Kenji with his Quarterstaff in hand steps up to help surround the remaining spider next to the one he killed. he attacks with his Quarterstaff.
Infuriated that such a small creature could so long evade death, Lilley snaps at it again but badly mistimes a lunge, the force of which would no doubt have torn the arachnid apart. "Bloedige jou byl, en die dood van die verdoemdes ongedierte!" she growls at Stirgen.
Lilley again misses with her tusks. Bastarger manages to kill another spider with his sword and Rhen pins another spider to the ground with his pick.
Hands slicking with sweat at the continued verbal assault from the half-orc that scares Stirgen now that she's perfectly happy chowing down on spider meat... the Inquisitor takes a few moments to measure out the distance with his oversized ground-gouging axe and swings with more hope than gusto...
Greataxe: for
Once again, Stirgen's axe clings noisily against the stone floor. This time, however, it passes through the body of his intended target, cleaving it clean in half.
You move forward warily, checking the alcoves for any treasures or enemies. But there are neither. As you approach the end of the narrow hallway, you again are greeted by double doors. This time, however, the doors open with a push. You emerge from the hallway into a much larger room.
The ceiling of this cavernous chamber vaults to a height of sixty feet, forming an architectural wonder unsupported by any visible columns or buttresses. You enter on a wide stone bridge with an elaborately carved railing. It arches over the chamber from north to south, joining two sets of massive bronze doors at either end. The central portion of the chamber, 40' below the bridge, contains an inlaid spiral symbol and is recessed into the floor, with eight staircases leading up to a wide ledge that encircles the room. On this ledge stand bronze doors to the east and west. Eight larger-than-life statues stand upon the ledge as well, evenly spaced around the room’s circumference—seven carved from white stone, and the eighth carved from black stone.
Stirgen smiles widely as he finally hits something, before bringing his enthusiasm somewhat into order and turning to Lilley to give a wink. He then idly wipes the ichor of his blade onto the spider's corpse.
Entering the chamber Stirgen looks about wide eyed and thoughtul...
Perception:
...but without any targeted insights to add to the discussion. Musing out loud "We are watched as we promenade... by seven pure and one who stands apart"
"Well done!" He congratulates the half-orc. "You know, I must learn your language. It's quite fascinating."
As they make their way into the chamber, "My, my, I must say. This place is fantastic!" Rajah looks around, admiring what he's able.
Lilley catches Stirgen's wink with a flash of approval in her eyes after the half-orc has cleaved the spider in twain; then she looks down at the crushed vermin with its spilt viscera and she seems suddenly to realize how close she came to ripping the thing open with her teeth. Her already-green skin gains a sickly pallor as she turns away and leans weakly against the wall, her face pillowed in her arm, while the others search the alcove. When they are ready to move on and Rhen pushes open the doors, she once again hefts her glaive and follows grimly onto the bridge.
Kenji is quite amazed at the size of this room, it's layout beautiful.
He speaks to Stirgen in Orc-
He replaces his Quarterstaff, after renewing it's light, on his back and retrieves his crossbow.
Chatterbeak flits to the cieling.
Chatterbeak flaps around the cieling.
This room is much nicer master. Room to fly in here there is. Next time master we should travel with better warriors. The big green one throws his weapon everywhere. Careful master. Better stand next to the Gnome. He's good.
The smart alec bird remains airborne for now, enjoying the room and looking about
Not showing any surprise that Kenji know Orcish, Stirgen responds "Ja, maar die misdaad weg te steek waar dit se skoonheid kan nie gesien word nie."
Though the architectural style of this room is much different from the gothic Pharasmin cathedrals of the modern day, you recognize that the large, spiral symbol inlaid on the floor in the middle of the chamber is an ancient representation of The Lady of Graves. It dates from the Thassilonian period.
The lone black statue is immediately to your right, below you, in the south, southeastern portion of the chamber. You are unable to discern any unique features about the statues from your current height, however.
Bastarger stifled a chuckle at the raven's criticism of Stirgen, before frowning as he pointed out- Hey! You don't see me chatting in private to Rhen here in Dwarven!
Not that I can speak Dwarven... but that's beside the point!
Excitedly taking in the large room with wide, eager eyes, Bastarger gauged the distance from the bridge to the ledge with all the statues, as he noted it could be reached on either end of the bridge.
We should get a thorough look at these statues! he added as he produced a folded, 50 foot length of rope from his belt pouch and seeking something to secure it to.
