Terquem |
There is some shuffling in the hall, as Imreal stops, turns to express his frustration with bud, and then is joined by Niversal, who is curious as to the secret door Imreal is intent on barging through.
Just before Imreal reaches the door, a section of heavy wood painted to resemble stone, with his arms outstretched intending to reveal what secret lies beyond, Niversal reaches the same location, and quickly spots something out of the ordinary
Niversal Two Blades |
Niversal puts his hand up and says don't touch that secret door, its trapped and will look to see if he can figure out how to disarm it:
disarm: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Ballar Fargrim |
Eww, wouldn't do tha, Ballar winces as Niversal reaches for an obvious wire. Leaning over to Bud and the others he relates, Seen tha before. Left'a nas-tay welt on tha last guy.
Terquem |
Imreal throws open the secret door and the first thing everyone notices is a dazzling display of colored light streaming into the room beyond from the left.
This appears to be some kind of private study, and possibly a combination alter room and workshop.
The room is twenty feet wide, from north to south, and is forty feet wide east to west.
On the west wall, to your left entering through the secret door, there are three narrow windows set high in the wall, filled with colored glass. The three widows show three images. The left window, facing them, is the image of a golden dragon, rampant, surrounded by lose pages or possibly scrolls rendered in many different colors, standing on a green mound. The right side window is of a black dragon, hunch low, almost in retreat, breathing a stream of bluish swirls from its nostrils. It is surrounded by armor clad creatures that do not appear to be human, but just what they are is difficult to tell. The center window is of a beautiful woman, with strong, masculine features, a head of thick, but short and wavy golden blond hair, a thin, figure, and dazzling purple eyes. Her dress is green and gold and she wears a white belt. In the crock of her left arm she holds a book, and her right hand is made into a fist, held up to her side, and shows a dazzling red ring on her middle finger.
Below these windows is a small alter, with an open book, the language is foreign to all of you, and a small red candle.
To the east there is a set of double wooden doors, which are shut, and bolted from this side.
On the north wall of this room there is a narrow and high work bench. A pile of arcane looking instruments and tools seem to have been shoved toward one side of the bench, leaving a wide part cleared off.
On the south wall of this room there is a writing desk. It has been ransacked, four small drawers have been pulled from the desk, their contents spilled across the floor. Among the materials on the floor (papers, pens, pencils, and a few small keys) there is a leather bound book, held shut with a metal clasp. The book has a symbol embossed on the cover, but it is unfamiliar to all of you.
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
Lovely work, curious as to the meaning of purpose for commissioning it. Zaehyra appraised with a moment of consideration, crossed arms and a finger propping up under her chin. Let's see if anything magical is lingering, shall we. And then Zaehyra whispered the exact prayer from moments ago, plunging her sight into the magical aura spectrum.
[Spoiler=Mechanics]
Detect magic
[/spoiler
Bud Wiser |
Bud waits for Zaehyra to finish her scan of the room and then walks to the workbench on the far side of the room and examines the items there to see what they may have been used for.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Kn: Arcana: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Ballar Fargrim |
The crackle of unfurling paper emanates from the back of the group followed by the sound of munching. His eyes glued to the scene unfolding on the other side of the secret door, Ballar pops another cheese flavored nacho in his mouth before offering Imrael and the others whatever's in the bag, Me Gran 'ad windows li'tha. Well, no exact-lay ba quality glass.
Imrael |
Imrael enters the room, frowning as usual. He was expecting a fight, and seems disappointed to not find one. After a casual glance he intones, "When one opens a door of secrecy, one expects a darkened closet holding a rack of weapons, or a small chest of valuables. To conceal an entrance to a shrine of this work is..."
His voice trails off as he finally takes time to really look at the images depicted, and his eyes...grow wide.
Suspense! =P
Imrael |
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
For a moment his eyes flash, as if seeing something...familiar in the images.
But then the moment passes and he walks about the room, He accepts another delectable chip from Ballar, then goes to the book on the floor. He retrieves and opens it, calling out to the mages, "Bud? Zaehyra? You are scholars. Can you make aught of this?"
Terquem |
Oh, let's pause a moment shall we...
Zae begins to examine the room while Imreal fixes his eyes on the windows, for a moment the big man is lost in thought...
