The Mud Sorcerer's Tomb (Inactive)

Game Master baldwin the merciful

"I'm pretty sure I'd find a silly way to waste the questions. I'll let one of you smart folks decide on that. Though I might suggest asking if the Mud Sorcerers know we are here. "

"Ah! That's no silly question! So you think they're... alive? Perhaps then we should ask whether they are breathing or not..."

Going to be out most of the day. Come up with questions and I'll be happy to ask them. Bit me asking them and I'll get back on ASAP.

"Liches don't breathe. Don't waste that question. "

I can't believe you all are actually standing around thinking of questions to ask a snake!? Do you honestly think a group of sorcerers as powerful as these fellows, and ladies, we're searching out would leave a truth-telling snake around? My guess is the thing lies, like a rug she points to the rug full of lies and every answer you got out of it would be the exact opposite of the truth. She stands for a moment making marks on her scroll, sketching various parts of the room, jotting down notes.

craft: mapmaking: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Though you all might argue, I think the first question we ask it should be one we know the answer to. So we can tell if it is actually going to tell us the truth. Something like: 'what did Omar find inside the ebony suit of armor that he cut to smithereens?' Then we'll not only get a sense of its truthfulness, we'll also get an idea about the scope of its knowledge. That's just my suggestion, though. If you all agree on something else I'll stand back and watch. Reyondelee says, putting the finishing touches on her map and then stowing her sketching gear back in her bag of holding.

Sargon's eyes widen a bit seeing Dragox pick up the tiny serpent, Sargon instinctively readies a spell to zap the serpent and then relaxes his stance a bit seeing the serpent not attack...yet.

He is a paladin of Iomadae, I'm sure she watches over her chosen

He listens to everyone's comments while rubbing his chin seemingly lost in thought.

History: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25...Has Sargon heard of this Is'ahala fellow?

Do you honestly think a group of sorcerers as powerful as these fellows, and ladies, we're searching out would leave a truth-telling snake around?['quote]

I am inclined to agree with Rey on this, I can't fathom any logical reason for him being here. Though admittedly the muddies never were big on logical thinking

Rey wrote:

I think the first question we ask it should be one we know the answer to. So we can tell if it is actually going to tell us the truth.

I like this suggestion... I suppose we should ask for the safest most direct route to where this bastard lies and if it is animate or entombed

Sargon has never heard of Is'ahala.

To help corral the suggestions, let's do the following. Post your three questions in the Discussion channel, and I'll assume Dragox asks the three that occur the most frequently. You can also abstain.

T'wich mumbles for the group to huddle together out of Is'ahala's ear shot. Motioning for the half-orc to stay put. "Course ye can't trust a serpent...but likewise, let's us make the most of th'questions. Just in case it's the truth." he will then proceed to mention his three suggestions. "Words matt'r no lazy question."

Dragox goes ahead and starts asking the snake the questions posed by Twitch one at a time, waiting for the answer before asking the next question.

Dragox puts his questions to Is'ahala, leaning down to bring his ear close each time to hear his whispered responses.

That said, little Is'ahala suddenly lunges forward at the side of Dragox's head to nip at his ear.

Attack: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Dragox, you take 1 hp of damage. Please make a Will save.

Here are the previous questions:

1. What is the purpose of the mud sorcerers symbols of power?
2. What are the mud sorcerers' vulnerabilities?
3. Where is Jezule, the longdead wizard-priest, located?

Will 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Hopefully this save will fall under one of my paladin immunities!

"Argh, that little so and so bit me!"

"I saw! How do you feel?" asks Gauthier as he retrieves a scroll from his pouch.

The little worm's bite seems to have no further adverse affect, and it falls lifeless to the ground.

Very important save you just made!

"Well, that thing hurt my feelings more than anything else. I thought I'd made a friend in this place. I suppose not," the paladin sighs glumly. "Well, let's get on with the exploration."

Sargon eyes the now empty box, He then uses a piton to see if anything else is in here.

