DM Mothman |
Andolphas unseals his flask of oil and lobs it at the swarm, the liquid splashing over the bulk of the remaining insects. The oil is followed a second later by Brashen’s torch. It is not a terribly accurate throw, landing right near the edge of the spreading pool of oil – but it is enough to light it. The flame spreads rapidly across the surface of the oil, crisping the beetles that it passes over. It does not kill them all, but enough – the swarm is broken, with the several dozen remaining beetles scattering this way and that, little threat on their own.
Comabt over, well done!
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
Andolphas unseals his flask of oil and lobs it at the swarm, the liquid splashing over the bulk of the remaining insects. The oil is followed a second later by Brashen’s torch. It is not a terribly accurate throw, landing right near the edge of the spreading pool of oil – but it is enough to light it. The flame spreads rapidly across the surface of the oil, crisping the beetles that it passes over. It does not kill them all, but enough – the swarm is broken, with the several dozen remaining beetles scattering this way and that, little threat on their own.
Boland's panic subsides as the bulk of the remaining beetles go up in flames, but he can't stop the shaking that takes over his body as the adrenaline of the battle fades and his injuries take their toll.
He reaches carefully into one of his ample pockets and pulls out a large toad from where it is stowed. "Are you ok Croak?" he asks it quietly before tucking it back into the pocket.
Though still shaking, his curiousity overcomes him and he moves over to the where the bird creature fell, wanting to take a closer look at it. "An arrowhawk, native to the elemental plane of air." he says absently to himself. "And we saw what looks like a teleportation device earlier with glyphs written in Auran. Perhaps it was named the whispering cairn due to a link to the Elemntal Plane of Air..." his muttering peels off as he wracks his brain for any further knowledge of this plane and it's natives.
Knowledge the Planes 16 + 4 = 20. He's searching for any useful information on the elemental plane of air, it's native inhabitants and their strengths/weaknesses.
Andolphas Hecker |
Though still shaking, his curiousity overcomes him and he moves over to the where the bird creature fell, wanting to take a closer look at it. "An arrowhawk, native to the elemental plane of air." he says absently to himself. "And we saw what looks like a teleportation device earlier with glyphs written in Auran. Perhaps it was named the whispering cairn due to a link to the Elemntal Plane of Air..." his muttering peels off as he wracks his brain for any further knowledge of this plane and it's natives.
As the bugs burst into flames, Andolphas nods in satisfaction (and respect?) at Brashen. He then puts a hand over his mouth to protect himself from the smoke and stench, and walks back to Boland's side. Speaking through the fingers in his hand, he asks: "were we wise to kill this creature? Would it have been hostile to us, or in league with fiends? I know relatively little of elementals or the Realm of Air..."
Brashen Trell |
'Of course it was hostile, it attacked Da'gret! We had to kill it, and we did, as well as the swarm. Good work, everyone.' Brash nods to his companions, then pulls another tourch from his pack and lights it, before moving to the hole where the creatures emerged from and taking a careful look
Andolphas Hecker |
'Of course it was hostile, it attacked Da'gret! We had to kill it, and we did, as well as the swarm. Good work, everyone.' Brash nods to his companions, then pulls another tourch from his pack and lights it, before moving to the hole where the creatures emerged from and taking a careful look
"Perhaps I should clarify the intent of my questions... Boland, what I meant was, are these creatures by reputation malevolent? Or might it have behaved in a hostile manner simply because it felt threatened?"
DM Mothman |
muttering peels off as he wracks his brain for any further knowledge of this plane and it's natives.
Knowledge the Planes 16 + 4 = 20. He's searching for any useful information on the elemental plane of air, it's native inhabitants and their strengths/weaknesses.
Boland,
There are many creatures native to the Plane of Air – mainly elemental creatures, but also races of outsiders such as Djinn and Arrowhawks, several types of dragons, birds and bird-like monsters, some type of fey … the list goes on.
