Chgowiz's Server - act24-game

You make your way back to the room with boxes and crates. The other passage continues no more than ten paces and turns to the right. At this turn, there is a locked door to the left. As the scouts report, the passage continues a short way into a large, brightly painted chamber. The scout took a peek into the chamber. She reports that there are stools set up in an orderly fashion and a large status of the same figure that you've seen elsewhere, but this is is very shiny, perhaps golden. An altar and a pool of water are on either side of the statue. What will you do?

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) I thought we were going through the door in the room we were in...

There were no more doors in the room with the staff

12:21

the only locked door remaining that you would know of is the locked door down the other passage from the storage room

1

CALLIN will sling the Trident across his back, and ready his Hammer and Shield and step beside @ATACIUS (Gabriel) to check on the door to the left.

@SouthernSeas What will you all do?

(still learning notifications!

)

BELLESH makes sure Jellesh doesn't go wandering off... he wouldn't want him drinking from that pool of water until we know it's safe!

TAKASHI will ready himself next to @CALLIN and @ATACIUS as the little one attempts to open the door.

Angon and Almanin give you all some space to work. Indrian details half of the scouts to go down the passage and stop short of the room with stools, the other half go behind the party towards the room with crates. Claudia stays close to TAKASHI. Apinro hangs back, still looking around as if this place makes him very nervous.

I will check the door to see if it's locked or just stuck. We didn't find any keys on the trident room or on the body right?

You have not found any keys so far. The door does seem to be locked. It's a good lock, but not as intricate as the box.

14:22

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - You don't see any signs of obvious traps either.

Alright then. I will give it a try with my trade tools, though one of then has broken and had to jury rig it using another.

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - It takes two turns to get the lock open, but you eventually do get the door unlocked. When it opens, there's a musty odor that comes from the darkness beyond.

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) do our lanterns show us anything of the room beyond the doorway?

@SouthernSeas - A peek into the narrow room shows you a dusty chamber, with jars on the floor, lined up against the wall. There is an exit in the opposite wall, but opposing corner. There are niches in the walls and it looks there are small objects in them, covered by something.

Can I see what is in one of the closest jars?

They are not made of a translucent material, and they are capped.

TAKASHI examines the niches in the wall, to see what the small objects might be.

@TAKASHI (Alan) - they are small, covered with silky cloth. A layer of dust is on top of them, and the jars.

GRAIAN will stand will be watching, ready to act should anything untoward happen a little distance back.

BELLESH will try to wipe some of the dust off of one of the jars with his sleeve, to see if there are any marks or labels on it.

"What is this place" CALLIN will ask of the Staff of Zorus. While weakened it did speak earlier. While he does he will walk the room and look for any clues to the rooms function. Also are all walls lined with these jars or just 1 wall?

@Graian - the other two elven mages join you in watching the other party members explore the dusty, musty room.

19:28

@Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) - There is writing on the jar, but it is in the strange script that you haven't been able to read.

19:30

@CALLIN - the staff doesn't do anything when you speak to it. The jars are on the floor around the perimeter, except where the two exits are. All of the walls have several niches with covered small objects.

Standing to the side, I will attempt to dust off one in the cloth coverings

!roll d20

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) rolled 19.

@CALLIN - without moving the cloth, you brush off some of the dust. It appears to be a deep blue heavy silk cloth, with gold edging. Whatever is underneath is hard, and round.

Using the trident I will attempt to move the cloth aside to see what is underneath

ATACIUS will go to the exit of the room and peek, pouring the light of his lantern into it.

@CALLIN - the cloth is "heavy" in that it wants to drape down over the item it covers, but it is easily lifted. Underneath, a skull grins at you. There is a small circlet resting on top of the skull, and there is that unfamiliar script on a small pendant attached to the circlet.

08:43

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - beyond is a short passageway of a couple of paces, then a large chamber. There is a large rectangular pedestal in the middle of the chamber, and a large rectangular sarcophagus on top of it. The sarcophagus is painted in the blue colors that you've seen in the temple, and outlined in gold. There is a plaque on the ground with the same script as you've seen elsewhere in the temple. The walls are also painted with images of the deity that you've seen elsewhere.

