The group retreats to the outer tomb to catch a slightly less rancid breath of air as Alistair catalogues the treasure you found. On review, the enchanted items in Dalvan Meir's horde are impressive, though with some flaws that were not obvious on first blush:
* The gold necklace with flaming heart medallion is a periapt of health that protects the wearer against contracting diseases.
* The gold headband is a unique item that appears to have been crafted as a trap, of sorts -- anyone who puts it on is immediately subjected to a feeblemind spell for a short duration. The headband also appears to be able to control the traps within the tomb and to open the outer door.
* The four silver-colored potions in crystal vials include a potion of greater healing (4d4+4) and three potions of longevity, which can reduce the imbiber's physical age by 1d6+6 years, but carry a 10 percent cumulative chance of instead aging the user by 1d6+6 years.
* The silver-bladed rapier is a +1 weapon
* The cloak worn by the ghast-like creature is a cloak of protection, but the lengthy exposure to undead's stench has corrupted it somewhat. Once attuned, it adds a +1 bonus to wearer's AC and saving throws as normal, but the smell is off-putting (disadvantage to Charisma-based attempts to influence anyone with a sense of smell) and makes resting difficult. The wearer must succeed at a DC 11 Constitution saving throw any time he or she attempts a short rest or else gain no benefit from the rest. It might be possible to cleanse the cloak with copious amounts of holy water and ritual magic.
* The bronze ring with inset silver bolts is a ring of free action which, once attuned, allows the wearer to ignore difficult terrain and prevents magical paralysis or restraint.
* The intricately carved platinum ring is a variation on a ring of clear thought. Once attuned, it grants the wearer a +1 Intelligence (to a maximum of 20) and resistance to mind-affecting spells.
* The cracked, rune-covered crystal appears to have been the physical focus for a powerful variation of the magic jar spell. Although damaged now, Alistair believes it would be possible to activate it to capture a free spirit, especially if used at the time of death. The damage to the crystal creates some uncertainty, however, and it is not clear just how long the containment would last.
Also:
Seeing the items all together, along with the destroyed corpse in the inner coffin, suggests the scenario that might have played out here long ago:
An accomplished wizard by all accounts obsessed with extending his life, Dalvan Meir appears to have created a soul gem capable of storing his own essence -- and transferring it into another, perhaps unwilling, host. The elaborate tomb appears to have been created as a lure for adventurers, while the gold circlet placed among the treasure would have ensured at least one member of any successful group would be susceptible to the soul transfer. For whatever reason, Dalvan Meir's resting place appears to have been found not by mortal adventurers but by an undead ghast that triggered the soul transfer. The switch into the undead body was in some way flawed or incomplete, either driving the ghast mad or leaving the wizard's psyche damaged, resulting in the raving creature you battled.
Arcana:
"Well it looks like a failed attempt to extend his life using this cracked soul gem. Tricky magic....I dont really know that much about it, but I can surmise that it failed and he somehow ended up with his soul in that rotting ghoul. Poor soul."
What does this mean for those people under the influence of the charm, like my sister?
I think that cracked soul gem is the key to keeping the naga dead after we defeat it. Do you know how to use it Alistair?
What does this mean for those people under the influence of the charm, like my sister?
"It would take some time to study....it is damaged and I would need to be quite sure how to bring about the transfer...I would hate to have my soul placed in the body of the naga! As to the charm...I dont know. I would think once she is "dead" the magical connection would be broken..but again this would take some study."
Alistair goes through the gather treasure and selects the intricately carved platinum ring. He looks it over then turns to the others.
"Would it be alright if I claimed this ring as my part of the treasure. It will help me in a great number of ways...mostly learning spells and, I hope, might also clear my mind enough to help descern the use of the soul gem on the naga."
Kierdan happily looks on as Alistair catalogues the treasure.
Praise Pelor!, the priest says to himself as he examines the rings and other pieces of jewelry.
