Mothman's Whispering Cairn

Game Master Mothman

Movement in the wind tunnel is 25 feet. I don't remember if that is per move action or per round. If it is per move action Harrian reached the barrier with his last action and failed the Will save.

Per move action.

will save 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Despite having seen his companions move through the ceiling, Brash cant disbelieve what his eyes are telling him. Closing his eyes and hoping for the best he 'swims' upwards to the ceiling.
so a double move this round will put Brash 10ft into the next room

So what happened when Harrigan hit the ceiling with 10 feet of movement left and failed the Will save terribly?

You may still move through if you fail the save, but passing through a surface that your brain is telling you is real and solid is somewhat traumatic and disorienting, and you may well be slow to react to or caught of guard by whatever is on the far side.

Brashen moves up towards the ceiling – and through! With Harrigan close behind him. The column of air lifts them straight through the illusionary stone into a rectangular chamber above, lit by soft light with no apparent source. The pillar of air dominates one half of the room – opposite, up a set of three short steps, rests a white marble sarcophagus identical to the one in the room with the coloured lanterns far below, complete with a sculpted humanoid figure carved into the lid, bearing Zosiel’s glyph at its throat. The wall is decorated with bas-relief carvings similar to the ones in the chamber below.

Lying in a spreading pool of blood on the steps is Andolphas’ crumpled body.

Before Brashen can react or move from the column of air, the flying guardian is whirling towards him, its sword skidding off his armour.

This chamber is approximately 35 feet by 20 feet, with a twenty foot high ceiling. The guardian is right next to the column of air, Andolphas is about 15 feet away.

Brash drops his crossbow and reaches for his axe and shield, swearing at the sudden attack.
'Harrigan, with me, Bowl get to the damn priest and do what you can for him...unless you got another one of those ray things!'

Is it possible to 5ft step out of the column of air? If it is, Brash will do so, to another spot next to the creature, ready to attack next round

Yeah, you (and anyone else who still has movement left once they get through the ceiling) can step out of the wind column onto the floor of this chamber – that was an AoO but if you’ve still got movement left, use it.

Waiting on Harrigan and Boland to say what they are doing when they get through the ceiling (assuming they still have a bit of movement left); stay in the column, step out, whatever. Then the guardian’s turn.

I got confused on the init. So-
I tossed Brashen a potion, then moved just inside the column of air.
Brashen drank the potion, then moved inside the column of air.
then
We both moved up 40 ft passing through the illusion (failing our saves) and stepping out into the room.
So Harrigan was acting first now. Okay. Just had to work that out.

I'm not sure how to figure how much movement we have left. Somewhere above you had said move rate in the air column was 25 ft /round. Since that is independent of our actual movement rate...
Harrigan started from ground level and went up 40 feet with one of them a 5 foot diagonal just to get into the room. If he was on his own movement rate he stops there. If he keeps the column movement rate he has 10 ft left, but since he's out of the column now, that probably does not apply.

The dwarf careens through the illusory ceiling flapping his arms and shoots out into the room to a heavy landing. He grunts at the impact and shakes his head, then sees Andolphas down. He brings the morningstar up into a ready position and gets ready to charge the guardians.

To be honest I’ve confused myself. My assumption was that everyone would make it up through the ceiling this round, so lets go with that – everyone’s just outside the column of air (or can stay in it if they want). I’m being a bit fluid with initiative order – essentially you can all act together.

While Harrigan and Boland move up and into the chamber, the wind warrior presses its attack on Brashen, slashing at him with both swords. The high attack is easily blocked by Brash’s shield … which leaves him vulnerable to the low attack that slices a bloody line across his thigh for 4 points of damage.

Alright, you guys are up. The chamber is wide enough that Boland and Harrigan can move around the guardian (either to flank or to get to Andolphas) without provoking AoOs. Brashen is in base to base contact with the guardian, so is more restricted in his movements.

Harrigan circles around coming in from behind and drives in for what would be a crippling strike on something made of flesh and blood.

Attack + Flanking + Bless (no defensive stance) 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 + 1 = 18
Damage ? 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
AC back to 16

I have no means to help Andolphas other than an untrained Heal skill. This seems like the best place to be right now.

Harrigan’s morning star smashes into the gaurdian’s back, cracking its armour and releasing a burst of steam from its airy body.

