Sebastian eyes the statue suspiciously. "If you want to open it, be my guest," he says, inviting Tyrandro. He's staying far away from the thing; strange statues had a way of heralding bad things in Sebastian's experience.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
"More like an extravagant nightstand. Look, it has a drawer." Tyrandro tells and pulls it open.
Find anything, Iolana?
Inside the drawer is a 4-foot-diameter circular frame containing several wedge-shaped metal plates, each punched with its own intricate design. Each plate slides smoothly over or under the two adjacent plates along the outer ring. If you assemble all the plates to form a full circle, you can see that it is about the same diameter as the glowing hole in the floor.
Hmm..Perhaps a platform that will take us down the hole safely?
"The whip is magical, but I can't tell you anything else about it. Sorry. It's not ours though so I think I'll just leave it there." She gives Krojun a look over her shoulder.
"It never hurts to try." She grabs one of the disk pieces and heads back into the room with the glowing well.
Ayako follows
Once assembled, the ring fits perfectly over the entrance to the illumacore. Light from the shaft below shines through the openings in the plates to create a pattern of lines on the ceiling above. The markings line up to create a huge map of what the acropolis once looked like during the height of the Thassilonian empire. A few rounds of study allows you to note that the few rooms that remain extant today are but a small fraction of the chambers that once sprawled here.
You can see that there are a few rooms below you accessible through the shaft. The rest of the chambers are all blocked off.
That's when the doors exiting the room slide open and four Red Mantis assassins burst in. Consequently, opening the door also allows the tentacle to reach inside as well.
Where did they come from? I am casting a spell at them so be careful Ayako blows some onyx powder at the ones to the north, seeking to dull their senses.
MuShu squeals as he senses his mistress' alarm and a glowing hand appears over him to clutch his wand
Tyrandro aims his bow. "When it comes to protecting this temple from desecration your safety measures are a bit lacking. If you only have an eye on those who ask nicely beforehand."
Tyrandro shoots an Assassin.
Iolana raises a hand and casts Haste on the party. "Take them down, please. I'm really tired of dealing with these red bugs." She then takes a step back.
Iolana hastes the party.
Sebastian steps up and one-two-three stabs the nearest assassin in rapid succession. His human-bane rapier is extremely effective.
Tyrandro likewise, plants three arrows into the assassin to his left.
A shower of iridescent black particles cover the group of assassins. Two fight of the effect but Red Mantis Assassin #3 and the tentacle become fatigued.
"When it comes to protecting this temple from desecration your safety measures are a bit lacking. If you only have an eye on those who ask nicely beforehand."
"Hmph! Protecting the temple from desecration? This is the acropolis of the THRALLKEEPERS. These Azlanti kept my people, the Shoanti, as slaves. Why would we care if this place is desecrated. Those who come here, do so because it is dangerous. It proves a young Shoanti's bravery much like doing a doing a burn run ahead of an emberstorm." Krojun responds. He crosses his arms and stands stoically without aiding you this round.
Trinia breaks out a flute and begins playing an inspirational melody. The acoustics within the acropolis amplify the sound and it echoes throughout the ruins.
The three remaining Red Mantis Assassins begin exuding a red mist that veils them. The first then steps into the room to attack Ayako. His first attack hits with a flesh rending tear.
Red Mantis #2 steps into the room to attack Tyrandro. He also manages a single hit.
The third Red Mantis steps in to attack Sebastian. One attack would hit but Sebastian parries and strikes back dealing the assassin a grievous wound instead.
The tentacle proves that it is no ally of the assassins as it turns on the nearest one, #3, and wraps around him in a snake-like embrace and begins squeezing the life out of him.
The sound of combat draws the attention of the tentacle trying to reach the Shoanti and a fourth tentacle rises out of the water.
Ayako hisses as her skin is sliced and returns the favor with quick stabs of her spear.
Sebastion, get away from the door or the tentacle might grab you.
Mushu reconsiders being brave and crouches in his room
Iolana fires five Magic Missiles into the battlefield at the Red Mantis in front of Ayako.
Fluffy guards Ayakos walking trail ration.
Tyrandro steps back and keeps shooting.
"I don't like the look of that mist!" As the tentacles grapple one of the assassins, Sebastian capitalizes on his sudden tactical advantage and focuses his attacks on the assassin harassing Ayako. Splitting the assassin's attention gives Sebastian the opportunity to observe the assassin's swordsmanship - a chance not many ever get. After a few quick strikes, Sebastian steps back away from the fray to give Tyrandro some room to maneuver.
