The monkey disappears back over the ridge, chittering as it goes.
Fazaam slowly releases the tension on his bowstring, lowering the bow, but keeping it nocked. Even Hasan is suddenly silent, peering out from between two strands of Fazaam's hair.
"Hoo boy. I've got a bad feeling about this,..."
"well you seem to messed that up pretty good, how about we get a move on and attempt to find the digsite before an army of killer monkey corpses AND whatever else is wrong with this island comes to wipe us out?
Roman hopefully familure enough with the general direction by now starts walking, hopeing that the others will follow.
"If they catch us on the trail," Roman thinks to himself "we're probably dead, as they can move easily threw the underbrush it appears and we cannot"
Fudrick is completely engrossed in the pirate ship. He tries to make out any distinguishing marks that prove it was one of the ships that attacked his families boat. Unable to see anything at this great distance he says a quite prayer to his family. Letting them know that he will not rest until those responsible for death and suffering are brought to justice. As his thought finishes, the monkey in the group starts squealing and pulling on Fazaams hair. Following their gaze he sees another monkey on the ridge. Wondering if the monkey is some kind of lookout he unsheathes his blade and scans the jungle around the group.
"I don't like this. Not one bit. But we have to keep moving. We are closer to the dig site. Sorry Fudrick, but the dig site could be filled with these things. Yet, there could be survivors fending these nasties off. We need to move and help, if there are survivors. Fudrick, be ready. There might be some bad sights for you ahead. One way or another, if fear, your cousin is probably walking around. But we must go."
The grass around is not that long. It has gradually shortened to about six to twelve inches tall. That is the extent of the jungle near the summit. The trees and tall grass are below now.
Nearer the ridge, an arch comes into view over the ridge, with another beyond it, forming a partial colonnade. The banks rise either side of the arches.
50 yards later, Roman crests the ridge. The banks made up of earth and stone piled in circles from the digging. Between them are four twenty foot arches in a row (each ten foot apart), however the last two have broken at their tops. The banks are all of ten foot high.
The ground under the arches consists of clean flagstones, each 2 foot square. Fifteen feet past the last arch is a square black hole in the ground. Nearby lies its flagstone.
Of the monkey, there is no sight.
The trail has come to an end, but the summit of the volcano can be seen about 100 foot above and behind the construction.
"Well, at least we know where it went. Or came from,..." Fazaam spouts with bravado, keeping his bow ready.
"Honorable sirs, we have reached the dig site. Unfortunately we were never able to get this close before, trying to stay hidden and all. So all we know is, whatever they found, 'secret chamber' and all, was in there." He indicates the entrance with his arrowtip.
He then turns slowly, examining the columns and flagstones carefully for any useful information.
Fudrick warily checks the surrounding area. "This place is to quite."
Spot Check near hole (1d20=16)
Looking back at the pitch black hole Fudrick takes a deep breath, bends down near the edge, and peers into the darkness. He holds a hand up and a bright light suddenly appears in his hand. Glowing as if it was a torch. Fudrick sends it down with three more that he quickly conjures forth.
"Anyone see anything in there, does it look deep?"
The dusk fades into twilight.
However there is plenty of light coming from beneath Fudrick, inside the hole. Golden sunshine flickers from the magical torches.
The hole inside looks down into a large oval chamber, at least forty feet around. Twelve large urns are surrounded by a thick mist, which shrouds the ground. The hole is directly over a series of iron rungs set in one wall. The middle urn glitters silver from within and is open to the light, all the rest have lids, carved with lines that rise to a point.
Playing the light around, there is no visible exit except for a long narrow fissure in the far side of the chamber.
The arches and columns show numerous texts all scribed in angular writing. One or two motifs and pictures show humanoids in procession and crowns all inset into larger circles.
Intelligence check DC20/Decipher Script DC15
Anyone stood by the hole gets a faint whiff of sweetness.
Knowledge (Dungeon/Engineering) DC15
"Great. Out of daylight. Out in the open." Ghari looks around nervously. Then looks briefly into the hole.
"Fazaam. Do you think this is the chamber of urns?" Ghari asks. Then he explains to the others , " That's where Yoraal (spits forcefully on the ground) said they found something, and argued over whether to open it. "
"I don't like this one bit. Whatever is still out in the jungle could follow us in and force us into a battle on two fronts. We just don't have a choice at this point. There still is no sign of my cousin or the rest of his workers. Lets head down and see if we can find any clues to Zatari's whereabouts."
There are tools covered by part of one earth bank. Also there is a tripod and pulley with 2 fifty foot ropes. Any seaman could set this up.
