Your eyes adjust after the jarring teleportation and you find yourself in an open-walled pavilion which stands atop a 100-foot tall watchtower. The low ceiling rests on top of a ring of brass pillars shaped in the likeness of humans whose necks have been broken by the ceiling’s weight.
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| The squares surrounding are a spiral stairs leading down around the base of the watchtower. |
Nearby, a 10-foot diameter standing circle of stone rises in the center of the pavilion. Intersecting geometric forms and glittering constellations have been embossed onto its surface.
A slightly raised floor tile in the southern quarter of the pavilion is inlaid with mosaic tiles that form an inverted trident. The tile casts off violet sparks of magic.
Actions, crusaders...
Addendum Imagery:
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| Four slots are set within the circular slab. |
Welcome, players! I wanted to get this post out early in case tomorrow's too busy at work. Don't feel like you need to post today (Labor Day).
ReplyDeleteI do look forward to your posts!
Everyone is at zero blight. If you're wondering, "What's blight?" then re-read the player handout.
As soon as Shazi materializes she makes a quick spin turn to look at the others, glaring at them with angry eyes. She adjusts her armor slightly as she steps forward to look at the area they have arrived at.
ReplyDelete"What awful decor..." she mumbles, then turns back towards the rest of the party.
"Well don't just stand there!" she shouts. "Do something!"
OOC: Short of thief skills, don't expect me to make many knowledge checks. :P
So-tin's blade is ready in hand as he appears in the tower, his eyes open for any sign of danger, but they seem to be alone at the moment. He doubts safe, but he puts the sword away for the time being.
ReplyDeleteRolling his eyes at the demands of the Drow, So-tin steps forward towards the large slab, investigating the shapes and constellations, seeing what knowledge he can draw from its images.
Tech:
History, Religion, Arcana +13
Kallista's tail flicked with irritation as she realised that she'd forgotten to pack her lockpicks. Swearing under her breath, she instinctively scanned the room for the nearest exit, suspiciously eyeing the alcove to the west.
ReplyDeleteFinally, she placed one hand above the violet trident, careful not to touch the tile itself, and closed her eyes in silent concentration.
(Tech: Position G8, identifying the magic present via Arcana: +14)
[So-tin]
ReplyDeleteA diagram of an unknown solar system has been engraved onto the surface of this circular slab of marble. Four circular slots are set into elliptical lines that look like orbits. No, wait, you recognize this solar system... it is origin of the Heresiarch!
See addendum imagery above.
[Kallista]
You're sensing some kind of dweomer radiating from the trident-bearing tile... but you're not sure of the aura's type.
"There goes that idea" Kallista grunts, crestfallen. "Unless anyone can see any obvious use for the slots in that slab, perhaps the keys to this puzzle lie beyond this chamber..."
ReplyDeleteUnfazed by the teleportation, Palim remains standing where he appeared and takes several seconds to take in the room. His attention attracted by the drow's harsh words, the Kalashtar cleric moves his wholly white, pupil-less eyes from the grotesque statues to fixate her silently, one eyebrow raised. After a moment, Palim moves his attention to the statues again, stepping towards them while the rest of the party studies the slab. Spending a few moments at each, he searches them for distinctive features or unnoticed characteristics.
ReplyDeleteSaying nothing, he then moves forward to the standing slab to study the figure. Committing it to memory, he notes the four filled and two empty orbits, the positions of the planets, as well as the script that appears to label them. His eyes narrow at the script as he searches his memory. Is it a real language? Can any meaning be pulled from it?
Tech: Search (Perception +8) the statues individually for anything noteworthy. Are they all identical? Any switches or nooks in them?
Study (Insight +15) the script on the slab. Is this a language or simply decorative markings? Is it it the language of the Heresiarch's home realm? If it could be read, would it likely tell anything useful?