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) does the pendant look similar in design to the one the Priestess had? Perhaps these are the priests off past....

@CALLIN - it looks similar in design and appearance, just smaller. (edited)

TAKASHI will attempt to lift the cloth off of another of the objects in a wall niche, using the tip of his sword.

"I believe this is the Priest and Priestesses of the past. Perhaps a room for prayer and wisdom? The pendant looks similar to the one that the Priestess carried."

"What chance is there that these circlets with pendants are magical?"

At Takashi's question, BELLESH reflexively starts to go through the motions and say the words to the magic detection he had been shown earlier, looking over at the elves for signs that he's remembering it correctly. (edited)

@Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) - Angon nods. "Almost, but you would need to spend time with the written spell before it has made an impression on your mind. Unfortunately, I only had the ability to do such a thing once, so I'm unable to know if these items are imbued with arcane powers."

11:37

@TAKASHI (Alan) - you reveal another skull, similarly adorned with a circlet/pendant. This one has a bit of paint on it, though.

TAKASHI will examine the paint (on the circlet / pendant I assume, not the skull?)

@TAKASHI (Alan) - the paint is indeed on the skull itself, symbols of some sort, but faded.

BELLESH will take a look at what Takashi is examining so closely on the skull. Does he recognize the symbols? Or what's left of them? (edited)

ATACIUS will check the floor and walls of that short passage very carefully before advancing towards the next chamber. "Guys, there's a sarcophagus ahead..." he whispers.

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - you don't see anything obvious, these appear to be similar to the other walls/floor, aside from looking more dusty and unused than the rest of the corridors you've been in.

ATACIUS will proceed forward with extreme caution and shine some light into the mortuary chamber before entering it Will look up and around from the entrance for anything beyond the sarcophagus (other exits, decorations, niches).

"are there any empty slots for another skull and jewelery? Perhaps we should give the priestess her last rights?"

TAKASHI: "It appears as if this faith has been lost in the years since the downfall of Ramathia. Surely someone would be interested in these circlets and gems? Or dare we disturb their resting place? According to my beliefs, when I am gone my possessions should be distributed to my friends, family, and traveling companions. CALLIN, what does the LIGHT say about material possessions after one passes from this world?"

" @TAKASHI (Alan) with material possessions there is no point in keeping them as they do not transcend to the LIGHT. It is best to offer them in service to the LIGHT, perhaps a temple or alter. That being said. I don't believe that these are personal possessions. These are holy artifacts that they shrine. I would say at least the pendant should be left. If we wish to respect Zorus wishes"

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - This is a square chamber, with the stand/sarcophagus in the center. From your perspective, there is a door to the far right corner, on the right wall. It is a very brightly painted chamber, the colors are very vivid even in your lantern light. There is nothing else you see in the chamber.

08:44

@CALLIN - there are several empty niches in each wall.

As Apinro peers around, his curiousity gets the better of him and he peers at the skulls with some interest. He sees @ATACIUS (Gabriel) peeking into the next room and goes to follow him. Angon, Almanin and Indrian enter the room. The elves look at the jars. "What do you think these are for?" Almanin asks.

CALLIN will head back toward the body we discovered earlier, will gather the skull and pendant, and place it on one of the empty slots. If there is a pattern I can discern to identify order, to use the proper one, I will.

@CALLIN - There doesn't seem to be any pattern, the empty niches seem to be in random order, aside from all of them having a silk cover placed over them. It takes a turn to go back to the body, retrieve the skull and the head covering. Although it is in tatters, it looks like part of the head covering was the circlet that you see on the other skulls. There's no pendant on the body. After returning and placing the skull in one of the niches, all of you, for the briefest of moments, feel a warm breeze and you smell the scent of the ocean... (edited)

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) wasn't there a pendant on the night stand? that was similar to the ones we found in the niches?

08:18

CALLIN takes in a deep breath and somehow feels lighter. "She is at peace now." Thank you friends for letting me do that. Shall we continue?

( @CALLIN ) That was a bejeweled bracelet, it is different than the small pendant that is attached to the circlets on the other skulls. (edited)

1

Is the pendant Atacius found inside the locked box like the ones on the niches?

