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Dayana nods faintly, "Sertainian has a solid gist of it; 'The Black Sun' is also an epithet of the Chained God, as well. I believe the children, if they yet live, are still somewhere in this complex."
"Are you saying that this goblin scum are sacrificing these people and kids to some long dead god?" She says her eyebrows raising in the announcement of a bigger possibility of slaying the goblinoid scum!
"That... is an immense leap in logic. Can you not read the language? There is nothing about sacrifice in there."
Morgrym wipes down his beard as best he can, his request for water obvious from his gestures.
That done he joins Aelion in ensuring the dead are dead, and recovering what can be recovered. 'A grim job, but a less glamorous part of war.'
Embarrassed he reflects on the paucity of healing magic he possesses, and instead looks for dinted armor that may need fixing.
Cecilia nodded upon hearing Dayana and Sertainian give more context to the inscriptions. The wording of the message was vague, but it seemingly offered two conflicting meanings. If the inscription had been written during an age of prosperity, then it was a genuine tribute to the leadership of the Rivenroar Family. If it had been written during an age of decline (such as when the estate was abandoned and soon after infested with monsters) then it was a final reminder of the Rivenroar Family's many failures.
The bard personally hoped that her first interpretation was the correct one, but it was impossible to know for certain without more information.
Hearing Rhona speak of sacrifices, with a heavy heart Cecilia Hawthorne began to inspect the crypt for signs of death or torture. Wordlessly handing her waterskin to Morgrym as she walked past him, the bard focused her efforts on the two alters in the chamber to the east, and the hole in the floor to the northeast. To peer through the darkness there, she utilised a Dancing Lights spell, sending the glowing orbs down into the hole that smelled even worse than the undead they had just encountered.
But maybe in her haste Cecilia was too impatient to notice the signs of what she was actually looking for.
"They are goblins what else do you think they are doing to those kids? Eating them?" She says vitriol seriously dripping from the words. Her hatred for Goblins is strong.
Seeing Cecilia send light down the hole in the floor, Zalindra comes over to take a look.
Her attempt to help falls flat however, and she just stands there awkwardly with nothing to contribute.
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Jathal keeps looking around with poor results.
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Since everyone is rolling so poorly, perhaps Ingra or Javos will notice something about the alters and hole that the others might have missed.
The warpriest and cavalier were completely in sync. Searching the room together, the two of them moved as a single unit, almost like they were being controlled by the same guiding force.
"I have to wonder if Rhona is right. What use are captives to the goblins? Slaves maybe? But then why an - forgive me, Sertanian - old man?"
Seeing the others searching the chamber, Aelion finished up gathering arrows and stuffing them in quivers, and joined them.
Rhona walks over to look down this hole.
"Why are we looking down this hidey hole for?"
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“The hobgoblin war chief was incredibly fixated on the museum relics. If I had to make a guess, I’d say he is keeping those prizes very close to himself, wherever he is.” Sertainian answers Zalindra’s question.
Morgrym moves to search the two hobgoblins, finding them fully equipped with the same finely crafted weapons and armour that the raiding party wore, all marked with the same black arrow insignia. As Dayana and Rhona begin to speculate as to why the goblin raiders took prisoners at all, Cecilia moves to inspect the alters in the corner of the crypt.
Once the rest of the chamber has been thoroughly explored, the group gather around the foul-smelling pit and peer down into the gloom. Cecilia lights it up and Ingra estimates it to be about 40-foot-deep pit. The stench that wafts out of the pit makes it obvious that the goblins use it to dispose of their waste, it’s original purpose is lost to time.
As the group steps back from the garbage disposal, Javos looks over the sarcophagi in the centre of the crypt. “I’ll bet a fine family like the Rivenroars didn’t go to the grave empty handed...” he says with a raised eyebrow.
"Bane." Ingra stats as she approaches to stand next to Cecilia. "Not surprising. Evil God of War and Conquest. Would be almost insulting not to have an alter to him, all things considered."
She contemplates destroying it, but the wrath of the gods with such a direct attack isn't what they need at the moment.
Maybe on the way back?
She follows her over the massive pit, crinkling her nose when the smell of it all makes itself known. She straightens herself and walks away, back to the central group.
"Goblins are cleaner than I thought. Wondered why we weren't trekking through their wastes. It's all down there. I think Rhona's hit the nail on the head. These are gobliniods, if they aren't eatin', then they're killin'. Can't see how that's a big jump in logic. Maybe not what the Rivenroars' had in mind, but goblins are as stupid as they are vicious."
She raises an eyebrow at Javos.
"Tomb raiders now are we? Good idea. At worst, we need to cut down some prematurely awaken zombies. I think everyone involved needs some kind of compensation though. Then we look for these kids, yeah?"
Zalindra perks up at the mention of possible treasure, but she doesn't say anything, not wanting her grandfather to see the greedier side of her nature.
