Absolution and Perdition

Game Master Halflingtime


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Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Your last moments of mortal life, as far as you can tell, were hellish and specifically tailored to your circumstances. Indeed, they were a tale only you could tell (and probably should, in spoiler form), but nothing in those last, screaming seconds could prepare you for the overbearing silence that now greets your ears.

There isn't even a whisper when you open your eyes again, and though you are free from pain, you lie on something stiff, uncomfortable, and cold. Whatever you were expecting next, it wasn't this.

Opening your eyes, there is an overwhelming mass of gray and dull brown. You are staring into the rafters of a dusty chapel, and while there are broken windows that should allow natural light in, there is only the dusty white of an overcast sky... and possibly snow...?


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

The Death of Arodus: The Year of the Hound:
Arodus was a very simple person. He did what everyone else did. He listened to his parents. And when society told him to marry, he did without hesitation. Her name was Autumn and it was an arranged marriage between their houses, for profit of course, but he didn't care since he was definitely getting the better of the bargain. He was very average in pretty much everything; swordplay, magic, intelligence. She, however, was far beyond that. So it wasn't much of a surprise one day when he came home to her sleeping with his best friend. Without thinking, he challenged him to a duel, "Tomorrow morning, the courtyard." He showed up the next morning with his longsword in his sheath, practicing all morning to make sure he was ready. Sadly, his friend was far more ready. He gave out a whistle as several hounds came charging towards Arodus. He could only cut one or two down as they surrounded him before they began grabbing at his appendages with their teeth and pulling in every direction, tearing him apart as his closest friend came to watch. It took a long time to die, he thought, as the sounds of snapping jaws and barking instantly became silence.....

Arodus laid still on the surface as his eyes adjusted, while his mind took longer to adjust. Was it just a dream? No. He could never make up that amount of pain and fear in his mind, he had really experienced it. He sat up when his eyes finally came around and wondered where the hell he was.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Devana and the Wolves:
The images raced through her mind. How fast it all went. How pleasant the night had been and how fast it all had come to an end. Her greatest worry had been that the someone in the government could take her for a traitor to Cheliax, which she wasn't, she just wanted to have nothing to do with it anymore.

She had been out, in the foreign quarters and discussing the Cypher Gate with Ilena, her best friend, while they were getting drunk. Later in the evening she tried to dance on the tables. She realized full that that was an insanely stupid thing to do, especially at her age, but she never did in her youth, so she thought: Better now than never.

It didn't work out well, the kind of attention it got her wasn't exactly what she wanted, but she was still glad that she did. Anyway, Ilena and Devana decided to leave and split ways. Ilena to their shared apartment, Devana to a tavern where she hadn't made herself impossible yet.

She suddenly realized that she was being followed. Probably just her imagination, she thought and took a random turn, just to see whether there was actually someone after her. At first it seemed that wasn't the case, but than she heard that tapping again, like bare feet on the cold, nightly cobblestone.

She tried to evade and find her way out but eventually she realized that she had been deliberately driven into a docking area devoid of all life at night and cornered. Three black unnaturally big black wolves, with similarly unnaturally big fangs in their drooling mouths stepped out of the dark.

Werewolves. She actually had very fond memories of the a creature that may have been a werewolf, or just someone with magical powers that enabled him to transform in a different way. While those seemed not nice by any means at all, she reacted more annoyed by the scene than afraid. "You know, if you want anything of me, you could just ask!" said, some of her fear did shine through.

That's was when they pounced her tore her apart. They didn't kill her at first, now they made a fun of it leaving her alive as anyhow possible while her guts were already spilled over the cobblestone. The last thing she remembered was one saying: "So that's Grulrik's fancy? I knew he had a lousy taste. Well, maybe she has a good heart." And then his snout disappeared in her chest to rip it out of her.
...................

She looked a little unsettled around, trying to quantify, categorize. "Well that's all wrong", she mumbled. "In complete contradiction to Alvenstein's theories on the afterlife as much as in contradiction to any planar travel report I've ever read."

She sighed in with a "let's get to work" attitude. "This will require some severe revisions."

She looked around and tried to find out what she should investigate first when emotions caught up with her mind. For a moment she froze. She wanted to scream and panic, hide somewhere. Even be hugged by her mother, as ridiculous as that was. But there was no point to that.