BELLESH will talk with Angon, Almanin, Indrian about the jars. "I can't read the markings..." If it looks like he can, he'll try to take the cap off one.

@ATACIUS (Gabriel) - no, that pendant inside the jeweled box had large gems on it, with no script. These pendants are plain, with some gold trim and the script painted on them.

17:57

@Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) - Angon shakes his head. "I am unable to as well, my friend. It is, perhaps, something to do with the people of Ramathia or perhaps this temple?" It looks like the caps are sealed to the jar with some wax around the rim.

CALLIN sees @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) playing with the jars. "This is a Holy place for the poeple of Ramathia. Did you not feel the warm breeze and scent of the ocean? This is sacred ground. I would not tamper with things left here. They have a purpose. I would suggest we leave them to it."

BELLESH shrugs and walks away from the jars, heading into the room with the sarcophagus to check that out.

heads out to join the others in the room with the sarcophagus "Find anything interesting @ATACIUS (Gabriel) ?" (edited)

ATACIUS, having overheard the sort of admonishing CALLIN have just given to BELLESH, refrains from investigating the sarcophagus. "Uh, no, just what you see... was going to check that exit..." He motions Apinro to follow him

As the party moves into the chamber with the sarcophagus, Indrian pulls back some of the scouts to stay behind the party. As well, Angon and Almanin stay next to Indrian, and continue to look around at the jars and the three skulls that are uncovered. @ATACIUS (Gabriel) us, this door looks similar to the one you entered, and just as dusty as well. It doesn't look like it's been opened for awhile. There doesn't seem anything out of the ordinary. Apinro peers over your shoulder as you examine the exit. What will you all do now? (edited)

Before leaving the skulls and sarcophagus chamber, TAKASHI will remove the covers from all of the skull heads to see if there is any sort of pattern, or anything unusual.

@TAKASHI (Alan) - there doesn't seem to be a pattern. Some have bits of paint still on them, some do not. Aside from all 4 walls having skulls all grin at you... no, nothing unusual!

1

BELLESH looks over the sarcophagus as he walks past it on his way to join Atacius and Apinro, to see if he spots anything interesting.

CALLIN will inspect the sarcophagus as well. Does it have similar markings to what was in the other room? Any pictographs?

TAKASHI: "It seems to me that we are here with the decedents of Ramathia (side-eyes at the elveszzzz), perhaps we should ask them how they feel about us opening up the sarcophagus. I would hate for us to miss a clue to what happened here due to cultural sensitivities that may not apply. Indrian, what do you think?"

Meanwhile, ATACIUS is checking the door to see if it's locked or simply stuck. If the former, he will hand the lantern to Apinro wihile he redies his trade tools. Probably use some oil to ease his job if rust is present on the lock.

@Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) - it's large! The sarcophagus is painted in the blue colors that you've seen in the temple, and outlined in gold. @CALLIN - There is a plaque on the ground next to the sarcophagus, facing the door that you've entered the chamber through. It has the same script as you've seen elsewhere in the temple. There are no pictographs. @TAKASHI (Alan) - Indrian, upon hearing her name, enters the sarcophagus chamber and looks around carefully. "Humankind devotes a great deal of time, energy and wealth on the belief systems of what they call gods. This may be the burial place of someone who was a great figure of those beliefs. I would be cautious of prying this open. Do you think it is related to finding information on our arrival? @ATACIUS (Gabriel) - it appears locked. This also takes you twice as long to pick, but it is finally opened. Beyond is a passageway which progresses forward a few paces, then turns to the right. There is a different looking door in the left wall at the turn. For a moment, there is a faint smell of something. Different, and slightly abrasive, the kind of tickle that might make you sneeze. It is getting late in the day, with all the travel and exploring. (edited)

GRAIAN looks around the room and examines the sarcophagus carefully. Not being able to find anything that helps him identify who is inside, and hearing Indrian's comment moves on and wait for the door to be opened.

"perhaps it is best to rest for the day. The priestess quarters would be suitable for us to make can I would think. "

"I am not sure where we will find the information we need in this long dead place. It seems as if this place wants to keep its secrets to itself, or at least not give them up too easily."

