"Maybe these Initiates are casting a spell here to detect the path...worth a shot here." Reonnyn mutters as he scans the area again for magical auras.
"Yes, well, if you have a better idea I am all ears." Nebuzaradan says and then casts prestidigitation on the Red pillar to see what happens while Reonnyn studies the fog.
Still giving the pillars a wide berth, both Reonnyn and Neb cast their spells, but to no effect...
"May be we need to speak in Draconic?" He says as he steps back in the room.
Getting frustrated Morrow moves up to the Red Pillar. "They seem to be ignoring us. Maybe the pillars have to be touched to activate?"
He lays a hand on the pillar below the face, watching for any change in expression.
At Morrow's touch, the glow of the red pillar intensifies and the animated face speaks in a deep voice with a tone reminiscent of a professor as it recites a question. "What draconic creator deity emerged from the First Void in the Age before Ages and shed blood in the Shadow Void to inspire all creation?"
With the question asked, the cherubic face raises an eyebrow, as though waiting for an answer...
Nebuzaradan ponders for a moment. Then he speaks the answer.
Neb nearly scoffs as he speaks the answer aloud - for any fledgling wizard should know full well that in the realm known as the First Void, Io, the Ninefold Dragon existed alone. There was nothing else, and until Io willed it there could be nothing else. Io voluntarily shed some of his blood in the Shadow Void, which created the potential for other things to come into being. Only then could there be other gods and other creations.
The face nods once, then disappears as it seems to meld back into the pillar, and its glow slowly fades. At the same moment, the fog that covers the floor changes its hue from multi-colored, to a bright red that seems a match to the glow that the pillar was radiating. The effect gives the chamber and the adventurers an unappealing, hellish appearance - but otherwise everything remains silent. The animated faces on the other six glowing pillars still remain...
Map of Chamber of Seven Secrets
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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PC Health & Notes
Reonnyn 59/59 [+1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Morrow 68/68
Morgrym 68/68
Verdan 54/54 [Iron Silence (no AC penalty to Hide/Move Silently checks) for 9 hours]
Nebuzaradan 46/46 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 armor bonus to AC) for 9 hours; Overland Flight (as Fly, with 40' speed and average maneuverability) for 9 hours]
Hearing the question doesn't mean understanding. Morrow is VERY happy that Nebuzaradan answers the question quickly. He wonders what sort of punishment the pillar might have hit him with if he has blurted out some nonsense in an attempt to bypass the question.
"Uh.... Next?"
"On it..." Reonnyn replies as he touches the orange pillar.
Reonnyn touches the orange pillar, which glows stronger as the animated face upon its surface speaks its question. "Potent magical workings, such as the wish spell or the appearance of a god's avatar, sometimes leave behind a specific magical phenomenon that is detectable only by arcane means. What form do such symbols take?"
Again, Neb knows the answer to be 'shadow helices' - an elementary fact known to many of those that have studied wizarding lore. After the dwarf speaks the correct answer, the face again disappears and the pillar's orange glow seems to transfer to the fog covering the floor of the chamber.
"Think we should keep moving here," Reonnyn says as he moves to the yellow pillar and touches it.
Nebuzaradan follows along ready to ponder the next question.
The yellow pillar flares at the halfling's touch and the face speaks its question of the party. "What five planar races are signatories of the Draeden Compact governing the transmission of pre-Great Wheel arcane secrets?"
A hushed silence falls, as those learned in planar knowledge rack their brains for the answer.
It’s not his forte but Nebuzaradan gives what he is pretty sure is the correct answer.
Neb allows a small, rare smile to crease his features as he recalls the answers. The rilmani, the keepers, the mapmakers, the devetes and the githzerai. Speaking the names allowed, the dwarven wizard is gratified to see the glow seep out of the pillar as the face disappears, and now the ground fog glows with the same color.
Four glowing pillars and their faces now await - those of green, blue, indigo and violet...
After the second quick answer from the dwarf, Morrow just falls in with the group and hopes that no question stumps the mage. He could consider this a lesson.... Or not!
"Almost there Neb," Reonnyn nods encouragingly as he moves to the green pillar and touches it.
"That sounds about right Neb"
Realizing that he, himself, does not have a clue what the answer is.
And goes over to the green pillar and touches it.
Verdan and Reonnyn both touch the column glowing green, and as the pillar suddenly brightens the now-familiar voice speaks aloud. "Three spells were used to create the fog at your feet. Name them." Having already used Detect Magic to identify the auras, the spellcasters know that narrowing down the exact spells will be a bit harder to do...
Morgrym moves from the doorway to get closer to Neb knowing he could never have known all this and says quietly to not interrupt Bravo Neb, good job
Morrow looks at the cloud swirling around and activates his Arcane Attunement without hardly thinking. He studies the cloud, trying to analyze three spells at once.... "Hmm....
