"Thank you Leng, but I was able to close most of them. This scratch won't slow me down, no sense wasting our abilities so early in the hunt."
Those that follow Leng's example are also able to gain entry into the crypt's interior. As you stand together in the dark, the fog continues to blanket the entrance and you turn your attention to the four stone biers and bodies laid in state.
The symbolism seems to indicate nothing more than that the bodies have been laid out for burial. There is little else within the room, without either touching the bodies or attempting to move the stone crypts they are laid out upon.
Sasha will move over to the bodies.
"Odd to guard a preparation room with such a spell, unless it was to purify the caretakers?"
On the surface the bodies merely appear to be laid in state... as one might do for a honored dead. The lack of decomposition is troubling considering the years that have passed since the events that gave the Black Monastery it's curse... but strange things happen in dark places.
"Interesting lack of decomposition," says Mordecai before casting his magically enhanced gaze on the bodies, expecting necromancy.
Hess steps closer, and examines the bodies, looking for any recognizable patterns or symbols, or anything unusual about the burial. He also tries to remember anything about the rulers of this place.
Knowledge: Religion
Knowledge: History
No overt magic upon the bodies.
Hess cannot make any more sense of the situation... though historically a trap such as the mist would not be placed unless something was worth protecting within... or protecting the outside from what was within?...
"Strange". "But perhaps we can determine if the barrier is to keep those without out, or these within in". "Sasha, can you detect any evil within this chamber"?
"I can Hess."
Sasha concentrates with his divine senses.
"This whole chamber is evil, or something in it. Could be the stones themselves."
Sasha can see that the evil is concentrated in the bodies themselves... something slumbers in each of them, and would be awakened if they were disturbed. Something that does not live, but still bears great evil.
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"The evil is in the bodies. If we disturb them they will rise against us. Do we press on or fight them here and now? Is it possible, Mordecai, that the bodies are not undead but instead under a spell? I do not wish to desecrate the bodies needlessly."
"I shall take a closer look."
Without getting closer to the bodies, Mordecai will focus on them with his gaze of detection.
to determine spell's school, if aura present
to determine properties
also....
for good measure
with Ghost Sight trait
"I'm no fan of disturbing the dead". "Unless they come after me, I'm content to let them lie in peace...or whatever their afterlife holds". "Perhaps we shall revisit this should something lead us this way". "THis place seems undisturbed...Let's leave it that way, and go inside".
Mordecai detects no spell.. though there might be faint magic within one of the tombs. His eyes ken no foes hidden... at least within where his eyes can plumb...
"Come on". "Let's see what else this place has to offer". He says a quick prayer for the dead to stay at rest then, Hess covers up again and starts through the mist. He then heads for the door the others were getting ready to go through, before he distracted them into the crypt.
"I agree, let us explore more of this place. We can always come back to this crypt later."
Mordecai will follow his companions, careful to cover up with his cloak so the vile mist cannot find purchase on his skin.
The group moves safely back through the curtain of acidic fog now that the secret to passage is known. Once back within the courtyard there is a choice of direction to follow once more...
The main entrance is to the South West - through double doors, there is also a door to the SE past the garden. On the North and West walls there are also some minor doors - two on the north wall and three on the West. Lastly there are two doors to the South - one past the crypt and the second past the statue of the titan.
"Let's try that first door past the crypt first". "Did any of you scan the doors, to see if it looked like any were in use"? "Perhaps we should try that first".
"We found little trace of passage. Let us follow Hess' advice."
"Indeed."
Hess moves to the door in the south, past the crypt, and checks it to see if it opens.
Leng follows a short distance behind, keeping his eye on the statue of the titan as they go.
Moving just behind the crypt you regard the door for a moment before pulling upon it and finding it unlocked. It opens into a two-part stonecutter's shop. The eastern section is the main workshop. There are several dozen unfinished gravestones and monuments sitting on blocks, still waiting for their craftsmen. Chips and stone dust cover much of the floor. There are two racks holding chisels and hammers. A workbench holds finer chipping and polishing tools such as small hammers, chisels and polishing rags. Above the workbench is a shelf with several iron squares, levels and templates. The wooden portions of the hammers and levels are old and very brittle.