Intelligence check (1d20=17)"Great. Out of daylight. Out in the open." Ghari looks around nervously. Then looks briefly into the hole.
"Fazaam. Do you think this is the chamber of urns?" Ghari asks. Then he explains to the others , " That's where Yoraal (spits forcefully on the ground) said they found something, and argued over whether to open it. "
"Entirely probable." The elf replies, absorbed in scrutinizing the symbols on the columns. He whispers to Hasan, and after a brief moment where it appears that the monkey might refuse, the small simian scampers up the column to the top of the arch. He spends a few moments looking around the top of the arch itself, and then around the area, looking for approaching danger.
We would probably be safer in the chamber, where we can narrow any attackers lanes of choices. Is that crack in the back another passage? think we can get through there?" He inquires, peering inside. "I can't make heads or tails of the writing on the columns. Could be a recipe for bread for all I can tell. And what IS that cloying, sweet smell?"
Hasan's Search and Spot rolls from the arch: (1d20 5=16, 1d20 1=17)
Roman cracks a sunrod, gets his vial ready in hand while loosely cradiling his staff and says, gesturing to the rope, [b]"Someone lower me down?, we need to get in as fast as possible, it seems like all the answers are down."
tying the sunrod to his boot with a stray bit of cloth, roman is ready to go.
Hasan points over the bank to the left when he reaches the arch's peak, jumping up and down.
He chatters scared, very scared, and dives back down to Fazaam's shoulder.
Note that the chamber is about 30 foot high. The crack is narrow, far too narrow for anyone to fit through, although the crack extends down into the layer of mist.
Fazaam grabs Hasan and manages to keep him from burying himself in the elf's long hair. Again.
Once the monkey has calmed down, a little, Fazaam grabs a couple of parts of the archaeologists' equipment, and indicates to Ghari that he should get the other parts. The two prove that they have indeed been working together for a while as they assemble the tripod and rope in, well, if not record time, at least satisfyingly quickly. Fazaam keeps up a steady stream as they assemble the apparatus.
"Unless I completely misunderstand Hasan, I think he spotted our friends THAT way," He says, pointing with his chin in the direction that Hasan pointed from the arch. "Pretty close, judging by how upset he seems to be about it. I see what looks like some rungs here, but they look pretty old. I'd rather trust the rope rig. We need to get inside, see what we can find, and see if that crack leads anywhere under that mist. If nowhere, I recommend that we either hole up IN the chamber and try to fight them off, or Haul Canvas and run with the wind!"
"These columns mean nothing to me. I can't read." Yrar moves through the dig site, "Ghari, I'm a suvivalist, but you're good with tracks right? See anything that tells you anything? Before we go into the depths and before we lose all sunlight, does the dig sight tell you a story?"
Turning to Fazaam and Roman by the hole, "If you want, I can go first. Light or no light, I see just as well. Besides, if there is anything that needs smashin' ... Well, I'm your guy," Yrar gives a crude smile through his thick mangy beard and swings his maul through the air one-handed using his free hand to stop the moving weapon by its shaft.
Roman Smiles, " I appreciate it , but generally sending the lighter down first is the easier way, first me incase it does require fighting, then the gnomes and the elf, and then you. you'll be guarding our decent its an important job"
grinning the half sea elf thinks to himself " You know I could just swim away from this "
"These columns mean nothing to me. I can't read." Yrar moves through the dig site, "Ghari, I'm a suvivalist, but you're good with tracks right? See anything that tells you anything? Before we go into the depths and before we lose all sunlight, does the dig sight tell you a story?"
Ghari looks up from the tripod assembly "let me finish this off and I'll have a look. All set, Fazaam?" After the tripod is assembled, Ghari quickly scouts the site.
"Aah, esteemed friends, before we go down there, are we sure its the wisest choice? An adversary could just wait us out up here and pick us off one by one when we have to come out."
"Their are dead men and animals walking about and your worried about not being able to get back out?, methinks your worries are misplaced"
"Even a mole is smart enough to have many exits from his burrow."
Fazaam helps Ghari finish the assembly, and holds it steady while Roman tests to see if it holds. He then covers Ghari while the ranger searches the area for tracks.
"Alright, then we send down a couple of people, they check for exits and such, while the rest of us stay up here and keep watch? If we find a trail or an exit, then we all go in and follow it, yes? And what IS that sweet smell? It really is becoming quite offensive!" Fazaam declares haughtily, pulling out a kerchief and covering his nose with it.
There are several sets of bony tracks going over the left hand bank, out of sight. They could be made by one creature or .....perhaps more.
