Andolphas Hecker's page

Brashen Trell wrote:

Brash relaxs as he exits the cairn, feeling tension he didnt realise he was carrying start to leave his muscles. 'Well, lets get a move on and get these bones in the ground...I dont suppose anyone has a shovel? We might need to get back to town first. And we need to divide up what we've found too.'

Boland nods, shading his eyes from the glare on the clouds after a day of torch light. "My head says head to town first, but my heart says get the boys bone's in the ground first. It has been long enough since he died, and I imagine we could find a shovel on the property somewhere." He looks to the others to hear their thoughts.

Andolphas nods in agreement with Boland. "I know where the boy's family lived," he says, and, without waiting for the others, starts walking.

Yip...

"Fare well, Alastor... and thank you..."

I'm with Boland on this, and last time, a Take 10 wouldn't have done me any good due to my armour check penalty. Is Strevlik in a position to provide assistance with the rope? Otherwise, I suppose I can strip off my armour and then Take 10...

"We know the way up here now; it makes sense to head back to town to rest, recover and restock, and of course bury Alastor's remains. We can ensure that any others who might find the cairn in the meantime can't get up here by taking one of the lanterns with us."

Looking back at the secured door, he says excitedly "It seems as though this door will take us through to an untouched part of the Cairn. The items and knoweldge we have uncovered thus far will no doubt pail in comparison!"

"Indeed," replies Andolphas as he bundles up Alastor's remains in the blanket that Boland has leant him, and then places them gently in his pack. The cleric then attempts to climb back up to the walkway, at the point where the party entered.

Climb: 20 - 2 = 18.

"Back to Diamond Lake, then." He waits for Brashen and Da'gret to climb out, then heads down the passage and prepares to climb back down the chain, but waits for the others before doing so. "I hate this part," he mumbles nervously.

To Andolphas he says "I have a blanket if that will help?" He rummages through his pack and pulls out the blanket folded neatly within.

"Yes, a blanket would do just fine -- thank you, Boland."

"Alastor... do you have a preference as to how we carry your bones home? I'm afraid that we will probably only be able to bundle you up in a cloak or sack... or in my backpack, if no one has a spare cloak or sack. That having been said, I wish to do both your body and spirit justice... to the best of my ability."

"I hadn't thought of that," Alastor says, looking thoughtful. "But I don't think I would be forced to leave straight away ... that doesn't seem to be how it works, from what I've seen. But I'll tell you what; once you leave the cairn with my bones, I'll go through the wall and open the door; I'll move one of these balls up, and place it so that the door won't be able to close again properly. I think I'll know when my bones are buried next to my fathers, so if you return here without doing that, I'll move the ball and the door will close. But if you do bury me, and I immediately go on to my final rest - well, the door will be jammed open for you! That sounds fair, doesn't it?"

"It certainly does, Alastor. So... where in this chamber might we find your bones? As soon as I find them, I will immediately take them back to Diamond Lake. Your rest is long overdue..." Once given an idea where he might find the bones, Andolphas begins to sift for them among the balls.

Sense motive: 17 + 1 = 18. Search: 17 + 1 = 18... talk about being consistent!

As the spirit leaves his body, Brash stumbles back a step before regaining control of his limbs. 'This place is really starting to get on my nerves' he mutters to himself, spitting to the side and glaring at the shade of the boy.

"Well, at least he kept his first promise," says Andolphas with a smirk as he rises to his feet. "How do you feel, Brashen? Everything fine? If we get out of here alive, perhaps you'd be so inclined to tell me how it felt to be possessed by the dead, if only briefly...?"

"Alastor... I am sorry that those of my faith were not more kindly and helpful to you and yours... It surprises me to hear this -- those so-called servants are not worthy of the grace of either the Green Lady or the Ruby Sorceress... their behaviour seems much more typical of the Cuthbertines... but as promised, I will do as you request, and that is not conditional on you helping us in any way. Yet once we have lain your bones by your father's side... how then will you be able to open the door for us? Will you not be drawn through the curtain before you can aid us? And... have you by any chance seen..." The somber cleric hesitates, on the verge of asking something that appears to trouble him, but never completes his question.

