Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 2 = 4 It looks like one of the dragonmarks, but does it do anything like they do?
Spellcraft:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 No. Assuming I am reading this correctly, it's actually a piece of the Draconic Prophecy which says "Where the body is lain, two shall arise." I wonder if it is a reference to Quori spirits bonding with human bodies? In any case, evil chanting.
Aid Another:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 It sounds like four distinct voices.
Perception:1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32 You are right. Helac tilts his head a bit, listening intently. Two male and two female, if tone is any indicator.
Gentlemen. We have two options... We can attempt to take the door to find out what is behind it, or we can attempt to interrupt whatever... they are doing. If the first two are any indication of intent, they will kill anyone who gets in the way.
I think that is a sure sign... that they need stopping. Helac projects this last while simultaneously making a single firm nod of his head.
But I am cool if you want to do the door first. I imagine Revion will follow the consensus since he's DMPC material until possibly Saturday.
Haazek reaches many of he same conclusions as Helac, but rather than thinking of Quori, his mind's eye imagines formless horrors from Xoriat.
I think interrupting whatever is going on with that ceremony is a very worthwhile idea. Shall we? With a hand on his sword, Haazek looks to the stairs.
Sounds like a good idea.Gedeon takes a moment to sheath the wand he is holding, then takes out a stone from his bandoleer and concentrates on it for a moment. Then returns the stone to his bandoleer.
Retrieve and use my pearl of power to regain Frostbite.
The stairwell creaks as you climb up. There is no door at the top, but the stairs lead directly into a large, circular room. The room is dimly lit, and in the middle sit two crystal orbs, one blue and one purple. Around the orbs, two male kalashtar, one female kalashtar, and one female human sit in a circle chanting. Their eyes are closed, and they appear not to notice you.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Sorry, Boss.
Helac glances around the room, doing his best to take it all in.
Orbs. I am not a mage, but I imagine that they focus some power and the woman in the center is... the object. Stopping the ritual or damaging one or both of the orbs would do it... I would guess.
In preparation for some sort of assault, Helac manifests vigor yet again.
Dispense with Displays:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Manifest vigor, augmented to 10 hp to two targets. Gedeon and Haazek. 3 pp spent. Standard action.
Gedeon and Haazek are briefly slicked with translucent ectoplasm, evaporating after just a few seconds. The appearance of the ectoplasm is accompanied with an odd but familiar scent bringing to mind a feeling of nostalgia but the scent fades as quickly as the ectoplasm.
They are pooling their powers to cast a ritual version of a spell more powerful higher level than any of them could cast individually.
spellcraft (27):
What they are casting appears to be a mutated version of Resurrection. Only, the subject who is brought back retains an arcane mark that is traceable by the caster for the rest of the subject's (new) life.
Detect Magic:
Whatever they are casting has both a strong conjuration and moderate necromancy aura. The orbs have both divination and abjuration auras, each moderate in strength.
detect psionics:
Whatever they are casting has both a strong metacreativity aura and a moderate non-discipline (universal) aura. The orbs each have two moderate auras: one universal and the other clairsentience.
perception (DC 30):
The human is not really a human, but the yuan-ti from earlier
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Does that body look familiar?
Perception:1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 = 29 That is of no moment.
They are casting something beyond themselves... I shall strike the nearest orb and hopefully... either that or the resulting response to said strike will disrupt the casting.
Spellcraft::1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 They are bringing something back from the dead, guessing that is not a good thing. Doubt we want to meet whomever it is. Haazek you want to sneak into position near some of them and we can set this off when you act.
Round 1
Temp. HP 10
Swift action spend a arcane point to augment sword.
Ready action to charge nearest kalashtar waiting for Haazek to go.
Charge::1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 20 Damage::1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
If I have time to take a move action ahead of time, I'd like to make the human woman a studied target. Either way, Haazek tries to maneuver himself into position behind her.
Revion initiative:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Gedeon initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Haazek initiative:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 Helac initiative:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Acorn initiative:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 Kalashtar and human initiative:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
You manage to catch the ritual's participants completely off guard!
The chanting stops as you rush in and your attack becomes apparent.
"What the--"
"Oh my gods we are under attack!"
"How? Adar is supposed to be--"
"They must have found a breach in the Shroud!"
All four look around in panic, scanning for an escape route.
Revion's turn. But feel free to post out of initiative order.
Reviving an ally in a forgotten city you have entered though stealth and deception, while posting hostile guards. Who is this ally and why do you need to go to such lengths to revive them.
HP 22/22 AC 15 | T 11 | FF 14 | CMD 16 | F +5 | R +2 | W +5 | Init +9 | Per +10
"Committing acts in secret is a sure way to deflect attention." Revion says sarcastically. "Other than your fallen ally, what is your intended purpose here?"
Grr, forum ate my post.
"Hostile guards?!?" The kalashtar sounds even more alarmed than he did a moment ago. "You mean there are others nearby?"
Responding to Revion, the human answers with a small smile
"We came here solely to revitalize our friend."
