You enter into the stairway.
It is indeed a spiral staircase. Quickly you observe that it is wide enough for only one person to advance - and even though your comrades may push their way up to help you - - what is clear is that as you turn slowly down the spiral staircase the person in front can see what comes next, the next person it is difficult.
That said - you proceed into the darkness of the staircase - and descend into the caverns below. You are not sure how far, or how long - but believe that every 3 stairs is equal to about 2 feet.
You have traveled a distance of about 60 stairs - roughly 40 feet below the surface... Still the staircase descends.
What is your next move?
With a collective shrug - the group presses on - and heads further down the stairs!
Soon - by your reckoning - you're down about, maybe... 200 feet, possibly...
Still the stairs progress, and - so do you...
Lia turns to her exploring companions and points to the bloody text atop the doorway, "It says 'We Shall Reclaim'". The rest are insults and words, as in a list -- maybe reference to those living in these caves a long time ago." Her mind wrestles with thoughts of creatures who made this place their home, sanctuary or dark temple.
Knowledge, History:
Knowledge, Local:
*
Lia looks at the tracks Yillim found earlier and then as they proceed she is cautious and quiet in her movement, attuning herself to the interior of the cave, searching for more signs of the two missing men or possible hidden danger/s.
Isani, as she diligently follows the others, reflects on Lia's revelation regarding the text and runes upon the walls.
You are certain - with that check - that one of the sets of footprints was made a smaller humanoid - likely 250 lbs, including gear - and standing about 4.5 feet.
The other is also humanoid - roughly 6 feet and about 160 lbs, with stiff leather boots.
You think you have your men!
Now - as your for knowledge checks - that is pretty ambiguous. Is there a way you can phrase that into more of a question? That is - there are literally hundreds of cultures that may be associated with this cave's construction work, because it may be constructed by one race of beings for another, for example - and of course the clues you have don't make things very easy to determine. A more specific question will give you more specific results on the answer. When I get that, we can proceed better at the answers.
Sorry to be so persnickity - but there are a lot of potential details you could be getting now, I just need to know how you want to be directed, and in what direction you want to travel.
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As the party descends suddenly Isani calls out – ”Stop – I must consider something!”
She quickly does – namely – what exactly it was about the runes that caused her to be curious before.
Success! It was only too clear to Isani – her trade in Archeology granted her some basic experience in such things, after all.
Rune work was noted specifically because of its obvious straight lines. All runes were composed of straight lines, as opposed to “letters” which often had curves or twists to them. This is because when you are composing something on stone – it is generally very difficult to carve curvy lines with ease. A series of straight lines is much easier to carve into a rock. This suggests that whoever used the “rune writing” is probably someone used to writing almost exclusively on rock or stone.
Meanwhile – that would suggest the most frequent profanities were painted by creatures versed in writing – and taught to write – with language that could be carved in stone, not written on paper. Many creatures that live in stone typically live underground – which is where you’re heading.
Meanwhile – the profanities themselves seem a bit unusual. Conferring with party – Corlia makes a quick Knowledge: Nature check – .
Still uncertain – she confers with the party – and Arasmes quickly does a Knowledge: Arcana and Corlia will aid, as will Clari, and Isani.
Ras's Knowledge Arcana Check
Corlia –
Clari –
Isani –
Arasmes smiles in and says in his usual charismatic way ”Of course – it all makes sense. The second alphabet – the one that used a more “flowing script” and had various odd curses was spoke of things like “Grimstalker” and “Twigjack”… Both are clearly types of Evil Fey."
This gives you valuable clues, no doubt.
Conferring with each other briefly – you wonder firstly – what type of Evil Fey would have written profanity under ground? More specifically – what type of language uses flowing script and is written by (at the least) Evil Fey? As at least mention of those creatures suggest a race that understands about them, and knows enough to consider them insults.
Further – you wonder also at the strange insults by the “runic writing” – they reference mushroom eaters – not uncommon for creatures living deep beneath the earth and feast on mushrooms (or vice versa – since mushrooms can grow on dung – hence the insult, likely – “dung eater”) – but the other variable had something to do with “eight legged”.
Naturally you presume that had something to do with the spider you encountered earlier. Even so – that doesn’t seem right, somehow –
You all search your mind for references to creatures that loathe or love spiders.
Isani’s natural Archeological nature encourages her to tack her mind to religious customs – and she is also curious about the potential “elven statue” – she puts those two clues together and makes a Knowledge: Religion check specifically on “what elf hates or loves spiders?” for religious purposes.
