Priyya sweeps the area and creatures for evil. Anything registering as evil gets handled first. She decapitates the bodies then lugs the carcasses onto the bonfire.
"Yeah Sash, I can see if the witch left any other magical trinkets behind, if nothing else. Seems wise to be sure."
Although she knows to expect it, Skather's aura is overwhelmingly powerful and nearly incapacitates Priyya from the backlash. Beyond that, she senses a dim aura lingering on the skeleton pen radiating up from the pit at the base of the lighthouse.
While she's doing that, Sasha's stomach grumbles and she frowns regarding the stash of jerky in the storage shed. "Hey, think any of this stuff is still–"
The glare she gets from the other three women and the squeak of alarm from Darvesch causes her to pause a moment. Priyya scrutinizes the huntress for a long moment with her detect evil ability but doesn't sense anything. Cocking an eyebrow, Sasha scratches the back of her head and raises her palm. "Uh, just kidding! Hah, hah, ha-aah... hrm."
"Be careful El, Darv and I found some sort of a ward on the entryway but we didn't have time to deal with it."
Priyya mentions to Alis, "As you might guess, the sword is highly evil... but there is also evil down in that pit. I'd like to destroy these bodies and I'm not sure throwing them down in that pit. We can hopefully leave the task until we finish with the lighthouse."
"OK, I'll be careful, maybe I will just see what it is then."
Alis considers Priyya's words. "Captain Beliker's journal mentioned something about a woman named Nylithati forming a cult from amongst the original survivors. His last entry mentioned 'immortality' and seemed to hint at the undead."
She looks over at the pit and considers the final act of the two harem girls. "I suppose they could have just as easily jumped off over the cliff or used daggers, couldn't they...?"
"Sasha," the red head coughs at the sound of her voice, swallowing hard, hands behind her back, "you built the best fire back at camp, do you think you could build an even bigger one here so we can get rid of all these dead giants?"
"Mmhmm!" She nods emphatically and quickly goes running off as if welcoming for the opportunity.
Priyya looks at the hole in the ground. "I could create a holy rain to scour the evil in the open down there. It would use up my last strong spell for a questionable benefit... but it could be done."
To Priyya, she says, "Hmm, if nothing from down there has clawed its way up to us yet, it might be best to leave it for later. We don't even know what is down there or where. Aycenia said there was an entire cavern complex. At any rate, I'm going to help Lureene at the witch's house. There may be a few flasks of oil in my trunk if you think it would help to start a blaze."
"DARVESCH," she calls out, running after Lureene, "you're with me."
It doesn't take long for the two to arrive at Malikadna's hovel where Lureene has already determined that the glyph stores a negative energy spell of some sort. However, without read magic prepared she finds herself unable to actually read it.
Kneeling next to her friend, Alis casts the spell and has a look for herself. After a few moments, she says, "Well, it looks like it can be disabled by a pass phrase. Otherwise, it is set to trigger if any humanoids pass thru the door."
She looks at Darvesch who reverted back to beagle size while they were still searching the village. "I guess that means you're safe. Well, let's see if we can disable it, El..."
It takes a couple tries over the course of a minute, but the two multi-talented blondes finally manage to disable the trap, a foul purplish black smog seeping out of the doorjamb as its energy dissipates into the damp night air.
Disable Device DC 28
To Priyya, she says, "Hmm, if nothing from down there has clawed its way up to us yet, it might be best to leave it for later. We don't even know what is down there or where. Aycenia said there was an entire cavern complex..."
Lureene nods, "That is a good idea, 'Lis. I would say if Ieana already fled the area, then that is a likely place where she hid herself."
Once the trap is disabled, Lureene wastes no time in scanning the rest of the hovel's rooms for any other magical emanations.
Darvesch simply walks past the ward into the witches cabin, and begins a thorough search of the place, trying to find anything that might help get rid of the ward or his own affliction.
Time: 2:30et (evening, 8:30pm)
Darkshoal: Pre-First Quarter
The three of you enter what appears to be some sort of sitting room.
