Lilith Sylvari |
Lilith stays quite for a moment taking in the room. Finally she adds her observations to the groups. The necromantic energy suffused the entire room but is concentrated in the surface of each globe. Wait. I sense that whatever is held within each is NOT of a necromantic nature. Are these some sort of prison?
Melo |
Melo looks uneasy as the group attempts to work out what is going on. "I want to get to the bottom of why this thing is reacting down here." He steps forward a little holding out the essence.
"Necromantic energy is holding something in there? So would it be holding something evil? Something we can use?" He looks to Lillith and then to Feldus.
Lenneth Barlow |
"Well...only one way to find out, isn't there?" Lenneth asks as she cautiously steps closer to one of the globes. Thankful that she still retained her knowledge of magics and the like, she tries to examine the globe more closely - but continues to refrain from touching it, for now.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Lilith Sylvari |
I have to admit that I am not sure Melo, but I want to believe that whatever so so encompassed would not be evil. She does not look sure.
Valex |
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"I think..." Valex begins, hesitatntly, eyes closed and brow furrowed in concentration, "...I think that the Order knew about these. I'm chasing a memory - a fragment of a rotten tomb, a decaying page with a picture of these globes, haphazardly placed in a large vaulted chamber. A broken translation 'For the future, for study, for use'..."
He shakes his head in frustration. "I don't remember anything more, d@#$%it, but I am inclined to agree with you, Lilith. It seems likely my brethren thought that whatever is in the spheres is contained by evil, but not, perhaps, evil itself? Either way, I think they bear investigation. Feldus is right, one way or another, they cannot fall into the Way's hands."
Having said his piece, Valex steps closer to one of the spheres, casting Detect magic and concentrating, seeing if he can glean any other hint than what was already discovered.
SPellcraft? Know/Arcana? Know/Religion? in that order:
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
Flynnvas Merryweather |
Able to contribute little to the discussion about the globes, and feeling decidedly uneasy about the whole thing, Flynn moves closer to Aura and Whisper and keeps an eye out for anything untoward.
I've lost track a little, the NPCs are with us, yes?
GM Fiendish |
The NPCs were left outside the cave system along with Skyfall.
The magic is old and multi-layered, you guess it might take today's mages significant effort to accomplish, and yet there must be two dozen spheres visible to you with more further away to be sure. As best you can tell, whatever is being held inside has had its life energies suppressed, being released would likely bring it back...
This close to the spheres, the hair on the back of your necks stands up. The surface of the sphere itself doesn't seem to respond to your presence.
There is the sound of a boot scuffing the stone floor some thirty feet to the east, behind the second row of spheres just inside your light radius...
Feldus Roni |
"A containment spell?" Feldus mutters softly, "The question is...WHAT is being contained, or who." The sound of the boot causes him to swiftly draw his rapier as he sniffs the air.
Does it smell human?
Lilith Sylvari |
The wizard is drawn to these sphere and in the process of thinking about them and studying them and about to touch the closest one when she is distracted.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Lilith hears the boot scuff and it draws her attention away from her study of the spheres. She instinctively moves her Dancing Lights to illuminate whatever made the noise. In the back of her mind she hears a warning Whatever is down here with us is quite when they want to be and seems to be good at creating illusions. They may want to hear that noise. She takes a few steps back away from the spheres and the noise.
Lenneth Barlow |
Lenneth's head turns sharply at the sound of the boot scuffing the floor somewhere close by. Her eyes narrow. She didn't know who they were looking for, but at least now she had an idea of a what that might work just as well.
Kneeling down, she leans close to the ground until her lips are almost touching the ground and whispers to her own shadow. "Find that boot...and its wearer."
Their mission clear, the areas of shadow in and around where Lenneth stand suddenly begin to stretch and expand, snaking like vines towards the area where the sound was heard...
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
______
Lenneth casts Searching Shadows in an attempt to find this mysterious boot. She first sends them over to the area where the noise was heard.
GM Fiendish |
Lenneth's shadows writhe across the floor, a sea of black that moves like a wave in search. She becomes dimly aware that there are no definitely no boot-shaped objects in the area the shadows are searching, despite the noise.