OOC: We should probably get in the habit of checking a room top to bottom when we find one. :P
Also, we have a reliable rumor that says that the stepping disk here leads to another entrance to the fane. That smells like a trap to me, and it would be nice to prove that it's false. Which would tell us that all the other reliable rumors are true. Something to keep in mind
Turen
ReplyDeleteShaking his head as the reeling sensation fades, the scruffy half-elf takes a moment to gather his surroundings. One moment he's having a drink of much needed water with a shadowy stranger, and now it seems as if the fires of hell itself crackle through the open portions of the pavilion. He squints at the alien sky as his grip on his gnarled, thorny cudgel tightens enough to turn his knuckles white. What skin is exposed from beneath the mixed hides and leather that drape over his body is criss-crossed with freshly healed scars, evidence of his recent brushes with the minions of the Heresiarch.
As the dhaerow barked her commands a slight smirk crosses his face. "At least this cataclysm hasn't dampened her spirits at all..." He mutters as he begins to quietly pace the room with measured steps. He studies the statues carefully, paying close attention to their necks and the tilt of their heads as he walks along. He joins the ivory-eyed outlander in studying the odd constellations, thinking back through all the times he had watched the night sky, wondering if he had missed this portend of doom in the stars above.
His eyes water slightly as he squints at the flickering runes etched over the orbits, attempting to recognize the script before he reaches into his pack and withdraws his ritual book, ready to call on outside understanding to glean the glittering script's meaning.
Nature +12, Perception +12, Do the statues' necks go in different directions or are they all uniform? Perhaps there is something to be found here if we follow them. Does Turen recognize anything about the constellations? What should fit into the recessed slots or if they are indeed planets or stars of their galaxy or another altogether? If he can't decipher the script on his own, he'll cast 'Comprehend Languages' and read the runes aloud.
IT IS SO GREAT TO BE BACK!!
OOC: Yeah, I've got a comprehend languages as well if we need it. Good to have two!
DeleteShazi stares blankly at the solar system carving - she didn't see many stars back home and it was all extremely alien to her - then is about to bark more commands at the others before she realizes they're already way ahead of her.
ReplyDeleteOOC: And I have TWO uses of comprehend languages thanks to my Heretic card
ReplyDelete[Palim]
ReplyDeleteThe statues are near-identical, meaning that they aren't perfect to each other, but chiseled by the same artisan. None of them give up any secrets.
Studying the standing stone (with the solar system), you read the markings which depict the empty slots to be planets. And they look as if you could place something spherical within.
[Turen and Shazi]
Turen and Shazi join the others, examining the solar system upon the standing stone. Their assessments of the markings matches Palim's own. However, Turen's expert eyes pick out something the others did not see... two secrets slots! Indeed, there are not four planet slots, but six!
[DM]
OOC: I just realized, I did not mention the flesh-stitched archway in the text, although it is shown in the main image.
Meanwhile, your ears pick up a babbling sound, coming from a bizarre archway off to your right. The stretched facial flesh of dozens of humanoids have been nailed to this brimstone archway at the top of a balcony off the eastern edge of the tower...
OOC: Hey Joe, do Turen or Palim get any information about the language on the slab? We're both checking it out and I think Turen wants to cast comprehend languages on it.
DeleteStill recovering from the teleportation, Kallista slaps herself on the horn and turns her attention to the WESTERN alcove where the flesh babbles. She crosses the floor to listen to the grotesque oddment for any information the tormented faces may convey.
ReplyDelete(Tech: Languages: Common & Draconic)
EASTERN. THE EASTERN ALCOVE.
DeleteOOC: Can't believe I did that twice.
Turen
ReplyDeleteScratching the stubble that lines his cheek, the half-elf turns and shoots a shuddering sneer at the amalgamation of animate flesh that lines the archway. "Abomination..." He hisses as he clenches his fist tight enough to make shallow cuts in his palm with his fingernails.
Quelling the fury and disgust that boils up inside of him, he keeps a close eye on the tiefling as she investigates the archway, slipping his cudgel into a rough leather sac at his belt and drawing his crossbow, fitting a bolt easily into the groove. His weapon held ready, he turned his attention once again to the runes, his brow furrowed as he traced the orbits with his eyes.
[Kallista]
ReplyDeleteKallista draws near the flesh stitched archway, but cannot make out the words of the babbling. It seems to be in a language she does not understand.