Koralyn considers both rings for a moment before deciding Alistair you take this ring offering him the ring of clear thought. It is a wonderful treasure for either of us, but I have my sword to count on while you are more attuned to using only you intellect. She slips the bronze ring onto her finger.
Satisfied with the loot distribution, you beginning loading up the scattered treasure, filling your packs with coin and stuffing the rest into the small coffer that was sitting next to Dalvan Meir's tomb. The amphorae are unwieldy, but likely worth good coin, so you rig harnesses and share them out among you. After a short rest, you prepare to make your way back to the surface.
As you slide on the bronze ring, the cord around your neck seems to draw tighter, the fang hung from it shifting against your skin in a way that leaves you shivering. Your discomfort with the amulet has been growing in the few days since you donned it. Twice you've woken from blood-filled dreams in which you felt yourself on the brink of starvation. You don't believe it coincidence, and increasingly wish to be rid of the thing ... Or -- the thought comes unbidden -- to pass it to someone more suited.[/end long-term DM plotting]
As the others dicker over the treasure horde, you realize none of it really holds your attention. Instead, your gaze is drawn, not for the first time, to the blackened fang amulet around Koralyn's neck. You failed to speak up after the fight with the lizardfolk and the elf wizard claimed it, but you know she won't use it to its full potential. Your conviction in that has been growing, as has your desire to feel the amulet around your own neck.
As the others are calling claims on the magical articles of loot, Eldramin remains quiet. Being a logical sort as well as a dual-specialist, it was difficult for any one item to truly suit him more than someone else who was specialized in one area. However, one thing called to him, something that was not necessarily up for grabs. Standing next to Koralyn, Eldramin remarks quietly, "Upon further long-term and magical inspection, I do believe that your black fang amulet's energies are not mixing so well with your own energies..."
Or maybe she wants to destroy it. Does she think its evil?
Also does the bronze ring help at all with the overloaded packs?
"That is very kind of you m'lady.
And sure, I'd say the ring would prevent you from taking a speedy penalty.
Rolen slouches in the corner, entering a state of deep meditation.
As Eldramin talks about the amulet, it draws Alistair's attention.
"Did we not magically identify that item when we found it? Perhaps I should give it a good once over now, with all the other items just to see exactly what it is all about."
As the others are calling claims on the magical articles of loot, Eldramin remains quiet. Being a logical sort as well as a dual-specialist, it was difficult for any one item to truly suit him more than someone else who was specialized in one area. However, one thing called to him, something that was not necessarily up for grabs. Standing next to Koralyn, Eldramin remarks quietly, "Upon further long-term and magical inspection, I do believe that your black fang amulet's energies are not mixing so well with your own energies..."
You know, my discomfort with the amulet has been growing in the last few days. Twice I've woken from unsettling dreams which left me feeling starved. Perhaps this thing is not good for me, or even does not "desire" me. Its possible it would suite you better Eldramin. I'll give it to you if you agree to tell me if it begins to haunt your dreams, or more strangely begins to make you crave... blood. She holds out the amulet first to Eldramin and then to Alistair, and then back to Eldramin.
Alistair will take the amulet and perform his magic on it.
"Crave... blood, eh? More than the usual amount?" Eldramin jokes. He waits for Alistair's analysis of the item.
Alistair's examination reveals nothing new -- identify reveals only the magical properties of an item, not its provenance. No outside spells are affecting the necklace, which functions as a periapt of wound closure once attuned. As before, Alistair suspects the amulet's power resides in the tooth, with the item creator's spells merely harnessing the abilities, rather than layering them on with permanent spells, but that's supposition based on his own studies, rather than information imparted by the identify spell.
Alistair: No, although they might help. A divine ritual in a holy place is needed to cleanse the ghost's taint.
Kierdan notices Alistair puzzling over the foul smelling cloak.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Eldramin will put the fang necklace on.
