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The party follows the ridge as best they can, but it heads into a wall. Unfortunately, there seems to be no door there, and even taking several minutes of time to search, a secret door is not around the area. The only other door in that direction is along the same hallway. The party inspects the door, finding no traps or locks, but the collapse did jam the door and some strength will have to be used.
No noise can be heard from the other side.
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Jinx's feline strength is enough to open the door!
There can be little doubt what the purpose of this chamber once served. The dank room stores an ancient rack, a fanciful brazen bull, an iron maiden, a cauldron, iron chairs with sharp edges and cruel protuberances, and a wooden table upon which sit various implements of torture. A bronze plaque affixed to the western wall depicts a crowing rooster above crossed spears. Underneath the spear, a short phrase is inscribed.
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The party makes their first forays into the room. Darb heads towards the plaque, which reads in Common, 'Confession Cleanses the Soul - Pain Clarifies the Mind'.
The bronze plaque bears the Canteclure family crest.
You hear in your head, 'You look weary. Rest in one of the chairs provided here.' You feel like that it is a good idea, even though the chair does have sharp, pointy edges on it it.
Darb, as he explores, chirps his head, shrugs to himself, and sits on one of the painfully modified chairs.
At the same time, Wakiyan notices a secret door to the right of the entrance.
Goblin blood drips down from the chair as the goblin gets a confused look on its face and a raven, unseen until now, appears on the crowing rooster plaque, cawing in delight at Darb's misfortune.
"Greetings, fine citizens of our glorious empire! So good to have visitors, though I fear I have no refreshments to offer.", the raven scanning the party as it introduces itself. "I assume you are here for treasure. Well, I'd be happy to assist, provided you give me what I require! It has been so long since I as able to ply my trade. I require only that each of you shed your life's blood in this room - simply take a seat in one of my lovely chairs."
Seeing the undine spy the doorway, the raven caws, "Ahh, so you found the door already. Good eyes, but it is locked with an ingenious device. However, I can tell you where the key is... if you all would only take a seat in one of my lovely chairs."
"pain is temporary. I will endure this." Nori stood in front of a chair and took a few breaths as she steeled her mind against the pain. With a quick drop, she sat down, letting the device pierce her.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Jinx, already wounded, reluctantly sits in one of the chairs.
The catwoman is barely conscious as her leg fur stained with her blood. "Yes, yes! I missed this so!"
The crow then looks at the door. "Now for my part of the bargain... the key is not real, but by code! You must knock thrice, than once, then twice. Then the door will be unlocked and the treasure yours!", the crow tapping its beak against the plaque to the rhythm of the knocks.
The crow squawks something and disappears.
It was an invisibility spell.
The spell was a spell-like ability, with bits of Infernal mixed in.
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Wakiyan knocks on the door... only to find nothing happens!
However, he then feels a feels a sharp sting in his back as a tiny demonic looking man with a barbed tail now appears flying behind the undine. "Leaving so soon?!", it squeaks, the same voice as the crow.
Init Order (bold = up)
Jinx
Darb
Wakiyan
Nori
Flying devil
Nori curses and draws her weapon. She stands near Jinx, "I'll protect our friend here. Can you handle the imp?"
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@Wakiyan: No spell resistance... but other nasty resistances![/ooc]
Wakiyan and Darb are both horrified that their attacks do nothing to the tiny flying man who cackles in delight.
This is an imp, a tiny devil who delights in torment. They can make themselves invisible at will and change shape. Their stings are poisonous and they bear the standard devil resistances; immune to fire and poison and resisting acid and cold.
Imps have fast healing and worse require good or silver weapons to fully damage them.
Meanwhile, Nori tries to defend the severely injured Jinx.
Init Order (bold = up)
Jinx (8 damage, 1 nonthal damage)
Darb (4 damage)
Wakiyan (1 damage, 1 Dex damage, poisoned)
Nori (3 damage)
Flying devil
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Jinx tries to defend her self, too, as the little devil continues its assault!
Luckily, the undine's blood finally rejects the venom in his body.
"I'm gonna keep you here... forever! Hehehehe!", it cackles as it lashes out now at Darb.
However, the boastful imp doesn't quite pay attention to the goblin's height and goes right over Darb's head!
Init Order (bold = up)
Jinx (8 damage, 1 nonthal damage)
Darb (4 damage)
Wakiyan (1 damage, 1 Dex damage, poisoned)
Nori (3 damage)
Flying devil
Nori sees Jinx return, albeit unsteadily, to her feet, "Stay back... We've got this." She steps up and swings her blade at the hovering creature.
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Jinx's empties her bag and holds it out the the party!
The minuscule devil takes offense to this. "Why you! Bag the mighty Harzogopas?! I keel you!"
It then angrily flies over Nori's head to attack Jinx!
Amazingly, the little terror can't puncture through Jinx's armor!
Init Order (bold = up)
Jinx (8 damage, 1 nonthal damage)
Darb (4 damage)
Wakiyan (3 damage, 1 Dex damage)
Nori (3 damage)
Harzogopas