Segment of Wraithverge
- The Wand of Disintegration
- An gear made of mithril
- A wooden box closed with a clasp
(See addendum images for what these things do.)
OOC: Do you wish to delve deeper with your clairvoyance and see what is within the wooden box? Let me know!
[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil dryly relates all of the items that are in the obelisk. He also states "I believe I found the keyhole for your key."
With that, he focuses to see deeper into the box.
[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteWithin the wooden box you see a spirit trapped inside. A woman in funeral garb wrapped in silver thread.
She is the goddess Teurama, Handmaiden of Fate.
[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"A goddess?!" Teryn whispers excitedly. "That settles it; I'm getting one. Follow me in once I strike and keep these guys busy. I'll take care of the loot and then we can scram." Though the others can't see her do it, Teryn slips a hand into a belt pouch and retrieves a small sack with magical vines peeking out of it, readying the treat for the far giant should it get aggressive. Silently as a shadow, she moves out into the room.
Tech: Stow the offhand dagger of defense, retrieve my tanglefoot bag, make sure the bag of holding is on my person. Sneak (Stealth +19, invisible as long as Hanrar can sustain) around the first giant and out to L11. Once there, nail the far giant with the tanglefoot bag (+20 vs. Reflex, +2 if the giant hasn't acted by the time I throw it, on hit: immobilized until end of my next turn). Also throw the bag if the far giant makes any move towards me.
[Teryn]
DeleteTech: Before heading into the room, make sure the reforged key with the haste sigil is on me as well.
Teryn
ReplyDeleteTeryn sneaks into the cavern, the half-wight death giants unaware of her entry. She stands just a few feet before the tall black obelisk.
OOC: Ok, so you made it to L11. If I'm reading your post right, at this point you want to throw the tanglefoot bag at the giant in O13? Just clarifying.
I should also add:
ReplyDeleteAs Teryn makes her way towards the obelisk, she passes by the crevice on her left. Looking in, she can see that it's about 30' deep, with rough walls. At the bottom she spies a hollowed-out carapace of a purple worm running the length of the crevice.
Inside, she spots undead creatures – humanoids, beasts, and other monsters – milling about inside the remains...
OOC: Bjorn, I say hold off on the bag until something moves...you may be able to unlock the obelisk w/o awakening them (fingers crossed, but only because I love winning w/o fighting)
ReplyDelete[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"More undead. Great. I'm definitely going to need more backup..." Teryn hesitates for a moment in the middle of the room and decides that, for the moment at least, caution is the better course of action. She moves towards the obelisk instead of the giant.
Tech: Instead of throwing the bag, move to whatever square gives me access to the obelisk's keyhole. Insert the key and unlock it. Ready an action to throw the bag at any approaching giant.
OOC: I hope you guys are coming in behind me once anything moves, haha.
[Princess Teryn]
ReplyDeleteTeryn sneaks right up to the obelisk's door. The entire black obelisk is reflective. When she looks into it, she do not see herself, but the image of an armored wight that mirrors her movements. (See addendum images above)
You insert the rune key into the lock and carefully, quietly open the door.
OOC: Congrats, you have rolled well enough on stealth that you may take the contents of the obelisk and leave the same way you came in. Or, you can chance more stealth rolls and attempt to search the cavern further... there seems to be another exit in the northwest area of the cavern... let me know!
[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"Oh my goodness..." Teryn breathes as the pile of treasure is revealed before her. Wasting as little time as possible, Teryn covers her hand with a piece of cloth and quietly deposits each item into the bag of holding. Before leaving, she takes another careful look at the inside of the obelisk to see if she's missed anything of note. Satisfied with her haul, Teryn moves silently away from the obelisk, back towards the party the way she came, tanglefoot bag again at the ready.
Tech: Move everything inside the obelisk into the bag of holding. Check the inside of the obelisk one last time (Perception +17), then move quietly back the way I came (Stealth +19). Readied action to nail an approaching giant with the tanglefoot bag.
OOC: Our very own goddess! I'm not that inclined to check out the northern exit to the room, since to get there it seems like we'd have to fight through here. What do you guys think? Back to the cobblestone path or should we check this out more?
OOC: as my brave uncle sir robin once said....RUNAWAY!!!!!
DeleteSeriously, if we've gotten the treasure, let's bypass the resistance forces. I don't want to waste resources if it's not needed.
Agreed, let's scram and inspect our new loot back in the cobblestone pathway.
Delete[Teryn]
"Hey Hanrar, what do you make of this box? I guess there's a goddess inside or something? I suppose the more pious among us should take a look too." Teryn hands off the clasped box to those interested as she moves back towards the 70' pit and the cobblestone pathway.
[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil examines the box a bit as Teryn brings it in. A goddess in a box, how intriguing.
OOC: Arcana +15, Perception +13
[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteThe box is designed to be a holder/prison for a spiritual entity. There is no lock, and would open easily if you want to.
Asking Princess to describe the entity, Brathu suggests we move to the first room and discuss whether to open the box. We have no idea if the entity is hostile. Lets not compound the issue with pit traps.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Arcana +11, Religion +13, based on Teryn descriptions, do we have a guess about the entities identity?
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteTaking the proffered box reverently, the mage reaches out with his mind, attempting to discern the nature of the entity within. He sends forth images of comradre and friendship, attempting to communicate from across the weave. He turns to Teryn, following her down the passage back towards the pit. "Brathu is right, no need to fight when we already have the prize..." He studies the container carefully, looking to see how they might free the entrapped deity should they so wish.
