GM Erich's Salvation Of The Sages (Subtier 10-11) (Inactive)

Game Master Thereus, Silver Crusader

Sinuhotep sounds good.

No one is fatigued after eating something.

Eventually the sage jewels locate a hidden entrance. The sages solemnly descend into the darkness with you. You arrive at a platform a few dozen feet below ground, corridors branch off in several directions. The shifting and rising of the settlement has revealed hidden passages within the complex.

"This is where we part, for now. You head that way. Good luck, Pathfinders. We hope you find what you are looking for." Tahonikepsu nods as she disappears down a corridor with the rest of the sages.

The structure rumbles as the ancient wards continue to shift the sunken ruins toward the surface in response to the presence of the sage jewels.

"Well, we better get moving." Sinuhotep intones and you turn the opposite direction to search. After a few hundred feet you reach a large stone door and search it. Seems safe.

Anyone who needs light, please provide a source.

I’ll mark your progress on the main map with the Glyph of the Open Road. If we need to go to a mini-map, we will.

Magor drank an antiplague as well.

Magor runs a hand over the nearest wall and frowns, "As I expected, this work isn't dwarven, and that is why it is crumbling. We best hurry, I could save some of you from a cave in, but probably not all."

Would it be possible for me to periodically make Profession (mason) checks to determine the structure's status?

@DM: The blessing list looks right; is Low-Light Vision good enough?

I don't suppose anyone has an antiplague for me?

Current Buffs, please check for accuracy

Vladek you can grab one of my antiplagues, got 4 left... also, I'll take one of those 3 heroisms as well... thanks for the reminder GM Erich!

GM Erich wrote:

Current Buffs, please check for accuracy

Vladek you can grab one of my antiplagues, got 4 left... also, I'll take one of those 3 heroisms as well... thanks for the reminder GM Erich!

Indeed! I'll take a heroism too if nobody else could use it more.

Evad drinks his potion of darkvision as they head into the tombs darkness.

Rok tries to see if there are any traps on the stone door, then focuses on the ley lines present to amplify his sensitivity to the which in not of the earth.

perception; heroism: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25

Uses: Spirit Sense (Sp)... detects the presence of undead; fey; outsiders; and astral, ethereal, or incorporeal creatures. This ability functions like detect undead, and the druid detects all of these creatures rather than trying to detect one kind...

looks good

@Vladek, someone will need a light source for low light to function

@Magor I'll let you know if there is something that your profession could help with.

The door looks safe, just heavy. Magor peers through and sees a corridor and stairs beyond. It takes a couple of you to open the stone door. A rush of foul air greets you as the seal breaks.

I’ll need a fortitude save vs disease from everyone.

A set of steep stairs, somewhat malaligned from the recent tremors and upheavals, reaches into the darkness below. At the bottom, a small, circular chamber serves as an intersection, with hallways departing to the north, west, and east, and of course, the stairs leading back upward to the south.

A faintly glowing inscription of hieroglyphic writing spirals out from a round stone pillar carved with similar markings in an ancient script.

Immune to disease: Monk

Rok translates the writing for anyone that can not read it; "The n-n-north looks interesting, but maybe later."

Theodric's falcata glows like a torch - 20 foot radius. It is currently drawn.

Rogar tries to shake off the germs in the cave.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Magor points to the writing on the pillar, "These are signs to the various rooms: Doorway to Oblivion; archives, waste disposal, slave pits, and incubation chambers; cleansing room, plague laboratory, and memory extraction"

The dwarf then scuffs a boot on the floor writing, "And this one says, 'Within frail flesh lie ideas, and they can transform the world.'"

Vladek pulls out his Wayfinder to light his way.

As the miasma strikes Vladek, his magical cloak of leaves stirs angrily about him for a moment!
Fortitude save vs disease, antiplague, Ward of Autumn: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Fortitude save vs disease, antiplague, Ward of Autumn: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

My ward of the seasons loses 1 hour of duration...but talk about a waste. :P

"With the exception of great incantations, truer words were never spoken," Vladek affirms as he reads the inscription.

Could Qadathra have also taken an antiplague?

Fortitude save vs disease: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 +5 if he was allowed an antiplague...not that it looks like he's in much danger at the moment.

"By the gods, this... [silent gag!] ...smells like the service entrance of a tannery!"

Fort Save vs. Disease, Heroism, Antiplague: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 2 + 5 = 24

With the free buckler hand, Theodric brings a mint-scented handkerchief to his mouth and nose...

Good rolls everyone (Evad is immune as well), now which way?

"The archives may be g-g-good. Less g-g-go east."

"Lead the way, mighty Thunder Cat!"

Ah it's good to be a monk!

Yes let's see if the archives provide anything useful. Evad turns toward the east and leads on.

The group moves to the east, ending up shortly in a "library" of some sorts as the corridor opens. Thousands of bones fill the shelves in the center of this chamber as if they were books. Tiny pictographs cover the surface of each bone. A closed door leads north.

"Strange, I feel I have been here before, but that is clearly not possible." Sinuhotep says as he peers in, he shakes his head slowly as if to clear his thoughts.

