Laithe looks and listens at the south passage – nothing, all is still and silent.
Moving down the passage, it heads south for a few dozen feet before ending at a rusted iron door which hangs slightly ajar.
Nicholai looks at the others silently, then raises his crossbow into position. He nods his readiness.
Nicholai looks at the others silently, then raises his crossbow into position. He nods his readiness.
Laithe wolf awaits at the door, listening for any sign of movement within while the others prepare behind him. Seeing the nod from Nicolai, he darts through the gap into the room, scanning for any sign of danger.
The door opens into a small, roughly circular chamber strewn with junk – mouldy saddles, dusty and dented shields, moth eaten fur and leather clothing, various rusty weapons; however, the glint of gold and the sparkle of gems can be seen here and there amongst the junk.
There is no sign of the undead woman, though another passage leads away from this chamber, heading west.
Seeing that everyone has left Tamiach's throne room before he's had a chance to share his discovery, Keildrithe decides to not pick up the undead warrior's enchanted sword for fear that merely touching it could result in the evil that potentially infuses the blade stealing his soul. He grumbles to himself and hurries up the passage in the direction in which his companions left, trying to catch up to them...
Hearing no cry of warning or attack from Laithe, Nicholai peeks around the door, then slides through the gap himself, crossbow at the ready, covering the others as they enter. He shines his coin around the room, noting with a smirk the glint of possible prizes among the ancient relics.
"I think some time may be well-spent here, later. Did she pass through here Laithe?" He asks the druid-turned-wolf, indicating the other passage with his crossbow.
Alton slips into the room, looking around with interest at the glint of treasure. 'Is it possible the consort crumbled to dust as did the warlords other minion when he was defeated?'
Nicholai raises an eyebrow in speculation, and looks to Kajetan for conformation, but whispers,
"I don't think we should count on being that lucky! I'm fairly certain that she is more powerful than the ones that collapsed. Besides, we haven't seen any remains. Kaj?"
Hearing no cry of warning or attack from Laithe, Nicholai peeks around the door, then slides through the gap himself, crossbow at the ready, covering the others as they enter. He shines his coin around the room, noting with a smirk the glint of possible prizes among the ancient relics.
"I think some time may be well-spent here, later. Did she pass through here Laithe?" He asks the druid-turned-wolf, indicating the other passage with his crossbow.
Seeing no sign of danger, Laithe wills the transformation back into human form.
"Not sure" he says in response to Nicolai's question. He begins a search of the room, not looking for treasure but for signs of the consort's passage.
There are several sets of recent tracks through the dusty floor of this chamber – heavy, shod boots and bare, skinny humanoid feet. They come and go through both exits of this chamber.
There are several sets of recent tracks through the dusty floor of this chamber – heavy, shod boots and bare, skinny humanoid feet. They come and go through both exits of this chamber.
Laithe reports his findings to the others. "I assume the heavy shod boots are those of the skeleton guards. That probably means this way links up with the throne room. The bare feet are likely those of the consul. The fact they go in both directions might indicate she has fled this way."
He makes his way to the western passage and prepares to push on, assuming the others are ready to follow.
The westward passage twists and turns and winds its way back to the room where you defeated Tamiach (emerging at the south east corner of that room). The room is still illuminated by the two flickering torches, but here is no sign of the fled consort.
"Anyone want to risk picking up Tamiach's sword? Or at least take this opportunity to determine whether the blade itself radiates evil? For all we know, the consort may indeed have turned to dust... or perhaps we might have missed a secret passage?"
"If that witch got away,..." Nicholai growls.
"We couldn't have just walked past her, could we?!? Maybe another hidey spot like that relief carving that we discovered earlier??" He asks, almost desperate to figure out where she went.
Kajetan suggests "Maybe she went up the hole we came in?" and shrugs his shoulders, "if so, we might as well clear up down here first before we venture up where she is probably waiting in ambush."
Nicholai nods reluctantly.
"Agreed. We can make sure we didn't miss anything important. Like a secret passageway. Then continue to explore to make sure she didn't get past us to another tunnel."
