"You go Cordoba?"
Wetsands pulls a torch out of his satchel and hands it to Cordoba, then proceeds to light it with flint and tinder.
"See later."
"Who go last?"
"Salaba."
Bohdan approaches the large gaping hole and gently slides closer to the rim not knowing if there's any support beneath him. Laying down flat on his stomach he looks over the rim, hoping his superiour vision will let him distinguish anything down below. Maybe if the tower was used all the way to the top there would be a floor not too far below, maybe out to the side if several floors had collapsed here by the hole?
...Maybe if the tower was used all the way to the top there would be a floor not too far below, maybe out to the side if several floors had collapsed here by the hole?
Syd is tying the rope to a huge slab. The rope is strong nautical grade and should support itself and 3 or 4 people even at the bottom, even if it is frayed.
You can't see any surfaces. While the sun lingered all that was visible were some boulders below. The slow echo of Wetsands' outburst earlier would suggest an interior space larger than you have ever seen before.
"Ok we now see, daddy Bohdan - watch."
Wetsands pulls out another torch and lights it off Cordoba's.
He crouches low and throws it from his side of the hole almost horizontally like a man skipping a stone at the beach.
As it spins the flame flickers but still dimly reveals first a huge pillar, then passing that it follows a curved wall slowly sloping down to a floor at least as far down as the desert floor. It comes to rest near a huge archway.
Extrapolating from what you have all just seen, you suppose you are standing atop a colossal inner space - apparently the core of this mesa is hollowed out into a dome.
"Big room. Wetsands' father's father's father here see big statue Aroden."
Syd, Bohdan:
I am having a scroll which will provide light for a time if you need. I could cast it upon one of the people's gear that is descending down the hole first. It will give unfaltering light in a greater area than a torch.
"Do we have enough rope to reach all the way to the bottom?"
Bohdan looks dubiously at the coils of rope Syd and Wetsands are knotting together.
"There's a ring of pillars surrounding that crystal dome inside the tower, some 20 paces across, don't know if that's any help."
"Rope enough. Long as mesa high."
Syd:
I am having a scroll which will provide light for a time if you need. I could cast it upon one of the people's gear that is descending down the hole first. It will give unfaltering light in a greater area than a torch.
Will do.
A growing sussuration from within brings all conversation to a halt.
Those near the caliginous maw feel compelled to look down, and just in time to see the brightened circle around the burning torch far below just blink out.
The rustling grows louder, and louder.
All step back from the hole sensing... something - when a rush of air bearing an animal mustiness and the chattering of a million tiny creatures sweeps over you - a thick black cloud of small bats begins boiling out all around, spreading out and darkening the sky.
As the night's silence returns you look up and see your comrades peeking sheepishly out of whatever cover they were able to find.
Standing slowly, brushing sand off himself: "Balooki! Me no like that again."
"Alright I'll go down".
"Alright I'll go down".
"I shall follow."
"I'll wait until last, just in case this 'Calebra' creature shows up."
Sunset – Pharast 25th, 4708
The sun begins to sink into the Inner Sea.
Not willing to risk lingering atop the mesa and meeting Calebra in the open, everyone gets ready to delve as Syd knots the short lengths of rope in a single 500 foot span. Wetsands throws a second torch into the hole almost straight down and once again everyone watches it fall forever – it lands to the side of a huge pile of rubble directly below the hole. Aref casts a light spell on a sack of equipment that is lowered with the heavy rope. And the bottom, now, is fairly well lit.
Cordoba goes first. At the bottom, tiny and invisible you see him again when he picks up the second torch thrown to the side of the rubble.
Then, delaying starts, two on the rope at a time, the rest of you make the descent. At the bottom you must scramble over sharp rubble collapsed from the hole in the roof. Bohdan is the last to go. He nervously scans for Calebra and thanks Iomedae when he gets to the bottom without seeing the beast.
You are standing in the center of a chamber so large you can’t see the outer walls. Sand fallen through the hole above covers a smooth stone floor.
As Jon and Bohdan don their armor the others spread out and carefully scan the huge chamber.
The main chamber is a colossal hexagon with its parallel sides 120 feet apart and 6 pillars evenly spaced reaching up into the blackness above, all carved from the native igneous stone. The faces of the hexagon curve inward as you look up into darkness, and are, as far as you can tell, high-relief sculpted in their entirety with what seems to be stories of the dead god Aroden. An enormous statue is at the western apex of the hexagon. When you look upon it you tingle as goosebumps rush across your skin. When any of you speak, clean, slow echo vibrates through the chamber.
Three exits from this chamber are obvious: one to the north, one to the east, and one to the south. The north and south passages are short, with wide wells at their head and huge flanking doors, now closed. The passage to the east would be the main entrance by your estimation, the massive doors triple bolted on the inside.
Map Area 1. A powerful musty odor dominates this passage: and all around the north well you find deep bat guano. The well’s water nevertheless seems clean and lays only a few feet below the thigh level rim. The doors to either side appear to be close fastened. The bats, as you already know, are not here now.