Iolana hits the Red Mantis Assassin by Ayako with her magic missiles.
Sebastian's rapier continues to carve through the human flesh like butter and he kills another assassin with a series of thrusts. Upon death, the man let's out one last horrid scream and the red mist surrounding the assassin consumes him wholly, leaving nothing but his gear.
Tyrandro stops the remaining assassins. His first shot his the one by Ayako and his second shot kills the one being grappled. Both are consumed by the red mist as well. His last two shots hit the tentacle, #1, but isn't enough to stop it. The tentacle also seems to be resistant to piercing attacks.
"Not bad." says Krojun begrudgingly. "You still got those tentacles out there though." He makes no further move to help.
Trinia stops playing the flute and holds action for the tentacles. "I got this." she says with a wink.
When the tentacles slighter into the room, Trinia casts the mage hand cantrip to push the sihedron symbol on the door, dropping it down on the two invading tentacles and trapping them on the ground. The last remaining tentacle tries to snake around into the remaining open door to the left, but isn't long enough to reach into your room.
"Woo, did you see that?" shouts Trinia. "I remembered what happened to the last one. I pick up tricks quick."
"Thank you for the musical accompaniment. It was nice. Smart move on the tentacles." Iolana goes back to studying the map on the ceiling. "Looks like we go down into the well. We should put the map back so other's can figure it out."
Once everyone is ready she'll cast Fly on Tyrando, Sebastian and herself. "Seb can you take Ayako? Tyrando can you carry Trinia? Do we want to get Fluffy down somehow or leave him here to watch the others?"
Ayako is amazed at the skill Sebastion now displays. Where once he struggled against the Red Mantis, now he strikes them down with lightning fast strokes.
She is beginning to feel a little..flustered.
Umm..Good work Trinia! We do have these things to worry about if we need to leave, and the other Shoanti might end up wandering into their grasp as well. I think we should warn them so they can try to either get out safely or make camp where they are. Ayako peers at the well. I looks like going down there is our only way to continue our search for the mark.
Mushu wiggles into Ayako's pack once they seem to be ready to head out.
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"Why you would care for the temples desecration?" Tyrandro asks Krojun with a raised eyebrow. "'I were concerned that you were not going to properly respect the ruins so we entered ahead of you to observe.' Your words. But I guess that was just another excuse to follow us around."
Turning to Iolana he answers "I guess we can try if it works to carry someone while flying. And yes - Fluffy can stay here and watch Krojun."
While cleaning his blade, Sebastian eyes the assassin corpse still laying on the ground. "It didn't take them long to find us. But why do they pursue? Is it possible somebody has taken a contract on us?"
Maybe the Arkonis or revenge for killing some of their agents beforehand?
"They still have to kill Vencarlo. Hopefully they lost him and found us instead. When they are not playing on their own conditions they are not that dangerous anymore it seems." Tyrandro comments.
"As long as they find us and not Vencarlo, I'm more than happy to deal with them as they come."
"Yes, I do hope Vencarlo is safe but I believe in him that he can handle himself. He is...er...was Blackjack. I doubt the Arkonas have anything to do with the attack. I bet the Queen had her hand in this somehow." says Trinia.
"Why you would care for the temples desecration?" Tyrandro asks Krojun with a raised eyebrow. "'I were concerned that you were not going to properly respect the ruins so we entered ahead of you to observe.' Your words. But I guess that was just another excuse to follow us around."
Turning to Iolana he answers "I guess we can try if it works to carry someone while flying. And yes - Fluffy can stay here and watch Krojun."
"You insult me with your tshamek logic. And you would have be wait with your oversized mutt? I'll show you Sklar-Quah bravery!" argues Krojun. With that said, he shoulders you out of the way and leaps into the pillar of light before you can complete your own preparations. He vanishes down the hole and when you peer down to see his fate, you see him floating slowing down and safely landing in the corridor below.
Meanwhile, the remaining open door, automatically closes again and traps the last tentacle. Ayako with Trinia's help, speak with the Shoanti in the room with the glyphs. By this time, they've finished preparing the bodies and are able to move. Taking the central doors, they slowly and quietly walk across the room, cautiously stepping over the writhing tentacles when necessary. Thankfully, they all make it back to the entrance safely without anymore tentacles rising from the pool to attack. At the entrance, they wait for you to complete your quest down below.
