M CN Ifrit Ftr3/Brd1 | HP 31/31 | AC 19, T 13, FF 16, CMD 19 | F +6 R +7 W +4 | Performance 6/6 | Per +4 (Darkvision) | Init +3 | Shield On |
If Orin is moving at 15 ft, then Balrog will too. If the Oread is going to slow them all down anyway, then he'll take the advice he heard in the Grand Lodge.
There's always swarms. Novices, they tell you to be ready for anything. Well, a swarm of mosquitoes can kill a knight in full plate and there is nothing he can do about it. Unless he's prepared in exactly the right way. And Golarion is full of swarms. Spiders in cellars, mosquitoes in swamps, rats in sewers. Swarms in places you would think couldn't support any life. It's uncanny.
Accordingly, Balrog is dressed in a strange outfit, with heavy cloth and a hat that includes a mesh screen. He looks like a beekeeper from Hell. Not at all stylish - but DR 10/- vs Fine swarms and 5/- vs Diminutive.
He'll be towards the back - his whip gives him good reach.
male nagaji bloodrager 2 | HP 17/24 (21/28), bloodrage 2/9, destined strike 2/3 | AC 18, T 11, FF 17 | F +6, R +1, W +1 (+2 vs mind-affecting or poison, uncanny dodge) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Spd 30' | Perc +6 | Init +3
Hskrota steps up next to the dwarf and swings his sword at the mysterious attacker.
male nagaji bloodrager 2 | HP 17/24 (21/28), bloodrage 2/9, destined strike 2/3 | AC 18, T 11, FF 17 | F +6, R +1, W +1 (+2 vs mind-affecting or poison, uncanny dodge) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Spd 30' | Perc +6 | Init +3
While the others discuss his handiwork, Hskrota moves on to examine their surroundings and look for anything useful.
Old carvings cover the walls of this square chamber,
thick with dust and cobwebs. Three sets of stone double
doors stand in the three facing walls. Heavy bronze seals
emblazoned with the symbol of Pharasma secure the doors
against whatever lies beyond.
male nagaji bloodrager 2 | HP 17/24 (21/28), bloodrage 2/9, destined strike 2/3 | AC 18, T 11, FF 17 | F +6, R +1, W +1 (+2 vs mind-affecting or poison, uncanny dodge) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Spd 30' | Perc +6 | Init +3
You can't interpret or decipher the ancient markings and symbols on the wall... it's just too ancient for you all!
However the nagaji and ifrit both find some more recent (though still old) graffiti scrawled on the northern wall, which reads, “My heart beats on the wrong side of my chest, or is it right? Is left right, or is it wrong? I don’t know what it means, or why”
board ate my perception roll post, but I guess it's okay since it was pathetic anyway, and others made theirs... don't have the requisite skills for a roll on those though
M CN Ifrit Ftr3/Brd1 | HP 31/31 | AC 19, T 13, FF 16, CMD 19 | F +6 R +7 W +4 | Performance 6/6 | Per +4 (Darkvision) | Init +3 | Shield On |
Balrog is impatient. He charges his whip with arcane power and violet flames race down its length as he cracks it.
"Riddles. I imagine we'll want to explore this entire place, but for now, let's try the right door. Unless any of you see any tracks in this dust."
male nagaji bloodrager 2 | HP 17/24 (21/28), bloodrage 2/9, destined strike 2/3 | AC 18, T 11, FF 17 | F +6, R +1, W +1 (+2 vs mind-affecting or poison, uncanny dodge) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Spd 30' | Perc +6 | Init +3
"Do you think this means anything about which door to use?"
Hskrota listens in at the left door with Orin, wondering if he can hear anything like a heartbeat as suggested by the graffito. If no heartbeat can be heard, he listens at the right door as well.
To those making listening checks at the doors: you only hear the deafening silence of the long dead, deep down in these lower levels of the Godsmouth Ossuary. The three large, massive double stone doors are sealed with a large bronze symbol of Pharasma.
Nithrandyl moves forward to help out the dwarf by the door. "I suppose it does not matter which way we start but Orin is by the door and ready to open it. Shall we proceed?"
M CN Ifrit Ftr3/Brd1 | HP 31/31 | AC 19, T 13, FF 16, CMD 19 | F +6 R +7 W +4 | Performance 6/6 | Per +4 (Darkvision) | Init +3 | Shield On |
"I think we'll need to use the chime to open the door, if it has that seal.
We have to count how many times we use this, and how many we'll need to get back."
Balrog uses the chime on the left door, and the ancient stone portal groans open, dust falling from the ceiling as it's partially load-bearing double doors grate against floor and ceiling. The doors come to a rest and the portal is now wide open.
A strange statue of a half-snake, half-human creature stands in a wide alcove to the south of two large stone doors. Comprising the lower body of a coiling serpent and the upper torso of a human woman, the statue has six wings and a disk containing a seven-pointed star in place of its head. Its crossed arms hold a quill and whip, and the entire statue is covered in verdigris. The faint outline of strange runes can be made out beneath the patina coating the statue.
Nithrandyl may know something about this if he thinks hard enough...
Nithrandyl identifies this deity as Lissala, goddess of runes, fate, and the reward of service. Her worship was common in old Thassilon, but has died out in modern times.
Another set of large double doors stand to the west... beside the statue... which is right next to you all... :)
(sorry if the map isn't clear, but you have to use the zoom button a few times to get there... :) )
M CN Ifrit Ftr3/Brd1 | HP 31/31 | AC 19, T 13, FF 16, CMD 19 | F +6 R +7 W +4 | Performance 6/6 | Per +4 (Darkvision) | Init +3 | Shield On |
Balrog was too busy working on his flaming whip to study such things (gave up Bardic Knowledge for Arcane Strike, and didn't put any ranks into Knowledge).
"Wasp, Nithrandyl, Orin; take a look at the auras on the quill and the statue."
Orin examines the statue and the quill with detect magic, but without the requisite skills, he can't identify the exact purpose of either, but he should be able to detect at least the type of magic on each one.
Since there is no rush, I'm gonna say that you were taking 10 so you're not sure about the quill, other than it's probably a separate magic item that requires a Spellcraft check to identify [because it's strong magic, taking 10 won't do... you need to roll high on Spellcraft; if you fail you can try once per day though, unlike the Knowledge skill]; however the faint magic on the statue is interesting, as the nature of the aura keeps changing: divination, enchantment, necromancy, etc. and so on!
male nagaji bloodrager 2 | HP 17/24 (21/28), bloodrage 2/9, destined strike 2/3 | AC 18, T 11, FF 17 | F +6, R +1, W +1 (+2 vs mind-affecting or poison, uncanny dodge) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Spd 30' | Perc +6 | Init +3
Hskrota shudders at the bizzarre image of the ancient goddess. He listens casually as the others discuss their magical findings.
1=Hskrota takes the lead; 2=Wasp takes the lead:1d2 ⇒ 1
Hskrota listens patiently to the scholars of the group, then tries to push next set of double doors open. Just like the three initial portals in the first room, these ancient, large stone doors do not budge, and would require the chime of opening.