Map Area 2. A huge pile of desiccated bodies and all manner of bones rests against the bolted temple doors. It seems that whatever monster abodes here casts carrion down this passage. The most recent of the bodies appears to have been a well equipped group of warriors and rogues. On the very top of the pile has been tossed a tremendous length of rope… about 500 – 600 feet, one might guess.
Map Area 3. The south well is fairly tidy and the area devoid of bats. The south west door is closed but the south east door is slightly ajar.
Map Area 4. At the westernmost point of the hexagon stands what you figure to be a 100 foot statue of Aroden himself wrought in bronze. His head and massive spear disappear into darkness above. In front of him is a heap of rubble fallen from the hole above, and laying all about the area of the collapse the floor is covered with a thick layer of sand.
"Well I hope there is another way out because I'm not climbing back up."
Perception among the bodies 1d20+5=14
Cursory search of area 2:
The bodies seem to have been thrown down this hall and lay heaped up against the door and remain as they were thrown. You can see increasingly deep layers of dust on lower and lower bodies. Well preserved by the dry climate, they show signs of having been chewed, clawed, or violently rent apart, and many pieces are just the gnawed bones of various creatures. Presumably this is where Calebra discards the dead he brings back to his lair.
Amongst the bodies are all manner of weapons and equipment, much of it damaged - but still you get the impression that a lengthy search will yield a trove of useful items. Some backpacks are intact and some of the weapons and armor look particularly well made. In particular, you see that the bodies on top have climbing kits. Perhaps they came in voluntarily as you did. The tremendous length of silk rope on top would seem to confirm this.
Also, glancing at the large double doors, it seems that some sand has seeped through the middle crack and under the bottom. The door must be buried under sand outside.
The Deceiver examines both the bodies and the statue of Aroden.
The Deceiver takes comfort from familiar smell of death.
The Deceiver examines both the bodies and the statue of Aroden.
Cursory search or areas 2 and 4:
In the flickering light of the torch given to you by Wetsands, you first circle the feet of the statue then join Ryor in the entry hall of the temple.
Amazingly intricate detail has been etched into this statue after it was cast; even the booted feet of this dead god have the texture of something real, yet you know it to be bronze. Rapping you knuckles on it, you learn that it is solid here at the base.
You circle around to the opposite side where Ryor is poking at nearly mummified corpses in a gruesome heap. AS Ryor points out his own observations you notice that one of the topmost male bodies wears plate mail armor bearing the symbols of Iomedae, and on it's back a jeweled scabbard of a claymore or greatsword. Where the matching sword is you are not certain.
Perception,Survival (1d20+6=7, 1d20+6=7)
Jon check the tracks left here and want to find out more infomation about the Calebra.
Searching for the movements of Calebra
There is not much of a pattern, but it seems that Calebra walks about in here infrequently.
The only opening that Calebra's tracks lead through is the south east door which is ajar.
AS Ryor points out his own observations you notice that one of the topmost male bodies wears plate mail armor bearing the symbols of Iomedae, and on it's back a jeweled scabbard of a claymore or greatsword. Where the matching sword is you are not certain.
"Bohdan, you might want to look at these."
"Phwoar, place needs a good sweep, dunnit?"
I vill check this area over here....*checking area 1* Take 10 on perception for 14.
"So, we gotta find this Calabra feller and then shove off out of it? 'Ere, Wetsands, where we gotta go now?" Syd asks his new rope buddy.
"Bohdan, you might want to look at these."
AS Ryor points out his own observations you notice that one of the topmost male bodies wears plate mail armor bearing the symbols of Iomedae, and on it's back a jeweled scabbard of a claymore or greatsword. Where the matching sword is you are not certain.
At Cordoba's call, Bohdan walks over to the pile of bodies.
Seeing the body of the armor clad figure a small gasp escapes his lips."Can you give me a hand here Cordoba?" He asks, indicating that he wants to lift the body off the pile to inspect it further.
When the body is lying by itself, Bohdan kneels down to inspect it further.
"I'm sorry your plight ended here brother, I'll bear word of your demise to the church in order to honor your sacrifice."
After searching the body he turns to Cordoba.
"With all these people apparently coming here voluntarily, maybe some of them had brought trinkets or charms to protect and aid them... maybe someone here can find out if there are such items among the dead?"
"Sure, Bohdan." The Deceiver helps in the lifting.
"What you suggest about charms is possible."
... maybe someone here can find out if there are such items among the dead?"
You find a holy symbol and a signet ring, and some dried rations, a candle and two sunrods in the holy man's pouch.
Customs of dress being somewhat different from land to land even in the church, your guess is that it's a paladin judging from the accoutrements worn over the plate armor. The armor itself is a little small for you, but you guess that it would keep you alive in a pinch. If merit dictates, however, the church would want this man to be laid to rest in his armor.
Whatever you do with his equipment, bringing news of this warrior and the temple itself will probably win you renown in the church for ages to come.
I vill check this area over here....
Cursory sear of area 1
The bat guano is decades deep yet the well water still seems crystal clear. The relief sculpture of the main chamber continues into the hallways from the floor right overhead in an arc over the passage, and it is the sculpture that gives the bats the purchase they need to live above.