Ballar munches a snack as Bud approaches the work bench...
Imreal turns away from the windows as the others seem to have found something to their interest, and he picks up a small leather bound book from the floor, flips the metal clasp with his thumb and opens the book and when his eyes fall on the bizarre script...
*BOOM*
A thunderous explosion is triggered
Hey Read This!: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 3, 5, 4) = 29
Imreal has triggered an Explosive Runes spell. The journal in his hand seems to shake off the damage, as if it is protected from the trap. As best as I can interpret things, Bud might be in the blast zone, and must make a Reflex Save, DC 18 or take the same damage (half if he succeeds)
Imrael |
Well played...
The explosion catches the WarAngel full in the face, shearing off flesh and sloughing off sinew. Imrael's eyes go wide as the shock of what happened hits him, but only for a moment. After a breath a slight smile touches his lips and his eyes glow with appreciation. "Well played," he intones to the unknown layer of the trap.
He retains the book, his prize by conquest.
His flesh seems to struggle and writhe, as if the force of Law that propels him makes war upon so insulting an intrusion as damage itself. So too does Imrael pass a hand over the air, intoning deeply, "Prayer cleanses the soul. Pain cleanses the body." Motes of white light fly about and land on his injured skin.
Casting Virtue. And at the end of the round, I fast heal 1 point. =)
He takes another pause to compose himself, then again raises his eyes. "Well? Any book worth protecting is a book worth reading."
Bud Wiser |
Bud stands at the desk, his foot making a squishy sound as it taps and he mutters, "Now what could have been so important to push all these delicate tools aside." Suddenly there is a blast and the wall is covered in black soot with his clean outline in it. He looks at it and spins around ready to launch his magic at the new enemy and sees Imrael grinning. "What in the Wide Wide World of Sports did you do? You just had to open the book didn't you? You nearly singed my clothes!" Bud's clothes seem to be drier than usual as if the blast boiled off some of the ale usually dripping from him.
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Niversal Two Blades |
As the book explodes and the angel is fried Niversal taps his fingers on his belt and says sure would be nice if there was just some fellow who could detect and disarm traps stopping people from blowing themselves up...
Bud Wiser |
"Don't be too hard on him Niversal. No one has tried to spill his blood recently. He's enjoying himself. I just wish he'd confine his blood letting to himself. Besides your sarcasm is lost on him.", with that said Bud waves his flat hand over his head mimicking something going right over it.
Ballar Fargrim |
Books is wizard's stuff, Ballar casually pops another nacho into his mouth then whisper's between bites, Keeps'm busy. Keeps'm quiet.
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
Zae lets out a startled yell in effort to warn everyone of the magic auras though it is nearly impossible to discern before the explosive runes activate. With hesitation she opens her eyes and comes to the realization that she is unharmed. Hurriedly she checks on Kamastra, who looks surprising uninterested as he is set on his haunches and licking his paws. Zaehyra looks to the others to see what happened although the look in her eyes is can't hide the flippant emotion.
Blood and ashes man! What was that? Assume everything else in here is trapped! Especially if it has a magic aura on it like that book. And maybe that candle. It was clear the shock was wearing off and with a heavy sigh she pointed at the candle before she recasts her spell to discern the aura and identify the last remaining magical item in the room, though she is careful to double check everything in case she might have overlooked anything. Undoubtedly there is or was something of value in here, though I am no scholar. Keryth might be better suited to that role... or at least was before the trip to the basement.
After Zaehyra is done with the detection spell she will investigate and collect the books she can not read or make sense of.
Keryth Tarathiel |
Keryth, who has still been following along somewhat in a daze, seems to come around when the book detonates. Ha! Explosive runes! Classic!
Glancing up and spotting the stained glass apparently for the first time he squints at them in thought...
knowledge (all): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
...before strolling over to Imrael and asking, May I examine the book?
knowledge (all): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 and/or linguistics and spellcraft +14
And then joining Bud by the bench. Finding anything interesting?
knowledge (all): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 and/or perception +13, spellcraft +14
Imrael |
Imrael suffers the mild taunts stoically, accepting them as the price to pay for shielding them from the meat of the blast. That they thank him not for his sacrifice is just a matter of course.
He hands the book over, glad that it's been made safe by his actions.