There is a large, low table carved from a 4-ft tall cross-section of what was once a massive tree. Around it are scattered some cushions that must have come from cargo salvaged from shipwrecks over the years, most of them piled in the north-east corner of the room beneath a sort of canopy comprised of skins, feathers, and cloth spread over a wicker frame.
In the corner next to the door is some sort of an altar to Invidia. It is based around what appears to be the figurehead of a large vessel. Several red pearls have been inset into the woodwork, one in the center of the forehead, one in the center of her chest between the breasts, another in the navel, and another in each hand. While that is not particularly odd, you notice that the dark goddess has been painted with glyphs matching the tattoos with which the cannibals had adorned their bodies — glyphs that have nothing to do with Invidia as far as you know.
In front of the 'statue' is a large, blackened bronze brazier still heaped high with the ashes of a recent offering of flesh and bones. Nearby is the large empty jug you spied from outside while Alis was examining the glyph on the threshold.
Atop the table, stained top of the table is spread a tanned, patchwork skin that Lureene suspects came from men rather than beasts. Across its surface are scattered numerous bones carved into tiles and painted with markings. You'd wager they are 'the bones' the witch used for divination. The only magical aura you detect here come from your own equipment.
The next room proves more interesting.
Flickering flames beneath a large cauldron provide just enough light to see by. To the south stands a large table, bearing many odd fetishes. Lureene can also make out earthen retorts, crucibles, and a large mortar and pestle. No doubt this was where Malikadna brewed her potions. Directly opposite the door in the north-west corner, lay a pile of furs reeking of body-odor. There are a few more once-fine pillows atop it, but they are stained from years of use.
Along the walls, you behold what must be hundreds of scalps! Alis subconsciously takes hold of Lureene's arm before rubbing the goosebumps from her own. From the ceiling hang numerous wicker cages and bundles of dried herbs. Discarded in the center of the floor is an empty clay vessel, shattered on the stone floor.
With Alis' help, Lureene climbs up onto a sturdy basket to inspect the surface of the workbench. Here she finds a number of empty earthware vessels one of which appears to have been recently drained. Judging by the magical residues, the shattered jar on the floor of the prior room was a healing draught while the one on this work table conferred invisibility.
While much of the equipment here is sized for a giant, Lureene is confident that it contains everything necessary for a mage to work at crafting magic items. At Alis' suggestion, the succubus climbs up onto the table for a better look at the contents of the cages. While a few contain the preserved remains of dead bats, rats, monkies, birds, and lizards, the one closest to the bench mystifies her. It appears to contain a thin, gnome-sized creature with greenish-grey skin and mouldy tendrils for hair. In fact, it appears that the mold has spread from it and is growing up along the bars of the cage, covering them in a fuzzy grey film.
It take some time to complete the search of the over-sized place, but between Darvesch's keen nose and your detection spells, you amass a number of potentially useful supplies:
- 12 doses of the same poison the giants used on their arrows
- 5 doses of anti-toxin
- 2 smokesticks
- 3 tanglefoot bags
- 1 thunderstone
- 6 doses of cure light wounds in a large jug
- 2 doses of lesser restoration formed into incense cones
Darvesch thoroughly continues his search of the witches hut for anything that could help his allies later, or his affliction now.
Lureene exits the hut after gathering up all of the useful loot from the place. "'Lis, I think I never want to go in that hut again! Still, these items will prove useful, I'll bet."
Time: 3:00et (evening, 9:00pm)
Darkshoal: Pre-First Quarter
"Hopefully the next time we head there it will be to burn the taint from it..."
When the two blondes and Darvesch regroup with Priyya and Sasha, they find that all of the corpses are without heads. In the center of the encampment, the red head tosses more fuel onto a sizable lean-to fire against the sides of which are piled the burning heads of all the giants who died with theirs still intact.
Alis nods in approval, doing an admirable job of concealing her revulsion at the stench. "Well done, Sasha, I knew we could count on your expertise!"
She turns to regard the silent lighthouse tower now bathed in steady light of both moons and caressed by fire's dancing light. "It may not have been built by the stonemasons of Ortalok, but it certainly looks sturdy, don't you think Darv?"