There is also several sets of humanoid tracks among the arches. The flagstones have a slight covering of earth, blown by the high breezes. The However the movements of the party have scuffed any useful information from the floor.
The sweet smell of honey wafts up enticingly.
"That smell is unknown to me, but it is making me hungry."
Yrar plants his large frame close by the hole while his companions lower themselves, "Just yell if you need me," Yrar says over his shoulder.
With his maul held in a guarding stance, the Half-Orc watches the ridgeline for any invaders.
Roman Lands With a Soft Thud, quickly scouting out the area with his sharp eyes and source of light, holding it in hand if the fog interferes, with his staff in the other once he hits the floor.
scouting around Roman Whispers to himself " and only the idiot can quote wisdom and still not understand it"
Survival Check =12
Spot =21
Search (for Dangers such as holes, pits, or signs of creatures)=16
Fudrick sheathes his weapon, grabs the rope, and gets ready to be lowered down.
The mist is about 2 foot deep and Roman stands on more solid flagstones.
From his position near one wall, there is no movement of monsters or other changes to the chamber (as described).
Yet.
Yrar turns to Fudrick as he is about to be lowered, "Be careful my little friend."
Fazaam carefully lowers Fudrick down into the chamber while Ghari stands by, guarding, but close enough to help if needed. After Fudrick detaches himself from the rope, Fazaam looks around with Ghari & Yrar as the other gnome climbs into the rope.
"I don't want to leave you two up here alone, but my elvish eyesight is somewhat keener than that of most others, even gnomes. I may be of more use below in searching for hidden portals."
Fazaam then assists the Shulim down into the chamber, and readies himself to be lowered next. As Ghari prepares to lower him, Fazaam says, "Call the moment you see anything. If we do not have a way out by then, I shall join you immediately." HE points to the rungs below the hatch. "They may be old, but I'll bet they'll support my weight if need be."
Fazaam takes one last look down into the chamber, at the top of the hill as Gahri prepares to let him down. "I'll see you soon!" Fazaam quips with an impish grin as his head disappears into the hole.
Once down, Fazaam swiftly divests himself of the rope, and begins circling the room, following the wall from below the hole above and moving in a clockwise direction. He brushes the fingertips of his left hand lightly along the wall as he moves, carefully testing the floor ahead beneath the mists with his toe before committing to the step.
Fazaam's SEARCH and SPOT checks: (1d20 6=24, 1d20 2=12)
Shulim, Roman, Fudrick and Fazaam start out next to the iron rungs of the ladder. In fact on closer inspection the sunrod gives enough light to show that he rungs are in mint condition. Directly above is the hole with the tripod.
Fazaam starts around the edge, however his constant checking ensures that it will take him at least 10 minutes to go all the way around.
Above Ghari and Yrar stand near the hole.
Ghari stands by the hole with Yrar. He fidgets and alternates between looking down the hole and around the site. "So Yrar, how did you become acquainted with the gnomes and half-elf? It seems an unlikely pairing."
Yrar looks to the Ranger, "My home is the jungles on the main island. Fudrick washed up on shore and was being hunted by pirates. I hate pirates!" Yrar says with a growl. "I was angry. Those pirates didn't stand a chance," Yrar lifts his maul for emphasis. "I was wounded though and Fudrick healed me. I was born to help others. When Fudrick told me of his plight, I felt the need to help him find his cousin. I only met the other Gnome and the Sea-Elf on the boat over. We were all looking for this Zatari. Now, we are here, looking down into a hole. Sometimes, I hate being nice." Yrar says this last bit with a smile and a shake of his head. Through his Orcish features, hard skin, and scraggily beard though, it is hard to imagine Yrar as nice.
Shulim, Roman, Fudrick and Fazaam start out next to the iron rungs of the ladder. In fact on closer inspection the sunrod gives enough light to show that he rungs are in mint condition. Directly above is the hole with the tripod.
Fazaam starts around the edge, however his constant checking ensures that it will take him at least 10 minutes to go all the way around.
Fazaam continues on his circuit around the room, fingers lightly dragging the surface of the wall as he travels. Relying on his keen elven senses to spot any hidden or secret doors in the wall, he concentrates on not stepping into a pit or something,... unpleasant, under the mist.
I hate pirates! ... Now, we are here, looking down into a hole. Sometimes, I hate being nice." Yrar says this last bit with a smile and a shake of his head. Through his Orcish features, hard skin, and scraggily beard though, it is hard to imagine Yrar as nice.
Ghari steps discreetly bak a step. "Yes, well, I'm sure Fudrick appreciates your gallant assistance. And if you help free my sister there will be plenty of pirates to ... settle." He smiles weakly.
