At the center of the Fallen Duchy lie the ruins of Chordille Keep (which itself provides entrance to Dragon's Delve). This ruin offers no intact structures—only vine-grasped piles of stones, overgrown outlines of foundations, and the furtive hint of walls and arches. The entrance to the dungeon itself is little more than a twenty-foot wide open pit with an exposed stone stair that descends into darkness. Various explorers and treasure seekers have left the entrance well-cleared. Likewise, the observant adventurer may notice the remnants of cooking fires and other signs that previous delvers have made camp near this pit.
You head down the stairs, and the air becomes stale quickly. The stairs, the walls, and the ceilings 15 feet above your head are made of masonry stone. At the foot of the stairs lies a platform with three further descending staircases—one heading north, one east, and one west.
Much of Deylar Tiarshuro's appearance has the type of duality one would expect from a cleric of Nethys. He looks fairly nondescript at under six feet tall with a slight build, but his too-bright blue eyes and shining silver hair clearly mark his far from normal celestial heritage. He can easily be mistaken for a mage by looking at his plain robes and the quarterstaff he carries, unless one notices the leather armor under the robes or the holy symbol around his neck.
While some people might find these physical inconsistencies jarring, the man himself is quite the opposite. Fairly quiet and reserved, he listens far more often than he speaks in most social situations. Deylar tries to consider any situation from multiple perspectives, a lesson he has learned over the years in service of the All Seeing Eye.
When first meeting him it is easy to jump to the conclusion that he may be as mad as the deity he serves since he is constantly muttering to himself. The truth may or may not be a relief: Deylar is constantly casting spells, either scanning for arcane emanations or beseeching Nethys to guide his hand. There are very few moments during a day where the priest is not under the influence of one spell or another.
And he is more than happy to share that energy with those around him. He rarely wastes energy trying to sway people with church dogma: he would much rather let them feel the power of his god's magics for themselves.
It is clear to see man's excitement as the group approaches the Delve. He has not been shy about wanting to explore the place and the fact that he stands right on its doorstep brings a wide grin to his face. Content to let his companions make the choice of which way to go first, the priest mumbles yet another incantation and scans each of the stairwells for Nethys's touch.
The immense shoulders of Delum Thord seem to straighten as he descends the steps the stone stairs. The haunted look he has worn almost perpetually on the journey here hardens slightly into something that speaks of purpose.
As the group levels out into the first room a soft roar like that of a furnace, lasting no more than a second emanates from the warrior and light busts from each of his red eyes as though each really were a blazing fire.
He surveys the three sets of stairs for a moment before turning back to the group, his voice is a deep and solid thing, "What say you? Which path shall lead us to the greater glory?"
The dark and brooding mood of Zaxxeon is only accentuated by that constant presence on his shoulder - the small humanoid creature that constantly sits there, as if it simply owned the position is uncommon to say the least - its skin is completely dark, as if that of a drow elf, it has the features of a small human, but only as far as it possesses two arms, two legs and a head. It looks emaciated - almost shaded out, and almost invisible when standing in any sort of shade. His red eyes seem slightly bulbous and too big for its small head, much like his sharp teeth filled mouth and his pointed ears. Surprisingly enough, it is dressed with plain black clothing, and carrying some sort of small pack at its back where you all know he stores his favorite tools.
Zaxxeon himself has the cowl of his cloak pulled over his head as he does most of the time - the half-elf features are evident in his pointed ears (now hidden), his golden eyes, and white hair - in contrast with a deeply tanned skin, undoubtedly an heritage of his human progenitor.
He dresses in a simple traveller's outfit, and a long robe that goes down all the way to his feet, with a golden trim. With a light frame, his features are hard and well chiseled.
As he steps into the dimly lit area - the last rays of sunlight filtering in from outside, Zaxxeon is initially silent - We are finnaly here... - he ponders to himself. Turning to the others, he comments - "Let us chose one direction and stick to it - Albion will check the exits"
He nods to the creature on his shoulder, and it retorts something in his ear - something the diminute creature seems to be constantly doing - then hops to the floor, bowing deeply with a huge grin - "Yes Master" - its voice almost a whisper - then takes off through the West corridor.
As the group enters the central stair and evaluates their options Xaeken nods to himself, contented to have found those unique enough and hungry enough to go into the Delve that Xaeken was found valuable.