She pauses, tapping her finger against her lips. "I hate to break the door down, we could use a secure base of operations here, though I don't think we should just move in tonight, mind you... If I had any spells left I'd just fly to the top, and open the door myself but that's not an option right now. Suggestions anyone?"
Priyya regards the structure. "Climb it? Darvesch might be able to manage it with his claws. Or perhaps Lureene can summon something to do the job."
Darvesch inspects the stone with nose and paw, "Good, sturdy, stone.." he thinks to himself, as all the group hears is "Squeek squeek squeek".
Darvesch wonders if there is any piece of equipment that might help him open the door, that he can carry with him. He shrugs it off, and climbs the lighthouse, trying to get inside.
Lureene nods at Priyya, "One of my eagles could get up there, but unfortunately it won't ba able to manipulate the door handle. I wonder if a snake would be capable of manipulating the door handle...
She looks around at all of the taller structures, and adds "If I can get high enough, I should be able to glide over to the window."
"Climb it? Darvesch might be able to manage it with his claws. Or perhaps Lureene can summon something to do the job."
Climb it?
Alis puts a hand to her forehead and laughs before leaning against the wall, head resting on her arm. "Yeees... can you tell I'm mentally worn out at this point?"
As Darvesch starts to scurry up the tower, she calls after him, "Just a moment, Darv..."
She retrieves the silk rope from her pack, and hands him the end of it to grasp between his teeth. "See if you can lash that around something sturdy."
As her intrepid furry friend runs up the side of the tower, Alis simply shakes her head at what a very long day it has been, lost in the thought of how differently things could have gone at any number of points in today's battles.
What if Priyya hadn't severed that snare that got me yesterday?
What if that giant from yesterday had actually been trying to kill El?
What if the Red Mountain Devil had actually attacked while we were asleep?
What if the giants had taken El and I both by surprise this morning?
What if Aycenia had actually been evil?
If my dance hadn't worked?
...or Klorak resisted my charm?
If Mal hadn't retained his sentience?
If Darv' wasn't here?
If the giants had gotten Skather instead of Priyya?
If I never told her that word 'Fragarach'?
If I'd missed that last shot...?
An incessant squeaking and Lureene's hand on her shoulder brings the princess back to the present. She gives her friend a big hug and says, "If Lady Luck wasn't looking out for us today, then I'm a monkey..."
After a deep sigh, she lets go of Lureene and take hold of the knotted climbing rope. She speaks a few quiet phrases in what sounds like Sylvan, eyes closed, before testing the rope to ensure it's secure. When it fails to come free she says, "I'll head up first and double-check the knotwork. Seems secure enough for just me though."
It takes less than a minute for Alis to reach the top whereupon she finds that Darvesch tied a sturdy clove hitch around a steel support post set into concrete. She laughs lightly and scratches his head. "So the rat goes around the tree over the snake, then round round the roots and back under the snake hmm? My the rabbit would be jealous!"
Before signaling to the others, she checks to ensure there is a way back into the tower and quickly finds a hatch left open, a broad spiral stair descending into the darkened interior beyond.
Excellent!
She leans over the railing and calls out, "The line's secure and there are stairs leading inside. Go ahead and climb up!"
Darvesch has a climb speed and doesn't need to make a check in his present form.
can't fail even on a 1
Darvesch squeeks.
Lureene returns Alis' hug and and strokes the long blond tresses lovingly, but does not speak, only nodding in agreement. The look in her eyes said everything: The touch of Lady Luck was on all of them this evening.
After Alis finishes her exploration of the roof and gives the OK, she looks behind to Sasha and Priyya and gives a thumbs-up before she easily shimmies up the rope.
The top of the lighthouse isn't quite finished. It looks like construction must have stopped only a few short days before completion. Within a glass-walled enclosure, several panes of which are either broken or missing, a massive bronze reflector, now dark with age, sits atop a raised platform. Below it, rest an old machine of some sort, gears and other pieces still laying on the stone floor beside it.
Outside, the height of the tower coupled with that of the promontory on which the village was built offers a commanding view of the island and the surrounding sea. Several miles to the east, you can make out one of the only landmarks taller than the lighthouse — Red Mountain.