With all these packs being heavy this may be dangerous to us... how about we leave the more heavy stuff here and get it on the way back? If we survive that is... - Leave enough here so that we can move freely. All this wealth will get us killed if we need to beat a hasty retreat
Wisdom. Koralyn agrees. But not right here. Lets create a cache out of this dark place.
"The cloak seems to have picked up much of the evil and stink of its undead master. Perhaps some time in contact with something holy will remove the taint."
Alistair also agrees with the idea of leaving behind some of the heavier items.
Compromising, you rig the amphorae and the heaviest chest so they can be quickly laid aside in an emergency. Judging the group well-rested, you backtrack through the tomb, then back through the narrow hall to the room where you fought the guardian stature beside the strange pool.
Skirting the suspicious water, you make the ascent up the steep stone stairway to the room above that featured the masks and gas trap, intending to make your way back to the surface the same way you came in.
Rolen pauses as he reaches the top of the stairs, however, a cold feeling spreading over his neck. Holding his breath, he opens his senses, searching for the tiniest sound ... or the flicker of a shadow in the northeast corner of the room, where he'd noticed the secret door before. It was barred before, but it's open enough now to let a flicker of light dance in the room. And was that a shuffle of feet and whispered cursed from the western tunnel leading to the surface?
A map, not necessarily for combat but to give you an idea of the layout.
Rolen whispers to the others.
The secret door in the corner is open, and there appears to be a sound of cursing coming from the western hallway leading to the surface. Let's get to the door first. I will lead silently.
Rolen moves quietly as he can to the Northeastern secret door with an arrow notched to his bow.
Without saying a word Koralyn follows, though not as quietly.
Alistair also follows the others, his staff at the ready.
Eldramin follows the others, remaining cautious.
Before Rolen begins his stealthy move to the door, Kierdan whispers a brief cantrip, lays his hand on the elf's shoulder and says, Pelor be with you.
Dragomir tries to stay close to the main group, struggling with the bulk of his friends acquisitions.
or lower?
Eldramin follows the others, remaining cautious.
Alistair will put on the ring and give the cloak to Kierdan to purify. He will ready a light spell if the group needs it.
Rolen slips out of the stairway door and into the shadows between a pillar and the wall as he makes his way toward the secret door. He freezes when he hears Koralyn stumble behind him, the noise of her passage echoing through the chamber.
"That's far enough!" a voice calls from the western tunnel, where Rolen can make out the shapes of at least three or four people huddled in the shadows. Shuffling feet and a poorly-stifled cough tell him at least a couple more wait to the north, and he can't be sure others are not crouching behind pillars on the other side of the room.
"I'm sure you're all sore and tired from your exploration down below, and we certainly appreciate your help clearing out the riff-raff there," the voice continues. "But we staked a claim here long before you showed up, and we simply can't have you running off with treasures that are rightfully ours."
"So just go ahead and lay down what you're carrying, and set aside your weapons, and we'll see about letting you go off in search of some other tomb for yourselves, a long way and many years from here."
"So, you couldn't handle the horrors below, and we did. We even had a nice little rest. Oh and that was all after we incapacitated the "guards" you left topside... and you think you can stop us from doing whatever we please? Surely you jest."
If you're not strong enough to take down the lord of the crypts here then you are no match for us - push it and your bodies can replace the dead we found here.
[ooc]i never rolled for short rest -
Kierdan accepts the foul smelling cloak from Alistair. As he places it in his back for safe keeping, Kierdan says, We will purify this in town, my friend, or perhaps at the druid's grove on the way out of the marsh.
At the sound of the strange voice, Kierdan readies his shield. As Eldramin and Dragomir challenge the hidden voice, Kierdan recites a brief prayer to the Sun Father, asking Him to Bless his comrades in the likely event this brief parley turns violent.
Koralyn takes a step back before speaking We showed the men we captured at the fish camp mercy. If you continue with this course we will not again be so inclined. Each of you will die.