The ghost in the bow drools over the armor.
Karethas distractedly says, "I don't if either of you wants to use the armor or headband now, but that headband should definitely go on someone's head until something better comes along." as he is slowly opening the scroll case and examining it's contents.
Amir casts a critical eye at the excited wizard and the obviously possessed bard, Should we even be touching these things? You say these are objects of powerful magic? I'm not sure its such a good idea...
Seeing Karethas open the scroll case I mean to step back away from the danger that has been foreseen by Kzrira's spirit ... but find myself stepping towards the scroll to get a look at the document in case it has some ancient knowledge that I have not uncovered yet. As the scroll is removed I find myself holding my breath too.
The concern from the bow is all but palpable. You can almost hear an exasperated sigh.
Karethas ignores the naysayers and opens the case with trembling hands. Ignoring the tall elf breathing down his neck, Karethas upends it cautiously and a rolled scroll of aged parchment slides out. Faelar gasps as the tattered edges of the old paper crumble in Karethas' hands. The paper seems to be falling apart, but as soon as the crumbling paper falls away, it regenerates magically so that the edges of the sheet continually decay away and then return. It is truly a strange artifact.
The mystery continues after it is unrolled. It bears only a single character on one side that spans the 16" by 22" sheet of parchment.
In fact, Falear finds that the character bears some resemblance to a dialect of Ancient Oririani from the southern extremes of the old kingdoms. He believes it might mean 'my world' or 'my treasure' perhaps. That is uncertain, but the pronunciation would likely be-
.
Karethas holds his hand up to stop Faelar from actually pronouncing the word. "It may be that this is the proper place to actually speak the word, but perhaps not. Let's hold off for now. In any case, I would love a chance to study it further before we actually try to use it." He gestures to the armor and headband, "I don't see anything that actually indicates that there is any particular power or danger in these items, lets take them. And then let's see about these iron doors?"
The heavy iron doors are well constructed and magically sealed with materials and spells beyond your powers to breach. From the illusory treasure room behind you arises a haunting chorus of loud moans which reminds you that you are in the Pit of Screaming Ghosts. Likely not a safe place to remain overly long.
Amir will stash the items for now, gingerly. Looking over the doors Amir looks at the wizard and bard Maybe we should speak that word? These doors aren't opening without something unless you think we should go back up?
My mouth is starting to form the word on the scroll when Karethas' hand covers my mouth. I stop speaking and listen to him carefully, followed by a solemn nod. As Amir asks about speaking the word I look to Karethas hopefully.
Karethas purses his lips, "It would take me at least another day to study the scroll with any depth. I suppose we should try it. Let me do it though, my training has hardened me against mental and arcane stresses. Hopefully, I won't need such training, but better safe."
It is evident to the arcanists that the scroll is not a typical magic scroll- it does not contain hidden spells, but has some other use.
Karethas bows slightly to Faelar, "If you wish to do it then."
It is clear to Faelar though belatedly to Karethas that the character on the scroll is not some power word, but more of a marker. It does not activate anything, but must in fact be activated.
Its ancient age solidly suggests that it has nothing to do with Rovagug or the tomb where it was found, but is a far older and more important relic.
As the mystics in the party examine the scroll for the umpteenth time, Faelar feels the bow urging him to head back up and eliminate the div witch which is still above the party.
Rest, recover, and then destroy the horror.
Clearly we need to return. Let us get back to the oasis, rest, then see about our exit...
"I agree, I was just about to suggest the same thing. We need to leave before the gnolls are able to reorganize."
I continue to look at the scroll longingly, but begrudgingly move to leave the building and rest.
Whatever the scroll's secrets, it will not yield them easily. The adventurers store their new found treasures and pass back through the arches. The screams immediately grow alarmingly loud and it is revealed they come from tattered incorporeal spirits that fly around the chamber. There are perhaps a dozen, but thankfully they stay clear of Karethas' magic circle. Still the warding spell will not last forever and you move quickly across the columns and up the stairs back to the oasis. The spirits do not follow you from the wretched cavern.