Brash drops his crossbow and reaches for his axe and shield, swearing at the sudden attack.

'Harrigan, with me, Bowl get to the damn priest and do what you can for him...unless you got another one of those ray things!'

"Oh, ah, ok!" Boland replies, hoping he would not find the priest beyond help. He ungracefully propels himself out of the air column and back onto solid ground. While Harrigan and Brashen occupy the wind warrior, he skirts around the battle and rushes to Andolphas' side.

Grimacing at the blood and uncertain due to his lack of knoweldge on healing, he does a quick assessment of Andolphas' wounds and then tries his best to staunch the blood flow.

Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Boland, it seems that Andolphas is still alive – barely. But he is fading fast, losing a lot of blood from several serious wounds. You try to quickly bandage up the most serious gash, but the blood keeps seeping out through the makeshift bandage torn from the priest’s robes. There is so much blood.

Andolphas:

Brash shudders as another blade slashes accross his torso, but pushes the sensation to the back of his mind, letting his anger block out the fear and pain. He grits his teeth and lets out an almost animal roar as he swings his axe at the thing, replacing finesse with brute strength.
power attack 1d30 + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 19 damage 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 14

I want you to keep that result, but I have to say... 1d30? :P

d30, creative, I’ll have to remember that. Still, as the roll itself was not that high (below average on 1d30 even!) and you are in quite a dire situation, I’ll let the result stand this time ...

Brashen roars and leaps up into the air and seems to hang for a moment, defying gravity 300 style, before bringing his axe blade crashing down savagely onto the guardian’s helm as he falls. The axe cleaves the ornate helmet in twain, and continues downward, finally lodging about halfway down the breastplate. There is a sigh, then a minor explosion of mist and warm steam that briefly animates the bas relief carving in the manner of those downstairs before fading. The twin swords and armour clatter to the stone floor, all except the breastplate, which remains stuck on Brashen’s axe.

End of combat, but we’ll stay on rounds for the moment.

oh s@&#...sorry about that! Next time feel free to reroll on my behalf (though I will try to pay more attention so there wont be a next time!)

Brash drops to one knee, panting, as the adreneline of the battle starts to leave his body. Dropping his axe he stands and stagers over to Bowland, sinking to his knees next to Andolphas.
'Come on Bowls, try again!'
aid another heal check 1d20 ⇒ 10

Brash drops to one knee, panting, as the adreneline of the battle starts to leave his body. Dropping his axe he stands and stagers over to Bowland, sinking to his knees next to Andolphas.

'Come on Bowls, try again!'

As soon as the Air Walker dies, Boland shouts at the others, his voice full of panic, "I can't stop the bleeding! help!"

At Brashen's urging, he tries to calm down and renews his efforts to staunch the bloodflow.

Heal check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 phew!

Managing to calm himself and take a measured but urgent approach, Boland, with Brashen’s assistance, manages to staunch the bleeding and bandage the cleric’s wounds. Andolphas’s breathing is shallow and sparse, and the beat of his heart can barely be felt. The priest of Wee Jas hovers just this side of death’s door step.

Great timing! I failed the next two stabilization rolls... :-)

Great timing! I failed the next two stabilization rolls... :-)

Which would put you on -8, or -9 if Bowls hadn’t made that heal check. Talk about close calls...

So combat is over and we are off rounds ... I will give the full description of the chamber.

This is a rectangular chamber, about 35 feet by 20 feet wide, lit by soft light with no apparent source. The pillar of air dominates one half of the room – opposite, up a set of three short steps, rests a white marble sarcophagus identical to the one in the room with the coloured lanterns far below, complete with a sculpted humanoid figure carved into the lid, bearing Zosiel’s glyph at its throat.

A beautifully carved bas-relief on the wall near the sarcophagus depicts the same figure as a bald, androgynous warrior wearing a simple, ancient looking robe and wielding a mighty longsword. To the warrior’s left stands a cloaked demonic figure with two long, curved horns tipped in the deepest red. The horned figure holds a device composed of a handle and a small loop.

As the mist and steam propelled up into this chamber by the column of air plays around the bas relief, it seems to animate as did the carvings below. The demonic figure appears to use the device it holds to control a globe of absolute blackness about two feet in diameter. The globe touches the bald warrior at the same instant he cuts down the demon with his sword. The warrior is then depicted as if fading from sight. A slim diadem worn upon his brow falls to the ground beside the remains of the horned demon.