Arasmes cross-references that with Knowledge: Arcana trying to discover specifically – “What elf may hate/loathe, or love/desire spiders for magical purposes?”
and is augmented by Lia –
Ah – of course! They are the notorious “Dark Elves” – sometimes called “Drow”. Drow folk are known to worship to have connections with something called a Drider – and you wonder if that is what all those scripts are all about.
Of course – if that was correct – then it could explain why the statues had elven features!
It does beg the question, though – if Drow live deep underground – what type of writing do THEY use? Also – why would another race treat their existence as an insult? What race would do that with rune script? Likely it would be a race that lives underground and in stone caverns – like a dwarf.
But no dwarf lives deep enough for Drow! Unless they lived very deep under the earth… some sort of “deep dwarf”.
Hmm… then again; that could all be coincidence.
In either case – now that you have some basic guesses out there – you feel much more confident – and therefore – you continue to advance downward another 100 feet.
Good times!
Yillim is indeed following close behind the outsider Caliphana, and listens closely to the exchange regarding elves and dwarves and such. He grunts a bit, clearly acknowledging the wisdom of the others, but also knowing that this is all above his comparatively narrow breadth of knowledge.
If it is indeed some group or other, they seem hostile to outsiders, as indicated by the graffiti you translated. We should be on our guard, and try to get off this staircase quickly, as it would be a poor place for combat.
The party says nothing at this time - yet continues to advance.
Soon you believe you have traveled roughly 400 feet beneath the surface...
The stairs are cramped and uncomfortable - and you are eager for a chance to rest, or at least breathe the fresh air...
With no one in the party to protest - the party continues until you suspect that you are roughly 500 feet below the surface.
Suddenly - the stairway rounds the corner - and opens up into a long hall.
The hallway seems to be about 10 feet in width - and you believe that is fairly long. As to how long? Of that you are not certain - it disappears out of sight.
The air down here is dry - and musty.
You do not feel the dark edginess that radiated from the black stone - that seems long forgotten, perhaps...
What is clear is that now you have reached the bottom of the stairs and are able to spread out a bit and search the area - if you prefer - or you may advance forward a bit to examine the length of the tunnel.
what is your plan?
Lia lifts her eyes to the hallway and looks about the space. What is this place and where are these men?, she thinks privately. Lia felt bereft without Revion by her side.
Isani watches the wali, trying to discern her thoughts. She turns her focus on the space before and around her, hoping to discover more about this place and further trace of the allies lost somewhere within it.
Blessed Everlight grant us the wisdom of your sight.
Arasmes looks around at the bottom attempting to discern any trace of their friends.
"Careful as you search not to muss any tracks, see if you can find any sign of our targets."
Clari looks around careful about where she steps
perception:
survival:
Lia looks hard at the Elf. She did not need reminding not to tread on visible tracks. And this was the second time she had done so. Lia growls low at the Elf for a few seconds before turning her attention to the ground.
"What's the problem?" clari hisses under hear breath next to Lia. "If i didnt' know better I'd think that growl was aimed at me. I'm just reminding the others to be careful not to tread carelessly or it'll make your job harder. I know you know better than that." Her tone is less pointed than what she usually uses, although Corlea can tell clari is measuring out her words a little too much, as though she's holding something back...
Yillim pauses for a moment as the group edges slowly down the hallway, examine the walls and floors, looking for details of the passing of the missing men.
Perception
He turns back to the group, and stifles a brief smile. He knew that this group was tense, but there was something in them he trusted. He didn't feel as though he constantly needed to watch is back, and the sensation was new to him. So much of his life had been spent roaming about, a vagabond. He called to no friends, only temporary allies as he wandered the sands of his youth. Taking on jobs for coin, regardless of the consequences, and always watchful that one of those that he worked with would cut him to take his share. And It happened more than once, and he had done the same. But this new life seemed to offer some hope. A new way of living was opening before him. Although the quarters were cramped, and their journey was taxing, and they had met defeat against the spider above, there was hope.
He turns back to his new companions, speaking up in hopes of refocusing on the task and easing the growing tension among the intrepid explorers;
One of you mentioned...dark elves, I believe. Do any of you know more about them? Or the others that it could be? I would like to know what to expect, should we encounter them.
Knowledge Dungeoneering
for Drow and related creatures
Dungeonering for any other subterraneans
Other viable knowledges, Local, and nature, but clari don't have them, so unless she can get anything with a DC 10 check, she can't do much...
local: humanoids
Nature: Fae
The party fans out gently near the entrance to the stairs – they take time to examine the surroundings – a prudent course of action – it would seem…
Not far from the stairway – perhaps 20 feet forward, you notice that floor is a somewhat different color in the rock. Pausing a moment in your advance – the combined efforts of Isani and Clari reveal that the stone itself is a large “pressure point”.