It took her a few moments and she forced herself to breathe again. Empiric evidence suggests that I am not dead. Assuming both my memory as well as my perception of reality is in order, something extremely strange is going on here and I need to find out what. To theorize that my perception is not in order is not helpful, because then I am unable to act systematically at all and every choice I make becomes irrelevant anyway. My memory may or may not be correct, but that it is indeed correct seems like the simplest theory to work with for now and should be easy to falsify if it isn't. Where am I? she thought.

"Where am I?" she said out loud, her voice calm and controlled with only a hint of the fear in her. She looked around for any entity that might provide an explanation and took the environment as a given for now.


Male Varisian Oracle 1

Ceiro moaned as he rose his back aching. He shivered instinctively as he appraised his surroundings. With a few words and a gesture he tapped his left palm and it glowed with a nimbus of light. He began slowly moving it looking for any sign of who's abandoned chapel he was in. This was all together strange last he remembered the world had become a bloody nightmare.

flashback:
The caravan had been crossing Cheliax for a bit over a week now. They had been camped just outside of Misarias for a few days. They were working on a bargain for supplies and trade goods as they headed north back towards Varisia. Things had gotten heated as the caravan's delegates haggled that afternoon in the village. It seemed sometime in the night a local shop keep had been robbed and of course the blame as often did landed at the nomadic peoples feet. It mattered not that we had cried out our innocence in the matter. Even after the offer to inspect the camp they would not be deterred from their accusations. The elders all agreed they would simply press on in the morning hoping to resupply down the road. alas it was not to be.
Ceiro awoke to screams in the camp. he rushed out to see Hell Knights swarming through camp ransacking everything. They were slaughtering his people. He called on his ancestors to aid his folk. Varisian specters answered his call harrying the knights as best they could. One of their number cried out Get that one! Ceiro drew his blade hurriedly, but was no match for the knight. He couldn't help but think This can't be it can it?a hot searing pain in his belly erupted as the knight plunged his sword deep into Ceiro.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

Edric jumps to his feet, visibly startled, as if awakening from some terrible dream. Almost immediately, he regains his 'usual' composure; calm, collected, observant. Without wasting further time nor effort he begins scrutinizing his new surroundings, casting aside a hundred questions that fly through his head. "Where am I? How did I get here? Is there anyone else?"

When finally satisfied that he will retrieve no answers from simply standing about, the detective begins moving with a practiced, well-controlled pace, just fast enough to taken in every detail at a glance, while keeping him both silent and a more difficult target to hit.

The odd man out:
Unlike the others Edric, does not yet know he is dead. His last memories are of leaving the Lost Cliff Asylum and starting out upon the fog shrouded road.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Arodus props up on the surface and hangs his legs off of the edge while his hands pat over his body, searching for any marks from his gruesome death. He didn't find any but lucky for him, he was still wearing what he had when he.... passed away.... which meant he was armed and could defend himself. He grabbed his longsword by the hilt and pulled it out of the sheath just a little to make sure the blade was sharp and clean, the way it was only minutes before his demise.

Ahem. He cleared his throat, wondering if anyone could hear him. He continued searching himself. He hadn't been robbed, he still had on all of his jewelry that showed off his nobility; his father's pocketwatch, his many multi-colored gemmed rings, and his gold circlet. He pulled at his expensive shirt, peeking down the front to check for more bite marks but seeing none. The last time he looked down at his stomach, it was torn open with his entrails spilling out into the mouths of several hounds.

He gave a shudder, regaining his composure so he could stand up and start taking a good look around. He pulls his longsword out of the sheath and keeps it out in front of him with a few spells in mind that he could cast in an instant.


Male Varisian Oracle 1

Ceiro trailed long settled dust like the wake off a Korvosan trader coming into port as he made his way to the window light dancing across the derelict church as he walked across the chamber the floorboards creaking breaking the eerie silence Ceiro took note of how loud his breathing was forcing himself to slow down and breath. He knew he would know more when he had gotten a look outside.

The Elusive Trout:
Happy to make any rolls you would like ; perception any of his knowledges. Ceiro is attempting to remain calm and access the situation. Is his gear present.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

The chapel is mostly intact, with the off-white walls gathering the eyes. There are places where white plaster has cracked into patterns that resemble shut, lidded eyes, but after a second it could only be your imagination, couldn't it?