She seems considerably calmer than her companions. Or, if she is worried about something, she is doing a pretty good job hiding it.
"Several months ago, our friend was sent deep into Sykarn to further the causes of the Path of Light. Whilst exploring an ancient yuan-ti ruins in central Sykarn, she was tragically slain by an unknown entity. It may have been a Riedran assassin. Or, perhaps it was yuan-ti acting for some unknown reason."
Continuing, she explains,
"Ordinarily, the powers of the Great Light are enough to return someone from the dead. But in this case, the Sykarn ruins carried a curse of sorts, which blocks resurrection magic. "
"It was only a couple of days ago that we discovered a way to bypass the curse. It requires a ritual, which can only be performed here, and that ritual is what you interrupted. That, and that alone, is why we came here from our home in southern Adar.
But, pray tell, what 'guards' do you refer to?"
There is an old Ghaal'dar legend about a similar anti-resurrection curse from the time of the Dhakaani empire, preserved by the Keck Volaar clan (Wordbearers). As usual with legends, the details vary from version to version, but the common element is that Dhakaani emperors possessed a scepter, possibly an artifact, which trapped souls in Dolurrh. Such victims were (and may still be) beyond the reach of any normal resurrection magic, but special rituals could potentially free its victims. Initially, it was used to subdue enemies of the empire. According to the legend, the goblinoids attempted to use it against the Daelkyr when they attacked, and but the scepter vanished.
But that's just a 10,000 year old legend...
We just got into a fight with a group of yuan-ti that had magically created and hidden an entrance to this chamber. Two are down a third ran this way. Gedeon takes a closer look at the female human making sure she is not the one he encountered earlier.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
To add to this good man's tale... they murdered three kalashtar on the way here... and refused to explain themselves. Helac takes a moment to glance around again. I believe that if they had been forthright with their motivations... conflict might have been avoided.
Helac's mind shifts gears possibly to keep these persons off balanceDo you happen to know anything about... the Dragonmarked Door downstairs or any of the buildings in the surrounding environs?
"So we could be under attack soon, but not from you?"
"If what you say is true,"
the female kalashtar speaks up,
"Then you have our graditude for taking out those yuan-ti."
"We ought to introduce ourselves, I am known as Kashaana, this is Halkelk, Minitash, and Deenya."
Halkelk and Minitash are the male kalshtar, Deenya is the human.
Quote:
Gedeon takes a closer look at the female human making sure she is not the one he encountered earlier.
Gedeon:
Nope, she looks like she is actually a human.
"I do not know the significance of the dragonmarks downstairs."
Halkelk explains,
"I think that this is the part of the ancient city that the yuan-ti used for supernatural experiments. Each of these buildings corresponds to a plane, this one is the Dolurrh building. We thought that this city was abandoned centuries ago, though, which is why it is disturbing to hear that you found others here. "
Then you may want to suspend your cast to return your friend to life until we can search and account for the one that escaped and make sure that party was all that we in the area.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Should we mention the Shadow Tooth?... They may know what it is and what it's for... or possibly ask of the Lady Prugshon as well? Helac projects to the members of his collective.
In that case... good to meet you all. Motioning to each in turn, This is Gedeon, Revion, and the Good Ghaal'dar is Haazek. I am Helac.
He lowers his head for a moment and his voice becomes a little sad, There was another who is no longer with us... then he raises his head and his voice brightens a little, but she made it out of the psychoportive aperture well enough.
Because... let us be honest... that is easy and could make sense. Esmeralda d'Vown roguish person has not been seen since the altercation and could have easily made it up the rope before the portal shut.
"If you wish to search the city you certainly can."
"But it is enormous," Minitash notes. "Finding one person in it may be quite difficult, even if they are the only person around. In any case, tread carfully. Our friend was cursed and killed in the yuan-ti ruins in Sustrai Mor, and there is no telling what sort of dangers lurk in these ruins."
That as may be we should still try. Go ahead and mention the names we shall see if they react to them. Gedeon sheaths his sword and begins to look around at the details of the room while watching for a reaction from these folks out of the corner of his eye.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Very well.
In your experience... or in the yuan-ti ruins in Sustrai Mor... have you ever heard of a... Lady Prugshon? The Yuan-ti that we met mentioned her as a threat... it seemed. I am unsure if she... is a person of note. Helac gives a momentary pause before adding, They also mentioned something called... a shadow tooth, whatever that is.
"I have not heard the name Prugshon before--"
Kashaana remarks, before being interrupted by Deenya:
"I have. It is the family name of a very old yuan-ti line. I think they are from Syrkarn . It sounds as if she is connected to the group you encountered earlier."
Minitash answers Helac:
"Until recently, we had no relations with the yuan-ti. As you may know, however, Riedra has for a long time avoided conquering Syrkarn, despite the fact that it appears easy to conquer. Meanwhile, they have been attacking Adar for centuries despite the mountains protecting us. "
"We do not know why Syrkarn remains free of the Inspired. Our mistress, the keeper of Light for our village, believes that it has something to do with the ancient yuan-ti civilization. She bade our friend to study the ruins in Sustrai Mor, in the hopes of discovering a way to ward off the Inspired."