The ledge is 30' below - the bottom of the chamber is 40'. The ledge is only elevated 10' from the bottom of the chamber.
The railing has multiple points where the rope could be secured.
Bastarger began to tie the rope into a secure knot on the bridge near the ledge itself and stowed his tower shield, sheathing his Falcata.
Who wants to come with me?
Rhen picks up his bow and puts his pick back on his belt.
"The doors on the sides," Lilley offers softly, looking down over the railing of the bridge, "they probably lead to the sealed doors on the left and right from the antechamber." If we can reach the same destination by climbing down, though, it will preserve uses of the magic chime, she thinks.
Stirgen is woken from his slight reverie by Bastarger's mild reproach. By way of apology "I am sorry good gnome, I will endeavor to limit my reverie to languages where you all may enjoy my banality" smiling earnestly but his face is a somewhat frightening rictus. "If you wish below I would not stop you... though I would hesitate to follow."
Chatterbeak flaps down to the gnome.
Chatterbeak can look for you Mister Gnome. Chatterbeak is great at spotting things.
Bastarger smiled merrily at Chatterbeak.
Then you should accompany me Chatterbeak, I could use a good pair of eyes. I don't know much about history or religion, statues and the like. But I wouldn't feel right about you going on your own.
After he had secured the rope, Bastarger attempted to descend to the ledge below using the rope...
Climb
Lilley leans against the bridge's railing to watch the gnome's descent without displaying any inclination to follow.
Bastarger lands on the stone floor with a loud clank - falling the last five feet. Fortunately, only his pride is dinged.
Looking around him, he sees the statues closer up - each of the seven white ones are distinct from each other. The steps going down into the middle of the room are still in fantastic condition.
Bastarger -
Chatterbeak -
Not truly knowing what he is looking for but curious to see all the statues close up, Bastargers intention is to inspect all of them, in particular the out of place dark one. He replaces his torch in his shield sconce and keeps a hand free.
Rhen yells down to the gnome, "So we're tomb raiders, now? I thought we were looking for missing corpses, not looting."
Chatterbeak looks at the statues and surrounds. The bird was a manifestation of his masters will, the link established via an emphatic connection. It allowed Chatterbeak to talk and reason and even possess.some knowledeg beyond the birds experience.
Rhen yells down to the gnome, "So we're tomb raiders, now? I thought we were looking for missing corpses, not
looting."
Bastarger raised an eyebrow, a gesture unfortunately completely obscured by his helmet.
I'm not looting, i'm exploring! he yelled back up to the bridge happily. We know almost nothing about this place. It doesn't hurt to leave no stone unturned!
Chatterbeak, despite flying around and trying its hardest to remember something, is unable to glean any further information from the room.
You take a circuit of the room. You have no idea who the statues represent, but you note the following about each.
Clockwise around the cathedral, starting with the southwestern statue, the white statues depict: a tall man with gems set in his forehead, wielding a flaming glaive; a beautiful woman with wild hair, holding a ranseur; a voluptuous, nude woman wielding a two-headed guisarme; a short, smiling man holding a longspear; an obese man with rotting flesh, wielding a scythe; a handsome, bearded man in extravagant clothes, wielding a lucerne hammer; and an imperious, heavyset woman holding a mirror and a halberd.
The eighth statue (in the south-southeast part of the room) is carved from dark stone and is threefold in form, portraying a tall woman with three faces looking in three different directions. One side has a kind face and cradles a baby in its arms, while a second side displays a more stern expression and holds an hourglass. The third face has a crazed look; its hands are empty, but thornless roses twine up both arms.
AD,17
V,16
S,19
S, 27
V, 31
AD, 31
White Statue (AG,27)
For the statues at V,16; S,19; AD,31 and AG,27 you spot what appears to be a door hidden behind each statue. The doors are all inaccessible with the statues in the way.
"Fantastic!" Rajah repeats as he notices the image upon the floor. "If you notice the spiral symbol there," he points toward the floor, "that is actually an ancient depiction of Pharasma herself. Which actually dates back to the Thassilonian era. Highly interesting, don't you think? It's too bad I've never discovered such a place dedicated to the Dawnflower."
While the others ponder the room, Stirgen seems to be mouthing something off and on while shaking his head occasionally.
Rajah turns to Stirgen, curious as to his actions. "Pardon me, my good half-orc, did you say something?"
