Round 4:
Dumah and Eli are up!
Dumah moves over to D13, trying not to draw attention as he does so. He eyes his position to make sure he has a clear line of sight to the beast. With a bit of fur and a glass rod in his hand, he reaches out toward the horse and lashes out with arcane might in the form of a bolt of lightning!
SR check
Damage
The demon laughs, as Dumah's spell proves to be ineffective!
The demon, angered at Jameena and Quzman, opens its mouth and lets loose with another cone of fire! He then moves another 5' up, so he is 10' away from Jameena and 15' away from Eli.
Quzman, angered that another of his allies has fallen, lets loose with a volley of arrows, but to no avail, as all of the arrows bounce off the demon's skin, causing it great laughter!
Dawnflower, aid me.
Jameena calls upon her goddess to bolster her, then continues to rain slashes down upon the demon horse.
Jameena rains blow after blow on the demonic horse, drawing more and more blood, penetrating its enchanted hide, till finally, the last blow, severs the creature's head, its body falling to the ground with a sick thud!
As soon as the horse drops, Jameena decends and lets Sarenrae's healing grace flow over the Sand Stalkers.
Dawnflower, lend your healing grace to these heroes.
Nice job Jameena! Will level up ASAP.
The demonic horse lies dead on the floor, as does Tyronel. The northern part of this room is still in darkness, as you have not yet pierced it with your light.
Dumah avoids meeting the gaze of Eli or Quzman; the three have seen so much death together, he's reluctant to admit it has claimed another of them. To no one in particular, he murmurs One day I will have the power to bring this accursed mountain down. One day.
To the others, he says:
Shall we press ahead? We must be getting close to the item we seek.
Jameena stands on the edge of the group, her shining scimitar held high and her magic sight active, peering into the darkness to sense other enemies or sources of evil. Once more, she mutters a prayer to Sarenrae.
Dawnflower, lend your healing grace to these heroes.
The familiar healing wave washes over the surviving Sand Stalkers.
"Eli, best get out the wand of healing we found and tend to our remaining wounds. We do not know if this tomb holds further horrors, so we'd best be ready before moving into the darkness."
Eli climbs off the wall, then kneels down beside his friend as tears make tracks in the grime that coats his checks. For a long time he is silent just "being" beside his companion. He looks to Jameena when she mentions the magic wand, but ignores the request for the moment asking, "Is there any chance we can save his soul? Can Sarenrae do for Tyronel what she did for Quzman?"
"Tyronel perished by the fire of a demon while trying to vanquish evil. I have no doubt that the Dawnflower would guide his soul back to us if asked. However, such a request is far beyond my power. We would have to gather up his remains and carry them to a temple with a high priest."
"Will you help me do that, and pray for him? Before doing anything else Eli will gather Ty's belongings and wrap the body in something, using his own bedroll if there is nothing else suitable. Once the bard feels that Tyronel has been properly tended to he will wipe his face and take out the healing wand. Touching it twice each on the wounds of Jameena, Quzman, and Dumah.
With Quzman and Jameena in the lead, the party explores the rest of the room. Jameena does not sense any more evil, so that puts the party a little more at ease. To the north, there rests a single massive block of deep black stone upon a dais. Carvings on the sarcophagus and the surrounding wall depict the terrifying image of a nine-legged spider with a gaping maw.
Eli suddenly whispers in the now recognizable possessed voice, "The Scroll of Kakishon!" and rushes to open the sarcophagus but try as he might, he cannot lift it. He looks down at his body and says "What a weak form!" Eli regains his senses, as the spirit within him subsides.
A scroll? So, it seems we are seeking a scroll of some remarkable value. And, friend Eli, I do believe you've been insulted! Perhaps if we work together, we can get this open and see what is so incredibly valuable here.
Dumah will examine the sarcophagus, looking for ways to use their strength to best advantage. If he comes up with anything, he'll provide suggestions to the others. "If you pull here, and you push here, that should do the trick..." Knowledge Engineering
Eli slams his fist on top of the sarcophagus, "Ahh! Quzman can you lift this....we need to get inside it." Before he moves to make room for the stronger Sandstalker he looks over the lid and sides to be sure those who placed this here, didn't also place protections from grave robbers as well.