Fortitude save: 11 + 3 = 14... whew! Knowledge (local): 17 + 1 = 18.

With some difficulty, Andolphas stifles the urge to vomit, but he still feels queasy in the presence of the spirit. He kneels before Brashen, head bowed down.

"I know of your family, Alastor Land, and it would be an honour for me to carry your earthly remains back and to Diamond Lake and to give you a proper burial at your father's side. I give you my word, as a servant of both the Green Lady and her patron, the Ruby Sorceress, that your will shall be done. I... also know what it is like to have lost dear ones to shadow and stone. Know that my oath is true, and that I do not give it lightly. Now that you have my pledge -- will you release our companion, and help us gain access to the chamber beyond the door?"

Andolphas also looks up at Boland, simulatneously acknowledging the mage's display of power with raised eyebrows as the disembodied voice and Brash voice their praise. "Huh..."

The cleric then becomes focused on the ghostly apparition before him. He reaches for the ruby skull holy symbol around his neck, and is about to speak to the boy when the spirit rushes into Brashen, catching Andolphas off guard. "NO!!!"

"While I would have thought it wiser to run rather than confront this monster, something tells me that the door at the end of the bridge would not open so easily and that we would still end up having to fend off this... thing... despite intentions to the contrary. So let's get this over with..."

Ando? ANDO??!!!

Seeing the half-orc leap into the pit with him and the spheres moving as if something were beneath them, Andolphas gets back on his feet and raises his shield, ready to thrust his spear at the approaching menace. "Who speaks? What are you doing here? We mean you no harm, and ask only for safe passage..."

Readied action: If the "thing," comes within 5 feet, Andolphas will attack: 14 + 2 = 16; Damage: 5 + 1 = 6.

Initiative: 2... uh-oh is right!

"I... think I'm alright... for the moment, anyway... Thanks for your concern, Brashen..." Andolphas still remains face down, motionless... just in case...

Andolphas steps carefully out onto the beam, taking one of the torches to light his way, stepping carefully and studying the span carefully for any signs of danger.

Moving forward, the light from his torch soon illuminates the far side of the chamber, where the bridge ends at a stone wall and a metal door, carved with runes and engravings.

The cleric is almost halfway along the bridge when suddenly there comes a hail of dozens of lead spheres flying out from amongst the geometric patterns carved into the two side walls! The spheres fly out at about knee height to someone (such as Andolphas) walking across the beam.

While most of the balls fly wide, smash into the opposite wall and drop down to rest amongst the hundreds of other spheres on the floor, one strikes Andolphas in the leg for 2 points of damage plus make a Reflex save, DC 16, or fall down off the beam onto the ‘floor’ of spheres for another 3 points of damage.

"Look, a metal door," calls Andolphas over his shoulder as he moves across the bridge. "With runes carved into... wha... UHHNNN!" As the spheres unexpectedly fly at him from the opposing walls, one of the objects strikes him in the right thigh, just above the knee. The force of the blow spins the cleric around and knocks him off balance. He flails his arms to regain his balance, but in vain, as the momentum carries him over the edge, landing face downamong the spheres below. He lays motionless, worried that any sudden move might break more spheres and unleash something horrific. "I think that was intended for Brashen," he moans.

Reflex save: 2.

Andolphas Hecker wrote:

Brashen Trell wrote:

listen 9 'Well then, who wants to go accross first?'

"Might I recommend... the strongest?" says Andolphas, with a raised eyebrow and an expectant grin.

"This doesn't look like a job for strength, maybe a man of faith would be more suited. Someone who doesn't fear death shouldn't fear this." Brash stares at the priest, gesturing towards the bridge.

