Jarva slowly leads the group down the hall. He listens intently for any sound that might tip him off as to what is ahead, and looks closely for anything out of the ordinary.
Perception
Approaching the point where there were doors to the east, and west, Jarva again states at both doors to see if there is any trace of magic evident to his eyes. If there is no magic, he asks Eli to check the door leading east for traps.
There are passageways not doors, which you realize when you reach the T-section. There must be scores, if not hundreds, of honored worshippers of Sarenrae buried here. However, you soon realize that many of the skeletal remains have been roughly tossed from their niches, perhaps by the cultists who killed the monks 20 years ago, as countless bones and skulls litter the floor in the side passageways.
"Anyone care which way we go?" Jarva asks the team. Hearing no real consensus, Jarva decides to proceed down the eastern most passageway.
Eli shudders upon seeing the scattered bones and kicks a ribcage to be sure it won't jump up and attack him. When it doesn't leap up to disembowel him he curses himself for desecrating the remains of Brebork's kindred souls. "Forgive me Brebork, I had a momentary flashback to the storm. I swear to you that once we have the time I will help you re-inter each of these faithful servants of Sarenrae." Eyes peering into the gloom Eli follows Jarva holding the compass high and tightening the grip on his rapier.
Jarva, followed by Eli, and then the rest of the party head toward the eastern passageway. There are 3 side passages on the north and 3 on the south. Nothing detects magical and Eli's keen eyes detect no traps down either corridor. The party sees more niches for the dead and more skeletal remains on the floor.
"Let's go back and check the western passage. That way, nothing can sneak up on us from behind," Jarva offers, making sure that Eli was okay with the plan.
"That sounds prudent Jarva. Hopefully there is nothing down here more than some faithfuls of Sarenrae" Quzman will slowly lead off to the west, trying to aid Eli in searching for any trap or foe.
The party, on alert and creeped out by all the remains on the floor, checks out the western passageway, and thankfully, nothing comes to life and attacks them. No magic is detected either.
The party proceeds north. No traps are triggered or detected. When you are 50' up the hall, you can see that again there are 2 more side passagways up ahead, one to the east and west. You assume similar construction. Brebork, with his darkvision, can see further than the group with their light and says, "There is something, that looks like a sarcophagus up north at the end of this hall, maybe 50-60 feet ahead. Can't make out any details."
Eli creeps towards the sarcophagus keeping alert for sounds that might betray they are not alone in the crypt. He approaches the burial tomb with great care trying to make out any markings that might reveal who might lay inside. "Brebork, any idea who this could have been?"
The party sees Eli move to perhaps 5' from the base of sarcophagus and crouch down, probably reading something.
Jarva renews his ability to detect magical auras, and moves to approximately 15' behind Eli. He wanted to give him room to check for traps, but wanted to stay close enough to quickly respond to any emergency.
Eli blows away some dust and reads, ""Here lies Father Caroden, founder of this Monastery. May his rest be blessed! 4501 - 4581. Brebork, have you heard of him?"
"Yes, but other than founding the monastery, I don't know anything else about him", yells back Brebork.
Knowledge(religion):
"I seem to recall from..um..my research before crossing the sea that a devout follower of your goddess was led on a pilgrimage from Osirion to Katapesh by a vision. If my memory serves me right that priest was called Caroden, but I'll have to check...um, my journal to be sure."
"Careful, Eli. Ther eis some magic on the northern end of the sarcophagus!"
Jarva steps closer, continuing concentration on the area, attempting to gain further insight into the magical aura.
Eli steps back so that Jarva can inspect the sarcophagus closer and turns his attention to the walls to see if the founding priest's story is recorded like the genie's above.
Does Father Caroden ring any bells for Dumah?
Knowledge Religion
Knowledge History
While Dumah would normally be quite interested in the new sarcophagus, right now he is watching very closely the way they came from; the encounter during the sandstorm is still too fresh in his memory....
"Careful, Eli. Ther eis some magic on the northern end of the sarcophagus!"
Jarva steps closer, continuing concentration on the area, attempting to gain further insight into the magical aura.
Eli steps back so that Jarva can inspect the sarcophagus closer and turns his attention to the walls to see if the founding priest's story is recorded like the genie's above.
Yes, his life story is described in scenes, such as with the priest and an angel, marching thru the desert, and meeting with Vardishal.
