Zhalet Soroush |
Zhalet gets down on her knees to help Rukn. Trying to get a look at his eyes, she tells him "Stay calm Rukn, at the moment I can't cure your eyes, but if you still can't see tomorrow I will do everything I can to restore it. Right now let me help you up and you can hold on to me. I will guide you."
MisterLurch |
After looking at Rukn's eyes Zhalet is able to tell that he has been blinded by very bright light, though she saw no light bright enough for that. A cold, dark cloth over his eyes would help him recover faster and give him some relief from the pain. Other than that there is little to do other than wait.
Rukn ed-Din |
-Alright... alright.
Rukn seems a bit more calmed down, knowing Zhalet is there to help.
-Just let me know where I am stepping. Let Kilarra do the searching thing quickly and then let's go home, shall we?
Rukn stands up, looking nowhere, and takes Zhalet's hand.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
Kilarra seems torn between the perceived urgency of searching the room and her companion that has become blinded for no apparent reason. After seeing that Zhalet has Rukn well cared for and hearing Alexander's words Kilarra hurries forward to see what is in the now open room.
Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
welp...If I don't find whatever it is with that roll then I am just not going to find it.
MisterLurch |
Inside the room, there are eight displays atop small wooden tables. Clockwise around the room from the door, they are:
Table #1:
7 vials held in a simple wooden rack. Four of them filled with a red liquid that writhes inside the vial. Three with a clear red liquid.
Table #2:
A short sword with a black hilt wrapped in gold wire with a red crystal for a pommel. It has a leaf-shaped blade of a very dark metal with a red vein of crystal where the blood groove would be. It balances on its tip on a small block of gold-veined marble.
Table #3:
A square box divided into six equal compartments. Each compartment has a rolled piece of red parchment standing in it.
Table #4:
A dark wooden rack holds three wands horizontally. One looks like an actual flame. One is charred black. The third is a dark wood polished to a mirror shine.
Table #5:
A gold ring with a small red gem lays on a piece of black velvet.
Table #6:
Three pulsing, red gems sit on pedestals arranged in a straight line.
Table #7:
A golden necklace with three golden orbs rests on a black velvet necklace bust.
Table #8:
A red velvet pouch with a golden drawstring.
A brazier at the back of the room glows with the light of burning coals, and a sweet-smelling smoke issues forth from it.
Zhalet Soroush |
Keeping in mind what Alexander said about there being only a short time that is safe to be in the new room, Zhalet remains in the main room with Rukn. It would be too risky to try to negotiate into and out of the room in a hurry.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
Kilarra looks around, awestruck at the magnitude of the blessing that is being bestowed upon her and her allies. She moves to the center of the room and kneels
Kilarra gets up and says "My Friend, with respect, let us retrieve these great gifts and depart with appreciation burning in our hearts. I will start on this side," Kilarra points to the table with the bag on it "and you start over there pointing to the table with the vials on it. "We will both follow the path to the middle and after all is within our possession we will return to our companions and share Nethys' blessings."
Kilarra opens her pack and proceeds to begin collecting the items on the tables, each time making the sign that Alexander taught her to honor their kind protector.
Rukn ed-Din |
While waiting for Kilarra and the others, Rukn talks to Zhalet.
-I saw a spark... you know, before the blinding. It was... like... alive. And bright, very bright.
He goes on after a small doubt.
-Sometimes I can see things that no one else can. Now I can't see anything while everybody else can. Ironic, uh?
MisterLurch |
Kilarra and Erizi quickly gather the items from their display tables. Arms and packs laden, they leave the room and return to the others.
Left: "At last! The flames rise once more!"
Center: "Greetings mortal. Is it time?"
Right: "One of the blessed. This should be interesting."
Alexander Pierpoint |
"Bounty indeed," Alexander says, a note of surprise in his voice when he sees what Erizi and Kilarra have brought out. "Amazing... But time is blowing in our teeth. To the final chamber, or do you prefer me to analyze these items first?"
If I'm analyzing first: Spellcraft checks!
Liquids: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
Sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Scrolls: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Wands: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Ring: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
Gems: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Necklace: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Velvet pouch: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
I realize this might take a while. ^^;
Rukn ed-Din |
-Well... I would rather we get out of here as soon as possible. Being blind makes you feel a bit... week, if you know what I mean. Even with Zhalet taking care of me. So, if there's a room left, I would beg you to have a look and leave the analyzing for when we're save at the camp, if you don't mind.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
"Perhase we should wait until the great fire in the sky hides it's face this day before you delve into the secrets of these gifts. There is much that needs to be done yet and our friends burn to begin that work. Alexander, gifted with the sacred art of Nethys, would you open the path to the last chamber and reveal the final gifts that the God-King has in store for us? Brother Rukn, though your vision is dimmed, we prepare to open the next path, close the windows to your soul lest your trial worsen."
