Stilgar Fulgrum |
Stilgar frowns, having forgotten that he was the only one who could see in the dark naturally. "My apologies, I overlook these things sometimes. I do not have my light spell prepared," he admits. Not wanting to spend the 10 minutes needed to prepare it, he turns to Gendo, "Would you mind lending me a torch?"
Shadowborn |
Gendo turns to a large burly figure. He stands nearly six and a half feet tall, with blond hair so pale as to be nearly white, an ivory complexion, and eyes of an odd ice blue.
"Accompany them, Brother Glacier." The big man nods, grabbing up a lit lantern from the floor and silently falling in behind Magnus and Stilgar.
As Magnus hurries for the stairs with Stilgar close behind, Glacier takes the time to open the two side doors in the hall as he passes them, peering inside each in turn, and then continues to follow.
You descend the stairs--28 steps down--and find a hallway stretching to your right and left. Each extends about 20 feet before turning a corner, the left passage turning right, and the right passage turning left.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Agreed. Here, Brother Glacier. I suspect you could make better use of these than me for the moment."
Magnus hands the monk his staff and everburning torch from his pack before leading the group down the left hall.
"Save the expandable torches for when you need them"
Shadowborn |
The big man takes the torch and staff in one large hand, looking a bit puzzled as he holds the lantern in the other, but makes no comment.
Heading around the left passage, you find it goes a mere twenty feet before ending. There are three doors; one at the very end of the hall, with the others to its left and right.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Shall we continue the left-ward tendency?" Magnus says, scanning each door. He sighs at the man carrying the dual light sources, and then approaches and blows out the lantern, letting the everburning torch continue its work. "I mean to conserve your supplies here, as they are quite limited. Understand?"
Shadowborn |
Glacier shrugs, nods, and sets the now-extinguished lantern on the floor. As you approach the doors you note that the ones to either side are crafted of stone, with short bars that secure them from this side and simple pull rings to open them. The center door at the end of the hall is likewise stone, but banded with iron.
Shadowborn |
Stilgar realizes that the bar will have to be drawn back first, otherwise the door won't open. It sticks a bit, but after a good tug he slides it back from the holding. He gives a good pull and nearly loses his balance, as the door easily swings open. He realizes the door is likely dwarven crafted--like the ones in dwarven fortresses--and fitted on iron pegs at the top and bottom on one side, balanced to move easily, but significantly stronger than a door of wood. The door opens onto a long, narrow room that runs parallel with the hall, back the way you came. Inside are several rusted iron cells, four in all, empty but for a few tin plates and ceramic chamberpots.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Curious. Do you think this cell would have belonged to the Monks in the past?" Magnus looks to Glacier, but doesn't expect much for an answer. He then moves to the next door and goes through the process of opening it.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"And door number three?" Magnus says half to himself moving to the last door and working the mechanisms.
Shadowborn |
The iron-bound door opens onto a set of shallow steps that lead down into a perfectly spherical room, about twenty feet in diameter. Around the equator of the room, carved columns in the shape of staff-wielding women support the arches of the ceiling, which terminate at the apex in a sphere of stone that gives off a soft white light, illuminating the room. At the bottom of the curved floor sits an odd statue. It appears to be a nude man, his body old and grizzled, seated upon a stone. The detail is exquisite except for his feet, as it appears the statue was carved from the very rock of this room, but left unfinished, as the legs end in rough chunks of stone risen from the smooth curve of the floor. The statue sits hunched with its elbows on its knees, head cupped in its hands, possibly in an air of despondence, or simply lost in thought.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Well you don't have to cast a spell to tell me that's a light spell in the ceiling. Anything else registering on the magic-meter Stilgar?" Magnus says cautiously approaching the statue in the centre of the room for a closer look. perception1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Shadowborn |
Magnus, as you get close and peer at the statue, you marvel at its craftsmanship...right up until the eyelids flutter open, sending a drizzle of dirt and dust from their lashes to rain upon the floor. The two hard, glittering, agate like eyes gaze glassily for a long moment before coming into focus upon you.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus stands back startled by the statue's animation. He stands upright and backs up toward the exit without taking his eyes off of the statue. "Speak, statue, tell us what your purpose is here."