Aelion had never seen the point of burying valuables with the dead - they couldn't use them, after all. The Tiri Kitor didn't practice such wastefulness. He typically respected the ways of the races he was around regardless, but he wasn't going to argue if that same race saw no point in their own customs, either.
He was going over to lift the lid from one of the sarcophagi when he got a better look at the altars.
"This wasn't always an altar to Bane," he hissed, leaping back like a scalded cat. "Does anyone know what patron the Rivenroars kept? Because it looks like these altars were originally for a god of the undead - Vecna. If the Rivenroars were cultists, that would explain why there are so many undead down here."
"Maybe we'd best be careful if we decide to open those sarcophagi," he added. "There are worse things than zombies."
Uneasy at Aelion's words, Zalindra makes sure her bow is out and ready, and that her grandfather is nowhere near, in case something horrible comes out out when they open it up.
Cecilia could only grimace as she heard Aelion speak of the God Vecna. It appeared she would have to revise her earlier assessment of the Rivenroar Family. Assuming the elf's theory was correct.
"If they truly did worship the god of undead, necromancy, and secrets, then I don't see why we can't take a quick look inside these sarcophagi." The bard says, swapping out her whip for her rapier. "Though personally I think uncovering the true history about the Rivenroars to be far more exciting than any gold or trinkets."
Realising that the party should not delay, Cecilia walks over to the nearest sarcophagus, and attempts to wedge her rapier into the crack between the base and the lid.
"Everyone ready?" She asks, giving everyone a moment to prepare themselves (just in case some sort of undead did climb out). Throwing caution to the wind, the bard then attempts to pry the casket open...
...and fails to even budge it. "Who knew something made entirely out of stone could be so heavy? She says with a good-natured laugh, wiping imaginary sweat from her brow.
"Exactly Goblins be simple seeking out food or something to entertain them, which usually means killing it. As for the cleanliness, bet its the Hobgoblins keeping them in line!"She says as she stands with shield on her one arm and axe over her other shoulder.
"I am more for finding more these here goblins and seeing them off to there god! As for the children, whelp thats a bonus1" She says truly wanting to get her axe slick with more goblin blood she looks to Morgrym and speaks.
"Τι γνωρίζετε για αυτό το Bane και γιατί τα μικρά κεφάλια του μπαλονιού θα ήθελαν να τον λατρεύουν και ποια πιθανή χρήση θα μπορούσαν να είναι τα παιδιά σε αυτό το Bane?" she asks wondering if her theory was correct
Jathal is indifferent to the actions of the others, wondering why they had suddenly become so greedy in the middle of a hostile area?
"Perhaps we should get the people we've rescued out of here before we're discovered?" She asks impatiently.
"I agree with Jathal. Our mission here is to rescue the prisoners and escort them to safety, not loot a crypt or delve into ancient history."
"Well I was a prisoner so, If I am to be delivered then so be it, but I am coming back in her to get to the bottom of these dung lickers plan. 'Cause I doubt they did this without some mastermind. I mean you put ten of 'm in a room together and you have the brain power about the size of a pea!" Rhona says showing her true feelings about goblins. She doubted the others had as much passion against killing such creatures but she did, any opportunity made her want to seize it and let the bloody balloon heads suffer for taking away her family.
Aelion hid a grin at Rhona's... enthusiasm. He didn't care much for the little murderers, either.
"If we are to go, then let us be about it." Aelion shook his head at leaving resources behind, but he wasn't going to argue it. Instead he nocked an arrow to the longbow he had plucked from a hobgoblin's limp hand, testing its pull. Then he nodded and moved to scout their next step.
"So whats with the box? Are we trying to pry it open or something?" She says gesturing with her thumb at the sarcophagus.
Ingra puts hands to stone, but even with help, the lid has been made to stop this exact thing from happening.
"Hmm. I'm sure all of us could budge it together. Or we can just leave it until we find the captives. Hate for something useful to be left behind though."
Zalindra, with Aelion's aid, attempts to move the sarcophagus.
While struggling she asks for help because she feels it budging, and with Ingra's aid, they get it open.
"Okay how about several of us stronger folk push the lid off to one side and then a couple of others stand tall and ready to strike at any well not so dead inhabitants well more comfortable. I mean we are disturbing them" She says slipping her shield and axe back in there respective places.
Morgrym's puzzlement was evident enough to smash through the language barrier. "Bane?"
Unsure why his companions are so intent on smashing open the sarcophogi the dwarven cleric instead devoted himself to keeping guard, his mine-adapted eyes staring off into the deep dark so reminiscent of the cthonic depths of his homeland.
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Feeling a little embarrassed, Cecilia took a few steps back. Jathal and Dayana were absolutely right. Opening this sarcophagus could have waited until they had finished rescuing the remaining prisoners. The lives of the townsfolk were more important than whatever secrets or treasures were buried within this crypt.
Still, at least a few other members of the party seemed to think opening the sarcophagus was worth the time and effort. And if Cecilia was truly being honest with herself, she was more than a little curious about the contents too.