Nothing has changed in the peaceful oasis room and after a fitful rest you are ready to make your way from the House of the Beast after successfully vanquishing the Carrion King and likely the gnoll threat for some time.
You make your preparations and climb the secret stairs beneath the Carrion Throne. Above may wait your old adversary, the vile div Undra, or even the monstrous Little God of the pit that ended the Alchemist's life. Cautiously opening the hidden door reveals no threats beyond. You move quietly around the stinking pit that threatens to sicken you once again. Thankfully nothing stirs within. Nor are any gnolls seen as you pass out of the Throne Room.
As the party enters the throne room, Faelar can feel the bow palpably cool wanting to shoot the horrid div. Fortunately for the elf, there are no foes and he is able to keep control of his limbs.
Somewhere in the halls above, you hear the echoes of barking gnoll voices and the clash of arms. It appears that it has not taken the gnolls long to fall upon each other the Carrion King's Alchemist predicted. Amir suggests that you take the burned out spider tunnel route that you took before. It looked to lead to the surface and likely remains unguarded.
Navigating back through the labyrinth, you stop by the Alchemists lab where you first met him and take a look inside for anything of value. Crates and barrels of unknown sundries line a wall. At one end are several tables and workbenches strewn with equipment near a crude cot with several ratty blankets and a chest.
Taking up most of the rest of the room is a huge and ominous device. It is set upon a weighted metal base that supports strange appendages holding tools and tubes of weird fluids which lead to an angled table where an old man lies unmoving. The man is strapped down and has a cage over his head which centers a drill on his forehead.
Dried blood cakes the man's face around the bit that has been pressed into his forehead. The body has not yet begun to decompose. The corpse is likely only a couple days old and you suddenly realize that it is Slow Idi. The old pusher did not make his escape after all. He was in fact, the Alchemists last experiment.
Even a slaver does not deserve to die like this...perhaps it is all for the best that alchemist met his end.
Unsure of the machine and who else might frequent the room Amir opts to leave the body in place looking to the others to see if they have any issue with that. If there is no issue, Amir moves to lead the group onward and out.
Karethas sighs and shakes his head, "I find that I can't generate much sympathy for Idi. He was a horrible person, as was that alchemist." He see's the chest by the cot, "Should you check in there Amir?"
Though seemingly reluctant, Amir quickly inspects and opens the chest. Inside are a collection of anatomy scrolls with detailed diagrams of quartered brains, the eye, heart, etc labeled in Qadiran; a collection of medical supplies and three potions which Karethas identifies as remove disease, neutralize poison, and tongues.
You move quickly onward through the labyrinth and past the remains of the Unchosen and harem that remain where you killed them. The spiral stairs upward remain clear and it does not take long to reach the surface.
You emerge from one of a trio narrow tower that line a courtyard of an exotic temple. Crumbling black spires and domes bask in the gray light that surrounds the peak of Pale Mountain. The scope of such a structure seems implausible in such a remote location yet you r eyes do not betray you.
Among the broken stones and empty fountains, a few sickly shrubs poke through the packed clay solid sprinkled with bone shards. The place appears deserted besides the elephant sized-spider curled into a dead ball and the dozen decomposing gnolls around it.
The great dome of the main temple stands behind you and a breached wall beyond fallen columns looks to be a good place to make your exit.
Warily keeping an eye out for straggling bands of gnolls, the adventurers make their way to the wall of the compound which is topped by strange jagged crenelations of razor sharp obsidian. Beyond the pile of black stone rubble stretches the pale slope of the mountain.
They are stopped midway across the jumbled stones by a grating screech and two dark heavy shapes drop down from above. The things resemble demons though apparently made of living obsidian. Amir is struck heavily by twisted obsidian horns as the creature crashes to the ground next to him. Karethas flinches as Amir is hit and narrowly avoids being struck as another alights next to him.
Karethas
Faelar/Kzrira
foe
Once more the bow almost leaps into Faelar's hands without thinking as the bard begins to recite a litany of reaffirming verses.