Further investigation of the room:
perception 15:
There is a trap door leading up to the roof, near the back of the room.
perception 20:
On the right side of the room there is also a hidden door, apparently to a vault of some sort.
perception 25:
There are a few dozen tiny, barely-visible holes in the floor in the center of the kalashtar's circle, allowing airflow between this room and the one below (the one behind the dragonmarked door).
Perception::1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 I have found a way up to the roof. Perhaps that will give us a view of the city and what we should focus our investigation on.
"It may be difficult to discern details of the lower part of the city from up here,"
comments Deenya, "but you can certainly try. Be warned, however, that as this building is linked to Dolurrh, it may not be the safest place to observe from."
Her cool, nearly monotone voice reveals little insight into her meaning.
"Although...is there not somewhere else you were heading before you stumbled upon us?"
Yes there was. But this place is intriguing. Is it just me or does it seem odd that we go to investigate a series of planer events and come across a lost city that is somehow linked to the planes that has recently been disturbed? Gedeon replies while looking for a way to open the trap door to the roof.
There is a latch on the wall which causes a ladder to drop and the trap door to open. Old smelling dust pours out, it is clear that this door has not been used in centuries.
Assuming y'all climb up to the roof...
The roof feels surprisingly stable given its age.
The other largest building (the '4' building, using the clock layout from earlier) has an extremely intense light coming out the top, yet it points only up and to the sides (which is why you couldn't see it from the ground earlier).
Beyond the cliff, 200 feet below, an illustrious palace dominates the center of the city, with jewel-covered walls and dozens of abandoned roads leading out. Surrounding it are hundreds of ornate huts, and an underground river flows through the city. Finding one person in this place will not be easy.
Knowledge (the planes) 15:
The bright light is a manifest zone linking Eberron to Irian, the eternal day.
perception, 20:
While it is difficult to make out from this distance, several of the huts in the city below have light and smoke coming out of them, suggesting that the city is not entirely abandoned. Most of the occupied huts are clustered near the middle, but there are two outliers, one on the far right edge of the city and one at the opposite end from the cliff you are on. There is also a flickering of motion in a large temple-like building.
Knowledge: Religion 15:
Spoiler:
It appears to be one of the oldest temples of the Sovereign Host.
perception, 25:
There are at least three humanoid-shaped creatures walking on the roads in the city, each pushing or pulling a cart of some sort. You are do distant to make out the details.
There is also a person adjacent to a window of the temple.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Aid Another:1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 1 - 2 = 14 That is an interesting light. With the thirteen buildings, does it have something to do with the thirteen planes?
Knowledge (Planes):1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7 I... I am not sure. To be honest, no matter how hard I studied planar theories... it did not come naturally. I think your comment may be close to the mark... but I still cannot figure it.
Helac looks out over the assembly of buildings and nods slowly. Agreed, Gedeon... for an underground city this is very impressive... if not impractical.
Aid Another:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 Helac, more lights.
Perception:1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 = 21 Yes, and smoke. I seems the ancient city is not as empty as it first seemed... Most are near the middle, but there are those two... one on the far right... and one at the opposite end.
There is also something going on in that large temple-like building.
Gedeon, notice the activity in the center of the city... and there and there. Helac points at the different locations of visible light, smoke, and in some cases, movement. This may become... time consuming.
Hmm, just had a thought maybe we should find out where this city of Sustrai Mor is located, if it is set up similarly to this city it could be connected to the planer events that we have been sent to investigate. Ah thank you Helac, I had missed all that with such an impressive view before me. Did you not say you had found a vault downstairs perhaps we should investigate that next?
Bam! There is a very loud crash of wood and stone below you, on the ground floor of the building. (It doesn't cause the building to shake--the building is not about to crumble.)
A few moments later, a small-sized red-haired humanoid darts out the door, and runs towards the cliff.
The chanting in the room below you abruptly stops.
In the oval room below the ladder, everyone appears calm. The four there have finished chanting and stood up. One of the orbs appears to have vanished, while Deenya holds the other one.
Back in the entry room, the dragonmarked door lies horizontally in the middle of the room, as if it was thrown violently off its hinges. Its dragonmarks are gone. The exterior door you can in from is open, as whoever you saw did not stop to close it.
By the time you get down there, the fleeing person is a couple hundred feet away, nearing the cliff.
Action Points 6/6 | Power Points 13/42 | Transfer Wounds 7/7
Helac follows Gedeon in the rush down the stairs, notes the four in the room being unusually calm, Odd he thinks to himself, then continues down to the bottom where the sound originated, shocked by the door blown from it's hinges.
Incredible strength or magical force. Helac notes, almost as an aside to the members of his collective while continuing out the front door.
Wait! He calls out to the fleeing figure. The cliffs mean death! he calls out in Riedran, Khorvairan, and then Kythric if the figure does not stop, since there is no way they could catch up with such a head start.