Verdan studies the cloud and tries to aid others that are more in the know of the arcane arts.
Morrow recognizes the spell Fog Cloud as one component, but he cannot identify the other two spells mentioned in the question...
Nebuzaradan considers and studies the fog again.
Not even Neb can determine the other spells, beyond Fog Cloud...
"Gentlemen, we are looking at fog cloud and permanency and then something from the school of enchantment but I'm not sure what. Any thoughts?" Nebuzaradan says to the others around him.
Sunday, 2nd day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside the Wizard’s Guild is unknown.
Current time is estimated to be a few hours after sunrise.
-------------------------------------------------
Neb speaks to the others, and a few things happen instantly. First, the faces on the pillars meld back into the stone as the light fades from the columns and the fog coloring the floor in the same moment. Second, a crushing despair seeps into the bones of those standing in the room, (Will saves from everyone, please) as everything goes dark, save for the light sources held by the adventurers. Third and of most concern is that the dark stone statue in the corner suddenly shifts its stance, its eyeless gaze seeming to seek the face of the dwarven wizard…
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
PC Health & Notes
Morgrym 68/68
Morrow 68/68
Statue - Unwounded
Reonnyn 59/59 [+1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Verdan 54/54 [Iron Silence (no AC penalty to Hide/Move Silently checks) for 9 hours]
Nebuzaradan 46/46 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 armor bonus to AC) for 9 hours; Overland Flight (as Fly, with 40' speed and average maneuverability) for 9 hours]
"Maybe an identify spell might have helped?"
'Ahh, it was crushing despair', Neb thinks to himself as the room becomes more ominous and the spell triggers. 'I should have seen that.'
Aura of Warding (Su): Starting at 3rd level, a radiant servant and all allies within 10’ of him gain a +2 morale bonus on all Will saving throws.
Morrow and Reonnyn both feel the fell magic contained in the ground fog take hold, draining them of their will to some extent as a strong feeling of hopelessness washes over them (-2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.)
Verdan and Neb are able to fight off the lethargy, and the dwarven wizard knows what this thing is - and presumably the other two as well that still (thankfully) stand inert. It is a shield guardian - constructs used by wizards for personal protection, at least most of the time. These are apparently here to deal out punishment to those that fail to answer questions correctly. A rather harsh penalty, but not terribly surprising considering the stories he's heard about the Wizard's Guild of Greyhawk.
Shield Guardians are particularly fearsome when in the presence of their master - which doesn't appear to be the case in this situation. But they are still deadly foes regardless. Their bodies repair themselves immediately after taking damage he knows, and besides being typically difficult to bring down because of their armor, they usually have a spell stored away that they can use to their benefit.
Morgrym pulls his chain from around him like removing a belt and rages performing a leaping attack on the creature!
Sunday, 2nd day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside the Wizard’s Guild is unknown.
Current time is estimated to be a few hours after sunrise.
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As the guardian animates, Morrow moves to stand protectively in front of Neb and Morgrym moves to engage the creature from range, whipping his spiked chain at the animated statue with a tremendous blow! (Damage = 42 -10 [32]), and the weapon does seem to tear into it a bit. The guardian’s impassive gaze turns from Neb and fixes upon the warrior as it swings a massive club once then twice, connecting solidly each time (35 damage) and the blows reverberate in his head like the world’s loudest bell, causing his ears to bleed. Worse, the damage done by Morgrym's spiked chain appears to be repairing itself...
vs Morgrym’s AC = Hit!
(13 bludgeoning + 2 sonic)
vs Morgrym’s AC = Hit!
(14 bludgeoning + 6 sonic)
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
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Round 1
Morgrym 49/84 [Raging (-2 AC, +4 to STR/CON [+16 HP], +2 to Will saves) until Round 8; +2 insight bonus to attack/damage rolls vs Guardian for remainder of combat]
Morrow 68/68
Guardian – Wounded [27 damage]
Reonnyn 59/59 [+1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Verdan 54/54 [Iron Silence (no AC penalty to Hide/Move Silently checks) for 9 hours]
Nebuzaradan 46/46 [Greater Mage Armor (+6 armor bonus to AC) for 9 hours; Overland Flight (as Fly, with 40' speed and average maneuverability) for 9 hours]
Holding his holy symbol, Verdan says
"May the blessings of Pelor be upon us."
And he cast Bless on the party.
Ack, misread the statblock. The Guardian does NOT have DR 10 as indicated in my above post. So it took an additional 10 HP of damage from Morgrym's attack. Sorry about that!
Seeing Morgrym taking a beating from the metal creature, Morrow moves in to try and help. He channels his magic both to protect himself and to try and hurt the creature.
Reonnyn utters a blasphemous curse here as combat breaks out, even as he hustles behind the green pillar. Those other statues had better not animate here! He waves his blade at the guardian and sends an ugly black miasma of energy at it!
