GM Rednal's War of the Burning Sky (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

It could have been - but there didn't seem to be any answers up in the tree. Looking at it, though, the layers of ash suggested the corpses had been up there for a very long time indeed, unmoving and simply waiting. ...It was a fairly pathetic end to their wait, really, but what else could you do?

"So this was a Shrine, hu?", Farod takes a closer look at the tree.(which is also burning? Like all the others?)
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
"What kind of worship could have taken place here? To whom was this dedicated. Does your...'friend' have any ideas, Ridley?"

Ridley shrugged. "Maybe?"

Knowledge (religion), trance—I think this is my last of the day?: 1d20 + 7 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 20 = 41

While the others attempted to identify the shrine's owner, Umbriak hunted to make sure there was nothing else useful or dangerous present.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

@Farod: Rather than asking "what's burning?", a better question in this area is "what ISN'T burning?". XD

Careful examination shows... well, you have no idea who this shrine was actually dedicated to. Given the lack of deific iconography, though, it's possible this wasn't a religious shrine at all. Some locations had monuments and the like to local heroes and other important figures.

Meanwhile, Umbriak's careful search of the area did reveal one thing of interest - a cunningly hidden stone door set at the base of the tree. The problem? It didn't seem like it had any kind of handle, so it would either take someone who was very dexterous with their hands... either that, or there may have been some simpler and easier way of opening the door that whoever built a shrine could have used. There didn't seem to be any buttons, hidden levers, or anything of that nature.

Farod watched Umbriak, then turned to Ridley:"Good find, Umbriak. Do you think you could get that open, Ridley? I'll take a look up there, maybe they meant to flee into that place from the fire and there's a mechanism up in the tree?", Farod states as he attempts to climb the tree, towards where the corpses had been.
Climbing Take 10: 10 + 4 = 14
(If no Take 10): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Could have been the shrine was exempt from the "everything burns" *shrug*...was just asking. Also, Fire Resistance 5 in case it's relevant.

"I can open it!" Umbriak raised his axed before pausing. "Oh, yes, ye mean without shattering it beyond all recognition. Aye Ridely, ye should try first."

Oh, whoops, forgot that I am the disabler now.

Ridley carefully removed and folds his armor shirt, leaving it with his shield, and started poking at the door with his thieves' tools.

Take 20 for disable device 31 if possible. If not...
Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

As Farod slowly climbed the tree, Ridley set down to work, and it took several minutes of effort for him to finally pry the stones open. Inside is a staircase heading down for about twenty feet, bathed in some sort of blue luminescence.

"Let Torrent and Krystin know about it so they don't worry about us, then head down there and find out what secrets this place holds?", Farod suggested as he returned from the tree.

"Right. And it's probably spooky enough to investigate."

"Agreed." Umbriak said with a nod.

After a brief trip back to report, the three of you head down and inside. This twenty-foot diameter chamber radiates peace and patience; the soft blue air whispers with a hallowed, distant song. The chamber’s center is dominated by a tall white statue depicting an elven woman plunging a greastsword deep into a rampant stag. The sword, though carved of stone, looks like it is made of wood and covered in vines that entwine the elf woman’s hands.

At the statue’s feet lie two immobile figures. The first is dressed in the uniform of a Shahalesti soldier from decades past, his body wreathed in pale flames that struggle to burn. The man’s eyes are closed, as if he is in a deep slumber. Likewise along the ceiling, tree roots growing down from the surface flicker with fire, but the flames are subdued, as if the light holds them at bay.

The second figure, a young male elf with red hair, wears the robes of a priest, though he carries no holy symbol. Numerous claw wounds mark his face and body, and he does not breathe, though his body shows no signs of decay. His arms are spread as if he fell in battle, and a warhammer lies inches from one of his hands. It points to an elaborate glass display case near the wall, which has been shattered, its contents missing.

Raising his axe, Umbriak advanced cautiously. The dead jumping up was a thing he did not like. Moving to the man wreathed in fire, and keeping his eye out, he tried to determine what was wrong with him.

Heal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

My bad, forgot Farod was traveling.

Ridley followed, with his sword out, though he decided not to chance risking any more healing amgic.

Umbriak was trained in Healing, but apparently not well enough to figure out exactly what was going on here. What he could tell was that neither of the figures here seemed to be undead... though given what you'd experienced of the forest thus far, that might have only been because of the strange sense of peace that permeated this room.

"I see fire. You think this is the thing that's trapped here?" Ridley asked the others.

"Seems a wee bit small for the cause of all this fuss, but ye and I ken that small things pack the wallops. But yon things seem to be undead, so..." Umbriak moved closer, to examine the dead-looking body.

The priest's body doesn't seem to have decayed, but he's definitely dead - and not potentially undead, but actually deceased. A heavy mace on his belt pulses slightly as you approach, glowing with a comforting light.

