"Resting might be good. I am still injured if anyone might be able to help with that before we sleep. We might want to try and pry this off before we rest though." Sobok will pull out his crowbar and tries to remove the stone with a little strength.
Sobok goes into a rage and starts pulling feverishly at the stone, his muscles bulging as he tries to wrest it off the door using physical strength! It takes nearly a full minute, but finally there is a loud splintering and the stone comes free! It's still got some of door attached to it, and can't be used until the correct command word is uttered, but at least the party has it in their possession!
And with that, the group backtracks to the comfortable room where they first met the dragon shaman and the beguiler to get some much needed rest before continuing onward...
"I think the other bedroom is a better fit. A real bed, a carpet for those not on the bed, and we killed the occupants unlike the illithid which could come back to seek revenge." Neb says quite certain he does not want to stay in the cave.
Before resting Morrow will use the remaining charges on Norebo's Hand to cast Cure Moderate Wounds.
Godsday [Tanabat], 11th day of Planting, 597 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 4 days)
Current time is unknown, probably very early morning or so.
-------------------------------------------------
The party spends a good chunk of time resting in the very fine quarters once held by the Marshal. The accommodations help pass the time as the adventurers recount old stories and speculation about the goings-on here in the dungeons beneath the ruins of Castle Greyhawk - as well as where that mind flayer might be lurking. Eventually, enough time passes for everyone to fell well-rested and ready for whatever perils this new day might bring. Verdan shares the fact that today is Tanabat, being the 11th day of Planting. He tells the party of Olidammara - a very old deity known to the ancient Flan as well as Oerdians as the God of Humor, Music, Revels and Wine and one that is a favorite of rogues and bards, though well-liked or at least tolerated by most of the other gods of non-evil bent. The cleric relates the story of Tanabat, also known as the Seven Sisters Festival. Legend has it, he tells them, that Olidammara was entertained on this day by seven lovely sisters, who welcomed him in his guise as a minstrel and treated him royally. So impressed was he by their treatment and their wine that he revealed himself and offered to transport them to his halls, there to live in bliss forever. Though the vineyard's exact location is a mystery, the legend is widespread, and many grape-growing regions claim that the Seven Sisters came from their lands. At night, therefore, the story is acted out and people head out to the grape arbors, listening for echoes of the sisters' laughter as they ascended to paradise. The rest of the holiday is a general celebration of the grape and its byproducts (especially wine) and features prayers for a good vintage in the coming year.
And so, after making their preparations for the day, the adventurers must next decide on a plan. Explore the area further, perhaps hoping to find something they missed? Deal with the trapped elven princess whose story of her imprisonment may or may not be true? Or explore the passage beyond the mined-out cavern where they slew the hideously deformed giant?
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
----------------------------------------------
Fash 62/62 [Darkvision & Lowlight Vision]
Sobok 118/118 [Draconic Aura (Senses - self and all allies within 30' gain a +2 to Listen and Spot checks as well as Initiative rolls)]
Verdan 61/61 [Shield is readied and is shedding Light (bright light to 40') for 110 minutes; No AC Penalty when using Hide/Move Silently (Iron Silence) for 10 hours]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); Darkvision (Invocation); +2 to Fort Saves (Invocation); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 [Darkvision; +6 armor bonus to AC (Greater Mage Armor) for 10 hours; can fly [average] maneuverability] at a speed of 40' (Overland Flight) for 10 hours]
Morrow 75/75 [Darkvision (Norebo's Hand)]
Well rested, his bedroll being much more comfortable than being chained to the wall, Fash is chipper:"Well, shall we go investigate a giant stairway this fine morn?"
8 Ranks +2 dex + 4 [Racial] +4 [Small] +10 [Cloak/Boots of Elvenkind]
13 Ranks + 2 [Racial] + 5 [Eyes of the Eagle]+2 Aura
13 Ranks + 6 int
8 Ranks +2 dex + 4 [Racial] +4 [Small] +10 [Cloak/Boots of Elvenkind]
13 Ranks + 2 [Racial] + 5 [Eyes of the Eagle]+2 aura
13 Ranks + 6 int
Neb prepares his spells while drinking coffee and eating on tidbits from a field ration. Once complete he prepares his belongings and gets ready to head out. He casts overland flight, greater mage armor, and false life as usual.
"Past where we killed that giant? Sounds like a good place to start the day."
"Wait a moment," Reonnyn interrupts, "Perhaps paying a visit to Rhaina would be prudent here. A fresh perspective would perhaps shed light on her story." Reonnyn explains to Fash and Sobok what the party knows of the trapped 'princess', which isn't much.
Fash frowns: "I wish you had told me about this last night. There are things I could do to investigate if she is truly what she claims to be; but they do require a significant amount of my mojo, and I would prefer to be at full capability when we investigate this great stairway..."