Tech: Arcana +19, religion +19, perception +10, insight +15
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteStanding at the cobblestone path, Hanrar is unable to pierce the box (with detect magic) to examine the auras inside.
OOC: Also, Yursil was the one who saw the spirit within, not Princess Teryn.
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteGrowling a curse he hands the box back to Princess Teryn. "This foul place has foiled my senses again... I cannot discern just how this spirit will react to us or its freedom." He sulks, leaning against the wall of the passage. "Perhaps one of you may have better luck..."
He continues to eye the box, his mouth working. "I think we have a clear decision... Open the box and release the prisoner, come what may, or try to use it as a weapon against the lich somehow..."
He turns to Teryn. "My magic is useless for this task, do you see any danger inherent in those clasps and locks? Ir any runes that caution against opening the box?"
You each examine the box for traps or magical effects, but find none.
ReplyDelete[Teryn]
Delete"Sheesh, open it already! I want to see this goddess!"
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteWith a deep sigh, he takes the box back from the lithe changeling, and after a glance around at his companions, he opens the latches tentatively, unsure of what to expect...
OOC: aaaaaand i'm dead. :p
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteBursting forth from her prison, Teurama, the Handmaiden of Fate (appearing as a woman in funeral garb wrapped in silver thread), regards the one who freed her and says, "Thank you, mortal. For this, I grant you a single wish. Choose quickly, for I must depart."
Hanrar, choose among the options, or create your own of a similar power level:
* One crusader learns an encounter power from their class of 20th level or lower.
* Conjure any magic item of 20th level or lower.
* One crusader gains a permanent +5 bonus to saving throws.
* One crusader gains a permanent +5 bonus to a skill of their choice.
* Teurama casts any ritual of 20th level or lower, with a check result of 40.
* Teurama raises a lost crusader from the dead and absolves the 50 point penalty.
* Something else (Dungeon Master's discretion).
OOC: Oh nice! Paul, one thing you might consider is seeing if she can restore our lost healing surges. But it's up to you!
ReplyDelete[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteQuickly falling to one knee, the mage bows his head to the planar being. "Your offer is most gracious, Lady of Fate, but I did not free you, merely opened your prison." He turns to Teryn. "She is your savior, grant her your boon."
OOC: Sweet! May I suggest either blink or invisibility as an at will?
[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"What? Oh jeez. Ummmm, hi." Teryn waves a timid hello to the goddess, uncharacteristically bashful in the presence of such a beautiful divinity. "I guess I did get you out of there." Teryn looks around at the group, thinking of their weakened state. After a moment: "Wellll, you're a goddess of fate, right? Do think that, maybe, you could unwind things a little and restore our health back the way it was before we got hit with that gas? I mean, if it's not too much trouble." Recovering a bit from her nervousness, Teryn then asks "How did the lich trap you in there, anyways?"
Tech: Ask her to restore all our lost healing surges.
[Teryn]
ReplyDeleteTeurama floats upward, and with a sly smile simply says, "Don't underestimate the Iron Lich."
And she vanishes. The instant she does, you are all restored to full healing surges, as if the cloudkill in the Iron Gallery never happened.
Brathu is very relieved that the goddess of fate has granted us this boon. He has never been a coward or weak...that gas left him feeling like both. Now, onward towards the cobblestone Paths door? Brathu will lead the way, reinvigorated as he is!
ReplyDeleteOOC: whew! Also, I will gladly take the ring of the iron golem, the pot of water walking, and golden blade if no one else wants them. And shall we continue forward? Finally, I think we should take the boots a of levitation, especially a Mage...it may keep you alive/out of melee!
OOC: i'd be happy to use those boots, I could be useful raining arcane doom from 20ft up
Delete[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil does not seem surprised in the least at the appearance of the goddess. He does incline his head respectfully. He had already seen her inside the box earlier.
"Well then, shall we be off?"
[Brathu]
ReplyDeleteWhen Brathu reaches the northern doors, a spectral skull appears! It hovers in the air and demands of you, "STATE THE PASSWORD!"
[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"Let's do it." Teryn, feeling newly invigorated, follows Brathu and Yursil to the door at the end of the cobblestone path and gives it a lookover.
Tech: Perception +17 on the door for method of entry or any traps.
[Teryn]
ReplyDelete"Uh oh. Does anyone remember anything that sounds like a password in the history of the lich? Maybe the name of his girlfriend?"
Tech: History +8 to search my memory for any of this information.
Also, Teryn will back up from the door, about halfway down the hallway, drawing her daggers in case things go poorly.
Delete[Yursil]
ReplyDeleteYursil hesistates. "Password?"
OOC: History +15, Perception +13 (maybe it's written somewhere nearby), Insight +13
Teryn/Yursil
ReplyDeleteNeither of you remember any details that might reveal what the password would be, given the Iron Lich's history.
Also, Yursil's utterence of "Password?" seems to no effect.
"..."
ReplyDeleteOOC: history check +13 before I open my mouth...maybe a paladins code or social greeting from khaldun?
[Brathu]
ReplyDeleteYou recall that Iron Lich served as a paladin in Stormhold's elite royal guard, whose motto is "Honor and Sacrifice".
OOC: Gave you a bonus to your check since you mentioned the paladin's code/social greeting. Nicely done.
[Hanrar]
ReplyDeleteThe mage scours his studies for any clues about the liches old life, anything from the Khaldun that could provide insight.
tech: history +19, Perfect recall he can make a standard intelligence check instead of history check
Remembering this, Brathu speaks up: "honor and sacrifice!"
ReplyDeleteOOC: I hope I'm not the sacrifice!
The adventure continues in the Great Hall.
ReplyDelete