Many creatures of the Elemental Planes (particularly the elementals themselves) are loathe to leave the place, and would only be found on the Prime Material if they are summoned or called … in which case their behaviour may vary greatly from what it would be on their native plane, as they would tend to be bound here for a specific task.
DM Mothman |
'Of course it was hostile, it attacked Da'gret! We had to kill it, and we did, as well as the swarm. Good work, everyone.' Brash nods to his companions, then pulls another tourch from his pack and lights it, before moving to the hole where the creatures emerged from and taking a careful look
Brashen, heading over and looking down the hole … your torch light does not reach the bottom, the shaft descends into darkness. The formerly smooth stone walls of the shaft are now pitted and scored by the passage of the acidic beetle swarm. However, the stone still appears structurally sound, and the damage to the walls may actually make them easier to climb … if you want to head down there.
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
"Perhaps I should clarify the intent of my questions... Boland, what I meant was, are these creatures by reputation malevolent? Or might it have behaved in a hostile manner simply because it felt threatened?"
Boland looks up from his musings at Andolphas' questions. He thinks again for a moment, recalling what he had read of the strange creatures. His voice starts off shaky but gathers some strength as he goes. "I...I've read that Arrowhawks are neither good nor e..evil, though they are territorial and very aggressive which may have been why it a...attacked."
He pauses a moment before continuing. "I've been thinking though; creatures from the Elemental Plane of Air generally don't like leaving their own world. They are mostly only found here if they have been summoned for some purpose. If that was the case with this one" (he nudges the arrowhawk with his foot) "then it could have been acting under command, compelled to attack us. By 'us' I mean intruders to the cairn."
"Sooo, that means there may be more of them about. Or other creatures - like the beetles - with the aim of keeping people out." A small shiver runs down his spine at the thought of more danger. He looks around at the others in the group, trying to determine their resolve. "On the other hand, one does not go to so much trouble in summoning and controlling such creatures to protect an empty cairn. It seems increasinly clear that there is something down here to be protected." He let's the statement hang, allowing everyone to weigh it up for themselves.
Andolphas Hecker |
He pauses a moment before continuing. "I've been thinking though; creatures from the Elemental Plane of Air generally don't like leaving their own world. They are mostly only found here if they have been summoned for some purpose. If that was the case with this one" (he nudges the arrowhawk with his foot) "then it could have been acting under command, compelled to attack us. By 'us' I mean intruders to the cairn."
"Sooo, that means there may be more of them about. Or other creatures - like the beetles - with the aim of keeping people out." A small shiver runs down his spine at the thought of more danger. He looks around at the others in the group, trying to determine their resolve. "On the other hand, one does not go to so much trouble in summoning and controlling such creatures to protect an empty cairn. It seems increasinly clear that there is something down here to be protected." He let's the statement hang, allowing everyone to weigh it up for themselves.
"Indeed," murmurs Andolphas, nodding his head in agreement with Boland's last statement. "But what affinity did the Cairn's creators have for creatures of air? Why was this arrowhawk chosen as a guardian?"
The priest turns and calls to Brashen. "What do you see down there? Not more beetles, I hope... Is it worth scrambling down to seek out this arrowhawk's lair? Or should we resume our investigations of the sarcophagus and the cylinders?"
DM Mothman |
Brash pulls out his 50ft hemp rope. 'I think we might be needing ropes to get down. Anyone else got any?' Brash looks around for anywhere near the hole that he could attatch the rope to
The walls of the alcove and passage are fairly smooth, with no convenient projections. The only things Brashen can see that he might be able to secure a rope to are the sarcophagus in the middle of the chamber – which is probably a bit far away – and the chain hanging down from above that the green lantern is currently hooked too … assuming it is strong enough. The chain hangs directly above the hole to about 8 feet above the floor.
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
"Indeed," murmurs Andolphas, nodding his head in agreement with Boland's last statement. "But what affinity did the Cairn's creators have for creatures of air? Why was this arrowhawk chosen as a guardian?"
"I'm not sure. But I'll bet the answers lie somewhere below us, down one of these shafts."