A slight flush as though embarassed before responding "Not out loud Mr Rajah, merely rotating a turn of phrase within my head."
"Please, call me Rajah. No need for formalities, good sir. If I may ask, a 'turn of phrase'? Of course, if it is of a personal nature, forgive me. I'll gladly withdraw my question of curiosity."
"A way to arrange language in an order that conjures emotions unrestrained within oneself or another. Poetry." a dreamy look in the ugly half-orc's eyes "It is what I was studying at the Lyceum before I was blessed with this most important charge in the bowels of Pharasmite tombs."
"So you are a poet? Truly fantastic! You'll have to regale us with a bit sometime. At least," he looks around at their current situation, "when we have the ability to enjoy it properly." He smiles as he gives him a pat on the shoulder. "And now you've piqued my curiosity once again. Lyceum?"
"I am a poet in training only, the Lyceum is the finest college of the arts in all Varisia if not beyond as well. But surely we digress?" moving to the lip of the walkway to peer at Bastarger below.
After having taken a good look at all the statues alone, Bastarger shouted up towards the bridge-
Bastarger pointed to the statues he had noted doors behind.
"Unless they show signs of recent use," Lilley growls, "they are none of our concern. The dwarf is right: we are here to find out who is stealing bodies, not explore every nook and cranny of these crypts. If we find a trail that indicates the doors are being used by the thief, then we can try to force them open; until then, I see no reason to risk further damage to the Lady's domain."
None of the doors show sign of recent use, but now that you're noticing that, it appears that nothing in the Ossuary shows sign of recent use. It's as if you're the first people to disturb the crypt in ages. Dust lies in thick layers everywhere, and ancient cobwebs hang from the ceilings in gossamer curtains. Nevertheless, everything within has been preserved extraordinarily well - even wooden objects that would normally have succumbed to age thousands of years ago.
Rajah breaks into a big grin, "Oh come now... um... madam." Rajah reminds himself to ask her her name eventually. "This place is absolutely fantastic! Who knows what every nook and cranny might entail! Wonders beyond imagination! I'll attempt my way down to aid our small gnome friend. I like his enthusiasm." Rajah winks as he climbs over the edge and makes his way down the rope. "ON THE WAY, MY GOOD GNOME!"
Stirgen looks to Lilley, speaking quietly "I am of the same mind... but it would appear that the others are intent on this line of inquiry. Shall we below so as to ensure that the beauty of the room remains untarnished and Pharasma herself would approve of our conduct?"
Assuming Lilley agrees, Stirgen will move by rope...
Climb: Take 10 for 8
"I am neither clever nor perceptive," she replies to him blandly, "and my words will not sway anyone's behavior. What can I do down there other than get in the way?"
Rhen speaks aloud, to no one in particular, though he does stare down at the people who climbed the rope, "So you're thinking that someone stole some corpses and instead of going north (or south) to those bronze doors over there, they instead climbed 40' down to another level to hide them? That doesn't make any sense to me. We should check the doors on this level, staring at us in the face."
Agreed.
Stirgen freezes half-way - clearly not invested wholly in either decision, and neither wanting to be one to rock the boat.
You seem to be suffering from a distinct lack of imagination, good Dwarf. Your statement has little credence unless we imagine each door leads to a dead end, when it has good odds of being an alternate route to somewhere else. Whoever took the bodies may have taken them downstairs by another route which one of these doors also happens to lead to. Nevermind Rajah, we can always return here later. My curiosity weeps but the others are clearly set upon crossing yonder bridge. I am sure we are in for some interesting experiences either way.
Bastarger made his way back up to the bridge, still enthusiastic.
"Very well. I would agree that it's best we do not divide." He looks toward the hidden doors. "But the wonders those doors might lead to could prove quite fascinating. Hopefully it is something we may return to, good gnome." Rajah then makes his way back to the others.
I agree, Rajah. This place clearly serves no purpose to the Pharasmites any more. Perhaps later... Bastarger said wistfully.
The group, once again united on the bridge, makes its way north to the double doors. Much like the ones into the grand chamber, these too push open easily. You move down another narrow hallway - this one, however, has no alcoves for skeletons or spiders. It is also pitch black. Only the light from Kenji's staff and Bastarger's torch light the way . After about 40', you come to a fork in the hallway. You can go either left or right. You are able to see nothing in the pitch black darkness in either direction.