Do you wish to search the room thoroughly <perception or profession(librarian)>, or move on?

Perhaps, in a way you have. Evad tells the lich.

"Isn't that jewel of yours, Master Sinuhotep, linked to other people's past lives? which previous owner of the jewel would have been familiar with these halls? This place doesn't strike me as a place where happy shiny folks would hang out. Should we be worried? can they exercise control over you?"

Turning to the others, Theodric adds, "We make a very quick inspection of each room and keep moving; this place is not stable."

i.e. those with good perception checks or relevant library skills, make one check... our resources are limited and it's a bad idea to sit 10 min somewhere and run out of our buffs; plus, whole place falling on our heads... that too...

Theodric assists up to two characters with Perception by physically holding books for them.

Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

"Go ahead, dear scholars, you can load me up! says Theodric, his gleaming mithral fullplate joints expanding as his biceps bulges with the heavy books!

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 22
Profession (Librarian), in case it helps any: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28

"Yes, Theodric," Sinuhotep states "the jewel does seem to be speaking to me. It may very well be Tahari that does so. The spirit of each jewel offers its bearer wisdom and knowledge from the past, but this second voice whispers and drives darker impulses. I may be able to help you greatly in discovering the true meaning of these archives and laboratories down here, but I do not know at what cost. That is why I am repressing these thoughts unless you truly want their aid."

Let me know if you want Sinuhotep's help scouring the room.

"Repressing? when a lich tells me they're repressing dark thoughts, I'm usually not the one to say 'go ahead! free your mind, maaaaan!' so consider my vote for a 'no' on the matter of Master Sinuhotep spending one more second here.. let's go!"

Sinuhotep do you feel this second voice played an influence in your original decision to become what you have become or have you only recently become aware of this second voice? Evad asks as he makes his quick search.

Rogar looks around the what appears to be a sort of library.

"Don't know if these old eyes will see something of use"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

With a quick gesture, Magor's eyes take on a faint, bluish glow, and he quickly scans the shelves.

Detect magic, and I vote quick search, no help from Sinuhotep.

Rok frowns, unsure what deeper secrets they are leaving behind but follows the lead of the group.

Sinuhotep stops in the doorway, pondering Evad's question. Finally, he speaks.

"To be honest, I have never questioned my motives before. Perhaps I was guided by her hidden influence. All the more reason to rid the jewel of her power."

Sensing the group's apprehension, he adds. "Very well, I shall remain silent and offer no insights to this complex, unless you change your minds."

The group does a quick glance down the shelves and detects magic to no avail.

-------------------------

The next room gleams when illuminated, bouncing reflections across the multitude of glass tiles covering the walls and floor. The pool in the center of this chamber is utterly still, and a small, pearlescent object glimmers at the bottom. Another door leads north from the room.

It has been about five minutes since you cast buffs and entered.

Rok again uses: Spirit Sense (Sp)... detects the presence of undead; fey; outsiders; and astral, ethereal, or incorporeal creatures.

Rok listens to the the few spirits present before entering and moving to the end of the room to make room for the others. He peers carefully at the pearl in the bottom of the pool, trying to determine what it is.

Looking around Evad comments, Not likely Waste Disposal or Slave Pits, Incubation Chamber? Wonder how it works? As he looks around.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34

There doesn't appear to be any spirits in the room. The object at the bottom of the pool looks like a bead, albeit glowing.

When Evad searches around the room, he locates a hidden alcove behind a tile on the west wall.

Magor checks for magical auras in the room, particularly on the glowing bead. "What did you find over there, Evad?"

The bead (roughly ten feet away) emanates a single aura.

Rok waits for the wise Pathfinders present to give him the go-ahead, then he enters the pool to retrieve the bead.

"Is this some kind of water heater? if so, neat! can someone confirm this? I'd need one for my country estate to keep the livestock water running in the winter months!!"

Theodric then proceeds to carefully enter the room, going along the west wall towards the secret alcove his friends discovered. "Evad, what did you find here?"

Perception Assist, Heroism: 1d20 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 + 2 = 13

Rogar casts detect magic and looks around.

I auto make the DC 17 check

"There's evocation magic around"

Magor spends a few seconds examining the pool and room further, then summons a small water elemental.

Seeing Magor has a plan, Rok stops.

Seems to be a hidden alcove back here. Evad reveals. He then attempts to access said alcove.

The created water elemental obeys Magor without question and slinks into the pool. Halfway down it reacts as if attacked and suddenly dissolves into the surrounding liquid.

--------------------

Opening up the hidden panel, the group finds a canister that contains several items. The first is a strange vial filled with a clear viscous fluid that spontaneously crystallizes into fractally complex formations before melting back to a liquid state.

There is also a scroll of heal, and two vials of antiplague in the canister.

knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Rok carefully sniffs the disturbed water, catching the acidic odor now that the top layer has been disturbed. "Acid"

"Can any of you mage hand that thing out of the acid pool?"

"I can try"

Rogar casts mage hand and tries to lift it out of the acid.

Rok looks to Rogar and then to the strange vial. Wondering if the vial might help with the acid problem.

Rogar tries to lift it with a cantrip but it does not budge. Probably magical, he thinks.