"Wow, quite a find," Zynazyr says as Wallia informs the group what he has discovered about the scrolls. "I only had to use one spell, so I think we can try to search another room. Then, when we return to camp, we can spend more time studying the objects."
Brathas would like to try C (the magically locked door), then D if we are still in good shape.
I concur
Nods, Door C then
Ok Brathas let's check that wizard lock door and then maybe we can kill those rats so we have some fresh meat for the return trip.
Ferrous says as he stretches his back muscles.
Ana nods her assent with her companions.
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The party wends its way north and east through the hallways until they come to the magically sealed door. An application of the wand causes the door to come unlocked with a "click."
Now unlocked, the door opens easily.
Opening the door, you see a lushly appointed room. Tapestries depicting otherworldly scenes line the walls, and a lush ornate rug covers the floor. At the far end of the room a sarcophagus that looks like it is made from carved onyx sits in the center, flanked by a few chests. Four brass urns line the walls, two to the east and two to the west. In front of you, a lectern stands about 15' away facing you, and on it rests a large tome. The room is lit by four strangely glowing lights drifting lazily in the air near the ceiling.
Before you can even enter the room, a ghostly figure dressed in robes appears, standing behind the lectern. He looks up at you, as if he was just reading from the book.
"Greetings, visitor," the image says. "It was kind of you to come visit me in my resting place. The fact that you could enter here at all indicates that you are a colleague of mine. And while it is our nature to desire to pass on our knowledge to those who come after us, I am afraid I am not willing to share my secrets with just anyone. If you desire these secrets of mine, then speak my true name aloud, or leave now. You have one minute to decide."
Ana and Zynazyr detect a variety of magical emanations throughout the room, but do not yet have time to focus on them.
"Quick," Ana whispers, "Who do the magi follow?"
Brathas whispers to Ana "I don't think this is Usamigaras."
Uh yup, think we should leave.
"Zoltar, then? Surely not."
Zynazyr only vaguely hears the conversation of his companions as he tries to make out the magical writing on the wall. "No, I don't think this is one of their gods, just a powerful mage. There is a word written on the wall that might be his name. We can either try that or leave in order to check with the magi first. I don't see what other purpose the magical writing would have," he says quietly to the group.
"If there is magical writing on the crypt wall, it is likely the name of the occupant. I would say it."
Walia says, ¨That is a sentiment that I can agree with¨
Zynazyr says:
"Hezkanos-Thalos."
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The ghostly image smiles.
"Very well, visitor. I grant you access to that which is mine. Use it well, and may Usamigaras grant you wisdom."
The image then vanishes, and the lights overhead brighten slightly.
There are a lot of things in the room to look through.
The book on the podium is clearly a spellbook. It looks like it has about 13 spells within. However, it seems to be firmly attached to the podium and cannot be removed. So any copying of spells would have to take place here unless you can figure out how to remove it.
The podium seems rooted to the floor, as does the carpet and the brass jars that line the room. Ana and Zynazyr detect that the carpet is magical, though not how. Zynazyr can also tell that the brass jars are magical and bind some kind of formless creature within; they can be opened by some magical command or signal. Otherwise they cannot be opened. Wallia detects evil from within the jars, but it seems dormant.
The sarcophagus is made of onyx. None of the party detects any traps, but the sarcophagus' lid seems to be sealed and won't open. Ana and Zynazyr can both tell that it is enchanted to prevent tampering, and that it will take more than a knock spell to open it. It is also firmly attached to the floor.
There are two chests and a lock box. None of them seem to be trapped, or locked.
The lockbox has:
* Four 100 gp gems
* A ruby ring worth 400 gp
* A gold ring with an opal, which would be worth 250 gp but Zynazyr realizes it is magical (though he fails to identify it)
The small chest has:
* One regular Ustar
* Three silver Ustars
* A silver dagger with a gemstone in the pommel worth 100 gp
* Four cones of incense
* A small vial with a bubbly liquid
* Three flasks of fine oil - Ana recognizes that one of the flasks is oil of volatility (basically like regular oil but with a bigger splash area)
* Five scrolls
** Wallia and Zynazyr identify the first as a scroll of protection from undead
** Ana identifies two of the scrolls as scrolls of power (1st level)
** Wallia and Zynazyr identify the last two as scrolls of recall (1st level)
* If the spell has a duration measured in turns the duration increases by 1d6 turns.
* If the spell has a saving throw, any targets get a -1 penalty to their saving throw
* If the spell deals or heals damage, the amount of damage dealt or healed is increased by +1 per die.