He looks at both exits from the chamber, obviously upset.
"I will find you!" He murmurs softly.
Pharris looks at the greatblade of the warlord and nibbles at her bottom lip.
"Keildrithe, much as I'd like a magical blade....." She shakes her head and murmurs to no one in particular,"I'd need convincing its not evil to the core."
While the others are busy planning, the elf maiden notices the spreading black veins in her arms and stands dumbstruck, "look! what is happening to me? Is this poison, is it?"
The door opens into a small, roughly circular chamber strewn with junk – mouldy saddles, dusty and dented shields, moth eaten fur and leather clothing, various rusty weapons; however, the glint of gold and the sparkle of gems can be seen here and there amongst the junk.
Alton heads back to the small room and starts digging through the junk, searching for valuables
Alton’s search of the room reveals amongst the dross; two golden stirrups hanging from a rotten saddle; a small metal shield, almost rusted through, but decorated by a set of gold studs around its edge; a gold medallion engraved with an image of a galloping horse and decorated with six small sapphires; a large emerald set into a rusted iron sceptre, a golden dagger sheath encrusted with semi-precious stones (holding a rusted, useless dagger); a spear wrapped up in a mold covered sheet; and a large wooden chest, securely locked.
Pharris looks at the greatblade of the warlord and nibbles at her bottom lip.
"Keildrithe, much as I'd like a magical blade....." She shakes her head and murmurs to no one in particular,"I'd need convincing its not evil to the core."
While the others are busy planning, the elf maiden notices the spreading black veins in her arms and stands dumbstruck, "look! what is happening to me? Is this poison, is it?"
With no apparent sign of the consort, Laithe changes back to human form and begins to join the others in the search of the complex. When Pharris exclaims over her arm, he quickly moves over to take a closer look, concern painted across his face.
Similar effects are manifesting on anyone who was struck by the wights (including the warlord) – a physical manifestation of the undead creature’s energy draining touch.
Nicholai half-heartedly assits in searching the chamber for treasure, bt it's obvious that his heart just isn't in it the search. With a small smile of apology to Alton, he prowls between the rooms, crossbow ready and searching for any sign of the Wight.
He reenters the room in time to hear Pharris' exclamation about her arm, and hurries over with the others, looking to Laithe, then Kajetan, for answers.
"Well Laithe! well no man will look at me with arms like this. See its even up around by .....shoulders. What about my face?" Pharris wails at the druid.
"Well Laithe! well no man will look at me with arms like this. See its even up around by .....shoulders. What about my face?" Pharris wails at the druid.
Laithe looks uncertainly at the stressed elf maiden, noticing similar marks appearing on his own arms.
"I'm not sure, but I guess it to be a physical manifestation of the creature's attacks. I felt cold and drained when I was struck. I would assume these marks will pass with time as with bruising for example. I am not sure though."
As Nicolai re-enters the room he looks at the dandy helplessly. "Perhaps Nicolai or Kajetan, who are better versed in the magical and mystical may know more? I still feel wrong; empty somehow. I know some magic that can boost one's immune system - perhaps that would be of some help to our bodies in its efforts to fill the void within?"
After the discussion, Laithe will aid in the search of the rooms.
, , , .
Nicholai scratches his chin, trying to remember if he has heard anything about this type of attack,...
"Have no fear dear Pharris! I assure you, your beauty remains undimmed!" NIcholai says with a charming smile as he racks his brain, habitually falling into his suave, smooth-talking self when faced with a pretty woman in distress. He continues to flatter her and complement her as he thinks, trying to calm her down and reassure her.
"Surely the warrior who so bravely faced the ancient corpse in battle is not afraid of a little shadow-stain? If Laithe is correct, and this is a manifestation of the foul creatures dark magics, the very light of your courage and bravery alone will soon burn away any remnant of his touch! For I have seen many brave men, and many more who professed to be brave, but I have never seen ANYone face off with an undead creature, of any type, without a moments thought for their own safety! I think we can safely say that we all owe you our lives. And for that all I can offer is my most sincere gratitude." He adds calmly at the end, taking her hand between his both of his and looking her in the eyes.
