Seeing that his sword seems to be damaging the statue, Strevlik attacks it again.
Strevlik strikes a glancing blow on the statue, chipping off another small piece, but not seeming to do very much damage to it.
Figuring his magic to be of little use against the statue, Boland attempts to steady his slightly trembling arm as he takes aim with his crossbow. He aims high, ensuring not to risk hitting Strevlik, but errs too far on the side of caution and the shot goes well wide.
Seeing that his companions are choosing to stand and fight here, Brash pushes past Andolphas and enters the room and, despite feeling the wave of fatigue rush over him once more, swings his axe at the statue with all his might.
Andolphas shakes his head in disbelief as Brashen joins the others, who seem unwilling to retreat, in the fray. "Boland, for what it's worth, I believe that you had the wiser idea..."
The raven-haired cleric holds up the ruby skull of the Dark-Eyed Lady, and begins a long, eerie, droning and unintelligible chant, waving one arm after the other in broad circles. A silvery, blinding radiance emanates from the priest, engulfing all within 30' of him in every direction...
Brashen moves into the room and is instantly overcome by a wave of fatigue once again. His axe suddenly grows heavier in his hands, but he still manages to swing it mightily at the statue. The axe smashes into the statue’s left arm, shattering it from shoulder to wrist – but the loss of an arm does not seem to bother the thing, nor impede its ability to wield its club with its other arm.
At the same time Andolphas spell begins to come into effect, shedding white light over the melee.
The stone coloured, slug like thing on the floor slithers forward again, raises the front of its body and jabs towards Strevlik, but the ranger, now pressed by two opponents, manages to dodge yet again.
Another overhand chop cracks on the stone, as Da'gret furiously continues to swing like he's chopping wood.
Boland finishes reloading his crossbow and once more raises it in the direction of the animated statue. Once more bening careful to avoid those surrounding it, he squeezes the trigger and let's fly...
Boland’s crossbow quarrel bounces harmlessly off the passage wall.
The damaged statue again swings its club at Strevlik, the arc of swing now altered by the fact it grips it with only one hand. The ranger again attempts to dodge out of the way, but, keeping a wary eye on the dangerous blob on the ground, he is caught a glancing blow by the hardened clay club’s backswing
Strevlik attacks the statue again, hoping to smash it.
Brash struggles to keep his eyes open as he forces his arms to lift the axe and take another swing at the statue
The dark cleric becomes completely engulfed in blinding white light that throbs and shimmers. Over the din of the battle, you can just barely make out his incorporeal voice: "Dark-Eyed Lady, I pray thee, take this being of living stone that threatens your servant and his companions... take it into the Great Beyond..."
Two silvery rays extend outward from the shimmering white pillar, extending toward the living statue... and as they do so, the radiance engulfing Andolphas fades, revealing the exhausted, haggard-looking cleric.
Strevlik and Brashen both hack into the statue again, badly damaging it, but it stands still. Andolphas sends two beams of radiant divine light towards the thing, one of them hitting, blasting a chunk out of its shoulder … but it still stands.
The slug thing on the floor strikes again at Strevlik – and misses.
Strevlik and Brashen both hack into the statue again, badly damaging it, but it stands still. Andolphas sends two beams of radiant divine light towards the thing, one of them hitting, blasting a chunk out of its shoulder … but it still stands.
The slug thing on the floor strikes again at Strevlik – and misses.
Boland growls quietly to himself in frustration, suddenly wishing he had spent a little less time in front of the books and a little more time outside as a child. He reloads the crossbow once more, takes aim and fires...
Da'gret brings the make-shift club up over his head again with both hands and roars, hammering down on the slug again with all of his might.
The slug thing flops and writhes, acidic bile splatting over the remains of Da’gret’s spear before it finally stops moving – dead?
The badly damaged statue continues its inexorable attacks on Strevlik. The ranger is beginning to tire now, and another strike smashes through his defenses .
Strevlik is determined to take out the statue now.
"Brashen, see if Da'gret needs any help with the slug. I’ll take care of the statue," says the ranger as he swings his sword again.