Feldus' nose sieves the air currents, nothing within ten or so yards, but he gets the faint distinctive whiff of dead bodies, a familiar type of smell, whoever is here is alive, but spends much of their time amongst the dead.
Lilith determines, as Valex's words prompt her memory and enable her to have a revelation... the sphere's magic could be disrupted with a dispel, however the weave is such that an object with the right aura would enable the sphere to release its contents as well, perhaps there is even something that would enable you to view inside.
Lilith Sylvari |
Focuses on the external threat Lilith absently recites her thoughts on the spheres while looking for and warning of other threats. Beware of illusions my friends. she warns. We have fallen for them already this day. As to the spheres, I believe their magic could be dispelled or an object with the right aura would enable the sphere to release its contents as well. Perhaps there is even something that would enable us to view inside so we would know what we are releasing.
Feldus Roni |
Feldus is about to reply to Melo, but the scent of his quarry catches his nose. He instead slides out of view, using the shadows provided by the spheres to weave his way towards the scent.
Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Flynnvas Merryweather |
The boot scuff is something tangible and something he can deal with, so Flynn follows after Feldus, keeping low and with weapon drawn.
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Lenneth Barlow |
Her shadows finding nothing, Lenneth frowns and bids them switch the area of their search to the opposite side of where they'd heard the boot noises.
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
GM Fiendish |
As Melo raises the glowing essence, the sphere before him reacts, the seemingly solid surface rippling as if it were water during a storm. Moving the essence towards another sphere has the same effect on it, though the previous sphere once again becomes dormant.
Feldus sniffs, then pads off in to the shadows, swiftly followed by an equally quiet Flynn, and moments later the shadows on the floor writhe and grow darker as Lenneth's spell send ribbons of darkness slithering over the rock.
The scent here is stronger, but you cannot see or smell anything exact. Scent and or vision/perception would work but you're against a high skill check...
Flynnvas Merryweather |
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Flynn peers intently into the darkness, looking for the slightest movement.
I only have low light vision too
Lilith Sylvari |
More concerned about a possible threat than the spheres right now Lilith will mover her lights to facilitate any search activities. She will turn her attention to searching as well.
Lenneth Barlow |
There's someone or something here, I *know* there is! Where are you, elusive being?
As the group begins to fan out a little more to search the area, Lenneth continues to guide her shadows along...they creep further east, further into the room and away from herself and the others. Further from the light.
1=North
2=South
3=East
1d3 ⇒ 3
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Melo |
Melo places the essence away as the others turn to finding whatever else is down here with them.
He crouches low drawing his club and starts to sniff at the air, heading to the boot scuff noise. k5
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 Scent
Flynnvas Merryweather |
Still here, just don't think there's anything Flynn can do to help the smart people in the group work out these globes. Will continue hunting down the source of that boot sound.
Lilith Sylvari |
Hoping to ensure the area is safe before we deal with the globes. Anf if not safe, hoping to make it safe before...
Flynnvas Merryweather |
Either we do what we are going to do with these globes, or we get the Hell out of here. Flynn replies over his shoulder.
Feldus Roni |
"Agreed. These globes are holding...something prisoner, and waits to be set free." Feldus adds as he continues darting his eyes back and forth. "Which is why our friend has not shown himself yet. He seeks the same, yet lacks the means." He glances back towards Melo and the others are clustered, "Is there a way to unbind these globes?"
Melo |
Melo places his club away and pulls out the essence. "They react to this, but should I just touch the closest one to me? Are there any markings on them to work out what could be in there?" He says places the essence close to a globe to show the reaction. "Whatever all this is, I want it done. If we have no answers I'm just going to start using it on any globe."
If there doesn't seem to be a way to work out what globe does want I'll just push the essence into the closest one.
Valex |
"Hold a moment, if you would," Valex asks. He turns into the cave and raises his voice, addressing the unseen presence.
"Please talk with us! I know a secret kept is mine, but do not linger behind the chained door"
Quietly, to his friends, he says "That should identify me as a member of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye and give my - relatively junior - rank within it. If that is a guardian left or stationed by the order..."
GM Fiendish |
Unable to see inside the obsidian sphere's opaque interior, Melo jams the glowing essence deep in to the nearest one...