"And only a fool, regardless of his faith, would walk blindly into total darkness where malicious souls and traps might await him, especially when wounded. I assure you, good Brashen, I fear not Death, though I, at least, give the Dark-Eyed Lady the respect she deserves... and I hasten not to enter her realm, for I know that I have tasks yet to accomplish on this Oerth on the Lady's behalf. But since your courage fails you, I shall be glad to take the lead, though it forces me to squander precious resources... Oh, and don't worry, I understand that there is much that you would probably want to atone for before you undertake the final journey into the Great Beyond, hence your reluctance to take the lead at this time... after all, who would be prepared to face eternity knowing that their soul might be sent to a place of eternal torment as a result of their spiritual negligence? No, you are right Brashen, I am much better prepared than you are..."

Smiling grimly, Andolphas unrolls one of the scrolls that he had been carrying in one of his cloak pockets, and starts to chant aloud the words on the parchment. The words on the page burn as he reads them, until at last the scroll has completely disintegrated. The cleric then places his now glowing hand upon his bruises and cuts, healing the worst of his wounds...

He then begins to inspect the walkway for likely triggers or other signs of a trap...

Mothman, I'm not sure what the caster level on that cure light wounds scroll I received from Amariss was, so I'll let you determine how many hit points Andolphas heals... Search: 18 + 1 = 19; Spot: 19 + 1 = 20!

listen 9 'Well then, who wants to go accross first?'

"Might I recommend... the strongest?" says Andolphas, with a raised eyebrow and an expectant grin.

Like Boland, Andolphas is too absorbed in the conversation to hear anything.

Listen: 8 + 1 = 9.

Would Andolphas have heard about these spheres in his studies? Knowledge (arcana): 1 + 4 = 5; Knowledge (the planes): 6 + 2 = 8; Knowledge (religion): 10 + 8 = 18.

Andolphas climbs the rope and joins his companions in the chamber behind. As Boland makes one of the globes rise with his magic, he shares his thoughts on their purpose. "Perhaps they are brittle, and contain some sort of gas, magic, or even acid? Likely something that is consistent with the elemental air motif... But if they are part of a trap, why have they been placed here? We should tread wearily... for there there could be another mechanism concealed somewhere on this bridge that could dump us among the spheres..."

"Should we come up?" Though still shaken from his all too recent near-death experience, Strevlik's description of what Brashen has found renews the cleric's courage and interest.

Mothman... Your May 7 and 8 posts suggested that the chain was close enough to the wall for a PC to brace themselves with their feet... or am I misunderstanding something?

Andolphas currently has eight hit points. He has two uses of cure minor wounds memorized, and has two scrolls with cure light wounds... though he would rather use the latter two only in case of extreme need.

'So... who wants to go back up there...' Brash says rubbing his most recent set of bruises. 'Do we think theres anything up there or just a trap? I guess I could go back up, since I have the ring, and hopefully no one to hold on the way down this time.' Brash glares at Strevlik

With a groan, Andolphas picks himself up off the floor in disgust, glowering at Boland and also rubbing his bruises. "I have a feeling there is something of great significance up there... that strange face is far too elaborate and out of the way to be but a mere trap. But I fear that my lack of nimbleness would bear no fruit... though I, too, would be willing to try again, with that ring you hold, Brashen..." A smile creeps upon the somber cleric's face as his gaze lingers on the warrior's enchanted ring.

Andolphas recovers his nerves, looks up as he hears the worry in Da'gret's voice, and kicks his pack and weapons out of the way. He tries to position himself vis-a-vis Brashen in such a way that the two might have a better chance together of safely catching fallen comrades.

Strength check: 5 + 1 = 6... oops...

Thought I was done with the climb checks and had already reached the ground. If I need to do one more, can I take 10? If not, my roll is: 19 - 2 = 17... and then Andolphas collapses on the floor, shaken by this latest near-death experience.

Andolphas, still trying to break out of his daze, stumbles to the ground and is blown to the lip of the shaft. He catches the ledge, but drops his spear as he does so. "Look out below!!!"