Skirting the body with spectral fire, Umbriak examine the mace. It might be useful against the undead, even if he preferred his Masters chosen weapon.

"Right. Trapped fire spirit, you in here?" Ridley shouted out, just to cover all their bases.

There was no response from the fire spirit that had contacted you before - Umbriak's examinations, however, came back with some rather curious results.

The weapon is a +1 heavy mace that bypasses damage reduction as if it were good-aligned. Additionally, a creature carrying the mace gains a special benefit when using the Heal skill to treat injuries: after spending one minute tending to a creature, if the mace’s bearer makes a DC 15 Heal check, the patient heals an amount of damage equal to its Hit Dice. A particular patient can only benefit from one such healing treatment per day.

"Hmm. You want the smashy-stick?"

"Hmmm...aye, I shall take it." Umbriak hooked it onto his belt. "There may well be occasion when it's power shall prove more use than that of the edge of the axe. Dinnae tell Angradd I said that, ye ken? He approves of using sensible tactics, but he does love a good axe..."

Quickly checking the body to see if it had anything else of use, Umbriak then turned his attention to the flaming body, and focused. Maybe the Mace's new power would be enough to do...something...with the flaming undead thing.

Heal Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

"Sure, sure. And I'll get ready to run, just in case."

As you began to pat over the priest's body, a runed circle of light appeared on one of the walls, rapidly growing brighter (and more complex). It pulsed a moment later, and a golden-armored figure with a blade of crackling blue energy stepped out of it, looking down at Umbriak as he had his hands in the pockets of a dead priest.

"...What exactly do you think you are doing?" the figure asked.

Jumping back, startled, Ridley quickly recovers. "Looking for clues..." he stammers, "As to just what murdered everyone in this town and made those dead monstrosities outside. Maybe you can give us some better answers, though."

Bluff (eh, it's a very small lie...): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Umbriak paused, considering. He decided that nodding along with Ridley was probably the most sensible thing he could do. Announcing you were looting someone's dead friend rarely went down well. He slowly slid his hands out, anyway.

"Honestly, I am not even sure WHAT we are doing.", Farod nods agreement as well:"We hoped to pass through the forest, but things are hardly ever that simple. If you can shed some light on what took place here, that would likely help us formulate a more satisfactory answer ourselves."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

The woman just looked at Ridley, radiance continuing to flow out from her body. "...Don't try to lie to me again." she said quietly. "Else I will assume you are up to no good here... and react accordingly. I know nothing of what happened to the forest or the lands beyond. My duty is simply to protect this shrine until those responsible for the destruction of Innenotdar are brought to justice."

The burly Dwarf nodded. "It nae exactly false, lady, it just nae all there is. We were looking for that which would tell us what has happened, 'tis true, but I also searched the dead for that which might help us. I apologize if yon soul was your friend, but he dinnae need such, and we do." The Dwarf unhooked the mace and held it out. "If ye have prior claim, then this is yours."

Umbriak considered. "Well, the forest is a wee bit a'flame, yet...it nae burn right. I dinnae know what Innenotdar is, ye ken? If ye can speak of it, mayhap it will help us both? We spoke to a creature in the forest, that claimed it was that which burned it. 'Tis that the creature?"

"Well... that's what *I* was up to." Ridley replied, feeling the predictable tension build up in the back of his head. "But we're not scoundrels, or murderers, and we *are* big fans of justice."

"If I may ask? What is this shrine, and how does it relate to Innenotdar? Your duty does seem a rather focused task, so while you may know little of what happened outside, your purpose and origin may add to the puzzle laid out before us by the creature Umbriak mentioned- oh...and those two, did you know either?", Farod moved up near the woman and the dwarf, showing his empty hands as a means to underline they had no hostile intentions, pointing at the corpses.

Heh, Ridley's just like "suck up to this guy, I don't want to do any more fighting today" and you guys are all NOPE. This could be fun.

I'm not sure I follow? Umbriak told the truth in a de-escalating manner, and I attempted to learn more, also non-hostile? Did I miss something?

I figured if this beings task is to stand guard until the forest-thingie is dealt with, it may be in it's interest to cooperate...if it can help us make an informed decision, we may end up "freeing" it by performing the task that ends it's vigil.

Oh! Farod's not being hostile, just sort of less apologetic (at least, from Ridley's perspective, where this teleporting guy is super powerful and scary and priority #1 is not getting attacked).

Hehe, yeah, well, I did not roll Sense Motive, because what you said sounded reasonable. I figured the bluff was simply to conceal that this is not all we are doing here...as in, withhold truth, rather than flat out lie. So I figured being apologetic would make it seem like we lied on purpose, and the more "sensible" course of action was to come clean on why we're really here. Different readings of the situation, I guess :) - but yeah, not keen on getting attacked either.

Well... halflings are small and easily kicked. I grovel a bit more.