The surface recoils before the glowing might of the essence as it erupts in radiant, blinding light.
All please roll Reflex save DC 15 or be blinded for 1d4 rounds
The orb is gone, the shattered remnants scattered across the floor, but slowly bleeding back in to the shadows they were formed from. Standing in its place is an alien-looking creature, snarling and staring directly at Melo...
Valex, there is no response to your words, however that may be because of the blinding flash and appearance of the creature.
Lenneth Barlow |
Reflex (DC 15): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
In the split second that exists between the glowing essence disappearing into the orb and the subsequent explosion, Lenn closes her eyes and manages to avoid being blinded by the flash of light.
"Ah!"
After a moment her eyes pop back open, ready to survey the damage or fight if she had to, and...
"Wh...what is it?" she gasps with astonishment as she lays eyes on the strange creature that seems fixated on Melo.
Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Kn. Planes: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Feldus Roni |
Reflex DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Feldus manages to avert his eyes in time to avoid the blinding flash of light. Whipping around to stare at the creature with a glare, he takes a step towards it ready to lunge at it...
"By the Gods, what is that thing?" He hisses in anger and fear.
Valex |
reflex: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Valex, too manages to shield his eyes and avoid the worst of the flash. He stares, curiously, at the freed creature.
know/arc: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
know/nat: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
know/pln: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Lilith Sylvari |
Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Surprised by both the flash of light and Melo's sudden decision to free whatever was in the sphere Lilith cannot help but jump back. As her eyes re-adjust to the dim light she tries to identify the creature now with them and if it is a threat.
Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Melo |
Reflect: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Melo is quick shield his eyes but moves even quicker as he spots the unexpected creature's appearance, hunching his shoulders up and baring his teeth. But that quickly melts away as he locks eyes with it and feels the bond, the pull of it.
He holds a hand up to the others, as he kneels down before the animal offering his hand. "This is Echoes-In-Void... it's not from Golarion but we're bonded, it feels as deep as the bond me and Cyn hand. That Essense.. whatever it was I don't know why it happened but I freed this creature."
Flynnvas Merryweather |
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Flynn whips his head to one side as the flash erupts around him.
It's a.... I don't know what it is.... Melo, can it understand you? Why was it locked in here? Are there more of them? Urgh..... this is too much... the halfling says, his hand running through his long hair.
Feldus Roni |
Feldus pauses briefly, sniffing the air trying to get the new-found scent affixed in his memory. "You say you are...bonded with...it?" He shakes his head in amazement, adding "Can you talk to it? Ask it how it came to be trapped?"
GM Fiendish |
Despite your varied experiences and book learning, no-one seems to recognise the creature, other than to be sure it is a magical beast of some sort, and definitely not a Golarion native, most likely from another planet in the same system.
The creature tilts its head and seems to be staring at, or through you, it's eyes azure pools of radiance. It ignores Melo's words and sniffs the air instead. A ripple washes across its fur in a wave and it whirls on the spot, staring off in to the darkness.
Melo |
Melo steps forward next to Echoes as it stares off. "Echo can sense our hidden friend." He places a hand on the animals back smoothing it gently and then attempting to push it after the hidden thing.
Handle Animal: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 To Track/Hunt? Can I attempt to pinpoint what it's looking at?
Lilith Sylvari |
Melo, I think you are allowed to take 10 to handle your own animal companion, at least when not pushing it. And I think you also get a handle animal bonus with its your companion.
Lilith's ears perk up when the druid mentions that the new creature might be able to sense the hidden threat. She watches closely.
Flynnvas Merryweather |
But where did it come from? And why is it here? And why does it want to bond with you, Melo? Flynn asks, looking off into the darkness after the gaze of the creature.
GM Fiendish |
Echoes' gender does not appear to be readily apparent, and may not even be a biological consideration given what you've seen of its alien nature.
As Melo indicates the surroundings, Echoes lowers its head and its eyes leak red mist as it moves in a stutter-step forwards and sideways, head twisting and turning as it seeks prey. Its claws leave smoking gashes in the stone floor, the air smells of burnt fur in its wake.
It begins to move around one of the spheres...
Are you following or waiting?