Shadowborn |
Hmm. I posted last night, but it seems to have vanished. Ah well, let's try this again.
The figure turns in the direction of the gnome, dirt and dust lightly raining from its hair and beard with the movement. It's eyes are unfocused for a moment before fixing on Magnus. It opens its mouth to speak and as you watch it move you realize that this is not a statue, but a humanoid--though its skin does have a stony appearance--and its stillness gave the illusion of being a sculpture. When he speaks, his words are slow and careful, as of someone that has not used language in a long while.
"Statue...? No.... Purpose? I have no purpose here...I am a prisoner."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus turns to the monk. "Wait outside the door. Don't let anyone through. In or Out until I give the say so." Magnus speaks with an authority that he rarely uses. The tenor of his voice is crystal clear and less melodic than normal.
Magnus looks to Stilgar and then back to the prisoner. "For what crime were you imprisoned here? What are the terms of your sentence?"
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus mutters to himself "...not terribly specific, but I wouldn't be very coherent if I'd been here so long either." He regards the room for a moment, staring up at the light beam shining down on the man and on the surroundings. He looks outside to see that Glacier is gone to fetch the others. "Alright, we don't have long until he returns with more monks. I need you to answer me quickly and directly. What were your crimes, specifically, and what authority does the Mother have here? Is the Mother connected to Mimir? "
Shadowborn |
The strange man tilts his head and gives you a lopsided grin. "The Mother is one of the Eight. Her authority is over all children she holds to her bosom. Connected to Mimir? Not directly, no, but she is directly connected to me..." he says, his grin widening as he looks down at his encased feet.
At this point, Brother Glacier has gone nowhere. He is standing by listening to everything that is being said.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
"One of the Eight?" Stilgar murmurs to himself, thinking on whether the man might be talking about some kind of deity. Both intrigued about and wary of the prisoner, the cleric takes a single step toward him. "What is your name, prisoner? For how long have you been bound here?"
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Shadowborn |
"My name...is..." he pauses, again seeming to look at nothing, or perhaps through you, "Terranus. Yes, my name is Terranus. I am a son of the Earth."
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Another one like the Archive. Bound to an element, untouched by the passage of time, yet strangely content in their loneliness. " Magnus comments to no one in particular. He then sets down his bag, satisfied that Terranus is not a threat, and reaches into a side pouch and begins shuffling a deck of cards. "Would you like to play a game? We shall not be here long, but while we are, I would be happy to keep you company. Brother Glacier will go and gather the others to help protect you, if you like." As he says this, he gestures for Glacier to head out and get the others.
Shadowborn |
"I tried to help her...got it wrong somehow...she was angry..." He trails off, a look of confusion crossing his features. Then he seems to take note of Magnus' words and actions and smiles, showing wide teeth, bright like white onyx. He reaches out and pats Magnus's hand. "You are kind to..."
His voice cuts off as dangerous grinding noises grab your attention. The two statues flanking the door suddenly step out of the pillars they are carved from and move toward the three of you, brandishing their staves menacingly. The door suddenly swings shut with a loud boom, cutting you off from a surprised-looking Brother Glacier.
Initiative rolls and actions, please.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Stilgar whirls around, his eyes widening with surprise when he sees the perpetrators. As the door slams shut, the battle-ready cleric reaches for his belt, drawing his trusty warhammer. With his weapon in one hand, he then tries to use the other to perform the motions for a familiar spell.
Move: Draw mwk warhammer
Standard: Cast divine favor if it won't provoke. (+1 luck bonus to attack & damage rolls for 10 rounds.)