Perception DC 0 lets you find the others. :P
It is not hard to hear others stirring near you, in nearby flat, polished wooden pews.

In the back of a chapel is a great, stone altar that bears the markings of no god, in which there is an empty pewter offering bowl, stained with grime.
Behind the altar stands a large, faceless statues with hinged arms reminiscent of a porcelain doll. It appears neither male nor female, and its proportions are slightly off-putting.

Anyone who knows they've passed on, with a DC 10 planes or religion check:

This is not what you imagine Pharasma's court to be. You are not judged, you are clothed, and there is no sense of closure, here...

There is a door in the back of the room. It is made of the same dark wood from which the pews are hewn, and seems thoroughly closed. It is barred as if to prevent other things from entering via the use of the church candle-stands.

The font that once contained the blessed or accursed waters of this place is apparently missing, and in its place sits a small, darkened pit that seems to stretch interminably down.
It is large enough to fit through, but only if one squeezed.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Knowledge (The Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Devana looks around, gathering all the impressions and processes them in the back of her mind while she turns to the others which also awaken on those benches. In order to display calm and focus she holds her left wrist with her right and speaks to them.

"A good day, gentlemen - it this is indeed a day. I am most curious whether any of you would be able to tell me where we are. My name is Devana Ravendawn...", she nodded politely, but expressionless to the two, "and I remember it being the night from neth 17 in the year 4714 absalom reckoning to neth 18. And my own last memory places me in Egorian in Cheliax."

She looks around to see whether any window is low enough to reach it and look out of it. If so, she does. Otherwise she'll have a closer look at those curved cracks in the floor.

I am not quite sure whether I understand that part of the description with the eyelids.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Arodus looks over at the strange female, circling around to the rest in the room with him, quickly getting up to position his back near a wall so he could keep them all in sight. "This is not Pharasma's court...."

He kept his sword drawn, facing the other people as Devana finished her introduction. Still untrusting of everyone, mainly from the few days before his death, he gives a brief greeting and chooses not to share much information about himself, in fear they might be bandits hungry for his wealth. "I am Arodus, and I hope you all don't take it personal when I say don't you dare come near me. Not until I can start trusting what comes out of your mouths."

Arodus keeps his back to the wall, longsword drawn, giving the others time to talk and look around for him.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

There are cracks that look like closed eyes with eyelashes. And the cracks are on the walls, not on the floor.

The windows are just out of Devana's reach, but perhaps with a boost she could see more than just the filtered, grey light.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Devana angles her head only briefly as she watches Arodus. His frightened reaction was not very logical, but understandable given the circumstances. His reference to the Tower of the Dead was an indication that he died as well.

"That's interesting... so you remember dying as well? Someone must have gone through through very great lengths to restore me, restore and clean my clothes and provide me with me own equipment... if that is what happened." Her tone is perfectly neutral and she does not seem to react to the threat of the sword at all, though if one particularly paid attention to one might notice that while she lifted her right hand to her chin the left rested on the little component pouch at her hip.

"What about you, sir" she addressed Ceiro, "Did you have a similar death experience? Is it the last you can recall before waking up here?"


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Edric gives Arodus an aquesant nod while he observes each of his new companions one by one, taking quick mental notes of all their distinguishing features, manners, and visible equipment. Once he's certain that none of them pose any immediate danger, Edric walks over to the statue and begins to examine it in further detail, while still listening to their conversation.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Sir Edric's searchings:

With wandering eyes, the man finds a small inscription, made by some small gouging tool, into the leg of the statue's carapace.

"By sacrifice do you stand, a wanderer in an impossible land,
know that only more can come in this shadow of a requiem.
An offering of dearest price will payment for my aid suffice,
as I had shed for you.

Before the fires you shall know no face, but the toothed gift of mine in place shall, once turned, move that which long stuck in place, has in this torment burned."


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Sense motives against your fellow party members of DC 20 will usually get you their general mood.