Without even trying, you can sense teleportation magic about the archway. If it is a teleportal, it appears to be closed.
[Turen]
Turen examines, but does not draw up any new details or conclusions.
OOC: This is often a confusing part... the standing circle in the middle has the solar system/planets... the flesh-stitched arch is separate.
Turen
ReplyDeleteWith a sigh, the druid turns and looks at the sparking violet trident emblazoned on the tile in the center of the room. He walks cautiously forward and crouches, looking closely at the arcane sigil. He grunts softly, looking back at Kallista as she examines the writhing archway and rummages around in his furs for a moment, finally extracting an acorn that had been lodged between the leathers. He flicks the seed onto the stone tile, watching it closely.
We didn't figure out what this thing does, and I'm pissed for Arcana skill. If the acorn smolders, we find another way out, otherwise this might be the way to open up the fleshdoor. The statues don't give any clues either, maybe there's something else we can mess with? Anyone try using disable device on the orbits? Are there any other details in this room? We've got open 'windows' to the hellish underworld beyond, a flesh door with latent teleportation magic, a dozen bronze statues, the tile with an unknown dweomer and a starchart, right?
Being unable to comprehend the language spoken by the faces, Kallista inspects the star chart, wondering if the slots could be used to move the orbits into a different configuration... perhaps mirroring the six points of the trident (three prongs, two corners, one hilt).
ReplyDeleteOOC: someone please listen to the voices and cast comprehendus...
[Palim]
ReplyDeleteWhite eyes narrowing in frustration, Palim turns his attention from the slab to the stitched flesh portal on the east side of the room. Moving towards it, he stands still in front of it for some time, listening to the babble. Apparently satisfied, he retrieves a book hanging from his belt by a silver chain and pages through it. Reaching the appropriate page, he traces the lines of magic on it and rehearses the spell in his mind. Closing the book, he stretches his arms out to the side, raises his head upwards, and closes his eyes, mouth silently moving as he enacts the ritual.
Tech: I'm casting comprehend languages to understand the speech of the mouth-door. Arcana +9 for it, but it only matters if I get above 35 on the roll, which is impossible. This should allow me to understand the language for 24 hours.
[Palim]
ReplyDeletePalim becomes attuned to the language, a mixture of Abyssal and pure chaos. The mouths mumble about planets and of opening the portal.
Suddenly, Palim's eyes roll into his head as he takes in a vision. He sees himself standing at a pulpit within a grove of dead trees. He is reading continuously from a large tome. As he speaks the words, him two small orbs that look like planets start to slowly appear, floating before him. The vision ends when Palim finds himeself flanked by two marilith demons; six armed women with serpent torsos. They duo tear Palim limb from limb in a grizly display of blood and gore!
Palim has gained 1 point of blight. He comes to, regaining his senses.
Kallista sees the shift in Palim's posture and rushes over to see him wracked by the vision. "What is it? What are they trying to tell us?" She blurts, then noticing the mild aura of corruption that has alighted upon him, "Perhaps I don't want to know".
ReplyDelete"Perhaps the enigmas of this accursed pavilion must wait for the moment. Shall we descend?"
Delete"Snap out of it, man!" Shazi yells just as Palim regains his senses.
ReplyDeleteShe focuses on the floor sigil and, although she has little idea of what to make of it she tries not to make that apparent.
TECH: Arcana +3 ... Woo!
OOC: At least it seems we need "planets" to open the portal. That leaves the sigil the only means to advance. I don't think climbing the exterior of the watchtower is an option. ;)
Not waiting for the others, Kallista begins the walk down the spiral staircase outside the tower.
Delete[Turen]
ReplyDeleteTuren tosses the acorn upon the violet tile, and it vanishes in a sudden teleportation flash! Where did it get teleported to, I wonder?
[Shazi]
Shazi can't make heads or tails of the floor sigil/violet tile. It's as if she never took in any arcane studies in her life. (Natural 2 on the roll.)
[Kallista]
Kallista examines the star chart and sees that the empty planet slots cannot be moved. They are literally set in stone.