Strevlik’s swing finds a weak point in the damaged statue, which shatters, its torso falling to the floor, leaving its legs standing incongruously. It appears that the life – or animation at least – has gone out of it.
The slug thing appears to be dead too, as near as Da’gret can tell in the flickering light of Andolphas’ torch. It is not moving at least, although its death throes have melted most of what was left of the half-orc’s spear.
Andolphas picks up his torch, and, laboured breath betraying his exhaustion, takes a few cautious steps into the chamber; he kneels, drops his spear to the ground, and traces a symbol in the air. "The Dark-Eyed Lady has decreed that our task on this Oerth is not yet done... we remain worthy. Please accept our humble thanks, Lady, for your favour, and for the honour to serve you in this world."
The raven-haired cleric picks up his weapon and rises again, still trembling feintly, and nods at his companions. "Well done. I feared we might lose someone here. I have channeled much of the goddess' energy today -- more than I ever have in such a short time span -- and have little left in me. We likewise are fortunate to all be standing, given the scars we have sustained in our various skirmishes. I think it would be wise for us to return to the surface, mend our wounds, and prepare for a return expedition. We could not withstand another challenge, whether from beetles or enchanted statues, without suffering losses."
As he awaits a reply from the others, Andolphas scans the room. "So what does this chamber contain, that an enchanted guardian would have been placed here to protect it? And what was that... thing?" Andolphas points with his spear to the now inanimate ooze as he utters the last words, a look of disgust creasing his pale face.
Brash moves out of the room to escape the effects of the fatigue. "How are you going Strevlik? You took a few big hits there. The priest may be right, although id rather stay here and get the job done now. But where also running low on tourches, which will leave us with just one light source. If we decide to go though, lets at least finish our search on this level." So saying Brash goes back to where he was searching before the fight
I will hit it this time! Boland thinks to himself with great determination as he reloads his crossbow. So focused is he, that it is not until he raises his crossbow to fire once more that he realises the fight has ended.
Looking to the others sheepishly to see if any noticed his blunder, Boland quickly lowers his crossbow and moves up to the main group.
"I agree with you both" he says to Andolphas and Brashen. "We may as well finish searching this level, but then I think we should head back to town to recover and re-stock.
After taking a few minutes to rest and see to their wounds after the battle, the group spends another fifteen minutes or so finishing the search of the level. Nothing of interest is discovered.
"We have gone as far as we can down here... let's make for the surface, my friends, before our light sources expire. For all that I will welcome the day when it finally comes, let us not tempt the fates and risk making a premature journey to the Great Beyond. We have tasks yet to accomplish on this Oerth." Andolphas, torch in hand, starts to make his way back to the shaft, glancing over his shoulders to ensure that his companions are following...
The group finds that the rope is still in place and secure, and makes their way slowly back to the tomb above. Strevlik and Da’gret are slowed somewhat by their wounds, but both are strong climbers and make it back up to the next level.
The tomb and the corridor back out to the hillside are as they were left (except that a trail of industrious ants have already discovered the corpse of the snake).
It is a relief to feel fresh air and sunlight on faces again, once outside. The sun has climbed the vault of the sky and has well and truly begun its journey back down, leaving the ravine with the cairn entrance in long shadow.
If the weary and wounded group begin their journey back to town now, they should make it before nightfall, although perhaps only barely.
'If we go back to town, we have to be discreet, no selling off old coins and artefacts before we go back and clear the rest of that Cairn. Dont want people asking questions or nosing about. All that will get us is competition. Might even be worth camping outside of town and just going in for a few supplies in the morning, though maybe that's an unnecessary precaution'
Mothman
'If we go back to town, we have to be discreet, no selling off old coins and artefacts before we go back and clear the rest of that Cairn. Dont want people asking questions or nosing about. All that will get us is competition. Might even be worth camping outside of town and just going in for a few supplies in the morning, though maybe that's an unnecessary precaution'
'If we go back to town, we have to be discreet, no selling off old coins and artefacts before we go back and clear the rest of that Cairn. Dont want people asking questions or nosing about. All that will get us is competition. Might even be worth camping outside of town and just going in for a few supplies in the morning, though maybe that's an unnecessary precaution'
Boland nods slowly at Brashen's reasoning, and again at Andolphas' suggestion of remaining at the cabin. "Others may stumble upon the Cairn if we leave it for long. And we will likely face questions if we return to town. It makes sense to do as Andolphas suggests and remain out here while one or two of us head in for supplies." Despite his words, Boland does not look overly keen on the prospect of spening a night roughing it.
