Draeven, arms folded, shifts his weight from one foot to the other while clearing his throat slightly.
Rennyn stands silently watching, slowly shaking his head, as the Sheriff walks off.
It is clear that Sheriff Hemlock has his hands full and is prioritizing his efforts to see to the well being of the town ahead of the paladin's question. Noticing the impatience surrounding Draeven and Rennyn Belor finishes with the guards and returns, Apologies Master Rennyn, as you might have guessed I am quite busy. I've just asked those two to discretely begin preparations in the stables. Belor seems to hesitate for a moment, I have noted your interest in how we are assisting with the people. If you and Draeven are not going to head up to the Old Light right away, I could use your skills in keeping the peace near the Rusty Dragon. For now we are telling everyone to, "Try to stay calm. Although the beam is directed skyward and away from us, everyone should remain indoors. We are looking into this and as soon as we've determined what's happened, as well as the dangers this posses, we will let everyone know." The Sheriff watches your reaction carefully and you sense from his expression that he is uncertain that this was you intent.
Kenan shrugs his shoulders at the Sheriff. If you have need of us to examine the cause of this light and explosion than I am pleased to serve. It is probably nothing after all. He states his face showing he clearly does not believe the last statement.
Kenan looks at the others before drawing his bow and heading towards the old light.
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon
The Old Light is built into the side of a cliff in the northwestern section of town overlooking the Varisian Gulf. The cliff face is about 120 feet in height, with the tower stretching up another 50 feet. The total height of the Old Light is approximately 170 feet over sea level making it the tallest structure in Sandpoint. From a distance its crown is a tumble of weather-beaten stones, ruined long ago. Various Thassilonian markings and writing found near the top of the tower have been interpreted by many to mean the tower was once crowned by a very bright light. The agreed upon conclusion is this was once a lighthouse. By the time enough rope has been collected (you need over 200ft) and the group gathers at the top of the cliff upon which the Old Light sits, the beam of light flutters then disappears. As you draw near, an examination of the stonework show while the cliff face rocks that jut out around the tower are moss covered, the stones of the tower itself are eerily devoid of attached life; they also seem far cooler and less eroded than one would imagine considering what's just happened. In fact the tower's masonry is quite smooth and cool to the touch. A small crack stretches along part of the tower wall facing the gulf. Large enough for a medium sized creature to enter, its location is known to practically every inhabitant of Sandpoint. Inside, a jagged stone floor approximately 21 feet by 33 feet sits about 30 feet below. From there it is a straight drop down for another 170 feet. Strewn with rubble this upper section was originally two different floors, and the stone rubble which now rests here is all that remains of the floor above. There are no other obvious exits from this room. Nearly 200 feet below the city of Sandpoint, from this vantage you can see the bottom of the ruined tower. Surprisingly clean, it looks like a carpet of sickly pale green moss littered by a few shattered chunks of stonework.
Eyeing the crack that would allow them into the tower Fenra sighs, Let's go in then.
Seeing that the light has disappeared, she volunteers to cast light on something for Jeryn knowing that the rest of them will not need to be as close to the light source.
Jeryn says Perhaps we will be able to find something or decipher some clue that others have overlooked.
Grinning and winking at Fenra he says We are, after all, the finest group of adventurers Sandpoint has ever seen!
With that he checks over his belongings, making sure he is ready, before offering the tip of his staff to Fenra to bestow her charm of light upon.
Grinning and winking at Fenra... before offering the "tip of his staff" to her to bestow her "charm of light" upon.
Jeryn says, We are, after all, the finest group of adventurers Sandpoint has ever seen!
Kenan stretches a tight skinned smile at Fenra. After you M'lady. He says to her in a slight mocking tone before entering through the crack in the wall.
Fenra gives a puzzled look to Kenan before syaing, Perhaps the ones who see in the dark can take the lead.
Draeven steps through the opening...
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon
Noticing the 30ft drop, (player X) wisely ties off one end of a section of rope to a nearby boulder jutting out from the cliff face. With the rope in place you safely make your way down to the partial floor. The air is noticeably warmer here and casting your eyes up at the top, you see the tower is open; the blue sky overhead illuminates much of the interior and floor below. Secured deep within the face of the tower wall, a few spikes left behind by previous groups sit idle. Using these, (X) secures the rest of the rope then throws the coils over the edge.