The western section of the workshop holds gravestones that are ready for inscriptions. There are a dozen stones stacked against one wall. In the center of the room are three very large and tall stones, covered with sheets.
"Hmmm". "Probably not a smart move, but let's see what we have over here". Hess walks towards the two covered stones. "Could you guys check for Evil and magic, before I unveil what is behind curtains 1,2 and 3"?
"I don't anticipate much in old stones, but I've been surprised before..."
Mordecai does as bidden, searching the stones in particular with detect magic.
No magic can be detected.
And Sasha will scan for evil as requested.
"Other than the cloud of acid and giant footprint this place is surprisingly mundane."
Well also the miasma of evil pervading the place.
Sasha can detect no concentration of evil.
With a flourish Hess unveils object number 1
Under the first sheet is an ornate, carven tombstone reading Abbot Asmodeus: 844
With a frown, Hess unveils the others in order.
Knowledge: Religion
Knowledge: History
Knowledge: Religion
Knowledge: History
Knowledge: Religion
Knowledge: History
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The second revealed tombstone bears the inscription Hess Grimlock, 1073... which is the current year.
"What's this now? I don't like the look of it."
Sasha casts about for a trap or ambush.
Hess takes a half step back, growing a little pale, then gripping his holy symbol tightly, he removes the last shroud.
When first unveiled it appears to be merely an unmarked grave... that is until it grows a meaty stone appendage and begins clubbing at Hess...
Slam: for
Initiative: vs
Not sure if this is all possible, so I thought I would ask first, before posting.
First, as a swift action using vanishing trick to disappear. Then take a 5'step to flank the stone creature.
Next I would like to do a flurry of blows, but am having some trouble figuring out the bonus. Hero Lab has it as +2/+2, but I am sure it should be more than this. It is the same as having TWF and using a light weapon off handed. That would be a -2/-2 to start. Now I get a BAB equal to my monk level (+4), but do I not also get my attribute added (with weapon finesse, that is DEX, so should be +4), giving me a total of +6/+6?
I would also use a ki point for an additional attack (at+10).
For damage I would get my 1d10+1 for each attack, but as a sneak attack do I get the additional +2d6 per attack, or only once. And finally if I added elemental fist, does each attack get the additional 1d6, or do I need to expend 3 uses of the ability?
Sorry for all the questions....
Surprised, Leng still squares his shoulders, takes a deep breath and rapidly strikes out at the stone creature.
Attack One:
Damage: + Elemental fist
Attack Two:
Damage:
Attack Three:
Damage:
Round 1
HP = 74/74
AC/T/FF = 25/13/24
Damage Resistance: Acid (5);Cold (5); Electricity (5)
Weapon Equipped = +1 Cold Iron Greatsword
Speed = 30'
Lay on Hands/day = 7/7 (3d6)
Channel/day = 3/3 (4d6)
Smite Evil/day = 3/3 (+4 hit, +7 damage, +4 deflection AC)
Status Effects = None
Sasha directs his gaze towards the mobile grave before striking at it.
Round 1, AC-21, HP-34/53
"Ah"! "What is this thing"? Hess slashes at the beast with his longsword, then takes a step back.
+1 Adamantine Longsword (+2 more if flanked)
Damage (+3 more if hit, Battle Rage 1 of 8)
Mordecai steps forward and winds back his arm, his gauntlet spilling over with eldritch energies. As the hideous blow connects, the creature is rocked by the force of the warlock's strike.
to hit
damage
Sasha detects no evil in the elemental.
The assault upon the gravestone begins to chip away at it's form, flaking stone falling like ashen rain.
However it is unfazed and continues it's murderous assault upon Hess...
Slam: for
Slam: for
Leng once again pummels the rock with his unarmed attacks
Flurry of blows
#1 Attack:
Damage:
#2 Attack:
Damage:
Round 2, AC21, HP 20
Hess grin as he sidesteps the first blow, then grunts in pain as the second brushes aside his shield as thought it was nothing, and hit hits him painfully in the ribs.
He takes a 5' step back, then sacrifices his ability to walk upon the air for the day for some positive curing magic.
Cure Critical Wounds (Spontaneous)