"If we cannot save her now, and she is not about to starve, then I think we should head towards the stairs and hope to find a clue as to how to release her." Sobok says.
"Very well," Reonnyn sighs. "Let us see what the depths hold for us. Our prize awaits!"
Godsday [Tanabat], 11th day of Planting, 597 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 4 days)
Current time is unknown, probably very early morning or so.
-------------------------------------------------
Deciding that there is little that can be done for the elven princess at the moment in any case, the adventurers head into the cavern where the dead giant still lays sprawled out where it fell, and into the tunnel beyond. The rough-hewn passage leads generally southeast at first, though it winds a bit, passing through small, ruined areas that might once have been laboratories or even dormitories - though they are clearly no longer used, covered by the dust of long ages with nothing of value.
The journey is slow-going, for the party is cautious in their exploration and the tunnel proves to be several hundred yards in length. Neb's natural stonecunning allowing him to determine that it is curving in a long, lazy spiral downward about a hundred feet or so. Despite the fact that the walls of the tunnel are covered with grime, the floor is dust free, with a good many bootprints seen here and there, so those with even a modicum of trail sense can tell that this passage has been used frequently and quite recently. Despite this recent foot traffic, they are not bothered during the hour or so they travel along its length, and eventually the tunnel ends in a massive hall - its ceiling lost to vision (though a quick check from an airborne Neb determines that the vaulted ceiling lies some two hundred feet above. As before, there are several side passages leading into areas that look long-abandoned without anything of real interest. However, a very large spiral staircase in the center of the hall leads downward, and it is quite evident that the recent comings and goings originate from here.
The spiral stairs descend quite a ways, perhaps two hundred steps or thereabouts, and end atop a square pyramid of stone set into the wall of a vast cavern. Close at hand looms a gigantic, ruined pyramid, the structure well defined by the light that emanates from Verdan's shield. At one time, a towering skeletal statue had apparently risen from the apex of the great ziggurat, but the sculpture now lies partially shattered over the side of the cracked structure. In its left hand holds what appears to be an enormous skull, while the right grips a scythe that is not carved of stone, but rather an enormous weapon crafted of wood and steel. At the base of the pyramid, a gaping hole can be seen - another stairwell, it would seem - and flickering torchlight is clearly visible from within its inky depths. The rest of the immense cave is lost to shadow, beyond even the sight of the dwarf and those others that possess darkvision.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
----------------------------------------------
Fash 62/62 [Darkvision & Lowlight Vision]
Sobok 118/118 [Draconic Aura (Senses - self and all allies within 30' gain a +2 to Listen and Spot checks as well as Initiative rolls)]
Verdan 61/61 [Shield is readied and is shedding Light (bright light to 40') for 110 minutes; No AC Penalty when using Hide/Move Silently (Iron Silence) for 10 hours]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); Darkvision (Invocation); +2 to Fort Saves (Invocation); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation)]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 +13 THP [Darkvision; +6 armor bonus to AC (Greater Mage Armor) for 10 hours; can fly [average] maneuverability] at a speed of 40' (Overland Flight) for 10 hours; Temporary hit points (False Life) for 10 hours]
Morrow 75/75 [Darkvision (Norebo's Hand)]
Sobok will watch over the others as they look at the statue. His reverence of dragons meant that he paid little attention to the deities of the various humanoid races. He trusts to his hears to tell him if anything was moving closer in the darkness.
+6 int
Having come to the bottom of the spiral stair and sneaked to the corner to peer around, Fash spots the torchlight immediately. He slips back to the party and warns them, telling them of the scene , and then proposes a plan "I can drop a fog cloud above the other stairwell, so the folks with the torches won't see our light coming. Then I'm going to scout around, but the light has to stay where it won't give me away . If I scream for help, you guys come a running"
Fash also mutters a quick cantrip
Peek around the corner at the top of the straight stairs down, and drop a fog cloud overtop of the spiral stairway where I can see reflected torchlight from.
Then he slips down the straight stairway (while keeping a wary eye out for traps) to the corner below and starts peeking around while trying to stay concealed...
Stealth, Take 10: 10 + 8 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 10 = 38
8 Ranks +2 dex + 4 [Racial] +4 [Small] +10 [Cloak/Boots of Elvenkind]
Spot, Take 10: 10 + 13 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 32
13 Ranks + 2 [Racial] + 5 [Eyes of the Eagle]+2 Aura
Search, Take 10: 10 + 13 + 6 = 29
13 Ranks + 6 int
Reonnyn nods in agreement, "I'll join you on this Fash. I can put this ring to good use here." Once Fash has indicated he is ready Reonnyn will activate his Invisibility ring and trail behind about 30' keeping Fash in sight. His Move Silent bonus is +9.