Magnus Thunderf00t |
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 initiative
Magnus looks to Terranus for an explanation. Is this a betrayal, or something else entirely? 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11sense motive In either case, Magnus will remain seated, grab his bag move action and cast levitate on himself. standard action
"I'm not much use against these, but I'll do what I can from out of reach" Magnus calls to Stilgar. "Tuboo will help too. We'll need all the help we can get. "
Shadowborn |
Initiative order:
Stilgar 18
Magnus 15
Brother Glacier 14
Statues 12
Round 1:
Stilgar casts his spell to prepare for combat and grabs up his hammer. Meanwhile, Magnus grabs his bag and casts his spell, preparing to move out of combat range. You see no sign of Brother Glacier, though the solid stone and iron door would not buckle even if the large man hit it full force.
Terranus lets out a moan. "Mother's guardians! Oh, no...should not have touched...should not have touched." He ducks his head and covers it with his hands, cowering before the constructs.
The female statues move forward, brandishing their stone staves. Stilgar avoids the first's strike entirely, but the second moves in and clouts him solidly on the shoulder. 10 hp damage.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Magnus ascends straight up as far as he can, then launches the only offense spell he has prepared. He attempts to hurl a small bolt of electricity at the statues, praying to whatever gods that it will be effective. jolt touch attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 "Terranus, call them off. Ask Erda for forgiveness. I'm sure you can do it."
Shadowborn |
Round 2
Stilgar swings his hammer at the the statue, connecting with its chest with a loud crash, feeling the shock of the impact through to his shoulder. Chips of stone fly and cracks appear across its surface, but the statue continues to attack.
Magnus rises up to the room's ceiling above, sending a blue spark of electricity down, which strikes a statue's stone surface with a loud snap but no apparent effect.
Terranus cowers, saying "I am sorry! Meant no harm! Not trying to escape! They were not trying to free me! Sorry!" However, if the statues take any notice, they ignore him.
With a groan and a brief shine of magic about its frame, the door swings open, giving a view of Brother Glacier straining mightily as he pries it back, yelling back up the hall for his brothers.
The statues continue their assault. As Stilgar brings up his shield and blocks a swing from one of them, the other swings low, bypassing the shield and bringing its staff down hard on his hip. 8 hp damage.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
hp 13
This time the cleric gasps out in pain, reeling from the solid blow to his side. Gritting his teeth, Stilgar changes to a more defensive stance, only idly swinging his hammer at the statue he attacked before.
Full-Round: Fight defensively (raises AC to 19)
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Magnus Thunderf00t |
"Terranus, It's alright. you didn't do anything wrong. Stilgar, these are too much for us, retreat out the door and I'll close it behind." Magnus reaches into his pack for a vial of acid to throw and waits for Stilgar to clear the area.
Shadowborn |
Round 3
Stilgar is put on the defensive, his swing glancing off the damaged statue with no effect. Meanwhile Magnus rummages his pack and comes up with an acid flask.
Brother Glacier braces himself against the now open door.
"Hurry..." he grunts.
The stone staves of the guardians lash out, hammering down on Stilgar, but he manages to block each with his shield.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
When Stilgar has fully withdrawn from the room, Magnus will shout out a quick instruction before casting a spell. "Go to the archive and find out how to release the curse. Hurry!" He will then cast close on the doorway, protecting his allies from any attempt by the statues to pursue.
Shadowborn |
Magnus moves out the door, and as Brother Glacier loses his grip upon it, the door swings shut again, leaving Magnus within.
Glacier looks at the door a moment, then back up the stairs. He makes a motion with his hand back whence you came and begins to move quickly, taking the stairs three at a time.
Stilgar Fulgrum |
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Stilgar pulls away from the door and hurries after Brother Glacier, moving as quickly as possible.
"His spell will not hold for long," he says unnecessarily, more to himself than to the monk.
The cleric does what he can to get to the Grand Archive posthaste.
Magnus Thunderf00t |
Shadowborn |
"'Erda bids you return to your posts,' is what the living guardians would say. Yes...that was it."