Pausing to examine the pressure point more closely – you glance around you and notice that in the ceiling are small holes.
Extending the tip of a lance onto the point gently – you are shocked to see a myriad of spikes slam forward at an alarming rate. They cover the entire with of the room – and if two people walked side by side – they would have both been struck!
You are not sure – but based on logical probability – the spikes look like powerfully compressed spring-loaded spears – almost like a ballista. You have a sense that if you were struck – on a average piece of damage – you may suffer about points of relative health – and this is, again – the average.
Before you have time to inspect the spikes for any potential blood or poison – you are shocked to see them recede slowly back up into the ceiling – as if resetting themselves for the next potential victim. You realize that if you were to set off the trap and leave it “locked open” – then the spikes, fully extended – would function like a cage – and those behind them could not advance.
Meanwhile – the determination to do a cursory check for tracks was beneficial – you see no evidence of blood trails here – your guess is that whoever it is you came looking for had the sense to spot the traps as well – and (presumably) did what you did. If that is correct then they were at least as cunning in the caves – and clearly advanced. Even so – if they have advanced – there is no sign of them returning.
And it should be noted – other then a lack of blood trail – there are no tracks.
As for the considerations of various bits of lore – you know enough to know that “Driders” are made of Drow using magical means – to produce a creature with Drow’s torso and a spider’s body. Drow are fond of poison – and often use a tremendous amount of magic to ease them in their plans to enslave weaker races to do their bidding.
But you also know Drow typically do not advance so close to the surface – preferring to live sometimes miles below the surface of the earth as they are not overly fond of sunlight.
As for the Fey? You recognize at least the creatures mentioned were likely to be some sort of foul race of Evil Fey – but this business about a “Crow Son” seems hauntingly familiar – if not very out of place for Fey, evil or otherwise. Yet some among you believe – at least – that the son of a Crow may be more then a slang insult. Even so – what could that be?
Considering these options – you grimly press on.
Advancing with caution you see that the hall extends about 100 feet in length before it narrows to a short entrance – the entrance is roughly 4 feet wide and 7 feet in height. It is well carved, and well made – peering inside you observe what looks like a large room – or at least – your lights do not show you either the roof nor the opposite walls. And the wall to your left and right extends into darkness.
What do you do now?
Looking at the others, CLari casts and sends them flying about in a 50 foot area then has them hover 40 feet away so they keep as much light as possible around.
perception
The lights go flashing forward from your hands and go flying in a spinning circle - slashing light and color throughout the dark gloom of the darkened room.
You see honey-combed in the walls around you various openings and tunnels - dozens of them in the winking lights that gleam against the dull rock that surrounds you.
Far in front of you - perhaps 100 feet or so - you believe you see a raised dais with a black slab upon it - there seems to be something upon the slab - but you are not sure as the lights are far above it - and the distance is far.
In the vanishing gloom of the light your ears detect a chilling whisper echo throughout the entirety of the massive cavern. It is both hideous and consuming and reaches to caress your ear like the cool hand of a Shade...
The lights dance on - long from your eyesight - but you do not see more then that.
Just to be safe, Clari quietly slides Keravel from its sheath, in case of attack.
Just to be safe, Clari quietly slides Keravel from its sheath, in case of attack.
The sound of your blade being drawn overshadows all other noises now. The cavern is eerily quiet - and there is no other sound but your breathing that you hear...
Your blade is out, and gripped well and firmly in your hand. You still saw nothing but the dais 100 feet from you. Its height was roughly 10 feet from the surface of the cavern floor and the slab about it was squat and ugly upon the summit.
What, then, shall you do?
Arasmes looks around cautiously, watching and listening to try and detect any movement or enemies.
"I want to get a better look at the walls, try to figure out what's around here"
Clari will examine the walls (there was something sparkely) then will move with the rest of the party, moving her lights around behind them, bringing up the rear, ready to attack anything that gets close.
perception
Arasmes looks around cautiously, watching and listening to try and detect any movement or enemies.
1d20+10
1d20+8
You see nothing - only the vague presence of the large stone slab.
Your eyes in the best condition could not make out much - for it is still a hundred feet away - and you only glimpsed it when flew 40 feet above its surface.
Even so - you think there be something on top of the slab - something laying there.
Still - you believe that only direct examination will prove useful.