Male Varisian Oracle 1

Know planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

I believe you are right my friend. Ceiro gently motions for Arodus to point the sword elsewhere. The light from the palm of his hand making shadows dance along the walls he stops suddenly as he notices the unnerving effect it stirred in his gut.
I am Ceiro Vacillie, and unfortunately I am fairly certain that my lifeblood fled as it's vessel was pierced clean through. Ceiro begins to feel along his sternum and upper abdomen. The man seems thoroughly shaken. I too was in Cheliax,.... with my people. Just outside Taggun Hold. He eyes the Chelish woman cautiously. Gathering himself he stands back up. Perhaps we might first make sure only we four are the only ones here than I propose we move a pew or two over so we can see out those windows. as he looks to the others he realizes the fellow at the statue and steps up to assist his studies by holding out his palm and shining a little light on the situation. Obviously forgetting his previous statement about making sure there was no one else.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

'"Now that's a start." Says Edric, just loud enough so that the others can hear him, as he pulls out a small book and pen, transcribing the message into his journal for later reference before pondering its meaning, as well as any possible hidden messages, in further depth.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22

"Hmm.. I do believe we need a key of some sorts." The detective mumbles.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Edric:

You suspect that you can only get the key by making an offering, and that the key is, in fact, the prize here... that you'll need for something else.
Likely something unpleasant.
As far as the offering goes, you'll need to look for other clues.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

"That settles it then!" Edric exclaims. before looking to his new found companions.

Using Tireless Logic in conjunction with my Oratory feat to make a diplomacy check against the others.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Linguistics: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Well, what are you all waiting around for? To die of old age perhaps? If not, then I suggest you each begin searching this place from top to bottom for clues. I can do it myself, but it would be far quicker, not to mention much more thorough, if we work together here. Besides, we can always chat and speculate while we search."

Regardless of the others choices, Edric moves into the center of the room and performs the following actions in this order:
1) Casts know direction.
2) Casts light and prestidigitation on a candle floating it a few feet above his head.
3) Casts detect magic as he begins to scan the room for any unseen clues, taking a full 3 rounds to concentrate while scanning.
4) Preforms a new perception check.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

If Edric notices anything new he calls out for the nearest party member to check it out. Assuming they do, he moves onto something else, If not, he goes to check it out himself.


Male Varisian Oracle 1

Ceiro attempts to look at what the fellow is writing, but he closes it just a hair quicker than Ceiro can manage to make out anything. I will learn what I can. He moves away from the hole but not before shinning the light down it for a cursory inspection. perception : 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
If nothing interesting comes of that than

Ceiro moves back to the his slab.Odd that I would think of it as my slab he shivers.
This will take a little time I seek the wisdom of my ancestors do not disturb me please.
With no further explanation or response if asked anything he folds his legs sitting on the slab. He mutters in what may be Varisian to quiet to be heard clearly. a moment later his eyes roll back in his head.

T.E.T.(The Elusive Trout):
I am using my wisdom of the ancients mystery. In future would you like to roll it or shall I? In either case if you wish to do so this time so you may proceed please do.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Devana regards Phantomheim coolly. Then again she seems to not have any other expression, just slight variations of this. "I am waiting for you to introduce yourself, sir. If you would be so kind? And what do you mean with 'we need a key'? For what?" Her tone is neutral and polite and if she feels either offended or impressed by Phantomheim she hides it well. She glances to the entry door which is barred from their side, but there is no indication that it is locked.

To Ceiro she nods: "Well, I was hoping anyone would simply help me up, but I believe we can move this pew over here..." She get her hands under one end of the long bench and more muscles than one would anticipate print through the sleeves of her dress. Once it is in position she tries to take another look out.

If none of the other three is responsible for bringing them back to live - and she sees no reason why anyone would lie about that - whoever did must have left before they woke up. And likely through that whole in the floor, since the entry door is barred from the inside, though there are some damaged windows as well. She finds the statue with the mobile arms most interesting. It would not be a surprise if they were connected to some kind of mechanism. But first she wants to find out what is out there and where to get food and water from.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Arodus was a typical young noble with a lack of wit. He's quick on his feet and he's learned a little magic/knowledge here and there in his classes, but being able to understand the abnormal or read people correctly were a huge flaw for him. Edric's diplomacy goes over real well and the additional use of his magic made Arodus trust the man immediately, He definitely knows what he's doing.... Arodus figures he should at least be useful or he might be left behind, so he takes his sword and points it at the next dangerous thing in the room, the statue with the doll arms.

Carefully searching the statue; Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

As he walked over to help observe the room, he shares a little more about himself, "Sorry I'm so defensive... your fates sound just as terrifying as my own. I was betrayed by my best friend and my wife, so trusting anyone is going to be very difficult for me from now on."