Zhalet Soroush |
While the others go on to the other room, Zhalet takes a cold wet cloth and places over Rukn's eyes, tying it in the back like a blindfold.
"This should sooth your eyes and lessen the pain."
How do you mean you see some things others cannot? Invisible things? Second sight? It's true, obviously I guess, that I did not see the spark you saw. I might have been looking elsewhere, but was it there for me to see or not exactly there in that way?"
Rukn ed-Din |
The cold cloth immediately soothes Rukn's burns. Though he still can't see, a mild sensation of calm invades him.
-Ah, that feels good, thank you. Yes, sometimes I see invisible things. I need to concentrate and it takes some effort. I was focusing on that very moment, in case there were hidden clues in the room, when that 'creature' made its appearance.
Rukn doesn't want to sit down, in case they need to quickly flee, but he rests his back on the wall to alleviate his feet.
-I've seen you around Haleen's a pair of times. How did you met her, if I may ask?
Erizi the Landless |
Erizi looks quizzically at Kilarra. "I think you said let's explore that other room then get out of here".
Erizi stands and swings the short sword a few times, surprised at the difference in weight from his Earthbreaker.
I could foresee where this would come in useful in close quarters fighting. It is finely made.
Alexander Pierpoint |
"Very well," Alexander says, again borrowing the rod of fire from Zhalet. "Stand ready. We should get out as soon as we are done here, I think. Maybe look in those side passages, but after that, find a safe place to hole up and recover."
The old man projects flame onto the other torch. This time, he follows the others into the newly opened room.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
"Friend Solomon, Please share my words with the others."
Being careful to ensure no one is in a direct line with the hall to the last room, Kilarra nods that she is ready. After the door bursts open Kilarra motions for Erizi to follow her, makes the sign of Nethys, and proceeds to the newly opened chamber.
I took the liberty of moving people on the map. Please feel free to change it if you think your character would do something different
MisterLurch |
When the last brazier is lit, it flares for just a moment a brilliant white with the piercing glare of a phosphorus flame. The spots left in the vision of those still in the room fade slowly. The gout of fire from the southern hallway reaches halfway across the room, and is the same phosphorus blaze. When the spots finally clear from everyone's vision, the brazier on the west wall is a melted heap of slag, and the door to the last room simply does not exist. When Kilarra, Erizi, and Alexander arrive at the room, they find a room unlike any of the other five.
The interior of the room looks for all the world like the inside of a ruby geode, save that the floor is flat as polished, ruby-red glass. The crystal points on the walls and ceiling are flawless. Standing in the center of the room is an elderly human man dressed in the clothing and iconography of one of the faithful of Nethys; one who worships the destructive nature of the God-King. He speaks in a cultured voice in an ancient dialect of Osirian.
Alexander Pierpoint |
Kilarra Norgorkin |
Stunned yet again at not finding what she expects, Kilarra turns back to Erizi and Alexander. "The best path may be to bring everyone together after all. This certainly is not the end that I expected when we began our journey to this place. What say you friends?"
Almost as an after thought she says "Wish upon a distant start that I knew who he was."
K Religion 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
K History 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
MisterLurch |
The man turns his full attention to Alexander.
Kilarra, do you have something that allows you to make those knowledge checks untrained?
EDIT:
When used as a focus for casting spells with the fire descriptor, they add +1 damage per die. If the spell does not cause damage, it is cast at +2 caster levels.
If a fire crystal is affixed to a weapon, it gains a non-magical effect identical to the flaming special quality. This does not stack with any similar magical effect.
When used as a component of a magical item, it halves the base price cost of any fire-based part of the item. (i.e. a +3 flaming burst longsword with a fire crystal in the pommel would have the flaming burst portion of the base price calculated at 50%.)
Since I do not want to write an exhaustive list, other items and uses I will adjudicate on a case by case basis.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
Kilarra, do you have something that allows you to make those knowledge checks untrained?
Well, now that you mention it...no I do not...very sad waste of a beautiful 20.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
"While you explore interaction with this echo I will go and get the other friends."
Kilarra moves off to gather their allies.
"Friend Solomon, I do not trust these words so please share with all here what I say"
Kilarra then heads back to where Alexander is.
MisterLurch |
The man looks at Erizi quizzically.
Will the rest of you follow Kilarra back to the room?
Solomon Azar |
"Of course." Solomon replied in the language of Flame. He'd come this far, and Kilarra and Alexander had been proving themselves more than capable in this confusing and difficult temple.
He waved the others forward. "They want us all in the chamber when it is activated. I am guessing we should expect trouble."
Rukn ed-Din |
Rukn reacts to what Solomon says.
-Trouble? And what do they expect me to do? I'm blind! I need Zhalet by my side only to walk without stomping my head to the wall...
This said, he waits to see if Zhalet goes inside as well, in which case he will follow.
Zhalet Soroush |
"Well, I guess we go back again Rukn. Take my arm."
Zhalet helps Rukn link arms with herself, then begins guiding him back.