"Speaking of items we have collected, I can cast a spell to see if any of the items are magical". He pulls forth the ring taken from the Bugs nest and lays it in front of him. Waiting for a moment for the others to pull forth any items they picked up, he then quickly recites the words to the spell.
Strevlik says, "I have this gold armband and a healing potion."
He then speaks to Boland quietly.
Boland replies quietly to Strevliks whispered question.
"What are you searching for down there Boland? It seems like the place has already been looted, and it is very dangerous. Is it worth going back in?
Laithe is caught a little off-guard by the direct question, but recovers quickly with an answer "Knowledge. I could spend months studying what we have already uncovered in the Cairn, and I believe we've only just screatched the surface! The gold and silver may have indeed been looted from the cairn, but the secrets remain buried, and to me, they are every bit as valuable as gold and silver."
He stops for a moment, looking at the Ranger's deep wounds, and down at his own acid burns, and sombers a little. "It is true, the dangers are more than I thought. But we have a capable group here and I've learnt more this day than I have in the last 3 years of study. I don't want that learning to end so suddenly."
Treasure found:
Snake lair: gold armband of elven make; brass and indigo lantern (there are several others like it hanging in the tomb); a rotten piece of rope; a rusted grappling hook; a broken marble finger;
Tomb: an everburning torch;
Bug room: 4 steel bottles bearing sign of Pelor (healing potions); thin silver necklace with pearl; gold ring with fern leaf motifs; 7 silver pieces;
Statue room: masterwork red leather armour with 8 pointed star symbol engraved into chest; silver ring with 8 pointed star symbol.
Boland:
At the completion of his casting, Boland scans each of the items in turn. He points to the gold ring and the pearl necklace excitedly. "These both radiate magic! As do the healing potions naturally. I wonder what properties they have..." He picks up the gold ring once more and begins studying the fern leaf motifs.
Da'gret rolls his eyes when Boland mentions magic rings necklaces and rubs his stubbly head. "Maybe we have some princess tomb here. No one buries the mighty warrior with his favorite pearl necklace." The half-orc scowls at the idea of what else they might find while inspecting his injuries and accelerating his body's healing rate as much as he could.
When the others seem to agree that there wouldn't be any money to spend in town tonight he opens his mouth to protest, before recalling his disappointing last trip into town. The thought of another with no shiny coin to throw around wasn't appealing. On the other hand the idea of defending the Cairn from any claimjumpers held some kind of territorial appeal. "I'll drive off anyone who thinks they can take our princess jewels! But maybe you will bring me something for smashing giant bugs and acid slugs?" He opens his coin purse and slowly laboriously begins counting out coins to Brash one at a time. The half-orc then strides over to the entrance and unties the rope belt on his tattered pants to mark the territory quite literally.
"I'll drive off anyone who thinks they can take our princess jewels! But maybe you will bring me something for smashing giant bugs and acid slugs?" He opens his coin purse and slowly laboriously begins counting out coins to Brash one at a time. The half-orc then strides over to the entrance and unties the rope belt on his tattered pants to mark the territory quite literally.
Boland looks up from this study to respond to the half-orc, but his eyes widen and mouth drops open in dismay as he witnesses the brute unbelt his pants and begins to mark out his territory. He quickly turns from the spectacle, a blush coming to his checks and his stutter returning full-force. "Ah y-yes, well... um. We'll n-need some more torches, p-provsision for those who don't have any and maybe some more alchemist's f-fire or oil in case we meet any of those bugs" he says with a shudder.
He grabs his belt pouch and tips it into his palm with only a few coins dropping out. Looking up in embarrassment he continue "Um, I s-seem to have spent the last on my coins this m-morning on rope and t-torches."