"It is said this place is treacherous and may be easily lost in. I agree with the summoner, let us do our best to move in one direction so we might better chart our progress. "
Opting, for now, to only pull his main sword and a light pick, the kasatha offers a torch from his bag, "Shall I light a torch or shall one of you magic users imbue my weapon with light? I sense we will come to darkness with haste."
The infamous Mages Four controlled all of the dungeon at one time, using it for their strange experiments and to house their otherworldly allies and servitors.
Glarias, the Moon Goddess was once worshipped in the region, but now her followers have virtually disappeared.
The infamous Mages Four controlled all of the dungeon at one time, using it for their strange experiments and to house their otherworldly allies and servitors.
The Bestial Host serve the Beast God, a savage and terrible deity that demands blood and violence. The host has a strange fascination with Dragon's Delve.
From Albion:
It is dark down here, but I see a massive chamber filled with cobwebs and dust. A shallow pool twenty feet across lies in the middle of the room, with tall pillars to the east of it, each carved to look like a tall, beautiful, human woman. The ceiling is vaulted, and a crescent moon has been painted at the highest point, which is directly above the pool. Although the paint is chipped, it still retains a peculiar luster that reflects light with a glistening glow. The walls sport a few empty sconces, and you see an imposing set of bronze doors on the east wall. These double doors bear images of winged horses rearing majestically.
I also see a secret door to the north here, and...yes...there's a faint scratching coming from the northeast side, down a hallway.
Avoid the shallow pool in the center Albion - Do I understand correctly that there are three exits from that room? A door to the east, a secret door to the north, and a hallway to the Northeast? If so, please take maximum care and investigate further the origin of the sounds first, and the secret door second - take as much time as needed
Zaxxeon addresses his companions, and passes on the information he received from Albion - "Towards the East, Albion has found a dark room - a massive chamber filled with cobwebs and dust. A shallow pool twenty feet across lies in the middle of said room, with tall pillars to the east of it, each carved to look like a tall, beautiful, human woman. The ceiling is vaulted, and a crescent moon has been painted at the highest point, which is directly above the pool. Although the paint is chipped, it still retains a peculiar luster that reflects light with a glistening glow. The walls sport a few empty sconces, and there is an imposing set of bronze doors on the east wall bearing images of winged horses rearing majestically. There is also a secret door in the northern portion of the room, and a faint scratching coming from the northeast side, down a hallway - I have asked ALbion to investigate the sounds first, and the secret door second, but I am already intrigued with this secret passageway he has reported"
As the halfelf describes what his small servant found toward the east, Deylar is staring down into the darkness of the same eastern staircase.
"There is an aura of magic beyond the stairs as well. It is faint, but I can definitely sense an enchantment there."
As the party descends into the pit, Theodore inhales deeply, ignoring any of the dankness that may come from dungeon corridors, instead smelling the scents of magic, of the unknown, and of adventure itself. Or dust. Apparently, adventure smelled like dust.
Oh well. I'm sure it's not all stone corridors. Even the dullest architect is bound to crave some variety once in awhile, especially in a place purported to be as large as I've heard.
He listens with interest as the summoner's eidolon scouts the rooms; the descriptions leave him almost giddy with anticipation. He casts a light spell on the multi-limbed warrior's sword almost without looking, intensely pondering their choices. His thought train is only broken at the mention of a secret passageway.
"Secret passageway? Those are always the best place to be! It wouldn't be secret without a purpose. It's either a shortcut to somewhere important or hides something valuable; let's have a look there first! If it's nothing too exciting, then I'd like to examine that moon painting and the pillars. Big doors have to be worth building, which means they're worth opening."
STATUS:
HP:13
1st level: 3 remaining spells
The northeast hallway leads to two doors on the left side of the hallway, and the scratching sound is coming from both doors.
Listening at the secret door, I can hear some shouts beyond, but nothing recognizable. It seems rather distant.
Zaxxeon nods at Theodore - "Agreed that it should be worth exploring - as I said we can begin moving while Albion gathers the remaining details I have requested"
Turning to his companion, he adds - "Deylar, what kind of aura are we talking about?"
Albion nods at Zaxxeon's request, and ponders the room for a while longer, then circling around the pool from a safe distance, as carefully as he can, until he reaches the northeastern side to investigate the sounds from that direction, his shadowy form gliding across the area.
Then he doubles back to the door, being even more careful as he checks it.
