We've had devils, but not on the scale of deities. Interesting.
Xeram nods and asks his questions.
"
#1 How did lord Asmodeus came to power?
#2 Aside from the Mitran zealots, does he have any other enemies or rivals whose followers be worth keeping an eye out for?
#3 In my lands, gods had influence in parts of society. Like gods of the moon, sun, arcane, the elements. Domains, if you will, what domain does Asmodeus represent?"
Xeram will patiently and attentively listen to Mordecai, not interrupting him in the least.
Vosil has spent the last few days enjoying the company of Shade, exulting in the strengthening of their bond. Being able to see through her eyes and feel what she feels has been weird, but ... pleasurable, in an odd way.
Fetchlings are odd. But so are eidolons.
Shade, for her part, has been experimenting with solidity. Gone is the being of soundless wisp and shadow from Branderscar prison; instead she is now bulky, muscled, solid. She has been having fun teasing the servants: they leave her room unmarked, but with a slightly wild look around their eyes and a haunted expression. None speak of their experiences.
Now, with the prospect of further adventure, the two form a contrast: Shade is happy and eager, Vosil a little more reserved and morose. He does not like the idea of tests - or rather, of being tested. He is perfectly happy to do the testing...
Trying to catch Thiadora out of earshot of the twins or others he asks, "These others, the ones not from Brandescar, are they also of the our Knot? Did they sign the contract as we did?"
...let no one stand in your way... the rogue remembers.
"No, they are a different Knot."
During your three days at the manor, you never see the Cardinal, but you do spy several others beyond Thiadora and the slaves. By asking about you find their names are: Elise Zadaria, a beautiful female human witch, Dostan Alfson male half-elf barbarian, Tallus “Trak” Rackburn male human ranger, Titus “Trik” Rackburn, male human cleric. Trik and Trak are identical twins.
Vosil will have taken time out from playing with Shade to introduce himself with a bow to the strangers. "I take it you are fellow contractors of our lord Cardinal?"
While having little education, Mordecai answers Xeram's questions as known to him by his infernal visions.
"Lord Asmodeus did not come to power, he is the power. Before Him there was nothing. It is His will that formed the creation from primordial chaos. He is the law-maker, the creator. Only by the betrayal of His brother, He left the world above, and created Hell."
"He will be opposed by do-gooders and anarchists, anyone who is against strict rule and order."
"Lord Asmodeus is the Dark Prince, the Prince of Law, the Ruler of Hell. He governs over Fire and Law, Magic and Evil."
Xeram smiles.
"Oh those are some fine things indeed. I like those principles and those topics."
Not too bad a devil deity indeed.
@ Vosil
When approached, the others are somewhat protective of Elise, although it is she that responds briefly, "Contractors? Well, of a sort I suppose. Loyal devotees is more like it, as you are I see," and she points to your holy symbol and iron circlet, which you notice they too posess. "Best that you scurry back to your friends and prepare, you never know what the Master will need you to deliver or poach next. In the mean time, we'll be off fighting the fight from the front."
-Posted with Wayfinder
A set of stone stairs leads down, through an archway and into an unfurnished chamber beyond. Inscribed upon the archway in the common tongue is: “Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself.” The room beyond is 15'x15' and lit by a small oil lantern hanging from the center of the chamber.
The steps enter the room from the center of the west wall. There is a door in the middle of the east wall.
"...not self-self..." Solomon mumbles to himself behind his mask, as he creeps down the stairs and into the cramped room. "But who's my enemy here..."
The obvious course is the eastern door, but with talk of deception Solomon can't help but search the room. Before heading to the east door he walks along the outer wall, running his clawed hand along the bricks and stones. He supposes that the deception has more to do with the circlets they all wear than something "off" in the room, but as a scientist he pursues diligence.
Mallexk will casually wait. His task is combat and defending against attacks. So searching a room? Let the vermin take care of it
-Posted with Wayfinder
"Well I guess this is where we begin our training. Gertrart and Xeram, lend me an ear a moment." he says with a whisper as he points to the rogue and sorcerer and loops a piece of copper over his ear.
He will then cast Detect Magic, just to see what is occuring in the room, if anything.
---------------------------------------
On Going Effects: Message (Gertrart, Xeram, Taeral), 20 min; Detect Magic
As Solomon slides along the north wall, in the middle of the north wall, he discovers a secret door.
The white rat turns to the others, raising his claws to motion towards the hidden passage. "There seems to be another way." He shares, muffled by the mask. "Should I scout it? Or should we stick together?"
[ooc]@Taeral, I see no reason why Grumplejack would be with you. Nobody asked him to tag along, so he's probably sleeping[/oc]
Nothing magic noted in the room.