Perception: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (9) + 26 = 35

Strange little creture, I suppose it's here to sow confusion

The rogue steers clear of the rug. "Yeah, I'm ready to move on."

"Not sure I'd believe a damn thing it said at this point. Could have all been a set up for the bite. Might as well move along. "

"Well, that thing hurt my feelings more than anything else. I thought I'd made a friend in this place. I suppose not," the paladin sighs glumly. "Well, let's get on with the exploration."

Gauthier puts a friendly hand on the paladin's shoulder: "You're a tough one, Dragox! Iomedae is watching and smiling upon you." he adds with a smile.

Sargon's explorations, desultory as they may be, render fruit! His piton clinks against something contained within the luxurious little cushion on which Is'ahala rested, which further explorations (and regrettable tearing of the fine cushion) reveal to be a red ceramic ring.

Well look what we got here

Sargon will cast Detect magic on the ring and show the group.

Rey, you want to take look at this ring

The ring glows with an almost blinding light, such is the potency of its magic. Rey is able to discern that this is an item of artifact level power and abilities.

Well look what we got here

Sargon will cast Detect magic on the ring and show the group.

Rey, you want to take look at this ring

"A ring? In the cushion?! These sorcerers are full of surprises..."

Oh my Sargon says as he examines the ring.

I have only seen this ring on a mud sorcerers hand. It is quite powerful

Sargon explains the rings powers to the group.

I believe it would be best suited for a Divine caster

Sargon says looking at Gauthier and offering the ring

Looks like all divine spells

Anything else you wish to explore?, Sargon says to the group

If not, Let's move on

Dragox nodded and pulled his weapon yet again. "Lead on, and I will have your back, gentlemen." He waits for the trap finders to take to the front, and falls in line behind them.

Well that's a nice bit of treasure and no lie! Rey says as she watches Sargon hand it over to Gauthier. Don't lose that now. I'd bet it holds the key to us getting further into this tomb. She gives all her equipment a good check, and then looks to T'witch and Omar. Lead on boys.

"Well that ring would've been handy in that rug."

Closer examination reveals that the armor has cogs at the joints, and that the metal plate has curious geometric designs engraved across its surface. A small keyhole is apparent in the base of its neck, but it radiates no magic.

Meanwhile, T'wich makes his cautious way south, until he reaches the entrance to the large southern chamber. The ceiling of this eighteen-foot-high chamber is painted to resemble swirling patterns of churning water. Alian creatures struggle in the chaotic maelstrom. The once-bright red walls have now faded to dull pink. In the center of the room, a large rug covers the floor, woven with a scene that initially appears to mirror the painting on the ceiling, but upon closer inspection it is clear that the figures struggling in the maelstrom of the rug are not aliens, but humans.

Two brass braziers with glowing hot coals stand in the southeast and southwest corners. A large tapestry on the east wall depicts several animal-headed humans staring blankly out into the chamber, as if in a trance. Another tapestry on the west wall depicts a banquet scene in which animal-headed beings fight one another for scraps of food.

A deep-red marble altar stands against the south wall. The altar has dozens of mud sorcerer symbols etched into it, and several items rest atop it. Each candelabra holds seven candles, all black except the western most one, which is red.

So no other exits out of here?

If So:Omar, Twich this room appears to be a dead end, Could one of you make sure their are no secret passageways, These muddies seem to enjoy those sort of things

Omar will search the room for anything in the way of secret doors.

perception: 1d20 + 45 ⇒ (17) + 45 = 62

The passage that lead into this room had two doors we haven't tried, plus it continued on into another chamber. So we have a few options here. I'm thinking we should go methodically, check the door on the right first, and work from there.

Even as Rey points out the remaining doors that you've all passed by, Omar's fingers find the faint outline of a cunningly hidden door on the eastern wall. It's slender and blends in beautifully with the stonework, but still it fails to hide itself from Omar's sharp senses.

Untrapped, it opens without difficulty to reveal a standard hallway that extends to the west before turning at a right angle only a few paces in to shoot south and out of sight.

"Well there is a door this way if we want to check it out before we backtrack. "

"Lead the way," The dwarf motions to Omar. He takes up position near the ranger.