:D
"I'm not sure, but I guess it to be a physical manifestation of the creature's attacks. I felt cold and drained when I was struck. I would assume these marks will pass with time as with bruising for example. I am not sure though."
Kajetan shakes his head solemnly "I think I said earlier, for some of us our bodies will fight off this unwordly touch, much like the strong and fit may fight off a disease or infection, but others will not be so lucky and a part of our soul will be gone forever, only powerful ancient holy magic could possibly reverse it in that situation and I know of no where that we could safely go to request such a boon. he shakes his head sadly again, fully aware that their is one person who is probably not fit enough to fight off the undead's touch, and that is him.
*Knowledge (Arcana): +14 (+4 Int, 7 ranks, +3 Skill Focus Feat)
*Knowledge (Religion) : +7 (+4 Int, 3 ranks)
*Knowledge (Local) : +5 (+4 Int, 1 rank)
Kajetan makes him self busy collecting the items together as the others do a proper search of the place room by room.
Kajetan’s words confirm what Nicolai has heard of such an affliction; in some cases (more likely in those of strong constitution and hearty fortitude), the body, soul and mind recover after a good night’s rest – in other cases the blight remains, and though the physical signs will usually fade, some people never truly recover from the damning touch of the undead.
Kajetan carefully unwraps the spear , hoping to find something of value, what he does find, stops him in his tracks. He lets out a low whistle and carefully picks up the weapon. "Now that is beautiful, if that is not magical, I will eat my hat."
He also collects up Tamiach's sword, barely able to lift it never mind swing it, "I think we should take this with us, it is obviously magical and if it is tainted with evil, I would rather we carry it than it fall into someone else's hands."
Kajetan indicates the chest, "Has anyone seen a key?"
NIcholai suggests that they stick together, mentioning how silently the wight wife moved, and not wanting to get by surprise again! He also assists the others in their search, deliberately taking a few moments to look over his shoulder every once in a while for danger. His eyes widen almost as big at Kajetan's when the mage unwraps the spear.
"Magical indeed. And beautiful! Pharris, I'm no expert on smith-work, but could this have been crafted by your people? Whoever did it was magnificent!" Nicholai whistles in appreciation of the spear.
"And I agree with Kaj. We take the items with us. If they are not crafted by evil, I'm certain that Pharris and ALton can find a good use for them. And if they are, I would rather have them with us to ensure they are not used by others!" NIcholai strongly seconds Kajetan's statements.
Kajetan carefully unwraps the spear So I can click on the spoiler, hoping to find something of value, what he does find, stops him in his tracks. He lets out a low whistle and carefully picks up the weapon. "Now that is beautiful, if that is not magical, I will eat my hat."
He also collects up Tamiach's sword, barely able to lift it never mind swing it, "I think we should take this with us, it is obviously magical and if it is tainted with evil, I would rather we carry it than it fall into someone else's hands."
Kajetan indicates the chest, "Has anyone seen a key?"
Usually unimpressed by treasures and the like, Laithe cannot help but whistle in appreciation as Kajetan uncovers the short-spear. As he then struggles to lift Tamiach's sword, Laithe moves over to assist.
"Let me help you with that Kajetan. I agree; if there are such things as tainted blades then it makes sense we should guard it closely and prevent it being put to use. I will carry it for you, unless anyone else wishes to?"
He looks in Pharris' direction with this question, given her proficiency with such large blades.
A thorough search of the entire level reveals no sign of the wight, nor any secret ways or unexplored areas. The rope up to the upper level of the tomb (the level where the room with the skulls that Nicolai has mentioned is) remains in place.
"Well, we DID leave the rope there. She might have used it as easily as we could. And I just don't see any hiding spots down here for her. Shall we o back up and continue our search? I can't help but wonder, was this 'Taimaich' the cause of the pervading evil tainting the ground and rising into the land above? Or another result of it?" Nicholai asks tensely.