The aasimar's eyes turn away for a second, almost as if embarrassed, but quickly turn back to meet Zaxxeon's.
"I can tell it is the weakest of strengths, but I am too new in my faith to be able to tell what type of touch Nethys has placed there."
Zaxxeon nods at his companion - "Rest easy Deylar, I know perfectly well what you are capable of, and this is not an issue - let me try and gather additional information"
Delum listens intently to the other's conversation, "This hidden doorway may be intriguing but secrets and spoils will keep. You live long enough to make use of them by checking for threats first. It is the pool that concerns me first for it could hide many things, followed by the scratching and then lastly this secret door."
After a few moments, the eidolon speaks again.
"I can find no more. I return."
Albion, to finish, investigate the pool carefully, and then return to the entrance to the room from our side - stand guard and wait there for us my friend
Albion was already heading towards the pool when the telepathic message arrived from Zaxxeon - he smiled at how well he knew his friend, and proceeded with his investigations.
We gotta find a way to work around all these rolls - for once because there's a lot of them, and for another because they will eventually be the death of Albion - so many rolls mean that some are bound to fail at some point, and for sure it will be at the worst possible time :D
And STOP ninjaing me! 8)
"Albion is checking" - Zaxxeon smiles at Delum.
"The pool has a raised stone lip around its edge. The water is about a foot deep, appears surprisingly pure and clear. That is all I can see."
Harrigan Ash wades into the room to the east with his giant maul at the ready once the curious little Albion somehow relays a discription to his cowled master. He nods as various suggestions are presented for what to focus on first and listens to each as he sweeps his gaze about the room and is arrested by the large bronze doors. "Wow. I've never seen doors like that before."
The burly youth's inexperience is plain in his awe-filled tone.
HP: 26/26
AC: 17 (12 T / 15 FF)
CMD: 16
F/R/W: +4/+3/-1 (+2 to will while bloodraging)
Resists: Fire (5)
Bloodrage Rounds used: 0/6
Elemental Strikes used: 0/3
Volitile Conduit: [ ]
-Ongoing Effects-
none
Delum takes a round shield of heavy wood, edged in blued metal, from his back and straps it to his arm. Pulling out his monstrous battleaxe he moves to follow in Harrigan's wake.
Stepping up beside the fiery warrior, his gaze bathes the room in light as he takes it all in.
He speaks without looking at his companion, "I've no doubt we'll all be treated to many new sights within this place."
The aquiline Coyote peers down each corridor, hoping to sense something useful. "Smells like old leather," he says, checking his crossbow.
"We can move east" - Zaxxeon announces - "Albion has finished the possible scouting for the time being - there are also distant sounds behind the secret door, and the northeast hallway leads to two doors - the scratching sound is coming from them. Last, the pool itself has a raised stone lip around the edge. The water is about a foot deep, appearing surprisingly pure and clear - that is all the information we have so far. Albion awaits at the entrance to the room"
If you find the three carpets of Tral-Ferrer and put them together, they reveal some secret about Dragon's Delve.
Somewhere in the wilderness lies "The Pit," a donjon used centuries ago to abandon criminals into some portion of Dragon's Delve for them to fend for themselves. Although the criminals could not find a way to escape, some survived and even flourished. Their descendants still live in the dungeon.
In the room, you also see the secret door to the north.
The room is much like Albion described it: You see a massive chamber filled with cobwebs and dust. A shallow pool twenty feet across lies in the middle of the room, with tall pillars to the east of it, each carved to look like a tall, beautiful, human woman. The ceiling is vaulted, and a crescent moon has been painted at the highest point, which is directly above the pool. Although the paint is chipped, it still retains a peculiar luster that reflects light with a glistening glow. The walls sport a few empty sconces, and you see an imposing set of bronze doors on the east wall. These double doors bear images of winged horses rearing majestically.
Albion returns to his favourite spot atop Zaxxeon's shoulder, with a huge grin on his face, as the half elf surveys the room ahead of them - "Well done" - he offers to his companion, his gaze captured by the pillars, ceiling and the depicted winged horses on the door, while he tries to recognize any of the simbology.
"We should try and be silent" - he suggests to his companions - "As indicated, Albion detected multiple activity around the area. What do you make of all this?"
"There was mention of a secret door? Where's that at?" Harrigan glances to the others, excitement bright in his eyes.