"I want to get a better look at the walls, try to figure out what's around here"
Clari will examine the walls (there was something sparkely) then will move with the rest of the party, moving her lights around behind them, bringing up the rear, ready to attack anything that gets close.
perception
1d20+10
It was not the walls which sparkled - no; they were far too lusterless to give light to anything.
Yet you did see flickers of some form of light - you think - but in the distance. It could be that the walls farther on have mineral in them - veins of ore, perhaps - but you are not sure.
The chamber itself is very large. You believe that the ceiling of this room may be over 100 feet from the floor - and the floor itself slopes gradually downward.
The walls stretch in either direction as you stand in the mouth of the tunnel - to the left and right they extend - and you do not see fully the other side - but believe they must go at least 100 feet in either direction.
As for the opposite wall?
Of that you are not sure - your lights flew long into the darkness so that all you could see was them glimmering. But you did not see anything in their radiance - if there was anything to see - you were too far to observe it.
You are only sure that the walls have - on occasion - various small tunnels pocketing their sides at irregular intervals. But what they mean - and where they lead - that you do not know.
Arasmes moves over towards the slab with Cali, staying behind her. There's something on the slab. He whispers to the group.
You'll see what's on the slab depending on what the group does - so far - I am seeing very little posting. Hopefully your gang will follow you soon...
Only time shall tell...
Yillim will follow closely to Arasmes and Caliphana as they aproach whatever is on the slab. Weapon drawn and signalling the others to ready their weapons as well, should there be any danger.
Perception
Excellent - in which case you advance.
However, I do not know what everyone in the party is doing.
I know that Clari is exploring the perimeter of the walls.
I know that Cali and Arasmes have moved forward to the rock slab, accompanied by Yillim.
I have not heard from either Corlia or Isani.
Once I know what they do, I'll tell you all what happens next.
Clari, seeing that it is not these walls that are flickering moves along with the others toward the alter, scanning with her , and making sure the party cannot get ambushed by something slinking along in the darkness, listening hard to the echos.
perception
Clari, seeing that it is not these walls that are flickering moves along with the others toward the alter, scanning with her , and making sure the party cannot get ambushed by something slinking along in the darkness, listening hard to the echos.
perception
1d20+10
Quite difficult - you cannot see the entire cave - at most you can see what occurs in the light of the "Dancing Lights" - however, you see nothing specifically until you draw closer....
Clari is just floating them around the group as it advances, lighting up areas somewhere around 40 to 80 feet away, so the edges of the light radiuses of the light spells that the party has on, and her lights are slightly overlaping. That way she moves the light around and there isn't really much space to be moving around in stealth or shadow. she's not looking too far. and she's paying careful attention to sounds, since it's really dark
"Priestess, stay behind me. I shall shield you."
Lia begins to advance cautiously, dagger in hand, Yillim's back still in her sight, smelling the air to determine what creature/s could be lying in wait for them, and where they are hidden: whether in the smaller opening and tunnels and even in front of them.
Isani draws her scimitar and heeds the directive of the wali. She moves forward as well, ensuring she can be in distance of the party in order to assist and heal.
In moments you all have reached the small dais.
You notice as you drew closer that surrounding the dais there are various broken stones that you at first took for stalagmites. Now, on closer inspection – you believe they may have at one time been crude columns – but they have been broken – for the most part – and none of them are higher then one or two feet at most.
This dais resembles a step pyramid, similar to the one you saw closer to the surface. Only this one is wider, and less high then the other. The dimensions of the first “level” of the pyramid, and what makes the first “step”, look to be about 45x45 feet square. Each “step” is only six inches in height, though, and decreases the general width of the dais by 1 foot, but there are only 10 steps. Therefore – when you reach the tallest “step” – and the top of this squat pyramid-like dais you are only five feet of the cavern floor – and the dimensions of the top of this dais are 35x35 feet.
When you reach the summit of this dais you see what looks like a crudely carved altar. There are many strange glyphs and sigils on it – some of them can be recognized with a .
Unlike the statues you saw far above you which were broken and damaged – these symbols and marks do not look eroded or vandalized. This strikes you as odd for some reason .
Even so – what now grips you most clearly is the altar itself.
It is roughly 4 feet in width and perhaps 8 feet in length. Yet what you see on it makes you shudder with horror and pain – it is your comrades – or was.
Both the gruff and cheerful Mak Morn and the friendly and stalwart Hank Ironhorse lay dead upon the altar. There bodies have been hurt by many wounds – and they are still wearing their gear. On their forehead is branded crudely one of the more prominent glyphs that appears on the altar itself – the sight of the glyph causing you to feel a sickening shudder of horror, though you do not know why.