Quzman looks up from examining the room, "I will do what I can good Eli. With the Dawn's blessing, hopefully we will find something worthwhile, though I doubt any treasure could truly measure against the cost paid here today." He moves over to the side of the sarcophagus, and braces himself while wedging his fingers in to give the best grip before straining against the weight.
Eli does not detect any traps, but as Quzman strains and opens the sarcophagus, a spirit of a gnoll woman appears above the corpse, looks at the ranger and says in Gnoll "Shirak curses you!" and then dissipates.
Inside the sarcophagus, you find the bones of Shirak, the ancient gnoll priestess, She is garbed in a glistening suit of chainmail, wears an ornate headband, and grasps in her bony hands the shaft of an immense greataxe.
"Eli" instinctively looks inside and studies the contents of the sarcophagus before reaching behind the wide blade of the greataxe between Shirak's ankles and pulls out a plain-looking bone scroll tube. Eli returns to normal, the possessed spirit inside of him content.
Jameena looks at Quzman in concern, worried that the gnoll spirit may have cast some evil spell on him.
"Quzman, are you all right?"
Quzman gasps as the spirit flows through him, and shudders at the experience. At Jameena's questioning, Quzman looks up at her with a paled face, "I feel cold. It's like the warmth of the Dawn has left my body." Nodding towards the remains in the sarcophagus, "Do you sense any evil in the remains here? Perhaps these items can finally be put to use for the fight against evil, instead of for it...if they are not tainted themselves."
Jameena detects no evil and they do detect as magical to Dumah.
Dumah's gaze is wary as he considers what happened to Quzman.
As I recall from my readings this last year, Shirak was a powerful gnoll priestess and favored minion of Rovagug. She was one of the very few who survived the war between the Templars of the Five Winds and Jhavhul, the defeated efreeti prince. I read rumors that The House of the Beast was her resting place. I believe it is safe to say now that those rumors have been confirmed.
His gaze turns to Jameena. Is there anything we can do to desecrate this site and reduce the Beast's influence here, or is that beyond our means at the moment?
As Dumah turns his attention to desecrating the tomb, Eli focuses on the scroll. "Let's see what all the fuss for this was about."
"I'm a warrior and a healer, Dumah. Not a high priest or sage. I'm afraid all I am able to offer is a prayer and a spell of blessing like the one I just cast. I don't even have the power to undo whatever foul curse that spirit may have put on Quzman."
Dumah purses his lips and nods grimly at Jameena's reply. Very well. Another time, perhaps. As it is, I think we've struck a blow against the Beast with our actions here.
Dumah will cast Detect Magic on the rest of the contents of the sarcophagus. These items, I don't think we should leave them here. If discovered by gnolls returning to these caves, they might become rallying tools for the tribes. Perhaps we can sell them, and raise funds toward restoring our friend to this world.
As Dumah turns his attention to desecrating the tomb, Eli focuses on the scroll. "Let's see what all the fuss for this was about."
1d20+8
1d20+7
Eli opens the tube and carefully pulls out the scroll. On the tattered parchment, he finds an immense rune inscribed on it and nothing more. He studies it and though he has never studied ancient history, it comes to him that the rune is not a character of any alphabet but rather a rune of power associated with the wizard-king Nex, during the early parts of his kingdom. Such runes were commonly used to conceal the true nature of the page, such as government secrets, maps, treasures, etc. It was said only one gifted in lore could pierce the obscuring rune.
"I agree Dumah. Let us see if the items can be put to better use than decorating an evil tomb. Can you tell us anything about what properties these items may hold?" Seeing as he is already cursed by the spirit of the tomb, Quzman reaches in and pulls out the enshrined items and lays them out on the ground for further review by the young mage.
"What did you find there Eli? What is it your alter ego has sent us after?"
Eli studies the rolled out scroll, "Hmmm...What, oh yes Quzman I found a mark of the Wizard King Nex. Legends say that the mark was once used to conceal the page of it's true contents. I suspect something of great importance is hidden beyond this magical rune of power. If I can just discover it's nature I will be able to pierce it's obscuring veil." While Dumah is examining the other artifacts from the tomb, Eli will continue to study the mark looking for the key that will allow him to reveal whatever the mark is concealing.