With another mumble, Deylar scans the room to see where the magical aura is coming from.
As he turns his head to both sides to get the full view of the room, his gaze also rises to the ceiling.
"Years ago this region worshiped the Moon Goddess Glarias. Few still keep to that faith today.........."
Harrigan looks at the aasimar, "Glarias? I've not ever heard of such a goddess." Looking at the doors, the pillars, and the arched ceiling, he shakes his head in wonder. "There is much in these lands that are strange to me. I can only imagine what these ancient halls might have hidden away within them."
Coyote's head comes up at the mention of the Moon Goddess. "What do you know of the great Moon Spirit?" he asks, genuinely curious. He guesses that Glarias is her name in these far, benighted lands.
Responding to Harrigan, he says "I believe there is a secret door here." He kneels, checking the secret door for traps. If he finds none, he makes sure everyone is ready, then opens it.
Delum keeps his gaze on the room before them, "Best hope the gods of this place have turned a blind eye long ago. Else we're likely to be considered looters smote."
Seeing Coyote move to the secret door, Delum follows warily and turns to guard his back. When Coyote readies to open the door, Delum turns to Zaxxeon, speaking as quietly as possible for one so large, "You said the other sounds were coming from the northern doors further down? Perhaps it's the same source, we might be able to take them unawares?"
Shifting his axe, the half-giant nods his readiness to proceed.
Xaeken follows from behind, sure that all his other companions are in front of him as they enter the eastern chamber. Xaeken holds his longsword high enough so those in the back have the benefit of the light shining from it.
As the others look about Xaeken nods at Deyalr's musings as he takes in the symbols and imagery and grunts as Harrigan notes he has never heard of such a goddess. "It is said the moon maiden has taken many forms, perhaps another is better known to you?"
As Coyote fidgets at the secret door and with Delum harshly whispering a hope of an ambush Xaeken wordlessly pulls his handaxe and short sword so he is fully ready should a fight come.
"We call her Mother Moon, or the Moon Spirit," says Coyote. "She is the mother of my people."
Coyote looks for traps on the secret door, and also for a way to open it. He sees no traps, but finds that a sconce near the door can be pulled. He tugs on the sconce, and the door pivots easily and quietly.
Beyond the door, a hallway ten feet across leads only twenty feet to another door.
Albion scowls from Zaxxeon's shoulder, as the door simply swings open. The half-elf on his hand simply raises an eyebrow, and moves further away from the door itself - Risky - he ponders to himself.
Harrigan gasps as the door silently slides open, "A sconce opened it? I thought that kind of thing only happened in the old stories!" He walks over to Coyote and glances down the newly revealed passage. "Wow. What do you think could be on the other side?"
"Albion has detected sounds - probably coming from the next door over" - Zaxxeon pipes in.
Delum looks at the ifrit warrior, his voice a low rumble, "If I'm right something that'll mean to murder you if your voice carries through that door. Best reserve your excitement for later."
He looks at Coyote and Zaxxeon, "Someone want to give the door a look for any nasty surprises before Ash and I pop it open?"
Zaxxeon nods, looking at Coyote, and waiting for his feedback.
"What do you know of the great Moon Spirit?"
"I know theses symbols and statues represented her to those that worshiped here. They are long gone as far as I know. Divination and secret lore were what they worshipped, so I would expect there to be many hidden wonders here."
Deylar's gaze lingers on the pool again. "A scrying pool? A font that grants wishes? Maybe......" His musings are cut off as the secret door slides open. But how will we find anything if we leave a room before thoroughly searching it?
The priest grips his quarterstaff and takes his position with the group. He is not one to protest, finding it easier to go with the rest of the group's decisions for the moment. Countless others have probably searched this room anyway. But how has the door escaped notice all these years............?
Theodore gazes wide-eyed at the detailed architecture in the new room, watching his colleagues closely as they examine their options. He grins ear to ear as the sconce is tugged and the door swings open.
"Well, the old stories were written for a reason, weren't they? How classic. Next up, the swiveling bookcase, the trap door, and the false wall. I can't wait to see what magics hold this place secure!"
As if a bell has gone off in his head, Theodore's eyes pop with realization for a moment.
Of course! Why did I forget that?
Holding two fingers to his forehead, he closes his eyes for a moment, and as they open, they glow with an azure light for a moment as he attunes himself to the magical auras in the area.