Zhalet Soroush |
-I've seen you around Haleen's a pair of times. How did you met her, if I may ask?
Zhalet's brows rise and she smiles slightly at Rukn's question.
"It couldn't have been me you saw. I have been in Katapash less than a month. And, except for what you and the others here who know her have said, I know nothing of Haleen. It seems to me she is a woman for exceptional qualities though."
Sorry, I missed this the first time through. Zhalet is Qadiran and from Gurat. She only arrived in Katapesh a week or so before the AP began.
Rukn ed-Din |
Rukn accepts Zhalet's help and starts walking over the room.
-Well, it must have been Solomon, then. You must tell me your story when we have time, at the camp- he says, smiling.
Zhalet Soroush |
Zhalet looks at Rukn with quizzical horror. Being mistaken for Solomon isn't something she can imagine, or that pleases her in any way.
I guess he might not have meant that as it sounds. He seems very shaken right now. He's probably not thinking clearly. Best to ignore it.
Zhalet tries changing the subject. "Do you think you see those invisible things because you are aasimar? You know, I was very surprised to find you and Kilarra on this journey as well. Three aasimar together in such a small group when I had never before met another at all! I can't help but believe there is some greater purpose to what we are here for. It cannot be a coincidence that we have been brought together."
"I hope I am not overstepping, but may I ask if you know of your celestial ancestor? I have heard that many assimar do not, but I do. He is Zhalgiel, the Raelis Azata. He and my mother were together as allies for some time before they... united more intimately. My name echoes the sound of his. I have never met him, but I hope to some day."
MisterLurch |
The illusion of the man, for that is what it must be if a rather complicated one, turns back to Alexander, and adopts a lecturing tone. This time you see some small flicker in its image as it shifts topic.
For example, if formed as a weapon crystal, they can cause a weapon to burst into flame without harming the one who formed the crystal or the weapon to which it is attached, though it will burn anyone else.
They can also be formed to be a focus for spellcasting, enhancing the power and efficacy of any fire spells.
All of the non-magical effects of the fire crystals have not been documented, as they are difficult to obtain, and each person can create just one. They are bonded to their creators in some way that is not fully understood, and can actually grow in strength the longer they are used.
If they are used in the construction of an enchanted item, any fire-based enchantments typically require half the effort to imbue into the item."
***
On the walk back to this last chamber, the discomfort of the blinding light finally fades entirely under the effect of the cool cloth, and Rukn is able to discern some fragments of light seeping in around the edges of the damp blindfold.
Solomon Azar |
Solomon was surprised, and still a bit paranoid. Still he moved into the chamber.
"What did you find?"
Alexander Pierpoint |
"When I activate this room, all present may each carry away a magic crystal. Attach it to a weapon, and it will radiate nonmagical fire which will harm only what it strikes, not its wielder. Use it as a magical focus, and it will enhance fire magic. They will be bonded to their master and grow stronger over time. This is a prize worth claiming for all of us, is it not?"
Rukn ed-Din |
While walking towards the room Kilarra and Alexander are in, Rukn responds to Zhalet's curiosity.
-I bet it was my father who had this strange heritage. All what my mother told me was that he was an adventurer. She hadn't have the time to tell me more, anyway... but enough of sad stories! I'm eager to know what's happening in this strange room. Will you tell me?
The Solomon thing was a misspell, but I think it's fun to leave it just like that, misunderstanding included. I really meant "only Solomon".
Kilarra Norgorkin |
Overhearing Rukn and Zhalet's conversation as they walk she chimes in "Knowing what came before oneself is a good thing to know. My fore-bearers' flames were snuffed out when I was yet an ember. My only memory is of blood and some unexplainable peace when I harken back to them them. In my path of life I have gained little in knowledge of them, I only know that it ordained that I was intended to serve a God. Who that God is, I do not know."
Rukn ed-Din |
-I'm sure you'll find out someday... if you still want to know.
Rukn puts all his focus on the rest of his senses, since sight seem to be out of the equation.
-Now... you'll need to tell me what to do very carefully. Remember I'll need to do it blindly.
Kilarra Norgorkin |
On the walk back to this last chamber, the discomfort of the blinding light finally fades entirely under the effect of the cool cloth, and Rukn is able to discern some fragments of light seeping in around the edges of the damp blindfold.
If you are just role playing then never mind but in case you missed it I thought you would like to know you are no longer blind.
Rukn ed-Din |
I just failed to see that (see what I did here? :P)
-Wait... I feel like I can discern a bit, it seems the burning sensation is slowly mitigating.- Rukn rubs his eyes. -Though very roughly, I think I can at least tell where you people are. Though I wouldn't tr5ust my vision much. Tell us what to do, Kilarra, please.
Alexander Pierpoint |
"I am not sure exactly what will happen, but stand ready for anything - and hopefully to receive crystals of might which may be used to enhance your weapons or your fire magic," Alexander says.