@WesternBorders - What do you want to do?

hrm....are we being invaded @DM (Michael/Chgowiz) ??

1

"Can we look a little more first, Callin? Atacius just got a new door open!"

13:15

(Beware the Western Borders)

"Whatever the group decides is fine by me. I just feel my senses dulling. It has been a long day already. I would hate to have a misstep. but should we want to continue. then we can press on." CALLIN says to @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro)

"I don't like how it smells beyond this door and if we keep going it will ruin my appetite!!" @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro)

BELLESH crinkles his nose. "What does it smell like?"

"Perhaps resting in the Priestess quarters would be best. Any objections?"

"Where will the scouts rest?" ask Indrian. "I doubt we all will fit in that one room. We can set up guards at the storage area, and the rest remain in the room with all the chairs... although I should mention, I don't like resting in an area that allows me no escape. We could rest in that storage area, with guards to each passage, and still with an exit at our backs."

"Indrian, we can take as many room as needed. And yes a watch is in order, and I agree having the ability to exit is a necessity. I would be willing to take first watch, to allow your scouts some well deserved rest."

"I trust Indrian's judgement"

"I can take second watch after CALLIN."

With some gentle ushering by Indrian, you all are taken back to the supply chamber that is open to the exit, as well as the two passages leading to the bedroom chambers and catacombs/room with stools and altar, respectively. A guard watch is set, with the elven scouts preparing to set up sentries down the two passages, and the rest moving crates/boxes and setting up bedrolls. Apinro suddenly realizes that you intend on staying here, and he becomes frantic! He starts gibbering in his mish-mosh of languages and starts to go back to the exit! Indrian slows him down and the elves listen to his panicked words. They relay to you that apparently, he fears that the city's curse will strike everyone dead if they stay within the city walls for the evening! He keeps pointing up and repeating several phrases. Angon looks at the rest of you. "He's quite insistent that we will all die if we stay here overnight. I'm loathe to restrain him, but I'm also not sure he should be out on his own. Do you have any thoughts?" (edited)

"The boy has survived many treks into this place, and we have seen what the sentries of this land offer in battle. Perhaps it is best to heed his advice. We can make camp at the outskirts and make our way in at first light. Perhaps we can watch from the city walls, to see what befalls this place at nightfall."

"This was a place of worship, a sacred place, that looks like it wasn't tainted by what happened above. We haven't defiled or done anything to upset it, so there's no reason to fear."

"We should let him go," BELLESH says sympathetically, "I would hate to feel trapped in a place that scared me so much."

TAKASHI: "Apinro has guided us safely thus far, I think we should trust his judgement and and head back to the outer walls for the night."

" While this place is sacred @ATACIUS (Gabriel) the Gods themselves have noted that they wish to be allied with their followers, even with my morals so aligned with Zorus, he has seemed to fade. I would not rely on another's Faith to protect us. It is up to us to protect ourselves. And the sacredness of this place may have withstood the brunt of the attack, but who knows if it survived the creatures that remain today. With fresh life in these chambers perhaps the creatures of the night will come looking."

"Yeah, but if we sleep out there it means we'll have to put on that stuff what smells so much." BELLESH sighs. "Well, I guess it would be safer. But could we come right back here in the morning?"

TAKASHI: "BELLESH, I think it would be wise to come back here and fully explore this area before trying another."

Indrian listens to the conversation. "It seems that you are leaning towards leaving. What is the fastest way out of the city? It took us a long time to get here. Can anyone ask the lad that?" Angon nods and speaks to Apinro, repeating several phrases until the young man seems to understand and answers back. He points again urgently towards the exit ladder. "He believes that behind these temples is part of the old wall which has collapsed. I get the feeling he doesn't normally go this way, but it seems he knows where to go." the elf mage says.

GRAIAN nods, "Perhaps it is wise, we do not know what is really in this place or the effect it may have on us. Hopefully we have a faster way in and out of this building at least so that we can get a good deal done tomorrow. We should consider which spells to prepare for tomorrow before we rest."