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

"None taken." Edric calmly replies to Arodus while contiuing his investigation. "Frankly, I don't trust any of you, and I certainly wouldn't trust me if I were in your shoes. But right now neither of those is an option we can afford. So for the time being, I suggest we work together."

Edric pauses for a brief moment while giving something a second glance, then resumes. "That being said, would you kindly read aloud the passage written on that statue's leg once our companion finishes his meditations. Until then, might I suggest you check and secure any entrances. We appear safe for now, but that might not remain so."

Turning his attention breafly towards Devana, Edric wordlessly moves to assist her with the pew, then returns to the center of the room. "As for my introduction, my dear lady, I am Sir Edric Phantomheim, detective by trade, blood, and passion."


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Ceiro:

I will take care of it. It is a fun way to interact with your characters.
During his search, Ceiro looks under his slab and finds a small inscription that reads:
"Three levels have I; The burning, the fog, and the vestige of hope; but in any may you doubly die. Blessed and damned are the watchers."

His communion with his ancestors was more useful; It shows the action of placing his name into the empty offering bowl and setting it on fire as bringing weal...
and ripping the heart out of the finnicky noble and dropping it in as bringing both weal and woe.
Ceiro's vision ends with the sight of one of his cousins screaming his name and reaching for something just out of sight, a bloodied hand outsretched...

Devana:

Looking out, you see a city bathed in ash. Some buildings look like they have been empty or abandoned for years, whilst others still smoke from embers. You can't make anything out beyond a mile's distance, however, due to a rolling mist.

The closest buildings appear to be a series of other temples... One of which looks familiar with its darkened spires and impish gargoyles. It is one of the smoking derelicts...

There is also a single figure sitting in the road between this building and the temple, dressed in tattered gray.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Arodus can't seem to concentrate enough to find... anything, really.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

"Um... which passage would that be?" Arodus continues looking around the statue near its legs, occasionally turning his head to look back and make sure nobody was coming up behind him. Turning back, he seems to be completely oblivious to anything around him, giving out an exaggerated sigh as his search turns up nothing.

Perception, Round 2, 6 seconds later: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Unwilling to come back with nothing, especially after the smart guy in the room asked to read some sort of writing on the statue, he gives the statue another look over, focusing around the legs to try and find some apparent wording he's missing out on.

I don't know where that was mentioned, but if it was in one of the spoilers, I'm sad to say I haven't gotten any information yet, lol.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

Edric gives Arodus more exact instructions and finishes up with "But please, secure the room first, then look for the inscription. If anything were to barge in right now, I'd dare say we'd be most thoroughly screwed."


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Statue Inscription:

"By sacrifice do you stand, a wanderer in an impossible land,
know that only more can come in this shadow of a requiem.
An offering of dearest price will payment for my aid suffice,
as I had shed for you.

Before the fires you shall know no face, but the toothed gift of mine in place shall, once turned, move that which long stuck in place, has in this torment burned."


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Devana listens to the conversation. Arodus does indeed seem very insecure and in city like Egorian he would certainly be taken advantage of; it's only what he deserves, they would say. Yet, she had left that part of her life behind her, made a decision against it. But alas, she didn't know anything to say to make him feel better, so she said nothing.

From up the bench she nodded to the detective. "Well met, sir Phantomheim. I am inclined to agree with you; in our current situation cooperation seems like the most viable course of action." She had her own reservation, she hadn't liked the way he had taken notes on them and for a moment she had thought that this was indeed some kind of experiment of his and Arodus, Ceiro and Devana herself his subjects. But ultimately it doesn't seem like it. He seems more interested in the environment after all.

She peered out. "That's not snow outside there. It's ash. We seem to be in a temple district of some kind. Many of the buildings around seem smouldering..." she had to swallow on that one. "including an infernal temple right across the street. Only one person to see, a cloaked grey figure. It's just sitting there, not doing anything at all. It may become tricky to find supplies..."

Do I see any sign of active warfare, tracks in the ash, blood stains, dropped weapons or whatnot? I am wandering why this chapel is barred from the inside, there must be a reason for that.