Eli admires the pictography of Caroden while waiting for Jarva to finish detecting magic upon the tomb. When the Druid is done, Eli shines the light down the eastern passage to see what lies that way.
"Everyone, look at this. The small bell at the head of the sarcophagus is definitely magical. Eli, you might want to check it for traps--it has a purpose, I'd think, that we need to figure out.'
After peering down the east hall Eli returns to the sarcophagus to investigate the bell Jarva is pointing out in the gloom. "Well what have we got here?"
"Well, it doesn't look dangerous to me."
"Perhaps Brebork might know if something like this was used in Sarenrae's ceremonies."
Quzman will examine the pictures around the sarcophagus and tries to see if there is any indication of 'Caroden' holding a bell (or anyone else)
"Well, seems safe enough," Jarva says after the group looks at the sarcophagus. He reaches in and grabs the bell with one hand, attempting to catch the ringer from going off with his other hand.
"Perhaps Brebork might know if something like this was used in Sarenrae's ceremonies."
Quzman will examine the pictures around the sarcophagus and tries to see if there is any indication of 'Caroden' holding a bell (or anyone else)
No, Quzman does not see a bell in any of the scenes around the sarcophagus.
"Well, seems safe enough," Jarva says after the group looks at the sarcophagus. He reaches in and grabs the bell with one hand, attempting to catch the ringer from going off with his other hand.
Nothing happens, much to his relief, to Jarva, as he reaches down to the floor and picks up the rune-covered bell. When he comes back up, he sees this, which almost stops his heart just from the fear! Surprise!
Attack:
Damage: points of Strength lost!
The whole party now sees the creature as it passed through the sarcophagus cover and they freeze, thinking as to what to do.
Initiative
Brebork:
Jarva:
Quzman:
Eli:
Dumah:
Creature:
Eli trembles in fear as the apparition shifts out of the tomb and into the crypt.
Knowledge Religion
It is a shadow! Defend yourselves well, and use magic weapons if you have them!
He will cast Mage Armor on himself. As a move action he'll draw the magic dagger and hold it out.
DM
DM, I edited my post to add a spoiler for you. Just wanted to make sure you caught it!
DM, I edited my post to add a spoiler for you. Just wanted to make sure you caught it!
Those near Dumah may notice that when he draws his dagger, he does not hold it as though he intends to weild it, but rather hilt out so it could easily be grabbed.
The shadow looks around and senses great strength from the warrior, so he stretches his incorporeal hand and attempts to touch Quzman, phasing through his armor and draining energy from his soul! The creature looks around at the party and screams "More! Give me more!"
Attack:
points of Strength damage
Quzman gasps at the cold otherworldly touch. "Gah! It's touch is freezing. Taking heed of Dumah's shout, Quzman will try and concentrate on beating on the creature with the magical mace he has.
Eli will grab the dagger from Dumah's hand and stab at the shadow drifting in front of Quzman.
Summary of Round 1
20- Dumah (cast mage armor, held out dagger)
16- Shadow (drained Quzman)
12- Brebork channels energy and then flees in terror: ; Shadow's save:; the creature howls in pain at the positive energy
6- Quzman swings and misses, as the Shadow nimbly avoids the awkward swipe
5- Eli grabs the magical dagger and swipes at the shadowy being, cutting out a part of his shadowy essence ()
4- Jarva (shakily swings and misses by a lot)
Jarva takes a shaky swing at the strange undead with his scimitar. He felt like the attack from the monster had taken a part of his essence. The scimitar felt heavier in his hands.
Attack
Damage
Round 2
20- Dumah
16- Shadow
12- Brebork
6- Quzman
5- Eli
4- Jarva
Force Missile school ability
To Hit: Automatic, unless the creature has a special defense.
Damage:
Dumah raises his hand and a swirling bolt of enery forms in his palm that streaks out and hits the Shadow unerringly, dispersing more of the creature's incorporeal form, causing the creature to howl in pain. The creature's shadowy visage turns to one of anger as it attempts to drain the wizard's energy, but its hand is blocked by a wall of energy surrounding the wizard.
Attack:
Quzman tries to calm his nerves somewhat after his original flailing attempt at the creature and take a more level swipe at the abomination with his mace.
And he nearly loses his mace as it starts to slide in his sweat soaked hand.
Eli stabs the dagger at the shadow again.