Neb flies a little closer to get a better look at the statue. He shares what he thinks is pertinent.
Morrow agrees with Fash's plan and stays in place.
Godsday [Tanabat], 11th day of Planting, 597 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 4 days)
Current time is unknown, probably very early morning or so.
-------------------------------------------------
Fash whispers a warning to the the others and moves ahead a bit, casting a spell that drops a bank of fog over the exposed stairwell in the center of the shattered pyramid beyond the fallen statue. Then the gnome casts a simple cantrip that will allow the party to speak with whispers over great distances as he descends down the broad staircase from the landing that stands about fifteen feet above the ground.
Neb soars overhead and studies the statue, recognizing it is a depection of Nerull - an evil deity worshipped by the Flan people and called by many names, including The Reaper, Bringer of Darkness, Hater of Life and a few other similarly grim titles. The skull and scythe are his holy symbols, and Nerull's clerics are renowned as cold-blooded and calculating murderers.
Reonnyn activates the ring of invisibility and disappears from sight even as the others move forward as well, since all hell hasn't broken loose when Fash cast his spell and moved down the stairs quietly. Verdan stays a bit farther behind, but the intense light radiating from his shield is beginning to reveal the cavern along with with the statue and the broken pyramid that lies just beyond it - along with the huge patch of fog that conceals the center of the structure.
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
----------------------------------------------
Fash 62/62 [Darkvision & Lowlight Vision; Fog Cloud (cast over the spiral staircase in the center of the broken pyramid) for 100 minutes; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Sobok 118/118 [Draconic Aura (Senses - self and all allies within 30' gain a +2 to Listen and Spot checks as well as Initiative rolls); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Verdan 61/61 [Shield is readied and is shedding Light (bright light to 40') for 45 minutes; No AC Penalty when using Hide/Move Silently (Iron Silence) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); Darkvision (Invocation); +2 to Fort Saves (Invocation); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 +13 THP [Darkvision; +6 armor bonus to AC (Greater Mage Armor) for 10 hours; can fly [average] maneuverability] at a speed of 40' (Overland Flight) for 9 hours; Temporary hit points (False Life) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Morrow 75/75 [Darkvision (Norebo's Hand); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
13 Ranks + 2 [Racial] + 5 [Eyes of the Eagle]+2 Aura
Godsday [Tanabat], 11th day of Planting, 597 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 4 days)
Current time is unknown, probably very early morning or so.
-------------------------------------------------
Fash glances around at the bottom of the steps and notes that the rubble-strewn area around the pyramid looks tricky to get through. Care will have to be taken moving through the debris, but other than this he sees no signs of an ambush or any hidden creatures. But even as the others move out onto the landing, with Verdan's light shedding illumination upon the area, the gnome and a few others who happen to be looking at the statue notice it tremble slightly as it begins to move! Rising up from the waist, it lifts the skull in its left hand as it wields the scythe in its right! Sobok and Neb miss the subtle movement until it's too late...
Surprise Round
Reonnyn
Morrow
Fash
Statue
Verdan
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
----------------------------------------------
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); Darkvision (Invocation); +2 to Fort Saves (Invocation); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Morrow 75/75 [Darkvision (Norebo's Hand); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Fash 62/62 [Darkvision & Lowlight Vision; Fog Cloud (cast over the spiral staircase in the center of the broken pyramid) for 100 minutes; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Statue of Nerull Unwounded
Sobok 118/118 [Draconic Aura (Senses - self and all allies within 30' gain a +2 to Listen and Spot checks as well as Initiative rolls); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Verdan 61/61 [Shield is readied and is shedding Light (bright light to 40') for 45 minutes; No AC Penalty when using Hide/Move Silently (Iron Silence) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 +13 THP [Darkvision; +6 armor bonus to AC (Greater Mage Armor) for 10 hours; can fly [average] maneuverability] at a speed of 40' (Overland Flight) for 9 hours; Temporary hit points (False Life) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes]
Fash swears under his breath "Otyugh droppings!". and guesses that a statue will not be much affected by his mind-affecting spells. He mutters a quick incantation and then ducks backwards into the stairwell, trying to hide...
8 Ranks +2 dex + 4 [Racial] +4 [Small] +10 [Cloak/Boots of Elvenkind]
Reonnyn had no intention of sacrificing his invisibility here, even though he suspected the statue could indeed sense their presence. Deciding to take a risk here he quickly dashes out into the opening, dodging the statue here! "I expect more trouble other than the statue, I will watch out for it!" he whispers to the others.
Godsday [Tanabat], 11th day of Planting, 597 C.Y.
Weather outside is unknown (underground for 4 days)
Current time is unknown, probably very early morning or so.