She steps down and involves herself in the investigation, having a closer look at the walls where she thought she had seen those eyelids, while another fraction of her mind was processing the inscription of the statue. "Shadow of a requiem... a requiem is a song, literally, and the memory of of someone figuratively... the memory of a particularly faint memory, something that is long forgotten... the person depicted by the statue itself? Is that the purpose of this chapel, to honour one's memory, even though it's virtually lost? The references to fire make sense... a sacrifice which is similar to what it shed for us..." "Blood?", she asks a little louder.

Cast 'Detect Magic'
Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 18
She investigates the "eyelids" on the walls


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

All of ya'lls detecting magic:

Oddly enough, there is no magic to detect... At least, not in here.

The shape-changing Devana:

Do you touch them? With bare hands?

Edit: Oddly enough, there is no sign of a struggle, save the smoke, ash, and whatever caused the occupants of this chapel to bar the door.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

GM:
Well... urm... yes? GM's asking questions likes this make me nerveous but if I sense neither magic nor a trap I wouldn't know why not.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Upon touching the oddly-shaped decay on the walls, Devana's body appears to blink in and out of reality, each time slightly above or below her last appearance.
Like tracking on an old vcr.

Devana:

Devana's senses are overwhelmed with static and impossible noise. Her brain tries to piece together a voice that is trying to tell her something, anything, but somehow her cognitive processes are incapable of deciphering any words on the part of the first speaker.
Only when the second voice speaks into her mind alone is there anything she can understand, though even this is unclear at times.
"-valued servant, that we may never speak of you again or know of you again. We beg you to reconsider... this place is already lost to the hubris of many-"

She begins to convulse madly.

Devana again:

"-the scars-- --left behind-- --imperfect divine-- --power above that eats--,"
You need to make a DC 12 Will save or take 1d2 ⇒ 2 Bleed damage.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

It is important to note that Edric has a floating candle encircling his head. That would have detected as magic.

Edric:

Though the man's detections of dweomers yields precious little, the mage is able to discern that north lies directly in line with the singular, closed door in the room.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

"Brilliant deductive reasoning Devana. I must admit, you've got a keen mind. That will come in handy I assure you." Edric moves to go check the bottom of Cerio's "slab" to see what caught his intrest before he went into meditation.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

If he finds anything intresting he checks the others to see if they differ.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Arodus gets an idea about the statue but drops it immediately when he sees Devana begin to phase in and out. "CURSED. We are CURSED." He runs from the statue to stand a few feet from Devana but doesn't have a clue what to do with a spellbook full of useless spells.

In an effort to at least do something, he tries to tap the side of her leg with the broad side of his blade.

Guess he's trying to see if she's tangible, like if she's flickering in and out or maybe if it's an illusion.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
May I describe my actions from there or am I still trapped, unconscious or so?


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

Edric abandons his current investigation and moves to aid Devana, prepping to cast a Cure Light Wounds spell just in case.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

1d100 ⇒ 84

Arodus:

She's tangible, but ice cold to the touch.

Devana:

"--Devourer above all-- --erasure--"
Devana now can hear only heartwrenching sobs coming from the second voice of indeterminable gender... and the sensation of shock begins to decrease.

You were trapped in your own mind, but you are now free to come out of it, Devana.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 & Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
To figure out what's happening to her.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Knowledge Religion:

This almost acts as a haunt, or a scar left behind by some intense, traumatic event...

Knowledge Arcana DC 15:

Her body is behaving like it is under existential displacement (like it would behave in a spell of Lesser Displacement. Other than that... you can't be sure.


[img] Female Human Evoker 1

"Ughnnnnn..." Devana lays for a moment curled into an embryonal position until she can breath normally again and think straight through the headache.

"Don't. Touch. Those. Really bad idea." She tries to stand up and struggles to regain her composure, yet the echo of the headache and the experiences is giving her trouble with that. "It was... like a memory of an ancient time, experienced by a very alien entity. Its thoughts were inside me but beyond comprehension. I only briefly could understand a meaningful fragment... someone was addressing the entity and trying to make her reconsider something, try to prevent her from making a certain choice. If it would stick with its choice it would be erased from memory..." She sighs.

"I'll be fine, just let me sit for a moment." She wipes blood from her nose, sits down at one of the benches and gets her waterskin out. It is her only one, but she needs a bit of water now.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Arodus watches as we all come to Devana's aid as she begins recovering from her displacement effect. "You seem like you can take care of yourself, just let us know if you experience anything weird, like more thoughts in your head." He gives a breath of relief, worried about the dangers of this land but glad that his small group of allies hasn't lost someone yet.