"Aye. We'll free the lass and send those pirates to the depths."
A small hand waves above the mist in the centre, near the silvered urn. It falls back down out of sight.
So far, Fazaam has searched twenty feet around the left hand wall of the oval. The search has proved fruitless so far.
-----
Ghari and Yrar both notice a tiny skeletal monkey pop up on the top of the bank. Moments later it is joined by another. They stop and chitter at the pair, pointing.
The earthen bank slopes up over twenty feet high.
"The monkey is back. With a friend. " Ghari yells down the hole.
He readies an arrow on his bow.
"Ahh," Yrar Spats. "Those things arn't even good eatin'." With a grin, Yrar turns to Ghari, "The're all bone."
"The monkey is back. With a friend. " Ghari yells down the hole.
He readies an arrow on his bow.
"Ahh," Yrar Spats. "Those things arn't even good eatin'." With a grin, Yrar turns to Ghari, "The're all bone."
Ghari laughs at Yrar's joke.
"Let's try to chase them off."
Shot Spoiler :
concealment: miss on 1-4 (1d20=19)
damage 1d6+1=4 I don't think I beat the damage reduction.
Yrar shrugs, "OK, I'll smash 'em." The Half-Orc lifts his giant hammer and walks with Ghari, "Here monkey, monkey, monkey," Yrar lyrics through his rough beard.
Fazaam acknowledges Ghari's shout, so he is facing away from the wall when the hand pops into view above the mist.
"Shulim! Roman! Did you see that? I thought I saw a small hand wave, there, in the middle, by the open urn!"
Fazaam glances at the wall, noting his position, and softly casts a spell. Once more the silver sparkles appear in a whirlwind and settle onto Fazaam and Hasan, leaving them surrounded in a faintly shimmering sheath of energy. Fazaam slowly draws his rapier as he look sat SHulim and Roman. It makes no more than a whisper as it slowly clears the sheath.
"Hello? Is someone there?" He calls, pointing with his free hand for Roman and Shulim to approach from the opposite side. "Zatari? Is that you?"
Ghari's arrow hits the monkey's skull and it shatters, with the rest of the bones collapsing in a pile.
As Yrar starts to climb the slope, earth crumbles making his trek more difficult. Eventually he reaches the top of the bank, where the remaining monkey is lifting a rib from its collapsed partner. The monkey pays no attention to Yrar.
Hissing comes from beyond the ridge. A sound not unlike those made by the chittering monkey.
Yrar spoiler
Fazaam/Shulim/Fudrick/Roman Spoiler
"Great! More of these little shits over the ridge," the Half-Orc yells back to Ghari. "Well, one less soon." Yrar takes a swing at the nearest monkey, using his hammer like a pendulum.
"Oh, Good! We've found you!" Faindriac said. starting to relax. "See Fudrick? Nothing to worry abou,... waitaminute, did you say was? Fudrick, stay back!" He shouts, bringing his rapier back in line with the voice.
Looking for another glimpse of the hand, Fazaam continues, a little less confidently than before. "Why don't you stand up where we can see you, friend?"
Ghari follows Yrar up the bank, nocking another arrow as he goes. He glances behind him before cresting the ridge.
Roman waits tensly at ease, as soon as he sees another undead or otherwise abominable abomination, he will break his oil of shillegh and go defensive.
Yrar's blow shatters the other monkey on the ridge. The other four turn tail and run up the slope towards the summit of the crater.
Spot DC10 Spoiler
--------
As the half-moon adds to the starlight above, Roman's sunrod shows a strange view rise from the mist.
Fudrick recognises his cousin's head as it lifts on a long thin neck. The neck elongates until it is ten foot tall.
"I have been changed," mourns the "gnome".
Then the face disappears as suckers appear. The neck transforms into a tentacled arm before it flops back down out of sight. Waves of mist ripple away from the arm as it vanishes.
Fudrick watches as face of his cousin rises from the mist. Frozen with fright he can't help but watch as the face disappears. Turning away from the others he wretches loudly, disgusted by the scene unfolding in the room. As the image of his cousins face fades from his memory he begins to feel a warmth flow through him. It is the warming touch of Hettama as she caresses his soul. Feeling her strength coursing through his veins he steels himself for what must be done. Drawing his scimitar and shield he says, "Do not let it get a hold of you. The walking corpses we found had sucker marks on it." Yelling so Yrar and Ghari can hear, "Yrar, Ghari, we got a big problem down here. Zatari has been turned into something else. Something that has caused all of this."
"Have you found any passages out? What about that crack?"