It is a long way down, longer for those not wearing gloves and your hands are relieved when your feet finally do touch ground. From above the pale green moss looked soft and inviting however your first steps onto the foliage are met with gentle cracks and crunches as though stepping upon broken egg shells. Despite the heavy rains which had plagued Sandpoint this week, the floor here is bone dry yet the air has cooled to just above what would be considered normal. Logic whispers, The beam of light has burned off any moisture here. Fitted stonework flooring fills a circular chamber approximately 150ft in diameter. The walls are as smooth and cool as the exterior walls above. Ten feet above and all around these walls is inscribed ancient Thassilonian symbols. Other than concluding the symbols and characters etched here are very similar to runes of some kind, the language is very difficult to decipher. Close inspection of the walls and floor reveal no indications of doors or any other means of generating the beam of light. As you move however, your footsteps easily crush and crumble the dried moss. The dried layer is strangely not attached to the stonework below and you can easily clear away a portion of the floor. As you do more Thassilonian writing is revealed.
Climb checks vs. DC 5...going down its pretty much automatic that everyone makes it.
Is there writing that is only visible with detect magic or can I put this in without stomping over the rules too much?
Fenra wonders aloud, Is this it?
She moves the moss aside but, not being an expert in languages she does comprehend the strange writings. She turns to Jeryn,
What make you of these?She asks, indicating the likely runes.
A few murmurs brings to her the ability to sense magical auras and she searches the room for any.
Rennyn steps up beside Fenra, casts a spell, and then begins translating the ancient Thassilonian symbols for her.
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon | The Old Light
With glowing eyes, the oracle and paladin get to work making sense of the markings which surround them. Of the inscriptions set upon the wall the message translates as: “Look at Xin-Bakrakhan Triumphant,” which with a bit more insight might also be taken to read "Behold the glory of Xin-Bakrakhan". Other parts of the floor repeat, “With Alaznist's potent wrath is discomposure". A scholarly interpretation might be "Fear the wrath of Alaznist and her might.” This much was already discovered by previous groups and is known to you. Adding to this your skills to see into the mysterious world of the arcane, other runes appear. Spaced in between the markings on the wall are runes of a different nature. Despite his efforts, these markings bear little meaning to Rennyn in terms of a message but the meanings suggest, "Power, Fire, Light, Focus, Combine". Upon the floor other runes appear. Etched separately from those inscribed, these markings signify "When facing Xin-Bakrakhan, one will or should(?) surrender to Alaznist's word."
Kenan examines the area for any signs of hidden passages and leaves the magic stuff to the others.
Anyone know how to say "wrath" in ancient Thassilonian?
Draeven examines the ground closely, looking for any sign that someone else was recently within the tower.
I do not speak thassilonian but I am sure Jeryn must. He states while giving Jeryn a nudge in the ribs.
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon | The Old Light
As the others focus their sights on the mystical properties of the chamber, Kenan takes a closer look at the masonry surrounding them. Trying to find something within the architecture of the stones is a more challenging task than he'd originally anticipated. The seams of each joint are perfectly fitted, cut specifically for each placement and devoid of pattern. Having been momentarily distracted with talk, the monk catches something out of the corner of his eye. After covering nearly 75 feet of wall and now facing east, Kenan sees a hint of difference between the gaps of the head and bed joints along a few of the cut stones. The gaps trace an odd outline but if he is right, Could this be a door?
Draeven examines the ground closely, looking for any sign that someone else was recently within the tower.
After watching Kenan meticulously search the wall for over half an hour, Rennyn is stunned when one is actually found. First someone tells me nobody has confirmed the fate of an entire community, nor visited it in the intervening decades, and now we find a secret door in a ruin supposedly investigated extensively? Did no one cast a simple spell to reveal secret doors any of the multitude of times this place was previously examined? Rennyn remarks incredulously.
Noting the direction of the apparent portal, Rennyn thinks to himself, "That is odd, I'm pretty sure that Xin-Bakrakhan was to the north west of here."
Unfortunately the ranger's inspection of the floor reveals nothing the group has not already discovered.
Do you want help checking that door Kenan?
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon | The Old Light
Stepping next forward, Draeven lends his eyes to the monk's find. There is indeed a gap, albeit only a hair's width, outlining a jagged doorway. With no visible handle and seeing nothing overly suspicious, the two surmise the barrier is likely safe to touch or manipulate.
The portal is blocked. Unless someone has an idea on how to open it, or bypass it, we are done here for now.
We could procure either some tools, hammers and such, to break the door open, or we could try to acquire a magical means to open the door. A wand or scroll of knock should do the trick.