A scroll of power can only be used once and then it disintegrates. A scroll of power cannot be used in conjunction with a spell from another scroll.
A scroll of power may be used by any spellcaster.
A scroll of recall may be used by any spellcaster.
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The spellbook has 13 spells. Ana and Zynazyr take turns leafing through it.
1. - unknown
2. - floating disk (Ana can read it)
3. - magic missile (Ana can read it)
4. - protection from evil (Ana can read it)
5. - read magic (Ana can read it)
6. - shield (Zynazyr can read it)
7. - sleep (Zynazyr can read it)
8. - continual light (Ana can read it)
9. - detect invisible (Zynazyr can read it)
10. - unknown
11. - web (Zynazyr can read it)
12. - unknown
13. - unknown
FYI: floating disk and shield are actually the reverse of each other.
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The larger chest contains a variety of books. None detect as magical and all are perfectly readable by anyone literate.
The titles are:
The Mystery of Fate - a book about astrology, with diagrams.
Writings of Al-Razi - a book about alchemy, with formulae.
The Songs of Alato - a collection of poetry and songs, mostly about love, with illustrations.
The Tragedy of Prince Kirinos A collection of four plays, including the title play, by the playwright Agosthenes.
Cryptica Demonica - a treatise on demonology.
The Ideal State - a book of political philosophy by Megenthones, a well-known philosopher from ancient Minrothad.
The Prophecies of the Oracle of Arkothad a collection of prophecies collected my the priests of Arkothrad (near Minrothad).
The Ierendia - a history of Ierendi by the poet Luganos.
The Chronicle of King Alexander and Queen Zenobia - you might have heard of those two...
The books are clearly valuable, though they are bulky and you would need to find a buyer as most people would not be interested in them.
Brathas marvels at the spirit, the enchanted fixtures, and the incredible wealth bestowed.
"We should decide what to tell the Magi. It would be my inclination to tell them the truth - that Hezkanos-Thalos granted Zynazyr his grave goods. It is possible that they would discover their comrade's tomb has been disturbed, so best they hear it from us.
I would like to read through the Chronicles of Alexander and Zenobia when we have a chance. There could be information of interest.
Shall we go to another room?"
Walia says, ¨Going to another room seems prudent. I would also like to take a gander at the Astrology book, demonocon, which I feel may give us some insights on how to fight the evil in this area. As well as the Prophecies of Arkothad.
"I would like very much to copy some or all of these spells, but we would have to remain here for me to do so," Ana says.
I dont know that we need to charge off and tell them, but yes if it comes up its probably good idea
Looks over at the elf, How long would it take?
Zynazyr smiles back at the spirit when he discovers he was correct about the name. His eyes get wide when he sees the extent of the magical treasure the deceased had accumulated.
"This is quite a find. We definitely want to keep the room locked so we might want to spend some time here for Ana and I to copy these spells. That way we don't use up our wands with too many trips here," he says with excitement.
"Several hours, at the very least," Ana replies.
Walia says, "Irregardless, we need to get some water, this may be a good place to stay the night as long as we use some of the spikes to keep the door from opening. I wouldn´t be averse to more exploration as well but I do need to study some of these scrolls as well as I would like to read a few of these texts."
"We should also check in with the rest of our group and try to find some more food today. Though I am fine with coming back here to spend the night."
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The party travels south down the corridor to the door they previously passed. The party examines the door but finds no traps. Opening the door reveals a small 10' x 10' chamber with a 5' wide passage leading west out the other side; the passage goes for 10' before disappearing in the darkness. It looks like the hall must lead to the area behind the other unopened door in the opposite hall.
Once the door is open, Brathas, Ferrous, and Zynazyr all think they can hear a faint, intermittent rustling sound.
When the group decides to explore some more, Zynazyr grabs the ustars. "If no one wants these, I'll take them. I'm able to throw them farther than my daggers. For now, I think we should put the books back in the chest and leave them here. The smaller items we can take with us. I'd like to hold onto this ring until I can identify it. I could also use one of the scrolls of power. We should let Wallia have the scrolls of recall to increase his healing ability."
Looking into the room, Zynazyr is weary of entering. "We should try to draw whatever is making the noise to this side of the narrow passage where we have room to attack," he says as he draws an ustar.
Well, I think we prepare an ambush in this room.. we'd just need someone to open the door in the narrow passageway
Moves into the outer room and stands by the narrow passageway with his sword and shield ready.
Walia readies an attack with his sling, so when he sees a creature he can attack if he wants to. if hits