The smile stays on his face. He said he would trade a laceration to be free of the mirror-games, and it seems his wish was granted.
His Order does say that Propoket will grant all wishes...in the order in which they are received.
The others have the searching of things well in hand, so as time passes and his flesh mends, he just keeps a sharp eye, casually walking the perimeter and looking for ambushes. He lets the Vigor end, but steels himself for the Chant of War...because apparently such things may be needed here.
Imma say that once a minute I'll refresh my War blessing, giving me +1 on saves. Let me know if that's too cheesy, but it looks like something I may need. ^_^
Terquem |
Imreal – noted, and not unreasonable
Bud Wiser |
Bud points to the tools and tells Keryth, "Someone moved those out of the way to make room to do something. Did you guys have any luck reading that stuff?" When told no, he puts his hand in his backpack and rustles around for a minute and pulls out a scroll. "I have the comprehend languages scroll. That should let me read that, but it's the only one I have. I can read the notes and the last few entries to see what it has to say."
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
After examining the room once more with her spellsight, Zaehyra blows out the candle and snuffs out any smoldering cinder with tongue moistened finger and thumb. This is quite magical, and might come in handy in a pinch. She stows the candle in her carry-all, then a few moments later after sifting through some of the scattered papers she procures four small steel keys, each with a slightly different “bit” though three of them have a similar “bow” and one has a unique, diamond shaped bow. Keys that might save Niversal a few seconds later on perhaps.
Keryth Tarathiel |
No need to be so hasty my friend. It will take me a few minutes time, but I am confident that I can decipher the journal. You needn't waste the scroll unless you think time is of the utmost importance of course, Keryth replies to Bud.
linguistics +14
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
When Zae finds herself with a moment she braves closing the distance between herself and the angelic Imrael. Imrael, you appear hurt. Just in case things get exploded again, I'm going to cast a healing spell on you. With your permission of course.
Barring any objection to the healing, Zaehyra reveals an ivory wand sanded, smoothed, and polished to a mirror-like finish and activates 1 charge that slowly regenerates Imrael's missing hp at 1 per round for 10 rounds. She says nothing to the effect of the name of the spell or what it took to cast it to Imrael.
Terquem |
Niversal approaches the only other exit from this room, a set of wooden doors, bared from the inside (this side) at the east end of the room while Keryth reviews the book in his hand
Meanwhile, as Keryth ponders the text and Niversal scouts the next exit, Zae attends to Imreal's wounds with the touch of a magic wand.
Bud Wiser |
Bud pulls a wand out of his backpack and taps himself with it and some of his wounds slowly close. To Keryth he says "So you can read it or do I need to use my scroll or just save it and not worry about what it says exactly?"
Keryth Tarathiel |
I can decipher it, but it will take some time to get through it all.
I did already manage to make out that several entries, possibly made over one or two days’ time, reference the same thing over and over. A mirror of some kind. It seems to be the author was experimenting with the proper dimensions. For now, it seems that the author was excitedly referencing the “mirror” item, and then one last entry simply ends with three words, Juthrouene Moniscura Adrepoelle which I have a good hunch means – Juthrouene “no matter the consequence or ignoring any danger” – Moniscura “ a mirror or the reflector” – Adrepoelle “on my own or through my self-actions” – taken together perhaps, “I will face the mirror no matter what.”
Imrael |
"Gratitude, Zaehyra. You have my leave to work thy art upon me. I shall see if I can return the favor sometime, though I hope fortune does not call for that."
Imreal meanders about as the translation goes on, listens to his wounds knit and trying not to touch anything else.
As the passage seems to go on and on about a mirror, Imrael smirks, determined that the universe itself is just trolling him at this point.
"Can we leave this accursed room or is there aught else to accomplish here?"
Ballar Fargrim |
Resealing his bag of munchies, a nifty feature exclusive to Seer's, Ballar quickly dips a finger or two into his mouth to lick off the powder coating them then tucks the bag back into his pack, Aye, Ah think Nivers as alrady check'd tha next door. Pointing a thumb at the only other exit from this room Ballar adjusts the long chain of his Dorn and falls in behind Imrael, ready to go.
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
That makes two of us, though I favor planning, caution, and a dash of daring over fortune to get us through the day. Zae chimes in response to Imrael's gratitude as she falls in behind the party filing out of the room.
