east since it is closer
Ausk points in the eastern direction This way yes. The Earth Spirit speaks in this way yes?
"Come on then, East we go. Might as well be methodical."
Wulfric leads off to the east.
The group follows the eastern corridor. After some time they note a large capstone filling the entranceway to a man‐high opening in the north wall, nearly identical to the one they left undisturbed in one of the southern tunnels before they were attacked by skeletons. Shortly after this point, the passage turns sharply south.
After some more travel the maze-like passage deposits the party back into the waterfall chamber, and they again find themselves standing in front of the shallow pool with angular runes carved into the rock around it.
Might as well inspect the capstone.
Take 20, so 25 perception.
Rather than stand around, Wulfric may as well assist for +2
The cap stone is just what it appears to be - a large cut and dressed stone rolled into place to block an entrance, likely to a burial site. Wilf and Wulfric could roll it of the way if they put their backs into it.
Since Wilf and Wulfric seem disinclined to physical labor, Ausk motions the party forward towards the south.
Wilf will give a shot to moving the plug since we're here anyway.
Vilesse stands to one side, watching as Wilf pushes against the capstone.
"Wait Wilf, shouldn't we check it all out first.... Oh what the hell, saves walking back."
Wilf and Wulfric push away the stone easily enough. Beyond is a small chamber where the mouldering remains of a priest lie in a plain stone sarcophagus. Among the bones, are fragments of cloth (the obvious remains of ceremonial gear) and so on. Of particular note is a circlet of beaten gold inlaid with platinum detailing and set with a large orange gem. It radiates faint evocation magic when subjected to detect magic
Finding nothing else of note in the burial chamber, the group continues to follow the maze-like passage which deposits the party back into the waterfall chamber, and they again find themselves standing in front of the shallow pool with angular runes carved into the rock around it.
Ausk touches the Circlet reverently and chants a prayer of supplication to the Spirits of the Ancestors.
He spends at least a minute chanting and prostrating himself to appease the spirits of the Tuath Ancestors before picking up the Circlet and explaining its purpose and usage to his allies.
"That's rather nice, i hope we don't have need of it though. Where next then guys?"
"It seems we're stuck with these odd pools of water. The runes must mean something important. "
Vilesse looks curiously at the circlet. "I hope that is not a harbinger of things to come."
Can we try D or is it blocked?
Might as well head that way then.
Ausk concurs and moves in that direction.
The party chooses not to tamper with the magical pool for a second time and heads up the paved passageway which, predictably, leads them back to the crossroads where they fought the two skeletons.
From here the group can continue west along the paved passage, or head south to where the found the other capstone and then west along the natural tunnel.
South!
Buoyed by their discovery of the Tuathi artifact in the norther burial chamber, Wilf and wulfric attmpt to move the southern capstone...
...The stone rolls away easily but inside is a mouldering ruin. At some point water from the lake penetrated this room. Everything inside is rotted and rancid, and a fine cloud of dust, mould and spores billows outward, enveloping the group...
Other than some coughing, no one feels worse for wear for the experience. The group follows the passage which curves to the west again, and yet again crosses over the shallow blood coloured river, this time flowing north-south. After crossing the passage turns north and you reach another intersection. Continue north, or turn east?
North.
North
Well i want to go east!
Just pissing about. North is good.
After checking everyone is ok Wulfric leads them on. At the intersection he checks with the others before heading north.
The group heads north. The passage ends in a T-junction with the paved road again. You can turn left and follow the paved road north west, or turn right and follow it east, where at the edge of Vilesse's light it seems to start to widen out, and you can catch a glint of water reflected on the ground.
This way friends. Ausk says, beckoning toward the paved road northwest.
Wilf will follow Ausk's lead.
following the paved path deeper into the complex leads the party to a third capstone.
Beyond the capstone the paved road continues to twist onward east. Tunnels branch off it, first north, then another south
try again
try again
After some straining, the capstone rolls away
Vilesse peers at the runes, attempting to decipher them in the correct order.
With only a few minutes of study Vilesse is able to piece together some of the fragments into a meaningful incantation. There is a swell of power from the runes she reads and a feeling of strength and wellbeing flows through her.
" Shall we continue North? Follow me then."
Ah yes friend. We go North! Ausk says, Sheeha the owl perched on his shoulder.
"Ayup, north works. "
Vilesse follows the others to the north.
The party heads north and comes to an intersection of four passages. Two of these look like switchbacks, running back the way the party has come. The fourth continues north, where uneven, roughly hewn steps lead down into a natural cavern dominated by a pool of liquid fire. Four huge, intricate carved demon heads with gaping maws and glittering black eyes sit upon roughly hewn plinths. The ceiling towers 40 ft. above your heads.
"This is getting very odd. "
looks around
Ausk also looks around and uses his spirit sight
Vilesse frowns at the fire and the demon statues, trying to figure out how the half-goblins could have created such things.
Slightly freaked out by the demon statues, Wulfric creeps towards them, Guisarme in the ready position.
As you descend the steps, smokeless flames suddenly fill the maws of each carven demon head and a low chuckle echoes through the chamber. Behold the Abyssal Flame, mortals. Come forth so it may roast your flesh and scorch your bones!
"OK, that really doesn't sound good. " but in spite of his fear he will move back up Wulfric.
Vilesse, still frowning, calls on her mystical training to see beyond the veil.