@Umbriak: As Torrent mentioned earlier... you're currently in the Fire Forest of Innenotdar.

The radiant figure looked at each of you as you spoke, although their expression remained aloof. She waved the weapon away, though. "I've no need for such trifles, and none of you are evil. Although even the most well-meaning mortals can make... mistakes." she paused for a moment. "I was dispatched here by Sarenrae, answering the prayers of this priest as he lay dying. ...And while the Dawnflower understands the need to occasionally withhold the truth, doing so should not become a habit, Deacon, lest you find Her favor pulling away until you understand and repent for your misdeeds. This is the shrine for Anyariel, a local elven hero. As for the creature you spoke to in the forest, I know not of it - but this forest has suffered for a long time, and I do encourage you to do what you can to heal it. It is not always people who need salvation."

Know (Local) to try and remember stories about Anyariel.

Sadly, Umbriak must rely on my memory.

Umbriak raised an eyebrow and then bowed. Maybe she was not his God, but Sarenrae was worthy of respect. After he hooked the mace back to his belt. "Lady, the creature named itself Indomitability. It claimed to be the fire of the forests, and bid that we rest here before going to the singing lake, where it lies trapped. De ya have divine kennings of such a being, Lady?"

"Ah. Got it." Ridley nodded, still trying to look humble. "You say this priest lay dying... recently? As in whatever killed him might still be here?"

Even if his God was a different one, this seemed to be a good sign.
Farod knelt before the lady as a sign of respect, but continued to inquire:"So you were answering the prayers of the priest. Do you know of his purpose here? I assume what he requested of you was as you mentioned: To guard this locale until justice is done, because he was felled and could no longer do so - how long ago was it that you were called, and do you know anything about the significance of this shrine that would make him spent his last breath making sure it would remain save, rather than saving himself? I apologize for asking this much, but possibly we may aid in your task by bringing justice to those responsible, if only we understood the whole picture a bit better."

Nobody? Okay, then. XD

The figure shook her head at Ridley's question. "It has been many years." she answered. "I would be quite surprised if they were still nearby - although they may well be in the forest yet." Here, her gaze flicked over to Umbriak. "The forest burned when I arrived, and has continued to do so ever since. If such a creature indeed spoke to you, it may well have told the truth - 'tis certain the fires here are unnatural, and I would not be surprised to learn that some creature was behind them." Finally, she turned back to Farod.

"There is no need to kneel to me - I am but a servant of a much greater power, and it is She who deserves respect. I believe the priest here was simply tending the shrine and the village - at the very least, I believe he was taking care of the soldier here. I arrived some forty years ago, as you reckon the time. As for why he wished to protect this shrine..." she raised a hand and pointed at the broken case. "What was there was gone when I arrived, but it seems the most likely cause." Her mouth twitched upwards in a smile... and she sheathed her weapon. "You are a little rough around the edges, I think, but such is often the case for mortals, and the Dawnflower offers aid to all who need it. I cannot leave until my Lady's command is fulfilled, but return if you need healing, and I will tend your wounds as Her priest tended others."

Only Deacon Ridley has Knowledge(Local). And I doubt it's well known enough to succeed untrained at a max DC 10, but sure, I'll try.
Knowledge(Local) untrained: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Farod raises when prompted to do so: "We have other companions with us, one's less skilled at fighting, currently taking shelter in the village above. Could they take refuge here, while we explore the flaming woods, trying to set things right? This chamber seems somewhat shielded from the heat of the forest-"

"Right. Sounds good. So, something stolen? Something bad? And should I be giving these fine folks their last rites?"

Sadly, best I can do is Knowledge (History)

"Ye and yer Mistress have our thanks for the offer of healing, Lady," Umbriak said with a small bow. "What were the Dawnflower's orders to ye, may I ask? Mayhap we can help you finish this task and move on to others in need."

She already noted her instructions, Umbriak. o wo/

"Sarenrae comforts and shelters all who seek it. So long as they seek to do no wrongs here, they are welcome to seek refuge from the flames." the radiant woman answered. "The priest needs no rites, for his soul is already in the Dawnflower's embrace. As for the other... hadn't you noticed? He isn't dead yet." With that, she vanished, and the very air seemed to fade to something a little more mundane.

"Right. Okay. Not sure what to do with this. Umbriak, you got any 'wake up' magic?"

Well, Umbriak already tried. But got interrupted by the lady. So, interested if that helps any because it was sufficient to give some healing to the guy.

"Not dead? How...his garments seem ancient...", Farod realizes she is gone.
"We'd best take a look at him, before we fetch the others. If they can take refuge here, that will allow us significantly more time to complete our task, since they won't need to consume potions while they make camp here."

She did? Damn. Sorry, I have a fever and chest infection - again - which are making things...awkward.

Umbriak nodded. "Well, I can use a Cure to get him up and aboot, ye ken. Dinnae ken if it be wakey-magic, but it might do the job."