Brash pulls out his 50ft hemp rope. 'I think we might be needing ropes to get down. Anyone else got any?'
"Oh, yes!" Boland flips off his back and pulls forth the rope he purchased that morning. "Here" he says, passing it over to Brashen "I bought it this morning in case we might need it."
Boland eyes the shaft with some amount of apprehension, not keen on having to make the climb down. "I agree we should check out what lies below. But before we start the climb, why don't we spin the sarcophagus around once more so we can see what happened to the snake's head we sent down? Should only take 2 minutes - we can do it while you prepare the ropes for the climb down. I don't really want to have to climb anymore than we have to..."
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
"Boland is full of good ideas today. Let's do as he says."
Boland let's out a breath of relief, glad that Andolphas had added his authority to the suggestion. He was also relieved that he had possibly bought himself a little more time to prepare mentally before having to climb down the hole into the darkness!
DM Mothman |
Brashen and the other strongmen again put their shoulders to the sarcophagus and heave. The heavy stone swings around to face the next passage, and once it clicks into place, the metal cylinder and its stone cap once again rise up from the floor. The doors slide open, bathing the interior and the surrounding passage in harsh white light, as blood and jellified snake flesh ooze out from the open doorway onto the floor of the passage. The snake head has been squashed flat, the humanoid bones and remains in the cylinder now covered with gore.
Andolphas Hecker |
Brashen and the other strongmen again put their shoulders to the sarcophagus and heave. The heavy stone swings around to face the next passage, and once it clicks into place, the metal cylinder and its stone cap once again rise up from the floor. The doors slide open, bathing the interior and the surrounding passage in harsh white light, as blood and jellified snake flesh ooze out from the open doorway onto the floor of the passage. The snake head has been squashed flat, the humanoid bones and remains in the cylinder now covered with gore.
"The Dark-Eyed Lady be praised for granting us her insight and favour... and Da'gret, of course, for having thought of placing the dead snake therein. That would have been a most unpleasant end. Guess we shouldn't go down that lift... what's next?"
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
"The Dark-Eyed Lady be praised for granting us her insight and favour... and Da'gret, of course, for having thought of placing the dead snake therein. That would have been a most unpleasant end. Guess we shouldn't go down that lift... what's next?"
Boland blanches at the mess in the bottom of the cylinder and the thought that it could have been one of them. He mutters "I...Indeed" at Andolphas' prayer, stuttering slightly.
He looks towards Brashen and sighs "I guess we look down the hole?"
Strevlik |
Seeing the torch Boland dropped, Strevlik decides to tie the torch onto the rope and lowers it into the hole. When the torch reaches the bottom, the ranger peers down to see what's below.
spot check = 15+7=22
Strevlik consults the others "If there doesnt seem to be any immediate danger below, I'm willing to go down to scout the area. Anybody else coming? No need for all of us to venture down and somebody will need to stay up to anchor the rope."
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
Seeing the torch Boland dropped, Strevlik decides to tie the torch onto the rope and lowers it into the hole. When the torch reaches the bottom, the ranger peers down to see what's below.
spot check = 15+7=22
Strevlik consults the others "If there doesnt seem to be any immediate danger below, I'm willing to go down to scout the area. Anybody else coming? No need for all of us to venture down and somebody will need to stay up to anchor the rope."
"W-well I don't know if I'd be a great anchor, but I can give it a go." Boland is quick to take an option that will give him more time to prepare before descending by the rope into the hole.
DM Mothman |
Seeing the torch Boland dropped, Strevlik decides to tie the torch onto the rope and lowers it into the hole. When the torch reaches the bottom, the ranger peers down to see what's below.
spot check = 15+7=22
Strevlik consults the others "If there doesnt seem to be any immediate danger below, I'm willing to go down to scout the area. Anybody else coming? No need for all of us to venture down and somebody will need to stay up to anchor the rope."
I presume that you meant the everburning torch that Boland dropped during the insect attack?