He then manages to hop onto the chain, and tries to clamber down... but loses his grip... "Lady, let this not be my end," he gasps, as his heart leaps in his throat. The cleric falls halfway to the ground, then manages to snatch the chain once more during his free fall, burning his hands as he does so. He hangs on for dear life, unwilling to move for a long while. Then, after whispering a few prayers and recovering his courage, he slowly eases himself down, and finally reaches the ground, where he collapses in a trembling heap.

Reflex save: 14; Jump check: 11 - 2 = 9; Climb: 7 - 2 = 5. Second reflex save: 18; Second climb check: 19 - 2 = 17... whoo-hoo!!!

Fortitude save: 9 + 3 = 12.

Will save: 11 +4 = 15.

On Andolphas's next turn... Will save: 2 + 4 = 6... wow, that's the worst rolling I've done in a long time!

Initiative: 1 (ugh); Will save: 3 + 4 = 7 (double ugh)...

Andolphas probably doesn't have the best Search modifier, so he'll Aid Another as well: 3 + 1 = 4... to no avail...

Andolphas pulls himself into the corridor, then peers through the shaft via which he just climbed. "I've never been fond of heights," he mutters. "Thank you, my Lady, for smiling on me yet again..."

He then takes a quick look at the painted walls, and the scratch marks that Boland and Strevlik have been examining. "Now why would anyone have made these marks in the first place? What purpose do they serve?"

Aid Another to Boland's checks - Knowledge (arcana): 8 + 4 = 12; Knowledge (the planes): 10 + 2 = 12; Knowledge (history): 17 + 2 = 19.

And Andolphas will follow afterwards, struggling a bit with his awkward load... Climb check: Take 10 - 2 = 8...

Is Strevlik's rope knotted? Andolphas has a -2 armour check penalty to climb checks, so if he took 10, he would still get only an 8...

Da’gret can see in the dark, and he can see the alcove’s ceiling, it is some fifty or sixty feet up. He can also see what appears to be another passage leading away from the shaft, up near the ceiling level.

"The Wind Dukes of Aaqa," whispers Andolphas in awe. "This tomb is far more ancient than most probably realize. And if anything remains undiscovered, it likely is of great value and power."

He joins the rest of the party, and stares up the chain, into the darkness. "There's something up there???" groans the cleric. "I don't trust myself to climb up such a long chain... I much prefer the lifts..."

Andolphas reflects on the names that Boland has spoken...

Knowledge (history): 17 + 2 = 19; Knowledge (the planes): 20 + 2 = 22! Wow, the dice are hot tonight! By the way, how long have we been down in the cairn? Even though we might be running low on spells, I must confess that I'm not a fan of "adventure in the dungeon for 3 hours, then sleep for 8 to recover spells, then wander around for another 3 hours, then sleep for another 8"... although it seems we may have little option but to do that this time around (game mechanic wise), I hope this doesn't become the norm. Am I the only one who feels this way?

Andolphas scowls at Boland, clearly unhappy with the mage's response to his... offer. The dark cleric then takes another look at the statue. "The arrow glyph carved into its scarab points up, which could mean either above, or behind," he mutters. He then begins to inspect the ceiling for a trap door, as well as the space behind the statue.

Spot: 6 + 1 = 7; Search: 19 + 1 = 20.

Reduces ACP by 1 per “+” of the armour I think.

A glyph that looks like a stylized arrow marks a stone amulet carved around the figure’s neck.

Where is the arrow on the glyph pointing to? Up? Down? Left? Right?

"Interesting..." Boland mutters as he examines the items. He quickly intones the words of a spell to confirm the magic of the items, studying them for some time to try and determine the strength and type of magic.

"Andolphas, would you have come across any items similar to these in your studies?" he asks, showing the cleric the items.

Also seeing the effect of the eye piece, he holds it up and gazes through the darkened archway into the room beyond.

"I could... carry those for you, Boland," says Andolphas. His icy tone and knowing smile seem colder than his frost-stricken body. A few moments after Boland responds, he relays to the others his observations concerning the glyph.