Moving forward, the bard assists Zalindra in opening the casket, though she walks over to the opposite side of the sarcophagus to do so.
This should only take a moment. She says, driving her rapier back between the lid and base. "Then we shall continue."
With the combined effort of the party's strongest, or most ambitious, tomb raiders, the lid of the sarcophagus slides free and reveals the dusty remains entombed within.
The bones of a long forgotten member of the Rivenroar family lie clutching a beautiful musical pipe, surprisingly well preserved, this exquisite instrument appears made from oak decorated and has been decorated with a silvery inlay pattern.
Among the other caskets, some disturbingly devoid of any bones, you find a bastard sword, another bottle of amber tonic, and a pouch of coins from the fallen empire the Rivenroar's once belonged to.
The sword's blade has a red hue to it, and features an etching of a black sun. Its grip is made of a dark wood and is decorated with a painted pattern made up of tiny skulls and bones. The pommel bears a flawless red garnet mounted in a cage formed from skeletal figures.
Can anyone tell if these things are magical?
Aelion shook his head. He was staring hard at the rather disturbing sword, suspecting it of danger. He tried to dredge his memory for anything matching the description of the blade.
Dayana nods over to Zalindra and casts Detect Magic to look over the assorted grave goods. Not that she seems terribly pleased about the looting going on at present.
Aelion struggles to recognize the blade, but no stories of the red weapon have ever past his ears.
Dayana is at least able to sense a faint magical aura eminating from the weapon.
The amber tonic is similarly magical, as with those found in the Von Urstadt crypt.
"An enchanted blade; a worthy weapon for a melee combatant, or a valuable treasure to sell. You know, if we're robbing graves for a dead knight's burial goods."
"And these beauties are healing potions."
"Seems a nice haul. Any more goblins" She asks eagerly awaiting more goblinoids. She really wanted to exact more revenge.
When it appeared that the party was done with looting, one way or the other, Aelion cautiously moved on towards their next goal, walking at the edge of the light so that he could still see.
Reaching the edge of the light and peering into the gloom, you can see that a hallway stretches south into the darkness. A jagged hole in the floor runs the width of the passageway about 10 feet ahead. Two ropes hang from the ceiling and extend down into the pit, allowing one to climb down, or swing across if the need should arise.
As well as the passage leading south from the western side of the crypt, there is also the doorway set within the southern wall which Zalindra and Rhona have confirmed to be free from any trigger mechanisms.
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"Me and Z checked the door and it's not trapped"She says with a smile her axe over her right shoulder as if it were a fishing pole or even a regular axe.
"Grave robbing done?" Wondering again at the priorities of some of the people she was working with Jathal follows Aelion quietly, keeping a careful eye out. It had been too quiet for too long as far as she was concerned.
She will grab one of the MW longbows though.
Zalindra makes sure all the loot is gathered up and follows the party.
"SO where to next. I Assume more of the ilk is down that way. Possibly even in the hole. The question is do we chance to leave and letting them refortify or do we clear them out and be done with it." She said letting them know that goblins though rabble aren't stupid and would double their defenses the next time around.
"Personally I say we drive them out and stop them before they can secure this place"
Aelion wasn't 100% sure he could make it through another fight, much less oust the Red Hand reborn from their digs if it came to that, but he appreciated the sentiment.
Still, there were the prisoners to think of.
"Sertanian, and you others who were imprisoned, which way to the prisoners? I think they should be the priority."
"I, I think we passed through a doorway before they led me up the spiral stairs. I would guess it was this one." Sertainian says, pointing toward the doorway by Rhona.
Ingra smiles. It was good to have another dwarf around.
"Clear'em out. You don't find a rat nest and let it be. We can't them off, not after they came right into town. Need to let others know that Brindol is prepared for battle, and isn't to be triffled with."
She leans in on her greatsword, grinning at Rhonda.
"Wanna turn it into a competition this time round?"
She looked over at the bastard sword. It's a fine looking weapon but she'd never used one before. She looks at her greatsword and spins it on its point.
Smiling, she places it on her shoulder, confident in her home towns weapon quality.
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Cecilia was mildly disappointed by the contents of the caskets. She had been hoping for an undead monster, or perhaps a written confession detailing the family's secret worship of Vecna. Compared to all that these trinkets had relatively little value to her.
Still, if the Rivenroars really had conducted unholy rituals for the god of the undead, then the bard had no problem relieving the family of their belongings.
"If we have to choose between this door and that hole in the ground, then I suggest we try the door first." Cecilia said. "The remaining prisoners are still our priority, and we can always come back to finish off the goblins down there later."
However, as the bard moves away from the dimly corridor, a thought suddenly occurs to her. "Would anyone object if I pulled these ropes up? That might stop any creatures from climbing back up here and surprising us."
Maybe we should actually use some of those healing potions? I don't think anyone is in good health.