"Maybe Tenser's floating disk, to help us get more stuff out of here?" BELLESH asks. "I'm still ok with just resting here, but if you guys would rather take Apinro's way out through the wall..." He shrugs.

Indrian nods, he and Angon turn towards Apinro and have another halting conversation. Indrian points to 5 elfs and Apinro nods. With that, the boy and elven scouts jump, catching onto the ladder in the hole in the ceiling, and climb their way out of the catacombs. "Apinro will show the scouts the way to leave the city and to a spot that he thinks is safe." Angon explains. "We will gather whatever we wish to bring. I think we can leave other things here, good @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) , as I agree that we should return. If nothing else, we can investigate @ATACIUS (Gabriel) 's strange odor and see if any other information is to be found." The elf pauses, then says "I do think, though, having found that this area is mostly concerned with human religious practices, we should seek other places that may have information on our people's first landing here."

BELLESH snickers at the phrase "Atacius's strange odor" and looks over at Claudia to see if she found it funny, too.

Claudia starts giggling over BELLESH's joke, and continues to giggle every time she sees or hears @ATACIUS (Gabriel). It takes a while before a whisper is heard coming from the temple above. "We've followed the young human back towards the lava flow. There are places where the wall has crumbled. He and the others have made their way to an area that we can stay for the evening." "There is a chill in the air, though..." the elf finishes and she backs away from the ladder to allow you all up. After a scramble up the ladder, you all are back in the burned temple. The sun has set, and there is barely enough dusk light to illuminate the interior of the temple through the open door and burnt open roof. Upon coming to the door, the silhouettes of the other temples and spires stands out against the sky, and stars are beginning to show. A mist hovers over the plaza as the group begins to move deeper into the plaza, heading towards the row of temples that line the rear of the plaza. Suddenly, Indrian stops and holds up a hand in warning. She crouches low, as do the other elven scouts. She looks back at the PCs and makes a motion with her hand, palm down, motioning downwards as if to encourage you all to crouch as well. The mist seems to be coalescing into forms. (edited)

ATACIUS sticks his tongue out at @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) and Claudia, but instantly gets serious and follows Indrian's command. (edited)

Crouches down at the command and looks out into the mist

BELLESH crouches down too and puts his hand on Jellesh's back.

TAKASHI does as the scouts suggest, and urges Claudia to do so as well.

GRAIAN crouches and looks as the mists forms into shapes.

The shapes seem to take the form of people! They are moving, towards you! Their mouths are open, and their eyes are widened, as if in fear or anger. They are pushing and shoving into each other, with many falling and scrambling to get up. There are figures running from the various temples, clustered in knots. There are other groups of figures that seem to be running towards other figures and those same temples. Metal sounds ring out as the elves and Indrian draw their swords! "By the skies and waves!" Angon gasps and she begins the motions of casting a spell. The nearest group is coming close! What will you do?

I will rise and step forward d brandishing my holy symbol "you are nothing more than pathetic mists of the darkness. The LiGHT shall shine upon you and bath you in its Glory! You shall be cleansed!! i will cast turn undead

BELLESH backs away from the group, watching Callin do his thing.

The ghostly figures approach you! Along with the figures that seem to be coming from the various temples and plaza, there are figures coming from the street behind you and into the plaza! CALLIN finishes his prayer, his holy symbol shining with a pure white light that reflects off of his determined face! At the same time, the elven scouts and Indrian strike at the figures... and nothing happens! CALLIN's turn seems to have no effect and the weapons of the elves pass right through the figures. The figures run right through the line of elves, then through the rest of you! As the figures pass through your body, you feel a slight chill. The figures run up to the temple that you just left and begin to fight the figures that have formed in front of it! Their faces display the emotions of rage, fear and pain, but you hear no sounds. Around you, other figures are falling to the ground, as if wounded or mortally stricken. Several of the ruined temples across the plaza, the ones with the most damaged spires, suddenly erupt into a ghostly flame and ruin, the shadows of rubble splashing onto the plaza and striking down more of the figures. The elves turn to each other and then to you all, with various stares of shock and fear. "What... is this macabre scene?" whispers Angon. (edited)

ATACUS stands and motions the rest to do the same. "Go, go, go!" he ushers everyone in urgent whispers to keep moving.