"Kajetan, Keildrithe, do either of you know anything about the burial practices of these people? I'm wondering if the great stone plug was standard practice for tomb-sealing, or was a special design for our departed warrior pal back there?"
"Kajetan, Keildrithe, do either of you know anything about the burial practices of these people? I'm wondering if the great stone plug was standard practice for tomb-sealing, or was a special design for our departed warrior pal back there?"
*Knowledge (History) : +11 (+4 Int, 7 ranks)
*Knowledge (Religion) : +7 (+4 Int, 3 ranks)*Knowledge (Local) : +5 (+4 Int, 1 rank)
*Knowledge (Dungeoneering) : +5 (+4 Int, 1 rank)
*Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) : +7 (+4 Int, 3 ranks)
The search of the complex brings them back to the large chest yet to be opened.
"Given we haven't found a key, perhaps Tamiach's greatsword would act as a suitable alternative?" Laithe suggests, bringing the sword to bear. He attempts to use it to pry the chest open, or else knock off the padlock/latch.
"And I agree with Kaj. We take the items with us. If they are not crafted by evil, I'm certain that Pharris and ALton can find a good use for them. And if they are, I would rather have them with us to ensure they are not used by others!" NIcholai strongly seconds Kajetan's statements.
"Let me help you with that Kajetan. I agree; if there are such things as tainted blades then it makes sense we should guard it closely and prevent it being put to use. I will carry it for you, unless anyone else wishes to?"
"I worry that bringing Tamiach's blade to the surface will only put us in even worse standing vis-a-vis the Artonites and the general citizenry, if we were captured while it was in our possession. The old gods forbid that by bringing it to the surface, we should carry the weapon into the hands of our enemies. Kajetan, Nicolai, know you of any magic that would destroy this sword?"
"Kajetan, Keildrithe, do either of you know anything about the burial practices of these people? I'm wondering if the great stone plug was standard practice for tomb-sealing, or was a special design for our departed warrior pal back there?"
"I worry that bringing Tamiach's blade to the surface will only put us in even worse standing vis-a-vis the Artonites and the general citizenry, if we were captured while it was in our possession. The old gods forbid that by bringing it to the surface, we should carry the weapon into the hands of our enemies. Kajetan, Nicolai, know you of any magic that would destroy this sword?"
"If this blade is simply a weapon, then it is only as good or evil as the one who wields it. In that case, we should keep it and use it in our fight against evil. Yes, there is a chance it could fall into evil hands and that would not be a good outcome, but the same could be said of all our weapons, magical or otherwise. If on the other hand this blade carries some of the evil of Tamiach himself, then I agree it should be destroyed. The question is, how do we determine what type of magic it carries?"
Pharris calms a little at the words of Nicolai.
"Perhaps we could take it to my people? or to a place of learning like a monastery or the like. Then the taint can be assessed. I will carry it on my back in my scabbard if you wish. That should hide the nature of the blade from casual attention. Just means I have to hold my own sword openly but I do that often anyway."
When she looks at the spear, Pharris gently touches the white wood and begins to enjoy the craftsmanship but then she frowns and notices her blackened hand.
With a sigh, Pharris turns back to the searching and general work. "It may be elven but I am a swordsman not a weaponsmith. This sort of thing is beyond my ken."
Kajetan, Keildrithe, it seems likely that the stone plug was meant as much to keep Tamiach buried as to deter tomb raiders. Its placement and design means it would likely be harder to open from below (access being an issue) than from above.
By the way Nicolai, during the time spent searching the tomb, your light spells would have expired – are you re-casting, or using some other light source?
Using the strong, black bladed great sword that Tamiach wielded as a lever, Laithe attempts to force open the chest. The ancient, partly rotten timber is little match for the druid’s muscles and the enchanted blade, and with a wet splintering sound, the part of the lid bearing the lock breaks away and the chest is opened!
As the lid flies open, a fragile glass bottle that was suspended behind the locking mechanism is smashed – it’s a trap! Horrid, sinus burning, gut wrenching fumes are released into the air.