Sashah, with his book still in hand, moves to the center of the room and flips it open. He then begins to incant and draw sigils in the air with his finger. Though he does not move quickly, the sigils seem to last, hanging in the air as if they had been drawn on an invisible surface.
Sashah, with his book still in hand, moves to the center of the room and flips it open. He then begins to incant and draw sigils in the air with his finger. Though he does not move quickly, the sigils seem to last, hanging in the air as if they had been drawn on an invisible surface.
As Sashah steps into the hut, Saph says referring to the dart ”Sometimes it’s just better to be lucky than good. I’ll have to remember to look for traps from now on.
As the wizard begins his ritual, Saph takes a look around the hut for anything that might be hidden.
"Why would anyone trap a door they want to use? that doesn't make sense."
Sashah starts chanting and the rest of the party investigate the room.
The interior is of this area is dark, the candles that once provided any light having burned out long ago. There is a small bookshelf here, many of the books having faded, worn, or moisture-logged pages. Some detail various regions of the Sword Coast, while others give travel tips and wilderness survival tactics for novices.
On top of the desk is a small book of arcane studies and practices bearing the symbol of Azuth, god of arcane knowledge. Next to it is a collection of handwritten pages, the writing on it scribbled over with numerous sigils and inscriptions.
Sashah, with the help of his spell, identifies many of these scribbles for use in arcane ritual, but nothing specific beyond that.
The last page has writing that is still barely legible. It is written in Common. The page reads:
Another night with dreams of the serpents. I know I should deliver the relic as promised, but it calls to me... In Azuth’s name, it calls to me through my dreams, and has led me to my lair beneath the walls of the ziggurat.
But what if I am wrong? Would the gods wish me to walk such a path? Perhaps this is the true path to eternal knowledge? Perhaps my teacher was wrong all this time?
I must see this through and finish my work. Should I not return, then I have joined with those I have brought with me into the dark unknown.
Viplo
On the back of the parchment is a drawing of three circles in a triangular pattern. An arrow points to the bottom left circle. Written beneath it are the words “Begin Here”.
Saphina finds part of the cabinet is locked. Sashah detects something magical within.
Besides that, Sashah's spell pierces through the panels of the wooden hut. He can sense something outside exuding magic.
Sir Adrian examines the crude hovel with his hands clasped behind his back. He has taken it upon himself to regularly look outside to check their rear.
Excited by the promise of magic behind the cabinet, Saphina pulls out her Thieves Tools again. But before hand searches the cabinet quickly for traps.
Nanbu walks around the hut examine things, nodding occasionally.
Rakdon stands in the circle.
What circle? The circle on the book? It's a bit small for you to stand in.
Sir Adrian doesn't see anyone else approach.. for now.
Saphina uses her tools to work the drawer and pulls it out. Inside is an intricately carved scroll case.
Ooooh, Sashah, these look right up your alley. Take a look! The Halfling brings the scroll case to her wizard friend.
Sashah, his eyes seemingly illuminating blue light from within, directs his gaze at Saphina, "Take to Rakdon child, zere is possible trail outside." With that he heads outside to find the source of the exuded magic.
Nanbu thinks these circle be the Ugathwe, the guide gestures toward the ziggurat outside.
"You believe it to be a map then? I which case, where would the hidden place you read of be?"
Nanbu thinks that if this is North, this circle should be that Ugathwe, Nanbu points to one ziggurat.
Nanbu thinks the location of the three ziggurats seems more like a right angled triangle.
Sashah steps outside, and notices that a set of fist-sized circles carved into the stone of the ziggurat’s bottom terrace that radiate magic. They match the patterns on the back of the parchment.
Hmm, Nanbu thinks arrangement is wrong... as he holds the parchment upside-down and turns it sideways.
Well, we have a map. Does it tell us whete our quarry may be?
Sir Adrian walks over to look over Nanbu's shoulder.
The others notice what Sashah is looking at - the fist-sized circles at the ziggurat match that of the drawing.
Sir Adrian is a bit confused as Nanbu keeps turning the parchment around...
Saphina moves up to the carvings in the wall. Searching high and low at the location Of the found circles, she wonders just how old these original markings may have been.
Saphina detects that there might be a gap at the base of ziggurat. She uses the same pattern as the one at the back of the parchment and presses the symbols starting with the bottom one.
There is a grinding sound, and a doorway opens within the wall with a steep ramp leading down into darkness. She can make out footprints in the dust.
"Well done Saphina."
"Indeed," Sashah adds in his grizzled, accented voice.
Aha! The mystery unfolds. Well done!
Nanbu is proud of little one. She is so clever! the guide exclaims. Then, realizing that discretion may be necessary, says quietly, Nanbu will go, but Nanbu will need light.
Lighting a torch, he heads down into the darkness... trying to be as quiet as he can!
Rakdon - you have the scroll case. Do you want to examine it?
Skyreaver - You took 6 hp damage from the zombies. Could you record it on your statline? Also that you used up one spell to cure Nanbu?
Nanbu kicks some pebbles as he descends with the others.
The ramp leads east and downward at a 45-degree angle to an area beneath the ziggurat. After following the path for another 60 feet, you arrive in a 20-foot square chamber. A set of wavy lines are carved into the east wall converging into sets of concentric circles in the center.
The you halfling blushes from the praise and says ”I would never have found it if Sashah wouldn’t have the seen the magic and we all had a part in discussing what the map could be indicating.”
After taking a look through the doorway for any boobytraps she turns to the group. ”OK, who’s first?”
As she enters the room, Saphina spreads out to the east and begins to look at the engravings on the walls. Wondering what the symbols could be mean.
Before heading down, Sashah reaches up to his pointy hat, undoes a small button in the middle of a large star that decorates the hat, and says a few short words. As the words are spoken the star gradually grows in illumination. Once he finishes he replaces the star and adds in a grumble, "I know not of you all, but I cannot see in dark"
The old half-elf runs his wrinkly hands along the wavy grooves in the wall to their convergence, looking thoughtfully.
"Forgive again for delay," Sashah says again getting out the bound leather tome once more. He begins again with the ritual.
Sir Adrian enters the room, and he examines the wall.
What exactly are we looking at?
Saphina and Adrian can't figure out the markings, but Sashah traces the correct path along the carvings with his fingers. He makes out a secret door on a wall which opens up, revealing a second chamber identical in size, but this time with wall carvings on three out of the four walls.
”Ooooh. I wonder if they all are secret doors. ”
Searching for traps befor she enters, and gives everyone the all clear.
Saphina doesn't spot any traps on the door.
Skyreaver will move into the next room and examine the carvings there.
The scroll case opens up. Inside Rakdon finds a scroll of healing word and a scroll of protection from evil and good.
Skyreaver enters into the next room and examines the carvings. Roll an investigation check.
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In a way, yes, but I'm 30 feet behind him at all times, so he would have to be in the room at least 30 feet in. That way if some enemy or spell trap has something like burning hands, I'm out of the way, unless it is something that has a 60 foot cone of cold, then Rakdon would be wondering why he was allowed to go on such dangerous mission for somebody of his adventuring skill in the first place.
Saph follows the others into the room.
Sashah hurredily rushes in, his pack full of papers bouncing around surprisingly not spraying the papers everywhere. With the aid of his star for visibility, Sashah investigates the grooves. His hands are darting and caressing the wall all over.
Sir Adrian, not finding anything, simply paces back and forth, with his hands clasped behond his back, measuring the skills of his companions as they search the carved walls.