The chamber beyond the archway is dark. Bringing the everburning torch close, Brashen can make out a large stone slab that suggests the shape of a bed resting against the far wall. The wall above it is carved with a bas-relief of a robust, bald humanoid figure with a prominent nose and outstretched hands. The figure wears a lovingly sculpted wind tossed robe or archaic style that gives him the appearance of a triumphant god. A glyph that looks like a stylized arrow marks a stone amulet carved around the figure’s neck.

Andolphas examines the glyph on the stone amulet carved around the statue's neck.

Knowledge (arcana): 17 + 4 = 21; Knowledge (history): 16 + 2 = 18; Spellcraft: 7 + 2 = 9; Knowledge (religion): 8 + 8 = 16.

Boland examines the (presumably) magical items, but does not pick up any particular clue to their workings or function, except that items held close look exceptionally clear and sharp through the crystal lenses of the eye-piece.

"How c-could I have missed these? The c-cold must clearly have numbed my brain," mutters Andolphas, warmth slowly returning to his body.

You are able to retrieve the other items in the alcove without the column descending on you. It certainly seems like a trap, but maybe it no longer functions after crushing the poor soul in the chainmail.

The leather bag is so old and brittle that it crumples at your touch. Most of the items it once held have been destroyed either by the crushing column or time, but three items remain. Each is a tiny model of a building or structure, intricately carved from stone. One depicts a grand and fantastic palace, another a tall, slim tower connected by bridges to eight surrounding towers of differing heights, and the last is what appears to be a grand stadium or arena. The models are extremely detailed, and fragile looking, despite being made of stone.

Hearing the nearby commotion, Andolphas, still rubbing himself vigorously as his teeth chatter incessantly, joins Brash and Boland. "Wh-what h-have we h-h-here?"

Tries to determine whether the structures depicted are familiar, or whether the artist who may have made them would be familiar. Knowledge (arcana): 3 + 4 = 7; Knowledge (history): 10 + 2 = 12; Knowledge (the planes): 17 + 2 = 19; Knowledge (religion): 3 + 8 = 11.

At the mage’s warning Andolphas pulls up, but he has already begun to draw close to the patch of mold. He feels the heat being drawn from the front of his body, and he begins shivering uncontrollably, but manages to pull back from the patch of mold before any permanent damage is done. Take 5 points of non lethal damage from cold.

"Ahhh!!! It feels as th-th-though the mold s-su-s-ucked the h-h-heat from-mmm-m m-my b-b-body... b-by the G-g-g-r-een Lady, I'm so c-c-c-old..." The cleric withdraws to the entrance to the chamber and falls to his knees while wrapping his cloak tighter around himself...

Andolphas takes a look at the stain. There appears to be a thick, dark brown mold covering the floor, stretching from the archway to the central pillar. On that face of the pillar is a deep recession that ends in what looks like a fountain basin about four feet off the ground. The mold fills the basin and grows down the side of the pillar, onto the floor. Andolphas feels even colder as he draws towards this part of the room.

"Strange, there is no draft, but it feels as though there's a cold pocket hovering around here... but why here, and what could be causing it? I like not this mold-like growth... Da'gret, Strevlik, take a look... what do you make of it? I take it you are better versed in matters involving vegetation than I am... assuming it's natural, of course... Might be wise to hold one's breath when near it..." Andolphas continues to look closely at the mold without touching it, and holds his breath.

Beyond the archway at the end of the passage is a large chamber, some forty feet wide by forty feet deep. A wide, dull grey stone pillar reaching from floor to ceiling sits in the middle of the room. Another archway opens up to adjacent chambers on each of the side walls. There appears to be some sort of dark stain on the floor, stretching between the archway on the right hand side and the central pillar.

Andolphas takes a closer look at the dark stain, making sure he doesn't touch it.

Andolphas eventually shrugs in resignation. "Strange creature, never heard or seen anything like it," he mutters. "Brashen, Da'gret, are you both alright? No lasting ill effects from the creature's sleep effect? Is everyone still willing to move forward?"

Andolphas steps forward to examine the remains of the thing...

Knowledge (arcana): 7 + 4 = 11; Knowledge (the planes): 12+2 = 14.