What now?

Managing to calm himself and take a measured but urgent approach, Boland, with Brashen’s assistance, manages to staunch the bleeding and bandage the cleric’s wounds. Andolphas’s breathing is shallow and sparse, and the beat of his heart can barely be felt. The priest of Wee Jas hovers just this side of death’s door step.

Boland breathes a sigh of relief, the the look on his face remains one of worry. "Hopefully that'll stabalise him for a while, but I think we need to get him some help."

He looks wistfully around the tomb, wanting to immerse himself in the history of the place and spend time unlocking his secrets. "I regret we may have to come back another day - unless we want to seek aid from the other adventurers?"

Brash snorts at Bowland’s suggestion. 'Why would they help us? There here for the treasure, and where the competition. Damn priest getting himself killed...' The big man trails off, inwardly cursing the predicament they were now in.
‘Maybe there’s something in here that can help him? Or maybe one of us should go back to town to try and get some more of those healing potions. It’s going to be a lot of work getting Andolphas all the way back to town without reopening his wounds, I’m not sure we could even do it. Plus if we leave, we have to leave the door to this section of the Cairn open, and let those bastards get to it first. If one of us stays with Andolphas, the other two can make a run back to town and try and get some healing for him... and for the rest of us.’

"I don't mind making the run. Think I took a little less of the blade than you Brash and I'm fair enough at making my way around without drawing too much attention. Getting back in without the other crew seeing us might be a problem though. Hell- for all I know they've already finished below and they'll see me climbing down out of here."

"I think maybe some general supplies like food and blankets might be in order if we're going to see this through. I've got soem money, but not enough for anything like magic healing. We might be here for a while and that might not be a bad thing. Maybe the two of you should stay here with the priest. One of you is going to have to wait around near the door to let me back in and you won't be able to drag our injured friend down there."

"I don't mind making the run. Think I took a little less of the blade than you Brash and I'm fair enough at making my way around without drawing too much attention. Getting back in without the other crew seeing us might be a problem though. Hell- for all I know they've already finished below and they'll see me climbing down out of here."

"I think maybe some general supplies like food and blankets might be in order if we're going to see this through. I've got soem money, but not enough for anything like magic healing. We might be here for a while and that might not be a bad thing. Maybe the two of you should stay here with the priest. One of you is going to have to wait around near the door to let me back in and you won't be able to drag our injured friend down there."

"You're forgetting about Kullen and his gang though. I would hazard a guess that they would be pretty keen to catch up with us and 'discuss' our last encounter. If you do head into town alone Harrigan and happen to get caught, then Andolphas and yourself may be meeting the Green Lady in person."

He thinks a little. "Let's take the time to give this place a search; maybe it will turn up something that can help. If we find nothing then we can decide the best course of action. Oh, and I have a spell which may help us get past the door again. I've been scribbling notes ever since we first met the Land boy, not entirely confident he would fulfill his end of the bargain and wanting a back up plan. I'd have to test it, but believe it may allow us to leave this part of the cairn, without leaving the door open for others to stumble upon."

He rises from Andolphas' side, ready to search the room. "Um, Harrigan. Perhaps you should lead; you seem to have experience in this department. What do you want me to do?"

Boland will aid another in the search. Take 10 if appropriate or if not: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

'Agreed, its worth searching this place first. The trick will be not to get into any more trouble before where ready. Theres also the way down the air coloum in the last room. Might be something down the bottom

"So far none of Kullen's gang has seen my face. I wore my mask in the alley when we jumped the first guy. At the tower I was in the dark behind a barrier. If I show up trying to sell things from Filge's tower though... that could be trouble."

"If you think we might find something useful in this place though, I'm game for making the search first."

Search 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 +5 more when examining minute details with the goggles.

Harrigan and Boland begin to search the chamber, while Brashen keeps an eye on Andolphas’ unconscious form. The column of air keeps the air in this enclosed chamber fresh if humid with steam, and every few moments a stray swirl of steam re-animates the wall carving.