Assuming you follow Krojun down the shaft, either with the fly spell or without: as you observed when Krojun jumped, the illumicore affects you with a featherfall spell. The glowing shaft descends 70 feet to the bottom.
A9: This wide corridor, composed of polished black granite, runs north to south. A blue stone disc sits on the floor to the south, with a glowing column of blue light rising up from the disc through a hole in the ceiling. To the north, a five-foot-wide circular opening in the wall opens into a smaller chamber. The ceiling here is only fifteen feet high.
Krojun waits patiently for you ahead in the hallway with a smug grin.
Ayako floats down the hole with Sebastion, the magic of the well is a surprise but seems quite logical. Mushu peers out of Ayako's pack and leaps out! Causing Ayako to gasp as the piggie floats down the shaft, looking very pleased with himself.
Reaching the floor, Ayako chides Mushu for racing ahead, threatening snack denial, which causes Mushu to sulk as Ayako steps north a few feet.
Ayako looks around and her eyes fall upon the eastern wall. Hmm...This stone looks different, perhaps some kind of large stone door? Must br protecting somethign valuable, or imprisoning some nasty beast.
"Best leave it sealed and check on the other rooms first." Tyrandro suggests and leads the way.
Ayako sneaks along with Tyrando
You continue past the sealed room for now and proceed to the end of the hall.
A11: The walls, ceiling, and floor of this chamber have been painted to resemble a starry sky, giving the illusion of walking through space. A ten-foot-diameter stone sphere floats five feet above the floor near the room’s southern wall. Three short metal rods protrude from the lower hemisphere, radiating outward like a tripod, only the rods rest on empty air rather than a solid surface. The sphere appears to have been carefully carved with tiny rivers, mountains, oceans, and forests.
The sphere is a map of the ancient world, yet there are many features on the globe that seem inaccurate. Seeking out Varisia, for example, you find that the nation is mostly landlocked except for a narrow southern coastline. Other features are missing as well, such as the Inner Sea, while in some places islands or entire continents exist where none appear today. Further there are vast swaths of blank surface in some regions, where only vague outlines of continents and oceans appear.
The globe radiates strong divination magic.
Being a city girl, Ayako has no idea what the carvings represent and instead cats Detect Magic to study the globe further
Ayako mutters over the auras and Mushu oinks his opinions about the magic.
"Maybe I should marry him then my former mother-in-law can kill him." she mutters to under her breath as she floats forward into the room with the globe.
"It's a really pretty map, but I don't know what it's depicting." Iolana follows along glaring at the smug Shaonti.
"Nice ball. Are we supposed to play soccer with it?" Tyrandro asks trying to push the ball out of place. He also slept through the geography lessons in private school.
"Nice ball. Are we supposed to play soccer with it?" Tyrandro asks trying to push the ball out of place. He also slept through the geography lessons in private school.
The sphere is locked firmly in place by three immovable rods. Since the rods are set up in a tripod fashion, removing one probably would cause the sphere to crash to the ground if that's what you want to do.
Trinia scrunches her face studying the globe but can't make any sense of it either.
Ayako also studies the globe but she also is unable to deduce how it works. However, as she is examining the globe more closely, she places her hand upon its surface. Nothing immediately happens but when her thoughts stray to the stars painted throughout the room, she vanishes before the rest of the party's eyes.
Although no one else can see this, Ayako finds herself teleported inside of the globe and placed into a sort of suspended animation as her mind is cast out into the distance to see strange and alien worlds and float in the void between the stars. The effect is both fascinating and maddening and Ayako gets the sense that prolonged exposure may drive her insane. However, the means to leave the globe is not immediately apparent.
Mushu squeals in shock as his mistress vanishes and dashes around the room trying to find her, piggy tears forming in his eyes.
Ayako's breath catches and then holds as she feels herself freeze in place and her very being peels away from her earthly shell and she soars into the darkness. Resembling only a pale face and a long train of black hair, Ayako floats and dives, the voices in her head now surrounding her.
Ayako flies over a city underground where bats chitter and a giant crab cries tears of acid and the gnashing hunger of hate unending sounds from a well. She soars through clinking chains and a fog hidden city where people are drawn in because of their fears..
Ayako eventually remembers her friends, of little Mushu's squeals, Tyrando's sarcasm, Iolana's bravery and Sebastion's darting rapier and knows she just can't leave them there! She remembers all of them and flies through the singing dark, these memories a shining silver thread being woven by her mother's song.
"Ayako! Iolana rushes forward and barley avoids touching the globe.