The ranger deftly ties the everburning torch to the end of the length of rope – his own and Brashen’s ropes tied together to form a length of near 100 feet – and carefully begins lowering the torch down the shaft.
The flickering light illuminates the stone work of the circular shaft as it descends, revealing the continued cosmetic damage caused by the acid beetles. Finally, it nears the bottom. The torch light reveals a pile of wreckage at the bottom of the shaft; the remains of the cylinder mixed with some sort of orange coloured organic material. A few small, dark shapes scuttle away from the light – probably beetles, but they do not appear to be in dangerous numbers.
It seems that the shaft opens out on one side into a larger chamber of some sort, but at this angle and distance it is impossible to see further details of the space. Judging by the amount of rope left once Strevlik has lowered the torch down, the shaft appears to be about sixty feet deep.
DM Mothman |
'Maybe we can give someone a boast to tie the rope to the hanging chain, dont know how sturdy it is, but it should atleast help someone anchor the rope, and maybe let us all get down there.'
It looks like a fairly sturdy chain, but whether it is strong enough, or just as importantly it is anchored securely enough to bear that amount of weight is anyone’s guess.
DM Mothman |
"W-well I don't know if I'd be a great anchor, but I can give it a go." Boland is quick to take an option that will give him more time to prepare before descending by the rope into the hole.
Boland would probably struggle - at best - to hold the rope secure while anyone else climbed down.
DM Mothman |
Regarding climbing down the hole; you judge that even a somewhat skilled climber, or someone of average or greater strength (as long as they were not encumbered by bulky armour) could probably make the climb without the aid of a rope, given the finger and toe holds and the diameter of the shaft, so long as they were careful and methodical … of course, a misstep could be disastrous.
Using a rope would probably make the climb all but a sure thing.
Brashen, yes, it would be quite easy to boost someone up to secure the rope to the chain … if you trust its strength.
So what is the plan?
Da'gret |
After reverting to his humanoid form, Da'gret rises, casually checking himself over for injury from the electrical blast. When the others express interest in using the ancient chain as an anchor for the rope he grunts slapping the stone of the sarcophagus. "Much stronger. With the wizard's rope maybe it reaches."
I think we have 150' rope if you tie Boland's on.
DM Mothman |
That might not be a bad plan – looping the rope around the sarcophagus certainly seems like it would be more secure than tying it to the chain. If you tie the three ropes together … call it 145 feet minus the overlap and knots. It is 60 feet down, 55 feet from the hole to the sarcophagus, and will use up say 25 to 30 feet to loop it all the way around and tie it off … so looks like you have exactly enough rope.
Want to do it?
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
"Let us go with Da'gret's plan... and let us pray that the Dark-Eyed Lady continues to smile upon us. Boland and I can keep an eye on the knots that tie the rope sections, to make sure they do not slip and come undone while someone is climbing down..."
Boland nods in agreeance, happy to go along with the suggestions put forward.
DM Mothman |
No worries about the Use Rope checks. I was going to make them more to speed things along rather than leave you all in a state of suspense … those rolls can stand.
Da’gret loops the rope around the sarcophagus, tying it off tightly, whilst Strevlik knots Boland’s rope to the greater length and Andolphas checks the knots. Soon all appears to be ready and secure.
Strevlik tests the rope’s strength, then (presumably leaving the everburning torch at the bottom of the shaft to light the way) begins his descent, bracing his feet against the shaft’s pitted walls and lowering himself down the rope.
The rough hemp strains, tugging at the knots and tightening around the sarcophagus, but the rope holds. Brashen follows down the rope once Strevlik is down.
At its base, the shaft opens up into a chamber. The bottom of the shaft is covered with rubble – twisted metal remains of the cylinder, pieces of stone, and some sort of hard, orange resin-like substance, riddled with holes, that also occupies part of the room beyond. As Strevlik’s feet touch the rubble pile several inch-long black beetles scurry out of the rubble and away into the darkness of the chamber beyond.
The flickering light from the everburning torch illuminates a relatively small stone walled chamber, with a niche containing the shaft on the south wall and an archway leading into a dark passage in the north wall. The stone floor is pitted and scarred, and covering with the detritus of thousands of beetles.