-------------------------------------------------
Morrow casts a quick spell that puts a keen edge on his blade and begins to move toward the stirring construct. Fash casts a spell to grant his allies great speed and steps a bit away from the moving statue as Reonnyn, still invisible, weaves past the others as only a halfling can do and darts south - well away from the dangerous thing!
The statue levers itself up, leaning on the scythe (which looks about the size of a huge oak tree with a massive blade growing out of the top) and hurls the skull in its left hand at the top of the steps, dead center in the middle of the party clustered on the landing! The result is akin to a hollow catapult stone exploding in their midst as deadly splinters fly in all directions, propelled by a the terrible force with which it was hurled!
Verdan reacts instantly and casts a spell to heal himself and his allies as best he can - which is actually quite a lot!
vs. AC 5 'Touch' to hit the 'explosion' target on the map = Hit!
damage to Fash, Morrow, Sobok and Verdan (i.e. all within 10' of the 'explosion' on the map) - Reflex save vs DC 25 for half damage (don't forget +1 for Haste!)
+12 (Empowered) = 36 HP restored to all those struck by the exploding skull!
As everyone is now aware of the danger, Neb knows that animated statues, or constructs, are brought to life by magic. He figures that the same magic probably animated the creature as Fash drew close enough to it, even if the statue can't see the sneaky little gnome. The thing can surely see in the dark just as well as himself, and is also most certainly immune to poison, mind-affecting spells, sleep and a variety of other things that might fell a normal creature of flesh and blood. Judging by its immense size, it surely has considerable reach and he knows as well that weapons, even magical weapons, will have a tough time smashing through its stone shell and it looks as though it can absorb a lot of damage before it can be brought down. (OOC: So lots of immunities to different kinds of damage as mentioned as well as a few others, it's got a Hardness score you'll have to bust through when inflicting physical damage, and its reach is about 30' or so. It's also got LOTS of HP...)
Ruins of Castle Greyhawk (Overview)
----------------------------------------------
Morrow 75/75 (-56 OR -28 +36 healing) [Darkvision (Norebo's Hand); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 10 rounds]
Fash 62/62 (-56 OR -28 +36 healing) [Darkvision & Lowlight Vision; Fog Cloud (cast over the spiral staircase in the center of the broken pyramid) for 100 minutes; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 9 rounds]
Reonnyn 64/64 [DR 1 / Cold Iron; +1 luck bonus to all saving throws, ability checks and skill checks (Luck Stone); Darkvision (Invocation); +2 to Fort Saves (Invocation); +6 to Bluff, Diplomacy & Intimidate checks (Invocation); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 9 rounds]
Statue of Nerull Unwounded
Sobok 118/118 (-56 OR -28 +36 healing) [Draconic Aura (Senses - self and all allies within 30' gain a +2 to Listen and Spot checks as well as Initiative rolls); Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 9 rounds]
Verdan 61/61 (-56 OR -28 +36 healing) [Shield is readied and is shedding Light (bright light to 40') for 45 minutes; No AC Penalty when using Hide/Move Silently (Iron Silence) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 9 rounds]
Nebuzaradan 50/50 +13 THP [Darkvision; +6 armor bonus to AC (Greater Mage Armor) for 10 hours; can fly [average] maneuverability] at a speed of 40' (Overland Flight) for 9 hours; Temporary hit points (False Life) for 9 hours; Message (allows whispered communication up to 400' distance with line of sight) for 100 minutes; Hasted (+1 attack rolls, Reflex saves and AC, +30' movement and extra attack with a full round attack action) for 9 rounds]
vs dc 25
+3 Beg +2 Rua +2 Dex +3 Resist
Fash manages to avoid the worst of the stone splinters, but still his blood stains the stones below him. Then Pelor's radiance closes his wounds...
Fash looks at the colossal construct looming over them, the giant scythe it bears, and the zone it's reach commands; he realizes he better try something. His hands move gracefully and he whispers words of power... and what appears to be a layer of ice crystals grows over the statues head and upper torso.
Hoping it is blinded, Fash sneaks forward, away from his previous position...
8 Ranks +2 dex + 4 [Racial] +4 [Small] +10 [Cloak/Boots of Elvenkind]
"What can I say, it's a giant animated statue people. It'll feel like you are hitting a wall and has no mind to mess with using fancy spells and we obviously won't be able to poison it." Neb calls out as he prepares to lay into the thing.
No worries though, you got healing for most of it!
Reonnyn shudders involuntarily as the skull impacts the group, Glad I moved there...I wonder whether that statue can be disarmed, I sure don't want to deal with that scythe! He readies an eldritch blast here...targeting the statue's wrist that hold the large scythe...
Feeling the explosion followed by the healing Morrow moves forward, trying to reach a point where he could attack the.... thing. He wasn't even sure that his sword could hurt the thing but at least considering the size he shouldn't be in the way of any of his friends.