Come Kamastra, stay close. This tower is quite deadly.
Terquem |
Nivrsal lifts the lock bar from the two doors, and pushes one of them open slightly, taking a look beyond.
There is a small hall, and then beyond that, through a decorative, high, arch he sees what appears to be a dining room. There is a long table with several high backed wooden chairs placed around it.
One of the chairs has been placed on the table, near the center, and against it is propped a large, broken piece of mirrored glass.
To his right, the hall connects to the center of the tower, a ten foot wide hall that goes around the stairwell in the very center of the tower.
Ballar Fargrim |
Having the same thought, which is rather surprising for Ballar, the dwarf stands next to Bud and peers into the mirror with him.
Imrael |
Imrael marches along. He rolls his eyes massively seeing the purposely-placed shard of mirror, and considers just smashing it to be done with the play. But with Bud and the dwarf taking a look, such an action would just come off as impolite.
He leaves the drunken duo to their investigating and keeps a watch toward the center, eager to be about exploring the rest of the place.
Terquem |
When Bud and Ballar take a position at the end of the table, looking at the shard of glass propped up against the chair, the rest of the party fills in behind them
As eyes fall on the mirror, everyone sees a massive, dark-furred creature with a hideously grotesque visage, grinning, its huge mouth filled with long sharp teeth standing behind Kamastra, making a “v” with two fingers behind Zae’s head.
Ballar Fargrim |
Noticing the creature, Ballar steps into the center to look directly into the mirror while running a palm over his beard to 'straighten' up.
Ballar's next action takes place AFTER Imrael posts.
Once Imrael steps behind Zae the dwarf pretends to greet the war priest but is actually looking directly into the hideous visage of the creature. Speaking to the furry critter in the mirror, Ballar grins devilishly, Well, aren't you an handsome devil! Wha do tha girls call ya I wond'r?
Attempting to speak to the creature.
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
Zaehyra contributes with her obligatory detect magic work while the others investigate whatever they fancy.
Niversal Two Blades |
Niversal walks into the room and momentarily stops when he sees the thing and the looks into the room seeing nothing and back, his hands considering breaking that mirror for a second but saying you knock that off what ever you are or I will break that mirror!
Imrael |
sry. been gone a for a bit. But I'm back now.
Imrael sighs so loudly it's palpable. "I'm so glad that I came in first in the Supreme Struggle against the creme of the High Order so that I could be told to go stand behind someone who is in front of a mirror. Very well, since your juvenile prank does not involve an overdone jump-scare, I shall comply."
Imrael walks over to the area indicated...staring at Zaehyra and not at the mirror.
Once in the close-quarter position he mutters, "Greetings, Zaehyra." Does his iron facade quiver for a moment? No, it must be a trick of the light. Though, after a moment he just turns around, unwilling to play further.
Terquem |
When Imreal turns away from the mirror to approach Zae, he notices immediately that no such creature is present.
When Ballar and Niversal address the mirror image, the monster throws back its head, and makes a rude gesture toward them
When Imreal turns back toward the mirror, the reflection of the monster snarls, and then vanishes.
Bud Wiser |
Bud utters a word about a beaver's building as the monster disappears and doesn't attack Imrael.
"Oh well, I guess he doesn't want to play with you Imrael if if you think he's Notreal." Bud says to Imrael. "Where do we go from here?" he asks the group.
Ballar Fargrim |
Zae, spellcraft check?
Ballar practices returning the rude gesture in the mirror, trying to get it just right; head thrown back, face scrunched up tauntingly, tongue out slightly and to the side then extending his index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb. Directing this towards the mirror, Ballar swivels his hand back and forth. The dwarf makes a few adjustments, squinting vs. wide eyed and various tongue lengths before stopping, apparently feeling a little self-conscious but excusing it all as, Could be some sort'a greet'n.
Zaehyra Sillaesa |
Hmm... Zaehyra sounds as she notes the familiar aura and the magic effects. Then she raises a brow at Imrael and his willingness to take direction from Bud, though it may as well make sense given how little she knows history together.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Niversal Two Blades |
If there is another door Niversal will move forward and check it and then if not locked and no teaps he will open that as well for the group.
trap?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22