Both doors are closed and fastened by a lever mechanism controlled by elaborately wrought handles. Judging from the guano it appears that nobody has opened these doors in the time that the bats have lived here.
If you watch long enough, there still seems to be some tiny baby bats in crevices and corners of the relief.
Aref:
"So, we gotta find this Calabra feller and then shove off out of it? 'Ere, Wetsands, where we gotta go now?"
"Me not know. Hide place ambush Calebra? Me think here dangerous. Maybe kill them."
At this he pokes his thumb at the dead bodies. He watches the rope in the center of the chamber nervously.
"Calebra big. Doors go smaller hallways. There Calebra no fly."
Available exits include 4 doors. The two northern doors are closed, the south western door is closed, and the south eastern door is ajar and has tracks leading through the opening. You have yet to try the latches and see if they are locked.
"This looks like the central worship chamber." Says the Deceiver as he goes about following the perimeter of the chamber.
"Bohdan, care to speculate what a follower of Iomadae would be doing in a temple of Aroden."
... maybe someone here can find out if there are such items among the dead?"You find a holy symbol and a signet ring, and some dried rations, a candle and two sunrods in the holy man's pouch.
Customs of dress being somewhat different from land to land even in the church, your guess is that it's a paladin judging from the accoutrements worn over the plate armor. The armor itself is a little small for you, but you guess that it would keep you alive in a pinch. If merit dictates, however, the church would want this man to be laid to rest in his armor.
Whatever you do with his equipment, bringing news of this warrior and the temple itself will probably win you renown in the church for ages to come.
As for my comment on trinkets and charms... I was hoping someone had a detect magic memorized. :-D
Bohdan fusses over the body of the armor clad man, arranging the it so it seems to lie in state, then says a prayer.
"Iomedae has taken you to serve in her immortal army, may her glory and honor forever nourish you in the afterlife. I shall bring word of your passing and of this temple so your honor can be recognized. Glory to Iomedae."
"This looks like the central worship chamber." Says the Deceiver as he goes about following the perimeter of the chamber.
"Bohdan, care to speculate what a follower of Iomadae would be doing in a temple of Aroden."
"Well, my goddess served Aroden in ages past and I can only assume that a temple of this size and magnificence would hold early scriptures about their relationship. Such scriptures would be immensely valuable to the church and the search for those worthy of a paladin's quest.
I assume that is what brought my brother in the faith here."
Bohdan fusses over the body of the armor clad man, arranging the it so it seems to lie in state, then says a prayer.
Pressing the body into a dignified position is difficult and results in a few dry pops and some broken bones. Even then he doesn’t look quite at rest, but rather as if he was caught by a snapshot while rising into action from the grave.
"Well, my goddess served Aroden in ages past and I can only assume that a temple of this size and magnificence would hold early scriptures about their relationship. Such scriptures would be immensely valuable to the church and the search for those worthy of a paladin's quest. I assume that is what brought my brother in the faith here."
Also, for BOHDAN:
PULSIFER:
"Okay that ajar door has been getting to me since we've seen it!Lets say we have look eh Cordoba?
We need to stop this ridiculous looting! Calebra will return and we shall be caught unprepared! We must plan and be ready for the beast's return, search the chambers that may hold danger for us so we don't get attacked by it's minion or minions and figure out how we wish to slay this creature.
Any ideas?
*Aref is keeping his eye toward the opening above to try to not be taken unaware.*
How wide are the doors leading out of the chamber?
They are 10 feet wide.
"Okay that ajar door has been getting to me since we've seen it!Lets say we have look eh Cordoba?
Ryor carefully peers through the gap in the south east door. He sees a 10 foot wide hallway leading to another chamber with low tables in it. The dust on the floor is parted, presumably for something that walks in and out of here periodically... something that does not close its doors all the way.
Carefully, the two of you stalk down the hallway with weapons drawn.
The chamber is roughly 40 by 40 feet, with the southernmost wall gently curved. On the curved wall is relief etched writing in an unfamiliar language. The raised words are painted gold while the carved background is black, making them readable from all the low tables in the room.
It occurs to you that the tables may not be tables, but rather wide benches or platforms where people sat and prayed or contemplated what you guess to be axioms written in stone on the wall.... perhaps they are catechisms or doctrinal precepts of some sort.
There are three of these platforms running from east to west, and between them and the writing on the wall is an open floorspace covered with a bed of grasses. It's almost as if something large nests here.
"The lair of Calebra".
"Do you see any tracks going through any of the doors?" The Deceiver asks the others.
Perhaps we could look like we are fleeing the beast from the main chamber when it shows up by running into it's lair. We leave a couple of Wetsands people hidden in the main chamber, to spring out after Calebra enters the lair and close the door to trap the beast with us. Calebra cannot escape and his wings would be much less effective in this place than out in the main chamber.
I don't know how they could secure the door, but if they could we could keep Calebra in the hallway where he can't fly or maneuver while we attack in force. Hopefully by neutralizing the creature's flying ability and boxing it in we can defeat this monster.
"Yes, Cordoba, Calebra tracks here."
Looks back.
"What in other doors?"