Nebuzaradan decides to go with a straight out attack initially. He takes a step away from the thing to give the martial members of the team room to work and conjures a small orb or cold which he hurls at the thing.
touch attack
Sunday, 2nd day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside the Wizard’s Guild is unknown.
Current time is estimated to be a few hours after sunrise.
-------------------------------------------------
Neither Reonnyn’s eldritch blast nor Neb’s spell appears to affect the Guardian, though Verdan’s magic grants his allies the blessings of Pelor – which must certainly count for something! Morgrym gets in a couple of good blows with his spiked chain (40 damage) and though the thing wobbles, still it stands. Morrow moves in to help Morgrym, and the statue with its reach manages to land a tremendous blow against the duskblade with the club it wields (33 damage). Still, Morrow gets in a decent blow (13 damage) – though he sees with dismay that his spell imbuing the blade doesn’t have any effect!
The Guardian continues to lay into the raging Morgrym, landing a pair of nasty blows (Damage = 40) that nearly drops the fighter. Only his anger keeps him on his feet, even though his injuries look grievous!
= Hit!
= Hit! Possible Crit!
= No Crit…
vs Morrow’s AC = Hit, Possible Crit!
= Crit Confirmed!
(25 bludgeoning + 8 sonic)
vs Morgrym’s AC = Hit!
(14 bludgeoning + 5 sonic)
vs Morgrym’s AC = Hit!
(14 bludgeoning + 7 sonic)
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
Round 2
Morgrym 9/84 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; Raging (-2 AC, +4 to STR/CON [+16 HP], +2 to Will saves) until Round 8; +2 insight bonus to attack/damage rolls vs Guardian for remainder of combat]
Morrow 35/68 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes)]
Guardian – Wounded [90 damage]
Reonnyn 59/59 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Verdan 54/54 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; Iron Silence (no AC penalty to Hide/Move Silently checks) for 9 hours]
Nebuzaradan 46/46 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; Greater Mage Armor (+6 armor bonus to AC) for 9 hours; Overland Flight (as Fly, with 40' speed and average maneuverability) for 9 hours]
Seeing direct spells have little effect, Nebuzaradan begins to summon a dire wolf to help the beleaguered warriors in the fray. (summon monster IV: Fiendish Dire Wolf)
Neb identifies the protective spell - dimly seen as a shimmering field of some kind - surrounding the Guardian as a Globe of Invulnerability - albeit of the minor kind. The dwarven wizard figures it must have been a 'stored' spell that the creator of the Guardian gifted the construct with - probably triggered to activate when it animated.
Morrow considers everything that he knows about this beast, hoping something clicks and gives an answer that might save their lives....
He puts everything he can into swinging of his sword....
Verdan moves up to Morgrym and place's a hand on his shoulder. "My the blessing of Pelor heal your wounds." And he grips his holy symbol letting in a 60' burst, the positive energies flow form his holy spirt to all others within range. He then cast Cure Critical Wounds upon Morgrym.
Reonnyn thinks aloud "Yeah mages won't stand a chance against it!" as he moves in to draw attention away from the warriors. Tumbling in he stabs at the guardian!
Sunday, 2nd day of Planting, 594 C.Y.
Weather outside the Wizard’s Guild is unknown.
Current time is estimated to be a few hours after sunrise.
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Reonnyn performs some nice acrobatics to get within reach of the Guardian without catching its attention, but the halfling isn’t able to get in a good blow. Verdan strides forward and touches Morgrym, channeling the healing magic of Pelor to bring him back from death’s door. Neb begins to summon a creature to help them, but Morrow channels his own arcane energy into his sword and puts an end to the thing as his blade bites deep into its leg, then removes its head by hacking through what passes as the construct’s neck!
All is quiet as the chamber comes to life once more. All seven pillars begin glowing in their former colors again, and the ground fog takes on its familiar, multi-colored hue. Neb’s spell, once begun, must necessarily be concluded and the dwarven wizard brings an immense wolf to guard the party from further threats. The animal growls deep in its throat but makes no attack, as there is no living enemy present.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
Map History of the Ruins of Castle Greyhawk
----------------------------------------------
Round 3
Morgrym 44/84 [Raging (-2 AC, +4 to STR/CON [+16 HP], +2 to Will saves) until Round 8]
Morrow 35/68 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes)]
Reonnyn 59/59 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Verdan 54/54 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; Iron Silence (no AC penalty to Hide/Move Silently checks) for 9 hours]
Nebuzaradan 46/46 [Blessed (+1 to attack rolls/saves vs fear) for 9 minutes; Summoned Dire Wolf until Round 12; Greater Mage Armor (+6 armor bonus to AC) for 9 hours; Overland Flight (as Fly, with 40' speed and average maneuverability) for 9 hours]