He goes back over to the statue and reads the inscription again, toying with the idea in his head. ...once turned... He puts his hand on the head of the statue and tries to turn it, if able to, he turns it towards the East, and if nothing happens, he spins it all the way around.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Arodus, you'd have to climb it and succeed at a DC 15 strength check.


Male Human Bard (Detective) 1

Edric nods and retrieves his journal, taking it, a pen, and a vial of ink he offers them up to Devana as soon as she seems stable. "Write down everything you can recall, before the memory fades. We're still at a crucial stage of getting our bearings here, that information could mean the difference between life or death, and while I had hoped to test those eyes in a few moments we might as already get it over with then." With that Edric backs off, braces himself, and replicates Devana's action with a different eye.

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
If needed.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Let's go climbing!: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Arodus feels adventurous and unimpressive, so he decides to try climbing the statue to test his theory and manages to make it up to the top.

Can I safely try to turn it, and if I fail, can I stay up here and try again in a bit? Like, sit on its shoulder or something and balance while I make a few attempts.

GRRRRRR TURNING STATUE HEAD: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

BOOM! And Arodus succeeds at dying.


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

OKAY. We have 3 EPIC processes happening simultaneously. Ceiro is communing with spirits, Arodus is messing with a statue, and Edric is interacting with the scars. :3 This is going to be fuuuuun.
Erdic's eyes roll into the back of his head as he begins shifting in and out of reality in a fashion almost identical to Devana. His mouth becomes locked open and he appears to be shrieking but not a sound comes out.

Edric:

Edric experiences, momentarily, the roiling physical sensation of being in a nightmare where he has no true body, but is instead comprised of buzzing strings held together by will alone. Blinding light appears and he can see fire. He can see the truth of fire, of burning, but the truth of this fire is maligned. It is ancient, and cruel, and fully pleasing to those who willingly deny his now unknown name.
He sees pain. He sees pain in that only he and his kind have the power to see, and it is the forms now appearing in the fire, whose essences are your children. He has to save his soul-spawn because they are your eyes, his ears, his heart, and his hands and he loves them in a wholly alien fashion and he sends out the tethers...
But now their agonizing prayers are his and they BURN... He who cannot feel, did not understand pain as they did and-
Take 1d2 fire damage.

Edric bursts into flames.
Next, Arodus...


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Omg the anticipation is going to kill me before the statue does!


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Arodus makes his way up the odd statue like he was born on a day of great portent for this purpose alone. Once up to the top, he sits upon a shoulder and exerts a considerable amount of effort in such a way that it immediately bears fruit...
and the sky itself darkens in synchronization with the statue's head being turned eastward

The barred doors clap like thunder as something bangs against the other side, and smoke begins to fill the air. It is accompanied by a cacophony of shrieks, loud signal horns, and the footsteps of something enormous lumbering in the distance.

The plaster on the walls flies into the air to reveal skeletal wood and stone, and the places where the scars on the walls had rests now revealed eyeballs embedded in stone, connected by bands of sinew.

Their irises are golden, and each is the size of a human head. Instead of pupils, they reveal keyholes.

Edric is released from his torment as the scar he touched opens... but still very much on fire.


Male Human Magus/1 HP 10 | BAB +0 | AC 16 | T 16 | FF 10 | CMD 15 | Fort +3 | Ref +4 | Will +1 | Perc -1 | Init +4 | Spells: Prestidigitation, Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Grease, Monkey Fish | Bolts 20/20

Arodus drops his jaw as all of this happens simultaneously. He puts some muscle into turning the head and turns to look at Edric for approval as he sees the man touching one of the eyes that made Devana go catatonic, and then burst into flames shortly after.

The entire scenery changes and Arodus tries to cover the lower half of his face the best he can as the smoke starts to fill up. I'm probably better off up here if something is coming in. He quickly gets an idea as the room becomes clouded with smoke and pulls out an iron pot from his backpack, casting Light on it, before tossing it towards the door that he was sure would soon give away.

Throwing a glowing pot at a door!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

DC 5 to throw an object into a square, so it should land right in front of the door for whatever comes in to be slightly distracted by it, as well as maybe give us some vision of the thing. Also, how high up is this statue?


Female :D Check out my fetching opercles!

Fifteen feet high.

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