Even though they have died, perhaps what is most distressing is their faces show evidence that in their final moments – more then pain, they knew horror; for that is clearly evident on their expressions.
You look at each other – sure that what you have discovered is your allies – and are free to proceed with your next course of action.
Yillim frowns deeply, and there is clearly anger in his eyes. He did not know these men, but was sure that they were a valuable part of the community, and would be missed. He dipped his head low for a moment, making an informal prayer to Pharasma that they find their peace.
Seeing the strange symbols on their foreheads, he is reminded of the suffering that he went through. Although the rituals were probably different, he was no stranger to torture. His hand began to reach out, to close the mens' eyes, so that their bodies could know better the final sleep, but he hesitates. Then, turning to the others, he steels himself, and speaks;
We have found the lost men. What marks are these? Could they have been cursed? If you have wards or prayers or the like, please make them. We should get these men back to their families as soon as we can.
Perception
and Survival for any tracks or clues of who else may have been here
Dungeoneering
Clari looks at the men, her face contorted in revilsion and rage. what are these marks on their bodies? What does it allhfjg mean? she snaps.
Clari will want to remove the bodies bring them home as soon as possible. Btw, Ry can use reincarnate if the bodies are only a week dead. The boys went north taking two days, should have been back teo days later, we went up, so it's been 6 days so far, right? What are the dates they went north, and today's date?
K arcana to look for spell components used in the killing
Detect magic + Spellcraft
Re: Knowledge - Dungeoneering -
What seems clear to you is that the marks which have not been eroded should be more worn out. There should be signs of erosion or wear and tear - but there isn't.
Also - what you find a bit strange - is that the steps were only six inches.
You actually had some trouble hurrying up them, because - quite frankly - they were a trifle too small for you. It was as if someone carved stairs for a child to walk on.
Those stairs seemed worn a bit; and the cave floor has marks of wear - but the altar itself could have been made yesterday - but a sense other then your basic intelligence suggests it was not.
Rather - it was older; far older...
"Do not touch their bodies until we can decipher these glyphs and sigils. Then we will transport these two honourable men back to Saravale."
Isani whispers fervent prayers to the Everlight on behalf of both Mak Morn and Henry Ironhorse, sorry that they had died this way, so far beneath the earth.
Lia did not know either of the dead men but understood the pain of loss like any creature and there would be loved ones grieving upon sight of the corpses in the capital. She whispered her own prayers to Ol' Dead Eye, wishing their souls an easy crossing to the other side.
After the southern priestess gives the say so,
Using scent and examination of the bodies, Lia tries to determine how long ago Mak Morn and Ironhorse were killed.
"Do not touch their bodies until we can decipher these glyphs and sigils. Then we will transport these two honourable men back to Saravale."
Isani whispers fervent prayers to the Everlight on behalf of both Mak Morn and Henry Ironhorse, sorry that they had died this way, so far beneath the earth.
You have quite a bit of trouble with the language and glyphs on the altar.
You believe the language may be consistent with the language written over the arch of the doorway far above you...
However - there is something vaguely disturbing about the glyph on the forehead - and it also appears on the altar.
Yes - you are not sure - but you believe it is a symbol for what is considered some sort of vague demi-god.
Your experience in the temples south in Osirion have given you insight on these self-proclaimed "demi-gods" - but this is different.
This is something special...
Yes - you believe the name is Shoggoth.
In a hushed whisper you share the information you recall quickly with those around you...
Then, after you make that observation - you are free to look up and see anything worth noting around you - including the tunnel entrance you traveled through - which is roughly 100 feet away.
Knowledge, Dungeoneering (to aid the others): 1d20+4
Lia did not know either of the dead men but understood the pain of loss like any creature and there would be loved ones grieving upon sight of the corpses in the capital. She whispered her own prayers to Ol' Dead Eye, wishing their souls an easy crossing to the other side.
After the southern priestess gives the say so,
Using scent and examination of the bodies, Lia tries to determine how long ago Mak Morn and Ironhorse were killed.
Hard to say - they underwent massive trauma - you believe it may have been two days ago - perhaps...
Then you look up!
Surrounding you is a massive set of caves and tunnels which pocket the walls. You are free to look up around you.
Despite your best perception – despite your abilities to scent the foul smells of creatures – despite your abilities to track – you notice something clearly now.
The gleam of eyes…
The cold light – the brightness and color of them – the lifeless evil intensity of them – and the fact that there are dozens, if not hundreds of pairs of eyes which now shine at you from the walls.
In that moment a collective hush grips you all so intently you could hear the whisper of their breath sigh about you in the dark.
Then you hear a collective roar…
Initiative