'Why didn't we let Krojun try this first. That would have been a relief.' Tyrandro thinks. On the outside you only hear a sigh. "That's this move around magic again like in the Arcona's maze, isn't it? Can you tell where to?"
As Krojun jumps down the hole, Sebastian looks on in horror. Gazing over the edge, he sees the Shoanti smugly floating down. "What's he smiling about? If he hadn't gotten lucky with that magic, he'd be splattered on the floor!" Following the others, he throws himself into the hole.
In the room with the globe, Sebastian is on his guard. By now, he's been through enough magically-trapped dungeons to know when something is better left untouched. To his mind, most everything in this entire complex was bound to be in that category. A year ago he might have blithely wandered into a place like this, declaring he wasn't scared of anything. But things were different now, and he was happy to leave that bravado back on the surface in the streets of Korvosa, where it belonged.
But, naturally, Ayako disagrees. "By the gods," Sebastian curses, more put-out than really worried yet. "How many traps do we have to fall into before we learn to look with our eyes and not with our hands?" Sighing, Sebastian begins examining the walls and floor for secret switches or something of the like.
"I'll bet you 100 gold that someone invented a trap already where it is enough to look to trigger it." Tyrandro offers.
Ayako's mind floats through time and space but when she remembers her friends and allies, she is able to escape before delving too deep.
The rest of the party panics briefly with Ayako's disappearance. Luckily, less than a minute passed before she reappears just outside the sphere again.
Manifested in Ayako's palm is a seven-sized star Sihedron mark.
Krojun gasps, "That is the Thrallkeeper's Mark. You have proven you are worthy of Shoanti yet again little warrior. The mark won't be enough to impress the Sklar-Quah, but it will likely make you more welcome among the moon-loving Lyrune-Quah. Their youths most frequently make this pilgrimage."
"Thousand Bones did say we needed to obtain a Truthspeaker's endorsement from the Lyrune-Quah. The Lyrune-Quah are a nomadic tribe that don't stay in one place for long. Luckily for us, this time of year, they are know to gather at an ancient Desnan Temple called the House of the Moon. It should only be about a day's ride north of here." says Trinia.
Ayako first sensation that makes her realize that she is back home is the hard ground under her back.
The next one is Mushu's nose pushed into her face as he licks her cheek in joy that she has returned. Sitting up, she groans and clutched her head, noticing the star mark on her left hand.
So dark and deep, I was floating amongst the stars..
Tyrandro bows down to offer a hand to Ayako to help her up. While doing so he says "Glad to have you back." and adds whispering "Have you thought about proposing to Krojun? He seems to be dotty about you."
Queen the the Cinderlands does have a nice ring to it.
Well that looks like our next destination, Trinia. Best we leave this place to the beast above.
"Have you thought about proposing to Krojun? He seems to be dotty about you."
"I am NOT dotting. She just happens to have proved herself more than the rest of you scrawny Korvosans. Anyway, my interest in you is waning. I'm going to gather my men and we'll return the fallen to the Kallow Mounds. If your next stop is the House of the Moon, don't bother making that out-of-the-way journey. We can handle it just fine. You've taken a small step today but you still have a long way to go before you are welcome among the Sklar-Quah." says Krojun. He gives a dismissive wave and starts heading back to the entrance.
Trinia embraces Ayako. "I'm so glad you are okay. I was like so worried. Before we go, did you want to try to check out what was behind that stone block? My curiosity is piqued."
Ayako pats Trinia's back. I have no way to get past the block unfortunately. We should go see the Truthspeaker I believe, it is only a day's journey so they would be able to see my mark and vouch for us.
I could use my new mark to summon a strong beast to pull while we use our blessing from The Harrow to increase our strength
"I have my new favorite wand of Dimension Door. We can use that, but before I shuttle people back and forth let me see if there's something else that might work." Iolana pulls out a scroll and begins to read from it.
"It doesn't seem to have a handle. Did someone bring a pickaxe?" Tyrandro asks.
Let us wait for Iolana to tell us what she finds first.
Iolana investigates the stone plug with detect secret doors. Searching the area, you determine that there is no secret door. The block is solid stone that was probably dragged or pushed into place. However, based on the size of the block, it likely weighs over 100 tons and is beyond the strength of even you and all the Shoanti combined. You do determine that the stone is not flush against the walls and ceiling and a gaseous or diminutive creature should be able to pass through. You can also guess that you'd only need a 20 ft. jump with a teleportation spell like dimension door based on the holographic map you were able to create above the illumacore.