Brash takes Da'grets coin and agrees to buy a great axe for him if possible. 'Ive got some coin, enough for rope and torches and the like, though I expect to be fully reimbursed before we split the loot.' He pauses and looks at Boland and Andolphas. 'Either of you think we could get something in town that will let us get into that submerged chamber?'
Brash takes Da'grets coin and agrees to buy a great axe for him if possible. 'Ive got some coin, enough for rope and torches and the like, though I expect to be fully reimbursed before we split the loot.' He pauses and looks at Boland and Andolphas. 'Either of you think we could get something in town that will let us get into that submerged chamber?'
"There is certainly magic that would do the trick, though I doubt we have enough coin to pay for it." Boland thinks for a moment, then hazards a suggestion. "An alternate might be to grab a couple of extra water skins which we can fill with air. If we have a couple of these and some more rope, we should be able to move someway down the tunnel and at least get some idea if there is anything down there. The ever burning torch could provide light"
With Brashen clearly intending to head into town, Boland continues. "I think at least two of us should head into town to try and buy the gear we need. I'll go with Brash....unless of course someone else wants to go along?"
Boland, looking more closely at the wide banded, gold ring, the engravings may not depict fern leaves, but possibly stylised feathers…
Da’gret, you notice that there is a cool breeze blowing from the north, and you see distant clouds on the northern horizon. Such conditions at this time of year suggest that a storm will likely blow in from the great lake to the north at some time during the night, bringing heavy rain and probably lightning and thunder. You would not want to be out in the open on a night like that; at the least, a sheltered place to build a fire would be good.
---
Diamond Lake’s economy does not support a magic shop, but minor magical items can sometimes be purchased from the town’s temples, or from the sage Allustan (Boland’s mentor). The town’s two weapon shops also sometimes sell magical weapons.
A great axe may well be available at The Captain’s Blade (one of the town’s weapon shops).
Rope, torches etc can be had at several stores in town, including a couple of general stores that stay open late into the night to cater for miners working odd or long shifts.
There is a jeweller and gem merchant in town (the gnome Tidwoad), to whom it may be possible to sell some of the valuables you have found; or else they could possibly be pedalled directly to some of the town’s wealthier folk (the mine managers, the governor-mayor or even Allustan).
Typical for Da'gret... Brashen realizes pretty quickly that the half-orc doesn't have enough coin for a quality weapon, but the boy doesn't seem to know that. In time he counted out all 14 of his gold and 5 silvers.
After peeing across the border of the Cairn, he looks up and the darkening sky and sniffs the air and grunts "Big storm... if I stay, maybe have to stay inside." He pauses for a second, already missing the pile of furs back in his hut. He reaches down the front of his trousers to scratch while he thinks about it and concludes, "Have to get wood before it rains for snake steak. Cook it up good and juicy. Who wants some?"
"feathers, not ferns..." Boland mutters to himself, studying the ring closely. "Perhaps a ring of feather fall. I wonder..." his voice trails off in contemplation.
Returning his attention to the discussion at hand, Boland suggests "Perhaps we can take in the armband and/or the pearl necklace and sell them? They should cover our expenses at least, and we might get quite a bit for them. Does anyone have any idea what they might be worth?".
Hearing that a storm was likely to blow up, Boland looks at the sky with some consternation, not wanting to be caught out in it. Turning to Brashen he asks "Should we get going then?"
Brash takes Da'grets coin and agrees to buy a great axe for him if possible. 'Ive got some coin, enough for rope and torches and the like, though I expect to be fully reimbursed before we split the loot.' He pauses and looks at Boland and Andolphas. 'Either of you think we could get something in town that will let us get into that submerged chamber?'
"We might mention our needs to Amariss, the head of my order... Boland knows her." A smile creeps across Andolphas's lips at this last comment. As a matter of fact, the poor lad was quite smitten when he last saw her years ago. "The Cult of the Green Lady may expect something in return for their assistance -- after all, your "loot" was in fact plundered from a burial mound that should be considered under their protection (but which we have explored, fortunately, with the Cult's consent), and the magics they may be willing to lend us would not be easily parted with. It may also be wise to have that ring inspected, Boland, if you wish to remain on Amariss's good side... and if we wish to avoid whatever horrible curse may be linked to it... She may be able to tell you it works, and might even be willing to let you keep it. I will be happy to travel back to town with you, if you believe it would be helpful." He glances at the half-orc and his trail of steaming urine, then adds, more forcefully: "come to think of it, this is no matter for debate. Boland, Brashen, I will accompany you back into town."