TAKASHI: "It is as if this place relives its death every night! Let us leave now, quickly!"

After getting over the initial shock of the spirits, or whatever they are passing through him, BELLESH stands, unmoving and wide-eyed, entranced by the scene. "But... if they relive it... we could see what happened..." he says softly to no one in particular.

"let's retreat to the wall and watch this madness from a far. @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro) is right. We could learn something by watching this. Also it might lend some insight into what we can do to free their soles"

Indrian and Angon both nod in agreement with the calls to "Go, Go", "Leave quickly!" and the elves spring forward, running at a quick pace. At first, they try to dodge the misty figures, but after a few steps, they just run straight ahead through the spirits. The scene plays out among you as you run. Groups of figures run to and fro on the plaza, as if in a panic or in madness. Groups attack each other viciously, bodies falling with faces contorted in pain or rage. One, two, three of the spires burst into flames on the far side of the plaza. Now, people are fighting each other in front of the temples, while other groups are beating on temple doors, wanting in. The largest fight is at the temples at the end of the plaza, next to where you are heading! As you begin to run down narrow alleys between the temples to reach the crumbled wall, a glance back reveals that there is something at the entrance of the plaza. It is an enormous presence, looming over the few figures that are still standing, now fleeing. Although there is no heat that you can feel, a beam of fire lances from the presence towards the temples that you are next too, and they burst into flames. A white sheet of bright white mist washes over all of you... and then just as suddenly as the scene started, the mist dissapates and all is dark and quiet again on the plaza. Before you is a broken section of the wall, and beyond is a rocky, barren area of lava flow.

@DM (Michael/Chgowiz) so the area we were planning on retreating too is covered in new lava flow? Do we see the others that left ahead of us?

@CALLIN - the mountain isn't active, this lava flow doesn't seem recent. No, you don't see Apinro or the other elven scouts, but the scouts that returned indicate that you're to turn right and stay along the wall.

"I've never seen the like of that before, I can assure you all of that!" TAKASHI is visibly shaken, and the cold in the air seems to sink into his bones unnaturally quickly.

"those spirits are cursed! We should head back with the others. But perhaps we could find a way to send them to their final resting place " Callin ponders

@CALLIN As you ponder, the afterimage of the "presence" fades much more slowly back into mist and air than the figures. At the last moment, you see an impossibly large figure that seems to be wreathed in flames. "Quickly, we must join the others!" one of the elven scouts urge. You make your way, in the dark, along the wall. The elves, able to see a bit better in the dark by virtue of their infravision, don't stumble quite as much on the rough terrain. You begin to hear the ocean waves and in the starshine, you can see the glint of water far off. Then, the lava flow ends and you enter an area of rough grasses and bushes. You also see and smell a campfire! Apinro, Indrian and the other elves are gathered around it. "Happy is the one with a warm fire and the ocean nearby!" calls out Indrian. "I am glad you made it!" (edited)

ATACIUS pulls out the map he found in tha apothecary's shop and shows it to @Doc (Bellesh/Brother Calandro). "I think we are near the place it shows, here in the NE of the city near the ocean." he points at the map, then shows him what's written on the other side. "Maybe Apinro knows about the caves where the book is hidden!"

After some time and attempts at description in Elven and then even Almanin digging holes into the ground and pantomiming walking into them, Apinro suddenly nods. He turns and points to the volcano and jibbers away at some length. Almanin turns to the rest of you. "He's quite excited about this, as you can see, but his words aren't very clear. I think he's saying that there are caves in the mountain but they're dangerous to enter. Plus, and this is the part that I'm not sure about, he says something about it being forbidden by the mountain itself. At least that is what I'm understanding."

After Almanin speaks, BELLESH turns to @ATACIUS (Gabriel) with a worried look. "I REALLY want to go there, but it sounds like if we do, the place might cave in on us or something!"

Angon listens to @CALLIN speak of the strange figure wreathed in flames. For a long time, she sits deep in thought, then speaks up, hesitantly. "What do you know of elementals, good priest?"