Kallista partially descends the outer spiral stair, and gains a view of lies at the bottom. At the end of the stairs are a pair of shining, polished brass doors. Emblazoned upon each of their surfaces is an image of a hooded man wielding a trident and riding a three-horned scaled beast.
OOC: Sorry, missed some of your posts, catching up... if I've missed something you've tried, let me know.
[Turen]
ReplyDeleteCursing under his breath as the tiefling moves down the steps outside of the pavilion, the druid stands from his place before the sparking tile and huddles against the scorching wind of the underworld, following her down the spiraling staircase.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" He growls as he grabs her by the arm, jerking her back slightly as she approaches the double doors. "You're going to get yourself killed running off alone." He furrows his brow and places his forefinger and thumb into his mouth, whistling sharply up to those still above.
Shooting her another scathing look, he turns his attention to the doors, peering carefully at them, searching for a way to open them or the telltale signs of traps and other markings.
Tech: Perception +12, Dungeon +7, does anything stand out about the doors besides the engravings? How wide is the landing at the bottom? I'm not looking to fry just yet.
[Turen]
ReplyDeleteThe landing is quite wide, a rocky ground area from which the watchtower extends. About twenty feet from you is the sheer drop-off into the endless abyss. You see waves of heat coming from deep below.
Examining the doors, you see they do not have locks. Large brass loops form the handles of the doors. As far as you can tell, you do not detect any traps upon it.
[Turen]
ReplyDeleteThe druid sighs heavily as he wipes a thin film of sweat from his brow, the heat outside the pavilion oppressive to say the least as he steps back from his inspection of the doors. Looking around for his fellow companions to be coming down the stair he frowns as none are yet forthcoming. He tosses his crossbow over his shoulder, letting it hang from its sling as he shoots the tiefling another look of annoyance.
"Any one step could be the death of us all if we aren't careful." He says quietly, gesturing for her to move aside as he looks hard at the large brass rings. He clenched and unclenched his fists for a few moments before reaching out, holding his breath as a bead of sweat trickles down his face. He pauses, looking to the magic-user. "Be ready..." He says gruffly, grabbing onto one of the rings and pulling hard, stepping aside as the door opens out onto the landing.
Tech: assuming that the door is somewhere around H/I 9.5 (what with the odd angle), He would be stepping to I9, or the equivalent therein as he opens the door, keeping himself on the opposite side of it.
[Turen]
ReplyDeleteTuren boldly opens the doors, no ills befalling him as he does so. The doors open roughly, with an accompanying creaking sound that fills your ears.
Beyond, a stairway leads down into the depths, and darkness of the dungeon.
[Turen]
ReplyDeleteAs the door opens with no issues, the half-elf readies his crossbow once again, fingering the trigger nervously as he peers into the gloom. Frowning slightly as he squints, he reaches into a leather leg-pouch and pulls out a faint yellow rod, tapping the end gently and pointing it down the stair as brilliant light explodes from its tip, illuminating the staircase beyond.
He looks up towards the lip of the pavilion, calling out with a quick birdsong, his lips pursed as he whistles and trills for the champions' attentions.
Use one of his sunrods to try to see what's down there, what's the light-source like in the stair?
"Well, we're lucky it wasn't warded. If you're so worried, perhaps I could be allowed to check the next door?" Kallista looks back up the stairs, expectantly.
ReplyDelete"Other than that, lead on, and I will watch from behind something sturdy"
Delete[Turen]
ReplyDeleteEven before you light the sunrod, you think you see the hint of light from within the recesses of the stairway. The light is flickering, reminding you of a torch or candle. Wherever the stairs leads, there is light at the end.
Lighting the sunrod, you see that the stair hallway is bare, five steps to a small landing, then five more steps, another landing... and so forth.
"Onward!" yells Shazi with a brisk hand motion. She draws her weapon but stands in the rear of the group at the edge of the rod's light.
ReplyDeleteOOC: Yay, darkvision! :)
You descend the stairs! The adventure continues in the Bleak Seminary.
ReplyDelete