You are just about to descend the broad, tall stairs leading into the tower when suddenly the whole face of Red Mountain is lit up by lightning. Yet it is not just a single bolt instead, a veritable cascade of lightning arcs into the sky scorching the clouds. It seems to originate at a point south-west of its peak near the craw-claw shaped lagoon. Several seconds later, a tremendous roaring sound like a giant continuous thunderclap assaults your ears.
Even those of you shouting in consternation cannot be heard over the din. Unable to be heard, Priyya claps each of you on the shoulder and points to the sea. When you look, it seems like all the surf is being drawn towards the south-east corner of the mountain! After nearly a minute of such pandemonium, the lightning and the deafening roar finally abate, the sea stops being drawn to the east, and you can at last hear all the creatures of the jungle crying out in terror!
Once the din as died down, Lureene stares across the sea towards Red Mountain. The look on her face is quite frightened as she asks shakily, "By the Nine Hells, what was that??! That had to been the work of the Red Mountain Devil!! Did Ieana already succeed in her goal?"
Sasha stands unblinking and asks, "Think maybe a god got killed or something?"
Lureene shakes her head in response, "Actually, if a GOD was killed just now I don't think any of us would still be alive, let alone standing here."
"Oh ok..." Sasha seems a bit relieved by that but then her eyes go wide. "Wait, do you think maybe one was born?!"
Lureene stares at Sasha, an uneasy look on her face, "Ummmmm....I don't know. It is...possible I guess." She looks to the other ladies present, before finishing, "If there was a birth, it sounds like a rather painful one, I would say."
"Well let's hope whatever it is stays over there for a while. God or not, I don't like it. Let's hurry up and get back to Aycenia's!"
With that, Alis scoops up Darvesch and the five of you quickly hurry down the stairs. It isn't difficult to tell that the lighthouse was built by Malatestans. For every giant-sized step, an additional step has been inset against the inner curve of the stairs for human-sized occupants — a testament to the unique makeup of their society.
After about two minutes, you find a large door standing open on the inside of the tower. Inside, is a vast 4-poster bed clearly designed for giants. Although the years and the poor treatment by the tribe's chieftains has been less than kind, you can tell that it was crafted with great skill. In addition to the bed, there is a fancy dresser in the same style, its mirror cracked, and a tall chest of drawers.
"They must have been salvaged from the Spear of Invidia," Alis comments.
As fine as their woodworking is, the 'linens' on the bed are a filthy mess and the whole chamber has a musky funk about it. While Sasha seems to be preoccupied with watching the stairwell for any threats and Darvesch finds himself rather comfy, Lureene's gaze is attracted by the old footlocker shoved up against the side of the room and all-but-lost under a pile of soiled pillows.
For her part, Priyya scans the room for evil if only to make certain that there are no more giants about — even under the bed. Satisfied that they are the only ones in the large room, she inspects a large, rickety-looking balcony overlooking the village below. It appears to be made of weathered scaffolding reinforced with driftwood but shows no sign of collapsing when she hesitantly tests it with one foot.
"Find something El?" The princess walks over as Lureene clears the pillows from off the trunk. It appears to have a central lock and a clasp to either side.
"Well that's handy," she leans over and points to the ground, "there's a key just under the front lip!"
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 938)
Lureene nods, relieved they found a way to open the foot locker, but she pauses and then looks over the chest, making sure there are no other hidden surprises in store.
"'Lis, can you help me with this...?"
"Sure thing, El," Alis sets Darvesch down and has a look with Lureene. After a quick inspection of the device, she shakes her head. "Looks fine to me just... BIG."
Just to be certain however, after unlocking it, the two step back and Alis pops the lid with a cantrip. "Open says me!"
Inside, you find several rotted sacks stamped with the seal of Malatesta's navy. There is also an old ledger with a brittle cord tied around it. Bursting through the ruined sacks, you find several thousand silver pieces and a coffer containing a few dozen finger-sized gold bars.
"Hmm..." While Lureene oohs and aahs over the coin, the princess has a look at the ledger. "It looks like this must have been the ship's payroll. I suppose they didn't have much use for coin after they wrecked."