Jeryn, do you want to check about town and see?
Hmm...wrath...ancient Thasellonian..
He ponders on it for a moment.
Jeryn seems to share Rennyn's derision at the thoroughness of previous explorers.
He moves over to the passage way and inspects it. Perhaps I could summon a creature to the other side and have them clear the obstruction? I do not know the names of any denizens of the lower worlds but I could perhaps summon a dog and have them try to push against the obstruction or take hold of it in their teeth and pull it away.
The only other thing I could think of would be to use a mage hand to see if there is anything that could be manipulated on the other side. If neither of these is feasible, I shall return to town and see about that knock wand or scroll.
Draeven responds to Jeryn, Given the lack of a locking mechanism from this side I suspect the door is magically held. As Rennyn is alluding to, you likely need to utter a passphrase or some such thing. Even being on the other side won't likely allow the door to be opened.
Let's go see if Bordamir has recovered enough to take a look at these writings. I'm sure if nothing else they will be of scholarly interest to him.
Do you think he will be able to rope down here? And get back up?
If you wish to lead him here, some of us will continue looking for other hidden doors...
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon | The Old Light
Who's staying and who's is going?
Inside, a jagged stone floor approximately 21 feet by 33 feet sits about 30 feet below. From there it is a straight drop down for another 170 feet.
Why don't you go Jeryn, and if Bordamir seems disinclined to join us, you can see about those scrolls. Maybe pick them up either way...
Current XP Total: 3,195 (2nd Level) (Next level at 5,000) SatNav | The Rusty Dragon | The Old Light
As painful as it is for Draeven to watch, Jeryn begins his struggle up the long length of rope. The wizard's climb is mildly entertaining however; one minute he makes excellent progress using an impressive hand over hand technique that even a seasoned climber would find remarkable. The next minute borders on terrifying. Sweating hands lead to several slips and it is only by shear determination, and quick footing, that these fumbles do not turn dire. Swinging his leg over the first landing, it takes the last of Jeryn's strength just for him to manage climbing up the last section of rope. Partially obscured from view below, a short yelp tells those waiting below that this last section was the hardest.
Stepping out into the early afternoon sun, Jeryn avoids queries from the Sheriff and makes his way back to the Rusty Dragon. Inside, a ruffled Bordamir sits at the bar next to Brodert. In front of the plump scholar, two empty shot glasses sit on the wooden counter top with a third waiting in his hand. Brodert nurses a pint as Ameiko watches with a kind of vacant stare. Either she is thoroughly bored with the two men's topic of conversation or the Tian is lost in thought. The hostess greets Jeryn in her usual, Oh, hey Jeryn, manner, however it is rather un-energetic. With the whole of Sandpoint on edge, Ameiko's cool head seems out of place.
Bordamir and Brodert listen intently to the wizard's report of glowing runes and a concealed door. Enthused, Bordamir downs his drink and slams the glass down on the bar, I knew it! Brodert, how exciting is this?! I simply can't resist going to see it!
The two men agree to meet Jeryn back at the tower as Jeryn heads to the Feathered Serpent to procure some magical assistance opening the portal. Fortunately, Voon has what Jeryn needs and the wizard is soon back at the opening leading down into the Old Light.
The three men slide their way down the first section of rope to the landing but neither Bordamir nor Brodert seem very happy with the idea of another 170ft shimmy, not with their current blood alcohol. Opening the wooden box, Bordamir grins at Brodert and Jeryn as he takes out his leather journal and three vials, Are you game my friend?
I'd be thrilled! replies Brodert. Offering the third vial to Jeryn, Bordamir closes the box again then gently wiggles off the small cork topper before downing the pale liquid in one swift gulp. Taking a deep breath, the scholar grins before stepping backwards off the platform. But instead of dropping like a stone, the man's decent is caught as though in slow motion. *Brimming with confidence once again, it is by no mere coincidence that Bordamir has exactly what is needed tucked inside his wooden box. Having researched this site, the scholar knew of the long drop to the bottom and has used his wealth to secure enough of this useful potion for both himself and those he'd intended to hire as escorts. Giggling all the way down, Bordamir turns to face the slowly approaching stonework floor below and places his glasses upon his face to gaze at the runes, Wonderful! They are still intact! Nearing the ground, Bordamir flaps his arms frantically as he tries to right himself once again but fails miserably. As the ground greets his face, the plump man manages to shield his face at the last second with his arms.