The half orc steps into the room... dressed as a cleric if Mitrani. "I think we should stick together, but I see no reason not to follow the path you have discovered, thank the Prince of Law." Gertrart will try to open the secret door.
The secret door in the north wall conceals a small niche. Inside that niche is a small pedestal that holds a jewel that glows with pale blue light. It is cold to the touch.
There is another inscription on the back of the alcove: "Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool.”
Appraise check:
"That seems promising, but I am a little leery of something so clearly valuable." Gertrart checks the pedestal and jewel for any hidden dangers.
,
"Clever..." Vosil is glad to have useful partners who can do things he cannot.
"Hmm - looks like alchemist ice inside quartz: throw the gem and it releases the ice. Could be useful."
What's the plan villains?
With that found, Solomon will return to the eastern door from the first, cramped room. "Then it seems we have no other choice" he says as he inspects the door. If everything seems standard with the door, he'll open the passage but step to the side...
He has no idea what is on the other side, but would rather not be the first to face it.
Oh, and he grabs the quartz. If it's something to be thrown, that's right in his wheel-house.
Taeral will position himself so he is about 10-15 feet from the front (or in this case from the door), and look in with his Detect Magic spell.
---------------------------------------
On Going Effects: Message (Gertrart, Xeram, Taeral), 20 min; Detect Magic
To keep things moving, I'll make a roll for Solomon.
Alrighty then, so as Solomon moves towards the door on the east wall, he detects a pit trap in the floor in front of it.
Inches from sliding in, Solomon suddenly realizes the peril he's about to introduce upon himself and stops hastily. He raises both arms to stop the others, scuttling backwards.
"There's a large pit trap before the door... that must be the 'don't deceive yourselves' component. "
Setting his pack carefully beside him, he rifles around for the thieves' tools from Branderscar. "Gifts of Asmodeus" he snickers. Then, with a look of uncertainty masked from the others, he lays prostrate before the false floor and tries to disable the trigger.
Solomon manages to spring and stabilize the pit trap.
Carved upon the wall of the pit near the bottom is the phrase, "Thou wert deceived. Pain is thy reward."
The white rat scrambles up from where he lay, stretching out the new kink in his neck. Then with tentative steps makes sure the floor is stabilized. "Fascinating. he mutters. "Mechinations seem so crude compared with the subtleties of chemicles and flesh, but that contraption is wonderful."
Then, still lost in thought he steps forward and tries to open the door to the next room.
And he finds a false door into the stone wall.
"Nicely done Bone-White." Odd, thinks Gertrart. Then he checks the south wall for another exit.
"A false door that leads nowhere in the east, a secret room in north. Is there anything to the south?" As he speaks, the tiefling moves to inspect the southern wall.
Malleck sighs. This was not his strong point. So he merely waits
-Posted with Wayfinder
Vosil mentally pens another chapter in a soon - to - be bestseller, The Joy of Minions, while he waits for the lab rat to finish performing. How appropriate that it's white, he idly thinks to himself.
So let's recap this room:
With a roll of 20 Solomon discovers the DC 20 niche
With a roll of 15 Vosil appraised the DC 15 crystal
With a roll of 25 Solomon avoids the DC 25 pit trap
With a roll of 20 Solomon disables the DC 20 put trap
And now with a roll of 20 Gertrart finds the second DC 20 secret door
No overachieving, but you aced the room, haha.
I'll post about the south door ASAP.
The short passage from the north ends in a wooden door with another inscription: “Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal Lord.”
"True words, true words.", as he rubs his chin.
Those zealots are a herd too, a herd following some high powered ass.
Solomon ponders for a moment, "I tend to like big packs," he mumbles, "less likely to be singled out."
As he approaches the lone wooden door he recommends that the others fall back a bit. "We may want to spread out," he advises, squeaking back at the others. "I love when people clump together if I'm throwing explosives, but they probably like it less. So we'd best leave some room I'm thinking."
He examines the door for a bit, cautious from the last near miss.
Then, if things look clear, he'll swing open the door to the next room, hoping the others have stepped clear rather than leaving a large 'herd'.
Taeral steps back and gives Solomon all the room he may desire.
The door appears safe.
"Looks clear..." the white-rat calls out, a bit more timidly than he'd like. "So clear the hallway..."
After giving everyone the chance to either clear the hall, or boldly make their stand behind him, he opens the door.
Gertrart boldy stands 15' back from Solomon. If that gives him a corner all the better.
"Why not?!"
Inside this 15x15 stone chamber, there are four doors – each facing a cardinal direction. You entered from the north. The entire chamber seems strangely cold. The ground is dirty and dusty.
Perception or Survival
-Posted with Wayfinder
[dice=Survival]1d20
-Posted with Wayfinder