Tracking: Party Loot/Wealth
Lureene runs her fingers over the silver coins, enjoying the feel and the sounds of them clinking together. She sighs, Wow, just think of all of the nice clothes and jewelry I can buy with all of this treasure! I wonder if that Quellig’s treasure stash is as impressive as this…
Only after Alis clears her throat does Lureene snap out of her reverie. Getting to her feet, she gazes reluctantly at the chest, knowing they could not take it with them.
"I think we should be moving on now. If Ieana was here, she probably left the village already. We should do the same, once we see what is on the ground floor.”
Squeak.
Squeak...
"Yes Darv, it looks like El found some walking around town money. Now we just need to find a town."
She hoists her furry friend back up to her shoulder and says, "Let's finish checking out the rest of the tower and get out of here."
With that, you head downstairs and find yourselves in a large, mostly-empty room comprising the entire south-east quadrant of the tower. In the south wall, you find the heavy, iron-barred door leading out to the guard-room. To the west and north there are additional doors, both closed.
Holding the south door shut are a pair of massive metal beams that slide along tracks in the stonework. Set into the wall perhaps 10 feet to the left of the door is a bronze level that's as long as Sasha is tall. It is currently in the down position.
Lureene looks about the room, before fixating on the huge lever. She motions to Sasha and Priyya, ”Please check out those doors while I have a look at this lever.”
While looking at the long, bronze lever, Lureene seemingly has a flashback to her time with Rath-hun, a blush coming to her face as she stands inspecting it. As she stands there, day-dreaming, Alis waves a hand in front of her face and shrugs. "El, you ok?"
As her retainer snaps out of it, she looks down just as the princess squeezes the release brake on the end of the rod and raises it into its full, upright position. Immediately, there is a sound of release and the groaning of great gears turning inside the walls. The shafts holding the doorway slide deeper into their groves until the mighty portal is released and stands gaping ready for any and all to pass thru it.
A shuddering gasp escapes from the succubus, her gaze fixed on Alis' hand, teeth biting her lip. Holding back a mirthful smirk at daydream painted all over her friend's face and bosom, Alis chides, "Looked like it was a bit more than you could handle. Did you want to give it a try yourself?"
Sense Motive Checks:
Bluff Checks
Sense Motive Checks:
”Mmmmm….sure thing….oooh…” she murmers throatliy in response.
Lureene snaps out of her pleasant reverie, and looks around her, still a flushed look on her face along with her phernomes emanating from her body. She idly rubs the wooden ring on her finger, her only physical link to her love, and exclaims, ”Well, I am sure glad we are NOT trapped in here. That would have been really …ummm… awkward.” She moves closer to Sahsa and hurridly adds, ”Well, let’s see what is in this door…” as she moves to the north door.
Finding no traps, the two open the tall door and find a vast room occupying fully half the tower. The interior is cluttered (or perhaps decorated) with all manner of relics. However what catches your eyes most is the great marble statue standing within. Standing some 15 feet tall and carved from green marble is the figure of a strong yet shapely woman with three pairs of draconic wings, 3 pairs of breasts, and six arms. Her lower body is a great coiling serpent, yet instead of ending in a tail, it ends in the head of a great snake that turns about and sinks its fangs into her top, left breast.
Her expression is one of haughtiness and loathing. One of her left hands she holds to her mouth as if in contempt for all of creation. Another seems to be holding the snake to her bosom as if nurturing her own rancor. Two of her right hands grip a terrible, barbed spear pointed at the ground before her. Her last two arms are akimbo fingers pressing into her hips.
"Oh gods!" Alis exclaims with uneasiness at the find. She hugs Darvesch closer, goosebumps forming on her arms at the sight. With a flick of her wrist, she sends her dancing lights into the room to illuminate it more fully.
K: Religion
When Sasha peers in, you hear a sharp intake of breath. The tall redhead nervously says a blessing to ward off ill intent. "Invidia, look me by..."
Any trace of libidinous thoughts are chased out of Lureene's mind on the reaction from the other ladies. She swallows nervously and scans the room for any magical auras, almost fearing what she might discover lurking here...
