Kazmir "Bloody Flag" Voltiss |
"Artued" will look through his libary of old tomes and looke for any that aren't covored with dust or have a lesser coat on them. As well will check underneath the chairs and makes sure they all can be moved.
"Ahh I remember when I got each of these tomes, oh the stories can fill a book." "Artued" says in a hushed tone.
Perform Acting1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
DM Sinvel |
Silas notices a seam in the wall next to Artued's desk. He runs his hand down it and notices a small lift in the texture and gives it a pull and a door opens into a hidden adjacent room.
Inside the room are 6 alcoves each holding a sculpture of a woman in rapture. A desk and a locked chest furnish the rest of the room.
On the desk lay a few books and a folded note. Karsielle opens the note and it reads:
Row no more than 4 strides before declaring loudly "The hunger calls me forth". Then drop at least six droplets of blood into the water. All who do not obey shall be destroyed!
She also looks at one of the books. Although it's cover references the human anatomy, the interior pages talk of a cult called the Xaoghulites.
Karsielle |
Knowledge(religion) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Karsielle is wrapped up searching the desk, oblivious to Suny's explorations. "Hmm, yes this is life saving knowledge, but the book talks of things I know nothing about, save it can't be good." She hands the book to 'Artued' and slips the note into her pouch.
@Suny, oh I'm sure its a bad idea to touch them, but I'm not gonna stop you ...
"Suny" |
400 pounds?! Bugger
Suny settles for just reaching out and stroking one of the statues,
"Y'think any one'd notice if'n we took one home?" She asks, then glances at her companions, "I mean, not right now, but later like, when we's finished lookin' in't everything else?" She glances around at the room.
Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
But her attention now seems more fixated on the statues.
DM Sinvel |
Assuming someone takes the keys and tries to open the chest, they indeed find one that works.
Karsielle |
"Yes, it will make a fine reward for our efforts. I'm sure that it'll be safe in this rather private room. If that is all here, then there are maybe two or three other places, Artued's bedroom and private gardens and for a fine view of the grounds, the tower balcony. I suggest we look to the bedroom next." Karsielle replies to Mishael smiling.
She sees Suny pawing at one of the statues, "Suny, do you think it wise to be playing with the statues?" Karsielle goes to join Suny and takes a good look at them one by one, thinking that Calistra would be pleased of such models, to see each held in a delight.
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 to recognise that women in the statues or what might be causing the rapture?
Kazmir "Bloody Flag" Voltiss |
"Artued" reaches in the chest and picks up the two large gold loop earings, "It seems were on track in finding out what happened to Captain Montrose, I believe these might be his. It seems they like to collect from there victims." "Artued" agrees in leaving it here and puts the earrings in his pocket incase they don't find the body.
DM Sinvel |
Karsielle joins Suny observing the statues. Although she thinks her goddess would indeed appreciate such art, she is unable to see any familiar likeness in them.
The group explores the other floors, but doesn't find anything of consequence. Thought I'd help you out here and save some time.
Bloody, these earrings do indeed match the description of those worn by Captain Montrose.
Karsielle |
I guess "Artued" could spend time doing the detect magic and before following on to help us in the other 2 locations.
"It seems we have an appointment with those cultists now, and indeed I am a little hungry, although their fare is not on order." she smiles at her joke, before making a gesture for Mishael, "Artued" and Silas to go ahead and lead back down to the boats.
"Suny" |
Suny edges up to her companions as they all seem to be contemplating the black, still waters and the boat ride to come,
"Here? Word of advice? Ye fall in? Hold yer breath, t'is not th' most pleasant stuff I've had pleasure t'come across..." She tells them, her features serious for once.
And then, of course, she breaks out her reassuring grin. (^_^)
"Suny" |
Bending over and inspecting their rides Suny comments, "Well...will ye look a-that! The old 'Bung in the 'ole' trick." She chortles,
"There's a group of folks way t'wind-ward who do the same thing near home. A sort of 'Don't steal my boat' measure, since they deal more with th' piratey types..."
Mishael |
"Indeed. Well, let's split up into the two boats unless anyone can think of anything else to do here on shore. I'd suggest Silas, Suny, and Karsielle in one boat and myself and Flag in the other so we balance our hand to hand and magical skills. Anyone have a thought on whether we take both boats out at once or have the second go once the first gets out there a bit?"
Karsielle |
Karsielle tiptoes in the still black shallow water, to keep as dry as possible getting into the boat with Suny and Silas. She removes the dagger from its sheath, ready to start the ritual which will allow them to progress. As she settles before an oar cuts the surface of the water, she assumes the role of lookout for the flotilla.
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
As the first of the boat's oars slice and submerge into the underground lake, she calls out "The hunger calls me forth" and cuts her thumb allowing seven drops of blood to fall into the black water. To the rest she says, "The ritual, remember to do just as I have, six or more drops of blood into the water and say "The hunger calls me forth"" She continues to watch across into the darkness of the lake.
Mishael |
Mishael joins Flag in the boat and once Karsielle has started the ritual, detaches the 2nd boat and pushes off. Reaching the same spot where Karsielle shed blood she thinks, Can't believe I'm doing this... but then, pricks a finger with her cutlass and dripping seven drops in the water declares, "The hunger calls me forth." and returns to rowing the boat into the darkness.
"Suny" |
DM Sinvel |
The two boats strike out into the pitch black cavern. Their keels piercing the glassy surface of the water.
As the drops of blood sink in, a deep growl can be heard from within the depths. Then a loud splash can be heard off in the dark, echoing around the immense cavern.
OK, Mishael has darkvision, does Karsielle have light cast? Does she hold it out in the open?
DM Sinvel |
As Karsielle's light pierces the darkness, the pair of boats continue deeper into the cavern. After a hundred feet or so, a narrow opening can be seen off to the right. Soon the back cavern wall is lit up and it appears the opening is the only way to continue.
Following the opening, everyone can see a squat concrete building sits on a small stone platform. A rowboat lashed to a rung mounted to the side of the building marks an alcove with an open doorway leading inside the bunker.
Up past the bunker are large rusty portcullis bars blocking an entrance to the next section. As the boats get closer the bars begin to rise.
Karsielle |
Wary of walking into the evil cult's grounds, Karsielle is wary and attentive to her surroundings. "It seems we are expected." she speaks quietly. "Though it is just as likely a trap or might act as one. Is there anything we can use to keep the portcullis up once we've passed through?"
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
DM Sinvel |
I've attached a map to help show the layout. I wasn't sure if Mishael was trying to approach the bunker or go on through the portcullis. I didn't place any boats or icons, but the group is currently at the top and the portcullis that just opened is at the bottom.
Karsielle doesn't see anything in the barren tunnel that would hold up the portcullis.