Sargon will take up his position in the marching order and follow his two sharp-eyed companions.

Omar will open up the door and take a look through. Not being overly comfortable taking point he will the others on.

perception: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (11) + 35 = 46

Hmm, just noticed I did the number for my search wrong, I used my trap number which is appreciably higher. Sorry about that.

"I've already been suck'd into a rug, you can lead fer awhile."

"Oh goody. "

and he will start stealthing his way forward. This will be at 1/2 movement, so if someone doesn't like it, well too bad.

stealth: 1d20 + 34 ⇒ (10) + 34 = 44 he can hide in plain sight in favored terrain due to camouflage ability.

T'wich is careful to follow where Omar is walking.

stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36

perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
+5 traps

Gauthier slips on the ring with a great sense of responsibility, then he slips in his place in the file, drawing an arrow and notching it in his bow.

Reyondelee whispers to Sargon as they move surreptitiously down the hallway. I just love secret doors, don't you?! I mean, it's right there in the name... 'secret.' You never know what you're going to find on the other side of a secret door. Remind me tell you the story about the one time I found three naked young men behind a secret door, once. Remembering the situation, Reyondelee can't help but chuckle to herself, then remembering that they are being stealthy, she puts a finger to her lips and stifles the laugh. Sorry.

First the secret hall runs west, then turns sharp south, then turns sharp east so that you realize you are rounding the altar room. It extends for awhile, uniform and blank, and then turns north and opens into a new large room.

Veins of black run through the white stone of this twenty-foot-high chamber. Two pools, one long and one short, occupt the room's center. The long pool appears to be shallow and holds crystal clear water in which a multitude of rainbow colored fish swim. The short pool is just as shallow, and its bottom is littered with coins.

Another carved stone face is prominently visible on the west wall. This one grimaces in fear: eyes wide, nostrils falred, lips taut across fangs in the beginnings of a scream.

A passageway extends west, seemingly toward the eastern wall in the long room you passed which contained the suit of armor Omar destroyed, while another corridor extends east.

Again, apologies for the lack of map updates.

Looks at Twich Now Twich, Let's not eat the fish, I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure nothing good will come from that

Sargon says, he then takes a good look around the room.

Hmm...Another one of these strange faces, I suppose that would be a good place to start

Sargon waits until the two eagle eyed scouts make sure the way is safe before making his way over to the face

Omar will check for traps.

perception: 1d20 + 42 ⇒ (19) + 42 = 61

"Ain't lookin' to eat no fish, but the coin 'as me attention." He grins. "Clank, shall we start t'fund that war of yers." With that he casts detect magic and starts to scan the area beginning with the pond of coins.

"Defeating an evil wizard and putting his gold to good usage is a worthy mission all right. Tell me what you see, and let's find a way to get that gold to the surface. How are those fish alive after all this time, I wonder?"

"Cuz they h'ven't been eat'n...yet." He rubs his chin. "Beer batter'd fried fish is guud." He pauses a moment then continues. "Beer batter'd anything is guud." His stomach grumbles loudly.

The group moves forward into the large room, warily following Omar's lead as he scouts ahead for traps. All is still and silent, but Dragox, T'wich, Omar and Sargon all pause at the edge of the pool of fishes as they discuss the implausibility of their still living down here after all this time, or how best to cook them - and all notice the same thing: the pattern in which the fishes move is odd and interesting.

"Pretty fish." The glassy eyed dwarf mumbles.

"Beer batter'd fishies." The dwarf continues to mumble.

"Pretty fish." The glassy eyed dwarf mumbles.

They are strangely beautiful aren't they...Notice how they move. You can almost see their base motivations, this one here

Sargon points out a fish

seems much more motivated by attempting to find some light, while these two over here seems to be looking for any sign of food. It really is amazing the things one can learn by analyzing the non-verbal behavior of even as simple a creature as this lovely tasty cave fish

Sargon continues his aimless rambling

Still they would be tasty pan fried with some butter, lemons and almonds...