Although Lureene looks a bit puzzled, the rest of you who have been educated in matters of religion recognize the huge statue as one surely intended to grace some great cathedral to Invidia (or Daedelhach as she is known to the elder races).
It doesn't take long for Alis and Lureene to determine that neither the statue, nor anything else in the room is magical, yet that hardly puts her highness at ease. "They must have been transporting it on their ship, the giants who set out from Malatesta to retake Dafar 70 years ago. Gods, they would have dedicated a temple to– her..."
She looks around, noting piles of books, chests holding the spoils of other wrecks, and six giant skulls set on crude pedestals across the back wall, each with a name crudely inscribed below it. Covering the back wall is a huge sail bearing a stylized silhouette of Invidia, spear held high. At the side of the room is a carved 'totem' of a great snake.
"These must all be relics from their ship. This," she indicates the giant, carved snake, "looks like it must have been the aft stem of The Spear. The rest of this, silks, ivory, urns of salt, and oils... they must have been cargo offered up to her as tribute."
Shaking her head she walks back out of the room, casting a sidelong glance at Sasha. "I never will understand the Malatestan way of honoring all the gods — least of all one your citizens pray to solely so she pays you no mind."
Sasha grits her teeth at the comment but makes no reply. She simply holds up her palms and looks towards the statue as if to signify having no part in any religious opinions whatsoever.
Lureene mutters softly, "Well, considering those deities clearly have an evil taint, I can understand why one would seek to avoid their attention...the Gods know I have done much the same when I was...younger..."
She shakes off her irritation, and smiles reassuringly at Sasha, The look in her eyes is sympathetic. She then turns to Alis, "Well, 'Lis, one more door awaits..."
Priyya studies the statue, seemingly unmoved by it. She scans the room before saying, "There is an unclean taint here, but it doesn't come from the statue. It seems to be coming through the floor and is strongest... there." She points to a spot on the east side. "I wonder if whatever evil is in the cave below has, as its heart, whatever rests beneath this tower."
Lureene nods slowly, "Priyya, I agree we should definitely explore that taint further, however I am not sure we are capable of handling whatever lurks down there. I think we should return later when we are fully rested."
She looks at the only unopened door in the tower, "Let's check this out and be on our way. Time is running out, I fear."
Priyya shakes her head minutely. How did she arrive at the conclusion I was suggesting that? Blondes.
"Joy... Well let's see what surprises are behind door number three and be on our way then."
After quickly checking for traps, Alis allows Lureene to do the honors while absent-mindedly stroking Darvesch's fur as if he were a puppy.
Inside, you behold the greatest horror of all — a complete lack of any coin-filled chests, and priceless statuary. Yet that's not all it's missing... "By everything that's holy, is this room actually free of filth?"
She steps inside and tentatively presses on the white linens of a crudely made bed — the only thing in the room aside from a crate and a barrel in the south corner. She looks up in surprise and flips back the sheets with a spell revealing not a single flea nor speck of dirt. With surprising celerity, she inspects every inch of the bed before holding Darvesch out for Lureene to hold. With a grave look on her face, she says, "Don't be scared, I've done this before..."
With that, she springs backwards and falls flat atop the bed sinking into its surface until she's practically disappeared.
Several moments pass before a sigh of contentment can be heard. "Leave me, I'm done for! Just save yourselves!"
With a laugh she sits up, shaking her head. "What in the world are a home made feather bed, and clean linens doing in a place like this? It's sized for an elf or a human, not a giant!"
Perception Checks: Interior
Lureene idly strokes Darvesch's fur and scratches behind his ears. She is not sure if rats enjoyed that, but she did read somewhere cats enjoyed that. Judging by the glare Darv was giving her, she figures rodents were wired differently than felines were.
On seeing the antics of Alis on the bed, she smiles wistfully remnded of a happier time with her, knowing here she was in her element.
She comments, "I believe this is where Ieana stayed when she was visiting the giants. I wonder if she left any clues behind her..."
"That's right, those two we encountered at the hut said she made Klorak give her quarters in the tower, didn't they?" She looks around and you note the complete lack of any personal effects anywhere, "Well, I guess this would explain why she didn't join in the fight earlier..."