In his search, Harrigan steps up onto the low dais upon which rests the sarcophagus. As he does so, a swirl of steam again animates the wall carving, but in a different manner this time. The figure of the tall warrior seems to face the room and speak in a breathy, whispering voice. Strangely, Brashen and Boland hear the words in the Common tongue, though Harrigan seems to hear his native Dwarven being spoken.

“Speak my name,” whispers the warrior, then the mists swirl away and the carving is still again.

Apart from this odd occurrence, the search turns up little of interest. There do not appear to be any other exits from this chamber, hidden or otherwise. Although the sarcophagus on the dais appears almost identical to the one in the chamber with the lanterns far below, down to the bas relief carving of the androgynous figure on top, Harrigan can find no sign of a seam for a lid – it appears to be carved from a single, solid block of marble.

'Hmmm.... well you scholars know his name don't you? Sounds like it may be a password or some such thing. Do you think we should be continuing on in this state though, or heading back to town? Im sure we could give Harrigan some of the valuables we've found to trade for the potions.'
The big man looks torn between the possibility of a treasure trove being just around the corner, or another monsterous horror to face.

Harrigan examines the door thoroughly then when it speaks to him in dwarven, narrows his eyes shrewdly. What'd the priest say earlier...? ahh yes. He places his hand on it and says, "Icosiel."

Just to clarify, it was a part of the carving on the wall that seemed to animate and speak – there is no visible door here.

Harrigan speaks the name loudly ... and nothing happens.

Boland:

When I said the search doesn’t turn up anything ... there is the armoured remains of the wind warrior. It’s armour has been hacked an scorched to near uselessness, but its two fine, archaically styled long swords are intact.

As far as Harrigan or someone sneaking back to town, it is possible, but remember that it is a journey of several hours in each direction.

Man, does being KOed ever suck... Andolphas so would have wanted to be the one to have said "Icosiel:... :-)

Since Ash is busy recovering from a big weekend of drinking, and trying to catch up on work ...

Boland breaks the silence that hangs after Harrigan speaks the name. “I don’t think that’s right,” he says hesitantly. “Icosiel is featured prominently in the mural’s downstairs, that’s true; he appears to be a great hero of the Wind Duke’s. But I believe this tomb is that one of Icosiel’s vassals, a warrior named Zosiel.”

At the last word, a line of brilliant blue light appears on the side of the sarcophagus, a few inches below the top. After a moment the light fades, but now everyone can see that there is a defiante line there, a seam – it appears that the lid can now be pushed aside or lifted.

Since Ash is busy recovering from a big weekend of drinking, and trying to catch up on work ...

Boland breaks the silence that hangs after Harrigan speaks the name. “I don’t think that’s right,” he says hesitantly. “Icosiel is featured prominently in the mural’s downstairs, that’s true; he appears to be a great hero of the Wind Duke’s. But I believe this tomb is that one of Icosiel’s vassals, a warrior named Zosiel.”

At the last word, a line of brilliant blue light appears on the side of the sarcophagus, a few inches below the top. After a moment the light fades, but now everyone can see that there is a defiante line there, a seam – it appears that the lid can now be pushed aside or lifted.

Damn; 2.5 hours too late. What Moth said...

Boland motions Brashen over, his eyes eager. "Quick, help me with this lid..."

Between the pair of them, Brashen and Boland (well, mainly Brashen) are able to push aside the lid of the sarcophagus. There is no body inside, but there are several items.

At the top end of the space is a silver diadem of fine and delicate construction, inscribed at the front with Zosiel’s glyph.

In the centre of the sarcophagus are two long, glossy, slightly curved black horns that transition to red near their tips. Between them is a pewter box of slightly asymmetrical shape, its lid appearing partially melted and fused shut. The un-melted part of the box is inscribed with strange, alien lettering, different in style to the Vaati glyphs, that seems to writhe peculiarly and give you a slight headache when you look at it.

At the foot of the sarcophagus is a small wooden coffer of fine craftsmanship, its lid unlatched. Within is a hexagonal shaped book bound in an unfamiliar leather, its pages miraculously unmarred through the long ages; a faceted white gemstone; and six metal flasks, each of them sealed and filled with some liquid. The seals are marked with unfamiliar Vaati glyphs, two the same as each other but the other four different.

Brash's eyes light up at the revealed treasure, and he grins. 'Some coin and a few more gems would be nice, but I guess this aint a bad start! Can you work out what the glyphs on those flasks mean Bowls? You think theres anything there that can help Andolphas?'