* arcane
* history
* local
* nature
* planes
* religion
Spellcraft headband
Spellcraft armor
Spellcraft weapon
Reminder: He's +2 to ID Evocation, -5 to ID Necromancy and Illusion.
If Eli is willing, Dumah will take a look at the scroll as well.
Knowledge Arcana
Headband: Adorned with gems to form the symbol of an owl with its wings spread, this gold headband radiates strong Transmutation magic. You determine that the magic of the headband most likely allowed Shirak greater communion with her deity by expanding her mind and allowing her the proper temperament to soak in its awe.
Armor: The first thing you notice as you take the armor off the corpse is how light it is and you realize that the Chain mail is made of mithral, a silvery, glistening metal that is lighter than steel but just as hard. Its enchantment cannot be determined at this time but it is greater than +2.
Greataxe: It radiates strong magic but Dumah cannot determine its properties at this time.
Before we move on, allow me to share my insights. More than just depriving the gnolls of their historic relics, these items retain significant power that we may be able to use against them.
This headband, for instance. It expands your awareness of the world around you and aids your temperament to use that awareness to best advantage. It is quite powerful in that regard. And this chainmail… It is much more than just its mithril content. The defensive enchantment on it is strong; stronger than anything we currently possess amongst us! And the axe… The specifics of the axe elude me at the moment. I will try again when we are clear of this place. But I can sense that it too bears great power.
All:
"Very good Dumah, these items will be useful in the trials ahead I am sure. Perhaps we should start our long trek out of these forsaken halls. I long to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin once again. It feels as if we've been underground for much too long."
Quzman gingerly picks up the remains that were once a valued companion, and begins to carry him out of the chamber when everyone is finished searching the area.
"It would be fitting to use these powerful items for good - at the very least prevent them from falling into the hands of evil." Jameena says, helping Quzman and the others carry Ty and the items out.
Passing through the treasure room, she glances at the riches.
"Perhaps we had better not touch any of this. I fear it may be cursed somehow - who knows, maybe those undead spirits we fought were the shades of souls who got tempted by greed and damned to haunt these hall because of it."
"Sigh...you are probably right Jameena. Wealth like that could spread the Dawnflower's message far, but it would not be right to do so if it spread a taint on the land at the same time." Quzman assists everyone getting back up the rope and to the ledge and above with as much dignity for poor Tyronel as possible.
Yes, I fear the unintended effects the treasure may carry, much like this blade. Dumah says, tapping the cursed punching dagger at his side.
Sorry, RL is kicking my butt. I will try to post tonight or tomorrow.
Yeah Eli will take the lead and guide the group back out, he has the scroll but will share it with Dumah so he can study it as well.
The party, with Quzman and Jameena carrying Tyronel's corpse, venture forth, back through the Crypt, the Pit of Screaming Ghosts, the garden, and the elemental staircase to reach the Throne Room of the Gnoll King, wherein lie the remains of the King and his demonic insect, just as the party left it.
As the party continues its journey with Eli in the lead, suddenly Jameena screams in pain, dropping Tyronel's legs in the process, as a scimitar blade punctures her rib, causing her much pain! From the air suddenly appears none other than Qadir!
As he pulls his blade out of Jameena's wound, he smiles, "Oh, you, Sandstalkers, so easy to manipulate! Hahaha...Now, give me the Scroll of Kakishon and perhaps, my servant and I will spare your miserable lives!" From the entrance to the throne room steps in a muscular reptilian humanoid, garbed in breastplate, wielding a greataxe! Pic of Troglodyte out of armor
Initiative Order:
Qadir
Dumah
Eli
Quzman
Troglodyte
Jameena
Round 1:
Qadir swings his blade twice at the reeling paladin, connecting once again, finding the weak spot in her armor!
He laughs again, this time his voice changing to a demonic tone, "Kill the healer and the rest shall fall like flies!"
Eli, in his possessed voice, speaks: "I know that voice anywhere...Zayifid! Another Templar of the Four Winds...turned evil! Sand Stalkers, kill him, do not let him escape!"