"We might mention our needs to Amariss, the head of my order... Boland knows her." A smile creeps across Andolphas's lips at this last comment. As a matter of fact, the poor lad was quite smitten when he last saw her years ago. "The Cult of the Green Lady may expect something in return for their assistance -- after all, your "loot" was in fact plundered from a burial mound that should be considered under their protection (but which we have explored, fortunately, with the Cult's consent), and the magics they may be willing to lend us would not be easily parted with. It may also be wise to have that ring inspected, Boland, if you wish to remain on Amariss's good side... and if we wish to avoid whatever horrible curse may be linked to it... She may be able to tell you it works, and might even be willing to let you keep it. I will be happy to travel back to town with you, if you believe it would be helpful." He glances at the half-orc and his trail of steaming urine, then adds, more forcefully: "come to think of it, this is no matter for debate. Boland, Brashen, I will accompany you back into town."
Boland squirms under the forceful priest's tirade. "Y-yes, of c-course" he stutters meekly in reply. Looking towards Da'gret and Strevlik, and the yawning portal of the Whispering Cairn beyond. "Is it safe for the two of you to remain here by yourselves? I could stay, though if there is trouble I'm not sure how much help I would be..." he trails off, secretly hoping the pair would not take him up on his offer.
Brash takes Da'grets coin and agrees to buy a great axe for him if possible. 'Ive got some coin, enough for rope and torches and the like, though I expect to be fully reimbursed before we split the loot.' He pauses and looks at Boland and Andolphas. 'Either of you think we could get something in town that will let us get into that submerged chamber?'"We might mention our needs to Amariss, the head of my order... Boland knows her." A smile creeps across Andolphas's lips at this last comment. As a matter of fact, the poor lad was quite smitten when he last saw her years ago. "The Cult of the Green Lady may expect something in return for their assistance -- after all, your "loot" was in fact plundered from a burial mound that should be considered under their protection (but which we have explored, fortunately, with the Cult's consent), and the magics they may be willing to lend us would not be easily parted with. It may also be wise to have that ring inspected, Boland, if you wish to remain on Amariss's good side... and if we wish to avoid whatever horrible curse may be linked to it... She may be able to tell you it works, and might even be willing to let you keep it. I will be happy to travel back to town with you, if you believe it would be helpful." He glances at the half-orc and his trail of steaming urine, then adds, more forcefully: "come to think of it, this is no matter for debate. Boland, Brashen, I will accompany you back into town."
'Willing to let us keep it!?' Brashs voice takes on a sarcastic tone, 'Well how nice of her, to let us keep what we risked life and limb to find. Where not giving things away, this isnt a charity!'
'Willing to let us keep it!?' Brashs voice takes on a sarcastic tone, 'Well how nice of her, to let us keep what we risked life and limb to find. Where not giving things away, this isnt a charity!'
"Charity?" Andolphas can't help but sneer at Brashen. "Poor fool... Those who plunder the vaults of the dead, under the watchful eye of the Dark-Eyed Lady, would be wise to show Her proper respect, if they wish to remain in Her good graces (and something tells me that NONE of you are prepared to make the journey to the Great Beyond, despite your bold facades, even though we may soon encounter even greater peril). You can remain in Her good favour by acknowledging that whatever you recovered from the barrow is in facts Hers... unless She communicates through one of Her devout servants, such as the Lady Amariss, that She wants you to keep what you have found. The Ruby Sorceress could have taken any one of our lives, including yours, brave Brashen, at any time, without warning... but She did not... Not this time... Is it too much to ask that offerings be made in gratitude? I hardly think that such offerings would constitute charity... Quite the contrary, you may find them the best investment you have ever made... we may even be granted boons or items of far greater value than the trinkets you so jealously cling to, if you should decide to forsake your greed and honour Her spiritual law..."