The east and west walls of the chamber are adorned with bas-relief statues, although these also appear to be badly damaged by the acid beetles, with features obscuring by patches of melted stone. As much as can be made out, the figures depicted in the statue seem to be similar to that on the sarcophagus above, although most stand with arms crossed and stern expressions, and they are represented as dressed in simpler tunics.
Other than a few beetles that scuttle out into the dark corridor, and a hand sized plate of stone that protrudes from the wall near the niche, there appears to be little else of interest in the chamber.
DM Mothman |
For those down below:
The air is close and chill down here, and there is a faint musty, damp smell … and behind that the faint smell of rot.
Please make Listen checks.
Listen DC 13+
Listen DC 15+
Andolphas Hecker |
Spot: 15 + 1 = 16.
Satisfied that the knots will hold, Andolphas momentarily raises his head and glances back over his shoulder, only to become shocked by what he sees... or rather does not see. "Gentlemen... I have worrisome news... The dead arrowhawk is no longer there... Boland, do these things disintegrate or return to their realm in the Great Beyond once slain, or...???" The grim cleric grasps his spear tightly and starts to scan the rest of the chamber, fearing that the creature may not have been killed after all, and that it may be preparing to drop down on them from above at any moment...
Another Spot check: 17 + 1 = 18... the dice are hot tonight!
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
Spot: 15 + 1 = 16.
Satisfied that the knots will hold, Andolphas momentarily raises his head and glances back over his shoulder, only to become shocked by what he sees... or rather does not see. "Gentlemen... I have worrisome news... The dead arrowhawk is no longer there... Boland, do these things disintegrate or return to their realm in the Great Beyond once slain, or...???" The grim cleric grasps his spear tightly and starts to scan the rest of the chamber, fearing that the creature may not have been killed after all, and that it may be preparing to drop down on them from above at any moment...
Another Spot check: 17 + 1 = 18... the dice are hot tonight!
Spot check 6 + 1 = 7.
Boland stand near the edge of the hole, anxiously awaiting word from those who descend. After a moment he calls softly "What do you see?"
At Andolphas' observation, Boland starts, and turns his attention warily back towards the room. He heads down the tunnel into the main chamber, all the while thinking back to what he knows of Arrowhawks and the plane of Air. "It's possible we didn't kill it as such as destroy its material plane presence..." he muses.
Knowledge the planes 10 + 4 = 14, Knowledge Arcana 10 + 6 = 16
DM Mothman |
Andolphas, you scan the tomb chamber, but spot nothing more sinister than a few solitary acid beetles scuttling into dark corners – no sign of the Arrowhawk. You do notice Strevlik’s barbed arrow lying on the floor in about the spot where the large corpse lay.
Boland, you recall a little about extra-planar creatures on the Material Plane. If the creature was summoned here, depending on the type of spell used it may well return to its home plane either upon dying or upon the spell duration expiring. Again, depending on the type of magic used to bring it here, it may well, as you surmise, be alive and well on its home plane despite being “killed” here.
Brashen Trell |
listen check = 6 Brash pulls another tourch from his pack and stops to light it. At Bolands wispered comment he calls back up the shaft. 'Nothing much here, a whole lotta rubble and a passage way leading out. We'll check it out.' With that he begins a search of the room, and a look into the corridor. search 14+2=16
Boland "Bowls" Karendum |
Boland, you recall a little about extra-planar creatures on the Material Plane. If the creature was summoned here, depending on the type of spell used it may well return to its home plane either upon dying or upon the spell duration expiring. Again, depending on the type of magic used to bring it here, it may well, as you surmise, be alive and well on its home plane despite being “killed” here.
Boland relates what he knows to the others.
Upon hearing Brash's voice floating up the shaft, he hurries back over and nods. After a moment he realises that obviously Brash won't be able to see him nod, so he adds with some embarrassment "Ok. D-don't go to far on your own though."