Faelar
Begin Inspire Courage
Kzrira/Bow
Attack-rapidshot:
Damage:
Attack-rapidshot:
Damage:
Attack-rapidshot:
Damage:
Faelar is caught off guard by the ambush and even worse, he resists the animus that draws and fires resulting in a series of awful shots. The obsidian demons continue clawing at their prey. Amir takes a painful bite and Karethas is hit with a claw as sharp as glass shards.
Round 2
While Faeler continues to expound upon the great acts that the party has performed in destroying the Carrion King, the bow continues to create arrows of ice which launch at the creatures.
Knowledge(Planes):
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot:
Damage:
Not as accurate as they should be, the shots are a definite improvement from shortly earlier.
Karethas falls backwards holding his hand to his bleeding chest. He visibly gathers himself as he straightens his back. He swirls his hands around a suddenly appearing sphere bluish light. The sphere grows and solidifies into a great sphere of roiling water that splashes over the great stone creature that slashed him.
Karethas staggers back over the shifting rocks and spills more blood as the stoney creature takes advantage of the movement and claws him badly once again.
Both the wizard and bard suddenly realize that the man-sized demonic appearing winged creatures of black glass are some type of powerful gargoyle, an ambush predator that is nearly immune to any but magical weapons. Despite the grave wound, Karethas completes his spell and a churning sphere of water rolls over the creature. Unfortunately, the thing merely leaps into the air hovering above the sphere.
Amir draws his paired blades upon the other creature, but is forced to take the defensive as it presses him horribly. It is all he can do to bat aside one of the claws before receiving a slash from the other and a butt from the wicked horns.
Faelar's song echoes and the bard gives into the spirit of the bow as the hail bolts strike the flying gargoyle. The ice chips away at the obsidian which flakes off in shards. Badly injured though undeterred, the monster swoops at the bleeding wizard slashing with tooth and claw made of razor sharp glass. Karethas suffers another horrible slash and then a vicious bite that leaves him dizzy and frantic!
Round 3
As the bow continues to fire icicles at the gargoyle attacking Karethas without pause, Faelar manages to turn his head and shout some type of an insult at the gargoyle facing Amir. The others in the party are unsure what the insult was, but just the sound of it reverberates in their heads momentarily and makes them realize that the full force at the gargoyle must be much worse.
Faeler - at Amir gargoyle
Cast Cacophonous Call - DC16 Will or nauseated for 6 rounds
Kzrira - attacking Karethas gargoyle
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
After stumbling and taking more deep slashes, Karethas panics and tries to cast another spell while actively defending himself.
With a word and a gesture, Karethas disappears from sight leaving only the blood stained rocks to mark where he stood. Amir fights on striking with his flaming blade to injure the creature as it suddenly looks distracted by the loud screams echoing inside its head. Both casters are relieved to note that they are now beyond the boundaries of the wish warp affecting the House of the Beast.
The steady hail of ice bolts from the bow have their effect and the flying gargoyle crashes to the ground dead from the coninued attack. Its partner grabs at its head as it retreats into the air flying back toward the battlements above.
Unwilling to allow such a creature have a second shot at attacking the party, the bow continues to launch icicles at the retreating gargoyle.
Kzrira
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
Attack-rapid shot: - icy arrows
Damage:
Faelar can almost feel the bow smiling as the arrows of ice continue to pierce the gargoyles tough hide.
Faelar
Action: Delay
Faelar smiles to himself as he sees the creature unable to continue its assault on Amir.
Karethas waits, invisibly, until Faelar has the monster near death and then will unleash a volley of magic missles to finish it.
Amir hack off a foot as the disoriented gargoyle flaps upward. A flight of frozen arrows pummel it and finally a series of magic missiles drive it from the air as it careens off the wall and crashes to the ground.
Karethas reappears with a gasp, "Faelar, some help?" He leans against a nearby wall for support as he is healed. After a few moments he gathers himself and casts Detect Magic, looking to see if he can see any emanations from atop the nearby walls.
Karethas does indeed discern faint transmutative magic atop the wall.
"Amir, there appears that there is something magical up atop that wall. Would you like to check it out? Or I can summon an air elemental to retrieve whatever is up there."