Brash's eyes light up at the revealed treasure, and he grins. 'Some coin and a few more gems would be nice, but I guess this aint a bad start! Can you work out what the glyphs on those flasks mean Bowls? You think theres anything there that can help Andolphas?'

Boland's eyes light up as he eyes the treasure, though not for quite the same reason as Brashen. To him, the treasure is more than just a value in coins, but holds great beauty and more importantly, great historical signifcance. Here was proof beyond doubt that they had found a Cairn that had not yet been pillaged!

Brashen's question breaks him from his amazed stupor however, and he reaches for the flasks to take a closer look, studying the glyph's closely.

Decipher Script: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Boland, although you cannot actually decipher the meaning of the glyphs, the gentle curves and simple geometric shapes of the glyphs on the two identically marked bottles suggest that they contain something of a passive and helpful nature – possibly something to do with healing.

Casting detect magic and trying to analyse the auras with Spellcraft may also be helpful here.

Boland, although you cannot actually decipher the meaning of the glyphs, the gentle curves and simple geometric shapes of the glyphs on the two identically marked bottles suggest that they contain something of a passive and helpful nature – possibly something to do with healing.

"hmm, I think these two might be of a healing nature," Boland says excitedly, grabbing the pair of identically marked bottles. However, some uncertainty remains in his voice and he adds, "Better make sure..."

He lays the bottles down gently and quietly speaks the words to a simple spell. He then studies the potions carefully, checking the others as well.

Casts Detect Magic, then also makes a Spellcraft check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Five of the bottles radiate a faint aura of conjuration magic, from the healing sub-school. One of them radiates a faint aura of abjuration.

'So lets get him back up and about.' Brash gently raises the priests body into a sitting position, holding his head still so bowland can administer one of the potions

'So lets get him back up and about.' Brash gently raises the priests body into a sitting position, holding his head still so bowland can administer one of the potions

Boland takes up one of the bottles that radiate the healing magic and kneels down beside Brashen and Andolphas. He unstoppers the potion and carefully raises it to the priests lips, gently pouring it in...

As the liquid from the ancient bottle dribbles down Andolphas’ throat, some of his wounds begin to visibly close up, and his eyelids flutter. Healed for 14 points, which is enough for him to regain consciousness.

Andolphas sits up with a violent start, gasping profoundly as his eyes bulge. "Boland, Brashen... am I...??? No..."

The priest's gaze darts around the strange chamber as he tries to regain control of his breathing.

"The elemental warrior... came after me... I tried to fight him off, but... failed... I saw the Green Lady... I couldn't tell if she was ushering me forward to meet the Ruby Sorceress and go forth into the Great Beyond, or whether she was... sending me back to this world..."

Andolphas rises with some difficulty, still shaky from his brush with death.

"The Lady sent me back. My friends, it is clear that my task is not yet done on this Oerth... and the steps that you have taken to protect me and bring me back make it clear that the Lady favours you as well, my friends... Yes, Brashen, you too... I am in your..." The somber priest's last few words trail off as he attempts an awkward, but genuine smile.

Jumbled thoughts race through his mind. "How long have I been here? Is the elemental warrior slain ? What of the sarcophagus -- what has happened?"

"The Lady sent me back. My friends, it is clear that my task is not yet done on this Oerth... and the steps that you have taken to protect me and bring me back make it clear that the Lady favours you as well, my friends... Yes, Brashen, you too... I am in your..." The somber priest's last few words trail off as he attempts an awkward, but genuine smile.

Jumbled thoughts race through his mind. "How long have I been here? Is the elemental warrior slain ? What of the sarcophagus -- what has happened?"

Boland cannot help but grin stupidly in relief as Andolphas comes to. "The Green Lady certainly favours you, if my poor first aid efforts kept you alive until we found this healing elixier. I am certainly no healer..."

As the priest's attentions turn to their surroundings, Boland's grin grows ever greater as his excitement of their find returns ten-fold. "We did it! Brash and Harrigan finished off the Air Warrior and we've uncovered the tomb of Zosiel. And it's like we hoped - it hasn't been touched! We are the first to lie our eyes on it, probably in thousands of years! Come and see!"

He helps Andolphas the remaining way to his feet and ushers him towards the open coffin.